Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in rertun for my honest feedback.

I was so excited to see a new Caite Dolan-Leach book pop up on NetGalley. I LOVED dead letters and was excited to see a new story by her. Unfortunetly, this book did not live up to my own hype.

The whole MLM Cult just didn't grab my attention the way I wish it would have. The first 2/3rds of the book for me were rather slow but I did find myself getting a little more intrigued by the last third. For the book to feel so long, the ending seemed rushed and wasn't a satisfying ending. Left questions unanswered. I think this book being shorter and more condensed could have added some urgency and made it more thrilling. I was personally never worried about the main character's safety and I think if I was that would have made it more of a "can't put it down feel"

There was however one twist I did not see coming that I was like AWESOME.

I will definetly be up to checking out more of Caite's books in the future but for now I will continue to recommend "Dead Letters" instead of this one.

Actress Olivia (Liv) Reed, upon urging by her manager Jess Meisner, checks herself into a spiritual center to relax and recover but instead finds herself investigating the employees of the center, missing girls, and the company (cult?) behind it all. She pairs up with a fellow retreat attendee (Ava Antipova, from Dead Letters) to start a podcast to share the information she begins gathering on the Seneca Girls "three other young women in a twenty-mile radius of this place who have turned up dead of an apparent suicide on an equinox or solstice in the last five years." I love alternate media being included in a story and Dark Circles has touches of podcasts (complete with ads), tweets, Instagram posts, and Reddit threads. Liv also carries a lot of guilt, trauma, and suspicion from her mother's disappearance many years ago. The whole story is very twisty-turny, dark, and kept me on my toes as I read. There was also great commentary on pop culture, and social media, but I found Liv's (i.e. Dolan-Leach's) commentary on the continued objectification of women even after their deaths especially profound:

"This obsession with young white female bodies is intertwined with the control exerted over them: we never stop looking at them, critiquing them, venerating them, dominating them. Especially when they’re dead. So when I read or hear about a story where someone has annihilated a female body—or, better yet, several female bodies, ones that maybe look like mine—I feel, in a strange way, less crazy. Less paranoid. Because I can feel the hatred, but I’ve been told so many times that it’s in my head, that I’m exaggerating or confused. But when I hear a story of a man destroying women simply because they are women, I feel vindicated for this state of vigilance I’ve existed in my whole life."

As Liv gets closer to the answers about the deaths, I began to really be awed by Dolan-Leah's ability to tell a story with so many details, connect seemingly unrelated topics in a way that is absolutely mesmerizing, and weave in bits of her previous work as well. I loved Caite Dolan-Leach's "Dead Letters" and "We Went to the Woods." Dark Circles was no different. Dolan-Leach manages to tie little threads between all her novels but they are not necessarily grouped together as a series--more like a treat for those who've read the previous works.

Dark Circles has cemented Caite Dolan-Leach into my "auto-buy" author category. I am eagerly awaiting what she brings next.

After Olivia Reed has a meltdown in public captured all too intimately by paparazzi, her longtime friend and manager suggests she take some time to attend a retreat in upstate New York. It’s quiet and remote and should give her a chance to recover from her “exhaustion.”

When Liv arrives at the House of Light, she has to hand over her phone. She also has to get used to no lights after dark, mostly unappetizing vegetarian fare grown on the property, and woo-woo enlightenment. She’s certainly experienced her share of retreats with meditation, yoga and bland philosophies.

But not long after she settles in, Liv finds out some strange things are happening behind the scenes. A local woman in the room next to hers tells her several women have committed suicide or died accidentally after being at the House of Light — and all the deaths occurred on the date of a solstice or equinox. It would be easy to dismiss Ava’s claims (Ava’s husband and family certainly do), but Liv is unsettled by the atmosphere at House of Light and feels it’s suspicious.

So Liv, an actress mostly known for a stint on a TV show, impulsively decides to start a podcast to investigate the deaths and the House of Light itself. She checks out of the center and dives wholeheartedly into the new project. It’s a risky move, and it makes her manager angry. But she could do something real and important to reveal the truth in real time as the episodes drop, and it could revive her flagging career, too, which certainly wouldn’t be a bad thing.

Dark Circles is a suspense novel that intersperses bits of the podcast with Liv’s point of view as the story plays out. It is hard to know for sure if crime is actually being cleverly perpetrated behind a glossy veneer of New Age spirituality or if Liv really is just digging herself into a hole personally and professionally. Is she actually in danger as she gathers information, or is she creating a story where there is none?

The book is fairly well-paced and held my interest, though I didn’t always feel I cared a lot about what happened to the characters. Liz, the narrator, definitely has her shallow moments; Ava seems fairly self-centered. The plot didn’t end with any real shockers, either, contrary to my expectations, though I didn’t foresee one element. Mostly satisfactory but lots of profanity.

