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Novel set in Campbell River

The Darkest One is the second book in Marty Allen's Cpl. Vaanes series.

Author Marty Allen will be signing copies of his latest novel, The Darkest One at Black Bond Books.

The Darkest One is the second book in his crime series about Cpl. James Vaanes, an RCMP officer who works with the major crimes unit in Campbell River, on Vancouver Island.

His first novel, Cordelia, introduces the character of Cpl. Vaanes and tells about his return to Campbell River after two decades to investigate major crimes.

The Darkest One continues the story of Cpl. Vaanes as he investigates another murder in the community. This time, his major crimes unit is stretched thin when only days after one murder, another gruesome discovery is made farther north. While Vaanes searches for the killer, his younger brother’s bad decisions threaten to jeopardize his career.

Allen is a fan of Ian Rankin, a Scottish crime writer best known for his Inspector Rebus novels.

What Allen enjoys most about Scottish crime novels are the dark, wet, coastal towns the stories are set in. This is part of the reason he picked Campbell River as the setting for his own novels.

“It is also kind of isolated but with a big city feel,” said Allen.

He’ll sign books at 1 p.m., this Saturday, Nov. 26, in Black Bond Books in Haney Place Mall.