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What Grows in the Dark
In this chilling contemporary horror novel, a phony spiritualist returns to her hometown to assist in an investigation that eerily mirrors her sister’s death, forcing her to confront the secrets she’s been running from.
Sixteen years ago, Brigit Weylan’s older sister, Emma, walked into the woods in their small hometown of Ellis Creek. She never walked out. People said she was troubled—in the months leading up to her death, she was convinced there was a monster in those trees. Marked by the tragedy, Brigit left town and never looked back.
Now Brigit travels around the country investigating paranormal activity (and faking the results) with her cameraman, Ian. But when she receives a call from Ellis Creek, she’s thrust into the middle of a search for two missing teenagers. As Brigit and Ian are drawn further into the case, the parallels to Emma’s death become undeniable. And worse, Brigit can’t explain what’s happening to trees appearing in her bedroom in the middle of the night, something with a very familiar laugh watching her out in the darkness and Emma’s voice on her phone, reminding Brigit to finish what they started.
More and more, it looks like Emma was right -- there is a monster in Ellis Creek, and it’s waited a long time for Brigit to come home.
Sixteen years ago, Brigit Weylan’s older sister, Emma, walked into the woods in their small hometown of Ellis Creek. She never walked out. People said she was troubled—in the months leading up to her death, she was convinced there was a monster in those trees. Marked by the tragedy, Brigit left town and never looked back.
Now Brigit travels around the country investigating paranormal activity (and faking the results) with her cameraman, Ian. But when she receives a call from Ellis Creek, she’s thrust into the middle of a search for two missing teenagers. As Brigit and Ian are drawn further into the case, the parallels to Emma’s death become undeniable. And worse, Brigit can’t explain what’s happening to trees appearing in her bedroom in the middle of the night, something with a very familiar laugh watching her out in the darkness and Emma’s voice on her phone, reminding Brigit to finish what they started.
More and more, it looks like Emma was right -- there is a monster in Ellis Creek, and it’s waited a long time for Brigit to come home.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2024
50 people are currently reading
10760 people want to read
About the author
Jaq Evans
4 books73 followersJaq Evans (none, she/they) is a speculative fiction and horror author based out of Seattle, WA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
September 4, 2025
Brigit and her best friend and cameraman, Ian have been making ghost hunting/paranormal podcasts hoping to get some good, honest footage to get their own tv show unfortunately they've been faking their own material so far since they haven't come across any paranormal activity on any of their adventures. When they receive a phone call to investigate a couple gone missing, Ian thinks this could be their big break but Brigit is resistant because it's back in her hometown that her older sister mysteriously died in the same forest where these teens went missing.
Unbeknownst to the paranormal team something dark and ancient resides in those woods and has been waiting for Brigit for a long, long time!
The premise of the book sounded so appealing and scary that I couldn't wait to read it. The book did have a lot of spooky atmospheric settings and the writing was enjoyable so I really wanted to love this story unfortunately it just didn't work for me. Ian and Brigit's characters seemed very immature for their ages and many of their actions were confusing at times so I wasn't able to connect to them. There were some entertaining moments but too many unanswered questions by the end of the book and the the tension and scare factor just missed the mark for me although I think think this book may appeal to some other readers especially young adults.
I want to thank the publisher "Harlequin Trade Publishing - Mira" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this story and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 2 1/2 MISSING 🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!
Unbeknownst to the paranormal team something dark and ancient resides in those woods and has been waiting for Brigit for a long, long time!
The premise of the book sounded so appealing and scary that I couldn't wait to read it. The book did have a lot of spooky atmospheric settings and the writing was enjoyable so I really wanted to love this story unfortunately it just didn't work for me. Ian and Brigit's characters seemed very immature for their ages and many of their actions were confusing at times so I wasn't able to connect to them. There were some entertaining moments but too many unanswered questions by the end of the book and the the tension and scare factor just missed the mark for me although I think think this book may appeal to some other readers especially young adults.
I want to thank the publisher "Harlequin Trade Publishing - Mira" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this story and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 2 1/2 MISSING 🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!
July 28, 2024
When I first read the synopsis for What Grows in the Dark, I was immediately intrigued. I also enjoyed the cover art and the title is compelling to me.
Then I started drowning in other new releases and sort of forgot about it for bit. Recently, as I was going through my list of unread-ARCs it piqued my interest again, so I looked it up to refresh my memory on the synopsis.
Again, it sounded interesting to me, so I was surprised to see that its rating was only around 3.01-stars. Nevertheless, I'm no stranger to being in the minority opinion on books, so I wasn't afraid and decided to give it a go.
After I completed the first 15%, I wrote a status update to say how much I was loving it. The tone and the direction it was taking, I was really into it, really intrigued. I had a gut feeling that it was going to be at least a 4-star read for me.
Sadly, now that I'm finished, I get the overall rating. Regardless of how strong it started for me, the further I got into it, the more it started to lose steam and my attention. It got muddled and my interested definitely waxed and waned.
I think this author has great ideas and it was a fun set-up, but I feel like somewhere in translating the ideas from their head, onto the page, for the Reader to understand, something missed the mark. It's too bad, because I do see a lot of promise here.
This is a true Supernatural Thriller/Mystery, which reads a lot like a YA story, even though it is Adult. I love YA Horror/Thriller novels, actually preferring them over Adult in a lot of instances, so that's no shade from me, but I am guessing that does have an impact on the rating.
In my opinion, this would be a great book for Readers looking to transition more into the Adult space for the first time. For others, I would just caution this feels, at best, more New Adult, than Adult.
It also includes one of my favorite tropes, following a main character returning to their hometown, after many years away, looking to solve, or deal with, some sort of unresolved issue, mystery, or trauma. That fact alone is what initially grabbed my attention.
Unfortunately, that trope alone wasn't enough, but just because it didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for you. I would urge anyone with interest to pick it up. It's just a book. What do you have to lose?
Thank you to the publisher, MIRA, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I would absolutely give this author another try. The concepts and the writing are there, I just wanted something a little different from the execution.
Then I started drowning in other new releases and sort of forgot about it for bit. Recently, as I was going through my list of unread-ARCs it piqued my interest again, so I looked it up to refresh my memory on the synopsis.
Again, it sounded interesting to me, so I was surprised to see that its rating was only around 3.01-stars. Nevertheless, I'm no stranger to being in the minority opinion on books, so I wasn't afraid and decided to give it a go.
After I completed the first 15%, I wrote a status update to say how much I was loving it. The tone and the direction it was taking, I was really into it, really intrigued. I had a gut feeling that it was going to be at least a 4-star read for me.
Sadly, now that I'm finished, I get the overall rating. Regardless of how strong it started for me, the further I got into it, the more it started to lose steam and my attention. It got muddled and my interested definitely waxed and waned.
I think this author has great ideas and it was a fun set-up, but I feel like somewhere in translating the ideas from their head, onto the page, for the Reader to understand, something missed the mark. It's too bad, because I do see a lot of promise here.
This is a true Supernatural Thriller/Mystery, which reads a lot like a YA story, even though it is Adult. I love YA Horror/Thriller novels, actually preferring them over Adult in a lot of instances, so that's no shade from me, but I am guessing that does have an impact on the rating.
In my opinion, this would be a great book for Readers looking to transition more into the Adult space for the first time. For others, I would just caution this feels, at best, more New Adult, than Adult.
It also includes one of my favorite tropes, following a main character returning to their hometown, after many years away, looking to solve, or deal with, some sort of unresolved issue, mystery, or trauma. That fact alone is what initially grabbed my attention.
Unfortunately, that trope alone wasn't enough, but just because it didn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for you. I would urge anyone with interest to pick it up. It's just a book. What do you have to lose?
Thank you to the publisher, MIRA, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I would absolutely give this author another try. The concepts and the writing are there, I just wanted something a little different from the execution.
March 6, 2024
I really like the plot to this book, the elevator pitch is a good one. But unfortunately, I don’t believe the story lives up to what it can be.
