What do you think?
Rate this book
Dark Ugly Places
Dark Ugly Places is a psychological thriller of identity, grief, and revenge — a haunting domestic suspense for readers of Verity, Behind Her Eyes, and The Silent Patient.
Some wounds don't heal. They fester. They whisper. They take over.
In Dark Ugly Places, trauma isn't something you survive — it's something that survives you.
Thirty-four-year-old Nicola Holiday loses everything in a hit-and-run: her husband dead, her body broken, her fourteen-year-old daughter Emmy forever changed. With no one held accountable, she spirals into grief, panic attacks, and financial ruin — awakening a hereditary darkness she's spent her life trying to outrun.
That darkness has a voice now. Her name is Martha, and she aches for revenge.
As Nicola's grip on reality loosens, Martha slips into another life — one of wealth, glamour, and moral rot. When she crosses paths with the wife of a famous actor, Nicola's suspicions ignite.
Pulled between vengeance and annihilation, Nicola and Martha collide with a woman whose secrets may be the key to everything — or the thing that destroys them both.
Dark, provocative, and deeply unsettling — a haunting psychological portrait of female rage, obsession, and the terrifying lengths the mind will go to survive unbearable pain.
Because sometimes the most dangerous place isn't the past. It's inside your own head.
PRAISE for Dark Ugly Places
Kirkus Awards & Accolades: Our Verdict: GET IT
“Mansour has created a grim, claustrophobic world, populated by people struggling against their bonds, and these battles give the characters an unexpected depth. . . . The sunny skies of Los Angeles also mask an underlying spiritual bleakness. . . . A suspenseful and relentless tale of troubled Californians.”
– Kirkus Reviews
“A tense, viciously readable psychological thriller about the violence that lurks beneath polished surfaces. … Mansour writes with sharp cinematic intensity. … Dark, propulsive thriller of the terrifying places rage can take root.”
– BookLife Reviews
“With fast-paced thrills and gripping psychological drama, Ashley Mansour’s DARK UGLY PLACES serves up vengeance for morally complex characters.”
— IndieReader
“An intricate thriller about women's rage. . . . a nail-biting climax and ultimate audience satisfaction.”
— Foreword Clarion Reviews
Some wounds don't heal. They fester. They whisper. They take over.
In Dark Ugly Places, trauma isn't something you survive — it's something that survives you.
Thirty-four-year-old Nicola Holiday loses everything in a hit-and-run: her husband dead, her body broken, her fourteen-year-old daughter Emmy forever changed. With no one held accountable, she spirals into grief, panic attacks, and financial ruin — awakening a hereditary darkness she's spent her life trying to outrun.
That darkness has a voice now. Her name is Martha, and she aches for revenge.
As Nicola's grip on reality loosens, Martha slips into another life — one of wealth, glamour, and moral rot. When she crosses paths with the wife of a famous actor, Nicola's suspicions ignite.
Pulled between vengeance and annihilation, Nicola and Martha collide with a woman whose secrets may be the key to everything — or the thing that destroys them both.
Dark, provocative, and deeply unsettling — a haunting psychological portrait of female rage, obsession, and the terrifying lengths the mind will go to survive unbearable pain.
Because sometimes the most dangerous place isn't the past. It's inside your own head.
PRAISE for Dark Ugly Places
Kirkus Awards & Accolades: Our Verdict: GET IT
“Mansour has created a grim, claustrophobic world, populated by people struggling against their bonds, and these battles give the characters an unexpected depth. . . . The sunny skies of Los Angeles also mask an underlying spiritual bleakness. . . . A suspenseful and relentless tale of troubled Californians.”
– Kirkus Reviews
“A tense, viciously readable psychological thriller about the violence that lurks beneath polished surfaces. … Mansour writes with sharp cinematic intensity. … Dark, propulsive thriller of the terrifying places rage can take root.”
– BookLife Reviews
“With fast-paced thrills and gripping psychological drama, Ashley Mansour’s DARK UGLY PLACES serves up vengeance for morally complex characters.”
— IndieReader
“An intricate thriller about women's rage. . . . a nail-biting climax and ultimate audience satisfaction.”
— Foreword Clarion Reviews
384 pages, Paperback
Published September 15, 2026
About the author
Ashley Mansour
5 books235 followersAshley Mansour is a bestselling author, award-winning film producer, and storyteller known for creating immersive, emotionally charged narratives that blur the line between beauty and darkness.
Her internationally bestselling debut novel, Blood, Ink & Fire, imagined a world where reading was forbidden — a haunting love letter to the power of stories. After its success and film option, Ashley transitioned into the entertainment world, producing and writing book-to-screen adaptations, including Back Roads, the adaptation of Oprah’s Book Club bestseller by Tawni O’Dell.
In 2026, Ashley returned to fiction, this time exploring the darker sides of domestic life. Her upcoming psychological thriller and haunting domestic suspense, Dark Ugly Places and The Girl That Jack Killed, unravel themes of identity, grief, and the shadows that live inside us all.
Beyond her novels, Ashley is the founder and CEO of LA Writing Coach, where she helps aspiring authors and thought leaders bring their stories to life through her acclaimed systems — The TAP Writing Method™ and The PAE System.
She lives in Irvine, California, with her husband and their Bernedoodle, Bernie, who thinks he’s the main character.
Instagram: @ashleymwrites
Her internationally bestselling debut novel, Blood, Ink & Fire, imagined a world where reading was forbidden — a haunting love letter to the power of stories. After its success and film option, Ashley transitioned into the entertainment world, producing and writing book-to-screen adaptations, including Back Roads, the adaptation of Oprah’s Book Club bestseller by Tawni O’Dell.
In 2026, Ashley returned to fiction, this time exploring the darker sides of domestic life. Her upcoming psychological thriller and haunting domestic suspense, Dark Ugly Places and The Girl That Jack Killed, unravel themes of identity, grief, and the shadows that live inside us all.
Beyond her novels, Ashley is the founder and CEO of LA Writing Coach, where she helps aspiring authors and thought leaders bring their stories to life through her acclaimed systems — The TAP Writing Method™ and The PAE System.
She lives in Irvine, California, with her husband and their Bernedoodle, Bernie, who thinks he’s the main character.
Instagram: @ashleymwrites
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
September 20, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Come on Goodreads - we need half stars!
So for me this one was good, but could’ve been great, had it not been for plot holes and the lack of explanations for a few key things.
The characters have great depth and are well written. I really enjoyed the separate personalities and also loved Emmy’s character. She really went through some hard stuff for a teenage girl. She was smart and sassy!
The last 25% had me scrolling so fast, needing to know Nicola’s fate! I read it in two sittings, but the ending didn’t wrap up tight enough for me.
If you enjoy slow burn thrillers with split personalities and female rage/obsession, then this one is for you. The book deals with grief, physical and SA and mental illness. Take care to guard your heart if any of these might be a trigger for you.
✨Thank you to Monhiker Press via NetGalley for the advance copy.
So for me this one was good, but could’ve been great, had it not been for plot holes and the lack of explanations for a few key things.
The characters have great depth and are well written. I really enjoyed the separate personalities and also loved Emmy’s character. She really went through some hard stuff for a teenage girl. She was smart and sassy!
The last 25% had me scrolling so fast, needing to know Nicola’s fate! I read it in two sittings, but the ending didn’t wrap up tight enough for me.
If you enjoy slow burn thrillers with split personalities and female rage/obsession, then this one is for you. The book deals with grief, physical and SA and mental illness. Take care to guard your heart if any of these might be a trigger for you.
✨Thank you to Monhiker Press via NetGalley for the advance copy.
September 20, 2026
#ad much love for my finished copy
🅳🅰🆁🅺 🆄🅶🅻🆈 🅿🅻🅰🅲🅴🆂
< @ashleymwrites >
ᴀᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ ɴᴏᴡ - ʜᴀʀᴅᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ
𝙷𝚞𝚜𝚑, 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚢, 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚊 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍.
𝙼𝚊𝚖𝚊'𝚜 𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚊 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊 𝚖𝚘𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚋𝚒𝚛𝚍.
𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚘𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚋𝚒𝚛𝚍 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐,
𝚂𝚑𝚎'𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚗𝚊𝚙 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚍𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚖 𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚔. —203
Just how far could our minds take things when pushed beyond our breaking point? Life tells us all to just move on, but sometimes moving on isn’t that simple. Sometimes, revenge is the only way we can ever truly move on.
But sometimes in your search for revenge you might just end up losing it all in the end. How far is too far and at what cost is it worth it?
They were like a jigsaw puzzle, three pieces that fit perfectly together, meant to stay connect for life. Now their puzzle is missing a crucial piece and is only being held together by grief, anger, and trying to live on.
It’s been six months since the car accident that changed Nicola and Emmy’s lives forever. Nicola, left with a broken body half paralyzed with chronic migraines, struggling to raise Emmy through her teenage years, all the while mourning her husband Ben. Nicola has one district memory from the crash that destroyed her fairytale life - she will never forget those shoes, that smell, the car.
