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Darkness There but Something More
After the loss of her baby and subsequent divorce, Edgar Allen Poe scholar Marissa Owens leaves her tenured job as an English professor for a fresh start at her alma mater, Blackthorn University. As she begins to feel like herself again, one of her favorite students goes missing.Then, the police find the body.The investigation descends upon the campus, and familiar clues begin to surface. This triggers a disturbing memory from Marissa’s own dark past at Blackthorn—one she has attempted to keep buried.
284 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2024
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62 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 23, 2024
This was a quick read, though a bit predictable. It centers on Marissa, who takes a teaching job at her Alma Mater after the death of her newborn baby and subsequent divorce. The college holds bad memories for her and when a favorite student disappears, it brings back ghosts from her own college days. The book is told entirely from Marissa’s POV (with the exception of one chapter from an unknown person), between current time in the first person and Marissa’s college years in the 3rd person.
I couldn’t really relate to Marissa but I did find her to be a mostly likable character. I do wish there was more action and less internal narrative, though. There really wasn’t much related to Poe in this book, which was a bit of a disappointment. I was surprised when the villain was revealed, despite other parts of the book being more predictable, but I did feel that the reveal was a bit unrealistic. I thought the ending was pretty well done and was faster paced than the chapters leading up to it.
Overall, this wasn’t exactly what I expected and I didn’t see too many twists, but I did think it was a quick (and overall decent) read. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I couldn’t really relate to Marissa but I did find her to be a mostly likable character. I do wish there was more action and less internal narrative, though. There really wasn’t much related to Poe in this book, which was a bit of a disappointment. I was surprised when the villain was revealed, despite other parts of the book being more predictable, but I did feel that the reveal was a bit unrealistic. I thought the ending was pretty well done and was faster paced than the chapters leading up to it.
Overall, this wasn’t exactly what I expected and I didn’t see too many twists, but I did think it was a quick (and overall decent) read. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2024
5☆☆☆☆☆
A dark and twisty thriller. Beautifully written with an eerie vibe. Amazing writing that will draw you deep into the story. A dark past that she thought was hidden forever is now resurfacing and causing chaos. This was a very good thriller.
A dark and twisty thriller. Beautifully written with an eerie vibe. Amazing writing that will draw you deep into the story. A dark past that she thought was hidden forever is now resurfacing and causing chaos. This was a very good thriller.
April 14, 2024
This book was my first book first book from this author. It was a very ominous, foreboding, mysterious thriller. I liked the story but I think some of it could have been better. The ending was kind of lackluster. I wish the author pushed it a little more, maybe more twists and some shocking at the end of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing for providing me with a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2024
(Advance Review Copy from NetGalley)
I’ve actually been trying to avoid negative reviews the past few years, either DNF a book or being more selective in what I read – I realize now this is a potential drawback of getting addicted to NetGalley!
Darkness There, But Something More – absolutely intrigued me with the title and drew me either further into it with the promise of Poe and an absolutely badass Book Cover!
But I was ultimately disappointed by this book. I reread the blurb and discovered that really the blurb almost tells you everything that happens in the book, I honestly believe that this piece could have been a short story or novelette length and probably retained all the dramatic points and skipped a lot of info-dumping.
The main problem with the work is an abundance of ‘tell’. Almost everything that occurs is relayed in relatively dry and factual prose, when I started into the book I thought that perhaps I was just getting the backstory setup as the MC described the events that led her to the current situation, but no, almost the whole book is presented this way. Aside from the beyond awkward sex scene there is little sensory information, everyone’s dialogue sounds the same, dry as a bone. Much of the book is padded with info dumping about the MC’s experiences as a lecturer, but not the interesting ones, just random ruminations about mundane student complaints and so forth.
