We Are for the Dark

by Gretchen McNeil

What starts as a missing person investigation morphs into something much darker when an FBI-agent-turned-Catholic-priest and a junior constable arrive on a remote Newfoundland island

This murder-mystery-turned-nail-biting-horror is perfect for fans of religious horror like The Possession of Alba Díaz and the cult-classic movie The Wicker Man

An isolated town. A missing priest. An ancient, hungry darkness.

When Father Shane Ryan is summoned to a meeting with His Eminence Cardinal Jacobs, he’s confused. A recently ordained priest at a small Maryland parish, Father Ryan has no idea why His Eminence would want to meet him. When he arrives, the Cardinal opens by laying out Father Ryan’s past as an FBI analyst. It seems a priest has gone missing, and the case is…unusual.

Weeks ago, Constable Miriam Rideout from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary fielded a frantic call from a priest on a remote Newfoundland island. He begged for help, but then the line went dead, and no one has since been reported missing. When permission to perform a wellness check is denied by her superiors, Miriam takes some vacation time and books a ticket on the ferry.

Thrown together with friendly but cagey locals, Miriam and Father Ryan soon learn that something about the island isn’t right. There’s a fishing port without boats, a town with no stores and no cars, and strange, bulbous purple wildflowers are growing everywhere. The two don’t trust each other, but they begin to learn that an alliance, however uneasy, is a necessity. Because something evil lurks beneath the island—something ancient, eternal, hungry—and neither it nor the uncanny islanders have any intention of letting these newcomers leave.

A growing sense of dread intensifies until it explodes in this pulse-pounding supernatural horror.

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Horror Thriller, Fiction

Audible Audio

First published September 1, 2026

About the author

Gretchen McNeil is the author of the YA horror/suspense novels POSSESS, 3:59, RELIC, GET EVEN, GET DIRTY, and TEN (a YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, a Romantic Times Top Pick, and a Booklist Top Ten Horror Fiction for Youth) all with Balzer + Bray for HarperCollins. Gretchen’s first YA contemporary I’M NOT YOUR MANIC PIXIE DREAM GIRL, also with Balzer + Bray, hit shelves in 2016, and her next novel will be the horror-comedy #MURDERTRENDING for Disney/Freeform in August 2018.

Gretchen’s novels have been published internationally in Chinese, Spanish, Turkish, and Czech. The film adaptation of TEN starring China Anne McClain (Descendants 2, Black Lightning), Rome Flynn (The Bold and the Beautiful), and Callan McAuliffe (Flipped, I Am Number Four), directed by Chris Robert for Rain Maker Films, premiered on Lifetime on September 16, 2017.

Gretchen is repped by Ginger Clark of Curtis Brown, Ltd. You can find Gretchen on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and on her website.

Reviews

[BookishKB · Rating 3 out of 5]

⛪️ We Are For the Dark ⛪️

This book was so odd. There were definitely some creepy movements but everyone in this book sucked!

🩸 What to Expect
• Religious horror
• Remote island
• Missing priest
• Folk horror
• Ancient evil
_ _ _ _
⭐️ Final Score: 2.75 Stars
📅 Pub Date: September 1, 2026
📝 Thank you to DAW and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Christine Garrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

We Are for the Dark begins with a 911 call so strange that it could easily be dismissed as a prank. Constable Miriam Rideout listens as a frightened priest claims to be on a remote Newfoundland island where something dark is happening. Then the call abruptly drops. Despite being denied permission to investigate, Miriam cannot let it go.

Meanwhile, Father Shane Ryan, a recently ordained priest and former FBI analyst, is summoned by a cardinal to investigate a missing clergyman: the same priest who contacted Miriam. Miriam and Father Ryan initially pursue the case independently, but their investigations soon converge. Forced into an uneasy partnership, they begin unraveling mysteries that challenge both their skepticism and their understanding of the island’s history.

Everything about the community feels slightly wrong. A seemingly miraculous recovery, religious relics far older than the settlement should allow, and the discovery of an anchorhold—a cell where an anchorite was enclosed to spend her life in prayer—raise increasingly unsettling questions. Chapters from the perspective of an imprisoned anchorite deepen the mystery, especially because it remains unclear when she lived on the island or how her story connects to the present.

The islanders are equally unnerving. They are guarded, secretive, and strangely insistent that Father Ryan celebrate Mass for them. Their distinctive Newfoundland speech helps establish a strong sense of place, but their behavior makes it increasingly clear that the residents may be every bit as dangerous as whatever monstrous presence lurks beneath the island.

