A taut, suspenseful, IMPRESSIVE debut!

Chloe Davis has managed to move on from her past, with mixed results. When she was twelve, six girls went missing in her small town...only to be found dead. The culprit? Her loving father. Charged and convicted as a serial killer, he went to prison to serve a life sentence. Chloe and her family never fully recovered from the repercussions.

20 years later, Chloe is now a psychologist. She’s happily engaged, but still fights her demons in the form of prescription drugs. She feels she’s been coping to the best of her ability.

Then, a young girl disappears. Soon after that, another one does. It feels like deja vu.

Is history repeating itself?

“We live in the flicker...but darkness was here yesterday.” - Joseph Conrad

Color me impressed! Debut author Stacy Willingham paints a tense and original read full of atmosphere. I was gripped from beginning to end. The plot is brilliantly layered while jumping from present to past...and back again.

I guessed a major twist early on, so I’m tooting my own horn (Btw, has anyone else considered how wrong that sounds? Or is it just me?). However, there is plenty of deflection and red herrings that had me second guessing my suspicions. On top of that, there were other welcome surprises in store.

All in all, a super solid debut that answered most of the questions I had. I expected some plot holes, but those gaps were filled.

Emma Stone was apparently impressed too. Her company has optioned the book for a TV adaptation...with Emma starring in and producing it.

Thank you to Macmillan for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 1/11/22.

Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com

This is a capably written thriller that follows a very familiar trope. A troubled woman with a past - her long-estranged father is in prison after being convicted of murdering a series of girls - becomes involved in present cases of girls going missing, as if the past is repeating itself. (It's always girls. Usually white girls.) She's an emotional basket case whose job as a psychologist gives her an opportunity to abuse prescriptions. She's jumpy, often terrified, and is engaged to someone who seems too good to be true but also oblivious to her problems.

If you're looking for a familiar kind of thriller, it will probably work for you. I found it certainly readable but without any distinctive flavor or originality. I would give it two stars but it's exactly what a lot of readers want - just not very interesting to me personally.

WOW - what an awesome and amazing debut novel! Definitely a winner - I can see why it’s already been optioned by Hollywood! The author has created an indelible “unreliable female narrator” which is quite hard to do these days, as it is a literary device so frequently employed over the last 10 years. This is a suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller featuring Chole, a real mess of a therapist who self-medicates to deal with her serial killer Dad’s past and her troubling family and fiancé. Now, 20 years later, there is a possible copy-cat serial killer and Chole’s past and present collide as we are lead on a twisty, thrill-ride to the shocking reveal. Highly, highly recommend to readers who love well-crafted thrillers - I could not put it down, and it deserves all the hype, stars and praise!! My sincerest thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for generously providing me with a complimentary DRC of this book upon request. The rating and opinions shared are my own and were not affected by this exchange.

A Flicker in the Dark is a really excellent and compelling read. The premise is really interesting and the book is well-written.

This is the best kind of thriller, one that explores philosophical questions as well. It tells the story of a young woman, who having turned her father as a serial killer, now finds out other girls she knows are being murdered. I it someone close to her or someone out for revenge. Poetic language and full of feeling

This is a beautifully written tense and deep psychological thriller, an exploration of who can we trust, what control and the lack of control feels like and what flickers in the darkness, the light inside of us and sometimes the darkness. I look forward to reading more from this author

This book was sent to me on Kindle for review by Netgalley…serial murderer…love and romance…deceit…who is really the murderer? Who can be trusted?…. This one is somewhat difficult to figure out,but as the story moves slowly, it does happen finally. This is the story of a totally dysfunctional family with the center of that family being a woman who tries to solve the mystery on her own…she sees things that only she seems to understand, trusting few…it is a dark story…

ABSOLUTELY UNPUTDOWNABLE. Quite possibly one of the BEST arcs I have ever read. Top 3 most definitely. Now THIS. THIS is exactly what I am looking for when I crave a good murder mystery. Believe me, I have read my fair share of thrillers, especially murder mysteries. I even went through a murder mystery phase a few years ago where it was the only thing I wanted to read. I grew out of that phase because the endings stopped being shocking, and the killers too easy to guess; basically too many subpar murder mysteries bore me away from this genre. Now, years later, this book has reignited my love for this genre and has reminded me just how much I enjoy this brand of thriller. It has been a LONG time since I’ve felt this way about a book in this particular genre.

