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 police 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. As a former client of her father’s, Rory becomes reluctantly involved with the killer—though he continues to insist he didn’t murder Angela. Now he wants Rory to do what her father once promised: prove that Angela is, in fact, still alive.
As Rory begins reconstructing Angela’s last days, another killer emerges from the shadows, replicating those long-ago murders. With every startling discovery she makes, Rory becomes more deeply entangled in the enigma of Angela Mitchell—and in The Thief’s tormented mind. Drawing connections between past and present is the only way to stop the nightmare, but even Rory can’t be prepared for the full, terrifying truth that is emerging . .
Review
This is my first book by Charlie Donlea and I am now a fan! Some Choose Darkness is narrated in two timelines, one is set in 2019 and another one in the late 70s and early 80s.The 70s tells the story of one summer in 79 where women started disappearing. In the midst of this storm is Angela, a woman who started following the case and soon got close to the answers before she disappeared. In 2019, Rory is working as a reconstructionist, she gets a new case but her world is soon turned up and down and she gets caught up in the events that occurred 40 years ago.
This book is super captivating. I knew it would be something special right from the first page. The writing is flawless and the two timelines flowed seamlessly. In cases of dual timelines, I usually find myself more interested in one than the other. However, my experience was different this time. Both timelines were fascinating. I was transported back to Chicago in 79 in the heat of the summer and fear of The Thief. The author set up the setting so well that I could visualize the characters in the dressing and hairstyles that marked the 70s. I could also feel the summer heat and the fear of having a suspected serial killer stalk the town.
Apart from the setting, I think the characters were very well developed. I like how different the MCs, Rory and Angela, were.They were both Autistic(if I am not wrong). I love that they were geniuses who although misunderstood by the world, could understand the world better than most people. The representation of Autism in 2019 and 1979 illustrates just how much time has changed, at least for the better in terms of awareness and understanding.
This book was one twisty, shocking roller-coaster ride. The mystery is multilayered and it took time for all the dots to connect. My jaw drop each time a puzzle piece slid into place. Charlie Donlea is undoubtedly a masterful storyteller. Some Choose Darkness is enthralling, twisty and utterly thrilling.
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