Customer Reviews

Are You Afraid Of The Dark

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(21)
2 star:		(23)
1 star:		(55)

 

 

I'm so disappointed at the demise of my favorite author's writing that I am near tears. I've been a fan of Sidney Sheldon's since The Other Side of Midnight. I requested his newest book for Xmas and was excited to get this as requested. I planned an afternoon when I would be uninterrupted to begin his latest suspense thriller.

To my great disappointment, the storyline of this book reminded me of a storyline from General Hospital back in the 1980's -- the evil scientist has created a weather machine...

The characters were scantily developed, and were quite unlikable. The details of nearly everything were very sketchy. I found myself LAUGHING at the pathetic plot. The entire story is two women running around, followed by inept assassins, with the evil scientist anticipating their every move.

The book began with such promise, and Sheldon's ability to keep me turning pages remains a strong skill. It took me a little over three hours to read this expensive hardback.

I have NEVER read a book so bad that I will not forward it on to friends, or donate it. This one made it straight into the trash.

In different parts of the world four people died in accidents, or that's what the killer wants it to look like. The victims were all strangers with one thing in common...they all worked for Kinsley International Group, the world's largest think tank.

Two of the victim's wives, Diane Stevens and Kelly Harris attend a meeting at Kinsley International and soon after they are attacked by an unknown assailant.

Not knowing who to trust or where to turn the two women must work together if they are to find out what happened to their husbands. Traveling the world, Diane and Kelly dodge bullet after bullet while racing to get the answers surrounding their husband's death's until they realize the answers may be buried within the walls of Kinsley International.

`Are You Afraid Of The Dark' is excellent! I did not put this down until I finished it. This is pure non-stop entertainment and should be judged as just that. Yes, the plot gets a little silly, but it's highly enjoyable. Yes, the two women manage to stay ahead of the killers at every turn, but they are so likable you can overlook how unrealistic it is. Yes, the two women thwart the attacks on their life throughout the whole story, but it keeps the pages turning. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it's filled with action, murder and several surprises. I can describe this novel only one way...international intrigue filled Gucci and Prada.

Sidney Sheldon has been one of my favorite authors for years and his long awaited new novel is the proof as to why; the man writes books that simply can't-be-put-down. `Are You Afraid Of The Dark' is a thrilling read filled with twists and surprises.

A must read blockbuster!

Nick Gonnella

Sidney Sheldon's latest novel follows in the tradition of his previous best-sellers and his fans will not be disappointed. This time out, we learn that several key employees of an international think tank have been horribly and mysteriously murdered. Two of their widows, Diane Stevens and Kelly Harris, join forces to uncover the truth and find themselves marked for death as well. We follow the intrepid ladies from New York to Europe and back again in a race against time to find the one responsible for killing their husbands, all the while being watched by a power-hungry madman who wants to control the world.

Sheldon specializes in breezy dramas featuring beautiful, strong, and infinitely resourceful young women; in this story, we get two of them - naive artist Diane and cynical supermodel, Kelly. There are frequent flashbacks to reveal details of their lives as well as insight into the villain's twisted mind. The ladies find themselves in mortal peril countless times, and they come out of each sticky situation by using their brains, pluck, and good-old-Sidney Sheldon girl-power.

If you like Sheldon's lightweight but often exciting brand of chick-flick-type novels, you will enjoy "Are You Afraid of the Dark?"

Kona

I'm glad to hear that Mr. Sheldon has continued writing novels. Overall I thought the book was good, however not as suspenseful as I had hoped it would be. Although, I was suprised to learn about Princess. And then I thought why didn't I see that coming? If you enjoyed reading his past books, at least give this one a try. I don't think it's "ownership-worthy" so check it out at the library.

