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Frank Quinn #1

Darker Than Night

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In order to salvage his career and reputation, ex-homicide cop Frank Quinn, framed for a crime he did not commit, will stop at nothing to catch a serial killer known as "The Night Prowler" who preys on successful married couples. Original.

541 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

228 people are currently reading
1810 people want to read

About the author

John Lutz

234 books300 followers
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

John Lutz has captivated suspense enthusiasts for over four decades. He has been one of the premier voices in contemporary hard-boiled fiction. His work includes political suspense, private eye novels, urban suspense, humor, occult, crime caper, police procedural, espionage, historical, futuristic, amateur detective, thriller; virtually every mystery sub-genre. John Lutz published his first short story in 1966 in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and has been publishing regularly ever since. He is the author of more than fifty novels and 250 short stories and articles.

His novels and short fiction have been translated into virtually every language and adapted for almost every medium. He is a past president of both Mystery Writers of America and Private Eye Writers of America. Among his awards are the MWA Edgar, the PWA Shamus, The Trophee 813 Award for best mystery short story collection translated into the French language, the PWA Life Achievement Award, and the Short Mystery Fiction Society's Golden Derringer Lifetime Achievement Award.

He is the author of two private eye series, the Nudger series, set in his home town of St. Louis, and the Carver series, set in Florida, as well as many non-series suspense novels. His SWF SEEKS SAME was made into the hit movie SINGLE WHITE FEMALE, starring Bridget Fonda and Jennifer Jason Leigh, and his novel THE EX was made into the HBO original movie of the same title, for which he co-authored the screenplay.

Lutz and his wife, Barbara, split their time between St. Louis and Sarasota, Florida.

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5 stars
595 (30%)
4 stars
744 (37%)
3 stars
472 (23%)
2 stars
108 (5%)
1 star
55 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
Profile Image for Clumsy Storyteller .
361 reviews714 followers
March 11, 2017
Jeez ,my first issue with this book is "too much character in one novel" , and the second one is: it's a long long long loooooooooooooooooooong story, i even got lost in what's going on. I'll Get Back To It One Day.

Profile Image for Brenda.
725 reviews142 followers
July 9, 2016
After some online research, I've learned that John Lutz is the author of more than 35 novels and 250 short stories and articles. If my counting is correct, this book is his 33rd novel. This is the first of his books that I've read.

I read this as an ebook, and it had some formatting problems. Within chapters, there were changes in setting and character, but actual breaks in the typesetting weren't there. It was irritating to go from one paragraph to the next, then realize everything was different. That meant backtracking and rereading and interruption in the flow were regular occurrences.

I think this book has unrealized potential. If many of the extraneous details were edited out, the 548 pages would be greatly reduced and a stronger book would result. For instance, in one scene, a detective walks into a renovation in process and it is described in minute detail including that a worker was wielding a "red-handled hammer"!

The most enjoyable sections for me were those that involved Frank Quinn. Falsely accused and ejected from the police force, he also lost his family and his home. When given a second chance, he grabbed it and ran. I was rooting for him! Pearl, a member of his team, had an attitude that got on my nerves, but she was a good cop.

Throughout the book, the murderer is called The Night Prowler. Then we come to the reveal. What a disappointment it was to be told "whose real name is..." At the end there were status updates for various characters, many of them so uninvolved in the plot they should have been forgettable.

If this book is typical John Lutz, I have no desire to read his other books. I will have to pay attention to the number of pages and read at least one more to find out, but I'm in no hurry. I'd give this book 1 star, but Quinn by himself lifts it to a 2.
Profile Image for Frank.
2,104 reviews30 followers
January 22, 2016
This is the second book I have read by Lutz (the first was Final Seconds). I found both of these books to be fast-paced thrillers which kept my attention. This book is the first in the Frank Quinn series. Quinn is an ex New York police detective who is called in to try to get a handle on the murder of a married couple that happened in the middle of the night. Quinn is also a wrongly accused child rapist who is given this opportunity by the assistant chief of NYPD to perhaps get back on the police force after being dismissed following the rape charge. After getting involved in the murder case, another similar murder occurs and then it happens again. Quinn and his team are after a nasty serial killer dubbed the Night Prowler by the press, who seems to only murder married couples late at night. Along the way, Quinn gets romantically involved with his partner, Pearl, who also tries to help him clear the rape charge against him. The novel pushes ahead to a conclusion that was totally unexpected.

