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The Dark Room
Hare's Landing, West Cork. A house full of mystery...
Rachel Lambert leaves London afraid for her personal safety and determined to uncover the truth behind the sudden death of a homeless man with links to a country house hotel called Hare's Landing.
New York-based crime reporter Caroline Kelly's career is threatened by a lawsuit and she needs some thinking space away from her job. But almost as soon as she arrives, Hare's Landing begins to reveal its own stories - a 30-year-old missing person's case and the mysterious death of the hotel's former owner.
As Rachel and Caroline join forces, it becomes clear that their investigations are intertwined - and that there is nothing more dangerous than the truth...
Rachel Lambert leaves London afraid for her personal safety and determined to uncover the truth behind the sudden death of a homeless man with links to a country house hotel called Hare's Landing.
New York-based crime reporter Caroline Kelly's career is threatened by a lawsuit and she needs some thinking space away from her job. But almost as soon as she arrives, Hare's Landing begins to reveal its own stories - a 30-year-old missing person's case and the mysterious death of the hotel's former owner.
As Rachel and Caroline join forces, it becomes clear that their investigations are intertwined - and that there is nothing more dangerous than the truth...
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 7, 2021
51 people are currently reading
685 people want to read
About the author
Sam Blake
12 books339 followersJoin Sam's Readers’ Club and get a free e-copy of her addictive thriller ‘High Pressure’! Info at www.samblakebooks.com
Sam Blake has been writing fiction since 1999 when her husband went sailing across the Atlantic for 8 weeks and she had an idea for a book.
Her debut novel 'Little Bones' (Bonnier 2016) was a runaway bestseller. Across all her books Sam has been an Eason No 1 bestseller an Irish Times No 1 and shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards (in the crime or teen categories) five times. 2023 saw her multiple award shortlisted YA debut Something Terrible Happened Last Night hit the shelves. In 2024 Something's About to Blow Up won Irish Teen/YA Book of the Year.
Moving away from police procedurals, now writing 'deliciously twisted' (Daily Mail) bestselling psychological thrillers, Sam's focus is on strong female characters and 'creating genuine page turners with metronomic timing.' (Sunday Business Post).
Sam is originally from St. Albans in Hertfordshire but has lived at the foot of the Wicklow mountains, for more years than she lived in the UK. Follow her on social @samblakebooks.
Visit www.samblakebooks.com for more!
Sam Blake has been writing fiction since 1999 when her husband went sailing across the Atlantic for 8 weeks and she had an idea for a book.
Her debut novel 'Little Bones' (Bonnier 2016) was a runaway bestseller. Across all her books Sam has been an Eason No 1 bestseller an Irish Times No 1 and shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards (in the crime or teen categories) five times. 2023 saw her multiple award shortlisted YA debut Something Terrible Happened Last Night hit the shelves. In 2024 Something's About to Blow Up won Irish Teen/YA Book of the Year.
Moving away from police procedurals, now writing 'deliciously twisted' (Daily Mail) bestselling psychological thrillers, Sam's focus is on strong female characters and 'creating genuine page turners with metronomic timing.' (Sunday Business Post).
Sam is originally from St. Albans in Hertfordshire but has lived at the foot of the Wicklow mountains, for more years than she lived in the UK. Follow her on social @samblakebooks.
Visit www.samblakebooks.com for more!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
October 24, 2022
3 stars for the plot line & the mystery side but I just couldn’t get into it..very drawn out & long winded strong female protagonists that didn’t set me alight.
December 24, 2020
Drawn-out amateur investigation that reads like a cosy for all but the final 50 pages.
The Dark Room is a stand-alone novel that features two strong female protagonists joining forces in West Cork to get to the bottom of a thirty-year-old missing persons case and a mysterious death that they are each tenuously investigating.
Film location scout, Rachel Lambert, is sent reeling when her partner and documentary maker, Hunter, is knocked off of his bike in a hit-and-run and on the same day his cameras are stolen from the houseboat they share. That one of the subjects of Hunter’s latest documentary, homeless violinist Alfie Bows, has also vanished seems a coincidence too far. In a bid to evade any potential danger in London and discover what caused Alfie to drop out of society Rachel travels to Hare’s Landing in Ireland, the only place that Alfie ever mentioned and now a recently restored coastal country hotel. Meanwhile for Irish New York Messenger investigative crime reporter, Caroline Kelly, a lawsuit and suspension from her demanding role sees her return to West Cork for a much needed retreat. But ever the dogged journalist she can’t resist a mystery and the circumstances surrounding the suicide of the formerly family residences American owner, Honoria Smyth, are far from clear-cut. As the only two guests at rural Hare’s Landing with a hostile housekeeper reminiscent of Mrs Danvers, little or no Wi-Fi or mobile reception and some prying local residents Rachel and Caroline gravitate to each other, share the respective mysteries they are each searching for answers to and start to work together.
Between the villagers less than friendly welcome and Caroline experiencing a series of unsettling events including an intruder prowling in her accommodation, the two women start to realise they might have stumbled on something deadly. The narrative moves between the perspectives of Rachel and Caroline ensuring that neither of their respective investigations are left behind and the growing rapport between the two is the aspect of the book that I found the most enjoyable. Whilst I found nothing to dislike about either female lead I found neither of them made for particularly compelling reading and Caroline’s supernatural theories seemed like a blatant attempt to drum up some much needed atmosphere. Their combined discoveries owe rather more to simply stumbling over things (Caroline ‘finding’ a letter in a drawer and Rachel ‘finding’ a bank statement in Alfie’s bag) making it hard to feel convinced by their efforts. Caroline’s own backstory with copious details of her suspension from her job are also irrelevant and added nothing to the story for me, particularly as readers never actually see any of the people who feature in her elaborate story at close quarters and I felt too removed from it all to care.
The book is just shy of four hundred pages and I found the writing and action for over ninety percent of it all akin to that of a cosy and at times it felt like pulling teeth when quite a bit of what the two women unravel is pretty obvious from very early on. There is a great deal of filler material which also bogs down the pace and when in the final fifty pages events take a far darker turn it feels unbelievable after the simplicity of combined mystery element and the women’s fortuitous series of discoveries. One hundred pages shorter and a more complicated mystery element would have made for a far better read but as it stands The Dark Room is a little bit too lightweight and cosy for me to recommended.
The Dark Room is a stand-alone novel that features two strong female protagonists joining forces in West Cork to get to the bottom of a thirty-year-old missing persons case and a mysterious death that they are each tenuously investigating.
Film location scout, Rachel Lambert, is sent reeling when her partner and documentary maker, Hunter, is knocked off of his bike in a hit-and-run and on the same day his cameras are stolen from the houseboat they share. That one of the subjects of Hunter’s latest documentary, homeless violinist Alfie Bows, has also vanished seems a coincidence too far. In a bid to evade any potential danger in London and discover what caused Alfie to drop out of society Rachel travels to Hare’s Landing in Ireland, the only place that Alfie ever mentioned and now a recently restored coastal country hotel. Meanwhile for Irish New York Messenger investigative crime reporter, Caroline Kelly, a lawsuit and suspension from her demanding role sees her return to West Cork for a much needed retreat. But ever the dogged journalist she can’t resist a mystery and the circumstances surrounding the suicide of the formerly family residences American owner, Honoria Smyth, are far from clear-cut. As the only two guests at rural Hare’s Landing with a hostile housekeeper reminiscent of Mrs Danvers, little or no Wi-Fi or mobile reception and some prying local residents Rachel and Caroline gravitate to each other, share the respective mysteries they are each searching for answers to and start to work together.