Four people have died in so-called accidents. However, each one died separately, in a different area of the world. New York, Paris, Denver, and Berlin. There is one thing that links the four deceased together, the fact that each one was employed by Kingsley International Group, the biggest think tank in the world. Kingsley International Group just happens to be involved with various causes in existence, from environmental issues, to major military strategy, and worldwide communications. Soon the murder toll begins trying to increase, when two of the dead men's wives, Kelly Harris and Diana Stevens, have their lives threatened. The two women, suspicious of each other, yet looking for an ally, seek solace in each other, and begin investigating the mystery. Before they know it, they have stumbled upon the horrifying truth about Kingsley International Group, and just how much influence they have over the world.

This was my first Sidney Sheldon book ever, and I enjoyed it immensely. The characters of Diana and Kelly are exciting, and determined, yet scared, and worried at the exact same time. The mysteries that ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK? hold are enticing, and exhilirating, featuring shocking new twists and turns upon every page. Fans of mystery novels will find that Sheldon's latest holds a whole new level of deception in ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?, while fans of thrillers will find intrepid descriptions that will leave them begging for more. Overall this was an absolutely fantastic novel, that will be loved by all.

Erika Sorocco
Book Review Columnist for The Community Bugle Newspaper

I have only read a handful of books written by author, Sidney Sheldon. I can't remember the last time I picked up a book and read it all the way through without putting it down. Before I finished page one I was hooked. I was there. I don't know how he does it but I had been transported as though I was in the room with all of the characters. Never have characters been so real to me before. I only wish the book were twice as long! More..more...please and thank you!

I have been a longtime fan of Sidney Sheldon. An his novels never disappoint. And this no exception. It is suspenseful,compelling. Just when you think you have it figure out. Sheldon throws another curve ball. I love it and you will too. Thank you Mr. Sheldon for a job well done.

The good part is that the book is easy reading, anyone (even a ten year old) can understand what is happening. You will finish the book in one sitting over a couple of hour.

Sadly the characterization is appalling, the author has not even tried to give a semblance of personality to the main characters. These key players are there for a purpose, which they deliver and vanish. The story has no sub plots but it has a lot of deviations which amount to nothing in the context of the main plot.

In all the writing and the plot are too simple and predictable.

It is tired effort by the author, who has written much better books. This time he has taken his readers for granted.

Avoid it if possible, don't expect much if you do read it.

Sidney Sheldon is the foremost writer of minimalist prose to ever grace the literary world, in my humble opinion, of course. His books are rapidly paced romps through foreign countries and exciting situations, using likeable characters and unsavory villains.

Are You Afraid Of The Dark is no exception, it is a typical Sheldon book in style, with fresh scenery and characters, not a deep and thought provoking work of art but rather a pleasant respite from our own mundane worlds. Sheldon, like Stephen J. Cannell, uses his experience in screenplay writing to bring his novels alive, snapping and crackling with energy and tension. The writing is simplistic to the point of almost the feeling of being talked down to, until you realize that what Sheldon is really doing here is good, old-fashioned storytelling.

In Are You Afraid Of The Dark, the think-tank conglomerate, Kingsley International Group, is working on a project so secret that people are beginning to die from it. Two of those who fall victim to KIG's beast-like power are Mark Harris and Richard Stevens, suspiciously dead just before a secretive trip to Washington DC.

Their widows, Kelly Harris and Diane Stevens, happen to meet outside the offices of KIG where both had been summoned by KIG's corporate head, Tanner Kingsley. After several close brushes on their own, the two women figure out together that somebody wants them dead, and will stop at nothing to obtain their goal.

Making an unlikely team, these two anti-heroines put their heads together and manage to slip in and out of the traps set for them, using nothing more than their intuition and their minds, before finally deciding to take on Tanner himself and beat him at his own game.

What I liked about these characters was that they were everyday women, no special talents like karate and no weapons at their disposal, and the way the two of them worked so well as a team when their personalities and backgrounds were quite different.

There are no mysteries or hard-to-find clues in this novel, but the breakneck pace and quipping dialogue will have you finishing the book in no time at all. Enjoy!

If you are a fan of Sidney Sheldon, then you will not be disappointed with this book. It has a lot of excitement and twists in it. It took me over a week to read the book. This is the type of book that you will have a hard time putting down! :-)