Rating: 
Summary: A great debut, if a bit dark....
Review: I know all fiction cannot have happy, neatly tied-up endings, but this one blew me away. I found myself challenged by this story, and really didn't figure out who the killer was until it was almost upon me. The author does a good job in developing her characters and making her reader CARE about them. Nalen Storrow is one of the most desperate humans I've found in recent fiction. I rooted for him to find the retarded girl's killer and I despaired with him as he fought ugly, black moods that he could not control. I liked his daughter, Rachel, too. I wished happiness for her, but it was not to be. This book kept me in suspense until the final page...and I do mean the final page....it's a stunner. The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 was I felt there were way too many red herrings offered to the reader before the true evil -- and its motivation -- were revealed. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Dark is certainly the word, also POWERFUL
Review: Wonderfully woven characters and a million unexpected and harrowing twists. I read this in a day, stayed up way to late to finish it. Then I couldn't sleep because the book was so thick with evil and guilt. Captivating.
Rating:
Summary: Superior to most in the genre.
Review: This is a whip-smart, uniquely vivid book. Blanchard has a very personal vision and the writing is unusually intelligent. Full of warm and deeply human characters. A sophisticated story with genuinely startling plot twists. Blanchard doesn't rework tired cliches, she reinvents the genre. I thought I was shockproof by now, but the ending threw me. Amazing. I eagerly await the next Blanchard book.
Rating:
Summary: Who could ask for anything more?
Review: I'll bet this is the kind of book people either love or hate. I LOVED IT. Great book. Complex, emotional and unforgettable characters. The plot moved. Loved the sense of family history. One of the best endings I've read in recent memory. The writing was very special. I mean, SPECIAL special. As in, this is a writer you're going to be hearing a lot from. Can't wait for Blanchard's next book.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I had a hard time finishing this book. I guess some of the reviews here gave me high expectations.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Character Development
Review: What an excellent read. I choose mystery writers that have good progressive character development, psychological incite, descriptive writing of place, and fast pace. Elizabeth George is in that category. Now, so is Alice Blanchard. I eagerly look forward to her next novel. How I would enjoy a sequel, as Rachel is fascinating, intelligent, thoughtful and has a human dark side that makes her real.
Rating:
Summary: Clever One
Review: The plot twists and turns nicely. The ending leaves you wanting more closure, but somehow that seems fitting for this unusual novel. The treatment of the visually impaired students is often right on the mark, and some of the cops are right on target. I'm a cop's wife, and I found the new Chief of Police eerily familiar...
Rating:
Summary: Best book I've read in ages.
Review: This book made the New York Times Notables of '99 for a simple reason--it's original and brilliant; full of dark territories and atmospheres. Darkness Peering is the rare literary thriller. Blanchard has a great mind and a great knack for character and plot. This book moves you with real mastery. It's a stunning debut. This is a writer to watch.
Rating:
Summary: A riveting page-turner
Review: This book is a must-read for everyone who has tired of the formula "thrillers." The conclusion is a total surprise, even to those of us who paid attention and usually can guess the end. The character development was reasonably thorough and the plot progression was filled with unexpected twists and turns. The complexity of the relationships added credence to the conclusion. This is a book that will haunt its readers for awhile. Please, Alice Blanchard, write another book as quickly as possible without compromising your unique gift. Many of us will be waiting for it.
Rating: 
Summary: A disappointing read!
Review: I was put on the hold list for this book at the public library; however, I should have left it alone. What a disappointing ending. I stayed up until 3:00 am to read the ending and I was not happy when it ended. The characters are hardly believable and the guessing game became tiresome after the middle of the book. Besides, how many times does the reader have to be told that the story is taking place in a small town? Really, don't waste your time. There are better detective novels out there for you to read.
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