Girl in the Dark

by J.M. Cannon, Whitney Dykhouse (Narrator)

On a cold evening in November, Zoey Knight gets a frantic call from her sister. Their childhood home in remote Maine has burned to the ground. Two bodies have been discovered in the basement.

When the FBI suddenly takes over the case, it's clear something more sinister than a random double homicide has taken place.

Rumors go back to The Family-cult or commune, the wealthy enclave of Black Castle, Maine has never been sure. Twenty years ago, after the disappearance of a local girl, the group vanished. Now, signs of them are resurfacing.

Zoey finds this is no ordinary conspiracy. It doesn't just involve strangers, but the very people she loves. And if she wants the truth, she'll have to risk everything to find out.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction

Audible Audio

First published February 15, 2024

Reviews

[Kurryreads (Kerry) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTNqoL89Q/

[Kaila Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! This book had my head spinning trying to figure out what happened. This town was creepy and the story line grabbed my attention right away. There are so many different mysteries going on. Zoey is a strong female main character and when she finally finds out the truth my mouth dropped. I truly did not expect the twists and turns this book was giving me. It was written so well and I loved hearing about everyone’s story and how it all clicked together. I would love to read this again knowing everything I know now.

[Cyd’s Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was a LOT going on in this small town that’s for sure!

You get cult vibes, murder, mystery and a ton of secrets that are slowly fed to you as the book progresses. I couldnt have guessed half of what would happen as it unraveled into itself and the secrets just kept layering up.

This was good, I just wish there were bigger consequences in the end, but the story wasnt completely black and white so in a way the ending had some symmetry with that in the sense people dont always get what they deserve.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 🌟
An okay read, a promising story with twists but I just didn’t LOVE it, the writing style wasn’t my thing. Feel like it could have been done a lot better to get you more engaged in the characters and story. Struggled to get through it, a few writing errors that I couldn’t get past.

[Lilla Petra · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley and Victory Editing for pulling me out of a reading slump by providing me with an ARC of this book!
This book was literally unputdownable - it was so fast-paced, action-packed, I really wanted to find out the truth, see the full picture. The story had many sub-plots but it didn’t feel overwhelming or confusing - the main question was if they were somehow connected to the main plot/each other or not.
I knew that this was going to be a gripping story when Zoey visited Charlotte for the first time - the tension, doubts, suspicion were everything (and that weird conversation between them was *chef’s kiss*).
I loved the writing style - I felt the tension, angst, despair. The same applies to the characters: they were not flat at all, their distinct features and deeds made it possible to feel concerned about some and to feel absolute hatred towards others.
I would like to congratulate to J. M. Cannon on this twisty and thrilling book and I’ll definitely put her other books on my #tbr , I’m already a fan!
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up.

[Alisa Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the ARC of Girl in the Dark.

Wow.. just wow. Girl in the Dark will make you forget you need to sleep and that you have chores. This is one of the fastest paced thrillers I've read in a long time - I just couldn't put it down. I had to know who the bodies belonged to, if The Family was real, and what happened to Megan after she went missing. Normally I can predict to some degree the ending of just about every thriller I pick up because they all follow a similar format, but I was not correct about anything at all at any point. The twists and turns and betrayals are so well executed that you won't know what hit you until you feel the blow.
There is one story that is left unfinished and I wish we knew what happened, but it wasn't enough of an issue for me to rate this one anything other than 5 stars.

This was my first book by J.M. Cannon but I will definitely be adding her other books to my TBR!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girl in the Dark by J.M. Cannon is an intricately woven mystery that grips you from the start and doesn’t let go. Just when you think the twists have run their course, Cannon hits you with another, making for a truly exhilarating read.

The plot is one of the most unique I’ve encountered, with layers upon layers of intrigue. Set against the haunting, atmospheric backdrop of remote Maine in Black Castle, the story draws you into its dark and eerie world. Add in a compelling cult arc, and you’ve got all the makings of a mystery that keeps you turning pages late into the night.

The characters are exceptionally well-crafted. Zoey, the protagonist, is someone you can’t help but root for as she navigates her tumultuous family dynamics and the secrets surrounding her. Her situation is harrowing, and while her family life is far from enviable, her determination makes her a standout character.

This isn’t just another suspense novel; it’s a story with depth and complexity, featuring layers of plot and intrigue that set it apart from more straightforward thrillers. With its gripping twists, dark atmosphere, and compelling narrative, Girl in the Dark is a solid read that mystery lovers shouldn’t miss.

