A chilling (in more ways than one!) mystery centering around three strong female characters in the dark, cold winter in Alaska. Iris Yamashita’s Village in the Dark is the second book featuring the lead character Cara Kennedy, and picks up with her pursuing more information about what led to the death of her husband and son over a year earlier.

Village in the Dark is the sequel to Yamashita’s City Under One Roof. The book picks up where the previous book left off, and offers a partial conclusion to where the first book left off. Though this is a sequel, Yamashita does a fantastic job of laying out where Cara Kennedy is at the start of the book and where she has been. You don’t need to read both to read this one.

The book opens with police detective Cara Kennedy at a gravesite in Anchorage, Alaska. But rather than burying the bodies of her husband and son, she’s having their remains exhumed. Over the past year and four months, Cara has lost her husband and son and been paced on long-term disability from her job after failing a psych eval. Though they seemingly died in an accident in the Alaskan wilderness, Cara has become obsessed with linking them to another case in Point Mettier, Alaska and proving it was foul play.

Meanwhile the owner of the Cozy Condo Inn inside the Davidson Condos in Point Mettier, Ellie Wright, is experiencing her own troubles. The town of Point Mettier has just over 200 residents, all of whom reside in the same condo building. Ellies’s son Timmy has died of an alleged drug overdose in Anchorage. When Cara finds pictures of her husband, son, Timmy, and other missing people on a phone belonging to a gang member, she’s convinced the deaths are tied together. Ellie and Cara may not always have gotten along, but their shared grief and search for answers seems to heal those past wounds.

The third storyline centers around Mia, who is a young indigenous woman working under the name Carol at the Lonely Diner in Willow, Alaska. Mia grew up on a women’s collective called Unity where she lost her mother. Mia has struggled to assimilate to life outside of the women’s refuge. She also seems to know what happened to Cara’s husband and son, but is keeping quiet about what she saw.

The first book took place fully in Point Mettier, which is based on the real life town of Whittier which is nicknamed “the town under one roof” because all of the town residents live in one building. I’m fascinated by this setting, so I was initially disappointed that this book only had portions set in Point Mettier. The claustrophobic feeling of the first book is also less present, leaving the story much more open. This made sense stylistically because the case has become much bigger than the case in the first book.

Yamashita does an excellent job building tension throughout the book. Cara Kennedy is in a bad place at the start of the book, and it seems at first like she may be continuing to spiral in the obsession that has plagued her since the deaths of her husband and son. Though Cara seems to be onto a real case, she still proves that her clarity of thought has been clouded by her trauma and mental health struggles. That doesn’t mean she won’t be able to make progress, but she puts herself and other into situations her police training would have avoided.

The plotting of the story was inconsistent, though that could potentially be intentional because the entire premise of the mystery and setting should make us feel off kilter as we try to figure out what is really going on. By the end of the book, Cara’s main storyline that dominated the first two books seems to be resolved, which leaves the question of where Yamashita may take a possible third book. Perhaps this is the conclusion of this story and a future book may revisit Point Mettier in a different way.

Thank you to Berkley for my copy. Opinions are my own.

Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita is a riveting rollercoaster of an atmospheric mystery within the remote setting of Alaska. This is a suspenseful & twisted tale of interconnected crimes with surprising clues to past disappearances. The tangled web that is woven will have you flipping the pages deep into the night!

This is book #2 in the Cara Kennedy series. While it would give the reader a fuller picture with reading the first book in three series, this could be read & enjoyed by itself.

Village in the Dark is great for fans of…
✨ Captivating Mystery
✨ Alaska
✨ Multiple POVs
✨ Twisted Suspense

I was so excited when I found out that there was a second book in this series. It’s hard to read City Under One Roof & not be charmed by the residents & their unit as well as entertained from this story. I finished book #1 with a curiosity that this book took & strapped me in for one unputdownable ride of a mystery. Something I really enjoy about this story are the achingly real & authentic characters. Their pain, their grit & their imperfectness make it where I couldn’t look away. I also really enjoyed the constant shifting of viewpoints & the short chapters. Those are music to the ears of my ADHD brain to keep it entertained.

