I requested this book IMMEDIATELY, as the premise sounded so interesting and exciting. And while it started out okay…. I just found it to be a struggle to keep wanting to read it? I forced myself to finish, and there wasn’t really anything wrong with the story. It just felt like weird pacing, which made it hard for me to concentrate. I didn’t love any of the characters, but loved that there was good LGBTQ representation that showed a loving married couple on top of the normal teens we see in these books. I think most people will like this book, but it’s not one I’ll ever come back to with desires to reread.

The Dead and the Dark is a true ghost story. Full of twists and turns, this one kept me guessing. This is the type of suspenseful read that would likely not give you nightmares, but will leave you thinking. I enjoyed this audiobook!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the opportunity to read this book. The opinions in this review are entirely my own.

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What a strong debut!
I loved how this story opened, she was able to immediately draw me into the setting and I wanted to know more about the dark that is first introduced. I also loved the small town vibes on Snakebite. Being from a small town, I feel like she totally nailed that feeling.
The characters themselves were fully fleshed out, with switching perspectives that made it easy to get the feelings from each of them, which made me more invested in the story.
The relationship between Logan and Ashley felt really authentic and seeing how they navigated their feelings and developing relationship was a really nice touch.
Overall I really loved this story and the writing. If this was a debut I am so looking forward to anything Gould comes out with in the future.
The audiobooks quality was great as well as the narrator, I would recommend the audio!

This was absolutely incredible. Think of this as Nancy Drew meets Supernatural with a side of Casper! It was such an up and down rollercoaster ride, that I enjoyed thoroughly. I am absolutely in love with this writing and the audiobook was perfect. It is SO dark and mysterious that at times I found myself actually SCARED.

I loved the story and the chaos that ensued in the town of Snakebite. I highly recommend this to all thriller/mystery lovers who love a suspenseful plot with a lot of twists and turns.

I won't be spoiling anything but if this is something that caught your attention - GO READ RIGHT MEOW!

Thank you Netgalley!

This was such a strong debut! I read in some early reviews that this book was "like Riverdale, but good," and that's such an appropriate comparison. Please add this book to my list of best mysteries I've read this year so far. 2021 has been a good year for YA mystery/thrillers.

"The Dead and the Dark" tells the story of Snakebite, a small town in Oregon, where teens have started going missing since the return of Brandon Woodley, a previous resident of the town, and his husband, Alejo Ortiz, and daughter, Logan Ortiz-Woodley. The Ortiz-Woodleys are back in Snakebite as part of their show "Paraspectors," which involves searching for paranormal experiences in different locations.

This book is all about vibes. I loved how atmospheric it was giving you the feeling that someone was watching over your shoulder. The slow pacing also contributed to this dark and unsettling feeling. While it was a slow burn, I was intrigued to know what was going on and see how the paranormal elements unfolded. In this regard, the narrator also did a great job in contributing to the feel and atmosphere of the book with her tone and pauses.

I do think that there could have been more development in terms of the relationship between Ashley and Logan as well as the ending felt a little bit rushed at times. However, it was a great read, and I would definitely pick up another book by this author.

CW: homophobia, claustrophobia, slurs, drowning, child death, murder

"The Dead and the Dark" comes out on August 3, 2021.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I am already on the hunt for what to read this Fall (because Halloween > Xmas), so I was thrilled to get an advance copy of this novel. I was very intrigued by this concept—a lesbian and her ghost hunting dads!—and am happy to see more representation pop up on the shelves of our thriller and YA reads.

The book opens with a literal Dark presence taking possession over the small town of Snakebite, Oregon. I loved the way the author wrote these interludes and gave such a presence to this entity. We meet Logan Ortiz-Woodley and her dads, who are both famous paranormal hunters on TV. The trio lives the life of nomads, zigzagging all over the country in search of the unknown, before returning to their hometown of Snakebite. Trouble is, teenagers begin to go missing almost as soon as they arrive. The daughter of the richest family in town is desperately searching for her missing boyfriend and begins to realize this family of misfits may be just the allies she needs. Oh, and she is also starting to see ghosts.

I enjoyed the growth of Logan and Ashley’s relationship, as well as the spooky aspects of this novel. I wish the author had fleshed out the characters of Logan’s parents more. Alejo, her father that she is closest with, is bisexual and I would have loved to have explored that more. Brandon, the father that Logan has a strained relationship with, has a back story and dark secret that I think the author held on to for a bit too long. It would have liked to have heard more of their backstories earlier on in the plot.

