The Brighter the Light, the Darker the Shadow


Fiction - Mystery - Murder
392 Pages
Reviewed on 02/22/2026
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Tanja Jurkovic for Readers' Favorite

The Brighter the Light, the Darker the Shadow is an intriguing story about spirituality and life by Verlin Darrow, in which a spiritual leader follows the signs from the universe that lead him through the challenges of being human. Kade Tobin is a mentor in a small community whose core values and the feeling of connectedness among the members are shaken when a crime taints their rural surroundings. Kade does everything in his power to lead his community in the right direction under the circumstances and becomes involved in the ongoing investigation to consult and offer his viewpoint on the matter. Little did Kade know that not everything is as it seems, that human greed has no bounds, and that life surprises us in unexpected ways. Kade needs to decide whether to trust the universe and the energy around him or succumb to the wicked ways of people and the system. Will he be able to distinguish right from wrong, and stay on his spiritual path, or get sucked into the never-ending legal battle for his spiritual home?

Verlin Darrow approaches the theme of human nature in a relatable way by highlighting the intricate details of judicial procedures and fighting for justice. With his clear and straightforward style of writing and fast-paced dialogues, he shows us how hard it can be to come to terms with universal truths and actions that form our life experiences and do the right thing. There is a certain sense of calm throughout the story as Kade is portrayed as a truly spiritual and intelligent person who cares more about the fate of the human race than his own. The narrative's energy enhances the search for inner truth through legal intrigues and characters’ doubts. It’s a relatable and clever read that will encourage readers to think differently about life and its many ups and downs.