What do you think?
Rate this book
The Night Lagoon
A lush, suspense-filled debut set deep in the jungle — where dangerous secrets simmer just beneath the surface…
In the dead of night, lying in her father’s jungle lodge, Laelia watches her partner Aid sleeping – her mind racing with everything that’s brought her to this moment.
The heady Caribbean holiday when they first met.
The rum-fueled passion that, day by day, creeps into something darker.
The secrets she discovered in a hidden nook of the lodge, revealing a devastating past.
Above all, she thinks about the impossible decision she must make before dawn.
Does she stay silent and protect their newfound paradise? Or does she confront the lies which run as deep and dark as the lagoon – surfacing a dangerous truth from which there’s no return…
In the dead of night, lying in her father’s jungle lodge, Laelia watches her partner Aid sleeping – her mind racing with everything that’s brought her to this moment.
The heady Caribbean holiday when they first met.
The rum-fueled passion that, day by day, creeps into something darker.
The secrets she discovered in a hidden nook of the lodge, revealing a devastating past.
Above all, she thinks about the impossible decision she must make before dawn.
Does she stay silent and protect their newfound paradise? Or does she confront the lies which run as deep and dark as the lagoon – surfacing a dangerous truth from which there’s no return…
- GenresThriller
403 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2025
8 people are currently reading
537 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 4, 2025
The forest of Belize forms the backdrop of a slow-burning psychological thriller, where the air is thick with earth, dampness, and suspense. The novel paints a lifelike picture of orchids in unconventional shapes and shades thriving in lush greenery, while toucans, parrots, and parakeets fly bold and electric colours overhead. Beneath the rippling mirage lies mutual distrust, jealousy and self-destructive behaviour.
Here are my reflections/notes for the novel:
Laelia’s vacation is extended unexpectedly after the collapse of her father, a former professor of botany and orchid specialist. They settle into his home as they wait for news of his health. Though the house barely meets modern standards of comfort, they seem content—sleeping in hammocks, cooling off in the river, and trailing after the intoxicating scents of black orchids, cocoa, and bergamot. Laelia’s skills as a chef draw praise and spark the prospect of a business venture, while her knowledge of localised crises such as the invasive and ecologically damaging lionfish is repurposed by her and turned into delicious meals. This puts the family on track to becoming contributors to sustainable and responsible practice within the community. Money is tight, but life in Belize affords them occasional indulgences and a reprieve from London, now synonymous with past tragedies, mishaps, and hardship for the family.
The first thing I find worth noting is Laelia’s unreliable hearing aid. It causes her to miss chunks of conversation, sometimes distorting them into menacing messages which she reasons away, preferring non-contentious explanations between conflicting realities. These fragments sometimes feel like tip-of-the-tongue memories, always just out of reach. “Champagne dreams with lime juice money.” She handles this dissonance with relative calm. It is surmised that her impressions clash with reality to the consternation of those around her, which would explain why their reactions appear exaggerated in contrast. It is very tempting to “read the room” at every interaction for clues—the psychological draw of the novel.
The most pervasive theme of the novel is secrecy, Laelia’s perspective on which had me reflecting on my own: people get upset when truths are withheld; this is normal. The difficulty lies in the inconsistency of reactions and standards, making it difficult for others to predict and judge how to treat information around certain people. Everyone harbours secrets; most are necessary, protective, and held in the interest of preserving ties and mental well-being, depending on a person’s level of maturity—particularly when the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Laelia alternates between taking offence at half-truths and suspending empathy, or showing tolerance and understanding when she ought to have dug deeper. She conflates having suspicion with having knowledge, going so far as equating the withholding of the former with lying. Yet, as Laelia herself would agree, it is not always advisable to share mere suspicions, even if it were for her protection. Against the backdrop of paradise and people wanting to start anew, it is difficult to find the right moment to reveal a devastating secret. After all, it is hard to judge whether a person has not asked because they specifically chose not to, in order to avoid coming to terms with the truth—ignorance affords that kind of bliss.
“If you don’t remember something, you can pretend it didn’t happen.”
The novel handles suspense and tropical beauty spectacularly: it is seductive, sexy, and intriguing. Beyond sex in the forest, snorting cocaine, and sweating off the haze from long nights with rum, the wildest parts of the novel remain firmly rooted within the forest itself. I thought it makes for a good tropical vacation read.
Here are my reflections/notes for the novel:
Laelia’s vacation is extended unexpectedly after the collapse of her father, a former professor of botany and orchid specialist. They settle into his home as they wait for news of his health. Though the house barely meets modern standards of comfort, they seem content—sleeping in hammocks, cooling off in the river, and trailing after the intoxicating scents of black orchids, cocoa, and bergamot. Laelia’s skills as a chef draw praise and spark the prospect of a business venture, while her knowledge of localised crises such as the invasive and ecologically damaging lionfish is repurposed by her and turned into delicious meals. This puts the family on track to becoming contributors to sustainable and responsible practice within the community. Money is tight, but life in Belize affords them occasional indulgences and a reprieve from London, now synonymous with past tragedies, mishaps, and hardship for the family.
The first thing I find worth noting is Laelia’s unreliable hearing aid. It causes her to miss chunks of conversation, sometimes distorting them into menacing messages which she reasons away, preferring non-contentious explanations between conflicting realities. These fragments sometimes feel like tip-of-the-tongue memories, always just out of reach. “Champagne dreams with lime juice money.” She handles this dissonance with relative calm. It is surmised that her impressions clash with reality to the consternation of those around her, which would explain why their reactions appear exaggerated in contrast. It is very tempting to “read the room” at every interaction for clues—the psychological draw of the novel.
The most pervasive theme of the novel is secrecy, Laelia’s perspective on which had me reflecting on my own: people get upset when truths are withheld; this is normal. The difficulty lies in the inconsistency of reactions and standards, making it difficult for others to predict and judge how to treat information around certain people. Everyone harbours secrets; most are necessary, protective, and held in the interest of preserving ties and mental well-being, depending on a person’s level of maturity—particularly when the benefits outweigh the disadvantages. Laelia alternates between taking offence at half-truths and suspending empathy, or showing tolerance and understanding when she ought to have dug deeper. She conflates having suspicion with having knowledge, going so far as equating the withholding of the former with lying. Yet, as Laelia herself would agree, it is not always advisable to share mere suspicions, even if it were for her protection. Against the backdrop of paradise and people wanting to start anew, it is difficult to find the right moment to reveal a devastating secret. After all, it is hard to judge whether a person has not asked because they specifically chose not to, in order to avoid coming to terms with the truth—ignorance affords that kind of bliss.
“If you don’t remember something, you can pretend it didn’t happen.”
The novel handles suspense and tropical beauty spectacularly: it is seductive, sexy, and intriguing. Beyond sex in the forest, snorting cocaine, and sweating off the haze from long nights with rum, the wildest parts of the novel remain firmly rooted within the forest itself. I thought it makes for a good tropical vacation read.
August 15, 2025
A beautiful, tense, sad, and dark tale set deep in the Belizean jungle, this novel was an unexpected gem, I loved every bit of it. Jo Morey tells the story of Laelia, a woman who moves her husband, son, and daughter to her father’s secluded cabin in the Belizean jungle after he falls into a coma. The narrative alternates between Laelia’s present-day experiences and Ellis’s account of moving to Belize in the 1980s and slowly falling in love with the place.
This is a family drama, though there’s a constant undercurrent of tension and intrigue, largely fueled by Laelia’s volatile and abusive relationship with Aid, a dynamic that takes up a significant part of the plot. One of my favorite aspects was how vividly the jungle was brought to life, it felt like a character in its own right. The pace is on the slower side, but it’s consistently immersive: the oppressive heat, the dense nature, the wildlife, the lurking dangers, all of it seeps into your mind in the best possible way. The author also excels at portraying complex relationships: Laelia’s troubled feelings towards her father, her sister, and Aid; the way love can be tangled, messy, and morally complicated; the subtle, creeping ways a relationship can turn toxic; and how love can persist despite hurt and betrayal.
Overall, this is a captivating, richly atmospheric, and unforgettable novel that deserves far more attention.
This is a family drama, though there’s a constant undercurrent of tension and intrigue, largely fueled by Laelia’s volatile and abusive relationship with Aid, a dynamic that takes up a significant part of the plot. One of my favorite aspects was how vividly the jungle was brought to life, it felt like a character in its own right. The pace is on the slower side, but it’s consistently immersive: the oppressive heat, the dense nature, the wildlife, the lurking dangers, all of it seeps into your mind in the best possible way. The author also excels at portraying complex relationships: Laelia’s troubled feelings towards her father, her sister, and Aid; the way love can be tangled, messy, and morally complicated; the subtle, creeping ways a relationship can turn toxic; and how love can persist despite hurt and betrayal.
Overall, this is a captivating, richly atmospheric, and unforgettable novel that deserves far more attention.