McNeil effectively uses the isolation of the setting to build dread. There is something especially frightening about trapping skeptical characters on an island where communication is unreliable, escape is uncertain, and everyone around them appears to know more than they are willing to reveal. With each discovery, the story grows stranger and more fearsome.

Amid the religious horror and mounting terror, a potentially taboo connection develops between Miriam and Father Ryan. Their attraction introduces a small measure of warmth and vulnerability into an otherwise dark story. Both characters carry their own troubles, and the feelings forming between them give them and the reader a brief source of human connection as the island closes in.

Cassandra Campbell’s narration strengthens both the distinctive setting and the steadily escalating tension. She handles the characters’ accents skillfully, giving the islanders individual voices while reinforcing the feeling that Miriam and Father Ryan have entered a close-knit community where they do not belong. Campbell also puts palpable emotion into her performance, using changes in tone and intensity to propel the story’s fear, distrust, and mystery. Her narration makes the characters’ unease feel immediate and allows the dread to build even during the quieter moments.

We Are for the Dark will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy isolated settings, folk and religious horror, suspicious communities, and rational investigators forced to confront the impossible. Fans of the eerie island mysteries and supernatural skepticism found in Midnight Mass and Widow’s Bay should feel immediately at home—although “home” may be the last word anyone would use for this island.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for providing an advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

[quillnqueer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why are two romantically available adults in this adult horror acting like two lovestruck enemies in a young adult fantasy?

I was so here for the creepy island, eldritch horror vibes I was hoping to get, and the island being full of weird older people just made it more interesting. Unfortunately the plot kept getting derailed by the main character's relationship and how much they wanted to get to pound town, and it took me out of the horror every single time. If they can't take it seriously, why should I?

I need this author to never write another sex scene again. It was so vanilla, written as if it was the steamiest hottest thing, and I just cringed the entire time. Father Ryan (who is a barely a Priest, he's a former cop) is constantly referred to as having a vow of chastity, as if this is somehow supposed to make matters steamier. It did not.

I didn't think the answers were worth it, and the more I think about it, the more it was full of holes that didn't really make any sense. I didn't feel particularly surprised by the answers given, and the solution they came up with was absolutely ridiculous.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

WE ARE FOR THE DARK
By Gretchen McNeil

A Creepy Setting with a Strong Start

3.5 rounded down
This religious folk horror novel begins with an investigation into a missing priest that takes a much darker turn when an FBI agent-turned-Catholic priest and a junior constable arrive on an isolated, obscure Newfoundland island. Something sinister lurks beneath the island, and the strange islanders seem determined to keep the newcomers from ever leaving.

I especially liked the creepy island setting, where total isolation and the trappings of modern civilization have been stripped away, making the eerie darkness of the island feel even more sinister. The locals’ obsession with saying Mass adds another strange and unsettling element to the story.

I also enjoyed the cat-and-mouse banter between Father Ryan and Constable Miriam Rideout, which brought some humor to the tension and growing sense of dread. I found the first half especially strong, with plenty of tense and unsettling moments that kept me turning the pages. Unfortunately, the last part didn’t work as well for me, and I felt the story lost some of the suspense and intrigue that made the beginning so compelling. Overall, though, the creepy atmosphere and isolated setting made this an entertaining read.

Thank you to NetGalley and DAW for the eARC
Publishing on September 01 2026

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and DAW for the pre-release copy of We Are For the Dark by Gretchen McNeil. Below is my honest review.

Let's start with the pros:

Awesome setting - creepy, atmospheric, mysterious, gives that preternatural eerie feeling of dread from the start.

Good characters - the two MCs are developed and have some depth to them

Twisty plot with decent pacing

And the cons:

Predictable, unsatisfying ending

I like this author a lot, having enjoyed her YA horror/thriller TEN and absolutely loving her 2025 adult horror release They Fear Not Men in the Woods, which is an epic banger of a novel and you need to go read it immediately.

I'm glad she's branched into adult horror (get it, branched, after I just mentioned the book with "in the Woods" in the title???), and I hope she keeps going with it. But alas, this one wasn't my favorite of hers.

3.5 stars, rounded down to 3.

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, surprising doesn’t even begin to describe this book. The author really managed to keep me on my toes for the entirety of it, without imagining the extent of what the characters were going to go through. The atmosphere is so thick in this book, permeating through every word, and creating an uncomfortable feeling until the end.

