A Long Dark Night

by Lilli Sutton

"A tense and atmospheric thriller that is just as much a tale of survival as it is one of love and devotion.”
—Kimi Cunningham Grant, USA Today bestselling author of The Nature of Disappearing

A young chef returns home to find her small town caught in the snare of an oil company. Her brother witnesses a chilling crime at the drilling site, and their attempts to bring justice are met with fierce opposition in this engrossing thriller.

After her restaurant closes and she returns to her childhood home, deep in the Alaskan wilderness, Nina has one finding a way back out. Her family’s sled-dog business is struggling, and she is alarmed that her brother Grant is working at the nearby oil field. Grant comes home one day extremely unsettled by his involvement in disturbing events at work. The supervisor on duty orchestrated a suspiciously seamless coverup of a deadly accident, leading both siblings to wonder if the past disappearances of field workers are more than a coincidence.

Grant wants to forget the whole thing ever happened—the oil rig is the only source of employment that pays enough to keep their family afloat, and he doesn’t want to risk any jail time. But Nina can’t let this lie. The opportunity to uncover the truth about the disappearances and protect her family from increasing threats is too important. What starts as an attempt to unravel the mystery leads Nina, Grant, and their loved ones directly into the path of those determined to keep them silent no matter the cost.

Lilli Sutton returns with another atmospheric and captivating thriller in A Long Dark Night. Her debut novel, Running Out of Air, was called “an adventure worth taking,” “packed full of tension [and] heart.” Prepare to be left breathless again.
 

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Thriller

327 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2026

About the author

Lilli Sutton writes contemporary adult fiction. She holds a BA in English from Shepherd University. From Maryland, she now lives in Colorado. She draws inspiration for her writing from the natural world and the intricacies of human relationships.

When she's not writing, she's usually cooking, hiking, or trying to keep up with her ever-growing TBR list.

Reviews

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic murder mystery set in Alaska!

If you are one of those people who judge a book within the first few chapters and are most likely to set it aside if it isn’t a pacey read….hang on! You’ll be glad you enjoyed the journey because the author builds up the tension to a crescendo at chapter 27, leaving your heart galloping to the finish, nine chapters later. Two things kept me turning pages up to chapter 27; the attention to setting and the foreboding danger. The author expertly captures the essence of bush living in Alaska, and this setting is necessary to the plot.

Author Lilli Sutton examines:
✔️the paradox of a place being home, but not where we want to belong
✔️the burden of doing the right thing
✔️the danger of being blinded by fear
✔️the frustration of not getting to end a chapter in our life on our own terms

Sutton, a new-to-me author, ignited my curiosity, introduced me to interesting characters, and hooked me in with an unpredictable plot. I’ll be searching for another of this author’s books.

Fantastic cover!

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Courtney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Give me a thriller or horror book set in Alaska, and you've got me—hook, line, and sinker. There's just something about the Alaskan setting that draws me in. This was a bit of a slow burn, but it maintained my attention with constant tension and uncertainty about where the story was headed or what would happen next. The sense of foreboding danger kept me engaged, and the ending did not disappoint.

For Fans of:
✩ Remote Setting
✩ Fight for Survival
✩ Moral Dilemmas
✩ Familial Drama

⋆⁺₊❅. ⋆⁺₊❅. ⋆⁺₊❅. ⋆⁺₊❅. ⋆⁺₊❅. ⋆⁺₊❅. ⋆⁺₊❅. ⋆⁺

Nina left Alaska to pursue her goal of becoming a successful chef. However, when the pandemic hit and jobs becamescarce, she had no choice but to return home. It had been nine years since she was last there, and she had littlecommunication with her family during that time. Meanwhile, her brother had started working at the oil company, her sister was struggling with alcoholism, and her parents were having difficulty making ends meet.
Her brother's job at the oil company is challenging, and it seems to be taking a toll on him. As if Nina weren't alreadyworried about her brother working there, she notices missing persons posters displayed at the local bar for men employed by the oil company. It is concerning that no one appears to be alarmed about the missing men or the injuries sustained on the job.
When Grant confides in Nina about something he witnessed at the oil field, she feels compelled to take action. She knows that Grant can't and won't come forward because he needs this job to support his family financially—and jobs are scarce in Alaska. But has Nina done more harm than good while trying to protect her brother?

