Propulsive, intense and anxiety-inducing, The Dark Time is a cautionary tale that will give you heart palpitations as violence explodes on seemingly every page. Kudos to Nick Petrie for delivering a novel that is equally entertaining and contemplative, exploring how technology’s impact on society can have a range of consequences.
June Cassidy asks Peter Ash to check in on her friend in Seattle – a reporter who has received threats to back off a story she’s investigating. Showing up in the nick of time, Peter thwarts a would-be killer and makes it his mission to protect the reporter and her daughter while also getting to the bottom of who is threatening her and why. As he digs deeper, he finds himself going from one violent situation to another, all at the hands of a shadowy organization planning a major event that would send the country into utter chaos. With help from June and his highly capable/dangerous friend Lewis, Peter puts his life on the line to stop this organization and its charismatic leader from successfully implementing their plan. But this time, Peter might have bitten off more than he can chew.
You know that when you open a Peter Ash novel, it’ll be exciting, explosive and violent. The Dark Time is no different, delivering on all fronts with a story that puts you on edge from the beginning and doesn’t let you breathe for a moment. It also explores how the world is changing and how different sets of people view innovation differently. Some embrace it, others are resentful of what it means for them personally. Making this a timely book as AI explodes across the globe, leading to amazing capabilities while also threatening the livelihood of regular people.
Tackling this topic results in a book that goes well beyond a pulse-pounding thriller. It’s a story that produces a dichotomy of having empathy for those who feel the world is passing them by while also having animosity towards the violent actions they are willing to undertake. With an especially high level of loathing towards those leading the effort by preying on the misfortune and fears of others and willing to wreak havoc on innocent people.
It's quite a fascinating and fantastic thriller. A straightforward narrative with complex emotions, making it a book that’s as thought-provoking as it is thrilling. And it has plenty of Peter Ash and Co. kicking ass and taking names. Which always makes for an enjoyable investment of your time.
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