Item: Dark Circles
Rating: 3.50
Author: quirkycat

by Caite Dolan-Leach

An embattled actress becomes entangled in a dark conspiracy at a spiritual retreat—and starts a true crime podcast to try to break the case—in this chilling novel about fame, violence, and our morbid fascination with murder, from the acclaimed author of Dead Letters.

“Dolan-Leach writes like Paula Hawkins by way of Curtis Sittenfeld.”—Amy Gentry, author of Good as Gone

Olivia Reed needs a break. She doesn’t want to think about her name plastered on tabloids or be reminded of her recent meltdown on a Manhattan street. Her micromanaging publicist has just the thing in mind: a remote retreat in upstate New York—the House of Light. It’s not rehab; it’s a Spiritual Center, a site for seeking realignment and personal growth. There will be yoga and morning meditation, soft bamboo-blend fabrics and no shortage of crystals to cleanse her energy.

But Liv will soon find that the House of Light is filled with darkness. A prickly local, Ava, informs her that something twisted is lurking behind the Light’s veneer. There have been a series of mysterious suicides committed by women caught in the Light’s web, and no matter who Ava talks to, no one believes the Center is involved. To find out what’s really happened and put her celebrity to good use, Liv starts a podcast, seeking to connect the dots and expose the Light’s true intentions. Because beneath the glowing skin of the Light’s inhabitants lie rotten souls, and Liv starts to wonder if anything—even her own life—is how it appears.

Caite Dolan-Leach brings her tantalizing voice, her gift for atmosphere, and a cast of delightfully devious and absorbing characters to this riveting novel of suspense.

I'm noticing a trend here – I can't resist thriller novels when they promise a person taking the law into their own hands via starting a podcast. I don't know why, but this is my weakness. Enter the latest thriller to trap me with this trope: Dark Circles by Caite Dolan-Leach.

Olivia Reed is used to having her name in all the tabloids – and she hates it. So she heads off to a spiritual center to get a bit of a break from the world. Only...this center isn't what she was promised. Not at all.

There's something wrong with this place. But nobody will believe Liv. She keeps trying to get others to listen, but the more she fails, the more she questions her perception.

Dark Circles has a little bit of everything – drama, thrills, cults, a murder mystery, and even somebody stuck in the limelight. It's a lot, but the balance of all these elements was pretty well done.

I loved parts about this book and parts that could have been tighter. I was pleasantly surprised by the humor that made its way into the story (courtesy of Liv's personality/commentary). That went a long way in making me like Liv's character, though it did admittedly take a little bit of time.

There were times when the mystery part of the plot sort of just dragged on? I won't say that it dipped to a slow pace, but it wasn't the speed I wanted; that much is true. Still, it didn't stop me from reading to the end, which I appreciate!

Overall I'd have to say that this was another successful podcast/crime/stubborn character read for me. I'd recommend Dark Circles to any others that have such a specific preference for reading.

Thanks to Ballantine Books and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Read more reviews over at Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

Dark Circles

by Caite Dolan-Leach

Reviewed by Quirky Cat on May 4, 2022

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