For example, the story’s context constantly remind us of our character’s internal struggles, but then those characters never deal with those struggles, they are never forced to overcome them.
The story was exciting, with quick story beats that jumped between two perspectives and offered some unique build up throughout the book. But it also felt slow with the amount of context that was provided between moments of dialogue. The characters didn’t feel developed or real, even though on a surface level I did like each and every one of them.
But not every thriller needs to be a five star read in order for it to bring the reader an escape, that’s the beauty of this genre. This book can be a quick and easy read with some thrilling moments, very lgbtq friendly, and an interesting villain at the end.
I think for some readers, that’s their thing and it’s all they need. For me, there wasn’t enough strength in the story to hold my interest and this will be a read that I likely forget about. However, I won’t forget the name Jaq Evans. Even if I didn’t love this, I think they have a great novel in them that is dying to be written.
For example, the story’s context constantly remind us of our character’s internal struggles, but then those characters never deal with those struggles, they are never forced to overcome them.
The story was exciting, with quick story beats that jumped between two perspectives and offered some unique build up throughout the book. But it also felt slow with the amount of context that was provided between moments of dialogue. The characters didn’t feel developed or real, even though on a surface level I did like each and every one of them.
But not every thriller needs to be a five star read in order for it to bring the reader an escape, that’s the beauty of this genre. This book can be a quick and easy read with some thrilling moments, very lgbtq friendly, and an interesting villain at the end.
I think for some readers, that’s their thing and it’s all they need. For me, there wasn’t enough strength in the story to hold my interest and this will be a read that I likely forget about. However, I won’t forget the name Jaq Evans. Even if I didn’t love this, I think they have a great novel in them that is dying to be written.
January 29, 2024
Review in the February 1, 2024 issue of Booklist and on the blog here: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2024/01...
A solid debut that will appeal to fans of small towns with monstrous secrets hiding in the woods like Jackal by Erin E. Adams and Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt.
Three Words That Describe This Book: disturbing, terrifying secrets, dual narration
A solid debut that will appeal to fans of small towns with monstrous secrets hiding in the woods like Jackal by Erin E. Adams and Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt.
Three Words That Describe This Book: disturbing, terrifying secrets, dual narration
January 14, 2024
I am clearly in the minority but I found this book to be a slog to finish. It centers on Brigit, who along with a cameraman partner, explores paranormal activity all over the country. Brigit’s sister died many years ago and when they are asked to come back and dig into the disappearance of 2 other locals, it’s an opportunity to find out more about the creepy woods where Brigit’s sister Emma was found.
On the good side, there were some definitely creepy parts and the author did a good job at creating a clear picture of both the woods and the other happenings. I also felt the pain and grief that Brigit exhibited related to Emma’s death. On the other side, the author spent so much time delving into to the characters’ thoughts that it took me out of the action; but oddly, I still had a hard time discerning one voice from another when the chapters alternated POVs. Also, while the author described Brigit as being non-binary and denouncing pronouns, the pronouns used throughout were “she” and “her” and this confused me. Overall, I just didn’t find the story that interesting even though I felt the concept was. The end just confused me but maybe that is because I wasn’t fully invested.
All in all, this just wasn’t the book for me and I found it hard to finish. Seems like others really enjoyed it, though, so I don’t want to discourage anyone from reading it and I hope you have a better experience! Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
On the good side, there were some definitely creepy parts and the author did a good job at creating a clear picture of both the woods and the other happenings. I also felt the pain and grief that Brigit exhibited related to Emma’s death. On the other side, the author spent so much time delving into to the characters’ thoughts that it took me out of the action; but oddly, I still had a hard time discerning one voice from another when the chapters alternated POVs. Also, while the author described Brigit as being non-binary and denouncing pronouns, the pronouns used throughout were “she” and “her” and this confused me. Overall, I just didn’t find the story that interesting even though I felt the concept was. The end just confused me but maybe that is because I wasn’t fully invested.
All in all, this just wasn’t the book for me and I found it hard to finish. Seems like others really enjoyed it, though, so I don’t want to discourage anyone from reading it and I hope you have a better experience! Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2024
What Grows in the Dark is a eldritch horror novel about a woman named Bridgit and her partner in crime Ian who are doing a paranormal youtube start up which brings Bridget full circle back to her hometown to face her demons so to speak. This book was jam packed with flawed characters accept Ian who is also dealing with childhood but unlike so many others in this novel he has been able to function more productively and proactively with life after trauma. That is not say it does not affect him throughout the story but it makes Ian a very empathetic character and I just love him so much because he really brought balance and strength to the novel which gave some reprieve for the reader to explore Bridgit's journey.
This novel has everything you could hope for an eldritch horror, but also has an important underlying message of coping past trauma, acceptance of onus and self-forgiveness or reconciling with ones trauma. It was extremely well written, very visceral and tangible. I highly recommend this novel. 4.5 - 4.75 💫💫💫💫
This novel has everything you could hope for an eldritch horror, but also has an important underlying message of coping past trauma, acceptance of onus and self-forgiveness or reconciling with ones trauma. It was extremely well written, very visceral and tangible. I highly recommend this novel. 4.5 - 4.75 💫💫💫💫
February 13, 2024
5/5 ⭐️
All I had to be told was that this book has spooky, sentient woods and a paranormal aspect and I was sold. I said, say less. And this was an amazing book. I inhaled this book. I had so many emotions while reading it, mostly the thrilling coil of terror, but also other emotions during the softer moments. I even gasped so loud out loud at the midpoint twist. Not to mention how the chapters ended on cliffhanger-esq notes to continue luring me into needing more.
I loved that the book opens with two very close friends doing their YouTube paranormal show (instantly making me think of my favorites), but immediately we learn that Brigitt is conning them into thinking she can actually talk to ghosts. But then they’re brought back to her small town to investigate a case eerily similar to her sister’s. I adored the dynamic between Brigit and Ian. It might have been one of my favorite parts. But all the secondary characters were fascinating too because they all play into this literary representation of what the woods are. The dark scary part of yourself dragging you down. That dark voice in your head. Each of the characters are someone who does not fit into that straight lace small town who values normal. They are people of color or transgender or nonbinary or just someone who sees the bad and is just scared to step in cause the other side has more power. I loved how this book addressed all that while twisting it into a spooky story.
This book reminded me of and captured the same feeling I experienced while reading any Kate Alice Marshall book. So I think if you’re a fan of her books, you’ll absolutely love this one. Or if you’re like me and just enjoy a good spooky woods, Blair Witch-esq story.
Thank you to MIRA and TLC Tours for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.
All I had to be told was that this book has spooky, sentient woods and a paranormal aspect and I was sold. I said, say less. And this was an amazing book. I inhaled this book. I had so many emotions while reading it, mostly the thrilling coil of terror, but also other emotions during the softer moments. I even gasped so loud out loud at the midpoint twist. Not to mention how the chapters ended on cliffhanger-esq notes to continue luring me into needing more.
I loved that the book opens with two very close friends doing their YouTube paranormal show (instantly making me think of my favorites), but immediately we learn that Brigitt is conning them into thinking she can actually talk to ghosts. But then they’re brought back to her small town to investigate a case eerily similar to her sister’s. I adored the dynamic between Brigit and Ian. It might have been one of my favorite parts. But all the secondary characters were fascinating too because they all play into this literary representation of what the woods are. The dark scary part of yourself dragging you down. That dark voice in your head. Each of the characters are someone who does not fit into that straight lace small town who values normal. They are people of color or transgender or nonbinary or just someone who sees the bad and is just scared to step in cause the other side has more power. I loved how this book addressed all that while twisting it into a spooky story.
This book reminded me of and captured the same feeling I experienced while reading any Kate Alice Marshall book. So I think if you’re a fan of her books, you’ll absolutely love this one. Or if you’re like me and just enjoy a good spooky woods, Blair Witch-esq story.
