4.4

This is such a fantastic, dark sapphic read. It has everything to completely compel me into not wanting to put it down- the romance is a slowburn, the mystery picks at you from all angles, the characters all have friction.

Starting with the romance, I'm always a big fan of "golden girl meets outcast/rebel", and I love the way it's done here. I was afraid it was going to jump right in between them, and somehow I think Gould actually could have managed to make that work, but the tentative allies into confused friendship is so wonderful and done with just the right amount of tension and shifting feelings- plus, the pacing is perfect. Their chemistry is real, and given the perfect amount of space to grow without taking over the page and overshadowing the mystery.

The mystery itself is always well written. The tension and pacing in this book is great in every area. The way the antagonist was shown reminds me a lot of [book:Sawkill Girls|38139409], but with even more mystery and dread tied to it, because there's still such a shroud of mystery over what this thing even is. There's a great amount of hinting, and I got so excited by every implication and reveal.

This book is so full of ghosts and creepiness. It nails the up against the world vibes, it hits the romance wonderfully, but it never once forgets that it's a ghost story. The layers make it so good, but it could have easily lost track of itself, and it doesn't. There's a firm foundation of creepiness and the paranormal that gives you all the spookiness the premise promises.

There were a few things I wanted a little more expansion with, some moments that could have had more time devoted to them, but those are just personal wishlist items. Over all, I love what Gould set out to do, and how she did it.

**Disclaimer: I received a free early access copy of The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.  Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this opportunity.

The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould is a young adult novel.  I would classify it as a horror book or perhaps a paranormal mystery.  The book is about two young girls, Logan and Ashley, who become caught up in a mystery as teenagers in the town of Snakebite are disappearing and the two decide to team up to solve the mystery.  I rated it five stars on Goodreads.  It is set to be published on August 3rd, 2021.


Here's the summary from Goodreads:

Courtney Gould’s thrilling debut The Dead and the Dark is about the things that lurk in dark corners, the parts of you that can’t remain hidden, and about finding home in places―and people―you didn’t expect.
The Dark has been waiting for far too long, and it won't stay hidden any longer.
Something is wrong in Snakebite, Oregon. Teenagers are disappearing, some turning up dead, the weather isn’t normal, and all fingers seem to point to TV’s most popular ghost hunters who have just returned to town. Logan Ortiz-Woodley, daughter of TV's ParaSpectors, has never been to Snakebite before, but the moment she and her dads arrive, she starts to get the feeling that there's more secrets buried here than they originally let on.
Ashley Barton’s boyfriend was the first teen to go missing, and she’s felt his presence ever since. But now that the Ortiz-Woodleys are in town, his ghost is following her and the only person Ashley can trust is the mysterious Logan. When Ashley and Logan team up to figure out who—or what—is haunting Snakebite, their investigation reveals truths about the town, their families, and themselves that neither of them are ready for. As the danger intensifies, they realize that their growing feelings for each other could be a light in the darkness.

I absolutely loved The Dead and the Dark.  I picked it up intending to just read a little bit before bed, but I ended up staying up til 2 am reading it because I really needed to know what I was going to happen next and who had done what.  I made some guesses about what happened and while I got some things right, it was never quite in the way that I expected.

I loved the way the story unfolds.  We get both Ashley and Logan's perspectives, and they each have a really unique take on the story and on the other as the two girls start getting to know each other.  The other interesting thing was that you get the perspective of this mystery entity every so often and it uses terms like "the host".  I found those sections extra intriguing because they really added to the tension and the suspense in the story.  It was really interesting to me.

I liked the description of the tension of the small town and how the arrival of Logan and her family really shakes things up.   It's clear that this town is a little bit backwards and homophobic, and it was handled in a realistic way.  It was interesting to learn about the different personalities in the town, and to see how the tension increases as more teenagers disappear.

