Customer Reviews

After Dark

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This one combines the best elements of the "cozy" and "suspense" styles of mystery-writing. The protagonist is Tracy Cavanaugh, a recent law school graduate who clerks for a justice of the Oregon Supreme Court.

During her last days at the Oregon Supreme Court, one of Tracy's clerk colleagues is murdered. That murder is followed shortly by the murder of the justice who employed the murdered clerk. The murdered justice's estranged wife, herself a brilliant prosecutor, soon becomes the prime suspect. At the same time, Tracy's year of clerking is up, and she goes to work for renowned defense attorney Matthew Reynolds, who is defending the accused wife.

This is definitely a better novel than "Undertaker's Widow", which was the first Phillip Margolin mystery I read. Most of the primary characters are well-drawn and memorable. The plot is unpredictable but doesn't stretch credulity. The last 75 pages give the plot several twists before the ultimate solution is revealed. The book is captivating and well-written throughout.

This book provides one more example of the foolishness... several years ago, to change the rating system from a 10-star maximum to a 5-star maximum. This book is a cut above Hazel Holt's "Mrs. Malory, Detective in Residence", to which I gave 4 stars. It is also a definite cut below Elizabeth George's novels, all of which deserve 5 stars. I will stick with my contention that only real literature deserves 5 stars, and this isn't real literature. But it's about as good as genre mysteries ever get.

Now, don't get me wrong - this book has more good things going for it than bad, but the whole thing just seems a bit off to me. There is a lack of focus, for one thing. Whose story is it? Tracy's? Abigail's? Matthews? Charlie's? I also figured it out about 1/3 of the way through the book but I was written well enough that I gladly stuck it out to see if I was right. (I was, but my theory about the motive was a tad bit off). This is not Margolin's best work ('The Burning Man' gets that honor) but it is a good enough read for a long holiday weekend.

After being completely blown away by 'Gone, But Not Forgotten' I knew I had found an author who had an amazing gift for intense storytelling...and although not quite as intense as 'GBNF' 'After Dark' has all the markings of an incredible whodunnit. I have to admit, by the time I figured it out (and that was only after Margolin let me in on it) I was totally surprised at the ending. That doesn't happen much these days, but 'After Dark' did it for me (my wife didn't seem surprised, but I sure was) and certainly deserves a lot more than to be just another run-of- the-mill legal thriller. Grisham on his best day hasn't written as good as this. From the opening pages where you get to know the characters, you end up feeling for them, developing small but very realistic bonds that make their problems more like YOURS. Just a fantastic read, and very much worth your time.

"After Dark" is about Tracy Cavanough finding her best friend dead and then Justice Robert Griffen being killed with a car bomb. Are the two killings related? Abbie Griffen, wife of Robert is charged with the murder of her husband. Tracy has just been hired by Matthew Reynolds, the best defence attorney there is. Together they set out to prove Abbie is not guilty. But, is she? Has she snowed Matthew Reynolds? You think it is all figured out then, Bang, you are off again with a new twist. It was hard for me to rate, I nearly gave it a three, but is a little better than that, I guess. I got lost during the first several pages because so many names were thrown at me. I also thought the description of some things went into to much detail. Such as what makes up a piece of metal, or how a picture can me made one time and looks like another time. All in all it was fair.

I'm not a big fan of legal thrillers, but I liked this book. Although not as good as his other book, Wild Justice, this one was a page-turner, and only a few pages throughout the courtroom testimony were boring. I was a little disappointed by the ending, but I would still recommend this book.

As a reader of many books, I enjoyed Margolin's book with it evoking so many emotions. The reader can feel like a fly on the wall, watching the amazing events unfold, one by one, shocking as the reader turns the page. With his mastery in this subject, he can write with such enthusiasm and wisdom on the subjects. Margolin is able to expose the many injustices that can be seen throughout his story, allowing the reader to become emotionally attached to the characters. Tracy, in her infinite wisdom captures the audience as the hero, that finds the right path for every one involved. Reader beware, Matthew's a 'genius' to put it mildly, don't be drawn to close to his immaculate facade.

This is my 3rd book by Mr. Margolin and all three are awesome! Very superb writing and can't put down books. Now, I'm reading my 4th one, Burning Man, and even my father-in-law, said it's a good book, so here I am giving my reviews because I want to let other readers to know, that you will not be disappointed. Reading his novels, is like watching a movie, and my imaginations just go wild. After Dark, just one of those who-dunnit books. So there, hopefully other readers can find this review helpful... Thanks

If the reader becomes absorbed in the portrayal of this novel's characters, he or she will certainly be prepared for the revelations in the later chapters. Otherwise, this is a fascinating and well plotted mystery. One reviewer seemed quite disturbed by not being able to decide whose story this is. It certainly isn't necessary that a story belong to just one character. L. A. CONFIDENTIAL for instance tells several stories without a true central character. So it is with this novel. It tells the inter-related stories of several characters and doesn't suffer at all for doing so. This is one of those books deserving a thoughtful reading although it does flow very smoothly, enhanced by some technical detail on metals and photography along with a strong legal background. Most highly recommended for crime and suspense readers, but also rewarding to those of more literary tastes.

Afer Dark, by Phillip Margolin, is the best mystery/thriller I've ever read (and believe me I've read many). To me the evaluation of how good a book is can be determined in how long it takes one to read it. I read After Dark in less than two days. It is a masterful work of penmanship with a twisted plot that keeps you reading to see whodunit, but the plot is so intricately woven, you never can decide what the resolution will turn out to be. Publishers Weekly called Margolin's style "whiplash plotting", which is an excellent description. This was a complicated story with a great deal of legalese that could only be done through Margolin's background as an attorney. If you are a mystery/thriller buff like me, then read this book. I think it was wonderful.

I love this author. His stories are full of twists and will keep you guessing! One of my top 3 authors! Wish he would write a book every month!