I have never been disappointed by one of Christina McDonald’s books. She has done it again and written an engaging thriller that will have you guessing and second guessing the entire story. There are so many secrets from so many angles. Jess Lambert is on the case of course and has her own issues she’s still working through. Alice is the only one left behind and her family has either disappeared or been killed but no one seems to know what happened. I couldn’t put the book down until I read to the last page and I can’t wait to find out what case will find Jess next.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, Christina McDonald and her publisher, Thomas and Mercer Paperback for an ARC to read and review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

"What Lies in Darkness" by Christina McDonald is a riveting addition to the Jess Lambert series, plunging readers into a chilling mystery that intertwines the past with the present in a masterful tapestry of suspense.

In this second installment, we follow the harrowing journey of Alice Harper, a young woman grappling with the traumatic loss of her family in a mysterious car crash on Christmas Eve. The narrative deftly navigates through Alice's struggle with nightmares and unanswered questions, which are only exacerbated when her friends discover her sister Ella's bloodstained backpack in an abandoned house. This discovery sets off a chain of events that brings Detective Jess Lambert into the fray, a character whose own haunted past and dogged determination make her a compelling protagonist.

McDonald's storytelling is at its peak, weaving a complex plot that challenges the reader's perceptions at every turn. The author's skillful use of suspense keeps the pages turning, as each chapter reveals another layer of the intricate mystery surrounding the Harper family's disappearance. The emotional depth of the characters adds a rich layer to the narrative, making their personal stakes in the investigation palpable.

The setting of Black Lake, with its desolate landscapes and oppressive atmosphere, becomes a character in its own right, reflecting the darkness that lies within the human soul. McDonald's prose is evocative, painting vivid scenes that linger in the mind long after the book is closed.

As the story unfolds, McDonald confronts the reader with themes of loss, resilience, and the lengths we go to protect those we love. The novel is a profound exploration of trauma and the human capacity for recovery.

"What Lies in Darkness" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. With its well-crafted plot, deep character development, and haunting atmosphere, it stands as a testament to Christina McDonald's prowess as a storyteller.

I enjoyed this book, however, sometimes the alternating POV’s could be a little confusing. I was hooked from the first page all the way to the shocking ending. I wasn’t expecting that and I think that made me love it even more. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my review.

Jess Lambert is one of my new favorite main characters. She’s been through hell and back but is still a badass AND she can see ghosts!? Epic! This sequel to These Still Black Waters by @christinamac was full of twists and unexpected surprises, especially the ending! It was a wild ride and I was genuinely surprised when the truth about what happened was revealed! Hoping there’s a 3rd installment in my future!

Holy cow!!! I literally did nothing but read this book all day today. I love Jess Lambert and I hope there are more books to come in this series. Christina has a way of writing that makes the words come to life like a movie in my head. I didn’t want it to end so I tried reading slower but had to keep turning the pages. Jess is working another case. This time involving a young girl named Alice who was the only survivor of a car accident that killed her parents and her little sister. I love the supernatural aspect as well. It doesn’t take away from the storyline at all, it adds some creepy elements to it. Another thing about her books is that I never guess the twist. NEVER! There were twists until the very end and I mean the last 98% of the books still had twists. I wish I could read this again for the first time. I don’t think anything is going to compare to this read for me. I am hoping for a Book 3!!! A million thank you’s to Netgalley, Thomas and Mercer, and Christina McDonald for the early read. Best book of 2024 so far and I’ve read over 30!

On Christmas Eve, now known to Alice Harper as "That Night", after her family's car crashed on the way home from a Christmas party at her Uncle Jack and Aunt Mel's house, Alice was found walking down the road, hurt, with her family nowhere to be found. Her parents, Laura and Pete and younger sister Ella, have disappeared without a trace. They are all presumed dead- no parents would just leave their teenage daughter if they could help it. But if they are dead, why can't their bodies be found?

The one-year anniversary of her family's disappearance is coming up and no new progress has been made on the case. Alice is now living with her Uncle Jack (her mom's brother) and her Aunt Mel. She is struggling mentally and has turned to drinking, smoking pot and dipping into her Aunt Mel's supply of Ativan to help her deal. When she and her friend Mya find Ella's backpack in an attic at one of the properties Mya's mother's house-cleaning crew works at, Alice's world is flipped yet again. This is where Detective Jess Lambert enters the picture. She is dealing with her own loss and struggles and is determined to figure out what happened to the Harper family. Jess realizes there are a lot of things about that night that don't make sense and the more she uncovers, the more questions there are. Jess wants to find the truth for Alice and in the process, she may find out answers about her own tragedy that she wasn't expecting.

This was definitely a page turner. I have not read Book #1 yet, but I do have it downloaded on my kindle ready to go! From what I understand, book # 2 can be read as a standalone but to get a better understanding of Jess Lambert's backstory, it's better to read These Still Black Waters first. I look forward to reading that one, especially after this story! There are a lot of moving parts and we read from the POV of Alice, Jess and Laura. It is also a very smooth read and pretty quick, I was invested from page one! Put this one on your TBR asap!

Thank you to the author, Net Galley and Thomas & Mercer, for granting me to access to this advanced digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts!

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. The rest of the family had vanished. A year later, Alice is still dealing with the trauma and then clues linking back to that terrible night begin to appear. Detective Lambert is part of the investigation and begins to unravel secrets in this case, even ones that may be connected to her own trauma. It was so cleverly written and the storylines expertly interwoven. Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for this advanced reader copy.

In a gripping tale of mystery and suspense, a family’s vanishing act on a desolate Christmas Eve road sets the stage for a haunting narrative. USA Today bestselling author’s latest novel follows the aftermath of the Harper family’s disappearance, leaving traumatized sixteen-year-old Alice grappling with unanswered questions. When a bloodstained backpack belonging to her missing sister, Ella, surfaces a year later, Detective Jess Lambert is drawn into a dark web of secrets. As Jess unearths the truth, she confronts her past, navigating a treacherous path where the living and the dead guard their secrets fiercely. Unyielding in her pursuit, Jess races against time to unravel the harrowing mystery.

This book can without much of a stretch be perused as an independent. This book has everything – various perspectives, perplexing courses of events, and a plot so loaded with exciting bends in the road that it’ll leave your mind whirling. I felt for Alice, and I partook in the ever-changing POV of her and Jess Lambert as destiny united their ways. I love Jess, even with every one of her deficiencies and her issues. The writer works hard interweaving Jess’ past with the case so the peruser gets both a painstakingly plotted secret and a close-to-home association with Jess.

We realize there are more obscure characters as the story unfolds and I was attempting to think about who the guilty party was. The pacing streams pleasantly, there is heaps of secret and tension and I found it simple to peruse. I didn’t see so many of the turns coming, and that makes this a must-peruse spine chiller as I would like to think. If you need a decent analyst story with a few different POVs, look at the Jess Lambert series!

What Lies in Darkness is the 2nd book in the author's Jess Lambert series. I did not know that when I read the book and it read fine as a stand-alone novel and I never felt that I was missing any background information.

The book's main character is a teenager, Alice, who survived a car crash where the rest of her family completely disappeared. At first, the story follows her struggles to cope with the events and I was worried it was going to be an angsty teen novel but it fairly quickly turned and followed the mystery of what actually happened that night. It was a good mystery with enough twists and red herrings to keep you guessing right up to the end!

Told in alternating perspectives, I couldn't put this down. There was a mention of ghosts which I'm not normally a fan of but in this case, it felt appropriate and fortunately wasn't a main feature. And wow, that ending. Did not see that coming!

Christina McDonald's upcoming release in July What Lies in Darkness marks the second installment in her captivating new series Jess Lambert, perfect timing for those who have yet to dive into the first book These Still Black Waters. While "What Lies in Darkness" can be enjoyed as a standalone, I highly recommend immersing oneself in Jess Lambert's story from the beginning for a richer reading experience.

McDonald departs from her usual style by introducing a supernatural element, adding an intriguing layer to the storyline that further captivated me. Detective Jess Lambert is an incredibly compelling character due to her strength, vulnerability, determination, and unique abilities. Her haunting past tragedy added an emotional depth to the narrative. McDonald's strength lies in her in-depth understanding of her characters and their motivations breathing life into them and making them feel authentic and relatable.

As secrets unravel and tensions escalate, McDonald crafts a story filled with suspense and intensity that had me eagerly devouring each twist and turn. Some plot twists may test the bounds of believability, but there is an exciting payoff to the conclusion that took me by surprise.

A tragic Christmas Eve car crash leaves a teenage girl, Alice, the sole survivor. The bodies of her family are nowhere to be found and it is presumed that her father was responsible in some capacity. A year later, the discovery of her sister’s bloodstained backpack reignites the mystery of Alice’s missing family. Jess Lambert, a detective haunted by the ghost of her child who was also killed a year ago, is assigned to investigate the case. Discovering what happened to Alice’s family involves uncovering the family’s secrets and unlocking what Alice actually remembers about the accident.

I love when detective mysteries have a twist and this one does not disappoint. I requested this ARC because I loved The Night Olivia Fell by the same author; I did not notice it was part of a series. I’m happy to report that it can be read as a stand-alone novel. I was The opening scene featuring the Christmas Eve crash is atmospheric and suspenseful, and the central mystery of the missing family is both intriguing and heartbreaking. The introduction of the supernatural elements adds an interesting layer to the story as well. Overall, definitely recommend to my fellow thriller lovers. This book will be released on July 16!

I really wanted to like this book. It sounded like it could have been a great story, but it just dragged on. I could never really get into it, just hoping for the book to end. I never felt like there was a true build up of the story, and the character of Alice just made me mad the more you read and see how much she hid from or lied to the cops about her family. I loved Christina McDonald's othe works, just not a hit for me on this one.

Jess Lambert is back in the gripping and shocking second installment in the Jess Lambert series!!! Woohoo! Christina McDonald did not disappoint!

What Lies in Darkness begins with sixteen-year-old Alice being found on the side of the road after surviving a horrible car accident. The accident left many scratching their heads as her parents and younger sister, Ella, were missing from the accident scene and have not been seen since.

