After Dark

by Phillip Margolin

The first woman ever hired by legendary defense lawyer Matthew Reynolds, Tracy Cavanaugh cuts her teeth on a horrifying crime: the car-bomb murder of Oregon Supreme Court Justice Robert Griffen. Reynold's client - and the chief suspect - is none other than the icy but celebrated prosecutor Abigail Griffen, the Justice's estranged wife. Tracy's research plunges her into a web of betrayal and revenge, of secret deals and hidden passions. At the heart of the case lies a twisted truth - and when the verdict comes in, she will discover that nothing is as it seems...after dark.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Legal Thriller, Suspense, Crime, Mystery Thriller

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 1, 1995

Reviews

[VLynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great, however... After my husband and kids were in bed. And I was a bit stressed and unable to sleep. I read it straight in one night. Managed to get less than 2 hrs of sleep that night, the book was that good! Be sure to read the descriptions of the characters in this book, and imagine them in your head. For me, this book played out in my mind like a Crime Show on TV. And the ending made me gasp! It was so wrong, it was so good. I highly recommend this book.

[Jill Manske · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margolin knows a thing or two about criminal defense. And with "After Dark", he demonstrates that he also knows a bit about writing a legal thriller. I've read Margolin before, but this is one of his best books. It really keeps you guessing till the very end. For someone who enjoys trying to figure out endings early on, this one stymied me. Margolin created several very intriguing characters, all with flaws of one kind or another. The plot was original and flowed smoothly, with settings and dialog that supported the storyline. My only gripe was with the amount of detail in the testimonies at the trials - like Perry Mason on steroids. But all in all, a very good book and one I highly recommend.

[James F. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was interesting book a law clerk for the Oregon Supreme Court Laura Rizzatti is murdered. She was having an affair with Judge Griffen who is married to an Oregon prosecutor Abigail Griffen. A month after Laura is murdered Judge Griffen is killed by a car bomb outside of his house. His wife is arrested and charged with murder. She contacts Matthew Reynolds a defense attorney who specializes in death penalty defenses. The outcome you are going to have to read the book to find out the outcome. You won't be disappointed excellent 4 star read

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just had to give this book a 5 star. It was so good.
Why aren't I reading more Phillip Margolin? This book
was fascinating, kept my interest, and really fooled me
when I thought I had it figured out! Excellent!

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good legal/mystery until the ending which was just stupid. Author trying to be clever almost totally ruined the book. The 3-star rating is for the first 95% of the book which is very good. Not recommended to anyone unless they like stupid endings. Bah!

[Sarah TheAromaofBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

So great to have a book that just sucked me in and made me finish it in one day! While there were a few things about this book that were a little meh for me (for instance, all the romance felt incredibly rushed), overall I was completely engaged in this story and stayed up past my bedtime to find out how it all came together - and just when I thought we were all done with twists and turns... there was another, and I loved it. I really like it when all the clues are there for me in retrospect, and this was one of those books that I wanted to read it again now that I have the key and watch the details lining up.

I've read several of Margolin's books now, and they've been consistent winners, so I'm definitely looking forward to continuing to peruse his backlog.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's an okay read, nothing spectacular. The author likes to introduce lots and lots of characters, not all of whom have anything significant to contribute. The plot is convoluted with an interesting ending but the main characters are pretty stereotypical...the brilliant female law associate, the ice maiden wife, the hot private investigator, the unbeatable defense attorney and his foil, the dumbass ADA. All in all this is a readable courtroom drama, but I won't be rushing out to find Margolin's other works.

[Bodosika Bodosika · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting narrative but too many characters with short lives,I fell in love with Tracy Cavanaugh and Abigail Griffen.
The narrative was smooth and there are lots of interesting legal arguments
more over the suspense is spread through every chapter till the end.
It is worth the price I paid in buying it and I believe you will not regret reading it.

[Paul Gaya Ochieng Simeon Juma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Legal thriller. A perfect book for a sunday afternoon. The plot builds up very quickly. Of course, we have a murder to solve after a Judhe is brutally killed by a home made bomb which is planted in his mercedes. The events come shortly after one of students clerking with the Oregon Supreme court is found by a colleague lying dead in the premises. Authorities wonder whether the two murders are connected.

Initially, they have their set on a recently released criminal, Charlie Deems. He was released on a technicality after being convicted and sentenced to death for a related offence. He will turn state witness and set up the prosecutor who was rensponsible for his incaceration. The plot is intriguing with a prosecutor finding herself answering to murder charges against her estranged husband who is also a supreme court justice. Among her accusers is the cunning and bitter murder convict, now released and seeking for revenge. Good read!

