Are You Afraid Of The Dark? (2005) - Plot & Excerpts
“Are you afraid of the Dark?” moves fast, has simple characters and an entertaining plot. The plot initially appeared to be a bit unreal. I then checked the internet to know more about weather control and became aware that there is work happening in this field. The story is well-written and while some of the high-tech advances discussed in the story seemed out-there it is an good read. There’s this huge think-tank, Kingsley International Group, led by Tanner Kingsley, and we’re not sure what its goals are. Tanner’s brother Andrew, whom he almost kills, is a genius who wins the Nobel Prize for science while trying to guide KIG into saving Third World countries from their various disasters. Tanner, meanwhile, prefers to use the think-tank to become a world power broker and the richest man on earth. However, since he’s not that yet, his girlfriend Pauline leaves him for a richer man and has herself elected senator. Meanwhile, several scientists on advanced weather projects for KIG are murdered. Two wives to the murdered men fall two women Diane Stevens and Kelly Harris fall into each other’s world and find themselves trying to discover why and how the murders came about. Their search for answers takes them all over the country and to Spain, France and England. But, wherever they go, Tanner Kingsley tries to have them murdered by his thug Harry Flint. He’s tracking them through super devices that won’t be on the market for five years, if then, and thus the two women can’t flee his eye or ear no matter how many times they evade Harry Flint. Eventually, and we shouldn’t tell you this but it makes little difference, Tanner holds many countries hostage to crop destruction by weather patterns he controls. Since both women were likeable, I ignored the fact that they kept escaping death more by luck than actual smartness. The twist with the ‘Princess’ was something I anticipated but I still liked how the plot led to the ending seamlessly.
The Story: Kelly's and Diane's husbands are both dead. Several others all around the globe are being reported missing or dead and all are connected with the world largest think tank, KIG. Kelly and Diane join forces to find the truth behind their beloved husbands' murders. But, the one who is helping them is the one that wants to cut their life short the way he ended their husbands'.My Thought: This thriller by master of storyteller, Sidney Sheldon, pushes me to edge of my sit. Starts with a little bit sad and depressing since the main characters are mourning over their beloved husbands' deaths and keep on flashing back the sweet memories. But then, the fast fired suspense make me feel like riding a roller coaster, with the adrenaline rushing all over my body (if you got heart attack, read this at your own risk) and I just can't stop flipping the pages to get to know what is going to happen next. I loved Kelly and Diane, because they're both beauties, brave as well as very brilliant (as they manage to outwit the genius bastard!). I loved the whole part of "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" though the ending twist is a bit shaky (lost a cup of coffee). Sheldon also manages to relate the story with the "climate change" issue and it's effect especially to the world's economy. All in all, it was a satisfying read!! Recommended.CoffeeNCracker's Meter: 4 Cups of Coffee
What do You think about Are You Afraid Of The Dark? (2005)?
I'm no Sheldon neophyte. In high school, I ate these books like candy, and sometimes (when I'm stressed, or can't focus on the depth of language in "real" literature) I like to return to the fluff of Sidney Sheldon. Somebody already wrote the perfect review; they stated "this book should have been called 'The Bitches Did It Again,' because that line is used so frequently throughout the novel. Two widows are on the run, trying to escape the perilous fate of their dead husbands. Episode after episode, these women narrowly escape death, while simultaneously trying to solve the mystery of who would want to kill them and why.This book was an easy read. With four murders in the first 20 pages, it was immediately engaging. It was (unintentionally) funny; the sheer absurdity of the situations was laughable. I almost wonder if Sheldon was losing his marbles when he wrote this book?I'm a school teacher. June is a crazy month, and it's hard to focus on a book. Thanks, Mr. Sheldon (RIP), for providing me with escapism at its pulpiest.
—Curtis Lowton
I read this book because it is by my mother's favorite author. She told me that is was not one of his best, and I hope she is right because this was super cheesy. The characters were not believable and their emotions did not match their situations. I'm pretty sure if I was being stalked by some crazy, rich, and powerful man who wanted to kill me, I would not go on a shopping spree at an expensive boutique, even if I was looking for a disguise. I'm going to have to read his other books to redeem his name.
—Alicia
(Yes, I am still on vacation! I am still alive, fear not.)Very brief review:Frustratingly meh. Really bad dialogue, weak and tropey characters, one dimensional villian in the vein of Marvel without the cool superpowers.Weird plot. Nothing much happens at first, it's just a bland chain of events that don't seem to have a connection. About halfway through, things heat up.Then, the book is asically a big chase with the villians stomping their fee and shouting about "the damn bitches that dun got away again, gosh durnit!!!!!11!!!!!11!!!!1!"More extensive review to come, but I already forgot most of the stuff that happened, so yeah. Not a good sign for the book.This book is basically just good to pass time. Don't read it looking for anything deep or even deeply entertaining. Or believable.
—Lauren (Likes Literature)
