Wow! Fast paced, quick read! Great follow-up to the first book. Excited for the next!
On medical disability, Cara continues to push the investigation into the deaths of her husband and son.
Ellie learns of her son's death - rule an overdose. She partners with Cara to uncover the truth.
Mia weaves her own story between these women - a strong young woman, detailing the treacherous truth behind a massively powerful pharmaceutical company.
Loved the writing, to the point and fast paced plot. Excellent read.

At the conclusion of City Under One Roof (see my review), Detective Cara Kennedy became aware of a photo of her presumed dead husband and son on the cell of a criminal; shortly thereafter, a mysterious caller, either a prank or real, says they’re alive. As Village in the Dark begins, Cara is exhuming the bodies–presumably–of her husband and son to see how they died. What she doesn’t expect is the DNA test to inform her that these are not the bodies of her husband and son. This news places Cara back at square one. Are her husband and son still alive? What exactly did happen to them?

Like City Under One Roof, Village in the Dark has three narrators: Cara; Ellie Wright who runs the “inn” in Point Mettier and has a colorful, bank-robbing past; and Mia Upash, a young woman who leaves her hometown of Unity that lives off the grid to see what life is like in Man’s World. All three characters become entwined by the evolving set of circumstances.

Again Iris Yamashita has created a tight, well-paced story with twists and enough action to keep the veteran mystery reader satisfied. I also enjoyed the characters, especially Ellie Wright who proved herself to be a force to be reckoned with.

It was unclear at the end of Village in the Dark whether there will be more in the series, unlike at the end of the previous book. However, I hope that Yamashita gives us more either continuing with this fascinating story and locale or something equally fresh and intriguing.

Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy.

If you're looking for your next winter thriller - look no further than the minuscule town of Unity, where secrets abound in the frozen scape of the Alaskan wilds.

Detective Cara Kennedy is back in the second installment of the Cara Kennedy series, and this time... she has only a few clues leading her to discover more about the death of her beloved husband and son. Someone knows something, though.. and it might just be a woman who knows more about the inner workings of Unity than she lets on.

This is a fun cat-and-mouse battle of wills, perfect for a quick weekend read or even for someone looking for an inflight read!! And if you like true crime and don't believe that all accidents are really accidents - you'll love the reveal in Village in the Dark!

NOTES:
- While I didn't realize this was part of a series - I'm still glad I read it!!
- CWs: The loss of husband and child is talked about in quite a bit of detail.

**Thank you to Berkley & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤

Cara, Anchorage Detective, lost her husband and son a year ago. Now, she is having their bodies exhumed because evidence has come to light potentially linking them to a string of other deaths and disappearances.

These are tied to Mia, who grew up in an isolated village called Unity, a community of women and children hiding from abusive men. Mia never imagined the trouble she would find when she left, but she remains haunted by a tragedy of what happened to the man and the boy she knew from the woods.

Cara’s investigation will lead her on a dangerous path that puts her life, and those around her in mortal jeopardy, but what if the pay off is bigger than she ever imagined?

This was a really good book and I enjoyed it, but I strongly suggest you read the first in the series before reading this one. There is a lot of backstory that would have been useful to know prior to reading this one, but after reading this one I’d love to go back and get more of the characters. Once I got into the story, things started to pick up and I became really invested in how things were going to work out. I enjoyed getting this story from the three women’s different perspectives, they were all so different and unique. I enjoyed all the character’s stories and the overarching plot of this one. I did feel that the romance between Cara and J.B. was a little off, but it was fairly understandable given that Cara’s husband and son were murdered in the previous book. I also loved the beautiful scenery that was present in this book, makes me want to head to Alaska right now…except it’s a little cold for me.

Thank you so much to Berkley @Berkleypub for inviting me to read this one on @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love secrets…

I’m not very good at keeping them but I sure do love when you tell me them!

Village in the Dark, is compelling murder mystery, jam packed with secrets and a twist you will never see coming.

I had JUST received this early copy around 5pm yesterday and the sole reason I jumped on it as fast as I did was the description. I had been in the biggest slump and I was looking for something original.

