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Dawn Before Darkness
Not yet published
Expected 26 May 26348 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 26, 2026
25 people want to read
About the author
Liz Lazarus
4 books256 followersLIZ LAZARUS is an engineer by education, a consultant & business owner from experience and an author given her passion to tell stories.
Her first novel is loosely based on a personal experience and a series of ‘what if’ questions. FREE OF MALICE traces the after effects of a foiled attack; a woman healing, and grappling with the legal system to acknowledge her right to self-defense.
PLEA FOR JUSTICE depicts the journey of a paralegal striving to reveal the truth about her estranged friend’s incarceration, and leading her on a parallel path of self-discovery.
SHADES OF SILENCE showcases the resilience of a woman faced with devastating loss, the unexpected friendship forged from tragedy and the recurring societal themes that confront every generation.
DAWN BEFORE DARKNESS reveals the treachery of a ruthless stalker, the alarming failure of the legal system and the unthinkable battle a daughter must face to protect her family.
Some of Liz's favorites: red wine, dark chocolate, spin class (to compensate for items 1 & 2), great music, a cozy bath robe, cats and Saturday mornings!
Her first novel is loosely based on a personal experience and a series of ‘what if’ questions. FREE OF MALICE traces the after effects of a foiled attack; a woman healing, and grappling with the legal system to acknowledge her right to self-defense.
PLEA FOR JUSTICE depicts the journey of a paralegal striving to reveal the truth about her estranged friend’s incarceration, and leading her on a parallel path of self-discovery.
SHADES OF SILENCE showcases the resilience of a woman faced with devastating loss, the unexpected friendship forged from tragedy and the recurring societal themes that confront every generation.
DAWN BEFORE DARKNESS reveals the treachery of a ruthless stalker, the alarming failure of the legal system and the unthinkable battle a daughter must face to protect her family.
Some of Liz's favorites: red wine, dark chocolate, spin class (to compensate for items 1 & 2), great music, a cozy bath robe, cats and Saturday mornings!
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 11, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and author Liz Lazarus for sending me an eArc in return for an honest review.
Finished it in one day, sooo good!! It’s fast-paced and keeps you glued to the page.
I think this story sets up the characters well. We follow our MC ‘Dawn’ who is a vet. We get a great glimpse into her job and co-workers as well as her family life with her mum. You side with her from the get-go and I found her really likeable. This, I believe, is what made the book that more thrilling; having sympathy for her character intensifies the fear we have for her. It makes it frustrating when we see how the legal system, when used to the wrong persons advantage, can cause such harm and fail good people. It’s a thought-provoking read
Finished it in one day, sooo good!! It’s fast-paced and keeps you glued to the page.
I think this story sets up the characters well. We follow our MC ‘Dawn’ who is a vet. We get a great glimpse into her job and co-workers as well as her family life with her mum. You side with her from the get-go and I found her really likeable. This, I believe, is what made the book that more thrilling; having sympathy for her character intensifies the fear we have for her. It makes it frustrating when we see how the legal system, when used to the wrong persons advantage, can cause such harm and fail good people. It’s a thought-provoking read
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February 12, 2026Wow! Amazing book and thrilling all the way through. Learned a great deal about so many unique areas that are so relevant to me! Liz has a way with words! You have to read this one!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
This was an easy and fast read with a very likeable main character. Dawn is a relatable main character, and the glimpses into her daily life and her relationship with her mother make the stakes feel very personal. The book also touches on serious and important topics, especially the way systems that are meant to protect people can be used against them, and that aspect was both powerful and thought-provoking.
What stood out to me most was how powerless she sometimes feels and how unfair certain things are. I often found myself feeling really frustrated on her behalf, which shows how emotionally invested I became in her story.
However, the plot was quite predictable for me. I was able to see most of the developments coming, so I didn’t really get that “I need to know what happens next” feeling that I usually look for in a thriller. I kept reading more because I cared about the main character than because I was surprised by the story.
I’m giving this 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 on Goodreads). It's a solid and engaging read with a strong emotional core, but the predictability kept it from being a full 4-star thriller for me.