 I really enjoyed the dynamic between Ashley and Logan.  They don't seem to get off on the right foot and that sort of continues for awhile.  There's some good banter between the two of them, and I really liked the contrast between their characters.  I also liked watching them grow as characters and get closer.

I felt that the story was really well written and I really enjoyed the way that details were revealed.  The setting was really well described and created really good images in my mind.  The issues were handled with sensitivity.

Overall, I just really loved this story and how compelled I was by it.  I highly recommend that you check it out when it releases on August 3rd.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the e-Arc! My rating is in star form and will be included with this review. I may go back to more extensive reviews in the future, but while I am catching up on everything, they will continue to be stars only. Thank you so much!

A queer YA ghost story with small town secrets set in a pretty homophobic community. Logan, the adopted daughter of the stars of a paranormal investigation show moves with her dads to a small town where teenagers are going missing and they are being blamed.

I’ve got somewhat mixed feelings about this one. There are some parts that are wonderfully creepy and atmospheric, I liked that it tried to do this returning to a small town with secrets trope, and I love that it’s a light horror novel with lots of queer rep and a sapphic romance. And thematically I appreciate how it tackles complicated family relationships and the humanity of parents.

On the other hand, there are some plot holes that didn’t quite make sense, explanatory conversations late in the book felt a bit excessive in length, and I never quite bought the development of the romance. Attraction? Sure, okay. But you get the characters saying how much they’re into each other more than you actually get to feel it or see it develop on page.

That said, I think it’s a fairly strong first novel and I would be interested to see what else we get from this author in the future. I mostly enjoyed the reading experience. The audio narration is competent and consistent. I think the narrator does a good job and makes the story easy to listen to. I received and advance audio copy of this book for review via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Thank you so much, NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Wednesday Books, for the chance to read and review this amazing book!

TW: homophobia, homophobic slurs, attempted murder, murder

Something is wrong in Snakebite. Teenagers are missing, some are turning up dead, the weather is weird and many are blaming the TV's most popular ghost hunters, who came back to their hometown. Logan Ortiz-Woodley is the daughter of the ghost hunters and she feels right away something is wrong with this place. They aren't welcome, both because they are outsiders and because her fathers are gay. And there's Ashley Barton, the golden daughter of Snakebite, whose boyfriend was the first to go missing, months ago and she still feel his presence, as a ghost who is been following her. The only person able to help and understand is the new girl in town and soon Logan and Ashley start their own investigation, trying to understand what is happening and how to stop it from hurting more people. Discovering more about the town, their families and themselves isn't easy and soon their growing feelings for one other can't be denied.

I LOVED reading The dead and the dark! It's a creepy and intriguing mix between Riverdale and The Outsider, as Ophrah Daily wrote and the story is brilliant, captivating and it hooked me since the beginning.
The plot is told by three POVs: The Dark's, Logan's and Ashley's and through them the reader is able to follow what is happening, their investigation and the mystery that stretched in the past, connecting people and mistakes.
The story is really intriguing and the setting is claustrophobic and eerie. The reader is able to see how Logan and Ashley see Snakebite, how different are their perceptions and how change in time. For Ashley it was home, until it wasn't, while for Logan is her parents' hometown where neither of them, then and now, feel welcome and accepted. It's a small and rural town, where everyone knows everyone and where changes aren't accepted right away or at all.
It was so hard to read how Logan and her family were treated by the town's people, how homophobic and aggressive many were and how Alejo and Brandon, Logan's parents, were strong and resilient and ready to do anything to solve the mystery and save the people in it.

I loved the characterization in this book. Logan and Ashley, like the other teenagers, Fran, John and so on, were perfectly characterized in their problems, misunderstandings, fears, dreams, desires, above all because they were teenagers on the cusp of starting a new fase of their lives, with colleges, plans to stay or leave the town, while, at the same time, battling against friends' disappearances and mysteries.

