Series: Cara Kennedy #2
Publisher: Berkley Pub.
Release Date: Feb. 13, 2024
Order Link: Amazon
Special thanks to Berkley Publishing for a free copy of this title and Book Tour invitation.
Author Interview in Mystery & Suspense Magazine
Review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine
Detective Cara Kennedy thought she’d lost her husband and son in an accident, but harrowing evidence has emerged that points to murder--and she will stop at nothing to find the truth in this riveting mystery from the author of City Under One Roof.
Review:
VILLAGE IN THE DARK is the stunning, highly visual sequel to Author Iris Yamashita's award-winning debut novel CITY UNDER ONE ROOF. If you missed book one, I highly advise you grab and read it before the release of this sequel although Yamashita does a fantastic job of filling in much needed background information on the characters and events from book one, all of which are critical to the continuing overall series story arc in VILLAGE IN THE DARK. Clear your calendar and throw another log on the fire before cracking the cover on this one because you're sure to get lost in a fantasy-like wonderland of atypical, charismatic characters doing their best to survive.
Anchorage Detective Cara Kennedy remains on leave a year after the mental trauma of losing her husband and son in CITY UNDER ONE ROOF. Additional information has surfaced indicating their deaths may not have been a tragic accident as previously indicated, but rather linked to the disappearance and/or deaths of other area residents. Thus, on a brutally cold February day, Cara stands by and watches with dread as the caskets of her husband and son are lifted from the frozen earth so an autopsy can be performed. The shocking results send her traveling back through the two-and-a-half-mile, highly claustrophobic tunnel to Point Mettier, a community of misfits, oddballs and eccentric recluses as well as those seeking shelter from abusive relationships. A place where all two hundred and five residents live in one high rise, including Officer J.B. Barkowski with whom Cara's exploring a relationship. Still reeling from the autopsy results, Cara's more determined than ever to get to the bottom of her family's disappearance. She's joined in her search by J.B. and Ellie, a peculiar woman who's certain her own son's suspicious death is connected because he's pictured alongside others who've disappeared in a photograph taken from a deceased gang member. As the trio embarks on a treacherous, suicidal mission, they’re joined by another local, Mia. The more they dig, the more it's clear someone will do anything to prevent the truth from surfacing. Attempts on Cara's life escalate, putting her and those around her in danger. They're getting close to uncovering the truth . . . but at what cost?
VILLAGE IN THE DARK is an intense, all-consuming suspense thriller that's narrated by three diverse, charismatic women - Cara, Ellie and Mia. As the story progresses, readers learn how each of these women are connected and what they stand to lose when the truth is finally revealed. A lightning fast-pace is driven by a dark tone of malice as characters and readers are propelled forward through blinding, breathtaking twists and turns. The author’s expert utilization of short, highly detailed, high-octane chapters with changing points of view keeps readers on their toes as they soar through pages permeated with suspense, action and one shocker after another. The author's cast of characters is one of the most diverse, colorful and engaging groups I've ever met. Kudos to Yamashita for highlighting the importance of community and the heavy, heartbreaking theme of domestic violence against women and children, especially Indigenous women, via characters seeking to escape "man's world" to live in a safe haven, a singular community known as Unity.
Author Iris Yamashita has brilliantly crafted a one-of-a-kind, irresistible, highly atmospheric suspense thriller in VILLAGE IN THE DARK. The author's masterly story telling talent is evident as is her artistry and gift for creating diverse, sometimes flamboyant, characters one can't help but love. The action is heart stopping, the characters straight out of a fairy tale and the plot line twisted. I'll be singing the praises of this amazing book and series for some time to come. Highly recommended to fans of CITY UNDER ONE ROOF, obviously, but also to fans of unique, artfully crafted suspense thrillers.
Iris is the Academy Award-nominated screenwriter for the script "Letters From Iwo Jima" directed by Clint Eastwood. The film was nominated for 4 Oscars including “Best Picture” and “Best Original Screenplay.”
City Under One Roof is her debut mystery novel and the first in the Cara Kennedy series, set in a tiny Alaskan town where all the residents lives in a single high-rise building. The book was Crime Fiction Lover's Editor's Choice for Best Debut Crime Novel of the year and was named one of the Best Thrillers of the year by Washington Post as well as one of the Best Crime Fiction of the year by Library Journal and one of the Best Fiction Books of the year by Reader's Digest.