And because I was specifically asked to review the audiobook: the narrator was very easy to listen to and I did not find my mind wandering as often as it does when I listen to other fiction books on audio. So if audiobooks are your preference (or even not!), this would be a solid choice.

I thought that it was an okay book with a decent story but it wasn't able to fully grasp my attention. I had one issue with the writing and it was that things moved a bit too quickly in terms of plot and character development. The two storylines converged too quickly and I wish a bit more time was spent developing their individual stories.

I thought that the plot went in an interesting direction but I would have liked to know more about the dark. It does play a central part in the story from the beginning, but we don't really know much about it. For me, the logistics of these kinds of things are something that is a need to know for me, otherwise, it will bother me. There were other elements in this that I don't particularly like to read about but may not bother you.

In terms of characters, I didn't really feel much of a connection to Ashley or Logan and I thought that their connection developed way too quickly. They, and several other characters, made several questionable decisions that baffled me and pulled me out of the story.

If you like stories about small towns with a bit of a Strangers Thing vibe, then this might work for you as well.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for an advanced audio book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Logan and her ghost hunting dads, Brandon and Alejo, go back to their hometown of Snakebite, Idaho. Recently, a teenage boy has gone missing and the town wants to blame Brandon. Logan tries to solve the mystery and learn more about her fathers. Local teen Ashley is seeing things that aren't there.

I would have liked more of Brandon & Alejo's origin story earlier in the book. I had a hard time with the drawn out timeline where weeks went by between events.

Soneela Nankani did a wonderful job narrating the book.

When Logan and her ghost hunting dads move to Snakebite, Oregon it’s clear something isn’t right. Teenagers are dying. The first victim hasn’t been found, but his girlfriend feels his presence, and the mysterious new girl is the only one she can trust. As Logan investigates the mysterious deaths, she’ll uncover more than just a murderer.

This book was a wild ride, and it definitely made my meh week a little less meh. The supernatural mystery kept me going, and I’m always here for some ghosts. I really liked Logan, her journey, and her struggle. Here dads were great, and the mystery of one of her dads kept me interested to find out more. Snakebite is a weird place, and I loved the worldbuilding of the town and its characters.

I alternated between the print and audio of this one, because I didn’t want to have to take a break when I had to work. It comes out August 3rd, so keep an eye out for it if you need some cool spookiness in your fall.

I really enjoyed the story and I thought the pacing of the audiobook was really good. I didn’t particularly like the narrator. Her voice sounded a little too mature for the characters she was speaking as and it gave a certain disconnect from the story. That said, I think the acting was really well done and the story was told well.

I received this as an audio galley to listen to for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for giving me access.

This story wasn't at all what I was expecting, I thought this would have more of a ghost story vibe. It did not. With that being said, the storyline was still enjoyable. Gould kept me interested even when the twist didn't seem to fit the story. This was a wonderful debut and I look forward to reading more from Gould.

I read The Dead and the Dark while listening to the audiobook narration. What a captivating book. I sat down to start and didn't get up until I finished. The characters were interesting and dark, the story was ominous and engrossing, and the narration was spot on. At every turn, I needed to know what was going to happen next and I needed to solve the mystery of what was happening in this dark town. Great read and a great listen, Highly recommended!

The Short Version: A YA paranormal mystery that will envelop you and coil around your ribs slowly constricting until you feel like you’re drowning, in a good way. Prepare to give yourself over to The Dead and The Dark.

The Long Version: I got to listen to the audiobook of this novel thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan audio.

This was a home run of a YA story and a home run of a paranormal story. Logan’s parents are the hosts of a popular ghost hunting show, but her one father, Brandon has gone back to his hometown, Snakebite, supposedly to scout the location for a show. After he’s been there for several months, Logan and her other father, Alejo, decide to join him, but when children start to go missing, the town suspects Brandon and it falls on Logan to figure out what’s really going on. She partners with Ashley, who’s boyfriend is the first missing child, but as they get closer to the truth, something sinister gets closer to them.

This is one of the better debut novels I’ve come across recently. It was incredibly polished for a debut and in no part did it feel like a debut novel, with an ease to the story telling that typically accompanies a much more seasoned writer.

Both protagonists were likable and compelling, constructed of many layers that are peeled back one by one as the novel progresses. Their arcs were tangled and well executed, and ultimately collide in a satisfying way.

I also really appreciated the construction of the small town dynamics. The judgmental one-mindedness of Snakebite was almost a character in and of itself, and felt extremely true to life.

