Dark Site

This was another fun spy thriller from Patrick Lee. His novels are so exciting I tend to race through them, and that was also true of "Dark Site," which follows Sam Dryden as he uncovers a mystery from his childhood. Of course it involves a government conspiracy, a lot of thrilling action scenes, and as a bonus, Sam reunites with a long-lost friend. <br /><br />If you're new to Patrick Lee's books, I recommend starting with "Runner," which is the first Sam Dryden novel.

I really enjoyed this addition to the Sam Dryden story. I just love Lee's writing. I feel like the story flows so well. <br><br>In this installation we get to see Sam as a 12 year old boy and I thought the jumps back in time were well-done adding to the storyline and giving you a steady stream of information. I liked the way the characters in the present day were learning about things that happened in the past as you read about them yourself. There is some suspension of disbelief, but not too much. I was able to brush it aside and just enjoy the story. <br><br>I'm not sure if this story is meant to be a trilogy; it wrapped up pretty well in the ending making me think this may be the last one. However, I really hope we get to meet Sam and Danica again. <br><br><i>Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press / Minotaur Books for providing me with a free electronic copy in exchange for an honest review. </i><br><br>Previous reviews: <br><br>I just got a copy of this one through NetGalley! Yes!!<br><br>Current release date 5/28/19...<br><a href="http://tinypic.com?ref=2wq7pso" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener"> <img src="https://images.gr-assets.com/hostedimages/1531363221ra/25960738.gif" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"> </a>

A team is dispatched to kill Sam Dryden and another to kill Danica Ellis, two total strangers. Both miss, but Sam heads off to try to save her when he learns of the plot. Slowly, the two realize that they share a similar gap in their memories -- from 1989 when both were in car accidents, with head trauma. The book in told in the present, where Sam and Danica are trying to figure out who is trying to kill them and why, and in early summer 1989 when they become neighbors and friends in an obscure town in Iowa (somewhat reminiscent of <i>The Pines</i> by Blake Crouch), where they witness something that needs to be erased. Lots of suspense as to who are the good guys and the bad guys, even at the end, which I thought was pretty unbelievable. I felt the magic between the two was not properly developed and was disappointed with the Lauren Coleman storyline.

As I'm writing this review, there a lot of stellar reviews on Amazon and GR and I just keep thinking: I don't get it.<br /><br />I didn't finish this.<br /><br />Usually when I DNF a book, I give it 1 or 2 stars. In this case, I give it three because I think maybe it's just me.<br /><br />I was bored.<br /><br />I started out excited. The initial scenes where we meet our two main characters and see the danger they're in are terrific. And then...I found myself not caring.<br /><br />While I liked the idea of the Dark Site (and especially liked that it involved kids since other books with dark sites always have the towns that mysteriously have no children), I wasn't particularly thrilled all the 'suspense'. Is it still suspense when I'm just not all that interested in the 'why' of everything?<br /><br />But, reading the other reviews, other readers seemed to find this both riveting and thrilling.<br /><br />I've tried multiple times, but I finally give up.

AMAZING. Absolutely worth the wait. Please never stop writing Patrick!<br /><br />Does anyone know if a number 4 will be in the works?<br /><br /><br /><br />

I find I have enjoyed Patrick Lee's books and this one is no exception. Opening up with our hero awakening from a recurring nightmare with which he's struggles for many years we launch off into a story that reaches back into the past to his childhood.<br /><br />I assume you read the synopsis and know that Sam "survives" and escapes an attempt to kidnap...or kill him and in the ensuing action "takes out" his would-be kidnapper. <b>However</b> he recovers the villain's phone and finds that there is another person scheduled for kidnapping...or killing. Thus he is launched off on his eye-opening adventure.<br /><br />I am going to go 4 stars on this one though it did gripe a bit later on. There were some scenes where I was rolling my eyes at the action (or actually inaction) of our characters. <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="42b8b514-a315-43aa-961f-f5385d12861f" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="42b8b514-a315-43aa-961f-f5385d12861f">example: Sam and Danica are discussing what to do...with 2 unconscious "bad-guys" laying nearby about to wake up AND, yes you guessed it that stand there talking until the "bad-guys" wake up and crisis ensues. I was shouting out loud, "why weren't you long gone!?!?</label>.Also the story did start to feel, stretch out and a bit "draggy" by the end. <br /><br />Still over all it's a good read and I can recommend it. The gripes are small and in the end don't really hurt the read badly.<br /><br />Enjoy.

