Lifeblood

Two months have passed since Jonathan Starling discovered Darkside, a secret borough of London, and clues to his family's past. Determined to find out more about his mother Theresa's disappearance and protect his recovering father Alain, Jonathan opted to return to the strange world shortly after being rescued along with another boy from the bounty hunter Marianne and her associates. Since then, he has been staying with Elias Carnegie, a wereman detective, who was an old friend of Jonathan's mother. Jonathan is often taken along during Carnegie's cases, where the teen learns just how shady the genteel of Darkside can be. One day, Carnegie receives a message from a reporter at The Darkside Informer, the only newspaper in Darkside. When they arrive at the Informer, Jonathan meets Arthur Blake and editor-in-chief Lucien Fox. Jonathan is surprised to learn that his mother also worked as a reporter at the Informer. The star reporter asks for Carnegie's assistance in investigating an unsolved, rather gruesome murder committed a few days earlier. Arthur is disturbed by the case, not only in the way in which the victim appears to have been killed (as though by wild animals), but because of the startling similarity to a cold case from 12 years before. The victim's name was James Arkel, who was later revealed to be a Ripper. Jonathan learns of the Blood Succession --- a twisted rite of passage in which the secret heirs to the Ripper throne, upon the death of its current ruler, reveal who they truly are and engage in a deadly duel in Lightside. Whoever survives is considered to be the successor to the Darkside throne. At the time of Arkel's death, however, there was not supposed to be Blood Succession. So who would have been so bold as to uncover and kill a Ripper? As the investigative team begins their search, they are led to the Cain Club, where another possible link to the murder victims is uncovered. Meanwhile, their old acquaintance Raquella seeks their assistance with a mystery of her own. As the clues begin to piece together, a possible connection between the Arkel case and Jonathan's mother's disappearance is revealed. Unfortunately, Jonathan may not be able to discover the truth as he finds himself a target once again. Suspense-driven with rare moments of wicked humor, LIFEBLOOD provides plenty of surprises as readers who enjoyed the first book in Tom Becker's page-turning series discover more secrets of Darkside's shady residents. --- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle

Two months have passed since Jonathan Starling discovered Darkside, a secret borough of London, and clues to his family's past. Determined to find out more about his mother Theresa's disappearance and protect his recovering father Alain, Jonathan opted to return to the strange world shortly after being rescued along with another boy from the bounty hunter Marianne and her associates. Since then, he has been staying with Elias Carnegie, a wereman detective, who was an old friend of Jonathan's mother. Jonathan is often taken along during Carnegie's cases, where the teen learns just how shady the genteel of Darkside can be. One day, Carnegie receives a message from a reporter at The Darkside Informer, the only newspaper in Darkside. When they arrive at the Informer, Jonathan meets Arthur Blake and editor-in-chief Lucien Fox. Jonathan is surprised to learn that his mother also worked as a reporter at the Informer. The star reporter asks for Carnegie's assistance in investigating an unsolved, rather gruesome murder committed a few days earlier. Arthur is disturbed by the case, not only in the way in which the victim appears to have been killed (as though by wild animals), but because of the startling similarity to a cold case from 12 years before. The victim's name was James Arkel, who was later revealed to be a Ripper. Jonathan learns of the Blood Succession --- a twisted rite of passage in which the secret heirs to the Ripper throne, upon the death of its current ruler, reveal who they truly are and engage in a deadly duel in Lightside. Whoever survives is considered to be the successor to the Darkside throne. At the time of Arkel's death, however, there was not supposed to be Blood Succession. So who would have been so bold as to uncover and kill a Ripper? As the investigative team begins their search, they are led to the Cain Club, where another possible link to the murder victims is uncovered. Meanwhile, their old acquaintance Raquella seeks their assistance with a mystery of her own. As the clues begin to piece together, a possible connection between the Arkel case and Jonathan's mother's disappearance is revealed. Unfortunately, Jonathan may not be able to discover the truth as he finds himself a target once again. Suspense-driven with rare moments of wicked humor, LIFEBLOOD provides plenty of surprises as readers who enjoyed the first book in Tom Becker's page-turning series discover more secrets of Darkside's shady residents. --- Reviewed by Sarah Sawtelle

I must say that I was somewhat eagerly anticipating the next installment in the DARKSIDE series, and when I saw that LIFEBLOOD was finally available at my local bookstore, I got really excited. I sat down that same night and blasted through the book, thoroughly enjoying every moment. Being the second in a series, this one would be rather difficult to just jump in and read without first going through book one. The story brings in a few more characters, and sheds light on the general society of Darkside. I really don't want to give away too much of the plot away, but I will say that there is a mystery here centering around some very gruesome deaths. We learn more about Jonathan Starling's family history, as well as more about the enigmatic Rippers. The plotting here is top notch, and Becker definitely takes us on a ride to some very creepy locales within Darkside. A big measuring stick for me and books is whether or not I have a "Gasp Moment" during the book, where I literally gasp out loud, and that definitely happened multiple times. The reveal at the end is akin to a J.K. Rowling plot move that readers will never guess coming. All in all, this one is definitely one to check into and devour. I look forward to the next book, NIGHT TRAP with a lot of anticipation. Good things are coming from Mr. Becker.

LIFEBLOOD is the second book in the DARKSIDE series by Tom Becker. The story picks up a few months after everything that happened in DARKSIDE. Jonathan Starling has remained in Darkside with Elias Carnegie. As with the first story in the series, the pair gets drawn into a mystery that soon turns to them trying to solve a murder. They are approached to discover who an unknown victim is. The problem is that the victim was murdered the same way as another infamous member of Darkside society twelve years ago. The first known murder victim had been an heir to the Ripper throne. Jonathan has learned more history of Darkside in his days of living in the evil society. Darkside is ruled by the ancestors of Jack the Ripper. When the current ruler dies, the offspring of the ruler must fight the Blood Succession to the death to determine who will reign next. When the murder victim of twelve years ago was revealed to be a hidden Ripper heir, the city was put into a whirlwind. Can the new murder be connected to the old crime? Jonathan and Carnegie are aided by members of the Darkside's newspaper. There, Jonathan learns that his missing mother was a reporter for them, and disappeared around the same time as the infamous murder occurred. Jonathan is certain that the two events must be connected. If they can solve the latest crime, maybe he can discover what has happened to his mother. As with the first story in the series, Mr. Becker creates a dark, evil world that grips the reader. Even in the chilling setting, the story moves fast, keeping the reader glued to the pages. Like rubberneckers driving by a car accident, the reader is so enthralled with the story; they can't help but be drawn into the action. The pages seemed to turn on their own accord. I sat and read the story in one sitting, waiting to find out if Jonathan's quest would bring him the answers he searched for. Mr. Becker will leave you wanting more from Darkside, long after the final page has been read. Note: The descriptions and settings are a bit bleak and dark. The story may scare some younger readers. Reviewed by: Jaglvr

This is the second book in the Darkside series. It's just as good as the first book. A real page turner with action and a good mystery to keep you on your toes for the entire read. Jonathan is a likable hero, Carnegie is almost the main character. He's in almost every event. Love Carnegie. Vendetta shows a "kinder" side to himself in this book, strange for a Vampire. And lastly, Marianne, there's a twist with her. In the first book you didn't know what to expect from her and then she showed her true colors. She's another player in this book who like Vendetta showed a different "nicer" side. Still the hunt is on for Jonathan's mother and what/where/happened to her. If you are looking for a good book with enough suspense for an adult, enough danger and action for anyone, with a dark twist, this is the book/series for you. I look forward to the 3rd book in the series.