Darkness and the Deep - Hardcover

This astringent tale of psychological suspense set in a remote Welsh valley uses the landscape with an almost visionary splendour * The Times on NIGHT AND SILENCE * Aline Templeton has a wondrously deft, unpretentiously beautiful style, full of good things * Hampstead & Highgate Express on THE TRUMPET * Templeton has wit, a strong narrative sense and a dab hand with atmospherics * Literary Review on LAST ACT OF ALL * Templeton crafts a nifty plot amid the dour and inward-looking denizens of a Fenland village * Scotsman on LAST ACT OF ALL * A compelling read. * Margaret Yorke on COLD IN THE EARTH * Aline Templeton has been producing quietly intelligent, carefully plotted thrillers for years. Templeton creates a tight, convincing band of characters and has the ability to spin her story beyond immediate events to paint a picture of a small rural community in crisis. She is good at managing her plot and revealing details slowly. She has demonstrated that, just when we thought Scotland was saturated with detectives, a strong woman can elbow her way in and find a unique niche. * Scotsman on COLD IN THE EARTH * 'A fascinating cast of possible villains is explored in this skilfully plotted and well-paced novel, each vividly described, entirely believable and never sliding into the usual parodies of country folk. But its real strength is DI Marjory Fleming, both tough and vulnerable as she struggles to track down the killer . . . Templeton moves easily between laughter and tragedy . . . This book is a delight, from its leisurely start to the moving and unexpected finish. Even better, it's the second in a series, so there's more pleasure to come.' * Guardian * An unalloyed pleasure - an intelligent, character-driven crime novel. * Andrew Taylor on COLD IN THE EARTH * 'In fictional terms the combination of domesticity and detection is very appealing, especially when it comes with a detailed, vivid portrayal of a complete society . . . an interesting, atmospheric and - I predict - televisual series.' * Literary Review * 'It is always a pleasure to read Aline Templeton, but THE DARKNESS AND THE DEEP must surely be her best book to date. Aline's characters are so beautifully drawn that turning the final page is almost like bidding old friends farewell. However, I am sure I will meet the residents of Knockhaven again, and hopefully, that will be in the not-too-distant future.' * J Wallis Martin * 'Loved it' * Val McDermid * 'In fictional terms the combination of domesticity and detection is very appealing, especially when it comes with a detailed, vivid portrayal of a complete society . . . an interesting, atmospheric and - I predict - televisual series.' * Literary Review * 'Loved it. She has become the crime czar of the Scottish small town!' * Val McDermid * 'This is a book for a long train journey or a wet weekend with no other demands, the better to immerse oneself in the strongly-delineated characters, complex plotting and rich allegory: a really satisfactory read.' * Mystery Women * 'It is always a pleasure to read Aline Templeton, but THE DARKNESS AND THE DEEP must surely be her best book to date. Aline's characters are so beautifully drawn . . .' * J Wallis Martin * [An] absorbing hat-trick of intrigue, originality and skill * Yorkshire Post * It is always a pleasure to read Aline Templeton, but THE DARKNESS AND THE DEEP must surely be her best book to date. Aline's characters are so beautifully drawn * J Wallis Martin * This is a book for a long train journey or a wet weekend with no other demands, the better to immerse oneself in the strongly-delineated characters, complex plotting and rich allegory: a really satisfactory read * Mystery Women * A fascinating cast of possible villains is explored in this skilfully plotted and well-paced novel, each vividly described, entirely believable and never sliding into the usual parodies of country folk. But its real strength is DI Marjory Fleming, both tough and vulnerable as she struggles to track down the killer . . . Templeton moves easily between laughter and tragedy . . . This book is a delight, from its leisurely start to the moving and unexpected finish. Even better, it's the second in a series, so there's more pleasure to come * Guardian *