Between the villagers less than friendly welcome and Caroline experiencing a series of unsettling events including an intruder prowling in her accommodation, the two women start to realise they might have stumbled on something deadly. The narrative moves between the perspectives of Rachel and Caroline ensuring that neither of their respective investigations are left behind and the growing rapport between the two is the aspect of the book that I found the most enjoyable. Whilst I found nothing to dislike about either female lead I found neither of them made for particularly compelling reading and Caroline’s supernatural theories seemed like a blatant attempt to drum up some much needed atmosphere. Their combined discoveries owe rather more to simply stumbling over things (Caroline ‘finding’ a letter in a drawer and Rachel ‘finding’ a bank statement in Alfie’s bag) making it hard to feel convinced by their efforts. Caroline’s own backstory with copious details of her suspension from her job are also irrelevant and added nothing to the story for me, particularly as readers never actually see any of the people who feature in her elaborate story at close quarters and I felt too removed from it all to care.
The book is just shy of four hundred pages and I found the writing and action for over ninety percent of it all akin to that of a cosy and at times it felt like pulling teeth when quite a bit of what the two women unravel is pretty obvious from very early on. There is a great deal of filler material which also bogs down the pace and when in the final fifty pages events take a far darker turn it feels unbelievable after the simplicity of combined mystery element and the women’s fortuitous series of discoveries. One hundred pages shorter and a more complicated mystery element would have made for a far better read but as it stands The Dark Room is a little bit too lightweight and cosy for me to recommended.
March 27, 2021
A well-executed plot with an atmospheric setting.
The first part of the book is a little busy with the introduction of several characters and the backstory which at times felt forced in relation to the actual story. Switching between the two main characters, who seemed unrelated at times requires some creative guessing and I found the need for it to come together frustrating in places.
I did persevere and I am really happy I did. The plots come together and for the most part are believable, accurate and well-developed. I loved Jasper, the retired police dog and he really made the story enjoyable.
If not for the convoluted first third it would have been a killer read.
The first part of the book is a little busy with the introduction of several characters and the backstory which at times felt forced in relation to the actual story. Switching between the two main characters, who seemed unrelated at times requires some creative guessing and I found the need for it to come together frustrating in places.
I did persevere and I am really happy I did. The plots come together and for the most part are believable, accurate and well-developed. I loved Jasper, the retired police dog and he really made the story enjoyable.
If not for the convoluted first third it would have been a killer read.
January 1, 2021
Rounded down from 4.5 stars ⭐️
Thrillers are my favourite genre to read, and this one will certainly stick in my memory.
The Dark Room follows Rachel and Caroline, two strangers who find their paths cross in Ireland. They have both gone away for personal reasons, but they end up embroiled in a mystery that has spanned decades.
My absolute favourite thing about this book was the vivid characters and scenes that Blake created. I fell in love with Rachel, Caroline and Jasper (in particular), and adored the relationships between them. I really felt like I was on the coast of Ireland, in a newly refurbished old house, in the winter months. I did not want this book to end and often found myself thinking about it whilst I was meant to be doing other things. The world was created so well, I felt like I was personally involved.
I really enjoyed the storyline, particularly because it wasn’t just focused on mystery/thriller content. There were glimpses of horror/supernatural aspects that peeked through, which heightened the excitement. At times, these supernatural passages felt scary, and other times they were heartwarming.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely keep an eye out for more from this author. I would recommend this book to any thriller fans!
Thrillers are my favourite genre to read, and this one will certainly stick in my memory.
The Dark Room follows Rachel and Caroline, two strangers who find their paths cross in Ireland. They have both gone away for personal reasons, but they end up embroiled in a mystery that has spanned decades.
My absolute favourite thing about this book was the vivid characters and scenes that Blake created. I fell in love with Rachel, Caroline and Jasper (in particular), and adored the relationships between them. I really felt like I was on the coast of Ireland, in a newly refurbished old house, in the winter months. I did not want this book to end and often found myself thinking about it whilst I was meant to be doing other things. The world was created so well, I felt like I was personally involved.
I really enjoyed the storyline, particularly because it wasn’t just focused on mystery/thriller content. There were glimpses of horror/supernatural aspects that peeked through, which heightened the excitement. At times, these supernatural passages felt scary, and other times they were heartwarming.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will definitely keep an eye out for more from this author. I would recommend this book to any thriller fans!
January 11, 2021
DNF . Far too long drawn out . Characters quite annoying . A lot of superfluous filler in the book . Could’ve been lot shorter maybe I would’ve finished it . Not for me
November 23, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Atlantic Books for an advance copy of The Dark Room, a stand-alone set in County Cork.
A series of incidents in London encourage Rachel Lambert to seek safety elsewhere and so she books into Hare’s Landing hotel in County Cork on a quixotic mission to uncover the truth behind the death of a homeless man her partner had befriended. Meanwhile Caroline Kelly, a New York based reporter decides to take some time out in Hare’s Landing and consider her future.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Dark Room which is a tale full of twists and turns where the past casts a long shadow. The novel is told from Rachel and Caroline’s points of view, so the reader knows as much as they do. It’s an easy way to get immersed in the novel because they bring a zest and curiosity to their investigation, which morphs from an interest in the homeless man, Alfie Bows’, possible link to Hare’s Landing to a wide ranging attempt to understand the events of thirty years ago, including the suicide of the former owner and a missing persons investigation. Some of it is a bit coincidental but on the whole it’s a well constructed novel that held my interest from start to finish.
It takes a while for Rachel to get to Hare’s Landing but the build up is quite suspenseful as the author forms her case for going there, the reasoning is flimsy and feels a touch contrived but the reasons are not and they win the day. Caroline arrives at the start of the novel, because she’s been suspended, and the reasons for that play out across the novel. I loved the just desserts part of that story, it’s minor but very satisfying. The main plot ramps up slowly as the women gather information and put things together but the action starts coming thick and fast towards the end. It was hard to keep up. It should also be noted that there may be a supernatural element in the novel, like doors slamming, cold spots etc., but the reader can put their own interpretation on these events. They added nothing to the read for me.
The Dark Room is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
A series of incidents in London encourage Rachel Lambert to seek safety elsewhere and so she books into Hare’s Landing hotel in County Cork on a quixotic mission to uncover the truth behind the death of a homeless man her partner had befriended. Meanwhile Caroline Kelly, a New York based reporter decides to take some time out in Hare’s Landing and consider her future.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Dark Room which is a tale full of twists and turns where the past casts a long shadow. The novel is told from Rachel and Caroline’s points of view, so the reader knows as much as they do. It’s an easy way to get immersed in the novel because they bring a zest and curiosity to their investigation, which morphs from an interest in the homeless man, Alfie Bows’, possible link to Hare’s Landing to a wide ranging attempt to understand the events of thirty years ago, including the suicide of the former owner and a missing persons investigation. Some of it is a bit coincidental but on the whole it’s a well constructed novel that held my interest from start to finish.
