I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

I don't see the appeal of developing other people's discarded camera films myself, and it must be a hobby with a rapidly diminishing shelf life, but I assume it is a thing. It's certainly the premise of this novel. I found this well-plotted and fast-paced, with plenty of twists and turns. The final chapters explain exactly what went on for the benefit of the reader, which I always think is a sign the clues weren't sufficiently seeded in the main narrative, but they did put to rest things which were nagging at me.

Recommended as a gripping, undemanding read.

WoWzers! While the book took a few chapters to get into it, once it did, the book really took off! I absolutely loved the circumstances surrounding the investigation – a mystery film developer. Maybe I loved it because when I was in high school and college, I developed 35MM film at a store. It was always so interesting to see people’s photos. I was very much like Leonard in that aspect, and so for me, the author came up with something very creative. The first big wow moment was around 36% of the book, and then the wow moments never stopped. Just when you think you have the answers, BAM, another twist. There are so many OMG moments in this book. AND when I thought I had it figured out, I was wrong (once again!). The ending was equally shocking.

This is a definite must read.

Leonard Blaylock is an ex-crime journalist turned freelancer who enjoys a unique hobby - developing strangers old film reels. The lonely Leonard displays these pictures in his private gallery, giving each person a name and backstory. But this time he doesn't need to pretend ... he recognises the fatally wounded stab victim in the picture. But that's not how he saw her die 5 years previously.

Leonard sets off, with the help of another film enthusiast he meets online, to discover the true identity of the woman in the picture. The woman who's death has caused him to lose everything; his job, fiancée and friends. How can somebody die twice?

I read this in one sitting. I couldn't put it down!

The Dark Room is told from multiple perspectives and timelines, piecing together the events that lead Leonard to lose everything. I thought I'd figured out exactly what was going on but the twist at the end was amazing. Definitely didn't see that coming! A must-read for all thriller fans.

Thank you so much to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! It took a couple of chapters to get into the story, but once the action started I couldn't put the book down. I thought it was really well-plotted and well written. The dialogue was great and easy to read and the characters were all suspicious, which is perfect as it kept me guessing throughout. I was thinking it was wrapped up all way too easily when the last two chapters blew me away! I did not see the ending coming and I was totally surprised!

I haven't read anything from Lisa Gray before but I would definitely read more from her in the future. I would recommend if you're looking for a quick read and a twisty, entertaining thriller.

It kinda took me to long to get into this story to enjoy it properly but I read it to the end and yes some nice twists along the way ..

3. 5 Stars. This was a fun mystery. The plot was solid and there were no slow points. I would have liked to have been more engaged with the main two characters, whose personalities could have been fleshed out a little more to make the reader care more about the final outcome. Still a solid book, I still recommend.

A good mystery thriller that I enjoyed my time with. A new to me author that I discovered and will be reading more from in the futurez

Thank you Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.

1.5 rounded down.

THE PLOT

Leonard is processing some of his mystery film when he finds a photo of a woman he watched die 5 years ago. But in this photo, it looks like she's just died again more recently. What's going on!?

MY OPINION

I have a bunch of ARCs on my NetGalley shelf so I asked the good people of Bookstagram what I should read; they picked this (duh). Welp. Lol. That was the only reason I finished this other than yeeting it.

I didn't know who I was supposed to support. Why would I care that a 37-year-old cheating cokehead got scammed? Why would I want him to figure out who scammed him? Free my girl Martha from the bondage of this ain't shit guy who doesn't even shorten his creepy ass name to Leo to be more respectable. Now that I'm typing this... Martha and Leonard have to be two of the most unfortunate names out there.

Next we have the plot which resembled a slice of swiss cheese—meaning it had lots of holes. The story itself was extremely repetitive and there was zero suspense. I didn't give two wet farts about the "sexual tension" between Leonard the cokehead and Martha the sad ass stalker... big pass from me. There was lots of math not mathulating like: a cab in NYC costing $10 (when Leonard said "keep the change" excuse me sir you're $40 short...)and a freelance journalist rocking Dior Sauvage cologne AND the matching deodorant plus living in a 2 bed apt near hell's kitchen. Simply impossible.

I tossed it a half of star (which isn't reflected unfortunately in the rating) because one of the final twisty twists was unexpected, although tbh that didn't quite make sense either but whatever lol.

PROS AND CONS

Pros: my internet friends picked this

Cons: writing, plot, ending, worst MC on the planet

Leonard Blaylock an ex crime reporter spends his days on an unusual hobby developing forgotten and discarded rolls of film he loves the small mysteries the photographs reveal to him then Leonard finds something no one would ever expect or want to see captured on film the murder of a young woman but that’s impossible because the woman is already dead Leonard was there when it happened five years earlier he has never been able to shake his guilt from that terrible night it cost Leonard everything
A really enjoyable read but abit slow starting then it livens up
Thank you NetGalley and Amazon Publishing Uk
I just reviewed The Dark Room by Lisa Gray. #TheDarkRoom #NetGalley

Good book! Some crazy twist in this one! this book also had suspense, intrigue, and many twists and turns! The storyline was interesting and flowed nicely! I will recommend reading this book as it was worth reading! It wasn't one of my top favorites but still worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Wow! What a ride. Leonard Blaylock is a reporter who"s life falls apart after one night with a mystery woman. Years later he tries to figure out what really happened to him that night and who was behind it with help from a fellow mystery film enthusiast Martha.
This book had me hooked right from the beginning and didn't let up, I felt suspicious of everyone and loved seeing the relationship between Leonard and Martha unfold. If you are a fan of twisty thrillers then I would definitely recommend this book. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC #TheDarkRoom #NetGalley

This book was sent to me by Netgalley for review. Mystery and intrigue. The characters are not really likable, but that is often the case in a mystery...the story moves slowly, at times, but the author is gifted at weaving a story that comes to a surprising ending. Enjoy.

What a great read ... a truly exciting novel full of twists and turns and a shock ending. Two people (Leonard & Martha) brought together through the hobby of developing discarded rolls of film. Behind the hobby and linking them is a 'Honeytrap' murder - the murder of an attractive woman hired to trap unfaithful men for money. The storyline develops as the two friends investigate the honeytrap and murder. A brilliantly crafted novel, hard to put down and well worthy of five (5) stars.

I really enjoyed this book - an easy read with an engaging plot and plenty of twists and turns. Initially I thought this book would be one with implausible coincidences driving the story, however everything is very neatly plotted - my only critism would be the ending - I think this could have been wrapped up in a more dramatic fashion but that's my opinion only - all in all enough to hold my interest and I finished the book in 2 days so definitely give it a go - a great beach read