I loved the main characters and their dynamics, with both their strength and electricity seeping through the pages. There is some steam in the story and it is spicy! I have to admit I did fall in love a bit with the character of Shane too lol.

I’d describe this story as a slow burn that does deliver massively if the reader has the patience to stay with it. To be honest, the most enjoyable experience was the slow build up to the end, which was truly heartbreaking and in my opinion unexpected.

This author keeps surprising me with their originality and atmosphere, but most of all with how they manage to keep me from knowing what is happening at all times.
This author knows how to write and knows how to keep the reader guessing.
If you love a story drenched in atmosphere and having to wait for your prize, I’d suggest you pick this one as your next read!

Thanks to Black Crow Books for a copy and this is my honest opinion.

[Stacey Markle · Rating 4 out of 5]

My rating is 3.75
What starts as a pretty standard missing person investigation story, definitely felt like a thriller novel more so than a horror, came out of the gate pretty strong. A strange phone call to a junior constable sets off a chain of events that spirals out of control in the last act. A remote Island near Newfoundland, that no one has ever heard of, is the desolate setting and all of the inhabitants are older and creepy. They are hiding something and Miriam is bound and determined to find out what. Since the missing person was a priest, the Cardinal sends Father Shane Ryan out to also look into the mystery.
Miriam and Father Shane, a former FBI agent hiding something dark of his own, work together despite differing views on religion and how to conduct the investigation. Their dynamic is super odd and didn't work for me, especially with the religious side. I would think a priest, especially one just 4 years in, would have better control of himself when it comes to a woman. He is far from a typical priest though.
The last 25% brings in the darker horror aspects of this tale, giving "no one gets off the Island" vibes. We get some cool background from a series of chapters by one of the religious order, a woman describing her life as an anchorite, imprisoned in the anchorhold on the island. An ancient evil is feared and for good reason.
There is a lot to like in this thought provoking tale but I could have done without certain scenes.
Cassandra Campbell is a terrific narrator and does a wonderful job with the different accents but I felt this would really have benefited from dual narration so we had male voices. It would have elevated the performance for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Blackcrow Books and RBMedia for the opportunity to do an immersive read and review this title. My thoughts are my own.

[megs_bookrack]

ARC received! Thank you, DAW and RB Media. I always have a fun time with Gretchen McNeil. Planning to pick this up this weekend.

[Hoarding Wyrm | Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one, while still ending up an entertaining story, did not live up to my expectations. I went into We Are for the Dark expecting a religious/cult horror story, that takes place on a remote island, where an isolated group of people has a hidden agenda - and I got that. I also got, unexpectedly, awkward insta-love (or insta-lust?) romance with a priest, including a spicy scene I hope I can forget as soon as possible because of some very awkward dirty talk. Definitely did not have that one on my bingo card, and this unfortunately did affect my reading experience. Add on top of that inconsistent story-telling (different writing-styles and word-choices within singular paragraphs), awkwardly written out conversations (the MCs did not come across as mature adults, but almost like teenagers), and a relatively underwhelming conclusion. That being said, there were moments that the atmosphere was genuinely eerie and oppressive. It's a good read if you're looking for a quick read and want to dip your toes into the horror genre.

A big thanks to DAW and NetGalley for this ARC!

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an audio book ARC from NetGalley, thanks to all.

This audiobook was narrated by a single narrator. She was clear and easy to understand even at a higher speed. Personally I found her voice enjoyable and think she did a good job on all 3 of the POV’s the story is told from.

The book starts out as a possible missing person investigation between constable Miriam and Father Ryan working separately looking for a missing priest. The setting is a small and essentially unknown island with a small population who aren’t super excited about a police investigation to say the least. There’s folk horror, religious horror, supernatural elements , romance and of course the mystery of what these islanders have to hide. Overall I enjoyed this story and found it interesting. It had a lot of things I like- a cut off island and folk and religious horror elements. I gave this 3/5 stars. My only notes would be that I feel like there’s just so many different elements it’s overwhelming- by the time you got to the end of the book It feels like you’re reading a different book than you started reading. If you like religious or folk horror I would recommend it.

[Erin Crane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that was disappointing. For most of this book I thought it'd be a solid 4 star read, but it takes a turn that I did not appreciate.