It takes a while for Rachel to get to Hare’s Landing but the build up is quite suspenseful as the author forms her case for going there, the reasoning is flimsy and feels a touch contrived but the reasons are not and they win the day. Caroline arrives at the start of the novel, because she’s been suspended, and the reasons for that play out across the novel. I loved the just desserts part of that story, it’s minor but very satisfying. The main plot ramps up slowly as the women gather information and put things together but the action starts coming thick and fast towards the end. It was hard to keep up. It should also be noted that there may be a supernatural element in the novel, like doors slamming, cold spots etc., but the reader can put their own interpretation on these events. They added nothing to the read for me.
The Dark Room is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
June 12, 2022
A thirty year old murder mystery with a touch of the gothic. The story is mostly set in Ireland in a beautiful hotel called Hares Landing. Set in January there is only one guest, Caroline a journalist from New York who is taking time off. Then Rachel and her dog Jasper arrive. They are fleeing London after her partner was nearly killed while riding his bike. The two women begin to delve into the tragic history of this beautiful hotel. Little do they realise that what they uncover and someone will do anything to silence the truth being revealed. A new author for me and I love her style of writing, so descriptive and believable. It makes me want to visit this beautiful hotel. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more from this author.
February 19, 2021
enjoyable read, review to come
October 21, 2021
Sadly unrealised potential. Blake's plotting is great but her writing and pacing aren't up to the job - there's not nearly enough plot for the length of the book, and I thought that if I had to read that a character "made rabbits ears with their fingers" one more time I would scream. It's annoying enough the first time, but if you have to do it once, you can perhaps trust your readers to fill in the gaps after that.
This is the second Sam Blake I've read, and I had the same issues with the first, so I'm comfortable deciding that her works are not for me.
This is the second Sam Blake I've read, and I had the same issues with the first, so I'm comfortable deciding that her works are not for me.
January 6, 2021
I still wasn't too sure about it as not my usual genre. The front cover doesn't give much away although I could tell it was going to be spooky. And I was right.
The initial description had me hooked and then I read the first pages and I was so annoyed when it stopped. Was thrilled when I won the book.
It starts with the two woman who are the protagonists and come from different walks of life until they land in Hare Landing.
You have Rachel who is from London and is afraid for her safety. The death of a homeless man is suspicious and she needs to find out what happened.
Caroline is from New York and when her life is in turmoil due to a lawsuit she decides to take a break. Both ladies end up in Hare's Landing and it soon becomes apparent that there investigations are connected.
They join forces to find out the truth. The story has me hooked and I am struggling to put it down. With ghosts and murders a plenty, it more like a Murder Mystery than a Psychological.
The story really kicks off once the Body is found. It was fast paced then and I couldn't put it down. Fantastic
The initial description had me hooked and then I read the first pages and I was so annoyed when it stopped. Was thrilled when I won the book.
It starts with the two woman who are the protagonists and come from different walks of life until they land in Hare Landing.
You have Rachel who is from London and is afraid for her safety. The death of a homeless man is suspicious and she needs to find out what happened.
Caroline is from New York and when her life is in turmoil due to a lawsuit she decides to take a break. Both ladies end up in Hare's Landing and it soon becomes apparent that there investigations are connected.
They join forces to find out the truth. The story has me hooked and I am struggling to put it down. With ghosts and murders a plenty, it more like a Murder Mystery than a Psychological.
The story really kicks off once the Body is found. It was fast paced then and I couldn't put it down. Fantastic
April 5, 2021
This was a really enjoyable read. Although a thriller with several deaths, I felt it was a very cosy read. The two (three if you include Jasper, the dog) main characters were all lovable and the descriptions of the main house and the Irish coast transport you and make you feel part of the story.
December 13, 2020
I received a free copy of this book from Readers First in exchange for an honest review.
First off, I did enjoy the book overall and I would have given it four stars but if I’m being honest, I was sorely tempted to shelf the book until later as I felt that my attention was waning and the story dipped and it was looking likely that I would need a break.
Thankfully, what I now realise was holding me back, righted itself and I was able to continue on and get into the book properly. The first third of the book, for me, was too busy, too many characters and backstory already clashing with the actual story. We switched between the two main characters, who were at one point nothing to do with the other and frankly it was almost as if a leap of faith/artistic license was used to bring some semblance of sense to the book.
Once, the story started to flow better, it had enough to keep me interested and overall I was glad to have continued on. I like the mixture of present day mischief and mystery mixing with a cold case, I think the start of the book could have been better planned and developed, which would have meant we got to the meat of the story without so much unnecessary background noise.
First off, I did enjoy the book overall and I would have given it four stars but if I’m being honest, I was sorely tempted to shelf the book until later as I felt that my attention was waning and the story dipped and it was looking likely that I would need a break.
Thankfully, what I now realise was holding me back, righted itself and I was able to continue on and get into the book properly. The first third of the book, for me, was too busy, too many characters and backstory already clashing with the actual story. We switched between the two main characters, who were at one point nothing to do with the other and frankly it was almost as if a leap of faith/artistic license was used to bring some semblance of sense to the book.
Once, the story started to flow better, it had enough to keep me interested and overall I was glad to have continued on. I like the mixture of present day mischief and mystery mixing with a cold case, I think the start of the book could have been better planned and developed, which would have meant we got to the meat of the story without so much unnecessary background noise.
January 19, 2021
Thanks to Readers First for my Free copy of this book for an honest review in return.
I had really high hopes for this book, the blurb sounded amazing, the first look I had was brilliant, but I was so let down.
The first 19 or so chapters flick between two characters, Rachel & Caroline, this in itself was annoying and actually meant that I would quite easily put the book down. I also failed to gel or like either character because of this. Caroline is a high flying journalist who is currently undergoing a suspension due to her editor thinking she had been having an affair with her husband, this sees her venture over to Ireland from New York. Rachel works in th efilm industry and lives on a house boat with her husband, Hunter, and their dog Jasper (who she annoyingly calls Jasp for the most part of the book as well as referring to their landrover as 'the landy'). Rachel's husband is knocked off of his bike and at the same time, their house boat is broken into and all of Hunter's recording equipment is stolen and footage he has been collecting about a homeless man called Alfie. We are introduced to Alfie very early on in the book when he posts a letter - we don't know what this letter contains or who it is to, but Alfie dies in a fire in his tent and all we have left is a bag of belongings which has a bank statement to a man who had hundreds of thousands in the bank.
All of the various parts of this story do link together really well - it just takes such a long time to get to it and in the meantime we have two women who have never met before, all of a sudden become best friends and turn into investigators looking into supernatural activity at the house and possible links between Hunter's accident and the house because the homeless man said something about being here. It was just way too Nancy Drew for me.
The ending is good and I do think that it is an enjoyable read, it just isn't that great
I had really high hopes for this book, the blurb sounded amazing, the first look I had was brilliant, but I was so let down.
The first 19 or so chapters flick between two characters, Rachel & Caroline, this in itself was annoying and actually meant that I would quite easily put the book down. I also failed to gel or like either character because of this. Caroline is a high flying journalist who is currently undergoing a suspension due to her editor thinking she had been having an affair with her husband, this sees her venture over to Ireland from New York. Rachel works in th efilm industry and lives on a house boat with her husband, Hunter, and their dog Jasper (who she annoyingly calls Jasp for the most part of the book as well as referring to their landrover as 'the landy'). Rachel's husband is knocked off of his bike and at the same time, their house boat is broken into and all of Hunter's recording equipment is stolen and footage he has been collecting about a homeless man called Alfie. We are introduced to Alfie very early on in the book when he posts a letter - we don't know what this letter contains or who it is to, but Alfie dies in a fire in his tent and all we have left is a bag of belongings which has a bank statement to a man who had hundreds of thousands in the bank.
