In the Beautiful Dark is an intriguing whodunit that spans a lifetime. The characters are engaging, and the retirement community setting adds a unique charm. While the pacing occasionally slows, it’s still a solid and enjoyable read overall.

Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the chance to listen to this book in exchange for my honest review. 3.25

This story about grief was amazing. It can hold you hostage without you even realizing it. Birdie never forgets Allison. She keeps living, raising their son, and starting a business, but Allison is always there. I really liked the retirement community. Birdie is in a new phase of life and finding a new community for herself. I thought they were going to be senior crime detectives, but it was more about Birdie moving forward while still being in the past. It’s not as murder mystery as I expected. There was also the ghostly presence that was a fun element that took me by surprise.