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After a performance at the New Salem Theater in the early ‘60s, actor Brant Lamont vanished. Now, nearly fifty years later, his disappearance remains unsolved. But then he turns Chloe Everson’s world into a black and white film and shows up in her bedroom as the specter of one of his characters, the Sliver of Darkness. Is he trying to scare her? Tell her something? Or warn her about future danger?
Since her fiancé, Arlo, is on a vacation of sorts, Chloe refuses to call him back to help with this particular manifestation. After all, Lamont doesn’t seem to be dangerous—just pushy for help. All Chloe has to do is hunt down Lillian Marlene, the starlet who was rumored to be Lamont’s mistress, to get some answers. However, Marlene became elusive after Lamont’s disappearance, and finding her now could be almost impossible—that is, until a mysterious new stripper arrives at the Red Lagoon.
Meanwhile, the New Salem Ripper is stalking the waterfront, slicing up prostitutes and strippers—and he’s getting ever closer to Chloe with an obsession that followed him into the grave.
In Sliver of Darkness (which follows Ashes to Ashes in The Chloe Files series), Chloe Everson once again shows her strength in facing the evil that stalks the night. I especially like that she doesn’t run and hide behind her fiancé when things reach the horrifying point. She’s imperfect (in a good way), and she’s a gutsy heroine, which makes her incredibly likeable. I don’t even mind that she takes her clothes off for a living.
Engaging and fresh Sliver of Darkness is an imaginative ghost story, filled with mystery and chilling scenes. You’ll never be quite sure if the ghosts are out to harm Chloe or if they just need her help, which adds more suspense to the plot.
I love a good ghost story, and Mr. Hopkins is one of the best at raising goose bumps on my arms. I look forward to seeing what else haunts Chloe in future novels, and I hope the series will go on for a long time, because I’m enjoying the heck out of The Chloe Files.
