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Debra Purdy Kong
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The Opposite of Dark (Casey Holland Mystery Series) Hardcover – March 15, 2011

by Debra Purdy Kong (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars 1,089 ratings
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Thirty-year-old Casey Holland likes being a transit security cop. It brings out the best of her compassion, perseverance and courage. After capturing a suspect whos been groping female bus passengers, Casey learns that her father was murdered in his West Vancouver home the previous evening. The trouble is, Casey buried her dad at an open-casket funeral service three years earlier, and he never owned a house in pricey West Van. Convinced that the police are mistaken, Casey accompanies them to the morgue. When she sees the body, her certainty dissolves.

Against her better judgment and the wishes of the investigating detective, Casey starts asking questions about her father and the strange house in West Van, placing her life, and her friends lives, in jeopardy. Her search for answers takes her to England, Europe and Vancouver Island, and Casey uncovers a scheme her father was involved in that may have led to his death—which death, though, is still unclear. One thing is certain: Caseys life is in danger. Also available in paperback.

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  1. Book 1 of 7
    Casey Holland Mysteries
  2. Print length
    240 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    TouchWood Editions
  5. Publication date
    March 15, 2011
  6. Dimensions
    5.75 x 1 x 8.5 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    192674120X
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1926741208
Next slide of product details
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The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Debra Purdy Kong is the author of the Alex Bellamy white-collar-crime mysteries and the Casey Holland transit mysteries. She has also published more than one hundred short stories, essays, and articles for publications such as Chicken Soup for the Brides Soul, BC Parent Magazine, the Vancouver Sun, Lynx Eye, Orchard Press Mysteries, Crimestalker Casebook, Futures Magazine, and Shred of Evidence. She lives in Port Moody, BC, with her family.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ TouchWood Editions
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 15, 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 240 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 192674120X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1926741208
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1 x 8.5 inches
  • Book 1 of 7 ‏ : ‎ Casey Holland Mysteries
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 1,089 ratings

About the author

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Debra Purdy Kong

Debra Purdy Kong

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While studying criminology, raising a family, volunteering, and working at a variety of jobs, I haven't stopped writing in over thirty years. It's still my passion and keeps me reasonably sane, most of the time. I live near Vancouver, British Columbia, which is also where I set my novels.

I've published more than one hundred short stories, essays (including one in Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul) and articles. In recent years, I've started writing book reviews and blogs.

Most of my time is spent writing contemporary mysteries. FATAL ENCRYPTION, is the story of 28-year-old Alex Bellamy, an unemployed accountant who's trying out what to do with his life. There's a fair bit of humor in the books, but what can you expect from a tax guy who tries his hand at solving a murder?

The second series features transit security cop Casey Holland. The first book, THE OPPOSITE OF DARK, focuses on her family, when the police show up to tell her that her dad was murdered, only she buried him 3 years earlier. Casey has to unravel the truth about her past and what she discovers changes things forever.

I've since published five more full-length novels in the series and have now released my first Casey Holland mystery novella, A GOLD SATIN MURDER. It's a light, fun story where Casey meets the charming Eduardo, who's been accused of fraud and murder and is desperate for her help.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
1,089 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoy the book's many twists and turns and find it professionally written. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with some describing it as a fast-paced page-turner while others find it unbelievable. Character development is also mixed, with some finding them interesting while others note too many poorly developed ones. The writing style and rate of lies receive mixed reviews.

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Twists and turnsReadabilityPacingCharacter developmentWriting styleLie rate
54 customers mention "Twists and turns"40 positive14 negative

Customers enjoy the book's plot twists and turns, describing it as an action-filled mystery with lots of suspense.

"...Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a small description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of...." Read more

"...And glad I did. It is a complex mystery, especially when she finds that her father has died - twice! Now that's a mystery if there ever was one!..." Read more

"I found the set-up, plot and sub-plots intriguing. The plotting was satisfying but the characters were not engaging, ranging from just annoying to..." Read more

"...The revelation of secrets toward the end accelerated, and so did my restlessness for discovering the resolution, though I was not prepared to adjust..." Read more

20 customers mention "Readability"20 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable, with one customer noting it is a professionally written mystery book.