Another thing I really loved were the relationships between characters. The slowly growing bond between Logan and Ashley, who decided to cooperate to understand what was going on and how they start to get to know one other, their feeling for each other. It was really beautiful to read.
Important relationship is the one between Logan and her parents, her struggle to connect with Brandon, the dynamics in their family, the lies and secrets she wants to uncover and understand. I really enjoyed their relationship, how realistic it was, how fierce Alejo and Brandon loved each other and their daughter and how they would do anything to protect their own.
Great and important were the flashbacks, how they let the reader know more about Alejo's and Brandon's past and love life, what happened and why they left the city and came back years later. As the other characters, I really appreciated how Brandon was characterized and how everything in his life changed with Alejo's presence and love. I loved their relationship, it was so tender and pure.

The mystery is intriguing and creepy, above all, because the reader is able to read the Dark's POV and Logan and Ashley were fantastic detectives, slowly unraveling what is happening and how to stop it.
It's a abook about things that lurks in the dark and how the dark can be fueled by dark emotions, like loneliness, pain, rage, grief and how those are part of us, how they can be used against us, how they can possess people and how hard can be to find light in the darkest of time.
At the same time it's a book about love and finding home in places and people, about fierce love in family and friends, about connections and bounds that stretched time, space and...entities.

I really enjoyed reading this book and I definitely recommend it to those who are looking for a supernatural thriller, a fierce family made of ghost hunters and their daughter and a mystery in a creepy town.

I had a sort of mixed experience with this title. I think I came in hoping for more of a horror/thriller experience, but in the end this ended up being more of a book about family & small town secrets, with a sprinkling of paranormal mystery. It's an intriguing concept but the execution let me down a bit. I have to say I didn't find the "romance" particularly convincing either. It kind of felt like Ashley was just curious about exploring her sexuality more than she was actually interested in Logan. And obviously that's true to life and a story worth telling, but I felt like the book wanted me to believe in this epic romance between the two. I believed in their friendship but the romance was a bit undeveloped for me. Overall I found the characters a bit flat, with the exception of Alejo who I felt was well done. I didn't find the reveal of the mystery to be very satisfying. Overall, it was a bit underwhelming.

The Dead and the Dark is a captivating and darkly atmospheric YA fantasy standalone, and the perfect book to read, if you enjoy stories about ghosts, unsolved mysteries, and the kind of secrets that can only be found in the sweltering summer heat of a small town that’s intent on burying the past. It blends horror and paranormal elements perfectly, and makes for a compelling reading experience—I read this book in two days and enjoyed every moment of it!

Right away, The Dead and the Dark knows how to pull readers into its depth. Courtney Gould has a beautiful kind of writing style, and she manages to evoke a certain kind of atmosphere, a sort of underlying eeriness, of summer heart and secrets in the day, and cold breath on your neck at night, of someone whispering words and warnings to you that you don’t yet understand. I already loved it after reading only a few pages; when it comes to books with fantasy elements, it sometimes takes a bit of time to find your place in a story, but this wasn’t the case at all here. The start was strong, with a mysterious disappearance, and already a hint of the paranormal—and it was the easiest thing in the world, to take the first step into Snakebite, and find yourself hooked by all the things that weren't said out loud, but begged to be spoken.

Soon, the reader got a closer look at the protagonists’ life. First, there's Logan, who’s the adopted daughter of two men who are most famous for their tv show about ghost hunting, but she’d rather find a real home than constantly stay on the road and look for the supernatural. After that, we meet Ashley, whose boyfriend vanished without a trace six months ago—a week to the day after Logan’s father returned to this very town, his hometown of Snakebite, Oregon; and with not much of a happy reception. But is he really involved in Tristan's disappearance, or are the people in this sun-drenched small town just too eager to point fingers at people who are different from them?

