Dark Associations by Marie Sutro - Book Review

2018 IBPA Benjamin Franklin

Gold Award Winner

Best New Voice in Fiction

Get Ready For A Sleepless Night Or Two: The Deadly Game Within Dark Associations

San Francisco, CA, October 2, 2018 ― Dark Associations by Marie Sutro (Viper Press) is a compelling work of crime fiction pulling readers into a chilling battle of wits between a sinister, twisted mind and a determined young detective.

Synopsis
Following the discovery of her protégé's mutilated corpse, SFPD Detective Kate Barnes vows to capture an infamous serial killer known as the Tower Torturer. After years of silence, the psychopath has emerged from the shadows.

Young women close to Kate begin to disappear, as the killer taunts the detective, torturing his victims in various and unspeakable ways before displaying their corpses in macabre public tableaus. The predator always seems to be two moves ahead of the rookie investigator, despite her best efforts. As the body count rises, Kate struggles to apprehend the brutal mastermind before he resurrects history's most insidious form of torture upon her. 

Marie Sutro

About the Author
Marie Sutro is a native of the San Francisco Bay Area and a member of Sisters in Crime. A proponent of adult literacy, she volunteers with California Library Literacy Services, helping adults improve their reading and writing skills. Her great-grandfather, grandfather and father all served in the San Francisco Police Department, the collective inspiration for her debut novel. She resides in Northern California and is currently at work on the next Kate Barnes story.

My Review
Oh my word! No wonder Marie Sutro won 'Best New Voice in Fiction' she is one brilliant storyteller. 
Ok, in some parts the grisly bits were really grisly but, overall, what a cracking story. The characters are so easy to get to know, and like. The twists and turns are amazing. Of course, I knew who the serial killer was early on in the book; or did I? Red herring comes to mind lol! Full moons and scary stories go hand-in-hand. I read a particularly scary chapter under the light of the full moon. I recommend you try it with this book. A gripping read throughout.


Ellen Dean most definitely recommends

'In The Spotlight' at Darlington Hippodrome

On Saturday 6th October I went along with friends and family to Darlington Hippodrome to watch my three year old great-niece Isabelle perform with The Sandra Welsh School Of Dance in their show 'In The Spotlight'. This show was a real treat, and Isabelle's stage debut. I was so excited.

Every member of the cast from the youngest to the oldest (three to eighteen years respectively) gave outstanding performances. There was a full range of singing and dancing. The little ones came on, with chaperones, to a lots of oohs and aahs from the audience - including mine - then the chaperones disappeared into the wings. Did they get stage fright? Not a bit. They performed their routine like little troopers.

The whole show was very uplifting to say the least. One could be forgiven for thinking they were watching a professional West End Show. It was full of life, love and laughter, absolutely bursting with talent. A real tribute to The Sandra Welsh School Of Dance based in Bishop Auckland, County Durham. 

Photos taken by Paul Anderson ©

(used with permission)

                             

   

                             

                                      
   

                                    

Footnote: Isabelle takes her singing and dancing very seriously. I was shopping in Ripon a few days before the show buying an item of clothing for Isabelle. I rang her mother, to ask which size I should buy. Isabelle then came on the phone and started to sing 'You Are My Sunshine' her show song 🎼  She wanted me to sing with her, so I did, much to the amusement of the other shoppers, and staff 😄

Ellen Dean Recommends

Swinton Park Hotel - Baby Shark - Ballet and Tap Dancing

Baby Shark, Ballet and Tap Dancing 

at

Swinton Park Hotel

Out for lunch (which was absolutely delicious) with the family at The Swinton Park Hotel, Masham.

Then there was the entertainment. My great-niece Isabelle decided to sing the Baby Shark song, and then when the music played (in the Drawing Room) she went into dance mode. First we were treated to Ballet followed by Tap Dancing. She wasn't at all bothered that other guests were watching, and I have to say they were loving it, and all applauded when she finished.