The Dead and The Dark by Courtney Gould is a riveting supernatural mystery and thriller and there’s also a hearty dose of horror and romantic suspense blended in for good measure.
The Dark has been biding its time and it refuses to remain in the shadows any longer.
Everything is going haywire in Snakebite, Oregon. Teenagers are disappearing without a trace, some have turned up dead, the weather patterns are totally wrong and the whole town is pointing fingers at the well-known Ortiz-Woodley ghost hunting family who have recently returned to Snakebite. Logan Ortiz-Woodley’s parents are the stars of the popular TV show called ParaSpectors. Logan has never visited Snakebite before, but as soon as she and her dads arrive, she knows that something isn’t right about the town and there are a lot of dark secrets lurking in the woods.
Ashley Barton’s entire world has been turned upside down ever since her boyfriend went missing because she feels his presence everywhere she goes. But now that the Ortiz-Woodley family is in Snakebite, his ghost is popping up all over the place and the only person Ashley can share her deepest feelings with is Logan. When Ashley and Logan team up to figure out what is really going on in Snakebite, their haphazard snooping reveals some very disturbing facts about the town, their families and themselves.
Can Ashley and Logan take down the evil force that is roaming through the town before it is too late or will their growing feelings for each other get in the way?
Pros And My Favourite Parts
I can’t believe this creepy and mind-blowing story is actually Courtney Gould’s debut novel! I really felt as though I was transported to Snakebite, Oregon and I was experiencing everything firsthand—hearing the soft and menacing whispers in the dark and feeling the spooky vibrations that had the whole town unsettled. The Dead and The Dark is a chilling and magnificent literary masterpiece because Courtney Gould created a compelling horror story that has a lot of intricate layers and long-held secrets. I also loved how the author used Logan, Ashley and the Dark’s points of view in the story because this created the right amount of tension and build up to the sinister events that were set to take place in Snakebite. By the way, this cover is absolutely gorgeous and I fell in love with it at first glance!
Logan Ortiz-Woodley and Ashley Barton are the sapphic ghost hunting duo I have always wanted to read about! At first, they didn’t want to have anything to do with each other but they eventually warmed up to each other when they teamed up to find out who or what was responsible for the disappearances and murders in the close-knit community and they slowly but surely began to fall in love. I will always have a special place in my heart for Logan and Ashley because they are flawed, lovable and lonely young women who tried their best to find a place for themselves in a world that despised anyone who dared to be different.
Cons And Heads Up
This story contains graphic descriptions of physical assault, kidnapping, murder, child death, claustrophobia, homophobia, drowning and child neglect and these things could be triggers for some readers.
The Conclusion
The Dead and The Dark made my entire year! I devoured this awesome story in one night and I regret nothing. If you’re in the mood to read an epic young adult supernatural horror/thriller that fully explores heart-tugging issues such as grief, loneliness, forgiveness, strained family relationships and the idea that home can be found in a person instead of a place, then this is the perfect story for you!
Excerpt from The Dead and The Dark by Courtney Gould
“Tristan went missing in January. A week after your dad got here.” Ashley cleared her throat. “You have to admit, it’s kinda…”
“I don’t have to admit anything,” Logan said. “Where did people see him last?”
Ashley closed her eyes. “I was the last one who saw him. He was over at my place. And then he disappeared.”
“Oh.” Logan’s eyes widened. “Were you two—”
“Dating. Yeah.”
“Yikes.”
It was the most inappropriate reaction to the disappearance that Ashley had heard so far. And somehow, it was the most refreshing. Logan bundled her arms into her sweater sleeves and crossed her arms. “You’ve been looking for him?”
“Yeah,” Ashley said. “It’s weird, but it’s like I still feel him here. I have these flashes of him, like he’s right next to me. And then last night…”
Logan pressed her fingers to her lips, considering. Warm wind buffeted along the highway, warmer than it should be this early in the morning. Beads of sweat pricked at the back of Ashley’s neck. After a moment, Logan exhaled.
“You want help finding him?”
Ashley paused. “Why would you help me?”
“Because if we find him, he’s not dead. And everyone will know my dads didn’t do anything.”
Ashley nodded. “That makes sense.”
“It doesn’t have to be a whole thing,” Logan said. “Let’s just go to where you saw him last night.”
Ashley’s eyes widened. “Now?”
“Why not?” Logan asked. Her half-smile was unsettlingly amused. “I help you, you help me. And once we find your boyfriend, my dads can finish the show and leave.”
Ashley extended a hand. She wasn’t sure if this was the kind of arrangement where you shook hands, but it felt right. The wind that slipped between them was soft as a whisper.
Logan took her hand and shook.
“Temporary partners,” Logan said.
Ashley smiled. “Sounds good to me.”
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Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 9781250762016
Publisher: Wednesday Books
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