Logan and Ashley were two wonderful protagonists, so different from each other, and yet perfectly complementing each other, too. Logan, with so much loneliness inside her, always looking for a home or a person that feels like it; and Ashley, who was so certain about what the future would hold for her, just for it to be taken away—instead, she found her real self along the way. I really liked the two of them as protagonists, and the way they carried this story; I also loved the relationship that, slowly but surely, unfolded between them. The queer representation as a whole in The Dead and the Dark was amazing, from Logan, who's a lesbian (and says so on page!), to Ashley, who's still trying to figure out how she feels, to even Logan's dads. I would love to see more queer parents in books!

I think what made The Dead and the Dark especially intriguing was the way the darkness in and surrounding Snakebite always seemed like something purposeful: this small town, with all its secrets, which looked so beautiful from above, but had ghosts lingering in so many corners, and hatred buried beneath its bones. There’s darkness, because darkness exists in people’s hearts. It’s a concept that’s somewhat familiar, and it was so well executed in Courtney Gould’s debut!

Aside from that, The Dead and the Dark was also just an incredibly compelling read. It handles some dark themes, and there’s trigger warnings to consider—especially one for homophobia—but it was so, so gripping from start to finish. I truly couldn’t put it down, read until two in the morning, what I almost never do, just to see how it might end. It was written so well, and in such a way that I could almost picture it. If there was ever a book that should be adapted into a tv show, this is it!

Overall, The Dead and the Dark was an amazing debut, and perfect for readers that love their horror laced with paranormal elements—especially ghosts. Small town secrets, hidden pasts, and a darkness that lingers in the hearts of people that already hold a darkness of their own; all these elements made for an eerie atmosphere, and an incredibly captivating reading experience. Add our two protagonists, Logan and Ashley, who are so different from each other, and yet long for only one thing: a home, and the feeling of this all-encompassing loneliness to go away. I loved following them on this journey, loved the way they took matters into their own hands, and decided to partner up to solve this mystery—and, of course, I loved the relationship that developed between them. I’m very much anticipating Courtney Gould’s next book!

On a last note, I would recommend The Dead and the Dark especially to fans of Rory Power's Burn Our Bodies Down. They reminded me a bit of each other, and featured some of the same themes: strange small towns, unbearable summer heat, one mystery on top of another, and too many secrets to count. Plus, the strange and paranormal elements they both shared, that were still rooted in something real. It also reminded me a bit of Ghost Wood Song, mostly in terms of atmosphere.

This was a book that was right up my alley, as it included elements I naturally gravitate towards. I like the romance in this book, the plot twists and turns, and the characters. I definitely think this is a great book that everyone should pick up and enjoy for themselves.

Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with a digital copy for review.

The Dead and the Dark was a book I was looking forward to for a variety of reasons. It sounded dark and creepy, and it certainly delivered! This was much darker than I had expected, but in a good way. It follows our main character, Logan, as she follows her dads to yet another town for location scouting on their paranormal show, ParaSpectors. When she gets there, however, she immediately notices that there is something off about the town and immediately feels as though everyone hates her and her family. The longer she stays, the longer it festers, and she eventually teams up with the town's golden girl, Ashley, to investigate the disappearance of a local boy and figure out just what is wrong with the town. Along the way they discover secrets about the town, themselves, and their families.

This book definitely kept me guessing. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something else would happen and throw my theories out the window. I can respect a book and its author for doing that, because all too often I read books that are instantly predictable. The Dead and the Dark had many twists and turns, and the characters all felt fleshed out and real. The teenagers actually read as teenagers. They had the mannerisms, spoke their age, and acted in a way that felt real and not just like a caricature. I would highly recommend this to fans of young adult, horror, and mystery.

The Dead and the Dark is an AMAZING queer thriller following a family of outsiders in a small town who fall under suspicion when a series of teenage murders occurs. The small-minded, unaccepting town of Snakebite, Oregon chased Logan and her two dads away 15 years prior, and the inopportune timing of their re-arrival coinciding with a series of murders certainly isn't doing them any favors with the townsfolk. When Logan meets Ashley, the best friend and ex-girlfriend of the first murder victim, they embark on a journey of mystery solving; Ashley because she wants to find Tristian alive, and Logan because she wants to clear her fathers name. But everything is not as it seems in this small town, and pair timing with complicated family dynamics, Logan starts to suspect her own dads.

