"Village in the Dark" by Iris Yamashita is a gripping psychological thriller that serves as the second installment in the Cara Kennedy series, released on February 13, 2024. This atmospheric novel blends elements of mystery, suspense, and sociopolitical commentary, set against the backdrop of a remote Alaskan town.
The story follows former Anchorage detective Cara Kennedy, still grappling with the devastating loss of her husband and son, as she returns to Point Mettier to investigate a possible connection to their deaths. Yamashita skillfully weaves together multiple perspectives, primarily focusing on three women: Cara, Ellie Wright (a local inn owner), and Mia Upash (a half-Indigenous waitress).
Yamashita's strength lies in her ability to create a palpable sense of unease and claustrophobia, expertly utilizing the unique setting of a town where all 205 residents live in a single apartment building. The author's background in screenwriting shines through in her crisp, concise character descriptions and the cinematic quality of her action sequences.
The novel tackles weighty themes such as grief, domestic violence, and the struggles of Indigenous communities, adding depth to what could otherwise be a straightforward mystery. Yamashita's inclusion of Indigenous voices and culture, done with sensitivity and in consultation with Native American communities, adds authenticity and richness to the narrative.
While the pacing in the first half of the book may be slow for some readers, the latter half delivers intense action and unexpected twists that keep readers engaged until the very end. The complex, multi-layered plot unfolds through short, high-octane chapters that maintain tension throughout.
One minor drawback is that readers who haven't read the first book in the series may miss some character development and world-building. However, Yamashita provides enough context for new readers to follow and enjoy the story.
In conclusion, "Village in the Dark" is a compelling and thought-provoking thriller that showcases Yamashita's growth as a novelist. With its unique setting, diverse cast of characters, and exploration of important social issues, this book is sure to appeal to fans of atmospheric mysteries and readers looking for stories that go beyond the typical whodunit.

The story revolves around three strong female protagonists: Detective Cara Kennedy, Ellie Wright, and Mia Upash. Each character is intricately developed, with their personal struggles and motivations adding depth to the narrative. Cara's relentless pursuit of the truth about her husband and son's deaths, Ellie's grief over her estranged son's death, and Mia's haunting past all intertwine to create a rich and emotional tapestry. The setting of the remote Alaskan village in "Village in the Dark" by Iris Yamashita plays a crucial role in shaping the novel's atmosphere and adding depth to the story. The story unfolds in the fictional town of Point Mettier, an isolated village in Alaska. The town is characterized by its remote location, surrounded by rugged mountains and dense forests, which contribute to the sense of isolation and seclusion.

In Village in the Dark, Iris Yamashita delivers a gripping follow-up to her debut, weaving a suspenseful tale set against the atmospheric backdrop of Alaska. Detective Cara Kennedy is on a relentless quest to uncover the truth behind her husband and son's mysterious deaths, leading to shocking revelations that challenge her understanding of the past. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, skillfully intertwining the lives of Cara, Ellie Wright, and Mia Upash, each grappling with their own haunting secrets and moral dilemmas. With a cinematic quality and compelling character depth, Yamashita's storytelling keeps readers on the edge of their seats, making it a must-read for fans of gritty mysteries​.

I loved Iris' prequel to VILLAGE IN THE DARK - City Under One Roof. I really enjoyed the premise of most of the story being ... under one roof. For the sequel VILLAGE IN THE DARK, I enjoyed it, but not quite as much as the first book.

Cara is embarking on finding out if her husband and son are actually dead. This leads us on a bouncy path with the side characters' stories that made Cara's story get lost.

City Under One Roof gave the side characters their own story. VILLAGE IN THE DARK also tried to do that by connecting their stories to Cara.

It worked some, but certain chapters - particularly the Mia chapters - felt drawn out and too detail-oriented.

Still, this was a nice wrap-up to City Under One Roof and I did enjoy it.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an e-copy of VILLAGE IN THE DARK to review.

I rate VILLAGE IN THE DARK three out of five stars.

Alaskan Mystery with Twists

Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita is a gripping mystery novel set in the chilling backdrop of Alaska. The story follows Detective Cara Kennedy, who is dealing with the mysterious deaths of her husband and son, previously thought to have died in an accident. New evidence suggests foul play, sending Cara on a quest for the truth. The setting alternates between Anchorage and a secluded village called Unity, inhabited by women and children hiding from abusive men.

