I realize there are a number of Randall Silvis fans out there. In fact, one of my dearest friends loves his books. Silvis has also been a finalist for two Hammett Prizes. But, I found The Deepest Black to be one of the weirdest books I ever finished. I really only finished it because I was reviewing it for a journal.
Like Anthony Horowitz, Randall Silvis makes himself the narrator and protagonist of his latest book. Author Randall Silvis has prepared a report and turned it over to the New Castle, Pennsylvania Police Department. It’s based on the case of a baby found in the woods, Baby Doe, and the murder of three people at the Burchette house in Bell’s Grove, a small Pennsylvania town. According to the author, The Deepest Black itself is based on real events.
Silvis had written himself dry. He had no ideas for his next book when a man who called himself Thomas Kennaday plops himself down at Silvis’ table at a cafe. Kennaday asks if Silvis knows about Baby Doe, found in the woods by two teens. When Silvis says no, the man says he’s going to put him in touch with someone who can tell him about three murders at the Burchette house. Phoebe Hudack is a witness, a survivor, and knows the killer. When Silvis contacts Phoebe, he learns she’s been ordered by Kennaday to spread out the story in sessions. And, she’s limited as to what she can reveal.
Silvis is willing to talk with witnesses, travel all over for research, and read newspaper accounts. But, eventually, he decides that Kennaday is pulling strings so that Silvis will tell the story, but he doesn’t know Kennaday’s motivation.
Neither does the reader. Silvis’ novel combines a child, a murder, UFOs, a sex slave cult, Dan Ackroyd, conspiracy theories, mysterious government agencies, and an actual prosecutor who disappeared, but was connected to the Jerry Sandusky case involving Penn State.
In the end, I can only conclude that Silvis’ The Deepest Black is supposed to be about “The mystery of the true nature of reality.” By the time I reached that point, I just didn’t care about “the true nature of reality”. Good luck. Let me know if you find it.
Randall Silvis’ website is https://www.randallsilvis.com/
The Deepest Black by Randall Silvis. Poisoned Pen Press, 2022. ISBN 9781728223612 (paperback) 320p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a galley to review for a journal.
Nice. I don’t care either. Thanks for your honest review.
In my experience, it’s never a good sign when a writer writes about a writer having writer’s block.
And he leaves out Bigfoot? For shame…
Lesa, based on your review I’m going to skip this one. Now if Bigfoot had made an appearance, well, I’d have been all in.
Yikes. Sounds bad. Yeah, another vote for Bigfoot here, but otherwise…pass.
I’m just going to respond to all of you. You all make me laugh. Sorry about the lack of Bigfoot. I don’t think you’re missing much by skipping this one.
Bigfoot is at an undisclosed underground cave where there is water and the air is cool. Can you imagine being that big and hairy and wandering around outside in this heat?
Over the years, I have heard this guy writes weird books so I have never read him. After this, I am sure as heck not starting now.
Kevin, What is really strange is that you did not describe this book, but you did describe the location of the book I’m reviewing tomorrow. Are you reading over my shoulder.
I love Mr. Silvis’ Ryan DeMarco series, and recommend them. And I haven’t ever read anything that i would consider “weird” about them. i have not, however, read this one. But i surely do look forward to the next DeMarco novel.
Kaye, I’m sure the next DeMarco novel will be just as you remember them, but he went off the tracks with this one. Weird is the kindest word I can use to describe it.
I was so disappointed in this novel, I felt like I was in the middle of a QAnon conspiracy story. I really like all the DeMarco books, but this one was just too odd. I am going to re read Two Days Gone just to get my good feelings back about Silvis. I wouldn’t waste your money or even more importantly your time on this one. None of it makes any sense whatsoever.