Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I was excited to start this but it fell flat. The premise sounded amazing but the story was a bit slow and predictable.

Really wanted to love this one and the premise is interesting but could not get into it. Loved previous books but struggled with this one. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

Ashley Whitelam is a working psychic. Which is to say, she cleverly cons her audiences as she purports to pass along messages from their loved ones gone to the ‘other side’. But Ashley has a deeper secret: ever since she was a child, she’s been able to see things that no one else can. Her mother calls them ‘angels’, but they’re too sinister for that, and so Ashley names them the ‘Heedful Ones’.

The Hungry Dark is a story of many layers. Ashley’s con is a family affair, and a large part of the story’s backdrop is her relationship with her family. To be honest, I was split between wondering if the supernatural horror was less horrific than the claustrophobic life Ashley is trapped in, mainly because of her overbearing father.

It’s his idea to offer Ashley’s ‘services’ to the police trying to track a long-term serial killer, one responsible for children going missing over the years, dubbed the Gingerbread House killer. The plan was to drum up a bit of extra publicity with her involvement – no one, especially not Ashley – expecting her to actually succeed…

Another layer comes in the form of a hunky American true-crime podcaster, who wants Ashley as the ‘angle’ on his new Gingerbread House murders series. And yet another from the flashbacks to Ashley’s childhood visit to Red Rigg, a mountain in the Lake District with a dark, dark secret of its own…

Phew, that is a lot going on! It’s done well, though, which every bit weaving into the others to present and tangled, rich tapestry of story.

As a giant wuss when it comes to horror, I didn’t find this too disturbing – although I did make sure to read it during the day, not right before bed! I think the bit I found hardest going was actually the abusive family dynamic. It’s tough to remember that Ashley is an adult at times, between her treatment as the family cash-cow, and the flashbacks to the traumatic events of her childhood.

I most enjoyed the moments where she interacts with other ‘mediums’, during a big convention. The romantic thread was also played with a nice subtlety. The common thread through all the interactions, of course, being trust – or rather, lack thereof, and figuring out where the cons are being played.

The denouement didn’t hit me with much surprise, by the time we got there, to be honest, which is perhaps why I wasn’t finding it all too scary. That might be a negative to some, but frankly I want to enjoy ‘creepy’ – which this manages perfectly – rather than inflicting psychic (pun intended!) trauma on myself!

The only real downside to this book is that it’s not out until next April – it was such a perfect spooky season read, but you’ll all just have to wait a bit longer.

I was interested in this thriller, but didn't get on with it as well as I hoped. I thought the writing in general was good, and during the first few chapters, I appreciated the author's efforts to draw the reader in and create an atmosphere. As I read on though, I found the story didn't hold my interest that much. I didn't really connect with any of the characters or like them.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

★ ★ ★ ★ //5

The Hungry Dark
by: Jen Williams

THOUGHTS:

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I screamed with excitement when I saw this on my shelf for review! This book did not disappoint me at all. I want to just make it very clear that this storyline/plot and the characters…all so unique. I love Ashleys character and loved her all the way up until the ending. I loved the twists within this book as well as the eerie mystery throughout. I don’t want to give much away about this book because I think it’s one you should go into blind with an open mind, but this book was so great and I have the perfect bookish girlfriends who would eat up this book. I will be keeping an eye out for more by Williams. I enjoyed her writing style.

Interesting premise, average execution. I found the story to be rather slow and predictable at times. Still, I hope this book will find its audience and other readers can enjoy it more.

I really enjoyed this book and looking forward to more from this author

~This book was given by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

The first scene was intriguing, fresh. But the story dragged after that and I was never able to get back into the story. This was just too slow with too little going on.

"The Hungry Dark" by Jen Williams is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that delivers an unsettling and nightmarish reading experience. This book skillfully blends elements of psychological tension, supernatural mystery, and small-town dread to create a compelling story.

Ashley Whitelam, a charismatic and resourceful scam-artist psychic, finds herself caught in a web of dark forces when a series of gruesome child murders rock the Lake District. As someone who has had supernatural visions since childhood, Ashley initially offers her services to the police to exploit the situation for publicity. However, her involvement in the investigation takes a sinister turn when she stumbles upon the lifeless body of the latest missing child.