[Andrea Salamat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love a story set in Alaska. There’s something about the isolation, the danger of the wilderness, and the harsh climate that feels both intimidating and intriguing. Life there seems stripped down to what really matters — the people you share it with. And when your world is that small, those relationships can be either deeply comforting or incredibly complicated.

For Nina, losing her job as a chef in NYC during the pandemic leaves her with no choice but to return to her tiny Alaskan hometown. Going home means reuniting with her parents, her siblings, and the sled dogs her family raises — and stepping right back into a life she thought she had escaped. I loved her love/hate relationship with her hometown and the way she reconnects with the people and things she left behind.

What starts as a reluctant reset turns into a suspenseful, heartfelt journey for Nina and her brother Grant as they face a situation that quickly spirals out of control. The stakes felt real, the family dynamics felt authentic, and the setting added an intensity that made everything hit harder. It was a fantastic blend of heartfelt moments and suspense.

Thank you @NetGalley and @HarlequinAudio for providing me with this pre-release audio version of “Long Dark Night ” in exchange for an honest review #NetGalley #LongDarkNight

[Kim (Your Book Bestie) · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALC review:

5⭐️ The narration was excellent for this atmospheric thriller set in remote Alaska. I went into this book mostly blind (which I recommend), so it felt a little slow to start but it quickly picked up. I feelings really come through the narrator, so I was anxious to figure out the mystery and winding through the twists and turns.

Available 2/24!

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s just something about thrillers set in the woods or the wilderness, and Lilli Sutton itched that scratch with A Long Dark Night. Set in fairly rural Alaska, and even bringing in that the main character’s family grew up raising and racing dogs through the snow, the way everything tied together was absolutely beautiful.

The suspense was killing me, and kept me second guessing who was behind everything.

Highly recommend.

[Igor DelRey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A LONG DARK NIGHT is a slow-paced mystery/thriller following a young female chef, Nina, who is originally from Alaska - but had been living in the big city for the past 10 years -, and now that her restaurant was closed (during the COVID pandemic), she comes back home, and she will face back not only the struggles of living in such a remote, isolated and cold place but also relive her family drama alongside her parents and two siblings.
Right after she gets back home, her brother - who works in the oil fields - witness something very wrong and criminal happening at his workplace, and after confessing to Nina what he saw, Nina sees herself caught between family loyalty and doing what is morally right. Meanwhile, Nina's parents run a sled dogs business and they're struggling to making a living.

This is a very slow-paced novel. The author is not afraid to spend too much time building up the tension, the atmosphere, the scenarios, developing the characters, and being very descriptive of that place and its people. I personally thought it was a brilliant way to tell this story. The Alaska setting, the way the author writes, brings a very tense, gloomy, creepy, and claustrophobic atmosphere. You can feel the tension in the air and how restless and freaked out the characters are. I would say that this novel is much more of a character-driven story other than plot-driven. It's only in the last 20-25% of the story that the plot gets more hectic, there's some action, and the stakes are higher than ever.
There's a lot of family drama here, so if you can relate to these characters, the reading experience will flow more easily.

I personally felt invested in everything: the realistic and flawed characters, the mysteries going around the town, and I must say that I am a big sucker for novels set in freezing/wintery places, especially when it's in the wilderness.
I loved this book, and didn't mind at all the slow pacing. The author's writing kept me engaged and intrigued throughout the whole book. If I had a complaint (which I genuinely do not have), I'd say that the conclusion (regarding the real identity of a certain character and their true motivations) is a tiny little underwhelming. I believe some other readers might have that opinion.
I'd also say that this is the kind of story where the journey matters more than the destination. Well, I'm biased. I loved everything about this book.

I can easily recommend this novel to any readers who enjoy a slow-paced mystery/thriller, full of family drama and heavily focused on characters' development, set on an isolated and cold place, such as Alaska during the winter.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | Park Row, for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

[laurakellylitfit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Out February 24th, 2026
After her dream of running a restaurant collapses, Nina returns to her childhood home deep in the Alaskan wilderness, hoping only to regroup and find a way out again. But the town she left behind is no longer the same. Her family’s sled-dog business is barely surviving, and the looming presence of a powerful oil company has cast a long shadow over the community. The drilling site promises jobs and stability, but it also carries whispers of danger that no one dares to speak aloud.