This book is dedicated to the much maligned, grossly underpaid and routinely overworked attorneys who represent the indigent accused. " If you agree raise your hands!

[Michal Lukáč · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pre. Pána. Kráľa.

Pointa tejto knihy bezpochyby patrí k najlepším pointám, aké som kedy v beletrii videl.
Posledná strana ale ani zďaleka nie je jedinou silnou stránkou tejto knihy. Po pomalšom úvode sa dostávame do zložitého sveta americkej justície a scény krížových výsluchov pre mňa (ako nadšeného debatéra a maniaka do trestného práva) boli totálnou nirvánou.
Nezvyknem byť z kníh úplne mimo, ale toto je výnimka. Definitívne si zaslúži maximálne hodnotenie.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phillip Margolin, One of my Favorite Authors. Great Read****

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has you guessing who the real killer is up until the end of the book.

[Pam V · Rating 4 out of 5]

A classic 'who's done it' thriller that keeps you guessing until the end.

[Carl Brookins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Phillip Margolin is a criminal defense lawyer in Portland, Oregon, where this novel is set. The book reflects its knowledgeable creator. Descriptions set a well-thought-out series of locations, so the reader has a real sense of place and relationship of one to the others. The characters stand up and become real, well-modulated individuals. The novel takes on current trends to bring back and expand the death penalty. But while it is clear where the author stands on the issue, this is not a shrill polemic which refuses to see or even acknowledge the nuances of the issue. Regardless, AFTER DARK is a crackling good story, with enough action, mystery and plot twists to satisfy anyone.

Matthew Reynolds is a nationally known criminal defense attorney, driven by his own obsessive demons. A brilliant tactician, he hires newly minted attorney, Tracy Cavanaugh, as the first woman ever in his practice. When an Oregon Supreme Court Justice is murdered by a car-bomb, she is drawn abruptly into a case with more layers than a German chocolate tort. More murder, illegal deals, betrayal and hidden passion among the players who intersect in many ways, is ultimately revealed.

These revelations, shifting over uncertain moral and ethical grounds, cast a dark shadow over the entire novel. AFTER DARK is a fascinating exploration of the shades of gray in which all our lives are played out, of the moral dilemmas, large and small, we all face every day. Few will guess the final resolution and most will remember this novel well after they finish the last page.

[Henry Brandt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat mixed feelings. I started out being put off by the author's amateurish habit of giving a physical description of everything and everybody when they are introduced. That gave way a bit as things progressed, and I became engaged with the characters and the plot. The twists and turns were pretty good! And the ending was pretty satisfying -- not predictable, not terribly easy or saccharine. And, given my interest in the law, Margolin's use of those details were fun -- maybe more for me than for others. I have a record of having read his first, but I don't own it so I won't go back and re-read it. I do have Undertaker's Widow, though; I guess I'll have to dive in!

[Susannah Carleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book with lots of plot twists and turns, an unexpected bad guy, and a couple of predictable ones.

The main female character, Tracy Cavanaugh, was my favorite and the most believable and personable. The main male character, Matthew Reynolds, was also interesting, but difficult to relate to.

The courtroom scenes were interesting—sometimes riveting—and kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. The identity of the unexpected bad guy was a surprise, but believable, and the author set up that portion of the plot well.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A law clerk is found murdered and her office ransacked, but nothing seems to be missing. A month later her boss, a Supreme Court Judge, is murdered, again not many clues or suspects, expect for the Judges' wife. The wife hire a high profile attorney who specializes in death row cases to defend her. However it is his assistant who is the one to solve the murders.
There are way too many characters in the book and much to much technical detail, neither of which is necessary to the story. This is definitely not one of Phillip Margolin's better books.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unabridged audio book

Unsympathetic female interest. Strange, obsessed male lead (although, he is by far the most interesting). A fascinating twist at the end. My only complaint — it’s a big one for me — when the author needs a thoroughly unlikeable, thuggish, and/or stupid anti-hero, they all seem to be described with military terms and comparisons. Definitely not an endearing technique for me.

In spite of the irritating disrespect, the story was good enough that I will try another book by this author before abandoning his works.

[Pebble Tedford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mystery with a surprise ending. Think I'll put his other book, "Gone, But Not Forgotten" on my "to-read" list!

[Pisces51 · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Review Five Stars*****

WARNING SPOILER COMMENTS AHEAD!!!