The narrative unfolds as Ashley becomes embroiled in the harrowing case and starts to question the authenticity of her own psychic abilities. The story's atmosphere is thick with suspense, and Williams masterfully blurs the lines between the paranormal and the real, keeping readers guessing about what is truly happening.

The characters are well-drawn, and Ashley's complex personality, filled with both vulnerability and strength, makes her a compelling protagonist. Her partnership with Freddie Miller, a podcaster covering the crimes, adds depth to the story, as they venture deeper into the heart of the darkness that has gripped Green Beck.

The writing is evocative, painting a vivid picture of the Lake District and its eerie surroundings. Williams excels at creating a sense of foreboding and keeping readers on edge throughout the book. The plot is both intricate and disturbing, drawing readers into a tense and increasingly claustrophobic narrative.

"The Hungry Dark" stands out as a thrilling and chilling read, guaranteed to captivate fans of psychological thrillers and supernatural mysteries. It keeps you guessing until the very end, making it a must-read for those who enjoy tales of the macabre and the unsettling. Jen Williams has delivered a masterful work of suspense that will leave you with a lingering sense of dread long after you've turned the last page.

Red Rigg Fell is a cursed mountain in Britain’s Lake District, where according to legend, bad and unexplained evils occur on the Fell and in it’s surrounding vicinity—and have been since time-in-memoriam—as reader’s learn in Jen Williams dual-timeline atmospheric fiction noir thriller, “The Hungry Dark.”

With an angelic demeanor, snowy hair, and waif-like build, young Ashley, is among 40 children invited to attend overnight camp at Red Rigg mansion located by the Fell. While their Ashley awoke from nightmares hysterically screaming the house was going to burning down. She was ignored and returned to her bunk—hours before a madman set fire to the house.

Ashley’s ability to see “ghosts” started with the fire. These Headful things, as a she referred to were confused because she doesn’t what their intentions.

As we continue on in the “Hungry Dark, there will be some terrific red herrings for Ashley to fish; deceits and lies by those most unlikely to untangle; and break and mend relationships because so many in her inner circle allege to be in on your side—but are they really? Or are the devil in disguise????

JoyReaderGir1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Author Jen Williams, and Publisher Crooked Lane Books, an imprint of The Quick Brown Fox & Company, LLC for this advanced reader’s copy for review.

Macabre murders plague a rural town as a scam-artist psychic races to find the answers in this haunting thriller from award-winning author Jen Williams, perfect for fans of Camilla Sten and Alex North.

I expected more. This was fine, but it didn't really bring anything new to the genre.

This is such an original and cool premise for a mystery. The beginning was great; I loved seeing how the con worked and how Ashley was able to manipulate her audience. However, after that opening scene, it felt like nothing was really happening and the tension between the characters made me feel sad, rather than engaged. Once the plot started flashing back to Ashley's childhood — which was a bit confusing, as in the current timeline, she comes off much younger than she is — I started to lose interest. I didn't end up finishing the book, but I still think it's an intriguing setup, and I hope it finds its audience.

I was rooting for Ashley to take control of her life and to stop being manipulated by her dad (for this reason, I also kept thinking she was much younger). I liked how we went back in time to the events in 2004 that ultimately started Ashley's "career". I wanted more from the romance between her and Freddie, or at least more of a build up/declaration of feelings (I get that this isn't what the book is about, but still).

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ashley makes a living conning people. She combines research and intuitiveness to make a living as a psychic. When a series of murders of local children devastates the lake region, Ashley sees the opportunity for free publicity and she offers the police her psychic abilities to help find the perpetrator. She’s not planning on giving the police any real leads, but Ashley has a secret. As a child, she was aware of things and events that others were not and now that ability has returned. She finds the body of the most recent missing child. Stunned and afraid she teams up with a local Podcaster, aware that something larger than her, is in control. She’ll have to face her own demons to find the all to human monster behind the grisly murders