This was an easy and fast read with a very likeable main character. Dawn is a relatable main character, and the glimpses into her daily life and her relationship with her mother make the stakes feel very personal. The book also touches on serious and important topics, especially the way systems that are meant to protect people can be used against them, and that aspect was both powerful and thought-provoking.
What stood out to me most was how powerless she sometimes feels and how unfair certain things are. I often found myself feeling really frustrated on her behalf, which shows how emotionally invested I became in her story.
However, the plot was quite predictable for me. I was able to see most of the developments coming, so I didn’t really get that “I need to know what happens next” feeling that I usually look for in a thriller. I kept reading more because I cared about the main character than because I was surprised by the story.
I’m giving this 3.5 stars (rounded up to 4 on Goodreads). It's a solid and engaging read with a strong emotional core, but the predictability kept it from being a full 4-star thriller for me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I haven't read a good thriller in a while, but was hooked on this from the start.
Nick is a really unhinged character going above and beyond to torment Dawn and take everything she holds dear from here, whilst also harboring some fantasy of controlling her in his sick game.
Just shows you can't always tell what is going on in the most charming person's head.
Nick is a really unhinged character going above and beyond to torment Dawn and take everything she holds dear from here, whilst also harboring some fantasy of controlling her in his sick game.
Just shows you can't always tell what is going on in the most charming person's head.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2026
3.5 stars
First I want to thank NetGalley for an e-arc of this novel. This was my first book by this author and it was hard to rate. I read this fairly quick and found it to be fast paced even if it wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read. Some of the story I found to be so far fetched and that could be because I’ve luckily never experienced anything like this. The characters had me frustrated and gasping out loud.
First I want to thank NetGalley for an e-arc of this novel. This was my first book by this author and it was hard to rate. I read this fairly quick and found it to be fast paced even if it wasn’t the best book I’ve ever read. Some of the story I found to be so far fetched and that could be because I’ve luckily never experienced anything like this. The characters had me frustrated and gasping out loud.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Dawn Before Darkness is a gripping and deeply unsettling story that explores the terrifying reality of what happens when obsession turns dangerous — and when the systems meant to protect someone fail them at every turn. This is a thriller rooted in emotion, resilience, and the strength of a daughter fighting for her family.
Dawn is an instantly sympathetic protagonist: grounded, hardworking, and simply trying to move on with her life after discovering her boyfriend’s lies. What follows is chilling not because it’s outlandish, but because it feels frighteningly real. The escalation from harassment to manipulation to full‑blown legal warfare is handled with a steady, thoughtful tension that had my stomach in knots.
The most harrowing aspect of the novel is the weaponisation of the legal system. The guardianship plotline — her ex using planted “evidence” to try to take control of her vulnerable mother — is shocking, infuriating, and incredibly compelling. The book captures the helplessness Dawn feels as her credibility and autonomy are slowly stripped away, all while she’s forced to navigate a judicial maze stacked against her.
What elevates the story is the emotional core. Dawn’s love for her mother, her determination to protect her despite impossible odds, and the blend of fear and courage she carries make her journey feel authentic and powerful. The pacing is tight, the stakes feel real, and the creeping dread builds beautifully toward an explosive emotional dilemma: give in to a dangerous man… or risk losing everything.
A tense, thought‑provoking psychological thriller that shines a light on control, coercion, and the quiet strength it takes to fight back. Perfect for readers who enjoy character‑driven suspense with a strong emotional edge.
My thanks to Liz Lazarus, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Dawn is an instantly sympathetic protagonist: grounded, hardworking, and simply trying to move on with her life after discovering her boyfriend’s lies. What follows is chilling not because it’s outlandish, but because it feels frighteningly real. The escalation from harassment to manipulation to full‑blown legal warfare is handled with a steady, thoughtful tension that had my stomach in knots.
The most harrowing aspect of the novel is the weaponisation of the legal system. The guardianship plotline — her ex using planted “evidence” to try to take control of her vulnerable mother — is shocking, infuriating, and incredibly compelling. The book captures the helplessness Dawn feels as her credibility and autonomy are slowly stripped away, all while she’s forced to navigate a judicial maze stacked against her.