Thank you to the publishers, Netgalley & J. M. Cannon for the arc!

[Malin Berg · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 Bodies are found burned in a house fire in a small town. The entire town is in shambles trying to figure out who they are and what happened to them. Most of them blame a mysterious cult called “The Family”, that disappeared many years ago. The truth is more shocking than anyone could have believed.

Girl in the Dark feels like a pretty average thriller. That sounds pretty harsh but what I mean is that it’s pretty straightforward, and nothing really stands out in the vast ocean that is thrillers. It was an enjoyable read; with some twist I saw coming a mile away and some I didn’t.

I freaking love books about cults, they are always so fascinating to read, but sadly this one had a lot less cult action than the descriptions lead us to believe. I was certainly missing some of that.

I highly recommend reading this if you are a fan of familial thrillers!

Big thanks to Netgalley, Victory editing and the author J.M. Cannon for allowing me to read an E-Arc of this novel.

[Tina Plintz · Rating 4 out of 5]

magine having your whole life being a lie!
Small town friends who will do anything to cover up the truth! A fire that not only brings a house down but a whole town of lies slowly unravels during the investigation.
I would recommend this book to someone who likes a mystery thriller. Nothing is what is seems. Everyone has something to hide

[Emily Rees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy moly! This was an action packed book! I love the writing style of this author and how he slowly reveals secrets and the whole story seamlessly comes together!

[Nicole Hancock · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. The book was okay—nothing I can really put my finger on as being wrong, but I just didn’t really connect/engage with it.

[Spring · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could have been a good thriller, but the author really, really needed an editor and an objective reader. There were inconsistencies, such as the protagonist's daughter being portrayed as a toddler and then a school-aged child over the course of a few days. Also, though the idea was good, there was no depth to characters or storyline. This could have been prevented with an editor and an objective reader who could have these difficult convos with the author to encourage taking out extraneous stuff, keeping things consistent, and putting more substance into the whole thing.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was a lot going on in this book, but somehow it wasn’t able to draw me in. I was never able to actually feel invested in what was happening to any of the characters and they felt a bit one dimensional. Some of the storyline’s in the book felt like they could have been developed more and made me feel like they were throw in just for the sack of having an extra twist.

[Kelsey Johnson Salkeld · Rating 1 out of 5]

You can tell it was self published. There were some errors that were minor but impacted my reading pleasure.

[Kylee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free ARC of this novel via Netgalley. I am providing my honest review.

The basics:
Zoey Knight receives a panicked call from her elder sister in the middle of the night— their childhood home has burned to the ground and two bodies were discovered inside. As Zoey works to ensure the bodies aren’t her missing mother and father, she quickly realizes the double-homicide case has much more sinister twists than she anticipated.

My thoughts:
Overall, this was a pretty basic thriller. Some of the twists were very interesting and I did not see them coming, but I was able to predict most of them. However, the novel was a very quick read, so I didn’t mind. I also really enjoyed Michael as a very well rounded and versatile character. I definitely found myself gravitating towards his chapters.

I did, however, have a few criticisms. I felt that every character (outside of Michael) was very one-dimensional and limited. I was particularly disappointed by Evie’s characteristics. The author chose to make her very childish and stagnant, but I felt the story would have been elevated much more if she carried some of the cynical traits of her mother. I also felt the author was trying to incorporate too many plots at once, which ultimately made each plot very simplistic. It’s really hard to successfully write kidnapping, identity fraud, missing persons, and cults effectively in the same novel. I felt the characters and overall book would have been much stronger if the author narrowed their focus. Lastly, I felt that Zoey was a completely unrealistic character. I am personally very tired of the “FMC with no law enforcement experience inserting herself into the middle of an investigation and making it worse rather than letting professionals handle it” trope, but that’s really all this novel was. Zoey consistently made poor, awful choices that could have cost her life with no remorse. She never used logic or critical thinking when making her decisions, so her chapters were honestly really tiresome to read.

Overall, I would recommend this novel to someone that’s looking for a quick, basic thriller.

[J Kromrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Girl in the Dark" by J.M. Cannon is a psychological thriller that plunges readers into the chilling depths of a small-town mystery with a shocking twist. The story unfolds in the remote town of Black Castle, Maine, where the protagonist, Zoey Knight, receives a harrowing call about her childhood home being destroyed by fire, revealing two bodies in the ruins. As the FBI swoops in, it becomes evident that this is no ordinary crime scene, but one that may be connected to the enigmatic and long-vanished cult known as The Family.

