I did not realize this was the second book in a series, it read well as its own story. I will be reading the first book because I enjoyed the characters in this book so much! It started off slow and I am glad I stuck with it because the second half of the books takes off! I will look for the next book in the series. I hope it clarifies what happened to one of the characters in this book and continues the story of others. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Love this series and Cara Kennedy. The Alaska setting continues to be a highlight and this thriller didn’t disappoint. Starts a little slow as it recaps past events and characters and then keeps you turning pages. Looking forward to more mysteries in this series.

Village in the Dark was a fast-paced thriller that will keep readers guessing right until the end. I liked Cara Kennedy's character and felt like Yamashita had created a character that came to life off the page. At times, I felt like I could feel her emotions about losing her husband and son, her feelings for J.B., among other parts.

Yamashita's writing is strong, and she created an interesting plot that keep me glued to the story until it was over. Her twists came at all the right times, and while they felt predictable once they happened, I never saw them coming.

A great book and I'm looking forward to reading more from the author!
Thank you, Berkley Publishing, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

**3.5-stars rounded up**

Village in the Dark is the 2nd-book in the Cara Kennedy mystery series. Let it be known right outta the gate that I haven't read the 1st-book yet. That's right, I'm picking them up out of order...

I know some of you may disagree with my pattern for doing this, but with Adult Mystery series, I sort of just pick up the ones that sound like they have the most intriguing mystery elements. Then if I really enjoy the characters and setting, I'll go back and read the prior books. I'm happy to report that I would love to go back and read the 1st-book, and any others that happen to come after this. I had fun with the mystery and did become attached to Cara and her intriguing personal story.

In this story, we do follow Cara Kennedy, who is a Detective in Anchorage, Alaska. We learn at the start that Cara is grieving the fairly recent loss of her husband, Aaron, and their young son, Dylan. The boys went out on a camping trip and never returned. Their bodies were later found at the bottom of a cliff. It was believed an accident, but new evidence points to foul play.

Cara is devastated. She was upset enough believing they accidentally met their demise, but to learn someone else actually took them from her. She needs to find the truth.

We also get the perspectives of two other women related to the crime. It's unclear for a good portion of the story how everything fits together, but as the pieces started to fall into place, that's when it really picked up for me. I loved the setting. There's something about mysteries set in Alaska that just feel more dangerous and intriguing to me. The harsh landscape, the remote areas, it pushes the tension levels in really pleasing ways. I definitely enjoyed Cara's perspective the most out of the three, but I did enjoy how the three came together and I think overall, it was well-executed.

As mentioned above, I would absolutely pick up any more books in this series that are released. I do plan to go back and read the 1st-book, City Under One Roof, soon. I am interested to see if Cara's husband and son are in that book, and if so, what those relationships were like.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Adult Mystery series following Detective protagonists. Bonus points if you enjoy mysteries set in remote areas such as Alaska. I really enjoyed learning about Cara's community and the surrounding areas; very interesting.

Thank you to the publisher, Berkley, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I'm excited to have a new Detective to follow!

Last year, when I reviewed Iris Yamashita’s debut mystery, City Under One Roof (reviewed here), I noted that she had enough material with her setting and characters to develop a series. Apparently I wasn’t the only one who thought so, because Yamashita’s sophomore effort, Village in the Dark, picks up where City left off. Focusing on a few new characters, Yamashita continues the story of police detective Cara Kennedy and reveals the true fate of her husband and son, providing an emotionally satisfying conclusion for readers of the first book.

Having been tipped off that their deaths hadn’t been due to natural causes after all, Cara has the bodies of her husband and son exhumed. Meanwhile, Ellie, who rents out several units in the only building in Point Mettier, Alaska, is grieved by the death of her estranged adult son, Timmy—seemingly of a drug overdose. When Cara finds pictures of her son and husband as well as Timmy and other missing people on a phone belonging to a gang member, she’s convinced there’s a plot that ties all these deaths together. Ellie teams up with Timmy’s father—her ex-husband, former bank robber Shane—to learn the truth, while Cara continues her relationship with police officer J.B. and digs into her husband’s work life to find out what really happened. A third character, Mia, an Alaskan Native who grew up on a women’s collective, knows the truth about what happened to Cara’s family, and she’s on the run as a result.

City had two (third person) point-of-view characters that are barely mentioned here: teenage Amy, the daughter of the woman running the Chinese restaurant, and Lonnie, daughter of the police chief. I liked these characters and missed their inclusion, although Ellie and Mia were strong additions to the population. Yamashita broadened the geography of the story as well, bringing it out of the condo building that gave City its wonderfully creepy claustrophobic feel.

Yamashita continues to struggle with a consistent tone, especially in scenes starring Ellie, who comes across as comic relief even in scenes that should be dramatic. The gang members continue to be the bad guys, and early on, Cara commits the head-scratching error of taking Ellie to confront them about the photos on the phone. As a police detective, Cara’s decision to walk into this lair without official backup, especially after the confrontation that ended the first book, makes her seem incompetent, and Ellie’s jokes make the scene even more implausible. Similarly, the reveal about the conspiracy that drove the mystery defied logic.

Still, Alaska’s challenging weather, sprawling geography, rugged terrain, and tenacious people make the state an ideal location for a mystery, and Yamashita’s work brings out all these characteristics. With Detective Cara Kennedy’s tragic backstory seemingly resolved, it might be a good time to return to the inherent quirkiness of Point Mettier and her city under one roof.

Thanks to Berkley for the book in exchange for an honest review.

This is thrilling mystery that grabs your attention right away and doesn't let go. The characters are interesting and I really enjoyed the three viewpoints that made me feel like I was getting a well-rounded look at events, but there were still twists and surprises in the story. It had a cinematic action and adventure vibe that would make it a really good TV movie. I didn't realize it was the second book in a series and it worked fine as a standalone. Although, now I need to go back and read the first book. I listened to the audiobook and the three narrators are fantastic making it a very enjoyable experience.

Village in the Dark is the second book of the detective Cara Kennedy series. Set in a small, sometimes inaccessible village in Alaska, there is an interesting cast of characters and the plot gets twisty. This was a gripping, well paced and character driven novel with a solid and twisty plot. Happy reading!

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic ARC and the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you to Berkley and PRH Audio for the copies to review!

I loved this one, it is the second in a series of which I have not read the first one (shocker I know), but it did not matter, this one stood alone just fine. However, I loved this one so much that I do want to go back and read the first one, and this author is now on my radar. I enjoy police procedurals, and this one was set in Alaska, so it was even better as the setting was perfect for this story. Detective Cara Kennedy is a strong protagonist, and I enjoyed the twists in here that tied the case and her backstory together, none of which I saw coming. This was fast paced and intense, and really does not let up once it starts. The narrator did a wonderful job with the audiobook and I enjoyed reading the book this way.

I really enjoyed book one and this would be best read in order otherwise you miss a lot of things. Cara gets more surprises, Mia comes into the plot line big time and JB is so supportive of Cara. We get some crazy from the Point Mettier but they also come to save the day. Iris did a great job with the setting of Alaska with different villages and Anchorage. This one has some good twists and turns, a big ending, and then more turns. It had me guessing.

I enjoyed these two and can’t wait to read more of Iris work in the future.

From PerfectionistWannabe.com (02.13.2024) (as part of the blog tour):

First, I would like to preface this in saying that the synopsis for Village in the Dark strips the story of what made it so intriguing. This book is written by an Asian American woman and includes the story of the Indigenous Peoples of Alaska. She brings together numerous tribes, including an Asian woman and her biracial daughter. These women create their own community together to raise their children. They live off the land, preparing for the day they could come under attack by an abusive ex.

Point Mettier is another community created by a former bank robber who was abused by her husband. In a large condo building, she lives with an entire community that seeks to hide women on the run from their abusive exes. The entire community exists in this one building, and they are there to protect each other.

Mia's character is also of interest. She is a young woman who was raised in Unity Village. Reading about her journey into Man's World was a centering moment in understanding how difficult it can be for Indigenous People to navigate the two worlds, especially ours. These are the conversations I've seen in the comment sections of Native American Instagram accounts.

After Cara discovers the DNA of her husband and son do not match the bodies that she had buried, that is when everything goes crazy. She soon discovers more and more dead bodies cropping up. And they're all connected. She just has to figure out how, and it all begins with the photos they found on a gangster's cell phone.

I was surprised how well an Asian American woman was able to include Indigenous stories into this book, all the way down to the language. She was able to do this with the help of the Native American community. They made sure she was including these elements correctly.

I also loved how she included a Japanese Indigenous woman to the Unity village. I loved seeing women uplifting each other, protecting each other, and creating a society together. They even came up with their own language, which is a little bit of everything from the different tribes.