Original?
That, it is.

it also helped that I loved the creepy cover .

I had been looking for a new author to love up on and I think Iris Yamashita is exactly what I was looking for (I have since downloaded a copy of her debut novel, City Under One Roof.)

The characters, so vividly described I could smell the toothpaste on their breath.

Now don’t get me wrong, I usually pass on detective/police procedurals but this one was so well done it didn’t seem so black and white . I was so anxious when the crumbs of clues were dropped that I turned in my laptop for a badge and played amateur detective right alone side, Cara Kennedy.

I was so eager to solve the mystery!!!!!!

How far will one woman go to unlock the truth on what happened to her family?

Pre-order yourself a copy to find out!

Big thank you to Berkley, Iris Yamashita, Loren Jaggers, and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Village in the Dark, was my cure and instant fix to getting out of this slump .

Check out this teaser :

Detective Cara Kennedy thought she’d lost her husband and son in an accident, but harrowing evidence has emerged that points to murder--and she will stop at nothing to find the truth in this riveting mystery from the author of City Under One Roof.

On a frigid February day, Anchorage Detective Cara Kennedy stands by the graves of her husband and son, watching as their caskets are raised from the earth. It feels sacrilegious, but she has no choice. Aaron and Dylan disappeared on a hike a year ago, their bones eventually found and buried. But shocking clues have emerged that foul play was involved, potentially connecting them to a string of other deaths and disappearances.

Somehow tied to the mystery is Mia Upash, who grew up in an isolated village called Unity, a community of women and children in hiding from abusive men. Mia never imagined the trouble she would find herself in when she left home to live in Man’s World. Although she remains haunted by the tragedy of what happened to the man and the boy in the woods, she has her own reasons for keeping quiet.

Aided by police officer Joe Barkowski and other residents of Point Mettier, Cara’s investigation will lead them on a dangerous path that puts their lives and the lives of everyone around them in mortal jeopardy.

Post will be showcased on my Instagram @thrillbythepage_ on 2/9/24. !!!!

The detective Cara Kennedy thought that she had buried her husband and child but evidence turns up that shows they could have been murdered. The detective is determined to get the truth and she realizes through DNA evidence that something is not right. She and her new man friend go on a search and they discover both are alive, This book will keep you on the edge of your seat. A really good thriller that grabs your attention.

Yamashita's debut, City Under One Roof, was one of my favorite books I read in 2022, and I NEEDED to know what happened next for Cara after the huge cliffhanger ending, so Village in the Dark was at the top of my most-anticipated reads list!

The things I loved:
- The setting! I was so happy Point Mettier was revisited while expanding into other Alaskan locations as well.
- Cara! Girl has been through some s*** and is so strong and brave - I would read twenty books with her as the main character (please and thank you).
- Mia & Ellie -- the more badass ladies the better

The things I didn't love:
- J.B. felt a little flat/like an afterthought in this book -- there was such good potential tension and it never quite got as heated as I wanted (though, to be fair... I've been on a previously unmatched romance bender this month, so this *could* very realistically be a situation of me wanting things that don't belong in this book rather than an actual, valid issue). I'll be curious to see what other readers think about this.
- The ending. No spoilers of course, but things were a little too tidily wrapped up in some departments - I think I wanted more drama?

Despite my dumb beefs, this was a super fun read and I highly recommend it (and 100% advise reading City Under One Roof first). Keeping my fingers crossed for a third Cara book!!!

Village in the Dark
by Iris Yamashita

Found family can be such a comfort and source of mutual assistance. Unity Village is refuge and strength for women fleeing abuse. The Davidson Condos at Pt. Mettier (the city under one roof, which reminded me of the Minneapolis skyways) is another such refuge, with neighbors on the lookout to keep each other safe. The outside world finds its harmful way in, gangsters from Chugach Village, ruthless pharma researchers, supposed friends who aren’t.
This is a twisty, surprising tale. I’ll warn that it felt a bit confusing for a bit, worth sticking it out, like so much in life.

