Waters is excellent at making readers feel like something may be lurking around the corner. There's a level of suspense throughout the novel that works very well. The beginning is strong, introducing Lucy, a serial killer's surviving victim, Maggie, a student researching for her paper, and Carolina, a true crime fan afraid of her past. The set up is unique as well, trying to make a comment about the exploitive nature of true crime podcasts. It done very heavily, and while I agree with the message, it became a bit much at times.
My main issue is with the pacing of the novel. It started strong, then seemed to lag in the middle, dropping obvious clues and red herrings until we got to the climax. The pacing led to more issues with the characters. The more decisions they made, the more frustrated they became with each other, not knowing who to trust. It became a game of who said something first, I'll believe her. For some of the characters and their histories, it just became tiring.

"The Restless Dark" by Erica Waters is a hauntingly atmospheric novel that plunges readers into the depths of Cloudkiss Canyon, a place as beautiful as it is dangerous. With a premise that cleverly intertwines the allure of a true-crime podcast's contest with the raw emotions of those touched by the Cloudkiss Killer's legacy, Waters crafts a narrative that is both a gripping mystery and a profound exploration of the human psyche.

Lucy, Carolina, and Maggie, the novel's protagonists, are intricately drawn characters each battling their own demons. Lucy, narrowly escaping the clutches of death, seeks closure; Carolina, whose fascination with true crime masks her own turbulent emotions, looks for an outlet; and Maggie, a psychology student, navigates the murky waters of her past. Their journey into Cloudkiss Canyon is as much about unearthing the bones of the infamous killer as it is about confronting their own inner darkness.

Waters' storytelling blends elements of suspense with psychological depth. The setting of Cloudkiss Canyon is rendered with such vivid detail that it becomes a character in its own right—mysterious, captivating, and foreboding. The novel's atmosphere is thick with tension, a testament to Waters' skill in building a world that is as enchanting as it is unsettling.

What sets "The Restless Dark" apart is its exploration of themes such as revenge, survival, and the duality of human nature. Waters does not shy away from delving into the complexities of her characters' motivations and the circumstances that led them to the canyon. This exploration elevates the novel from a mere thriller to a thoughtful examination of the darkness that resides within us all.

The narrative is plotted with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. The intertwining stories of Lucy, Carolina, and Maggie, each driven by their own desires and haunted by their secrets, converge in a climax that is both shocking and satisfying. Waters masterfully maintains the suspense, making "The Restless Dark" a true page-turner.

Perfect for fans of Sadie and the Wilder Girls? I've read neither but both are on my TBR and sound stunning.

Despite this taking me a while to read (mainly due to reading the bulk of it on my phone), this was quite a stunning novel exploring the depravity of humanity, manipulation, finding your freedom and... the true crime community.

There was some interesting discussions on the morality of true crime, and as someone who watches a few YouTubers of the niche for facts and sometimes "entertainment", I found it personally fascinating to see how these discussions developed.

The whole setting for the novel being set around a contest to find a serial killers' bones was unsettling and I found it gross how the fans of the Human Beasties podcast got so excited over these murders and quite literally fangirled over the murders. I mean I know there's a niche for true crime, as I say - I watch it too, but I don't thirst for the villains and get excited by it all.
I think having Lucy as a larger perspective helped balance the narrative and give a different point of view.

On the subject of Lucy, I started disliking her from about half way through. I felt like she was so easy to manipulate in spirit and lacked a backbone. She let her emotions bleed into hard facts and gut feeling and it made me uncomfortable at how easy it was for her to turn on others.

The dynamic of Lucy, Maggie and Carolina was great though. They were all incredibly different, came to the contest for different things, and added a lot of thought provoking narratives to the plot.

I found the finale a little sub-par, as I hoped we'd learn more about some elements in the book, such as the local folk lore, but the reveal (as it were) left something to be desired. I just would have loved a more solid conclusion.

I loved the beginning and thought this was probably going to end up as a highly rated book.. But then the book started to slow down and I started to dislike every character. I’m disappointed because this was very atmospheric and had a creepy with some good writing, but it just wasn’t enough to save it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me free access to the digital advanced copy of this book.

I really enjoyed this twisty dark YA book. I am not a true crime podcast fan, but feel like those who are would enjoy this even more. While the premise of a group of podcast listeners going out into the woods to look for a body was maybe not the most realistic set up, I still enjoyed the story.

Oof, this book was a lot. The premise sounded so interesting, and then after reading Erica Waters’ earlier books, I thought I was ready for this. This is a different kind of dread and creep-factor from previous books, though I did love all the commentary on true-crime podcasts and how much of them are sensationalist entertainment and how much are actually working for victims. The interpersonal stuff between Maggie, Carolina, and Lucy was all so intense and messy and GOSH the gaslighting. This was just such an intense read on many facets, but the ending was so satisfying and a perfect way to end Lucy’s story.