As mentioned the plot is largely explained in the blurb but had a lot of tonal whiplash, its hard to explain without spoilers, an example: the MC after being well established as a relatively upstanding, even naïve and innocent, character (other than the ‘dark secret’ which even isn’t the worse fictional dark secret) – almost inexplicably takes a SWITCHBLADE to a meetup with another character. There’s no indication of how a university lecturer procured such a blade or a smoothing of the jarring character decision (not to mention the blade never gets a mention again so it wasn’t some sort of Chekov thing).
Lastly, there really wasn’t much Edgar Ellen Poe to this story. There were some clever references and I guess the story could be mirrored in Poe’s tales. But, overall at times I wondered if he’d just been forgotten, the style of the book certainly doesn’t fit and for a character who lectures in the subject (and tells us their thoughts every page) there is a remarkable lack of Poe.
I hate to leave a poor review, but also need to be honest. Darkness There reads more like a cozy mystery novella, rather than “Dark Suspense.” Overall it feels like it needed a major developmental edit to remove some basic writing faux pas. The author seems like a talented and experienced writer so I’m not sure if this work was a side project or foray into a different genre, but this book isn’t a hit.
I’ve actually been trying to avoid negative reviews the past few years, either DNF a book or being more selective in what I read – I realize now this is a potential drawback of getting addicted to NetGalley!
Darkness There, But Something More – absolutely intrigued me with the title and drew me either further into it with the promise of Poe and an absolutely badass Book Cover!
But I was ultimately disappointed by this book. I reread the blurb and discovered that really the blurb almost tells you everything that happens in the book, I honestly believe that this piece could have been a short story or novelette length and probably retained all the dramatic points and skipped a lot of info-dumping.
The main problem with the work is an abundance of ‘tell’. Almost everything that occurs is relayed in relatively dry and factual prose, when I started into the book I thought that perhaps I was just getting the backstory setup as the MC described the events that led her to the current situation, but no, almost the whole book is presented this way. Aside from the beyond awkward sex scene there is little sensory information, everyone’s dialogue sounds the same, dry as a bone. Much of the book is padded with info dumping about the MC’s experiences as a lecturer, but not the interesting ones, just random ruminations about mundane student complaints and so forth.
As mentioned the plot is largely explained in the blurb but had a lot of tonal whiplash, its hard to explain without spoilers, an example: the MC after being well established as a relatively upstanding, even naïve and innocent, character (other than the ‘dark secret’ which even isn’t the worse fictional dark secret) – almost inexplicably takes a SWITCHBLADE to a meetup with another character. There’s no indication of how a university lecturer procured such a blade or a smoothing of the jarring character decision (not to mention the blade never gets a mention again so it wasn’t some sort of Chekov thing).
Lastly, there really wasn’t much Edgar Ellen Poe to this story. There were some clever references and I guess the story could be mirrored in Poe’s tales. But, overall at times I wondered if he’d just been forgotten, the style of the book certainly doesn’t fit and for a character who lectures in the subject (and tells us their thoughts every page) there is a remarkable lack of Poe.
I hate to leave a poor review, but also need to be honest. Darkness There reads more like a cozy mystery novella, rather than “Dark Suspense.” Overall it feels like it needed a major developmental edit to remove some basic writing faux pas. The author seems like a talented and experienced writer so I’m not sure if this work was a side project or foray into a different genre, but this book isn’t a hit.
January 31, 2024
ARC for review. To be published March 1, 2024.
Marissa Owens is an English professor and an Edgar Allan Poe specialist. She has recently lost her newborn daughter and gotten a divorce. She decides to start over by leaving her tenured position and takes a one year teaching job at her alma mater, Blackthorn University. She hasn’t been there long when one of her students, Hadley Parker, is murdered. Marissa decides she needs to get to the bottom of the crime and this leads her to revisit her student days.
This plot was ludicrous, but there were ultimately a couple of dealbreakers for me. First, I usually love books set in academia, especially those that involve Greek life, but here the author is clearly virulently against sororities to the point that I, a member, couldn’t help but take it a bit personally. We are not all bad people. And the West Virginia incest “joke” was in bad taste and wasn’t funny at all…you lost an extra star for that, taking you down to the one star. Skip this one.