Quinn also reminded me a lot of the Harry Bosch character in the Michael Connelly series of books -- both are maligned police detectives with others in the PD out to get them. Overall, a strong recommendation for this thriller and I have some others in the series that I hope to get to soon.
35 reviews
October 19, 2015
Unfinished business

I won't go into what this story is about as you can read that on Amazon. However, I do have to agree with the 3 star reviews. By chapter 23 I was asking myself the same questions ass some of the other readers. It's implausible that you find strange gifts in your apparment that your husband denies giving you and alarms don't sound in your head. So, if they had done what common dictated, change the locks, end of story. At chapter 23, and you, ass a sensible person is crying out in frustration because that's not even considered. Or, you play a stupid had game when hubby denies the gifts and think he loves you so much. That's one issue I have with this story.
I like mystery, thrillers but I like them in the realm of reality. The author throws what I think is two deliberate red herrings in the book. Not a fan of being deliberating mislead and then calling it a "twist". No it wasn't. It was deliberate misleading and unacceptable.
The ending. It's left up to you. Not really a cliffhanger, but leaves you to form your own personal opinion. That's not always bad, but after his red herrings, I view this was just another contrivance on the author's part. Fool
me once, shame on you....
I did like the characters and didn't find them flat or not likable

In short, this book could have lost multiple chapters because of its unbelievable pretense. Anyone who thinks their apartment has had a prowler gets the locks changed. Not these people.
I won't be reading anymore from him. Give me a mystery that I can enjoy without doing a head Palm slap for the stupidity of some of the characters. And don't jerk me around with deliberate misleads to make your story better. If it can't stand alone without that, don't write the book. The misleads I didn't elaborate on. If you really want to read this, that would have spoiled it for you.
Profile Image for Pat.
2,310 reviews501 followers
October 21, 2017
3.5 stars.

Disgraced former detective Frank Quinn is approached to work a murder case that one police captain (Renz) thinks is being mishandled by another police captain (Egan). If this ploy works Renz could win himself a promotion. He offers Quinn a couple of other misfit cops to work the case with him and off they go. The case snowballs as the killer gets more audacious and Quinn and his troops are making no progress. Finally though, a chance to catch him in the act perhaps.

Well well, so much divided opinion over this book. I actually really enjoyed it. I didn't mind the length. It was a great plot and I loved the band of misfit detectives. My only gripe was 'the reveal' at the end which broke the 'show, don't tell' rule. Without it the story would have made no sense but it could have been handled better. I guess the author thought it really was time to wrap it all up. I'm going to give Lutz and this series another go.
Profile Image for Amy.
249 reviews15 followers
August 13, 2012
Best way for me to describe this book was "Too Much"

Too many characters, too many side stories, too many dead ends, too many pages to read to just get to the end.

I love a good suspense/thriller, and serial killers are my favorite, but this one just bored me. Good story, just poorly delivered.

Lutz should have trimmed some of the story fat, cut out Fedderman completely or killed him early on. I'd argue to not have him though because honestly by chapter 3 I was OVER WHELMED with characters that were of import. (he was pretty flat anyway). Then finally rearranged the story to where victims weren't introduced while we're still working on another victim or two.

and honestly, by the end of the book I was a tad surprised the detectives caught the killer. Seriously They felt like the laziest and most no clue finding detectives ever. And there was some pretty unbelievable chain of events close to the end that made me a tad frustrated.

Not to mention the ending made me rage. I like being wrong, but honestly the author did a no no in mystery novel "surprise at who it is ending." Now someone might be, "Oh you're just mad cause you got it wrong." NOPE! I really felt cheated because no one with how this book is written could have guessed this. Lutz made sure of that, and what's worse, he didn't make it feel like a good surprise, so it was hard to swallow.

