Dark Sky

by Marie Connolly

Criminal psychologist Nellie Prayle loves solving murders. The more complicated, the better. But when a professor of astronomy is found dead at Tekapo’s Mt John Observatory during its internationally-attended 50th anniversary conference celebrations and Detective Jack Simmons calls on Nellie to help with the police investigation, she soon realises that this is not your typical murder – and nor are these your usual suspects.

As Nellie and Jack venture into the Dark Sky Reserve in Aotearoa New Zealand’s beautiful Mackenzie Country, they uncover a universe of rivalries, infidelities and emotional turmoil that pushes people to the edge. International intrigue and a tangle of motives
unfold against a glittering backdrop of bright stars in this gripping tale of crime and passion, and as Nellie knows only too well, nothing in the world of academia is straightforward.

240 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2024

About the author

Marie Connolly has been an academic for over thirty years in university and government settings. An expert in child welfare she has published extensively, including twenty scholarly books, and has travelled the world undertaking research into child protection systems. She began her academic career at the University of Canterbury and has worked at senior levels of government in New Zealand. In 2010 she moved to Australia to take up a professorial Chair at the University of Melbourne. In 2019 she retired and returned to Aotearoa where she continues to write academic non-fiction, and has published six story books in the Our Backyard series of travel books for children. She has also contributed to and edited a book of Fantabulous Fables, published in 2023 by the Akaroa Community Arts Council. She lives in Akaroa with her partner George, and Dark Sky is her first murder mystery.

Reviews

[Fiona Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well thought-out debut featuring Nellie Prayle, a Clinical Psychologist at UC, brought in to help solve the murder of the newly appointed Director of Mt John Observatory in Tekapo. In the vein of Ngaio Marsh herself, Connolly contrives a cast of academics "in the frame" for the murder, all with something to lose - an affair, academic fraud and creative accounting to name a few!

[Marcus Hobson]

This is an enjoyable New Zealand thriller.

Our central character is Nellie Prayle, a criminal psychologist. She is called in to help with a murder investigation at the Mt John Observatory overlooking Lake Tekapo. The Director of the Observatory, Professor Evelyn Major, is found murders just as an international conference is kicking off. Academics from all over the world have gathered to take part, and it seems that a number of them have some dark secrets that might make them a suspect.

There was a great chapter at the end when Nellie gets to interview the murderer "off the record" which allows us to see the true motivations behind the killer. This worked very well for me - too often you are left feeling that these motivations are weak or rather mundane, so it is good to hear a plausible reason for a killer to feel they have to commit a crime.

[Ella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really disappointing read. Clunky writing with dialogue that is so obviously just for exposition and not written in a way that real people actually talk. The plot ‘twist’ was forced and the resolution of the whodunnit rushed at the end of the book. I struggled to finish the book although it’s not a taxing read, it just wasn’t terribly interesting.

[Saige · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devour detective fiction. Isn't it just the greatest escapism? I'm fascinated by the motivations and like any girl raised to womanhood by Nancy Drew I long to solve the crime myself.

Sadly, too often these days I figure it out. But that was not the case with Dark Sky. Connolly - good on her - delivered a page turner that foiled my guesswork.

The author has conjured a credible alluring mystery in a stunning setting - the southern starscape, the lake bowls of Te Waipounamu, the South Island. Connolly evokes this adroitly. No picture postcard snapshots here but a refreshing deep dive.

Dark Sky also delivers the goods on astronomy and police procedurals. The author has clearly undertaken scrupulous research (proving that an academic platform can be a great springboard for fiction).

Her main character, Nellie is prismatic, but the secondary characters are equally believable and thankfully, Connolly also hasn't shied away from showing that Aotearoa New Zealand is a country of people from different cultures. Huzzah for that!

I knew these people so well I wanted to pass them a glass, pour their wine, ask them a question. The dialogue sparked and sparkled. The characters fair danced off the page to join me for life. And the plot delivered twists.

The test of this is reading a book aloud. It worked on every count.

Keep 'em coming Marie Connolly.

I can't wait for the next one!

[Clare Corban-Banks]

I have to declare that I am a sucker for a good murder mystery, and Dark Sky delivered. It’s a fast moving, scene changing, character filled read, definitely responsible for much procrastination with this reader. Having said that, I didn’t feel any motion sickness or frustration as I began each fresh chapter with fresh characters and vantage points.
The plot unfolded naturally amongst breathtaking South Island scenery. Engaging relationships between the capable Nellie and the police force, other professionals and Nellie’s endearing uncle, all painted a believable foundation upon which to work the drama. Connolly’s experience of the world of academia paid dividends as she explored issues involving rivalries, jealousies, insecurities and ambitions.
There were numerous suspects with multiple motives meaning I couldn’t solve the mystery before it was revealed. A plus in my mind.
I am very keen to read Nellie Prayle’s next adventure and discovering how her personal life is developing.

[Elin Andreu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Para ser una novela de misterio, le falta un poco más de suspenso. Todo es con poca emoción, es como un manual del correcto proceder policial y nada más. Tiene muchas conversaciones y detalles que no van a ninguna parte, de relleno. Y es la división de capítulos más rara que vi en mi vida.
Lo más emocionante para mí fue que la historia se desarrollara en un pueblo de Nieva Zelanda donde viví, y por eso dos estrellas.
.
There is a lot of suspense missing on this mystery novel. There is a lack of emotion. It's like you're reading the guide to be a good police officer. Many of the conversations and details were pointless, and they didn't help neither the character nor the story development.
Which seems more interesting to me was the fact that the story happens in Tekapo, a town where I lived in the past year, and that's why I'm giving it two stars.

[Clara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in New Zealand's breathtaking Tekapo, this murder mystery offers more than your typical whodunit. I loved the distinctly Kiwi setting and characters, hearing their voices as I read. The story kept me guessing until the end, following Nellie Prayle's investigation into an astronomer's death. My only frustration was wanting more backstory on Nellie herself—clearly setting up for a sequel! Visually rich and cleverly plotted, "Dark Sky" transcends the genre by delving into human relationships and motivations against a stunning starlit backdrop.

[Nicole Locke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A captivating book! Dark Sky’s taut narrative, intricate plotting, and charming characters make it a standout read. The unexpected twists and turns of the plot keep you guessing as secrets are slowly unravelled. The complexity of the relationships, particularly the tension between trust and betrayal, adds an extra layer to this murder mystery. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a gripping story that will keep you hooked throughout!

[Helen Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this mystery. Probably in part because of its setting in the South Island of New Zealand, specifically around Lake Tekapo. Good narration and character development made the story interesting and realistic. I could hear those kiwi voices! The story line kept me guessing until the big reveal at the end. A great holiday read.

[Steve Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is good, if you've visited the area or from Takapo the locations and reference points are really relatable.

The downside is that the writing is appalling and the repetition of storyline, events and conversations is irritating to say the least.

In truth this would have been much more well positioned and edited as a novella than a novel.

[Wendy Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, the setting, the story, and the characters - and I read it in a day. What's not to love when it's set around a world-famous observatory?! The book cover says "A Nellie Prayle mystery", so I'm hoping there will be more in the future.

[Tait Keller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading a murder mystery with characters based on my lecturers was rather off putting tbh

[Trish McCormack · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable mystery with interesting characters and an original setting. Made me think of Ann Cleeves’ Shetland mysteries. I’ll be keen to read more from this author