I have been a fan of this prolific, best selling author since reading a sampling from what would necessarily be classified as his early works. I remember picking up THE BURNING MAN (1996) and later on really liking SLEEPING BEAUTY (2004). However, it is accurate to say that it was his widely acclaimed tour de force GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN (1993) that truly "sealed the deal" for me.

Most of us who are familiar with Margolin knows that he is certainly a respected and well known veteran of the legal thriller genre. However, it is a bit troubling that critics refer to the author's more current works as "returning" to the level of excellence that underscored his early novels in the '90s (and I am guessing into the early part of the next decade). Therefore I was excited to read THE THIRD VICTIM (2018) which would satisfactorily demonstrate what Margolin has been doing lately to cement his legacy as an author who is deserving of what is not just lavish praise but a veritable host of accolades.

That said, THE THIRD VICTIM (2018) was a disappointment from this author. I rated the book with a middle of the road three stars, but I would add that I have no desire to read the second installment (THE PERFECT ALIBI). However, I was left quite puzzled about Margolin's trajectory as an author of legal thrillers. In my opinion going from GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN (1993) to THE THIRD VICTIM (2018) was like going from greatness or magnificence to good or mediocre.

I vowed then to vest enough interest in Margolin to go back and read his first two books, namely HEARTSTONE [1978] and a full decade later THE LAST INNOCENT MAN [1988]. I thought it might be worthwhile to also read the novel he followed up with after his sensational book GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN, specifically AFTER DARK [1995].

It's been awhile to be sure, but I have finally read (in order of publication) HEARTSTONE [1978], THE LAST INNOCENT MAN [1988], and more recently AFTER DARK [1995]. The first novel was abysmally bad (I gave it 2 Stars but only because at the time I was vowing to keep a 1-Star Rating for novels I did not finish), and the second book was just a notch above pathetic (I rated it 2.5 Stars which was generous).

The publication of AFTER DARK [1995] followed his sensational Best-Seller GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN [1993]. I honestly wasn't sure what to expect after "wading through the murk" of his first two books referenced in the paragraph above. Surprisingly, after having read to the 35% mark or approximately one-third of the book, I decided that it was interesting, certainly a well written narrative, but not what I would call riveting or a real page turner. I assessed it as "very good so far" and I was encouraged by the strong likable female lead and the well developed characters who populated the book. I kept reading after I made the above observation and later it dawned on me that I had become enthralled by the story line and could hardly make myself put the book down.

A beautiful (and incredibly bright) young lawyer (Tracy Cavanaugh) has just completed a successful year clerking for an Oregon Supreme Court Justice and is ready to make her own idealistic mark on the legal system. Tracy has the work ethic and curriculum vitae to place her at pretty much any office or firm in the land. However, the eager young attorney desires nothing more than to learn at the side of "The Sorcerer" (Matthew Reynolds). Reynolds is a justice warrior of national renown, distinguished by his long list of clients who have beaten the Death Penalty when it was he who represented them in their trials. The title is derived from Reynolds asking Tracy the following question during her job interview:

“Tell me, Ms. Cavanaugh,” Reynolds asked in a neutral tone, “have you ever been to Stark, Florida, to the prison, after dark?”

He is referring to an attorney going to see a Death Row prisoner prior to his execution and then leaving the prison after his client is no longer alive. He informs her solemnly that he has never had to go to the prison after dark.

Tracy's inherent idealism, enthusiasm, and unquenchable thirst for knowledge strikes a chord with the eccentric genius, and she is hired to work alongside the famous Defense Attorney. It is a "dream come true" for our likable protagonist, and she is also served a bonus in the process, namely Matt's hunky investigator.

Early in the novel the reader meets the sexy, strong "take no prisoners" DA Abbie Griffen. She is in the midst of a nasty divorce proceeding with her soon to be ex-spouse, Oregon Supreme Court Justice Robert Hunter Griffen. Significantly, Abbie had put a remorseless murderer on Death Row (Charlie Deems) and her estranged husband had written the opinion on the Appeal to reverse the court's decision. Deems was a free man.

Abbie naturally is appalled by her estranged husband's actions, and is prone to angry rants to that effect in front of witnesses. The usually unflappable DA had also threatened his life in front of a witness when an anonymous phone call led her to his love nest with another woman.
In short, there is a lot going on in this complex and brilliantly executed thriller. A young woman named Laura, clerking for Justice Griffen is found murdered, and later Griffen himself is blown to Kingdom Come in a car bomb. The tough Abbie Griffen meanwhile faces off against the psychopathic Charlie Deems, at least she THINKS it's him (the intruder trying to break into her home is dressed all in black and his face is covered). She retreats to their property on the ocean front for some much needed relaxation, but is followed and then hunted by the same (?) unidentified attacker. The author successfully delivers several intriguing plot twists and turns along the way to a powerful and suspense filled climax.

