Great read, I loved the way the story was written from different perspectives and this kept me gripped. Fast paced and thriling read.

This is the first book by Candice Fox I have read. I have seen her books on the shelves in the bookstores and always meant to give her a go and now I have. I thought the characters were engrossing and well thought out with their interactions and behaviour, even the unlikable ones. The majority of the book was a good pace and easy to read, however I did find myself putting it down to read another book I had been waiting for to come out before finishing it which is something I rarely do, so perhaps it wasn't engaging me quite as much as I thought it was. Perhaps it was also the American setting that didn't appeal, so I will definitely try one of her others set in Australia first before making a final judgement! However if you like a good easy to read crime, with a lot of twists and good characters then I can definitely recommend it.

Blair Harbour was jailed for 10 years for a murder that she didn't commit.
After her release from prison, she is trying to rebuild her life, when an incident occurs, which brings a former prison inmate back into her life asking for help.
Blair gets involved and this brings in Det. Jessica Sanchez, the Police Officer who arrested her for the murder she was accused of and the story begins.
Fast paced book which brings in all types of characters that are helping Blair, who is having to mix with a ganglord, thief and Police Officer to try and resolve the mystery of the former cellmates missing daughter.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book and how Candice brings this all together, so much so that now reading all her solo books.

Phew! An edge-of the seat thriller.

Although I had little time when reading this, so could only read a bit at a time, I went to sleep thinking about it each night until I had finished. The characters are well drawn, and each is multi layered and complex, backgrounds of horror, tragedy and determination in equal measure.

The story revolves around a former doctor, recently released from prison, whose former cell mate visits her to ask for help to find her missing daughter. This sets in chain a series of events which bring the policewoman who originally arrested her, a gangster, a mass murderer and other unsavoury characters, into the story, with thrilling results.

A great read for anyone wanting a gripping story, a thriller, amateur or police detective tale or anyone liking a story featuring strong characters.

I’m not sure if the author has written other books, but I will be finding out!

I have read a couple of books by Candice Fox before, Hades and Crimson Lake both of which were book one in a series. To my regret I have fallen behind with reading the others but after reading this book, which I suspect could be another series, I know I need to catch up.

Unlike both of of those books this is set in LA and not in Australia. But there are similarities. There are some thoroughly unlikeable characters, mainly members of the police force and also some scenes that feature very dry humour. Especially when they featured Blair and Sneak.

One of the reasons I enjoy reading books by Candice Fox so much is because you really get to know the characters. You see how their lives fell apart. Blair because she tried to help somebody, Sneak, an injury and Jessica for doing her job. Even the terrifying Ada is given an excuse even though it isn’t proven. And you see some slightly strange methods of coping with their lives from both Blair and Jessica.

You wouldn’t expect an ex convict to be willing to talk to the police officer who put her in jail for murder and force her to be apart from her young son. And then for the police officer to become a friend of the son. But it happens, and it works quite well. It isn’t the easiest relationship between Blair and Jessica but the friendship between Jessica and Jamie is lovely to read.

I’ve been delighted by the international success of author, Candice Fox, whose novels I have generally found to be creative, compelling and uniquely Australian. Unfortunately I can’t say the same of Gathering Dark which reads like it was written for the lowest common denominator of the US crime/action market.

Actually that sounds a lot harsher than I intend it, in and of itself Gathering Dark offers a fast paced, action packed, entertaining story, but it was so far from what I expecting, I couldn’t help but feel disappointed

Set in L.A., newly paroled felon, Blair Harbour, is doing her best to live quietly in the hope of increasing access to her young son, when ex-cellmate ‘Sneak’ begs her to help find her missing daughter, Dayly. Despite the risk to her liberty, and life, Blair soon finds herself, with a gopher in a shoebox, careening around town in dubious company, and turning to the very detective who put her away for help when she realises she is in over her head.

The story unfolds from the perspectives of Blair, and Detective Jessica Sanchez, which run parallel until about halfway through the book. As Blair is riffling through Dayly’s few belongings, bribing a probation officer who threatens to violate her on a petty charge, and foolishly extracting a favour owed from gangster Ada Maverick; Jessica, a dedicated investigator, is dealing with jealous, venal colleagues after inheriting a multi-million dollar house from the father of a murder victim. Jessica really isn’t interested in having anything to do with Blair at all, except Blair’s son is her new neighbour, which prompts her to take a second look at Blair’s murder conviction, and what she learns, with the assistance of eccentric pathologist Diggy, suggests Jessica has a debt to repay. The situation soon goes from bad to worse in the search for Dayly, and Fox leads us on a madcap and dangerous adventure that pits the group against a mass murderer, corrupt cops, would be thieves, and each other.

Variously tense, funny, violent, poignant and outrageous, Gathering Dark is obviously best approached without preconceptions. If you can manage that then you’ll find this to be an enjoyable crime thriller.

