Book Review: In the Dark by Claire Allan

AD* | My name is Nora Logue. You’ve probably heard of me – most people have.

I am the mother of Daisy Logue. Seven years ago, I took her for a walk in the woods. Only I came out.

I have no memory of what happened that day.

I have tried to rebuild my life. Met a man, had another child – Luca. But I can’t let go of Daisy, or give up hope of seeing her again.

And now, I have the chance to find out what happened to her.

But what if pursuing the truth about my daughter risks my son’s life?

In the Dark is a captivating and ultimately enjoyable read. 

The book follows the reexamination of a cold case crime involving the disappearance of four-year-old Daisy Logue, with the main suspect being Nora, her mother. As a new documentary starts to be made about the case, evidence is reexamined and key people from the case quickly get involved. This structure allows Allan to slowly unravel the mystery of what happened to the missing girl, and it's impossible not to get drawn into the twists and turns of the plot as the truth is gradually revealed.

Without giving too much away, it's safe to say that the motivations behind the crime are revealed to be complex and rooted in a desire for revenge. This is a patient, carefully planned crime, and Allan does a great job of building tension and keeping the reader guessing.

The book is written really well, with Allan's unique voice and engaging writing keeping readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The story is dark, emotional, and tense, and it's easy to get caught up in the mystery of what happened the day Daisy disappeared. Who is telling the truth and who is lying? The threats from mysterious true crime forum posters add to the intensity of the story, and it's impossible not to get drawn into the twists and turns of the plot.

While the main characters are not particularly likeable, the complex character development is a key focus of the plot. The character's flaws are a central part of the story, and Allan does a great job of making the characters feel real and fully fleshed out. Nora, in particular, is a mess - as you might expect - but Allan does a great job of making her feel like a real person rather than just a plot device.

The twists in the book are a mixed bag - some are predictable, while others are surprising. However, the ending does feel a bit rushed and over-the-top, especially after the book's slow start. That being said, the ending is still satisfying and nicely ties up the loose ends of the story.

Overall, In the Dark is a solid three-star book. While it may not be the most standout thriller, the writing is engaging and the story is still enjoyable overall. 

Rating: 3 stars

In the Dark is available to buy now.

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* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

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