Dave the Super Spy....

Book Info: Dark of Night (Troubleshooters Book 14) by Suzanne Brockmann. Published by Ballantine Books in 2009.

And here I thought the cliff hanger would be resolved. Book 13 leaves us wondering what will happen to Izzy and Eden. Yet, Book 14 is about Tess and Nash, Dave and Sophia, and, shockingly enough, Decker and Tracy Shapiro. Not that I am complaining, well at least not too much, but there wasn't even a glimpse of Izzy and Eden.

But we finally have a resolution for the story arc of Sophia and Deck. Both come to terms with their baggage and *spoiler* they end up with OTHER PEOPLE. Now that kind of threw me. I must admit I was pretty sure this massive story line would end up with them happily ever after together, but I like this ending better. The baggage between them would have been a horrific strain on any sort of romantic relationship. Plus, Deck really needs someone who doesn't look at him as a hero, more as a man. Who wants to deal with idol worship in a romance? Ugh, get me off the pedestal, right?

But my favorite part of the book, other than the fact that there is more action than smooching, is Dave. Quiet, ex-CIA agent, Dave Malkoff takes off his mask and we see why he is always invited to the SuperSEAL party. Hoo-friggin-yah! Brockmann immediately captures the readers attention with the torture of Dave by the bad guys..... and then backing up FOUR days. So we know that at some point something will happen to put Dave in jeopardy but we don't know what or when. Add to that, we are also following the plots of the no-so-dead- Nash and Tess, plus, Decker and the only other person to figure out that Nash isn't dead: Tracy. It makes for an interesting, edge-of-your-seat type ride.

One thing I hav noticed mentioned by critics of this novel is the turnaround of Tracy's character. No longer the ditzy slut, in this novel she is not only competent but also extremely intelligent. It seems a bit of a stretch, but then as an admin myself, I see the truth that the admins are the ones who know all the secrets. Paying that type of attention is in the job description. Yet, while I never thought Tracy was stupid, I didn't see her as the person she becomes in this novel. It is suggested by the author that this amazing change is due to her traumatic experience during book 10, Into the Storm. For me, that doesn't stretch the bounds of my imagination too far. It could happen. I also understand, though, that for others it doesn't work. So While not a complaint for me, it deserves a mention.