Simon R. Green is usually entertaining, but I had a really hard time getting into this one. And some of the things that popped up, just made me shake my head, put my eReader down and walk away for a bit. I did finally finish, but this isn't a series that I would read again. A big chunk of it at the beginning just dragged on and on and made me wonder why I was still reading. But I really enjoyed Green's Nightside books, so I kept at it. In the end, it just wasn't worth it.

This book combines the genres of horror, romance, mystery and the supernatural. The lead characters are complex and the reader can’t help but pull for them to escape the manor. There is a load of gore and the killer is fairly easy to suss out. However, it held my interest and intrigued me enough to continue reading the series. (Published in Goodreads)

The Nightside series by the same author is a favorite. So, when I found this on Netgalley, I quickly requested a copy. We’re introduced to a character who works for the most obscure agencies. They’re major players, so naturally, the public doesn’t know they exist. His handler is in danger and wants our protagonist to immediately head to his ancestral home. And it’s Christmas time.

The writes create a thrilling and hair-raising atmosphere. People get murdered left and right. They seem to know the killer, which is why they let them in. And so on. All the elements of a good mystery.

The killer’s identity isn’t that hard to guess. Even then, the book kept my interest. I should hope it does the same for you.

And then there’s the ending. It made no sense and felt lazy in its execution — done so the hero would get the girl. A good read wrecked by an ending not well thought out.

I received this book from Netgalley and chose to review it. Thanks to the author and publisher for making it available.
I enjoyed this book and hope others will too. Action and characters are great, everything moving at a steady pace, holding my interest and I finished it in one sitting. Like this author and this series, the Darkside is often surprising, always interesting with unusual characters. This time a monster is hunted by one who doesn't want to be a monster. Good book, fun read. Love this author's stories.

This is the second book I have read in this series, but realise it should have been the first, I think! The stories for Ishmael are always full of action, suspense and absolutely page turners. This book was very well written and not easy to pick out the killer, I love reading books that don’t give the ending away too soon. Will definitely keep a look out for more and do recommend to any one

A decent paranormal murder mystery set in an isolated manor house. As a fan if Simon Green's other works (Nightside series and Secret History series) I had hoped for much more. This series has potential if the next books are less limited in scope and fill out the central character's back story better, making him a more interesting protagonist to follow. It also needs more of the wit and tongue in cheek playfulness his other series possessed..

A longtime fan of the Nightside books by Green, this was my first foray into his other works. While different, there are some similar veins that run through both series - compelling protagonists with powers beyond that of a normal human, things happening just below the surface of everyday life, well-scripted dialogue and action, and just a hint of unease running through the entire story. The Dark Side of the Road was a quick read, and a great intro into a new protagonist from Green. I'd definitely read more about Ishamel Jones, and hope to do so in the future.

Received from Severn House Publishing and Netgalley for honest read and review.
This is the first book I have read from Simon R Green and I have to say it was actually ok.A murder mystery set in an old house in the middle of nowhere and with snow...

A good set of characters and the main one ,Ishmael Jones is quite refreshing.

Realised there are more in this series ,so will give them a go as well.

I was expecting some sort of Genesis story here, whereby we learn more about Ishmael and the adventures he had in his long, eventful life on Earth, before he started working for the Organisation. However, that didn’t happen. In fact, if I hadn’t been told that this was the first book in the series, I wouldn’t have guessed. Initially, I was a bit disappointed – but on reflection I think it probably is a strength of this series. Once more, Ishmael is plunged into a tricky situation whereby he is a suspected outsider, looking on a group who all have strong reasons to want to see the back of at least one of their companions. Attending a Christmas party at the urgent request of his boss, Ishmael finds himself driving through one of the worst snowstorms on record. He ends up at a country house in the middle of Cornwall, more cut-off than the moon from any outside help, when it all starts to kick off.

There are a series of gory murders and Ishmael is confronted with trying to discover who the perpetrator is. Green presents us with a series of twists – though I had already guessed who the perpetrator was. Though in this case, it wasn’t a question of finding out who so much as trying to discover how to stop the murderer. I liked the fact that superstrong and inhumanly fast Ishmael had met his match. While there wasn’t quite so much humour in this first offering, there was still enough to make me grin in amongst the mayhem, and it was clear to see the foundations of what has made this series so successful. Recommended for fans of paranormal suspense that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The ebook arc copy of The Dark Side of the Road was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest opinion of the book.
8/10

Great twist on the country house murder mystery idea, with a supernatural element added. An odd mix of people snowed in together in a country mansion, with the tension rising with the body count. Over the top antics and humour, with an intriguing, mysterious alien Ishmael Jones as the central character. I like the author's style and I'm really looking forward to diving into book two!

Really enjoyed this book. An interesting murder mystery crime thriller and sci fi fantasy that blended perfectly together. Interesting and engaging characters, good story, kept me guessing right till the end.
A very pleasurable read which I didn’t want to put down so finished in one day.

I always have high expectations when I read a book featuring Ishmael Jones and this one was no exception.
I'm happy to say that all my expectations were met and I'm more than happy I read this story because it's the first in this series and it made understand more about Ishmael and Penny.
It's an engrossing and entertaining mix of horror and mystery that keeps you hooked till the end.
I couldn't put it down and turned pages as fast as I could.
An exciting read, highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc, all opinions are mine.

Having been a fan of the Nightside books pretty much forever, I was looking forward to something new and fresh from Simon Green, and he delivered! My issue, as with most of his books, is they're FAR too short, and I feel like they're sometimes.........rushed. I actually stopped reading the Eddie Drood series for this very reason. I felt like the purpose of the series was lost in the telling of things that had little or nothing to do with the series. I found myself skipping to get back to the story.

With the exception of being again, not "enough" (which really is a complement) I found the mystery to be FANTASTIC and the twists (there's more than one) to be of the "WHOA! Didn't see THAT coming!" type. Loved it! Another winner!