Some Choose Darkness

Written by Charlie Donlea

Narrated by Nina Alvamar

A modern master of suspense, critically acclaimed author Charlie Donlea returns with a taut, gripping novel about the deadly secrets hiding in plain sight . . . The truth is easy to miss, even when it's right in front of us. As a forensic reconstructionist, Rory Moore sheds light on cold-case homicides by piecing together crime scene details others fail to see. Cleaning out her late father's law office a week after his burial, she receives a call that plunges her into a decades-old case come to life once more. In the summer of 1979, five Chicago women went missing. The predator, nicknamed The Thief, left no bodies and no clues behind-until police received a package from a mysterious woman named Angela Mitchell, whose unorthodox investigation skills appear to have led to his identity. But before they could question her, Angela disappeared. Forty years later, The Thief is about to be paroled for Angela's murder-the only crime the DA could pin on him. But the cryptic file Rory finds in her father's law office suggests there is more to the case, and Angela Mitchell, than what was fed to the public, the details of which have been buried for four decades. Rory's talents are tested as she begins reconstructing Angela's last days. Making one startling discovery after another, Rory becomes helplessly entangled in the enigma of Angela Mitchell and what happened to her. Drawing connections between the past and present, Rory uncovers dark truths about the reclusive victim, her father, and the man called The Thief that send her down a twisting trail where things may not be as they appear. As she continues to dig, even Rory can't be prepared for the full, terrifying truth that is emerging . . .

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 28, 2019
• ISBN: 9781501996320

Charlie Donlea

USA Today bestselling author Charlie Donlea was born and raised in Chicago. He now lives in the suburbs with his wife and two young children. Readers can find him online at charliedonlea.com.

Reviews for Some Choose Darkness

[sabrina · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic book and amazing narrator.
Definitely recommend!!
And I’m exited to read more of this author.

[mia severin · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was the first book of his that I've listened to and the story was really good!

[Talyna Sandine · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enough details to follow a somewhat complex plot that jumped around the time line of events but did not become bogged down with too much explanation. I like that the surprise was revealed early enough so the heroine was able to rap up the events herself.

[Allie Kane · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was definitely an intense listen. I couldn’t stop listening. The reader did a great job and has an easy to listen to voice. The plot has a great twist at the perfect spot in the story. Can’t wait to read more!!

[Ioana · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Cartea m-a dezamăgit f tare. Nu e rău scrisa dar nu merita mai mult de 2 stele

[Lorraine Becker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Enjoyed this whirlwind story, especially loved the characters Will be reading more by this author!

[Yvette Bonett · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very well written with lots of clever twists along the way! The back and forth gets a bit too much sometimes but also makes an intriguing story which keeps you guessing and speculating. Definetly a good read which I recommend.

[Jynessa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great listening…I will read more of her books three so far

[charon07 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The plot moved along nicely, but descriptions of characters, their states of mind, characteristics, and such, were sometimes overlong or redundant. I found the investigator Rory Moore interesting, enough that I’ll probably read the next book in this series, but although there were some interesting twists, I’d figured out some of the big ones well in advance, and I’m not particularly clever or adept at solving mysteries. Most unforgivable, though, is that the novel opens with a murder that Rory is supposed to investigate that is never solved. I didn’t much care for the audiobook narrator, who seemed to want to infuse every sentence with emotion, usually unwarranted.

[jynell-71874 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Ever wonder where authors come up with the titles to their books? Sometimes it's not always clear until much later in the book, like with Some Choose Darkness.

Since the first book I read by Donlea, I've been in love. The way he intertwines multiple mysteries into one plot line, seamlessly tying them together in unexpected ways, has made him an autobuy author for me.

This is the first book of Rory's series and I love her character. She is not your typical investigator nor is her husband. Able to see the big picture with new light, Rory "connects" with the victims and helps to solve the most unsolvable of crimes.

This one is personal though.

Books with blindsiding twists are my favorite and this one certainly had amazing twists. Without giving too much away, this is a brilliant start to what I hope is a long tenure for Rory.