I thought this was okay! It had some good things to say about the glamorizing and pop-culturizing of true crime, but it was obvious what was going on and I think it could have been done without the fantastical element of the fog.

Haunting and atmospheric while also painting the voyeurism of our collective fascination with true crime in a harsh light, THE RESTLESS DARK pits three young (queer) women against monsters: from their pasts, from their surroundings, and even in their own minds. Lucy, Carolina, and Maggie provide three very different and interesting perspectives on the search for our serial killer’s remains: Lucy wants closure, Carolina wants assurance that she’s not the worst monster out there, and Maggie wants to look at the people doing the looking.

I found myself drawn in, even as we see how both Lucy and Carolina get manipulated and drawn into false narratives or into traps to make their stories unbelievable. The plot unfolds in such a way that we (the audience) can see the strings but don’t know quite how far they stretch, and I found that more brilliant than if we were totally caught by surprise.

There’s one facet of the ending that I’m not entirely sure whether I liked or disliked, but to talk about that would be spoilers!

Everyone wants to find the one link that will catch a killer. But what if the killer almost caught you? For Lucy that is exactly what happened, the Cloudkiss killer almost took her as his next victim. The Restless Dark gives a dream like suspense that will have you second guessing every character and their motives. While the setting in it self is unsettling, the purpose of the retreat falls flat. There needed to be depth to the understanding of the killers and there was none. As well as the arcs for the characters who were in supporting roles.

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and were not affected by the free copy.

Ok, so I'm a few months late with my review, but I'm going to do it anyway. Lucy was nearly the final victim of the Cloudkiss Killer. However, after he jumped off a canyon, his body was never found, and a true crime podcast is hosting a contest to find it.

I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. I enjoy a good podcast themed mystery, the setting was pretty creepy, with mythical fog and a terrifying canyon. Unfortunately, I didn't really like any of the characters, the pacing was off, and villain was way too predictable. I wish the author had explored more of the evil in the fog, it felt like it was brushed over until the end, then forced on us for a few pages, before being immediately forgot about again. I did really enjoy the interview with the podcast at the end, it felt like Lucy finally stood up for herself.

I don't know if I'll ever recommend this book to anyone, if I even remember it, but if you enjoy
true crime with a creepy setting, this might be for you.

The first thing that I note is that Waters is quite critical of true crime podcasts, painting the genre as entirely predatory and exploitative. But that's a fairly small part of this plot. The larger question is whether a place itself can be evil and influence behavior. I can understand the appeal of the plot but I'm not sure that it works especially well. It plays with ideas of trauma and empathy in a surface way but never digs deep.

Waters’ writing is atmospheric, haunting, and immersive. A fresh take on the true crime angle, I really enjoyed the writing, multiple perspectives, and interweaving tale.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher of an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Loved the vibe of this book, it was a little eerie, it was a fun ride. I loved the story and the developement

I had such high hopes for this story revolving around a serial killer. The three main characters Lucy, Maggie, and Carolina literally all sounded the exact same, and I had a hard time keeping them straight. I didn't really enjoy Waters' writing style (very tell, not much show), and the characters fell flat for me. I wanted to like this book, but unfortunately this was not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC.

Thank you to HCC Frenzy for an eARC via NetGalley.

CWs: emotional manipulation, attempted murder, murder, death, blood and injury detail, abusive relationship

This was a really interesting premise, and I enjoyed it. It was more of a psychological thriller than I had thought it would be, but I thought the author did a fantastic job of writing the emotional manipulation. Once I realized it, it was actually kind of terrifying to read because I kept waiting for something bad to happen to the characters.
This book is told in alternating first-person POVs of Lucy and Carolina. Lucy is the last victim of serial killer Joseph Kincaid, and she’s the one who got away from him. She was also there when he jumped off a cliff and disappeared into the fog of Cloudkiss Canyon, and Lucy signs up for Killer Quest in the same location to find his body and try to get rid of her fears that he may still be alive. Carolina is struggling with guilt and fear that she might be a violent murderer. She’s got no clear memory of a traumatic event that happened in her past, but the outcome haunts her. I found Carolina to be such a compelling character and I really liked her chapters. Lucy was also really interesting, but at times I found her character a bit annoying. I did find that both characters fears and emotions came across really strongly, and it helped me to feel like I was there with them.
I found that the plot moved at a pretty slow-burn kind of pace. The writing style was really great for the story, but I struggled to stay focused at times because I didn’t feel like much was happening.
If you like psychological thrillers with secrets, sapphic romance, and serial killers, then check out this book!