Would I read another Lutz book? Sure. I enjoyed the character dialog and humor, but I think the next one would have to be more recent in the hope that Lutz had grown more into his craft.
Profile Image for Robert Reiner.
392 reviews10 followers
July 22, 2015
This book was great. A scary, dark, whodunit that I guarantee you will not predict. Ever read Michael Slade? I'd compare this book to one of his. A truly sick and twisted psycho killer known as the Night Prowler is stalking and killing married couples. There are a ton of characters in this book and multiple storylines going on to throw you off to where you won't see the shock ending coming. This is book 1 of the "Frank Quinn series" where we're introduced to Quinn, an ex cop, and his two sidekicks who are trying to solve the murders. Ironically, they are not the highlights of the book. Frank Quinn is no Agent Pendergrast, no Alex Cross, no Lucas Davenport...but this is only my first experience with Quinn. Maybe by the eighth Quinn novel, he'll be just as much a hero as those guys. Anyway...I digress...read this book....now. So good...
Profile Image for Olga Kowalska (WielkiBuk).
1,694 reviews2,882 followers
May 13, 2014
Nothing new. Nothing original. A typical modern thriller with mediocre mystery and generic characters - a damaged detective and a broken killer with a dark secret from the past. One time read. Not one plot element to remember.
Profile Image for Brian Durfee.
Author 3 books2,345 followers
March 16, 2012
Really liked this book. The first Lutz book I have read. And the first in Lutz's Frank Quinn murder mystery series set in New York City. I like that Lutz is not afraid to fill his novel with a host of interesting characters from good cops, bad cops, and a really evil killer. This book is very R-rated as a serial killer novel should be
Profile Image for Janet.
3,347 reviews24 followers
May 13, 2019
Enjoyable and very long. There were many characters to keep up with. The murders kept me interested and reading, otherwise, I wouldn't have finished.
Profile Image for Patricia.
443 reviews11 followers
December 29, 2017
Excellent!!! Very surprising to the story on the last 2 chapters, WOW...
Profile Image for henrys-axe.
152 reviews5 followers
March 26, 2015
My first introduction to John Lutz will not be my last. For some reason I kept visualizing Frank Quinn as a double of Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) in the old NYPD Blue TV series. In spite of some weak links this was an exceptional suspense thriller. The "Night Prowler" is truly one of the nastiest in the police procedural genre...one heartless serial killer. I'm most definitely looking forward to the next in the series.
Profile Image for Tracy T..
1,023 reviews24 followers
July 1, 2021
This book was really good. Excellent narration by Scott Brick (audible review)

The serial killer was psycho for sure. I liked the past to present giving you look at how the killer became who he was. Then the there is the twist I didn't see coming.

There was even a happy ending for a couple characters.

If you like a good serial killer detective book you will like this one.

Scott Brick is such and amazing narrator. That was the reason I got this book. I am glad I did.
Profile Image for Nancy.
1,310 reviews
December 5, 2015
The story jumped all over the place, even within chapters. Very abrupt changes from one character to another, no formatting to indicate that a change was coming. Way too many characters and stories to keep track of. The author seriously needs to pare down the story and move it along more quickly and smoothly.
32 reviews2 followers
November 18, 2008
This book is a murder mystery - usually my favorite genre. I just can't get into this. It definitely won't keep you up reading all night long, that's for sure.

