This would make such a good holiday read, I found the reality show premise fairly unique and enjoyed the use of two timelines. All the characters were unpleasant, which is to be expected and the plot twists were solid although, I did guess some of them.

🏝️🎞️Then Things Went Dark by Bea Fitzgerald🎞️🏝️
⭐️⭐️

Six people land on a desert island ready to make their reality show debut.
The contestants are hungry to prove themselves. The stakes are high and losing is not an option. But three weeks and eighteen episodes later, five of the six contestants sit in a Portuguese police station, and none of them are winners.
Because twelve million people were watching when Rhys Sutton died on camera, and someone must pay for the crime.

This book sounded so intriguing, but for me it just didn’t play out. None of the characters were likeable and I found it really slow paced. I had to force myself to finish it.

I don’t normally read the mystery/crime genres but having loved similar books by Holly Jackson, and being absolutely obsessed with Bea Fitzgerald’s writing, I knew I was in for a treat here. I loved the concept of a reality show and thought the online reaction posts throughout made it really interesting. I had absolutely no idea who the killer was and was really surprised by the end! Such a well-written mystery which keeps you guessing and on the edge of your seat. Absolutely amazing book!

I read Bea's debut YA book "Girl, Goddess, Queen" so was thrilled to discover that she has been writing more since. This book was a great deviation from the YA, though I can see why it's been off to a bit of a tricky start. I loved the location out in the relentless Atlantic ocean, juxtaposed with this tropical island vibe. The characters were both the strength and the greatest weakness of this very character-driven book. I really liked how different the voices were and was interested in seeing into the minds of the different characters. However, pretty much none of the characters were good people. In fact, they were quite awful and vapid, which made it really difficult to root for anyone in particular. The ending did leave me questioning some things and I was left thinking about some of the events for a while after.

There’s content that some readers may want to be aware of - check out at the end for more information. What I like about Fitzgerald’s books is that she takes the time and care to share content warning at the start, so her readers are fully aware going in.

Ok, back to the book. This is Fitzgerald’s first foray into adult fiction, whose previous Greek mythology retellings (particularly Girl, Goddess, Queen) are what pulled me in. I loved the premise of a whodunnit mystery thriller following an unexpected death (possibly murder?) on the latest and hottest reality tv show ‘Iconic’.

I’m not going to lie I struggle a bit with the pacing on this one and the reality tv element of this didn’t really appeal to me (I’ll admit - I’m not a fan). But Fitzgerald manages to weave in so many themes to her story and layers to her characters

Thanks to NetGalley, the team at Penguin, and the author for the opportunity to read this review copy.




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⚠️Content warning/potential spoilers: there’s reference to drug use, coercive control.

I was surprised by this book, I was initially unsure if I was going to like the format, but I actually really enjoyed how instead of the usual chapters it was set up as if watching each episode of the reality show in which the story is set. It let you get to know all of the characters, get insight to them without having to jump to a different POV all the time, which I personally find makes it hard to get into a book. But the way this story was written, the setting, it let you see little bits of each of them every 'episode' including their confessional private moments, as well as what they wanted to portray to the world in order to not only win, but in the context of the story, sow doubt in people's minds. The murder investigation was actually only really quite a small part of the story, it was definitely more about the reader wondering than anyone ever being found guilty and I liked that. I was quite surprised by the outcome and how it was done. You spend the whole book looking for clues to try and work out for yourself who the guilty party is, which makes the ending even more interesting in my opinion. Definitely a good read, one that draws you in and keeps you reading because you want to know how it ends.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publishers and Bea Fitzgerald for the ARC. Hmm... how to convey my feelings for this book. It started off SO strong, the premise was exciting and it sounded different from the many other social media/locked island/room/game books out there currently. Then it just got... weird. Things stopped making sense, activities became pointless, the characters all unlikeable and the plot just all over the place. I wouldn't recommend this book to friends and family. It wasn't an enjoyable read.

In Then Things Went Dark, six contestants—each a notable figure in their respective fields—are thrown together on a remote island for a 3.5-week competition. The lineup includes a celebrity chef, a social media influencer, a musician, an entrepreneur, an activist, and an actor, Rhys Sutton. From the outset, it’s clear that Rhys is the central figure in a chilling murder mystery when he is found dead, casting a shadow over the competition.

As the narrative unfolds across two timelines—one depicting the ongoing police investigation and the other detailing the contestants’ time on the island—the story delves deep into the complex relationships and simmering tensions among the group. Each contestant has a reason to dislike Rhys, who is portrayed as arrogant and manipulative, leaving little room for sympathy.

The investigation reveals that Rhys was killed through foul play—poisoning, a subtle nod to the toxic dynamics at play. With a hefty prize pot dangling before them, tensions escalate, and the interactions are recorded through omnipresent cameras, capturing the drama and deceit as the contestants vie for victory.

