Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to be able to read and review this book!

4/5

I rated this book 3 stars. The story was interesting, I definitely wanted to find out what was happening but there was too much drama between everyone for me. Soooo much going on it was hard to keep straight. I thought the twist was a new one, something I did not see coming but that alone didn’t make me give it a higher rating. The characters were not likable and that makes books more difficult for me personally. Thank you netgalley for the ARC!!

This book had some twists that were unexpected. I thought a lot of it was unbelievable in the story sense, and that everyone seemed to be involved.

This was very good! A few slow points throughout the book, however, it still kept me engaged from the first chapter! Very good twisty mystery!

This was a fairly typical thriller and I enjoyed it very much. I would have liked the story to feature the cult a bit more since I find stories like that both fascinating and very creepy. There were some good plot twists and while I saw some of them coming, others were surprises, which I liked. This was a fast paced and suspenseful story that I couldn't put down. Well done!
Thank you NetGalley and J.M. Cannon for the chance to read this advance copy in exchange for my opinion.

Okay, this book may have been a little out of my comfort zone in the aspec of story telling. I felt as if there was a lot of unnecessary back and forth. The story dragged on. It felt like a lot was happening, but at the same time nothing was happening. I just couldn't put myself in the characters shoes and have it make any sense or truly capture my attention.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"Girl in the Dark" by J.M. Cannon is a psychological thriller that plunges readers into the chilling depths of a small-town mystery with a shocking twist. The story unfolds in the remote town of Black Castle, Maine, where the protagonist, Zoey Knight, receives a harrowing call about her childhood home being destroyed by fire, revealing two bodies in the ruins. As the FBI swoops in, it becomes evident that this is no ordinary crime scene, but one that may be connected to the enigmatic and long-vanished cult known as The Family.

Cannon weaves a complex tapestry of suspense and intrigue, masterfully crafting a narrative that is both gripping and emotionally resonant. Zoey's journey is fraught with danger and heartache, as she delves into the dark past of her hometown and the people she holds dear. The author's skillful use of tension and pacing keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, while the richly drawn characters add layers of complexity to the unfolding drama.

The novel's strength lies in its ability to maintain a relentless sense of unease, as the line between friend and foe becomes increasingly blurred. Cannon's prose is sharp and evocative, painting a vivid picture of a community haunted by secrets and the lengths one will go to uncover the truth.

Readers may find the characterization lacking depth at times, and the plot's predictability might detract from the overall experience for seasoned thriller aficionados. Despite these criticisms, "Girl in the Dark" remains a compelling read that offers a satisfying blend of mystery and psychological exploration.

J.M. Cannon's "Girl in the Dark" is a notable addition to the thriller genre, offering a story that is both thought-provoking and chilling. It's a book that will likely resonate with fans of dark thrillers and those who enjoy a challenging twist.

This is a great read, I really enjoyed it! I was drawn into the story right away with great characters. It’s a small town mystery that kept me guessing, and is a gripping read! Not what I expected, brilliant!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Zoey receives a phone call from her sister that 2 bodies have been found burned in their former family mansion. The entire small town gossip mill is in high gear as everyone is trying to figure out who the bodies are and what happened to them. Most of the town blames the mysterious cult, “The Family”, that lived on a secluded estate and disappeared many years ago. The truth is more shocking than anyone could have believed.

Overall, this thriller had an interesting plot with several twists tossed in that made the story better. However, I found the characters at times unrelatable and unrealistic in their actions. The story drug a bit in the middle, which I found distracting. There were so many side plots that could have been developed better. It’s a solid 3.5 rounded up to a 4.

Love books with cults. Especially cults who kill. Unfortunately, there wasn't much about the cult in this book which was really disappointing. Aside from that, this was pretty average. No shocking twists or explosive revelations.

What an eerie, twisty tale of a life of lies of a town turned upside down after two bodies are found burned in a house fire. The small town gave off massive secrets and cult vibes and if that's your thing, jump in. This was an enjoyable, quick thriller read with hints towards big authors such as Riley Sager. Highly recommend for anyone who needs a palate cleanser or a quick read! Thank you NetGalley, Victory Editing, and J.M. Cannon for allowing me to read this E-Arc!

Imagine having your whole life being a lie!
Small town friends who will do anything to cover up the truth! A fire that not only brings a house down but a whole town of lies slowly unravels during the investigation.
I would recommend this book to someone who likes a mystery thriller. Nothing is what is seems. Everyone has something to hide
Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy

We have a cistern in my basement and I am absolutely terrified of it. My husband tells me it isn't a cistern but it is. He has hidden it from me so I don't obsess. Anyway, I almost forgot it was lurking down there.
What I am trying to say this book gave me horrible nightmares.
I love books where someone who has escaped is forced to come back to their creepy little hometown. When two bodies are discovered in a cistern of a burnt down house Zoey comes back to help her mentally disturbed sister (she reminds me of my brother honestly). At the townhall meeting someone brings up a cult possibly being involved. I love the setting here.
Every character in the book is a total weirdo. I have not read a book with such interesting characters in a long time.
At one point I was like "Who's pee is on that pregnancy test!?"
Just wonderful.

An excellently written book with hints of Riley Sager. I really enjoyed reading this book, the plot twists and actual reveal kept me guessing until the very end. The protagonist is someone you could easily root for and the antagonist is someone you could easily despise, this is what writing a thriller is supposed to be like. I look forward to reading more of JM Cannon’s amazing works

Thank you Netgalley for the preview read.

