Wow, wow, wow! If you don’t like dark books, then this book is likely not for you, but if you are like me and the darker, more disturbing the better, this book is for you! So well written, original, and absolutely riveting. Hard to put down, because it is so well written, even in all the violence it contains. A must read for my fellow dark, disturbing thriller lovers! Must preorder it today, as you will not want to miss it!
Look forward to more by Amy Engel!
Will make sure I buzz this one up!

4.5 stars to this dark and twisty read!

The Familiar Dark is the second novel by Amy Engel that I've read and greatly enjoyed (although enjoyed might not be the best word as both these books feature dark and often depressing storylines). But even so, the author really knows how to create a compelling narrative with strong, well developed characters and setting, and tense drama. The storyline moved at a fast pace that kept me invested in Eve and her quest to uncover the murder of her daughter.

I did notice a typo in chapter 21 where a character who had died is mentioned as having moved someones car that night, which would be impossible as he's dead...It confused me for a while because I thought maybe he wasn't actually dead, but it was never brought up again, so I do think it was just a typo.

I've been sensitive to violence in fiction lately. I'm not sure what it is, but I find I can't stomach it as I used to. Not finishing this one.

I just finished a fantastic book. “The Familiar Dark” by Amy Engel is an intriguing murder mystery.
The story opens with two young girls being murdered in the cold snow of a park at night. Two young friends find their end side by side on the frozen ground not far from home. Each from the opposite side of the tracks.
Next we’re introduced to Eve, mother of Junie, a single mom waitressing at a local haunt. Her brother Cal is a local cop and together they’ve been trying to outrun their childhood and their drug addict mother.
Eve is now forever linked with Jenny and Zach, the well-to-do parents of Izzy. Eve has vowed to avenge the death of her daughter. The pursuit of justice takes Eve back to the woods she grew up in and back to her mama.
I recommend you check out this mystery to find out where the darkness will take Eve. Is the killer closer than she ever expected?

First Sentence:

They died during a freak April snowstorm, blood pooling on a patchy bed of white.

The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel targets a mother’s grief over the loss of her daughter and the lengths she’ll go to find the truth. Amy Engel is one of my favorite authors. I loved The Roanoke Girls and her Young Adult Series, The Book of Ivy. Needless to say, I was happy to see The Familiar Dark on my future release list.

The story is about two 12-year-old girls and best friends, Julie and Izzy who are found brutally murdered in a park in one of the poorest areas of the Ozarks, Barren Springs. Julie’s mother, Eve Taggert is grief stricken and left wondering what happened; her grief is channeled into obsession, one of finding out just what happened to Julie and Izzy. When Eve begins her own investigation into their murder, the results will be staggering.
As Eve searches for answers to Julie’s murder, parts of her past come back. Things she has done and does aren’t always endearing in a character but there’s an understanding of why Eve goes back to old habits in her grief and anger; she came from much worse. The exploration into life and the criminal element in Barren Springs is expertly written and reminded me of a documentary I’d seen exploring many of the same real-life problems faced in poverty stricken small towns such as this.

The story diverges down many different paths; it is convoluted and twisty, full of possible suspects, and is impossible to put down. One of the best books I’ve read this year!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group – Dutton for giving me the opportunity to read and review The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel.

What a edgy, provocative novel about the power of love, anger, and grief within ourselves to motivate us to find what we seek most! Eve is an intricate and well written character. She makes this novel from beginning to end. Don't skip this one! Wonderfully written novel about a parent's love and devotion to find justice.
#TheFamiliarDark
#NetGalley

Abook I could not put down multilayered with twists and turns that eat me racing through the pages An author bI will be following #netgalley#duttonbooks

THE FAMILIAR DARK takes place in one of the poorest portions of the Missouri Ozarks.

The story begins with the death of two 12-year-old girls - Best Friends - Izzy and Junie.

Eve Taggert is a single mother. She has loved her daughter Junie with an intensity that surprised Eve and which began when Junie drew her first tiny breath. On that day, Eve's once wild life was flipped onto it's head. She knew that she had to be a better mother to Junie than her mother had been to her and her brother Cal (short for Caleb). And ever since that day Eve had showered Junie with love and worked hard to provide for their tiny, two-person household.

But, when Eve learns that Junie and her best friend Izzy had been brutally murdered, she begins to fall apart. After all, what was the point of changing her life and becoming a contributing member of society of her daughter if it led to the death of her only child?

With dogged determination and a fierce need to identify the killer, Eve  takes it upon herself to find out the truth about what happened.

As Eve begins to search for answers in her daughter's slaying, old hurts, secrets and betrayals she had thought long buried are brought to light.

In fact, the twists in this tale are so numerous that readers will have a difficult time figuring out who the killer(s) is/are. As soon as you think you have a handle on all the players, you need to think again.

Author AMY ENGEL has captured perfectly the depth of a mother's love and protective instincts for her child. She has portrayed the anger and resentment of a mother towards the perpetrator of the murder to perfection.

Although this novel is a mystery, a thriller, a whodunit, it is unlike any other thriller readers have encountered previously. The story focuses on relationships - on family ties.

THE FAMILIAR DARK is also a story about poverty and the fact that when you are poor, your life choices are limited. When you are working hard every day just to put food on the table and a roof over your head, there is little energy left at the end of the day.

Once her child was taken from her in the most violent and traumatic way possible, Eve is devastated. Despite the fact that her brother, Cal, is a cop, Eve decides to launch her own investigation.

As Eve dogs deeper and deeper into the criminal underbelly of her small town, she begins to discover that there are many secrets there and that some people will do anything to ensure those secrets are never revealed.

This story roars along like a high-speed freight train and readers will need to hang on for the ride of their lives.

I rate THE FAMILIAR DARK as 5 OUT OF 5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

***Thank you to #NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book.***

I was not familiar with the author but the description sounded intriguing. It's such a cliche to say but it was painful to put this book down. I was so drawn in by the story and the characters. The writing is beautiful even though the subject matter is raw and dark. This is a five star read and I will be looking for more from this author.

The Familiar Dark is the most consuming novel I’ve read in a long time! I was a little apprehensive that The Familiar Dark might be a little too dark, but I am so glad my curiosity got the better of me!!! This gripping read will have your jaw hanging wide open with the well placed (and unexpected) twists and turns. Amy Engel has masterfully created a multilayer storyline that will keep you guessing until the very end. After finishing this 5 star book, I immediately went on Amazon to check out Amy’s previously released novels and I actually bought The Roanoke Girls a little bit ago, but just haven’t read it! Soooooo, I absolutely know what book I’m moving to the top of my TBR list!!!

Eve Taggert has worked hard to throw off the ugly tatters of her Ozark childhood, with a mother who was as hard and cold as the winters Eve endured. But now, as an adult, Eve has to face the unendurable, the murder of her own daughter. Obsessed with finding out why her daughter died, Eve will discover that she has to channel her mother’s fierce and formidable spirit to uncover the truth