Book Review: The Dark

Title: THE DARK

Author: Emma Haughton

ISBN: 978 1 529 35661 8

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Pages: 373

Source: Review Copy from Jonathan Ball Publisher

ONE DEAD BODY. TWELVE SUSPECTS. TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR DARKNESS.

In the most inhospitable environment on earth – cut off from the rest of the world – there’s a killer on the loose.

A&E doctor Kate North has been knocked out of her orbit by a personal tragedy. So when she’s offered the opportunity to be an emergency replacement at the UN research station in Antarctica, she jumps at the chance. The previous doctor, Jean-Luc, died in a tragic accident while out on the ice.

The move seems an ideal solution for Kate: no one knows about her past; no one is checking up on her. But as total darkness descends for the winter, she begins to suspect that Jean-Luc’s death wasn’t accidental at all.

And the more questions she asks, the more dangerous it becomes . . .

Official Summary

15 December 2021

Get ready to be chilled as this book transports you to Antarctica. This tense and thrilling read will keep you glued to the edge of your seat as the author unravels a terrifying tale set in the most inhospitable environment on earth. What do you do when you are stuck in the dark and you have no idea who you can trust?

Emma Haughton created a story that leaves you chilled to the bone. Her descriptions of the beautiful, yet dangerous environment leaves you feeling as if you are visiting this frozen wonderland while she leaves you gasping for breath while racing to reach the last page. This was my first Emma Haughton book and I found myself gripped from start to finish. I loved the intensity of this story.

Doctor Kate North is only too happy for the opportunity to escape to Antarctica when she is offered a position by the UN to replace a doctor at a research station. The doctor she is replacing died in an accident on the ice. Spending the winter wrapped in darkness is a scary thought for Kate who is afraid of the dark. Yet after a personal tragedy, she is eager to escape the sympathy of her friends and family. As the darkness closes in around her, she soon discovers that the death of her predecessor was maybe not an accident at all. Now stuck at the end of the earth, it is up to Kate to ensure the safety of those around her and try to find the truth. But who can she trust?

The Dark is a bone-chilling, intense tale that left me flipping pages when I should have been focusing on other things. I was quickly drawn into this tale and battled to put this book down. I loved the author’s description of the environment, as someone who has never even seen snow, I was left with a beautiful picture in my mind as I read these pages. At times I found myself shivering just a little. Going into a South African summer while reading this book, those shivers had nothing to do with the weather.

Kate North is a woman who is hiding her past. She does not want to share the tragedy she has escaped from, but she is also hiding something that would ensure everyone at the research centre loses faith in her. As the station Doctor, Kate knows she cannot allow her issues to get in the way of the job she is there to do. I loved this woman’s flaws. She is troubled and not dealing with her ghosts very well. This makes her a realistic character you will find yourself rooting for as she is stumbling through the dark in search of the truth.

I loved this book and highly recommend it. You will find yourself deeply engrossed in this terrifying, atmospheric tale. It is one of those books you simply must read. Adding this title to your TBR will not leave you disappointed. But be prepared to be chilled from start to finish.

About the Author

Bio from the author’s site

Emma Haughton grew up in Sussex; after a stint au pairing in Paris and a couple of half-hearted attempts to backpack across Europe, she studied English at Oxford University then trained in journalism. During her career as a journalist, she wrote many articles for national newspapers, including regular pieces for the Times Travel section.

Following publication of her picture book, Rainy Day, Emma wrote three YA novels. Her first, Now You See Me, was an Amazon bestseller and nominated for the Carnegie and Amazing Book Awards. Better Left Buried, her second, was one of the best YA reads for 2015 in the Sunday Express. Her third YA novel, Cruel Heart Broken, was picked by The Bookseller as a top YA read for July 2016.

The Dark, Emma’s chilling new thriller for adults, was published by Hodder in August 2021.

Thank you to Jonathan Ball Publishers for sending me a review copy of this book. It was a gripping read that left me racing for the end. I loved every minute I spent reading this book. I should have been working on preparations for my move, but this was a fantastic escape from my reality. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you for taking the time to read my review. Have you read The Dark? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below. Until next time… Happy Reading!