Thomas F. (hardtack) -
I'm not having much luck with novels lately. Most of the ones I've been reading are disappointing. In this one the killer is finally identified as someone you would never expect, for several reasons. Yet, the motive isn't really well explained, or, if I missed something, doesn't make any sense. Then something is revealed about the main character's boy friend that also seems like it was just tossed in. And I had such high hopes for it.
This is book one of a trilogy. Even though it received an award, others must have felt like I did, as the last book the author wrote was released in 2018.
This is book one of a trilogy. Even though it received an award, others must have felt like I did, as the last book the author wrote was released in 2018.
The Darkness Knows by Cheryl Honigford is a Viv and Charlie mystery novel. Vivian Witchell is a radio actress in Chicago, Illinois in 1938. Vivian was a secretary at the station (for Mr. Hart) before she made the move into acting. Vivian is determined to be independent and a big star. One evening Vivian forgot her umbrella and had return to the lounge. She walks into the lounge and finds a body. Vivian screams which alerts the elevator operator and then faints dead away. She awakens in the office of Mr. Hart, the station owner. The body was that of radio star, Marjorie Fox. She was the main character in The Golden Years. After Vivian gets threatened, Mr. Hart hires Charlie Haverman, Jr., a private investigator, to keep her safe and look into the crime. Vivian wants to help Charlie with the investigation. She does not want to stay safe at home with her mother (Vivian comes from a well-to-do family). Can they find the killer before Vivian ends up the next victim?
The Darkness Knows was a good concept. I like the time period and the radio angle (different from other novels). However, I thought the mystery was simple and very easy to solve (one clue gives it away). Vivian is trying to be this independent woman but it does not come across. She is from a rich family who live in a big house, have a chauffeur, maid, etc. Her shows of independence are comical (like not using the chauffeur). There are phrases and words in the book that are not correct for the era. There is also some information repeated a few times. I give The Darkness Knows 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay). Vivian was not my favorite character in the book (I found Graham Yarborough entertaining). She is such a contradiction (independent, stubborn and then faints and cries). I thought Cheryl Honigford was a very verbose writer (a nice word for long winded and descriptive). The book seemed unfinished at the end. The crime was solved, but we are left with a couple of unanswered questions. I do not believe I will read the next book in the series (just not for me).
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my won.
The Darkness Knows was a good concept. I like the time period and the radio angle (different from other novels). However, I thought the mystery was simple and very easy to solve (one clue gives it away). Vivian is trying to be this independent woman but it does not come across. She is from a rich family who live in a big house, have a chauffeur, maid, etc. Her shows of independence are comical (like not using the chauffeur). There are phrases and words in the book that are not correct for the era. There is also some information repeated a few times. I give The Darkness Knows 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay). Vivian was not my favorite character in the book (I found Graham Yarborough entertaining). She is such a contradiction (independent, stubborn and then faints and cries). I thought Cheryl Honigford was a very verbose writer (a nice word for long winded and descriptive). The book seemed unfinished at the end. The crime was solved, but we are left with a couple of unanswered questions. I do not believe I will read the next book in the series (just not for me).
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my won.
Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Cheryl Honigford's first Viv and Charlie mystery brings to life the days of radio serials. As a child, my mother would sit with my grandmother in the dark listening to their favorite radio programs. My mother's was The Shadow Knows, which reminds me of the title of this book, so I was favorably inclined toward The Darkness Knows from the beginning. I'm happy to say that I wasn't disappointed.
As I've already said, Honigford added just the right amount of historical detail to put me right in the middle of the golden days of radio. Radio stars aren't any different from Hollywood stars. Those starting out in their careers are cutthroat when it comes to obtaining the right parts that will get them noticed and lead to fame and larger paychecks. Viv had to deal with this just as much as she had to deal with finding a killer.
This leads me to Viv's character. She's a likable enough person, but she's not the girl next door. She's ambitious. She's self-centered. A lot of the things she does in The Darkness Knows are publicity stunts aimed at furthering her career, and she does them cheerfully. Honigford does an excellent job walking a tightrope with Viv's characterization. Viv is nice... but not "too" nice. On the other hand, working class Charlie the private detective I thought was completely likable. If there was anything about these two characters that I really didn't care for, it was the amount of romance between them in the story. That's just not my thing, although I know I'm probably in the minority.
Even though I knew the bad guy from the start, I still enjoyed reading this first Viv and Charlie mystery. The period Chicago "radio days" detail drew me right in, and I enjoyed watching how long it took the others to figure out whodunit. Shame on me!
As I've already said, Honigford added just the right amount of historical detail to put me right in the middle of the golden days of radio. Radio stars aren't any different from Hollywood stars. Those starting out in their careers are cutthroat when it comes to obtaining the right parts that will get them noticed and lead to fame and larger paychecks. Viv had to deal with this just as much as she had to deal with finding a killer.
This leads me to Viv's character. She's a likable enough person, but she's not the girl next door. She's ambitious. She's self-centered. A lot of the things she does in The Darkness Knows are publicity stunts aimed at furthering her career, and she does them cheerfully. Honigford does an excellent job walking a tightrope with Viv's characterization. Viv is nice... but not "too" nice. On the other hand, working class Charlie the private detective I thought was completely likable. If there was anything about these two characters that I really didn't care for, it was the amount of romance between them in the story. That's just not my thing, although I know I'm probably in the minority.
Even though I knew the bad guy from the start, I still enjoyed reading this first Viv and Charlie mystery. The period Chicago "radio days" detail drew me right in, and I enjoyed watching how long it took the others to figure out whodunit. Shame on me!
I enjoyed this book. It was a good cozy mystery and I can see that it would be a good start to an ongoing series.
