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Darkness for Light

(Caleb Zelic #3)

Emma Viskic (Goodreads Author)

4.45 · Rating details · 29 ratings · 13 reviews

After a lifetime of bad decisions troubled PI Caleb Zelic is finally making good ones. He's in therapy,
reconnecting with the Deaf community, and reconciling with his beloved wife.

But he can’t escape his past.

A violent confrontation forces Caleb back into contact with his double-crossing partner, Frankie. When her niece is kidnapped, Frankie and Caleb must work together to ...more

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Paperback, 267 pages

Published December 2nd 2019 by Echo Publishing

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Nov 15, 2019 Paromjit rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: crime-fiction, mystery, netgalley, thriller

This is my first taste of this incredible award winning Aussie crime series by Emma Viskic featuring troubled and deaf PI Caleb Zelic, set in Melbourne. I was plunged into the series where significant events had taken place previously, but Viskic gives sufficient information that I didn't feel like that I was flailing around too much. The story opens with Caleb at a children's farm to meet a new client, a meeting organised through the exchange of emails, only to find him dead, shot through the This is my first taste of this incredible award winning Aussie crime series by Emma Viskic featuring troubled and deaf PI Caleb Zelic, set in Melbourne. I was plunged into the series where significant events had taken place previously, but Viskic gives sufficient information that I didn't feel like that I was flailing around too much. The story opens with Caleb at a children's farm to meet a new client, a meeting organised through the exchange of emails, only to find him dead, shot through the back of his head, and being questioned by Aussie Federal cops. Life continues its downward spiral for him when he is tasered by a woman he has met previously, claiming to be a federal police officer, wanting him to find Frankie, his business partner who had betrayed him. She has information that could destroy Caleb's life, giving him two days to locate Frankie.

Frankie is 58 year old former Sergeant Francesca Reynolds, with whom Caleb has a complicated relationship, her addictions had her working with criminals, endangering his wife, Kat, but she had also risked her life to save them both too. After a lifetime of bad decisions, Caleb's marriage to Kat had been heading towards divorce, but they are slowly working their way back to each other, Kat is pregnant. After a devastating history of miscarriages, this is a fraught and worrying time for Caleb, he has had to change and be more open and communicative with Kat, take only safe business assignments, and make sure Kat faces no danger from his cases. However, life has other plans for him when he comes across Maggie, Frankie's sister, deeply involved with the criminal underworld, so badly injured that she has to be hospitalised. When Maggie's adorable bright young daughter, 9 year old Tilda, is abducted, Caleb and Frankie once again work together to find and save her. As the bodies pile up, Caleb additionally has to find who is sabotaging his friend Alberto's catering business and vandalising his deaf community cafe.

Viskic writes a gripping and atmospheric crime mystery of double crosses and betrayals, with an unusual protagonist in the deaf Caleb, giving the reader insights into the world of the deaf and Aussie sign language. We are given the perspectives of a deaf person, their everyday life and challenges, the way they are treated, often as invisible, stupid, dismissed, and even facing an over-solicitousness on occasion. With Caleb's friendship with Alberto and others, we additionally get a fascinating and rare picture of deaf culture and community in Melbourne. Viskic has a winning protagonist in Caleb, a flawed man, seeing a therapist, trying to do his best in a world that brings unavoidable trouble to his door step. One of the highlights for me was seeing his relationship develop with the enchanting Tilda. This is a terrifically memorable addition to what is clearly a superb series that I think will appeal to most crime and mystery readers. Highly recommended! Many thanks to Bonnier Books for an ARC. ...more

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Dec 06, 2019 Carolyn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: australian-author, 2019, thriller

Emma Viskic's series featuring deaf PI Caleb Zelic series is turning out to be a very strong series indeed, with this third episode being the best yet!

Caleb is back in Melbourne, taking slow steps to reconcile with his wife Kat who is expecting their child. After two miscarriages they are understandably nervous and Caleb is doing his best to make good decisions about his actions to keep them both safe. However, when a new client is murdered before Caleb can even meet him and his ex-partner ...more

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Dec 02, 2019 Lou rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Darkness For Light is the third book in the superb Private Investigator Caleb Zelic series, set in the stifling heat of Melbourne, Australia. Although preferable it certainly isn't essential to have read any of the preceding instalments to understand and enjoy this one so feel free to jump right on in. Caleb is still trying to pick up the pieces of his life since the fire that ravaged everything a few months previously. But when a prospective client he was about to meet is murdered and Frankie's ...more

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Dec 08, 2019 Nat K marked it as to-read

Super thrilled to see that Cal's back! It's been too long...

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Nov 14, 2019 Marianne rated it it was amazing

Darkness For Light is the third Caleb Zelic thriller by award-winning Australian author, Emma Viskic. Caleb Zelic is in a good place: things are going well in his no-longer-on-the-brink-of-divorce relationship with Kat, who is expecting his child; a patient therapist has him more settled and intent on making good decisions; and he is finding friendship and support in the deaf community he had earlier rejected.