Thank you to MIRA and TLC Tours for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.
January 14, 2024
[Blurb goes here]
Brigit's sister disappeared in the woods 16 years ago, and Brigit still has nightmares about it. When she grew up, she left her hometown, Ellis Creek. Now, with her friend Ian, they have a perfect con going on. Brigit pretends to be a psychic who talks to ghosts by channeling her dead sister, supposedly helping spirits stop haunting different places by going "into the light."
During one of their fake paranormal jobs, Brigit gets a surprising call. Alicia, Emma's ex-girlfriend, asks Brigit to return to Ellis Creek. Two teenagers are missing, and the circumstances are eerily familiar.
The story switches between Brigit and Ian's points of view, making it a bit confusing at times. Despite this, it allows readers to understand them better. Brigit, as the main character, can be both strong-willed and sometimes unfriendly, especially towards Ian. This aspect makes her less likable.
Jaq Evans provides detailed descriptions of characters, their feelings, and the settings that surround them, which is good, but it occasionally slows down the action or breaks the dialogue. However, these descriptions effectively build up the creepy atmosphere.
If you enjoy unsettling horror stories, I recommend giving this book a read.
Thank you for the advanced copy!
Brigit's sister disappeared in the woods 16 years ago, and Brigit still has nightmares about it. When she grew up, she left her hometown, Ellis Creek. Now, with her friend Ian, they have a perfect con going on. Brigit pretends to be a psychic who talks to ghosts by channeling her dead sister, supposedly helping spirits stop haunting different places by going "into the light."
During one of their fake paranormal jobs, Brigit gets a surprising call. Alicia, Emma's ex-girlfriend, asks Brigit to return to Ellis Creek. Two teenagers are missing, and the circumstances are eerily familiar.
The story switches between Brigit and Ian's points of view, making it a bit confusing at times. Despite this, it allows readers to understand them better. Brigit, as the main character, can be both strong-willed and sometimes unfriendly, especially towards Ian. This aspect makes her less likable.
Jaq Evans provides detailed descriptions of characters, their feelings, and the settings that surround them, which is good, but it occasionally slows down the action or breaks the dialogue. However, these descriptions effectively build up the creepy atmosphere.
If you enjoy unsettling horror stories, I recommend giving this book a read.
Thank you for the advanced copy!
March 8, 2024
Horror in any flavour is quite popular at the moment and this horror/thriller is a good one that keeps you on the edge and I would not advise to read at night-time.
This is an atmospheric story, creepy and eerie at time. The characters are fleshed out and you never know if Bridget is deluded or seeing visions.
Her relationship with her dead sister, living on the border between this and the other side.
The plot is tightly knitted and fast paced.
A well done and well plotted story that I think will surely be love by fan of Krewe of Hunters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
This is an atmospheric story, creepy and eerie at time. The characters are fleshed out and you never know if Bridget is deluded or seeing visions.
Her relationship with her dead sister, living on the border between this and the other side.
The plot is tightly knitted and fast paced.
A well done and well plotted story that I think will surely be love by fan of Krewe of Hunters.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
November 11, 2023
What Grows in the Dark by Jaq Evans is a gripping thriller that follows the story of Brigit, who is trying to uncover the truth about her sister’s disappearance. The book is well-written, with great pacing and intriguing characters.
Overall, I highly recommend What Grows in the Dark to anyone who loves a good thriller. Jaq Evans is a writer to watch, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
Thank you to HTP (Harlequin Trade Publishing) and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
Overall, I highly recommend What Grows in the Dark to anyone who loves a good thriller. Jaq Evans is a writer to watch, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.
Thank you to HTP (Harlequin Trade Publishing) and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
February 28, 2024
I’m not super sure why but this book did not hold my attention like I expected it to. I loved the LGBTQIA+ representation and the setting and vibes of the story. However, I didn’t really connect with the characters nor did I feel like I just had to know what would happen. Could have been because I set it down and came back to it (24hrs later) because I was definitely more invested when I started it than O was during my second sitting
February 17, 2024
I have absolutely no idea what this book was supposed to be about or even what happened and why.
March 20, 2024
This book didn't make ANY sense.
March 7, 2024
This book was incredibly atmospheric. I love the forest imagery of creepy trees, dank soil, and creatures skittering about in the dark. The two leads were interesting and I enjoyed the ever-present relationship Bridget had with her deceased sister. That element of the unknown added to the creep factor. I did struggle with this book having an overly descriptive inner monologue and it at times seemed to repeat the same emotions/story where it wasn’t necessary. This made me skim past sections where I already knew what the main character was thinking. Other than that this was a solid story and I’d even be option to a part 2!
November 13, 2023
ARC for review. To be published March 5, 2024.
Brigit Weylan and Ian Perez are partners in a YouTube host hunting-type show where Brigit is a fake psychic and the two claim to cleanse houses of hauntings. Brigit is contacted by Alicia Nguyen, her sister Emma’s ex-girlfriend who makes a lucrative offer to Brigit to return to her hometown of Ellis Creek, Virginia. Emma has been dead for sixteen years.
In Ellis Creek two kids, James Mulroy and Gabrielle Markham have disappeared and before she vanished Gabrielle was having dreams of Emma. Add to that Brigit is seeing things, getting phantom calls from Emma and suffering from lapses in time. Ellis Creek has long had a problem with missing children, what is going on in this town? And what’s with this mysterious place called The Dell which fascinated James and was a large part of Emma and Brigit’s childhood? Can Brigit and Ian uncover the truth before they fall victim to the evil that lurks in Ellis Creek?
This was a tough book. The prose was often disjointed, the plot never really coalesced and basically the book seemed like a lot of ideas just thrown together. The characters had leaps in thinking that made no sense. I tried to like this book, but I just couldn’t.
Brigit Weylan and Ian Perez are partners in a YouTube host hunting-type show where Brigit is a fake psychic and the two claim to cleanse houses of hauntings. Brigit is contacted by Alicia Nguyen, her sister Emma’s ex-girlfriend who makes a lucrative offer to Brigit to return to her hometown of Ellis Creek, Virginia. Emma has been dead for sixteen years.
In Ellis Creek two kids, James Mulroy and Gabrielle Markham have disappeared and before she vanished Gabrielle was having dreams of Emma. Add to that Brigit is seeing things, getting phantom calls from Emma and suffering from lapses in time. Ellis Creek has long had a problem with missing children, what is going on in this town? And what’s with this mysterious place called The Dell which fascinated James and was a large part of Emma and Brigit’s childhood? Can Brigit and Ian uncover the truth before they fall victim to the evil that lurks in Ellis Creek?
This was a tough book. The prose was often disjointed, the plot never really coalesced and basically the book seemed like a lot of ideas just thrown together. The characters had leaps in thinking that made no sense. I tried to like this book, but I just couldn’t.
July 15, 2024
This book should have been right up my alley, and I was 100% in based on the premise. Creepy trees?! Sign me up.
Unfortunately, the characters were insufferable and not in a fun way. They spent more time making eyes at each other and trying to be super nuanced, than getting down to solving the mysteries at hand.
For a variety of reasons this one dragged for me when it should have been a book I couldn’t put down. Maybe my expectations were too high with this one, and I’m sure it will find its audience.
I would give this author another try in the future but this one ended up not being for me unfortunately.
**Thank you to NetGalley and MIRA Books for the eARC of this title.**
Unfortunately, the characters were insufferable and not in a fun way. They spent more time making eyes at each other and trying to be super nuanced, than getting down to solving the mysteries at hand.
For a variety of reasons this one dragged for me when it should have been a book I couldn’t put down. Maybe my expectations were too high with this one, and I’m sure it will find its audience.
I would give this author another try in the future but this one ended up not being for me unfortunately.
