I enjoyed this book a lot, and it was a quick page Turner. I do think it got bogged out a little bit in the middle when they were trying to set the background for deception with John, but I was able to look past that and enjoy the twist at the end!

Alone in the Dark tells the story of Abi, a young woman who's still trying to move on from a bad relationship. One night, she witnesses a hit-and-run. She gets help for the victim, but when she goes back to the scene, the body is gone. She was sure he was dead, was she? So what happened? With no body, the police has trouble believing her. Has Abi accidentally gotten herself involved in something way more complicated?

This book is a real page-turner. It’s fast-paced and keeps you guessing. I really liked Abi, even though some of her decisions made me shake my head. But hey, if everyone did the logical thing all the time, where’s the fun in that, right? 😊 I also appreciated how we slowly get to know Abi and her backstory instead of everything being dumped on us at the beginning. Sure, there were some predictable moments, but the way it makes you paranoid about who you can trust kept me hooked.

Overall, Alone in the Dark was a quick, enjoyable read. The dual timeline was done really well, and I had a great time with it.

Thanks to NetGalley, Joanne Ryan, and Boldwood Books for the ARC.

Alone in the Dark excels in character development, with each character crafted with depth and complexity. Their interactions kept me engaged, and the slow-burning plot built an intriguing atmosphere. The suspense was well-paced, and I found myself constantly guessing at the underlying mysteries.

However, the slow pace might not appeal to everyone, and while the twist at the end made sense, it lacked the impact I was hoping for. It didn’t quite deliver the shocking revelation I anticipated, leaving me slightly underwhelmed.

Overall, it’s a solid read for those who appreciate well-drawn characters and a gradual buildup, but the conclusion might not satisfy those looking for a truly jaw-dropping twist.

Oh this was very good and got quite dark. I have never read this author before, she certainly knows how to write a good thriller. A few themes running through this book, at first you don't know how they are connected but we slowly find out what is going on when all the strands are pulled together. I would say it was very cleverly written.
I would definitely read more from this author.

I absolutely loved this I finished within a few hours as I could not put it down. It was full of suspense with an eerie feel throughout. I loved the character she was very well developed. I enjoyed how it went from past to present it definitely helped build up the suspense. Overall a fantastic thriller which I can’t wait to recommend. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy of this fantastic book.

Joanne Ryan’s "Alone in the Dark" starts with a compelling premise: Abi, a woman who witnesses what she believes to be a murder during her nightly run, finds herself at the center of a chilling mystery. Unfortunately, while the concept holds promise, the execution leaves much to be desired.

The novel’s central conflict—Abi’s struggle to prove what she saw against a backdrop of disbelief and danger—has the makings of a gripping thriller. However, the plot unfolds in a way that feels both predictable and sluggish. Despite a solid setup, the story quickly falls into a pattern of repetitive events and clichéd twists, making it easy for readers to guess what might happen next.

One of the main issues is the novel’s pacing. The suspenseful moments are frequently overshadowed by a slow-moving narrative that drags on longer than necessary. Key developments are delayed, and the buildup to critical reveals feels drawn-out, which can diminish the overall tension.

On a positive note, Ryan’s writing is competent, with well-drawn characters and a clear sense of atmosphere. Abi’s character is relatable, and her motivations are well-explored. However, the predictability of the plot and the sluggish pacing prevent the novel from reaching its full potential. The intriguing premise doesn’t quite translate into the high-stakes, edge-of-your-seat experience that one might hope for.

In summary, Alone in the Dark is a decent read with a strong starting point but is hindered by its predictability and slow pace. It’s a book that may appeal to readers who appreciate character-driven narratives, but those seeking a more fast-paced, unpredictable thriller might be left wanting more.

This book was so good! My first read by Joanne Ryan. She knows how to tell a story! Psychological thriller at its best. Abi witnesses an accident and after that nothing in her life is as it seems. Definitely recommend this read!

She witnessed a murder.... but nobody's dead. It was a quiet night, like any other, when Abi went for her usual nighttime run. It was her escape from all the stresses of life, the thing she did so she was stronger than the man who once hurt her so badly. But then - as she turns a quiet corner - she sees a car hit somebody. Rushing forward, as the driver screeches off into the night, she realises the man on the road has already died. After rushing to call for help, Abi returns to find a policeman already waiting. But there's no body. No one is there. Abi knows what she saw. But everyone thinks she's lost her mind. Everyone except one person who wants her to stay silent.... forever.

Only sleep kept me from finishing this book in one sitting. Abi witnessed a hit-and-run accident, but after seeking help, the man's body had disappeared. Abi is trying to get her life back on track after the breakup of her relationship and a criminal conviction. You never know who you can trust in this story that's sinister and dark. I liked Abi for lots of different reasons. I was desperately turning the pages, wanting to see how this twisted story unfolded. It's told in the then and now format.

