"I can still hear the sound of his horrible voice echoing in my mind. It brings chills up and down my spine. That’s the last thing I remember of that horrible, horrible dark night."
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Darkness Beyond the Night by Brenda Joyce Fay Trafford Publishing
book review by Mihir Shah
For seventeen years, Catherine Murphy is haunted incessantly by nightmares of a man placing a cold wet cloth over her mouth. Oblivious to the circumstances surrounding the death of her mother, Joyce, the disappearance of her father, Ted, and the fate of her brother, Chris, Catherine lives a content, yet somewhat empty life with her Grandmother Alice. Now a journalist, Catherine's sole desire is to uncover the truth behind the events of January 19, 1992—events she calls the darkness beyond the night. Essentially, this intriguing detective mystery is the premise of Fay's novel.
Darkness Beyond the Night is filled with mesmerizing characters and a plotline that will undoubtedly keep the audience engaged. Though the book could use additional dialogue scenes, the author does a masterful job of shifting settings: one moment the audience will be in Arizona, in New York the next, and the Middle East nations of Libya (Tripoli) and Syria.
On the backdrop of Catherine's college graduation, Grandmother Alice, Aunt Sarah and Uncle Tony unveil the truth that Chris—their adopted son—is her brother. This revelation triggers a sequence of events that introduces the audience to Trent McGuire and Kassidy Barnes, an unstoppable detective duo that is experienced in solving cold cases. From the Marines to the CIA, special agents McGuire and Barnes' investigation leads them to a series of individuals and intelligence agencies that ultimately point to a plot of vengeance hatched by Ted Murphy to avenge his wife's cold-blooded murder.
While everyone the special agents speak to are hopeful that Ted is alive, few know of his whereabouts after the fateful day in January 1992. Will Ted be found alive? Can Catherine's and Chris' life return to normal? Darkness Beyond the Night is a compelling page turner of a detective drama that all mystery enthusiasts will enjoy.