Marissa Owens is an English professor and an Edgar Allan Poe specialist. She has recently lost her newborn daughter and gotten a divorce. She decides to start over by leaving her tenured position and takes a one year teaching job at her alma mater, Blackthorn University. She hasn’t been there long when one of her students, Hadley Parker, is murdered. Marissa decides she needs to get to the bottom of the crime and this leads her to revisit her student days.
This plot was ludicrous, but there were ultimately a couple of dealbreakers for me. First, I usually love books set in academia, especially those that involve Greek life, but here the author is clearly virulently against sororities to the point that I, a member, couldn’t help but take it a bit personally. We are not all bad people. And the West Virginia incest “joke” was in bad taste and wasn’t funny at all…you lost an extra star for that, taking you down to the one star. Skip this one.
February 1, 2024
I received a free ARC, and this review is voluntary.
Marissa Owens has had a tough one lately. After her marriage dissolved, and being replaced in her position at Sainsbury, she agrees to a one year contract as a visiting professor at her undergraduate alma mater, Blackthorn. With the encouragement of a professor from that time period, Candace, whom is now department chair and helping Dr. Owens settle back in, Marissa finds new and old comforts with this direction in her life. A student in one class captures her attention, for they share a similar personality. As each course taught moves the needle of time forward, this student goes missing. As the police conduct their investigation into this disappearance, Marissa becomes entangled. Long-forgotten memories resurface of her time at Blackthorn, and how her past may be connected to this case.
I enjoyed it, and I appreciate what the author has done here by not only paying homage to Poe, but also crafting a story that I think he would respect, and find admiration for.
Marissa Owens has had a tough one lately. After her marriage dissolved, and being replaced in her position at Sainsbury, she agrees to a one year contract as a visiting professor at her undergraduate alma mater, Blackthorn. With the encouragement of a professor from that time period, Candace, whom is now department chair and helping Dr. Owens settle back in, Marissa finds new and old comforts with this direction in her life. A student in one class captures her attention, for they share a similar personality. As each course taught moves the needle of time forward, this student goes missing. As the police conduct their investigation into this disappearance, Marissa becomes entangled. Long-forgotten memories resurface of her time at Blackthorn, and how her past may be connected to this case.
I enjoyed it, and I appreciate what the author has done here by not only paying homage to Poe, but also crafting a story that I think he would respect, and find admiration for.
February 28, 2024
I enjoyed getting to know Edgar Allen Poe expert and college professor Marissa Owens, a complex main character whose life circumstances and depth of personality are revealed through Sachar’s clever interlacing of past and present. As Marissa’s troubled history and the grim secret she’s been hiding since college are gradually unveiled, the current-day version of Marissa grapples with her past until she’s finally forced to reckon with the dire consequences of her prior decisions. As a reader, I felt immersed in the setting of college campus Greek pledging, which provided an intriguing and detailed backdrop for the action. I also appreciated Sachar’s artful weaving of Poe’s work throughout the story. A big plot twist toward the end of the novel (one that I didn’t see coming) pulled the story threads together and upped the ante.
I don’t read widely in this genre, but all in all, I found Darkness There But Something More an enjoyable and easy read with a good mixture of suspense and mystery, along with an interesting cast of messy, memorable characters.
I don’t read widely in this genre, but all in all, I found Darkness There But Something More an enjoyable and easy read with a good mixture of suspense and mystery, along with an interesting cast of messy, memorable characters.
March 9, 2024
When people come together to hide a secret, that secret can have long lasting effects. For Marissa, a mistake while pledging in college, provides anxiety and stress long into her later years. When a murder happens on campus, Marissa begins to relive her college days. Some of her memories are good but many are sad. When she begin to investigate the latest murder on her own, someone decides she needs to confess a secret she has held in since her college days. Threatening notes begin to arrive and Marissa is unsure who is behind the threats. The reader is given a shock when the person behind the threats makes themself known. An excellent psychological thriller.