October 14, 2025
Belize opisywane jest jako tropikalny raj na ziemi, gdzie nigdy nie zaznacie naszej, polskiej zimy. Podczas lektury tej powieści nie mogłam powstrzymać się od oglądania zdjęć - ba, obejrzałam chyba wszystkie Internetowe zakamarki! I kusi to Belize niczym zakazany owoc, piękne, ale podszyte niepokojem.
Siłą tej powieści jest moc natury. Dzikość belizejskiej dżungli z jej tropikalnym pięknem i płynącymi z każdej strony zagrożeniami. „Deszcze zmieniające ziemię w błoto, upał, wilgoć", ale też „tajemnicze, pociągające i uzależniające” orchidee tworzą ekscytującą i niebezpieczną mieszankę.
W dżungli „dowiesz się kim jesteś, i nie uciekniesz od samego siebie”, tu zmierzysz się z jej potęgą i z własnymi ograniczeniami. Bo tu „można zginąć na wiele sposobów”. Ale nie tylko natura włada naszym życiem, czasem człowiek może okazać się większym zagrożeniem niż skradająca się nocą puma.
Taki niesamowity klimat towarzyszy powieści Jo Morey „Mroczna laguna”, którą trudno przypisać do jednego gatunku. Łącząc w sobie elementy thrillera z silnym wątkiem obyczajowym, dramatu rodzinnego i psychologicznego nie jest lekką rozrywką, a podróżą przez toksyczne relacje, ucieczką od przeszłości i kotłem, w którym aż bulgocze od tajemnic. Niedosłuch głównej bohaterki, który zaburza jej odbiór wspomnień i rzeczywistości wpisuje się niepokojącym akcentem w atmosferę powieści. Tworzy zasłonę utkaną z wyobrażeń i iluzji sprawiając, że nic nie jest do końca pewne.
Równie mocno, jak opisywane blaski i cienie życia w środku tropikalnej dżungli, zafascynowała mnie przeszłość bohaterów, szczególnie Laelii i jej ojca - naukowca i pasjonata orchidei. Znowuż jak płachta na byka działała toksyczna relacja kobiety z jej nadużywającym używek i chorobliwie zaborczym partnerem. Trzeba jednak przyznać, że skomplikowane relacje międzyludzkie Autorka opisała z równą precyzją i wrażliwością, jak i świat dźwięków i odczuć osoby niedosłyszącej (te wykropkowane miejsca w powieści, to nie błąd w druku). Nie pominęła też ciemnej strony Belize, jej przemytniczej niesławy, która również miała wpływ na życie rodziny.
W powieści nie brak dramatycznych i zaskakujących momentów, jeśli jednak zamierzacie zanurzyć się w „Mrocznej lagunie” nastawcie się bardziej na budowanie tła i napięcia niż na dynamiczną akcję. Autorka udowadnia, że powieść nie musi pędzić, by wciągała bez reszty, a kiedy już opuścicie belizejską dżunglę, długo jeszcze będziecie czuć jej zapach, wilgoć na skórze i niepokój w sercu.
Siłą tej powieści jest moc natury. Dzikość belizejskiej dżungli z jej tropikalnym pięknem i płynącymi z każdej strony zagrożeniami. „Deszcze zmieniające ziemię w błoto, upał, wilgoć", ale też „tajemnicze, pociągające i uzależniające” orchidee tworzą ekscytującą i niebezpieczną mieszankę.
W dżungli „dowiesz się kim jesteś, i nie uciekniesz od samego siebie”, tu zmierzysz się z jej potęgą i z własnymi ograniczeniami. Bo tu „można zginąć na wiele sposobów”. Ale nie tylko natura włada naszym życiem, czasem człowiek może okazać się większym zagrożeniem niż skradająca się nocą puma.
Taki niesamowity klimat towarzyszy powieści Jo Morey „Mroczna laguna”, którą trudno przypisać do jednego gatunku. Łącząc w sobie elementy thrillera z silnym wątkiem obyczajowym, dramatu rodzinnego i psychologicznego nie jest lekką rozrywką, a podróżą przez toksyczne relacje, ucieczką od przeszłości i kotłem, w którym aż bulgocze od tajemnic. Niedosłuch głównej bohaterki, który zaburza jej odbiór wspomnień i rzeczywistości wpisuje się niepokojącym akcentem w atmosferę powieści. Tworzy zasłonę utkaną z wyobrażeń i iluzji sprawiając, że nic nie jest do końca pewne.
Równie mocno, jak opisywane blaski i cienie życia w środku tropikalnej dżungli, zafascynowała mnie przeszłość bohaterów, szczególnie Laelii i jej ojca - naukowca i pasjonata orchidei. Znowuż jak płachta na byka działała toksyczna relacja kobiety z jej nadużywającym używek i chorobliwie zaborczym partnerem. Trzeba jednak przyznać, że skomplikowane relacje międzyludzkie Autorka opisała z równą precyzją i wrażliwością, jak i świat dźwięków i odczuć osoby niedosłyszącej (te wykropkowane miejsca w powieści, to nie błąd w druku). Nie pominęła też ciemnej strony Belize, jej przemytniczej niesławy, która również miała wpływ na życie rodziny.
W powieści nie brak dramatycznych i zaskakujących momentów, jeśli jednak zamierzacie zanurzyć się w „Mrocznej lagunie” nastawcie się bardziej na budowanie tła i napięcia niż na dynamiczną akcję. Autorka udowadnia, że powieść nie musi pędzić, by wciągała bez reszty, a kiedy już opuścicie belizejską dżunglę, długo jeszcze będziecie czuć jej zapach, wilgoć na skórze i niepokój w sercu.
October 5, 2025
Laelia opuszcza Londyn wraz z rodziną i udaje się do dzikiej i tajemniczej dżungli Belize. Będzie bliżej swojego ojca i ma nadzieję na nowy początek w raju. Czy faktycznie odnajdzie spokój i spełnienie marzeń?
„Mroczna laguna” to thriller w niespiesznym tempie, mrocznym i niepokojącym klimacie. Pełny jest opisów dzikiej przyrody, a czytelnik może sobie to wszystko wyobrazić i poczuć się jak w dżungli. Poznajemy bohaterkę, która jest niedosłysząca i niesie ze sobą bagaż traum i trudnych relacji. Nie trafiłam jeszcze na bohatera zmagającego się z taką przypadłością, więc to było ciekawe wczuć się w jej sytuację, a autorce świetnie udało się to przedstawić. Laelia nie jest bohaterką idealną, przez co staje się bardziej ludzka. Przez swoją przypadłość nie jest pewna siebie, jest zbyt uległa w kontaktach z partnerem, daje sobą manipulować, co czasem powodowało moją irytację. Pobyt w raju przeradza się w walkę ze swoimi słabościami, tajemnicami przeszłości. Wspomnienia Laelii stają się coraz bardziej niejasne i mgliste, słuch się pogarsza, zaczyna wątpić w relacje z bliskimi oraz w intencje partnera. Będzie nie tylko musiała odkryć sekrety partnera, ale także stawić czoło przeszłości swoich rodziców. Problem Laelii, który wpływa na jej percepcję rzeczywistości, wspomnienia i relacje powoduje wzrost napięcia i niepewność. Powieść z wieloma zwrotami akcji, mieszająca wątki kryminalne i sensacyjne z psychologicznym napięciem. Historia o miłości, zdradzie, korupcji i chciwości, trudnych relacjach, rozgrywająca się w otoczeniu pięknej przyrody, która staje się też niebezpieczna, nieprzewidywalna i magiczna. Jest to thriller w niespiesznym tempie, bardziej nastrojowy, a przez to, że książka liczy sobie ponad pięćset stron to trochę się dłużyła. Zwroty akcji choć ciekawe, to powodowały wzrost napięcia tylko chwilowo. Powieść jest warta uwagi, to ciekawy debiut z intrygującym miejscem akcji, ciekawą fabułą i bohaterką, z nietuzinkową przypadłością, jednak ja potrzebuję więcej akcji i emocji.
„Mroczna laguna” to thriller w niespiesznym tempie, mrocznym i niepokojącym klimacie. Pełny jest opisów dzikiej przyrody, a czytelnik może sobie to wszystko wyobrazić i poczuć się jak w dżungli. Poznajemy bohaterkę, która jest niedosłysząca i niesie ze sobą bagaż traum i trudnych relacji. Nie trafiłam jeszcze na bohatera zmagającego się z taką przypadłością, więc to było ciekawe wczuć się w jej sytuację, a autorce świetnie udało się to przedstawić. Laelia nie jest bohaterką idealną, przez co staje się bardziej ludzka. Przez swoją przypadłość nie jest pewna siebie, jest zbyt uległa w kontaktach z partnerem, daje sobą manipulować, co czasem powodowało moją irytację. Pobyt w raju przeradza się w walkę ze swoimi słabościami, tajemnicami przeszłości. Wspomnienia Laelii stają się coraz bardziej niejasne i mgliste, słuch się pogarsza, zaczyna wątpić w relacje z bliskimi oraz w intencje partnera. Będzie nie tylko musiała odkryć sekrety partnera, ale także stawić czoło przeszłości swoich rodziców. Problem Laelii, który wpływa na jej percepcję rzeczywistości, wspomnienia i relacje powoduje wzrost napięcia i niepewność. Powieść z wieloma zwrotami akcji, mieszająca wątki kryminalne i sensacyjne z psychologicznym napięciem. Historia o miłości, zdradzie, korupcji i chciwości, trudnych relacjach, rozgrywająca się w otoczeniu pięknej przyrody, która staje się też niebezpieczna, nieprzewidywalna i magiczna. Jest to thriller w niespiesznym tempie, bardziej nastrojowy, a przez to, że książka liczy sobie ponad pięćset stron to trochę się dłużyła. Zwroty akcji choć ciekawe, to powodowały wzrost napięcia tylko chwilowo. Powieść jest warta uwagi, to ciekawy debiut z intrygującym miejscem akcji, ciekawą fabułą i bohaterką, z nietuzinkową przypadłością, jednak ja potrzebuję więcej akcji i emocji.
