Dark Pools

by Alexander DuCharme

If love and passion can prove so brittle against greed and ambition, what hope for truth and integrity?

Overwrought and tormented by a career-threatening investigation progressing in London, investment banker, Marcus Flint, seeks solace at a remote Swiss hotel – there is much more at stake – if sinister episodes from his past in Singapore become exposed, they will destroy not just his career but rip apart his family and his life.

Blind to the real reasons for his absence, his wife, Emma, is confused but keen to help, not least because Marcus rescued her from her own traumas years ago. As the London review threatens to turn global, disaster looms. Marcus feels compelled to write to Emma, to explain his actions – the ripple effects of greed, ambition and deceit cascading out of control, ultimately confessing to what he has done – his ‘darkest trade’. It’s a letter he hopes he never has to send.

304 pages, Paperback

Published October 28, 2024

Reviews

[Jack Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

what an ending!! brilliantly written book with twists and turns that will keep you guessing, plus descriptions of Switzerland, India, Sri Lanka, Bristol, Singapore, Paris, and London so detailed that you feel you’re right there with them. I recommend!

[TheLisaD · Rating 2 out of 5]

Alexander DuCharme’s Dark Pools offers a narrative that aims to intertwine complex themes, but for me, it struggled to find cohesion, ultimately falling short of its potential. While the premise had promise, the execution felt scattered, making it difficult to fully engage with the story.

The plot attempts to weave together various threads—likely aiming for a layered, intricate tale—but the pacing and structure lacked the focus needed to bring these elements together seamlessly. This disjointedness left the story feeling uneven and, at times, hard to follow.

While there are glimpses of compelling ideas and moments where DuCharme’s prose shines, these are overshadowed by a narrative that didn’t quite click. It was challenging to connect with the characters or the stakes, which made it difficult to stay invested in the journey.

That said, readers who enjoy experimental storytelling or don’t mind a more chaotic narrative might find Dark Pools intriguing. However, for those who prefer a tightly woven plot and clear character arcs, this book may not fully deliver.

Ultimately, while Dark Pools had the potential to be a gripping read, its lack of cohesion made it a less satisfying experience for me.

[Tanya Goiporia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been struggling to feel engaged with reading recently, and this was such a perfect book to get back into it - I finished this over a weekend, and very early on after setting the scene, it felt impossible to not keep going.

I found the time jumps really skillfully done, unraveling the characters’ histories and secrets at the right pace, with colourful descriptions detailed enough to feel like I was right there. It was an interesting insight into the world of finance and how underlying personal motives can influence someone’s decision making, and slowly - or quite quickly - erode morality. As I was nearing the end of the novel, I could feel myself getting more tense as I started to see where the plot was going, and felt on edge reading the last chapter - I couldn’t look away. It was a gripping conclusion that left me thinking about it long after finishing the book.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Pools, a debut novel, is a complex and intriguing mix of ambition, love and greed. The story, centered in a deluxe secluded hotel in Switzerland, moves seamlessly through times and geographies to trace the activities of the principal characters and those affected by them. Whilst the narrative is fast paced, the reader is challenged to question the meaning of success and the price of morality.

[Argel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a nicely written thriller developing around the chaos about to ensue when an investigation threatens to unearth the history of lies and crimes that Marcus Flint has used to enjoy a successful life in the banking industry (and elsewhere).

At some point, it felt like it had a long portion with not much happening, but the dark twists at the end make up for it.

Overall, I enjoyed it. Warning: Full of dislikeable characters!

[Jood · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't work out what this is about. The author writes in such long sentences that by the time I get to the end I've forgotten what the gist of it is.. Maybe I'm just not in the right frame of mind at the moment...post Christmas blah and all that , but I'm struggling with it. I can give this only a neutral 2* review at this stage.

Mythanks to Netgalley for an ARC

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Pool is an intriguing story that dives deep into the complexity of human nature through the life journey and relationships of its main characters. The story comes alive with vivid descriptions, and its intricate plot and rich characters kept me engaged until the very last page. Although subtle clues are scattered throughout the novel, the final twist caught me by surprise.

[Angela-Gaye Mallory · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to Netflix for a free copy of this book but I wasn’t interested enough to even finish the first chapter. So many names were brought in the first few pages and nothing at all hooked me or tempted me to carry on. Life is too short!

[Nicky O · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic debut novel. Intrigue and twists all the way.

[Marek Kaczmarski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written and captivating read. Loved the pacing of the book, as we keep jumping back to the past to reveal more of how Marcus ended up where he is, and his dark secrets begin to unravel in the present day.

[David Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and well written. Looking forward to Alexander DuCharme's next book