OMG I loved this! Australian author, Candice Fox, has set this one in Los Angeles for a change. Fox always brings us a zany cast of characters but I think she has outdone herself this time. Meet:
. Blair Harbour - former well-to-do paediatrician, now ex-con after shooting a neighbour dead
. ‘Sneak’ Lawlor - her former cell mate and friend, whore and drug addict and thief extraordinaire
. Detective Jessica Sanchez - in trouble with the LAPD and her colleagues after being bequeathed a
$7 million property by a father grateful that she caught his daughter’s killer, and last but not least
. Ada Maverick - statuesque black beauty, crime boss and ex-con, and deadlier than a rattle snake.

There is a large supporting cast in this rather long book and the plot is...let’s just say it’s very twisted. Sneak seeks out Blair asking for help to locate her 19 year old daughter, Dayly, who has gone missing. Blair realises Dayly is the youngster who held her up at the Pumpn’Jump petrol (gas) station where she works nights and stole her car. The girl looked petrified so Blair agrees to help. Of course things are never simple, never as they seem and you never know who you can trust, particularly when there is money involved, which there is - maybe! Nevertheless these unlikely compadres seem to work more or less together to achieve rather varying (as you will learn) objectives. Of course the, ahem, alliance is subject to interpretation at any given time and danger is ever present.

Other than her trademark quirky characters, Fox also employs a lot of dark humour. This is not a book you need to take too seriously. If you read it with ‘tongue in cheek’ I think you will enjoy it a lot more. I understand this is to become a series and I can’t wait to read the next one. Huge thanks to Netgalley, Random House UK, Cornerstone and Candice Fox for providing a review copy. My opinions are my own.

I just love everything that Candice Fox writes and this was no exception - it was another thrilling read that I struggled to put down! For those familiar with her work, this has some differences including a new set of quirky characters and a new setting (the dark streets of LA) but still contains all of her signature crime writing skills and of course her twisty plots with explosive conclusions! I loved the dual narration of the book and felt like Blair and Jessica were both well-developed and made such great strong female characters - I am really hoping that we will get to see them again in the future as I need more! Another brilliant crime novel written by a great Australian author that you need to must add to your #TBR list!

This was a really gritty, character driven new crime series and is set to be a winner. I really liked the character of Detective Jessica Sanchez of the LAPD. There is quite a cast of odd characters in this book but they all seems to provide the perfect recipe for a promising start to what, I hope, will be a new series. Very clever writing with an interesting plot. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

This story barrels along with two interesting characters, Blair , a convicted mrderer and Jessica an LAPD detective. There are two cases to unravel - the question of whether Blair’s conviction was correct and the disappearance of Dayly, the daughter of someone Blair met in prison so there is a lot happening but the story is documented so it is easy to keep track of the action. I think that the author has maybe made the characters a little too interesting and therefore slightly unbelievable - I have difficulty accepting that Jessica would visit a prostitute and can only assume her visits were for some additional colour with an eye on a movie adaptation. I also have trouble with the extent to which Blair is happy to become involved when she is trying to gain further access to her son. I foresaw the idea that Jessica and Blair might end up working together in future- maybe an eye on further books in the series. In summary good but not great.

Blair Harbour has recently been released from prison and is now working at a petrol station when she is robbed of the till takings and her car by a young woman. This event unleashed a chain reaction of events that takes Blair into tremendous danger, not least from ex-con Ada who is one scary woman. Detective Jessica Sanchez faces her own issues especially from colleagues within the LAPD with whom she has a tricky relationship. Jessica was Blair’s arresting officer and their two different world collide again in this exciting thriller. The story is told by Blair and Jessica and this works really well with smooth transitions between the different points of view.

First of all, it’s great when thrillers feature a cast of strong women and that what these most certainly are. Blair, a respected paediatrician in a former life, has to learn to stand up for herself in prison and she is helped by another really good character, Sneak Lawlor who can definitely be described as colourful but you can’t help liking. Jessica faces a lot of hostility from fellow officers who should have supported her but fail to do so and I love some of her revenge tactics though I probably shouldn’t! I adored the inclusion of the rescued gopher in the storyline and this adds a real quirkiness and brings out the soft side of some very tough customers! Jamie, Blair’s son is a delightful child and he gives some breathing space between the hard hitting action and brings out the softer side of Jessica, for example.

The book is thrilling from start to finish. It grabs your attention from the get go as these tough cookies battle it out to find elusive truths, a stash of money and evade those who are trying to stop them any way they can. The book is very well written, there’s humour interspersed with the drama which is a good tension breaker. The plot is excellent and build to a real crescendo of a conclusion- it’s explosive, smart, there are some surprises with some. characters acting true to form and some with genuine kindness. I’d love to read about Blair and Jessica again and I hope that is the authors plan as these characters are too good to be one offs!

