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The Gift of Darkness by VM Giambanco (view source)
Revision as of 13:42, 2 February 2024
, 2 Februaryno edit summary
{{infoboxinfobox1
|title=The Gift of Darkness
|sort= Gift of Darkness
|reviewer=Ani Johnson
|genre=Crime
|summary=A great multi-viewpoint murder thriller that puts VM Giambanco right up there with the best. Move over [[:Category:Jeffrey Jeffery Deaver|Jeffrey Jeffery Deaver]] and [[:Category:Patricia Cornwell|Patricia Cornwell]], there's a new talent in town.
|rating=5
|buy=Yes
|date=June 2013
|isbn=978-1780878706
|website=http://www.vmgiambanco.com|videocover=Giambanco_Gift|amazonukaznuk=<amazonuk>1780878702</amazonuk>|amazonusaznus=<amazonus>1780878702</amazonus>
}}
There aren't only quirky angles – Valentina doesn't short change us in any department including the thriller writers' bread-and-butter. The tension is ever-present and the twists are unexpected and the enemy of a good manicure. In fact we become so paranoid that we eventually brace ourselves whenever a cop goes into a room or turns a light on.
There's plenty of violence and blood too but the extent and shock value comes to us via our own extrapolation rather than Scarpetta-esque graphic description, although Ms Giambanco's writing will definitely appeal to [[:Category:Patricia Cornwell|Patricia Cornwell]] fans as well as followers of [[:Category:Jeffrey Jeffery Deaver|Jeffrey Jeffery Deaver]].
The ultimate proof of the novel's thrall is my notes. I normally jot an A4 side or two as I read for review. In this case I was obviously not going to put the story down for anything, not even a pen; I scarcely wrote 10 lines.
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{{toptentext|list=Top Ten Crime Novels 0f 2013}}
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