[pgchuis · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was very well-plotted, and I enjoyed it even though I mostly skimmed it. I wish Rory had solved Camille's case too though.

[spaceandsorcery · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I became aware of this author’s work through the review a fellow blogger posted for the second book of this series: intrigued by what I was reading, I searched for the series’ starter and found both an amazing thriller and a new writer to keep firmly on my radar.Some Choose Darkness moves on two different temporal lines: the past, set between the years 1979 and 1981, and the present, alternating chapters from both timelines and building a sense of impending doom that compelled me to turn the pages at a very fast rate. Between the end of the ’70s and the start of the ’80s, a serial killer nicknamed “the Thief” preyed on young women in the Chicago area, and several of them disappeared: we see their end through the eyes of the killer, who enjoys torturing his victims in a very gruesome manner, and we also follow the obsessive search for clues from a troubled woman, Angela Mitchell, who manages to uncover the killer’s identity. In the present, almost 40 years after the Thief was apprehended on the charge of murdering Angela, whose body was however never found, the killer is ready to be released on parole and since his lawyer just died, the case is shifted to the man’s daughter, Rory Moore, who normally works for the police as a forensic reconstructionist on cold cases. The Thief is convinced that Angela is still alive, and he asks Rory to continue the search for the woman started by her father: intrigued by the mystery she’s faced with, Rory launches on a journey of discovery not unlike the one that faced Angela as she pieced together the clues about the serial killer, and in both timelines the two women will face chilling discoveries…Some Choose Darkness focuses more on the psychological aspects of the story (although there are enough twists and revelations to keep your adrenaline running high) and does so by following the path of the two center figures in both timelines, who share many similarities: Angela Mitchell is the typical suburban wife, with a nice house and a caring husband, but she’s afflicted both by an obsessive/compulsive disorder and relational difficulties comparable to autism. Although frightened by the news about the disappearance of young women in the summer or 1979, she keeps collecting newspaper clippings on this story and compiles detailed profiles for the missing women: her husband’s worry about this obsession, that is clearly exacerbating her condition, and her only friend’s doubts about the conclusions Angela reaches, only lead the woman to keep searching and to finally come to a revelation that will place her life in extreme danger.For her part, Rory suffers as well from a borderline form of autism and OCD, but she channeled it all into the ability to extrapolate data in a very unconventional way, which - together with her eidetic memory - turns her into a quirky, but effective, investigator and a powerful asset for the Chicago PD. Once tasked by her client with examining clues about Angela Mitchell’s continued existence, Rory is enthralled by her discoveries and the mystery surrounding the woman, and as she tries to solve the puzzle she finds herself on an unexpected path, where momentous revelations will change her life forever.The most fascinating element in this novel comes from the two protagonists, both troubled by behavioral issues but not succumbing to them, on the contrary putting the differences engendered by their psychological makeup to use: the comparison between the two timelines’ approach to their affliction underlines all the difficulties encountered by Angela as she’s treated with various degrees of contempt by acquaintances and even by the media - even when her findings help apprehend the Thief, she’s depicted by reporters as a mental wreck, with little or no acknowledgment of her role in the solution of the crime. The way the author represents her is very different, however, because he manages to showcase an inner strength in Angela, one that first carries her forward in a relentless search for the truth and then urges her to take an arduous, heart-breaking path.Rory is an equally strong figure: unlike Angela she enjoyed the understanding and support of her parents, so she has been able to create a series of coping mechanisms that allow her to lead a normal life and to carve a unique working niche in which her talents can be put to the best of uses. There is a fascinating narrative thread in which we learn about Rory’s side activity in repairing damaged porcelain dolls: if on one side it shows her need to set things right, restoring the integrity and the beauty of these objects, on the other it’s easy to see how they might be a representation of herself, and the unexpressed statement about Rory’s will of repairing herself without external help.These two fascinating characters are set in a very enthralling story, one where the two timelines enhance each other leading the readers toward the final showdown in a progression where you can only expect the unexpected: the pacing, as I noticed, is relentless, revelations and discoveries come in a natural way that never feels forced or contrived, and the build-up of tension becomes at times unbearable while keeping you glued to the pages with irresistible fascination.What I liked most about Some Choose Darkness is that while we get acquainted with the killer’s mentality, the story is not so much about him but rather about the women pitted against his deranged world-view and cruelty. The character of Rory is a fascinating one, and I enjoyed witnessing how her mind works, so I will keep following her journey in the books that see her protagonist, together with other novels from this newly discovered author who made me a fan with just one book…

[kmjessica · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is not at all like your typical serial killer story.
It doesn't focus on the murderer and what he has done(although it is explained) but its a story about the people who new him and the story of what happens to them. I loved the characters and how they were brought to life so well.
This was a fantastic, intense and fast read. Hold on to the edge of your seat. And don't start it until you have a day to yourself. You are not going to want to put it down!
The ending was perfect!

[karenherndon · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Great mystery.Well written Highly recommend

[kbranfield-837433 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4.5 stars.

Weaving back and forth in time, Some Choose Darkness by Charlie Donlea is a spellbinding mystery.

Rory Moore is a very gifted forensic recontructionist who fully immerses herself in the cases she takes on. After taking six months off, Walter Byrd asks her to repair his slain daughter's broken china doll. But what he really wants is Rory's help in solving Camille's still unsolved murder. She agrees to both requests but before she can begin, Rory is devastated by a personal loss. 

Although she has a law degree, Rory is not a practicing lawyer. But with one of her father's clients, a notorious suspected serial killer dubbed The Thief about to be released from prison on parole, she agrees to represent him. The Thief was convicted of murdering Angela Mitchell forty years earlier and Rory is tasked with making sure the now 68 year old man integrates back into society and adheres to the conditions of his parole. While cleaning out her father's office, Rory uncovers shocking information that completely upends her life.  As she tries to understand why her father represented The Thief for over thirty years, Rory is fascinated by the case but will she find definitive proof the soon to be released murderer is guilty of the other murders he is suspected of committing?

Rory is an extremely intelligent but highly regimented woman who sees connections others miss. She is somewhat socially awkward and she successfully distances herself from people around her. Rory works with the Chicago Police Department solving murders which have gone cold. She also partners with University Professor (and her longtime lover) Lane Phillips on their project which uses an algorithm that reveals links between seemingly unrelated murders. Rory turns to her china doll repair to calm her when she experiences sensory overload.

In 1979, the city of Chicago is in the midst of panic as young woman vanish without a trace.  Twenty-nine year old Angela Mitchell is obsessed with the case and she extensively researches the victims to identify a connection between their cases. Her in-depth examination has revealed what she believes to be a pattern of murders that stretches back a decade. Unable to give up searching for the truth, Angela uncovers evidence she sends to the police but she disappears before they can question her.  Although her body has never been found, The Thief was convicted of her murder and sentenced to a sixty year prison term.

Some Choose Darkness is an absolutely fascinating novel of obsession and murder. Both Rory and Angela are multi-layered characters who are incredibly intelligent.  The plot is tautly written and the story arcs diverge in a very shocking manner. With very intriguing red herrings and a few misdirects, Charlie Donlea brings this sinister mystery to an unexpected and stunning conclusion. An outstanding novel that mystery lovers do not want to miss.

[jetangen4571 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

crime-fiction, thriller, psychological, kidnapping, serial-killer ***** Intense. Frightening. Riveting. If you want crime fiction too close to reality to scare you, this is it. If you're looking for an escapist read to negate harsh reality, give this one a pass. It's a little too good at realism. The publisher's blurb should give you a clue because it is well done, but it's the intensity of the writing that got me. It's not a book that's easy to forget. I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

[grandmacootie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Rory Moore is something called a forensic reconstructionist. She investigates and nearly always solves cold case homicides that no one else can solve. She has OCD, is quirky, not always likeable and often feels closer to the victims than the warm bodies around her. When the story opens she’s been given another cold case to reconstruct, but her father suddenly dies and she is drawn into settling his affairs, which includes representing a man who is being released after 40 years in prison. He’s a suspected serial killer but could only be tried and convicted for one murder. Her father’s involvement with this man seems strange, and while cleaning out her father’s office Rory discovers things that make her want to investigate. What follows is an exciting novel that jumps back and forth from 1979 to 1981 to the present, with different POVs and multiple settings and leaving genuine clues and red herrings all along the way. The characters are complex and well-developed, and sometimes just plain creepy, like The Thief and his RUSH, and every character is important. Angela is a mess. She puts together the clues, but since not much was understood about autism and OCD in 1979, she is considered mentally ill, schizophrenic, and generally unreliable. What she goes through trying to get someone, anyone, to believe her is tragically sad. There are some truly heart-stopping moments, especially when Angela thinks she knows who the murderer is, and then when she knows she knows. Her husband Thomas seems to be the only one who understands, with enough patience and love to put up with her odd behavior, and her best friend Catherine never gives up on her. As she sifts through old papers and clues, Rory feels uncannily close to Angela. And Rory’s Aunt Greta, even though suffering from dementia, seems to have something to say that Rory would be wise to listen to.Rory is good at her job, despite or maybe because of her own OCD and eccentricities. But there are a lot of facts and details to sort through and Rory is often a step behind and in real danger. Some Choose Darkness is thrilling, a good puzzle with lots of twists and turns. It’s a complicated story that only gets more and more involved as layers are pulled away. It’s riveting suspense with a sinister predator, and some real surprises. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance copy for my honest review.

[rowingrabbit · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have a huge soft spot for characters who are a little different. In a sea of stereotypes it’s the ones that don’t fit in who are more interesting. In this gripping story we’re introduced to Rory Moore, an MC who stands out from the crowd for several reasons.Rory is a forensic reconstructionist. Occasionally she works on cold cases for the Chicago PD under the supervision of Det. Ron Davidson. Her specialty is recreating a crime scene in such minute detail that often new information is revealed. It’s a gift & her uncanny abilities are a direct result of her being somewhere on the autism spectrum. Ron has just dropped another case in her lap when Rory gets the news her father has died. It’s a terrible blow made more difficult when she takes on the job of closing his law practice. She discovers he’s been representing an infamous convicted killer since 1979. That was the year 5 women went missing courtesy of a man nicknamed “The Thief”. Despite a massive search, police were only able to nail him for one. Her name was Angela Mitchell & she was credited with identifying him. After numerous applications made by Rory’s father, it looks like he’s finally been granted parole & the job of guiding him through the process falls to Rory. There are dual time lines & in alternate chapters we follow Angela in 1979. She, too, is a little different. Intelligent but socially awkward, Angela deals with the daily challenge of appearing “normal”. With the help of a supportive husband, she just about manages to keep a lid on the personal tics that can take over her life. That summer, everyone is talking about “The Thief”. She is soon obsessed with following the investigation & begins to see patterns others miss. Eventually, she’s sure she knows who the killer is. Then Angela becomes missing woman #6.That’s it from me about the plot. The less you know going in, the better & I don’t want to deprive you of one “Holy Crap!” moment. Just get used to saying it because you will. A lot. Given the subject matter, much of the prose is surprisingly low key. You have a chance to get to know Rory & Angela before events begin to spin out of control in both time lines. In terms of the big picture, it’s like little puzzle pieces are littered throughout the story. Some I picked up, others I completely missed. The overall plot is intricate & as that picture emerges, it becomes a tense & compulsive read. I should mention we also get chapters narrated by the killer, a man who had me praying to the Gods of Karma that he’d get what he so richly deserved. The author does a good job of portraying how times have changed (somewhat) for people living with degrees of autism. Rory is accepted by those she allows in her life & appreciated for her abilities. Angela has to deal with patronizing smiles & labels such as “slow” or “retarded”. It’s not overplayed, just presented as a fact of life for both women. I’ve heard other readers say they were disappointed by the finale but I thought it was perfect & very much in keeping with the characters involved. The author knows how to spin a story that keeps you reading & has created a compelling MC. If there’s a Rory 2.0 in the works, sign me up.

[mdials-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I received this as an ARC. I review any book I read or listen to. This book kept me in suspense with so many theories about relationships (between characters past and present) and the truth behind an ages-old crime. Highly recommend! ?❤️