I have read a few books by this author now and I really enjoy her writing style. The court scenes especially are well-written and I found them really fascinating to read.

I found the lead character a little hard to connect with as she seemed very closed off, but the reader is offered an explanation for this. The other characters felt much more vibrant and well-rounded to me.

I liked the theme of women being silenced, and the plot held my interest. I did find the ending a bit jarring - it ended very suddenly with no resolution to a crucial plot point. I assume that this leaves room for a sequel, but I found it a bit abrupt.

Overall I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

I finished this book 20 minutes ago and am still sat here thinking about it so I have no problem whatsoever in giving it the five stars it deserves.

Lily and Safa used to be best friends. Lily went on to be a famous breakfast presenter and Safa hasn’t been so fortunate, She is a reporter but was fired from her previous job taking the blame for something that she didn’t do and is struggling in her life. As also learn that Lily’s life isn’t as it seems as she is arrested for murder of her husband. Safa is surprised by this and quickly becomes involved by investigating things. What follows is a very good trial, mostly in the courtroom.

Is everything really as it seems? No one really knows what goes on in the dark do they?

There was also a second storyline running throughout the book ‘The Glassman’. This man is entering homes through a window that he cuts out and sexually assaults the Bangladeshi elderly women. These women are too scared to speak though and nothing comes of these attacks. Safa is determined to get their voices heard.

I’m hoping for a second book, there is definitely reason for it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What Happens in the Dark is an enjoyable and thought provoking read from Kia Abdullah.

There are a number of twists and turns throughout which keep the reader guessing and then second guessing what happens next. The ending also nicely tees up a potential follow up which I would look forward to reading.

Recommended.

Abdullah doesn't shy away from that difficult subjects, and What Happens in the Dark is no exception. It's not as fast paced as some of her previous books, but the social observations are as astute as ever, the characters are nuanced, the suspense is palpable and she got me with the reveal again. Dark, engrossing but that ending!

My thanks to Kia and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of the book before the publication date.
This is definitely a good book for a book club discussion as it involves many topical and controversial subjects.
The storyline dips into domestic violence, rape and toxic influencers and gives insight into some of the cultural issues which impact on women’s lives.

Kia Abdullah has done it again. I was hooked from the first page, no one writes emotionally charged legal thrillers quite like her.

What Happens In the Dark is a suspenseful, gut-punch of a novel packed with secrets, lies, and a final twist that absolutely floored me.

The story follows Safa, a once renowned journalist desperate for redemption, and her childhood best friend Lily, now a beloved celebrity. When bruises appear on Lily’s body and a shocking death occurs, Safa begins digging for the truth and what she uncovers is heartbreaking, harrowing, and completely unforgettable.

I loved the glimpses into Lily and Safa’s pasts. How their childhood trauma shaped their adult selves. Safa’s strength, her moral backbone, and her relationship with her father truly moved me. Lily, on the other hand, was complicated she was hard to like, hard to trust, but impossible to ignore.

The courtroom scenes were intense, immersive, and brilliantly written. And that final twist, ripped my heart out. As a woman, it hit hard. I was left sad, angry, and speechless, shocked by the revelations and can see how much it can relate to outside of a fictional story.

This book has left such an impact on it and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time. Abdullah’s books are always automatic reads for me and she is one of my favourite authors. Highly, highly recommend.


Thank you so much @netgalley and HQ for giving me the opportunity for reading the advanced reader copy.

The author is known for her courtroom drama thrillers and I really enjoyed that part of the book. I love the arguments and counter arguments, changing my mind with each side. The author also always writes a powerful storyline with this one focused on violence against women and whether an unarmed woman should be more afraid of a bear or man. Specifically  morning TV presenter Lily is accused of murdering her husband. There's also a second storyline with Lily's childhood friend Safa a journalist investigating the Glassman assaults. 

Whilst I really liked part two, parts one and three not so much. Safa and Lily were both difficult to like so I struggled getting into this at the start. And, then the last part was a bit of a let down concluding without any resolution on the Glassman storyline. Maybe there'll be a sequel but even so without a conclusion have the story felt kind of pointless. So, a mixed bag overall but no reflection on the author it was just this particular story that didn't resonate for me.

Absolutely fantastic book. Fast paced with great characters this book tackled serious subjects really well. It was very easy to give this book five stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.