Then there’s Bambi, a model in a toxic and abusive relationship. Using pills to fill her soul but nothing will fix this for her. She is trapped with no means of escape…
Then there is Martha. Oh Martha. Who is Martha?
The story explores grief, revenge, female rage, obsession, and what it means to move on after something unimaginably horrific happens to you. How Mansour depicts that grief from a tragedy really hit me. The panic attacks, the nightmares, the chronic cycle of emotions that can change on a dime. The medication that’s suppose to keep you half alive but are more of a lifeline. The anger that takes the place of grief and how it’s so much easier to lean into it felt so relatable.
This is one of those books that would be perfect for a book club read. There’s so much to dissect here, so many discussions begging to be had. So many different avenues you could take this discussion down.
I loved how these two women’s lives came together. Oof! Just loved everything about this book. If you’re looking for a twisted psychological thriller that dives into those hidden parts of your brain then this is the book for you.
𝕆𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 ℚ𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤:
Anger is my constant companion, a vampirish love connection I cannot seem to part with. 4
I try for genuine emotion without anger. It's so much easier to be angry. Anger is my default. Anger is a nice, easy substitute. Anger gets the job done. 6
You are not who you thought you were. 9
"There's truth, and there's lies. You can eat the truth, or you can eat lies. Do you get what I mean?"
29
🅳🅰🆁🅺 🆄🅶🅻🆈 🅿🅻🅰🅲🅴🆂
< @ashleymwrites >
ᴀᴠᴀɪʟᴀʙʟᴇ ɴᴏᴡ - ʜᴀʀᴅᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴀᴜᴅɪᴏ
𝙷𝚞𝚜𝚑, 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚢, 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚜𝚊𝚢 𝚊 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚍.
𝙼𝚊𝚖𝚊'𝚜 𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚊 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚊 𝚖𝚘𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚋𝚒𝚛𝚍.
𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚖𝚘𝚌𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚋𝚒𝚛𝚍 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐,
𝚂𝚑𝚎'𝚕𝚕 𝚜𝚗𝚊𝚙 𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚍𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚒𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚘𝚖 𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚔. —203
Just how far could our minds take things when pushed beyond our breaking point? Life tells us all to just move on, but sometimes moving on isn’t that simple. Sometimes, revenge is the only way we can ever truly move on.
But sometimes in your search for revenge you might just end up losing it all in the end. How far is too far and at what cost is it worth it?
They were like a jigsaw puzzle, three pieces that fit perfectly together, meant to stay connect for life. Now their puzzle is missing a crucial piece and is only being held together by grief, anger, and trying to live on.
It’s been six months since the car accident that changed Nicola and Emmy’s lives forever. Nicola, left with a broken body half paralyzed with chronic migraines, struggling to raise Emmy through her teenage years, all the while mourning her husband Ben. Nicola has one district memory from the crash that destroyed her fairytale life - she will never forget those shoes, that smell, the car.
Then there’s Bambi, a model in a toxic and abusive relationship. Using pills to fill her soul but nothing will fix this for her. She is trapped with no means of escape…
Then there is Martha. Oh Martha. Who is Martha?
The story explores grief, revenge, female rage, obsession, and what it means to move on after something unimaginably horrific happens to you. How Mansour depicts that grief from a tragedy really hit me. The panic attacks, the nightmares, the chronic cycle of emotions that can change on a dime. The medication that’s suppose to keep you half alive but are more of a lifeline. The anger that takes the place of grief and how it’s so much easier to lean into it felt so relatable.
This is one of those books that would be perfect for a book club read. There’s so much to dissect here, so many discussions begging to be had. So many different avenues you could take this discussion down.
I loved how these two women’s lives came together. Oof! Just loved everything about this book. If you’re looking for a twisted psychological thriller that dives into those hidden parts of your brain then this is the book for you.
𝕆𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 ℚ𝕦𝕠𝕥𝕖𝕤:
Anger is my constant companion, a vampirish love connection I cannot seem to part with. 4
I try for genuine emotion without anger. It's so much easier to be angry. Anger is my default. Anger is a nice, easy substitute. Anger gets the job done. 6
You are not who you thought you were. 9
"There's truth, and there's lies. You can eat the truth, or you can eat lies. Do you get what I mean?"
29
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Nicola Holiday, her husband Ben, and their daughter Emmy were hit by a car, leaving Ben dying, and Nicola and Emmy stunned and broken. The story that follows is how the family’s life is changed forever in the pursuit of justice and, ultimately, vengeance. At the beginning of the book, I couldn't tell if Nicola was completely unhinged, mentally ill, or being haunted, and that kept me reading. What I didn’t question is the need for retribution, and that raw female rage. I was on Nicola’s side until she made questionable decisions regarding her daughter.
There were some parts of the book that seemed implausible, if not completely impossible. The mental illness representation may be hurtful to those who suffer from Dissociative Identity Disorder, anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
I appreciated the atmosphere of the book, but it didn't fully wow me. It’s a good psychological thriller, but not a new favorite. That won’t deter me from reading another book from the author, since this is the first one I’ve read by her.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are mine.
There were some parts of the book that seemed implausible, if not completely impossible. The mental illness representation may be hurtful to those who suffer from Dissociative Identity Disorder, anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
I appreciated the atmosphere of the book, but it didn't fully wow me. It’s a good psychological thriller, but not a new favorite. That won’t deter me from reading another book from the author, since this is the first one I’ve read by her.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are mine.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a steady medium paced book. The opening scene is probably one I won't soon forget and the trauma of that reminded me of the opening scene of Mr Mercedes by Stephen King. In the aftermath of the traumatic accident Nicola and her daughter are not only left with PTSD, injuries, debt and immeasurable grief but Nicola in particular has an inate hunger for revenge. She thinks she knows who caused it all but lacks the strength to do anything about it. Enter Martha. This book not only deals with the above but with mental illness; prescription drugs dependency and split personality disorder because Marther is the darker, stronger side of Nicola, the side Nicola keeps buried and has for many years. She is now unleashed and out for blood. The book explores revenge and female range within a Hollywood setting. These are 3 tropes i absolutely adore!
Just when we think we know where things are going we get an extra layer in the form of Bambi, the battered wife of Jason (Hollywood A-lister) and thats where things turn wild!
The ending ledt me a little disappointed I must say. I get why the author left as was, but I personally would have gone in a slightly different direction.
Overall a very enjoyable read and one I would highly recommend for lovers of these themes.
Many thanks to Books and Bloom and Monikher Press for providing me with a copy of the book for review.
Just when we think we know where things are going we get an extra layer in the form of Bambi, the battered wife of Jason (Hollywood A-lister) and thats where things turn wild!
The ending ledt me a little disappointed I must say. I get why the author left as was, but I personally would have gone in a slightly different direction.
Overall a very enjoyable read and one I would highly recommend for lovers of these themes.
Many thanks to Books and Bloom and Monikher Press for providing me with a copy of the book for review.
October 13, 2026
5.0
*Thank you to Partners in Crime Tours for including me on this tour!
Spiral, emerge, gateways…
A hit & run in Beverly Hills, CA will change 3 lives forever. A fatality for a father/husband and severe life-long injuries for his 34yo wife Nicola and his 14yo daughter Emmy.
Nicola’s life will drastically change - she is angry at the world and “eager to place blame on somebody.” And she has convinced herself that a well-known actor is responsible.
Definition of revenge - “the act of doing harm or inflicting punishment on someone in response to a real or perceived wrong.”
Yes, yes, and yes!
“Revenge is sweet” - or is it?
What did I just read??!! This psych thriller/domestic suspense was top notch. I have not read anything similar. I already know I want to read the author’s 2027 release!
An emotional tale of grief, obsession, revenge, traumas, survival techniques, mental health, and mother/daughter relationships.
Love or hate characters. IMO:
Nicola - floundering
Martha - schemer
Emmy- trying to cope / smart / sassy
Bambi - trapped / be careful what you wish for
Moving on isn’t always an easy task. People cope in different ways. Nicola’s conscious & unconscious strategies are overwhelming her.
Quotes I liked:
“Here in the darkness, you only have yourself.” (p 205)
“The darkness has me in its grasp, cold fingers wrapping around my arms and legs…”. (p251)
I highly recommend this book. Psych thriller lovers will like this one!
*Thank you to Partners in Crime Tours for including me on this tour!
Spiral, emerge, gateways…
A hit & run in Beverly Hills, CA will change 3 lives forever. A fatality for a father/husband and severe life-long injuries for his 34yo wife Nicola and his 14yo daughter Emmy.
Nicola’s life will drastically change - she is angry at the world and “eager to place blame on somebody.” And she has convinced herself that a well-known actor is responsible.
Definition of revenge - “the act of doing harm or inflicting punishment on someone in response to a real or perceived wrong.”
Yes, yes, and yes!
“Revenge is sweet” - or is it?