Iris Yamashita's Village in the Dark is a testament to her storytelling prowess, offering a thrilling mystery set against the stark beauty of Alaska. It's a must-read for those who enjoy intricate plots, well-developed characters, and a touch of cinematic flair in their literature.

Village in the Dark is the second book in the Cara Kennedy series. While Village in the Dark can be read as a standalone novel, I recommend reading City Under One Roof first. Cara is smart, determined, and haunted by her past.

This is a thrilling mystery that pulls you in right away and keeps going.
I enjoyed the characters each had interesting personalities and thoughts.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Village in the Dark" by Iris Yamashita is a gripping and atmospheric novel that immerses readers in a haunting tale of isolation and survival. Set in a remote, shadowy village, the story unfolds with a blend of suspense and psychological depth as it explores the hidden fears and secrets of its inhabitants. Yamashita's evocative prose and intricate world-building create a chilling and immersive experience, making the novel a compelling read for fans of dark, atmospheric fiction.

Thanks so very much to Netgalley and the publisher for kindly providing me this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I do reviews on my main social media platforms and will be providing my full review there as I get through my TBR blacklist. Adding star rating as placeholder. Thanks again!

Thank you, Berkley for an early copy of this book. Unfortunately it seems to be too much of a slow build for me, i find myself uninterested

Cara thought her husband and son’s deaths were an accident, but it now seems they may have been murdered. Cara is a detective, and her latest investigation may be putting her in danger.

Village in the Dark is the second book in the Cara Kennedy series. While Village in the Dark can be read as a standalone novel, I recommend reading City Under One Roof first. Cara is smart, determined, and haunted by her past.

An atmospheric and suspenseful mystery. Recommended for fans of mysteries and Alaskan settings.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a thrilling mystery that pulls you in right away and keeps going.
I enjoyed the characters each had interesting personalities and thoughts.
This has action mystery and adventure and twist that will keep you wondering.
This is the second book in this series and as I always say it’s best to read the first book in the series to get the full personalities and backgrounds of the characters,
However after already starting this book I learned it was part of a series so it can be read as a standalone.

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

I did not realize this was the second book in a series, it read well as its own story. I will be reading the first book because I enjoyed the characters in this book so much! It started off slow and I am glad I stuck with it because the second half of the books takes off! I will look for the next book in the series. I hope it clarifies what happened to one of the characters in this book and continues the story of others. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Love this series and Cara Kennedy. The Alaska setting continues to be a highlight and this thriller didn’t disappoint. Starts a little slow as it recaps past events and characters and then keeps you turning pages. Looking forward to more mysteries in this series.

Village in the Dark was a fast-paced thriller that will keep readers guessing right until the end. I liked Cara Kennedy's character and felt like Yamashita had created a character that came to life off the page. At times, I felt like I could feel her emotions about losing her husband and son, her feelings for J.B., among other parts.

Yamashita's writing is strong, and she created an interesting plot that keep me glued to the story until it was over. Her twists came at all the right times, and while they felt predictable once they happened, I never saw them coming.

A great book and I'm looking forward to reading more from the author!
Thank you, Berkley Publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

**3.5-stars rounded up**

Village in the Dark is the 2nd-book in the Cara Kennedy mystery series. Let it be known right outta the gate that I haven't read the 1st-book yet. That's right, I'm picking them up out of order...

I know some of you may disagree with my pattern for doing this, but with Adult Mystery series, I sort of just pick up the ones that sound like they have the most intriguing mystery elements. Then if I really enjoy the characters and setting, I'll go back and read the prior books. I'm happy to report that I would love to go back and read the 1st-book, and any others that happen to come after this. I had fun with the mystery and did become attached to Cara and her intriguing personal story.

In this story, we do follow Cara Kennedy, who is a Detective in Anchorage, Alaska. We learn at the start that Cara is grieving the fairly recent loss of her husband, Aaron, and their young son, Dylan. The boys went out on a camping trip and never returned. Their bodies were later found at the bottom of a cliff. It was believed an accident, but new evidence points to foul play.

Cara is devastated. She was upset enough believing they accidentally met their demise, but to learn someone else actually took them from her. She needs to find the truth.

We also get the perspectives of two other women related to the crime. It's unclear for a good portion of the story how everything fits together, but as the pieces started to fall into place, that's when it really picked up for me. I loved the setting. There's something about mysteries set in Alaska that just feel more dangerous and intriguing to me. The harsh landscape, the remote areas, it pushes the tension levels in really pleasing ways. I definitely enjoyed Cara's perspective the most out of the three, but I did enjoy how the three came together and I think overall, it was well-executed.