All of the various parts of this story do link together really well - it just takes such a long time to get to it and in the meantime we have two women who have never met before, all of a sudden become best friends and turn into investigators looking into supernatural activity at the house and possible links between Hunter's accident and the house because the homeless man said something about being here. It was just way too Nancy Drew for me.
The ending is good and I do think that it is an enjoyable read, it just isn't that great
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2021
The Dark Room is a wonderful collection of words. It's dark, twisty and a completely addictive mystery. It is also the second ever book to frighten me to the point of being scared to go to sleep (it's not a horror, I was just that devoted to the plot, plus spooky happenings!)
Rachel, Caroline and of course Jasper are the perfect main characters. They have completely different lives, but work together so well to solve the many mysteries which surround them. I definitely felt my inner detective come out during this book, I was on the hunt to solve what happened at Hare's Landing more than anyone! The added aspect of Jasper (Rachel's ex-police dog) is so clever, he's the best sidekick which two strong female characters deserve.
How can Sam write a book which makes you not only question each character introduced, but be terrified for the outcome? Brilliantly, that's how. I enjoyed every second of this book, and I found it very detailed but easy to follow. With so many revelations at the end - it was hard not to be shocked. If you enjoy a hearty, compelling mystery which will have you on the edge of your seat... please read this book!
Rachel, Caroline and of course Jasper are the perfect main characters. They have completely different lives, but work together so well to solve the many mysteries which surround them. I definitely felt my inner detective come out during this book, I was on the hunt to solve what happened at Hare's Landing more than anyone! The added aspect of Jasper (Rachel's ex-police dog) is so clever, he's the best sidekick which two strong female characters deserve.
How can Sam write a book which makes you not only question each character introduced, but be terrified for the outcome? Brilliantly, that's how. I enjoyed every second of this book, and I found it very detailed but easy to follow. With so many revelations at the end - it was hard not to be shocked. If you enjoy a hearty, compelling mystery which will have you on the edge of your seat... please read this book!
August 20, 2024
Gosh that was enjoyable. I didn't know I was in the mood for a weather-heavy Gothic haunted house book set in the dark heart of winter until I'd started reading it, but hoo boy was I in the mood for a weather-heavy Gothic haunted house book set in the dark heart of winter.
It did take a hot minute for the two disparate strands of narration to come together, it's true, and I did wish they came together earlier. I also didn't love either of the two main characters, who aren't memorable in any way, shape, or form. I mean, the haunted house did a lot of lifting in this book.
But the weather was atmospheric, the house and village interesting, and the plot very plotty. It doesn't exactly cork along, but it does keep moving, and the writing itself is technically delicious. Plus: passing that Bechdel Test for daaaaaaaaaaays.
However, my favorite part absolutely had to be
And also, because it's important, while there is a dog in the book:
It did take a hot minute for the two disparate strands of narration to come together, it's true, and I did wish they came together earlier. I also didn't love either of the two main characters, who aren't memorable in any way, shape, or form. I mean, the haunted house did a lot of lifting in this book.
But the weather was atmospheric, the house and village interesting, and the plot very plotty. It doesn't exactly cork along, but it does keep moving, and the writing itself is technically delicious. Plus: passing that Bechdel Test for daaaaaaaaaaays.
However, my favorite part absolutely had to be
And also, because it's important, while there is a dog in the book:
January 16, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this. The title is a subtle nod to a pivotal but very minor point in the development of this serendipitous meeting of two women from different backgrounds at a location steeped in tragic history.
We meet Rachel, who works in the film industry and Caroline, a crime reporter from New York. Both have ties to Ireland and for very different reasons wind up at the quaint location of Hare's Landing, where they strike up a wonderful investigative friendship (with the help of Jasper the retired police dog) and find themselves right in the thick of a thirty year old unsolved disappearance and recent deaths.
Blake does well to craft a story that has many small links and a conceivably real timeline of events that lead to the pieces of the puzzle being solved. With a slightly spooky atmosphere this crime thriller stands apart from the norm, and is in all parts gripping. I particularly enjoyed the twist at the end!
We meet Rachel, who works in the film industry and Caroline, a crime reporter from New York. Both have ties to Ireland and for very different reasons wind up at the quaint location of Hare's Landing, where they strike up a wonderful investigative friendship (with the help of Jasper the retired police dog) and find themselves right in the thick of a thirty year old unsolved disappearance and recent deaths.
Blake does well to craft a story that has many small links and a conceivably real timeline of events that lead to the pieces of the puzzle being solved. With a slightly spooky atmosphere this crime thriller stands apart from the norm, and is in all parts gripping. I particularly enjoyed the twist at the end!
December 25, 2020
Thanks to Random T Tours & Corvus & Readers First for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: Rachel Lambert leaves London afraid for her personal safety and determined to uncover the truth behind the sudden death of a homeless man with links to a country house hotel called Hare's Landing.
New York-based crime reporter Caroline Kelly's career is threatened by a lawsuit and she needs some thinking space away from her job. But almost as soon as she arrives, Hare's Landing begins to reveal its own stories - a 30-year-old missing person's case and the mysterious death of the hotel's former owner.
As Rachel and Caroline join forces, it becomes clear that their investigations are intertwined - and that there is nothing more dangerous than the truth...
Thoughts: I absolutely flew through this book. It was so eerie. The way Sam Blake described Hares Landing: I felt as if I was there. All the old gothic style rooms. Made me feel chilly! As I was reading the story I kept thinking how can Rachel and Caroline’s stories bet intertwined? But there is so many twists, that all starts to make sense. It pieced together very well. Although I couldn’t work out who the murderer was, it’ll keep you guessing until the very end. I liked that some things weren’t revealed either so it really makes you think. Excellent descriptive writing!
Synopsis: Rachel Lambert leaves London afraid for her personal safety and determined to uncover the truth behind the sudden death of a homeless man with links to a country house hotel called Hare's Landing.
New York-based crime reporter Caroline Kelly's career is threatened by a lawsuit and she needs some thinking space away from her job. But almost as soon as she arrives, Hare's Landing begins to reveal its own stories - a 30-year-old missing person's case and the mysterious death of the hotel's former owner.
As Rachel and Caroline join forces, it becomes clear that their investigations are intertwined - and that there is nothing more dangerous than the truth...
Thoughts: I absolutely flew through this book. It was so eerie. The way Sam Blake described Hares Landing: I felt as if I was there. All the old gothic style rooms. Made me feel chilly! As I was reading the story I kept thinking how can Rachel and Caroline’s stories bet intertwined? But there is so many twists, that all starts to make sense. It pieced together very well. Although I couldn’t work out who the murderer was, it’ll keep you guessing until the very end. I liked that some things weren’t revealed either so it really makes you think. Excellent descriptive writing!
December 29, 2020
First of all thank you so much to readers first for my advanced copy.
Rachel leaves town for her own safety and in the hope of uncovering the death of a homeless man. It leads her to a place called Hare Landing.
Meanwhile Caroline, a crime reporter, visits Hares Landing to get away after a complaint has been made about her, with a possible court case.
Together Rachel and Caroline, set off uncovering all of the secrets from Hares Landing.
What an amazing book!!! I read it in two days. It was unbelievably chilling, so chilling its almost impossible to put it down. It completly pulled me in!