I read Iris Yamashita's first book which also took place in Alaska and featured the village in a building. The setting and the characters were both marvelous so I greatly looked forward to reading this second of the series and it did not disappoint. And... getting ahead of myself here, I now am looking forward to a next book in this series which I feel sure must be coming!
Those readers of Yamashita's first book will be in for a lot of surprises and though she introduces some new characters, the previous characters are not forgotten and indeed we are once again immersed in Alaskan culture and secrets.
As for how it reads, I had the same feeling I had with the first one of not wanting to finish the book because I was reluctant to leave this world behind. Surely I won't be the only reader wondering it moving to Alaska would be feasible!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. Yamashita is turning into a favorite author for me and I can't wait for more!

Iris Yamashita blends unique settings with diverse and memorable characters in this atmospheric mystery novel. Village in the Dark is thought-provoking, clever, and full of secrets. Cara Kennedy, a detective from Anchorage who is on disability, watches as the caskets of her husband and son are raised from the ground. Cara believes foul play may have been involved and intends to send them to a private lab for testing. Mia Upash grew up in the isolated village of Unity, but left it and is working at a diner. However, she’s haunted by past events. Cara is aided in her investigation by police officer Joe Barkowski and other residents of Point Mettier. This town can only be reached for part of the year via a tunnel, snowmobile, or helicopter. During the tourist season, a ferry is operated.

Several characters play major roles in the story and the points of view alternate between Cara, Mia, and Ellie. Cara is haunted by her past. She suffers from PTSD and her grief can overwhelm her at times, but she is normally a great detective. Mia is full of secrets and still learning how to survive away from Unity. Ellie lives in Point Mettier and operates an inn there. Joe is still recovering from recent injuries, but is anxious to get back to work.

The characterization is well-done. Readers get insight into the characters and their secrets as the story progresses. Their actions, reactions, feelings, and thoughts provide clues to their personality traits that helped me understand their larger roles in the story.

The premise for this novel is excellent and the mystery is riveting. The settings and atmosphere are terrific. The plot is complex and multi-layers with twists and surprises. The ending is action-packed and intense.
Overall, this story is gripping, thought-provoking, and emotional, with great world-building. It’s the second book in the series which should be read in order. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author and seeing where she takes the characters next.

Berkley Publishing Group and Iris Yamashita provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for February 13, 2024.

3.5 STARS!
I feel a bit sad – Most of the book was spent tying things together while trying to figure out the complete story since I had missed book number one. I feel it is a lost opportunity for the reader and I hope that even the word Sequel would be included on the book cover for the potential reader.

Be that as it may, the story is a unique and interesting tale that is loaded with memorable, deep characters who are the epitome of tough Alaskans. Thick-skinned, wary of strangers, loners, survivors; including those trying to hide from society.

The author has crafted a story that is complex and deeply inner-twined with book one. In this sequel, the main character, Cara, and others are being hunted as they are searching for answers in the murder of her husband and child.

With detailed descriptions and short, concentrated chapters, each page ramps up the reader with meticulous action, crime sprees, and murder; teasing us with twists and turns along the way. The climax is intense and fast-paced with surprises along the way.

Village in the Dark is an impressive read that will get your attention. It’s a good thriller shot through with suspenseful action.

I love this isolated Alaskan village with its residents of misfit toys. The storyline is recognizable but the interaction among these eclectic characters keeps the book going. There is enough action to keep adrenaline junkies happy and an explosive ending to seal the deal. I would suggest you read the first one to get a background of all the participants.

Recommended!

Corporate secrets, forensic clues, and several gun fights, all taking place in the snowy Alaskan setting, provide plenty of chills and thrills.

This was an interesting and engaging return to the small Alaskan town of Point Mettier, though the town itself does not feature as prominently in this novel as it did in the first installment. However, some of its residents do, as does Anchorage PD detective, Cara Kennedy. The titular village is a different, but equally intriguing location called Unity, and it serves a similar purpose to Point Mettier, though its ultimate role in the plot is not revealed until late in the story.

