Kristina Anderson
The Darkness Knows by Cheryl Honigford is a Viv and Charlie mystery novel. Vivian Witchell is a radio actress in Chicago, Illinois in 1938. Vivian was a secretary at the station (for Mr. Hart) before she made the move into acting. Vivian is determined to be independent and a big star. One evening Vivian forgot her umbrella and had return to the lounge. She walks into the lounge and finds a body. Vivian screams which alerts the elevator operator and then faints dead away. She awakens in the office of Mr. Hart, the station owner. The body was that of radio star, Marjorie Fox. She was the main character in The Golden Years. After Vivian gets threatened, Mr. Hart hires Charlie Haverman, Jr., a private investigator, to keep her safe and look into the crime. Vivian wants to help Charlie with the investigation. She does not want to stay safe at home with her mother (Vivian comes from a well-to-do family). Can they find the killer before Vivian ends up the next victim? The Darkness Knows was a good concept. I like the time period and the radio angle (different from other novels). However, I thought the mystery was simple and very easy to solve (one clue gives it away). Vivian is trying to be this independent woman but it does not come across. She is from a rich family who live in a big house, have a chauffeur, maid, etc. Her shows of independence are comical (like not using the chauffeur). There are phrases and words in the book that are not correct for the era. There is also some information repeated a few times. I give The Darkness Knows 3 out of 5 stars (it was okay). Vivian was not my favorite character in the book (I found Graham Yarborough entertaining). She is such a contradiction (independent, stubborn and then faints and cries). I thought Cheryl Honigford was a very verbose writer (a nice word for long winded and descriptive). The book seemed unfinished at the end. The crime was solved, but we are left with a couple of unanswered questions. I do not believe I will read the next book in the series (just not for me). I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my won.
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