What did I just read??!! This psych thriller/domestic suspense was top notch. I have not read anything similar. I already know I want to read the author’s 2027 release!
An emotional tale of grief, obsession, revenge, traumas, survival techniques, mental health, and mother/daughter relationships.
Love or hate characters. IMO:
Nicola - floundering
Martha - schemer
Emmy- trying to cope / smart / sassy
Bambi - trapped / be careful what you wish for
Moving on isn’t always an easy task. People cope in different ways. Nicola’s conscious & unconscious strategies are overwhelming her.
Quotes I liked:
“Here in the darkness, you only have yourself.” (p 205)
“The darkness has me in its grasp, cold fingers wrapping around my arms and legs…”. (p251)
I highly recommend this book. Psych thriller lovers will like this one!
October 3, 2026
This is one of those books that get inside your head. Dark, twisted, emotional, and completely unsettling, this was one of those psychological thrillers where I kept questioning what was actually happening.
Nicola’s life is completely shattered after a hit-and-run kills her husband and leaves both her and her daughter, Emmy, dealing with life-changing trauma. And the fact that the person responsible gets away with it? I could feel Nicola’s anger and frustration building with every page.
But then there’s Martha…
I was constantly questioning who Nicola could trust, what was real, and just how far she was willing to go for revenge. That uncertainty kept me hooked because every time I thought I had things figured out, something would make me question everything all over again.
I really felt for Nicola and Emmy. Their grief, trauma, financial struggles, and everything they were trying to navigate after losing Ben made this story feel so much deeper than just a revenge thriller. And watching Nicola’s anger slowly consume her was heartbreaking and fascinating at the same time.
And Bambi’s story added another layer I wasn’t expecting. Her seemingly perfect life was anything but, and I loved seeing how all these characters and their secrets slowly started connecting.
Dark Ugly Places is definitely dark and uncomfortable, but that’s what made it so addictive. It gets into grief, trauma, revenge, identity, and what can happen when anger has nowhere to go.
Nicola’s life is completely shattered after a hit-and-run kills her husband and leaves both her and her daughter, Emmy, dealing with life-changing trauma. And the fact that the person responsible gets away with it? I could feel Nicola’s anger and frustration building with every page.
But then there’s Martha…
I was constantly questioning who Nicola could trust, what was real, and just how far she was willing to go for revenge. That uncertainty kept me hooked because every time I thought I had things figured out, something would make me question everything all over again.
I really felt for Nicola and Emmy. Their grief, trauma, financial struggles, and everything they were trying to navigate after losing Ben made this story feel so much deeper than just a revenge thriller. And watching Nicola’s anger slowly consume her was heartbreaking and fascinating at the same time.
And Bambi’s story added another layer I wasn’t expecting. Her seemingly perfect life was anything but, and I loved seeing how all these characters and their secrets slowly started connecting.
Dark Ugly Places is definitely dark and uncomfortable, but that’s what made it so addictive. It gets into grief, trauma, revenge, identity, and what can happen when anger has nowhere to go.
September 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley & Monikher publishing for the advanced copy of Dark Ugly Places. This is what psychological thrillers are meant to be! Constantly questioning the MC’s version of events while trying to figure out where the truth really lies. Nicola and Emmy’s future after a hit and run is changed forever as they try to navigate their new reality with memories of the accident. Will revenge become all consuming? Is it justified? What really happened that fateful night? You must read to find out…
Review of advance copy
I was provided an ARC by Books & Bloom PR in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
I am absolutely disgusted that this book is advertised as “not making DID a gimmick.” it absolutely was, and as someone with a dissociative disorder, I am extremely disturbed by this book.
For starters, we are not murderers, and we do not have alters who are murderers. I am so sick and tired of media always portraying us as evil and vengeful. We are deeply traumatized and hurt people, who are more likely to be victims again, rather than a perpetrator. I am absolutely disappointed and disgusted that this author felt that this was an accurate portrayal of such a disorder.
*SPOILERS* On top of that, alters do not disappear because of a coma. That’s not how the disorder works. They also do not jump from person to person. Once again, that is the definition of a “gimmick.” And to make it out as if the only way to cope with the disorder is to kill oneself??? That is AWFUL!!! *SPOILER OVER*
Plus, the pacing was very very slow. There was nothing thrilling about this book. Extremely disappointed.
I am absolutely disgusted that this book is advertised as “not making DID a gimmick.” it absolutely was, and as someone with a dissociative disorder, I am extremely disturbed by this book.
For starters, we are not murderers, and we do not have alters who are murderers. I am so sick and tired of media always portraying us as evil and vengeful. We are deeply traumatized and hurt people, who are more likely to be victims again, rather than a perpetrator. I am absolutely disappointed and disgusted that this author felt that this was an accurate portrayal of such a disorder.
*SPOILERS* On top of that, alters do not disappear because of a coma. That’s not how the disorder works. They also do not jump from person to person. Once again, that is the definition of a “gimmick.” And to make it out as if the only way to cope with the disorder is to kill oneself??? That is AWFUL!!! *SPOILER OVER*
Plus, the pacing was very very slow. There was nothing thrilling about this book. Extremely disappointed.
Did Not Finish
August 20, 2026DNF. I’m not really sure what to say about this one. I couldn’t get into it, it wasn’t doing anything to grab my attention. I’m not sure if it was the writing style or something else. It just wasn’t engaging for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed reading this book. I felt the characters were interesting and likeable (or immediately to be detested, as written) and the plot was excellent. Dark Ugly Places touches upon many mental issues including PTSD and trauma management. The way this was written was thought provoking and intelligent.
I enjoyed learning about the backstory to the main character Nicola through a series of flashbacks throughout the book. This eventually led to a purposely unsatisfactory end, leaving us wanting to know more and effectively ensuring the book remains at the forefront of our minds.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
I enjoyed learning about the backstory to the main character Nicola through a series of flashbacks throughout the book. This eventually led to a purposely unsatisfactory end, leaving us wanting to know more and effectively ensuring the book remains at the forefront of our minds.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy
I hate to say it, but I was disappointed in this novel. I am technically giving this a 2.5.
I will praise the way emotion is written in this book; I felt a good pull from the beginning of the story, but it does soon lose me as the story goes on due to the fact it made me lose any interest in how characters developed over time.
I really expected this to go in a completely different direction.
I struggled to really feel any sense of immersion, and I honestly did not really understand the plot's direction. I felt disconnected from it for most of the time, and I read quite substantial chunks of this story in one sitting.
Without spoiling anything; I did not feel any satisfaction from the build-up, to the ending of this book. The pacing felt very slow. It confused me, more than anything. I get this is supposed to be a revenge plot, but I just did not get what the intention was. I would have preferred the catharsis of true justice, not whatever the writer thought worked here.
One thing I could not get passed was the vapidness of some characters, especially when we are supposed to feel sympathy or be rooting for them.
Yeah, I didn't like this one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I will praise the way emotion is written in this book; I felt a good pull from the beginning of the story, but it does soon lose me as the story goes on due to the fact it made me lose any interest in how characters developed over time.
I really expected this to go in a completely different direction.
I struggled to really feel any sense of immersion, and I honestly did not really understand the plot's direction. I felt disconnected from it for most of the time, and I read quite substantial chunks of this story in one sitting.
Without spoiling anything; I did not feel any satisfaction from the build-up, to the ending of this book. The pacing felt very slow. It confused me, more than anything. I get this is supposed to be a revenge plot, but I just did not get what the intention was. I would have preferred the catharsis of true justice, not whatever the writer thought worked here.
One thing I could not get passed was the vapidness of some characters, especially when we are supposed to feel sympathy or be rooting for them.
Yeah, I didn't like this one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 5, 2026
Thank you to Booktrovert & Monikher Press for the digital review copy!!
3.75 ⭐️ - Honestly deeply confused by this book. It was a four star until the ending when it all unraveled and came crashing down. I truly cannot fathom how Literally makes zero sense to me but ok.
Other than that it was GOOD. I rarely care for characters on thrillers as they tend to be more plot focused, but this one had me hooked on each POV. I was satisfied with just Martha and Nicola, and then Bambi came along and turned into my favorite character. Truly love her to bits and pieces. And Jason’s dialogue was so believable my goodness.
But now onto more questions: Ahhh so many questions and no answers!
I also got very confused at the end during the epilogue. Why are we acting like Was it chilling and shocking? Yes, but more so in a confusing way rather than a satisfactory way.
More questions than answers, but I guess that’s the beauty of psychological thrillers? 🥴
3.75 ⭐️ - Honestly deeply confused by this book. It was a four star until the ending when it all unraveled and came crashing down. I truly cannot fathom how Literally makes zero sense to me but ok.
Other than that it was GOOD. I rarely care for characters on thrillers as they tend to be more plot focused, but this one had me hooked on each POV. I was satisfied with just Martha and Nicola, and then Bambi came along and turned into my favorite character. Truly love her to bits and pieces. And Jason’s dialogue was so believable my goodness.