Like I mentioned before, my expectations weren’t particularly high. A couple years of reading string after string of subpar, unexciting, and easy to guess murder mysteries will do that to you. I’ve been really turned off by this genre since then, but part of me will always be enticed by it, so I went ahead and requested this arc but didn’t have high expectations. I absolutely DID NOT expect to be pulled in so quickly by this book. Holy shit. With the majority of what I read, I’m not usually invested until I’m at the 70% mark where things really get going. From even as early as 10% into this, I realized I REALLY was enjoying this. Absolutely unputdownable from the very first page. And that is an extremely hard thing to find.

The Riley Sagers and Gillian Flynns of the thriller world better watch out because this is the thriller to beat and Stacey Willingham is the author to watch out for. And this is her debut novel? Easily one of the strongest debuts I have ever read. Perfectly paced, never boring, super entertaining, and keeps you guessing. This book reignited my passion for this genre and reminded me why I used to be so obsessed with murder mystery thrillers. Absolutely PHENOMENAL. I will recommend this book to anyone and everyone. READ THIS.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur books for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham

Chloe Davis, a thirty two year old psychologist in private practice in Baton Rouge, has a family past that will haunt her for the rest of her life. What her father did, when she was twelve, tore families apart and terrified a small town. A serial killer kidnapped and killed six girls, that killer was her father, and he's now rotting in prison, having ruined the lives of so many people.

Chloe has tried to move on, with her practice, which reminds her too much of the past, and with her upcoming wedding to Daniel. Really, though, Chloe is a mess, self medicating with prescription drugs and alcohol. She rarely visits her mother, who lives in a care home after trying to commit suicide. Her older brother, Cooper, is dealing with their past in his own way, staying close to Chloe but also adding more stress to her life. For some reason, he's disliked her fiancé from the first time they met and he's always at her that Daniel isn't who she thinks he is. And now, it appears that there is a copy cat killer, going after a girl who was last seen by Chloe.

This story is full of twists, turns, and red herrings. Chloe has tried to keep a damper on her feelings and fears and doing so is going to destroy her if her use of drugs and alcohol doesn't do it first. She has let her paranoia go too far before and she's not sure who she can trust. This all leads to bad decisions, faulty assumptions, and a sense of more danger and death to come, with no way to stop it. The story is riveting although it's hard to put aside the fact that a drugged and drunken main character can only be trusted so far.

Thank you to Macmillan Publishers, Minotaur Books, St Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

WOW! If this is a debut novel, I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next!! The beginning started out a little slow but then … this book is full of twists and turns, complex characters, and a great story line. By the 1/2 way point, I couldn't put it down. Loved it!

Will definitely be looking out for more by this new author.
4.5/5

Thank you #netgalley and #stmartinspress for the earc.

Posted to Good Reads:
Thanks to the author and to NetGalley for the ARC of this one. Knowing this is the debut novel for Stacy Willingham makes this achievement all the more impressive. Willingham brings you into the head of our main character, Chloe. See, Chloe has been through a type of trauma many of us will never know. She was responsible for sending her father to prison after she found trinkets from 6 missing girls in the bottom of his closet. 20 years later, these scars are still raw trust is extremely hard for her to come by. It's from her paranoia and constant worry, mixed with alcohol and pills, that keeps the reader questioning everything we are told or see through Chloe's eyes.
That all of the threads in play are tied up so nicely by the end is quite an accomplishment, unfortunately it's also my one area of problem with it. Things are almost too tidy by the end. Some will like this and others, like myself, will find it a touch hard to swallow - life just doesn't work out that way very often.
Nevertheless, this is ultimately a successful debut and very well worth your time. I can't wait to read what is next from Stacy Willingham. She's immediately become a must-read author for me.

