I thought the idea and the theme itself was quite original! I also enjoyed the writing style and the slow character development. Though I felt like the 'thinking aloud' approach was a bit too classic and gave it a bit too much forced suspense which wasn't worth it. Overall I enjoyed the read and would recommend it as an easy read to someone who likes mystery type novels!

Though this was well paced & kept me interested there’s just something about it that bothered me. I did enjoy the letter style format which I thought gave good insight into the narrators reasoning behind his actions. The story did jump around from different time periods with little to no transitions which was a bit annoying, however, I think it’s the ending that’s not sitting well with me. The story builds up throughout and, with the exception of one detail, I thought it was a let down. I wanted something more elaborate and cringe worthy. 3.5 stars.

I liked this story. It was a middle ground thriller that held my interest.

It's atmosphere was definitely creepy and it made the book good to read at night in the dark.

3.5/5

The introductory blurb was somewhat misleading in that the story is told through letters from Dan to Lucy. We do not find out who Lucy is until the end. The beginning was a bit disjointed but the book gained steam about half-way through. Once you figure out the cadence, it goes more smoothly. There were some surprises and a twist but not a likeable character to be found. Very good first novel! 3-1/2 ***

Sorry this book didn't do anything for me.
Couldn't connect with any of the characters at all. Not a lover of first person novels and this one didn't change my mind.
Book did gather pace towards the end which improved the read slightly. I was a little confused by the title of the book as it did not not make sense to me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read.

This was a strange and dark little book but it just didn't totally work for me. This is a well-written book, especially for a debut. However, it's very slow burn and it took me a long time to really get into it. I liked the ending where it picked up a little more but I still didn't find anything that happened particularly shocking. Overall, this wasn't the winner I was hoping for but I would still be curious to read more work from this author.

A brilliant story. Dark and creepy and quite jaw dropping. The characters well written and I raced through this x

What an awesome book! Such great storytelling and interesting characters. I felt it started a little slow, but it picked up fairly quickly and drew me in. Loved the plot, twists, and turns. I will highly recommend this book and author! Well done!

I read this book in one sitting. I couldn't wait to get to the end of it to find out what happened. It is the perfect thriller. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Started out a bit slow for me, but was intrigued on where this story was going. Wasn’t disappointed. I’m giving it a 4 because on a personal preference I like a bit of a faster pace beginning, however, can’t wait to see what comes next from the author.

Oh my days I don't even know where to begin.

This is an absolute masterpiece. Absolutely incredible. I read the entire book in one sitting, I just couldn't put it down. It flows so well and has a captivating undertone of danger and malice throughout.

There are so many little details in this novel that add so much. You don't even realise until you read another section and start putting the pieces together. It's like a 1000 piece jigsaw piece that you can feel yourself completing as you read it.

Incredible twist, invoked emotions, provocative and enthralling.

Read this book. You need to.

Dan and Vic have been together for 5 years. They have been trying to have a baby for a while, but unfortunately with no success. The disappointment and despair have put a distance between them and they are slowly growing apart. Out of loneliness Dan signs up for a pen pal program intended to help prisoners. And that is how he meets Ruby. What follows after is a mess of human emotions and relationships that I just couldn't stop reading about.
Oh,I forgot to tell you about the structure of this novel. The book is set in 2033. It is told in 3 parts and each part is a letter from Dan to someone named Lucy. In these letters Dan describes his life with Vic and his complicated relationship with Ruby. There are also occasional interludes telling about his life right as he is writing the letters,and through them we also meet a few people and see all the suspicious things going on around him.
I think my favorite thing was the writing. It is like you can almost taste it. Rich and beautiful,it makes the story so compelling that you have to keep reading.
The characters were flashed out and complex ,they felt real to me. I didn't even notice it,but I became quickly attached to them and invested in their lives.
The plot was great. All these little mysteries have you guessing until the very end. Who is Lucy? Why is Dan writing letters to her? What happened in the past? What is going on in the present? I read this book in one sitting because I just had to know.
I think this is my favorite arc I've read so far this year,5 stars for sure.
Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I devoured this mystery in just two short sittings as A.S Hatch made it very hard to walk away. The ending was something I never saw coming which is refreshing after reading back to back predictable stories. The characters were wonderful and well developed with the main character, Daniel, tugging at your heartstrings a little bit. But WOW that ending!! This story is sure to throw you for a loop!