August 17, 2025
The story is told in dual POV's Laelia's in current time and Ellis, her dad starting back in 1986. It's a slow burn literary mystery/thriller, and you can constantly feel an undercurrent of something simmering below the surface.
You can tell that Jo Morey has spent time in Belize, and I instantly felt like I was transported there too. Beautifully written with stunning and enchanting descriptions of the flora and fauna. An atmospheric story with an oppressive undertow. I could feel the stifulling heat of the jungle and secrets winding like vines through the forest.
I constantly felt like the jungle was the main character in this book, with all its buried secrets that Laelia and her partner Aid were there to discover from both the past and present.
Laelia has a hearing impairment and wears hearing aids and I liked the way the author conveyed her disabillity throughout the story. At times, Laelia left me feeling frustrated with her choices, but it also added to the tension, and you could sense her uncertainty in herself.
This book also hits on some difficult topics, suicide, self-harm, depression and domestic abuse. So, bear these in mind before reading.
I don't want to give away any spoilers, so you just need to read it!
I will definitely read more from this author in the future.
You can tell that Jo Morey has spent time in Belize, and I instantly felt like I was transported there too. Beautifully written with stunning and enchanting descriptions of the flora and fauna. An atmospheric story with an oppressive undertow. I could feel the stifulling heat of the jungle and secrets winding like vines through the forest.
I constantly felt like the jungle was the main character in this book, with all its buried secrets that Laelia and her partner Aid were there to discover from both the past and present.
Laelia has a hearing impairment and wears hearing aids and I liked the way the author conveyed her disabillity throughout the story. At times, Laelia left me feeling frustrated with her choices, but it also added to the tension, and you could sense her uncertainty in herself.
This book also hits on some difficult topics, suicide, self-harm, depression and domestic abuse. So, bear these in mind before reading.
I don't want to give away any spoilers, so you just need to read it!
I will definitely read more from this author in the future.
October 2, 2025
2.5⭐️ Jak dla mnie th*iller musi mieć: bardzo dobre tempo, zagadkę, która na koniec wywróci całą fabułę do gory nogami, napięcie rosnące z każdym rozdziałem, intrygujących i nieoczywistych bohaterów, którzy potrafią wodzić za nos czytelnika, oryginalne podejście do różnych motywów i schematów oraz wyjątkowy klimat, który pochłania. A wszystko to razem ma sprawić, że po skończeniu książki nie będę w stanie długo o niej zapomnieć.
W “Mrocznej lagunie” nie dostrzegłem tych elementów. Książka na pewno ma ciekawy klimat. Dużo jest tutaj odniesień do natury, przyrody, roślinności typowej dla dżungli. Ale w żadnym momencie nie poczułem tutaj przeszywającego i paraliżującego mroku. Był to ciekawy dodatek, ale mało th*illerowy.
Kulało też, w mojej opinii, niestety tempo. Książka liczy ponad 500 stron i dzieje się w niej niewiele. A przynajmniej, zaplanaowane przez autorkę wydarzenia, nie wywierały na mnie większych emocji. Historia jest niespieszna. Wiele scen ma stanowić fundemanet dla tego, co nastąpi w kolejnych etapach powieści, ale brakuje im większego charakteru.
Czytałem te powieść wyczekując na finał, licząc na zaskoczenie. Nie doczekałem się go. “Mroczna laguna”, jeżeli już mam ją klasyfikować jako th*riller, należy do tych lżejszych, prostych, nie nastawionych na wielkie plot twisty, mający przyciągnąć klimatem, ale niekoniecznie wzbudzać strach, niepokój, lęk czy stres. Dlatego też moim oczekiwaniom ta powieść nie sprostała.
W “Mrocznej lagunie” nie dostrzegłem tych elementów. Książka na pewno ma ciekawy klimat. Dużo jest tutaj odniesień do natury, przyrody, roślinności typowej dla dżungli. Ale w żadnym momencie nie poczułem tutaj przeszywającego i paraliżującego mroku. Był to ciekawy dodatek, ale mało th*illerowy.
Kulało też, w mojej opinii, niestety tempo. Książka liczy ponad 500 stron i dzieje się w niej niewiele. A przynajmniej, zaplanaowane przez autorkę wydarzenia, nie wywierały na mnie większych emocji. Historia jest niespieszna. Wiele scen ma stanowić fundemanet dla tego, co nastąpi w kolejnych etapach powieści, ale brakuje im większego charakteru.
Czytałem te powieść wyczekując na finał, licząc na zaskoczenie. Nie doczekałem się go. “Mroczna laguna”, jeżeli już mam ją klasyfikować jako th*riller, należy do tych lżejszych, prostych, nie nastawionych na wielkie plot twisty, mający przyciągnąć klimatem, ale niekoniecznie wzbudzać strach, niepokój, lęk czy stres. Dlatego też moim oczekiwaniom ta powieść nie sprostała.
July 7, 2025
**Partial spoilers here, don't read past the spoiler header if you don't want to read about the plot **
omg this was amazing! Laelia's dad is hospitalised ending up in Laelia and Aid having to stay in Belize to look after him. It starts off slow with a few inconsistencies in Aids and Laelia's relationship, giving the reader a sense that something is seriously wrong. It could be passed off as the stress but then it ramps up, the things that have gone wrong, the suspicions. I like how this is told from the present day of Laelia's perspective and we get her dads perspective in the past.
It also addresses other issues in relationships such as domestic abuse of a person who has a disability, with Laelia having a hearing impediment and hearing aids to boot, Aid takes advantage of that for his own means. Other hard topics are covered too, with suicide, postnatal depression and self harm. A lot was covered in this novel.
It wasn't all plain sailing for me, I struggled a bit with the writing style, lots of short sentences throughout the novel, but I got into the flow of it relatively quickly. for a debut novel this is outstanding. This is a thriller, but I would describe it as a psychological thriller.
**Now for the spoiler part**
I found myself frustrated (but in a good way, because if an author can make you feel so strongly about something they've done something right) with Laelia for not seeing through Aid. How he got away with all he did to her, because it was clear she knew what he was like, she suspected something was off and dangerous about him. There were warning signs everywhere. Having the journal from her dad was confusing to the story to start off with, but it all came together at the end, and at the end of the day he was a father wanting to protect his daughter and he paid the ultimate price trying to do that.
omg this was amazing! Laelia's dad is hospitalised ending up in Laelia and Aid having to stay in Belize to look after him. It starts off slow with a few inconsistencies in Aids and Laelia's relationship, giving the reader a sense that something is seriously wrong. It could be passed off as the stress but then it ramps up, the things that have gone wrong, the suspicions. I like how this is told from the present day of Laelia's perspective and we get her dads perspective in the past.
It also addresses other issues in relationships such as domestic abuse of a person who has a disability, with Laelia having a hearing impediment and hearing aids to boot, Aid takes advantage of that for his own means. Other hard topics are covered too, with suicide, postnatal depression and self harm. A lot was covered in this novel.
It wasn't all plain sailing for me, I struggled a bit with the writing style, lots of short sentences throughout the novel, but I got into the flow of it relatively quickly. for a debut novel this is outstanding. This is a thriller, but I would describe it as a psychological thriller.
**Now for the spoiler part**
I found myself frustrated (but in a good way, because if an author can make you feel so strongly about something they've done something right) with Laelia for not seeing through Aid. How he got away with all he did to her, because it was clear she knew what he was like, she suspected something was off and dangerous about him. There were warning signs everywhere. Having the journal from her dad was confusing to the story to start off with, but it all came together at the end, and at the end of the day he was a father wanting to protect his daughter and he paid the ultimate price trying to do that.
July 4, 2025
Deep in the jungle lie threats and secrets waiting to be unearthed…
Birthday celebrations for Dr Ellis Wylde draw his daughters Laelia and Chloe to the lush beaches of Caye Caulker off Belize; but when an incident leaves Ellis in a coma, Laelia decides to stay with her partner Aid and her children, moving inland to her father’s lodge in the depths of the jungle to await his recovery. As tensions rise, and whispers from the past surface in the present, will she be able to move forward from the secrets revealed?
