Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was an intriguing storyline and I was excited to dive into this book. The characters were very unlikable but the story was okay. It fell a bit flat by the end with only one big twist.

🔥🏠Book Review:
Title: Girl In the Dark
Author: J.M. Cannon
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/3 stars

Zoey Knight's childhood home burns to the ground, and two bodies are discovered in the remains of the basement. When the FBI becomes involved, it's realized that something sinister took place here. Rumors from twenty years ago start to resurface involving a possible cult or commune called The Family. Creepy! I feel there was a lot of potential with this storyline , but it fell kinda flat in the end.

Published: February 14th, 2024

Thank you, @netgalley and @victoryeditingngc, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Girl in the Dark by J.M. Cannon is an intricately woven mystery that grips you from the start and doesn’t let go. Just when you think the twists have run their course, Cannon hits you with another, making for a truly exhilarating read.

The plot is one of the most unique I’ve encountered, with layers upon layers of intrigue. Set against the haunting, atmospheric backdrop of remote Maine in Black Castle, the story draws you into its dark and eerie world. Add in a compelling cult arc, and you’ve got all the makings of a mystery that keeps you turning pages late into the night.

The characters are exceptionally well-crafted. Zoey, the protagonist, is someone you can’t help but root for as she navigates her tumultuous family dynamics and the secrets surrounding her. Her situation is harrowing, and while her family life is far from enviable, her determination makes her a standout character.

This isn’t just another suspense novel; it’s a story with depth and complexity, featuring layers of plot and intrigue that set it apart from more straightforward thrillers. With its gripping twists, dark atmosphere, and compelling narrative, Girl in the Dark is a solid read that mystery lovers shouldn’t miss.

Thank you to the publishers, Netgalley & J. M. Cannon for the arc!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC of "Girl in the Dark". I loved this book. There were so many twists and turns and I never knew what was coming. I enjoyed the main character and I also enjoyed how the story ended. I give the book 5/5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to be able to read and review this book!

4/5

I rated this book 3 stars. The story was interesting, I definitely wanted to find out what was happening but there was too much drama between everyone for me. Soooo much going on it was hard to keep straight. I thought the twist was a new one, something I did not see coming but that alone didn’t make me give it a higher rating. The characters were not likable and that makes books more difficult for me personally. Thank you netgalley for the ARC!!

This book had some twists that were unexpected. I thought a lot of it was unbelievable in the story sense, and that everyone seemed to be involved.

This was very good! A few slow points throughout the book, however, it still kept me engaged from the first chapter! Very good twisty mystery!

This was a fairly typical thriller and I enjoyed it very much. I would have liked the story to feature the cult a bit more since I find stories like that both fascinating and very creepy. There were some good plot twists and while I saw some of them coming, others were surprises, which I liked. This was a fast paced and suspenseful story that I couldn't put down. Well done!
Thank you NetGalley and J.M. Cannon for the chance to read this advance copy in exchange for my opinion.

Okay, this book may have been a little out of my comfort zone in the aspec of story telling. I felt as if there was a lot of unnecessary back and forth. The story dragged on. It felt like a lot was happening, but at the same time nothing was happening. I just couldn't put myself in the characters shoes and have it make any sense or truly capture my attention.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Girl in the Dark" by J.M. Cannon is a psychological thriller that plunges readers into the chilling depths of a small-town mystery with a shocking twist. The story unfolds in the remote town of Black Castle, Maine, where the protagonist, Zoey Knight, receives a harrowing call about her childhood home being destroyed by fire, revealing two bodies in the ruins. As the FBI swoops in, it becomes evident that this is no ordinary crime scene, but one that may be connected to the enigmatic and long-vanished cult known as The Family.

Cannon weaves a complex tapestry of suspense and intrigue, masterfully crafting a narrative that is both gripping and emotionally resonant. Zoey's journey is fraught with danger and heartache, as she delves into the dark past of her hometown and the people she holds dear. The author's skillful use of tension and pacing keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, while the richly drawn characters add layers of complexity to the unfolding drama.