The plot zipped along, keeping me champing at the bit, and not wanting to put the book down. The prose fits the POVs and the dialogue is so natural you almost don’t notice how much it’s doing to elevate and progress the story. These three elements worked seamlessly, knitting a highly absorbing tale you’d struggle to be disappointed with.

There really wasn’t much I disliked about this story and the few things that I did were mild dislikes.

The origin of The Dark wasn’t really explored in detail. The author explains how it came to Snakebite and how it operates, but I think an origin chapter (especially since there were chapters prefaced as interludes when The Dark is the main character) would have set this thing over the top. Something occult and heartbreaking, maybe from the pioneer days.

Also, while I generally liked the protagonists, I think they were thrown together abruptly and while it’s mildly believable they would take up investigating together, I think having them start separately then run into each other would have been a more natural progression. In that way they occasionally felt more like game pieces than characters. It’s hard to specifically put my finger on, just sometimes I felt like the story was pushing them around more than they were investigating the mystery

Lastly, with the rise in LGBTQ stories, the tropes of those stories become more apparent and this leans into the YA LGBTQ trope of “I’ve always been 100% straight but then this one person comes along and suddenly I’m not and I’m a little uneasy about it but not really”. I’m straight, so I may be speaking out of turn, but it’s a lazy trope in my opinion, and always feels like someone throwing in an LGBTQ storyline to check off a representation box to me. I think most people are at least subtly aware of their interest in same sex relationships before they have one. I get people can be raised a certain way and told straight relationships are the only thing that’s “right” but the whole being blindsided by a homosexual freight train is getting a bit played

Overall this hits on every level. A 4.5 rounded up. A must read for lovers of YA, paranormal, LGBTQ, or anyone who needs to get out of a book rut.

Component Ratings
Concept/Idea: 5 out of 5
Protagonists: 4 out of 5
Supporting characters: 5 out of 5
Character Development: 4.5 out of 5
Prose: 5 out of 5
Plot: 4 out of 5
Pacing: 5 out of 5
Dialogue: 4.5 out of 5
Narrator’s Performance: 4 out of 5
Ending: 4.5 out of 5

This book was a page turner from beginning to end. Very captivating with amazing character development. A delicious mix of stranger things and paranormal events. Two dads and their daughter come back to hr town they grew up in to help solve a mysterious disappearance. But now people keep disappearing. Who is behind it all? I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

A darker, more mature City of Ghost, but make it queerer? Yes, please. We have the main character, Logan, who has followed her paranormal investigator fathers to their hometown. A boy has gone missing, and some members of the town blame one of her fathers, Brandon. Logan is determined to prove that isn’t true and teams up with the missing boy’s ex-girlfriend. As they grow closer, more teens go missing and creepy stuff goes on, including a deep dive into Logan’s own past. This was eerie and interesting, and sucked me right in.

The audiobook was well narrated, easy to listen to.

My one line pitch of this book: it's like Riverdale, but if Riverdale was actually... good.

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.

I cannot recommend this book enough. You will love the characters, you will be surprised by how deeply complicated and emotional the story gets, and the mystery will keep you engaged and guessing. This is one of the best mysteries of the year, and you won't want to miss it.

I listened to this story via audiobook, and the narrator was awesome! The audiobook was super engaging and made the story *that* much creepier.

Snakebite, Oregon is one creepy town!

This book starts off dark and ominous. From there it's a slow build with the horror factor, the mystery, and an unexpected romance between two female characters. For fans of books that feature dark twists and turns, this is definitely the book for you. There were things that completely caught me off-guard, in a good way, as I was reading.

Horror fans will be pleased because this story has ghosts, monsters, and a killer lurking around the town.

Although it is YA, I feel even older readers can appreciate this deliciously dark tale.

“In the beginning, the Dark is only a thought. It is hope turned inside out. It is curdled anger, spite like tar, residue that sits on the lake water like a film.”

This has got to be one of the top YA paranormal love stories I’ve ever read or listened to. Not that I’m putting is squarely in these genres – there are also strong elements of horror and mystery and a fair amount of thriller vibes to really get your blood pumping!

There are so many things I loved about this book set in Snakebite, a small tight community in Oregon. It is remote and it is unforgiving and the people there don’t like different. When one of Logans ghost hunting dads’ heads back to Snakebite to get a feel for the next show, Logan and her other dad, Alejo soon follow. They’re met with contempt, judgement and suspicion and soon Logan finds out why; not long after her dad Brandon arrives, a local boy goes missing. Soon kids are being murdered and the obvious signs point to Logans dads but there could be something darker at work.