Her brother Grant, working at the oil field, comes home one night shaken to his core. He’s witnessed a deadly accident—one that should have been reported but instead was swiftly and seamlessly covered up by his supervisor. The incident stirs old rumors about workers who vanished without explanation, and suddenly the family is staring down the possibility that these disappearances weren’t accidents at all. Grant wants to bury the truth, terrified of losing the only job that keeps them afloat, but Nina can’t ignore what’s festering beneath the surface.

Determined to uncover what really happened, Nina begins to dig into the company’s secrets, even as the threats against her family grow sharper. The deeper she goes, the more dangerous the game becomes. Every step forward feels like walking across thin ice, with the weight of corporate power pressing down and the cold silence of the wilderness closing in. The truth is out there but so are those willing to do anything to keep it hidden.

What begins as a fight for justice quickly turns into a battle for survival. Nina and Grant are forced to confront not only the corruption that grips their town but also the fragile bonds of family loyalty under pressure. In a place where the nights are long and the cold is merciless, they must decide how much they’re willing to risk protecting each other—and whether exposing the truth is worth the cost of their lives.

Thank you to NetGalley and Park Row for the ARC!

[Ciara Hartman · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎧 Audio Review: Narration was okay, but it would have been much better with a male narrator for the MMC’s POV in this particular story.

📝 Story Review: I wanted to love this one, but it wound up irritating me more than anything. (This review may seem very critical, but it’s just my honest opinion.)
The FMC alienated me pretty early on by the fact that she’d been gone for so many years and barely ever checked in with her family and didn’t keep her promise to help them out financially or even explain why she couldn’t. Then add in the fact that she claims not to be naive… yet seemed extremely naive in her thought process. I agree with her wanting to do what’s right, but her not listening to her brother’s concerns about repercussions seemed extremely naive. And then she missed what were very obvious clues (if she’d been taking her brother seriously). And then the MMC, her brother, was an idiot to not go to the police at the very beginning. So much would’ve been avoided had he just done the right thing from the start. - So this whole story wound up feeling utterly ridiculous to me. And it was all very easy to figure out, so not great in the thriller aspect. The only thing I enjoyed was the sled dog aspect of it.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2.5/5

Tropes 👇

- Alaskan wilderness
- Sled dogs/training
- Oil rigs/drilling
- Fractured/dysfunctional family dynamics
- Blackmail/crime cover-up
- Bi-sexual Chef FMC
- Rekindling an old flame
- Business closure due to Covid pandemic

CW’s 👇

- Alcoholism
- Drug use/addiction
- Potential overdose (off page)
- Gunshot victim
- Shooting of a wild animal (self preservation)

Audio Release Date: February 24, 2026
Audio Run Time: 9 hrs, 32 mins
Narrated By: Mia Hutchinson-Shaw
POV: Dual; Third Person.
Genre: Thriller

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this ALC in return for my honest review.

[hannah ⊹ ࣪ ˖ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this is the first thriller/mystery I’ve read that takes place in Alaska… which is surprising to me because I love an isolated/snowy/small town setting! Now, I typically prefer my thrillers to be fast-paced, hook me from the very beginning, and it be a complete whirlwind of activity and reveals until the very end. This is not that book, but in this specific case, I was more than okay with it.

The main character, Nina, escaped her small town Alaskan life to work as a chef in bigger cities. Due to Covid, she is forced to move back home due to the closing of her restaurant. When she arrives back in Alaska, several years have passed since she left, and while technically she’s home, nothing quite feels the same as when she left. She’s met with bitterness due to her absence, the unfortunate failing of her family’s business, and her brother confides that his job at the oil field isn’t quite what it seems, but it’s the only thing keeping him and their family afloat. Conflicted about what to do after her brother confides in her about a crime that took place at the oil field, Nina is left with choosing between her family and doing the right thing. And because this is a thriller/mystery novel, obviously there are outside forces that will do just about anything to keep her and everyone else quiet.

This was a slooooooow burn, and the story takes the majority of its chapters to reach the height of conflict, but when you get there, it’s definitely satisfying. Another new one for me was an oil field setting, but surprisingly (for me at least), it really worked for this book!

Lilli Sutton is a new-to-me author, but after finishing this, I will definitely check out books released in the future.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Park Row/HTP for this eARC!

[Aura C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alaska really does a lot of the heavy lifting here, and honestly that’s what kept me turning pages. The cold, the isolation, the small town where everyone knows each other and silence feels baked into daily life all worked for me. I could feel the weight of the setting in almost every chapter, and that atmosphere made the story more compelling than the mystery alone.