But then his possible new client turns up dead before they even meet, and the AFP are Darkness For Light is the third Caleb Zelic thriller by award-winning Australian author, Emma Viskic. Caleb Zelic is in a good place: things are going well in his no-longer-on-the-brink-of-divorce relationship with Kat, who is expecting his child; a patient therapist has him more settled and intent on making good decisions; and he is finding friendship and support in the deaf community he had earlier rejected.

But then his possible new client turns up dead before they even meet, and the AFP are somehow involved. Worse still, he is blackmailed into finding his ex-partner, Frankie Reynolds, a woman who doesn’t have his best interests at heart. It feels like the opposite of a good decision.

Caleb isn’t quite sure how, but he finds himself in charge of smart, quirky nine-year-old Tilda when she is kidnapped. Tilda is the daughter of Frankie’s sister, Maggie, with whom Caleb has some unfortunate history. Now, it seems he and Frankie will have to join forces to track her down. But they aren’t the only ones searching: certain ruthless criminals will stop at nothing to protect their interests.

Meanwhile, Alberto Conti also wants Caleb’s help. He believes that someone is sabotaging his business, a café where the deaf are employed, welcomed and catered for as customers. If his business fails, it will be a great loss to the deaf community. Can Caleb spread his skills and talents to cover both these challenges?

What a unique protagonist Viskic gives the reader in Caleb Zelic. He is clearly capable and possesses an exceptional capacity for observation. While his tendency to conceal his deafness and his disinclination to ask for help made him a somewhat frustrating character in earlier books, his (still reluctant) admission of it now allows Viskic to demonstrate the attitudes from the hearing community (hearies) to which the deaf are routinely subjected.

It also makes for an utterly hilarious exchange between Caleb and some rather stoned hearies that is best not read whilst eating, drinking or with a full bladder. Quite apart from his hearing challenges, Caleb also seems to have a problem picking whom he can trust; even when he gets it right, he sometimes gets it wrong…

Caleb Zelic’s third outing features a fast-paced plot with twists and turns that will keep even the most astute the reader guessing until the final pages. Viskic manages to include vandalism, money laundering, loan sharks, computer hackers, a windscreen wiper as a weapon, quite a bit of gunplay and a fairly high body-count in the lead-up to the nail-biting climax. More of this brilliant Aussie crime fiction please, Ms Viskic!
This unbiased review is from a copy provided by Echo Publishing 2 December 2019 $29.99
...more

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Dec 06, 2019 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc-are, aussie-author, aww2019, provided-by-publisher

Darkness for Light is the third book in Emma Viskic’s outstanding crime fiction series featuring Caleb Zelic.

Following the tumultuous events of Resurrection Bay, and And Fire Came Down, security consultancy Caleb Zelic is attempting to make better decisions. With the help of a therapist he has begun reconnecting with the Deaf community, reconciling with his pregnant wife, and rebuilding his company after his partner’s betrayal.
Meeting a new client at an urban children’s farm might be unusual, Darkness for Light is the third book in Emma Viskic’s outstanding crime fiction series featuring Caleb Zelic.

Following the tumultuous events of Resurrection Bay, and And Fire Came Down, security consultancy Caleb Zelic is attempting to make better decisions. With the help of a therapist he has begun reconnecting with the Deaf community, reconciling with his pregnant wife, and rebuilding his company after his partner’s betrayal.
Meeting a new client at an urban children’s farm might be unusual, but in need of the business Caleb isn’t suspicious of the arrangement until the moment he stumbles upon the man’s body. Caleb is prepared to make the right decision and walk away from the mess, but the dead man’s colleague, an AFP officer, refuses to let him. She needs to find Caleb’s ex-partner, Frankie, and she isn’t above using blackmail to ensure his cooperation. Caleb has no qualms about turning Frankie over to the agent, until her nine year old niece, Tilda, is violently abducted, and the only decision he can make is the one which will save the child’s life, for better or worse.

From the opening chapters, Darkness for Light sets a breathtaking pace of twists and turns. It’s not only the escalating violence that keeps you on the edge of your seat as the body count rises, but the complexity of the situation that Caleb finds himself struggling to unravel. Skilfully crafted, the main plot revolves around a hidden ledger that could expose the illegal financial machinations of Melbourne’s elite. There are several parties who will do anything to get their hands on it, and Caleb is caught in the middle with no one to trust. Viskic definitely kept me guessing.