But now onto more questions: Ahhh so many questions and no answers!
I also got very confused at the end during the epilogue. Why are we acting like Was it chilling and shocking? Yes, but more so in a confusing way rather than a satisfactory way.
More questions than answers, but I guess that’s the beauty of psychological thrillers? 🥴
Review of advance copy
Dark Ugly Places by Ashley Mansour is an incredibly well-written psychological thriller that hooked me from the very beginning.
Told through multiple POVs, the story centers on Nicola, whose life is shattered after a horrific car accident claims the life of her husband, Ben. The crash leaves Nicola trapped inside a body that no longer works the way it should and forever alters the life of her daughter, Emmy. Both mother and daughter are struggling to cope, relying on a pharmacy's worth of medications for pain, anxiety, seizures, and everything in between.
At first, the novel feels like a deeply emotional exploration of survival after tragedy. It dives into the realities that many stories gloss over: the PTSD, the crushing financial burden, the strain on relationships, and the slow erosion of hope that can follow a life-changing event. Nothing feels exaggerated. If anything, the spiral that Nicola and Emmy experience feels painfully believable.
Then Martha enters the picture.
Martha isn't exactly Nicola's opposite, but she certainly shakes things up. She's fiery, bold, unapologetic, and impossible to ignore. Just when you think you've gotten a handle on the story, along comes Bambi, bringing an entirely different layer of intrigue and complexity. Each new perspective adds another piece to the puzzle while simultaneously making the overall picture even murkier.
What I loved most about this book is how it constantly shifts your loyalties. Just when you decide who deserves your sympathy, new information comes to light and you're forced to reevaluate everything. It's the kind of story that has you questioning not only the characters' motives, but your own judgments as a reader.
Dark Ugly Places is a gripping domestic psychological thriller filled with tension, secrets, and emotional depth. It kept me guessing, turning pages, and second-guessing everyone involved. By the end, I wasn't entirely sure who I was rooting for anymore, and honestly, that's one of the things that made it so compelling.
Ashley Mansour delivers a captivating story with sharp characterization and excellent storytelling. This was my first book by her, but it definitely won't be my last.
Thank you to Ashley Mansour, Monikher Press, and BookSirens for providing an advance review copy. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Told through multiple POVs, the story centers on Nicola, whose life is shattered after a horrific car accident claims the life of her husband, Ben. The crash leaves Nicola trapped inside a body that no longer works the way it should and forever alters the life of her daughter, Emmy. Both mother and daughter are struggling to cope, relying on a pharmacy's worth of medications for pain, anxiety, seizures, and everything in between.
At first, the novel feels like a deeply emotional exploration of survival after tragedy. It dives into the realities that many stories gloss over: the PTSD, the crushing financial burden, the strain on relationships, and the slow erosion of hope that can follow a life-changing event. Nothing feels exaggerated. If anything, the spiral that Nicola and Emmy experience feels painfully believable.
Then Martha enters the picture.
Martha isn't exactly Nicola's opposite, but she certainly shakes things up. She's fiery, bold, unapologetic, and impossible to ignore. Just when you think you've gotten a handle on the story, along comes Bambi, bringing an entirely different layer of intrigue and complexity. Each new perspective adds another piece to the puzzle while simultaneously making the overall picture even murkier.
What I loved most about this book is how it constantly shifts your loyalties. Just when you decide who deserves your sympathy, new information comes to light and you're forced to reevaluate everything. It's the kind of story that has you questioning not only the characters' motives, but your own judgments as a reader.
Dark Ugly Places is a gripping domestic psychological thriller filled with tension, secrets, and emotional depth. It kept me guessing, turning pages, and second-guessing everyone involved. By the end, I wasn't entirely sure who I was rooting for anymore, and honestly, that's one of the things that made it so compelling.
Ashley Mansour delivers a captivating story with sharp characterization and excellent storytelling. This was my first book by her, but it definitely won't be my last.
Thank you to Ashley Mansour, Monikher Press, and BookSirens for providing an advance review copy. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dark Ugly Places is the kind of psychological thriller that gets under your skin because the real horror isn’t necessarily what happens around Nicola — it’s what is happening inside her.
What really worked for me was the way the story treats grief as something messy, consuming and unpredictable. Nicola isn’t simply trying to “move on” after losing her husband and watching her daughter suffer. Her trauma changes the way she sees the world, and the introduction of Martha makes that internal battle feel almost tangible. I found myself constantly questioning where Nicola ended and Martha began, and that uncertainty added so much tension to the story.
I also really liked how the book explores female rage. Martha isn’t just there to make the story darker; she represents everything Nicola has suppressed for years. Watching that anger turn into an obsession with revenge made the psychological aspect much more compelling.
The Los Angeles setting was another highlight for me. I loved the contrast between the glamorous Beverly Hills world and the ugliness underneath it. Mansour creates this almost claustrophobic atmosphere despite the bright California backdrop — beautiful houses, celebrity culture and polished appearances on the surface, while underneath there is loneliness, manipulation, abuse and desperation.
The prose is sharp and cinematic, and there are moments where the writing becomes genuinely atmospheric without slowing the story down. The pacing is deliberately relentless once the pieces start coming together, and I liked that the book kept pushing Nicola further into morally complicated territory rather than giving her easy answers.
What I appreciated most is that the characters aren’t simply divided into victims and villains. Even the people who initially seem easy to judge have their own vulnerabilities and damage, which made the story feel much more layered. Bambi in particular ended up being more complicated than I expected.
It’s dark, uncomfortable and at times genuinely unsettling, but that’s exactly what made it memorable for me. This isn’t just a revenge thriller — it’s a story about what unbearable grief can do to a person when there is nowhere for that anger to go.
What really worked for me was the way the story treats grief as something messy, consuming and unpredictable. Nicola isn’t simply trying to “move on” after losing her husband and watching her daughter suffer. Her trauma changes the way she sees the world, and the introduction of Martha makes that internal battle feel almost tangible. I found myself constantly questioning where Nicola ended and Martha began, and that uncertainty added so much tension to the story.
I also really liked how the book explores female rage. Martha isn’t just there to make the story darker; she represents everything Nicola has suppressed for years. Watching that anger turn into an obsession with revenge made the psychological aspect much more compelling.
The Los Angeles setting was another highlight for me. I loved the contrast between the glamorous Beverly Hills world and the ugliness underneath it. Mansour creates this almost claustrophobic atmosphere despite the bright California backdrop — beautiful houses, celebrity culture and polished appearances on the surface, while underneath there is loneliness, manipulation, abuse and desperation.
The prose is sharp and cinematic, and there are moments where the writing becomes genuinely atmospheric without slowing the story down. The pacing is deliberately relentless once the pieces start coming together, and I liked that the book kept pushing Nicola further into morally complicated territory rather than giving her easy answers.
What I appreciated most is that the characters aren’t simply divided into victims and villains. Even the people who initially seem easy to judge have their own vulnerabilities and damage, which made the story feel much more layered. Bambi in particular ended up being more complicated than I expected.
It’s dark, uncomfortable and at times genuinely unsettling, but that’s exactly what made it memorable for me. This isn’t just a revenge thriller — it’s a story about what unbearable grief can do to a person when there is nowhere for that anger to go.
October 3, 2026
Dark Ugly Places by Ashley Monsour, this is about Nicola and her 14 year-old daughter Emma who are trying to move on from a devastating accident that took her husband and Emma‘s dad. They live in LA and all Nicola remembers is the white car the drivers shoes in the imprint of the emblem imprinted on her stomach from the car. in the beginning she worked at the fancy Winthrop hotel and this is where she sees a famous actor who she absolutely believes was the driver of the car the fact he drives a white Rolls-Royce only reinforces her beliefs but once she gets caught in his room she is instantly fired. This is when we meet her alter ego Martha. we’re also introduced to the actor Jason and his abused wife Bambi who has to walk on eggshells when her husband is around. Pretty soon the two pops will come together and I don’t know if the conclusion was supposed to be a satisfying one but it wasn’t to me. There was so many things that didn’t make sense like why does the author like her characters throwing up so much I mean every character did it Bambi the daughter the mom Nicola not only that in the very beginning of the book I was getting so sick of hearing about all the pills Nicola took and that her daughter took it as if this was written by an active drug addict who is still in love with pills and loves to talk about it at one point Bambi has a headache and is given an OxyContin… For a headache and then she asked would you rather a Vicodin or Ambien if OxyContin doesn’t do your pain Vicodin isn’t going to do anything. I know when I was addicted to drugs for almost 2 decades I used to love talking about it and it seems that this author loves to talk about it as well. Everyone in the book took pills and it seems everyone just happened to have pills readily available IDK either way it still was interesting I wish it would’ve ended differently but that’s just my opinion. I recommend this book but take it with a grain assault and if you’re newly in recovery just don’t read it don’t there’s too much talk about opioids and nerve pills. #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
September 23, 2026
When a celebrity gets away with murder Martha steps up to the task of getting justice for Ben’s wrongful death. Jason believes he’s untouchable and can do whatever he wants because of his fame. Exposing Jason becomes Martha’s driving force for vengeance.