The True Crime podcast Human Beasties is hosting a contest to see if anyone can find the as-yet-undiscovered bones of a serial killer who was seen committing suicide by jumping off a cliff two years ago when his latest attempted murder was interrupted by police. Many interesting characters are drawn to this contest including Maggie--a psychology student, Carolina-- who likes serial killers because they make her feel better about herself, and Lucy--that last would-be victim. These three girls team up to investigate and form complex relationships with each other that end up deadly.

The story is told in first person with all three girls having input. They are all a bit unreliable as narrators and a fantasy element, a local fog that messes with people's minds, adds to the reader staying on-edge as far as knowing what to believe.

I really enjoyed this queer YA thriller. It had many unique aspects and good pacing, both of which kept me engaged from beginning to end.

The Restless Dark is a book caught up in the fog of its captivating horror-thriller plot and intoxicating atmosphere.

Erica Waters has this mystical touch that infuses her books with magic. Her books are so deeply infused with this woody, mysterious and naturalistic power that blurs the line between fantasy and reality. Her writing is so elegant, yet unnerving and creepy at the same time. At this point, she is a YA horror author you have to keep on your radar.

Her blend of pulse-pounding mystery and that unnerving sense of something beyond your comprehension, combined with unapologetically queer characters, creates something you have not seen before. That representation is amazing to see, with these queer girls finding themselves and their own path through these horrific situations. In particular, I loved Lucy, Carolina and Maggie. They’re all intense and interesting characters, with plenty of layers to delve into. Waters keenly focuses on the impact of trauma in the book, with different ghosts of their pasts resurfacing to affect their psyches and provide insight into their motivations. This well-developed trio invites you to allow them into your hearts, only for them to break them once more.

This is an impressively well-constructed mystery with plenty of suspects, red herrings and the all important twists. It is tight, slick and keeps you on your toes. The way Waters weaves in ethical interrogation of true crime is a fantastic throughline. The exploitation of suffering and pain for entertainment is put on full display here, as well as the variety of reasonings people give for their enjoyment of the genre. It works as escapism, catharsis for personal issues, or a way to better navigate the world for some. Of course, there is also some sickening aspects to it, with a glorification of the killer and a disregard for the impact of revisiting these crimes may have for the victims. It is ultimately all about spectacle and what will create the biggest story. Waters showcases these murky territories expertly, allowing for nuance and development of ideas.

In The Restless Dark, there is always this sense of the uncanny permeating every page. You are constantly confronted with the underlying uneasiness of if this is ghosts or a more monstrous human influence behind some of the events. This fantastical questioning of the story adds that extra layer to the story that elevates it and perfectly compliments Waters’ lyrical writing. I love how much her books thrive in that thick and all-consuming atmosphere. They truly feel like campfire tales, shrouded in smoke and secrets. The layers to them are so enjoyable to unravel. Also, the setting itself comes to life, becoming a haunting presence looming over everything. Something here is clearly not right and that menacing presence pays off in some brilliant ways. The amplification of everyone’s darkest desires is a fascinating concept and allows some really dark moments to take place. That consummate sense of paranoia colours every page and starts to sink into your mind. Everyone here is an unreliable narrator, right down to the setting. That bone chilling unease is tied to the fleeting and unknowable nature of the place, creating so many questions that will never be answered.

The Restless Dark is a book that conjures those shadows in the night, full of darkness, mystery and something you can’t quite explain. For me, this makes for dynamite reading that I cannot get enough of.

Thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins Publishers for this ARC in exchange for a review.

This was a really good horror read. It centers around three young women; Lucy, Carolina, and Maggie with the chapter POV switching between Lucy and Carolina. These three women come from very different walks of life, each with secrets of they are struggling not to let consume them. They come to Cloudkiss Canyon to participate in a podcast hosted event that centers around the search for a serial killer’s bones. Things begin to be vandalized, people turn up hurt and missing and fingers begin being pointed at each other, specifically Lucy who was almost the killer’s last victim before disappearing into the fog that engulfs the canyon and Carolina who on the outside is a beautiful popular girl that is struggling with a darkness that she thinks has already gotten a taste for blood.
Page turner does not even begin to cover this book. The entire time I was bouncing back and forth wondering if it was Carolina, if the serial killer was alive, was it his ghost, was it someone else entirely? I was hooked all the way to the end. As someone that is a huge true crime buff I did like the view this put on podcasts that sensationalize killers and the Reddit boards that can bring dangerous individuals together who bond over their admiration of the killers. There is no denying that while quite a few podcasts do try and bring attention to victims and make their story known, there are even more that glorify the gore and violence.
All in all a very good read.

This was a great book with tension and a story that felt so real that I could not put it down. This was a great blend of supernatural feel and true crime that I really enjoyed. It had some great twists and some wonderful characters and I can not wait for more from this author.