Thank you to the publisher for my copy - all opinions are my own.

This was admittedly a book that took me a long time to read. I struggled a bit with the pacing off the get go, and I had a few stops and starts along the way.

That being said, when I finally did get myself over that initial hump, I really enjoyed this book. Beautifully rounded out characters, atmospheric setting and absorbing plot made for a fantastic reading experience.

Certainly one for literary fiction lovers.

I found this book difficult to read and not the Paula McLain book I am used to reading. However, the plot was engaging, although difficult because it involved a missing child.

Well I did not see that ending coming, I had absolutely no idea who the killer was, very well done. I love how the m/c struggles with her family life, memories of relatives that have passed, and dealing with her emotions while trying to solve Cameron's disappearance. I think a lot of law enforcement people probably feel this level of frustration and exhaustion at times. I highly recommend this book and I am looking forward to reading more of Paula's books in the future.

I've always associated Paula McLain with historical fiction centered on women's stories so I was very interested in to see how that would translate in a new direction towards crime fiction. I am a big thriller and crime reader with high standards and I was blown away by this book. The characters felt like real people. Readers will not be unfamiliar with the "tortured investigator" trope and Anna certainly qualifies. I found her empathetic and I would love to see more of her. There was a lot of misery and pain in this story but it also had a lot of heart. I few times I was even a little teary. If a book about a serial killer can terrify you and also make you cry you know it is a good one!

I especially enjoyed how real cases were woven into the story. Being a bit of a true crime aficionado I was familiar with these cases, especially the Polly Klaas case. It was heart wrenching to see how hard everyone was working to find her and knowing the real life ending was not a happy one. This entire story was heavy and sad yet I found comfort in Anna and her foster parents and the good people around her.

Abduction of young women is always going to be a tough topic and I appreciate that I wasn't left feeling completely bleak and helpless at the end. McLain's beautiful writing brought lovely Mendocino to life and the relationships between the characters was a ray of light in the darkness. I don't want to be left devastated by a crime novel. There needs to be some hope, some goodness, and some kindness. I think this is where this story truly shines; not in the darkness, but in the light.

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada, Bond Street Books for providing an Electronic Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley for review.

An exciting and clever story!!

I was excited to read this after seeing that beautiful cover and reading the intriguing description.

After a personal tragedy, Thirty-five-year-old, Detective Anna Hart has decided to return to Mendocino. Although she hasn't been there for over seventeen years, it's the place that feels most like home. A place she felt at peace. Not every memory of Mendocino was great, but the ten years she lived there she learned so much.

Anna is a missing persons detective in San Francisco. She spent last few years working for an initiative called Project Searchlight. The project focused on crimes against children. Anna is very good at what she does. She's seen things no one should have to see. But someone has to save and get justice for these victims. It's important work but it's hard on her personal life.

Anna was ten when she came to Mendocino. She'd been in many foster homes before that time. She ended up staying with Hap (who was a forest ranger) and his wife, Eden for eight years. They were good to her though she did her best to test their limits.

Anna arrives and heads to the local Cafe. While there Anna happens to overhear two men talking about a missing person. As she leaves she glances at the cafe’s message board – it has the usual advertising and things for sale etc. But then Anna sees the poster of a missing girl, 15 year old, Cameron Curtis.

It’s not like a big city, people rarely go missing in a place like Mendocino. Anna knows that everyone in the small town will be affected by this.

Anna can’t stop thinking about the missing girl so she goes walking in the woods to try and clear her mind. She comes across a police barrier and a handful of officers. It's a search party for the missing girl. Anna sees someone she recognizes. A face from her past.

Anna starts to feel like she must be in Mendcino for a reason.

I really enjoy the way Paula McLain tells this story. We learn about Anna's past but we're not given all the details right away. A fuller picture forms as little by little things are revealed.

A story of about trauma, healing, forgiveness and much more. I would love to read more about Detective Anna Hart!

A thought-provoking, original, and gripping read!

The Author’s Note at the end of the book is a great read too.



