holy smokes!!!!! great thriller! if you like freida mcfadden type books, this is def one for you!!!! lots of twists

Jess Lambert Book #2

This one has it all. A family missing, a grieving detective, and a twisted, heart-pounding thrill ride!

AFter The Night Olivia Fell, I have been waiting for another CM book!
She is brilliant at the build up to a shocking end. And we love it!

On Christmas Eve the Harper family’s car crashed on the way home from the family Christmas party. Only Alice survives. We think. Since there are no bodies, it’s hard to say.

Alice seems to not remember a lot about the accident and is sent to live with her aunt and uncle. But she needs to find out what happened in that haunted stretch of road in the woods.

A year later, they find her sister’s backpack stained with blood in an abandoned house her uncle owns.

Detective Jess Lambert begins her investigation and wow, do these guys have secrets. All of them. Who do you trust?

The investigation uncovers a shocking connection between Jess and Alice. They see dead people. And they both see her daughter!

So many red herrings in this one! And I fell for all of them before that most excellent end!


NetGalley/ Thomas and Mercer July 16, 2024

I greatly enjoyed this book. I was not expecting a supernatural element to be so appealing to me, but I think that it worked well in this story.

I liked how the story switched back and forth from the viewpoints of Jess and Alice. I was not expecting there to be a connection between the two stories in the end, and was quite surprised at how they converged.

One thing about this book that I was not a fan of was the constant reiteration about Jess' cane and motorcycle. We did not need to hear about Jess grabbing her cane or getting on her motorcycle every time she made a move. I understand we were meant to connect Jess' need for the cane to her accident last year, which was obviously a crucial part of the story, but it just became annoying to read about over and over.

All in all, I thought this book was well done. The combination of mystery and supernatural worked well together. I look forward to more books in the Detective Jess Lambert series.

Before reading particular ARC, I read/listened to the first book in the series, which I did not enjoy. However, I did find this book to be better than the first. That being said, I do think it is important to read the first book so you have some idea of the main character, Jess, and her abilities (aside from that, this could almost be a stand-alone).

Overall, I enjoyed the characters, the story was interesting and the story held my interest for most of the book. The last third of the book, however, really dragged. There were so many characters, it was also hard to keep track of who was what. Lots of chapters were just filler, with character introspection and no real contribution to the story (or if there was, it could have been condensed in some chapters).

I would consider reading other books by this author, but likely would not be continuing this series (if it continues).

I read The Night Olivia Fell a few years ago and I loved it and have read some McDonald books since then. I did not read the first book featuring Jess Lambert, and I feel like it would have been a little helpful if I had just for some background information but it did not take away from the story.

This was such an interesting story that kept me wanting to know more. It is coming on the year anniversary of when Jess lost her daughter and also the year anniversary of when Alice's entire family went missing. It seemed the two incidents were separate yet they still somewhat intertwined. The end was so satisfying and that's all I'll say to not give anything away.

I think I will go back and read Jess Lambert #1 and will continue to read Christina McDonald books. Be sure to pick this one up when it comes out later this summer.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Detective Lambert fights with her own hurt from losing a child, but knows in her heat that she must be the person to help other find out about their family’s tragedy. Can she ever forgive herself for the accident? Can she open her heart and love again? Can she be the partner and work with fellow detective Shane without plowing ahead alone? This story will have you turning the pages to try and figure out all these questions and the turn mystery that happened on Christmas night.

US pub date: 7/16/24
Genre: suspense/thriller
Series: Jess Lambert, book 1
Do I need to read book 1 first? I read it but I didn't remember the plot when I started book 2. I think this one works well as a standalone.
Quick summary: A winter car crash lead to a puzzling ending - 16-year-old Alice left injured at the scene, with the rest of her family having vanished. A year later, she discovers her sister's backpack and detective Jess Lambert takes up the investigation.

THE NIGHT OLIVIA FELL is still one of my fave thrillers, so I've enjoyed seeing what McDonald's been writing since! I liked the small town setting and how Jess' past was woven into Alice's story. I didn't guess the twists, and I really liked how everything played out. The one thing I had trouble with was keeping all the townspeople straight - for this reason, I'd recommend reading this one over a short time period if possible!

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"What Lies in Darkness" is the second installment in the Jess Lambert series, but don't worry if you haven't read the first one. This book stands strong on its own, although if you want the full backstory, you might want to check out the first book "These Still Black Waters" beforehand. Just a little tip!

After a car accident, 16-year-old Alice Harper is left alone on the side of the road while her entire family seemingly disappears into thin air. Enter Detective Jess Lambert, who takes on the case one year later when new evidence surfaces. The mystery deepens as Jess dives headfirst into the investigation, determined to uncover the truth behind the Harper family's disappearance.

Let's talk about Jess Lambert for a moment. She's an incredibly resilient protagonist, facing her own personal struggles while tackling this perplexing case. Despite the challenges she's faced - including the loss of her daughter and a strained marriage - Jess remains determined to crack the case and seek justice for the Harpers. And on top of all that, she's navigating her own journey to sobriety, which adds another layer of depth to her character.

But hold onto your hats because this book has it all - multiple viewpoints, intricate timelines, and a plot so full of twists and turns it'll leave your head spinning. And the ending? Let's just say it packs a serious punch and will have you itching for more!

So, if you're looking for a heart-pounding thriller that'll keep you guessing 'til the very end, "What Lies in Darkness" is totally the book for you. Trust me, you won't be able to put it down!