📖 Book Review 📖
#darkcircles
#caitedolanleach
#faketruecrime
#NetGalley published 5/10/2022
#randomhousepublishing
#ballantinebooks
#GeneralFictionadult
#mystery
#arcreview

⭐⭐⭐💫 (rounding up for ratings)

Let's start this with, I've been having problems concentrating bc there was a death very close to me. I've been dealing with lots of paperwork and belongings. And of course feelings. So this may have effected my feelings about the book too.

This book was #cultrelated. 4 girls found dead within 20 miles of a NYS Finger Lakes rehab/retreat. One actress, Liv, goes there to get rest and away from "her pills" and the current disaster that is her life. Yoga, microbiotic food and other New Age treatments are included. But one local lady she meets thinks there is a connection between the deaths and the retreat. So she looks into it and starts a real crime podcast.

The way the podcast was shown into the book was well done. The italics made it easy to recognize. The book itself was written in first person. And so was the podcast. This is one of the first almost #cozymystery in which the stupid girl did not find herself in trouble. That was a nice change. The book for some reason did not keep me attached to the story. Thus the kind of low-ish rating but higher rounding. If you have ever been to the Finger Lakes, you might enjoy it just for the mentions of the particular towns, features and lakes mentioned. I know I liked that part.

#fingerlakes
#pretendpodcast
#bookstagram #booknerds #bookworm #booklover #bookdragon #readalot #ilovereading #inkdrinker #librarymouse #bookaddict #bookaholic

I know a lot of people are tired of the podcast-in-a-book plot device, but I am definitely not one of them! Recommend this book for readers who like thrillers with a secret society/cult-like organization at the center.

After a very public meltdown, Olivia Reed goes to the House of Light in upstate New York for a spiritual retreat. A local warns her that nothing is what it seems and that no one will listen to her. Olivia figures she can use her celebrity status for good, but Olivia starts to wonder if anything is what it seems.

Caite also wrote the amazing novel Dead Letters, so one of the characters may be familiar. Don't feel bad if you don't catch it, it took me a laughably long time to realize it because I was too focused on Liv's story and didn't notice until it was obvious. Intercut with interviews, parts of Liv's podcast, and other ephemera, the mystery of the House of Light deepens. Staff members seem to act in creepy ways, another retreat member disappears, Liv sees an odd ritual at night, and she's summarily thrown out for asking too many questions. She's contrary enough to keep going, and even her fear, when threatened, isn't enough to keep her from her new mission in life.

Embedded in this novel is the question of fame, family, and identity. Even when we know the names of the women that died, we don't know why it happened or who was behind it. Trying to discover that becomes more about the process than the women themselves, commodifying the dead. Liv does have some qualms about this and persists despite threats. Her mother had abandoned her years before, her father is a genteel leech, and her manager Jess circles her orbit and redirects where she goes. Liv has a measure of self-absorption as a result of her popularity, but at the same time she does have paparazzi following her that's only too eager to paint her in the worst light. She has few real connections in life, so she quickly bonds to those paying attention to her and catching her interest. Her bond with Ava and Ava's family is like that and helps to push the second half of the book forward.

I was enthralled with this, much as I was with Caite's earlier novels. Even if you find the characters unpleasant, they're still charismatic and you can't help but wonder what's going on as they do. We find the answers to all of our questions by the end, even questions about Ava and her dead twin sister. I couldn't put this book down, and I think you won't be able to either.

Lots of books about podcasts lately and this one is no exception. Celebrities, murder and add some creepiness. I loved it! Twists and turns and kept me on the edge of my seat! Thank you so much!

Apparently I’m just on a roll with the cult books and I am so here for it!!

Stories about cults are *fascinating* and while each typically has some similarities, each cult does usually have fairly unique ideology and practices. They always have some ~extra quality that the others don’t seem to possess. Which is definitely why I keep coming back for more.

With this one, in particular, I absolutely loved the story format. It starts out with the reader experiencing the cult from the inside and then moves to a more ~investigative approach through the lens of a podcast intent on bringing the horrors to light and bringing down the organization. And I’m always here for podcasts in books!

The only thing that I didn’t really love about this is that it felt just a little too long? It clocks in at just under 400 pages so some of the ~thriller aspects were lost in the details. I think it would’ve been much more effective to shorten the chapters and cut out some of the extra details that slowed down the narrative.

The pacing of the first half is just a little wonky and that’s where I got just a little bored. But it really picks up around halfway and the second half was so intriguing! Especially when all the horrors of the cult were finally revealed!

So if you’re looking for books about cults, this one is absolutely fascinating!! I did end up really enjoying it overall and I’m glad I picked it up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review!