…
Nicola is hanging on by a thread medicating herself through the pain. Life with Ben used to be easy now life is hard with medical bills, doctor appointment’s, migraines, PTSD and panic attacks. Nicola has lived with the darkness pulling it in with depressive thoughts.
…
Ashley Mansour illustrates the process of healing by showing readers how Nicola survives. Dark Ugly Places is a twistedly dark story about Nicola falling apart after Ben died. Both her and Emmy were injured by a hit and run driver. Both are dealing with the pain differently. Nicola is breaking apart at the seams trying to stay in one piece, but it’s not easy when the pain controls her mind and body.
…
Mansour’s main character is a woman playing two parts: one part is the grieving mother dealing with her pain and the other part is the woman taking the bull by the horns and getting the job done. Martha is a host inside Nicola’s body pushing towards the light as Nicola craves the darkness. Then there’s Jason the actor who orders people around thinking he’s above them and then there’s the man who’s married to a doormat of a woman who allows her husband to control every aspect of her life.
…
This is my wheelhouse reading a darkly deranged story about a woman on the verge of a mental breakdown while trying to survive the trauma and death of her husband. The split personality carried this story to a different level. I’m on the fence regarding my review rating. On one hand it’s a great read and on the other it’s okay. I feel it deserves more than three stars but not quite 4.
…
Nicola is hanging on by a thread medicating herself through the pain. Life with Ben used to be easy now life is hard with medical bills, doctor appointment’s, migraines, PTSD and panic attacks. Nicola has lived with the darkness pulling it in with depressive thoughts.
…
Ashley Mansour illustrates the process of healing by showing readers how Nicola survives. Dark Ugly Places is a twistedly dark story about Nicola falling apart after Ben died. Both her and Emmy were injured by a hit and run driver. Both are dealing with the pain differently. Nicola is breaking apart at the seams trying to stay in one piece, but it’s not easy when the pain controls her mind and body.
…
Mansour’s main character is a woman playing two parts: one part is the grieving mother dealing with her pain and the other part is the woman taking the bull by the horns and getting the job done. Martha is a host inside Nicola’s body pushing towards the light as Nicola craves the darkness. Then there’s Jason the actor who orders people around thinking he’s above them and then there’s the man who’s married to a doormat of a woman who allows her husband to control every aspect of her life.
…
This is my wheelhouse reading a darkly deranged story about a woman on the verge of a mental breakdown while trying to survive the trauma and death of her husband. The split personality carried this story to a different level. I’m on the fence regarding my review rating. On one hand it’s a great read and on the other it’s okay. I feel it deserves more than three stars but not quite 4.
Review of advance copy
The beginning of the book is terrifying/sad but it paints the picture of the trauma that Nicola has been though. The initial chapter alludes to a separate narrator/voice watching above Nicola as she experiences a traumatic hit and run that leaves her husband dead. The book follows the aftermath of losing her husband, and Nicola dealing with debilitating headache and pain in her leg. Her daughter survived but needed multiple surgeries that leaves her with a large scar on the side of her head – difficulty for any teenager to deal with. As these two are trying to put their life back together Nicola’s mental health is suffering, they are broke and grieving and something or someone at the back of Nicola’s mind keeps trying to come forward.
Across town in Beverly Hills Jason Redfern is a hit movie star married to a model, Bambi. She left her life in New York to come be with her husband. He spends his days on set and nights out with stars which leaves Bambi home and lonely. As the book progresses these four lives intermingle on an intimate level and all the good and bad parts of these lives are exposed.
This was an enjoyable read for me, interesting look in how trauma affects people differently. This is the first book that I have read that throws around medication names frequently almost like the author is a pharmacist. I have been prescribed one of them before so that resonated with me and the crazy side effects it has. The book probably did not need to use brand name of the drugs the whole time and could have just said “migraine pills” or “pain pills.” I enjoyed the character development and how each character deals with their own demons.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Across town in Beverly Hills Jason Redfern is a hit movie star married to a model, Bambi. She left her life in New York to come be with her husband. He spends his days on set and nights out with stars which leaves Bambi home and lonely. As the book progresses these four lives intermingle on an intimate level and all the good and bad parts of these lives are exposed.
This was an enjoyable read for me, interesting look in how trauma affects people differently. This is the first book that I have read that throws around medication names frequently almost like the author is a pharmacist. I have been prescribed one of them before so that resonated with me and the crazy side effects it has. The book probably did not need to use brand name of the drugs the whole time and could have just said “migraine pills” or “pain pills.” I enjoyed the character development and how each character deals with their own demons.
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Summary:
📘Nicola and her daughter Emmy have lost everything when a hit-and-run drive kills Nicola’s husband and badly injures both of them. Both Nicola and Emmy try to cope with the physical and emotional pain. Nicola remains haunted by the incident, and now she begins to hear a voice inside her that she desperately tried to keep silent. Matha is sick of being silent and wants to come out and seek revenge for everything that has happened. When Nicola finds clues that lead her to the driver of the car that ruined her life, she begins to lose control, while Martha waits to take over and fix everything.
My Thoughts:
💭 This was a wild, unhinged ride! From the first page, I was reading with my mouth open. At first, I wondered what was happening. The story moves quickly, and then you are thrown between Martha’s and Nicola’s worlds. Emmy is a hurting teenager, but she is smart and fierce. Martha is unhinged from the start, but she is also smart. She devises a devious, smart plan. Nicola is trying to hold it all together with a reused piece of tape. She has so much trauma that she does not know how to help herself or her daughter. This is a book of vengeance, and yet there is so much pain for all of the characters that you will feel for them. I wanted to hug Emmy because she has to watch everything unfold, and she is a young teenager. You will be hooked and gripped by this story. I devoured it in two sittings and was rooting for everyone. Once the villain is identified, you will want to take part in the revenge! If you love a good revenge story mixed with unhinged characters, you need to read this.
Thank you to Ashley Mansour, Books and Bloom PR, and Monikher Press for this ARC.
📘Nicola and her daughter Emmy have lost everything when a hit-and-run drive kills Nicola’s husband and badly injures both of them. Both Nicola and Emmy try to cope with the physical and emotional pain. Nicola remains haunted by the incident, and now she begins to hear a voice inside her that she desperately tried to keep silent. Matha is sick of being silent and wants to come out and seek revenge for everything that has happened. When Nicola finds clues that lead her to the driver of the car that ruined her life, she begins to lose control, while Martha waits to take over and fix everything.
My Thoughts:
💭 This was a wild, unhinged ride! From the first page, I was reading with my mouth open. At first, I wondered what was happening. The story moves quickly, and then you are thrown between Martha’s and Nicola’s worlds. Emmy is a hurting teenager, but she is smart and fierce. Martha is unhinged from the start, but she is also smart. She devises a devious, smart plan. Nicola is trying to hold it all together with a reused piece of tape. She has so much trauma that she does not know how to help herself or her daughter. This is a book of vengeance, and yet there is so much pain for all of the characters that you will feel for them. I wanted to hug Emmy because she has to watch everything unfold, and she is a young teenager. You will be hooked and gripped by this story. I devoured it in two sittings and was rooting for everyone. Once the villain is identified, you will want to take part in the revenge! If you love a good revenge story mixed with unhinged characters, you need to read this.
Thank you to Ashley Mansour, Books and Bloom PR, and Monikher Press for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, Ashley Mansour and Monikher Press for this ARC of Dark and Ugly Places
Ok first off I want to say I REALLY enjoyed this book! I DEVOURED this book in less than 24 hours!!! This book is full of twists and turns that are best experienced firsthand, so I’ll try to keep this review short and avoid giving too much away! It's best to be "left in the dark" with this one 😅😂
Ok so the beginning took me a minute to get into, it felt like i was having a stroke reading the prologue mainly because of the different POVs and the way the narration switches between them. It was hard to keep track of who was speaking, this is done intentionally. At first, I genuinely wasn't sure what was going on, but as the story unfolds, you start to understand why it's being told this way
Once I got past that initial confusion though I could NOT put this book down. The middle had me completely hooked. I needed to know what the hell was going on and how everything was connected.
I loved the direction the author took with Martha. Without giving too much away, there comes a point where you start questioning everything you thought you understood about her character.
