Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
One Line Review: Her family wasn’t perfect, but once they are gone, Alice would give anything to have them back. When she starts to see their ghostly figures at every turn, Alice wants to find them once and for all, no matter what the truth holds.
Synopsis: Alice and her family always spend Christmas eve with her uncle and family in their incredible home on Black Lake. This past holiday though, changed everything for them when a horrific accident leaves Alice on her own… Her mom, dad, and sister are all gone in a moment… She’s not sure if they’re missing or dead as their bodies were never found. Detective Jess Lambert has her own history of traumatic loss, with her own daughter taken from her in an eerily similar event to what Alice has experienced. They’re both haunted by the ghosts of their past, in ways most people would never understand. A fated discovery in a vacant home leads Jess and her partner detective closer to the answers everyone is so desperate for. With the clock ticking, and hope dwindling, the horrific truth comes to light…
My Thoughts: I enjoyed this so much and read it in a matter of days, getting completely lost in the story. Although the topics in the book are pretty dark, I enjoyed the balance between the different character’s perspectives. It allowed the questions that would arise to be answered by the person directly connected. ALSO, that ending?!?! Can't recommend it enough, because there is NOTHING I LOVE MORE THAN A TWIST I DIDN'T SEE COMING!!!! Looking forward to another Jess Lambert novel (especially because her name is so close to my actual name LOL)
Thank you to Christina, Thomas & Mercer, and Netgalley for this Advance Reader Copy.
Synopsis: Alice and her family always spend Christmas eve with her uncle and family in their incredible home on Black Lake. This past holiday though, changed everything for them when a horrific accident leaves Alice on her own… Her mom, dad, and sister are all gone in a moment… She’s not sure if they’re missing or dead as their bodies were never found. Detective Jess Lambert has her own history of traumatic loss, with her own daughter taken from her in an eerily similar event to what Alice has experienced. They’re both haunted by the ghosts of their past, in ways most people would never understand. A fated discovery in a vacant home leads Jess and her partner detective closer to the answers everyone is so desperate for. With the clock ticking, and hope dwindling, the horrific truth comes to light…
My Thoughts: I enjoyed this so much and read it in a matter of days, getting completely lost in the story. Although the topics in the book are pretty dark, I enjoyed the balance between the different character’s perspectives. It allowed the questions that would arise to be answered by the person directly connected. ALSO, that ending?!?! Can't recommend it enough, because there is NOTHING I LOVE MORE THAN A TWIST I DIDN'T SEE COMING!!!! Looking forward to another Jess Lambert novel (especially because her name is so close to my actual name LOL)
Thank you to Christina, Thomas & Mercer, and Netgalley for this Advance Reader Copy.
Christine McDonald does it again! So many times thrillers, especially when in a series, can become predictable. The Jess Lambert series has been anything but predictable. Yes there are carryovers from book to book, but you literally never know how it’s all going to play out until the last couple of pages. This is what will keep me reading this series until the very last book!!
What Lies in Darkness is the second of the Jess Lambert series and after reading and loving These Still Black Waters last year, I was very excited for the next installment.
Jess Lambert is stellar protagonist - disabled after an accident the year prior that killed her daughter, her marriage is in shambles and she's clinging on for dear life trying to keep her career and life from spiraling out of control. What Lies in Darkness features a Jess on the mend. She's cleaning up her act and is a month sober, but still needing to prove to herself and to her job that she can handle it. Because of her grief and mistakes and recklessness, Lambert is sidelined as lead detective for Black Waters' latest case - one in which an entire family except one daughter has gone missing.
Working under a much more junior detective, Lambert has to re-learn what it means to be part of a team and not the lead dog.
Like her last case, Jess immediately gets overinvested and over emotional with the current case in hand. I loved the parallels between Jess and the survivor, Alice. Both grief stricken, both sensitive and able to see the dead.
If you're a lover of thrillers with a touch of horror, McDonald absolutely delivers with the Jess Lambert series. There were a few parts in this latest installment where I worried McDonald's images would haunt my dreams! She takes the creepiness to the next level and I was totally here for it.
This novel had other elements I love in a good thriller too - multiple narrators, dual timelines, and a complex plot. The ending gave me whiplash and I'm still trying to wrap my head around what I learned, what was truth for the series, and where Lambert may go from here! It's safe to say McDonald has me totally hooked!
What Lies in Darkness can absolutely be read as a standalone. One thing I really loved about this second book in the series is that McDonald didn't bore us with a recap of These Still Black Waters. Details from the first book were inserted when and where as needed, but the reader was inundated or rereading the first book.
A huge thanks to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for putting this series on my radar and to Thomas & Mercer for the copy.
Jess Lambert is stellar protagonist - disabled after an accident the year prior that killed her daughter, her marriage is in shambles and she's clinging on for dear life trying to keep her career and life from spiraling out of control. What Lies in Darkness features a Jess on the mend. She's cleaning up her act and is a month sober, but still needing to prove to herself and to her job that she can handle it. Because of her grief and mistakes and recklessness, Lambert is sidelined as lead detective for Black Waters' latest case - one in which an entire family except one daughter has gone missing.
Working under a much more junior detective, Lambert has to re-learn what it means to be part of a team and not the lead dog.
Like her last case, Jess immediately gets overinvested and over emotional with the current case in hand. I loved the parallels between Jess and the survivor, Alice. Both grief stricken, both sensitive and able to see the dead.
