Dark of Night: A Novel by Suzanne Brockmann

Dark of Night: A Novel by Suzann Brockman. Ballantine Books. January 2009. ISBN #: 9780345501561

The "black ops," also known as employees of Troubleshooters, Inc., are invisible agents who are part of the government, carrying out missions against terrorists and criminals in the domestic and international arena. However, sometimes a mission goes awry and other black ops are called to "delete" a former colleague. Yes, it's a nasty business full of plotting and counter-plotting, and the characters in Dark of Night: A Novel are painted as able to endure any physical, mental or emotional challenge. Only the reality of this novel's plot (Book 14 in the Troubleshooters series) is that sometimes violence takes on such an ominous reality that the mind, body and spirit are sorely challenged not to collapse.

In addition, Suzanne Brockmann spins a tale in which looking over one's shoulder at one's peers who could be part of the deletion mission and flaming, lusty passion fuels the fires of closeness, exhaustion and mistrust. What a conundrum but this author never misses a beat and keeps the reader wondering how it will evolve and conclude, rooting for the good guys and constantly questioning them as well.

This reviewer has never read a thriller that writes with this panache regarding love and espionage since the days of Robert Ludlum and Eric Lustbader, no small feat at all!

Get ready to meet James Nash, living in hiding since his peers have faked his death in order for him to find out who wants him really dead. Meet his lover, Tess, who may or may not be a part of the killer team waiting to destroy Nash. Early in the book, you will discover a passionate relationship between Dave and Sophia whose detective skills just might be compromised by their painful pasts and their constant need to bed each other anywhere and everywhere. And then we have the complication of Tracy who accidentally and astutely figures out that Nash is not really dead. Each possibly through error could give away the secret that gradually seems obvious to far too many enemies.

These are just a very, very few of the convoluted details that makes this story continuously pulse with energy and danger, along with several murder attempts that raise the ante for all concerned and yet never spoil the mystery herein.

Dark of Night: A Novel is a thrilling, challenging, tautly plotted, phenomenal read!