Where this lost a star for me was the ending. I was left with a few questions and wasn't entirely sure how I was supposed to interpret certain things. I would've loved just a little more explanation and closure. ( I will list my questions down below, it will contain spoilers!!! )
So basically: it went from confusion to " oh this is GOOD", back to confusion
But overall, this was FANTASTIC psychological thriller, and I was completely engaged trying to piece everything together. A solid 4 stars from me, and I would absolutely recommend this book 📖
Ok first off I want to say I REALLY enjoyed this book! I DEVOURED this book in less than 24 hours!!! This book is full of twists and turns that are best experienced firsthand, so I’ll try to keep this review short and avoid giving too much away! It's best to be "left in the dark" with this one 😅😂
Ok so the beginning took me a minute to get into, it felt like i was having a stroke reading the prologue mainly because of the different POVs and the way the narration switches between them. It was hard to keep track of who was speaking, this is done intentionally. At first, I genuinely wasn't sure what was going on, but as the story unfolds, you start to understand why it's being told this way
Once I got past that initial confusion though I could NOT put this book down. The middle had me completely hooked. I needed to know what the hell was going on and how everything was connected.
I loved the direction the author took with Martha. Without giving too much away, there comes a point where you start questioning everything you thought you understood about her character.
Where this lost a star for me was the ending. I was left with a few questions and wasn't entirely sure how I was supposed to interpret certain things. I would've loved just a little more explanation and closure. ( I will list my questions down below, it will contain spoilers!!! )
So basically: it went from confusion to " oh this is GOOD", back to confusion
But overall, this was FANTASTIC psychological thriller, and I was completely engaged trying to piece everything together. A solid 4 stars from me, and I would absolutely recommend this book 📖
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What made Dark Ugly Places stand out to me was how much I cared about the characters while trying to work out what I could believe. I loved the suspense, but I also felt drawn into their pain and confusion. Finding out the truth mattered because the people involved mattered to me.
The unreliable narrator was one of my favorite parts. I kept questioning the story, yet I never stopped wanting to understand the person telling it. That made for an interesting reading experience. I could doubt their account and still feel for them. It gave the mystery a sense of unease that went beyond simply wondering what would happen next.
I also loved the characters and their emotional struggles. Their turmoil gave me something to think about beyond the unanswered questions. When a story makes you care this much, the suspense feels stronger. You want answers, but you also worry about what those answers might mean for the people you have come to know.
Ashley Mansour’s handling of trauma was what stood out most. I appreciated the attention given to the pain itself and how hard it can be to live with it. Those feelings gave the story depth. They helped me connect with the characters, even during moments when I found them difficult to understand.
For me, the book’s strength was how these parts worked together. The narrator’s uncertainty fed the suspense, while the characters’ pain gave it meaning. I was interested in the mystery and emotionally involved in the story at the same time.
I loved Dark Ugly Places because it gave me both tension and a reason to care. It made me question what I was being told without losing sight of the hurt behind it. The mystery held my attention, but the way the book dealt with trauma and emotional pain is what made it memorable.
The unreliable narrator was one of my favorite parts. I kept questioning the story, yet I never stopped wanting to understand the person telling it. That made for an interesting reading experience. I could doubt their account and still feel for them. It gave the mystery a sense of unease that went beyond simply wondering what would happen next.
I also loved the characters and their emotional struggles. Their turmoil gave me something to think about beyond the unanswered questions. When a story makes you care this much, the suspense feels stronger. You want answers, but you also worry about what those answers might mean for the people you have come to know.
Ashley Mansour’s handling of trauma was what stood out most. I appreciated the attention given to the pain itself and how hard it can be to live with it. Those feelings gave the story depth. They helped me connect with the characters, even during moments when I found them difficult to understand.
For me, the book’s strength was how these parts worked together. The narrator’s uncertainty fed the suspense, while the characters’ pain gave it meaning. I was interested in the mystery and emotionally involved in the story at the same time.
I loved Dark Ugly Places because it gave me both tension and a reason to care. It made me question what I was being told without losing sight of the hurt behind it. The mystery held my attention, but the way the book dealt with trauma and emotional pain is what made it memorable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the first book that I have read by the author and I didn't know what to expect but I ended up really liking Dark Ugly Places.
In the Story, Nicola is married to Ben and they have a 14 year old daughter named Emmy. One day, as they were out walking, they were the victims of a hit and run driver, Ben is killed, Nicola and Emmy are injured. Life changes drastically, Nicola and Emmy lose their home, medical bills are draining all what little money Nicola makes at a job she has and life is pretty dour from what it used to be. Nicola has became dependent on pain meds and other medications and she still has panic attacks. Nothing seems to being done about finding and prosecuting the hit and run driver.
Then, one day at work, Nicola sees the person she believes is the hit and run driver, and who happens to be a famous movie star Jason Redfern. Then there's Martha who rides in to take charge of the situation and get the revenge and justice that's needed to turn this family around. We also meet Bambi, who is married and abused by Jason Redfern. I am not going into the rest of the twists and turns of the story but let's just say its an interesting ride to the finish.
The story is told by three points of view, Nicola, Martha, and Bambi. There are reveals along the way about Nicola's past that make sense to what happens later in the story. I thought it was a very interesting and entertaining story, fairly fast paced and kept me scrolling the pages to find out what happened next. Covers themes of past trauma, PTSD and the effects that can happen from those. I thought it was a well-written and well put together story.
Thank you Netgalley and Monikher Press, IBPA, and Member's Titles for the complimentary copy of the story.
In the Story, Nicola is married to Ben and they have a 14 year old daughter named Emmy. One day, as they were out walking, they were the victims of a hit and run driver, Ben is killed, Nicola and Emmy are injured. Life changes drastically, Nicola and Emmy lose their home, medical bills are draining all what little money Nicola makes at a job she has and life is pretty dour from what it used to be. Nicola has became dependent on pain meds and other medications and she still has panic attacks. Nothing seems to being done about finding and prosecuting the hit and run driver.
Then, one day at work, Nicola sees the person she believes is the hit and run driver, and who happens to be a famous movie star Jason Redfern. Then there's Martha who rides in to take charge of the situation and get the revenge and justice that's needed to turn this family around. We also meet Bambi, who is married and abused by Jason Redfern. I am not going into the rest of the twists and turns of the story but let's just say its an interesting ride to the finish.
The story is told by three points of view, Nicola, Martha, and Bambi. There are reveals along the way about Nicola's past that make sense to what happens later in the story. I thought it was a very interesting and entertaining story, fairly fast paced and kept me scrolling the pages to find out what happened next. Covers themes of past trauma, PTSD and the effects that can happen from those. I thought it was a well-written and well put together story.
Thank you Netgalley and Monikher Press, IBPA, and Member's Titles for the complimentary copy of the story.
Review of advance copy
“Because sometimes the most dangerous place isn't the past. It's inside your own head.”
Pub Date: September 15, 2026
Some books hint that they might mess with your head. “Dark Ugly Places” doesn’t hint at all. It tells you right away to get geared up for a wild ride.
Thank you to the author, Monikher Press, and Books and Bloom PR Tours for the gifted ARC. All opinions are my own and shared voluntarily.
The cover grabbed my attention right away. It’s bold and hard to miss. The description sealed the deal for me: a psychological thriller filled with female rage, obsession, grief, trauma, and the tough mind games we play to get through unbearable pain. I was absolutely hooked from the start.
Ashley Mansour’s “Dark Ugly Places” tells the story of Nicola and her fourteen-year-old daughter, Emmy, after a hit-and-run accident kills Nicola’s husband and Emmy’s father. On top of their loss, no one is held responsible. There is no justice, no financial support, and no clear way
forward. Nicola loses her home and takes a job working at a hotel to keep food on the table and cover the essentials.
What stood out to me most to me was the psychological aftermath. Nicola and Emmy are not just grieving; they are struggling to get by in the messy, exhausting, and unfair way people do when life falls apart. Their pain feels real, never overdone, and the tension grows with every new challenge from the outside world and from the dark corners inside Nicola’s mind.
This story is unsettling, complex, and very psychological. It explores obsession and rage. A dark, gripping, and emotionally intense thriller that truly lives up to its title.
Pub Date: September 15, 2026
Some books hint that they might mess with your head. “Dark Ugly Places” doesn’t hint at all. It tells you right away to get geared up for a wild ride.
Thank you to the author, Monikher Press, and Books and Bloom PR Tours for the gifted ARC. All opinions are my own and shared voluntarily.
The cover grabbed my attention right away. It’s bold and hard to miss. The description sealed the deal for me: a psychological thriller filled with female rage, obsession, grief, trauma, and the tough mind games we play to get through unbearable pain. I was absolutely hooked from the start.
Ashley Mansour’s “Dark Ugly Places” tells the story of Nicola and her fourteen-year-old daughter, Emmy, after a hit-and-run accident kills Nicola’s husband and Emmy’s father. On top of their loss, no one is held responsible. There is no justice, no financial support, and no clear way
forward. Nicola loses her home and takes a job working at a hotel to keep food on the table and cover the essentials.
What stood out to me most to me was the psychological aftermath. Nicola and Emmy are not just grieving; they are struggling to get by in the messy, exhausting, and unfair way people do when life falls apart. Their pain feels real, never overdone, and the tension grows with every new challenge from the outside world and from the dark corners inside Nicola’s mind.
