A Darker Side of Dorcha

by Dara Mohd

"How fascinating it is, for a sole sentence to make a man tremble and tremor with nightmarish terror."

Before a fatal string of blood, lies and murder plagued the town of Dorcha, all was quiet.

Nathaniel Wellington was an unsuccessful reporter until the murder of his rival, Eleanor Hawthorne, and her son. Nathaniel and Detective Vincent Bloodworthe, Eleanor's husband, take it upon themselves to unknot the labyrinthine mysteries. The case only grows more complex as matters become lethally personal, even globally famous, but the duo are not afraid to challenge their unanswerable questions by stepping straight into their darkness.

But is everyone stalking through the gloom for the right reasons?

197 pages, Paperback

Published March 4, 2023

About the author

Dara Mohd is an 19-year-old Palestinian-Canadian author who debuted in 2023 with her novella 'A Darker Side of Dorcha.' She studies Philosophy & Theology at the University of Oxford and is currently writing her second manuscript.

Reviews

[Abdelfattah · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow wow wow. this book was beyond whimsical. the vibes the atmosphere the characters the writing style is p e r f e c t.
i was always hooked while reading the book. i always wanted to know more about everything. all im gonna say is yall are going to experience something you never ever experienced before. i wanna give it a 4.9/5. the missing 0.1 is for dara to come up with a new book ASAP.

[ohandbuthainareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I started reading this book having no idea what im getting into. My eyes literally feasted upon this book. Started taking notes about the parts i really liked and the parts that confused me and thought they were an error in the book itself. I was really hesitant about how im going to review it. So I talked to Dara about the “errors” as i thought they were. They weren’t 🙂 and so i ruined the ending for myself and it all made sense. But even then it was shocking and exciting like I didn’t even know. I truly enjoyed reading this book and I’m super proud of Dara for writing this book ❤️. And she’s 16 ya’ll! Imagine what she could do at 17 or 18 or even older, my God. The power that girl has.

I highly recommend this book especially for beginner readers for a fast, easy, and captivating read. And thank you Dara for doing what most of us are afraid to do, and writing your first amazing book and I can’t wait to see what you have for us next.

Also first book of 2023 and what a great start!

[Jude Qaddoumi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an incredible book. The writing style was captivating and the characters had such a strong sense of individuality and they grow to become so real to you, you even feel a connection growing with each one of them. The foreshadowing was actually insane and reading the book for the second time was even more astonishing than the first. I would read this book a billion more times without getting bored of it. 100% one of my favorite books.

[Ara]

This book was truly captivating, It got me so hooked i finished it in one sitting. I absolutely loved the plot and the writing style is so profound. Not even for a second did it feel boring or slow, I loved all the characters and the twists. And once again the writing style is just amazing. Definitely one of my favorites.

[yazmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
The first part of the book wasn't as attention grabbing as the ending, which was phenomenal. But, I feel as though it lacked character depth, I didn't have it in me to feel anything for any of the characters. All in all, this is incredible for a debut novel.

[Salma Rayyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

'You're turning us both into villains!'
You've always been my villains'

This book was INSANE. From the first few chapters the narration style was immediately gripping, and the build up to those last few chapters was done with such brilliance I just could not stop reading. The epilogue was so poetic and rich in emotion I was left speechless. Easily a 5/5

'Without us, Nathaniel is nothing. And without him, we are nothing at all'

[Yanal :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the most impeccable books I've ever read. Every page of this novella was more gripping than the last, with the language forcing you to withstand its anguish in a single sitting.

The execution was perfect, from the language, the mysterious narrator of the story, or to the heart-stopping twists along the way. Even when I was prepared, I frequently found myself dropping the book to stare at a wall trying to make sense of what I was faced with. This truly couldn't have been executed any better. 5/5.

[Hala · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about a detective and a reporter investigating the “murder-suicide” case of the woman they love? GIVE IT TO ME.

This book was brilliantly written in the most beautiful ways. With each page you finish your heart aches for more, it’s so addictive and exciting. With every and each evidence of the crime unfolding, you find yourself drawn (craving)to finding out who is the murderer. You find yourself walking in circles trying to solve the mystery with the characters, it was like my brain has built an imaginary evidence board eager to solve what the characters still haven’t. The plot twist SHOCKED me. Who doesn’t like a book with a shocking plot twist that makes you rethink everything? Surely not me. This book is one of those books I would want someone to hit me on the head so hard that I would lose my memory just to reread this book all over again and experience the feeling of shock, excitement and Curiosity ALL OVER AGAIN.

Easily 5/5

Dara you are amazing please never stop writing I beg you.

