Darkness for Light (Caleb Zelic #3) by Emma Viskic, Review: Thrilling
Darkness for Light is Emma Viskic’s latest taut and thrilling instalment in her international award-winning Caleb Zelic Thriller series.
Darkness for Light (Caleb Zelic #3) Synopsis
After a lifetime of bad decisions troubled PI Caleb Zelic is finally making good ones. He’s in therapy, reconnecting with the Deaf community, and reconciling with his beloved wife.
But he can’t escape his past.
A violent confrontation forces Caleb back into contact with his double-crossing partner, Frankie. When her niece is kidnapped, Frankie and Caleb must work together to save the child’s life. But their efforts will risk everything, including their own lives.
‘One of the most intriguing recent protagonists of Australian crime fiction’ – The Australian
(Echo Publishing – December 2019)
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Action, Crime, Drama
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BOOK REVIEW
It is no secret I am a huge fan of Emma Viskic’s Caleb Zelic Thriller series, having nothing but admiration for her taut, propulsive (and brave) writing style and the authenticity and grit of its characters. Read my reviews of Resurrection Bay (Book 1) and And Fire Came Down (Book 2).
I read Book 3 in a single day. I did not think it possible, but the narrative in Darkness for Light is even more taut and compelling than the novels that precede it. Emerging from the shadow of past violent and traumatic events, Caleb is on the precarious cusp of happiness. But trouble comes looking for him and he finds himself backed into a corner. The complex web of corruption Caleb must navigate and competing loyalties he must juggle, all while keeping his own demons in check, makes for edge-of-your-seat reading.
Yes, this novel features violence not for the faint of heart. But it also features wonderful moments of human connection, powerful in their simplicity and precious in their fleeting nature.
Alongside Caleb’s personal growth, it must be said that Viskic’s vintage of dark humour is aging extremely well. Some of the dialogue in this novel can only be described as ‘top-shelf’. My apologies, but to say more would be to spoil.
In Darkness for Light, Viskic continues to impress with her engaging brand of thought-provoking crime fiction — character-driven stories that resonate told without pretence. I now eagerly await Book 4.
However, I strongly recommend readers start with Book 1 in this series, in order to fully appreciate the depth and gravity of series lead Caleb’s emotional journey.
BOOK RATING: The Story 4.5 / 5 ; The Writing 5 / 5 — Overall 4.75
Get your copy of Darkness for Light (Caleb Zelic #3) along with Books 1 & 2 from:
Amazon Book Depository Booktopia AU
OR listen to the audiobook FREE with Audible’s Trial (check eligibility)
* I’ve also since had the pleasure of reading Emma Viskic’s Those Who Perish (Caleb Zelic #4).
About the Author, Emma Viskic
Emma Viskic is the author of the critically acclaimed Caleb Zelic series. Resurrection Bay won the 2016 Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction, as well as an unprecedented three Davitt Awards: Best Adult Novel, Best Debut, and Readers’ Choice. It was iBooks Australia’s Crime Novel of the Year and was shortlisted for the UK Crime Writers’ Association Gold Dagger and New Blood awards. Its sequel, And Fire Came Down, won the 2018 Davitt Award for Best Novel.
Also a classically trained clarinettist, Emma studied at the Victorian College of the Arts and the Rotterdam Conservatorium. Her musical career ranged from performing with José Carreras and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, to playing at an engagement party that ended in a brawl.
* Receiving a copy from the publisher for review purposes did not impact the expression of my honest opinions.