**Thank you to NetGalley and MIRA Books for the eARC of this title.**
March 20, 2024
Was recommended this book by a friend and really enjoyed it. The author does a great job giving eerie life and spooky vibes to the old forest. I really enjoyed Ian’s character and his development across the story. I also felt it was really well written. Jaq’s writing style is elegant with an easy flow that brought me through the story’s world and really brought it to life.
January 22, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
What Grows in the Dark.
I really liked the premise which is why I was excited my request was approved.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
Almost two decades ago, Brigit's older sister, Emma, walked into the woods and never returned.
As a result, Brigit left the small town and never returned. Until now.
Now, Brigit is a phony paranormal investigator traveling the USA with her friend and producer, Ian.
When the disappearance of two teenagers in Ellis Creek compels her to return home, she discovers a shocking link between the missing teenagers and Emma.
Now, it's up to Brigit to face the horrors of her past, and perhaps her sister.
Sadly, this didn't hit the mark for me as I had hoped.
First, not once was I scared or creeped out.
I never understood the reason why the woods was haunted nor was it fully explained.
Was it like Derry, Stephen King's famous fictional town and home of Pennywise?
Was the woods haunted by a spectral ghost or wood sprite? If so, why? Where did it come from?
Why was Emma obsessed with it? Why her?
Second, neither Brigit or Emma were interesting or compelling characters.
In some books, the deceased characters take a life of their own and sometimes I find them more interesting than the living.
Not here. I didn't like or care about anyone. I did like the diversity of characters, but I didn't find them likable or want to hang out with them in real life, if I could.
Third, the narrative wasn't suspenseful, just a lot of Brigit hearing her sister's voice and feeling spooked and mulling over what she could have done years ago (not much since she was just a child), and what to do now.
The narrative was kind of muddy, like the author wasn't sure what the story was really about, and the lack of a strong main character didn't help.
I really liked the premise which is why I was excited my request was approved.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
Almost two decades ago, Brigit's older sister, Emma, walked into the woods and never returned.
As a result, Brigit left the small town and never returned. Until now.
Now, Brigit is a phony paranormal investigator traveling the USA with her friend and producer, Ian.
When the disappearance of two teenagers in Ellis Creek compels her to return home, she discovers a shocking link between the missing teenagers and Emma.
Now, it's up to Brigit to face the horrors of her past, and perhaps her sister.
Sadly, this didn't hit the mark for me as I had hoped.
First, not once was I scared or creeped out.
I never understood the reason why the woods was haunted nor was it fully explained.
Was it like Derry, Stephen King's famous fictional town and home of Pennywise?
Was the woods haunted by a spectral ghost or wood sprite? If so, why? Where did it come from?
Why was Emma obsessed with it? Why her?
Second, neither Brigit or Emma were interesting or compelling characters.
In some books, the deceased characters take a life of their own and sometimes I find them more interesting than the living.
Not here. I didn't like or care about anyone. I did like the diversity of characters, but I didn't find them likable or want to hang out with them in real life, if I could.
Third, the narrative wasn't suspenseful, just a lot of Brigit hearing her sister's voice and feeling spooked and mulling over what she could have done years ago (not much since she was just a child), and what to do now.
The narrative was kind of muddy, like the author wasn't sure what the story was really about, and the lack of a strong main character didn't help.
October 28, 2023
This was GOOD!! There were parts that didn't quite add up, logic-wise, so I recommend reading this one super fast and not thinking about all the ramifications of every twist or piece of lore too deeply, but the ending really delivered. Midway through I wasn't really sure about my rating, but that ending stuck the landing in a shockingly assured way. I think fans of Erin E. Adams's 'Jackal' will find fascinating resonances with this book, too, though in many ways they're very different works.
November 18, 2023
What Grows in the Dark by Jaq Evans is a horror novel coming out March 5th, 2024. I got an ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review of the book.
Which, in short, is that it was amazing.
The book opens on youtuber duo Brigit, an emotionally unavailable but deeply charismatic scam psychic pretending to be guided by the ghost of her long-dead sister Emma, and Ian, a mostly-optimistic cameraman who came up with the idea for their youtube series. Together they travel the country (a transient lifestyle that particularly suits Brigit’s restlessness and emotional distance) pretending to help people who believe they are afflicted by ghosts or other problems for which one might decide they need a psychic. For a fee, of course.
Between gigs, Brigit gets a call from the small town she grew up in, the town she lived in when her older sister died. Alicia, an ex-girlfriend of Brigit’s sister, grown now and still living in town, wants Brigit’s psychic help solving the disappearance of two teens, and she’s prepared to pay Brigit and her cameraman much more than their standard rate if they’ll come, because the disappearances seem to be linked to Emma’s death all those years ago.
Because they don’t have anything else lined up, because Alicia is offering them a lot of money to make a simple trip, because their youtube channel is not exactly thriving and the pair’s dreams of network syndication have so far failed to come to fruition, and because Ian pushes for it a little as a chance to learn more about his perpetually-distant friend, Brigit agrees.
They arrive in Ellis Creek and Brigit finds herself in the center of a web of her own unhappy memories, deceptions such as Alicia revealing that she is actually the lead detective on the hunt for the missing kids, small town drama, and deeply unsettling experiences that Brigit can’t quite dismiss as mere hallucinations brought on by poor sleep and high stress. As Ian and Brigit investigate, meeting with more locals from Brigit’s past and making what connections they can, things in Ellis Creek only grow stranger, and more dangerous.
Aside from being an exciting, unnerving, and well-plotted book, aside from having characters who felt tangible and complex and real, I loved the writing in this book on a line level. Jaq Evans writes with a visceral clarity that several times had me copying out lines to go “Ooooh” about at my leisure.
Brigit was presented from the start as a complicated character, difficult to get close to, difficult to like. She closes herself off from people emotionally, pushes away at Ian’s attempts to deepen their friendship despite knowing him for some time and literally traveling the country with him, and makes her money by scamming people. Brigit also has an almost uncanny ability to read people, and a keen sense of and regret for her own shortcomings that does not feel performative but genuine. In the first chapter we are introduced to Brigit unequivocally faking a séance, but we also see her doing her best to offer any thread of legitimate help or support she thinks her young client needs. The whole comes together to create a complex woman who has experienced trauma at a young age and has reacted to it by closing herself off from the world—but who also does, on some level, want to help people. She’s not exactly likeable, but she’s understandable, and she’s easy to root for, too.
The POV switches between Brigit and Ian. At first I found Ian a slightly less compelling character than Brigit, but the more I read of him the more his own conflictions and complexities became clear. He’s a character of contradictions, first in the way he differs from Brigit; he wants to be close to Brigit, he wants to be likeable, he doesn’t have the almost uncanny ability to read people that Brigit has, he’s more optimistic. Both Brigit and Ian see themselves as more fundamentally flawed than they are—but it seems to me that Brigit feels more self-recrimination about this whereas Ian gives me the impression of having a little more distance from it, in part because the parts of Ian’s self that he doesn’t like all come back to his dad, a character who is never actively present in the book but who it is revealed first through implication and later through more concrete references to have been an abusive parent. And the narration sets up certain small expectations about Ian that it then turns around on the reader, for example when the two filmmakers have to get checked out at the hospital, Ian has no worry at all about the cost and considers paying for Brigit’s bills as well, only rejecting the idea because he knows she would not want that. From this, for a brief time, the reader might think that Ian comes from a place of privilege. It’s only over the course of the book that the narration reveals that Ian only has any money because of the death of his mother, and the cause of his mother’s death is one of the very few points in the book that I was not very clear on (and also, in the grand scheme of the book, not very vital to know, so in the end it didn’t bother me that I was not very clear on that piece of Ian’s history).
I loved the introduction to Ellis Creek coming from an Ian chapter. As a reader who has never been to this town in this world that Evans created, entering it the first time from the point of view of the character who did not grow up there, who was seeing it as an outsider, made that moment feel so vivid and real.