"...An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written mystery book...." Read more

"...Good job, Debra Purdy Kong!" Read more

"...I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and confidently recommend it to others especially those interested in this particular genre." Read more

"This book was just ok. Not a favorite of mine. Kind of predictable and very low to get things started." Read more

19 customers mention "Pacing"13 positive6 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it fast-paced and a real page turner, while others describe it as completely unbelievable.

"...It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment...." Read more

"...But if the author can only turn her characters into people, her plots move fast and kept me reading." Read more

"...I also have a bit of a problem with unwanted advances and the main character never really putting anyone down for assaulting her, but all this does..." Read more

"This book was a pretty fast read. Enjoyed it. Kind of hard to follow plot. Characters likable but not easy to keep up with." Read more

17 customers mention "Character development"9 positive8 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book, with some finding them interesting while others note there are too many poorly developed ones.

"...exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a small description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of...." Read more

"...The protagonist is a dim bulb - she makes appointments to go out to empty houses, to meet suspicious strangers she's only just heard of, and drive..." Read more

"The book was engaging right from the first page. The variety of characters, especially from the psychological perspective, was enriching the book..." Read more

"...this story, as well as finding some of the main characters personality traits and habits to be obnoxious, I felt the mystery was very amateurish and..." Read more

9 customers mention "Writing style"6 positive3 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing style of the book, with some finding it well written and easy to read, while others mention it becomes tedious.

"...A very professionally written mystery book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment...." Read more

"...Kind of hard to follow plot. Characters likable but not easy to keep up with." Read more

"...into writing myself and as an avid reader, I can tell the book was well written...." Read more

"Author is intelligent and organized. I N. joy all the different characters in the world they played in this story...." Read more

6 customers mention "Lie rate"2 positive4 negative

Customers have mixed feelings about the number of lies in the book.

"This was much better than I expected. Lots of liars so it made solving it slow. Some good twists...." Read more

"So many secrets. So many lies. So many twists and turns to the plot...." Read more

"Too many villains, too many crimes, too many phony relationships . This book was just not that interesting. Lots of confusion." Read more

"At first I enjoyed this story, but it became tedious. The is too much deceit, much of it improbable...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Tony Parsons
    5.0 out of 5 stars mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on August 17, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Vancouver, BC, SW Canada. Casey Holland (divorced, MPT bus security, 2nd in command) boarded the M3 MPT bus.
    As Benny Lee (bus driver) approached Commercial/Broadway, the suspect’s thigh nudged Casey.
    The chase was on as he got off the bus in a hurry Casey right behind him.
    Detective Lalonde (W. Vancouver PD) & Corporal Krueger (55+, W. Vancouver PD) came to interview Casey.
    It turned out it was about her father Marcus Adam Holland (55+, Caucasian, importer, architect) who was killed between 8: 00-10: 00 pm yesterday evening.
    Supposedly he died of botulism & was buried at the Cedar Ridge Cemetery 3 yrs. ago.
    Detective Lalonde & Corporal Krueger (55+, W. Vancouver PD) took Casey to the morgue to ID the body.

    Casey went to visit with Simone Archambault (Canadian, antique collector).
    Marie Crenshaw (MPT bus security, divorced/mother, kids) had a thing for Lou (bus driver) & thought Casey was a rival.
    Casey went to visit with Vincent Wilkes (Canadian, architect, Marcus associate BMF). He had to show her his exotic reptiles.
    Casey was piecing the puzzle of her Marcus murder together.
    Queen Elizabeth Theater. Simone Archambault met with Casey about Marcus death.

    Barb called Casey & told her Lou’s doing much better.

    I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.

    An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written mystery book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a small description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great mystery movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is an extremely easy rating of 5 stars.