I liked Nina as a main character. She felt grounded and human, especially in how torn she was between loyalty to her family and doing the right thing when everything around her is telling her to stay quiet. The sibling dynamic felt real, messy, and emotional in a way that made sense, and I appreciated that the book spent time on those relationships instead of rushing through them.

This is definitely more of a slow burn. I was interested the whole time, but I wouldn’t say I was glued to the pages. There were moments where I wanted things to move a little faster or hit harder, especially once the stakes were clear. Still, I never felt tempted to stop reading, which says a lot. It’s the kind of book you keep picking up because you want to see how it all shakes out, not because it’s throwing constant twists at you.

By the end, I felt satisfied and glad I read it. Not a book that completely wrecked me or kept me up all night, but a solid, thoughtful story with a strong sense of place and quiet tension that builds steadily. I’d absolutely recommend it to the right reader, especially if you enjoy atmospheric settings and character driven mysteries.

3.75 stars for me.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for this gifted ALC!

I really enjoyed this thriller. The narration was fantastic, it was so clear and concise, the inflections and tone were great, and it really sucked me into the story. Absolutely recommend the audio for this one, it was so well done.

The story itself was really captivating, I got drawn into it right from the beginning. The Alaskan backdrop is amazing, the Covid era was so relatable and added depth and emotion to it as well. The main character was really interesting and her family and their sled-dog business were nice to read about, even if a little sad at times. I'm a huge dog lover, and some things tugged at my heartstrings about them. And their family dynamic is a little broken so that also tugs on the emotions a bit.

The actual suspense part of the story was great, I was on the edge of my seat listening to this and finished it in one sitting. It isn't terribly long so it went by quickly. But every bit of it was gripping, I loved the mystery of trying to figure out who a key character really was, and the little twists we get in this are very fulfilling. It does get a bit sad, there is addiction representation and the loss of a loved one, but it really wove into the story well.

I also loved the messaging of oil companies stripping natural lands of their beauty and vitality, we need more beauty in this world not less. If you enjoy a nice quick thriller with a bit of emotion and undertones of environmentalism you will enjoy this! This releases February 24th!

[CreativePumpkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for allowing me to read this ealy. I really enjoyed the journey it took me on through the Alaskan lifestyle that the author described throughout the story. It started off really well and peaked my interest early on as the story begins with Nina the youngest sister who left the small town life in purse to become a chef, however covid happened and her dream of working at the restaurant came crashing down after years had passed and she didn't keep in contact with her family often. Nine years later she shows up unannounced to her small town home in hopes to figure out what her next steps will be. As time passes she gets back in the grove but starts to see the struggle her family has been dealing with on their Snow Dog business and the effects Covid has placed on them, her brother who was left to take care and finance his Mom and Dad has been working as nearby oil field that is causing issues with the town and the land itself. One day an event takes place and changes everything. Nina who hasn't been their long finds many missing persons flyers around the local pub and questions her brother about the oil field and what really happens there. I overall enjoyed the read however i am ranking a three due to the fact that it seemed to be dragged out a bit too much and some things could of gone without in the read. I understand that the author wanted to give details before the events happened but i will say it took about 57% of the book before things started to happen and then gets cut short and felt as though the ending was rushed with such a long build up to quickly taking a turn and ending.

[Kim Layman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an atmospheric slow burn that focuses more on Nina’s return to her hometown, and the dangers of allowing nature to be exploited, than where the book will end. Plot driven and character centered, this novel lays before the reader the beauty and danger of isolated Alaska, and how the people living there are beholden to the power and greed of big corporations. The options are few, and the choices are tough.

We all get to explore the fracture between Nina-who longed to see new places, and explore life through food-and her family-whose roots in Alaska run deep. The author walks us along side the characters as they open old wounds, and their choices they are forced to make after a man is killed in a fire at the nearby oil field. Are they able to do the right thing and report it? Or face losing work, or worse? It’s a no win situation.

As the story progresses, the tension and danger ramp up, creating an unease and brutal terror that comes with trying to fight a seemingly unstoppable force, and the unforgiving climate that is the Alaskan wilderness.

This book was well written and engaging, even though it was not fast paced. If you enjoy slow burn mysteries, this one’s for you.