This book felt like the author really found their anchorage & the story catapulted into the next speed up. Village in the Dark is more fast paced than the first novel with multiple storylines in different timelines to create one fascinating mystery. It was interesting watching everything unfold as I tried to sleuth out who everyone was. I don’t want to say too much more & give away any spoilers!

I cannot wait to see what this author has up next!

If you’re looking to get lost into a suspenseful mystery with the extremely unique & remote location of Alaska, I highly recommend checking out Village in the Dark!

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

I am still waiting for my Amazon review to go live. I will add the link once it does!

I liked City Under One Roof, Cara Hunter book 1, but I loved this one. It can be read as a stand alone, but I think the reason I loved it so much is it followed a personal issue for Cara that was started in book 1.

This one has such a unique setting that drew me to the series in the first place. The Alaskan town’s only housing is in a high rise. While not any type of locked door, mystery. because as long as the weather permits, the residents are free to come and go as they please. But it is Alaska.

Cara is on leave from the Anchorage police department after an incident following her son and husbands’ deaths. So she has all the skills of a police officer, but isn’t working that capacity when in Point Mettier. She is on a personal mission. I really like Cara and her gutsy approach to her situation. Actually I like all the quirky inhabitants of this sleepy town. It’s a place you go to hide away and many of the residents are hiding from something. I loved getting to know these characters as the author paints each of them a rich history. They are unique and they add so much to the story.

The book is suspenseful from the onset and there were so many theories I had about the truth about Cara’s family. It’s complex and layered and kept me glued to the read. While I won’t spoil anything, I never suspected how this one would end up. I have no idea where the author would go if this series continues, but I really I hope I get the chance to find out.

Sophie Oda, Blaire Chandler and Aspen Vincent bring these quirky characters to life in the audiobook. Their voices really brought Point Mettier’s characters to life and fit with the characters they represented. I almost wished I didn’t have the ARC and could only listen to this one.

Thanks to Berkely Publishing and PRH Audio for my ARC and ALC.

Thank you @berkleypub for my complimentary eArc and @prhaudio for my audiobook. My thoughts are my own.
#penguinrandomhousepartners

I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s debut novel, CITY UNDER ONE ROOF, last year, so I was excited to receive an advanced digital copy of the sequel! While VILLAGE IN THE DARK can be read as a stand-alone novel, I recommend starting with book 1 so you can get the intriguing back stories for the main characters.

BRIEF SYNOPSIS: When Cara Kennedy’s husband and son disappeared and were later found dead, Cara was devastated. A little over a year later, she is gradually picking up the pieces of her life, and even has a new love interest, when a DNA expert tells her that the DNA of the bodies she buried does not match that of her son and husband. Could they still be alive? Cara sets out to find the truth and uncovers a tangled mystery.

MY THOUGHTS: The cold setting, unique mystery, and quirky characters drew me to the first mystery and the same can be said for this one! The story unfolds through three perspectives: Cara, Ellie, and Mia. Cara and Ellie ‘bond’ over their lost sons and Mia holds an important key. The characters are well-developed and the action moves along at a good pace. I probably enjoyed Ellie’s perspective the most, as it provided new details about her colorful past.

I love to combine reading and listening to a book. The narrators in the audiobook were perfect for the characters they portrayed. Whether you listen to or read this book, I recommend it if you like:

*mysteries in cold settings
*books in a series
*well-developed characters

This was a good follow up to the first book in the series, Under One Roof. While it is part of a series, it can also be read as a standalone. I recommend reading the first book though, as it was an amazing debut!
This book is told from the perspective of three characters: our main character Cara, as well as Ellie and Mia. Their chapters flowed together well to weave a good, suspenseful story. I do wish we had more focus on the condos as in the first book. Few things I did not expect! And some ‘neatly tied’ coincidences. I enjoyed this book overall and recommend reading it if you enjoyed the first story as well.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

The continuation of the Cara Kennedy series is something I was very excited to read. City Under One Roof introduces us to Cara as a new widow, struggling to put herself together and get answers. The setting of Point Mettier, Alaska with its one big building and so many interesting characters was well developed.

