Rating: 4.5 stars rounded up to 5

The moment I finished The Darkness in the Light, I immediately added some of Daniel Kalla’s backlist titles to my shelves. Remote location, winter vibes, psychology & mental health based mystery, all wrapped in an engaging writing style. A winning combo that kept me turning page way past my bedtime.

This book shared many of the elements that make me love Nordic noir so much. In addition to that as someone who works with people experiencing mental health challenges I am always hyper-aware of how they are represented in thrillers & suspense novels. I think Dr. Kalla’s personal work experience shone through both in the way he portrayed the patients and the therapists in the story, but especially when one exists at the intersection of those two identities.

Arctic community of Utqiagvik, Alaska read like a character in the story in its own right. I felt as invested as Dr. Spears in figuring out what happened to Brianna and Amka. If you enjoy incredibly well written psychiatric mysteries, you will not want to miss this one!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for gifting me a copy in exchange for an honest review!

I don’t read a lot of thrillers but I enjoy Kalla’s.

His ability to write from a real world perspective when it comes to medicine is key to making his novels come to life. But without the characters it wouldn’t matter. So it’s a good thing his character’s jump off the page as though they are real people.

I loved the setting and how intense the issues were, although caution is advised as the triggers are numerous. Fantastic ending that took this book to the next level!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an advance copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

Definitely not one of my favorite Daniel Kalla books by far. The storyline is well written with a good flow of events so I'm thinking this just wasn't the book for me.

Dr David Spears is a psychiatrist who is providing therapy to patients in Alaska, some of whom are taking the same anti-depressant that he has also been prescribed. When patients taking this medication start committing suicide, he begins investigating the drug company that has produced it. He travels to a remote town in Alaska where his patients live to find out if he can find out why there is a sudden surge in suicides. His life is about to become very scary

The writing is excellent and the clinical detail always very interesting and informative. Characters are well-developed and the twists and turns are intricate and welcome. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the locale and could visualize and feel as if I were there, experiencing everything.

I thought this book was ok but not great. I've enjoyed a number of Daniel Kalla's books more than this one. It was somewhat depressing (several trigger warnings) and slow in parts. I felt like it bounced around a bit and then together really quickly at the end. I just didn't feel really invested in the characters. Overall, it was just ok.

When a psychiatrist’s patients begin to die by suicide he realises that they’re all on the same antidepressant medication and starts to wonder if there might be a connection.

This is my second book by this author and I enjoyed this one even more than the last. The author’s role as an ER doctor gives him such an interesting perspective from which to write a medical thriller.

The Alaskan setting of this one really added to the atmosphere and there was a twist in the middle that I most definitely didn’t see coming. Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley, Simon and Schuster Canada and Dr. Daniel Kalla.
I have read a few novels of this author and he surely does not disappoint.
The author is an ER doctor in a hospital in Vancouver and it truly shows in his writing.
A psychiatrist’s patients are dying and Dr. David Spears blames himself. Is it the new antidepressant he has been prescribing to his patients? The antidepressant he takes himself. His friend and boss Dr. Gutierrez is involved with the pharmaceutical company that makes said medication.
Mystery set in Alaska with jaw dropping turns.
Well written, quick read which I could not put down.
Recommend 4 stars

A medical thriller set in Alaska? Sign me up! Daniel Kalla is an incredible author, bringing so much of his real life medical knowledge to his writing, making the most interesting and heart pumping medical thrillers I've ever heard of! Please note that this book is FULL of trigger warnings including suicide, sexual assault, rape, overdose, and depression.

Kalla's characters are always so real. They are full of faults, but also just genuine characters that are so easy to like and root for. I truly wasn't sure where this book was haded, or what was coming next as I read. The ending truly blew me away. I loved the Alaskan setting, bringing so many issues to light in such a tasteful way, along with Big Pharma drama at the same time. Daniel Kalla truly has met his market with medical thrillers and this book is no exception, I highly recommend picking it up! Off to read more of his backlist now!

I've read all of Daniel Kalla's thrillers and I really enjoyed this one! The best of his recent releases! I love a good medical thriller and Kalla is just so good at them. Please note : Trigger warning for suicide.

David is a psychiatrist in Alaska who provides both virtual and in person care to a remote community. A new antidepressant - which David actually takes himself - has been a common link in several recent suicides. David becomes suspicious the drug may be the cause and starts digging around as there are some unanswered questions regarding the trial results. The Darkness in the Light is a fast paced and exciting thriller. Solid 4 stars.