The mystery in this novel is so good and so unique. From the plot synopsis, this may seem like a tired, stereotypical mystery trope, but this plot is anything but. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. The writing is poignant, the author does an amazing job of writing complex emotions and relationships while maintaining the creepily mysterious atmosphere.

What would you do — how far would you go — to save the person you loved most in the world?

In The Dead and the Dark, Courtney Gould paints a chilling picture of an imperfect family who must depend on each other now more than ever.

Logan, the daughter of celebrity ghost-hunter dads, wants nothing to do with small towns, ghosts, or worst of all, her parents. Watching them detect paranormal activity in front of cameras was never the life she signed up for, and she wants out.

So why has she found herself in a town full of ghosts?

On its surface, Gould’s paranormal YA mystery seems like any other. Logan is mere months away from turning 18 and being able to set off on her own to build the life she really wants — one where she won’t have to live in a car or a lonely LA mansion with dads who don’t seem to care about her.

Little does she know that apathy is the last thing her parents feel toward her. In fact, there was a time when they may have cared a little too much.

As I flew through this book (in less than 24 hours, because why not?), it began to grow on me in ways I didn’t expect. This isn’t your typical “something weird’s going down in some random village in Oregon” horror narratives, though to be fair, weird stuff does happen in Snakebite, and the culprit probably isn’t who you’re expecting.

This is a no-spoiler review, otherwise I’d be typing the truth in all caps right now. I’ll let you figure it out for yourself, if you can.

Something I often struggle with while reading books slotted in this genre is connecting with the characters. Partially due to the fact that I’m not as well-read in this area as I could be, but I’m working on it. Often, the story is so plot-driven and focused on offering clues in every chapter that developing each character becomes a secondary objective.

That’s not the case in Gould’s story, though. I actually found myself rooting for the MCs and fairly devastated with every kill (surprise! There are a lot of deaths within these pages. You’re not surprised. It’s fine.)

To me, that’s a good mystery. I don’t have to finish this out just to find out who murdered a bunch of teenagers. I get to have closure alongside the characters I’ve been following, and celebrate on behalf of the few that get their happy endings.

The reveal toward the end speaks beautifully to the dangers of loving someone so much you’re willing to put your family in danger to keep it together. Grief brings out the darkest parts of ourselves, and in a deep state of mourning we’ll consider doing whatever it takes not to feel the pain of loss for the rest of our lives.

But in the end, we do have to actively decide what “letting go” means for us. The answer is perhaps different for everyone. There are no easy answers, no simple solutions. It’s a process. One that can take years. Or even a lifetime.

As summer book releases quickly approach their winding-down period, make sure you grab your copy of The Dead and the Dark today wherever books are sold. And get some tissues while you’re at it. Just in case.

Logan’s dads are paranormal investigators with their own TV show, and she’s spent her life moving from place to place as they shoot at different locations. Now, they’ve come to Snakebite, a tiny remote town in Oregon where both her dad’s hale from. Kids have been disappearing, and Logan, Brandon, and Alejo have to get to the bottom of the disappearances while dealing with suspicion and hostility from the Snakebite residents. The leader of this animosity to their presence is Tammy Barton, who’s daughter Ashley, finds herself tangled in the disappearances as time goes on. As Ashley and Logan team up, the mysterious activities in Snakebite hurtle rapidly towards a dramatic head.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Publishing Group for this eARC of Courtney Gould’s debut novel! I am enjoying the current upswing in sapphic YA books. The Dead and the Dark seeks to examine the pervading closeness of a remote small town, with all the bonds, prejudices, and deep loneliness that come along with it. The perspective alternates mainly between Logan and Ashley, as they begrudgingly team up and gradually become closer, but also has several interludes from the perspective of the titular Dark. While I felt that the action took a little while to pick up, once it did, the story moved along at a strong consistent pace. Gould’s writing is capable, and I look forward to reading her future works.

