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cam_cates's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
An actually interesting mystery was clouded by a depressed, self-destructive narrator who I was actively rooting against. She didn’t even really solve the mystery.
wanderlustsleeping's review against another edition
Just lost interest. Stopped being engaging, and spent too much time trying to make the main character seem just sooo mysterious.
drp24's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Mental illness, Addiction, Self harm, and Drug use
cassidy_rain's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
First of all, I love the cover and I love the author’s writing style. It really intrigued me from the very beginning.
Here In The Dark is a dark, psychological mystery that follows Vivian who is a theatre critic in New York City. The story gets interesting when a grad student asks to interview her and goes missing shortly after. Lots of mysterious things happen following his disappearance.
Vivian is very self-destructive, cynical, and rough around the edges. I thought she was really unlikable, though I also found myself rooting for her, so I think that really speaks to how well she was written. This story leaves you wondering until the very, very end. It’s a unique outcome and like nothing I’ve read before. I absolutely loved the ending and thought it was really satisfying! The rest of the story was just really slow and repetitive for me. This is a short book that I expected to fly through, but it really dragged on.
I think you’d like this if you like dark mysteries. You don’t have to be a theatre buff to enjoy it, though I think it would make you catch more references and appreciate it more. I read a physical copy but sounds like audio may be the way to go for this one! May be triggered by substance use/abuse and mental health struggles.
Here In The Dark is a dark, psychological mystery that follows Vivian who is a theatre critic in New York City. The story gets interesting when a grad student asks to interview her and goes missing shortly after. Lots of mysterious things happen following his disappearance.
Vivian is very self-destructive, cynical, and rough around the edges. I thought she was really unlikable, though I also found myself rooting for her, so I think that really speaks to how well she was written. This story leaves you wondering until the very, very end. It’s a unique outcome and like nothing I’ve read before. I absolutely loved the ending and thought it was really satisfying! The rest of the story was just really slow and repetitive for me. This is a short book that I expected to fly through, but it really dragged on.
I think you’d like this if you like dark mysteries. You don’t have to be a theatre buff to enjoy it, though I think it would make you catch more references and appreciate it more. I read a physical copy but sounds like audio may be the way to go for this one! May be triggered by substance use/abuse and mental health struggles.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
bookaddictpnw's review against another edition
Extremely unlikeable lead character
liblibby's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An excellent choice for anyone who loves mysteries but also has a strong appreciation for theatre.
The story was a campy thriller with over the top characters but still a dark edge which I liked a lot.
The story was a campy thriller with over the top characters but still a dark edge which I liked a lot.
bethinohio's review against another edition
4.0
Vivian Parry is an actress-turned-theater critic in New York. She loves going alone to the theater- siting in her seat in the dark and taking in a show is the only time she truly feels human. And then she goes on to right brutal reviews of those same shows. And beyond that, she drinks.
Vivian begrudgingly agrees to be interviewed, and from the moment she meets her interviewer, she’s unsettled by him and his questions. The next thing she knows, he’s gone missing and she’s somehow right in the middle of the investigation. Things only get weirder from there.
I enjoyed this story, even though the characters were hard to connect with, and I, however improbably, guessed the twist very early on. It was still an entertaining and suspense-filled read right up to the end.
I also appreciated the bonus feature on the audiobook at the end: a conversation between author Alexis Soloski and narrator (and Broadway actress) Laura Benanti.
The audiobook was narrated to perfection by Laura Benanti.
Thank you Alexis Soloski, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
Vivian begrudgingly agrees to be interviewed, and from the moment she meets her interviewer, she’s unsettled by him and his questions. The next thing she knows, he’s gone missing and she’s somehow right in the middle of the investigation. Things only get weirder from there.
I enjoyed this story, even though the characters were hard to connect with, and I, however improbably, guessed the twist very early on. It was still an entertaining and suspense-filled read right up to the end.
I also appreciated the bonus feature on the audiobook at the end: a conversation between author Alexis Soloski and narrator (and Broadway actress) Laura Benanti.
The audiobook was narrated to perfection by Laura Benanti.
Thank you Alexis Soloski, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
susan_king's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️-Format: Audiobook, Genre: mystery, thriller, psychological suspense, Women’s Fiction
I love Vivian! She is snarky, cynical, and everything I ever want from a female protagonist! Her flaws and brokenness took me back to my own insecure feelings as a single 20 to 30-year-old female. Vivian has so many poor coping mechanisms, and yet, continues to survive despite her discontent. The author explores the challenging character traits including self-loathing and self-destructive behavior while taking us through an excellently thought out thrilling mystery. I can see how this protagonist may be difficult to relate to given her illicit activities with pills and alcohol, but I found myself cheering for her to solve the mystery and come out on top safely. Narration for this audiobook was what made this audiobook work for me. Laura Benanti is well known for her craft, but her voice acting on this audiobook was far above the status quo. She managed to narrate the entire story with multiple characters including multiple male characters, and I never once was confused about who was who or what was happening. I don’t know that I would’ve enjoyed listening as much if she hadn’t been the voice actor. This is my first Laura Benanti audiobook, but she is definitely one of my top three audiobook narrators! There’s nothing else to say but this book is AMAZING, and you’re missing out if you do not listen to it or get your hands on a copy to read!
Thank you @NetGalley, #AlexisSoloski, @LauraBenanti, and @macmillan.audio for this advanced audiobook copy for an honest review!
ryanbada's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0