This story follows Father Ryan, a priest, and Miriam, a cop, as they investigate a missing person situation on this remote Newfoundland island. It's got nice creepy, remote, Christian-but-culty vibes. The audiobook is especially nice because the narrator reads the islanders with an accent which enhances the experience. Initially Father Ryan and Miriam are at odds, separately investigating, but they also have sexual/romantic tension.

It's that tension that didn't work for me at all, and unfortunately it becomes increasingly key to the story. Initially I thought, well, I don't like it, but I'll ignore it. That's not possible by the end, so if you don't want to read a story that hinges on a romantic plot, don't read this one.

I did not buy Miriam and Father Ryan's chemistry or attraction at all. I liked Father Ryan, but Miriam is incredibly annoying. She's the stereotypical romantasy heroine oddly enough - stubborn, impulsive, mouthy. I'm supposed to believe she's also really smart and good at her job despite lots of evidence that she's *not.* Multiple times Father Ryan swoons over her supposed smarts, and I'm like, WHAT is he talking about? She's been incompetent from the get-go, not even trying to charm the islanders, not closing doors when she has secret conversations, etc. Girl. 😭 I could've lived with it if their relationship wasn't so significant.

There are a couple aspects of the ending I did really like despite everything - which I can't say since it would spoil it. Otherwise, it all played out exactly like I expected it to. The reveals don't feel very exciting when you've already seen it all coming. It's tricky. Of course Miriam and Father Ryan don't see it coming to the degree the *reader* sees it coming, but it felt like I was supposed to be surprised, too, and I wasn't. All the elements of the reveals were written such that it was really obvious those things were important. To be fair, it's just harder to surprise a well-read person. I try not to judge a book too harshly for that! Especially if the journey is still fun.

So this was just okay. Mostly pretty solid, and then your mileage will vary based on how you feel about the ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars for me.

A Island that almost no one knows about it,a missing priest and Father Shane Ryan and Constable Miriam Rideout have a mystery to resolve.

I will not lie,it was scary at times,I was not sure what was happening,is it true is there some logic explanation to events what ocurred?A really enjoyable read,it made me question everything,and the forbidden romance didn't go in the way of being creep out by this Island and the secrets.I liked it to almost to the end,one of the sisters go without any punishment and I really hoped someone will just shake her good.Still I listen to this audio every spare moment,it was hard to put it down.Hope to read more by this author.

Thank you netgalley and RBmedia for audio book,my review is honest and my own.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF 45%

[Dawn Schock · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this with little information. I skimmed the synopsis, but the cover and title drew me in, I'm such a cover junkie.

I loved the premise to this one so much. I mean, what's not to love about an isolated island no one seems to know about, a missing priest, an isolated village full of creepy old people, and something dark lurking in the shadows.

The overall story was intriguing and had a modern day Gothic feel to it with its setting and cast of characters. I found them oddly endearing while still thinking they were creepy and untrustworthy.

I'm not opposed to romance in horror books, but the spicy scenes always pull me out of the element, and this one did just that. Plus, the only marginally taboo nature of the relationship was a little meh to me. But the growing relationship between the two I didn't mind at all. I liked their chemistry, but the insta-love felt a little out of place in this novel.

Everything else about the story I really enjoyed. I especially found the journal entries to be very intriguing and added to the mystique of the story. And I loved the reveal at the end. It was unique and like something I haven't read lately.

Cassandra Campbell does a fantastic job narrating this one. She delivers a dynamic performance that brings so much emotion and atmosphere to the story. She made each character distinctly different and it was so easy to distinguish between them all. I especially loved that her narrator voice was also so different from her character voices. It made it feel like a fully immersive listening experience.

I received an advanced listening copy from Netgalley and am leaving this review voluntarily

[Book Night Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this!!!!

When I decided to check out this book, I had certain expectations. I expected a book with chilling setting, creepy characters, and a story that makes me guess till the end. And I'm thrilled to say that the story delivered what I hoped for!

Since the arrival of Father Shane Ryan and Constable Miriam to Bale Island; the story progressed without any delay. The secrets hidden by the island and its people were revealed one by one and I was shocked to read it.

Add to that, the chemistry between the lead characters also worked well for the story. I was also surprised to read how the relationship of the characters progressed, making it a believable transition from strangers to much more.

This was a book that I read within two days. The fast paced storytelling and the suspenseful storyline pushed me to continue reading. And I enjoyed every moment of it!

[Kirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was duped by We Are for the Dark by Gretchen McNeil. The story features a heterosexual romance between two main characters. (SPOILER One is a priest, Father Shane Ryan). No lie, that definitely put me off! There is mystery, a cult (sort of), good vs. evil, stand by your man, religion, a monster and more. The excellent narration by Cassandra Campbell kept me listening to the very end. While this one didn’t work for me (ROMANCE), I will continue reading “horror”. ALC was provided by RB Media/Recorded Books via NetGalley. I received an audiobook listening copy for free and I am leaving this feedback voluntarily.

[Alishia Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started this one, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it. Jokes on me because I didn’t like it, I LOVED it. I don’t usually annotate horror, but this was an exception.

Miriam + Father Ryan are on a mission to find out what happened to the missing priest on Bale Island, though neither could imagine what would happen to them when they got their answer. I didn’t expect to be kicking my feet, reminiscent of how I felt watching Bones back in the day as they navigated the strange behavior of the church and each other. When one tie knots into another, their chances of leaving the island dwindle, and they’re running out of time. If you want culty religious horror with an incredibly well done romance subplot, well, you’ve found it.

[thebeespot72 · Rating 3 out of 5]

What could go wrong on a remote island? It doesn’t help that I read this one while on vacation in a cabin on a somewhat remote island. I was ok. Everything was ok. We Are For the Dark follows a former FBI agent-turned-priest as he plunges into a new role. But not so new territory. It is an investigation after all. This is where the horror is woven in. And it’s that eerie, creepy undertone type—not blatantly in your face. It builds slowly, almost atmospheric in some ways. The end was quite interesting, though that led to some more questions, which are intentional.

Thank you to Astra Publishing/DAW Books for the gifted e-copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tiffany Schulz · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review
I wanted to love this, and I can’t explain why I didn’t, but it really didn’t grab me. I felt it was slow. So…very…slow. The constant reminders of Father Ryan’s vows, even though he was lusting after Miriam, was a constant process to get over as the author seemed to want to drive it home with ridiculous force. Yes we know. He is a priest, even if he was an FBI agent before, and that comes with vows, vows he very happily broke. The intimate scenes seemed the only thing that was rushed in this book. Even scenes with the monsters on the island went slower than our very few spicy scenes.
Overall I feel like it could have been a better story if the author didn’t want to force their points onto us. Women in law enforcement get the short end of the stick….yes we know…. Say it once and move on not the constant digs in every scene how Miriam is not treated the same as “the boys”.
The paranormal horror was nothing out of the ordinary, simple monsters that didn’t scare you or creep you out, but were written rather well in a horror sense. Just kind of meh.

[domsbookden]

DNF 16%

After not getting along with McNeil's adult debut but liking certain aspects of it, I decided to give her second adult novel a try. But I could tell very early on that the major issue I had with They Fear Not Men in the Woods persists. I see no change in the writing quality in this new release, which is good if you enjoyed McNeil's pervious novel, but for me it’s the same adolescent, quasi-pithy tone I loathed. This will unfortunately be the last time I pick up a novel from McNeil.

[Stephanie B. •literaryland_livin• · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review out soon

[Dave Musson · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 10%

Really couldn’t get into this so bailed before I got too annoyed.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the review copy.

[melissareadshorror · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to DAW and NetGalley for an eARC of We Are for the Dark in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 3/5

I very much enjoyed the beginning of this book but it didn’t go to the scary places I was hoping it would. I hope it finds its audience.

[Trisha]

A mystery turned to horror. I'm in!
Love this author

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[Benny The Bookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow-burn, atmospheric mystery island horror novel. Readers that like horror hovels that are creepy and without gore and gratuitous violence will be entertained. But while not a long novel, the pacing is slow until the final half where everything becomes clear about what is going on this strange island and leads to a satisfying ending.

Constable Miriam Rideout is tired of her male-dominated police force and boring civilian cases for four years. She takes a frantic call from Father Velasco, a priest assigned to a remote Newfoundland island, Bale Island. The priest is calling to report a missing person, a possible kidnapping. This is something more exciting than her usual cases like a cat in the tree or a noise complaint. Later, when she is not able to reach the priest, she knows something is wrong. Since her superior doesn’t want her to look into the matter, she goes on her own and books a ferry to Bale Island.