I loved Rachel and Caroline, it was like they turned into detectives, admittedly I felt like a detective trying to draw my own conclusions. And the twists were amazing. First time I have read a book by Sam Blake, and it will not be my last. Well deserved five stars from me!
Rachel leaves town for her own safety and in the hope of uncovering the death of a homeless man. It leads her to a place called Hare Landing.
Meanwhile Caroline, a crime reporter, visits Hares Landing to get away after a complaint has been made about her, with a possible court case.
Together Rachel and Caroline, set off uncovering all of the secrets from Hares Landing.
What an amazing book!!! I read it in two days. It was unbelievably chilling, so chilling its almost impossible to put it down. It completly pulled me in!
I loved Rachel and Caroline, it was like they turned into detectives, admittedly I felt like a detective trying to draw my own conclusions. And the twists were amazing. First time I have read a book by Sam Blake, and it will not be my last. Well deserved five stars from me!
May 24, 2021
An easy and enjoyable read! Old houses, spooky goings-on and a good dash of murder!
December 18, 2020
This is a really good mystery thriller. I loved the main characters especially Jasper the lead dog. Dog loving aside he actually played a really good and relevant role within the story. The story is cleverly woven together and keeps you guessing right up until the end. It is a well paced book with a story that keeps moving and evolving to keep you interested. The story wasn’t as edgy or as atmospheric as I thought it might be but this didn’t spoil my enjoyment at all in fact it was quite nice to just go with the flow of the story and enjoy total escapism.
December 17, 2021
This book is slow to start with but it paves the way for the characters backstory and it really picks up after about 80 pages. It's a real slow burner with short chapters split into each of the characters which I loved.
A series of events happen when the two characters meet up and the pair work together to solve the cases that become apparent.
I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns in this book. It kept me gripped and the author's use of descriptions had me feeling like I was at Hares Landing.
It was an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more by the author.
A series of events happen when the two characters meet up and the pair work together to solve the cases that become apparent.
I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns in this book. It kept me gripped and the author's use of descriptions had me feeling like I was at Hares Landing.
It was an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more by the author.
Read
April 19, 2021DNF - overly wordy, frustrating and just not for me
July 29, 2021
DNF. Disappointingly slow and could do with a good edit. Not for me.
March 15, 2021
Actually 3.5 stars.... This is, I think my fourth Sam Blake mystery. Her other three have featured a female detective, Cat Connolly, in Dublin. This one however is, I believe, a stand alone, with two main characters, neither of whom are professional detectives although one, Caroline, is a crime writer. The other Rachel, works in the London film industry.
Their paths converge when both arrive at a recently renovated Inn in West Cork in January; for those of you who know Ireland, January is NOT high season for tourism so unsurprisingly, they are the Inn’s only two guests. Caroline picks Hare’s Landing by accident: needing to escape from New York City for awhile because of a scandal at her newspaper, she decides to come back to her homeland and chose Hare’s Landing from the Internet because it sounds peaceful and isolated. She needs isolation from her hectic life—or so she thinks.
Rachel comes to Hare’s Landing deliberately. Living in London with her documentary producer boyfriend, Hunter, she is shocked one day to find the police at her office. Hunter has been hit by a car whilst on his bicycle. Thankfully he survives but when she goes home to the houseboat they share, she discovers it has been ransacked and all of Hunter’s film equipment stolen. Between them, from Hunter’s hospital bed, they come to the conclusion it had something to do with a film Hunter was making about a homeless man, Alfie Bows. And here we know something they don’t because the book actually begins with Alfie mailing a letter to Hunter which, it is broadly hinted, will explain why Alfie took to the streets and why we suspect right from the beginning, Hunter’s documentary is going to get him and possibly Hunter killed. Of course, the letter doesn’t arrive in Hunter’s hands until 3/4 through the book.... How does Hunter’s Landing come in? Well, Alfie mentions a place called Hunter’s Landing in Ireland. So Hunter searches it on the Internet and convinces Rachel that she isn’t safe in their houseboat anymore. He insists that she—and their German Shepherd Jasper—will be safer in Hunter’s Landing in Ireland—or so they think. Oh, and Rachel also happens to be Irish.
From this beginning, Rachel, Caroline and Jasper the German Shepherd (my favorite character, he had the best role if not the best lines) meet at Hunter’s Landing and become partners in sleuthing—who was Alfie Bows and what was his connection to Hunter’s Landing? What is the mystery surrounding the disappearances of two young people 20-odd years previously? Who is leaving threatening messages for Caroline in her guest house? Is it a ghost or a sinister human?
The book reads quickly despite it being 389 pages. It’s not as gritty as her Cat Connolly series; although there are sinister moments, it actually read more like a modern-day Gothic in many ways except there wasn’t really any romance to it. I kept expecting either Rachel or Caroline to get locked up somewhere with a rising tide or something. Perhaps other readers may anticipate the same. Especially with the title “Dark Room.” I won’t give any of the plot away though; on the Gothic suspense and crescendo scale it rates about a 6 out of 10.
In general, Blake does a good job of bringing the various threads together although there were a couple of threads in the story that petered out—what happened to the original mistress of Hare’s Landing seemed like it would be a major theme but turned out, at least to me, to be a bit of a non-starter. Also, like another mystery writer who has the habit of writing that her female characters smile shyly, over and over, in this novel Blake wrote that both Caroline and Rachel widen their eyes when they are surprised. As they are surprised a lot in the book, it starts to get wearing. Still I enjoyed her description of Ireland’s winter weather, made me quite homesick. Lest you be shocked, I live in the Arizona desert so I do get nostalgic for wild Atlantic storms.
Finally, speaking of Ireland, this may be a problem for US readers: I actually had to order the book from Ireland because at the time I wanted it, there was no US distributor. I don’t know if at this writing there is one. Since I hadn’t originally intended to write a dissertation on it, all I can say in my defense of the extravagance is that I had some Christmas money and my Irish writer’s group was raving about the book so much I just jumped in and ordered it. I am sure it will eventually get US distribution; you can actually get it as an audiobook right now. But, truthfully, if I had to do it again, I think I would wait until it was available in the US. The price I paid—and the three week wait—really wasn’t worth the good but not smashing story.
Their paths converge when both arrive at a recently renovated Inn in West Cork in January; for those of you who know Ireland, January is NOT high season for tourism so unsurprisingly, they are the Inn’s only two guests. Caroline picks Hare’s Landing by accident: needing to escape from New York City for awhile because of a scandal at her newspaper, she decides to come back to her homeland and chose Hare’s Landing from the Internet because it sounds peaceful and isolated. She needs isolation from her hectic life—or so she thinks.
Rachel comes to Hare’s Landing deliberately. Living in London with her documentary producer boyfriend, Hunter, she is shocked one day to find the police at her office. Hunter has been hit by a car whilst on his bicycle. Thankfully he survives but when she goes home to the houseboat they share, she discovers it has been ransacked and all of Hunter’s film equipment stolen. Between them, from Hunter’s hospital bed, they come to the conclusion it had something to do with a film Hunter was making about a homeless man, Alfie Bows. And here we know something they don’t because the book actually begins with Alfie mailing a letter to Hunter which, it is broadly hinted, will explain why Alfie took to the streets and why we suspect right from the beginning, Hunter’s documentary is going to get him and possibly Hunter killed. Of course, the letter doesn’t arrive in Hunter’s hands until 3/4 through the book.... How does Hunter’s Landing come in? Well, Alfie mentions a place called Hunter’s Landing in Ireland. So Hunter searches it on the Internet and convinces Rachel that she isn’t safe in their houseboat anymore. He insists that she—and their German Shepherd Jasper—will be safer in Hunter’s Landing in Ireland—or so they think. Oh, and Rachel also happens to be Irish.
