Kia Abdullah never misses. What Happens in the Dark is another smart, socially relevant courtroom drama that blends emotional depth with real-world stakes—and introduces one of my favorite protagonists since Zara Kaleel in the Take it Back series.

Lily and Safa were inseparable as kids, but that friendship has long since faded. Now Lily is a national treasure—Britain’s breakfast TV darling—while Safa, once a rising star in journalism, is working at a local paper after a very public fall from grace. But when photos of bruises on Lily’s face begin circulating online, Safa can’t ignore them. She reaches out… and is soon pulled into a far more complicated and devastating situation. One night, the police arrive at Lily’s home to find a man dead—and Lily standing over the body.

Safa is the moral heart of this story. She’s sharp, principled, and relentless in her pursuit of the truth, even when it puts her at personal and professional risk. I loved how her storyline dealt with rebuilding a career, navigating systemic barriers and nepotism in journalism, and her powerful drive to give voice to the unheard—especially in a secondary storyline involving sexual assaults in the Bangladeshi community that’s being ignored by authorities. Her relationship with her father adds so much warmth and grounding to the book, and her dynamic with the detective she’s (maybe?) involved with adds emotional nuance without ever overshadowing her purpose.

Yes, there are twists, yes, the courtroom scenes are brilliant—but as always, Abdullah is doing more than writing a page-turner. She’s writing stories that matter.

I have read all of Kia Abdullah’s books and this latest one is as brilliant as the others. This book explores the theme of domestic abuse in the main. Her characters are vividly drawn and very well rounded. There was so much tension within the book and I fairly raced through the second half. Loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publishers, HQ, for this ARC.

As I’ve come to expect from Kia Abdullah’s books, What Happens In The Dark was a gripping and fast-paced read, tackling some tough, relevant issues in today’s society. That said, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me in a few areas. The plot lacked originality (I worked out the twist quite early on) and the characters didn’t feel fully fleshed out—I struggled to connect with them. Even the courtroom scenes, which are usually a highlight in her books, felt a bit flat this time. The ending was also a letdown, leaving one of the key storylines unresolved, obviously as a setup for a sequel. I’m not sure I’ll be picking up the next one—I just didn’t feel invested enough in these characters.

What Happens in the Dark is a blend of legal thriller and domestic drama. I enjoyed the main storyline but the subplot felt unnecessary and clichéd.

I found the narration pretty captivating throughout, with its range of realistic and engaging characters and a twisty plot.

The characters, particularly Lily and Safa, are intriguing and well-developed. Best friends since childhood, Safa was raised by a loving father, Lily by a neglectful mother. While Safa has struggled to gain professional recognition, Lily has transformed herself into a national figure, a lauded TV presenter. Lily is portrayed as a difficult, cold and complex character, Safa as a warm-hearted friend and a determined journalist. The dynamic between the two is interesting and believable, as their old friendship and knowledge of each other clashes with their current social disparity and divergent values.

What Happens in the Dark is primarily a domestic drama, delving into serious themes such as domestic violence, media exploitation, and racial and gender prejudice. It also works well as a legal thriller, delivering tense and emotionally compelling courtroom scenes.

The plot twists and turns, with shocking secrets revealed during the court case, add to the suspense. The final twist is particularly well-executed: it left me questioning everything I thought I knew about the characters and their motivations.

The main aspect of the novel that I didn't like was the whole Glassman sub-plot, involving a serial rapist who is attacking women in their homes — notably older women in minority groups who are so ashamed that they are not reporting the crimes against them. Safa is pursuing this story in parallel to the main story around Lily. It feels like a tagged on, unnecessary plot, and Safa's role in it doesn't ring true.

I think Kia Abdullah books can be very hit and miss - they are always incredibly hyped up online and often miss that wow factor

This book had the wow factor, then lost it and then gained it again with the final twist.

Storyline development and character development were actioned very well, but I think the book was just long enough - anymore may have effected the star rating.

No Spoilers - but Lily is a very challenging character! Anyone with a Lily in their lives will get it. You want to roll your eyes at them 300 times a day, but you cant help but understand why they act the way they do. She is the complete opposite to Safa, but Safa is in no means a boring character!

Another great book of Kia Abdullah. I'm a huge fan. Her books always keep me hooked from the opening pages.

I really enjoyed this book, although that was once I'd got through the reams of back story clogging up the beginning. I completely understand the desire to do that, but there was too much of it! Nonetheless I persevered, and I'm really glad I did.

The story focuses on Safa and Lily, women who were best friends as children but who have since grown apart. Safa is frustrated working on a local newspaper having being fired from a national while trying to uncover a disturbing spree of rapes of elderly Bengali women. Lily is a famous TV presenter. But it seems Lily may be suffering domestic abuse, after co-workers discover bruises.

