Customer Reviews

What's Done In The Dark

5 star:		(55)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First there was Cain and Abel in the Bible. Then their sibling rivalry, a consistent theme in literature, turned deadly. Then there was Jane and Blanche in "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" played by those divas, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. But you have yet to see the likes of the Reese sisters, Katrina and Celeste of New York, who give a whole new meaning to the term. Intense sibling rivalry is the madness of What's Done in the Dark by Gloria Mallette.

Katrina has always resented Celeste, hated the fact that she was born and has set out to do everything she can to make her life miserable. The ultimate betrayal and the final straw for seventeen year-old Celeste was when Katrina, three years older than she, seduced her boyfriend. Celeste, whose actions so often were reactions to Katrina's disdain of her, figures it is just best to stay out of Katrina's way. This works fine as the women grow up, marry, have children and go their separate ways, managing to avoid any big blow-ups by keeping their distance. Fast forward about twenty years when Celeste and her husband are about to take a well-deserved, overdue vacation to Jamaica. Just hours before their departure, Willie is found murdered in a seedy motel where it becomes obvious he had been with another woman. Celeste is devastated, hurt and bitter to no end. Just as she is trying to come to grips with her plight, her parents insist she go to the aid of Katrina, who has her life turned upside down when her husband becomes seriously ill in Washington D.C. This is the last thing Celeste wants to do as Katrina's heartless words regarding Willie's death is still ringing in her ears. But browbeaten and weary, Celeste heads to D.C. to see what she can do for Katrina.

Now the tables have turned as Katrina has to face the fact that her once perfect life, a marriage to a successful businessman, three children and a beautiful home in the suburbs, has just been shattered. Gordon, her husband, has committed the ultimate betrayal as it appears he has been living a double life. Katrina finds she needs her sister to help her navigate the mess she has been left to clean up. But the truce is to be short lived. When Celeste returns to New York to work with the police to find her husband's killer, vital evidence is discovered and everyone's life is irrevocably changed as Katrina and Celeste's contentious relationship comes full circle with a final showdown. It is shoot-out time at the OK Corral. Who will be left standing?

What's done in the dark will surely be brought to the light as secrets, lies and betrayal are discovered. This reviewer kept looking for a redeeming quality in Katrina, anything that would portray her other than the devil incarnate. Her dastardly deeds were over-the-top to the extreme. She was foul mouthed, completely self-absorbed, her love was conditional (she turned against her fifteen year-old daughter) and she alienated everyone who came into her presence. This was a drama-filled, turn-the pages story that can be devoured in one sitting, causing one to be irritated by any interruptions. At times the constant arguments and bickering were drawn out and tedious but this reviewer could not let go, anxious to see how it would all end. I also would like to comment about a constant theme that has filtered into many a writer's storyline of late; the theme of the down-low factor. This novel was satisfying and complete without bringing in that topic. It would not have been missed had it been left out of the story. However, fans of Mallette will be pleased with this offering and inpatient to find out what she will be coming up with next.

Dera Williams
APOOO BookClub

Unseen! Untold! Unknown! Gloria Mallette's seventh novel, WHAT'S DONE IN THE DARK, shows 'what you don't know won't hurt you'. Conversely, it also shows that when secrets are seen, told, and known, reason and rationale become foreign to those who are victimized.

The backdrop for WHAT'S DONE IN THE DARK is a story of hatred between two sisters, Katrina and Celeste. For years they have avoided each other, because of Katrina's betrayal when they were teenagers. Celeste always wanted to be friends but Katrina always hated that they were sisters, their only connection is because of their DNA. But the backdrop of this hateful sibling rivalry is just the tip of the iceberg; this story is immersed in family secrets, spousal deceit and callous infidelity. A deceit that gives the sisters an unwanted commonality.

