A Visible Darkness: A Mystery

by: Michael Gregorio

Published by: Minotaur Books

Reviewed by Shawn Remfrey

Once again we find ourselves in the company of Prussian Magistrate Hanno Stiffeniis. The French are still taking over Prussia and Hanno finds himself losing more and more power. When the French send him to investigate the death of a girl in another town, Hanno is reluctant to go. His wife, Helena, is expecting their child within the next month and he fears he may not be back in time. Once he arrives at his destination however, he gets sucked into the crime at hand, as usual.

There is more to this mystery than meets the eye. The murdered girl was a part of the amber industry. As Hanno begins to investigate, he learns more of how amber affects not only his country and the war, but the individuals who have made it their lives. When another murdered girl turns up in a stable, Hanno realizes he’ll have his hands full. How will he ever solve these murders with both the Prussians and the French breathing down his neck?

Having read Days of Atonement, both the character Hanno Stiffeniis and author Gregorio already held a place of respect for me. Moving into the third book in this series, we find both evolving. Stiffeniis is learning how to deal with his past with Kant and how to best handle the political fiasco he’s been forced into. Gregorio becomes more poetic with each book. The stories become more layered and intricate. Gregorio is the Beethoven of fiction.

Normally for me, the pull to mysteries is whether I can figure it out before the main character does. Gregorio’s books are different. It’s more a matter of figuring out the reasoning behind the culprit and guessing what will happen to the sub-characters.

As suspected, this book did not disappoint. Though I easily figured out the murderer, I was stunned to learn the reasoning. The end of this book left me dumbstruck.

Note: Michael Gregorio is the name that Michael (G. Jacob & Daniela De) Gregorio use when they write together.

Armchair Interviews says: A 5-star read well worth your time.

Author’s Web site: http://www.MichaelGregorio.it