Thank you NetGalley, and Park Row, for my arc. My opinion is my own.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Long Dark Night by Lilli Sutton is a gripping thriller set against the stark, unforgiving backdrop of the Alaskan tundra—and I absolutely loved it. The story is richly developed, with compelling, well-drawn characters whose struggles feel authentic and deeply relatable. The novel thoughtfully explores lingering effects of the pandemic, the difficulty of finding livable-wage jobs, addiction and its ripple effects on families, ethical gray areas, and layers of family drama and trauma.

I especially enjoyed how dog sledding and sled dogs were woven into the narrative, adding both texture and authenticity to the setting. The book also does an excellent job highlighting the real-world consequences of oil drilling in small Alaskan towns—how drilling can temporarily bring prosperity, only for communities to be left behind once operations end. The tension between economic survival and environmental conservation is handled with nuance and care.

The audiobook narration by Mia Hutchinson-Shaw was outstanding and truly brought the story to life. Overall, this was an immersive, thought-provoking listen with exceptional production quality from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley & Harlequin Audio for letting me read this ARC.

[Shannon Knisley · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌙 𝔸 𝕃𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝔻𝕒𝕣𝕜 ℕ𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 ❄️

𝕊𝕪𝕟𝕠𝕡𝕤𝕚𝕤:

❄️ A chilling thriller set in the frozen isolation of Alaska
One woman caught between family loyalty and dangerous truths

🌙 After Covid shuts down Nina's restaurant in NY, she has to return home to Alaska

❄️A town built on oil, silence, and fear of losing everything

🌙 Moral lines blur when survival depends on staying quiet

❄️ Tension simmers beneath every relationship
Atmospheric, slow-burn suspense with emotional weight

𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:

This is a slow-burn, character-driven thriller that really worked for me. The pacing is steady, taking its time to carefully establish the tension—especially the strained relationships between Nina and her family. I loved how much attention was given to these dynamics, which added real emotional weight to the story.

The Alaskan setting is beautifully rendered, with the stark natural beauty standing in sharp contrast to the damage caused by oil drilling. The town’s dependence on the oil company creates an unsettling backdrop, highlighting the fear and moral conflict that comes with choosing between personal beliefs and job security. That underlying tension felt very real and was one of the strongest elements of the book.

There is a touch of romance, but it never overshadows the core themes or the psychological suspense. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, twist-every-chapter thriller, this may not be for you, but if you enjoy atmospheric tension, rich setting, and thoughtful exploration of family, loyalty, and morality, this is well worth the read.

Author: Lilli Sutton
Publisher: Harlequin Publishing Park Row Books
Release Date: February 24, 2026

[Mel C · Rating 3 out of 5]

ALC Review

Third Person
Murder Cover-Up
Complex Family Relationships
Remote Alaska Setting
Unique Plot

After COVID closes her restaurant, Nina returns to her remote hometown in Alaska to start over. When her brother Grant witnesses what appears to be a fatal accident at a local oil field, but no body is ever found, things quickly become suspicious. Grant knows what he saw, and after confiding in Nina, she begins digging into what really happened. The closer she gets to the truth, the more dangerous the situation becomes.

This story started very slowly, and I struggled to stay engaged early on. The pacing is deliberate and quiet, which may work well for some readers, but it took a while for the tension to fully build. That said, the setting is extremely vivid. Alaska feels cold, isolating, and ever present throughout the story, which added to the atmosphere.

The narrator was a wonderful choice and did a great job bringing depth and mood to the story, helping maintain interest even during the slower sections.

Overall, a unique premise with strong atmosphere and narration, but the slow pacing held it back for me.

[Lyndi (mibookobsession) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nina left her small town in Alaska years ago to become a chef and lost contact with her family. After covid hit however, she's forced to return home when her restaurant closes. She's shocked to find everything changed, her parent's sled dog operation struggling, and her brother Grant forced to work for the evil oil company, the only place in town to pay well enough to cover the family's bills. Then one night, Grant witnesses a deadly accident covered up and he starts to question everything. Other men have disappeared over the years, but this is Alaska and he thought nothing of it. But maybe there's something more sinister going on.
This is my first book by this author. It starts a little slow, but the tension continues to build and then the last 30% of the book is nonstop action and I couldn't put it down. I love the Alaskan setting and the sled dog operation. It was interesting to read a thriller set in such a beautiful and stark landscape. I look forward to reading more by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Location - Alaska. I have not read this author before but will be picking up more books. Nina left Alaska to pursue her goal of becoming a successful chef. However, due to the pandemic she was forced to return home. It had been nine years since she was last there, and she had little communication with her family during that time. While away, her brother had started working at the oil company, her sister was struggling with addiction, and her parents were having difficulty making ends meet due to her dad's injury. Her brother's job at the oil company is challenging, and she notices something bothering him. When Grant confides in Nina about something he witnessed at the oil field, she feels compelled to take action. She knows that Grant can't and won't come forward because he needs this job to support his family financially and jobs are scarce in Alaska. Nina takes things into her own hands and puts herself and brother at risk. This is a fast paced book, the chase and what happens next will have you fully engaged. Many thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity.