The scares in the book were uncanny and unsettling, from experiences that Brigit did not know whether to dismiss as hallucinations or fear as malicious visitations, to the fear of the unknown when the characters first delve into the woods at the heart of this story, to abrupt moments of shocking violence, and any time the entity in the woods interacted directly with the characters—whether from within in one of the most absorbing possession scenes I’ve ever read or face to face in the deep dark woods.
I loved the possession scene in this book. Brigit’s frightening visions before and after going into the Dell are uncanny and eerie and unsettling, just top-tier spooky vibes for Halloween-time when I was starting this book. But the possession scene is one of the moments in this book that outshines all the scares leading up to it and really gives the reader something to feel viscerally horrified about. It’s done from the perspective of Ian, who has been possessed by a birch-sapling-monster after spending a night in the Dell. Reading his experience of the possession, feeling his body and hearing his words, doing and saying things outside of his control, the violation of it and on a level he doesn’t want to acknowledge is a thread of something that is not really satisfaction—he doesn’t like or appreciate the way the creature is making him treat Brigit and the others, but it’s also saying a lot of things he has thought, wondered, or even wanted to say and decided better. And then, to realize that the act of possession he had endured was not even about him, that this violation of his body and voice and self was just in the service of hurting someone else, was such a profoundly upsetting moment.
Now I’d like to touch on how I enjoyed the queer representation in this novel. There’s Alicia, who is introduced as a former girlfriend of the late Emma, and who still lives in Ellis Creek working as a detective and trying to help the people in the town. There’s Brigit herself, who, though she uses she/her pronouns for the sake of convenience, is nonbinary and briefly mentions that there’s pain in knowing that Emma will never know that her younger sister also sometimes dates women and that the queer identity is something they could have shared. And there’s Sam, a former classmate of Brigit’s and a friend of one of the missing teens, who is a trans man. One of my favorite things about this queer representation is that it is allowed to be messy. I can’t speak to whether or not Evans felt the pressure many LGBTQ+ authors feel, to write queer characters who are paragons of virtue in an effort to shield the community from prejudice. I can say that if Evans did feel this pressure, the book does an excellent job of moving past that restrictive paradigm and gives the reader queer characters who are complex, messy, with faults and with less virtuous sides, and who are all the more relatable for it, and who are still trying to do their best just like everybody, and who the reader still roots for.
One potential pitfall of any supernatural horror with monsters in it is the moment the monster is revealed. It’s a make-or-break moment, and there are so many ways to stumble over it. The movie Mama, for example, falls into a couple of those traps—the monster is revealed too soon, and the monster is not scary enough to carry the rest of the movie after that moment. What Grows in the Dark avoids that pitfall. There is a scene in the woods that involves all of the characters except Brigit, when something horrifying happens just behind Ian, and that was a delightfully creepy-crawly moment.
The other place that I feel horror can struggle is with endings (there was a reason a running joke in 2019’s It Chapter Two was that Bill Denbrough’s endings suck). If the evil is defeated too tidily it feels a little trite. If everyone dies, it feels too grim. Without giving any spoilers, I think that the ending of What Grows in the Dark walks the line between those potential issues in a way that is very compelling, and in a way that leaves the reader thinking not only about the complexity of fighting evil forces, but the complexity in moving on with one’s life after a traumatic event.
The plot threads all came together beautifully, the scares ranged from eerie and unsettling to crawling-skin upsetting, the pacing kept me turning pages, and the character writing was complex and nuanced and compelling. Overall, I’m happy to give What Grows in the Dark by Jaq Evans five stars.
This review has been an excerpt from my monthly newsletter, C.J. Dotson’s Dreadful Dispatch. You can find the rest of this issue of the newsletter at https://cjdotsonsdreadfuldispatch.sub... , complete with a writing update and some horror chat as well as my review of the recent (and sensational) horror movie Talk to Me, plus some pictures of my pets. If you like what you read, subscribe!
Which, in short, is that it was amazing.
The book opens on youtuber duo Brigit, an emotionally unavailable but deeply charismatic scam psychic pretending to be guided by the ghost of her long-dead sister Emma, and Ian, a mostly-optimistic cameraman who came up with the idea for their youtube series. Together they travel the country (a transient lifestyle that particularly suits Brigit’s restlessness and emotional distance) pretending to help people who believe they are afflicted by ghosts or other problems for which one might decide they need a psychic. For a fee, of course.
Between gigs, Brigit gets a call from the small town she grew up in, the town she lived in when her older sister died. Alicia, an ex-girlfriend of Brigit’s sister, grown now and still living in town, wants Brigit’s psychic help solving the disappearance of two teens, and she’s prepared to pay Brigit and her cameraman much more than their standard rate if they’ll come, because the disappearances seem to be linked to Emma’s death all those years ago.
Because they don’t have anything else lined up, because Alicia is offering them a lot of money to make a simple trip, because their youtube channel is not exactly thriving and the pair’s dreams of network syndication have so far failed to come to fruition, and because Ian pushes for it a little as a chance to learn more about his perpetually-distant friend, Brigit agrees.
They arrive in Ellis Creek and Brigit finds herself in the center of a web of her own unhappy memories, deceptions such as Alicia revealing that she is actually the lead detective on the hunt for the missing kids, small town drama, and deeply unsettling experiences that Brigit can’t quite dismiss as mere hallucinations brought on by poor sleep and high stress. As Ian and Brigit investigate, meeting with more locals from Brigit’s past and making what connections they can, things in Ellis Creek only grow stranger, and more dangerous.
Aside from being an exciting, unnerving, and well-plotted book, aside from having characters who felt tangible and complex and real, I loved the writing in this book on a line level. Jaq Evans writes with a visceral clarity that several times had me copying out lines to go “Ooooh” about at my leisure.
Brigit was presented from the start as a complicated character, difficult to get close to, difficult to like. She closes herself off from people emotionally, pushes away at Ian’s attempts to deepen their friendship despite knowing him for some time and literally traveling the country with him, and makes her money by scamming people. Brigit also has an almost uncanny ability to read people, and a keen sense of and regret for her own shortcomings that does not feel performative but genuine. In the first chapter we are introduced to Brigit unequivocally faking a séance, but we also see her doing her best to offer any thread of legitimate help or support she thinks her young client needs. The whole comes together to create a complex woman who has experienced trauma at a young age and has reacted to it by closing herself off from the world—but who also does, on some level, want to help people. She’s not exactly likeable, but she’s understandable, and she’s easy to root for, too.
The POV switches between Brigit and Ian. At first I found Ian a slightly less compelling character than Brigit, but the more I read of him the more his own conflictions and complexities became clear. He’s a character of contradictions, first in the way he differs from Brigit; he wants to be close to Brigit, he wants to be likeable, he doesn’t have the almost uncanny ability to read people that Brigit has, he’s more optimistic. Both Brigit and Ian see themselves as more fundamentally flawed than they are—but it seems to me that Brigit feels more self-recrimination about this whereas Ian gives me the impression of having a little more distance from it, in part because the parts of Ian’s self that he doesn’t like all come back to his dad, a character who is never actively present in the book but who it is revealed first through implication and later through more concrete references to have been an abusive parent. And the narration sets up certain small expectations about Ian that it then turns around on the reader, for example when the two filmmakers have to get checked out at the hospital, Ian has no worry at all about the cost and considers paying for Brigit’s bills as well, only rejecting the idea because he knows she would not want that. From this, for a brief time, the reader might think that Ian comes from a place of privilege. It’s only over the course of the book that the narration reveals that Ian only has any money because of the death of his mother, and the cause of his mother’s death is one of the very few points in the book that I was not very clear on (and also, in the grand scheme of the book, not very vital to know, so in the end it didn’t bother me that I was not very clear on that piece of Ian’s history).
I loved the introduction to Ellis Creek coming from an Ian chapter. As a reader who has never been to this town in this world that Evans created, entering it the first time from the point of view of the character who did not grow up there, who was seeing it as an outsider, made that moment feel so vivid and real.
