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When The Lights Go Out
Who can you trust…
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT
A group of new friends. But can she trust them?
For struggling actress Ava, landing a role with the Chimera Theatre Group could lead to her big break. And relocating to a remote country village means stepping out from the shadow of her boyfriend—despite his determination not to let her go.
Everyone in the group seems so welcoming, they’re one big happy family. But, like all families, they each have secrets. And someone in the group doesn’t want certain secrets to get out…
WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT
A group of new friends. But can she trust them?
For struggling actress Ava, landing a role with the Chimera Theatre Group could lead to her big break. And relocating to a remote country village means stepping out from the shadow of her boyfriend—despite his determination not to let her go.
Everyone in the group seems so welcoming, they’re one big happy family. But, like all families, they each have secrets. And someone in the group doesn’t want certain secrets to get out…
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 2, 2022
22 people are currently reading
302 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 31, 2022
I have complex feelings about this book! Plot intrigued my curiosity and slow burn mystery, dysfunctional characters with problematic parental problems also picked my interest. The ending was a little abrupt and there are still some unexplained loopholes.
But I think positive attributes defeated my negative opinions!
Let’s take a look at the plot:
A struggling actress needs a break from her longtime relationship with her aspiring actor boyfriend and overprotective parents! After learning a big secret her stepmother hiding from her, Ava gets devastated. Her first and only meaningful relationship with Will also is also struggling! As Will’s rising career from his role at popular soap opera brings him more popularity, she cannot find a proper acting job.
When she meets Joel at a party, he mentions he works for a special theater group and they need to replace their leading actress because of her late pregnancy. Ava decides to give an audition and when she gets accepted to Chimera Theater Group, she thinks that will be fresh start, providing her way out from her problems.
But as soon as she gets off the train and is welcomed by one of the theater members Lally who put her baggages into car trunk, they find themselves in an accident caused by a tree branch left on the road.
Ava thinks this is just bad luck and unexpected accident. So she doesn’t think it through.
The other members of theater group act like she’s part of their family as soon as they meet her. Only Paddy: the director of their project act a little resentful. But the couple: Rose and Brad, their musical prodigy Mel seem like friendly. And let’s not forget Joel who helps her blend in!
But she realizes there are people out there to want them out of the town. First they think a group of young misfits pulling pranks on them. They’ve turned up at gigs to find they've been cancelled by someone pretending to
be one of them. The posters I've put up have been ripped down or covered in
the same kind of filth as the van.
But when the instruments in the cottage get vandalized, things get a little escalated. Somebody is truly messing with them but who?
Poor Ava seems like she just jumped out of the frying pan into fire. Maybe she shouldn’t leave the city to get involved with these eccentric theater members.
I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to 4 slow burn, mystery, psychological thriller stars. I wish the ending would be better but it was still easy to read and enjoy!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK/ One More Chapter for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
But I think positive attributes defeated my negative opinions!
Let’s take a look at the plot:
A struggling actress needs a break from her longtime relationship with her aspiring actor boyfriend and overprotective parents! After learning a big secret her stepmother hiding from her, Ava gets devastated. Her first and only meaningful relationship with Will also is also struggling! As Will’s rising career from his role at popular soap opera brings him more popularity, she cannot find a proper acting job.
When she meets Joel at a party, he mentions he works for a special theater group and they need to replace their leading actress because of her late pregnancy. Ava decides to give an audition and when she gets accepted to Chimera Theater Group, she thinks that will be fresh start, providing her way out from her problems.
But as soon as she gets off the train and is welcomed by one of the theater members Lally who put her baggages into car trunk, they find themselves in an accident caused by a tree branch left on the road.
Ava thinks this is just bad luck and unexpected accident. So she doesn’t think it through.
The other members of theater group act like she’s part of their family as soon as they meet her. Only Paddy: the director of their project act a little resentful. But the couple: Rose and Brad, their musical prodigy Mel seem like friendly. And let’s not forget Joel who helps her blend in!
But she realizes there are people out there to want them out of the town. First they think a group of young misfits pulling pranks on them. They’ve turned up at gigs to find they've been cancelled by someone pretending to
be one of them. The posters I've put up have been ripped down or covered in
the same kind of filth as the van.
But when the instruments in the cottage get vandalized, things get a little escalated. Somebody is truly messing with them but who?
Poor Ava seems like she just jumped out of the frying pan into fire. Maybe she shouldn’t leave the city to get involved with these eccentric theater members.
I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to 4 slow burn, mystery, psychological thriller stars. I wish the ending would be better but it was still easy to read and enjoy!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK/ One More Chapter for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
November 21, 2022
For struggling actress Ava, landing a role with the Chimera Theatre Group could lead to her big break. And relocating to a remote country village means stepping out from the shadow of her boyfriend - despite his determination not to let her go. Everyone in the group seems so welcoming, they're one big happy family. But like all families, they each have secrets. And someone in the group doesn't want certain secrets getting out....
Ava wants to make it as an actress, her boyfriend Brad is already in a tv show. Ava gets the opportunity to join the Chimera Theatre Group. But the theatre group all have secrets. The setting for this book, the house, was eerie and stifling. The characters were well developed and likeable. The tension mounts throughout. I found myself suspicious of everyone. The paces is on the slow side and the ending felt a bit rushed. Overall, an enjoyable read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #ChrisCurran for my ARC of #WhenTheLightsGoOut in exchange for an honest review.
Ava wants to make it as an actress, her boyfriend Brad is already in a tv show. Ava gets the opportunity to join the Chimera Theatre Group. But the theatre group all have secrets. The setting for this book, the house, was eerie and stifling. The characters were well developed and likeable. The tension mounts throughout. I found myself suspicious of everyone. The paces is on the slow side and the ending felt a bit rushed. Overall, an enjoyable read.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #ChrisCurran for my ARC of #WhenTheLightsGoOut in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2022
When the Lights Go Out
⭐️⭐️.5
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 12/2/22
Author: Chris Curran
Publisher: HarperCollins
GR: 3.20
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and HarperCollins and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Who can you trust… WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT. A group of new friends. But can she trust them? For struggling actress Ava, landing a role with the Chimera Theatre Group could lead to her big break. And relocating to a remote country village means stepping out from the shadow of her boyfriend—despite his determination not to let her go. Everyone in the group seems so welcoming, they’re one big happy family. But, like all families, they each have secrets. And someone in the group doesn’t want certain secrets to get out…
My Thoughts: The intriguing plot and cover attracted me to request this book. It was a slower burn mystery. Not every avenue was explored, it felt like there were some holes that were not filled throughout the book. There were twists, but I was left with wanting more. The biggest con for me was the ending, it just ended and was vague. Maybe opening up for a series book but it was too vague. The characters were flawed and unliked. I just couldn’t connect with any of them. The premise was creative and the mysterious happenings were intriguing but outside of this, I could not connect with the book. This was not a bad book and it will be a great book for someone.
⭐️⭐️.5
Genre: Thriller
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 12/2/22
Author: Chris Curran
Publisher: HarperCollins
GR: 3.20
I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley and HarperCollins and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.
Synopsis: Who can you trust… WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT. A group of new friends. But can she trust them? For struggling actress Ava, landing a role with the Chimera Theatre Group could lead to her big break. And relocating to a remote country village means stepping out from the shadow of her boyfriend—despite his determination not to let her go. Everyone in the group seems so welcoming, they’re one big happy family. But, like all families, they each have secrets. And someone in the group doesn’t want certain secrets to get out…
My Thoughts: The intriguing plot and cover attracted me to request this book. It was a slower burn mystery. Not every avenue was explored, it felt like there were some holes that were not filled throughout the book. There were twists, but I was left with wanting more. The biggest con for me was the ending, it just ended and was vague. Maybe opening up for a series book but it was too vague. The characters were flawed and unliked. I just couldn’t connect with any of them. The premise was creative and the mysterious happenings were intriguing but outside of this, I could not connect with the book. This was not a bad book and it will be a great book for someone.
December 17, 2022
Not exactly the opportunity of a lifetime but when Ava gets an audition with an experimental theatre group thanks to an opportune meeting with Joel, she jumps at the chance. Acting is a fickle business, too long ‘resting’ can ruin any career so this could be a steppingstone for greater things for Ava, if her luck holds out. She passes the audition and her life changes immediately. The day she is picked up from the railway station by Lally their car collides with a fallen branch and is a write off. Lally doesn’t want to call the police and when the group’s van comes to collect them it becomes clear that all is not as it seems.
A start that sets the scene for the reader and immediately puts them on their guard. It quickly becomes apparent that all is not well, but is it all a matter of coincidence, a series of unfortunate accidents or is there a malevolent force at work?
The novel is told in third person through the eyes of Ava, with clear elements of the innocent or stranger abroad. She moves to a different place away from London to work with an established group of people who she quickly needs to get to know and build a working rapport. The interesting dynamic added to the situation is that they all live together at the same cottage. This is explained as a throwback to their university days where they all met, but there’s something not right and there is a degree of animosity towards her but delivered in a passive-aggressive way. The reader can almost feel Ava’s discomfort.
Ava befriends her colleagues but is unsure who to believe or trust once the pranks or accidents start to happen. Here the writing skilfully obfuscates and leaves false trails. It’s the sort of book that gets the reader moving from suspect to suspect, where it follows the traditional whodunnit form albeit without the tradition body. The set-up is also a twist on tradition as the pool of suspects is small, comprising the friends living together, those close to them and a former member of the group. This develops into an atmosphere of distrust which is convincing and forms the central core of the plot.
Most of all it’s a novel about damaged people, how life has affected them and their coping mechanisms. Ava’s mother died when she was two and her father married his deceased wife’s best friend. Her childhood was a happy one but her relationship with her stepmother became more difficult in her late teens. Most of all it is her memories of her birth mother that become to bother her, are they real or imagined. Joel’s parents divorced when he was very young and his attempt to try to reconnect with his birth mother was rebuffed.
Personal relationships are also difficult. Mel and Will drift apart following a miscarriage and his success in a soap opera which has him moving in glamourous circles. A period apart might work for them, but really Ava craves her own success. Founding members Paddy and Dominic’s homosexual relationship had difficulties with a lack of parental acceptance and green-eyed jealousy causes a split. This causes Dominic to leave in a cloud of suspicion and disillusionment. Having met at university there is an element of friends becoming lovers and the moving on to another group member. Again, this means one is never certain who genuinely loves who and where real loyalties lie.