From this beginning, Rachel, Caroline and Jasper the German Shepherd (my favorite character, he had the best role if not the best lines) meet at Hunter’s Landing and become partners in sleuthing—who was Alfie Bows and what was his connection to Hunter’s Landing? What is the mystery surrounding the disappearances of two young people 20-odd years previously? Who is leaving threatening messages for Caroline in her guest house? Is it a ghost or a sinister human?
The book reads quickly despite it being 389 pages. It’s not as gritty as her Cat Connolly series; although there are sinister moments, it actually read more like a modern-day Gothic in many ways except there wasn’t really any romance to it. I kept expecting either Rachel or Caroline to get locked up somewhere with a rising tide or something. Perhaps other readers may anticipate the same. Especially with the title “Dark Room.” I won’t give any of the plot away though; on the Gothic suspense and crescendo scale it rates about a 6 out of 10.
In general, Blake does a good job of bringing the various threads together although there were a couple of threads in the story that petered out—what happened to the original mistress of Hare’s Landing seemed like it would be a major theme but turned out, at least to me, to be a bit of a non-starter. Also, like another mystery writer who has the habit of writing that her female characters smile shyly, over and over, in this novel Blake wrote that both Caroline and Rachel widen their eyes when they are surprised. As they are surprised a lot in the book, it starts to get wearing. Still I enjoyed her description of Ireland’s winter weather, made me quite homesick. Lest you be shocked, I live in the Arizona desert so I do get nostalgic for wild Atlantic storms.
Finally, speaking of Ireland, this may be a problem for US readers: I actually had to order the book from Ireland because at the time I wanted it, there was no US distributor. I don’t know if at this writing there is one. Since I hadn’t originally intended to write a dissertation on it, all I can say in my defense of the extravagance is that I had some Christmas money and my Irish writer’s group was raving about the book so much I just jumped in and ordered it. I am sure it will eventually get US distribution; you can actually get it as an audiobook right now. But, truthfully, if I had to do it again, I think I would wait until it was available in the US. The price I paid—and the three week wait—really wasn’t worth the good but not smashing story.
January 29, 2021
‘It was as if the music lifted him from the dark room of his mind and lit everything up.’
The Dark Room by Sam Blake was just published January 7th with Corvus and is described as ‘a pacey and thrilling tale.’ Set in a remote fictional location in West Cork it is an homage to Sam Blake’s (aka Vanessa Fox O’ Loughlin) passion for Daphne du Maurier’s writing, in particular Rebecca and also the ‘closed room’ mystery one associates with an Agatha Christie novel.
Hare’s Landing is on a wild and isolated part of West Cork near the sea and is where a new luxurious country house has just been opened to guests after major renovations. It is a labour of love for its owners, Bronagh and Leo, and they decide to test the waters after Christmas in the hope of receiving a few guests, ones who are brave enough to explore the coastline and stunning scenery on the Wild Atlantic Way in January. Caroline Kelly and Rachel Lambert are the first two guests, with Caroline booked into the boathouse, a separate lodging off the hotel, and Rachel booking into the hotel itself. Neither know each other but after a few days, as their situations change somewhat, they become friends as they find themselves caught up in something very ominous.
Caroline Kelly, originally from Dublin, is a high-flying crime reporter now living in New York. After a work incident that could potentially lead to a career destroying lawsuit, Caroline needs time to breathe, to get away from the pressure she finds herself under. As a child her family used to holiday in West Cork so Caroline does an online search looking for a secluded location where she can find calm. On discovering Hare’s Landing Caroline is taken aback by the beauty of the accommodation and, with the mention of the intermittent internet access, Caroline is sold. Isolation, with peace and quiet, and the perfect excuse not to be online, would be just the tonic to put her life into perspective.
Rachel Lambert, also originally from Dublin, is a location scout working in London with her film producer partner, Hunter and their ex-police dog, Jasper. On the same day, their house boat is broken into and Hunter is involved in an accident on his bike, resulting in injuries that require a hospital stay. Initially thought to be a coincidence, Rachel and Hunter soon realise there is more to these incidents. Hunter had been working on a documentary focusing on the homeless and one of the men he was interviewing has disappeared. Alfie Bowes was a gentleman, a man with obvious trauma in his life. He lived on the streets with his precious violin, hence the nickname Alfie Bowes. No one has ever known his story…until now. When Alfie’s body is discovered, following a fire in his tent on the streets, Hunter asks Rachel to follow up on Alfie’s story, to see what she can uncover. Alfie had mentioned a place called Hare’s Landing to Hunter leading Rachel to West Cork and the country home where Caroline Kelly had just checked into in recent days.
Rachel and Caroline immediately bond, being the only company for each other in this secluded hotel. When Rachel fills Caroline in on her reason for being there Caroline gets excited with the mysterious aspect and is immediately enthralled. With her ability to dig out a story as a crime reporter and Rachel’s eye for detail, they join forces in trying to uncover Alfie Bowe’s history. But they face one huge obstacle and that is the lack of mobile cover and internet availability in situ. Resorting to old style investigative techniques, the duo soon realise that there is a very troubling history to Hare’s Landing. The deeper they dig, the more tragedy they uncover.
The Dark Room contains many elements of an old fashioned mystery but with a more modern twist. With an ode to Mrs Danvers from Rebecca, Mrs Travers is an employee at Hare’s Landing. Adopting similar traits, chiefly a coldness emanating from her every pore, she is not very welcoming of strangers. Mrs Travers has worked in some form or other on the property over the years. She is a woman who knows everything, who sees everything, who remembers everything.
There is also a supernatural aspect to The Dark Room. It is not a main plotline but it’s presence is felt, with unusual smells, music and the occasional sound of a door banging as scenes play out. Some of you may know that a hare in Ireland is not just a fluffy wildlife animal or associated with the name of a West Cork country house. In Irish folklore ‘the hare is also often associated with the Otherworld (Aos Si) community whose world was reached through mists, hills, lakes, ponds, wetland areas, caves, ancient burial sites, cairns and mounds.’ Are you feeling spooked?
As threads begin to unravel, Caroline and Rachel find themselves on very shaky ground. They have awakened something at Hare’s Landing, something that cannot be locked away. A secret is waiting to be found…..
The setting of Hare’s Landing is perfect for The Dark Room in a remote corner of West Cork. The weather is appropriately stormy for January and, as the wind blows and the rain lashes down, Rachel and Caroline become very much caught up in their investigation. But, when events take a nasty turn and the police become involved, the two become embroiled in something far bigger and more dangerous than either imagined. Caroline’s peaceful break is shattered and Rachel fears for their safety. What secrets are hidden in Hare’s Landing? Who is behind the treachery and what does a homeless man, now dead, have to do with it all?
A by-the-way moment – during one piece of dialogue between the police and Rachel Lambert there is a vague mention of a certain kick-boxing champion. If you have read the Cat Connolly series by Sam Blake this will make sense. If you haven’t, not to worry, it has no bearing on the story. Just a little fun input from the author I think!