Olivia Reed is an actress who needs a break. She doesn't want to think about the things going on in her life, public or private. She just wants to get away from it. So.... her manager has the perfect place for her to go, The House of Light, a spiritual center. When she gets there, she discovers that it's not quite as peaceful as she had hoped. It turns out that the House of Light, is actually quite dark.

This story about a cult and dead or missing girls was much more interesting than the author's last book. I really enjoyed the podcast angle. There is a sub story about the main character's mom and where did she go? Was she a member of the cult? Themes about friendship, abandonment, and social accountability are explored. Overall good mystery.

Olivia ‘Liv’ Reed, a minor celebrity with a public image problem, needs some time out of the limelight, at least that’s what her manager thinks when she arranges for Olivia to attend an exclusive retreat hoping it’ll help rehab her name. But Liv isn’t there long before she begins to suspect the House of Light is more than it appears. Together with another woman at the retreat she begins to explore the mysteries of the HoL and a number of mysterious deaths linked with it, going as far as to leverage her celebrity and begin a podcast in pursuit of the truth.

While I thought it moved a little slow at times, overall it was still a fairly enjoyable dark and twisting thriller. I’d like to thank Random House/Ballentine and NetGalley for the chance to read and review an eARC of Dark Circles.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R17M33CCR721X9/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-circles-caite-dolan-leach/1139874724?ean=9780593356043&bvnotificationId=c724656c-d08d-11ec-9c07-0a0df2a2b419&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/208658120

Actress Olivia Reed just had her name (and some very unflattering pictures) plastered all over the tabloids after she had a recent public meltdown. Now, her micromanaging publicist is insisting on sending her to a remote retreat in upstate New York —the House of Light. It’s not rehab; it’s a Spiritual Center, a site for seeking realignment and personal growth. There will be yoga and morning meditation, soft bamboo-blend fabrics and no shortage of crystals to cleanse her energy. But Liv will soon find that the House of Light is filled with darkness. While she is there, she meets Ava, who is a local resident, who tells her there have been a series of mysterious suicides committed by women caught in the Light’s web, and no matter who Ava talks to, no one believes the Center is involved. To find out what’s really happened and put her celebrity to good use, Liv starts a podcast, seeking to connect the dots and expose the Light’s true intentions. Because beneath the glowing skin of the Light’s inhabitants lie rotten souls, and Liv starts to wonder if anything—even her own life—is how it appears.

This was really good. It started a bit slow at first, and for the first little bit Olivia was completely unlikeable. However, once the story started rolling along, and Olivia began investigating the deaths with Ava, I liked her a lot more. This had a great mystery with an ending that I wasn't expecting. I did feel like the end felt a little rushed, but overall this was a good book, and well worth the time spent.

Olivia Reed is a Netflix actress who is more well known for her erratic behavior and wild antics than her acting. Infamous rather than famous. After some recent press in all the tabloids lead to a PR nightmare her manager Jess decides to do damage control and sends her to a House of Light, a spiritual retreat in upstate New York. Olivia is expecting a rehab of sorts, yoga, meditation, crystals, and plenty of rest + relaxation. What she gets is something more sinister and mysterious. She quickly finds out that House of Light is not only associated with peace and light but also suicide and mysterious deaths.
I loved the back and forth and the podcast aspect but the cult stuff was not my favorite. I did enjoy the authors style of writing and look forward to checking out more of her work. Thank you to Netgalley and Ballentine Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. 3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for inviting me to review an ARC for Caite Dolan-Leach’s newest novel, Dark Circles. In exchange I offer my unbiased opinion.

This is the third novel by Caite Dolan- Leach that I’ve had the privilege to read and review. I enjoyed her first two books and was excited to have the opportunity to read her newest story before it publishes in May of 2022.
This is a slow burn literary mystery, set once again in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. And if you’ve read Dead Letters, you’ll be excited to see the reappearance of Ava & Wyatt.

When B list celebrity, Olivia Reed is sent upstate to a meditative retreat to re-focus after too much partying and scandalous behavior, she is befriended by Ava ,who is also seeking spiritual healing at the House Of Light.. Ava is still running her family’s vineyard but she’s drawn to a local mystery involving the disappearance and suspicious deaths of several young woman. Ava convinces Olivia to use her celebrity status to set up a podcast to help investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearances. And soon secret ps from Olivia’s past is coming into light as well.

I enjoyed how the author incorporated the use of IG, Reddit, and true crime mania making for a very current read. The story is less of a thriller and more of a character driven novel but still a page turner and perfect book choice to toss into your summer beach bag.

What's it about (in a nutshell):
Dark Circles is a dark, dense, atmospheric story about Liv Reed, all of her demons, and a cult that seems to be the center of multiple deaths.


Initial Expectations (before beginning the book):
The book's cover gives me a dark foreboding feeling while also attracting me with its beautiful colors and intriguing setting. But I think what says it all, concerning my expectations of the book, is the last sentence of the book description. I anticipate an atmospheric read, sinfully delightful characters, and lots of glorious suspense.