Caleb is not just under pressure from the rogue AFP agent, Frankie’s reappearance, and Tilda’s kidnapping, Kat is nearing a critical point in her pregnancy, and Alberto Conti, a deaf restaurant owner who has become a friend, has asked for his help. All of this threatens to undo the progress Caleb has made in therapy to deal with his demons. Viskic’s character development with Caleb has been uniformly excellent in previous instalments, but I particularly admired how she handled his emotional conflict in Darkness for Light.

Darkness for Light is an exhilarating crime fiction novel, personally I’d recommend reading at least books one or two (though preferably both) before reading it, you’ll find the investment is worth it. ...more

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Nov 05, 2019 Elaine Tomasso rated it it was amazing

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bonnier Zaffre for an advance copy of Darkness for Light, the third novel to feature Melbourne based PI Caleb Zelic.

An unfortunate encounter with a State Police detective forces Cal to get in touch with his ex-partner, Frankie, a woman on the run. With neither of them trusting each other they are forced to work together when Frankie’s niece, Tilda, is kidnapped.

I thoroughly enjoyed Darkness for Light which is a rollercoaster read full of violence, double ...more

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Oct 14, 2019 Linda Sengsourinho rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I recently had an opportunity to read Em Viskic’s Darkness for Light as an advanced review copy. The third in her Caleb Zelic series, Darkness for Light was a gripping story, masterfully told, that takes the reader on an emotional ride. If you haven’t yet immersed yourself in Resurrection Bay and And Fire Came Down, then it is highly recommended you start with those two before jumping into Darkness for Light, as the complexity of Caleb is best understood with his back history.

In Darkness For I recently had an opportunity to read Em Viskic’s Darkness for Light as an advanced review copy. The third in her Caleb Zelic series, Darkness for Light was a gripping story, masterfully told, that takes the reader on an emotional ride. If you haven’t yet immersed yourself in Resurrection Bay and And Fire Came Down, then it is highly recommended you start with those two before jumping into Darkness for Light, as the complexity of Caleb is best understood with his back history.

In Darkness For Light, Caleb is once again confronted with his relationship with Frankie – former friend, confidante, partner and betrayer of all he thought he knew to exist. He’s trying to make better choices – rebuild his relationship with his wife, be around more, not put himself at risk, actively seeking out help as he knows he needs it. However from the very first chapter, Caleb is seemingly pulled into a series of events which initially seem random and unconnected, but which put him in greater danger than he could have thought possible.

Frankie comes back when Caleb investigates an event at Frankie’s sister’s place. Formerly a mob wife, Maggie ends up in hospital and Caleb is left to deal with the unexpected bundle of Frankie’s niece, Tilda. The unlikely relationship that forms between Tilda and Caleb is heartwarming – a child who is uncertain of her place in the world, but one who has potentially seen too much, butting against Caleb’s insecurity and confusion of dealing with a child. Frankie is listed as Tilda’s emergency contact, and so the wait begins to have Frankie come collect Tilda and take her away from the circumstances that have befallen her.

Caleb is reluctantly pulled back into Frankie’s world when they investigate who might have harmed Maggie. We see an unexpected side to Frankie’s roughness in her interaction with Tilda, and more when Tilda is kidnapped. The resulting investigation is fast paced, harried and leaves the reader gasping with the intensity of the investigation. The fast sentences Emma uses in her writing style convey the urgency and need for Caleb and Frankie to hurry in order to get Tilda back before harm befalls her.

Emma seamlessly draws the reader into Caleb’s world, his challenges of being deaf and the struggles he faces. She weaves a magic with her words where you feel Caleb is beside you, only to find yourself without him when you look up and discover the afternoon has passed, and you are alone on the couch; aching for all he has been through. I had to sit and let Emma’s words wash over me for a very long time before I was able to reconcile with myself that I had been reading, and that Caleb was not actually with me. A fantastic read, which is incredibly tight in its writing and pacing, this is a book I will be revisiting and rereading. Due to be released in Australia in December 2019, make sure this is on your Christmas wish list. ...more

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Nov 09, 2019 Carol - Reading Writing and Riesling rated it it was amazing

Shelves: aww, own

I think I’ve been waiting all year for this book!

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Dec 04, 2019 Jo rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

4.75 Stars. It is no secret I am a huge fan of Emma Viskic’s Caleb Zelic Thriller series, having nothing but admiration for her taut, propulsive (and brave) writing style and the authenticity and grit of its characters. Read my reviews of Resurrection Bay (Book 1) and And Fire Came Down (Book 2).

I read Book 3 in a single day. I did not think it possible, but the narrative in Darkness for Light is even more taut and compelling than the novels that precede it. Emerging from the shadow of past ...more

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Nov 21, 2019 Jay Dwight rated it liked it · review of another edition

Entertaining crime read.

I do like the Caleb Zelic character, a deaf investigator not being the norm.

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Nov 06, 2019 Veronica rated it really liked it · review of another edition

More very gritty, very twisty and very good stuff from Emma Viskic. I love this series.