Celeste's husband is killed in the throes of a sexual climax with his lover, and Celeste is shocked, humiliated, and mad as hell. Katrina who is summoned to the hospital bedside of her dying husband, learns of the double life he is living. When their husbands' secrets come to the light the lives of both sisters are turned upside down. The deaths leave many unanswered questions, but also the promise that the sisters finally can share something other than hate. When police investigate the murder of Celeste's husband, they uncover the answer to at least one of the questions, an answer so familiar, it intensifies the sister's hate for each other. It seems everyone has something they've been hiding. And while the sisters may have been able to overcome the past, can they overcome the present?

Gloria Mallete has a penchant for writing penetrating stories with real characters whom readers will not eagerly embrace. Her primary and secondary characters are realistically strong and weak, and share situations and personalities that hit too close to home. One of the strengths of this book is how Ms. Mallete shows that life is rarely as it seems and that most people are hiding something. WHAT'S DONE IN THE DARK is dramatic, captivating, mysterious and human. This story sheds light on the art, or lack thereof, of deception and an unprecedented sibling rivalry. Kudos to Ms. Mallette for another raw unabriged look at life. (Really a 4.5)

Celeste Dawson has spent her whole life trying to establish an loving relationship with her sister Katrina. Katrina for reasons of her own, despises Celeste and has spent her life making her miserable starting with seducing Celeste's boyfriend when they were teenagers. Now as adults, Celeste and Katrina lead separate lives with husbands and children and stay as far away from each other as possible. But Celeste has no idea just deep Katrina's hatred is for her until tragedy strikes. Celeste's husband Wille is killed in a seedy motel in a compromising position on the morning they are supposed to leave for a much-needed vacation. Despite what has happened Katrina and Celeste are still at odds and Katrina instead of comforting her sister, kicks her down even further. But then tragedy strikes Katrina as her husband Gordon becomes ill and falls into a coma. Rushing to be at his side, Katrina is shocked to find that his "wife" is already there. Now, Katrina must fight to prove she is the legal wife and after being forced by their parents, Celeste comes to her aid and for once, the sisters seem to be bonding. Little does Celeste know that Katrina is keeping an explosive secret and when the truth comes out, all hell truly breaks loose. Once again, Gloria Mallette has written an edge of the seat, suspense-filled drama that will keep you riveted from beginning to end. Ms. Mallette's writing is like an fine, aged bottle of wine--it just keeps getting better and better. If you loved Shades of Jade, or The Honeywell....you will love What's Done in the Dark. It is already one of my picks for the Best of 2006! I give this book 5 stars! It is a must-read!! Reviewed by Shay C of PeoplewholoveGoodBooks

After waiting a year to hear your voice. It is a blast of pure enjoyment! You continue to bless us with with your writing and never ending tales of ups and downs and lifes everlasting spins. Continue to give voice to your dreams! You have again made the characters JUMP right off the pages of this book! The old familiar stomping grounds in Brooklyn. I was there! I finished this book in 1 day and did not want it to end. Chile, if i could get my hands on Katrina -- like you said ... I would pluck her eyes out; snap her neck; knock all her teeth out of her mouth in 2 seconds and still have 58 seconds to whip her [back]! LOL!!! Loved it all! Sibling rivalry-- I am the only girl with 4 brothers! I learned to fight fast! Gloria you showed out in this one! May God continue to bless you and your writing!! (...)

Celeste and her sister Katrina have always had a destructive sibling rivalry that has only gotten worse. When Katrina seduces Celeste's boyfriend in high school, the sisters' relationship is broken forever. They are now married adults with children living totally separate lives. Celeste and Katrina may have to put aside their differences when devastating secrets turn their worlds upside down. Celeste is shocked when her husband is murdered at at seedy hotel. Her shock turns into anger when she finds out why he was at that hotel to begin with. Celeste also needs to figure out who killed her husband and why. Katrina gloats at Celeste's misfortune until her own world comes crashing down. Katrina's husband falls into a coma from a mysterious illness. As Katrina rushes to his bedside, she finds out that she is not the only wife that her husband has. Will these tragedies pull these once estranged sisters together?