4.5 stars. Normally I don't read books with a paranormal aspect to them, but this book is SO good. Amazing that it's a debut novel. And the paranormal aspect is less "oh goody ghosts" than epitomizes the bleak, dark overwhelming sense of foreboding that shrouds Snakebite. Logan and her dads come to Snakebite, a very small insular town, because her dads are ghosthunters with their own tv show. But something is different here: 1) Logan learns her dads grew up in this godforsaken place; 2) they aren't investigating any specific case, and refuse to talk about what they are doing.

As teenagers start to die, Logan teams up with Ashley, the Queen Bee of Snakebite, to try and figure out what is going on. Ashley, because her boyfriend was the first to disappear, and Logan because she wants to clear the suspicion around her dads. In the process, they both learn about things that lurk in the dakr, and the true meaning of home.

"The Dark has been waiting for far too long, and it won't stay hidden any longer.

Something is wrong in Snakebite, Oregon. Teenagers are disappearing, some turning up dead, the weather isn’t normal, and all fingers seem to point to TV’s most popular ghost hunters who have just returned to town. Logan Ortiz-Woodley, daughter of TV's ParaSpectors, has never been to Snakebite before, but the moment she and her dads arrive, she starts to get the feeling that there's more secrets buried here than they originally let on.

Ashley Barton’s boyfriend was the first teen to go missing, and she’s felt his presence ever since. But now that the Ortiz-Woodleys are in town, his ghost is following her and the only person Ashley can trust is the mysterious Logan. When Ashley and Logan team up to figure out who—or what—is haunting Snakebite, their investigation reveals truths about the town, their families, and themselves that neither of them are ready for. As the danger intensifies, they realize that their growing feelings for each other could be a light in the darkness.

Courtney Gould’s thrilling debut The Dead and the Dark is about the things that lurk in dark corners, the parts of you that can’t remain hidden, and about finding home in places—and people—you didn’t expect."

Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Deliciously creepy! I would love to see more horror centered around queer women, and this was an awesome start. Ashley and Logan were both great characters and I loved watching them transform as the mystery unravels. My only qualm was that the ending came off as a bit confusing and a bit unsatisfying, but overall, a fantastic debut.

**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**

Courtney Gould brings small-town vibes, a spooky lake, and a supernatural flair with her debut novel The Dead and the Dark. Logan has traveled from place to place with her dads as they make a paranormal investigation show. To her, Snakebite should be no different, except apparently her dads have ties to this particular town and now there is a kid missing. Ashley is the golden girl of the town, and she was dating the missing kid. But now she's experiencing some weird things and Logan may be the only one who can help.

Gould kindly provided a list of content warnings for her novel which can also be found on her website.

Gould was very successful at building a sense of dread, particularly centering around settings. The cabin, the lake, the woods, the motel. Every single spot had a unique unsettling feeling about it that really bolstered the efficacy of the novel. Gould also managed to explore the hazards and experiences of queerness in a small town without letting that topic overpower the mystery that drove the story.

Logan and Ashley were both believable protagonists that were easy to buy into and easy to become invested in. I do feel that some pacing of the story was a little rushed, especially around Logan and Ashley toward the end of the book and around wrapping up the mystery.

Overall, I was very pleased with my reading experience of The Dead and the Dark and look forward to Gould's future works.

Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books, for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

CW: homophobia

I enjoyed this book a fair bit! I think the atmosphere was spot on and made the book very creepy and haunting to read. The characters were interesting and I liked the complex relationships throughout the story. I wish the relationship between the two girls in the book could have been flushed out more and not so insta-lovey. There is some great LGBTQ+ rep in this book so I really enjoyed that aspect of the story!

I do feel that the mystery part of the story could have been paced a bit better. There were so many parts during the book where certain characters knew the answer to something that would explain the mystery but kept saying that "I can't tell you, it'll have to wait" which got tiresome to read over and over again. I also think that it wrapped up really quickly towards the end which it would have been nice if it were slower.