The eccentric Matthew, in addition to being the most highly acclaimed opponent of the Death Penalty in the nation and the most deadly effective adversary any DA could possibly face in court, is harboring a very private secret. When an ambitious and totally loathsome Special Prosecutor is brought in to arrest and prosecute Abbie for her husband's murder, she hires Matthew Reynolds to represent her and to defend her very life in what is to be a high profile Death Penalty Case. The State's chief witness for the prosecution is none other than (you guessed it) the stone cold killer she put on Death Row Charlie Deems. But the State had to have more evidence than that, though the brilliant Defense Attorney Matthew Reynolds. And so it is that the narrative kicks into high gear as part murder mystery with a good measure of psychological suspense and one simply sensational courtroom drama.

I apologize for the brief synopsis which kind of hints at the sheer escalation in this novel during which "just interesting" is transformed into simply riveting. I was on pins and needles trying to work out in my head how the author was going to "play" the ending. I started reading slower as I would figure out one potential outcome, and then another potential plot route, and then still another way he could potentially spring a shocking surprise ending. It drove me nuts but in an incredibly entertaining way.

The is truly a book I would deem "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly". Let's start with the "Good". Frankly I think this novel may be better and actually more memorable in many ways than GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN. The "Bad"? Well. NOBODY I can think of does "bad" BETTER than this author. Margolin has an uncanny ability to create the most sleazy fictional characters in his novels that the reader practically feels a compulsion to take a shower after reading the narrative he's that powerful and effective. He demonstrated this surprisingly effective knack for creating truly despicable characters beginning with his debut book HEARTSTONE [1978] and again with THE LAST INNOCENT MAN [Reprint 1988]. This talent is on full display here with one heartless sociopath Charlie Deems. The "Ugly"? He lets you feel in an almost visceral way how bad that some men are, and yet when he creates an honest, law abiding, loyal, generous, and all-around decent character for the reader to like he spoils it by making the "good guy" (or in this case "good girl") SO genuinely righteous you want to vomit.

I simply hated the ending... could Tracy remain true to her own righteous ideals and NOT reveal the damning discoveries she had come across and the guilty knowledge she had inadvertently uncovered and now possessed? This may be a quagmire of a dilemma for a young idealist. In my opinion, though, an individual can possess lofty ideals of the law, and believe that they will always remain true to their unassailable ethics and moral code. But, if you take that person and place him or her in a real life situation that is rife with conflict and a raft of emotions which involves real people, most I believe would see that the "right" thing is not always as clear cut as he or she has always surmised. In AFTER DARK, our lead character doesn't deviate off the straight and narrow pathway her ideals dictate. I think the author felt compelled to finish the story in this manner.

The character of Defense Attorney Matthew Reynolds (called "The Sorcerer" because of his genius in the courtroom that seemed like nothing short of magic) is one of the most intriguing characters I have run across in crime fiction. However, this otherwise quintessential "Night in Shining Armor" in this case was tarnished (in my opinion) only of a bit of chicanery, defined as using his genius intellect to deceive and misdirect all those around him in the name of his obsessive love for Abby. The damsel in distress was NEVER really in distress since Matt would have confessed his own duplicity before she was ever convicted). In my mind it was never a question of murder (blowing a stone cold unscrupulous killer to kingdom come with a bit of dynamite in my book is not even a misdemeanor). I can understand the author's predilection to paint the heroine as straight as an arrow to the bitter end. Nevertheless, had I been in Tracy's shoes I would never have informed the authorities of Matt's ("The Sorcerer') "sleight of hand" behind the scenes or in the courtroom. But then, I AM one of the readers who actually LOVED the ending to HANNIBAL by Thomas Harris. Smile.

[NCHS Library]

From Follett: Gone, But Not Forgotten rocketed Phillip Margolin into the select company of million selling novelists. Here he displays again the same genius for best selling suspense in another intricate, breathtaking thriller of multiple murder in the legal community of the Pacific Northwest.

Laura Rizzati, a law clerk for Oregon Supreme Court Justice Robert Griffen, is found slain late one night in the deserted courthouse. Her office is ransacked but nothing seems to be missing. There are no suspects and no clues.

The following month Griffen himself is killed by a car bomb in the driveway of his Portland home. This time, though, there is a suspect: in a shocking turn of events, Abigail Griffen, star prosecutor in the Multnomah County District Attorney's office and estranged wife of Justice Griffen, is charged with first degree murder.