Detective Kennedy is still hunting for clues regarding the deaths of her husband and son, and the more she learns, the more she is convinced they were victims of a larger series of crimes. As she investigates, she learns of connections to other people in both of the small towns, as well as Anchorage proper, and ultimately makes a startling discovery.

The only reason I couldn't quite give it 5 stars like I did the first title is that the chemistry between Cara and JB just wasn't there. More development of that subplot would have helped to make their connection believable and elevated this another star for me.

Overall, a good follow-up to the first book in the series.

My first book by this author, there were a lot of things i liked about it. learning about Alaskan culture, the story was interesting, particularly for me the more psychological and ethical issues, it veered towards too much action for my taste, towards the end and that didn't work for me. But overall, I liked it

Village in the Dark by Iris Yamashita
Cara Kennedy #2

Anchorage Detective Cara Kennedy, on disability due to failing her psych test after extreme emotional trauma, is still staying very busy. She's had her husband and young son's bodies dug up and retested because of rumors she's heard. She now realizes someone was after them and other people but she isn't sure of the connection to all those people. Her boyfriend, Point Mettier police officer Joe Barkowski, is more than ready to back Cara up even though doing so could lead the to end of their relationship.

We see the story from three POVs. There is Cara's POV, Mia's POV, and Ellie's POV. Ellie has really grown on me. She's a 60 something, red wigged, go getter. She was a former thief, bank robber, and more but she's pulled herself together and runs an inn in the one building city of Point Mettier. She's got a great collection of weapons and she's woman on a mission when she gets after something. I'd want her on my side in any battle.

Mia grew up in a village of mostly women and children, one of many hiding places where women go with their children to get away from abusive men. But she decides to make her way out into Man’s World, where she eventually runs into something that ties together what Cara and Ellie are fighting. All heck breaks loose more than once and all three women have to fight for their lives. I'm not sure if there will be another book but I hope so, I've become fond of many of the characters in this book and the one before it and I know they can make headway into more of the evil that ails this world.

Thank you to Elisha at Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC.

This is a sequel to City Under One Roof, continuing Det. Cara Kennedy’s life in Alaska. My honest review is that I like these books, but I’m not entirely sure why. This one had a pretty convoluted plot where you had to suspend reality quite a bit, but that’s almost the appeal. Somehow it works, but this might not be for everyone. If you enjoyed City Under One Roof, you will enjoy this one as well.

I used to love these kind of books, but I think my taste has changed a lot. It also made me feel a little claustrophobic being set in a city in a building. Well written but just not for me.

When new information about the deaths of her husband and son comes to light, Detective Cara Kennedy has their bodies exhumed. The results from the lab are shocking and send Cara on a journey to find the truth. Melding into her story is that of Mia, a young woman raised in a remote Alaskan village designed to protect battered women and children. When Mia decides to leave Unity and venture into "Man's World" she soon becomes entangled in a crime of proportions she cannot fathom. With a cast of quirky Alaskan characters, to help propel the plot lines to their merging point, "Village in the Dark" reads like a movie script. Readers will be able to see the action scenes clearly as well as the snowy Alaskan backdrop. If you like fast paced action tales, you'll want to read this one.

This is book two in the fabulous series focusing on a one building town in rural Alaska (CITY UNDER ONE ROOF).

When we last left the citizens, Detective Cara Kennedy thought she’d lost her husband and son in a horrible accident. Unable to deal with the trauma she is still on leave. A clue however, has lead her to believe that it wasn't an accident and the bodies she buried are exhumed. Another known character, Mia Upash, is running form something and using different alias and blue collar jobs to make a life. She has no doubt tha the people she is running from are closing in.

As the events come to a head, Mia and Cara are forced to work together and the secrets of book one are enough to shock everyone (us as well!). I love this concept, I love learning about the hard scrabble life in Alaska and every character is complicated, intense and exciting. If you like police stories, second chances, unforgiving weather or all of the above, Village In The Dark is for you! #Vilageinthedark #IrisYamashita #penguin #randomhouse

good sequel to the City Under One Roof. I looooved the first book. I like the reclusive, locked city, and its mysteries. You can read it as a standalone, probably, but I'd highly recommend reading the first book.