11/17/08 Retired this book to the shelf. I doubt I'll revisit it. Too many other reading opportunities out there!
Profile Image for Sandra Dark.
60 reviews1 follower
November 22, 2008
I give the author one star for writing a book this thick. But the characters were poorly drawn, the dialogue was awful, and the exposition limped along with a broken leg. I give credit to my Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for my wading through the whole thing despite all its shortcomings.
Profile Image for Michele Faith.
41 reviews8 followers
October 25, 2012
The things I remember most about this book - Why are most of the women described as fat? Why are the women too stupid to be concerned when strange gifts start showing up in their apartments and their husbands claim no knowledge?
202 reviews3 followers
October 20, 2015
Didn't see it coming

Bought as most of the books I buy-books for $2. So glad I did. I was disappointed when I thought I'd reached the end but no! I'd never have guessed the ending. Rough but redeemed detective quick moving story crazy twists fun
Profile Image for Laura Jarvis.
5 reviews
November 14, 2018
Don't bother

Long winded, repetitive story with characters you don't care about, huge plot holes and detectives who leap to ridiculous conclusions, finished off with a rushed ending. Really amateurish and disappointing.
Profile Image for James F. .
496 reviews37 followers
May 15, 2015
excellent read. couldn't put it down another serial killer thriller "the night prowler" nice twist at the end.
Profile Image for Sheila.
2,212 reviews220 followers
October 5, 2016
Good serial killer story. Different because the killer is targeting couples.
Profile Image for Radosław Magiera.
742 reviews15 followers
January 13, 2020
Sam nie wiem czemu sięgnąłem po powieść Mrok pióra amerykańskiego współczesnego pisarza Johna Lutza otwierającą cykl Frank Quinn. Po prostu sama rzuciła mi się w oczy na bibliotecznej półce; chyba głównie ze względu na słuszną grubość.

Gdy poznajemy Franka Quinna, protagonistę książki i całej serii powieściowej, jest on o krok od życiowego krachu. Jego kariera w nowojorskiej policji załamała się, gdy został oskarżony o zgwałcenie nieletniej. Jak to często bywa, jego małżeństwo nie wytrzymało tej próby, więc kłopoty osobiste splatają się z zawodowymi, a kondycja, nie tylko psychiczna, naszego bohatera jest delikatnie mówiąc nie najlepsza. Na szczęście, dzięki zakulisowym rozgrywkom i walce o władzę na policyjnej górze, otrzymuje on szansę na wyjście z dołka. Ma poprowadzić nieoficjalne, równoległe do jawnego, śledztwo w sprawie seryjnego mordercy. Jeśli pierwszy dopadnie przestępcę, wróci do służby w blasku chwały. Jeśli spartoli... Wiadomo.


Quinn do pomocy otrzymuje dwójkę innych podpadziochów, których obecni przełożeni chętnie by udupili, więc znajdują się w nieco podobnej do niego sytuacji – starego wyjadacza Feedsa, kumpla z dawnych dobrych czasów oraz policjantkę Pearl, pyskatą i skłonną do nie tylko słownych konfrontacji. Zmierzyć im się przyjdzie z nieuchwytnym jak dotąd Nocnym Łowcą, jak go ochrzciły masmedia. Seryjniak zabija małżeństwa, a zbrodni dokonuje w ich własnych mieszkaniach.

Fabuły tradycyjnie nie będę zdradzał, tym bardziej, że intryga kryminalna jest interesująca i doskonale skonstruowana. Warstwa ta zgrabnie przeplata się z wątkami osobistymi głównych bohaterów, okraszonych, a jakżeby inaczej, elementami romansu. Do tego dobrze poprowadzony wątek walki o władzę między ambitnymi na górze policyjnej piramidy. Wszystko oparte o przekonującą warstwę psychologiczną, szczególnie robiącą wrażenie choćby w części poświęconej domniemanej ofierze zgwałcenia, jakiego miał się dopuścić Quinn.

Realizm jest mocną stroną wszystkich aspektów Mroku. To mogło się zdarzyć i mogło wyglądać właśnie tak. Żywy, ale wyważony i stroniący od przesady język jeszcze to podkreśla. Postacie, nawet drugoplanowe czy pojawiające się incydentalnie, potraktowane zostały równie perfekcyjnie jak te, które najbardziej przyciągają uwagę czytelnika. No i to, co wieńczy dzieło - świetne, powiedziałbym nawet, że mistrzowskie zakończenie; kompletnie zaskakujące.