Overall, it’s a fast paced action thriller with colourful characters, believable dialogue and a plot premise that unfolds really well. It’s slick, gripping and keeps your attention throughout.

With thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK Cornerstone/Arrow for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I always enjoy Candice Fox books and was thrilled to be given a chance to read this new novel. I wasn't disappointed, I couldn't put Gathering Dark down. Read in two sittings.
Blair Harbour, a respected doctor, has just finished doing time for murder. She is approached by a former cellmate to help find her missing daughter. Joined by hardened criminal,, Ada and police officer, Jessica what follows is a thrilling read. Candice Fox is brilliant at picking up the pace so you find yourself turning pages quickly while hovering on the edge of your seat! I highly recommend this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this book!

Candice Fox shifts location for what looks like the start of a gritty new character driven crime series from Oz to LA, but retains her trademark abilities for creating offbeat, complex and colourful characters, often downright dangerous, along with her compulsive and atmospheric prose. Blair Harbour's privileged life as a paediatric surgeon goes down the pan when she is convicted of killing a neighbour, pregnant, she gives birth to Jamie in prison, with friends Sasha and Henry fostering him. Changed by prison, addicted to ringing random strangers for conversation, she is now out on parole, working hard to keep on the straight and narrow so that she can make the case for seeing more of her now 9 year old son, the only job she can get as a ex-con at a cartel run Pump'N'Jump at night. One night, a terrified and injured young woman comes in and robs the store and takes Blair's car.

Instead of reporting the robbery, Blair takes money out of her bank account and puts it in the till to cover the stolen cash. When drug addicted Emily 'Sneak' Lawlor, so light fingered you have to be prepared to lose your possessions, turns up on Blair's doorstep, she tries to prevent her coming in, consorting with criminals will land her back in prison. However, Sneak's daughter, Dayley, has gone missing, and Sneak is desperate, and despite everything, even Jamie, Blair wants to help, besides there is a part of her that has missed the turbulent and dangerous environment of prison, so much so that she ropes in Ava Maverick, a powerful, ruthless and vicious crime lord to help find Dayley, on the basis she reckons Ava owes her. The three women turn up on LAPD detective Jessica Sanchez doorstep, asking for her input and support. Jessica is a hard working detective responsible for Blair's conviction, but is it possible she made a dreadful error?

Jessica's life as a police detective is going down the pan, any lingering perception she might have harboured of the police as family is severely tested when the police community, especially her cop partner, turn on her as one when Stan Beauvoir leaves her his multi-million dollar home. Against all the odds, Jessica's ferocious determination found the killer of his daughter, Bernice. Jessica has little intention of accepting the house, but her ire is aroused when she finds she is getting no back up, left in scenarios where her life is at risk, and constantly harrassed and assaulted. The situation deteriorates when Jessica finds herself further humiliated with the public sharing by the police of a video revealing her sexual proclivities, a video that going viral.

Despite being on opposite sides of the law, there are characteristics that Blair and Jessica have in common. Blair, after all the injustices she has faced, all that she has lost, most importantly, Jamie, not to mention all those years in prison, which by all rights should have eroded her ability to trust and help others. However, she has retained her humanity and innate compassion, continuing to put herself on the line to help a fellow prison inmate, Sneak, even though she stands to lose everything, and she keeps wanting to help others. Her judgement is not always right, but the essential goodness of her character shines through. Jessica's faith and belief in the police collapses in spectacular fashion, but she is no ordinary detective, she believes in justice, and she is willing to go to considerable lengths to see that justice is served, even when it goes against her personal interests. It is these two women, their lives and relationships that are the highlight of this wonderful piece of crime fiction from the talented Fox. Brilliant read. Many thanks to Random House Cornerstone for an ARC.

My god I love this lady’s books! This is book one in a new series staring Jessica Sanchez. A cop in the LAPD, she has recently been left a 7 million dollar house in a grateful clients will. This has caused a huge rift in her department and bought her colleagues wrath down upon her.
Blair Harbour , once a respected LA surgeon has recently been released after a 10 year stint in prison for murder, Jessica was the arresting officer. When one of Blair’s cell mates comes asking for Blair’s help in locating her missing daughter, Blair knowns that it will jeopardise her freedom, and her bid to regain custody of her 10 year old son she surrendered in prison to a friend and her husband.
Full of memorable characters, tight dark plot and black humour, this is a fantastic read, as are all her books. Pick any one up, you won’t be disappointed.
#netgalley #gatheringdark

I’ve read a couple of Candice Fox’s books so I was looking forward to reading Gathering Dark. Unfortunately, I didn’t get on with this one at all. I found it really hard to connect with the characters, and ultimately I wasn’t engaged with the plot. Fox has a good writing style, and the premise was great, but it just didn’t work for me. Maybe it’s a case of right book wrong time but for now it wasn’t my kind of read.