The Night Lagoon, part thriller, part family drama, is a charged and atmospheric read; a novel of secrets, tension, passion, deception, fraught family dynamics, and how memory shapes our present. We move back and forth in time, between the present and Ellis’ time in Belize in the 1980’s when he left his wife and young girls behind in the UK to pursue his passion for orchids.
Morey’s writing is rich in detail, immersing us in the heat, sounds, landscape and wildlife of the jungle, with wonderful descriptions of local food, conjuring a vivid sense of place. There’s also beautiful language exploring the inner struggles and journeys of her protagonists. An incident in Laelia’s past has left her with hearing loss, adding to the sense of uncertainty and vulnerability as tensions escalate.
There are some pretty unpleasant characters in this, a novel simmering with male aggression, both overt and more subtle; but this is countered by the strength and tenderness in the bonds of sisterhood that emerge. Laelia develops heartwarming friendships with some of the women she meets and Morey also deftly develops the relationship between the sisters, so different and both flawed in their own ways, gaining a new understanding of each other as the novel unfolds, speaking truths to each other they never had before.
A pacey novel throughout, the story really picks up pace at the end, propelling us towards a climactic and twisty ending, which offers up some answers but not all. An immersive debut and gripping summer read.
Birthday celebrations for Dr Ellis Wylde draw his daughters Laelia and Chloe to the lush beaches of Caye Caulker off Belize; but when an incident leaves Ellis in a coma, Laelia decides to stay with her partner Aid and her children, moving inland to her father’s lodge in the depths of the jungle to await his recovery. As tensions rise, and whispers from the past surface in the present, will she be able to move forward from the secrets revealed?
The Night Lagoon, part thriller, part family drama, is a charged and atmospheric read; a novel of secrets, tension, passion, deception, fraught family dynamics, and how memory shapes our present. We move back and forth in time, between the present and Ellis’ time in Belize in the 1980’s when he left his wife and young girls behind in the UK to pursue his passion for orchids.
Morey’s writing is rich in detail, immersing us in the heat, sounds, landscape and wildlife of the jungle, with wonderful descriptions of local food, conjuring a vivid sense of place. There’s also beautiful language exploring the inner struggles and journeys of her protagonists. An incident in Laelia’s past has left her with hearing loss, adding to the sense of uncertainty and vulnerability as tensions escalate.
There are some pretty unpleasant characters in this, a novel simmering with male aggression, both overt and more subtle; but this is countered by the strength and tenderness in the bonds of sisterhood that emerge. Laelia develops heartwarming friendships with some of the women she meets and Morey also deftly develops the relationship between the sisters, so different and both flawed in their own ways, gaining a new understanding of each other as the novel unfolds, speaking truths to each other they never had before.
A pacey novel throughout, the story really picks up pace at the end, propelling us towards a climactic and twisty ending, which offers up some answers but not all. An immersive debut and gripping summer read.
November 9, 2025
The opening chapter of The Night Lagoon felt like a scene from The White Lotus, with birdsong, lush plants, and then the shocking sight of a body being picked at by vultures. The initial contrast between paradise and horror sets the tone perfectly for the rest of the book!
Our protagonist is Laelia, visiting her Dad in Belize, with her two children and partner, Aid. When events take an unexpected turn they find themselves temporarily living in the exotic jungle environment, a million miles away from their London home. And while this provides some relief from problem bosses and school bullies, it opens up a whole new set of issues to contend with.
Laelia lives with tinnitus and relies on hearing aids and the book is written with occasional words or letters missing from the text. This lets the reader experience a hint of what it’s like to hear the world as Laelia does. It’s subtle, immersive, and very, very clever.
I also have to say how brilliant the audiobook is! I really struggle with audiobooks as my mind wanders, but I gave this one a go in conjunction with reading the hardback and I think it actually added to the experience, the narrator was excellent!
It’s clear that an enormous amount of research went into this story. From the details of the jungle and orchids to the complexity of family dynamics and psychological manipulation, everything feels rich, authentic, and carefully considered.
Overall, The Night Lagoon is atmospheric, unsettling, and incredibly well-crafted. I loved how the gorgeous setting and the psychological tension work together, and how the story slowly unravels secrets that keep you hooked until the very end. It’s a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time!
Our protagonist is Laelia, visiting her Dad in Belize, with her two children and partner, Aid. When events take an unexpected turn they find themselves temporarily living in the exotic jungle environment, a million miles away from their London home. And while this provides some relief from problem bosses and school bullies, it opens up a whole new set of issues to contend with.
Laelia lives with tinnitus and relies on hearing aids and the book is written with occasional words or letters missing from the text. This lets the reader experience a hint of what it’s like to hear the world as Laelia does. It’s subtle, immersive, and very, very clever.
I also have to say how brilliant the audiobook is! I really struggle with audiobooks as my mind wanders, but I gave this one a go in conjunction with reading the hardback and I think it actually added to the experience, the narrator was excellent!
It’s clear that an enormous amount of research went into this story. From the details of the jungle and orchids to the complexity of family dynamics and psychological manipulation, everything feels rich, authentic, and carefully considered.
Overall, The Night Lagoon is atmospheric, unsettling, and incredibly well-crafted. I loved how the gorgeous setting and the psychological tension work together, and how the story slowly unravels secrets that keep you hooked until the very end. It’s a book I’ll be thinking about for a long time!
August 21, 2025
The advocacy for hearing aids and representation of hearing loss in the main character; it's not something you often see in books, and the way the author/narrators represented this in the written word/sounds. This was a slow burn; it took until 85% to feel like it was going anywhere. The audiobook was over 13 hours; it could have been shorter and still have the same level of tension. I don't think the overly descriptive parts and pacing added enough to the story for the length payoff, and the ending felt rushed.
October 6, 2025
Belize. Zielony labirynt, gdzie powietrze drży od wilgoci, a każdy szelest może być początkiem końca. W tę duszną, lepką od sekretów scenerię wkracza Laelia Wylde — kobieta, która słyszy coraz mniej, lecz widzi coraz więcej. Ucieka z Londynu, z przeszłości, z samej siebie. Wraz z partnerem i dziećmi szuka azylu w tropikalnym raju. Ale raj ten ma mroczne serce, a każda kropla potu i każdy dźwięk dżungli zdają się szeptać: „nic tu nie jest takie, jak myślisz.”
Jo Morey buduje napięcie jak w gorączkowym śnie. Z początku powieść pachnie obietnicą nowego życia – błyszczące liście, słony zapach morza, wizja restauracji, która ma być symbolem nowego początku. Lecz szybko ten świat zaczyna pękać. Tropikalna zieleń staje się duszącą pułapką, a śpiew ptaków – ostrzeżeniem.
Laelia, stopniowo tracąca słuch, zaczyna wątpić w realność otoczenia. Czy Aid, jej partner, jest naprawdę tym, za kogo się podaje? Co ukrywa jej ojciec, z którym miała odbudować więź? A może wszystko to tylko halucynacje rodzące się w głowie kobiety, której zmysły odmawiają posłuszeństwa?
„Mroczna laguna” to nie tylko thriller psychologiczny. To opowieść o rozpadzie percepcji, o cichym lęku przed utratą kontroli nad światem i sobą. Morey z precyzją godną chirurgii emocjonalnej rozcina relacje, pokazując jak miłość potrafi mutować w obsesję, a zaufanie w truciznę.
Autorka fenomenalnie oddaje atmosferę dżungli – ciepło, które dusi; dźwięki, które stają się echem własnych myśli; ciemność, która ma zapach strachu. To przestrzeń niemal żywa – wroga i zmysłowa zarazem. Czuć tu ducha realizmu magicznego – dżungla nie tylko otacza bohaterów, ale i ich pochłania, splata się z nimi niczym wilgotna liana.
To historia o ludziach w maskach, o rodzinnych tajemnicach i o tym, że największe potwory nie zawsze mają kły – czasem mówią do nas cicho, z miłością.
Jo Morey napisała książkę, która hipnotyzuje. Powoli, nieśpiesznie, jak sen w upale – aż nagle uderza w nas jak tropikalna burza. Finał jest jak błyskawica – gwałtowny, nieunikniony, oślepiający.
„Mroczna laguna” to opowieść o tym, jak łatwo zagubić się między rzeczywistością a iluzją. To lektura, która szepcze w nocy i długo jeszcze rezonuje w pamięci, jak echo w dusznej dżungli.
Dziękuję za zaufanie i egzemplarz do recenzji od wydawnictwa @wydawnictwosoniadraga (współpraca reklamowa) 🩷.
Jo Morey buduje napięcie jak w gorączkowym śnie. Z początku powieść pachnie obietnicą nowego życia – błyszczące liście, słony zapach morza, wizja restauracji, która ma być symbolem nowego początku. Lecz szybko ten świat zaczyna pękać. Tropikalna zieleń staje się duszącą pułapką, a śpiew ptaków – ostrzeżeniem.