There are many secrets within this novel and the slow revealing of them is delicious and dark; Brandon and Alejo, originally from Snakebite have plenty of secrets but the town itself has a few of their own and Logan is determined to find out how they all tie together. She’s aided in this by Ashley, the girlfriend of missing teen Tristan and soon an alliance forms earning a negative response from the townsfolk.

TDATD has the perfect haunting atmosphere with characters that I grew to love, it has twists that are beautifully plotted and a pace that kept me engaged – literally turning pages and listening until I finished in just under two days. It is terrifyingly creepy and I loved every word. Ghostly apparitions, demonic dark voices, LGBTQ+ Rep and small town secrets are cat nip to this little kitty soul.

Narration: Soneela Nankani narrated this haunting tale beautifully! She did a phenomenal job bringing the characters to life with perfectly pitched haunting quality. She is an absolute delight to listen to!

My thanks to MacMillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press and Wednesday books for the pleasure of listening/reading to The Dead and the Dark!

TW: Murder/Death, Homophobia, Gore, Child Death

3-3.5, I was really torn here, because the parts of The Dead and the Dark I liked were REALLY great. I also had moments of great boredom or eye-rolling. It's not too common to say a standalone is too ambitious, but think part of the issue here is that a lot of emotional weight and plot details were rushed due to time limitations. The romance (while actually charming) was rushed significantly, and some aspects of the twist were sloppy and awkward. Logan's dads to me were the hi-light of the story- and despite being side characters, had the heaviest emotional weight in the story.

In some ways, The Dead and the Dark feels like a sequel that should have been written after telling the story of the parents of the town.

But as far as the good stuff, I really liked (again) the adult characters in this book, who were all super interesting. Logan and Ashley were also likable. The flow and concepts in the book were a lot like "IT", which was really fun- sort of a whistful, spooky magical horror that explored the emotional darkness of the town itself rather than a "big bad". This was a clear contemporary, but it almost made me nostalgic.

4.33 stars

We follow Logan and her dads, TV ghost hunters Brandon and Alejo, as they arrive in the couple's hometown of Snakebite. They soon realize that there's something wrong going on as teenagers mysteriously disappear, some even turning up dead. Then we meet Ashley, a local teenager whose boyfriend's ghost has been following her since he went missing. Looking for answers and hoping to end the disappearances, Logan and Ashley team up to investigate whatever is haunting the town.

Macmillan Audio has done it again! And Soneela Nankani's narration was everything this book deserved. Her pace was fantastic; she brought the characters to life and made it easy for me to follow along. I was never confused as to what was going on.

The highlight of The Dead and the Dark for me was the enthralling plot and the engrossing character work. I could honestly close my eyes and imagine each character as a real person (for better or worse). The use of horror as a proxy to social commentary was really well done. I finished the book reflecting on how scary real life can be!

The execution was solid, in my opinion, but I wish the atmosphere had been just slightly scarier. Maybe because I was so consumed with the characters, I wasn't scared, and I wish I had been. I still think this is a beautiful novel, though, and I am delighted I read it. I'll carry Brandon with me for a long time.

Pain - this summons the book up to me. This book is dark and scary. Although the horror fan in me was delighted with the supernatural undertones of The Dead and the Dark, the most frightening thing about this book is how well it represents real life in the issues dealt with, such as queerness, prejudice, grief, loss. I don't know how to talk about this book without spoiling it, as its fluidity and the order we are introduced to incidents were such a big part of my experience. I will say this: how much I related to Brandon was borderline unhealthy. His arc was the best thing about the novel to me.

I lie; there are many things I loved in this novel, and arrrghhhh it's hard to talk about it without spoilers, but hear me out and bear with my vagueness. The Dark was used as an analogy and what it represents, HOW it represents it, was so beautiful and enthralling. Snakebite, unfortunately, is not just a fictional town with made-up people - it's a petri dish that under the microscope exposes the worst in humankind and the world. I wish I could say I don't see people like that more often than I'd like. The queer relationships in this book are everything. For one, Brandon and Alejo have a healthier and stronger relationship with each other than most hetero couples I know. They are also excellent parents. The last thing I will mention in the "reasons to love this book" list is that Gould's story is organic and reads naturally. She didn't hesitate (or maybe she did?) to make difficult choices. The result paid off, in my opinion.




Disclaimer: I first read it as an ARC. In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to Macmillan Audio, Courtney Gould, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of The Dead and the Dark.