Rating: 
Summary: Suspense?
Review: Darkness Peering by Alice Blanchard is a worthy first effort. It was all in all an enjoyable read. Nalen Storrow, police chief of Flowering Dogwood is called to investigate the murder of a teenage special needs girl. Nalen is deeply disturbed by the murder and the trail to which the evidence is leading. The murder remains unsolved and years later his daughter Rachel, now a member of the police force decides to try her hand at solving the case.Rachel, as has been pointed out is not the sharpest knife in the drawer. She continually makes inept decisions in pursuit of the case and her personal life choices are not necessarily wise either. I certainly would not want Rachel to try to save me if my life was in danger. Her morals are somewhat questionable in the conclusion. Rachel was not a person who I could care about or like, which is essential to identifying with a "sleuth" in a mystery. Readers will have to draw their own conclusion to this after reading the "surprising" ending. Many readers appear to have loved this book and believe it is the best in years. To me the mystery itself was just not that difficult to solve and all in all was not very satisfying. I will not read another Rachel Storrow book if Blanchard continues this as a series.
Rating: 
Summary: Did i miss something?
Review: I am not sure if I am missing the wonder and suspense in this book but very rarley was I in suspense. Further, the writing especially the love scenes was riduculous. If the words "my heart is heavy" was used one more time I was goign to stop reading the book. I was indifferent to the characters and their actions never truly reflected what acutually happen. I can't recommened this book as I found it boring and unfulfilling.
Rating: 
Summary: A great book
Review: I read many books, most fall into the mystery/thriller category. This is the first book in a long time that has kept me guessing until the end! After reading that this is the first of Ms. Blanchard's full length novels I was even more impressed. The book is paced well, skillfully worded, and the characters seem very realistic. I look forward to her next novel.
Rating: 
Summary: I wonder
Review: Seems to me this would have been a great short story. It could have ended on page 53. I'm still reading it so I can't give a rating. Part One was excellent.
Rating: 
Summary: Do Not Miss this Book!
Review: I will only give 5 stars to the very best books I have read. This account of small town murder and life rates a strong four stars. The soul of this book is character development. From the very beginning you become part of Flowering Dogwood, Maine. You feel the tragedy of Chief Nalen Storrow. You wish you could reach out for his son. Rachel becomes a very real police officer and sister. You get a feeling for the town and it's people, their fears and their secrets. The mystery is well concelled until the end. Keep track of the main characters, their are several. All have possibility, for just enough suspicion is cast on each. This book would make a nice made for TV movie and Flowering Dogwood a town to visit..now that a killer has been caught.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: I love it when I actually agree with the other reviews on Amazon. Let me just say that this is the best book I've read in years. There have been a lot of books that I have liked but at the end I usually had some minor complaint about something. Not this book. I can find nothing wrong with it. The pacing is perfect. It's thought provoking. I love the prose, which is very rich and rounded and yet it doesn't make your head hurt, nor is it suffocating. Everything in this book was the perfect dose. I hope Ms. Blanchard writes a hundred books and I hope they are all as good as this one.
Rating:
Summary: DARK, DISTURBING & DECEPTIVE!
Review: What a great read. I was gripped from the first paragraph and stayed up until 5 in the morning to finish it in one sitting. I live in a small New England town and clearly, the author does (or did?). She captures the atmosphere to the smallest details perfectly. The plot is intriguing, the characters complex (without becoming ponderously so) and the writing itself is quite good. When's the next one coming?
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Read!
Review: Alice Blanchard has the potential of a John Grisham! I consume all types of books (fiction and non) and have not read one this intoxicating in a very long time. The characters are vivid and the plot electrifying. I had no idea what was coming next and read the entire book in 2 days -- Just couldn't put it down. The climax is unpredictable and original. I can't wait for her next book and plan to grab a hard copy as soon as the ink drys!
Rating:
Summary: A Stunning Mystery
Review: I can not praise this book enough! It is the best mystery I have read this year and compares well with some of the best I have EVER read. The central mystery is profound, frightening and emotionally wrenching. The author has brought great depth and humanity to the characters of Rachel, McKissick, Billy, Claire and all of the rest. This is one of the few instances in which I wish the author would feature the main characters in another book. More, more, more from Alice Blanchard - one of the best writers around. Read this wonderful book - you will not forget it!
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME!
Review: this book is the best!!! definately keeps you on the edge of your seat.. up to the last sentence!!!! I'd recommend it to anyone! even my friend who doesn't usually read stuff like this borrowed my copy after reading over my shoulder for a few minutes! the best mixture of thriller, romance, suspense, and mystery.. I've seen in a looooong time! I hope Alice continues writing more just like it! actually I wish she had more like it already! I can't wait!!! :-) a definate must read! :-)
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