This debut novel had a strong undercurrent of introspection which usually hinders my overall enjoyment of a story but it complemented the suspense very effectively. The plot progressed into a steady page turner with a roundabout of mystery. I am very eager to read Stacy Willingham’s next book because this one was top-notch for me and I hope she can match or top it!

Thank you to both the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity in exchange for an honest review.

Do you love reading thrillers? Do you love a thriller where you think you know the culprit early on but then for the rest of the book you are second guessing your evaluation and changing your mind every 30 pages or so? Then this is the book for you!!!

From the first page I was hooked. Chloe, the main character is a psychologist in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The reader learns that her father confessed to killing 6 girls in her hometown of Beaux Bridge twenty years earlier when Chloe was 12. I'm sure you can just imagine what the rest of the family had to endure once the patriarch of the family was known as a serial killer. Taunting, hatred and disgust.

As the story switches timelines between Chloe's childhood and present day, the author does a great job developing several key characters including Chloe, her fiance' Daniel,, her brother Cooper and also her Mother. As the story progresses, and coinciding with the twentieth anniversary of the Beaux Bridge serial murders, girls begin to go missing in Baton Rouge. But not just any girls, girls that Chloe has met before. As the threat of a copycat killer emerges, Chloe begins to question everyone and everything in her life - what is real and what is she potentially imagining? Who can she trust?

The suspense in this read is palpable.. The pages flew as my brain flip-flopped and found it difficult to accept any well-meaning gestures. I was throwing side eyes at so many characters as I imagined each of them with sinister intentions and ulterior motives. I think it is safe to say I recommend this one! After several thrillers have fallen short for me, this one reignited my love for this genre. 4.5 stars!

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to receive and review an advance copy. Pub date: 1.11.22

Intense

A Flicker in the Dark is a dark psychological thriller about the daughter of a serial killer and the copycat killer who has emerged 20 years later.

On the outside, Chloe Davis has her life together: she is a successful psychologist with a picturesque house in an upscale Baton Rouge neighborhood. She has the perfect, caring fiance and is planning her wedding. But on the inside, she is a hot mess. Chloe’s father is a serial killer. 20 years ago, her father was convicted of murdering 6 teenage girls in Breaux Bridge, LA. With the emergence of a copycat killer, Chloe’s fragile existence is at the point of shattering. When one of her patients goes missing, she is pulled back into her past.

This is a gripping read. Chloe is an unreliable narrator with a compelling voice that sucked me in from the first pages. She is high-strung, tense, and often sees things that are not real. Chloe also self-medicates to keep the past at bay. As a reader, she had me guessing what was actually happening versus what she believed to be happening. At the same time, Chloe makes some dumb choices and doesn’t see what is in front of her face. There were times when I wanted to shake her and others when she took me by surprise. The reader never really knows what Chloe is going to do; she is off-kilter and keeps one on their toes.

The first half of the book is tightly wound. However, it wanes a bit at a certain point, and Chloe and the plot get a little old. The last third of the book gets a little messy. Events happen quickly, parts are glossed over, and others feel contrived.

However, the strengths outweigh the flaws. Chloe is a complicated narrator who commands the plot. In addition to Chloe, Willingham creates a tense atmosphere that gave me the creeps. I guessed part of the ending, but there was one twist I didn't see coming.

All in all, A Flicker in the Dark is a suspenseful and satisfying thriller. This is Willingham’s debut, and I look forward to reading her next book.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This one is receiving rave reviews but I’m so sure...

I was a little bored in the beginning before the book picked up at around the fifty percent mark. And while others loved the prose, there was a little too much inner hand wringing by the main character for my taste.

However, I loved the premise and overall idea.

Chloe as the daughter of a convicted serial killer has her life on track (sort of) and is a practicing psychologist engaged to a handsome professional. She’s grown up since her father landed in prison twenty years ago.