As for the murder investigations and who is out there killing everyone, I wasn't expecting any of it. First, I thought it was a serial killer, but it ended up being something far worse. Betrayals will abound.

This book is a quick read. A little under 300 pages.

I really enjoyed it. But mostly, I appreciated that an Asian American woman was able to tell a story that properly included Indigenous voices with the help of someone from the Native American community. There are a lot of strong women in this book. It's like a happy ending for those who are victims of domestic violence. It's all about community in the end and lifting your hand down to raise each other up. This is a quality that the Native American community teaches. That is what wins out in the end.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing, for sending this book my way. It gave me more confidence to keep working on my two book projects because I am an Asian American woman incorporating Indigenous stories into my books. It was good to read a book by another Asian American woman who accomplished this feat.

Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita

February 13, 2024
Berkley
Pages: 280
Genre: Women’s Detective Fiction
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

I wish I had read the previous book before reading this, but I found the descriptions stunning. The writing was detailed enough that I was able to catch on and continue the story, but I would recommend starting at the beginning so you’re not missing anything.

This is the type of novel where the little details matter and add up, so starting at the beginning would be beneficial. Iris is a beautiful storyteller and created breathtaking visuals. I swear I could feel the crisp Alaskan air and smell the trees.

I want to go back and read this from the beginning. This feels like a series I will be hooked on!

Village in the Dark is the sequel to City Under One Roof. This one picks up right after the events of the first book. Cara has clues and evidence that suggest her husband and son were murdered, not killed in a hiking accident. With the help of Joe from Point Mettier, she sets out to figure out what really happened. DO not read this one first. It definitely ruins the experience of the first book.

I thought this was a solid follow up. There is an over-arching mystery that does involve Cara's husband and son. The twist was a surprise, yet very satisfying. Cara is a great detective. I'm not sure if this is a duology or if it's a series, but I would love more of her. The story is told through a few different perspectives and for a while it is unclear how the all fit together. The author seamlessly blended the different threads in the end. I highly recommend this one a well as the first.

This book explored intriguing themes! However, I had a hard time connecting with the story and that is obviously on me and not the book. I recognize that it has great potential to appeal to other mystery/thriller readers and I encourage others to try it out! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita is the second in a detective series set in Alaska.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Berkley Publishing and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Anchorage Detective Cara Kennedy has been on medical leave for failing the psych evaluation, while grieving the loss of her husband Aaron and six-year old son Dylan, after the camping trip that was meant to renew their relationship went awry.  Their bones were not found for nine months.  Originally, Cara had thought it was an accident, but has recently found that things are pointing toward murder.  She found pictures of her family on a thugs camera while in Point Mettier, a small Alaskan town which can only be accessed by a tunnel.  Almost all of the 205 residents of the town live in a single high-rise building.  That's where she met Police Officer JB Barkowski

 
My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Cara is about to exhume the bodies of her husband and son, looking for clues that they may have been murdered.  A picture of them has been found on the phone of a criminal.  Another picture on that same phone turned out to be the son of Ellie,  a resident of the condo in Point Mettier.  Further investigation shows that there seem to be a number of dead or missing people in these photos.

Meanwhile, we learn a little about Mia, a woman who grew up in a small women-run community called Unity.  Mia has changed her name and moved around a lot,  She knew Cara's husband.

Cara and others will put their lives on the line to find out what is going on.


My Opinions:
I had problems with this one. 

I continue to like the characters of Point Mettier.  They are well thought-out, had depth, and are really interesting.  A really intriguing group, with very diverse backgrounds, and a lot of secrets.

However, I definitely struggled with the writing.  It seemed very dis-jointed between Ellie's story, Mia's story, and Cara's story.  Yes, it all came together, but it just wasn't smooth.   As well,  the book was overly detailed, and really dragged.   Nothing really happened in the first half, and I came close to giving up.  Thankfully, the second half was much better -- it sort of evened things out.    The plot was very predictable, and I had already guessed much from reading the first book.  However, the identity of one of the criminals was a real surprise...and I loved that.

Anyway, I know some are going to absolutely love this book so take a chance, and I recommend that you read the first one before jumping in to this one, only so that you understand that Cara has a relationship with Point Mettier.

Last year this series burst onto my radar, and blew my mind. It got a five star rating from me, and I loved the characters and the peek into the frigid world surrounding Anchorage, Alaska that Yamashita had described so vividly it felt as if I’d been there.

I’m glad that I did a quick reread of the first book, City Under One Roof, before starting this book. This is the kind of book where it builds on the information from the previous book in the series, and if you don’t know the characters, setting, and circumstances, you’ll already start out at a disadvantage.

This story is told through the eyes of three main characters, Cara, Mia, and Ellie, a woman from the previous book who rents out rooms in Point Mettier. I liked getting to know each of the characters a little better, and even seeing little cameos of some of the other Point Mettier residents. However, some of the dialogue felt forced at times, and it felt especially difficult for me to connect with Mia’s character. Having been raised in a completely isolated village protected from modern society, I had a hard time with her extreme naïveté and the tone of her chapters.

The pace was inconsistent throughout the story. At times it felt just right, while at other times it felt very slow and as though the story was dragging. Overall, the positive aspects of the story (complex and multi-layered plot line, uncovering what really happened to Cara’s wife and son, well-rendered characters, fantastic world-building) far outweigh the negatives (uneven pacing, some dialogue that feels forced). While I didn’t love this book as much as the first, I’m still left with a strong desire to continue reading this series … and make plans to visit Alaska as soon as I can.

Iris Yamashita does a great job in writing this book, it had everything that I was looking for from the description. I enjoyed how well the mystery elements were everything that I was looking for. I thought Detective Cara Kennedy has a great character development and I enjoyed what I was hoping for in this concept.

Village in the Dark captures the reader’s attention from the very start. The brisk pacing makes it a perfect quick read, and the narrative is skillfully crafted to keep the pages turning. Yamashita’s storytelling shines through with an intriguing twist that adds depth to the plot. The decision to limit scenes at the Davidson Condos in Point Mettier is a clever move, allowing the characters to explore new horizons and maintain a fresh perspective. The character of Cara is particularly well-developed, with a backstory that unfolds across the series. This book is a commendable addition to the series, offering a satisfying blend of mystery and character development.

Thank you to Berkley Pub and PRH Audio for the copies!

Detective Cara is in mourning for her husband and son after their bodies were found following a camping trip. Cara has not recovered and her life is in shambles. However, she has found clues to their deaths that may mean foul play so her investigation begins.

Have you ever heard of the town of Whittier, Alaska? It’s a town where everyone lives and works in one building throughout the year. Unity is a town in the book based on Whittier. It had to be my favorite part! How they lived and functioned was fascinating. A character possibly linked to Cara’s family deaths is from there.

The mystery slowly builds as secrets of characters are revealed. The atmosphere and setting were done well to build the suspense of a snowed in mystery. While I prefer a faster paced read, that ending was everything I love in a novel. It was action-packed and a thrilling ride. I did not know this was book 2 in a series because the author made it stand on it’s own very well.

I recommend this for those that love a slow build detective story full of secrets!

AUDIO REVIEW: I really enjoyed the audio version because the narrators were so great with voices. My favorite was the voice for the older lady character that was hilariously perfect and accentuated the sass so well.

Great second book in the Cara Kennedy series! I can't wait to see what happens next. If you like the rural setting of Alaska and women detectives, you've got to give this series a try. Start with City Under One Roof.

Although I did not read the first book in this series, I didn’t have any issues reading this story, so it can be read as a stand-alone. This is Alaskan noir and involves indigenous people which was the most fascinating part. I think that the author tried a little too many things and it got a little convoluted in the execution. That being said, I still was able to read it in less than a day and was satisfied with the resolution.
Cara Kennedy is a detective in a remote Alaskan village who is grieving the loss of her husband and son. When some bones are found in the woods, they are presumed to those of her family so she buries them. But she was left to wonder whether it was an accident m or did something happen to them. Then when a photo turns up leaving her to question their deaths all over again she has their bones exhumed and that starts the real story. What really happened to them and why?
We have three POV’s intertwining- Cara’s; Ellie’s, who is the owner of the local hotel and who seems to know everything about everyone in town, and Mia, an indigenous woman from the remote village of Unity, where women go to hide from abusive men, Mia has ties to the story, though it takes a long time to find out just what they are. I did enjoy learning more about her village though and eventually how she tied into the mystery of Cara’s family.
Though the setting is very descriptive and unique, the pacing is quite slow. But if you love shows like Tein Peaks or Broadchurch then you will probably enjoy this book!
Thanks to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.