Whispers in the Dark

Marti MacAlister #9

by Eleanor Taylor Bland

A fine rain was falling as Detective Marti MacAlister made her way through the tall grass to the wooded area where the arm had been found. It was cool for early September, and the rain, little more than a mist, felt cold. Marti stared at the hand. The fingers were curled in a beckoning gesture.

Eleanor Taylor Bland's popular African-American heroine, homicide detective Marti MacAlister, and her partner are assigned a most unusual case-all that's left of the unfortunate murder victim is an arm. Their investigation leads them into the exclusive and secretive history of the artistic community in Lincoln Prairie, Illinois.

Meanwhile, Marti's troubled best friend Sharon is slowly getting involved with a man who makes Sharon's friends and family uneasy. When he spirits her away to the Bahamas, then lures her daughter down after them, Marti has no choice but to go to the islands on a dramatic rescue mission.

Another captivating tale of danger and obsession from Eleanor Taylor Bland, Whispers in the Dark will keep fans and new readers alike in gripping suspense.

Genres: Mystery

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Eleanor Taylor Bland was an African American writer of crime fiction. She was the creator of Lincoln Prairie, Illinois (based on Waukegan, Illinois) police detective Marti McAllister.

Reviews

[Maury · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued by this book because it's not too often you hear about African American detective stories, especially ones where the lead detective is a black woman. As someone who also grew up in the Chicago area I decided to give it a go. The tale is about Marti and her partner Vik's journey to discover who murdered and dismembered 3 arms and hands. Their journey takes them into the art world were everything involving race to mommy issues ensue. The other part of the story is about Marti's idiotic bff who ran away and married Mr. Not-So-Perfect and eloped to the Bahamas. Little did BFF, Sharon know, her boo, DeVonte is a psycho serial killer. This ends up being an unbelievable 'gotta find them' story. I'm all for fiction, but if you're going to make the first half of the book have a realistic pull, the second part should also. These two stories weren't related in the slightest and while I'm all for a multi-story novel, neither part truly held my interest. I ended up skimming the last 30 pages because I wanted to be done with it. That being said, I do find Marti to be an interesting and realistic character. I didn't care much for Sharon, I guess I dislike stupid women. It started off tolerable but seemed to drag on in places that weren't necessary. I'll try reading the first Marti McAllister mystery novel and see if that's any better.

[RaeG · Rating 3 out of 5]

All the things you love about a ETB book are here - unusual characters for the genre, social issues eschewed by other writers of the time, socioeconomic commentary, a creative mystery. The prose is not her best, though, and the danger of the b-story is cliche, saved only by ETB's refusal to settle for a happy ending.

[Jeri Gabrielson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best McAlister book so far. Marti and her partner must solve an old case of found body parts which are connected to the art community. Marti must also deal with the disappearance of her friend Sharon and Sharon’s daughter Lisa.

[Anya · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was hard to follow and I found it hard to stay engaged. It jumped back and forth through time lines and point of views and I couldn’t keep up. However, it did the mystery part of it did keep me a little invested

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish this book was based solely on Sharon's story, because those were the only interesting parts.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Marti Macalister mysteries. Marti and her partner, Matthew, investigate a dismembered arm. This arm leads to others found from time to time over the years. The latest arm leads them to the local art guild. Meanwhile, Matthew deals with wife recovering from recent MS flare up. Marti’s best friend runs off to the Bahamas and marries a stranger. The whole Sharon as best friend doesn’t work perhaps because I haven’t read but one other Marti story. But I don’t think I’ll read another.

[Angie · Rating 2 out of 5]

this had two different plot lines going at once, pretty much unrelated. as one must have been the secondary plotline, it failed in that. the primary one--the police proceedural for body parts--got wrapped up way too suddenly, too smoothly. the secondary plotline almost might have made a better story on its own.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually a well written, well plotted book. Added this book to my collection while I was working. Probably paid .30 when it was a dotted book. Pleasantly surprised. Fast moving ending although it did get bogged down in the middle.

[colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

another good mystery with marti. this one actually comes before "a cold and silent dying," with many of the same characters. i enjoyed the suspense of the hurricane.

[Tab · Rating 3 out of 5]

C

[Phifer, Barbara]

Boy, I'm truly happy that I found this author!!