The scares in the book were uncanny and unsettling, from experiences that Brigit did not know whether to dismiss as hallucinations or fear as malicious visitations, to the fear of the unknown when the characters first delve into the woods at the heart of this story, to abrupt moments of shocking violence, and any time the entity in the woods interacted directly with the characters—whether from within in one of the most absorbing possession scenes I’ve ever read or face to face in the deep dark woods.
I loved the possession scene in this book. Brigit’s frightening visions before and after going into the Dell are uncanny and eerie and unsettling, just top-tier spooky vibes for Halloween-time when I was starting this book. But the possession scene is one of the moments in this book that outshines all the scares leading up to it and really gives the reader something to feel viscerally horrified about. It’s done from the perspective of Ian, who has been possessed by a birch-sapling-monster after spending a night in the Dell. Reading his experience of the possession, feeling his body and hearing his words, doing and saying things outside of his control, the violation of it and on a level he doesn’t want to acknowledge is a thread of something that is not really satisfaction—he doesn’t like or appreciate the way the creature is making him treat Brigit and the others, but it’s also saying a lot of things he has thought, wondered, or even wanted to say and decided better. And then, to realize that the act of possession he had endured was not even about him, that this violation of his body and voice and self was just in the service of hurting someone else, was such a profoundly upsetting moment.
Now I’d like to touch on how I enjoyed the queer representation in this novel. There’s Alicia, who is introduced as a former girlfriend of the late Emma, and who still lives in Ellis Creek working as a detective and trying to help the people in the town. There’s Brigit herself, who, though she uses she/her pronouns for the sake of convenience, is nonbinary and briefly mentions that there’s pain in knowing that Emma will never know that her younger sister also sometimes dates women and that the queer identity is something they could have shared. And there’s Sam, a former classmate of Brigit’s and a friend of one of the missing teens, who is a trans man. One of my favorite things about this queer representation is that it is allowed to be messy. I can’t speak to whether or not Evans felt the pressure many LGBTQ+ authors feel, to write queer characters who are paragons of virtue in an effort to shield the community from prejudice. I can say that if Evans did feel this pressure, the book does an excellent job of moving past that restrictive paradigm and gives the reader queer characters who are complex, messy, with faults and with less virtuous sides, and who are all the more relatable for it, and who are still trying to do their best just like everybody, and who the reader still roots for.
One potential pitfall of any supernatural horror with monsters in it is the moment the monster is revealed. It’s a make-or-break moment, and there are so many ways to stumble over it. The movie Mama, for example, falls into a couple of those traps—the monster is revealed too soon, and the monster is not scary enough to carry the rest of the movie after that moment. What Grows in the Dark avoids that pitfall. There is a scene in the woods that involves all of the characters except Brigit, when something horrifying happens just behind Ian, and that was a delightfully creepy-crawly moment.
The other place that I feel horror can struggle is with endings (there was a reason a running joke in 2019’s It Chapter Two was that Bill Denbrough’s endings suck). If the evil is defeated too tidily it feels a little trite. If everyone dies, it feels too grim. Without giving any spoilers, I think that the ending of What Grows in the Dark walks the line between those potential issues in a way that is very compelling, and in a way that leaves the reader thinking not only about the complexity of fighting evil forces, but the complexity in moving on with one’s life after a traumatic event.
The plot threads all came together beautifully, the scares ranged from eerie and unsettling to crawling-skin upsetting, the pacing kept me turning pages, and the character writing was complex and nuanced and compelling. Overall, I’m happy to give What Grows in the Dark by Jaq Evans five stars.
This review has been an excerpt from my monthly newsletter, C.J. Dotson’s Dreadful Dispatch. You can find the rest of this issue of the newsletter at https://cjdotsonsdreadfuldispatch.sub... , complete with a writing update and some horror chat as well as my review of the recent (and sensational) horror movie Talk to Me, plus some pictures of my pets. If you like what you read, subscribe!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2024
I find that one of the most exciting things about reviewing books – whether it be Horror or any other genre – is the thrill of discovering novels by debut authors. Not counting the general idea of the story given by the synopsis, it allows me to venture into the pages of a novel completely in the dark, completely at the whim of the author and any twists, turns or surprises they may have in store. In all of the years I’ve been writing about Horror, that exhilarating journey of discovery is something I’m constantly chasing and what keeps me going. I forget how I first heard about Jaq Evans’ What Grows in the Dark – I think it may have been a Most Anticipated of 2024 list – but when I put out a call that The Horror Bookshelf was once again open to review requests, Evans was the first author to reach out. The synopsis hooked me immediately and combined with glowing blurbs from Sequoia Nagamatsu and Keith Rosson – two of my favorite genre-bending writers – What Grows in the Dark was a slam dunk pick to be my first read of 2024!
What Grows in the Dark follows Brigit Weylan, a phony spiritualist, and her cameraman Ian as they travel the country investigating paranormal phenomena and faking the results for their Youtube show. Brigit and Ian tell themselves that they’re offering people a spiritual placebo effect, helping them to feel less alone by acknowledging their stories and giving them peace of mind. That unofficial mission statement has a special meaning to Brigit and may be the reason she agreed to host the show in the first place. Brigit’s own sister, Emma, walked into the woods – known as the Dell – surrounding their small hometown Ellis Creek sixteen years ago and never walked out. In the months preceding her death, Emma warned of a monster that lived in the forest, but no one believed her and instead just labeled her as troubled. Brigit fled the resulting media whirlwind and never looked back. That is, until she receives a phone call from someone in her past. Someone who knew Emma and needs help locating two missing teenagers whose disappearance has eerie similarities to Emma’s. Brigit has no choice but to venture back to Ellis Creek and figure out what exactly has been lurking in the woods all these years.
I’ve always been a sucker for small-town horror novels, especially ones that take place in remote areas like the mountains or woodlands, so I was immediately drawn to Evans’ portrayal of the Dell. In fact, some of my favorite scenes take place during Brigit and Ian’s nighttime excursion into the Dell. I think part of it has to do with my own experiences growing up and spending lots of time in the woods, especially at night. There is something both beautiful and unsettling about the quiet that permeates the woods and how completely enveloping the darkness can be. It’s sometimes disorienting and combined with that level of isolation, every unexpected noise or trick of the shadows can set you on edge, even if just for a split second.
Evans does a wonderful job capturing that tension throughout What Grows in the Dark and the portrayal of the Dell creates a unique approach to both folk horror and environmental horror. It transforms the setting into another character, which is something I have always loved. Not only is the Dell the main location of the story’s central mysteries, but also is something that can be shaped and molded into something dangerous, and at times even seeming alive. Whether that is the result of something supernatural or just the perception of the characters due to the legends surrounding it, that journey is one of the things that makes What Grows in the Dark a fascinating read. However, I wish there was more history given on the locations and some of the mysteries that were buried in the Dell’s past. Evans does shine some light on them through the use of interludes, which includes snippets from old newspaper articles, interviews and other transcripts, but it still leaves things a little too vague, in my opinion. I’m the type of reader who always craves more though, especially in books I enjoy like this one, so your opinion may vary in that regard.
One of the central components of What Grows in the Dark are lies, both intentional and subconscious. There are moments throughout the novel where each of the characters keep secrets from the rest of the group and sometimes, even from themselves. These lies help shape the narrative and play a large role in the constantly shifting character relationship dynamics. Evans explores these by giving readers a glimpse inside the thoughts and internal monologues of the characters – particularly Brigit and Ian – and as a result, helps readers get to know these characters intimately. However, this impacted the pace for me at times during the story, but only briefly.
What Grows in the Dark is an atmospheric, chilling read and I don’t want to give away too many of the book’s secrets, but I will say Evans crafts some inventive, eerie scares that are among my favorites I’ve read recently and will make your skin crawl. There were some minor things that didn’t work for me, but overall, What Grows in the Dark is a strong debut and I will definitely be checking out more of Evans’ work in the future!