Father Shane Ryan, former FBI agent, is now living the simple life in Maryland away from the horrors and darkness he had witnessed and personally experienced. Instead of trying to hunt down serial killers, his biggest threat now is boredom with taking care of the needs of his parishioners. He is worried when Cardinal Jacobs summons him, thinking he is going to lose his priesthood since he was fast-tracked, but finds out the Cardinal needs him to go to Bale Island because Father Velasco is missing and hasn’t reported in three days. Father Ryan is instructed to find out what happened and is not to tell anyone about his investigation, especially law enforcement. Father Ryan refuses at first, but the Cardinal tells him he hasn’t a choice if he wants to keep his priesthood. Father Ryan finds himself on the same ferry to Bale Island as Constable Rideout.

Bale Island is full of purple wildflowers. There are no boats, tourists, and an elderly population with no children. The islanders are quiet when it comes to answering questions about Father Velasco, but are insistent when it comes to Father Ryan performing his priestly duties and performing mass at their only church, a church that could be out of medieval times. As Father Ryan and Constable Miriam start their investigation, it becomes clear there is something very wrong with this island and this is more than a case of a missing priest.

There is a romance in the story, not to get into details, which seems forced. Trying to stay away from spoilers as much as possible. Also, this may not be a popular opinion with commercial fiction; the spice in the novel was unnecessary. Too often in commercial fiction, while lovemaking can be an expression of love, it can lead to characters’ romance coming down to something very adolescent with sexual yearning and the physical act overshadowing other love languages.

Early during the novel, some readers may be turned off with the treatment of Catholicism. There was worry that the novel was going to be a referendum against the Catholic Church. In some ways, not getting into spoilers as much as possible, some readers may feel this way. But after finishing the novel, there are some clear messages that come to mind about why there is a need for religion in one’s life. Christianity at its best is the faith in something fantastical and in being willing to sacrifice something bigger than the individual for the whole to bring the light to fight against the darkness.

Overall, not a great horror novel that is inspired by the classic The Wicker Man, but an entertaining read as it builds the suspense as the reader starts to understand what is truly going on this remote island that is filled with religious zealots. I want to thank NetGalley and DAW for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and DAW for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“We Are For the Dark” by Gretchen McNeil is one of those books that absolutely nails the creepy atmosphere but might lose you a little depending on how you feel about romance in your horror.

The story follows Miriam, a constable who’s already got a complicated relationship with religion after her mother’s death, and Father Shane Ryan, a former FBI agent turned priest who’s basically running from his own guilt. The two end up on this super isolated island off the coast of Canada, investigating a distress call, and from the second they arrive, things are off. No cars, barely any technology, weirdly uniform townspeople, and a whole lot of unsettling devotion to old-school, borderline extreme Catholic practices.

Honestly, the setting is one of the best parts. The island feels suffocating in that quiet, eerie way where you just know something is wrong but can’t quite put your finger on it. There are hints of cult behavior, strange rituals, and even questions about how the town is surviving at all, like where they’re getting food if they don’t have any animals. It builds this constant tension that keeps you hooked, especially as the story leans more into supernatural horror.

I also really liked the dynamic between Miriam and Ryan—at least at first. They’ve got this interesting contrast: she’s skeptical and guarded, he’s deeply tied to faith but also full of doubt. Watching them investigate together and slowly uncover the island’s secrets is super engaging. There are even some chapters from a mysterious POV that hint at something darker going on behind the scenes, which adds to the intrigue.

For a horror book, this one has a lot of romance. It starts off subtle enough, but then it ramps up fast. Like, “we’re in mortal danger but also suddenly very into each other” fast. While it does add emotional weight to the story, especially toward the end, it also kind of derails the pacing; there’s even a moment where the plot basically pauses for a pretty explicit scene, which feels a little out of place in what starts as a tense horror mystery.

That said, the horror elements themselves are solid. There’s definitely something supernatural at play, possibly demonic, and the book leans hard into religious imagery, possession, and the idea of ancient evil lurking beneath the island. The mystery unfolds with some genuinely interesting twists, including reveals about the island and even Miriam herself.

The ending isn’t bad, but it leans heavily into a “love conquers evil” vibe that might feel a little predictable or too neat compared to how strong and unsettling the buildup is. Some parts feel rushed, while others hit that bittersweet, emotional note pretty well.

Overall, this is a great pick if you love isolated settings, culty religious horror, and a heavy dose of atmosphere. Just go in expecting a blend of horror and romance because this definitely ends up being as much about relationships and inner struggles as it is about whatever’s lurking in the dark.

