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The Dark Halo
No one was looking for him. No one knew he existed.
When the CEO of a movie studio is found dead in a Los Angeles hotel room, LAPD detective Johnny Coombes is called to investigate. At first sight, it looks like a routine overdose, but Coombes is not convinced. The death matches a recent pattern of high-profile Angelenos to have taken their own lives, including the father of a childhood friend.
Soon he uncovers evidence that proves a serial killer has been operating for months, posing kills as suicides. With the bodies piling up, Coombes races against time to identify the killer before he strikes again. As the investigation draws to an explosive conclusion. he discovers that the killer's darkness has changed his life forever.
The Dark Halo is a gripping, pulse-pounding thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. Perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, David Baldacci, and Robert Crais.
When the CEO of a movie studio is found dead in a Los Angeles hotel room, LAPD detective Johnny Coombes is called to investigate. At first sight, it looks like a routine overdose, but Coombes is not convinced. The death matches a recent pattern of high-profile Angelenos to have taken their own lives, including the father of a childhood friend.
Soon he uncovers evidence that proves a serial killer has been operating for months, posing kills as suicides. With the bodies piling up, Coombes races against time to identify the killer before he strikes again. As the investigation draws to an explosive conclusion. he discovers that the killer's darkness has changed his life forever.
The Dark Halo is a gripping, pulse-pounding thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. Perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, David Baldacci, and Robert Crais.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2023
77 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
David Stanley
4 books12 followersDavid Stanley is a rising star in the world of crime fiction. Set against the backdrop of the iconic Los Angeles landscape, Stanley’s novels capture the essence of the city, drawing inspiration from the timeless works of Michael Connelly and Raymond Chandler. His writing, filled with intricate plots and vivid characters, immerses readers in the gritty mysteries of the City of Angels. With each book, Stanley cements his place as a captivating new voice in the genre. He lives in Scotland with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 8, 2024
Possibly one of the best crime thrillers I’ve read in years. This was the first of 2 David Stanley books with Coombes as the lead detective. Can’t wait to start the 2nd one.
Great plot full of twists and turns keeping you guessing all the way.
Great plot full of twists and turns keeping you guessing all the way.
May 14, 2023
Had to read this in a one-er! Best book I’ve read this year so far. It was quite dark humour and I found myself having a chuckle at some of the gruesome bits. Kept me guessing right up to the end.
January 6, 2024
Dark Halo. By David Stanley.
My Review.
No one was looking for him. No one knew he existed.
When the CEO of a movie studio is found dead in a Los Angeles hotel room, LAPD detective Johnny Coombes is called to investigate. At first sight, it looks like a routine overdose, but Coombes is not convinced.
Written by David Stanley The Dark Halo is the first of two books to star Detective Johnny Coombes and let me just say it was a blast from start to finish.
Firstly it was well written, with an easy prose that flowed nicely almost noir in feel, kind of like Bosch, but with it's own distinct flavour. A clever and well described plot, that whilst involved never either hand held or became to convoluted. It kept me guessing which I liked. The action felt real, believable, not over the top, you get the feel Coombes could handle himself but isn't some kind of super-invulnerable cop.
Where this book really worked was with the characters, they were all so well written and the interaction felt real. Especially between Coombes and his detective partner Grace Sato, their chemistry was wonderful and practically leapt off the page.
Coombes is the kind of cop you want on your case if you've been wronged, he's a good detective, dogged and determined, hard as when necessary but still willing to cut a person a break if he feels its right, caring despite seeing the worst of humanity and having a less than ideal home life. Willing to colour outside the lines without ever becoming a rebel cop trope. Always several steps above some of his 'jobbing' colleagues. Sato is a nice counterpoint to him, being younger, a go getter, a rule follower but equally tough and just as able to not only get the job done but give Coombes the lift he sometimes needs. The killings are clever and the motive behind them not so obscure that you need a degree from the BAU to work out. All in all this was a fantastic read and I look forward to book two. Easily worth five stars.
My Review.
No one was looking for him. No one knew he existed.
When the CEO of a movie studio is found dead in a Los Angeles hotel room, LAPD detective Johnny Coombes is called to investigate. At first sight, it looks like a routine overdose, but Coombes is not convinced.
Written by David Stanley The Dark Halo is the first of two books to star Detective Johnny Coombes and let me just say it was a blast from start to finish.
Firstly it was well written, with an easy prose that flowed nicely almost noir in feel, kind of like Bosch, but with it's own distinct flavour. A clever and well described plot, that whilst involved never either hand held or became to convoluted. It kept me guessing which I liked. The action felt real, believable, not over the top, you get the feel Coombes could handle himself but isn't some kind of super-invulnerable cop.
Where this book really worked was with the characters, they were all so well written and the interaction felt real. Especially between Coombes and his detective partner Grace Sato, their chemistry was wonderful and practically leapt off the page.
Coombes is the kind of cop you want on your case if you've been wronged, he's a good detective, dogged and determined, hard as when necessary but still willing to cut a person a break if he feels its right, caring despite seeing the worst of humanity and having a less than ideal home life. Willing to colour outside the lines without ever becoming a rebel cop trope. Always several steps above some of his 'jobbing' colleagues. Sato is a nice counterpoint to him, being younger, a go getter, a rule follower but equally tough and just as able to not only get the job done but give Coombes the lift he sometimes needs. The killings are clever and the motive behind them not so obscure that you need a degree from the BAU to work out. All in all this was a fantastic read and I look forward to book two. Easily worth five stars.
May 4, 2025
A good first outing for this new police procedural with LAPD detective Johnny Coombes. Some dry humour (a little more wouldn’t have gone amiss!), a well developed relationship with his police partner Grace Sato and lots of dead ends and pivots in the quest to find the serial killer known as The Ferryman. An enjoyable read and I’ll read the follow up next….
September 1, 2024
Lost consration
Started off okay but found it difficult to get into the story and found the characters very dull I've read lots of detectives series I love but could not react to any of them.
Started off okay but found it difficult to get into the story and found the characters very dull I've read lots of detectives series I love but could not react to any of them.
June 27, 2024
Better than Baldacci
Came across this on Amazon and enjoyed it immensely - kept up a good pace, taut, with lots of unexpected turns. If Stanley keeps this up he’ll go far.
Came across this on Amazon and enjoyed it immensely - kept up a good pace, taut, with lots of unexpected turns. If Stanley keeps this up he’ll go far.
July 6, 2024
Detective Coombs
Detective Coombs is a likeable character who's deadbeat humour and dialogue seems quite
real to the area.
A good read keeps you guessing to the end.
Detective Coombs is a likeable character who's deadbeat humour and dialogue seems quite
real to the area.
A good read keeps you guessing to the end.
November 26, 2024
I loved the mystery/detective aspect of this but the romance felt out of place to me.
November 2, 2025
Good
It is like he read a Bosch novel and thought " I can do that " . And he can do it , but not as well. But he could get better, and this is a good start.
It is like he read a Bosch novel and thought " I can do that " . And he can do it , but not as well. But he could get better, and this is a good start.
December 21, 2023
“The pills, the wine. It told a story”.
Can’t beat a police procedural! In this case, a Johnny Coombes thriller from @dstanleyauthor
It’s the path the detective follows, picking up clues, red herrings, leads and dead ends. And it’s never a straight path.
Can’t beat a police procedural! In this case, a Johnny Coombes thriller from @dstanleyauthor
It’s the path the detective follows, picking up clues, red herrings, leads and dead ends. And it’s never a straight path.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews