Review: Deep Into Dusk by Laurie Stevens

Deep Into Dusk (Gabriel McRay #2)
written by Laurie Stevens
published by Follow Your Dreams Publishing

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Book Depository, Goodreads

Why did I pick this book: I enjoyed her first novel, The Dark Before Dawn, so I wanted to read the next book in the series. Read my review of The Dark Before Dawn here.

Did I enjoy this book: It was mediocre.

Strike one: character development. In a review for The Dark Before Dawn, I described Gabriel McRay as “an LA cop on the edge.” In Deep Into Dusk, he flies way over the edge; to the point that he’s no longer a good guy. He does things that make it impossible to cheer for him. And his once razor sharp girlfriend, Ming, becomes so desperate and sappy that I ended up not liking her anymore either.

Strike two: predictability. I guessed whodunit within the first 50 pages. I even got the accomplice right. I hate that.

But I can’t say she strikes out completely. She’s still a great writer. She tells an interesting story. And I have to admit, I pretty much enjoyed the story even if it was a little disappointing.

Would I recommend it: It’s still an interesting story.  If you’re looking for something easy to read while waiting in a carpool line, doctor’s office, hair salon etc.; sure. Why not?

Will I read it again: No.

About the book – from Goodreads: In this the second installment of the pulse-pounding series, Detective Gabriel McRay is once again forced to face his inner demons. From the enclaves of the super rich to the kinky underbelly of Los Angeles, women are turning up dead and Gabriel is determined to hunt down the killer. His one and only witness is the beautiful Tara Samuels. Blinded by his own sympathy and desire, Gabriel soon realizes Tara is not the fragile victim he thinks she is. Trapped in the web of her dark world, Gabriel realizes that only way out is to find the sadistic killer before he loses not only his career, but his sanity and his life.