[Mylee J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An isolated town. A missing priest. An ancient, hungry darkness.

When Father Shane Ryan is summoned to a meeting with His Eminence Cardinal Jacobs, he’s confused. A recently ordained priest at a small Maryland parish, Father Ryan has no idea why His Eminence would want to meet him. When he arrives, the Cardinal opens by laying out Father Ryan’s past as an FBI analyst. It seems a priest has gone missing, and the case is…unusual.

Weeks ago, Constable Miriam Rideout from the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary fielded a frantic call from a priest on a remote Newfoundland island. He begged for help, but then the line went dead, and no one has since been reported missing. When permission to perform a wellness check is denied by her superiors, Miriam takes some vacation time and books a ticket on the ferry.

Thrown together with friendly but cagey locals, Miriam and Father Ryan soon learn that something about the island isn’t right. There’s a fishing port without boats, a town with no stores and no cars, and strange, bulbous purple wildflowers are growing everywhere. The two don’t trust each other, but they begin to learn that an alliance, however uneasy, is a necessity. Because something evil lurks beneath the island—something ancient, eternal, hungry—and neither it nor the uncanny islanders have any intention of letting these newcomers leave.

A growing sense of dread intensifies until it explodes in this pulse-pounding supernatural horror.

I was first introduced by Gretchen McNeil by a friend who demanded I read her series, #murdertrending. It was one of the most original, compelling series I've ever read, and I was absolutely thrilled to be accepted as an ARC reader for another story by this author. Much like the books I've read by McNeil previously, We Are For The Dark is utterly riveting and absolutely terrifying. It's well-written, with interesting characters that boast strong voices, and terrifying stakes that grow worse as the novel goes on.

One of my favorite things about McNeil's work so far is how easily it stands out from the crowd of other books in similar genres. While We Are For The Dark fits into the categories of religious horror and supernatural thriller, it is the kind of story that stands out and stands strong on the shelf. Each trope was twisted, each take was unique. This story was an isolated setting within an isolated setting, and the sinister external threats weren't the only ones plaguing the narrative throughout.

McNeil has a gift for writing intense chemistry and intriguing characterization. Her characters are fundamentally flawed and contradictory, which makes them absurdly addictive to read. I loved every second of reading this book, and I strongly recommend McNeil to readers who haven't yet had the opportunity to try out her books!

[Tracey Kaburu · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC of We Are for the Dark from Dawn via NetGalley. All opinions here are my own.

3.75⭐

This one's a mixed bag for me, and I have some thoughts about it. Some good, some not so good so let's get into it.

We are for the dark follows a constable named Miriam and a father named Shane as they investigate a missing priest on a remote island.

This is what worked for me:

The prose. McNeil writes clean, fast and never makes you work to follow the plot, which matters a lot in a book trying to build suspense.

The first chapter was such a strong opener; it sets the stakes immediately and earns the "keep reading" pull without asking for patience upfront.

A lot of the horror elements land too, and the island's villagers are genuinely unsettling in a way that's hard to pull off without leaning on jump scares.

Here is what didn't work for me:

I found Miriam, the FMC, quite annoying. Her approach to the investigation frustrated me for most of the book. She's investigating in a closed community where nobody wants to talk, and her instinct is to push hard instead of build trust. The book actually shows you the cost of that choice. Villagers slip up when it comes to Father Ryan because they were more relaxed and their walls were down and shut down around her, so it reads as intentional characterisation, not an accident. I understood her motivation; she wants to prove herself to the men in her department, and we see that drive established right in chapter one. But understanding why she makes the choice didn't make it less frustrating to read across an entire novel.

I'm not a fan of reading about priests behaving the way religious leaders sometimes do in real life, them doing what they ought not to be doing. That's a personal preference, not a claim that it's unrealistic.

I generally struggle with characters who forgive too easily. When someone has genuinely wronged another character and the response is basically immediate reconciliation, it pulls me out of the story. Again, I do see how this Miriam would have a change of heart as the story comes closer to the end, but still. Maybe I am PETTY! Let the whole island burn, I say. 😅

The ending felt counterintuitive with the religion that the book uses. Fighting evil with what evil would feed on doesn't sound right. But hey, this is a fiction book and not religious text, so the author does not owe you, or me, theological accuracy.

Bottom line: strong writing, a genuinely great hook, good creepy parts, working against a protagonist who made me want to yell at the page, and an ending that fights its own premise.

