‘Dark Design’ Book Review
Dark Design is a beautifully written suspense novel by Nancy Mehl, and it is easy to see how she has won so many writing awards! It was absolutely masterful writing! A slow-building murder mystery with plenty of suspense, but without any terrifying jump scares, made it the perfect book for me.
Main Themes
It’s so hard to write reviews about mysteries without spoiling anything! There were several marvelous plot twists I could write about all day, but for here, I’ll focus on the theme of redemption. Faith took center stage in the most natural way and Erin’s character development kept me hooked just as much as the mystery itself. To watch her go from fear and insecurity to discovering the peace that only comes from knowing God almost made me cry (that’s the only spoiler you’ll get!). It was one of the most beautiful integrations of faith into a work of fiction I have read all year.
As for the action, the plot and characters felt so lifelike, I almost forgot I was reading a book. I had to put it down multiple times to take a deep breath and remind myself that it’s not real, it’s only in a book. The descriptions of the detective process showcased Mehl’s research and expertise in this area of fiction writing, making me feel like I was reading about an actual crime.
The themes of friendship were also special in this book. Kaely’s sacrificial love for her friend made a real impact in Erin’s life and made the book so much more than just solving puzzles and catching criminals. It made the suspense elements human and paved the way to give everything a deeper meaning.
Faith Elements
Dark Design was so much more than a murder mystery. It was a powerful story of grace, forgiveness, and the immeasurable love of God. The Gospel message is presented in ways that flow seamlessly with the rest of the book and fits into the plot perfectly. No one is too lost, too broken, or too far gone for the love of God to reach them, and as Jesus shows us, justice and grace do not have to be exclusive of each other.
Family Friendly Considerations
As it is a novel about trying to catch a serial killer, I would not recommend Dark Design for younger or more sensitive audiences. The murders are somewhat graphically described, and Erin deals with severe anxiety while she tries to decode the twisted and evil motives of the killer. But for readers who are aware and unbothered by the above cautions, this is a perfect thriller novel for your next murder mystery read.
Interested in Similar Reads?
If you loved Dark Design, you also might want to check out these other Christian suspense novels!
- Buried Wilderness Secrets by Jaime Jo Wright
- Double Take by Lynette Eason