Cannon weaves a complex tapestry of suspense and intrigue, masterfully crafting a narrative that is both gripping and emotionally resonant. Zoey's journey is fraught with danger and heartache, as she delves into the dark past of her hometown and the people she holds dear. The author's skillful use of tension and pacing keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, while the richly drawn characters add layers of complexity to the unfolding drama.

The novel's strength lies in its ability to maintain a relentless sense of unease, as the line between friend and foe becomes increasingly blurred. Cannon's prose is sharp and evocative, painting a vivid picture of a community haunted by secrets and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth.

Readers may find the characterization lacking depth at times, and the plot's predictability might detract from the overall experience for seasoned thriller aficionados. Despite these criticisms, "Girl in the Dark" remains a compelling read that offers a satisfying blend of mystery and psychological exploration.

J.M. Cannon's "Girl in the Dark" is a notable addition to the thriller genre, offering a story that is both thought-provoking and chilling. It's a book that will likely resonate with fans of dark thrillers and those who enjoy a challenging twist.

[Ashley Gillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Zoey gets a panicked phone call from her sister, Evie, informing her that their old family home has burned to the ground and two bodies have been found in the cistern, Zoey returns to her strange, isolated hometown for the first time in years. While the FBI begin their investigation, the locals begin one of their own, rehashing rumors of a cult that used to operate in the area and an unsolved disappearance which still haunts the town. As more questions pile up, Zoey realizes she can’t go home until she gets some answers. But it’s hard to get answers when just about everyone is hiding something.

This book is full of so many twists and turns, I almost got whiplash! This is definitely the kind of story where anything can happen and just about anything does. I was floored as each new revelation came, wondering who could be trusted and who was telling the truth. Because, let me tell you, very few people in this book tell the truth, lol.

But it all mostly comes together in the end to create a sensational story of family, betrayal, friendship, and loyalty; it’s got some heavy themes that all coalesce together into a great mystery/thriller.

I say “mostly” because there IS a lot going on, and I’m not sure we got answers as to how everything fit together in the end. Some things I’m still not exactly sure about, and with everyone lying, or at least stretching the truth, I couldn’t tell what was what. So, I wish some things were a little more clear.

However, I’m not really complaining. The big questions were all answered well, and I loved the ultimate ending. It was fitting. It really “had to” happen that way (read it and you’ll know what I mean).

Overall, this was a great mystery/thriller, with plenty to keep me interested. It’s got a ton of twists and tons of thrills and chills!

[Trey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Mostly Good Read (With Some Spoilers)

All the characters in this book are horrible people. Liars, cheats, thieves, and murderers. Its very dark and depressing. But the drive to know what happened all those years ago drives the reader forward as much as it drives the female protagonist. She is not innocent either and her incessant need to know what happened propels her to lie to law enforcement constantly, and assist murderers in hiding and escaping. She is guilty of obstruction of justice, aiding and abetting, and probably more yet somehow gets less than a slap on the wrist and a stern look from the FBI. Despite that nonsense the mystery is intriguing. While most mystery/thriller plots are easily predicted well before the protagonist gets an inkling, this one was slightly more clever and was a little more difficult to determine. The plot twists were predictable for two events but only just before the reveal. The other mysteries were apparent from the clues provided, however one event didn't make sense at all. A rather big plot hole, what was the point of the fire that started the entire investigation? The guilty party has no apparent motivations to start the most recent fire. It's never revealed why she staged it. And somehow these 20 to 30 year old bodies still have flesh on them and are not just bones. And the perpetrator of this farce removed the bodies from a cistern, set a fire, and then returned them to the same cistern. It defies logic and falls under the category of things that probably didn't happen. Which for a mystery/thriller is a big no-no. The suspension of disbelief must be maintained. Despite that and also not liking any of the characters, I did enjoy the mystery and the book overall and would recommend.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girl in the Dark wasn't my favorite thriller but it was decent and a quick read. I felt very lost in the beginning, many characters were thrown at me but I didn't feel like I knew much about them or how/why they were significant. The end of the book had me hooked though. If the beginning was better written, I wouldn't loved this book. I feel like the author was trying to incorporate too many elements of thrillers that the plot got lost till the very end, ex: cult, murder(s), deception, mental illness. There was just too much going on that wasn't explained till the last 100 pages or so.