If you're a lover of thrillers with a touch of horror, McDonald absolutely delivers with the Jess Lambert series. There were a few parts in this latest installment where I worried McDonald's images would haunt my dreams! She takes the creepiness to the next level and I was totally here for it.
This novel had other elements I love in a good thriller too - multiple narrators, dual timelines, and a complex plot. The ending gave me whiplash and I'm still trying to wrap my head around what I learned, what was truth for the series, and where Lambert may go from here! It's safe to say McDonald has me totally hooked!
What Lies in Darkness can absolutely be read as a standalone. One thing I really loved about this second book in the series is that McDonald didn't bore us with a recap of These Still Black Waters. Details from the first book were inserted when and where as needed, but the reader was inundated or rereading the first book.
A huge thanks to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions for putting this series on my radar and to Thomas & Mercer for the copy.
4.5 stars. One of the best thrillers I've read in awhile! Lots of twists and turns right up until the very end - and I was a fan of almost all of them. I did not realize it when I started that this is the second book in a series, and I am definitely going to go back and pick up the first (as well as read more books by McDonald). I thought that some of the characters could have been a bit more developed, but the tension and pacing really made this book a win!
I was hesitant going into this sequel, and I should have gone with my gut. It started off strong but quickly fell off as too much came into play. Too many storylines were crossing and it many times feels farfetched. There continued to be a supernatural theme, which I could not get behind.
I want to thank Thomas & Mercer & Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
I want to thank Thomas & Mercer & Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed this mystery/suspense! I read (but am terrible at remembering) the first book in this series, and this was equally enjoyable. Tearing open a previously-closed wound is hard for everyone involved, and reopening a cold case is the same. The teen depiction seemed realistic and based on every teen I know lol.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was DISTURBINGLY good!! We meet with Jess Lambert again in book 2, who starts investigating a missing family with a lone survivor. Jess is still healing from her past and trying to move forward while still being stuck.
This author turned a character that was loved in the beginning and, in an instant, turns them into one of the most awful villans to exist. I have CHILLS! And that ENDING had my jaw on THE FLOOR! Aghh, I just want MORE of Jess!!
Warning, this IS a very sad, twisty story..but def worth the read!! 1000/10 recommend!
This author turned a character that was loved in the beginning and, in an instant, turns them into one of the most awful villans to exist. I have CHILLS! And that ENDING had my jaw on THE FLOOR! Aghh, I just want MORE of Jess!!
Warning, this IS a very sad, twisty story..but def worth the read!! 1000/10 recommend!
I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I've read the previous book in the series and the prequel novella. I'd recommend reading at least the 1st book before starting What Lies in Darkness.
We continue with Jess Lambert, a detective who lost her daughter in a tragic accident a year ago. She's assigned to investigate a year old missing presumed persons case when new information comes to light with evidence and a body is subsequently found.
A year ago, the Harper family had a terrible accident following a Christmas party. Laura's brother Jack and his wife Mel [wondering if the author is a Virgin River fan] had their party. After leaving, Laura and her husband get into an accident, and only 16 year old Alice seemed to have survived. Without bodies or proof of anything, her parents and younger sister Ella are presumed dead. A year later, Alice is living with her aunt and uncle in their huge mansion. Alice has a few friends but is mostly called a freak at school. Turns out Alice had a vision of a dead girl - Jess' dead daughter, Isla.
There's a lot of pieces to the story we find out bit by bit with Jess, Alice in present day, and her mother Laura a few months back. There's a shady ex from Laura's past, drugs and con jobs, and embezzlement. Also, Jack's assistant is named Rose [Titanic nod?[
The town of Black Water in an unnamed state is its own character. I enjoyed the twist at the end, although a lot was revealed and some of the reveals were a little convoluted or far-fetched. There's definitely something that was revealed that could be very interesting for another book featuring Jess Lambert. 4/5 ☆ out July 2024.
TW for death of family members, ghosts, drugs, and extortion.
We continue with Jess Lambert, a detective who lost her daughter in a tragic accident a year ago. She's assigned to investigate a year old missing presumed persons case when new information comes to light with evidence and a body is subsequently found.
A year ago, the Harper family had a terrible accident following a Christmas party. Laura's brother Jack and his wife Mel [wondering if the author is a Virgin River fan] had their party. After leaving, Laura and her husband get into an accident, and only 16 year old Alice seemed to have survived. Without bodies or proof of anything, her parents and younger sister Ella are presumed dead. A year later, Alice is living with her aunt and uncle in their huge mansion. Alice has a few friends but is mostly called a freak at school. Turns out Alice had a vision of a dead girl - Jess' dead daughter, Isla.
There's a lot of pieces to the story we find out bit by bit with Jess, Alice in present day, and her mother Laura a few months back. There's a shady ex from Laura's past, drugs and con jobs, and embezzlement. Also, Jack's assistant is named Rose [Titanic nod?[
The town of Black Water in an unnamed state is its own character. I enjoyed the twist at the end, although a lot was revealed and some of the reveals were a little convoluted or far-fetched. There's definitely something that was revealed that could be very interesting for another book featuring Jess Lambert. 4/5 ☆ out July 2024.
TW for death of family members, ghosts, drugs, and extortion.
I wasn't wowed by this book. The narrator wasn't great for me and the book felt a little flat in the story and I didn't much care for the characters. I had to go back a couple of times because my mind wandered and that never happens.
I am going to try reading it instead and maybe that will help but I didn't love it and I so wanted to love it
I am going to try reading it instead and maybe that will help but I didn't love it and I so wanted to love it