With the same gripping suspense that drove Gone, But Not Forgotten onto the bestseller lists, this is a complex legalthriller with a truly startling ending.

[Barbara J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Supreme Court justice’s clerk is murdered, followed by the justice himself.
And these events are after the appellate court of justices have reversed a ruling on a death penalty case that has freed the defendant. This defendant has a vendetta for the prosecution lawyer who put him on death row, Abbie Griffin. It is her ex-husband, the justice, who has written the opinion reversing the death penalty case.

Soon after this, Justice Griffin her ex is dead—car bomb. She, of course, is the murder suspect.

Tracy Cavanaugh is a clerk for another justice and soon is hired by Matthew Reynolds, a famous defense attorney.
Reynolds takes Abbie’s case.

What follows is chaos, crime, and clue-gathering to determine whodunnit .

This starts great but left me puzzled. Pay attention to your gut as you read this. You’ll end up on target but disappointed, not so much with the writing or plot but with the outcome.

[Rowe Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! The pacing was well-done, and I enjoyed the writing style! It was very interesting from the start, and the plot was not overly predictable. I will say, I predicted the twist ending very early on, but it was still enjoyable to see if I was actually right or not! I do not typically read anything involving the court system, so there were some processes I didn’t completely understand, but the book was well-written, so I understood the gist! Another small issue I had at the beginning was the dump of so many character introductions in the beginning. I feel like so many characters were introduced in such a short time period, it made it difficult to keep them straight for a bit. This struggle eventually went away for me, and I was able to really enjoy this book!!

[Kaleigh Norkum-Mathieu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book slow to start, but I was rewarded for my patience. I like to try to figure out the crimes as I go along so some things did not shock me (Of course the known violent psychopath is going to be a violent psychopath), but I will say the very ending was a pretty big twist. Possibly that is because I am a romantic at heart and so chose to ignore the clues leading up to that conclusion. In any event I was a tad disappointed because I really wanted to believe the best of that person. It is no way means that the writing was any less good, on the contrary I always believe that if a book is able to elicit a strong enough emotion in me then the writing is worth my time.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

So often pages of law minutiae make my eyes glaze over and my fingers skip pages, but this one is readable and fascinating and I read it all. Even the characters' dreams are riveting. I love how Margolin shows in detail how defense lawyer Matt Reynolds is brilliant and what new associate Tracy does to be the best. The moral dilemma is mordant and the 3-way best-character award is among these plus the villain, Deems. The others are murky and unattractive, especially the love interest, but the plot is intricate, complex, and involves the drug trade. Chock full of great writing, tight plotting, twists, and good people.

[Marie Lutz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent legal thriller as Matthew, a superb but socially isolated defense attorney, takes on the case of Abbie, a district attorney accused of murdering her soon to be ex-husband, a judge. The book was somewhat repetitious and not always believable. But it had some good courtroom scenes, and lots of twists.

It seems that Matthew murdered the judge, who was corrupt and a killer. Then Matthew frames Abbie for the murder, hoping to get her to fall in love with him as he fights to get her acquitted. His plan works, but Matthew’s new associate figures out what he did and turns him in. Abbie leaves him. He winds up in jail with a relatively light sentence.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a standalone book by Phillip Margolin and I loved it. It was filled with legal courtroom drama and the characters were very interesting. I love his writing style with the dialogue and the courtroom scenes. It makes you feel like you are a spectator in the courtroom listening to the banter back and forth.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys courtroom drama and also who likes a good murder mystery.

I am giving this 5 out of 5 stars.

[Jamie Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike able characters

I wanted to like this book but it fell short to me. Th writing style was good and the plot was ok if a bit convoluted. My main problem was that I just didn't like one of the main characters, Tracy. Even when I should have been feeling sympathetic with her or understanding her torn feelings, I didn't. I thought of her as rather whiny and spoiled. That is how she came across to me. I don't think I will read any more featuring Tracy.

[wally · Rating 3 out of 5]

finished 18th october 2025 good read three stars i liked it no less no more have read more than ten other stories from margolin phillip and have enjoyed them all. entertaining story about lawyers, one dedicated lawyer called by many to appeal death sentences, more then a couple district attorneys, more then a few willing to do harm to others. and a fabled twist or turn or what have you. i have another margolin story open and underway and another after that ready to go.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read Philip Margolin before but it's been awhile.

This one was a bit hard to get into. I started it and it sat for a week or so before I picked it up again. The story was good but it wasn't written that well. It was somewhat stiff, and the probability of the whole scenario of the ending was pretty improbable.

If you're a Margolin fan, go for it.