The story skillfully navigates the characters’ flaws and moral ambiguities, providing a rich understanding of how far individuals will go when greed and jealousy come into play. As secrets unravel and motives are laid bare, readers are treated to a gripping climax with a twist that redefines the very nature of trust and betrayal among the contestants. The ending leaves a lasting impression, providing a satisfying resolution to the web of intrigue and deception that has been spun throughout the narrative.

http://thesecretbookreview.co.uk

I really enjoyed this book. Can definitely see it as an ITV drama. Anyone who is a fan of any reality tv show is going to enjoy it. Characters you love to hate, mystery to keep you reading to the end to find out what happened and why. I recommend this book. Thank you #netgalley

Someone needs to make this book into a limited tv series ASAP! It’s everything people love about tv addicted too trashy realty show, PLUS who done it type back and forth show similar to big little lies, perfect couple, basically anything with Nicole Kidman! I wonder if Nicole Kidman could play the host. Add in seriously hot ‘famous’ people netflix would chew their own arm off for this script.

Brilliant, witty, insightful commentary of fame and the industry. Also as usual with this fantastic author, amazing queer representation that is meaningful and not tokenistic.

Honestly only sad thing about this book is it’s release date being so late in august cause this should have been THE summer beach read this summer.

I was expecting to get really caught up in this book in a way you can be drawn into watching programmes like Big Brother but the flow of the action wasn’t quite right. I’m not sure if it was the police investigation bits or when the reader is expected to interrogate the participants but whichever it spoiled the overall experience.

I first met Bea through her two Greek myth retellings. This is quite a different beast; a murder mystery set during a reality show on an island, right up to date with drones and Big Brother style challenges. Viewers can watch live feeds from any camera during the day and the edited version in the evening, so - in theory - nothing is off limits. Even in areas without cameras, the microphones will still be working.

The producers have, of course, picked the most controversial people they can and supplied plenty of alcohol - seriously, everyone seems to be drinking all the time - and apart from the challenges, there's nothing to do but talk to each other. This quickly leads to bickering, manipulation and anger. But which of them killed Rhys? Despite being filmed from every angle, it's still unclear.

I liked the insertion of confession room 'footage' as things were happening; it mimics the sense of watching a show. We don't get quite as much of how producers edit and control the footage here, apart from a few comments that this or that will be dropped for various reasons. However it's incredibly clear that all the contestants are playing games - we're constantly seeing them plan how to respond to things, manipulating in the moment and on the go. They're all pretty skilled at it, in a terrifying way.

This is so different from Bea's other books that I almost felt I was reading a different author - except, when you look deeper, there are threads in those books as well about people manipulating others, trying to rise to the top. It's a funny thing for them to meet over, but it is there. This book won't necessarily have the same fans, but it definitely will have fans - and perhaps a TV adaptation? Would that be ironic?

A tense, exciting read, I think it'll do very well.

I could not put this down, if you like reality tv and can envision the set up and the premise in your imagination then you will love how this book reads and bitching galore.

Six celebrity contestants have entered a house on a remote island off the coast of Portugal for a new show called ‘Iconic’ with the aim of the show is being an icon and bagging the prize money. Four weeks, four men, two women and multiple challenges that cause uproar. The chapters are set out in episodes as the show aired, each one ending with an update on the police investigation. The story starts with the murder of one of the contestants which was filmed live on air, and then we are thrown back to the beginning to follow the breadcrumbs.

This is a storyline I will not forget, there is so many layers to it involving each contestants past, it would make a great Netflix series or movie. I really liked all the characters, each had depth, secrets and gameplay!

Many thanks to NetGalley, publisher and author for my gifted eARC.

THEN THINGS WENT DARK -
BEA FITZGERALD - ARC
I thoroughly enjoyed Bea's first adult novel, it was fast paced based on that classic reality car crash tv and couldn't put it down!
Literally read it all in a couple of hours.
Six "celebs" are on an island as part of a reality tv show but when one of them ends up dead, who did it? Each of them has things to hide but at what lengths will they go to keep their secrets? Will one of them take things too far?
Kept me guessing right till the end although I did click onto things pretty quick I didn't guess the full ending!
@rachaelmcreads

Then Things Went Dark is an incredible thriller that takes a unique slant on the genre. It’s And Then There Were None meets Love Island but taken to a new extreme. Oh and everyone is queer.

This book was full of some of the most unlikeable characters I’ve ever met. They are all duplicitous and scheming, with their own secrets to hide and loaded motivations for signing up for the show in the first place. The whole concept of being iconic is interesting and you can see how it would align with a competitive game show that seems to play on the psychological aspects of the competition a lot. However, Fitzgerald gives them enough nuance that you can sometimes understand their motivations for why they’re acting in a particular way, even if you don’t agree with the action itself. They’re just incredibly messy and flawed and chaotic. This adds a sense of unpredictability to proceedings, juxtaposing the carefully curated veneers they hide behind. It is a masterclass in unpicking facades – especially around fame. We glimpse behind the glitzy curtain to reveal some incredibly dark truths.