March 12, 2024
I simply couldn't put this book down! The twists and turns on the dark journey with this truly relatable main character as she faces her past to find answers in her present keep the pages turning. The author, with an obvious appreciation for Poe, threads in mystery, pain and sadness that the Raven himself would appreciate. Highly recommended!
February 4, 2024
This is a twisted, dark mystery that takes a lot of unexpected turns. Every time I thought I’d figured out how the book was going to end, something changed and the book took a different direction. Well rounded characters and Sachar made me care about the MC with every turn of the page.
March 17, 2024
Great weekend read-- thrilling!
Let me start by saying I rarely ever finish books in a weekend, but Sachar's masterful pacing and evocative descriptions pulled me into Marissa's world at Blackthorn University. The characters and settings really resonated with me-- I felt like I was there-- so I had to keep going with her to the end! There were so many parts of the story that contribute to the excellent world-building of Blackthorn, like I wish that English 145: Poe in Pennsylvania was a real course offering. I highly recommend "Darkness There but Something More" and look forward to reading more from this author.
Let me start by saying I rarely ever finish books in a weekend, but Sachar's masterful pacing and evocative descriptions pulled me into Marissa's world at Blackthorn University. The characters and settings really resonated with me-- I felt like I was there-- so I had to keep going with her to the end! There were so many parts of the story that contribute to the excellent world-building of Blackthorn, like I wish that English 145: Poe in Pennsylvania was a real course offering. I highly recommend "Darkness There but Something More" and look forward to reading more from this author.
July 2, 2024
This was a really great read. Suspenseful, well-written, and descriptive in a way that makes you really feel connected to the main character. I loved the way the author weaved the past and present with the shared experiences of the characters as the connecting thread. Can’t wait to read more from this author!
May 15, 2024
Is evil real? Or is goodness just gradations of evil? Are the characters in O’Sullivan’s Darkness There but Something More living out these gradations, or is evil the “something more” in darkness. Marissa, looking to leave behind her divorce and the loss of her baby, takes a new position at her alma mater. What could go wrong? Does Marissa leave the “darkness” of her past or is “past” a more active term for what follows you even when you intend good? Does evil exist for Marissa or any of us or is goodness as gradations of evil as close as we can manage? Read the characters in Darkness There but Something More with an eye for discovery; which may change the way you think about evil and good.
May 29, 2024
I LOVED this book. And, if you like books that have a sharp focus on character development and give an eerie "uh oh" feeling, so will you. This was one of those books that kept me intrigued, and when I got to the end, I was sad to say goodbye to the characters and wondered what happened to them after the story. Also, I am a huge Edgar Allen Poe fan, and as such enjoyed each little factoid.
March 23, 2024
Great read! highly recommended.
This was a great read. I love the intertwining of past and present along with the Poe references. The mystery element kept me engaged throughout.
This was a great read. I love the intertwining of past and present along with the Poe references. The mystery element kept me engaged throughout.
April 16, 2024
Great story!!
Loved it!!! It was a great story with some twists and turns and a great ending. I now want to reread some Poe!
Loved it!!! It was a great story with some twists and turns and a great ending. I now want to reread some Poe!
April 14, 2025
#2025apriladoptanauthor
My April Adopt An Author is Cassandra O'Sullivan Sachar. This was the first I had heard of this author (hangs head in shame) so I was curious and went through all of her books trying to find just the right one to read. The choice was difficult, but honestly, it was the cover that grabbed my attention and kept pulling me back!!!
Darkness There But Something More
https://amzn.to/3Et6RPG
-Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar
First off, this is a story based on traumatic child loss, divorce and murder. In particular, if you are sensitive to the subject or have experienced child loss, please take this into consideration before diving into Darkness There But Something More. Mental Health Matters and there are resources available for anyone needing help, please do not feel you are ever alone.
Darkness There But Something More by Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar is a dark, twisty, psychological thriller that explores grief, resilience and the intricacy of human emotions. Sachar’s elegant approach at weaving the darkness with a hint of mystery and deep intensity leaves you breathless.