The Dark Room ticks all the boxes for a highly-engaging cosy winter mystery. With plenty of plot threads running throughout it could easily have gotten over complex, but, with a slow reveal, Sam Blake ties them all up nicely, resulting in a very satisfying conclusion. I really enjoyed the fact that Sam Blake incorporated her own personal passion for Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca, the supernatural and Agatha Christie into the story. An interesting fact for those of you who are Rebecca fans, you may have spotted that Sam Blake names Rachel’s dog Jasper. This is in dedication to Maxim de Winter’s dog of the same name!
With lush descriptions, the perfect location and a selection of wonderful characters, The Dark Room is another sure fire bestseller for Sam Blake. Perfect lockdown reading…
The Dark Room by Sam Blake was just published January 7th with Corvus and is described as ‘a pacey and thrilling tale.’ Set in a remote fictional location in West Cork it is an homage to Sam Blake’s (aka Vanessa Fox O’ Loughlin) passion for Daphne du Maurier’s writing, in particular Rebecca and also the ‘closed room’ mystery one associates with an Agatha Christie novel.
Hare’s Landing is on a wild and isolated part of West Cork near the sea and is where a new luxurious country house has just been opened to guests after major renovations. It is a labour of love for its owners, Bronagh and Leo, and they decide to test the waters after Christmas in the hope of receiving a few guests, ones who are brave enough to explore the coastline and stunning scenery on the Wild Atlantic Way in January. Caroline Kelly and Rachel Lambert are the first two guests, with Caroline booked into the boathouse, a separate lodging off the hotel, and Rachel booking into the hotel itself. Neither know each other but after a few days, as their situations change somewhat, they become friends as they find themselves caught up in something very ominous.
Caroline Kelly, originally from Dublin, is a high-flying crime reporter now living in New York. After a work incident that could potentially lead to a career destroying lawsuit, Caroline needs time to breathe, to get away from the pressure she finds herself under. As a child her family used to holiday in West Cork so Caroline does an online search looking for a secluded location where she can find calm. On discovering Hare’s Landing Caroline is taken aback by the beauty of the accommodation and, with the mention of the intermittent internet access, Caroline is sold. Isolation, with peace and quiet, and the perfect excuse not to be online, would be just the tonic to put her life into perspective.
Rachel Lambert, also originally from Dublin, is a location scout working in London with her film producer partner, Hunter and their ex-police dog, Jasper. On the same day, their house boat is broken into and Hunter is involved in an accident on his bike, resulting in injuries that require a hospital stay. Initially thought to be a coincidence, Rachel and Hunter soon realise there is more to these incidents. Hunter had been working on a documentary focusing on the homeless and one of the men he was interviewing has disappeared. Alfie Bowes was a gentleman, a man with obvious trauma in his life. He lived on the streets with his precious violin, hence the nickname Alfie Bowes. No one has ever known his story…until now. When Alfie’s body is discovered, following a fire in his tent on the streets, Hunter asks Rachel to follow up on Alfie’s story, to see what she can uncover. Alfie had mentioned a place called Hare’s Landing to Hunter leading Rachel to West Cork and the country home where Caroline Kelly had just checked into in recent days.
Rachel and Caroline immediately bond, being the only company for each other in this secluded hotel. When Rachel fills Caroline in on her reason for being there Caroline gets excited with the mysterious aspect and is immediately enthralled. With her ability to dig out a story as a crime reporter and Rachel’s eye for detail, they join forces in trying to uncover Alfie Bowe’s history. But they face one huge obstacle and that is the lack of mobile cover and internet availability in situ. Resorting to old style investigative techniques, the duo soon realise that there is a very troubling history to Hare’s Landing. The deeper they dig, the more tragedy they uncover.
The Dark Room contains many elements of an old fashioned mystery but with a more modern twist. With an ode to Mrs Danvers from Rebecca, Mrs Travers is an employee at Hare’s Landing. Adopting similar traits, chiefly a coldness emanating from her every pore, she is not very welcoming of strangers. Mrs Travers has worked in some form or other on the property over the years. She is a woman who knows everything, who sees everything, who remembers everything.
There is also a supernatural aspect to The Dark Room. It is not a main plotline but it’s presence is felt, with unusual smells, music and the occasional sound of a door banging as scenes play out. Some of you may know that a hare in Ireland is not just a fluffy wildlife animal or associated with the name of a West Cork country house. In Irish folklore ‘the hare is also often associated with the Otherworld (Aos Si) community whose world was reached through mists, hills, lakes, ponds, wetland areas, caves, ancient burial sites, cairns and mounds.’ Are you feeling spooked?
As threads begin to unravel, Caroline and Rachel find themselves on very shaky ground. They have awakened something at Hare’s Landing, something that cannot be locked away. A secret is waiting to be found…..
The setting of Hare’s Landing is perfect for The Dark Room in a remote corner of West Cork. The weather is appropriately stormy for January and, as the wind blows and the rain lashes down, Rachel and Caroline become very much caught up in their investigation. But, when events take a nasty turn and the police become involved, the two become embroiled in something far bigger and more dangerous than either imagined. Caroline’s peaceful break is shattered and Rachel fears for their safety. What secrets are hidden in Hare’s Landing? Who is behind the treachery and what does a homeless man, now dead, have to do with it all?
A by-the-way moment – during one piece of dialogue between the police and Rachel Lambert there is a vague mention of a certain kick-boxing champion. If you have read the Cat Connolly series by Sam Blake this will make sense. If you haven’t, not to worry, it has no bearing on the story. Just a little fun input from the author I think!
The Dark Room ticks all the boxes for a highly-engaging cosy winter mystery. With plenty of plot threads running throughout it could easily have gotten over complex, but, with a slow reveal, Sam Blake ties them all up nicely, resulting in a very satisfying conclusion. I really enjoyed the fact that Sam Blake incorporated her own personal passion for Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca, the supernatural and Agatha Christie into the story. An interesting fact for those of you who are Rebecca fans, you may have spotted that Sam Blake names Rachel’s dog Jasper. This is in dedication to Maxim de Winter’s dog of the same name!
With lush descriptions, the perfect location and a selection of wonderful characters, The Dark Room is another sure fire bestseller for Sam Blake. Perfect lockdown reading…
March 9, 2021
I have read and enjoyed Sam Blake’s books before, her Cathy Connolly series is original and very entertaining, so a standalone thriller set in a mysterious country house sounded very intriguing.
“Rachel Lambert leaves London afraid for her personal safety, determined to uncover the truth behind the sudden death of a homeless man. With links to a country house hotel called Hare's Landing, Rachel arrives with the intent of finding Alfie’s family.
New York-based crime reporter Caroline Kelly's career is threatened by a lawsuit and she needs solitary space away from her job. However, almost as soon as she arrives, Hare's Landing begins to reveal its own stories - a 30-year-old missing person's case and the mysterious death of the hotel's former owner. As Rachel and Caroline join forces, it becomes clear that their investigations are intertwined - and that there is nothing more dangerous than the truth...”
I loved the sound of the premise and I wasn’t disappointed in the execution of the story. Although some readers would say it’s a slow progression (and I would agree it does take till near the end for the action to really start) I felt this allowed for the atmosphere of the location and the unexplained occurrences in the hotel buildings to take seed in the mind, allowing you to capture the ambience of Hare’s Landing and connect with the characters. It was Alfie’s story that interested me the most and it was his voice in the prologue that drew me into the story within seconds. There was a distinctive Gothic feel to scenes in the hotel and Mrs Travers the housekeeper, gave the infamous Mrs Danvers a run for her money. Caroline and Rachel made a formidable partnership in their sleuthing and I liked how their friendship went from total strangers to trusting and caring.