[Anna ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 ☆
Pub date: February 24, 2026

Thank you @htp_hive & @harlequinbooks for this ARC!

I’d like to start off by saying, I was CRYING HEAVY TEARS by the end of this book.

This story swept me straight into the heart of the Alaskan wilderness, where the cold bites, the snow settles thick and quiet, and family loyalty runs even deeper than the frozen rivers. It had me googling things about Alaska 😂. Nina’s return home after losing her restaurant feels raw, and the contrast between her soft memories of childhood and the harsh reality her family now faces made the story so believable.

The struggling sled-dog business adds such a homey touch—dogs, crackling wood stoves, long nights—but it’s paired with a creeping tension that keeps the pages turning. When her brother Grant comes home shaken from a “too-neatly-handled” accident at the oil field, the story shifts into an addictive mystery. SO MUCH is going on, but it’s not so much that you lose focus.

Nina’s determination to protect her family, even when Grant wants to pretend nothing happened, gives the book its heart. Their sibling bond is messy, real, and endearing. And as the threats close in, you really feel how much they’re willing to risk for one another. It was nice to see a sibling fighting for justice, and not allow things to be swept under the rug.

This is a spooky story that I will think about always. ♾️

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

hank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for a digital copy of this book. The opinions are my own and freely given.

Nina moves back home to the small town in Alaska after COVID hit and her restaurant business just can't recover. There she tries to reconnect with her parents and siblings. Her older sister is an addict and has been banned from the family home. Her younger brother, Grant is having a hard time accepting her return because he was left behind to help his parents.

The oil drilling has taken off and that is a sore spot for some of the locals that want to preserve nature. Grant gets a job working in this industry and things escalate from there. While on a run with their family's sled dogs, an "accident" happens and Nina and Grant are fighting for their lives in the cold, without food (for themselves or the dogs), battling an injury and running for their lives.

Although I really didn't get what was going on with the drilling aspect of the story, them being stranded was enough to keep me reading and I did enjoy this book.

[lori pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Mia Hutchinson-Shaw does a fabulous job narrating this story and making it an enjoyable listen.

Nina, a chef who left the Alaskan wilderness she grew up in, returns home during the pandemic after her restaurant was closed. She finds that her hometown has changed with a new oil drilling site and her family has changed as well. When an explosion at the drilling site happens, life for Nina and her family will never be the same.

I loved this well written story. The setting was so unique with the harsh landscape and how people carve out their lives. I loved the family dynamics between the characters and how they struggled in their relationships yet still picked back up as if the past 10 years had not lapsed. I also loved the sledding descriptions and sled dogs. Such a wonderful read!!

[Jayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nina returns to her hometown in Alaska after COVID ruins her dream of being a chef in her own restaurant. She never planned on returning. She finds her family has changed- her sister is struggling with addiction. Her father is disabled. Her brother is working for the oil company. Her mother is struggling to keep it all together.
Her brother, Grant, witnesses a crime at work. He tells Nina. Nina can't let it go- she wants to tell the police. But her family depends on Grant's job. Plus, they threatened Grant if he tells. Can she keep it a secret?

I think the setting was my favorite part- rural Alaska, sled dog tours, etc...
Nina had decent growth- she went from a pity party to understanding her family and their sacrifices.

As far as any mystery, it was pretty evident. The pieces weren't hard to put together.

Mia Hutchinson-Shaw narrates the audiobook. There were some odd pronunciations. Otherwise it was fine.

[MichelleZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so taken in by the way Lilli Sutton took her time building up Nina, her brother Grant, her mom, sister and the description of Alaska that I had to go out and get her other book Running on Air. (I can't wait to start it)

Long Dark Night starts with Nina coming home after the pandemic shuts down her restaurant. You can feel the tension between family members who haven't spoken in years, nine long years. Nina was able to get out of the remote Alaskan home while her family stayed. Her brother works at the oil plant in town and her parents sell bobsledding dogs.
Shortly after arriving home Grant witnesses something insane that his boss covers up quickly. Nina and Grant work together to figure out what's really going on.
I really liked how Lilli Sutton took her time and put me right there in the brutal, cold, unforgiving Alaska.