The narrative is based on Dr. Marissa Owens (FMC), a literature professor, who has experienced tragedy in her life. The loss of her newborn child and subsequent divorce has led to changes in her career returning to her alma mater of Blackthorn University. Owens is made welcome by former professor and now Department Chair, Candace. Dr. Owens takes a liking to student Hadley Parker, who she sees as a reflection of her younger self when she sat in the same chairs while attending BU. One day Hadley stops showing up for class and has become a missing person – until her body shows up. Determined to find out what happened to Hadley, Owens revisits painful memories from her past she thought had been buried forever.
Sachar elegantly dances around the theme of grief with sensitivity and depth. Owens’ character is richly developed by revealing bits and pieces of her past with a changing timeline that may be slightly confusing at times. As Sachar delves into the FMC’s past, she presents a journey of self-discovery and growth, making her relatable, allowing readers to reflect on their own emotional paths.
Darkness There But Something More gives us vivid imagery, pulling us into the emotional core of the story with descriptive writing to create powerful moments that will resonate with readers long after closing the book. Pacing is smooth with mostly smooth transitions – there were a few times when it jumped timelines that felt a tad choppy.
Sachar has created a beautiful, authentic narrative with Darkness But Something More by not shying away from the darker sides of grief. By embracing this darkness, Sachar gives readers thought-provoking moments and the inspiration that healing is possible even when faced with a deeply personal journey plagued with unimaginable losses.
Darkness There But Something More is a charmingly constructed story that will resonate within anyone who has been through traumatic loss. While the sensitive subject on the loss of a child could be triggering, I feel this story could be a valuable recommendation to those trying to heal from such grief.
As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author, present or future, for my review.
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My April Adopt An Author is Cassandra O'Sullivan Sachar. This was the first I had heard of this author (hangs head in shame) so I was curious and went through all of her books trying to find just the right one to read. The choice was difficult, but honestly, it was the cover that grabbed my attention and kept pulling me back!!!
Darkness There But Something More
https://amzn.to/3Et6RPG
-Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar
First off, this is a story based on traumatic child loss, divorce and murder. In particular, if you are sensitive to the subject or have experienced child loss, please take this into consideration before diving into Darkness There But Something More. Mental Health Matters and there are resources available for anyone needing help, please do not feel you are ever alone.
Darkness There But Something More by Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar is a dark, twisty, psychological thriller that explores grief, resilience and the intricacy of human emotions. Sachar’s elegant approach at weaving the darkness with a hint of mystery and deep intensity leaves you breathless.
The narrative is based on Dr. Marissa Owens (FMC), a literature professor, who has experienced tragedy in her life. The loss of her newborn child and subsequent divorce has led to changes in her career returning to her alma mater of Blackthorn University. Owens is made welcome by former professor and now Department Chair, Candace. Dr. Owens takes a liking to student Hadley Parker, who she sees as a reflection of her younger self when she sat in the same chairs while attending BU. One day Hadley stops showing up for class and has become a missing person – until her body shows up. Determined to find out what happened to Hadley, Owens revisits painful memories from her past she thought had been buried forever.
Sachar elegantly dances around the theme of grief with sensitivity and depth. Owens’ character is richly developed by revealing bits and pieces of her past with a changing timeline that may be slightly confusing at times. As Sachar delves into the FMC’s past, she presents a journey of self-discovery and growth, making her relatable, allowing readers to reflect on their own emotional paths.
Darkness There But Something More gives us vivid imagery, pulling us into the emotional core of the story with descriptive writing to create powerful moments that will resonate with readers long after closing the book. Pacing is smooth with mostly smooth transitions – there were a few times when it jumped timelines that felt a tad choppy.
Sachar has created a beautiful, authentic narrative with Darkness But Something More by not shying away from the darker sides of grief. By embracing this darkness, Sachar gives readers thought-provoking moments and the inspiration that healing is possible even when faced with a deeply personal journey plagued with unimaginable losses.
