Try Darkness

Over the years, Bell has become one of my favorite novelists, and this book has ratcheted him up to a new level. Not only does the suspense keep you hanging until the end of the book, the writing is a treat all its own. Ty Buchanan is a witty, engaging character who you will want to keep following throughout this series, and some of the lines are laugh-out-loud funny. This is one of the kind of books that I will often "save" until a vacation when I can sit and savor it. Only this time I didn't mind going ahead and reading it before summer rolled around.

Ty Buchanan is certainly not your typical lawyer. After the tragic death of his fiancé, Ty moves into a trailer behind a convent and befriends a nun with a passion for hoops. Together they work to bring justice to the downtrodden that cross their path. Ty's latest case involves a young girl whose mother was brutally murdered before her eyes. As Ty and Sister Mary Veritas look further into the case, they uncover a conspiracy between a larger than life business mogul and Ty's old law firm. It will take every ounce of Ty's wit and Sister Mary's unwavering faith to bring justice and hope to the little girl that has stolen their hearts. James Scott Bell has given us exactly what we want in a sequel: an even better story. I thoroughly enjoyed Try Dying, but this second installment really outweighs the first. Ty Buchanan is such an engaging character full of heart, flaws, and passion. His own personal search for truth and meaning is such a welcome addition to an already rich plot. Bell knows how to structure a plot (heck, he has written a book about it) and his talent is on full display here. Never does the story drag or cause you to wonder just how many more pages are left. This is truly one of the more engaging novels I've read in some time. Let's not forget about the wonderfully strange cast of characters Bell treats us to. Sister Mary Veritas is a fun and complex counterpart to Ty and their relationship is wonderfully explored here. Father Bob and Pick McNitt are back and as entertaining as ever with their witty banter and unique perspectives. Bell also mixes in some new characters that are sure to become fan favorites. Try Darkness holds it's own as a mystery and also works as a relevant exploration into faith. Ty and Sister Mary remind me of Dr. Brennan and Agent Booth on the TV show, Bones. Being a self proclaimed agnostic, Ty often butts heads with Sister Mary over issues of spirituality making for fascinating conversations between the two. Indeed, one of the most intriguing aspects of Ty Buchanan is his passion for helping and serving others despite his uncertainty about God. James Scott Bell totally has me hooked and I am eagerly awaiting another installment in this impressive series.

After the sizzling debut of his Ty Buchanan series last year in "Try Dying", James Scott Bell does it again in this fast-paced and tightly plotted second entry. Still at loose ends after clearing himself of his fiancee's murder, we find Ty getting involved in a legal battle for the rights of tenants being hustled by the landlord of a Single Room Occupancy hotel in downtown LA. But as Ty delves deeper into the case, he finds things aren't what they seem, and matters swing out of control, resulting in murder, kidnapping, and a confrontation with some of the city's top-level power brokers. Buchanan is a fascinating, well portrayed character full of sardonic insights and witty ripostes; the secondary characters are all fully-realized and three-dimensional, each memorable and distinct in their own right. The personal story between Ty and Sister Mary Veritas continues to develop, and I can hardly wait to see what happens in the next installment. This book barrels along like a runaway train. It satisfies on every level, and Bell is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. A solid five stars; get this book!

I loved Bell's Try Dying. This is even better! Between the drama and the brewing romance, there is excitement on every page. Buchanan is a lawyer who went from the life concerned about billable hours to the life concerned about advocacy. He lives with nuns and a priest who are equally lovable (except for one). Remember the Father Downing mysteries? If you liked those, you will love this series. Read Try Dying to understand why he lives with nuns and a priest. Buchanan is a smart-aleck. He has an intelligent banter with those around him. It drives everyone crazy except for Sister Mary. There is an underlying tangible sensuality between the two of them that is obviously taboo. However, you will find yourself wanting Sister Mary to take off her habit and run off into the sunset with the rogue Buchanan. Buchanan is searching for the killer of a little girl's mother. He thinks that the killing is related to greedy developers. Will he solve the case without getting himself and the girl killed? Will he and Sister Mary finally acknowledge their feelings? This is a book you have to read. Bell's talent for sarcasm and fast-moving drama makes him one of my favorite authors. Do not pass this one up! Better yet, read Try Dying and Try Darkness!

James Scott Bell scores again. Ty Buchanan, defender of the defenseless, takes on the case of a man accused of robbery and murder. The man claims he didn't do it, but eye-witnesses ID him. Or is it a case of mistaken identity? Ty is determined to find out. Then, a secretive woman with a six year old daughter seeks his help, only to wind up dead, leaving the little girl, with no last name, orphaned. Ty takes the child under his wing and sets out to find her mother's killer. But Ty is on his own now, with no trial experience in criminal law, armed only with his sense of justice, sharp mind, and a dogged determination to push through all obstacles to find the truth. We met Ty in Try Dying, Book 1 of the Ty Buchanan mystery/thriller series when his fiancée was killed and he learned it wasn't just a freak accident--it was out-and-out murder. He took some hard knocks, even accused of murder, but fought his way through to the truth. His sometimes smart-aleck and confident attitude gets his bell rung a few times in Try Darkness, too, Book 2. And his temper threatens to be his undoing a number of times. But the wise counsel of his friends Sister Mary Veritas, a Benedictine nun, and Father Bob, a disgraced priest, try to help him stay on track. Ty's home and sanctuary is in a trailer situated on the grounds of St. Monica's due to the Benedictine rule of hospitality, Sister Mary and Father Bob his only 'family. Try Darkness is fast moving and action packed, with snappy dialog. The pages practically turned themselves as I read--as I've come to expect from a James Scott Bell book. I love the unique layout of the chapters, all 191 of them! But not to worry, they're not long. Some are only a paragraph, some may appear two to a page, maybe even, with the book open, you'll see five chapters between the two pages. It's fun, and kept me turning the pages. AND, there's no place to find an easy break where you feel ready to set the book aside. Can't be done. I read Try Darkness in less than two days, waking up in the night to my husband taking my glasses off, setting the book aside and turning out the light. Do I recommend this book? Oh, yeah!