I'd like to thank the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel. All opinions are my own.

One of my absolute favorite authors. I was sure I had already posted a review here for this.

Paula McLain truly can never disappoint. I've been a fan of absolutely everything she has written.

When the Stars Go Dark publishes on April 13th, 2021 and I implore any fans of hers to get their hands on this work of art as soon as humanly possible.

McLain steps into uncharted territory [for her] by venturing into the Crime Fiction/Thriller genre - straying from her usual Historical Fiction in Genre itself but certainly not in quality. She adds her typical depth of characters and plot. What I truly love about this author is that you never get surface level writing. There is complexity to every single character. Complexity to every scene.

A work drenched in trauma, fear, a mothers worst nightmare and loss.

Detective Anna Hart is a character I will truly never forget. She is so much more then a Detective who finds herself involved in a case of a missing girl in a town filled with her past, memories and history. Hart is a mother trying to make up for her mistakes, and the mistakes of the past that she deems unforgivable.

I felt this truly took me on a ride- there was no guessing what would happen for me and i love that.

Guessing until the very end.

Thank you Paula once again for leaving me with Characters and a story I wont forget.

Thank you Paula McLain, NetGalley & Ballentine Books for the ARC in exchange for a review.

Anna Hart is a San Fransisco detective specializing in missing children cases.
Trying to come to terms with a personal tragedy Anna heads to Mendocino her childhood home. As a child Anna moved from foster home to foster home until she came to live with Eden and Hap. It was here with this childless older couple that Anna finally came to a place she could call home.
Anna quickly discovers a young girl has gone missing. Will an old school friend is the town’s police chief. Anna offers her assistance in an unofficial capacity. Knowing of Anna’s expertise in these type of cases Will accepts her help.
WHEN THE STARS GO DARK is a departure from Paula McLain’s historical fiction novels. It is a well told thriller with interesting characters.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced digital edition of this book.

Although I really do enjoy McLain's prose, this one wasn't her best. But to be fair to her, her prose is excellent. It was enjoyable to read and true crime is interesting to have a constructed frame of view for something that really happened.

This book was fascinating, fast paced and beautifully written. Some parts of it were challenging to read, but the mystery of the story was incredible! I really enjoyed this read and found it hard to put down. The fact it was also based around a real historical kidnapping that was woven into the fiction was moving and impactful.

I really loved the complexity of this story and peeling off all the layers as I read. The writing was absolutely incredible. The characters were very well developed. At times I did find the story was dragging but it all came together as I kept reading. It was filled with tragedies and it broke my heart in a million pieces. I really enjoyed this one.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely see the hype with this book - it was so good! I love Paula McLain's earlier books, so I just knew I would love this one too! Didn't disappoint!

I find myself being drawn to books about missing people lately, but this was unlike any other that I’ve read before.⁣
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The writing is stunning. It took me few chapters to get my groove and get used to the flow of the writing, but wow - once I did, I found it completely captivating and beautiful. ⁣
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Being able to write about such difficult subjects, especially ones that reflect your own life, in such a vulnerable and touching way is pure talent.⁣
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A solid mystery, told with such a unique style.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read and review.

This is the first book I've read by Paula McLain and I was so impressed! A broken detective running from her trauma goes back home and becomes embroiled in a case of a local missing girl. The book was fast paced and well written. I devoured it in a day.

I had read a couple of Paula McLain's historical fiction novels and knew I enjoyed her writing, but wasn't sure about a mystery/thriller. I am glad I took a chance on this one. It is the story of Anna North, a detective whose job is finding missing children. Anna has suffered a trauma and is no longer living with her family. She hops in her car and ends up in Mendocino, California, the place where she grew up, living with her adoptive parents, the last place she was truly happy. There are things in her past that need closure and hopefully she can do this and move forward. Shortly after arriving, she runs into Hap, an old friend, who is now the Chief of Police. He has a missing 15 year old girl on his hands and asks Anna to help him. She agrees and is immediately involved in a case that takes her back to her past.