If you're mainly here for atmosphere and a fast, suspenseful read, you'll probably enjoy it more than I did.

We Are for the Dark releases September 1 (tomorrow).

[Josie-Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

We Are For the Dark follows Father Shane Ryan. an FBI-agent-turned-Catholic-priest and Constable Miriam Rideout, a junior constable as they arrive on a remote Newfoundland island in search of a priest who has gone missing on an island which is plagued by an ancient evil.

My actual rating is 3.75 rounded up to 4.

I am not 100% sure how I feel about this book still and this is because, whilst I really enjoyed the experience of reading it, the ending left me feeling a little unsatisfied and confused.

Now, this book is creepy. The atmosphere is easily the best pat of the book and from the beginning there was this persistent feeling that something isn't quite right here, and McNeil does a great job of building this unsettling feeling through the townsfolk, the religious/cult-like undertones and the sense that something bigger is happening beneath the surface. The supernatural/otherworldly element really added to that unease.

I particularly enjoyed Father Ryan and Constable Rideout, and I enjoyed reading about the two of them getting to know one another. Their relationship was interesting because they were different, but also had many similarities that made their developing dynamic enjoyable to read.

The diary excerpts throguhout the story were another big highlight for me. They added another layer of mystery, and rather than making things clerer, they made the whole situation feel even more uncomfortable and odd. There was something very unsettling about the devotion behind them and the question of why someone would be doing what they were doing.

The pacing was generally really good, and I was reluctant to put this book down once the creepiness got going. The twist towards the end did genuinely surprise me as I didn't see it coming, and I thought it was very clever. However, the ending felt like it came very suddenly and whilst I understand the broad idea of what happened, I was left wanting more explaination and a little more time to process everything.

There was a couple of elements towards the end that I wasn't quite as invested in, particularly when the story seemed to move away from it's main genre that I was enjoying so much. I think I would've preferred the book to spend a little more time leaning into the unsettling atmosphere at these points and get a further look at what makes this island so spooky.

Overall, this was a genuinely atmospheric and unsettling read. It gave me the heebie-jeebies, kept me wanting to read on, and delivered a twist I didn't see coming. This is definitely one for readers who enjoy creepy horror/thrillers with cult-like and supernatural undertones.

Thank you to NetGalley and Black Crow Books for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. 3.5 stars.

As someone who enjoys a romance blended with horror, We Are For the Dark really worked for me … to a point.

I am making the case that this book should be a horror romance. The love story follows all the romance conventions, has a considerable amount of yearning and lusting, features two major tropes: forbidden romance and workplace, and it’s a major part of the plot. The end would make no sense without the romance, which, I would argue, makes this a Horror Romance with a capital R (and H).

I know there is a big contingent of horror readers who don’t want romance in their horror, and this book is heavy on the attraction, and it’s also quite spicy.

Was this a problem for me? No, I loved this part of it. In fact, thought the romance was the best part of the novel. But I enjoy a romance subplot and love a forbidden romance.

One thing about this part of the book - they gave in way too easily. You see their romance coming from a nautical mile away. The fact they get together is not a spoiler because it’s set up so obviously.

In fact, though I really enjoyed reading this book, everything about it is incredibly obvious. All the plot twists (even the end) I called well before they happened (honestly, I think I had the entire thing figured out in the first 20%). Nothing is subtle enough in this story - if you’ve read or watched any sort of cult (whether supernatural or not) book or movie, you should also be able to guess most of what happens in this book.

Yet, this doesn’t make it less enjoyable. This is a great book to read on vacation.

We have a fun location - an island off the coast of Newfoundland - and a creepy town filled with old people.

The pair of them are likeable. I love a traumatized detective. He did seem a bit young to have gotten a BA, did FBI training, became an FBI agent on a high-profile case, then quit, attended (I’m assuming) seminary school, and has been a priest for a few years? I’m not sure you could fit all that in being early 30s. Yet, he’s snarky but not a dick, quick-witted, and I liked him. Miriam was likeable too - she was a bit damseled at times (Ryan is always carrying her around/rescuing her, it felt like) but she was tough. They have a good banter that helped propel things along.

The prose is easy to follow, and the story moves at a fast clip, but it’s not scary. It’s more of a mystery than anything, which I didn’t mind. I love a good detective story.

Overall, I enjoyed it far more than They Fear Not Men in the Woods, but I’m not sure I’d pick up another McNeil. Unless she writes a romance, perhaps.