What Grows in the Dark follows Brigit Weylan, a phony spiritualist, and her cameraman Ian as they travel the country investigating paranormal phenomena and faking the results for their Youtube show. Brigit and Ian tell themselves that they’re offering people a spiritual placebo effect, helping them to feel less alone by acknowledging their stories and giving them peace of mind. That unofficial mission statement has a special meaning to Brigit and may be the reason she agreed to host the show in the first place. Brigit’s own sister, Emma, walked into the woods – known as the Dell – surrounding their small hometown Ellis Creek sixteen years ago and never walked out. In the months preceding her death, Emma warned of a monster that lived in the forest, but no one believed her and instead just labeled her as troubled. Brigit fled the resulting media whirlwind and never looked back. That is, until she receives a phone call from someone in her past. Someone who knew Emma and needs help locating two missing teenagers whose disappearance has eerie similarities to Emma’s. Brigit has no choice but to venture back to Ellis Creek and figure out what exactly has been lurking in the woods all these years.
I’ve always been a sucker for small-town horror novels, especially ones that take place in remote areas like the mountains or woodlands, so I was immediately drawn to Evans’ portrayal of the Dell. In fact, some of my favorite scenes take place during Brigit and Ian’s nighttime excursion into the Dell. I think part of it has to do with my own experiences growing up and spending lots of time in the woods, especially at night. There is something both beautiful and unsettling about the quiet that permeates the woods and how completely enveloping the darkness can be. It’s sometimes disorienting and combined with that level of isolation, every unexpected noise or trick of the shadows can set you on edge, even if just for a split second.
Evans does a wonderful job capturing that tension throughout What Grows in the Dark and the portrayal of the Dell creates a unique approach to both folk horror and environmental horror. It transforms the setting into another character, which is something I have always loved. Not only is the Dell the main location of the story’s central mysteries, but also is something that can be shaped and molded into something dangerous, and at times even seeming alive. Whether that is the result of something supernatural or just the perception of the characters due to the legends surrounding it, that journey is one of the things that makes What Grows in the Dark a fascinating read. However, I wish there was more history given on the locations and some of the mysteries that were buried in the Dell’s past. Evans does shine some light on them through the use of interludes, which includes snippets from old newspaper articles, interviews and other transcripts, but it still leaves things a little too vague, in my opinion. I’m the type of reader who always craves more though, especially in books I enjoy like this one, so your opinion may vary in that regard.
One of the central components of What Grows in the Dark are lies, both intentional and subconscious. There are moments throughout the novel where each of the characters keep secrets from the rest of the group and sometimes, even from themselves. These lies help shape the narrative and play a large role in the constantly shifting character relationship dynamics. Evans explores these by giving readers a glimpse inside the thoughts and internal monologues of the characters – particularly Brigit and Ian – and as a result, helps readers get to know these characters intimately. However, this impacted the pace for me at times during the story, but only briefly.
What Grows in the Dark is an atmospheric, chilling read and I don’t want to give away too many of the book’s secrets, but I will say Evans crafts some inventive, eerie scares that are among my favorites I’ve read recently and will make your skin crawl. There were some minor things that didn’t work for me, but overall, What Grows in the Dark is a strong debut and I will definitely be checking out more of Evans’ work in the future!
Read
March 26, 2024Beautiful cover. I had to look hard to see that this would be the image of someone laying on the ground and looking up.
I took a chance on this one. It's off my beaten path of books that I like to read but I tried it. I obviously need to stick with what I know I like, so I'm not rating it.
I took a chance on this one. It's off my beaten path of books that I like to read but I tried it. I obviously need to stick with what I know I like, so I'm not rating it.
March 6, 2024
Brigit and Ian have a good thing going. It isn't great, yet, but someday soon they'll be famous and land a regular TV show. What do they do? They're paranormal con artists. They take on cases and then record themselves dealing with the hauntings. They have a little help from Brigit’s older sister, Emma, who years ago walked into the woods and didn't walk back out.
How can Emma be helping you might ask? Easy, she isn't. Ian records while Brigit pretends to call on Emma to help with the investigations. The plan works until they receive a phone call asking to help with a case back home. As that case evolves it feels more and more like Emma's.
History either repeats itself or echoes, and whatever is growing in the dark of the woods might actually be part of a pattern going back generations.
Before Emma disappeared, she was convinced there was a monster in the woods. Emma may have been troubled, as people claimed, but the woods may hold the secret to what was troubling her.
With small town drama so real it reminds you why you don't move back to your childhood town, to creepy vibes from the woods we know so well, this story lures us in then ambushes us leaving us to reflect on themes like family, loyalty, grief, and guilt.
Jaq Evan’s What Grows In The Dark is waiting for you, just like the woods have waited for Brigit.
How can Emma be helping you might ask? Easy, she isn't. Ian records while Brigit pretends to call on Emma to help with the investigations. The plan works until they receive a phone call asking to help with a case back home. As that case evolves it feels more and more like Emma's.
History either repeats itself or echoes, and whatever is growing in the dark of the woods might actually be part of a pattern going back generations.
Before Emma disappeared, she was convinced there was a monster in the woods. Emma may have been troubled, as people claimed, but the woods may hold the secret to what was troubling her.
With small town drama so real it reminds you why you don't move back to your childhood town, to creepy vibes from the woods we know so well, this story lures us in then ambushes us leaving us to reflect on themes like family, loyalty, grief, and guilt.
Jaq Evan’s What Grows In The Dark is waiting for you, just like the woods have waited for Brigit.
March 5, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
The title of this book is a bit on the nose, considering the themes within the story and the characters drawn into the tangled nest of madness, grief, and isolation. There’s Sam, the transgender man who refuses to be a martyr, who only wants to live his life in a small, insular town. We have the bartender, Max, who doesn’t want to get involved in someone else’s life. And Alicia, who before she was the only woman (and an Asian woman at that) on her small police force had a girlfriend who suffered from self harm and fits of mania and despair, a girlfriend she broke up with days before her death, and Alicia carries the guilt of what she didn’t do and didn’t say. And there is Lacey, the waitress who is the friend of one of the missing teenagers, who has her own secrets.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
The title of this book is a bit on the nose, considering the themes within the story and the characters drawn into the tangled nest of madness, grief, and isolation. There’s Sam, the transgender man who refuses to be a martyr, who only wants to live his life in a small, insular town. We have the bartender, Max, who doesn’t want to get involved in someone else’s life. And Alicia, who before she was the only woman (and an Asian woman at that) on her small police force had a girlfriend who suffered from self harm and fits of mania and despair, a girlfriend she broke up with days before her death, and Alicia carries the guilt of what she didn’t do and didn’t say. And there is Lacey, the waitress who is the friend of one of the missing teenagers, who has her own secrets.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
February 19, 2024
Full thoughts: https://fictionmajorette.blogspot.com...
For the first half of the read, this felt like a pretty straightforward mystery. Brigit and Ian were investigating by non-paranormal means such as interviewing locals and doing some research at the local library. As the plot progressed, the horror elements came in and slowly escalated until by the last 75%, we were in a straight up horror movie and it was fantastic.
The actual horror elements were pretty solid in the folk horror category - complete with creepy forests and unnamed entities within. For a while, I was wondering if this would turn into an unreliable narrator read where we aren't sure if the horrors are real or imagined. The scene where the horror elements were solidified as being real is a scene I'm not going to forget soon.
Brigit and Ian were wonderfully complex characters and I loved getting both of their POVs. We certainly get a lot of character work but the mystery investigation plot is also very well developed. We are dropped into this read in the middle of Brigit and Ian working a job and the plot takes off from there. We don't get much of any sort of summary of their relationship or history - rather, Evans sprinkles in details throughout the story and by the end we have such a great understanding of them as individual characters as well as their relationship.
