Ceecee's Reviews > A Flicker in the Dark

3.5 rounded down.

Monsters lurk under the bed, behind closed doors, they hide in deep dark woods but sometimes they’re right there in front of you in plain sight. Twenty years ago twelve year old Chloe Davis’s world imploded when her father is arrested and convicted for the murder of six teenage girls from her home town of Beaux Bridge, Louisiana. In the present day, Chloe, now a psychologist, is preparing to marry Daniel, maybe finally her tentative hold on life can be tethered in a loving relationship. However, when a local girl goes missing it reawakens all her fears and insecurity- will her world come crashing down as her past and present collide?

There are parts of this book that I really like and for a debut it’s quite impressive but I do find it a mixed bag read. The character of Chloe is portrayed extremely well, you feel what she feels and it’s clear she’s an unreliable narrator which is something I enjoy. It strongly conveys the impact of her childhood trauma in a powerful way as it’s like she and her family have a life sentence too. The Louisiana location and setting of the novel adds an atmosphere which the author uses to real effect.

However, it’s an uneven read. In places it’s slow and there’s repetition then it speeds up and there’ll be tension and suspense, then it slows again so it becomes like a light that keeps flickering on and off. The other problem is that I knew most of the outcome before we’d even get very far into the book though there is one aspect I don’t foresee though you do require suspension of disbelief and I find it hard to buy into it. I don’t think it’s necessary to keep repeating déjà vu which drives me mad if I’m honest (yes, message received!) and also repeatedly using flicker in different ways.

Overall, it’s clear the author has talent and I’m sure there’s a bright future ahead. I can absolutely see it making an excellent television mini series too.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to HarperCollins, Harper Fiction for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.