home > mystery novel reviews > the dark backward

The Dark Backward

by Julia Buckley

The Dark Backward by author Julia Buckley has a title taken from Shakespeare's The Tempest, and in this case at least, refers to the protagonist's vision as she lay dying – until she was resuscitated at the last moment. The book has few surprises, revealing the usual political corruption in high places and scoffing ridicule of any type paranormal experience, but The Dark Backward pulls you toward the protagonist's side until you're rooting for every new bit of evidence against the killer. Like most of the murder-mysteries published by Midnight Ink, the volume is well-written and contains the requisite amount of suspense. We're happy to welcome this author to the genre, and at the same time applaud the publisher for allowing still another new writer to display her gift to the public.

Lily Caldwell was a tough police officer – until she witnessed her partner killed before her eyes and being almost fatally shot herself. Although in reality the killer's face was in darkness, Lily had a vision as she lay dying where the face of her would-be murderer was plainly revealed. The killer was the governor of her state, the powerful and well-connected Governor Robert (“Nob”) Stevens.

Nobody believes her, of course. Once Lily is out of the hospital she has to face counselors and psychologists who attempt to convince her that what she saw was simply the product of her imagination. Her peers in the police force, including her boss, Chief Anthony Paluzzi, all think her experience has left her unhinged. Since she sticks to her belief and knowledge of what she saw in spite of them all, she's fired. Even her husband Gray is skeptical, so she separates herself from him, pending a divorce. Alone, Lily hunts for proof of why the governor would want to kill her and Danny.

Lily and her partner Danny had taken on an unsolved file involving the murder of one Emily Martin. When Lily investigates further on her own, she gradually starts to uncover facts that point directly to the governor, while simultaneously placing herself in increasing jeopardy. There are more attempts on her life as she discovers family secrets, betrayal, and unswerving ambition that includes every intention of blocking the truth.

The Dark Backward has a most satisfying conclusion where everything comes together - and even before that, Lily's vision is accepted by both her husband and her boss. Julia Buckley certainly knows how to best please her readers at the close of a very suspenseful tale. The romantic aspects of the novel (decidedly the influence of Mary Stewart) may sometimes place this work more in the 'bodice ripper' category, but nonetheless The Dark Backward stands by itself as a fine murder-mystery.

Alan Paul Curtis

back