Comes the Dark

Johnny One Eye #2

by David Stuart Davies

It is 1941 and the city is suffering under the bombardment of the German blitzkrieg. In the darkness of the blackout, Johnny is drawn into investigating the deaths of several prostitutes strangled by a desperate killer. At the same time he infiltrates the Britannia Club, a dangerous underground fascist organization bent on a Nazi invasion of Britain.
As his investigations reach a thrilling climax he is faced with the greatest challenge of his life. This complex and engrossing mystery is told with wit and humour, while evoking the atmosphere of London during the Second World War.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, World War II, Historical Fiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published October 30, 2006

About the author

David Stuart Davies was a British writer. He worked as a teacher of English before becoming a full-time editor, writer, and playwright. Davies wrote extensively about Sherlock Holmes, both fiction and non-fiction. He was the editor of Red Herrings, the monthly in-house publication of the Crime Writers' Association, and a member of The Baker Street Irregulars and the Detection Club.

Reviews

[Pamela Shropshire · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second book of the series involves a serial killer who has been strangling prostitutes and British fascists. Johnny Hawke gets involved with the serial killer hunt when his brother - who is supposed to be with his Army unit on the Continent - is arrested on suspicion of being the killer. Johnny is sure his brother couldn’t be the killer, but his attention is distracted by the desire to trap the fascists and avenge the death of a young Jewish girl he had met.

[Nicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story featuring one-eyed detective Johnny Hawke. He's a private eye in wartime London, ekeing a living out in the Blitz-damaged city.

In this tale, two mysteries occupy his time and attention, neither of which are paying cases. One is the killer going around throttling ladies of the night in darkened doorways, and the other is the antics of the fascist Britannia Club.

Johnny is a smart, resourceful man, practical and determined, even when he knows he might be treading a thin line between noble cause and fool's errand.

This is a quick, enjoyable read, peopled with proper characters. I'm diving into the rest of the series.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

1941 and during the blackouts a murderer goes about killing prostitutes. But personal matters lead him into the case, and into the investigation of the Britannia Club. A right wing organisation based in London.
An enjoyable well-written story

[Belter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Captures the era nicely good detective story in the middle of war plenty of humour and is character driven recommend it highly

[Bonnye Reed]

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[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent- one eyed Johnny Hawke PI during blitz.

[Brenda Hawley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second in the Johnny One Eye detective novels set during World War II in London, this book deals with the hidden Nazi sympathizers within the English government and their infiltration into daily life. Johnny One Eye is a cool and witty gumshoe investigating the serial killing of prostitutes when he becomes entangled with the Fascist society. Clever plotting, interesting characters and a dramatic setting during the London blitz make for a fun read.