I wanted to love this, and really thought I would. It just wasn't for me- it gripped me straight away but then i found it slow, confusing and not engaging.
Other people may like it, but I expected more.

I enjoyed this book, but I found it a bit of a struggle at times. The story is compelling, but rather predictable, and the narrative seemed to move very slowly at times. I didn't feel that I could relate to any of the characters, but that could just be a cultural difference, as the book is clearly aimed at the US market.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars.

While I was compelled to read so I could find out what happened to Trumanell, I was bored by the journey. The 'twists' did not shock me and I felt the book moved at a very slow pace. I struggled to get through the first half, and although it did pick up a little towards the end, I didn't find the reveal satisfying.
Despite this, the descriptions of the hot summer were really atmospheric and easy to get lost in.
Overall, this book was just a little too slow for my taste, but I can see someone else really enjoying the dark and mysterious quality Heaberlin has created.

We Are All The Same In The Dark finds Julia Heaberlin treading familiar ground - atmospheric settings, dark and twisted families, the legacy of abuse - to great effect. It reminded me somewhat of Amy Engel's recent books, with Texas in place of Missouri but with a similar sense of stifling heat and rural small town secrets. Very highly recommended. 4.5 stars

‘We Are All The Same In The Dark’ is a gritty mystery novel with twists right to the end. The writing is beautifully atmospheric and pulls you right into the deep Texas setting. It’s a multiple POV novel, but instead of cycling between characters it follows them sequentially – Wyatt for the start, Odette for the build-up, and Angel for the thrilling conclusion.

Wyatt is the town’s pariah. Ten years ago, his sister Trumanell – prom queen and the town’s sweetheart – disappeared, with only a smear of blood and some glitter left behind. The prime suspects were her father – now deceased – Frank, and her mad brother Wyatt. These days, Wyatt hides out at the house he grew up in, talking to his sister as if she were there and painting the walls Chantilly Lace white – her favourite colour.

Odette is a cop, like her father and grandfather before her. After Trumanell disappeared, Odette left town, determined to start anew – but the town’s secrets dragged her home, Chicago lawyer husband in tow. Odette has history with Wyatt, and with Trumanell, and when Wyatt finds a girl on the side of the highway it sets off a chain of events that might just uncover a mystery that’s been sleeping for ten years.

I’m not American, so I can’t speak for the accuracy of the setting or the characters pictured, but they all felt thoroughly believable. It felt like a typical small town – obsessed with its own secrets. I was gripped by the simultaneous fear and veneration of Wyatt, people’s opinions of Odette always framed by their opinions of his dad, the missing girl never let go by a town which only had one claim to notoriety. The writing was as tough and gritty as the Texan setting and, whilst this made it jarring in places, it wouldn’t have felt quite right without it.

I felt sorry for Wyatt – haunted by the past and unable to move on – but even in his own head he was never framed as an innocent party. Whether because he truly believed it or simply because so many people had told him so, he didn’t think of himself as a nice man. Readers can judge for themselves.

Odette was a fantastic character – brave, feisty, reckless, and never defined by her weaknesses. She made mistakes – and plenty of them – but she was honest, and always determined to do the right thing. The town saw Trumanell as some sort of goddess – Odette saw her as a girl. Spending time in Odette’s head wasn’t always easy but it was fascinating – especially the insights into her disability and how it framed her outlook on life.

Angel was my favourite. Her section flew past much faster than the rest of the book – possibly because it was faster paced, but I think because it gripped me more. It would be spoiler-y to give away too much about her, but she was a fascinating and brilliant character; the epitome of the impulsive teenager but also one who’s had to fight to survive. Her interactions with Rusty and Finn were spectacular, and every twist – of which there were many – had me on the edge of my seat.

Overall, this is a great book – one that really draws you into its setting and complex characters. The disability representation was a bonus. If you like stories with an eerie atmosphere about strong characters and long-buried secrets, you’ll like this. Recommended.

spoiler alert ** I'm going to be that person that doesn't agree with all the amazing reviews aren't I? Again?
This book opens with the mystery of a one eyed girl found in a field... then adds the even bigger mystery of what happened to Trumanell (and her father) years ago.
It was taking a lot time to get that answer... and then another mystery gets thrown in.
I got to the point I just wished something was explained.
Some very interesting characters, which is what made the book more enjoyable.
As a whole though,I wasn't even that surprised by the answers when they finally did come.
Just ok from me.