In Village in the Dark, we again had the point of view of three female characters. Cara returns from the first book, a widow and detective from Anchorage on disability leave. Mia is a young women from a very remote village, living in Alaska pretty much her entire life. Ellie, we already know from Point Mettier.

Cara decides to exhume the bodies of her husband and son to see if she can learn more about how they died. This sets her into a new investigation. She has her new relationship with JB to support her emotionally, although people aren't happy she is investigating.

Mia is a young women who worked at Algmagor with Cara's husband, Aaron. She grew up in a different isolated village which housed only women, many trying to escape abuse or fled there after an assault. But she left there to make her way in Anchorage.

Ellie is the "inn" owner in Point Mettier, owning several condos and renting them out. Previously she rented to Cara. She gets a notification that her son has died of an overdose.

Cara has photos from a phone from one of the gang members of the last book. There is a picture of her with Aaron and Dylan, and one of Ellie's son, Timmy, and many others. Cara starts researching to find out everyone in the photos is missing or dead. She and Ellie try to work together, unsuccessfully, then each start on their own leads.

The villains from the previous book are now after Cara. She and Ellie and Mia are all struggling for answers and to survive. Eventually, things come to a head. It's dangerous and shocking. I loved it so much!

Detective Cara Kennedy faces the devastating loss of her husband and son, initially believed to be the result of a tragic accident. However, disturbing evidence surfaces, suggesting that their deaths might be connected to a series of murders. Determined to unveil the truth, Cara embarks on a relentless pursuit of justice, discovering shocking clues that point to foul play.

The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a frigid February day in Anchorage, as Cara grapples with the exhumation of her family's graves. The investigation takes an unexpected turn when Mia Upash, a resident of the isolated village called Unity, becomes entangled in the mystery. Unity, a community of women and children in hiding from abusive men, holds secrets that may be linked to the broader web of deaths and disappearances.

As Cara, joined by police officer Joe Barkowski and other residents of Point Mettier, digs deeper into the investigation, they navigate a perilous path that jeopardizes not only their lives but also those of everyone around them. The connection between Mia's past in Unity and the unfolding mystery adds layers to the narrative, creating a gripping and suspenseful tale of danger and deception.

It is a gripping mystery that masterfully weaves together the threads of loss, intrigue, and the quest for justice. Iris Yamashita's narrative skillfully constructs a world where the chilling Alaska landscape mirrors the suspenseful atmosphere of the investigation. The author crafts a plot that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, yearning for answers alongside Detective Cara Kennedy.

The exploration of the isolated village, Unity, introduces a compelling layer to the story, highlighting the struggles of women and children hiding from abusive men. Mia Upash's connection to the mystery adds depth and emotional resonance to the narrative, creating a poignant exploration of trauma, survival, and the consequences of silence.

The characters, led by the determined Detective Cara Kennedy, are well-developed and contribute to the overall tension and intrigue. The collaboration between Cara and police officer Joe Barkowski, as well as the involvement of the residents of Point Mettier, brings a sense of community and shared purpose to the investigation.

Yamashita's prose is evocative, capturing the harsh beauty of the Alaskan setting and the emotional turmoil of the characters. "Village in the Dark" is not merely a whodunit; it's a nuanced exploration of justice, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships.

In conclusion, Iris Yamashita delivers a riveting mystery that seamlessly blends elements of suspense and emotional depth. "Village in the Dark" is a compelling read that will leave audiences eagerly anticipating each twist and turn in the quest for truth.

Thank you Berkeley Publishing and PRH Audio for my gifted copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

This was such a thrilling follow up to the first book! I love that in this series our MC, Cara isn't just wallowing in her depression but is doing something about it.

Drugs, dealers, missing people - it all gave extra to moving the plot along, and building up the mystery. The desolate location helped. It just feels like you can't really turn to anyone for help, or find a safe place to hide. Definitely helps with the tense feeling of the book.

Also, what now? Do we get to see more of Cara? I need to know!

Village in the Dark is the second book in the Cara Kennedy series. It’s best read in order.