Published 19th August 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #JoanneRyan for my ARC of #AloneInTheDark in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Alone In The Dark’ written by Joanne Ryan in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

During an early morning run Abi Redmond watches as a suited man runs from a side road and seconds later a car coming from the same direction speeds up before driving over him. Abi tries to help and puts her jacket over him while she runs to the nearest phone box to call the police and an ambulance. On her return a police sergeant is already there but it’s clear he doesn’t believe her as the man’s body has disappeared. Abi is fairly certain the man was dead and if he was then what’s happened to his body.

This is the third book I’ve read by Joanne Ryan and in my opinion they’re getting better and better. ‘Alone In The Dark’ is a psychological thriller that’s so gripping I haven’t been able to stop reading until I reached the final exciting pages. The plot is intricately woven with masses of suspense, drama and shocking twist after twist, with the tension slowly escalating as Abi tries to understand what’s happening. The two timelines of past and present are perfectly incorporated into the story with excellently described characters who Abi soon realises aren’t who they’re supposed to be, and this alone has kept me guessing as to which of them is lying and why. This is an absolutely fantastic thriller that I’ve enjoyed immensely and thoroughly recommend.

Alone in the Dark is a slow burn mystery that has you pondering what is going to happen next.
Main character, Abi, is out jogging one night and sees a hit and run accident. She does what she should do and reports it to the police. This is when things go way twisty!
So many secrets and lies!
What would you do when everyone thinks you are making things up? Is she crazy? Is she delusional?
You need to read Alone in the Dark to find out.
Perfect for psychological thriller fans.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I really enjoyed this one. I'd say it's more suspense than thriller. but it definitely keeps you flipping pages as the story unfolds and things fall into place. I enjoyed the story and the main character. I completely identify with her as I spend a lot of time in my own head (which is a scary place to be) and can catatrophize with the best of them. I think it's always good when you can see yourself in the characters as it makes the reading experience much more immersive.

Neat premise. Found it hard to get with the writing style, if I'm really honest. I did mostly enjoy it, I think mainly because the concept was intriguing and a little different. Thank you for my ARC

Alone in the Dark positions itself now as the top #1 book from her.

I also had the privilege of reading Don't Let Her In as an advanced copy, and as I've mentioned on Goodreads reviews on her previous works, her writing has consistently improved over the years, making her trajectory as an author fun to read. You notice the prolificness showing, not just in her technical writing but also in how she develops the plot into something more interesting for the story she wants to tell and doesn’t stall now.

Abi has major Girl on the Train/Woman in the Window syndrome going on; the author wants the reader to feel how Abi is seen by her community as a bit of an unreliable narrator, but I didn't really get its full effect. The clues were subtly introduced, not overtly but gradually, revealing connections between some characters that I suspected from the start and felt actually vindicated about! I really like when clues aren’t there just to throw you off or just be like "Oh well, this is suspicious", they were actually incorporated into the story just so naturally and flowed well.

The side story was heartfelt and was a quite nice addition to the main plot about the mystery surrounding the accident. It added humanity and sense to it.

This book is the best I've read from Joanne Ryan in terms of writing; personally, I think it is up there with Don't Let Her In.

What a fantastic read. I flew through this in less than a day I couldn't put me down

Blurb said gripping psychological read and boy they were right on the button. Must read for everyone this summer

Alone in the Dark is Joanne Ryan’s latest psychological thriller. She made it a good one. I really enjoyed this book.

In typical Joanne Ryan fashion she hooks the reader early on and just never lets go! Another big five star read. I’ve just recently discovered how fantastic Ms. Ryan is and I’m just a huge fan. This book was filled with tension, intrigue and a whole lot of edge of my seat situations. Awesome characters that packed a punch and kept me flipping pages long past my bedtime. Excellent storytelling.
Thank you NetGalley, Joanne Ryan and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this cracker of a book.

Abi goes about her usual routine when she witnesses a hit and run. She runs to the store to call for help and when she returns the body is gone. She thought he was dead. Who is this person? Why won’t he leave her alone? This is a slow burn mystery.

This is a fast paced book where you can’t stop reading! I read it in a few hours! I think the dual traumas felt by Abi made the book even better! She witnesses a hit and run no long after she escapes a dangerous relationship. She is a very likeable character! I had read another book by this author, and wasn’t impressed. But, this book makes me want to seek out more by her. I’m so glad I gave it a go! Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Really enjoyed this edge of your seat thriller.I was drawn in from the first pages there were so many twists & turns kept me guessing till the last page.Joanne Ryan never fails.#netgalley #boldwoodbooks

I loved this book, plenty of tension with the various stories going on with the ex , friend and new boyfriend. It’s always an interesting story when it jumps from the past to present and keeps you reading . The only reason it lost a star for me was the unlikely part of the story when she found her tracksuit top , would have thought it wouldn’t be able to be seen like that . Still however a great book and I’d definitely recommend it