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Dec 11, 2019 Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2019-books, aww2019, first-reads, review-book

*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Ned Kelly and Davitt Award Winning Author Emma Viskic issues her readers with another thrilling chapter in her Caleb Zelic series. Darkness For Light is the third book in Emma Viskic’s carefully crafted crime thriller series, featuring enigmatic private investigator Caleb Zelic. This new novel consumes the reader from page one, in a deepening tale of corruption, assault, murder, underhanded tactics, kidnapping and money laundering. Author Adrian McKinty *https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Ned Kelly and Davitt Award Winning Author Emma Viskic issues her readers with another thrilling chapter in her Caleb Zelic series. Darkness For Light is the third book in Emma Viskic’s carefully crafted crime thriller series, featuring enigmatic private investigator Caleb Zelic. This new novel consumes the reader from page one, in a deepening tale of corruption, assault, murder, underhanded tactics, kidnapping and money laundering. Author Adrian McKinty observes that this novel is ‘Clever, brilliantly observed… Viskic just keeps getting better.’ I definitely approve of this comment, McKinty is spot on.

A story of trust, betrayal and difficult decisions, Darkness For Light is the third installment of Emma Viskic’s Australian crime thriller series, featuring tormented private investigator Caleb Zelic. When the book opens, Caleb is making tentative steps towards a better life. He is making inroads in the deaf community, seeking therapy and he is attending to the fractured relationship with his wife. But one thing Caleb cannot control is his past, which comes back to haunt him in this new story. Caleb is soon embroiled in an assault and kidnapping, which leads him back into the world of his ex-partner. Caleb has tried hard to distance himself from his ex-partner Frankie, who has duped him in the past, but this time he is unable to remove himself from the escalating situation at hand. A young child’s life is on the line and Caleb is determined to save her, despite the danger that lurks in the background. Darkness For Light engulfs the reader in yet another addictive and intelligent crime mystery involving Caleb Zelic, a compelling lead.

I stumbled on the writing of Australian crime fiction talent Emma Viskic late last year while completing a reading challenge. Resurrection Bay proved to be an exceptional novel and I noted that Viskic’s writing was fresh, original and genuinely intriguing. Due to time commitments I was unable to squeeze in book two in this series and instead Darkness For Light landed on the top of my review pile. I enjoyed the third issue in this additive crime thriller series and I will definitely be catching up on book two, sooner rather than later.

Caleb Zelic, Emma Viskic’s lead, takes centre stage again in Darkness For Light. There is a great continuation of character in terms of Caleb, both in a professional capacity and his personal world. We bear witness to his strained relationships, his attempts to make positive connections and the uphill struggle he faces at all points of his life as a hearing impaired private investigator. Emma Viskic has gone to great lengths in this department, she learnt Auslan in an effort to ensure the authenticity of her lead protagonist. I feel deeply indebted to her efforts, as it has resulted in a realistic and sensitive portrayal of this likeable hero.

In terms of the secondary characterisation, this is top notch. Viskic includes a great array of supporting cast, who add plenty of complications to the narrative, but they also work to support to Caleb and the resulting investigation of this tale. Viskic’s colourful periphery cast comprises of a shady ex-partner, a beloved wife, understanding friends, foes, astute partners and a young girl who Caleb is committed to saving. Along the way we meet plenty of good and bad guys, which introduces themes of corruption, the underworld, violence, assault, murder, extortion, kidnapping and plenty of double crossing, which is all set to a local stage.

Viskic is one talented crime novelist and she manages to stay one step ahead of the reader at all points of Darkness For Light. Viskic goes to great lengths to ensure that her novel is puzzling, enslaving and textured. The writing style is quick paced and the curtailed prose seduces the audience into turning the pages of Darkness For Light at breakneck speed. I read this one in a sitting, which is an indication of my inherent desire to get to the bottom of the story as quickly as possible! Ultimately, Darkness For Light delivered on all fronts and I was gifted a story by Emma Viskic that was utterly intoxicating!

Darkness For Light is a tension filled story of conflicts, strained relationships and plenty of criminal dealings, that will keep seasoned fans of the genre captivated. Emma Viskic’s third outing with PI Caleb Zelic proved to be a gratifying novel, that will be sure to hit the spot for readers who enjoy crime thrillers!

*Thanks extended to Echo Publishing for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.

Darkness For Light is book #151 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge ...more

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About Emma Viskic

Emma Viskic

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Emma Viskic’s critically acclaimed Caleb Zelic series has been published worldwide and won numerous awards. RESURRECTION BAY won the 2016 Ned Kelly Award for Best First Fiction and an unprecedented three Davitt Awards. It was iBooks Australia’s Crime Novel of the Year, and shortlisted for the UK’s prestigious Gold Dagger and New Blood Awards. It is currently nominated for the US Barry Award. AND ...more