What's Done In The Dark is the best book written by Gloria Mallette since Shades of Jade. The novel is exciting, suspenseful, and so fast paced that you won't be able to put this book down. I literally read this book in one sitting! Mallette does a masterful job of showing the detrimental effects of a sibling rivalry and injects a strong jolt of mystery on top of it all. What's Done In The Dark proves that Gloria Mallette is still a strong player in this literary game.

What a story!! Katrina and Celeste were sisters with attitude. Katrina never liked her sister Celeste and she put every motion in place to let everyone know it. Katrina must however come to depend on Celeste when her husband dies suddenly from a disease no one knew he had. Celeste also helped Katrina deal with her husband's second wife (yes.. he was a bigamist) In spite of this drama Celeste is also dealing with the murder of her husband. You see, he was found murdered in a sleezy hotel.

Sex, lies, infidelity, murder, mystery, and secrets are all exposed in this book that kept me up until 2 am. A fan of Ms. Mallette since "Shades of Jade", this a book you do not want to let slippast you.

Peace and Blessings!!

I really liked this book.....Gloria knows how to go to a place of intrigue that keeps you guessing from the first page...Not as good as Shades of Jade (If you haven't read it, read it!!) but d@mn good reading!! Highly recommended!!

Ive Always Enjoyed This Authors Writing, But I Must Say That I Enjoyed This A Lot. These 2 Sisters, Katrina& Celeste Are A Force To Be Reckoned With. They Have So Much Hatred In Their Hearts Towards Each Other. I Was Thrown For A Loop At One Time In The Book Because When Katrina Was Going Though The Death Of A Loved One, I Really Throught That Her & Celeste Would Get Closer.. But It The Opposite Happened, Things Actually Got Worse. I Mean The Unthinkable Happens.. So Many Secrets, Lies & Come To Light, That unfolds In This Story.... Oh Boy!!!!! You Gotta Read it! You Wont Be Dissapointed With This One. Its Worth The Time & Money!!!!!!

Gloria Mallette, you have done it again! I can never get enough of your writing. This book was phenomenal. I could not put it down! Your writing just gets better and better. The sibling rivalry was so very interesting. There was just something happening all through the book. I enjoyed this just as much or more as the rest of your books. Keep on writing! Looking forward to the next one.

WHAT'S DONE IN THE DARK by Gloria Mallette is a story that focuses on sibling rivalry at its worst. From the moment Celeste Dawson was born her big sister, Katrina, made her life miserable. As with most little sisters Celeste, did all she could to seek Katrina's approval but the straw that broke the camel's back was when Celeste found Katrina in a compromising position with her boyfriend. She lost all respect for Katrina and could care less if she was a part of her life or not. Celeste had never hurt as much as she did at that moment. She felt Katrina issued her the ultimate betrayal at the tender age of 17.

Currently the two sisters are adults, married and living separate lives. Tragedy strikes both sisters simultaneously. Celeste's husband is found dead in a hotel room in a risque position and Katrina's husband ends up in a coma from a disease no one knew he had. In addition to that, Katrina finds out her husband has a second wife appears who tries to claim what's hers. In the midst of her own turmoil, Celeste is asked to go help Katrina, who despises her, through her problems. Will Celeste be able to put the past behind her in an effort to help her sister deal with her painful ordeal? Or will she feel this is the chance she has to finally repay Katrina for all the pain and suffering she has caused her?

WHAT'S DONE IN THE DARK is an excellent novel that I was able to finish in one day. The writing was superb and the characters were strongly developed. You hear all the time about siblings that don't get along but Mallette took it up a notch with Katrina's hatred for Celeste. The relationship the two sisters had actually made me appreciate the relationship I have with my sibling. Everyone has ups and downs in their life and for the most part you can count on family in your time of need but this novel shows that sometimes that isn't always the case. Unfortunately you can't choose your family members but you can make the most of what you have. Kudos to Mallette on another great read.

Reviewed by Eraina B. Tinnin
of The RAWSISTAZ™ Reviewers