Laelia, stopniowo tracąca słuch, zaczyna wątpić w realność otoczenia. Czy Aid, jej partner, jest naprawdę tym, za kogo się podaje? Co ukrywa jej ojciec, z którym miała odbudować więź? A może wszystko to tylko halucynacje rodzące się w głowie kobiety, której zmysły odmawiają posłuszeństwa?
„Mroczna laguna” to nie tylko thriller psychologiczny. To opowieść o rozpadzie percepcji, o cichym lęku przed utratą kontroli nad światem i sobą. Morey z precyzją godną chirurgii emocjonalnej rozcina relacje, pokazując jak miłość potrafi mutować w obsesję, a zaufanie w truciznę.
Autorka fenomenalnie oddaje atmosferę dżungli – ciepło, które dusi; dźwięki, które stają się echem własnych myśli; ciemność, która ma zapach strachu. To przestrzeń niemal żywa – wroga i zmysłowa zarazem. Czuć tu ducha realizmu magicznego – dżungla nie tylko otacza bohaterów, ale i ich pochłania, splata się z nimi niczym wilgotna liana.
To historia o ludziach w maskach, o rodzinnych tajemnicach i o tym, że największe potwory nie zawsze mają kły – czasem mówią do nas cicho, z miłością.
Jo Morey napisała książkę, która hipnotyzuje. Powoli, nieśpiesznie, jak sen w upale – aż nagle uderza w nas jak tropikalna burza. Finał jest jak błyskawica – gwałtowny, nieunikniony, oślepiający.
„Mroczna laguna” to opowieść o tym, jak łatwo zagubić się między rzeczywistością a iluzją. To lektura, która szepcze w nocy i długo jeszcze rezonuje w pamięci, jak echo w dusznej dżungli.
Dziękuję za zaufanie i egzemplarz do recenzji od wydawnictwa @wydawnictwosoniadraga (współpraca reklamowa) 🩷.
June 23, 2025
Dr Ellis Wylde, an internationally renowned, academic expert on Orchids, is now lying in a coma in a hospital in Belize, not far from his home in the jungle, but over 5000 miles from Oxford University where he is an emeritus professor, and London where his daughters and their families live. To celebrate his birthday in 2023 all of the family had met on Caye Caulker Island in Belize, Laelia and her new boyfriend, Aid, Chloe and her husband Tom, and Laelia’s two children. After dinner and drinks Ellis is walking at the water’s edge with Aid when he apparently has a stroke. Aid pulls him from the water, but after whispering the enigmatic “lavender feels’ to Laelia he lapses into the aforementioned coma. Four months later he is still in it. Laelia, Aid and the kids move into Ellis’s house buried deep in the jungle, where things might kill you at any moment – including people – and wait hopefully. Aid gets work with an ex-pat Yank, and Laelia tries to establish a reputation as a chef (her job in London) while searching hopefully for her father’s papers and pondering on that the meaning of “lavender feels” – assuming that is what he actually said, for she is hearing impaired and her hearing aids are erratic.
On the face of it, this is really just a domestic drama set in a jungle, the only apparent mystery is the enigmatic message. In fact much of the text is taken up with descriptions of their surroundings, the dynamic (and energetic love-making) between Laelia and Aid, and the overarching role of Orchids. There is also an underlying feeling of suspense, but the plot is really quite easy to work out so there isn’t any real tension. Overall it is well written and a promising debut, an undemanding read for a lazy summer weekend.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
On the face of it, this is really just a domestic drama set in a jungle, the only apparent mystery is the enigmatic message. In fact much of the text is taken up with descriptions of their surroundings, the dynamic (and energetic love-making) between Laelia and Aid, and the overarching role of Orchids. There is also an underlying feeling of suspense, but the plot is really quite easy to work out so there isn’t any real tension. Overall it is well written and a promising debut, an undemanding read for a lazy summer weekend.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.
June 23, 2025
I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
This is a thriller set in Belize where a woman has to move into her Dad’s lodge in the jungle after he falls ill. She was only visiting from the UK for his birthday party but this turns into a significantly extended stay, with her are her two children and her partner.
This was a bit of a slower burn but it benefitted from it. Because of the attention to detail and the fact this takes place over a period of weeks, by the time we get to the conclusion we’re really immersed making it pretty satisfying. I love reading books set in other countries, but sometimes with thrillers it can be superficial and you don’t really get a sense of that place. Not at all the case here. The author really gives you the detail on the location, both from beach and jungle and this did feel like it couldn’t have been set anywhere else. I loved that, it made it feel evocative and exciting. There were little details about the food, the landscape and the local fauna that gave this book such a richness.
The main character is sympathetic but frustrating at times. She is experiencing hearing loss and this can make it difficult for her to follow conversations, particularly in noisy environments. However this is exacerbated by her not wanting people to know and her embarrassment around wearing her hearing aids. We see the challenges she faces and how she perseveres. She does make some choices in this book which were frustrating, where she knows something is a bad idea but does it anyway. She’s very human. There’s an added layer to this book of her two children being with her and her conflict around what’s best for them.
I was pretty impressed with this book, it had a depth to it. It felt detailed and evocative. The main character was hard to predict and information was dropped in a way that it wasn’t always obvious what people were going to do. There was a subtle but growing menace in this book that became deeply disturbing at the end. I would recommend this and I would read more from this author.
This is a thriller set in Belize where a woman has to move into her Dad’s lodge in the jungle after he falls ill. She was only visiting from the UK for his birthday party but this turns into a significantly extended stay, with her are her two children and her partner.
This was a bit of a slower burn but it benefitted from it. Because of the attention to detail and the fact this takes place over a period of weeks, by the time we get to the conclusion we’re really immersed making it pretty satisfying. I love reading books set in other countries, but sometimes with thrillers it can be superficial and you don’t really get a sense of that place. Not at all the case here. The author really gives you the detail on the location, both from beach and jungle and this did feel like it couldn’t have been set anywhere else. I loved that, it made it feel evocative and exciting. There were little details about the food, the landscape and the local fauna that gave this book such a richness.
The main character is sympathetic but frustrating at times. She is experiencing hearing loss and this can make it difficult for her to follow conversations, particularly in noisy environments. However this is exacerbated by her not wanting people to know and her embarrassment around wearing her hearing aids. We see the challenges she faces and how she perseveres. She does make some choices in this book which were frustrating, where she knows something is a bad idea but does it anyway. She’s very human. There’s an added layer to this book of her two children being with her and her conflict around what’s best for them.
I was pretty impressed with this book, it had a depth to it. It felt detailed and evocative. The main character was hard to predict and information was dropped in a way that it wasn’t always obvious what people were going to do. There was a subtle but growing menace in this book that became deeply disturbing at the end. I would recommend this and I would read more from this author.
June 24, 2025
Loved reading about the jungle in Belize and a totally different way of life from that of the UK.
Lots of botany, family dynamics , big secrets and some gaslighting. A bit odd that the main character Laelia had hearing loss and tinnitus and I had expected this to have a biggr impact on the story than it did.
Ellis Wylde is a professor obsessed with orchids who ends up leaving his family to live in the jungle of Belize close to his beloved orchids and decides to stay there for good. But he takes a serious stroke and Laelia decides to stay in Belize in the hope that he may recover and get out of hospital. Laelia had lost her London Job because of her hearing and dreams of perhaps staying in Belize with its quiter pace of life and less noise which suits her. Surprisingly her two children from a first marriage take to life there and are much happier than when in the UK. Her partner Aid was not keen on staying but gets well paid work after a while but Laelia is suspicious of what he is doing to earn it especially as he spends a lot of time away and is drinking an awful lot. The nasty side of Belize comes to affect the family and Laelia feels she should get out of this relationship and head back to the uk but the children love it and would be devastated if she removed them. She dithers and keeps changing her mind despite her sister quite forcefully encouraging her to do it. Rather than see some of the characters take painfull decisions at the end of the book it is left to the Jungle to force the issue which is a bit against the flow of the book I thought. All the characters were very believable with all their flaws.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
Lots of botany, family dynamics , big secrets and some gaslighting. A bit odd that the main character Laelia had hearing loss and tinnitus and I had expected this to have a biggr impact on the story than it did.
Ellis Wylde is a professor obsessed with orchids who ends up leaving his family to live in the jungle of Belize close to his beloved orchids and decides to stay there for good. But he takes a serious stroke and Laelia decides to stay in Belize in the hope that he may recover and get out of hospital. Laelia had lost her London Job because of her hearing and dreams of perhaps staying in Belize with its quiter pace of life and less noise which suits her. Surprisingly her two children from a first marriage take to life there and are much happier than when in the UK. Her partner Aid was not keen on staying but gets well paid work after a while but Laelia is suspicious of what he is doing to earn it especially as he spends a lot of time away and is drinking an awful lot. The nasty side of Belize comes to affect the family and Laelia feels she should get out of this relationship and head back to the uk but the children love it and would be devastated if she removed them. She dithers and keeps changing her mind despite her sister quite forcefully encouraging her to do it. Rather than see some of the characters take painfull decisions at the end of the book it is left to the Jungle to force the issue which is a bit against the flow of the book I thought. All the characters were very believable with all their flaws.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC
July 3, 2025
Happy Publication Day!