I received a copy of "This Little Dark Place" from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Net Galley! Wow. This book captivated me from the beginning. I read it very fast and couldn't put it down. I love thriller type books but sometimes the story lines all run together because they are so similar. This one is different than any thriller book I have read. This is very well written and I loved how nothing turned out how I thought that it would. I like that this is written in letters from Dan to Lucy describing his life then and now. I highly recommend this one to anyone who likes a good thriller type book!

I wasn't really sure what to expect from This Little Dark Place when I started it. I certainly wasn't ready for the dark and twisty ride that it was. My goodness, it is like nothing you have read before, and that is a good thing. It keeps you guessing right til the very end. I devoured it in 2 sessions, desperate to know what was gointo happen next.

I am not going to say too much about the story so I don't give anything away. It is written as letters by Daniel. We learn about his girlfriend Vic, his prison Penpal Ruby and day to day life. And who is Lucy? Who can be trusted... I changed my mind about that several times bought the course of the story. hick read psychological thrillers will love this. I look forward to seeing what this writer has in store for us next.

Thanks to Serpent's Tail and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased

This raises so many questions while reading this book and has you dying to finish this to see what happens and what and who is to be trusted. One of the best psychological thrillers that I've read this year, hands down. You wont be disappointed.
Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

How well do you really know them? Can you trust them?

This is a quick but captivating story about doubt, loss, grief, jealousy, anger, frustration, and skewed perceptions. Daniel, our protagonist is writing a letter to Lucy, about events of his life. Many parts are easy enough to surmise, other parts not so much.

This will keep your attention. Daniel could easily be writing to you, and he takes you along on the journey of his life with his partner, Victoria and the twists and turns in the relationship that brought him to become an inmate pen pal. His 'pal', a woman named Ruby, brings a little 'danger' into his world.

A.S. Hatch creates an engaging tale you will not want to put down. His characters are complex and tragic in many ways. Daniel is a reflective loner, with that little something amiss that is hard to put your finger on. You will want to keep turning the page as the suspense grows and you question every word and action of the characters.

It twists and it turns and several of these are quite surprising, and like any great read, you will discover all may not be what it seems to be. A fun read!

Thanks Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Special thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.

4 stars.

Story is narrated by Dan in the form of letters to Lucy. The letters outline his relationships with his wife, Victoria, and his prison pen-pal Ruby. Well written debut with many twists and turns that cause the reader to change their opinions of said characters. Overall, 4 stars.

A Unique and Captivating, Complete with Mystery and Surprises Around Every Corner!

**'<I>August 2033

Thank you for writing to me and for enclosing your photograph. You are as beautiful as I imagined. I have Blu-tacked you to my wall. Before we meet – if we meet – I should warn you: I don’t much resemble the man you may have seen in the papers. That all happened so long ago. (Has it really been sixteen years?) I’m heavier now and that thick mop of black hair is long gone. I don’t want my appearance to shock you so I have enclosed a photograph of myself. I certainly don’t expect to end up on your wall.
I’ve been contacted many times over the years, by journalists, bloggers, one time a screenwriter, all wanting to know ‘what really happened’ in the cottage, when all they really want is for me to confirm what they’ve already heard. They ask about Ruby. They ask about Lanes End. They ask about the trial. I throw their letters in the bin. But you ask me a different question. You ask me to tell you ‘who I really am’. And I get the feeling you truly do want to hear my side of the story.
It can’t have been easy for you to reach out to me like this. I imagine you’ve heard a great many things about me already. I expect you’ve googled me. I’m so grateful you’ve written at all. That you ask for my version shows integrity. That you’re even considering meeting me feels like a miracle. You want the facts before judging me. I cannot ask for a fairer hearing than this. So, assuming nothing , let me give them to you. Whether this serves my own ends or not, when you finish reading this letter you will know ‘who I really am’. And then you can decide for yourself.'

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This Little Dark Place by A. S. Hatch is a unique and captivating story that I read in two sittings!
This book grabbed me immediately and I was completely absorbed as I read the letters written between different characters. My curiosity mounted the more I read!
I will give you no further clues other than I recommend reading it!

This is is my first introduction to A. S. Hatch and I thoroughly enjoyed his writing and I will definitely read more of his mystery/thriller books.

With thanks and appreciation to NetGalley, Serpent's Tail, and A. S. Hatch for giving me this advanced digital copy to read and review.

**This book is an advanced, uncorrected digital copy and will be published October 10, 2019.
Please note that the above quote may be different in the final draft.

The author gave away the ending far sooner than I would have liked, but watching it play out was still satisfying, so.