I was to thank Netgalley, Lilli Sutton and Harlequin Audio for an audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Ashley Blough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into A Long Dark Night not really knowing what to expect, and it completely took over my life for a day. From the moment Nina returns to her tiny Alaskan hometown, I felt this deep pull into her world: the isolation, family pressure, knowing something is wrong beneath the surface. What really struck me was how alive and threatening Alaska felt. The descriptions of the wilderness, the cold, and the quiet, it all seeps into the story in a way that makes the danger feel even more real. The Alaskan setting was beautiful!

But the best part of the book for me is the siblings' relationship. Nina's determination to protect her brother and uncover the truth is what kept me turning pages. Every chapter made it feel like walking deeper and deeper into a storm.

By the end of the story, I wasn't just reading it, I was feeling it! If you love character-driven thrillers with big emotional stakes and a setting that practically breathes, this book is absolutely worth your time!

[Danelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really surprised me, in a good way! I went in without any idea about the plot, but expecting a fairly standard thriller. What I got was a smart blend of suspense and wilderness survival. The story takes place in the harsh, unforgiving backdrop of Alaska, and this is definitely a novel where the setting feels like an important character in the book. The survival elements really made this story unique for me, and added to the sense of danger and tension.

The plot is well-paced, with just the right amount of suspense to keep you turning pages. This isn't a nonstop, heart-pounding read the entire time, but I appreciated the in-between exploration of family relationships, moral questions and rural, small town dynamics.

4 stars

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing, Park Row and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Teju A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best way i can describe this book is wordy! I just felt it went above and beyond with its descriptions. A lot of people may find that helpful, i just found it wasted my time on getting to the good parts!

So Nina returns home after her restaurant failed in cause due to the pandemic! Elder sister has moved out and younger brother now works in the despised oil fields to make ends meet. Dad isn't himself since his accident and mom's just trying to keep what's left of the family together.
When younger brother confides in Nina about a murder, she intends to make things right; the additional missing persons in the area too may just be the beginning of what's really going on in Whitespur!

Solid 2.5 stars!!!
Thanks NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC! grateful and humbled!!!
"A LONG DARK NIGHT" out Feb 24th

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved the Alaskan setting in this book and it kept me invested! Sutton does a wonderful job of including lush descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness, what life is like there, and detailed accounts of dog mushing.

As far as thrillers go, this one builds up slowly vs spiraling quickly into chaos. I particularly liked the elements of survival, grappling with what one might do to protect your loved ones, and balancing choosing yourself at the same time. The family dynamic felt real, messy, and raw. Anticipating what Nina and Grant will do with their knowledge of a crime that took place will kept me guessing!

There were a few plot points that took me out of the story a bit but I enjoyed it overall!

Thank you NetGalley and HTP for my early copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie Gibson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Nina returns home to rural Alaska after the pandemic causes her restaurant in Portland, ME to close down. She has no money and no where else to go. While lots has stayed the some, some things have changed, including the giant oil field that's been opened, which is also were her brother works. When her brother tells her about a shady cover up at work, Nina gets the police involved, putting her whole family in danger.

Honestly, this book wasn't good, but it wasn't bad either. There definitely could've been a bit more research done into the medical aspect of it all. Mostly this book just wasn't for me.

[Samantha Crewson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Putting my author hat on to share my official blurb: "Gripping yet tender, relentless yet heartfelt, A Long Dark Night will leave you with bruises the way only the best books can. When it comes to the environmental thriller, Lilli Sutton is in a league of her own."

Taking my author hat off to shout my unofficial thoughts: What do you mean there's no way to inject this incredible book straight into my veins??? WHAT DO YOU MEAN???????

[Kristie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Long Dark Night is an atmospheric thriller set in remote Alaska. It's a bit of a slow burn, but definitely kept me interested and picked up quite a bit in tension towards the end of the book. Nina's relationship with her family was interesting to explore, and the themes of returning home in times of uncertainty felt real and lived.

Tropes
* Small Town
* Moral Dilemmas
* Familial Drama
* MC returns home

4.5 stars