Laelia Wylde isn’t the easiest character to like. After a rough patch in her life including a failed marriage and losing her chef job in London, she heads to a remote lodge recently bought by her estranged father. What follows is a story layered with emotional tension, family secrets, and unexpected revelations.
At first, it seems like the perfect escape. The kids are happy, she’s starting to enjoy the slower pace of life, and there’s Aidrian, who brings some light back into her world. But things shift when her father suddenly collapses, possibly from a stroke. As Laelia adjusts to this new life, she begins to suspect that both her father and Aidrian might be hiding something. The peaceful paradise she thought she’d found becomes much more complicated.
Admittedly, I struggled with Laelia as a protagonist. Her denial, toxic relationship patterns, and self-destructive choices made it hard to root for her. But oddly enough, that frustration kept me turning the pages. Her flaws are raw and real, and while it was difficult to connect with her emotionally, it added a layer of complexity that made the story feel more authentic.
This isn’t a tale of perfect redemption or simple healing. It’s about messy growth, family tensions, and finding unexpected joy even when life is uncertain. Even without personally relating to Laelia, I was invested, if only to see whether she’d finally break the cycle or fall deeper into it. If you enjoy atmospheric stories with layered characters and slow-burning revelations, this book is definitely worth a try.
Laelia Wylde isn’t the easiest character to like. After a rough patch in her life including a failed marriage and losing her chef job in London, she heads to a remote lodge recently bought by her estranged father. What follows is a story layered with emotional tension, family secrets, and unexpected revelations.
At first, it seems like the perfect escape. The kids are happy, she’s starting to enjoy the slower pace of life, and there’s Aidrian, who brings some light back into her world. But things shift when her father suddenly collapses, possibly from a stroke. As Laelia adjusts to this new life, she begins to suspect that both her father and Aidrian might be hiding something. The peaceful paradise she thought she’d found becomes much more complicated.
Admittedly, I struggled with Laelia as a protagonist. Her denial, toxic relationship patterns, and self-destructive choices made it hard to root for her. But oddly enough, that frustration kept me turning the pages. Her flaws are raw and real, and while it was difficult to connect with her emotionally, it added a layer of complexity that made the story feel more authentic.
This isn’t a tale of perfect redemption or simple healing. It’s about messy growth, family tensions, and finding unexpected joy even when life is uncertain. Even without personally relating to Laelia, I was invested, if only to see whether she’d finally break the cycle or fall deeper into it. If you enjoy atmospheric stories with layered characters and slow-burning revelations, this book is definitely worth a try.
October 30, 2025
An English mothers elderly father collapses in the sea whilst they’re visiting him in Belize she decides to stay on with her children until he’s recovered in hospital the book is family set in Belize in the jungles and the seaside areas. It has a tropical sultry field to it.
The main character in the novel is partially deaf and uses a hearing aid. I liked the way this Disability was portrayed throughout the novel particularly when she’s finding it hard to hear conversations and fears she’s missing out of vital information. The difficulty is keeping hearing aids charged with electricity that comes and goes with something I’d never really thought about.
There is a constant hint of a threat throughout the novel right from the start and this builds and builds in a satisfactory manner the author really is expert at manipulating your emotions
The author has a clear flowing easily read writing style. The book is an enjoyable immersive read.
I’d recommend the novel to those of you who like a thriller with domestic undertones. There are episodes of domestic violence in this book which probably needs a sensitivity warning.
I originally copy of the novel on NetGalley UK in return for an honest review. The book was published in the UK in July 2025. Harper Collins UK Harper fiction.
This review will appear on NetGalley UK, StoryGraph, Goodreads, and my book blog by bionicSarahSbooks.wordpress.com
The main character in the novel is partially deaf and uses a hearing aid. I liked the way this Disability was portrayed throughout the novel particularly when she’s finding it hard to hear conversations and fears she’s missing out of vital information. The difficulty is keeping hearing aids charged with electricity that comes and goes with something I’d never really thought about.
There is a constant hint of a threat throughout the novel right from the start and this builds and builds in a satisfactory manner the author really is expert at manipulating your emotions
The author has a clear flowing easily read writing style. The book is an enjoyable immersive read.
I’d recommend the novel to those of you who like a thriller with domestic undertones. There are episodes of domestic violence in this book which probably needs a sensitivity warning.
I originally copy of the novel on NetGalley UK in return for an honest review. The book was published in the UK in July 2025. Harper Collins UK Harper fiction.
This review will appear on NetGalley UK, StoryGraph, Goodreads, and my book blog by bionicSarahSbooks.wordpress.com
August 25, 2025
This literary suspense novel began with great promise - some excellent writing, an evocative setting on the beaches and in the jungle in Belize together with an interesting protagonist. Alas towards the middle it began to feel too long and bloated and lost some of its magic.
Laelia and Chloe are in Belize for their father Ellis’s birthday when he is taken ill suddenly and falls into a coma. Laelia decides to stay in Belize with her children and her partner Aid, in order to be close to Ellis in intensive care. The family move into Ellis’ remote house in the jungle where for years he has studied and documented rare species of orchids.
Laelia has a significant hearing impairment and has lost her job as a chef, and her partner Aid is a shady character who treats Laelia poorly, making for a volatile relationship with secrets simmering beneath the surface.
This is Jo Morey’s debut and it’s an admirable first novel with some great, atmospheric writing. However, it lacks pace and began to really drag in the midsection with superfluous characters, plot lines and detail. A decent read that was almost great. I loved the vivid descriptions of Belize and it was worth sticking with it until the ending. A solid 3.5/5 ⭐️
*Many thanks to Harper Collins for the eARC via Netgalley. The Night Lagoon was published this month (August 2025).
Laelia and Chloe are in Belize for their father Ellis’s birthday when he is taken ill suddenly and falls into a coma. Laelia decides to stay in Belize with her children and her partner Aid, in order to be close to Ellis in intensive care. The family move into Ellis’ remote house in the jungle where for years he has studied and documented rare species of orchids.
Laelia has a significant hearing impairment and has lost her job as a chef, and her partner Aid is a shady character who treats Laelia poorly, making for a volatile relationship with secrets simmering beneath the surface.
This is Jo Morey’s debut and it’s an admirable first novel with some great, atmospheric writing. However, it lacks pace and began to really drag in the midsection with superfluous characters, plot lines and detail. A decent read that was almost great. I loved the vivid descriptions of Belize and it was worth sticking with it until the ending. A solid 3.5/5 ⭐️
*Many thanks to Harper Collins for the eARC via Netgalley. The Night Lagoon was published this month (August 2025).
October 4, 2025
„Mroczna laguna” właśnie dzięki tym obszernym opisom przyrody, dzięki niebezpieczeństwom, które czyhały w tych dzikich miejscach stała się taka klimatyczna, momentami przerażająca oraz mroczna. To miało naprawdę niepowtarzalny vibe, czasami miałam wrażenie, że zaraz coś wyskoczy zza krzaków. - albo jakieś zwierzę które zabija, albo jakaś roślina, która jest trująca. W każdym razie „Mroczna laguna” to thriller, w którym mnóstwo jest takich niedokończonych historii, niedopowiedzeń, ślepych uliczek i rozpoczętych wątków, które długo nie chcą być przed nami odkryte do końca. I to bez wątpienia zalety tej powieści. Ja w ogóle lubię thrillery psychologiczne, lubię podążać za bohaterami i zastanawiać się co za chwilę się wydarzy, staram się łączyć te wszystkie kropki i naprawdę przyjemnie czyta mi się opowieści, które są swego rodzaju zagadką, mnóstwo w nich tajemnic i spraw z przeszłości, które prędzej czy później wyjdą na jaw. Jeśli będziecie czytać tą pozycję, a może nie jeśli, lecz gdy będziecie czytać tę pozycje zwróćcie uwagę na bohaterów, ich zachowanie, starajcie się w każdym z nich doszukać czegoś innego, dziwnego. To historia o tym, że bez względu na to jak blisko z kimś jesteśmy, musimy pamiętać że ludzie są naprawdę świetnymi aktorami i zakładają mnóstwo masek, czasami możemy nie dostrzec tego co dla innych widoczne jest gołym okiem. Rewelacyjne zakończenie. 7.5⭐️.
July 7, 2025
Having finished this book I turned back to page 1 to read the first few pages again - and realised that I had forgotten how this story had begun! The descriptions of the jungle, the orchids, the danger had filled my mind. This is definitely a book that should be read twice to pick up the nuances of the actual plot
Laelia suffers from tinnitus and hearing loss which is essential to the story. The doctors have told her this can lead to memory loss eventually too.She misses so much of the conversation which is relevant to the story. Her hearing aids are her lifeline and they are not always working. Add to this that Laelia has always been 'protected' - first by her father and Chloe and now still Chloe and Aid - although Aid is perhaps more controlling than protecting. Their relationship is a strange one that is not particularly healthy.