In the last book Detective Cara Kennedy found a picture of her dead son and husband on a drug dealer’s phone suggesting that a hiking accident wasn’t the cause of their death. She teams up with Ellie, one of the residents in Point Mettier, and Joe Barkowski “JB”, the officer Cara worked with in the first book, to track down answers. Also factoring in this story is Mia, a young woman from a village apart and hidden from society.

There are three POVs: Cara, Ellie, and Mia, which are connected to the case, but as a reader you’re not sure how. I enjoyed each of the women’s perspectives, all very different in age and situation.

Cara’s was one I was familiar with as she was one of the main characters in the last book and this is a continuation of the mystery behind the death of her husband and son. I was enraged for her as things were revealed!

Ellie was kind of a crochety old woman the last book, the owner of the “Inn” in Point Mettier, a busy body with hints of a shady past. Through her POV we get her history, and I admired her for it! Ellie was a tough woman with courage and determination, and I liked her spunk!

I was eager to find out Mia’s connection, as she was obviously trying to stay under the radar.

I loved getting back to Point Mettier, Alaska and getting to know the characters more in this installment! It’s an interesting, unique setting, living so isolated in their condo-tower city, only accessible through a tunnel or by sea. It’s sort of self-governed being so out there. There’s a little romance, too, even though it’s not the focus of the story.

I really enjoyed Village in the Dark! It was exciting and suspenseful with twists I didn’t see coming! I hope there are more Cara Kennedy mysteries to come!

In the second installment of the Cara Kennedy series, we pick up right where we left off in City Under One Roof. As I mentioned in my review of City Under One Roof, I love a good Alaskan setting for mysteries and thrillers, so I was more than excited to continue on with this series.

Without spoiling anything, the Cara’s findings from City Under One Roof is taking her down a rabbit hole. Among her findings are pictures of recently deceased or missing persons, one being Cara’s own husband. Along with Ellie, a resident of the DavCo and mother of one of the recently deceased, Cara dives deep into investigating who each of the persons are, and why their pictures were in the hands of notorious gang members.

Like the first book we get multiple POVs within Village in the Dark. While Cara’s POV is a continuation from the first, we also hear from Ellie, a 60 something, red wigged, inn keeper at the DaveCo, and from Mia, who comes from a small insular village just trying to make it in Man’s World. I wasn’t sure how Mia’s story would fit in with Ellie and Cara’s, but I ended up really enjoying her viewpoint and loved the way the 3 POVs came together.

Also, like the first book, I did find it to have a few pacing issues. It’s a bit slower in some parts whereas I would have preferred it to be a bit more fast paced. Regardless of that, I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and getting to see the DaveCo residents again! While another big mystery is solved, I’m hoping that this series continues because I’ve grown fond of our cast of quirky characters and getting to know all their unique pasts. 3.5 rounded up to 4 for pacing.


Village in the Dark is out now. Huge thank you to Berkley Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my instagram @speakingof.books.

Surviving the loss of her husband and son, Detective Cara Kennedy will stop at nothing to find the truth of what happened to them that fateful hiking trip. Following their disappearance and recovery a year earlier, Cara has since unearthed clues that foul play might have been at hand.

I am nothing short of impressed by Iris Yamashita’s follow up to her debut CITY UNDER ONE ROOF. From the go, this book is as atmospheric as it is suspenseful and the evidence of her screenwriting talent shines through in spades. While this felt like a movie at times, including an action packed back half, the writing was also lyrical and quiet with a great amount of character depth, even among the more tertiary characters.

To be completely transparent, I did not realize that this was part of a series until I began reading it. And while I think this can be read and enjoyed as a standalone, there is a certain amount of character and world building in the first book that would have enhanced the reading experience. However, the author does an excellent job of filling in the gaps and introducing us to the characters in an organic and unforced way, which was very much appreciated.

Read if you like:
•atmospheric reads
•Alaskan setting
•action-packed plot lines
•detective series
•memorable characters
•multiple POVs

Thank you Berkley Pub for the gifted copy.

Intense, tightly plotted, and fast paced. I enjoyed this one as much as the first and was surprised in maintained the tension given it wasn’t confined to a single location the way “City” was. Great resolution. Would read more

Book #2 in this awesome series. If you have not read the first book, CITY UNDER ONE ROOF, I recommend you read it before starting VILLAGE IN THE DARK. Much of the second book is over arcing from the first and the story line is so much better if you've read the first one. Both books are so good....it's hard to say how much I loved them.