Darkness There But Something More is a charmingly constructed story that will resonate within anyone who has been through traumatic loss. While the sensitive subject on the loss of a child could be triggering, I feel this story could be a valuable recommendation to those trying to heal from such grief.
As always, all opinions and reviews are of my own volition. I have not been promised any compensation by the author, present or future, for my review.
IG: thetxlitchic Pinterest: thetxlitchic FB: TheTxLitChic
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/thetxlitchic
LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/TheTxLitChic
Website: www.thetxlitchic.com
#thetxlitchic #bookreviewsandmore #bookstagram #booktok #bookcommunity #readersofinstagram #booklover #arcreader #bookreview #bingeworthy #tbr #supportindieauthors #bookobsessed #instareads #books #bookaddict #bookreviewer #bookreviews #keepreading #indiebooks #indieauthors #Supportyourlocalbook #genrewhore #ilikebigbooksandicannotlie #mentalhealthmatters #findsupportforyourmentalhealth #iwilllisten #darknesstherebutsomethingmore #cassandraosullivansachar #killerthrillers #2025apriladoptanauthor
October 2, 2024
Darkness There but Something More by Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar
Dark Suspense Thriller
Trigger Warnings - Losing a baby (miscarriage) and divorce
Did you think your dark past was buried deep and forgotten? Think again!
In Darkness There but Something More, after a rough patch in her life, Melissa Owen’s returns to her Alma Mater for a non tenured professor job teaching in the English Department. However, dark times have followed Marissa back to her Alma Mater and one of her students turns up dead. The students death brings up painful memories and secrets that Marissa believed were long buried and forgotten about, but someone on campus remembers what happened all those years ago. Will Marissa be able to find out who knows and keep the secrets buried?
The story started out slowly but allowed for excellent character development. The author did a great job taking the reader through the characters life story. I was not expecting the “villain” to be who it was at the conclusion of the book, well done with that plot twist. I wish there were a few more twists and turns but overall great book.
Dark Suspense Thriller
Trigger Warnings - Losing a baby (miscarriage) and divorce
Did you think your dark past was buried deep and forgotten? Think again!
In Darkness There but Something More, after a rough patch in her life, Melissa Owen’s returns to her Alma Mater for a non tenured professor job teaching in the English Department. However, dark times have followed Marissa back to her Alma Mater and one of her students turns up dead. The students death brings up painful memories and secrets that Marissa believed were long buried and forgotten about, but someone on campus remembers what happened all those years ago. Will Marissa be able to find out who knows and keep the secrets buried?
The story started out slowly but allowed for excellent character development. The author did a great job taking the reader through the characters life story. I was not expecting the “villain” to be who it was at the conclusion of the book, well done with that plot twist. I wish there were a few more twists and turns but overall great book.
July 27, 2025
After reading Close the Door earlier this year and being drawn in by Cassandra O’Sullivan Sachar’s writing, I just finished Darkness There but Something More (Wicked House Publishing), described as a ‘dark suspense’ novel.
It’s a rich story about loss, starting over, solitude, making life-altering mistakes, redemption, regret, and more. Really well done, especially the care given to the parallel timelines and plot twists.
The main character’s teaching obligations were also presented masterfully throughout the novel: the student, department, university, and admin politics; the sheer energy/focus it takes in the teaching prep, classroom presentations, grading, and office hours, etc. All of it...
I spent years as a full-time lecturer and then teaching professor at a university (~teaching music), and could relate to a lot of that mayhem. As a teaching ‘sled dog’ who wasn’t on the tenure mountain, the pure madness of ‘higher ed’ is real. Props to all teachers... it’s a job and a half!
Great writing, Cassandra! ⚡ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
It’s a rich story about loss, starting over, solitude, making life-altering mistakes, redemption, regret, and more. Really well done, especially the care given to the parallel timelines and plot twists.
The main character’s teaching obligations were also presented masterfully throughout the novel: the student, department, university, and admin politics; the sheer energy/focus it takes in the teaching prep, classroom presentations, grading, and office hours, etc. All of it...
