River of Darkness
The First John Madden Mystery
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4.2 • 194 Ratings
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- $18.99
Publisher Description
"It's the tactics and the terrain, the morale and the characters that make the difference between an average thriller and one as good as this."—The New York Times Book Review
Upon its original publication, River of Darkness awed readers who look for intelligent, well-plotted psychological mysteries. This “fine, frightening piece of work” (Kirkus Reviews) introduces inspector John Madden who, in the years following World War I, is sent to a small village to investigate a particularly gruesome attack. The local police dismiss the slaughter as a botched robbery, but Madden detects the signs of a madman at work. With the help of Dr. Helen Blackwell, who introduces him to the latest developments in criminal psychology, Madden sets out to identify and capture the killer, even as the murderer sets his sights on his next innocent victims.
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Buckle in for a mystery that’s so dark and chilling, you may find yourself checking your door locks midchapter. Rennie Airth’s acclaimed Inspector Madden series kicks off in the Surrey countryside during the early 1920s, when a horrifying multiple murder shakes a bucolic village to its core. It’s up to the charmingly stoic Madden—and vivacious local physician Dr. Helen Blackwell—to prove that this wasn’t simply a petty robbery gone bad. As Madden and Blackwell race against the clock, the body count continues to rise and Airth brilliantly draws parallels between the brutal, still-fresh realities of World War I and the “river of darkness” running through the killer’s mind. Fast-paced, unflinching, and unexpectedly introspective, this historical mystery really captured our imagination.
Customer Reviews
Terrific Period Detective
Enjoyed very much. Will read more by this author.
River of Darkness
What a story. An absolutely great book! A terrific mystery and a good romance, thanks for writing it.