This story is unsettling, complex, and very psychological. It explores obsession and rage. A dark, gripping, and emotionally intense thriller that truly lives up to its title.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
📼 enjoyed the movie, Split
😡 would do anything to exact revenge
👀 love multiple POVs
✨ are looking for a setting based in Hollywood
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Thirty-four-year-old Nicola Holiday loses everything in a hit-and-run: her husband dead, her body broken, her fourteen-year-old daughter Emmy forever changed. With no one held accountable, she spirals into grief, panic attacks, and financial ruin — awakening a hereditary darkness she’s spent her life trying to outrun.
That darkness has a voice now. Her name is Martha, and she aches for revenge.
As Nicola’s grip on reality loosens, Martha slips into another life — one of wealth, glamour, and moral rot. When she crosses paths with the wife of a famous actor, Nicola’s suspicions ignite.
Pulled between vengeance and annihilation, Nicola and Martha collide with a woman whose secrets may be the key to everything — or the thing that destroys them both.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was a wild ride from start to finish! Once it starts, it never lets up. Thrown right into the accident, Nicola suffers a massive loss and cannot handle the aftermath. Her alter-ego, Martha, someone she’s tried to smother for years, finally takes the lead when it matters most - getting revenge. This book reminded me a bit of the movie Split, but in a more controlled fashion. While definitely a bit unrealistic, I enjoyed this story of letting someone else take over while you wallow in your grief. The story is a bit on the slower side, but about a third into the story, the pacing increases dramatically and doesn’t let up. If you’re interested in a book revolving around female rage, pick up a copy today!
📼 enjoyed the movie, Split
😡 would do anything to exact revenge
👀 love multiple POVs
✨ are looking for a setting based in Hollywood
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Thirty-four-year-old Nicola Holiday loses everything in a hit-and-run: her husband dead, her body broken, her fourteen-year-old daughter Emmy forever changed. With no one held accountable, she spirals into grief, panic attacks, and financial ruin — awakening a hereditary darkness she’s spent her life trying to outrun.
That darkness has a voice now. Her name is Martha, and she aches for revenge.
As Nicola’s grip on reality loosens, Martha slips into another life — one of wealth, glamour, and moral rot. When she crosses paths with the wife of a famous actor, Nicola’s suspicions ignite.
Pulled between vengeance and annihilation, Nicola and Martha collide with a woman whose secrets may be the key to everything — or the thing that destroys them both.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was a wild ride from start to finish! Once it starts, it never lets up. Thrown right into the accident, Nicola suffers a massive loss and cannot handle the aftermath. Her alter-ego, Martha, someone she’s tried to smother for years, finally takes the lead when it matters most - getting revenge. This book reminded me a bit of the movie Split, but in a more controlled fashion. While definitely a bit unrealistic, I enjoyed this story of letting someone else take over while you wallow in your grief. The story is a bit on the slower side, but about a third into the story, the pacing increases dramatically and doesn’t let up. If you’re interested in a book revolving around female rage, pick up a copy today!
September 16, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Monikher Press for the gifted ebook.
Summary
After a hit and run kills her husband and leaves her and her fourteen year old daughter Emmy forever changed, Nicola Holiday is struggling with grief, anger, panic attacks, and a life that has completely fallen apart. As her need for answers and revenge grows, so does Martha, a darker part of Nicola that she has spent years trying to escape. When another woman enters their lives, Nicola begins to wonder if there is more connecting them than she first realized.
My Review
Ready for some whiplash? This book has so many twists and turns. Every time I thought I had something figured out, boom, something else happened and I was right back to questioning everything. This was a great psychological thriller because it kept changing direction without losing the story underneath all those twists. Nicola and Emmy have been through so much, and I really felt the weight of what happened to them. Their lives changed in one horrible moment, and the grief, anger, and need for answers are always there.
I also really liked the darker psychological side of Nicola's story, especially with Martha. There is so much happening inside Nicola's head while everything around her is also starting to unravel. The deeper I got into the story, the more twisted it became, and there were definitely moments where I had to stop and think about what I had just read. I love when a thriller can make me think I know exactly where it's going and then completely prove me wrong. Dark Ugly Places did that more than once.
Would I Recommend?
Yes. A dark, twisty psychological thriller that kept me guessing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Monikher Press for the gifted ebook.
Summary
After a hit and run kills her husband and leaves her and her fourteen year old daughter Emmy forever changed, Nicola Holiday is struggling with grief, anger, panic attacks, and a life that has completely fallen apart. As her need for answers and revenge grows, so does Martha, a darker part of Nicola that she has spent years trying to escape. When another woman enters their lives, Nicola begins to wonder if there is more connecting them than she first realized.
My Review
Ready for some whiplash? This book has so many twists and turns. Every time I thought I had something figured out, boom, something else happened and I was right back to questioning everything. This was a great psychological thriller because it kept changing direction without losing the story underneath all those twists. Nicola and Emmy have been through so much, and I really felt the weight of what happened to them. Their lives changed in one horrible moment, and the grief, anger, and need for answers are always there.
I also really liked the darker psychological side of Nicola's story, especially with Martha. There is so much happening inside Nicola's head while everything around her is also starting to unravel. The deeper I got into the story, the more twisted it became, and there were definitely moments where I had to stop and think about what I had just read. I love when a thriller can make me think I know exactly where it's going and then completely prove me wrong. Dark Ugly Places did that more than once.
Would I Recommend?
Yes. A dark, twisty psychological thriller that kept me guessing.
September 17, 2026
Dark Ugly Places was exactly the kind of strange, dark psychological thriller I love. It took me a little while to settle into the different perspectives at the beginning, but once I did, I was completely invested in figuring out what was happening and how Nicola, Martha and Bambi’s stories were going to come together.
The unreliable element was probably my favourite part. There were points where I genuinely wasn’t sure what I could trust, particularly when it came to Martha, and I loved slowly questioning what I thought I understood about her. The way the book explores grief, trauma and female rage made it feel like more than a straightforward revenge thriller too. Nicola is messy, angry and increasingly obsessive, which made her fascinating to follow even when I wasn’t sure I agreed with what she was doing.
I also really enjoyed the multiple perspectives and glimpses into the past, particularly Bambi’s story. Nobody is quite as straightforward as they first appear, and my feelings about several characters changed as more was revealed.
My only real issue was the ending. I finished with a few questions that I would have liked more closure on, and I think that’s what kept this at four stars rather than pushing it higher for me.
Overall, dark, unsettling and slightly unhinged in the best way. If you like psychological thrillers with unreliable characters, revenge, complicated women and a story that makes you question what’s actually happening, this is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to Ashley Mansour, Monikher Press and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The unreliable element was probably my favourite part. There were points where I genuinely wasn’t sure what I could trust, particularly when it came to Martha, and I loved slowly questioning what I thought I understood about her. The way the book explores grief, trauma and female rage made it feel like more than a straightforward revenge thriller too. Nicola is messy, angry and increasingly obsessive, which made her fascinating to follow even when I wasn’t sure I agreed with what she was doing.
I also really enjoyed the multiple perspectives and glimpses into the past, particularly Bambi’s story. Nobody is quite as straightforward as they first appear, and my feelings about several characters changed as more was revealed.
My only real issue was the ending. I finished with a few questions that I would have liked more closure on, and I think that’s what kept this at four stars rather than pushing it higher for me.
Overall, dark, unsettling and slightly unhinged in the best way. If you like psychological thrillers with unreliable characters, revenge, complicated women and a story that makes you question what’s actually happening, this is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to Ashley Mansour, Monikher Press and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 10, 2026
This book is about a woman named Nicola, who was involved in a hit-and-run as a pedestrian and, as a result, lost her husband, saw her kid injured in such a physical way that she was the subject of bullying, and was forced to leave her house and her job. The overarching feeling I had from this book was sadness, grief, and trauma-induced mental illness.
But Nicola has a dark side, and her alter Martha is so protective of her that she's forcing herself into the light. I'm not sure that the representation of someone with Dissociative Identity Disorder was accurate, but it was used to illustrate the struggle between doing the right thing, and doing the vengeful thing. Nicola's resulting headaches definitely made me feel for her, especially when she wasn't able to get meds to help her along.
Her daughter Emmy was probably the most sympathetic character. Forced to be positive even in the face of her disfigurement, her family's financial crisis, and her mother's spiraling mental health, Emmy remained a bright spot in the story. She demonstrated understanding far beyond her years, and worked with Martha to help Nicola get through the darkness.
Much went beyond suspension of disbelief, and I constantly wondered how Martha could stay in control and hold down a job as a personal assistant when the last time she was out there was only flip phones and MySpace. But if you enjoy emotional and tense psychological thrillers, you will enjoy this book.
I appreciate the opportunity to read a new-to-me author and I thank the author, Booktrovert, Partners in Crime Tours and Monikher Press for an advance reader's copy.