Safa, although having not spoken to Lily for some time, tries to contact her - as a friend but also as a reporter. This means they are sort of back in touch. But when Safa tries to probe further she faces hostility from Lily's husband, and starts to get really worried about Lily's safety.

Alongside this 'investigation' Safa is continuing her attempts to get information on the horrific attacks on elderly women. Imran, a cop who she has had a relationship with in the past, is helping. But Safa is scared about letting herself have a proper relationship with him.

We discover that this is based on guilt - a traumatic thing in her past that led to her mother's death has led to Safa feeling terrible her whole life. It takes others to convince her that she shouldn't be feeling that way.

The descriptions of her relationship with her dad, who is always feeding her, is really heart-warming.

When Lily's husband ends up dead, stabbed by Lily, we are left wondering if this was a deliberate act or self-defence. Through the ensuing court case, shocking secrets come to light - and there is a big twist.

Once the story got going, this was a really good read and I'd recommend it. Thanks to Netgalley for the access.

Really enjoy reading this authors books. She writes very sensitivly on certain matters. Lots of twists and turns also in her books. Highly recommend this book for a fab read

Kia Abdullah is one of my go to authors since I read ‘Take it Back’ and was instantly hooked. What Happens in the Dark, is a story that relates the complexities of friendship, trauma, and the blurred lines between guilt and innocence.

Lily and Safa have a shared past but now have lives that are very different. Lily is a much loved TV presenter on a morning television show, while Safa who was once a respected journalist, is now battling the fallout of professional disgrace. Speculation of abuse begin to circulate when photos of bruises on Lily’s body hit the news and Safa attempts to rekindle their past friendship.

This is followed by the dead body of a man found at Lily’s home with her standing over him. Lily pleads her innocence but the publics perception of Lily begins to show cracks. Safa is haunted by their shared past and feels the need to seek the truth. A pursuit of justice that leads her to painful revelations, moral uncertainty, and social judgment.

I love legal thrillers and Kia Abdullah creates great novels that capture my imagination and keeping me hooked from start to finish. The novel deals with domestic violence, media exploitation, racial and gender prejudice. Thought provoking and extremely well written with excellent characters. Safa is a vulnerable and flawed but very determined to seek the truth.

Another 5 star rating for me.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and HQ for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This is another great book by Kia Abdullah who never fails to keep the reader engaged due to her insight into the legal system coupled with immaculate writing. We are challenged by whether it is right to hide violence in the home or to risk being potentially not believed and becoming a victim of public abuse. Safa, an ideological journalist and life long friend of Lily finds herself in a difficult situation where her desire to unearth the truth is coloured by her past and potentially her future. While she tries to help and defend her childhood friend she is also trying to track down a serial rapist who targets single older Bangladeshi women from Safa’s community who won’t speak out due to perceived shame. This book is multi layered but set in our time in London where the crimes are happening now. It is a relevant and revealing story. I hope there’s more to learn about Safa and her father and her policeman boyfriend Imran.

I’ve really enjoyed this author’s previous books, and once again, they’ve delivered a brilliant, thought-provoking thriller that delves into the darker corners of family life — the kinds of issues people often shy away from. It’s tense and twisty, but what truly stands out is the emotional honesty and the way Abdullah handles complex, uncomfortable themes with such care and depth. It’s not always an easy read, but if you're in the mood for a domestic thriller with a side of legal drama, it’s absolutely worth it.

I've read and loved all of Kia Abdullah's books to date and What Happens in the Dark is quite possibly my new favourite by her. This novel follows a successful TV presenter Lily, and her ex best friend Safa who is now a journalist. Safa really cares about the people she is writing about, and she still cares for her former friend Lily and her son Harry but has been shut out. She's currently investigating a serial rapist targeting elderly, vulnerable women when news breaks that Lily has been arrested. I loved seeing both women's point of view throughout this story and seeing how all the secrets and lies came to the surface. I loved how we were never sure if Lily was a victim or a liar, or quite possibly both. Safa's care and gentleness as she tries to figure it all out was such a counter balance to the violence that was happening in her local area. This was such a thought provoking book that I feel sure will stay with me for a long time to come. I highly recommend this one!

I was doubly lucky with this one - HQ authorised me to receive an eARC via NetGalley and then at Capital Crime I spotted the hardback on the Goldsboro Books stand. Actually, I was then triply blessed because the author signed it after her panel on the importance of libraries!

Anyway, even if all those fortunate things had not happened to me, I would still be recommending this novel as one of the best I have read this year.

Main character Safa Saleem has that undefinable charisma that makes for the perfect investigator. A reporter booted off a prestigious national title and working for her local newspaper, Safa has a complex back-story in which she feels responsible for the death of her mother but is nonetheless aware how fortunate she is to have a comparatively stable home life with one of the world’s most loving fathers.

