The Back Door of Midnight [Paperback]

So I have been waiting for this book ever since the last Dark Secrets book came out and finally... six years later... Anyway, this book way just all right. It has the exact same format as the other four Dark Secrets books, meaning if you know the format you can pretty much figure out everything that is going to happen, including who the bad guy is and what the last page will look like. It's very similar to the other books but this one is most definitely lacking. Maybe I think this because of the fact that it has been six years since the last book came out and I am six years older... or maybe it was cast aside for so long, forgotten and sad and after so much demand was pushed through to be published without really getting looked over well. I can tell you that this first print they've made has soooooo many obvious typos (ex. "manse" is used a lot instead of "mansion"), kind of annoying. I also thought that a lot of things that happened in the book were just convenient rather than realistic or believable. This book also mentions cell phones a lot, and even iPhones... kinda weird. I liked how the other ones were more vague about the times.

One thing about the Dark secrets books that I've always loved were the male leads and let me tell you, Zack just didn't do much for me. I mean, his general description seemed okay, an artistic and handsome guy, right? Well, he could have been developed more. And honestly, the whole story could have been developed more. Of course, it did get better as it went on, and maybe I just need to read it again, but I just didn't love it ( and I REALLY love all the other ones!) I've reread the first four books soooo many times because I love all of the stories so much, and this one just doesn't leave me yearning for more or a repeat... sucks to say but it's how I feel. Also, as far as characters go, I liked Anna but I didn't love her either...

I am supremely happy that Elizabeth Chandler did come out with a fifth Dark Secrets book and even though it was a long wait, I waited, and I read and I will continue to wait and read more if she continues to write them. I am confident that the next one will be better. I think the six year wait just made the anticipation more exciting than the actual book.

I know that most people state that they can easily find out who the "bad guy" is half way through the stories, but I for one, cannot. That's what I love about Chandler's work, there are SO many suspicious characters that it is hard to pin point who is the villain. The main character, is so relatable because this person isn't a know it all detective or anything-he or she is just like the average person. I could almost picture myself in this scary situations, and that is what makes these books so fun to read. It's like these event are spooky but at the same time, they are not impossible. The fact that it could happen, makes that much more scary to read. I also love that Chandler intertwine the genre of mystery and romantic together. While these Dark Secrets books are spooky, they are also compelling because of the romance. I can't say enough good things! Grab one of these books on a stormy October night, and prepare to have a long night!

Awesome book! I couldn't take my eyes off the pages! Can't wait to read another book by this author! :)