Anthony E. Zuiker with Duane Swierczynski Dark Prophecy: A Level 26 Thriller Featuring Steve Dark

Dark Prophecy: A Level 26 Thriller Featuring Steve Dark

Anthony E. Zuiker with Duane Swierczynski

Dutton, Oct 14 2010, $26.95

ISBN: 9780525951858

Following the murder of his wife Sibby five years ago, Steve Dark sent his newborn daughter to live with her grandparents as he went after Level 26 serial killers; specifically Sqweegel. His offspring resides in California while he is east coast, but after hacking away at murderers he believes he needs to begin being a father again. Thus he left Special Circs and his boss Riggins and his partner Brielle to start over.

King A-hole, better known as Secretary of Defense Norman Wycoff, orders Riggins who does not work for him to go to Chapel Hill to see first hand the murder of think tank expert Martin Green. Riggins assumes DOD needs the laundry cleaned with no ties back to them as he used to use Dark to do that for him. Riggins also normally would send Dark and Brielle, but his top operative is in Santa Barbara re-meeting his daughter and has earned his way back to the human race teaching on the west coast. Riggins tells Agent Paulson to meet him in North Carolina, but someone intercepts the message. Paulson is missing and assumed dead; a desperate Riggins pleads with Dark to help as Brielle enters the dangerous zone of someone with the knack of a serial killer.

The second Dark level 26 thriller (see Dark Origin) is an exciting action-packed tale that hooks the reader from start to finish. Although the story line is thin, it is fast-paced even when Dark is with his daughter and in-laws. Fans will appreciate the latest escapades as Dark once again ignores the law, the brass (especially the A-hole) and the danger as he crosses the line to fight Level 26 serial killers on their turf.

Harriet Klausner