Having known love and support from a good, honest man, Safa finds herself investigating two stories of violence against women, and specifically the shame some women are made to feel when they are subjected to attack. Safa’s childhood friend is put on trial for the murder of her husband, and the court of public opinion does not believe her claims he abused her for three years prior to his death.

Meanwhile, in her own East London Bangladeshi community, elderly women living on their own are being targeted by a serial criminal who breaks into and assaults them knowing they will feel too much shame to report the attack to the police.

At the same time, Safa’s protégé at work, Tim, is making a name for himself writing a feature on toxic masculinity and the appeal of a specific Internet guru to boys as young as eight and men as old as eighty.

Trigger warnings, obviously, for misogyny, sexual assault and violent death. None of it is gratuitous, though. This is a novel that exposes injustice and systemic misogyny and certainly does nothing to glamorise it.

A five-star read, I would recommend this novel to anyone who likes high-quality crime novels and / or loves London.

Kia Abdullah's legal background always gives verisimilitude to her novels and her latest story skilfully combines murder mystery with courtroom drama. Although domestic violence and coercive control are common traits in contemporary crime fiction, they are handled sensitively and tellingly here. Superb!

Kia Abdullah never shys away from challenging subjects and her latest thriller faces many issues straight on: abuse, poverty, cultural differences, a quest for both truth and justice. It is a totally absorbing and fast-paced read.

The main characters compare and contrast brilliantly. Old friends, now distanced by circumstances, but connected with memories and shared experiences of childhood. Lily, having worked hard to change her circumstances to being the popular TV presenter. Whilst Safa has faced her own downturn in fortune from renowned to fallen from grace journalist. Safa shows such strength, empathy and dogged determination to find justice, both for the female victims of The Glassman, and also for her former friend. A tragedy in her own childhood haunts her and contributes to her rebuffing any affection or commitment. The relationship she has with her father is wonderful and I particularly enjoyed learning about her culture through their interactions and also with older members of their community.

Lily comes across as strong and determined in totally different ways. She is friendly and warm to all who move in her sphere, remembering clearly where she has come from, whilst also holding herself closed to any real closeness or understanding. She can show real strength when faced with tragedy, whilst also behaving in a frustrating way, not allowing others in to the truth.

Abdullah weaves a truly compelling, complicated plot on so many levels. She illustrates persistently the depths of love and friendship, whilst twisting the narrative so that the reader is not sure whose truth to believe. Add in not only gender differences but also race and class, and you have a powerful read.

The court case takes the reader on an emotional journey, facing tension, fear and relief as each witness is manipulated for different purposes.

This is a truly fabulous read, certainly not a comfortable one at times but one that I feel is very necessary, enlightening and always intriguing.

I always look forward to a new Kia Abdullah book as I know she'll deliver on a shocking, thought-provoking and contemporary thriller, and this certainly had everything I was looking for!

The story immediately pulls you in with a compelling plot, fully developed characters, and a moral dilemma that feels very raw and hard-hitting.

Most of all, I love how Kia explores relevant topics and examines them from all angles. Here, the subject is domestic abuse, as we are made to question whether a wife killed her husband after years of abuse, or if she is lying to get away with murder.

Kia always manages to keep you on the edge of your seat in suspense, never knowing which way the story will unfold. I did predict one twist, but there was another on top of this, which blew my mind. Very clever and well done!

There's also a story running alongside the main one, which involves The Bagman, who is invading homes and attacking women in the area. Although it took me a while to understand why this was included, Safa's breakdown of it at the end was very eye-opening and emotional.

If Kia has something to say, she sure knows how to make an impact, and she certainly makes you think with this book.

Another fantastic read, and an author I always want to shout about! Add it to your TBR now!

I’m buzzing to share my thoughts on Kia Abdullah’s What Happens in the Dark If you’re looking for an edge-of-the-seat thriller with heart, justice, and deep social roots, buckle up.

Safa is utterly magnetic—strong, flawed, cutting, and deeply empathetic. A once-renowned journalist on The Clarion she had to leave in ignominy and now scratches out a meager living at a local East End newspaper. Yet, despite her own battles, she’s compelled to write for victims who barely have a voice. Safa carries guilt with her, from an incident in her childhood, but that has helped shape her into a crusader for others.

Lily is equally fascinating—a public figure and a mystery. From the same estate as Safa – the two were childhood best friends – she has spent years working on her voice and appearance and has transformed herself into a daytime TV personality.

