Dark as Night

I picked this up originally because it was published by the fine folks at Uglytown. They did not steer me wrong. This novel is set in Philly. Morris is a chef with a dream. He has risen up from a troubled upbringing to become the sous-chef at a first-rate Philadelphia restaurant, Le Tour de Cochon.He wants to open his own restaurant. His love, Vicki, shares his dream and wants to help him. The only thing that might stop this is his half brother Vince. Vince is out of prison and looking to cause problems. Vince comes to stay with Morris and soon trouble is knocking on the door. Mark has created a wonderful cast of characters that would be right at home in one of the finer Elmore Leonard novels. Colorful and often ruthless, they stand out more than in any other novel I have recently read.The plot is tight and fast moving. It grabs ahold of you and doesn't let go until the very end. The writing is tighter and smoother than just about any other debut novel I can recall reading. An outstanding novel.

An excellent crime novel set in Philadelphia! Once started, you can not put it down. Not for the faint of heart, Dark as Night keeps you guessing and reading from page one. I think, if ever produced, it would make an excellent crime film, like PULP FICTION! Conard's writing is first rate, truly enjoyable, in the tradition of Hammett, et al.