What elevates the story is the emotional core. Dawn’s love for her mother, her determination to protect her despite impossible odds, and the blend of fear and courage she carries make her journey feel authentic and powerful. The pacing is tight, the stakes feel real, and the creeping dread builds beautifully toward an explosive emotional dilemma: give in to a dangerous man… or risk losing everything.
A tense, thought‑provoking psychological thriller that shines a light on control, coercion, and the quiet strength it takes to fight back. Perfect for readers who enjoy character‑driven suspense with a strong emotional edge.
My thanks to Liz Lazarus, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a MUST read for all Veterinary Professionals. Do you want a book that accurately depicts the ridiculous "you can't make this stuff up" anecdotes we tell our friends and families? This is it.
Not only will you deep dive into the life of a veterinary technician, but you will also get a bonus of an "edge of your seat" thriller.
When you take the emotions of working in vet med and add a stalker and the stress of failing legal system, this book will have you burning through till the end.
Dawn before Darkness is a beautiful dedication to all the professionals who spend their lives helping animals even when it takes a toll on their hearts and a reminder to keep fighting for animals who don't have a voice, and for our loved ones when they don't either.
Not only will you deep dive into the life of a veterinary technician, but you will also get a bonus of an "edge of your seat" thriller.
When you take the emotions of working in vet med and add a stalker and the stress of failing legal system, this book will have you burning through till the end.
Dawn before Darkness is a beautiful dedication to all the professionals who spend their lives helping animals even when it takes a toll on their hearts and a reminder to keep fighting for animals who don't have a voice, and for our loved ones when they don't either.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"This fast paced novel was exciting, constantly taking different turns. You love Dawn immediately for her good nature and dedication to her profession and to her mother. You are excited when she meets a handsome stranger with the best of intentions.
Then things start to go south. It was heartbreaking to learn that some of the novel’s main characters didn’t have the best of intentions. And then even more heartbreaking to learn that current laws don’t always protect the good guys.
I’ve read all of Liz’s books and loved them. She researches thoroughly and you will never find a factual error in her writing.
Then things start to go south. It was heartbreaking to learn that some of the novel’s main characters didn’t have the best of intentions. And then even more heartbreaking to learn that current laws don’t always protect the good guys.
I’ve read all of Liz’s books and loved them. She researches thoroughly and you will never find a factual error in her writing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Working in a space where I deal closely with the elderly, I found myself repeatedly thinking, “Yes, this is exactly what people need to understand.” The frustration and helplessness caused by legal loopholes, designed to protect older adults but often doing the opposite, can be devastating when unscrupulous individuals know how to exploit them. This book captures the issue, showing when trust is manipulated vulnerable people can be trapped by systems that move too slowly to help. It was an engaging read. I especially enjoyed the main characters cleverness, ingenuity, and positive attitude.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
By the 3rd chapter, I was hooked and wanted to know more about what was happening and where it was going. The story got me really intrigued. The way it was written has a very nice build-up, and it reads like something that could happen in real life, and I think it does. Almost like a True Crime story. I can tell the writer researched the book's subjects. I really enjoyed this book, and I wish there were more of it.
Thank you, NetGalley, for letting me read this very interesting book!
Thank you, NetGalley, for letting me read this very interesting book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
OMG! this book was a ride... Amazing! There were times when I wanted to throw it away because it made me angry, hateful, and frustrated, YES; but that's part of the experience, and WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! I already intend to read everything this woman writes. Obviously, I recommend reading it, but be warned that in certain parts you will want to throw the book away.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Dawn Before Darkness is a great novel. I was suspicious from the beginning. The suspense sucked me in and I didn't want to put it down. I would absolutely recommend this book to all my friends and family, in fact have already given it out! Read this book, you won't regret it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Love this book! I was hooked from the first page through the last! This is a story that could truly happen in real life and helps us to realize how many loopholes the legal system has and how much better we need to understand it. This book is so riveting, I couldn't stop reading!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Riveting. Excellent thriller with lots of twists and turns. Great subject matter, smartly written, and keep you captivated!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book catches your attention right away and I couldn’t stop reading. Finished it in 12 hours.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Wow! Liz has done it again. Never saw this coming. You’ve got to read it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was a great read! It kept me up at night...just one more chapter! Loved the plot twists.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews