Then Things Went Dark by Bea Fitzgerald is a mystery/thriller novel about a reality tv show on a deserted island.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Sourcebooks Landmark, and 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)
An island off the coast of Portugal is the setting for a reality TV show called ICON, which will feature six very different, yet headstrong contestants, all with a need to prove themselves to the audience.

They will be the only ones on the island, but cameras will be everywhere.  During their time on the island, they will be given challenges to complete to earn points.  The one with the most points wins big money.  But some of these challenges are emotionally draining, and things are quite competitive.

The contestants were to remain together for a month...but while 12 million people watch, one of them dies on camera, and one of the other five may have killed him.  Police are determined to find a killer, but no one is talking, and they all had motive.

The six participants are all somewhat famous.  They include: Kalpana Mahajan, (activist), Francisco Andrado  known as Isko (chef), Jerome Frances, (Tech Entrepeneur), Araminta Yaxley-Carter, (sculptor, influencer), Theo Newman, (singer/musician), .... and Rhys Sutton,  (actor, musician, director/writer - deceased).


My Opinions:
First, this is definitely not my type of book.  Reality TV is not on my watch list, so I'm not sure how or why I picked this book.  However, since I have done so, I will try to evaluate without my own prejudices.

The story alternated between the police interrogations, and the television episodes that aired, with "asides" by the contestants so that we knew what they were thinking.  This all worked smoothly.  The writing was okay.

Although I do not watch reality tv, and am therefore unaware of the procedures behind things,  the challenges in this book seemed "off".  They were aimed to cause animosity between the contestants, and maybe that's normal, but I found it highly annoying, and the contestants so childish that their over-reaction to them just grew tiresome.

However, I didn't like, nor could I relate, to ANY of the characters.   The supposed sexual flirtation between all of them was just so predictable.

All of this made for a slow, dis-interested journey through the book.  If I had had someone to route for, it definitely would have helped.  I was in about 40% before I felt I could finish it.

So overall, I did not enjoy it, and it wasn't all to do with the topic.  I tried.

However, if you are a big fan of reality tv, you'll probably love it.

2.25 stars
Thank you to Netgalley and the Sourcebooks Landmark for the arc!

It only took me five months but I finally finished this book. Reality TV and murder collide in Bea Fitzgerald's Then Things Went Dark. Six contestants on a reality show arrive at a desert island. Only five return. The story flips back and forth between the police investigation and what happened on the island.

The characters in this were all awful and unlikeable. I'm not really a fan of reality television so this could certainly be a factor in why I didn't find this story entertaining in the slightest. I wanted to dnf it so bad but I don't like to dnf arcs. I thought the writing was good at times though. These six people's hunger for permanence was captured really well but I just ultimately wasn't invested in their outcomes.

Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I don't think the writing style is for me. I am not personally a fan of reading stage directions and it made it difficult to root for any of the characters.

Just because this one wasn't for me, doesn't mean it isn't for you!

I loved Beas writing. It grabbed me in from the start. I’m excited to read more this author. I highly recommend this book you won’t regret it

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a little backlogged with my ARCs but working diligently to get caught up. I really liked the idea behind this book and storyline, but some parts didn’t translate well for me. There are lots of characters points of views which took a while to get used to, especially without very much backstory for them aside from what they do. Certain parts had me curious and guessing but I found the ending to be predictable and lacking.

This book had a very interesting premise, and I was looking forward to reading another reality TV thriller, but it just wasn't for me. The characters were pretty unlikeable, and it was hard to connect with them or really care what happened to them. Each chapter of the book was an episode of the show, and the narrative switched from the past to the present police investigation, with contestant confessionals interspersed throughout. Maybe it was because I had a digital copy, but there was no break between these changes. It was confusing at first, and it took me a long time to really get into the story. I did like the overall plot and setting, and also the format once I got used to it. I think I am just an outlier on this one!

This was my first time reading Bea Fitzgerald, and I received Then Things Went Dark as an ARC from NetGalley. The novel presents a captivating narrative that blends the allure of reality TV with a gripping murder mystery. The plot is engaging, with a series of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end. Then Things Went Dark is a thrilling mystery set on a desert island where six celebrities compete in a high-stakes reality show. The contestants include a chef, an influencer, a musician, an entrepreneur, an activist, and an actor. As they vie for the grand prize, tensions rise and secrets are revealed. The situation takes a deadly turn when Rhys Sutton, the actor, is found dead on camera, and the remaining contestants are left to unravel the mystery while under intense public scrutiny. The character development is well-executed, particularly with the six contestants. Each character is distinct, with their own motivations and secrets that add depth to the story. The dynamics between the characters are tense and dramatic, reflecting the high-pressure environment of the reality show. Rhys Sutton's character, in particular, is complex and intriguing, making his death all the more impactful. The pacing of the novel is generally good, though there are moments where the transitions between the island events and the police investigation feel a bit abrupt. The setting of a deserted island adds an atmospheric backdrop that enhances the suspense and isolation felt by the characters. Overall, Then Things Went Dark is a well-crafted thriller that offers a fresh take on the reality TV genre. Despite a few pacing issues, it delivers a satisfying and thrilling reading experience. Bea Fitzgerald's storytelling shows great promise, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. #netgalley #thenthingswentdark

For those who love reality TV shows, this might be the book for you. Six contestants are on a deserted island with millions of people viewing the daily drama of their lives. But when one of the characters dies tragically, the other 5 contestants find themselves being interrogated by the police and nobody is really telling the whole story.

This book gave me vibes of several other deserted island stories that have come out recently. The characters were not likable and I just did not feel invested in the story. It was just ok and I pushed myself to finish this one.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for a digital review copy of this novel.

Reality shows thrive on drama, but what do you do when the villain dies on camera? This intricately plotted thriller follows six famous contestants, all with something to prove, until one dies, possibly of murder. The psychological suspense, multiple challenges, and secrets waiting to be revealed will appeal to fans of Lisa Jewell and Rachel Hawkins.

It was such a struggle to get into this book. I like the premise of the reality TV show and the closed room murder type but ultimately none of the characters were likeable or memorable which in turn meant I couldn't keep them straight which just made the story confusing.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for gifting me a digital ARC of this novel by Bea Fitzgerald. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 3 stars!

Six people from varying backgrounds arrive on a desert island for their reality show debut. All are anxious to prove themselves and millions of viewers are watching. But only three weeks later, Rhys Sutton dies on camera and the remaining contestants find themselves in a Portuguese police station, and no one is talking.

This has all the trademarks of a winner for me - desert island, locked room mystery, interspersing paragraphs of the police interrogations and social media commentary. But somehow, I couldn't get into it. I was never into the reality tv show genre and none of these characters was likable. I just found myself not really caring. It may appeal more to someone who is a big fan of reality shows.

While I really enjoyed the premise to this book, I had a hard time focusing on it and really dedicating time to reading it. I wasn’t very interested in the characters and I had a hard time connecting to them and their dilemmas. I think a lot of people will enjoy this plot and the characters but it just wasn’t for me. I am truly grateful for the opportunity of reading this one early but I do not wish to continue reading it.

Well, it’s official. I love books about trashy reality series far more than the series themselves!

Then Things Went Dark is a fast paced, murder mystery that you will not want to sleep on!

There are some holes in the story and it felt a little jumpy at time but in the best way- it felt like I was watching Iconic!

Six people land on a desert island ready to make their reality show debut. The contestants are suitably glamorous and dramatic—and also hungry to prove themselves. The stakes are high, and with millions of viewers watching, losing is not an option. But three weeks and eighteen episodes later, five of the six contestants sit in a Portuguese police station, none of them winners.

Twelve million people were watching when Rhys Sutton died on camera, and someone must pay for the crime. The best friend, the rival, the girlfriend, the lover, and the sworn enemy are left standing. And of course, no one is talking. But how do you keep secrets when the world has been watching? Especially when, just a day before his murder, Rhys was the most hated man on television.

Very interesting read. I thought it was well written and it kept me guessing until the very end. Cannot wait to read more from the author. Will recommend to others.

📺🌴 Book Review: Then Things Went Dark by Bea Fitzgerald 🌴📺

The cameras are rolling, the stakes are high, and six ambitious contestants are on a remote island, ready to make reality TV history. But when Then Things Went Dark, this wasn't the kind of fame they bargained for!

This dark, twisty thriller by Bea Fitzgerald plunges us into a reality show gone horribly wrong, where twelve million viewers watched contestant Rhys Sutton die live on camera. Now, five contestants sit in a police station, each with secrets, grudges, and motives that make you question everyone. From the best friend to the sworn enemy, each character’s story makes you wonder who could’ve snapped and why. And with Rhys being the “most hated man on television,” they all have a reason to stay quiet.

Fitzgerald does an incredible job blending the glitzy, cutthroat world of reality TV with intense suspense, peeling back layers of each character’s past and leaving you guessing until the very end. Then Things Went Dark is the perfect read for fans of psychological thrillers with a side of drama, secrets, and just a bit of scandal.

🎥 Question for You: If you could be on any reality show, which would you choose? And would you survive the drama? 👀

The show is called Iconic, and 6 ‘iconic’ celebrities are brought together to live on a gorgeous tropical island paradise lap off of Portugal. Rhys, actor, charmer, the villain of the show is found dead. Every viewer tuning into the show has witnessed this. And so the story lives within two timelines, moving between the police interrogating the suspects, and the events on the show (on and off camera). These celebrities are weary of each other, and needle each other. Each one of them had a motive to kill Rhys.

The premise is interesting. Each chapter is an episode in the show. The set up of the interrogation within each chapter reminded me of the Spanish show, Elite. I didn’t quite get the point of the reality show - I think it was a chance for them to redeem their social standing? I didn’t get how the 6 most miserable and uncharismatic celebrities were chosen for it. Everything was sordid, and for me as the reader it felt too angst-ridden, and bleak even before the murder.

I wasn’t keen on the two contestants falling in love bit. I admit it’s my cynicism because it comes off as contrived to me even on actual reality shows, so that bled into my reading of it here.

The best part for me was the ending where the events leading to Rhys’ demise are pieced together. I was quietly stunned! Oh and including viewers’ comments and reactions in each chapter was a nice touch.

Highlights:
* Suspense
* Isolated location/stuck together
* Villainous victim
* Everybody did it
* Reality show set up

Be aware of: drug use, mention of underage relations

The writing was good. I just wish the premise of Iconic had been more interesting to me, or celebrities more charismatic. While didn’t completely win me over it was still a decent read.

Thanks to @bookmarked for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

📖 Book Review 📖

📕 🎧 "Then Things Went Dark" by Bea Fitzgerald
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Published August 15, 2024

Thank you Netgalley for this eARC

A reality show, a desert island and 6 drama filled contestants- what could go wrong? Three weeks later in a Portuguese police station we learn how the death of one contestant, Rhys occurred.
I found the shifting between the island time, backstories and interviews at the police station were a little jumpy and hard to follow. I realized how invested in reality TV we are as humans and the opinions and commentary that goes with it, makes it very messy. I hated all the complaining and just horrible conditions the contestants were put it- reading about it was just a chore.

Definitely an interesting premise but not a book I will be recommending to many friends.


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Honestly, it took me a minute to get into this book. It started off slow but then as we got to know the characters, it got better. But then once the relationship started between the 2 characters, I felt it was a lot of back and forth and the same thing. I didn't like Rhys just like everyone else. Then once the detectives started looking into the accident, I became interested again. This book was not a favorite but I would definitely try another book by this author.

I absolutely love watching reality TV so I was really excited to read this book. I was unfortunately disappointed. I expected more twists and turns, and I wish more of the interviews after the show wrapped were featured in the book. It was a quick easy read and I would still want to read more from this author.

I really wanted to love this book, but it just wasn’t for me. I hope to read more books from the author in the future because I love the concept for her books.