Everyone in this book has their secrets. Ellis's story as a botanist which takes him away from his family is interspersed with the present story.
There are the orchids and the jungle beauty on one side and the violence - drugs, alcohol, smuggling, blackmail on the other.
This is a complex story beautifully written.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Jo Morey/HarperCollins UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
Laelia suffers from tinnitus and hearing loss which is essential to the story. The doctors have told her this can lead to memory loss eventually too.She misses so much of the conversation which is relevant to the story. Her hearing aids are her lifeline and they are not always working. Add to this that Laelia has always been 'protected' - first by her father and Chloe and now still Chloe and Aid - although Aid is perhaps more controlling than protecting. Their relationship is a strange one that is not particularly healthy.
Everyone in this book has their secrets. Ellis's story as a botanist which takes him away from his family is interspersed with the present story.
There are the orchids and the jungle beauty on one side and the violence - drugs, alcohol, smuggling, blackmail on the other.
This is a complex story beautifully written.
Many thanks to Netgalley/Jo Morey/HarperCollins UK for a digital copy of this title. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 5, 2025
I don’t read much suspense, or much set in the present day, but I loved this for its clever, creeping tension, its lush sense of location, and the feast it presents for the senses. It also has some great humour, and brilliantly complex characters who are flawed but fascinating to spend time with, plus a narrator you can’t help cheering for.
I’m lucky enough to have met Jo through a writing prize and got a sneak peek at this as an early draft. It was pretty damn good then and is absolutely superb now.
It’s mostly told from the point of view of Laelia, a London chef who has come to Belize to celebrate the birthday of her father, a retired academic and expert on orchids. When events take an unexpected turn, Laelia, who has brought her own secrets with her, takes her children and her partner, Aid, to her father’s cabin, deep in the jungle, only to discover that she’s not the only one to have told the odd lie…
Mixed in with all this is the fact that Laelia suffers from tinnitus and her hearing is worsening. I felt the way Morey (a tinnitus sufferer herself) articulates the condition was masterful, and the same goes for for the way she shows its knock on effects on memory, sense of self, confidence, and mental health in general. It was really informative without feeling like a lecture, and was a fundamental part of both plot and character, taking the novel’s tension to another level.
Highly recommended if you like characters who pop off the page and a sense of place so vivid you find yourself surprised you don’t need to machete your way through the back garden after reading it.
I’m lucky enough to have met Jo through a writing prize and got a sneak peek at this as an early draft. It was pretty damn good then and is absolutely superb now.
It’s mostly told from the point of view of Laelia, a London chef who has come to Belize to celebrate the birthday of her father, a retired academic and expert on orchids. When events take an unexpected turn, Laelia, who has brought her own secrets with her, takes her children and her partner, Aid, to her father’s cabin, deep in the jungle, only to discover that she’s not the only one to have told the odd lie…
Mixed in with all this is the fact that Laelia suffers from tinnitus and her hearing is worsening. I felt the way Morey (a tinnitus sufferer herself) articulates the condition was masterful, and the same goes for for the way she shows its knock on effects on memory, sense of self, confidence, and mental health in general. It was really informative without feeling like a lecture, and was a fundamental part of both plot and character, taking the novel’s tension to another level.
Highly recommended if you like characters who pop off the page and a sense of place so vivid you find yourself surprised you don’t need to machete your way through the back garden after reading it.
October 22, 2025
Zapytacie mnie: Kaśka, a masz jakiś nowy thriller psychologiczny godny polecenia?
Odpowiadam: O, tak! Proszę bardzo: "Mroczna laguna".
.
Czyż nie mogłoby być lepiej?
🖤Thriller psychologiczny? Jest.
🖤Napięcie? Jest.
🖤Tajemnica? Jest.
🖤Bohater, któremu dopingujemy? Jest.
🖤Bohater, którego nie lubimy? Jest.
✨A do tego moi drodzy: klimat! Rajska wyspa. Palmy, tropiki, dżungla, plaża i szum fal! Przenosimy się na Belize.🏖️🌊
.
Laeila wraz z partnerem oraz dziećmi przylatuje na Belize, gdzie mieszka jej ojciec. Z niewyjaśnionych przyczyn, podczas ich pobytu, ojciec trafia do szpital, a stan jego zdrowia jest bardzo ciężki. Laeila postanawia pozostać w domu taty czekając na jego powrót do zdrowia. I tu proszę państwa zaczyna dziać się magia. Historia Laeili zaczyna nas owija niczym bluszcz, a jej tajemnica wciąga jak ta gęsta dżungla. Zaczyna nam się mieszać w głowie tak jak głównej bohaterce. Nie wiemy co jest prawdą, a co wytworem wyobraźni. A może ktoś bardzo chce, żebyśmy postradali zmysły?
.
A do tego niech was nie zmyli piękna kolorowa okładka (tak, tak, wiem, jest cudna🤩).
.
Choć ta książka jest długa, bo ma ponad 500 stron, nie odczujecie tego podczas czytania. Przynajmniej ja się nie nudziłam ani trochę🤭
.
Polecam bardzo gorąco🔥🖤
Odpowiadam: O, tak! Proszę bardzo: "Mroczna laguna".
.
Czyż nie mogłoby być lepiej?
🖤Thriller psychologiczny? Jest.
🖤Napięcie? Jest.
🖤Tajemnica? Jest.
🖤Bohater, któremu dopingujemy? Jest.
🖤Bohater, którego nie lubimy? Jest.
✨A do tego moi drodzy: klimat! Rajska wyspa. Palmy, tropiki, dżungla, plaża i szum fal! Przenosimy się na Belize.🏖️🌊
.
Laeila wraz z partnerem oraz dziećmi przylatuje na Belize, gdzie mieszka jej ojciec. Z niewyjaśnionych przyczyn, podczas ich pobytu, ojciec trafia do szpital, a stan jego zdrowia jest bardzo ciężki. Laeila postanawia pozostać w domu taty czekając na jego powrót do zdrowia. I tu proszę państwa zaczyna dziać się magia. Historia Laeili zaczyna nas owija niczym bluszcz, a jej tajemnica wciąga jak ta gęsta dżungla. Zaczyna nam się mieszać w głowie tak jak głównej bohaterce. Nie wiemy co jest prawdą, a co wytworem wyobraźni. A może ktoś bardzo chce, żebyśmy postradali zmysły?
.
A do tego niech was nie zmyli piękna kolorowa okładka (tak, tak, wiem, jest cudna🤩).
.
Choć ta książka jest długa, bo ma ponad 500 stron, nie odczujecie tego podczas czytania. Przynajmniej ja się nie nudziłam ani trochę🤭
.
Polecam bardzo gorąco🔥🖤
December 8, 2025
What a slow burn this is but it does grow in tension and intrigue to a satisfying conclusion.
However I was at times slightly confused as to what was real and what wasn't, and I couldn't really shake that confused feeling.
In between though I was absolutely interested in the descriptions of Belize, especially the jungle. I love an exotic setting and this one felt incredibly well researched. I could feel the heat, humidity, could feel how the jungle is a leaving breathing entity of it's own.
I also loved how Laelia's children adapted to life in the jungle, a much simpler life than that of London, with simpler pleasures.
Equally the more I learnt about Aid, the less I was liking him and as a result the less I was overall sympathising with Laelia, especially in light of her past.
It was though very interesting to have a character with a hearing impairment, and seeing how that can affect day to day life. Always good to have more representation in novels.
I did enjoy reading this, and i was happy to keep going to the end. I think I just prefer a bit more pace to my stories, or for me to be less confused generally.
Thank you to HarperCollins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
However I was at times slightly confused as to what was real and what wasn't, and I couldn't really shake that confused feeling.
In between though I was absolutely interested in the descriptions of Belize, especially the jungle. I love an exotic setting and this one felt incredibly well researched. I could feel the heat, humidity, could feel how the jungle is a leaving breathing entity of it's own.
I also loved how Laelia's children adapted to life in the jungle, a much simpler life than that of London, with simpler pleasures.
Equally the more I learnt about Aid, the less I was liking him and as a result the less I was overall sympathising with Laelia, especially in light of her past.
It was though very interesting to have a character with a hearing impairment, and seeing how that can affect day to day life. Always good to have more representation in novels.
I did enjoy reading this, and i was happy to keep going to the end. I think I just prefer a bit more pace to my stories, or for me to be less confused generally.
Thank you to HarperCollins and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
July 2, 2025
This is a rollercoaster of a read, thrills and secrets throughout, set in beautiful surroundings. Ellis is a professor of botany studying Orchids in the jungle. His two daughters Chloe and Laelia go to stay with him when he is in a coma after an accident. Laelia has two children and is in a relationship with Aid who is struggling with demons from his past . Laelia has an hearing impairment where she uses aids to help her tinnitus and hearing loss. This is portrayed very well in the book . The atmosphere is hot in the jungle and you can sense the oppression in the air not only from the surroundings but from the secrets and dangers that are lurking. Aid is causing suspicion from Laelia’s family with his drunken obnoxious behaviour. There is so much tension in this novel and so much betrayal . Someone is tampering with Laelia’s aids making her feel like she is going mad but who? It is a really good thriller with an exciting revealing conclusion . On a final note I learned so much about Orchids, never knew they were so precious.
