One Line Review: Her family wasn’t perfect, but once they are gone, Alice would give anything to have them back. When she starts to see their ghostly figures at every turn, Alice wants to find them once and for all, no matter what the truth holds.

Synopsis: Alice and her family always spend Christmas eve with her uncle and family in their incredible home on Black Lake. This past holiday though, changed everything for them when a horrific accident leaves Alice on her own… Her mom, dad, and sister are all gone in a moment… She’s not sure if they’re missing or dead as their bodies were never found. Detective Jess Lambert has her own history of traumatic loss, with her own daughter taken from her in an eerily similar event to what Alice has experienced. They’re both haunted by the ghosts of their past, in ways most people would never understand. A fated discovery in a vacant home leads Jess and her partner detective closer to the answers everyone is so desperate for. With the clock ticking, and hope dwindling, the horrific truth comes to light…

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this so much and read it in a matter of days, getting completely lost in the story. Although the topics in the book are pretty dark, I enjoyed the balance between the different character’s perspectives. It allowed the questions that would arise to be answered by the person directly connected. ALSO, that ending?!?! Can't recommend it enough, because there is NOTHING I LOVE MORE THAN A TWIST I DIDN'T SEE COMING!!!! I will absolutely recommend to my friends in the future!

Looking forward to another Jess Lambert novel (especially because her name is so close to my actual name LOL)

Thank you to Christina, Thomas & Mercer, and Netgalley for this Advance Reader Copy.

Fantastic!! The second installment in the Jessica Lambert series is definitely a page turner. There was definitely a creepy vibe to this suspenseful thriller, which made it that much more addicting .And I'm not one for anything paranormal, but she does it perfectly.. This is definitely one of my top favorites to date of Christina McDonald's and I am itching for more. Awesome, plot, lots of twists and turns and an ending you don't see coming. Highly recommend!

"What Lies in Darkness" by Christina McDonald is a captivating addition to the Jess Lambert series, seamlessly blending suspense and emotion. While it's the second installment, readers can easily dive into the story without prior knowledge. Set against the backdrop of a missing family and a haunted detective, the narrative unfolds with gripping intensity. Jess Lambert returns, grappling with her own inner struggles as she delves into a new investigation. McDonald skillfully presents multiple points of view, each adding depth to the intricate plot. The story is masterfully woven, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final, jaw-dropping chapters. "What Lies in Darkness" proves to be an outstanding sequel, showcasing McDonald's talent for crafting compelling mysteries.

5 Stars
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a chance to read and review this novel. I want more Jess Lambert stories! I loved the second installment in the Jess Lambert series. Book two "What Lies in Darkness" delivered on twists and turns throughout the book. I was guessing until the very end on this book. "What Lies in Darkness" has just the right amount of creepiness. The reader does not have to read book one first but I was glad I did.

"What Lies in Darkness" is a gripping thriller that delivers suspense and mystery in spades. While some may find the frequent focus on Ativan and supernatural elements distracting, the novel's strengths lie in its multifaceted characters and intricate plot.

Jess Lambert, the resilient protagonist, faces personal struggles while tackling a perplexing case, adding depth to the narrative. The book's multitude of perspectives, intricate timelines, and unexpected plot twists keep readers guessing until the very end.

Despite some readers feeling they would have benefited from reading the first installment, "What Lies in Darkness" stands strongly on its own, offering a unique and engaging plot. Christina McDonald crafts a tale filled with mystery, suspense, and unforgettable characters, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

I truly enjoy Christina McDonald’s writing. There’s something laced in these mysteries that have me grasping for more.

She has this fantastic way of intertwining suspense and paranormal elements together that just make sense, that just work perfectly. I love her writing so much.

There were so many twists and turns and I can truthfully say that I never saw the ending coming. Like I genuinely had to put down my kindle for a moment to try gather my thoughts.

Jess is such a fantastic character and is someone you can’t help but root for. She’s fierce, but vulnerable. She’s flawed and she’s human which makes her easy to connect to.

I need to read the rest of this series immediately because I already know I’m going to enjoy the rest of the books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

True to Christina McDonald's established style, What Lies in Darkness is another compelling mystery with heart and mental health all intertwined, and an ending that doesn't disappoint.

This one took me a tad longer to get into than the first, but I never once considered DNFing. Readers get just enough information to piece everything together themselves, yet the focus is drawn to other aspects of the case in a way that makes for a stunning final reveal at the end. Aspects of family, grief, friendship, economic hardship, manipulation, and a touch of the supernatural all combine in a way that had me itching to read more every time I had to put the book down. The research that went into developing each character - some with substance dependencies, others with grief, some even who experience grief hallucinations, and other medical topics - is obvious, and presented in a way in which no prior medical knowledge is required of readers.

The story is presented as somewhat of a dual timeline story, with three major points of view, which come together to reveal a full picture of incident, precursor, aftermath, and investigation. All round just a fantastic, enjoyable read, and an excellent installment in the Jess Lambert series.

I absolutely loved this book! Hands-down, it was one of the most gripping and engaging books I’ve read by Christina McDonald! Dare I even said this might be my favorite of her novels. Jess Lambert has quickly become one of my newest favorite characters, and I was so intrigued by this book it is definitely cannot-put-down- kind of novel. I loved it!

What Lies in Darkness is the second book in the Detective Jess Lambert novels. While some sequels can be read as standalone, I’d recommend reading These Still Black Waters prior to this book. Although the author is good about detailing out events, you’ll enjoy this book so much more by having the backstory first.

Honestly, I didn’t love These Still Black Waters so I was hesitant but hopefully optimistic going into this one. It was nice to kinda know what to expect. I do enjoy the way the author writes for the most part, but there are some flaws. Like I mentioned in my review for the 1st book, the author often constantly uses over descriptive text. Everything and everyone was described in excessive detail. The way she sprinkles in enough mystery to keep you interested and wanting to keep reading is perfect though.

