Title: Wait for Dark (Alex Delillo #5)
Author: Scott Frost
Publisher: Headline Book Publishing
Publication Date: April 2010
Paperback: 384 pages
Genre: Crime Thriller
Source: Review Copy
Reviewed by: Jo
RATING: 9/10 – Would definitely recommend
GOODREADS SUMMARY:
Scott Frost is back with another explosive crime novel featuring Alex Delillo. As the heat rises, LA begins to experience a series of power blackouts. As the situation worsens, LAPD is put on tactical alert in preparation for nightfall. With every available cop on the streets, Lt. Alex Delillo and her partner, Harrison, are holding the fort at headquarters, waiting for the first homicide call. But when that call comes in, the voice on the other end isn’t a victim pleading for help. It’s a voice talking in riddles, pointing to a murder that is about to be committed once night falls. Dark is coming and it doesn’t wait for anyone. Can Delillo find the killer before it’s too late?
REVIEW:
This is the fifth book in the Alex Delillo Mystery series.
In Pasadena, due to the heat wave there has been a series of power blackouts. Lieutenant Alex Delillo and her squad expect that the power failures will bring robberies. But Alex receives a cryptic phone call, informing her the blackouts will bring something far worse than she expected. Someone is using the convenient cover of darkness for murder! Eek!
The opening of this book really made me feel for Alex, we join her at her Doctor’s as she is informed she could possibly have Breast Cancer. On top of that, she has to decipher cryptic phone calls before the killer strikes. Alex is one amazing woman, she is not a caricature of the spate of female detectives you see on TV. She is a real woman. I was quite shocked that the author was male, and I only say this because he writes the female point of view so well, he doesn’t patronise the heroine and I was so pleased by this. Scott Frost is an amazing writer, all the issues Alex has to deal with in her personal life as well as her career, it could have been easy for the readers to be turned off by Frost giving Alex so much to juggle but he writes meticulously well.
The actual plot of the book is very good, and the tension is suitably frustrating, but all encompassing. The chase to find the killer had me sitting up in bed at 1am, turning the pages as quickly as I could, while keeping one eye on the door! The ending – oh, the ending had me covered in goose bumps as I read the final line. I’ve already bought the previous four books in the series because I want to read more of Alex, and I cannot wait to see what Scott Frost has in store for Delillo.
VERDICT:
A fantastic crime writer plus a genuinely awesome heroine equals a fast paced, tension-filled, clever read. If you are new to crime fiction, this is your book. If you are a seasoned reader of thrillers, then you have to read this, it’s a breath of fresh air and one that I hope you enjoy as much as I have.
You can find out more about the author here:
12 Comments
This sounds like a good book to start the mystery challenge with. Do you have to read the series in order?
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Jennifer: I didn't feel like I missed out on anything by reading this one first, but there were some bits of her past personal life that I felt I would have liked to read about first but it really didn't take away my enjoyment of the book
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This sounds like a really good crime novel – think I may try these myself. Great review as always
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Doesn't look like his books are available in the USA (except for the Kindle)
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I haven't read any of these but they sound great, some more books going on the wish list!
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I should clarify – looks like his books are not available directly from Amazon.com in the USA, but you can buy them from sellers who are in Britain. Sorry for the confusion
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Weasel of Doom – You can get paperbacks if you check out Book Depository
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This sounds like a great series to sink into – after five books and still it has something..
Adding to my list..
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Thank you! I keep forgetting that I should be checking The Book Depository, too
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Fab review. Very interesting to have a male writer writing from a woman's point of view as this doesn't always work. Sounds like a great crime series.
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I'll have to try the series
Adding them on my neverending wishlist/tbr list 
Thanks for the review!
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hy guys i read the book and it was amazing and i read it in just 12 hours which is not normal for me but thats how awsome it was!!!
Does anyone knoe if scott will publish another one.., a sixth book
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