I really liked the characters of Anna North. She is a very complex character, who is obsessive wen it comes to her work. I was interested in her past and wanted to know exactly what the trauma was that drove her from her family. It is gradually shared and my heart broke for her. She is very good at her job, almost having an insight into the mind of those who take children. This is a well written and plotted story, with many surprises. The pace was mixed, with some slower parts and some quickly moving, perfect for what was happening at the time. The characters were well developed, even allowing us to "meet" those from Anna's past through her memories and flashbacks. This is a suspenseful mystery more than a thriller. There are themes of family, adoption, belonging, dealing with trauma and figuring out how your past affects your present. I enjoyed this story and recommend it to those who enjoy a well written mystery or suspense story.

Among all of the missing kid mystery books that I have read, this is not the best one. But it is still a solid read. I gave it 4 stars.
The story is told in two timelines- Anna’s story and the current missing kid case. I need time to adjust every time it jumps. Plus netgalley only provides a roll down reading method, instead of flip page. it’s also not helping the situation. (it is not the book’s fault）
I also feel it is too slow for me, dragged in the middle.
Other than these, It’s an emotional read. It’s deep and powerful. I have nevery heard of the Murder of Polly Klaas. This book makes me dig more. Thank you Paula McLain.

Paula McLain keeps you guessing and turns the typical narrative of a small town detective on its head. A slow build but the plot twists are worth it!

When The Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain

This was a very compelling read. I found the mystery suspenseful, even though the subject matter (abduction, sexual assault and death of young girls) could be triggers for some people. She does a great job covering it, without being too graphic, as it was a subject very personal to the author. It was a gripping story and had me up late reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bond Street Books, Penguin Random House Canada for a digital ARC for an honest review.

#NetGalley #WhentheStarsGoDark

5 stars!

“Mothers and fathers are supposed to stay.”

A slow burning, beautifully written, haunting and highly atmospheric mystery.

Anna is a detective who specializes in missing persons. She lives and breathes for her job and has an indescribable connection to the victims she is searching for. Anna is drawn to her childhood hometown where she finds herself aiding the local police force in the case of a young teen who has disappeared.

This book was phenomenal! Unique, messy and mysterious characters. Thick, palpable, remote small town atmosphere. Intriguing, slow building and addictive mystery.

I loved Anna! She was so strong and determined, yet vulnerable facing her personal inner struggles. I truly enjoyed following her journey and really hope to spend more time with her (crossing my fingers this may become a series)!

The writing was exquisite! I was completely consumed by the beautiful prose and heart wrenching storyline. There are some heavy topics covered within the pages of this story. Several times, I stopped to fully absorb the sentences I was reading. Very powerful and thought provoking topics surrounding adoption and a child’s sense of belonging and personal identity.

I loved this book and highly recommend it. A definite favourite for 2021. I’m thrilled to report it lived up to the hype!

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for my review copy!

This was a great crime fiction and suspenseful mystery read! The stunning cover also caught my eye right away!

I found it to be incredibly well written and such a atmospheric story! It felt like a little subtle love letter to nature which was a nice touch!

I always seem to enjoy a good detective story and I thought McLain did a great job of utilizing flashbacks to Anna’s past to help us understand who she was and her commitment to the town and the missing girls cases.

Although it had a bit of a slow start, you easily get sucked into the cases of the poor missing girls and Anna’s story, which ultimately makes it such a compelling read!

This was the first book that I have read by Paula McLain, but after having read When the altars Go Dark, I will definitely be reading more by this author. It is the compelling story of Detective Anna Hart, who returns to her childhood home of Mendocino, California after an undisclosed traumatic experience. Once there, she becomes involved in an investigation of the abduction of a local teenager. I found the storytelling very engaging and the character development of Anna quite good. Although, Paula McLain is known more for her historical fiction, I think she did a great job with a more modern day setting and liked the fact that she set the story in 1993, pre- Internet. I think it gave the story a good twist, Highly recommended read.