But Nicola has a dark side, and her alter Martha is so protective of her that she's forcing herself into the light. I'm not sure that the representation of someone with Dissociative Identity Disorder was accurate, but it was used to illustrate the struggle between doing the right thing, and doing the vengeful thing. Nicola's resulting headaches definitely made me feel for her, especially when she wasn't able to get meds to help her along.
Her daughter Emmy was probably the most sympathetic character. Forced to be positive even in the face of her disfigurement, her family's financial crisis, and her mother's spiraling mental health, Emmy remained a bright spot in the story. She demonstrated understanding far beyond her years, and worked with Martha to help Nicola get through the darkness.
Much went beyond suspension of disbelief, and I constantly wondered how Martha could stay in control and hold down a job as a personal assistant when the last time she was out there was only flip phones and MySpace. But if you enjoy emotional and tense psychological thrillers, you will enjoy this book.
I appreciate the opportunity to read a new-to-me author and I thank the author, Booktrovert, Partners in Crime Tours and Monikher Press for an advance reader's copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
NetGalley and Monikher Press were kind enough to give me an advance copy of this book for review purposes. First, this book may be triggering to some readers due to some scenes of physical abuse on children and women. Second, this would make a great book for book club. Third, I read this in one sitting on vacation, even though there were lots of things to do going on around me. It is that good. Nicola, her husband Ben, and her daughter Emmy are crossing a road in Beverly Hills when a Rolls Royce Wraith comes out of no where and hits them. Ben dies, Emmy has a TBI with skin grafts on her head, and Nicola now walks with a limp. Nicola is also on several pain meds. They have lost their house and are now living in an apartment. Things aren’t looking great when Nicola gets fired. Soon Martha appears on the scene and causes havoc. Martha is a personality of Nicola. She is a go getter. She doesn’t take things lightly and soon she is running the show. This, of course is scary to Emmy. Martha has also found out who killed Ben and is vowing to get revenge. Jason Redfern is one of the most popular actors in Hollywood. Soon Martha is hired to be an assistant to Jason’s wife, Bambi, and she is plotting revenge. This is a book about how much we as women can take before we break. It is about how our families are impacted by what we suffer. It is about the little voices every day that make us question whether we are enough. Get this book and thank me later
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
How far would you go for revenge when grief has already destroyed you?
Dark Ugly Places by Ashley Mansour pulled me in with its dark psychological edge and a protagonist I could never quite predict.
Nicola Holiday has lost her husband in a hit-and-run and is left dealing with grief, trauma and the impact it has had on her family. But Nicola refuses to let the person responsible walk away without consequences.
She wants revenge.
And watching that desire consume her was one of my favourite parts of this book.
Nicola is angry, complicated and increasingly unpredictable. She makes questionable choices, and I loved never knowing how far she would go.
Then there’s Martha.
That darker presence in Nicola’s mind adds another layer of unease. I loved how the book blurs the lines between grief, trauma, identity and reality. It kept me questioning what was real and what Nicola was capable of.
Behind Bambi's glamorous world lies an uglier reality filled with secrets, fear, and loneliness, adding even more tension to the story.
This isn’t simply a revenge thriller. It’s a psychological descent into what happens when anger becomes an obsession, and revenge starts changing the person seeking it.
Dark. Unsettling. Twisted.
Exactly the kind of psychological thriller I love.
If you love damaged characters, dark secrets, revenge and psychological tension, add this one to your TBR.
Dark Ugly Places by Ashley Mansour pulled me in with its dark psychological edge and a protagonist I could never quite predict.
Nicola Holiday has lost her husband in a hit-and-run and is left dealing with grief, trauma and the impact it has had on her family. But Nicola refuses to let the person responsible walk away without consequences.
She wants revenge.
And watching that desire consume her was one of my favourite parts of this book.
Nicola is angry, complicated and increasingly unpredictable. She makes questionable choices, and I loved never knowing how far she would go.
Then there’s Martha.
That darker presence in Nicola’s mind adds another layer of unease. I loved how the book blurs the lines between grief, trauma, identity and reality. It kept me questioning what was real and what Nicola was capable of.
Behind Bambi's glamorous world lies an uglier reality filled with secrets, fear, and loneliness, adding even more tension to the story.
This isn’t simply a revenge thriller. It’s a psychological descent into what happens when anger becomes an obsession, and revenge starts changing the person seeking it.
Dark. Unsettling. Twisted.
Exactly the kind of psychological thriller I love.
If you love damaged characters, dark secrets, revenge and psychological tension, add this one to your TBR.
September 17, 2026
This is a dark, deeply unsettling and uncomfortable read. One that gets completely under your skin and has you turning pages without a second thought. Boy was i glad to get a front seat for the ride.
Whilst the story is told through multiple POV, it mainly centers on Nicola, who's family life was torn apart when a horrific car accident kills her husband aswell as causing life changing injuries to both herself and her daughter. Nicola is left trapped in a body that no longer works, with a daughter who is struggling to cope and medical bills quickly piling up. Then a glimmer of hope comes knocking when the opportunity arises to seek revenge.
This was quite an entertaining read, with a sharp writing style that really engages the physical senses. It's not just a story about revenge, but the deep-rooted trauma that changes us as people. The characters are interesting and extremely complex. I quite enjoyed the fact that there was no clear victim or villian dynamic to follow, all being equally questionable yet vulnerable in their own right. The addition of Martha was done really well too, to the point where at times it was hard to pinpoint where Nicola ended and Martha began, which i found made the flow more believable. It wasn't a clear cut case of good vs evil that I find is commonly featured in books with a similar theme.
Overall, a gripping and thought-provoking read that is easy to devour. I will definitely be looking out for more of Ashley's work
Whilst the story is told through multiple POV, it mainly centers on Nicola, who's family life was torn apart when a horrific car accident kills her husband aswell as causing life changing injuries to both herself and her daughter. Nicola is left trapped in a body that no longer works, with a daughter who is struggling to cope and medical bills quickly piling up. Then a glimmer of hope comes knocking when the opportunity arises to seek revenge.
This was quite an entertaining read, with a sharp writing style that really engages the physical senses. It's not just a story about revenge, but the deep-rooted trauma that changes us as people. The characters are interesting and extremely complex. I quite enjoyed the fact that there was no clear victim or villian dynamic to follow, all being equally questionable yet vulnerable in their own right. The addition of Martha was done really well too, to the point where at times it was hard to pinpoint where Nicola ended and Martha began, which i found made the flow more believable. It wasn't a clear cut case of good vs evil that I find is commonly featured in books with a similar theme.
Overall, a gripping and thought-provoking read that is easy to devour. I will definitely be looking out for more of Ashley's work
October 7, 2026
MY THOUGHTS:
OH MY GOSH!!!!! That's it, that’s my response to this book! Wow! So incredible in so many different way. I basically read this book in two sittings. When I woke up in the morning I couldn't wait to get reading again.
So much, so much to tell you that I can’t tell you. Loss, grief, revenge, mental illness, love, and survival.
With all the craziness in this book, and there is a lot of craziness! The true underlying theme is the love between mother and daughter. What a mother will truly do for her daughter and the daughter‘s love and protection for her mother. Yes, things got tense, very tense. And things got bad, very bad! But Nicola, the mom, and Emmy, the 14 yr. old daughter (LOVED her!) stuck together. They disagreed sometimes, they bickered sometimes as mothers and teens usually do. But they still stuck together. You could feel their love even after everything they went through. I loved how this family of two was shining through.
By the end of the book I was crying! And OMG ~ the ending! I will say no more. This book was absolutely gripping, very suspenseful, dark at times, but also had a lot of feeling and heartfelt moments. I could feel their pain. I could feel their grief. And I could feel their love! I would absolutely read another book by this author. This will be one of my favorites of the year!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours - Thank You!!
OH MY GOSH!!!!! That's it, that’s my response to this book! Wow! So incredible in so many different way. I basically read this book in two sittings. When I woke up in the morning I couldn't wait to get reading again.
So much, so much to tell you that I can’t tell you. Loss, grief, revenge, mental illness, love, and survival.
With all the craziness in this book, and there is a lot of craziness! The true underlying theme is the love between mother and daughter. What a mother will truly do for her daughter and the daughter‘s love and protection for her mother. Yes, things got tense, very tense. And things got bad, very bad! But Nicola, the mom, and Emmy, the 14 yr. old daughter (LOVED her!) stuck together. They disagreed sometimes, they bickered sometimes as mothers and teens usually do. But they still stuck together. You could feel their love even after everything they went through. I loved how this family of two was shining through.
By the end of the book I was crying! And OMG ~ the ending! I will say no more. This book was absolutely gripping, very suspenseful, dark at times, but also had a lot of feeling and heartfelt moments. I could feel their pain. I could feel their grief. And I could feel their love! I would absolutely read another book by this author. This will be one of my favorites of the year!
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours - Thank You!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews