I really enjoyed reading it. The cutting & pasting from Remote Control, ah well. RC is my favourite. I liked Nick working with Suzy, the story was good and pretty scary (because it's so real). I loved Kelly being back. And for the end: if a story is meant to bring out any emotions - the ending certainly did. But again I could imagine to live the story.. to be there.. because of the detailed description. Maybe not everyone likes that... but I do.
The story didn't bore me at any time. I was not disappointed after a long wait. Now I am disappointed - to have to wait again.
Only negative thing I have to say - after last page I said 'I hate you Andy McNab' But that was personal - didn't mean the story wasn't good - actually it meant that it WAS good :o)
Suzy was a nice character and I prefer the dancing around with Nick above actually having sex. Much more exiting.
Just some thoughts: one thing I was wondering about is what Suzy was doing with that gum - was she spitting (gobbed) that out ?? Maybe I didn't understand that right but if she did I'm sure that was a joke. Wiping your saliva but leaving your gum behind? Or maybe investigators are only smart enough to look inside, not right outside the door. Or maybe she gobbed real far. Then: Lipstick on glasses - NOT in Lipfinity century haha.
Nick was more (often) emotional, though I feel sorry for the guy it gives him an even higher ‘cuddle factor’ (can’t help it – it’s a girl reviewing). Dark Winter felt a bit like a ‘finale’ – an ending of where it all began (with Kelly and the Kev/Marsha house. So I’m really curious what he has planned for the next book. :o)

The story was very well constructed and told. Andy has a very entertaining style of writing, even when the subject matter isn't so ... pleasant or entertaining. I didn't think any portion of it was boring. The cut and paste thing is a matter of style and like any technique of that sort, it could be done differently. I would have preferred a little fleshing out, but Andy chose that method for a reason. It was good in RC and it's still good in DW. :)

I am really disappointed that he found it necessary to get rid of Suzy and Kelly. It doesn't bode well for Nick's future. I'd like to think that Andy will be kind to Nick and allow him to have a happy ending.... We'll see.

I liked his relationship with Suzy, but I don't think it was anything that would have lasted very long anyway. They were a good team. She was an interesting character and maybe if they had more time together, they would have had a chance. Nick does have a weakness for apple-scented shampoo, doesn't he though? ;)

As for the finale... There are some things that don't add up with how the bad guys found Kelly. It seemed to be too easy or coincidental. I'm wondering if perhaps Yes-man sold her up the creek so they would have leverage on Nick, send him for the rest of DW, and thereby put it into play where YM and Co. could pick it up easily. A simple manipulation for YM, and well-conceived since the Source's children were in jeopardy and turn-around would strike an emotional balance for him. If that's what happened. ;)

And to really throw the cat amongst the pigeons, I liked Carrie. :) She could be very good for Nick and I hope she comes to her senses, stops letting her dad manipulate her and tries to make a go of it with Nick. I hope Nick tells George to go f*** himself and if George gets too unpleasant about it, Nick should just put a bullet in his head. YM and Co. should get the treatment w/o giving them an option to play nice.

There are plenty of things a fellow like Nick could do to make a buck in this world. He should give himself the benefit of the doubt. He's a nice person that's done a nasty job and done it well. Time to do something for himself. Let's hope Andy will play nice and let Nick have a good future. I do like happy endings. :)

Nick does have a weakness for apple-scented shampoo - lol !
Must say I prefer peach myself - think he'll like that too?? haha probably too sweat.

How Kelly was found is not very clear no. We did talk about revenge here somewhere I think - and if Nick is any of what we think he is he won't leave Kelly and Suzy's faith without retaliation. At least I hope not. So maybe we'll know about it in the next book. In that way it certainly don't have to be a finale - plenty of story left. But it did feel that way a little because RC started with the house and Kelly and they both ended in DW.
I do like happy - never been very fond of endings though :o)

Buddy
"it won't be "Cuddle Factor" - too dangerous for AM"
Well, Nick has come a long way since RC.. who knows what might happen - two more to go :o)
There is one part in the book that I love absolutely the most (p.232):
Nick? What? I love you. The antibiotics attacked my stomach again.