Zoey Knight returns to her home town due to a panicked call from her older sister. Their childhood home has been discovered burned and now her parents are missing.

This was a great thriller that kept me turning the pages until the end.
Can’t wait to read another piece of JM Cannons books.

There was a LOT going on in this small town that’s for sure!

You get cult vibes, murder, mystery and a ton of secrets that are slowly fed to you as the book progresses. I couldnt have guessed half of what would happen as it unraveled into itself and the secrets just kept layering up.

This was good, I wish there were bigger consequences in the end but the story wasnt completely black and white so in a way the ending had some symmetry with that in the sense people dont always get what they deserve.

When Zoey gets a panicked phone call from her sister, Evie, informing her that their old family home has burned to the ground and two bodies have been found in the cistern, Zoey returns to her strange, isolated hometown for the first time in years. While the FBI begin their investigation, the locals begin one of their own, rehashing rumors of a cult that used to operate in the area and an unsolved disappearance which still haunts the town. As more questions pile up, Zoey realizes she can’t go home until she gets some answers. But it’s hard to get answers when just about everyone is hiding something.

This book is full of so many twists and turns, I almost got whiplash! This is definitely the kind of story where anything can happen and just about anything does. I was floored as each new revelation came, wondering who could be trusted and who was telling the truth. Because, let me tell you, very few people in this book tell the truth, lol.

But it all mostly comes together in the end to create a sensational story of family, betrayal, friendship, and loyalty; it’s got some heavy themes that all coalesce together into a great mystery/thriller.

I say “mostly” because there IS a lot going on, and I’m not sure we got answers as to how everything fit together in the end. Some things I’m still not exactly sure about, and with everyone lying, or at least stretching the truth, I couldn’t tell what was what. So, I wish some things were a little more clear.

However, I’m not really complaining. The big questions were all answered well, and I loved the ultimate ending. It was fitting. It really “had to” happen that way (read it and you’ll know what I mean).

Overall, this was a great mystery/thriller, with plenty to keep me interested. It’s got a ton of twists and tons of thrills and chills!

Girl In The Dark by J.M. Cannon is a low-tier thriller. Zoey receives a call from her older sister - their childhood home has been burned to the ground. Even worse, two bodies were found inside. Because, at the same time, her mother and father are missing, Zoey struggles to find out the truth about the bodies and about her family.

Books about cults are always a must-read for me, but honestly...this one was a waste of time. Flat, one dimensional characters. Non-sensical activities. Zoey making stupid decision after stupid decision.

This might benefit another pass by an editor, but I don't know that it will make this anything.

The true strength of "Girl in the Dark" is its atmospheric setting and vivid imagery.

Unfortunately, the novel's characterization and plot development fall short. The protagonist, while sympathetic, lacks the depth and complexity needed to connect with readers on an emotional level. Similarly, the supporting cast of characters feels underdeveloped, with their motivations and actions often feeling superficial and contrived.

The plot, while initially promising, quickly becomes predictable and formulaic, relying on clichés and tropes rather than offering anything genuinely original or thought-provoking. As a result, the twists and turns that are meant to surprise readers ultimately fall flat, leaving them feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.

"Girl in the Dark" is a novel with potential that ultimately fails to meet expectations. While it offers moments of intrigue and suspense, its lackluster characterization and predictable plot prevent it from truly shining. Despite its flaws, it may still appeal to readers looking for a quick and atmospheric read in the thriller genre. This would make a great airplane read, or car ride audio listen.
Big thanks to Netgalley, Victory editing, and the author J.M. Cannon for providing me with an ARC to review

I received a free ARC of this novel via Netgalley. I am providing my honest review.

The basics:
Zoey Knight receives a panicked call from her elder sister in the middle of the night— their childhood home has burned to the ground and two bodies were discovered inside. As Zoey works to ensure the bodies aren’t her missing mother and father, she quickly realizes the double-homicide case has much more sinister twists than she anticipated.

My thoughts:
Overall, this was a pretty basic thriller. Some of the twists were very interesting and I did not see them coming, but I was able to predict most of them. However, the novel was a very quick read, so I didn’t mind. I also really enjoyed Michael as a very well rounded and versatile character. I definitely found myself gravitating towards his chapters.

I did, however, have a few criticisms. I felt that every character (outside of Michael) was very one-dimensional and limited. I was particularly disappointed by Evie’s characteristics. The author chose to make her very childish and stagnant, but I felt the story would have been elevated much more if she carried some of the cynical traits of her mother. I also felt the author was trying to incorporate too many plots at once, which ultimately made each plot very simplistic. It’s really hard to successfully write kidnapping, identity fraud, missing persons, and cults effectively in the same novel. I felt the characters and overall book would have been much stronger if the author narrowed their focus. Lastly, I felt that Zoey was a completely unrealistic character. I am personally very tired of the “FMC with no law enforcement experience inserting herself into the middle of an investigation and making it worse rather than letting professionals handle it” trope, but that’s really all this novel was. Zoey consistently made poor, awful choices that could have cost her life with no remorse. She never used logic or critical thinking when making her decisions, so her chapters were honestly really tiresome to read.

Overall, I would recommend this novel to someone that’s looking for a quick, basic thriller.