Take a day off, find a comfortable spot where you won't be disturbed, open this book, begin reading, and don't expect to blink until you've finished.<br /><br />Yes, this book is that good! Patrick Lee gives us two main characters who are each fascinating on their own, and who then come together for an explosive story.<br /><br />The pace is quick and steady, building tension and pulling us along into the chaos.<br /><br />The writing is crisp and engaging. The detail is just enough to spark all the senses. I felt like I was living this story alongside the characters.<br /><br />I haven't read the first two books in this series. What? I know! I can't believe it myself. This one reads perfectly as a stand-alone. But I should've read the first two, and I need to read the first two, because, really, Patrick Lee is a kickass writer!<br /><br />*I received a review copy from the publisher via Amazon Vine.*

I've read a few books by this author and his books are always close to 4 stars for. This one wasn't quite 4, but I'll round up for a few reasons. <br /><br />When I have a lot going on, his books are a nice escape. They reel me in, in such a way that I can put everything else on the back burner and just focus on the story. I like that. The author creates a nice pace that is in constant motion with all of the action. The MC, Sam, and the female lead, were regular people. They weren't depicted as Perfect Gifts from God on this Earth (like so many cliche characters are...especially in this genre). I also like the science fiction twist in this one. So 4 stars.

Won this in a Goodreads giveaway - thank you, Goodreads!<br /><br />This is not the kind of book I usually read, but the info on it sounded interesting, an action story with a mystery twist, so I tried to win it. So glad I did!<br /><br />This book is utter, complete action - at the start, a horrifying kidnapping attempt; in the middle lots of being chased and running around as the two majors, male and female, try to figure out who is after them and why. For the end, you need to hold your breath while reading.<br /><br />The two majors - Sam Dryden and Danica Ellis - are interesting, complex characters. They talk, act and react like real people would. They're not loaded down with a lot of bitter snarking at each other, something which (supposedly) would mean they really like each other. (I am so tired of books, movies and TV shows where the two majors fight-fight-fight and suddenly plop into each other's arms. Oh, yeah life is totally like that. Not.) These two characters are, at first, suspicious of each other, which is totally more realistic because the aim here is to figure out WHO is out to get them and WHY. <br /><br />The story: <br />Sam Dryden, haunted by a strange dream he's had for years, meets Danica Ellis, the would-be kidnapping victim, and nothing goes right from there on. It seems both grew up together in a strange little mid-western town, a town which wasn't really 'real.' They don't realize this for a while, but WE, the readers, are clued in early. (So no spoilers here.) The book takes us back and forth: from 2018 with the adult Sam and Danica being chased by some totally bad baddies, then to 1989 when they were 12-year olds living in what has to be the spookiest town I've ever read about in a book. (And that includes by you, Mr. King.) <br /><br />Sorting this out isn't easy - it's the kind of book where the two majors can't trust ANYONE. (Except maybe each other.) When the FBI gets involved the action and suspense - which is pretty tight - gets tightened up a lot more. This is the perfect book for readers who want ACTION, yet good characters and a complex plot. And spookiness. And a unique mystery at the center of everything.<br /><br />Excellent book, a breathless read. <br /><br />Five stars.

Sam Dryden is fixing up houses when out of nowhere, people try to abduct him. With no idea what is going on, Sam investigates in his own way, and finds his way to a woman his own age. The two lived in a small town in their childhood, but remember nothing about it. They make their way to the small town, which is in disrepair, to find out why they can't remember a whole summer from their lives.<br /><br />Pretty good, although maybe a bit too convoluted.