Customer Reviews

Dark Specter

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Michael Dibdin's Dark Spectre is a compelling read that effectively combines multiple perspective to create a cohesive tale. The reader is able to follow the plot from three perspectives, that of the criminal, the investigating officer and Phil, the "innocent bystander." Dibdin's prose style is complex, more engaging and literary than is often found in fictional thrillers. The plot centers around a religous group founded on the misconstrued principles of William Blake's poetical writings. To become a full-fledged member of this following, a murder is necessitated of a purely random nature. The connection of these random crimes, which take place throughout the United States, is one of the ways in which Dibdin holds attention and creates interest in characters and action outside of the crimes themselves. As the plot unfolds, we meander with Phil throughout the suspense, always coming back to his character for the center of the story, while Kate provides us with the factual, logical center and Sam the emotional, criminal aspect. All in all, a satisfying read. Not as quite quick as some more garden variety thrillers but well worth the time.

As a fan I was a little disappointed. I felt the Manson theme and American setting was too open to allow the author to fully exercise his talents. For me Dibdin excels at intricate plot lines in enclosed universes and delicious ironic twists of fate. Still a more accomplished novel than most in the field though not as viscerally gripping as some of the American writers.

Dibdin knows how to capture your attention. He definitely knows how to draw you in. Each chapter leaves you wanting to read "just one more" as when you guiltily reach for "just one more" of your favorite sins. Felt the book sagged near the end-- too much quick tidying- but even the ending was unique. It ends with a bang.

I've read and enjoyed other books by this author (i.e. Aurelio Zen mysteries). This effort, however, is terrible. The main character is a naive dope who is totally unlikeable. You don't identify with him enough, or for that matter dislike him enough, to care about what happens to him. The plot is pedestrian and predictable. I wouldn't have finished it were it not such a short book.

I'm truly surprised that this author, who has demonstrated the ability to write entertaining books, failed so completely this time around. This book regresses to the level of a first effort by an unskilled writer, simply imitating the conventions and plot devices of the genre...

Yuck!

I've read several Michael Dibdin books now and they are all beautifully written. In particular I found "Dark Spectre" a compelling and disturbing story. What always lets Dibdin down is his endings and this is the worst one yet. He rounds everything off with the most ridiculous coincidence I have ever read.

So....You think you have control over your life?

The threads of this plot initially seem impossible to weave into a cohesive narrative. The threads do come together, again and again, in constructive ways to move the plot forward. I agree with the reviewer who mentioned unlikely coincidences; however, when cleverly woven, these incidents serve to surprise and enlighten the reader. There was only one plot line I had 100% figured out.

I would give this novel 5 stars if Dibdin had provided less detail about Wm. Blake (OK, we got it the first or second time around) and had stopped introducing characters after the book was 7/8 finished. Dibdin exhibits intelligence and good character development, most obvious in the "Phil" perspective (first person). One good habit the author exhibits is keeping the chapters short enough so that the reader doesn't lose sight of who's who as we jump from perspective to perspective.

Moving on to the Ratking/Vendetta/Cabal books televised on PBS...

I've read a few Michael Dibdins lately because Ruth Rendell (aka Barbara Vine) recommends him. He can be an excellent writer, but this book was pedestrian in both writing and plot. I saw Los's solution to "How can a just God allow terrible things to happen to good people" very early on, and read to the end only to see if I was right. The main character was naive to the point of idiocy, thinking he could pay a social visit to what was obviously a cult leader. I give it two stars only because 1 star should be reserved for those who truly can't write.

Dibdin is an excellent writer and his prose is even stronger in a genre (crime writing) not normally known for that quality. I'd almost recommend reading Dark Specter for that reason alone because there aren't any other reasons to read it.

The plot, on the other hand, is contrived and more often than not predictable. Dibdin does a pathetic job convincing his reader of a number of unlikely coincidences that allow him to take an eery tale of cults in modern-day society and wrap everything up in a tidy Hollywood ending. Where the last line of the book should be one of the creepiest you've ever read, it's as unlikely and unbelievable as the rest of the novel because a number of key characters remain underdeveloped.

Skip this one.

Yes, the ending is ridiculous, but it may be a commentary on the genre. To me it seemed calculated to make us think about the interest in the morbid which has kept us turning pages. I have been wrong before, however. Maybe he was just trying to write something that would look good on a movie screen.

The writing was more pedestrian than that of the other books of his I have read, perhaps because he was writing in a new dialect. He does do a pretty good job of writing in American.

It's great that we can read all about Mike's take on the US, as you may know, he is now living here. My one fear... is this what all brits think of the US, or just the crazy ones