The pacing of the first three quarters of the novel is steady, even slow at times, as the characters get to know Ava and her experiences settling into the group dynamic and the acting role. Then the final quarter builds up a momentum of its own as actions start to have serious consequences and the jigsaw pieces of the mystery fall into place. It’s a thriller but not of the blood and guts variety or a horror, it is more the destruction of trust and self-belief of the central character. The horrible sense of being amongst people, feeling utterly alone and unable to find comfort for fear of being betrayed.
When the Lights Go Out is a taut, claustrophobic psychological thriller full of mistrust and surprises.
A start that sets the scene for the reader and immediately puts them on their guard. It quickly becomes apparent that all is not well, but is it all a matter of coincidence, a series of unfortunate accidents or is there a malevolent force at work?
The novel is told in third person through the eyes of Ava, with clear elements of the innocent or stranger abroad. She moves to a different place away from London to work with an established group of people who she quickly needs to get to know and build a working rapport. The interesting dynamic added to the situation is that they all live together at the same cottage. This is explained as a throwback to their university days where they all met, but there’s something not right and there is a degree of animosity towards her but delivered in a passive-aggressive way. The reader can almost feel Ava’s discomfort.
Ava befriends her colleagues but is unsure who to believe or trust once the pranks or accidents start to happen. Here the writing skilfully obfuscates and leaves false trails. It’s the sort of book that gets the reader moving from suspect to suspect, where it follows the traditional whodunnit form albeit without the tradition body. The set-up is also a twist on tradition as the pool of suspects is small, comprising the friends living together, those close to them and a former member of the group. This develops into an atmosphere of distrust which is convincing and forms the central core of the plot.
Most of all it’s a novel about damaged people, how life has affected them and their coping mechanisms. Ava’s mother died when she was two and her father married his deceased wife’s best friend. Her childhood was a happy one but her relationship with her stepmother became more difficult in her late teens. Most of all it is her memories of her birth mother that become to bother her, are they real or imagined. Joel’s parents divorced when he was very young and his attempt to try to reconnect with his birth mother was rebuffed.
Personal relationships are also difficult. Mel and Will drift apart following a miscarriage and his success in a soap opera which has him moving in glamourous circles. A period apart might work for them, but really Ava craves her own success. Founding members Paddy and Dominic’s homosexual relationship had difficulties with a lack of parental acceptance and green-eyed jealousy causes a split. This causes Dominic to leave in a cloud of suspicion and disillusionment. Having met at university there is an element of friends becoming lovers and the moving on to another group member. Again, this means one is never certain who genuinely loves who and where real loyalties lie.
The pacing of the first three quarters of the novel is steady, even slow at times, as the characters get to know Ava and her experiences settling into the group dynamic and the acting role. Then the final quarter builds up a momentum of its own as actions start to have serious consequences and the jigsaw pieces of the mystery fall into place. It’s a thriller but not of the blood and guts variety or a horror, it is more the destruction of trust and self-belief of the central character. The horrible sense of being amongst people, feeling utterly alone and unable to find comfort for fear of being betrayed.
When the Lights Go Out is a taut, claustrophobic psychological thriller full of mistrust and surprises.
February 1, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an e-arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. First of all I apologise that it has taken me so long to read and review this title.
I unfortunately didn't love this book it felt way too predictable for me. I liked the concept and I found the opening to be gripping but it went downhill from there for me. The writing I did find good! I felt that it was written succinctly, however I think more suspense could have been created in certain areas of the novel. I also appreciated that the chapters were short and it was generally an easy read. If you love thrillers you may enjoy this more than me, but I generally thought a lot of plot points were predictable chapters before reveals happened.
I would not necessarily recommend this to others.
I unfortunately didn't love this book it felt way too predictable for me. I liked the concept and I found the opening to be gripping but it went downhill from there for me. The writing I did find good! I felt that it was written succinctly, however I think more suspense could have been created in certain areas of the novel. I also appreciated that the chapters were short and it was generally an easy read. If you love thrillers you may enjoy this more than me, but I generally thought a lot of plot points were predictable chapters before reveals happened.
I would not necessarily recommend this to others.
December 15, 2022
Rated 4.5
The writing was gripping and easy to read. I got through it faster than I thought I would and looked forward to picking it up each day. It was quite fast paced, with lots of different things being added and whilst most were tied up at the end, there were still a few questions that I wanted answering and character developments that I would have liked to have seen. The ending was certainly interesting.
The chapters were fairly short, which gave the story it's fast pace. A couple of the chapters were split, but otherwise we just went straight through.
The story was from the point of view of the main character and had some nice bits of description in it. There was enough to give you a good idea of where the main character was and what she was seeing/doing without distracting from the story and slowing it down.
The characters were excellent. I was suspicious of all of them. I would have liked to have seen a bit more about the main character's "partner" and parents.
Lastly the settings. I liked the shared cottage and the different little rooms that they performed in. The size and the nature of the settings helped to add to my suspicions about the characters. The settings were well thought out and suited what was happening in the story well.
Overall a great story and one that had me hooked from the beginning.
✨For a longer review see my book blog✨ https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/
The writing was gripping and easy to read. I got through it faster than I thought I would and looked forward to picking it up each day. It was quite fast paced, with lots of different things being added and whilst most were tied up at the end, there were still a few questions that I wanted answering and character developments that I would have liked to have seen. The ending was certainly interesting.