I spent years as a full-time lecturer and then teaching professor at a university (~teaching music), and could relate to a lot of that mayhem. As a teaching ‘sled dog’ who wasn’t on the tenure mountain, the pure madness of ‘higher ed’ is real. Props to all teachers... it’s a job and a half!
Great writing, Cassandra! ⚡ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
February 3, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing for the chance to read this advance ebook in exchange for my honest review.
My main takeaway was disappointment. I was really hoping that Poe - his life, writing, imagery, etc. - would play a large role in this story. However, even though the main character is a Poe expert, and teaches classes on Poe's life and works, this has nothing really to do with the story.
This was more a cautionary tale about the dangers of college life, Greek life, and secrets.
While I was unhappy with the lack of gothic horror elements, the story was ok. I could relate to being young, unsure, worried about making friends, going along with the group, etc. I did have empathy for the main character and for the victims.
I guess I wish that there had been more darkness and more suspense - as advertised in the title.
So while I never wanted to leave the story unfinished, I never was able to immerse myself in the tale.
2.5 stars rounded to 3
My main takeaway was disappointment. I was really hoping that Poe - his life, writing, imagery, etc. - would play a large role in this story. However, even though the main character is a Poe expert, and teaches classes on Poe's life and works, this has nothing really to do with the story.
This was more a cautionary tale about the dangers of college life, Greek life, and secrets.
While I was unhappy with the lack of gothic horror elements, the story was ok. I could relate to being young, unsure, worried about making friends, going along with the group, etc. I did have empathy for the main character and for the victims.
I guess I wish that there had been more darkness and more suspense - as advertised in the title.
So while I never wanted to leave the story unfinished, I never was able to immerse myself in the tale.
2.5 stars rounded to 3
February 26, 2024
1.5 stars rounded to 2. I rarely give bad feedback, but I try to be honest in my reviews. What has happened to Wicked House Publishing? Most of their books lately have been really dull and uninspired - a couple of their well-known and time-proven names naturally excepted. Sachar's book is a case in point: so many words to say the simplest thing, so much thinking over the slightest issue. Overthinking is one thing, but the main character of this novel is thinking about everything that happens, and I mean EVERYTHING: she's opening her door, she's telling us about it, thinking about it, contemplating it, uses it as an opening to mention her troubles for the hundredth time. What really saddened me, however, is that this book is not even horror: there's absolutely NO basis to categorize it as such, literally nothing. Horror fans are not the intended audience. What a disappointment.
May 9, 2024
I'm giving this book 2.5 ⭐️ stars, but I rounded up then down. It wasn't a very interesting read until the middle and end of it had a small twist, but nothing crazy. I figured it out pretty quickly. There wasn't much of an Edgar Ellen Poe vibe to it, so I was pretty bummed at that part. The beginning was very slow and too much nonsense going on in the beginning, and it dragged on and was thinking to DNF it, but I wanted to finish, and I hate to DNF, haha. With the description and the cover, I was expecting a more eerie experience, and I was very disappointed 😞
Thank you, Netgalley and Cassandra O'Sullivan Sachar, for letting me read this ARC.
I just reviewed Darkness There, but Something More: A Dark Suspense Novel by Cassandra O'Sullivan Sachar. #DarknessTherebutSomethingMoreADarkSuspenseNovel #NetGalley
Thank you, Netgalley and Cassandra O'Sullivan Sachar, for letting me read this ARC.
