Whitesands is a fascinating hybrid of genres combining the nitty gritty elements of a murder investigation thriller with the unsettling aura of horror and supernatural stories, resulting in a highly enjoyable narrative of realistic characters facing not-so-common demons.
Johann Thorsson’s debut novel introduces John Dark, a hardened world-weary detective obsessed with solving the biggest case of his life; the disappearance of his daughter. As the leads turn up dry for the next two years, he fights against the notion that he may never see his little girl again. He and his partner, Monique Moreno, are assigned to a homicide case where a husband has stabbed his wife to death. The only catch is, the husband has no recollection of ever doing it. Not so far away, a diagnosed schizophrenic, Daniel Hope, starts to see spirits of the departed. With a supernatural twist to the murder investigation, Dark and Hope’s paths cross and nothing will be the same for either of them.
Johann Thorsson’s creative writing style is an absolute delight to read. With a strong understanding about his target audience, he skillfully balances grim characters with paranormal occurrences to drive the story with strong emotions written in beautiful fashion so much so that it seems somewhat plausible that love just might accomplish the impossible. The mystique behind the bigger picture is preserved until the very end for a quiet moment of shuddering contemplation where we realize the true culprit’s identity was hinted at all along. Whitesands is a building block to a much bigger overarching storyline and Johann Thorsson ensures that the ending does not wrap anything haphazardly but rather presents a sinister cliffhanger that left me speechless and desperate for the sequel.
Whitesands is perhaps best read in the darkness of the night when the moon shines the brightest and the imagination runs the wildest. With a cinematic vibe to the storytelling, I can easily imagine a tv show based on this impressive debut. This is certainly one of the best thrillers I have read this year and an excellent choice for those seeking a bone-chilling experience behind the safety of a book.
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Purchase Whitesands
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Barrington Books
Chapter 2 Books
Murder By The Book
Once Upon A Crime
The Book Dragon
The Poisoned Pen