The chapters were fairly short, which gave the story it's fast pace. A couple of the chapters were split, but otherwise we just went straight through.
The story was from the point of view of the main character and had some nice bits of description in it. There was enough to give you a good idea of where the main character was and what she was seeing/doing without distracting from the story and slowing it down.
The characters were excellent. I was suspicious of all of them. I would have liked to have seen a bit more about the main character's "partner" and parents.
Lastly the settings. I liked the shared cottage and the different little rooms that they performed in. The size and the nature of the settings helped to add to my suspicions about the characters. The settings were well thought out and suited what was happening in the story well.
Overall a great story and one that had me hooked from the beginning.
✨For a longer review see my book blog✨ https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/
December 8, 2022
This slow-burn mystery will keep you intrigued as you flip the pages. The author draws you into the lives of an almost incestuous theatre group who live and work together. They all seem to have parental problems and each member seems to be hiding something.
This was my first time reading this author’s work and I enjoyed the slow-burn intrigue she adds to her story. I loved the scenery and the detail around the theatre sets. While reading this book you are left unsure who to trust. The characters are a colourful mix of troubled young adults – each dealing with their own parental issues. I enjoyed the uncertainty in this story.
Ava and Will have been together since university and while Will has a successful acting career, Ava is struggling to find a break of her own. Determined not to live in Will’s shadow, and desperate to find her place in the industry Ava decides to audition for a place with Chimera. A small theatre group who needs a replacement for their leading lady who is pregnant.
When Ava is offered the position, it looks like exactly what she needs to put some distance between herself and Will while giving her the time she needs to find herself. After some disagreements with her parents, Ava is excited to get away from everyone she knows. The members of Chimera, who all live and work together feel like a family and everyone is extremely welcoming when she arrives in the small country village where they live. As a series of “pranks” come to light Ava starts to notice that everything is not quite what it appears to be.
This story was a little slow with a rather abrupt ending. I enjoyed the setting and the characters and still found it to be an enjoyable read.
The characters are a colourful group – exactly what I would have expected from a theatre group. Ava is a young woman who is eager to escape Will’s shadow. She wants to find her own success without Will’s help. I respected her for putting some distance between herself and Will, yet she did not seem to want to let him go. He was still the person she ran to – despite insisting that she wants to do things on her own. Brad and Rose appear to love Ava, yet I got the feeling that something was not quite right here. These two felt a little too perfect.
Mel was a brilliantly bitchy character. I did not believe anything she said, she just did not have any sincerity. Yet I loved her, the author did a brilliant job with this woman. Lally was a total drama queen and I felt she made way more of things than was necessary – adding extra spice to the story. Paddy was a bit of a dark horse. This guy never truly opened up and it never felt as if I got to know him.
This story kept me curious all the way through. Despite finding it a little slow, it was an enjoyable read which I would recommend to readers who enjoy a slow-burn mystery. This book is an easy read and it will keep you guessing.
https://featzreviews.com
This was my first time reading this author’s work and I enjoyed the slow-burn intrigue she adds to her story. I loved the scenery and the detail around the theatre sets. While reading this book you are left unsure who to trust. The characters are a colourful mix of troubled young adults – each dealing with their own parental issues. I enjoyed the uncertainty in this story.
Ava and Will have been together since university and while Will has a successful acting career, Ava is struggling to find a break of her own. Determined not to live in Will’s shadow, and desperate to find her place in the industry Ava decides to audition for a place with Chimera. A small theatre group who needs a replacement for their leading lady who is pregnant.
When Ava is offered the position, it looks like exactly what she needs to put some distance between herself and Will while giving her the time she needs to find herself. After some disagreements with her parents, Ava is excited to get away from everyone she knows. The members of Chimera, who all live and work together feel like a family and everyone is extremely welcoming when she arrives in the small country village where they live. As a series of “pranks” come to light Ava starts to notice that everything is not quite what it appears to be.
This story was a little slow with a rather abrupt ending. I enjoyed the setting and the characters and still found it to be an enjoyable read.
The characters are a colourful group – exactly what I would have expected from a theatre group. Ava is a young woman who is eager to escape Will’s shadow. She wants to find her own success without Will’s help. I respected her for putting some distance between herself and Will, yet she did not seem to want to let him go. He was still the person she ran to – despite insisting that she wants to do things on her own. Brad and Rose appear to love Ava, yet I got the feeling that something was not quite right here. These two felt a little too perfect.
Mel was a brilliantly bitchy character. I did not believe anything she said, she just did not have any sincerity. Yet I loved her, the author did a brilliant job with this woman. Lally was a total drama queen and I felt she made way more of things than was necessary – adding extra spice to the story. Paddy was a bit of a dark horse. This guy never truly opened up and it never felt as if I got to know him.
This story kept me curious all the way through. Despite finding it a little slow, it was an enjoyable read which I would recommend to readers who enjoy a slow-burn mystery. This book is an easy read and it will keep you guessing.
https://featzreviews.com
December 15, 2022
I enjoyed this book, the first I've read by this author.
When we meet her Ava's enroute to join an independent theatre troupe, replacing one of the tight-knit group's members who's pregnant. It means leaving her boyfriend who's got a starring role in a soap opera and Ava's hoping this will be HER big chance.