Na uwagę zasługuje też wzorowe tłumaczenie i w ogóle praca wydawnictwa. Choć jego nazwa nie kojarzy mi się z bezbłędną pracą, tym razem bardzo się przyłożyło i uniknęło nie tylko błędów, ale nawet błahych literówek. Jedyne, do czego można się przyczepić, to mocno przesadzona skuteczność tłumika do broni krótkiej, którym posługuje się, na szczęście tylko przez chwilę, główny czarny charakter powieści. No, ale amerykańscy autorzy tak mają, więc można to potraktować z przymrużeniem oka, tym bardziej, iż cała reszta jest jak najbardziej zgodna z realiami.

Mrok okazał się rasowym, pełnokrwistym kryminałem z elementami thrillera, aż proszącym się o dobrą ekranizację, który na pewno zadowoli wszystkich miłośników gatunku. Jego lektura sprawiła mi taką frajdę, że już wrzucam następną odsłonę cyklu, czyli Rzeźnika, na górę kolejki rzeczy wartych przeczytania. Polecam zdecydowanie i gorąco

źródło:
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281 reviews1 follower
July 23, 2025
I'm giving Darker Than Night a generous 4 stars because for its too long length it kept me entertained the entire time. This is the first book in Lutz's Frank Quinn series, I've got more than a few of them so I'm glad I liked this one. Frank's an ex-cop that had a fall from grace but is given a second chance if he can catch a murderer that has been killing married couples. He's got a couple detectives helping him and they make quite a team going nowhere most the book. I don't think I should be impressed with Quinn's detective skills yet because he really doesn't solve much and lucks into wrapping up the case. There's some other subplots that are interesting but I did feel they wrapped up a little too quickly and neatly. However, Darker than Night was salaciously thrilling enough for me to look forward to the next book in the series.
291 reviews4 followers
January 13, 2025
Great Read

Unbelievable the way the book just carries you through the insanity. The characters become like old friends and you find yourself questioning who is the Night Prowler. I for one was shocked. Everyone has a past and each of those pasts comes into play. Quinn being the one I wanted to cheer for and hoping he'd find the justice he deserved. Really happy I decided to read this book even though it is only the beginning to a ten book series. Not usually my go to but well...its that good!
Profile Image for Kelly.
133 reviews2 followers
August 14, 2018
This is the first time I have read a novel by John Lutz. I enjoy a good thriller and did enjoy a lot of this story. However I did find that there was a bit too much. Sometimes in trying to make a novel there are too many back stories. I found this to be true with this novel. I get that it was to help mix up the story and keep us guessing about who the night prowler was but it just seemed excessive.

I did like the book so it still deserves 3 stars!
Profile Image for Es the Book Hoarder.
273 reviews13 followers
April 10, 2020
Hmm. This was an interesting one. I enjoyed the overall story but it did shift around a lot. And I mean A LOT. It was backwards and forwards and all over the place. And I liked it but it was very very busy. And what was the thing about women being fat??? It really stuck out as an odd descriptive thing that wasn't at all necessary. Anyway, it was recommended to me, I read it and not overly impressed. Better than some, not as good as others.
14 reviews
June 29, 2022
I have recently read several books by this author and was slightly disturbed by the depth of graphic information given about the dark side of life. This book was his second chance at attracting me to his writings. It didn't pass muster. I realize that evil is real but I have decided to separate myself from immersing myself in it. If you can enjoy this type of exploration, I do recommend the author. He's an excellent writer, storyteller and plot developer; his books are not to my taste.
Profile Image for Deb Jones.
805 reviews104 followers
November 28, 2023
A little stretch of the imagination is required to accept the scenario of Frank Quinn, a former police detective who was framed and ousted from the police force, who is now offered the opportunity to show himself to merit a return to the force despite being an ordinary citizen at this point in time. Office politics come into play in this scenario.
71 reviews
February 8, 2024
A bit difficult to get through for me. To many characters to keep up with too many story lines. Had to push through and it made me a little hesitant to pick up the next one. Having said that it might be a personal issue and maybe just not in the right frame of mind. Someone who likes more complicated story line or story with many characters might enjoy this book more than I did.
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