
Member Reviews

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I have loved all of Kia’s books and this one was no exception. I loved the characters and hope for a sequel

TV presenter Lily and journalist Safa were childhood friends. When Lily is arrested for the murder of her husband, Safa is determined to uncover the truth. I loved the believable characters and the London setting. The issues raised were thought-provoking and the twist at the end was chilling. This is a compelling read by a very talented writer.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve really enjoyed Kia Abdullah’s novels and I think this is her best yet.
Safa and Lily were best friends growing up but their relationship now is distant. After working for a national newspaper, Safa is back in East London working for a local paper, spending time with her dad and having an on/ off relationship with a detective. Lily is a presenter on a national morning TV show and from the outside has a ‘perfect’ life with her husband and son. A horrific incident brings the women back into each others lives.
I absolutely loved this and raced through it over the course of 24 hours. Safa is a brilliant and likeable character, driven by her morals and determined to do the right thing. I love how the author portrays Lily as a much less likeable character and this constantly led me to doubt her story. I knew there would be a twist but it was shocking and unexpected. Throughout reading What Happens in the Dark I was hoping that Safa would return as a character and there are definite hints that there will be a sequel.
An excellent read that I’d highly recommend.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
4.5 stars

This is a really thought provoking read about the secrets people keep and how well you really know your friends. Safa is a journalist, her longtime friend Lily is a much loved tv presenter. When reports emerge of bruising on Lily Safa is concerned about her but Lily insists she’s fine yet shortly after Lily is arrested for the murder of her husband. This does a fabulous job of revealing enough about Lily to leave you wondering if she’s manipulated the whole situation and it does portray her as a damaged individual who could well have acted with ulterior motives. Safa herself is a another great character, also damaged from her childhood but she wants to highlight injustice and give a voice to those who wouldn’t always have one. This has a startling twist and Safa is faced with the dilemma of betraying her friend and in doing so promoting her own career. This ends on a very interesting note which definitely hints at a sequel with a very strong and emotive storyline and a definite hint of danger for Safa.

I couldn’t get into this one like her previous books. Lily and Safa were friends growing up that lost touch. Fast forward and they are reconnected over a quote in a newspaper article. Lily then finds herself being charged with her husbands murder. Safa isn’t sure what to believe. The truth is shocking, but overall it was hard for me to get into.

Back in 2020 a chance charity shop find got me reading Kia Abdullah’s debut Take It Back, I loved it, and the sequel Truth Be Told. I loved these character-driven legal thrillers and have been hoping Kia would return to this genre again some day.
What Happens In The Dark is the book I’ve been waiting for.
Safa is a British-Bangladeshi journalist in East London, her career’s had more snakes than ladders. Her once close friend Lily escaped a childhood in poverty to become a popular TV presenter, but with bruises showing through the makeup, Lily’s about to become headline news for all the wrong reasons.
A court case, Safa is convinced of her friend’s innocence while being closest to the story to break the news.
Kia Abdullah creates involved stories covering complex underexposed issues with nuanced, flawed and believable characters. Safa and Lily are real gems. This book keeps on twisting right to the end and I can’t wait for the sequel.
Definitely recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and HQ