    Thank you for the free author; Gypsy Moon Press; BookFunnel; OddlyBooks; Amazon Digital Services LLC. Kindle Mobi; PDF book
    Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
    One person found this helpful
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  • Lila L. Pinord
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great story!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this authors first two books, so naturally I wanted to read this one! And glad I did.
    It is a complex mystery, especially when she finds that her father has died - twice! Now that's a mystery if there ever was one! All through the book, after meeting all the characters, it is hard to decide who is the bad guy, who is the good guy/ or gal. But that's what a mystery is, right? I like that it takes place near Washington state where I live because I am familiar with the places mentioned in the book. You even begin to suspect the main character's best friend! That's what I like about it - so many suspects- that you can hardly wait for the end to see how it all turns out! Good job, Debra Purdy Kong!
    23 people found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Fast moving plot
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    I found the set-up, plot and sub-plots intriguing. The plotting was satisfying but the characters were not engaging, ranging from just annoying to complete cardboard. The protagonist is a dim bulb - she makes appointments to go out to empty houses, to meet suspicious strangers she's only just heard of, and drive into the CBD for night-time assignations with people she barely knows who refuse to tell her anything over the phone. When Vancouver is littered with injured and dead, what part of "I'll be fine" sounds remotely sane? The detective on the case exists only as an obstruction withholding information and telling the lead character to stay out or stay put. The police are barely there and seem utterly incompetent. But if the author can only turn her characters into people, her plots move fast and kept me reading.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Richness beyond my expectations!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The book was engaging right from the first page. The variety of characters, especially from the psychological perspective, was enriching the book beyond what was my perception from a mystery book. The main character, Casey, was quite an observant. She also had some very interesting self reflections which were quite intriguing to me as to how the outcome would manifest in her decisions and actions.
    Another aspect I quite liked was how it made me change and modify my predictions of how the mystery would unfold. As I came to believe that the resolution is emerging, the author would introduce a new character, or reveal a secret about another character, to rule out one possibility in favor of another, and I had to constantly adjust my guesses and predictions too.
    The revelation of secrets toward the end accelerated, and so did my restlessness for discovering the resolution, though I was not prepared to adjust with the rapid flow of events.
    The author’s background education and experiences were well reflected throughout the book, at times with clear tendency to educate, which I appreciated as a huge added value.
    I’m not into mystery books as such. So do not really find myself qualified to make an assessment or judgment as to how it compares against similar books. However, being into writing myself and as an avid reader, I can tell the book was well written.
    I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and confidently recommend it to others especially those interested in this particular genre.
    One person found this helpful
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  • JimF
    4.0 out of 5 stars A very good story
    Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I enjoyed this story very much. The plot line was a bit confusing in the beginning, buttered itself out eventually. I will definitely read more from this author.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Who to trust
    Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    A fast-moving, action filled story with so many twists and turns and murders, it was hard to figure out who killed who. Casey's mother and friend Rhonda had always had a complicated relationship. Casey's dad was involved with less than honorable characters who came after Casey for the 3 million dollars he was supposedly hiding. Will Casey survive unscathed and better yet, will she ever trust again.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Daranem
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fast and thrilling
    Reviewed in Australia on January 2, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    The book was well written and the characters well developed. It had quite a few twists and it tended towards the dark side of human nature. It was entertaining and kept me guessing for most of it.
    Report
  • Trevor A
    5.0 out of 5 stars The opposite of dark isn’t light
    Reviewed in Canada on May 29, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The truth is a hard thing to pin down for Casey Holland as she struggles to find who murdered her father, for a second time. We meet quite a cast of characters with intertwining backgrounds, but who is telling the truth? Who can Casey believe? This book is an intriguing mystery that has its roots in Casey’s childhood. It was fun to unravel the twists and turns along with our intrepid main character. A great beginning to a series!
    Report
  • lisa bridge
    5.0 out of 5 stars Really good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 20, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Really good read in which the ending wasn't obvious. Dealt with the a very dysfunctional family but the main characture wasn't soppy about how difficult it was coming from that environment, she had become resiliant because of it not weakened by it. Good pace through out with a realistic good ending. I really liked this, good length as well
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  • Kindle Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fast-moving and action-packed
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 21, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    It is partially predictable and unrealistic but an engrossing read. It has many twists and turns. There are many suspects and you don't know what is truth and what is lies.
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  • Judith Smith
    3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting!
    Reviewed in Australia on January 24, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    It was interesting, surprising and I look forward to reading number 2
    Report