Dying in the Dark

Valerie Wilson Wesley has never left me disappointed, but always leave you wanting more. Her Tamara Hayle Mysteries are truly a page turner, she breath life into each character with every stoke of her pen. Keep them coming.

I have read all your books but nothing hit home like your mystery books. You was put on this earth to write mysteries. I hope you continue to bless us readers with your continue mysteries. Can't wait for the next one. I read the other reviews and they was able to solve it. I couldn't solve who the killer was. I didn't see it coming at all and it was a shocker to me. WOW! If you reading this and you haven't got your copy today. You are missing out on a good read. So get your today! Reviewer Big Time Publishing Magazine

Once again, Tamara steps in to help solve a case that everyone thinks is solved and no one wants to delve into beyond the surface. Ms. Wesley is consistent and this story is short, interesting, with smiles and surprises to the very end.

Dying in the Dark is the seventh book in the Tamara Hayle series. Tamara's past comes back to haunt her when her high school friend Celia Jones is murdered. Tamara becomes plagued with dreams of Celia. Celia Jones was a wild card. Celia's teenaged son Cecil hires Tamara to find his mother's killer. Cecil is later found murdered, stabbed through the heart. As Tamara finds clues and starts putting the pieces of the puzzle together she finds herself walking in the past. The search for the killer isn't easy; Celia has an ex husband that is a thug. A handsome ex lover that tries to woo Tamara and a jealous and very angry woman who was also Celia's lover and then there is her angry and bitter husband. This was my first Tamara Hayle mystery and I'm hooked. Tamara is a tough woman with class and style. I liked that she wasn't made of money. She was just the average single mother worried about her son leaving her to go to college. Tamara is real. I never figured out the killer until Wesley was ready to give it to me. Wesley knows how to weave a tale full of suspense. I loved it!. reviewed by: Dawnny

Tired of the sexism and racism of the Newark Police Department Tamara Hayle quits the force and opens up Hayle Investigative Service. Years later she might not have much money, but she relishes her independence and self reliance, which leaves her very contented. One day, a gangster looking male introduces himself as Cecil Jones, the son of Tamara's "used to be best friend" Celia. He wants to hire her to find out who killed his mother because he believes that the mostly white police force is not going to bother to learn who murdered a promiscuous black woman. Tamara wants nothing to do with the case, but agrees because of the plea she sees in Cecil's eyes. He gives Tamara his mother's notebook and several other items that might prove useful and places four hundred dollars in cash on her desk before walking away. A week later, Tamara learns that someone murdered her client, but she continues her inquiries as she is determined to find out who killed Cecil and his mother. Tamara interviews people who knew Celia and realizes that she broke many hearts with one person enacting vengeance. The protagonist refuses to allow any negative isms to stop her from living life her way especially doing her job; readers will admire her spunk. Cecilia grew up in poverty as an unwanted child with low esteem seeking someone to truly love her, but failed and eventually ended up in the wrong place. Readers see this sad picture through Tamara's flashbacks and muses about their childhood as best "sisters" and through her inquiries. Valerie Wilson Wesley provides a fabulous private investigative tale with a deep social and psychological underpinning. Harriet Klausner