One thing that helped me like this book a lot more than the first book is I really related to Alice as a character. I never had that with Neve or honestly Jess. The multi-POV & alternating timelines is not unique in the thriller genre, but even within the same chapter the timelines would jump around which got confusing.

The Jess Lambert books are an interesting mash-up of genres. While the crime thriller is at the forefront, there’s also paranormal elements and a bit of horror. It kind of reminds me of Simone St. James style of thrillers.

This book had a lot more twists and turns than the previous, and while some I figured out. I was definitely surprised as well. There are twists that require you to suspend reality a bit. Overall, the story came together nicely. There’s nothing more unsatisfying than when a book leaves you with more questions than answers. This one however wrapped everything up perfectly. 👌

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Well written mystery full of depth and psychological insights. Likeable characters and an unpredictable storyline. A detective, aided by her sensitivity and the ghost of her daughter solve the case of a missing family. Think my students will like this one a lot.

Starts strong and keeps going. This author has a way of weaving deep insightful truths about grief, secrets, relationships into a complex but accessible story. It follows three people, Jess, the detective , grieving the loss of her daughter from a car accident she caused, Alice whose family mysteriously disappeared a year before and Laura, her mother who in the past tense fills us in on what happened. Absorbing and thought provoking. 4.5

I totally got the creeps reading What Lies in Darkness, but somehow that was in a good way? The breadcrumbs and anticipation of solving the case had me on edge and made it tough to put the book down! Definitely did not anticipate the ending! This is a fantastic psychological thriller, absolutely recommend to all thriller/suspense lovers.

This book is a WILD ride and I loved every minute of it! I was kept guessing until the very end. I had absolutely no idea what was coming, and then when I thought I knew everything, there was a MIND BLOWING twist. This book is so much more than an average thriller, touching on themes such as neurodivergence, mental health, and the lasting impacts of grief. There are many characters in this book with their own stories and personalities, and that can become so convoluted if not well executed and I thought it was so well done here. I am completely blown away by this book, and I hope there are many more Jess Lambert novels to come in the future.

Thank you SO much to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this advance copy!

I loved this arc!!!!

Only problem I ran into was that it wasn’t a book that had me completely hooked and not want to put the book down.

BUT it had me thinking all throughout the book! What happened.
Who could’ve done it.

AND THEN YOU GET BODY SLAMMED AT THE END! LIKE EXCUSE ME!

My jaw completely DROPPED!

Definitely can see myself reading this again! I regret waiting as long as I did to read this book!

Thanks NetGally for the ARC.

I have not read the first book in the series so I am not sure if this one could be read as a stand alone... Anyhow I will grab book #1 sometime soon.

I mentioned it before but I really want to dive into thrillers more this year. So far I enjoyed each book I read and this one was no exception he blurb was interesting ! Like whole family goes missing without a trace leaving only 16 yrs old Alice. I mean you want to know what happened right? It was fast read and it kept me guessing who did it?!

Ill give it a 4 Stars. There are few question I have but I don't want to ask and spoil for people who did not read it.

What Lies in Darkness was the perfect mix of mystery and thriller! The book intertwines the past and present of Alice and Jess' lives in order to find answers to what happened to the Harper's. I would recommend this to any mystery/ thriller lover!

This was a great followup to the first Jess novel. I love the Black Lake scenery, and McDonald's writing just keeps getting better. I hope to see lots more Jess Lambert novels!

Once again, Christina McDonald has written a great book!

Loss, deadly secrets, and betrayal follow Alice like a second skin.

Someone eliminated her entire family, will see be next? Is there anyone that she can trust?

The characters really grab you in Christina’s latest book. I enjoyed watching the characters looking for the answers to all the questions they have about that awful night.

I liked how you can see Alice and Jess begin to heal and grow through each others mutual tragedies.

This was the second book in the Jess Lambert series but it was quite easy to pick up, even if you've not read the first one. 
A missing family. A traumatized detective. The past and present colliding. 

Late Christmas Eve, the Harper family’s car crashed on a desolate stretch outside Black Lake. Sixteen-year-old Alice was found injured by the side of the road—alone. It was as if her parents and younger sister, Ella, had simply disappeared. A year on and Alice is still dealing with the trauma and then they find her sister's backpack. Detective Lambert investigates and unravels new leads and secrets in the case, ones that may be connected to her own past.  I have to admit, I did guess a part of the twist in this one but still absolutely loved this novel! I was riveted and honestly could not put it down. The tension was high throughout and it was just so cleverly written. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for this gifted review copy.

A family has gone missing on Christmas Eve after a car accident. There is one survivor, and she doesn't remember much at all. A beeping noise, a child in a Hello Kitty headband speaking to her, a glimpse of her father - nothing that can explain why she was left behind.



I do not like supernatural novels, but this one is an exception. The 'ghosts' are not scary, threatening, or malevolvent. That is fine with me.

I read the first Jess Lambert book, and felt I had to read this one as well. I wanted to know if she found closure from the death of her daughter, Isla. Not that it would end her grief, I don't believe a parent ever gets over the death of their child, but Jess was carrying so much guilt, as she was driving the car and blamed herself.

This book really gripped me, the whole disappearing of Alice's family had me turning pages like a mad woman, I really needed to know what had really happened to them.
With solid police work, the puzzle pieces fell into place, albeit slowly. Alice's utter grief was heartbreaking, and was extremely emotional.


The final chapter floored me. Pulled the whole story together, and the reader realises that a Mother's love is powerful and the purest form of love.

I recommend this book, and cannot wait for the next in the series.

There is a trigger, though. School bullying. Name calling. Exclusion.

Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to read this book.