It's not long however before she discovers that a series of incidents have been plaguing the group. Incidents that - when combined - seem suspicious.
Most of the group have known each other since University and there's a camaraderie amongst them. Ava's seemingly accepted but wonders if some of the threats the group are receiving are coming from inside rather than someone outside with a grudge.
Curran also references - several times - Ava's own family, her father and stepmother and implies there's some sinister backstory to the death of her own mother decades earlier. I found the foreshadowing a bit clunky at times - the hints were there but I kept wondering if I'd missed something.
Ultimately there's a death and things fall apart for the troupe. Weirdly that felt a little anticlimactic given the build-up to their performances and the shows. I was more disappointed at the cancellation of their shows than the death.
Curran does a good job however (at one point) of lulling us into a false sense that all is resolved, before adding in another twist.
I enjoyed this book, particularly the character of Ava but wasn't necessarily that engaged in the 'who' and 'why' of it all. I mostly wondered if Ava would get back together with her boyfriend and what happened in her career.
When we meet her Ava's enroute to join an independent theatre troupe, replacing one of the tight-knit group's members who's pregnant. It means leaving her boyfriend who's got a starring role in a soap opera and Ava's hoping this will be HER big chance.
It's not long however before she discovers that a series of incidents have been plaguing the group. Incidents that - when combined - seem suspicious.
Most of the group have known each other since University and there's a camaraderie amongst them. Ava's seemingly accepted but wonders if some of the threats the group are receiving are coming from inside rather than someone outside with a grudge.
Curran also references - several times - Ava's own family, her father and stepmother and implies there's some sinister backstory to the death of her own mother decades earlier. I found the foreshadowing a bit clunky at times - the hints were there but I kept wondering if I'd missed something.
Ultimately there's a death and things fall apart for the troupe. Weirdly that felt a little anticlimactic given the build-up to their performances and the shows. I was more disappointed at the cancellation of their shows than the death.
Curran does a good job however (at one point) of lulling us into a false sense that all is resolved, before adding in another twist.
I enjoyed this book, particularly the character of Ava but wasn't necessarily that engaged in the 'who' and 'why' of it all. I mostly wondered if Ava would get back together with her boyfriend and what happened in her career.
December 19, 2022
Ava, struggling to find her place in the acting world alongside her ultra-successful boyfriend, decides to take a job with a close-knit theater company, Chimera, which is made up of mostly friends from college and live together in a cottage, performing in schools and community halls. But when Ava moves in, she quickly realizes that the group isn't as cozy as it appears. There's complicated emotions amongst the members and to top it off, someone's been playing a series of "pranks" on the group, and they seem to escalate now that Ava has joined the group. As Ava grows more uneasy she wonders how much danger she is could be in if the pranks take a more serious turn.
I really enjoyed this thriller. It takes a group of people and throws them together in a remote cottage and creates a spooky atmosphere with pranks and a bunch of backstabbing. It's really fascinating as you try to unravel who is behind it all, because pretty much everyone has a motive and the opportunity to do any of the pranks. It's pretty interesting and makes for a good mystery.
And the reveal is also pretty good. There's a lot going on and as each thing is revealed, it just gets better and better. And the ultimate ending *chefs kiss* So creepy and just on point for this book. I really think the author nailed that. I might've liked a little more of that fleshed out, but maybe the abruptness is what made it creepy, you know?
Either way, I really enjoyed this one. If you're looking for a unique, creepy thriller, pick this one up. It'll scratch your theatre geek itch and scare you as well.
I really enjoyed this thriller. It takes a group of people and throws them together in a remote cottage and creates a spooky atmosphere with pranks and a bunch of backstabbing. It's really fascinating as you try to unravel who is behind it all, because pretty much everyone has a motive and the opportunity to do any of the pranks. It's pretty interesting and makes for a good mystery.
And the reveal is also pretty good. There's a lot going on and as each thing is revealed, it just gets better and better. And the ultimate ending *chefs kiss* So creepy and just on point for this book. I really think the author nailed that. I might've liked a little more of that fleshed out, but maybe the abruptness is what made it creepy, you know?
Either way, I really enjoyed this one. If you're looking for a unique, creepy thriller, pick this one up. It'll scratch your theatre geek itch and scare you as well.
October 19, 2022
Ava is a struggling actress who has recently joined the Chimera Theatre Group. While it does require moving to the country and away from her soap star boyfriend, Will, Ava is eager to go. She needs the space from Will...and a chance to see to see if this group will help give her her big break.
But.....on the way there, she and one of the members, Lally, are in a car accident. Soon after, other strange events start happening. Ava's room in the house requires one of the other member to walk through her room, which disturbs her sleep. She's lonely and scared at the strange noises in the night.
While her acting has never been better, she isn't resting well and more and more things start happening to everyone in the house. Everyone seems to have secrets....and someone is determined to push them out.
Chris Curran has written a slow-burn of a book. While the mystery behind the "who is terrorizing the group" was fairly apparent - at least to me, there was still a few twists that helped push this book along. There were a few plots that were left a bit convoluted (Dom's appearance in town, Lally being weird overall, who was in the attic at night.....etc), and overall, the end/resolution was rather vague.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in advance of it's release.
