What I liked

Setting was in Antarctica where they had months of darkness

A closed room kind of murder mystery

The MC was a doctor

Changing dynamics

Increasing body count

Pregnancy and premature birth. Cesarian done in unbelievable circumstances.

A whodunit

What I didn’t like

MC kept popping pills like nobody’s business even from the locked pharmacy

NOT so intelligent MC
She kept grating on my nerves

Repetitive dialogues

Slow burn mystery

Reason for murders was not strong.

Overall, can be read if gotten free or from library

This was a very tense and atmospheric read.

Admittedly, you did have to suspend belief at times, but it's fiction so I wasn't as bothered about that as some of my fellow readers were.

I liked the fact that I couldn't guess who the killer was and kept changing my mind from one page to the next!

The descriptive writing was really good..at times it seemed like I could feel the cold and terror the characters were feeling.

Thank you to Emma and PH for the chance to read this book.

I love reading books with interesting and unique settings. The setting of a novel can really elevate even a very simple plot to new heights. The Dark executes this extremely well as Doctor Kate North tries to put her demons behind her by going to work at a UN research station in Antarctica. There seems to have been a lot of research gone into this book with the equipment and base setup as well as the hierarchies and job roles of the characters on the base and the medical conditions which might present themselves after a long period of isolation and no sunlight. Although on the one side this story is a simple crime thriller – the setting allows for some really interesting dynamics. There’s a small cast of characters, each from different countries and with secret backstories, there’s a claustrophobic atmosphere and a feeling of ever-present danger, not just from the ice outside but also the precarious nature of the base and how it operates.

The Dark for me was a really engaging read, I felt compelled to keep picking it up to find out what would happen next. Its very action packed and there is a lot going on – particularly towards the end when it suddenly gets very fast-paced. Although there’s a small cast of characters, I didn’t feel that it was obvious who the culprit was – in fact I kept changing my mind from character to character as I tried to guess. With hindsight though a few of the decisions the killer made were a bit confusing – I didn’t understand why they cut the power, putting themselves at risk for example.

Kate is an interesting main character although I found it was hard to warm up to her. She makes some questionable decisions, and I did want to yell at her for the way she spoke to certain people and the way she was acting. It was nice to have a flawed main character though and her addiction to pain medication was a nice touch. I do think that her withdrawal could have been explored more as that very much took a back seat to the main action towards the end. I also liked how her whole backstory was only hinted at throughout, with you only getting snippets about ‘the accident’ until the full story was revealed right at the end.

Overall, The Dark is a claustrophobic read in a fascinating setting – engaging and well written. Thank you to NetGalley & Hodder and Stoughton for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It’s 2021, Dr Kate North a flawed A&E dr, is left traumatised and broken after a personal tragedy. She is struggling to cope. So when she is offered the chance to be a relief medic on an Antarctic research station, she jumps at the chance becoming the 13th team member. But is she in the right frame of mind to be going to such a remote and bleak place, being cut of completely from the world for the winter months, especially with her mental health as it is at the time.

The person Kate is replacing Jean Luc, had had an accident, but it appears not everyone believes it was an accident, paranoia, tension and suspicions are running rife on the station. The pill popping Kate is not made to feel welcome, with hostility surrounding her, some decisions she makes are poor, add to that a killer among them, it doesn’t make for a comfortable place to be. Especially as she starts investigating. As the narrative progresses the reader gradually gets to know more about Kate’s past.

This is a very atmospheric, locked room mystery, claustrophobic, dark and engaging. My only problem is that I like to be rooting for a character I need to like someone and unfortunately for me personally I just didn’t like Kate. But this is a well written, well plotted story that many will love.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #Hodder&Stoughton for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.

I loved this! it reminded me fondly of the (mentioned in the book!) Michelle Paver. I didn't see the twists and turns coming and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I've recommended it to lots of customers already who enjoy Michelle paver, or Ruth Ware. 5* from me, I loved it!

I have loved everything about this one. This is well-written and a book that I have been completely unwilling to put down. I am a huge fan of this author and cannot wait for more.

