Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Aug 2015
400 pages
Genre: Thrillers
Publication Information
A journey through the shadowy heart of Brazil and the even darker mind of a killer, in the new literary thriller by critics' favorite Dan Smith.
Leaving behind his life of violence in Brazil's darkest shadows, Zico is determined to become a better man. But it seems his old life isn't quite done with him yet when he's tasked with making one last kill. It's one that could get him everything he has ever wanted; a house, some land, cash in his pocket, a future for him and his girlfriend, Daniella. But this one isn't like all the others. This one comes at a much higher price. The Darkest Heart is a journey through the shadowy heart of Brazil and the even darker mind of a killer, where fear is a death sentence and the only chance of survival might mean abandoning the only good thing you've ever known.
"Though the plot meanders at times, Smith does a good job depicting the stark choices his characters must face along the way to the stirring climax." - Publishers Weekly
"Starred Review. An unusually thoughtful, complex narrator who describes the river world with perceptive beauty while deftly sidestepping threats and battling his conscience. A perfect summer-reading finale for fans of international crime fiction." - Booklist
"Editor's Choice. Smith recreates the horrible atrocities and constant danger so vividly you can't help but glance over your shoulder. Each character and incident is memorable, so much so that the day may be sweltering as you read, but the wintry chills make you shiver. Highly recommended." - Historical Novels Review
"A thriller with a satisfying climax." - The Huffington Post
"Showing the same skills that he exercised in The Child Thief, Smith has fashioned a story of page-turning intensity." - The Sunday Times (UK)
"A superbly shivery atmosphere." - The Times (UK)
This information about The Darkest Heart was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Dan Smith is the author of The Child Thief, Red Winter and The Darkest Heart, among other novels. He lives in Newcastle with his family. Find out more about Dan, his novels, and the places that inspire them at www.dansmithbooks.com.
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