Dark of Night

Dark of Night
5 Stars

Following the attempt on Jimmy Nash's life, only a select group of people know that he is still alive, and Troubleshooters team leader Lawrence Decker plans to keep it that way in order to expose those who want Jimmy dead. But Deck's best-laid plans are for naught when Troubleshooter receptionist, Tracy Shapiro, follows the clues and discovers the truth. Now Deck and Tracy must evade the rogue agents willing to do anything to find Jimmy, even torture and kill his closest allies.

***Spoilers ahead***

Once again, Brockmann focuses on three different couples - Sophia and Dave, Tracy and Deck, and Nash and Tess.

The ongoing angst fest of Sophia and Decker's non-existent relationship is finally resolved as circumstances show more force her to confront the truth of her feelings for Deck and realize that the man she really loves has been right there all along.

Tracy and Deck are a surprisingly perfect match for one another. Tracy is much more than the seemingly shallow, selfish, and stupid receptionist from the beginning of Into the Storm. She is, in fact, intelligent, resilient, and compassionate. Not only is she the only one to deduce that Jimmy is alive, but she also sees the vulnerable and lonely person behind Deck's façade. She is fearless, doesn't allow Deck to wallow in his self-imposed misery, calls him on his bullshit, and treats him as a man, not a legend. He is, therefore, able to let down his guard, be himself and let her in. It is really adorable!

Lastly, Tess and Nash overcome the issues that have threatened their HEA. The revelations are difficult, but together they can handle all obstacles.

The mystery surrounding those responsible for the attacks on Jimmy, Dave and Deck is gripping from the start (although the prologue did have me waiting for the other shoe to drop), and there are some excellent action-packed scenes. It is particularly gratifying that the villain is ultimately brought down by the woman he underestimated.

Overall, the closure to several ongoing relationships and the gripping suspense plot make this one of the best installments in the series. Kudos to Brockmann for keeping us engaged with her characters from one book to the next. show less

I cannot get enough of Brockmann's writing. Her books (especially after she graduated out of Harlequins) are fast-paced, complex, tough, exciting, sexy and downright romantic. I'm glad I married *before* reading her, 'cause she really could have ruined me for all reall men. Her characters are the sexiest, sensitive Manly Men *ever*.

This one is fascinating because practically all of the characters she's intorduced in past books make an appearance, as one of the Troubleshooters' own is being targeted. As they all race to discover who the shady Agents behind the escalating murders are, two couples, Dan and Sophia and Decker and Tracy, are also caught up and realize who they're meant for. But that's an incredibly cheesy and simple show more description for the gripping plot that unfolds on the page.

Run, do NOT walk, to the library to check out this series!!! show less

I've never read this author's books before and there's a lot of background to the characters that I don't know. The author did a good job of filling in this info here and there throughout the book. It's kind of like a soap opera -- all these people sleeping with each other and then talking about it. And they talk constantly! It's a wonder they get anything done. These characters talk and talk without actually saying much. For people who are supposed to be military and precise, they sure don't act that way in their interpersonal relationships. I like the suspense aspect, but there's a little too much in the romance department for me.

If the previous book had angst up the wazoo, this book is all about trust, in one's self and especially in others. 3-1/2 stars. I think the mystery got a little lost to the romance, but it is a romance book, so...

(Edited 3/8/12) I'm listening to the audio version of this book now and can give a much clearer idea of what doesn't work in this book and why it's a bit hard to get through: it's the shear amount of exposition which takes up a significant portion of the text. I think having the story read by two readers (the female reader Renee Raudman is not one I care for) brings out the worst of this story, unfortunately.

At this point in the series, you only have die hards or the OCD still reading. Brockmann seems to always put together a good novel, even when you spend a good chuck of the novel loving/hating a character and/or confused by an event. Decker finally gets his love interest. Dave is my fave though. He totally rocks.

Very fast paced, although the action takes place over a short four-day period. Ties up some loose ends, answering once and for all the various pairings begun in "Flashpoint".

At first I found it somewhat difficult to follow the various plot threads, as most of the characters were paired or teamed off and separated, with everyone going here and there. But as the story continued, the plot drew together with the final resolution being surprisingly simplistic.

While I liked the Tracy/Decker pairing well enough, the fact that it developed over such a short period of time makes it hard for me to buy the intensity. Decker begins the book a damaged soul, and it's hard to accept that he might be healed so quickly simply because of the love of a show more good woman. However, I have none of the complaints of those who believed in the Decker/Sophie soul-mates scenario.

Really - REALLY - missed Izzy in this book and look forward to more of him in the future.

Overall, not my most favorite Brockmann (that would be "Over the Edge" and "Out of Control") but a solid entry into the series. show less

Badly shaken after the loss of one of their own, the men and women of Troubleshooters Inc. go up against their most deadly opponents yet--the clandestine organization called The Agency. But when their leader, former Navy SEAL Lawrence Decker, barely escapes with his life, it soon becomes clear that the hunters have become the hunted --and the Troubleshooters are no longer just solving a crime--they're fighting for survival.

I really enjoy the Troubleshooters series, but it's been a little harder to get into the last couple of titles. After I finally remember who all the characters are, the pace picks up and the story races to an exciting conclusion. I've really had a problem with "Dave" and "Decker" because their names are so similar.