Iris Yamashita has taken the culture and climate of Alaska and her myriad population centers. From heavily populated Anchorage to the small villages and towns where living conditions vary so wildly. The characters show the same level of differences. Their differences make them an effective team for the investigation of so many challenges. Yamashita skillfully moves the team through each step of the investigation, pitting them not only against the criminal elements but the climate elements too. She maintains the tension and the pace, keeping readers on edge and the twists coming at surprising times. These two books are so good, I'm not sure how she'll be able to set the next one but I'm already anticipating it's release. 5 easy stars.

I read City Under One Roof last year and really enjoyed it, so I was thrilled to read Village in the Dark, the second installment with Detective Cara Kennedy. I loved how all of the characters carried over and were further developed in the story, though I don't think it would be necessary to read the first book before this most recent. Village in the Dark is fast-paced and action packed. I thought almost every chapter was equally character and plot driven, and each was told from the perspective of a different character. These story lines seamlessly came together with twists and turns throughout. Overall, this was a very quick and suspenseful read that I thoroughly enjoyed!

3/5

Thank you Berkley Publishing for the advanced reading copy!

SYNOPSIS --

Detective Cara Kennedy is determined to get answers, one way or another. After exhuming the bodies of her husband and son, disappeared last year after a hike, she finds answers she NEVER expected, to questions she never even thought to ask. With new players in the game and new rules that Cara could never have predicted, she finds herself down the twisting road of an investigation and into corners darker than she's ever seen.

This book was pretty quick and easy to get through. I love reading about Alaska — it feels sooo far off and different from the Midwest! I liked the first book in the series a lot more, but this one wasn’t bad! It had a slower start but really picked up and burst into chaos in the second half. I was pretty surprised by a few of the events, though some seemed too far fetched to be believable. The Unity village was a super fascinating setting to add in to the second book, too! I enjoyed reading more about Cara and the other characters from Point Mettier, and I'd read another book in the series if there are more in the future!

Village in the Dark is the second book in Iris Yamashita's Detective Cara Kennedy series. (Yes, this can be read as a stand alone.)
Yamashita takes us back up to Alaska and the fictional village of Point Mettier. The entire village lives in a high rise building. This setting is based on an actual village that does indeed live in one building. I enjoyed the descriptions of life inside and the many idiosyncrasies of the inhabitants.

Cara suffered a loss in the last book. She thought she had put that loss to bed, so to say, but the past is still knocking on the door.

Yamashita gives us some great opening chapters - from the point of three women. Cara, Ellie and Mia. Ellie is a feisty landlady at the building. And Mia is a young woman who was raised in the bush, but has decamped to the city of Anchorage. Three very different backgrounds, skills and ages give the reader a different take on what's going on. Each is engaging, but I think I enjoyed Ellie the most. The narrative changes every chapter - which had me staying up to read 'just one more chapter.'

The crime in the book is not new, but Yamashita has put her own twist on the final how why. There's lots of tension and action throughout the novel. I can see this book being made into a movie. Yamashita is an award winning screenwriter with four Oscar nominations.

There are a few plot devices that need to be taken with a pinch of salt - just go with it. Overall, a great addictive read. I would happily pick the next book.

Thank you to the publisher for my copy - all opinions are my own.

This one was a fun, easy to read, mystery with a little dash of police procedural in it. While I haven't yet read the first in the series, you can easily read this as a standalone, as it catches you up pretty quickly on the events and characters from the first book.

Overall, I would say that this was a decent read, although it tries hard to squish in a lot of storylines which in turns sometimes makes things feel rushed, or just serves up the required details of the latest twist on a platter which takes some of the fun out of it.

I'll be sticking with the series to see what comes next, as I do think there is great potential here as the story develops.

Really enjoyed this good mystery/thriller by Iris Yamashita. Sometimes life throws us huge curve balls and Detective Cara Kennedy sure learns that. Losing her husband and son throws her so far, she can’t seem to return. Everything seems to spiral even further when she hears of a picture of her loved ones on a dead man’s phone.