Wow, just finished reading this book and it’s quite a story! Jess Lambert is an interesting complicated character who’s her own worst enemy! This is the second book of the series and it certainly didn’t disappoint. It’s a great read, fast paced and full of suspense. Kept me guessing right until the end. I’m already looking forward to the next instalment. Definitely a page-turner!

Christina McDonald is easily one of my favorite authors when it comes to thrillers, and her second installment of the Jess Lambert series did not disappoint (although this novel can easily read as a stand alone as well). "What Lies in Darkness" centers around a girl named Alice who lost her entire family in a car crash, and by lost I mean they disappeared and, a year later, haven't been found. Alice can't remember much, and Detective Jess Lambert is assigned to the case after a new piece of evidence comes to light. Throughout the novel I kept changing my mind on what I think happened; this novel was truly impossible to put down. Already anticipating her next novel! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

What Lies in Darkness by Christina McDonald
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis: “Late Christmas Eve, the Harper family’s car crashed on a desolate stretch outside Black Lake. Sixteen-year-old Alice was found injured by the side of the road—alone. It was as if her parents and younger sister, Ella, had simply disappeared.

One year later, Alice is still dealing with nightmares and unanswered questions when she and her friends find Ella’s bloodstained backpack in the basement of an abandoned home. As Detective Jess Lambert investigates, she uncovers dark secrets that put her on a collision course with her past. Jess’s only witness is haunted by her own ghosts—ghosts that might ultimately be connected to Jess.

Jess will do anything to find out what happened to the Harpers—no matter how deep she has to dig. Because neither the living nor the dead are giving up their secrets easily.”

Wow! This was my first Christina McDonald book and now I need to go back and read the first Jess Lambert book. This was fast paced, well written, deep characters, and full of twists I didn’t see coming. I didn’t feel like there was a slow point in the middle where the story isn’t moving along quick enough. I thought it was an original story and loved every minute of it. Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy. Publishes July 16, 2024.

Hands down my favorite new series! Christina McDonald's writing style is smart, easy to read, and completely enthralling! I loved the dynamic between Jess and her new partner Shane in this book. I also enjoyed getting to know Jess better. I hope this series continues.

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

What Lies in the Darkness by Christina MacDonald is the second book in her Jess Lambert series. Macdonald did such a great job explaining things from the first book that it is easy to jump right into this one. Darkness has such smooth writing that I was able to forget I was reading and was completely immersed into this world. Jess is a strong character and it is easy to look up to her. Her character development over the two books is well thought out and I loved seeing more of her background. If you are looking for a book with an intense atmosphere and compelling mystery, this is for you.

#WhatLiesInDarkness #NetGalley
Late Christmas Eve, the Harper family’s car crashed on a desolate stretch outside Black Lake. Sixteen-year-old Alice was found injured by the side of the road—alone. It was as if her parents and younger sister, Ella, had simply disappeared. One year later, Alice is still dealing with nightmares and unanswered questions when she and her friends find Ella’s bloodstained backpack in the basement of an abandoned home. As Detective Jess Lambert investigates, she uncovers dark secrets that put her on a collision course with her past. Jess’s only witness is haunted by her own ghosts—ghosts that might ultimately be connected to Jess. Jess will do anything to find out what happened to the Harpers—no matter how deep she has to dig. Because neither the living nor the dead are giving up their secrets easily.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for giving me an advance copy.

I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review-
The Harper family has a car. Crash on Xmas Eve and Alice is the only one alive. The family ,mom, father, and child are missing. How can that be? Where are they? Are they alive? Alice struggles with nightmares, flashbacks and so many questions? Why was she left? where is her family? Jess investigates and feels for Alice as she lost her daughter in a car accident too. She vows to find answers for Alice. When they find a bloody backpack things start moving- is Alice safe? Will they find the family?

This is the 2nd book in the Jess Lambert series .I would recommend reading the first book and the novella in this series before reading this book. I really like this series it is like nothing I have read in awhile it's not a storyline that has been re written over and over. Jess helps Alice find out what happened to her family when they were killed in a car accident and disappeared. There is so much more to this book then just a disappearance of a family. Many twists and turns and an unexpected link to Jess's own accident killing her daughter. Love this book absolutely would recommend! Look forward to the next book in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.
Late on Christmas Eve, on their way home from dinner with their family, the Harpers’ car crashed outside Black Lake. Their sixteen-year-old daughter Alice was found by the side of the road alone, her parents and younger sister Ella missing.
A year later, Alice and her friend Maya unexpectedly find Ella’s bloody backpack in the basement of an abandoned home. As Detective Jessica Lambert begins to investigate, she also needs to grapple with her own recent loss.
This is the second book in a series, but it works as a stand-alone as I had not read the first one. The story was fast paced, the characters well developed and I really enjoyed the author’s writing style. A lot of twists at the end (maybe too many), but a solid book nonetheless.

Number 2 in the Jess Lambert thriller series did not disappoint! Another fun and twisty story with familiar characters from the first in the series. A quick and easy read!

Thank you very much to Thomas & Mercer for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Overall, this book was entertaining! I haven’t read the first book, but I didn’t feel as if I was missing a ton as I read this, which I’m thankful for! The author did a good job of filling in the reader. I was a little confused about the narrators of this story. I just didn’t really love them and kept getting them mixed up, which is not something I normally struggle with. I am someone who normally likes to cheer on the main character, but Alice and Jess just fell a little flat for me. I would still read another book by this author and plan to go back and read the first!