But.....on the way there, she and one of the members, Lally, are in a car accident. Soon after, other strange events start happening. Ava's room in the house requires one of the other member to walk through her room, which disturbs her sleep. She's lonely and scared at the strange noises in the night.
While her acting has never been better, she isn't resting well and more and more things start happening to everyone in the house. Everyone seems to have secrets....and someone is determined to push them out.
Chris Curran has written a slow-burn of a book. While the mystery behind the "who is terrorizing the group" was fairly apparent - at least to me, there was still a few twists that helped push this book along. There were a few plots that were left a bit convoluted (Dom's appearance in town, Lally being weird overall, who was in the attic at night.....etc), and overall, the end/resolution was rather vague.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book in advance of it's release.
December 10, 2022
🎭 The book follows Ava, a struggling artist who leaves her boyfriend and moves to a remote country village to join the Chimera theatre group. The group lives in a cottage like one big happy family and they all seem so welcoming. But soon Ava learns that they are hiding secrets of their own and will go to any extent to keep the secrets buried…
🎭 Pick this up if you like/don’t mind:
📌 a quick and an easy read
📌 whodunnit vibes
📌 short chapters
📌 unlikeable characters with dysfunctional families hiding secrets of their own
📌 slow burn plot
📌 MC who is confused about her love interests
📌 predictable plot twists
📌 an abrupt ending with some questions left unanswered
🎭 The plot of the book grabbed my attention in the first instance but it was kind of too slow paced for my liking. Nothing major happened till the last half apart from some evil pranks. At one point it kind of became repetitive with pranks happening and group members dismissing them as kids pulling pranks on them, not taking any serious notice. Talking about the characters I found them all flawed and unlikeable. Apart from the MC everyone was hiding some secrets. The ending was a bit rush and it left me unsatisfied longing for answers.
🎭 Thanks to the author for the ebook in exchange of an honest review.
September 8, 2022
The premise of this book sounded interesting when I requested it, but once I started ready it really wasn’t that interesting. Not a whole lot occurred and much of the book was slow and pointless.
Ava lands a role with Chimera Theater Group and moves into a shared remote cottage with them. Ava’s trying to get a break from her overbearing boyfriend and thinks the distance will do them good. However, shortly after Ava arrives she learns of some practical jokes have been occurring and they seem to be escalating into terrifying things. Someone in the group must be doing them. Then someone ends up dead and Ava is scared for her life. She wants out but will the group let her go?
This book wasn’t great, it wasn’t bad, it was just a story told in an ok way. While this book was definitely a thriller, I just didn’t care about any of the characters enough to care what was going on. Non of the characters resonated with me and while I do feel this book will be a great read for someone, it really wasn’t that for me - it just fell flat. I want to extend my gratitude to @netgalley and the publisher @harpercollinsuk for my e-ARC copy, if you think this book would be for you check it out on December 2nd of this year.
Ava lands a role with Chimera Theater Group and moves into a shared remote cottage with them. Ava’s trying to get a break from her overbearing boyfriend and thinks the distance will do them good. However, shortly after Ava arrives she learns of some practical jokes have been occurring and they seem to be escalating into terrifying things. Someone in the group must be doing them. Then someone ends up dead and Ava is scared for her life. She wants out but will the group let her go?
This book wasn’t great, it wasn’t bad, it was just a story told in an ok way. While this book was definitely a thriller, I just didn’t care about any of the characters enough to care what was going on. Non of the characters resonated with me and while I do feel this book will be a great read for someone, it really wasn’t that for me - it just fell flat. I want to extend my gratitude to @netgalley and the publisher @harpercollinsuk for my e-ARC copy, if you think this book would be for you check it out on December 2nd of this year.
October 15, 2022
I was excited to start this as I love dark psychological thrillers and the synopsis sounded great.
Ava decides to put her relationship with her boyfriend on hold as she tries to progress her acting career. She joins the Chimera Theatre Group and moves in with them in their remote country cottage to start performances. The group seem welcoming at first but lots of nasty events start to happen. Is it a coincidence or is someone trying to stop the group from performing?
There are lots of secrets within the group so who can Ava trust?
I liked the setting for the story. It felt particularly claustrophobic inside the house. I also liked the characters and found it interesting to gradually get to know them.
I found I was waiting for the story to get going however. There was a lot of mounting tension but it wasnt until the last part that very much happened. I also found the ending slightly rushed leaving a few unanswered questions.
Overall a bit too much of a 'slow burn' thriller for me so only an average read.
Ava decides to put her relationship with her boyfriend on hold as she tries to progress her acting career. She joins the Chimera Theatre Group and moves in with them in their remote country cottage to start performances. The group seem welcoming at first but lots of nasty events start to happen. Is it a coincidence or is someone trying to stop the group from performing?
There are lots of secrets within the group so who can Ava trust?
I liked the setting for the story. It felt particularly claustrophobic inside the house. I also liked the characters and found it interesting to gradually get to know them.
I found I was waiting for the story to get going however. There was a lot of mounting tension but it wasnt until the last part that very much happened. I also found the ending slightly rushed leaving a few unanswered questions.
Overall a bit too much of a 'slow burn' thriller for me so only an average read.
November 7, 2022
When The Lights Go Out by Chris Curran is an immersive, suspicious and haunting read. It follows the journey of Ava, a struggling actress who has received an opportunity as a fill-in for the Chimera Theatre Group. Taking a break from her established boyfriend, Will, Ava is determined to make a name for herself. However, the theatre group members have secrets, motivations and interests that will make Ava question everything. While this is unfurling, Ava is also dealing with the delicate dynamics of her stepmother and father. In the depths of her psyche, her biological mother's drowning resurfaces. Chris Curran has done a fantastic job delivering a fast-paced, immersive read with varied and distinctive characters. I couldn't have predicted the twists and turns and the ending, which was shocking. A 4-star read, and I'm looking forward to reading more work by Chris Curran.
Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Collins UK/ One More Chapter, for giving me an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Collins UK/ One More Chapter, for giving me an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
August 22, 2022
Ava, is a bit unhappy in her life. She is a struggling actress with fewer and fewer callbacks, and her boyfriend Will has a lucrative soap opera gig that features him kissing another woman, constantly.
When she is asked to join the Chimera Theatre Group as a fill in she is quick to say yes and moves to a country village house to live with the crew. She quickly throws herself into her roles but has trouble fitting in the group house. More and more things go wrong for the crew and their is clearly someone stalking them all - the question is why and for how long?
If you like a quick thriller or a theater based story When the Lights Go Out is for you!
#HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter #ChrisCurran #WhenTheLightsGoOut
When she is asked to join the Chimera Theatre Group as a fill in she is quick to say yes and moves to a country village house to live with the crew. She quickly throws herself into her roles but has trouble fitting in the group house. More and more things go wrong for the crew and their is clearly someone stalking them all - the question is why and for how long?
If you like a quick thriller or a theater based story When the Lights Go Out is for you!
#HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter #ChrisCurran #WhenTheLightsGoOut
October 17, 2022
⭐️ 3/5
📚 101/36
📍 🇬🇧
🗂 Suspense mystery
📖 Ava and Will’s relationship has been a bit rocky. Ava accepts a new job and plans to have some time apart, but Will wants to continue as they were. Is the new job all it seems?
👉 NetGalley buddy read
✅ Easy read
✅ Short chapters
✅ Started off more-ish!
✅ The beginning felt real (lies, family)
✅ I was excited to be guessing what was going on early on
🤷🏻♀️ Would have liked it written first person
😩 How things were handled in the plot didn’t ring true
😩 I needed a faster pace and quicker plot
📆 16th October 2022
*Publication Date - 2nd December 2022
I received this eARC in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley and One More Chapter. Thank you for accepting me to review this book.
📚 101/36
📍 🇬🇧
🗂 Suspense mystery
📖 Ava and Will’s relationship has been a bit rocky. Ava accepts a new job and plans to have some time apart, but Will wants to continue as they were. Is the new job all it seems?
👉 NetGalley buddy read
✅ Easy read
✅ Short chapters
✅ Started off more-ish!
✅ The beginning felt real (lies, family)
✅ I was excited to be guessing what was going on early on
🤷🏻♀️ Would have liked it written first person
😩 How things were handled in the plot didn’t ring true
😩 I needed a faster pace and quicker plot
📆 16th October 2022
*Publication Date - 2nd December 2022
I received this eARC in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley and One More Chapter. Thank you for accepting me to review this book.
Read
June 11, 2023Despite what the cover says, I'd describe this as a mystery rather than thriller. Ava is a young, struggling actress who joins a small community theatre group on the Welsh border, partly because she needs the work and partly to get away from her controlling, successful, actor boyfriend. The group has been together a long time and although Ava loves the work, the group dynamics are difficult. Things get harder when increasingly vicious pranks and practical jokes begin to be played on everyone, including her. Then someone dies.
This is an atmospheric story and although the plotting is a bit thin at times, the writing is good. I enjoyed reading it and will be looking out for more books by this author.
Review by Freyja, Oundle Crime
This is an atmospheric story and although the plotting is a bit thin at times, the writing is good. I enjoyed reading it and will be looking out for more books by this author.
Review by Freyja, Oundle Crime
August 25, 2022
Thank you to HarperCollinsUK and One More Chapter for the ARC.
I really love the premise, setting, and characters in this novel. Unfortunately, the slow burn was just too slow for me and I did DNF at a little over 50%. There were certainly mysterious events happening to that point, but the rate at which they occurred seemed very slow with not a lot of other things going on in the plot to take up that time. It felt like the character spent half their time making, serving, or drinking coffee; I just wish that either A) the pacing had been a tick faster, or B) there had been more in terms of subplots or other elements to move the book along in between the mysterious happenings.
I really love the premise, setting, and characters in this novel. Unfortunately, the slow burn was just too slow for me and I did DNF at a little over 50%. There were certainly mysterious events happening to that point, but the rate at which they occurred seemed very slow with not a lot of other things going on in the plot to take up that time. It felt like the character spent half their time making, serving, or drinking coffee; I just wish that either A) the pacing had been a tick faster, or B) there had been more in terms of subplots or other elements to move the book along in between the mysterious happenings.
September 11, 2022
Big thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins UK for providing an ARC for free, in exchange for an honest review.
It's a slowburn mystery about characters who have dysfunctional relationships. Too bad, the slowburn itself was actually too slow. Or maybe if there would have been more happenings in the book, this pace wouldn't have been bothering at all. But unfortunately there weren't many subplots to focus on.
