I was quickly pulled into this story. Nora has the chance to find out what happened to her daughter but is it worth the risk to her son? That's the position Nora Louge finds herself in seven years after her daughter Daisy's disappearance. I was quickly turning the pages, desperate to find out what had happened the day Daisy disappeared. We have small clues cleverly placed throughout the story. A documentary maker, Izzy wants Nora to appear in her show to try and find out what actually happened that day. The story is told in alternate chapters from Nora and Izzy's perspectives. I was guessing all the way through.

I've read and enjoyed other books by this author so was keen to read this one and I found it gripping. I pretty much read it in one sitting as I just had to know how it was going to end. I loved the idea of following two people making a documentary about a missing child, whilst we also got the perspective of the mother of the child. This made for interesting dynamics and intrigue about what might have happened. I didn't trust the documentary makers, but I also wasn't sure about the mother as the circumstances surrounding her daughter's disappearance were strange. This book kept me on my toes all the way through and the ending was a surprise to me, which I loved. I'd recommend this one.

I've read a few of Claire Allan's books and this was definitely one of her best. I did find it a bit slow to start with but once I was in I was hooked. Full of twists and turns and a great ending.
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for this Arc in exchange for my review.

In the Dark
Claire Allen
Publication Date: 19th Jan

Thanks so much to Netgalley.co.uk and author Claire Allen for an ARC of this one released on 19th Jan 2023.

'In The Dark' was everything I'd hoped it would be and it demands to be read in one sitting. It gripped me from the opening pages and I was hooked on the story and the characters throughout. I absolutely devoured this book in a matter of hours.

This book is everything I love in a thriller read. It is a fast paced crime thriller involving a missing child Daisy and her distraught Mother Nora. It had a constantly changing plot and an intriguing mix of characters. I kept changing my mind about Nora - I wasnt sure what was true and what wasnt or whether or not she was to be trusted or not. I just couldnt put it down and had to keep reading to find out the truth. I loved how the plot flowed - a mothers plight to find her missing child. Although I've read many thriller books where the plot line is about a missing child - this one just read slightly different with the addition of Izzy and the true crime documentary storyline. It added just that extra edge to the age old novel about a child gone missing and I couldnt recommend it more.

I was utterly captivated by this one and will be adding Claire Allen straight to my list of must read authors.

An easy 4 stars from me!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nora Logue’s daughter, Daisy went missing 8 years ago under circumstances that has cast a dark cloud on Nora. Nora has remarried and has a son, Luca, a smear campaign now focuses on her care towards Luca. Izzy and Tom film makers approach Nora to re tell her story and helps recollect the events of the time Daisy disappeared with the input of amateur sleuths true crime blog. Soon some new revelations are made the truth makes some shocking revelations.
Never let down by a Claire Allan book. A unique plot that will keep you captivated.

A tense read with lots of twists and an unexpected ending. I think this must be Claire's best book yet.
Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC

This was very enjoyable and twisty. It nearly kept me up at night as I wanted to keep on reading and didn’t want to put it down. Definitely more than five stars. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

3.5 stars. Nora Logue is living every mother's worst nightmare. Seven years ago, her child went missing whilst they were playing in the woods. Gone without a trace. Rather than receiving sympathy, the media has painted her as a " bad" mother - for not keeping a close enough eye on her child. Local citizens in Derry label her as strange, even before the incident, and hint at her involvement in Daisy's disappearance. Nora has a partner and young son; she attempts to move forward quietly with her life when she is approached about a documentary. How could she possibly move on when there is a possibility of discovering something about Daisy. An amateur sleuth forum posts some startling messages that hint at a disturbing past for Nora. It soon becomes clear that Nora is being watched and her family are under threat. After a slow start, the pace intensifies and creates a gripping read with some startling reveals. #inthedark #claireallan #avonbooks #netgalley #crimethriller #northernireland #derry #londonderry #missingchild

I don't know what happened to my daughter. Only that she's missing – and I was the last person to see her…
My name is Nora Logue. You’ve probably heard of me – most people have.
I am the mother of Daisy Logue. Seven years ago, I took her for a walk in the woods. Only I came out.
I have no memory of what happened that day.
I have tried to rebuild my life. Met a man, had another child – Luca. But I can’t let go of Daisy, or give up hope of seeing her again.
And now, I have the chance to find out what happened to her.
But what if pursuing the truth about my daughter risks my son’s life?

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.

This book is so sad, I really felt for the main character. I found it hard to read at times, it's grim as her life is so difficult. Not an easy read but interesting.

This is the second book I read from this author and it didn’t disappoint me. It’s a fasce paced crime thriller with very interesting characters and plot twists. All the elements needed for a worth reading thriller. The only downside for me was the quick ending. Overall I’d recommend this book.

Thank you NetGalley for theARC. This is the second book I read from Claire Allan. What a great thriller this book was hard to put down. A story of her mother, who cannot remember the day Her child went missing. Izzy who is making a documentary of the case starts to unravel new information. There’s definitely kept me on the edge of my seat. Will definitely recommend!

In The Dark by Claire Allan was so good my kindle was stuck to my hand until I finished reading it I just wanted to know what happened to Nora Logue, who was the mother of Daisy. She was four when she disappeared whilst they were out walking together in the woods.
Nora still has no memory of what happened to Daisy, This was seven years ago Both went for a walk in the woods. But, Only I came out.

Where is Daisy? Is she still alive?

Nora is now married with a young son called Luca but she is still tormented by what happened to Daisy much to her husbands frustration.

Lizzy who is a documentary maker is very keen to look into the Daisy Logue mystery and find out the true on what happened seven years ago.

Will Lizzy find out what happened?

Will this effect Nora relationship with her Husband and her young son?

This book was great with lots of twists and turns throughout and the characters were brilliant.

I highly recommend this book.

My name is Nora Logue. You’ve probably heard of me – most people have.

I am the mother of Daisy Logue. Seven years ago, I took her for a walk in the woods. Only I came out.

I have no memory of what happened that day.

I have tried to rebuild my life. Met a man, had another child – Luca. But I can’t let go of Daisy, or give up hope of seeing her again.

And now, I have the chance to find out what happened to her.

But what if pursuing the truth about my daughter risks my son’s life?

I really enjoyed this book. It was a chilling read! loved the plot and the story line to this, and I felt real empathy fo Nora. A great book!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and Claire Allan for my ARC of ‘In The Dark’ in return for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of Claire Allan and was delighted to receive this book to review and it did not disappoint. The story revolves around Nora Logue whose daughter, Daisy, disappeared seven years ago during a walk in the woods. Nora cannot remember anything about the incident.

Nora is now married with a son, Luca, but cannot let the memory of that day go. She decides to take part in a documentary in the hope of finding information. However, she didn’t imagine what she would unearth.

Cleverly plotted with numerous twists and turns leaving me believing anybody could be involved.

Excellent read and highly recommended

Thank you to @netgalley and @avonbooksuk for the review copy of this book! This was my first thriller in a while and at times I was honestly terrified!! (I do scary easy but still!)

Nora Logue lost her daughter Daisy seven years ago and she has no memory of the time she went missing. When a true crime documentary production team come knocking at her door, things start to get stirred up again which puts Nora’s whole family at risk.

This was such a good page-turner, with such strange characters I didn’t know what or who to believe. Definitely recommend!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I've loved reading The Nurse, but In the Dark was even better! The tension is set early on and remains throughout, not allowing you to stop listening until you reach the end. Highly recommend!
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to listen to this advanced copy!

In a Nutshell: A fast-paced crime thriller involving a missing girl, her distraught mother, a documentary film crew, and the online true crime community. The ending was quite farfetched, otherwise this was very enjoyable.

Story Synopsis:
Derry, Northern Ireland. Seven years ago, Nora’s four-year-old daughter Daisy went missing. Nora has no memory of what occurred that day.
Currently, though she is married and has a little son Luca, she still can’t give up on her quest to find out what happened to Daisy, despite her husband’s disapproval. When a young filmmaker named Izzy approaches her to tell her story through a documentary, Nora’s response ends up creating ripples across the past, spiralling into a tense situation that might endanger the safety of Luca. How can Nora find out the truth without compromising on Luca’s life?
The story comes to us in the first person perspectives of Nora and Izzy.

Where the book worked for me:
😍 It is quite fast-paced. I could easily complete this 400-pager within a day.
😍 The prologue was interesting. Though not thrilling per se, it creates the right amount of curiosity about what’s to come.
😍 The author doesn't waste time in needless build-up and background, despite what the length suggests. The main plot gets rolling from chapter one itself.
😍 The thrill or curiosity doesn't come just from wanting to know what happened to Daisy. It's also from trying to figure out Izzy's intentions and Nora’s mental state. It’s quite tough to decide whom to believe, especially as both Nora and Izzy are written in first person.. All the main adult characters have shades of grey. This adds to the fun of playing detective.
😍 The author’s spotlight on the online true crime community rings quite true. Her writing encompasses the genuine enthusiasts, the voyeurs, as well as the trolls.
😍 While some of the “twists” were guessable, there were enough surprises along the way to keep me hooked and happy.
😍 Despite her trauma, Nora doesn’t have an alcohol or drug dependency. Yes, this deserves a separate point of appreciation!

Where the book could have worked better for me:
😐 The final 15% or so goes much over the top. Secrets are settled too smoothly, explanations are given too freely, and cases are resolved too unconvincingly. Much of the backstory didn’t feel convincing.
😐 One event involving Izzy and Tom came out of the blue and did nothing for the story.

This #OwnVoices work could easily have been a 4.5 star for me had the ending been better. It wasn’t bad but it just felt too rushed and too neat. The “reason” behind the past events was unbelievably silly. Nevertheless, the book mostly does justice to its theme and offers enough of tense entertainment to satisfy most readers.

I had read this author’s “The Nurse” and had found it also a nice thriller despite its quick ending. This one is even better in terms of my overall experience. I’ll surely keep an eye out for her future books.

4 stars.

My thanks to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the DRC of “In The Dark”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Now, this book kept me invested from the beginning, I couldn't put it down and that ending was not something I was expecting at all!

A must read for 2023! You will not be disappointed.

Some may say slow to get going but I enjoyed the build up, it pulled me in so I could see the flaws with every character and walk straight into each red herring. I will say if you get an inkling a character is a little ‘off’ you’ll see your gut feeling is probably not wrong.
Tense, thrilling and smart; as a fan of Claire Allan’s I was not disappointed at all.