Kate is an A&E doctor, who is trying to collect the pieces of her life back together after a tragic accident. When she is offered the opportunity of going to the Artic to serve as the resident doctor in a research station during the Arctic winter. Kate believes that this could be the opportunity that she needs in order to recover from her trauma and fully heal from her past, but there may be undercurrents already in play at the station that could sweep her off her feet. She is required to replace the previous station doctor, who died out in the Artic ice in an accident, but after Kate arrives, she starts to realise that the death may not have been accidental. When you are stranded with no contact with the outside, who can you really trust?

I found this book interesting - it’s an interesting twist on the locked-room mystery vibe, and I found the characters interesting. I did feel like the backstory took a bit too long to be revealed - there were a number of flashbacks, which each reveal a little bit more each time, but I felt that the detail of what actually happened could have been revealed earlier without a detrimental effect on the story. I enjoyed the story and thought it was well-paced. The setting also lent a nicely pitched claustrophobic atmosphere without being too heavy handed, although Kate’s fear of the dark was a little bit too far for my own taste - I didn’t think that was really necessary to emphasise the creeping unease of being in an Artic research station.

Overall, I would recommend this, I thought it was a good story and an interesting mystery!

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely sumptuous mystery at its best here.

The atmosphere, the pace, the writing are all absolutely perfect.

Possibly one of my favourites this year.

The Dark by Emma Haughton is a compulsively addictive mystery thriller. The book begins as the thirteen characters are isolated in Antarctica with no hope of being able to leave for several months. It is tense from the beginning as the team members are still reeling from the sudden death of their doctor. Then Kate arrives to replace him and personalities clash almost right away.

When one of the team is found dead outside, seemingly succumbing to the cold, tensions rise and mistrust develops. The plot continues with so many twists and turns, with each person suspicious of everyone else. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a mystery.

My thanks to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for the advanced copy.

This was a solid mystery / thriller. I've never read a book set in Antarctica before and I really enjoyed the isolated setting! I think this would be a good book to read over the winter because I could definitely feel the cold atmosphere.

The plot does take a while to get going and not a lot seemed to happens until past the halfway point.

I also thought the relationships between the characters could have been developed more. The romantic relationships in particular felt a bit forced and random and I didn't feel they were really needed.

The ending also felt a little rushed considering there was so much build up.

Would still recommend and I'd happily read more from this author!

So dark and brilliant it’s like reading all the best locked room mysteries plus a dash of Agatha Christie with a modern thrilling and terrifying twist. Just wow

THE DARK | EMMA HAUGHTON

I have always been intrigued by locations that are plunged into darkness during the winter and the effects it must have on the human psyche. Antarctica is one such location and makes the perfect setting for this chilly, claustrophobic thriller - The Dark from Emma Haughton.

With the premise, ‘One dead body. Twelve suspects. Twenty-four-hour darkness’, I was hooked from the start. This book starts as a slow burner but builds to a blazing inferno with plenty of twists and turns and an ending that will keep you guessing. I absolutely loved the detail that the author put into what life was like at the research station, it really gets you into the minds of its inhabitants. I also loved the life the author gave to the all-encompassing winter darkness that enveloped our protagonist, it almost became its own brooding character and with each month she spent in the darkness, with each secret she revealed, we the reader are enveloped with a growing sense of dread and claustrophobia. It’s thrilling stuff.

Satisfying and atmospheric slow burn of a thriller ⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of five

Whilst I did enjoy this book I was very frustrated by the amount of pills the Dr was taking.. I really have no idea how she could function after taking so many and surely she would have had to account for them. But having said that it was a good story overall. Very atmospheric and creepy in places. Lots of red herrings to keep you on your toes.

I really enjoyed this. A fast-paced, gripping story set in Antartica (no mean feat to write about in itself) that had me guessing until the very end. Highly recommended

A fairly easy read although could have used some trimming down of details about the main character and her issues. I did guess the who done it but enjoyed the reveal and the red herrings. Not a MST read but not a must avoid either. A solid three stars.

Thought this was a decent debut overall, with a good use of Antarctic location to build tension and an intense, suffocating atmosphere. Not altogether convinced that the main character could fully function under the weight of her self medication, and found her romantic entanglements rather undermined the thrust of the narrative, but generally enjoyed this pseudo locked room mystery that had some good red herrings and plot twists. Recommended.

As this very well plotted thriller begins we meet Dr Kate North who has taken up a post in an ice station in Antarctica as the replacement for a doctor who died out on the ice. Kate is also seeking an escape after a traumatic accident, which left her with physical and emotional scars.

Once Kate meets the rest of the staff and tries to find her place within this established team, you quickly get the sense that something is not quite right and thus begins this unnerving, chillingly dark and atmospheric ‘locked room’ mystery.

The setting is magnificently described. The author’s skilful writing immerses the reader, alongside the characters, in the midst of the seemingly endless darkness, extreme cold and claustrophobic living conditions. Its clear Emma Houghton has done her research. The characters are well drawn and believable. Although I initially didn’t quite take to the character of Kate, she was annoying at times, her past does explain her actions…

As the narrative progresses, the undercurrent of menace and the sense that the characters have all something to hide, adds to the tension. There are truly heart-stopping moments and when it is clear there is a killer in their midst, it seems there is nowhere safe to escape to. I had no clue who the culprit was until the reveal, sign of a great read!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would like to thank the publisher Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed the premise of this book. Set on a remote base in Antarctic during winter when they are subjected to 24 hour darkness. The harsh surroundings, darkness, isolation and close living quarters created a unique catalyst of tension before we even add in an unknown murder within the camp. I enjoyed learning about life in such a situation as time went on and could imagine well how much fear the characters would experience when things started to go wrong.

The main protagonist of Kate was resourceful and determined, her back story provided another interesting layer to the story but I can’t say I particularly warmed to her.

Unfortunately I also found the writing to be a little grating in places, it was over explained and frustrating. The story was dragged out due to Kate’s reluctance to trust or speak to people and in the end the “twist” was obvious and a little lack lustre. I was compelled to keep reading and had expectations of a clever shock but it never materialised.

Overall this was a decent thriller, it wasn’t a chore to read but it didn’t wow me either.

The Dark has to be the ultimate locked room mystery in an isolated setting. Have you ever heard of anywhere more isolated than Antarctica during winter, with permanent darkness and no possibility of getting in or out for several months? Just thinking about it gives me anxiety!

Dr. Kate North arrives at a UN research station in Antarctica to replace the previous doctor, who died on an accident on the ice. But, did it really was an accident? When one of her new colleagues hints that the doctor’s death was a murder, Kate tries to find out the truth about the accident but soon another staff member is found dead so things get a bit tricky. Will they survive in those conditions for several months with a killer in their midst?

I’m not a big fan of darkness. I’m not afraid of it, but the thought of being surrounded by it 24/7 during several months doesn’t seem like an appealing idea to me. The writing was so vivid I could see myself there and felt the claustrophobia of that environment more than once. The cold atmosphere inside the station between all the people working there was at times even more chilling than the sub-zero temperatures outside. Add some rivalry and suspicious to a hostile environment and you have a time bomb!

If you’re expecting a fast paced thriller you’ll have to look elsewhere. The Dark has a calm rhythm that, like the darkness of the title, creeps up on you until it has you completely in its grip. Kate and her colleagues will have to face not only the threats of a killer but those of nature, and I’m not sure which ones I’d fear more.

Overall, a typical locked room mystery in a pretty original and extreme setting that will make you feel the cold.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Hodder & Staughton and NetGalley for this book.
Well I didn't expect that to happen. I nearly bought this as I kept picking it up in bookshops and then realised I had it so Friday day off sit down to read, Saturday afternoon finish.
This wasn't what I had expected and it kept me gripped - I enjoyed this and didn't guess until nearly at the end which is good for me.
Well written, good plot and I now wait for the next book by Emma.