The novel's strength lies in its ability to maintain a relentless sense of unease, as the line between friend and foe becomes increasingly blurred. Cannon's prose is sharp and evocative, painting a vivid picture of a community haunted by secrets and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth.

Readers may find the characterization lacking depth at times, and the plot's predictability might detract from the overall experience for seasoned thriller aficionados. Despite these criticisms, "Girl in the Dark" remains a compelling read that offers a satisfying blend of mystery and psychological exploration.

J.M. Cannon's "Girl in the Dark" is a notable addition to the thriller genre, offering a story that is both thought-provoking and chilling. It's a book that will likely resonate with fans of dark thrillers and those who enjoy a challenging twist.

This is a great read, I really enjoyed it! I was drawn into the story right away with great characters. It’s a small town mystery that kept me guessing, and is a gripping read! Not what I expected, brilliant!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Zoey receives a phone call from her sister that 2 bodies have been found burned in their former family mansion. The entire small town gossip mill is in high gear as everyone is trying to figure out who the bodies are and what happened to them. Most of the town blames the mysterious cult, “The Family”, that lived on a secluded estate and disappeared many years ago. The truth is more shocking than anyone could have believed.

Overall, this thriller had an interesting plot with several twists tossed in that made the story better. However, I found the characters at times unrelatable and unrealistic in their actions. The story drug a bit in the middle, which I found distracting. There were so many side plots that could have been developed better. It’s a solid 3.5 rounded up to a 4.

Love books with cults. Especially cults who kill. Unfortunately, there wasn't much about the cult in this book which was really disappointing. Aside from that, this was pretty average. No shocking twists or explosive revelations.

What an eerie, twisty tale of a life of lies of a town turned upside down after two bodies are found burned in a house fire. The small town gave off massive secrets and cult vibes and if that's your thing, jump in. This was an enjoyable, quick thriller read with hints towards big authors such as Riley Sager. Highly recommend for anyone who needs a palate cleanser or a quick read! Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing, and J.M. Cannon for allowing me to read this E-Arc!

Imagine having your whole life being a lie!
Small town friends who will do anything to cover up the truth! A fire that not only brings a house down but a whole town of lies slowly unravels during the investigation.
I would recommend this book to someone who likes a mystery thriller. Nothing is what is seems. Everyone has something to hide
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy

We have a cistern in my basement and I am absolutely terrified of it. My husband tells me it isn't a cistern but it is. He has hidden it from me so I don't obsess. Anyway, I almost forgot it was lurking down there.
What I am trying to say this book gave me horrible nightmares.
I love books where someone who has escaped is forced to come back to their creepy little hometown. When two bodies are discovered in a cistern of a burnt down house Zoey comes back to help her mentally disturbed sister (she reminds me of my brother honestly). At the townhall meeting someone brings up a cult possibly being involved. I love the setting here.
Every character in the book is a total weirdo. I have not read a book with such interesting characters in a long time.
At one point I was like "Who's pee is on that pregnancy test!?"
Just wonderful.

An excellently written book with hints of Riley Sager. I really enjoyed reading this book, the plot twists and actual reveal kept me guessing until the very end. The protagonist is someone you could easily root for and the antagonist is someone you could easily despise, this is what writing a thriller is supposed to be like. I look forward to reading more of JM Cannon’s amazing works

Thank you Netgalley for the preview read.

Zoey Knight returns to her home town due to a panicked call from her older sister. Their childhood home has been discovered burned and now her parents are missing.

This was a great thriller that kept me turning the pages until the end.
Can’t wait to read another piece of JM Cannons books.

There was a LOT going on in this small town that’s for sure!

You get cult vibes, murder, mystery and a ton of secrets that are slowly fed to you as the book progresses. I couldnt have guessed half of what would happen as it unraveled into itself and the secrets just kept layering up.

This was good, I wish there were bigger consequences in the end but the story wasnt completely black and white so in a way the ending had some symmetry with that in the sense people dont always get what they deserve.