Overall, this was a good read and one that I would recommend. It is a great read for those who enjoy paranormal, LGBTQ+ themes, interesting characters and a great atmosphere. Thank you again to the publisher and please check it out when it comes out August 3!

I received an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Something you should know going in is that this book is not just a YA mystery, it is a paranormal mystery. It's not necessarily for a young teen reader either. I'm not really into ghost stories, to be honest, although I've grown up in the Ghostbusters years. So take my review with a grain of salt. If you like paranormal mysteries, you will probably love this book.

Gould is a talented writer and I was definitely tugged along the ride, particularly from about 40% into the book. Logan is reluctantly joining her dad from L.A. to the small town of Snakebite, Oregon to location scout for the next season of her dads ghost hunting show. There is something familiar about Snakebite, but it is shrouded in darkness. 6 months ago, Ashley's boyfriend Tristan disappeared. Just after Logan's dad Brandon arrived. It doesn't seem to be a coincidence. Nobody in this town likes Brandon and Alejo, or their newly arrived daughter, not because or in spite of their sexual orientation. Yay for the lesbian representation.

Ashley is grieving yet haunted by Tristan and her group of friends keeps getting smaller as kids are murdered. It is connected to Logan and her dads, although the twist was a bit difficult to believe. (Shout out to Buffy the vampire slayer here) it is relatable to feel invisible in a small town, to feel like nobody cares if you live or die. I feel like if Gould leaned into that part a little more, it would have been a 4 star read for me. Again, paranormal is not my thing but I enjoyed most of it and reccomend it to anyone who likes paranormal mysteries. Release 8/3/21.

This is a mix of everything I love which is ghost hunting and a solid YA thriller. Courtney Gould really delivered and I think this is going to be a massive hit. I wish I had read this during the fall which is when I mood read a bunch of thrillers.

4/5 Stars

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for giving me early access to this book. This in no way influences my thoughts or opinions.

CW: homophobia, hate-crimes

As someone who works in a book store, I constantly bemoan the fact that there aren't a lot of Young Adult horrors to enjoy. But now I have my go-to recommendation.

This was intense and surprising in all the best ways. It's a heart-pounding adventure that unfolds but still manages to leave you with more questions than answers up until the very end.

There are some areas that I felt could have been a bit stronger (like that ending that I wasn't a huge fan of) but I think it's a great read and I can't wait for people to get their hands on it.

I saw this sensational, smoky, stunning cover and just had to read the book. No regrets! The Dead and the Dark will have you jonesing for Spooky Season as you race through the pages. Be prepared for palpable tension, racing heartbeats, and skin-crawling creepiness; mixed in a miasma of family drama and burgeoning sapphic romance.

Logan Ortiz-Woodley is following her ghost hunting dads, of tv's ParaSpectors fame, to one last destination: Snakebite, Oregon. This dusty little nowhere town also just happens to be where both of her dads grew up. Logan is almost 18, and she wants to find a road of her own as soon as possible. Until then, she's stuck in Snakebite, and there's something very strange going on. Teenagers are disappearing, bodies are piling up, the weather is out of whack, her dads are acting squirrelly, and it seems like everyone in this town hates their family for some reason. Logan finds herself in an unlikely, and uneasy, partnership with the local lumber queen's daughter. Together they will fight to uncover the secrets, unearth the bones, and disturb the spirits of Snakebite.

Please forgive my run-on sentences, and rambling; the books I like best are the hardest for me to review cohesively! I'm just going to tell you that this book is a fun, fast read. If you are into paranormal stuff like Supernatural, or Charmed, this is right up your alley. I really can't believe this is Courtney Gould's debut novel. I can't wait to see what she does next. This genre-defying gem is certain to be a hit with readers of all ages. Thank you to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for the chance to review an advance copy.