October 17, 2025
I found myself really enjoying this read and I was a bit surprised as from the blurb I was not too sure what to expect. Laelia is a fantastic character, firstly a beautiful name! Laelia is also incredibly strong and likeable and I enjoyed getting to know her and her family.
Belize was a complete joy and surprise to be set in. What a stunning country Belize is and I loved being transported there, it also made the book feel a bit more unique to be set in an exotic location.
The plot is quite a slow burn but also surprisingly gripping, there was something that kept me reading. Morey created a sense of unease incredibly well and I think I was reading expecting something to happen. Towards the latter stages of the book, the pace does drop off and whilst I was never bored I was a bit disinterested and I think something else needed to happen or happen quicker to improve this.
Overall this is a stunning read set in a beautiful location.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for an advance copy.
Belize was a complete joy and surprise to be set in. What a stunning country Belize is and I loved being transported there, it also made the book feel a bit more unique to be set in an exotic location.
The plot is quite a slow burn but also surprisingly gripping, there was something that kept me reading. Morey created a sense of unease incredibly well and I think I was reading expecting something to happen. Towards the latter stages of the book, the pace does drop off and whilst I was never bored I was a bit disinterested and I think something else needed to happen or happen quicker to improve this.
Overall this is a stunning read set in a beautiful location.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for an advance copy.
July 3, 2025
Laelia is named after an orchid.
Laelia’s father is an orchid fanatic, and lives in the jungle in Belize. He keeps diaries, journals and secrets.
When Chloe and Laelia’s mum dies, their father has to return to England to look after them. When they are married with children of their own, he goes back to Belize.
Laelia first met Aid in Belize. Later they meet again back in England, in Brighton.
They return to Belize when Laelia’s father becomes ill. All he says is ‘lavender feels’ - or that’s what Laelia hears, but she has deafness and doesn’t always hear correctly.
The book felt like a slow burner, at the beginning getting to know the characters, who were very real to me. Small things worried me. Then, suddenly I was gripped and had to finish the book.
Well written and engaging, if a little slow to start.
Laelia’s father is an orchid fanatic, and lives in the jungle in Belize. He keeps diaries, journals and secrets.
When Chloe and Laelia’s mum dies, their father has to return to England to look after them. When they are married with children of their own, he goes back to Belize.
Laelia first met Aid in Belize. Later they meet again back in England, in Brighton.
They return to Belize when Laelia’s father becomes ill. All he says is ‘lavender feels’ - or that’s what Laelia hears, but she has deafness and doesn’t always hear correctly.
The book felt like a slow burner, at the beginning getting to know the characters, who were very real to me. Small things worried me. Then, suddenly I was gripped and had to finish the book.
Well written and engaging, if a little slow to start.
July 5, 2025
Laelia is in a jungle lodge in Belize. She is there with her 2 children and her partner Aid. It’s her dad’s lodge and they are spending time there looking after the place. Laelia met Aid in Belize when she wasnn by on holiday with her sister after her marriage had ended. However, is Aid what he seem and what is the dark secret that Laelia has found hidden in the lodge. Does she confront the past or does she keep quiet and keep pretending that life is fine in the Caribbean paradise.
This started with a punch and I had high hope but as I got into the book the more Laelia annoyed me. I just found her to be a whinging moaner and despite people trying to help her she would rather suffer and then moan about it. The dark secret was something I had an inkling about but the ending wrapped it all u. 3.5 star read for me
This started with a punch and I had high hope but as I got into the book the more Laelia annoyed me. I just found her to be a whinging moaner and despite people trying to help her she would rather suffer and then moan about it. The dark secret was something I had an inkling about but the ending wrapped it all u. 3.5 star read for me
August 4, 2025
I instantly loved the feel of the book and the writing style, it creates this atmosphere that just has this undercurrent of something uncomfortable, not quite right.
“There was a definite undertow, unease crackling somewhere beneath the surface.”
There is a lot about the storyline that I won’t explain as I think it would give away too much. But it’s a slow burn, literary thriller. Don’t expect fast paced action, it’s very much about the small details in this story. But I did race through those last 100 odd pages as I couldn’t put it down!
I liked the fact that our main character has a hearing problem. I found it really interesting to imagine what life is like for her and how that impacts on her and this story as well.
“Life dampened by my ears.”
Athmospheric, slow burn mystery thriller. Definitely how I like books best!
“There was a definite undertow, unease crackling somewhere beneath the surface.”
There is a lot about the storyline that I won’t explain as I think it would give away too much. But it’s a slow burn, literary thriller. Don’t expect fast paced action, it’s very much about the small details in this story. But I did race through those last 100 odd pages as I couldn’t put it down!
I liked the fact that our main character has a hearing problem. I found it really interesting to imagine what life is like for her and how that impacts on her and this story as well.
“Life dampened by my ears.”
Athmospheric, slow burn mystery thriller. Definitely how I like books best!
August 24, 2025
This is an unbelievably powerful debut novel set in the beautiful but dangerous jungle of Belize. Sisters Laelia and Chloe and their families are there to celebrate their dad Ellis’s birthday. But plans unexpectedly change and this leads to many secrets and lies being uncovered as the book progresses. The descriptions of the Belizean landscape and wildlife - the rawness, the lushness, the bats, snakes and the howler monkeys were thoroughly transporting. I felt fully immersed and as though I could hear the cacophony of sounds and smell the plants, the trees and the fear.
There is darkness in this book with some difficult themes but these were sensitively portrayed. I found the inclusion of Laelia’s sensory needs refreshing and not often depicted in books. I would definitely recommend this thriller and will look for future books by Jo Morey.
There is darkness in this book with some difficult themes but these were sensitively portrayed. I found the inclusion of Laelia’s sensory needs refreshing and not often depicted in books. I would definitely recommend this thriller and will look for future books by Jo Morey.
October 28, 2025
synopsis —-It’s a liar’s paradise
Wittering Lodge, Stann Creek, Belize
In the dead of night, lying in her father’s jungle lodge, Laelia watches her partner Aid sleeping – her mind racing with everything that’s brought her to this moment.
The heady Caribbean holiday when they first met.
The rum-fueled passion that, day by day, creeps into something darker.
The secrets she discovered in a hidden nook of the lodge, revealing a devastating past.
Above all, she thinks about the impossible decision she must make before dawn.
Does she stay silent and protect their newfound paradise? Or does she confront the lies which run as deep and dark as the lagoon – surfacing a dangerous truth from which there’s no return
#mythoughts Laelia and Chloe’s father has lived in Belize for years, researching orchids. When an event for their father brings the sisters together, they travel to visit him — but following his sudden collapse, Laelia decides to stay on, bringing her two children and her partner, Aid, to live in his house while he is in hospital .
Laelia, who has a hearing impairment and has recently lost her job as a chef, has little to return home for. Aid, however, is far from a likeable character, and as the story unfolds, his secrets — and the people connected to him — begin to surface, unravelling the calm façade of their new life in Belize.
A really good read atmospheric , food envy and rather a lot of alcohol, deception, sibling understanding and wildlife and suspense makes it a perfect pick up !
Wittering Lodge, Stann Creek, Belize
In the dead of night, lying in her father’s jungle lodge, Laelia watches her partner Aid sleeping – her mind racing with everything that’s brought her to this moment.
The heady Caribbean holiday when they first met.
The rum-fueled passion that, day by day, creeps into something darker.
The secrets she discovered in a hidden nook of the lodge, revealing a devastating past.
Above all, she thinks about the impossible decision she must make before dawn.
Does she stay silent and protect their newfound paradise? Or does she confront the lies which run as deep and dark as the lagoon – surfacing a dangerous truth from which there’s no return
#mythoughts Laelia and Chloe’s father has lived in Belize for years, researching orchids. When an event for their father brings the sisters together, they travel to visit him — but following his sudden collapse, Laelia decides to stay on, bringing her two children and her partner, Aid, to live in his house while he is in hospital .
Laelia, who has a hearing impairment and has recently lost her job as a chef, has little to return home for. Aid, however, is far from a likeable character, and as the story unfolds, his secrets — and the people connected to him — begin to surface, unravelling the calm façade of their new life in Belize.
A really good read atmospheric , food envy and rather a lot of alcohol, deception, sibling understanding and wildlife and suspense makes it a perfect pick up !
May 17, 2025
A hot take on jungle suspense. I was lucky enough to read a proof of this book and wow! I will never drink rum in the same way again. Such a polished debut, the author ramps up the tension so slowly it’s like something cooking on a rusty stove. The relationship simmers destructively and the jungle setting makes everything feel so dangerous. Loved the way the timelines work together to reveal the secrets and the depth of the characters. Not easy to find the balance between beautiful writing and page turning suspense, but this one nails it. Going to take it to the beach this summer and read it hot!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews