Type of bind: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.6
EAN num: 9780525947141
ISBN number: 0525947140
Label: Dutton Adult
Manufacturer: Dutton Adult
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 256
Printing Date: April 14, 2003
Publishing house: Dutton Adult
Release Date: April 14, 2003
Sale Popularity Level: 439433
Studio: Dutton Adult
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Product Description:
With his very first novel The Blue Edge of Midnight, Jonathon King was praised for his 'powerful storytelling' (San Diego Union-Tribune), for his 'stunning' and 'superb' writing (Pittsburgh Tribune), and for adding 'new dimensions to the modern crime novel' (Michael Connelly). And, in a starred review, Publishing houses Weekly compared King to James Hall, Robert Parker, and James Lee Burke.
Now, in A Visible Darkness, King delivers another gripping, unforgettable story. Max Freeman is seeking refuge from the familiar demons of his former life as a Philadelphia police officer, in his secluded shack deep in the Everglades. But his self-imposed isolation is inter-rupted when he receives a desperate call from his best friend, attorney Billy Manchester. There has been a recent string of suspicious deaths-all elderly women, all from a poor neighborhood, and all with sizable and recently sold-off insurance policies-which the police have been unable, or unwilling, to investigate. Billy believes something sinister may be at work, and so, to help his friend, Max must reluctantly pry where he's not wanted, and act like the cop he's trying to forget he was.
To discover an unseen killer, Max will confront not only the dangers of a forgotten Florida cityscape, but the unexpected and dark corners of his own past as well. Filled with twists, turns, and a breathtaking evocation of a rarely glimpsed underside of modern America, A Visible Darkness confirms Jonathon King's place at the forefront of a new generation of crime novelists.
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Rated by buyers -
opinion only -no story spoilers
This second installment in the Max Freeman series, continues with the main characters and the alternate story setting, but the writing definitely improves and the story flows more smoothly than the introductory book.
The book introduces a new character in the beginning in such a way that it draws you right in off the start, and our reluctant hero ends up not so reluctant in this story. A few more plot twists, and the main characters are filled out a more, but still an easy read comparable to Steve Hamilton's Alex McKnight series. Like any series novels, read them in order starting with "The Blue Edge of Midnight".
Rated by buyers 
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While not nearly as engaging as the very first book by King, Visible Darkness is mostly about the characters. There are numerous flashbacks that finally give us more information about our main character Max Freeman and his friend, Billy Manchester. The plot line is thin, predictable and forced. However, if you enjoyed Blue Edge of Midnight, then you will want to read this very short story just to catch up on the characters and the happenings in Broward County.
Again, the writing is very good and King's ability to make you a part of the surroundings is there, but this time around, that is a very small part of this story. There is an endeavor to broaden the histories of the characters and to give them more depth and this is the biggest sucess in the book.
I look forward to reading the subsequent installment to see if the plot becomes more intricate.
Rated by buyers -
A Visible Darkness is the second novel from Mr King and it utilises characters from his debut work.In particular the protagonist is the same -an ex cop with the Philadelphia force now living in the Florida Everglades ,one Mark Freeman .He was invalided out of the police and is now living modestly but happily in seclusion in a remote shack .His closest friend is another Philly exile living in the Sunshine State ,the grey lawyer Benny.They have been friends since boyhood ,as were their mothers -a fact unkown to Mark's abusive and racist cop father.
Benny sees a pattern in a series of deaths -all elderly grey widow ladies who had recently cashed in large insurance policies -and asks Max to investigate .He is assisted by an official insurance investigator,tjhe racist McCann .It is indeed a series of murders and the identity of the killer is disclosed in the opening chapter.He is a brutish,simple minded heroin addict named Eddie ,acting in concert with a crooked prison psychiatrist ,Marshall and one other, this latter figure being the suprise ingredient in the mystery recipe.
Freeman's investigation takes him into the State prison system and the drug strewn Florida mean streets.He gets help from an unexpected source -local posse members unhappy at the notion of their respected elder citizenry being killed by low life.During his delving into the case he comes ,in the time honoured way of private eyes in fiction ,into conflict with the official law enforcement agencies and manages to re-ignite a former relationship with a local police officer ,Sherry.
The unravelling of the plot is interrmingled with flashbacks to Mark's boyhood in Philadelphia-oime life with a violent and racist Dad ,a domineering bigot who makes his family life a misery and who is not greatly liked by his colleagues on the force .These do flesh out the character but also slow down the narrative drive of the book
The characterisation is richer and more detailed than in most books of the kind and the writing is above average .I give it a relatively modest rating for the slightly thin plot but the book is still well worth reading if the genre is to your taste
Rated by buyers 
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This one was good! I just couldn't put it down and ended up finishing it late last night. I like Max Freeman as Jonathon King portrays him. This plot was exciting and fast paced. Max is not a "Super Hero" just a darn good ex-cop! If you get hooked on Jonathon King, try reading his books in sequence. You won't be disappointed!
Rated by buyers -
There are a couple small weaknesses in this book: you know the killer, which does lessen the suspense, and the protagonist is physically described by seeing himself in a mirror. But I forgive those flaws as King has created a story which builds layer upon layer, showing the motive for the killings and who is behind them. The book is full of interesting characters, including Max and Billy, about whom we learn more in this second book, Det. Sherry Richards, drug dealers and gang members. The story of Max's father's death and the friendship between his and Billy's mother is almost a mystery within the mystery. King's description of Florida, particularly the contrast between being in the city or on the water, is particularly effective. This is starting off as a very good series and I'm pleased to see there are more books waiting for me.
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