With the addition of a fabulous ex police dog ‘Jasper’ who you can’t help but fall in love with, this mystery thriller was an entertaining story and I’ll happily read more by this author again.
“Rachel Lambert leaves London afraid for her personal safety, determined to uncover the truth behind the sudden death of a homeless man. With links to a country house hotel called Hare's Landing, Rachel arrives with the intent of finding Alfie’s family.
New York-based crime reporter Caroline Kelly's career is threatened by a lawsuit and she needs solitary space away from her job. However, almost as soon as she arrives, Hare's Landing begins to reveal its own stories - a 30-year-old missing person's case and the mysterious death of the hotel's former owner. As Rachel and Caroline join forces, it becomes clear that their investigations are intertwined - and that there is nothing more dangerous than the truth...”
I loved the sound of the premise and I wasn’t disappointed in the execution of the story. Although some readers would say it’s a slow progression (and I would agree it does take till near the end for the action to really start) I felt this allowed for the atmosphere of the location and the unexplained occurrences in the hotel buildings to take seed in the mind, allowing you to capture the ambience of Hare’s Landing and connect with the characters. It was Alfie’s story that interested me the most and it was his voice in the prologue that drew me into the story within seconds. There was a distinctive Gothic feel to scenes in the hotel and Mrs Travers the housekeeper, gave the infamous Mrs Danvers a run for her money. Caroline and Rachel made a formidable partnership in their sleuthing and I liked how their friendship went from total strangers to trusting and caring.
With the addition of a fabulous ex police dog ‘Jasper’ who you can’t help but fall in love with, this mystery thriller was an entertaining story and I’ll happily read more by this author again.
July 1, 2022
Two women - Rachel who leaves London afraid for her personal safety and Caroline who leaves New York to get some space from an impending lawsuit - return to their roots and combine to investigate a thirty-year-old murder mystery at Hare's Landing in West Cork.
I tried with this, I really did but at the first 1/3rd it could best be described as a slow-burner. I didn’t like either character, the location was so “spooky” the writer had to keep telling us and the supporting cast were bland. Unfortunately, this is my third DNF this year, I need to make better choices.
I tried with this, I really did but at the first 1/3rd it could best be described as a slow-burner. I didn’t like either character, the location was so “spooky” the writer had to keep telling us and the supporting cast were bland. Unfortunately, this is my third DNF this year, I need to make better choices.
December 1, 2022
This is the first book that I have read by Sam Blake and it definitely wont be the last! Dark, mysterious and tension filled. The house and its surroundings are as much a part of this book as the characters. History and present day all come together to tell a great tale.
April 29, 2022
Love love love this book!!!
Brilliant had me hooked all the way through trying to work out all the twists and turns along the way.
Bloody brilliant!!
Brilliant had me hooked all the way through trying to work out all the twists and turns along the way.
Bloody brilliant!!
January 23, 2021
2 women, both not local to Hare's Landing but with missions in place that bring them there, find themselves involved in a historical murder case.
The renovated hotel with a dark history, stuck in the middle of nowhere is the perfect place for Caroline to retreat, lick her wounds and plan her defence against accusations of professional impropriety. However,once an investigative reporter, always an investigative reporter! Strange goings on including doors slamming open, the faint scent of perfume in the air and a haunting refrain of Mozart played on the violin get her Spidey senses tingling...
Rachel, meanwhile, is in an investigative mission of her own, trying to tie in the disappearance of a homeless man who her partner, Hunter, was making a documentary about when he was knocked off his bike and hospitalised. Following a break in at their house boat and fearing for her safety, Rachel heads to Ireland and together, she and Caroline team up to bring some much needed justice raining down on those who have gotten away with murder for far too long.
A spine tingling thriller which straddles the mystery and horror genres with aplomb, I could not put this book down. Apologies to the author, tour organiser and publishers for my late review, our house has been struck down by Covid and reading has been an absolute nightmare. It's left me crying with frustration at an inability to follow more than a page or two of text at a time. And I would rather wait and do full justice to an author's work than just flippantly publish a half hearted review, books are such works of heart that to do anything less would be an insult. What I would say about Sam Blake's novel is that where other writers using the same plot lines would smack of massive coincidence and contrivance, in her skilled hands there is an ebb and flow in the plot, the character development and story arcs that only ever make sense and carry the reader forward.
It's a book which requires concentration as there are multiple storylines carried across the chapters which alternate between Rachel and Caroline. Both are women with spirit and a finely tuned moral compass who are unwilling to let things beat them, and as for Jasper, Rachel's ex-police dog companion, he is a brilliant creation. There are some fantastic scenes which have you catching your breath, especially a CPR scene which is so accurate and rarely well done in fiction. This adds such realism to what you are reading that when the haunting and supernatural elements creep into the story, you are swept away with them whether you believe in ghosts or not.
I am disappointed in myself for not having read Sam's work before and thrilled to find she has a back catalogue for me to plunder. But first, a continuation of playing catch up with books, reviews and blog tour posts before buying any more books (famous last words of a committed bookaholic!)
The renovated hotel with a dark history, stuck in the middle of nowhere is the perfect place for Caroline to retreat, lick her wounds and plan her defence against accusations of professional impropriety. However,once an investigative reporter, always an investigative reporter! Strange goings on including doors slamming open, the faint scent of perfume in the air and a haunting refrain of Mozart played on the violin get her Spidey senses tingling...
Rachel, meanwhile, is in an investigative mission of her own, trying to tie in the disappearance of a homeless man who her partner, Hunter, was making a documentary about when he was knocked off his bike and hospitalised. Following a break in at their house boat and fearing for her safety, Rachel heads to Ireland and together, she and Caroline team up to bring some much needed justice raining down on those who have gotten away with murder for far too long.
A spine tingling thriller which straddles the mystery and horror genres with aplomb, I could not put this book down. Apologies to the author, tour organiser and publishers for my late review, our house has been struck down by Covid and reading has been an absolute nightmare. It's left me crying with frustration at an inability to follow more than a page or two of text at a time. And I would rather wait and do full justice to an author's work than just flippantly publish a half hearted review, books are such works of heart that to do anything less would be an insult. What I would say about Sam Blake's novel is that where other writers using the same plot lines would smack of massive coincidence and contrivance, in her skilled hands there is an ebb and flow in the plot, the character development and story arcs that only ever make sense and carry the reader forward.
It's a book which requires concentration as there are multiple storylines carried across the chapters which alternate between Rachel and Caroline. Both are women with spirit and a finely tuned moral compass who are unwilling to let things beat them, and as for Jasper, Rachel's ex-police dog companion, he is a brilliant creation. There are some fantastic scenes which have you catching your breath, especially a CPR scene which is so accurate and rarely well done in fiction. This adds such realism to what you are reading that when the haunting and supernatural elements creep into the story, you are swept away with them whether you believe in ghosts or not.
I am disappointed in myself for not having read Sam's work before and thrilled to find she has a back catalogue for me to plunder. But first, a continuation of playing catch up with books, reviews and blog tour posts before buying any more books (famous last words of a committed bookaholic!)
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