Nonetheless, the premise was intriguing, the mysterious happenings were indeed creative. The ending was a bit hasty or hurried, but it was a fine read if you're into slowburn mystery stories.
It's a slowburn mystery about characters who have dysfunctional relationships. Too bad, the slowburn itself was actually too slow. Or maybe if there would have been more happenings in the book, this pace wouldn't have been bothering at all. But unfortunately there weren't many subplots to focus on.
Nonetheless, the premise was intriguing, the mysterious happenings were indeed creative. The ending was a bit hasty or hurried, but it was a fine read if you're into slowburn mystery stories.
November 4, 2022
I thought the premise of this story was interesting & I was eager to dive in, but I found the execution to be lacking. Right from the start, it felt like I had been dropped into the story a few chapters in & that feeling never left me. I found the characters to be unlikeable & did not connect with any of them. I thought that Ava’s parents bombarded her with urgent but vague information , which had me as confused as Ava, and the theatre group was vague & disingenuous. Instead of piquing my interest, this just annoyed me.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter & NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK, One More Chapter & NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2022
The first book I've read by this author, I saw an interview and liked the way she talked about this book and her writing so was interested to give it a go.
Ava is a actress who lands a job with a travelling theatre group. They live together in a cottage in a remote country village.
As time goes by Ava learns of a series of incidents seemingly aimed the group's property. Are these pranks or something more malicious? Who would wish harm on a group of chilled theatre types?
Sorry to say it wasn't one for me, I found it fairly slow, it took a while to get to know the other characters and the 'pranks' or crimes generally lacked threat.
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK
Ava is a actress who lands a job with a travelling theatre group. They live together in a cottage in a remote country village.
As time goes by Ava learns of a series of incidents seemingly aimed the group's property. Are these pranks or something more malicious? Who would wish harm on a group of chilled theatre types?
Sorry to say it wasn't one for me, I found it fairly slow, it took a while to get to know the other characters and the 'pranks' or crimes generally lacked threat.
Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK
January 1, 2023
This book was a page turner from beginning to end. Ava has been invited to be a part of a acting team which could give her the chance of a lifetime. The catch? She must leave her home, her family, and her boyfriend to live with six strangers to make this dream come true. The demand of the role and the play - it makes total sense. But can she trust these six strangers? It all starts with a horrible car accident just when she is being picked up. And the pages keep turning in anticipation from there. Highly recommend. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 3, 2022
we have waited patiently for a new book buy this author and you will not be disappointed a very good read you think you have worked it out but no. Ava wants to make it as an actress her boyfriend Brad has made it and in a tv show. Ava gets offered an additon when she meets Joel at a party as they need a replacement for Rose who is pregnant she gets the job with the Factory family. but all is not well someone is sabotaging and other things and everyone has a secret wont say no more but so addictive
November 7, 2022
Quite a few reviewers have described this book as a "slow burn," but really, it was just kind of slow. And boring. The characters are mostly unlikable and behave strangely for no reason. I guessed the twist early on, but it still didn't make any sense. This is one of those books where most of the plot points could have been easily solved by people just talking directly to each other instead of keeping vague secrets. Also, the title really doesn't work with the story - it's a stretch.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 6, 2022
This is my first read by the author, and I'll definitely be reading more of her work. When The Lights Go Out is an excellently written slow burning mystery. I loved how each characters have their own flows and yet come together so well for the story.
I enjoyed struggling actress Ava'a character, very much and found the plot intriguing. I didn't predict the twists nor the ending. I can not wait to read more from the author.
I enjoyed struggling actress Ava'a character, very much and found the plot intriguing. I didn't predict the twists nor the ending. I can not wait to read more from the author.
November 30, 2022
This one wasn’t a hit for me. Although there is some intrigue, I didn’t find it enrapturing. It was a slow read; I kept waiting for it to get better. I persevered to the end but for me, it didn’t really improve.
Thank You HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Thank You HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
January 9, 2023
Ava joins an acting troupe to get away from her soap star boyfriend's shadow. However, the group is made of a bunch of people that are experiencing all sorts of problems. Strange things start to happen and Ava questions whether she should ever have joined the group. It started off slow but ended very dramatically. I ended up liking it much more than I had expected.
February 22, 2023
⭐ -- Great cover on this one!
DNF @50%
Usually if I get 50% into a book I just finish it, but this one was just not holding my interest. It was super slow. All the characters were unlikable. I just didn't care...and life is too short to keep reading books that are not working for you. 🤷🏻♀️
**ARC Via NetGalley**
DNF @50%
Usually if I get 50% into a book I just finish it, but this one was just not holding my interest. It was super slow. All the characters were unlikable. I just didn't care...and life is too short to keep reading books that are not working for you. 🤷🏻♀️
**ARC Via NetGalley**
August 27, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for the copy of When The Light Go Out. This was a little too slow for me and nothing really exciting happened until the end so it didn’t really engage me. It wasn’t bad, just kind of boring.
March 2, 2023
Psychological thriller
This book was a little slow to start, but worth the read. The characters are believable and the shenanigans that happen keep you guessing as to what's going on and who's doing it.
This book was a little slow to start, but worth the read. The characters are believable and the shenanigans that happen keep you guessing as to what's going on and who's doing it.
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