[Wisteria Perseus Lynch ᯓ★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

cross my heart and hope to die, my god, I have absolutely no words for this masterpiece. although it would’ve been ten times more fun if I hadn’t guessed who the killer was from the first few chapters, no matter, that point is completely overshadowed by the hauntingly beautiful prose and THAT NARRATION. (im physically sobbing, it's so godly) may heaven forbid I ever shut up about this dreadfully poetic book.

also, if this book was a classical music piece
it would DEFINITELY be gnossienne no. 1

[Maya Albarghouthi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Honestly first book I'd rate a 5

[Lamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this book so much! It was truly the perfect mix between thriller and poetry which is something I’ve never read before but definitely don’t regret trying out.
Would definitely recommend this to a beginner trying to read a short somewhat easy book with exciting storytelling. Well done Dara.

[Tala · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read it in one setting 'n loved every part of it! didn't see the end coming!!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

IMMACULATE, ENJOYED EVERY SECOND AND THE ENDD!!!OML

[Sama Joudeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t feel bored at all reading the darker side of dorcha I enjoyed every second of it such a great book amazing plot twists AND THE ENDING OMFG ITS INSANEEE …. So speechless love it 🤍🤍

[randiii · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Well this was fun and campy as hell!!
Very much enjoyed the narrative style, this dark and dramatic, almost theatrical writing that feels, well, as if watching a play basically yes!!
It was a fun ride suspecting everyone, driving motives into characters, following this intentionally misleading plot line, and then having it all blow out with a touch of darkness and obsession.
Uniquely written, dramatically devised, and just the right amount of sinister!

[Rodwan Bagdadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall great. The pacing good however, would’ve loved to have read a couple of extra chapters about the town and some more flashbacks of the main characters so we could relate a bit more to the story.
Even though I figured out what the plot twist was (which i believe anyone can do if they read the book thoroughly) I liked how the events leading up to it transpired.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t stop reading this book and I ended up finishing it in one sitting. The style and tone of writing and shifts in point of view all made the book very intriguing. From beginning to end this book is perfectly thought out and it is the little details that make this book what it is.
It is complex in its own ways but the flow of the book makes it an easy and enjoyable read. 5/5

[munchie.exe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so lucky to have been lent a copy of this book by the beautiful author herself and I ate it up OM nom nom 😈 so happy to have this as my first read of July and can’t wait to see what she drops next 😜😜

[R · Rating 3 out of 5]

“… there is no life to live when there is no enigmatic tragedy…”

[Dana · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is ass.

[mary]

wow. I just finished the book and I AM SPEECHLESS.
this book is so beautifully written I all ways, the vocabulary is so strong, the words she used, the perfect description of everything in the book, u wouldn't get bored of any "details" they're just perfect enough, the book pulls u in a way it starts to feel like you are with the characters one of the characters.
the way I was too focused and drowned in the plot twists the way I read faster and faster each chapter only to get to the end of the book. u get to a place where u suspect every character of being the murderer. I would literally give everything to read this book for the first time again and again. dara u did an amazing amazing job I'm not lying this is a very very amazing holy start. I cannottttt wait for what's coming and pls pls take up time we want more like this piece of art!

[Hala gharaibeh]

I don't wanna even complete it, its style of writing isn't bad but the story is so classical, it's as if the writer wanted to be in a movie from the sixties or whatever, no creativity.
And Nathaniel, I bet it's a reflection of the writer she wishes to be, only him so smart and he could be a police detective if he wants, I mean
How the fuck do you control the press when you include it in every single detail, and when he wrote what he want, he stayed in the team
I mean dude make him a detective from the first place
Or at least a previous one that has some old grudges with the profession

[Zozo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an enticing quick read, I couldn’t put it down. So well written and leaves you so eager to see what would happen next. I’m so glad I picked up this book. Very excited to see what this talented young author will come up with next.

[Dana Ariqat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beyond incredible. Everything from the details, to the characters, to the plot twists is truly extraordinary. It’s clear that Dara has limitless potential and I cannot wait to see more of her work. It’s honestly one of the best murder mysteries I’ve ever read.

[Mazu · Rating 5 out of 5]

my jaw is decapitated.

[Abdallah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating book with the perfect number of pages. Page 139 gave me chills😵‍💫😵‍💫nice ending and overall entertaining plot

[Sharifeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I started this short novella, I couldn’t put it down. It is engaging, gripping and spine-chilling. I am impressed by this young author Dara Mohd’s writing skills and feel she will go far in her career. I look forward to reading more books by her.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what you call a thriller book🫶🏼

[Lara Aburadi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book I have ever read I really recommend everyone should read it

[Dara Mohd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This feels startlingly yet extraordinarily surreal. This novella consumed my mind for months on end, but now as I sit and write this, I must say that I am boundlessly in love with and proud of this book. I hope you get wrapped up - or rather, tangled - in it like I did.