This book held my interest throughout and had a few plot twists that I did NOT see coming, which wass fun as the reader. Dr. Kalla described this remote Alaskan town perfectly and the sense of setting was incredibly well done. I found the plot easy to follow despite numerous characters and it was heart-wrenching at times because I'm sure some of these difficulties are quite reflective of this place in reality and not just fiction. I think this is my favourite of his yet!!

Daniel Kalla does it again... draws me into another medical thriller, and leaves me on edge throughout, wondering if everyone is going to make it out alive.

The Darkness in the Light takes the reader to remote northern Alaska, with psychiatrist David Spears trying to figure out why some of his young patients are dying by suicide. Has he missed something? Are they hiding information from him? Is the new antidepressant he's been prescribing, and using himself, behind all the problems? With help from the local social worker Taylor Holmes, David starts to unearth troubling information, and disturbing the delicate status quo.

This book is filled with intrigue, and a major twist at the mid-point that took me totally by surprise. Kalla has an ability to keep me engaged with every page turn, and wondering what's going to happen next. As an additional enticement for me personally, his portrayal of mental health and treatment of patients tugged at my psychiatric nursing heart. His research is impeccable, and his understanding of the struggles faced by patient and worker alike is compelling.

I would highly recommend this book for those loving thrillers with a twist, set in very realistic situations. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Publication Date: May 3, 2022

Another great book from Daniel Kalla. Be warned, this book deals with depression, addiction, sexual abuse, suicides and murder so if reading about any of these will be uncomfortable for you stay away because it’s all covered here. It’s not a book for everyone but I found it a great page turner, but I am very partial to Mr. Kalla’s writing so I will admit I’m biased. The central story is about a psychiatrist Dr. David Spears who flies to a small-town North of the Artic Circle to try to determine what’s happening to his patients. Both of his patients were using a new drug to treat their depression and he begins to suspect the drug might be a factor in one's suicide and the other one's disappearance. To add to his worries, he is also taking the same drug Ketopram to treat his own depression and he starts to question everything he's learned about the drug. Suffice it to say not everything is as straight-forward as it seems and there are a lot of people with secrets who will do anything to keep them secret.
A thriller with many twists and turns and a few red-herrings, I enjoyed this fast-paced novel.

Thank you to NetGalley & Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.

I am a big fan of Dr. Daniel Kalla’s books. Somehow he is able to write about timely medical issues, while incorporating an element of suspense and mystery that is both extremely intriguing and educational. His latest novel, “The Darkness in the Light” was an extremely intense book that although at times was difficult to read, was extremely well done and overall a very good novel. There are plenty of twists that allow the novel’s quick pacing to seemingly go even faster- I read it over the course of two days.

**There are several TWs for this book; some include: death by suicide, sexual assault, drug use/abuse

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the opportunity to read this ARC!
A strong 3.5/5 rounded up!

4.5 stars
The Darkness In The Light shines in the medical thriller genre.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for my advance copy for review!
Author and Vancouver ER doc Daniel Kalla is at the prime of his writing form with his latest book.
This novel takes us to Alaska, from the city of Anchorage to the remote Utqiagvik.
A cluster of suicides have shocked and unsettled psychiatrist Dr. David Spears. His patients had been prescribed the new antidepressant Ketopram, and he wonders if it played a role in their actions.
Utqiagvik social worker Taylor Holmes has a unique working view on those in her northernmost locale, and is also troubled by the recent events.
Is it coincidence, or conspiracy?
The Darkness In The Light has so many captivating elements - the setting, the characters and their connections, the use of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs, mental health diagnoses and treatment, suicide and self-harm, and virtual medicine.
They're societal issues wrapped with respect and consideration into a mystery storyline, and I couldn't put it down.
This is the third of Kalla's medical thrillers that I've read and this is easily in the top spot.
There are plot points that could be triggering for some readers, and should be considered before going in.
Recommended!
For release on May 3.

The Darkness in the Light by Daniel Kalla  is a psychological thriller.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Simon and Shuster and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


 My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Dr. David Spears  is a psychiatrist, working out of Anchorage Alaska.  A number of his patients are actually in the Arctic, and he "sees" them via video chat.  One of his patients up there, Brianna, just committed suicide, and he feels guilty for missing the warning signs.  A friend of hers, Amka, who is also his patient,  is taking it hard, and David decides it is time for him to visit the remote community to check up on her.

David has had his own issues.  His wife took his daughter, and they are living in Seattle, so visits are tough, and when his anticipated father/daughter trip gets cancelled on top of the recent suicides, David's own depression gets amped up.  He has been on a fairly new anti-depressant called Ketopram, which he swears saved his life.  But now he is having doubts.  A few of his patients that are on this drug have committed suicide lately, and he starts to wonder if it may not be the wonder drug he had anticipated.  His own friend/psychiatrist has invested heavily into this drug, and David can't convince him there is a problem.

