Stay Dark

Stay Dark is the first installment in the Web of Dwellers series by Tess Manchester. It is a dark, tangled tale that blends supernatural elements with noir detective fiction. Neve Traxon is a former police academy trainee turned private investigator, and she hides a secret: she is a vampire, gifted with speed, strength, and enhanced senses. After witnessing a brutal alleyway murder, Neve intervenes to save a victim from a creature with haunting green eyes, only to realize the attacker is a fellow dweller, an infected supernatural being dependent on blood for survival. Saving the life of a brutal serial killer poses a moral dilemma for her, and with factions fighting for control of blood supplies and power, she must partner with Detective Marek Kaidan to hunt the very murderer she set free. But she has powerful enemies coming after her from every direction, and it’s hard to know whom to trust. Can she catch the killer while keeping herself safe from the many enemies after her life?

Most suitable for fans of The City of Dusk by L. L. McKinney and The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller, Stay Dark presents a world that is rife with supernatural factions, morally complex characters, and a gritty, noir-inspired atmosphere that sucks you in from the very first page. I became a fan of Tess Manchester after reading Pivot Point, and she doesn’t disappoint with this book, crafting prose that is delectable and exquisite, with sentences that are well-measured, and dialogue that has everything you want: engaging drama, witty exchanges, and conflict-driven conversations. Characterization is stellar, and you will encounter characters that are relatable, yet extraordinary in nature and abilities. You’ll enjoy characters like Marek Kaidan, the relentless detective, Inez, and Neve. The setting captivated me, and I enjoyed the detailed nighttime Los Angeles, which provides a gritty, atmospheric backdrop. The city’s nightlife has its seedy underbelly and is filled with dangers. This propulsive thriller kept me awake through the night, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.