About the Book- The dead and the dark
Courtney Gould’s thrilling debut The Dead and the Dark is about the things that lurk in dark corners, the parts of you that can’t remain hidden, and about finding home in places―and people―you didn’t expect.
The Dark has been waiting for far too long, and it won’t stay hidden any longer.
Something is wrong in Snakebite, Oregon. Teenagers are disappearing, some turning up dead, the weather isn’t normal, and all fingers seem to point to TV’s most popular ghost hunters who have just returned to town. Logan Ortiz-Woodley, daughter of TV’s ParaSpectors, has never been to Snakebite before, but the moment she and her dads arrive, she starts to get the feeling that there’s more secrets buried here than they originally let on.
Ashley Barton’s boyfriend was the first teen to go missing, and she’s felt his presence ever since. But now that the Ortiz-Woodleys are in town, his ghost is following her and the only person Ashley can trust is the mysterious Logan. When Ashley and Logan team up to figure out who—or what—is haunting Snakebite, their investigation reveals truths about the town, their families, and themselves that neither of them are ready for. As the danger intensifies, they realize that their growing feelings for each other could be a light in the darkness.
There is a spooky town and even spookier people but underneath all, you know that some dark twisted secret awaits you and it does.
Read on for our review of the book
Our Review of The Dead and the Dark
I don’t know what it says about me or my choice of books but in comparison to some of the stuff I have read, this book was kind of mellow on horror. 🤪 Yes undoubtedly, the book is filled with some scary and dark stuff but I felt it was in moderation and not too creepy. Before I let you believe that I didn’t like the book, let me clarify that I loved the book. I did enjoy it. I am just saying that the book synopsis and the cover, all had given me a vibe that this book can be pretty dark, like dark than dark kind of dark. I thought it may give me terror-filled nights but luckily it was mellow on that account.
If you are all thoroughly confused by what I am trying to say then let’s take it bits by bits. Yes, the book deals with scare and horror but it is not the kind of “jump at you” horror. It is more like slowly creeping inside you with scary mist kind of horror. Conjuring type. The story as it progresses leads you to the great mysteries and revelations, and that is what makes it scary.
I had the book on audio and maybe it could also be the narrator that made it less spooky and more enjoyable storytelling or maybe the author intended it to be that way. That you enjoy the book for its dark twisted story and characters and rather than the whole “ horror vibe”
When you start the book, it doesn’t feel very “horror-y or spooky” yet you know that something sinister is gradually creeping up. Even so, the whole first half goes pretty smoothly taking you through impressive plot developments. I would say that it is not even the second half but rather the third half or climax of the book that changes the game. By the time it reaches the end the whole demeanour of the book changes. Everything is Chaos but sweet chaos. I wasn’t expecting the book to get supercharged at the very end and coming out with so many plot twists and secrets.
Conclusion
If you love a bit of dark and spooky thriller, then the dead and the dark, has got it. Imagine a sleepy Hollow kind of thriller. There is a spooky town and even spookier people but underneath all, you know that some dark twisted secret awaits you and it does. Do not get confused with the leisurely pace of the first half because as the book reaches its conclusion, everything just is purely volcanic. So if you are feeling very “Halloweeny” then this is a good choice.
Squirrel Rating
Book Recommendation
The Drowning Kind by Jennifer McMahon