Upon visiting the remote arctic town, David and Taylor Holmes (the town's social worker)  take up the hunt for Amka, who is now missing.  David's fear that Amka's use of Ketopram may send her over the edge.  Taylor, on the other hand, thinks her disappearance could be down to her drug-dealing boyfriend and his connections.    But there are a lot of connections, and the investigation will prove treacherous.


My Opinions:   
Okay, about 1/2 way through the book was a MAJOR twist.  I certainly did not see that one coming!  The author took a giant leap, and I followed.  I actually think the book got even better after that jump.

The book looks into pharmaceuticals, both legal and illegal. Other topics include mental health issues,  suicide and abuse.  So, overall, pretty dark, sensitive topics.  The author handled them all with grace.  The plot was good, as was the pace.

The characters were all really well developed, and you either loved them or hated them,  but they seemed "real".

It was a really good, fast read, and it kept my attention from start to finish.  What more can I ask?

Here's hoping your next read is 5 stars !!!

When his patient in a northern Alaskan town commits suicide, David is riddled with guilt ; when a second patient disappears, he feels compelled to investigate .

✔️ at About 55% - an unexpected twist !
✔️ definitely a page turner - I read it in one sitting
✔️ I enjoyed reading about the town of Utqiagvik, Alaska
🎥 a great choice for a screen adaptation ; I can just imagine how beautiful the cinematography would be too !

Thank you to NetGalley and s&s publishing for the arc of this medical thriller by Daniel kalla.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a medical thriller before? I ask that as a question as if everyone else should know. Haha.
I really enjoyed this book. It had lots of good twists and turns. I wasn’t truly sure whodunit, and I like that in a thriller. I had a guess between two characters and one was correct, but that’s what we all want right? A book that makes you guess and think!
This book does have some heavy topics though. Really heavy on suicide, drug use, big pharma, assault. All not easy things to read, write or talk about. If none of these things trigger you, and you enjoy thrillers, this is the book for you. Easy to read, and not hard to follow.
This is my first book by Daniel kalla and I don’t think it will be the last!

Dr. Spears becomes very concerned when several of his patients, from the same small Alaskan community, die by suicide. The thing they all have in common is that he prescribed them a new anti-depressant wonder drug. He is determined to get to the truth no matter the consequences. This is a great read not only for the mystery but for the thought provoking portrayal of mental health, isolation and suicide. Thx to NetGalley & Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a big fan of Daniel Kalla’s writing but I found The Darkness in the Light to be a particularly disturbing read. Mental health in itself is difficult subject area.. The Darkness in the Light takes the reader further by introducing other sensitive subject areas which magnify the already very complicated nature of the mental health issues of the story’s characters. Pushing through the book was a bit of a struggle at parts but well worth the time invested.
Thank You to Simon & Schuster Canada, NetGalley and Daniel Kalla for the opportunity to read and reflect on this ARC.

Prepare yourself for a book hangover because you won’t be able to put down this addictive mystery.

I’m ashamed to admit this is my first Daniel Kalla novel though he has long been on my radar. Doctor by day and writer the rest of the time, Kalla is known for his medical thrillers. I’m really glad I finally picked up one of his books because it was a good one.

Kalla does a great job of incorporating the bleak but beautiful Alaskan landscape into the novel to the point where the setting almost feels like another character. The book starts out in Anchorage and then transitions to the very remote town of Utqiagvik. It’s that very remoteness that contributes to the almost claustrophobic sensation the reader has and it creates a glorious tension. At the same time, Kalla highlights the challenges faced by remote communities and some of the ways health care professionals and law enforcement work to overcome them.

The characters are very well developed and I felt like I really got to know both main characters. The book begins from David’s point of view, a psychiatrist working with patients both in Anchorage and in Utqiagvik. He is a very caring person who goes to great lengths to help his patients. Part way through the book we switch to Taylor’s perspective and I also loved her character. As the social worker in a very remote town, she makes a big difference in the lives of all the townspeople.

I liked that Kalla chose the topic of mental health for this book. After two long years of the pandemic, more of us than ever are facing barriers to our mental health so the timing for this book couldn’t be better. I felt Kalla provided a well-balanced look at the numerous challenges faced by both those struggling with their mental health and those that treat them. I particularly liked that he chose to have David struggle with depression. Not only did we get more detail on how depression looked to him because he is a main character, it showed that no one is immune and even a psychiatrist can face mental health issues.

Overall a suspenseful great read. I highly recommend it. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you about that book hangover.

Thanks, Simon and Schuster Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.