Lily and Safa are childhood friends though they've grown apart in recent years. Lily is a popular breakfast TV presenter while Safa, an investigative journalist, is working for a local newspaper after being fired from her last job. When Lily is seen on TV with a black eye and then bruises on her body, Safa's boss persuades her to reconnect with Lily to ascertain what's going on. Lily is adamant that the bruises were caused accidentally from tennis and riding incidents. However shortly afterwards Lily's husband is dead and she is charged with murder.. Safa is convinced that Lily acted in self defence to protect herself from her husband's violence.
Safa is also investigating the Glassman who is assaulting elderly women in the Bangladeshi community in their own homes. Embarrassed and ashamed none of the victims are willing to speak about their ordeal..
I was delighted to receive an ARC of Kia Abdullah's latest book as she is one of my favourite authors. I really enjoyed this and didn't anticipate the huge twist towards the end I would have liked to have found out more about the Glassman investigation but maybe there will be a sequel. I do hope so!

Every Kia Abdullah book I've read has been a 5 star read and What Happens in The Dark is no exception.

I don't know how she does it but Abdullah's courtroom drama thrillers are always so gripping and always keep you guessing right up to the very last page.

They also always tackle tough topics sensitively (in this case domestic violence is the main focus, with a side plot of sexual assault) and are so thought provoking. And the characters feel so real.

The story focuses on Lily and Safa who were childhood friends but have lost touch. Safa suspects Lily is being abused by her husband but then Lily is arrested when a body is found in her house. I really enjoyed the story and kept trying to figure out where it was going and what was going to happen next and I just couldn't!

Safa Saleem was a brilliant main character, her backstory was so sad but I loved her close relationship with her father. I really hope Abdullah's next book picks up where this left off and we see more from Safa Saleem!

I will never hesitate to recommend Kia Abdullah’s books. If you haven't read any yet this one is a great one to start with!

This is the third book I’ve read from Kia Abdullah and I have enjoyed all of them, she writes some brilliant characters and the plot usually covers sensitive topics. Although parts of this book were tough to read, the themes covered are very much reality and makes you wonder what you would do in a situation like this. I found the main character Safa incredibly likeable, she was a strong-minded woman and very relatable. Our main character Lily was definitely a lot less likeable! But I still enjoyed reading from her POV, I was so interested in the way she thought and behaved. My opinions of her changed frequently throughout as I learned more about her.

I really enjoyed the amount of tension that was building throughout the chapters, although there were multiple storylines, each was full of suspense and when a twist came I found myself having to continue reading to find out what happened next. The legal parts were one of my favourites, I loved the court case chapters, I was questioning everyone and everything!

The ending for me tied everything up nicely, the final twist got me! I was not expecting it at all and rushed through the remaining pages because I needed to know how it ended! I liked that the ending was left kind of open, maybe for a sequel? I would absolutely pick up the next book and will be recommending this one along with the other books from this author I have enjoyed!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Publisher (HQ) and Author for this ARC!

It is an important story that is heartbreaking and hard to read yet gripping and brave at the same time.
Kia Abdullah is an absolutely talented author she really knows how to write a hard hitting close to home story and this time we are given an extra storyline running within the main storyline which is just as powerful.I loved Saffa and really felt her pain while she tried to make sure the truth came out yet knew that what she revealed could change the people she loves lives for ever.
From the ending, I'm pleased that we'll be reading more about Saffa in the future, and I, for one, can't wait.
As always, we are left thinking just what you would do to protect and shield the ones you love.
For lovers of a powerful courtroom and hardhitting read.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the Arc

Lily and Safa were best friends growing up but now they have gone their separate ways. Lily is a well known breakfast TV presenter and Safa, a once successful journalist, has suffered a fall from grace and is working at a low level local paper. Then one day Lily appears on the news with a bruise and rumours start to fly. Safa attempts to rekindle their friendship and at the same time get a scoop but Lily insists there is nothing behind the bruise, a mere accident.
Then police are called to Lily's home. A body lies dead at her feet.
Safa starts her own investigation as to what happened to discover the truth.
Meanwhile, Safa works on a separate investigation into the Glassman, who breaks into womens home and assaults them. Women he knows won't speak about the crimes, silenced.