I feel like this book could have been a top thriller for me if the plot and characters were a little more fleshed out. I think that’s the only thing that stopped me from being more invested.

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Thank you, NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[lori pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Zoey receives a phone call from her sister that 2 bodies have been found burned in their former family mansion. The entire small town gossip mill is in high gear as everyone is trying to figure out who the bodies are and what happened to them. Most of the town blames the mysterious cult, “The Family”, that lived on a secluded estate and disappeared many years ago. The truth is more shocking than anyone could have believed.

Overall, this thriller had an interesting plot with several twists tossed in that made the story better. However, I found the characters at times unrelatable and unrealistic in their actions. The story drug a bit in the middle, which I found distracting. There were so many side plots that could have been developed better. It’s a solid 3.5 rounded up to a 4.

[Kathleen E · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Zoey's childhood home burns down and bodies are discovered in the basement she is dragged back to her home town. This story is full of twists and turns and Zoey finds out that the sleepy little town she grew up in is full of secrets, and by full of secrets I mean FULL of secrets. Girl In The Dark has an interesting and mysterious story that keeps you asking what happened, who did it?
While this book kept engaged and curious the whole way through I genuinely needed to know what happened but I was not on the edge of my seat. I liked the characters but couldn't really develop any connection to them. Fair warning this book is a little dark in parts but is definitely a solid 3.5 rounded up to a 4 because I really had know the truth behind all of the secrets.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Zoey is called back to her hometown of Black Castle by her panicked sister, she is immediately pulled back in to the town’s rumors and secrets. Little does she know how deeply entwined her own family’s history is with the bad things that have happened there.

This story had me hooked from the beginning. With every reveal, new questions emerged. There were some good twists that I didn’t see coming. It wasn’t very believable, but that’s part of the appeal of these things... Also a bit on the gory side for my taste. I kept turning the pages because I just had to know!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

[Karen Bee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review this novel.
This was a fast paced thriller with several twists I didn’t see coming. Despite the action, I found it challenging to connect with all the characters and found the character development lacking. It was a little clunky in parts, which I found distracting. Some of the side plots didn’t fit well. Overall this story could have been developed into a 4 or 5 star novel with more effort. It’s a solid 3.5 though and it’s an enjoyable read.

[Jillian Atwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an eerie, twisty tale of a life of lies in a town turned upside down after two bodies are found burned in a house fire. The small town gave off massive secrets and cult vibes so if that’s your thing, jump in! This was an enjoyable, quick thriller read with hints towards big authors such as Riley Sager. Highly recommend for anyone who needs a palate cleanser or a quick read! Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing, and J.M. Cannon for allowing me to read this E-Arc!

[Tabitha Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows Zoey as she returns to her small hometowm village and relives her mysterious childhood and upbringing. Her sister Evie is yet again unhinged by the secrets of the past and a new discovery in their old home. Her parents always seemed to favor the older sister Evie, she presumes due to her fragile, destructive mind. She searches for the truth but with so many obstacles in her way, so many who don't want her to find the truth...so many secrets!

[Barb M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was going to be a three star, but once I thought through the first chapter again, I realized how unrealistic that was. I didn't get much of sense of who any of these characters were. It was like they each got one adjective applied to each of them, and that was who they were throughout the book: Damaged. Childlike. Conniving. Pathetic. Zoey was incredibly stupid throughout, and there was no one to care about or root for.

[Kennedy Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was the girl in the dark because baby i never knew what was going to happen. i literally started taking notes to follow along halfway through lol this book was crazy work and i loved every second of it and am just now finishing it at 2 in the morning because i couldn't stop. michael rip king, zoey i hope you get a divorce and have a good chill life you deserve it. i only wish that some of these losers got a worse fate!! otherwise 10/10 i loved it

[LoveBooks2119 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The book starts out with a bang! A different spin to this plot making it a fast-paced read I stayed up to finish. This story will keep you wondering what is the real truth with so many secrets until the very end! Looking forward to more from this author.

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5/5.0

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. The premise was very intriguing, and I was excited to read. However, the writing was not my cup of tea and the story kind of became far fetched. It was difficult for me to finish, and just when I thought I was hooked back in the story went off the rails again. There were some good twists though.

[CHRIS DEFRANK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story and well written.

It takes a lot for a book to impress me and even more for a book to surprise me. This one did both. I can usually guess what’s going to happen in almost every book I read. I had no idea what was going to happen in this one. And, there were no spelling or grammatical errors which is huge these days. will definitely be reading more from this author.