It has been a year since the accident and Alice is still coping with her family's loss. When she and her friends find Ella's blood covered backpack in an abandoned house, Detective Jess Lambert is called in to investigate.

What follows is a gripping tale of secrets, lies, deception, guilt, and coercion. As with the first book in the series, These Still Black Waters, I was fully invested in this well written and well thought out book. Both Jess and Alice have suffered loss, and both are haunted by those they loved and lost. I thought Christina McDonald did a great job depicting loss and how it impacted the lives of both Alice and Jess.

This book has plenty of twists, turns, and reveals. There is also tension and suspense as the book gets closer to the end. The characters have a lot going on in their lives and they are all interconnected in some way. I enjoyed being a fly on the wall as everything unfolded.

This book is told through the POV's of Alice, Jess, and Laura. It is also told through past and present timelines giving readers background and a closer look at all the characters. I enjoyed doing my own super sleuthing along with Jess. I guessed whodunit it but not the reason why.

Gripping, suspenseful and hard to put down!

One Line Review: Her family wasn’t perfect, but once they are gone, Alice would give anything to have them back. When she starts to see their ghostly figures at every turn, Alice wants to find them once and for all, no matter what the truth holds.

Synopsis: Alice and her family always spend Christmas eve with her uncle and family in their incredible home on Black Lake. This past holiday though, changed everything for them when a horrific accident leaves Alice on her own… Her mom, dad, and sister are all gone in a moment… She’s not sure if they’re missing or dead as their bodies were never found. Detective Jess Lambert has her own history of traumatic loss, with her own daughter taken from her in an eerily similar event to what Alice has experienced. They’re both haunted by the ghosts of their past, in ways most people would never understand. A fated discovery in a vacant home leads Jess and her partner detective closer to the answers everyone is so desperate for. With the clock ticking, and hope dwindling, the horrific truth comes to light…

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this so much and read it in a matter of days, getting completely lost in the story. Although the topics in the book are pretty dark, I enjoyed the balance between the different character’s perspectives. It allowed the questions that would arise to be answered by the person directly connected. ALSO, that ending?!?! Can't recommend it enough, because there is NOTHING I LOVE MORE THAN A TWIST I DIDN'T SEE COMING!!!! I will absolutely recommend to my friends in the future!

Looking forward to another Jess Lambert novel (especially because her name is so close to my actual name LOL)

Thank you to Christina, Thomas & Mercer, and Netgalley for this Advance Reader Copy.

Fantastic!! The second installment in the Jessica Lambert series is definitely a page turner. There was definitely a creepy vibe to this suspenseful thriller, which made it that much more addicting .And I'm not one for anything paranormal, but she does it perfectly.. This is definitely one of my top favorites to date of Christina McDonald's and I am itching for more. Awesome, plot, lots of twists and turns and an ending you don't see coming. Highly recommend!

"What Lies in Darkness" by Christina McDonald is a captivating addition to the Jess Lambert series, seamlessly blending suspense and emotion. While it's the second installment, readers can easily dive into the story without prior knowledge. Set against the backdrop of a missing family and a haunted detective, the narrative unfolds with gripping intensity. Jess Lambert returns, grappling with her own inner struggles as she delves into a new investigation. McDonald skillfully presents multiple points of view, each adding depth to the intricate plot. The story is masterfully woven, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the final, jaw-dropping chapters. "What Lies in Darkness" proves to be an outstanding sequel, showcasing McDonald's talent for crafting compelling mysteries.

5 Stars
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a chance to read and review this novel. I want more Jess Lambert stories! I loved the second installment in the Jess Lambert series. Book two "What Lies in Darkness" delivered on twists and turns throughout the book. I was guessing until the very end on this book. "What Lies in Darkness" has just the right amount of creepiness. The reader does not have to read book one first but I was glad I did.

"What Lies in Darkness" is a gripping thriller that delivers suspense and mystery in spades. While some may find the frequent focus on Ativan and supernatural elements distracting, the novel's strengths lie in its multifaceted characters and intricate plot.

Jess Lambert, the resilient protagonist, faces personal struggles while tackling a perplexing case, adding depth to the narrative. The book's multitude of perspectives, intricate timelines, and unexpected plot twists keep readers guessing until the very end.

Despite some readers feeling they would have benefited from reading the first installment, "What Lies in Darkness" stands strongly on its own, offering a unique and engaging plot. Christina McDonald crafts a tale filled with mystery, suspense, and unforgettable characters, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

I truly enjoy Christina McDonald’s writing. There’s something laced in these mysteries that have me grasping for more.

She has this fantastic way of intertwining suspense and paranormal elements together that just make sense, that just work perfectly. I love her writing so much.

There were so many twists and turns and I can truthfully say that I never saw the ending coming. Like I genuinely had to put down my kindle for a moment to try gather my thoughts.

Jess is such a fantastic character and is someone you can’t help but root for. She’s fierce, but vulnerable. She’s flawed and she’s human which makes her easy to connect to.

I need to read the rest of this series immediately because I already know I’m going to enjoy the rest of the books.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.