Warm and charismatic, no-one really knows her well, except for her family and Safa. When Lily is charged with the murder, she remains enigmatic and her calmness is almost chilling. Abdullah gives the impression of a calculating woman, sometimes prone to vindictive behaviour and petty revenge. Safa knows Lily better than most, but just how well? And does what she learns help her to decide whether Lily is a killer? Lily is damaged, and she can be so irritating, especially when she refuses to let Safa help her. You never quite know how much of what she is saying is the truth and that unreliable narrator perspective offers a riveting moral dilemma to which Abdullah refuses to provide easy answers.

Safa’s relationship with her father gives her the support she needs. He is calm and loving and has a quiet strength to him which helps Safa when she needs advice or solace. Safa also has an on-off relationship with Imran, but she constantly holds herself back, fearing she is not able to give him what he needs in a relationship.

There’s an important subplot about the ‘Glassman’—a predator who targets elderly Bangladeshi women living alone in Safa’s community and how the shame compels those women to keep silent, never revealing to anyone, far less the police, what has happened to them. Safa is driven to investigate. Her need to make a difference; to find someone who will talk to her and help her to break this story wide open is all consuming.

It’s at this kind of hard hitting and uncomfortable storyline that Kia Abdullah excels. Her writing is assured and sharply on point. From bruised TV headlines to a chilling discovery, the pacing never lets up. Early scenes hook you with ominous tension, but it’s the court scenes that are the heart-accelerator. These scenes are ruthless, razor-sharp and emotionally gripping. Abdullah’s writing shines as prosecution and defence duel over facts, emotion, and distraction—each turn of phrase loaded with potential ruin.

Mainly though, it is Kia Abdullah’s persistent deep dive into the complexities of race, gender and class, power and money that makes her books so utterly important and compelling. This is high-stakes drama with soul. It’s not just about what happened, but why—and it peels back the justice system’s layers with unflinching realism. Echoing her earlier work (like Take It Back), Abdullah weaves emotional subtext into every objection, cross-examination and witness statement.

She skilfully tackles how victims are silenced—by culture, pride or shame. Abdullah uses this thriller to interrogate real-world issues: microaggressions, class biases and cultural silencing. It’s a true contemporary courtroom thriller.

One of the most powerful things about this novel is how Safa’s British-Bangladeshi heritage and working-class roots shape everything she sees. Her return to the grassroots (and the Glassman subplot) shows her connection to the community she serves. It’s a mirror to her own identity—and a reminder of why justice must be accessible, not reserved for the elite.

Verdict: I felt Safa’s grit in every word, her devotion to justice resonating in my bones. As the courtroom twists came fast and furious, Lily sat on the edge of my conscience; is she a trustworthy icon or a monster in disguise? The need to know is visceral. This book lives in the blood and shadows of domestic abuse, power, culture, and friendship fractured and reforged. If you want a page-turner rooted in emotional authenticity, carrying the weight of community and culture on its shoulders, What Happens in the Dark is so good! I give it ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ without hesitation—and can’t wait to read what Safa does next.

Compelling and emotional, this domestic suspense has riveting courtroom action, emotional family drama and suspense that keeps you immersed in the characters' lives. Lily and Safa had been friends for over twenty years. Both came from lives of loss and poverty, but Safa had a father who nurtured her, and Lily had a mother who didn't. Years later, Lily is a TV News star, and Safa is a dedicated journalist whose integrity has cost her a top job. Their friendship is fractured, but a series of events leading to Lily's arrest draw them back together. The characters are complex, flawed and believable. You care what happens to them. The courtroom drama is authentic and intricate, and the suspenseful twists make this a story you have to read until the end. It deals with challenging contemporary issues. It's poignant and tragic, focusing on those who have no voice. It is an excellent, moving story that resonates.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. First of all WOW!! An absolute masterpiece of a psychological thriller . This book kept me up all night and on the edge of my seat. Non stop action, tension and every emotion I can name. The twists were superb and I definitely didn’t see them coming. The ending was so good and set up perfectly for the next instalment which I cannot wait to get my hands on. I highly recommend this book to all thriller fans and I have given it 5 stars.

When TV personality Lily is arrested for the murder of her husband, her former friend Safia wants to explore the story with a focus on domestic violence. Safia is a talented journalist but has been sacked by a national newspaper and has lost access to the information about a story closer to her heart, a rapist targeting elderly woman who will not come forward due to shame. As Lily's trial proceeds, Safia finds her loyalties tested but knows that she needs to tell the truth.
Abdullah is a hugely popular author and this is a cracking book within it's genre. I really liked the sympathetic tone towards the two groups of victims, the shame of admitting crimes and the perceived dismissal by authorities. The twist in the end is not unexpected but is handled well, however I felt that the plot around the Glassman was underplayed too much, it is actually more interesting to me, so I hope that will be picked up in a subsequent book!