This one was so interesting, with the two separate issues running through them, not to mention Safa and Lily's own lives and backstories. With this author you know nothing is ever as it seems and she always keeps me hooked as I fly through the pages. Another fabulous novel! 4.5*

#WhatHappensInTheDark #NetGalley
Lily and Safa were best friends growing up. Now, Lily is the nation’s favourite breakfast TV presenter and Safa, once a renowned journalist, is reeling from a recent fall from grace. When news breaks about suspicious bruises on Lily’s body, Safa attempts to rekindle their old friendship. But Lily claims the bruises are nothing to worry about. And then one night the police are called to Lily’s home. Lily is strangely calm – and a body lies dead at her feet. Lily pleads not guilty, and then says nothing more. Driven by her desire to give a voice to all victims, Safa begins her own investigation into what happened that night. But Safa is not prepared for what her quest for justice will uncover.
I loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ for giving me an advance copy.

Lily Astor is the darling of daytime tv. She wasn't always this way as her best friend Safa knew a different Lily from school.
They haven't spoken for a few years, but when news breaks that Lily has appeared on tv with bruises, she makes contact. Lily shrugs it off as an accident playing tennis. Safa is not convinced, and as a journalist, she starts looking for a story.
Then the unthinkable happens when police are called to Lily's house and there is a dead body.
Alongside this, Safa is investigating 'glassman' who is targeting elderly, lone Bangladeshi women.
I could not put this down. I read it in two sittings. It's compulsive. gripping, and I needed to know what happened. The courtroom drama is so well written. I kept swaying between guilty and not guilty. I didn't know what to believe.
I was certainly not expecting that ending!
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
The one thing I did find slightly irritating was the author's constant need to tell us the colour of the skin of each character Totally unnecessary.
Thanks to Netgalley and HQ for the ARC in return for an honest review.

There are some wonderful aspects to this book. The central character is well drawn and engaging, the plots and sub plots gripping and the journalist's use of her cultural background to speak to older women in her community is sympathetically depicted and a hugely important story to tell. However inaccuracies in the journalistic procedure caused me to take away one star. I would absolutely read more of this series though.

⭐️ 4.5 ⭐️
Rounded up to 5 stars.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

What Happens in the Dark is another brilliant page-turner from Kia Abdullah.

I was pulled into the story straight away, and it held my interest right to the very end. The characterisation is excellent; the characters are well-rounded and their dialogue is fluid and believable. I particularly liked Safa (and her lovely dad). I did predict early on where the main thread of the story would lead, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment, and the ending has definitely left me wanting more.

It’s an enjoyable, tense, twisty read; I can't wait for the next one!

Kia Abdullah continues to combine gripping thrillers with sharp cultural commentary in this story of a down-on-her-luck journalist investigating the murder of a childhood friend's husband. Some dangling threads make me hope this is the first of a great new series. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I loved this book. From the very first chapter, the writing just pulled me in and didn’t let go. The pacing is effortless — one of those rare reads where you blink and you’re ten chapters deep without even noticing. The flow, the characters, the way the story unfolds — it all just works so well together.

Reading What Happens in the Dark actually gave me that dangerous thought: “Wow, writing seems easy.” That’s how smooth and natural Abdullah’s style feels. But then you remember — no, writing isn’t easy. It only feels that way because Kia Abdullah is that good. There’s a real skill in making a complex, layered story read so seamlessly, and she possesses that talent in spades.

This is the first book I’ve read by Abdullah, even though I already had a few of her others sitting on my “to be read” pile. Safe to say, those books are now heading straight to the top of that list. If What Happens in the Dark is anything to go by, I’m in for a treat.

It’s clever, compelling, and completely absorbing. I can’t recommend it enough. Please — go and buy this book. You won’t regret it.

Oh, wow, just wow. What Happens In The Dark is powerful and thought provoking and I loved it. At its heart, What Happens In The Dark is a legal thriller, with a focus on the domestic issues faced by the two female protagonists but these are not simple or throwaway issues; instead the topics of domestic violence and defense, and the right to privacy come to the fore.
In less experienced hands, this novel could be a difficult read but Kia Abdullah knows her characters and how to develop the storyline in a sensitive manner. And I particularly enjoyed the scenes with Safa's father and Imran. Both heartwarming and relatable.
I'm hoping for a followup with a further investigation of the Glassman storyline.