This is set in Alaska which I really enjoyed. Part of it is set in a remote Alaskan village called Unity. Somehow Yamashita made me see a picture of it. How one can paint a picture of a frozen, white, snowy area I’m not sure. I think it may have been through the mind of one of her characters. While that means good character definition, I think a better description would be good individual dialog, a sort of dialog within a person’s mind. She crafted several good characters, some quirky I’ll admit, some fun, some strong. I liked them all, except the bad guys of course.

Village in the Dark is Book 2 of this series. Although it was obvious in the story that there had been a previous book, I had no trouble following and knowing the characters. I thought it was clearly written. However, I will say that because I was able to glean so much of the previous story, I would not return and read Book 1. Guess I’ll just have to hope there’s a Book 3.

Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita is the 2nd book in her Cara Kennedy series. We meet Detective Cara Kennedy, when she stands by the grave of her husband and son; as they bring up both coffins, which looks like murder (instead of an accident). Cara is determined to find the truths; her husband and son were killed a year ago on a hike. With help from police officer Joe Barkowski, as well as other residents of Point Mettier, Cara’s investigation will lead them on a dangerous path that puts their lives and the lives of everyone around them in mortal jeopardy. Having not read the previous book, which ended in a cliffhanger, the beginning was a bit confusing, but I was able to get past it easily enough.

Cara’s investigation will lead to the bodies exhumed, which turned out that the DNA was not of her husband and son, which is why she suspected that their deaths were not an accident. She visits Point Mettier, and meets Ellie, whose son recently overdosed, with a picture shown by Ellie, which includes her husband and son. Cara and Ellie join together to embark on the truths, which lead them on a dangerous path of bad people, putting all of them in mortal danger. What was the connection between them?

We then meet Mia (the third lead in this story), who lived all her life with her mother, in an isolated village, called Unity, with all women, who hide from abusive men, and work together to build a protective village; using and learning how to use weapons. Mia decided, as she got older, she wanted to leave the village and live in a Man’s world; she changed her name (carol or Jennifer), and got various jobs along the way. Then she reaches out to help someone working at the company she worked at, which eventually leads her meet Cara, both beginning to work together, with surprising revelations.

I enjoyed all three main characters (Cara, Ellie and Mia/Jennifer), and when we reach the climax, each l finding a way to help one another. The last third of the book was very intense, dangerous and fast-paced with surprises along the way. With all the shocking twists and turns as we reach the climax, I will not say too much more, as it would ruin it for you.

Village in the Dark was an exciting page turner that kept unable to put the book down, as we reach the climax. Village in the Dark was very well written by Iris Yamashita. Village in the Dark was a very compelling murder mystery, with revelations that were totally surprising.

This was one of my most anticipated reads this year, and it did not disappoint!  I read City Under One Roof last year and absolutely loved it!  I loved this one even more!  It was SO good!  This is the 2nd book in the series but can be read as a standalone, but I do recommend reading City Under One Roof first.

Anchorage Detective Cara Kennedy lost her husband and son a year ago in a hiking accident.  She buried them and tried to move on.  But new evidence has emerged that foul play may have been involved, and their disappearances may be linked to a string of deaths and disappearances. 
Ellie, a resident of Port Mettier, has just lost her son to an overdose and wants to get revenge. 
Mia Upash grew up in the isolated native village of Unity, a community of women and children hiding from abusive men.  She leaves home to try and make it in "Man's World."  She never thought she would have so much trouble and be haunted by what she saw in the woods.
All three women are connected and trying to get to the truth.  Can Ellie get justice for her son?  Can she and Mia help Cara find out what really happened and keep others from dying?

Told in the multiple POVs of Cara, Ellie, & Mia, this was a fast-paced, riveting read!  The mystery and suspense were compelling.  I was definitely turning pages to see what would happen next.  And what a twist!  I loved reading more about Cara and was happy to see the residents of Port Mettier back in this book, especially Officer Joe Barkowski.  I also thought Mia was a nice addition.  I absolutely loved the setting of Alaska, and that was like icing on the cake for me.  I enjoyed this book SO much and HIGHLY recommend it!