Actual Reading Experience:
My initial expectations for my reading experience were precisely correct. Dark Circles is a dark atmospheric read, and I enjoyed the foreboding threaded in every description and situation. It made the story compelling and kept me focused just waiting for what would happen next and how dire the circumstances would be. The cover art does an excellent job capturing the story's atmosphere.

Sometimes, as can happen with atmospheric books, the writing becomes very dense and detailed, making my reading slow down unexpectedly. Still, it is broken up by podcasts, interviews, Reddit discussions, and other multimedia components. I particularly enjoyed the podcasts as the tone and pace held me enthralled and picked up the story's pace. There are also commercial breaks in the podcast that provide witty, creative little bursts that made me smile.

I also enjoyed the twists and turns, most of which surprised me. The big twist left my jaw on the floor and reframed the story in a sinfully delightful way. I love surprises in thrillers, especially in slow-burn atmospheric stories, because it helps to pick up the pace. And that is just what I experienced. As the secrets revealed themselves, the pages flipped faster and faster until the end.

The most unexpected aspect of this book was how my feelings changed about it after I finished it. After I closed the book for the final time, my thoughts were very positive. I found the whole podcast angle so compelling. The story focused largely on how a true crime podcast is developed and executed, which fascinated me completely. But as I thought about it more and more, I felt less enamored with it and realized the "buts" in my lists of enjoys. Overall, though, I think Dark Circles is a compelling character study and a fascinating true-crime podcast creation story. Yet, where it fell flat for me landed somewhere around the main character's detachment from the investigation she is doing. I never felt she was truly in any danger. Instead, she simply reported what she found, and even with that, she continually waffled on whether to continue. There is no actual fire or drive to make things right. I didn't realize how important these qualities are for me, but they are.

Characters:
Olivia Reed is a fledgling actress sent to the House of Light by her manager to help her gain some self-control and dry out after a particularly embarrassing situation. Liv tells this tale through first-person narration. At first, I sympathized with her, but as the story moved along, I grew tired of her self-destructive choices, mainly where men were concerned. She did, however, show a great deal of growth by the end, and I found that the story is as much a character study of Liv as it is a mystery.

To Read or Not to Read:
If you enjoy dark atmospheric mysteries and are intrigued by true crime podcasts, Dark Circles is a book you will find endlessly fascinating and compelling.

Olivia, a famous former teen tv star, is struggling with no job, no boyfriend, no real prospects. After a couple very public poor choices, she is shuttled off to a "not rehab" retreat. Here the book falls into the mire of many many cultish books that seem to be proliferating this year. Where this one stands out is that Olivia decides to start a podcast investigating the strange deaths of several members of the group that run the retreat. These are all deaths with several things in common, including the fact that they have all been determined to be suicides. Is someone in the cult a serial killer? How is Olivia going to figure this all out without getting herself killed? And, all the while, Olivia is dealing with the fall out of her previous actions along with her currently rollercoaster emotions. My mystery thriller loving self definitely enjoyed the second, faster, more focused on the mystery, half of the book.

Thanks to Random House for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.

This is a weirdly complicated story. Liv is a Hollywood actor who goes to a retreat and discovers that it is not what it advertises. There is a dearth of characters that are sometimes hiding secrets. She sets out to solve the mystery of what is happening and also to find the truth of who she is. She is able to successfully do both those things as well as rejuvenate her career.

This is an amazing thriller of mystery shrouded around a rehab center posing as a therapy center. The main character knows there's something not right and she is a bad ass who won't rest until she discovers what. I loved this book

I was excited to see book on NetGalley and instantly had to request. I had read one of her previous books and loved it so much.
This book did not disappoint. Are you a fan of True Crime podcasts? Cults? And a ton of mystery? This book is worth the check out.
What I loved:
The narration of real time events and the switch off to the podcast series. It kept the story interesting with the delivery of how the story unfolds.
The main character Liv is a mess but her growth from beginning to end was enjoyable. I love watching characters develop and figure out inner growth when dealing with their struggles. And she had a lot on the table.
The introduction of a character from a previous book Dead Letters. This is stand alone and you don’t need to read that to follow along but I do highly recommend it.
The twists in this book and how certain characters are related or correlate to each other or situations was done so well! I did NOT see the ending which made this a page turner for me.

As I read this all I kept thinking was “Scientology” and the weird, cultish, dark world of corruption and money.

Dark circles kept me engaged and on my toes. I devoted it in one sitting as I wasn’t sure who would pop up as the one to betray the other.

Each character was written with a the characteristics of sound mind and clarity, and yet also a bit of paranoia. This left me as the reader guessing until the end.

While it isn’t your normal physiological thriller, as it was lighter then normal, it definitely held the undertones of one.