As mentioned above, I would absolutely pick up any more books in this series that are released. I do plan to go back and read the 1st-book, City Under One Roof, soon. I am interested to see if Cara's husband and son are in that book, and if so, what those relationships were like.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Adult Mystery series following Detective protagonists. Bonus points if you enjoy mysteries set in remote areas such as Alaska. I really enjoyed learning about Cara's community and the surrounding areas; very interesting.

Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm excited to have a new Detective to follow!

Last year, when I reviewed Iris Yamashita’s debut mystery, City Under One Roof (reviewed here), I noted that she had enough material with her setting and characters to develop a series. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who thought so, because Yamashita’s sophomore effort, Village in the Dark, picks up where City left off. Focusing on a few new characters, Yamashita continues the story of police detective Cara Kennedy and reveals the true fate of her husband and son, providing an emotionally satisfying conclusion for readers of the first book.

Having been tipped off that their deaths hadn’t been due to natural causes after all, Cara has the bodies of her husband and son exhumed. Meanwhile, Ellie, who rents out several units in the only building in Point Mettier, Alaska, is grieved by the death of her estranged adult son, Timmy—seemingly of a drug overdose. When Cara finds pictures of her son and husband as well as Timmy and other missing people on a phone belonging to a gang member, she’s convinced there’s a plot that ties all these deaths together. Ellie teams up with Timmy’s father—her ex-husband, former bank robber Shane—to learn the truth, while Cara continues her relationship with police officer J.B. and digs into her husband’s work life to find out what really happened. A third character, Mia, an Alaskan Native who grew up on a women’s collective, knows the truth about what happened to Cara’s family, and she’s on the run as a result.

City had two (third person) point-of-view characters that are barely mentioned here: teenage Amy, the daughter of the woman running the Chinese restaurant, and Lonnie, daughter of the police chief. I liked these characters and missed their inclusion, although Ellie and Mia were strong additions to the population. Yamashita broadened the geography of the story as well, bringing it out of the condo building that gave City its wonderfully creepy claustrophobic feel.

Yamashita continues to struggle with a consistent tone, especially in scenes starring Ellie, who comes across as comic relief even in scenes that should be dramatic. The gang members continue to be the bad guys, and early on, Cara commits the head-scratching error of taking Ellie to confront them about the photos on the phone. As a police detective, Cara’s decision to walk into this lair without official backup, especially after the confrontation that ended the first book, makes her seem incompetent, and Ellie’s jokes make the scene even more implausible. Similarly, the reveal about the conspiracy that drove the mystery defied logic.

Still, Alaska’s challenging weather, sprawling geography, rugged terrain, and tenacious people make the state an ideal location for a mystery, and Yamashita’s work brings out all these characteristics. With Detective Cara Kennedy’s tragic backstory seemingly resolved, it might be a good time to return to the inherent quirkiness of Point Mettier and her city under one roof.

Thanks to Berkley for the book in exchange for an honest review.

This is thrilling mystery that grabs your attention right away and doesn't let go. The characters are interesting and I really enjoyed the three viewpoints that made me feel like I was getting a well-rounded look at events, but there were still twists and surprises in the story. It had a cinematic action and adventure vibe that would make it a really good TV movie. I didn't realize it was the second book in a series and it worked fine as a standalone. Although, now I need to go back and read the first book. I listened to the audiobook and the three narrators are fantastic making it a very enjoyable experience.

Village in the Dark is the second book of the detective Cara Kennedy series. Set in a small, sometimes inaccessible village in Alaska, there is an interesting cast of characters and the plot gets twisty. This was a gripping, well paced and character driven novel with a solid and twisty plot. Happy reading!

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic ARC and the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to Berkley and PRH Audio for the copies to review!

I loved this one, it is the second in a series of which I have not read the first one (shocker I know), but it did not matter, this one stood alone just fine. However, I loved this one so much that I do want to go back and read the first one, and this author is now on my radar. I enjoy police procedurals, and this one was set in Alaska, so it was even better as the setting was perfect for this story. Detective Cara Kennedy is a strong protagonist, and I enjoyed the twists in here that tied the case and her backstory together, none of which I saw coming. This was fast paced and intense, and really does not let up once it starts. The narrator did a wonderful job with the audiobook and I enjoyed reading the book this way.