Overall, this was a fantastic read and one I don't think I'll forget about easily. Complex characters, good mystery plot, and great horror elements. I'd love to read more from Evans in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley and MIRA for the ARC. Expected publication date is March 5, 2024
For the first half of the read, this felt like a pretty straightforward mystery. Brigit and Ian were investigating by non-paranormal means such as interviewing locals and doing some research at the local library. As the plot progressed, the horror elements came in and slowly escalated until by the last 75%, we were in a straight up horror movie and it was fantastic.
The actual horror elements were pretty solid in the folk horror category - complete with creepy forests and unnamed entities within. For a while, I was wondering if this would turn into an unreliable narrator read where we aren't sure if the horrors are real or imagined. The scene where the horror elements were solidified as being real is a scene I'm not going to forget soon.
Brigit and Ian were wonderfully complex characters and I loved getting both of their POVs. We certainly get a lot of character work but the mystery investigation plot is also very well developed. We are dropped into this read in the middle of Brigit and Ian working a job and the plot takes off from there. We don't get much of any sort of summary of their relationship or history - rather, Evans sprinkles in details throughout the story and by the end we have such a great understanding of them as individual characters as well as their relationship.
Overall, this was a fantastic read and one I don't think I'll forget about easily. Complex characters, good mystery plot, and great horror elements. I'd love to read more from Evans in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley and MIRA for the ARC. Expected publication date is March 5, 2024
November 28, 2023
What do you expect or want from a book before you start reading ?
I want to be kept on my toes in anticipation of what will happen next.
I want that can’t stop won’t stop feeling when I know I should really only read just “one more chapter”
And ultimately I want characters who feel real and relative .
Well…
Check ✔️
Check ✔️
Check ✔️
This book checks off every box on my list for what I believe is a soon to be bestseller .
I was consumed early on and didn’t want to put this book down for even a bathroom break.
Jaq Evans, has blown my mind with this debut stunner, What Grows in the Dark, due out March 5, 2024 ! You don’t want to miss this one!
Don’t believe me? Check out this teaser :
In this chilling contemporary horror novel, a phony spiritualist returns to her hometown to assist in an investigation that eerily mirrors her sister’s death, forcing her to confront the secrets she’s been running from.
Sixteen years ago, Brigit Weylan’s older sister, Emma, walked into the woods in their small hometown of Ellis Creek. She never walked out. People said she was troubled—in the months leading up to her death, she was convinced there was a monster in those trees. Marked by the tragedy, Brigit left town and never looked back.
Now Brigit travels around the country investigating paranormal activity (and faking the results) with her cameraman, Ian. But when she receives a call from Ellis Creek, she’s thrust into the middle of a search for two missing teenagers. As Brigit and Ian are drawn further into the case, the parallels to Emma’s death become undeniable. And worse, Brigit can’t explain what’s happening to her: trees appearing in her bedroom in the middle of the night, something with a very familiar laugh watching her out in the darkness, and Emma’s voice on her phone, reminding Brigit to finish what they started.
More and more, it looks like Emma was right: there is a monster in Ellis Creek, and it’s waited a long time for Brigit to come home.
I want to be kept on my toes in anticipation of what will happen next.
I want that can’t stop won’t stop feeling when I know I should really only read just “one more chapter”
And ultimately I want characters who feel real and relative .
Well…
Check ✔️
Check ✔️
Check ✔️
This book checks off every box on my list for what I believe is a soon to be bestseller .
I was consumed early on and didn’t want to put this book down for even a bathroom break.
Jaq Evans, has blown my mind with this debut stunner, What Grows in the Dark, due out March 5, 2024 ! You don’t want to miss this one!
Don’t believe me? Check out this teaser :
In this chilling contemporary horror novel, a phony spiritualist returns to her hometown to assist in an investigation that eerily mirrors her sister’s death, forcing her to confront the secrets she’s been running from.
Sixteen years ago, Brigit Weylan’s older sister, Emma, walked into the woods in their small hometown of Ellis Creek. She never walked out. People said she was troubled—in the months leading up to her death, she was convinced there was a monster in those trees. Marked by the tragedy, Brigit left town and never looked back.
Now Brigit travels around the country investigating paranormal activity (and faking the results) with her cameraman, Ian. But when she receives a call from Ellis Creek, she’s thrust into the middle of a search for two missing teenagers. As Brigit and Ian are drawn further into the case, the parallels to Emma’s death become undeniable. And worse, Brigit can’t explain what’s happening to her: trees appearing in her bedroom in the middle of the night, something with a very familiar laugh watching her out in the darkness, and Emma’s voice on her phone, reminding Brigit to finish what they started.
More and more, it looks like Emma was right: there is a monster in Ellis Creek, and it’s waited a long time for Brigit to come home.
January 29, 2024
I love when a debut slaps!! This didn’t feel like a debut and I can’t wait to read more from Jaq Evan’s.
What grows in the dark is part investigation story, part supernatural thriller, working so ridiculously well together. I was on edge the whole time.
Years ago, Brigit lost her sister. She walked into the woods in their hometown and never came out. Now, people are missing in an eerily similar way and Brigit is called back to investigate. Brigit is a phony, though… She and her camera man go around and search for supernatural activity, faking results for payment, leaving many unforgiving of her predatory practices.
She encounters much more than she bargained for back home in Ellis Creek. With more and more unexplainable things happening surrounding the missing teens, Brigit is putting herself and Ian in danger searching for the truth.
The ways this book freaked me out, OMG! The woods can be a scary place, but in this book, it can be INVASIVE. This takes twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting and I enjoyed it so much.
What grows in the dark is part investigation story, part supernatural thriller, working so ridiculously well together. I was on edge the whole time.
Years ago, Brigit lost her sister. She walked into the woods in their hometown and never came out. Now, people are missing in an eerily similar way and Brigit is called back to investigate. Brigit is a phony, though… She and her camera man go around and search for supernatural activity, faking results for payment, leaving many unforgiving of her predatory practices.
She encounters much more than she bargained for back home in Ellis Creek. With more and more unexplainable things happening surrounding the missing teens, Brigit is putting herself and Ian in danger searching for the truth.
The ways this book freaked me out, OMG! The woods can be a scary place, but in this book, it can be INVASIVE. This takes twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting and I enjoyed it so much.
February 26, 2024
Thank you, NetGalley, for early access to this book.
What Grows in the Dark is a spooky thriller that made my skin crawl.
I enjoyed the dual point of view, getting to experience things from Brigit and Ian's perspectives. It made me more invested, wanting to understand the mystery of Ellis Creek. And the use of interludes to provide expository information moved the story along without bogging down the plot.
This book often gave me "Blair Witch Project" vibes, making me wonder what was in the Dell and how it connected all these people.
Through the mystery and hair-raising moments, What Grows in the Dark answers a basic question: What would you do to protect the people you care about?
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes horror, characters who recognize and own their flaws, and thinking about the creepy and ancient things that live in the woods of their small town.
What Grows in the Dark is a spooky thriller that made my skin crawl.
I enjoyed the dual point of view, getting to experience things from Brigit and Ian's perspectives. It made me more invested, wanting to understand the mystery of Ellis Creek. And the use of interludes to provide expository information moved the story along without bogging down the plot.
This book often gave me "Blair Witch Project" vibes, making me wonder what was in the Dell and how it connected all these people.
Through the mystery and hair-raising moments, What Grows in the Dark answers a basic question: What would you do to protect the people you care about?
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes horror, characters who recognize and own their flaws, and thinking about the creepy and ancient things that live in the woods of their small town.
March 5, 2024
You will not be able to put this one down!! What a fabulous debut from Jaq Evans! This story is told through differents POVs which allows it to take you on a paranormal thrill ride. It constantly had me second guessing everything, and the plot twist caught me totally off guard. I can’t wait to read more from her in the future.
January 26, 2024
3.5⭐️ I really wanted to love this book. Although it was very creepy at times, it didn't grip me as much as I would have liked. I really did like the storyline and the reveals as the story progressed.
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