By jumping through most of their viewpoints (but from a detached third person perspective), it is just like we are watching events unfold on our television. It is a sense of encroaching on privacy but you’re drawn to it because of the juicy drama and promise of scandal. You know from the start that this will end in death but it’s all about how and why we get there. I also loved the inclusion of the police interviews and how the investigators themselves are fleshed out characters within the narrative. Fitzgerald also includes social media reactions to each of the episodes as they unfold within our narrative, which adds such a meta layer and further twists your perceptions of what is going on. It is such a tightly plotted thriller with plenty of twists and turns in store. I was led on a merry dance but I enjoyed each moment of it. Fitzgerald has a knack for excellent characterisation and plots that really make you sit up and pay attention. I will read whatever she turns her hand to next.

Then Things Went Dark is an extraordinary whirlwind of chaos, celebrity and murder. I loved every second of this sun soaked nightmare.

6 Famous wannabes are thrown onto a brand new TV show with the hopes of becoming ICONIC.
Bea has written another genius novel where every character perfectly mimics the people we fawn over in reality TV in "real world", whilst also making us absolutely cringe and shudder at the despicable acts each person is willing to go through for their own 5 minutes of fame.

Yes, the characters are absolutely deplorable and awful, but that's the point. You're not meant to root for these people. It highlights so many issues we deal with on a daily basis such as toxic relationships, idolising shitty people and our desires to always do more and be more.


It's a bloody genius book, and I'm glad Rhys is dead.

#ThenThingsWentDark thanks to #NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC

This is a book to get absorbed in. Though it’s a mystery book, I found that I actually wasn’t that interested in the mystery. It didn’t catch me. What really caught me was the way the characters interacted on the island. The intrigue of how/ when Rhys would die but also seeing the twisting relationships between each of the characters. I almost didn’t care who actually did it.

There are a lot of dark elements to this book. Rhys is an abusive bastard and he manipulates and gaslights pretty much all the way through his relationship. It was interesting seeing it play out. It was a masterpiece in showing how a relationship can turn when manipulation tactics creep in. I honestly thought it was artfully done.

As I said, I wasn’t that into the mystery element. I’m not sure if that’s because I was just more into everything else or if it was just a little weak, but I was really satisfied by the ending. I think it’s good that this is a book that you can take different things from and would love to discuss it with someone who was more into the mystery side.

I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see more from Bea Fitzgerald.

‘And Then Things Went Dark’ by Bea Fitzgerald starts with an explosive concept… a hated reality TV contestant dying on a live stream with over 14 million viewers watching his demise and five contestants in shock! The novel promises to reveal the key happenings, alliances and conflicts leading up to the horrific event, while also following law enforcement as they race against time to prove that he was murdered before the edited finale airs live on television.

I liked the way the author created six unique (some might say “iconic”) characters and how the narrative style - peppered with extracts from filmed confessionals - really took us inside each of their heads. The challenges devised by the producers of the show were revealing and laid bare the determination and ambition of the contestants, which paved the way to delicious toxicity. In addition, the author dealt with some difficult topics in a sensitive and illuminating way.

However, I didn’t love the scenes set in the present which invited the reader to the interrogations of the characters by detectives… I found they didn’t add too much and actually broke the flow slightly, diminishing the goldfish bowl-like, claustrophobic feeling of the island.

This ultimately ended up a 3.5 star read for me. If you want to explore the dark side of reality television, give this one a read!

I received an advance Digital Review Copy of this book from the publisher Michael Joseph Books via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.

Overall rating : 4*
Writing skill : 4*
Plot: 3*
Pace: 4*
Characters: 4*

This book was giving me Love Island and Celebrity Big Brother feels throughout, and was unlike anything I’d read before. That being said the end of chapter interviews with the police before getting back to the main story gave me serious Big Little Lies vibes and I was here for it.
The characters were all great in their own way, I’m glad there was only 6 MCs though or my head might have exploded.
If you’re clinging into the last thoughts of summer I’d get reading this, it’s a perfect pacey beach read.

I'm not a fan of reality tv - but I am definitely a fan of this novel!

Six contestants, all of whom have their own reasons for wanting to win, are living on an island surrounded by cameras, weighing up each move they make as they wonder how it makes them appear to the viewing public. Who will win in the end?

I don't watch reality programmes; in fact, I tend to mute even the trailers for them so this was a real eye-opener into just how aware the so called 'celebs' are of their image. However, I was riveted reading this! I won't be changing my mind about tv but this was a very entertaining novel. 4* from me, and definitely recommended if you're looking for something that little bit different.

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.