I just reviewed Darkness There, but Something More: A Dark Suspense Novel by Cassandra O'Sullivan Sachar. #DarknessTherebutSomethingMoreADarkSuspenseNovel #NetGalley
February 6, 2024
It was a little confusing at first with the story going from past to present time. Marissa decides to leave her tenured position after her baby dies and she divorces her husband. An old professor whom she has kept in touch with tells her about an opportunity at her old university. She thinks it’s a good opportunity and moves back home. Where she meets a student that reminds her of herself at that age. After tragedy strikes, she begins to realize the similarities between what happened to her student and something from her past. A long buried secret that must come to the surface. Definitely recommend this books if you want a suspenseful read.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
November 25, 2024
This was a well-written and descriptive novel I could not seem to figure out what exactly went wrong with. The characters were deep and the connections to the past had me hooked but for some odd reason, it took me so long to finish this off. It wasn't painful to read but I had to take breaks from it. The Edgar Allen Poe references were wonderful and I loved how he was intertwined in her development as a character so that boosts the book some. Overall, it's just not a book I will reread but is worth a single read at least. Still looking forward to Cassandra's next novel regardless based on the level of writing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest rate and review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest rate and review.
March 6, 2025
After the loss of her baby and subsequent divorce, Edgar Allan Poe scholar Marissa Owens leaves her tenured job as an English professor for a fresh start at her alma master, Blackthorn University. As she begins to feel like herself again, one of her favorite students goes missing. Then the police find the body. Not a book I would normally read when I was told to cheek it out I could not stop reading. With out giving any spoilers to the plot You need to enter the world of Blackthorn University the author being a teacher has a great back round describing what goes on at the university behind the scenes. an easy read with a great end. I would rather read a book like these Then stream a season of a show on netflix.
February 1, 2024
This was a very interesting read. A pledge to become a sorority sister leaves 8 girls with a secret they can tell no one. Not even the rest of the sisters. They must carry it with them for the rest of their life. Years later as one of the sisters is now a professor at the very college where it all began, she has a student go missing. She begins to dig into what happened and quickly the threats become clear stop digging or your secret will be unburied too! This was a page turner and I finished it in one sitting. I would definitely recommend this book. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to access it.
July 9, 2024
Not my favorite read. The characters were forced and unbelievable. (Do 40 year olds really worry that their love interests might not use emojis??? As a 45 year old, worrying about someone using emojis has never crossed my mind. 🙄) The writing was a little scattered (Marissa talks about how leaving the class at dark is fitting for the topic matter as if that has already happened, but the class JUST started). And why would a note of a pentacle mean that someone knows your 20 year old secret - a secret that has nothing to do with pentacles?!? The witchcraft felt was underresearched and did not fit with the rest of the story.
September 23, 2024
"After the loss of her baby and subsequent divorce, Edgar Allan Poe scholar Marissa Owens leaves her tenured job as an English professor for a fresh start at her alma mater, Blackthorn University. As she begins to feel like herself again, one of her favorite students goes missing. Then, the police find the body. The investigation descends upon the campus, and familiar clues begin to surface. This triggers a disturbing memory from Marissa’s own dark past at Blackthorn—one she has attempted to keep buried."
A little slow start at first, started to pickup in the middle of the story, storyline was good, characters were great, didn't expect the ending, overall good book. I give this book 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A little slow start at first, started to pickup in the middle of the story, storyline was good, characters were great, didn't expect the ending, overall good book. I give this book 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
October 21, 2025
“Darkness There But Something More” introduces Marissa Owens, an Edgar Allan Poe scholar and English professor who decides to take a new job at her alma mater, Blackthorn University.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. It’s told through one POV, but dual timelines- Marissa’s present and past. The past timeline covers events that occurred when Marissa was in college attending Blackthorn University- the same university she is teaching in during the present timeline.
Find the full blog review at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. It’s told through one POV, but dual timelines- Marissa’s present and past. The past timeline covers events that occurred when Marissa was in college attending Blackthorn University- the same university she is teaching in during the present timeline.
Find the full blog review at heatherlbarksdale.com
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
July 6, 2024
As a reader who joined a sorority at a small liberal arts college in the 1990s, I found the flashback settings to be all too believably familiar. This deepened the suspense and my growing sense of dread and urgency as the relatable main character, Marissa, was pulled deeper into mystery and tragedy. I think fans of Gillian Flynn, Tana French, and Donna Tartt would do well to give this book their attention.
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