The Dark Place: A Karl Kane Novel [Paperback]

"Sam Millar is a fascinating guy. One of Ireland's top crime writers, his own past is as gripping as any of his novels. Millar's electrifying memoir, On the Brinks, tells the true story of one of the most audacious robberies in American history. His visceral language, combined with the dark humour of protagonist Karl Kane, make for powerful writing. New tome `The Dark Place' tells the story of an elusive serial killer, prowling the Belfast streets and abducting young, homeless women. An addictive page-turner, like Millar's past work, this is not a book to read alone if you suffer from a nervous disposition." --Irish World, September 2009

"Millar is possibly unique among crime writers, that I know of, and the real world that he experiences. There is a ring of authenticity about the world he depicts and the tone he exudes, which is hard to knock, for very few of us can boast such a past. His writing is very, very dark, and reminds me a lot of Andrew Vachss and the Burke novels. The Dark Place is at the intense end of hard-boiled...a thrilling novel, very well structured, very powerful."

Declan Hughes, best-selling and award-winning crime writer. --RTE 1 Arena, September 2009

Awarded five stars (top marks) and placed as Author of The Month.
"Millar is a wonderful find who should instantly be placed on top of discerning reader's crime shortlist."
Review:
Every now and then you stumble across a writer and when you are reading their latest offering you wonder how on earth you haven't read their books before. I was instantly gripped when I opened the covers of The Dark Place. In only 256 pages, Millar manages to cram in enough tension compared to most novels that apparently need double the number of pages. There is not a superfluous word nor hint of `fluff' to fill out the storyline. What you get here is gritty, `to the point' writing that doesn't waste it's time going over the niceties - because there aren't any! Millar tells the story like it is and you find yourself holding your breath when captured by the story, especially at the ending when, literally, all bets are off.
But amongst all this, Millar shows Kane the human; the man who has to deal with a daughter who wishes he'd get back to his ex-wife, his ex who hates and loves him in equal measure and his turbulent relationship with his new love, Naomi. In a few phrases this marvellous writer manages to flesh out his characters, bringing them very much to life. As with Ken Bruen, another Irish writer who is a master of less saying more. You won't go far wrong heeding my words."
Chris Simmons, Editor, Crimesquad --Crimesquad.com

**Nominated for the best book Critical Mick read 2009**
`Millar's dialogue is sharp and fast. The writing has real originality... Unsettlingly twisted, The Dark Place truly isthe Belfast version of The Silence of the Lambs'
Mick Haplin, Critical Mick --www.criticalmick.com

"Nail-biting stuff. Millar does it again with this blood-curdling, visceral thriller, showing why he's the King of Irish Crime Fiction."
Verbal Literary Magazine --Verbal Magazine, December

"While it's hard to come up with much new in a serial killer plot, Millar distinguishes himself from many of his contemporaries in the genre with taut writing and a memorable lead character." --Publishers Weekly, USA,Oct 2009

This is hard-edged crime with a vengeance, but it is handled with a finesse and deftness that Chandler devotees will admire greatly." --Booklist,USA, November, 2009

"Crime writer Sam Millar's Karl Kane series has been compared to Marlowe, and it's easy to see why, once you're read this little gem. Go buy it. You'll love it." --Topmystery.com, USA, December 2009

As with previous Sam Millar work, The Dark Place disturbs. Millar has a way about him; like he's smiling and shaking your hand while he cocks the .45 to shoot you in your gut. --New York Journal of Books, December 2009

"With four novels already, and numerous awards for his fiction, Millar has established himself as a big player in the modern thriller scene. His detective, Karl Kane, is a modern Irish version of the classic American tough PI and has been compared with Philip Marlow and Sam Spade. Kane operates on the hard, often vicious, streets of modern-day Belfast, alternatively using wisecracks and his fists to get out of tricky situations. Millar does have the attraction of a more rounded character in Kane who is not all cynical backchat and violence, but has real emotions with genuine involvement, if not always a happy one, with his family. This book maintains the standards set in the first four."

Books Ireland --Books Ireland, November 2009

Sam Millar is a bestselling crime writer and playwright from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He has won numerous literary awards and his books have all been critically praised.