But, as we know, there’s no Happily Ever After in thrillers without hurdles to jump. Chloe’s past returns to haunt her as copycat disappearances and murders begin plaguing her small hometown again.

I thought this was an intriguing Who is Doing it, and as mentioned, the pace accelerated somewhere around the middle keeping me flipping the pages.

One of my favorite things in thrillers are scandalous characters. The more lurid the better if they’re written with humor or tongue in cheek.

When they’re not, and I’m asked to take them seriously without a realistic approach being adopted, the book loses panache for me. I feel that happened here which is partly why I didn’t rate it higher.

3.5 Stars rounded up.

Many readers loved this and I think I may be in the minority so I hope it’s a hit for you.

Thank you to Minotaur Books, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this!

A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham is a well-written book that I quickly got addicted to. It's a fascinating story about childhood trauma and how that permeates every corner of your life. The characters are believable, and the settings were described beautifully. I couldn't help but root for the main character, she had been through so much. Really enjoyed this book.

Ok, so this was a super cool novel that had so many elements of surprise that genuinely kept me on my toes. I can not believe this is a debut novel! Congrats on your publication Stacy Willingham, this book is going to be a huge success!!!

The story revolves around Chloe Davis, now a psychologist in Baton Rouge and also a soon to be newlywed. Twenty years ago, six teenage girls went missing. As summer concluded Chloe's father was arrested for the murder of those 6 girls. Growing up with this in her past Chloe wants nothing more than to put this all behind her. Chloe's life can somewhat feel out of control but when local girls start going missing, Chloe starts to become paranoid. Is this really happening again?

Tune in January 11, 2022 to find out!

This novel was incredibly addicting, well narrated and had a twist I could have never anticipated! 5 stars!

This book is an amazing read. The writing of the book was captivating and with each chapter it had you hook. I couldn't put the book down. It had you question each character on who really done it. I was impressed to hear it was a debut novel. I look forward to more books from the author. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it. Well done.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins press for the ARC.

4.5 ⭐️

When Chloe Davis was twelve, six teenage girls went missing in her small Louisiana town.

Lena Rhodes was the first. The original. The girl that every girl in Breaux Bridge envied UNTIL her face became the one seen on every TV, and on all of the MISSING posters around town.

Robin, Margaret, Carrie, Susan, and Jill were the others.
Then, Chloe’s father confessed and went to prison, and the killings stopped.

Twenty years later, Chloe is a psychologist in Private Practice. She tells herself that she chose this career to help others-But, it doesn’t hurt that she can prescribe the drugs, that help get her through the day. She just calls in the prescription under her fiancé’s name, and picks them up at the drive-thru on the way home.

She seems to have finally attained happiness, and then a local teenage girl, Lacey Deckler, goes missing.
And, then another.

Is history repeating itself? Is there a copycat killer? Or is Chloe imagining similarities that don’t exist?

This is an IMPRESSIVE debut, with well developed characters and lyrical prose.

As I read, I wondered if it would be a character study of how a person can be a serial killer and fool others, or if there would be a twist? Is the tension in the fact that we are one step ahead of our protagonist, Chloe at all times, or is she convincing us to believe one thing, which might turn out to be quite another?

I was never bored as the facts were unspooled, like a ball of yarn-the revelations coming faster as we neared the end. Maybe just a little too fast-as I had some unanswered questions about the final reveal.

The only reason I am rounding down instead of up, is that the ending went ONE STEP FURTHER than I would have liked. Though it’s still plausible-it would have been more so-if had not gone there.

I can’t wait to see what Stacy Willingham comes up with next!!
Highly recommended!

And, just a side note…I am also impressed at how many times she was able to use the word “Flicker” throughout the book!

Thank You to Minotaur Books for my gifted copy, provided through NetGalley.
Available January 11, 2022.

Wow wow wow!! This is hands down the best thriller I’ve read in a long time. The twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat! The whole story is beautifully written and has so many details and small touches that make it masterful. Such an interesting and thrilling story that is definitely worth the hype! I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.