Let’s talk about In the Beautiful Dark by Melissa Payne. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the opportunity to be one of the early listeners!

This book isn’t in my usual reading realm, but Birdie—the main character—might as well be my literary twin. Her love for books, the way she uses them to escape and unwind, made me fall even harder for her. Every author and series she mentioned felt like a little nod to my own reading habits.

I listened to this book in a single day (on 2x speed, of course), and I’ve already recommended it to several people. Sure, it doesn’t take long to figure out who the “bad guy” is, but that’s not the point. The neatly wrapped-up ending didn’t bother me either, because the heart of the story is in its emotion—the pain, the loneliness, the search for meaning.

Birdie’s determination to prove that Allison’s love was real and not the reason for her death hit deep. And the retirement community? Absolutely stole my heart. Their hilarious and sobering life stories are a reminder that “getting old isn’t for the faint of heart.” The passion and hope in this book run parallel to fear and depression in a way that’s both beautiful and gut-wrenching.

It made me want to do more. Be more. And that, to me, is the mark of a great book.

In the Beautiful Dark was a thriller book like no other! Birdie is an elderly Sherlock Holmes and feels the need to solve the case of a serial killer that has been on the loose for decades. Birdie also believes this serial killer killed her friend/love interest when they were younger. Although the female main character is older, she is fierce. She is confident in herself and protective over those she loves. The author also adds other characters who live in the retirement community and they compliment the main character very well. The book represented a mix of the Golden Girls and Only Murders in the Building. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery.

In the Beautiful Dark is an intriguing whodunit that spans a lifetime. The characters are engaging, and the retirement community setting adds a unique charm. While the pacing occasionally slows, it’s still a solid and enjoyable read overall.

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the chance to listen to this book in exchange for my honest review. 3.25

This story about grief was amazing. It can hold you hostage without you even realizing it. Birdie never forgets Allison. She keeps living, raising their son, and starting a business, but Allison is always there. I really liked the retirement community. Birdie is in a new phase of life and finding a new community for herself. I thought they were going to be senior crime detectives, but it was more about Birdie moving forward while still being in the past. It’s not as murder mystery as I expected. There was also the ghostly presence that was a fun element that took me by surprise.