Village in the Dark is her follow up novel to City Under One Roof.
Anchorage Detective Cara Kennedy remains on leave a year after the mental trauma of losing her husband and son in CITY UNDER ONE ROOF. Additional information has surfaced indicating their deaths may not have been a tragic accident as previously indicated, but rather linked to the disappearance and/or deaths of other area residents. Thus, on a brutally cold February day, Cara stands by and watches with dread as the caskets of her husband and son are lifted from the frozen earth so an autopsy can be performed. The shocking results send her traveling back through the two-and-a-half-mile, highly claustrophobic tunnel to Point Mettier, a community of misfits, oddballs and eccentric recluses as well as those seeking shelter from abusive relationships. A place where all two hundred and five residents live in one high rise, including Officer J.B. Barkowski with whom Cara's exploring a relationship. Still reeling from the autopsy results, Cara's more determined than ever to get to the bottom of her family's disappearance. She's joined in her search by J.B. and Ellie, a peculiar woman who's certain her own son's suspicious death is connected because he's pictured alongside others who've disappeared in a photograph taken from a deceased gang member. As the trio embarks on a treacherous, suicidal mission, they’re joined by another local, Mia. The more they dig, the more it's clear someone will do anything to prevent the truth from surfacing. Attempts on Cara's life escalate, putting her and those around her in danger. They're getting close to uncovering the truth . . . but at what cost?
VILLAGE IN THE DARK is an intense, all-consuming suspense thriller that's narrated by three diverse, charismatic women - Cara, Ellie and Mia. As the story progresses, readers learn how each of these women are connected and what they stand to lose when the truth is finally revealed. A lightning fast-pace is driven by a dark tone of malice as characters and readers are propelled forward through blinding, breathtaking twists and turns. The author’s expert utilization of short, highly detailed, high-octane chapters with changing points of view keeps readers on their toes as they soar through pages permeated with suspense, action and one shocker after another. The author's cast of characters is one of the most diverse, colorful and engaging groups I've ever met. Kudos to Yamashita for highlighting the importance of community and the heavy, heartbreaking theme of domestic violence against women and children, especially Indigenous women, via characters seeking to escape "man's world" to live in a safe haven, a singular community known as Unity.
Author Iris Yamashita has brilliantly crafted a one-of-a-kind, irresistible, highly atmospheric suspense thriller in VILLAGE IN THE DARK. The author's masterly story telling talent is evident as is her artistry and gift for creating diverse, sometimes flamboyant, characters one can't help but love. The action is heart stopping, the characters straight out of a fairy tale and the plot line twisted. I'll be singing the praises of this amazing book and series for some time to come. Highly recommended to fans of CITY UNDER ONE ROOF, obviously, but also to fans of unique, artfully crafted suspense thrillers.
Synopsis:
On a frigid February day, Anchorage Detective Cara Kennedy stands by the graves of her husband and son, watching as their caskets are raised from the earth. It feels sacrilegious, but she has no choice. Aaron and Dylan disappeared on a hike a year ago, their bones eventually found and buried. But shocking clues have emerged that foul play was involved, potentially connecting them to a string of other deaths and disappearances.
Somehow tied to the mystery is Mia Upash, who grew up in an isolated village called Unity, a community of women and children in hiding from abusive men. Mia never imagined the trouble she would find herself in when she left home to live in Man’s World. Although she remains haunted by the tragedy of what happened to the man and the boy in the woods, she has her own reasons for keeping quiet.
Aided by police officer Joe Barkowski and other residents of Point Mettier, Cara’s investigation will lead them on a dangerous path that puts their lives and the lives of everyone around them in mortal jeopardy.
Somehow tied to the mystery is Mia Upash, who grew up in an isolated village called Unity, a community of women and children in hiding from abusive men. Mia never imagined the trouble she would find herself in when she left home to live in Man’s World. Although she remains haunted by the tragedy of what happened to the man and the boy in the woods, she has her own reasons for keeping quiet.
Aided by police officer Joe Barkowski and other residents of Point Mettier, Cara’s investigation will lead them on a dangerous path that puts their lives and the lives of everyone around them in mortal jeopardy.
City Under One Roof is her debut mystery novel and the first in the Cara Kennedy series, set in a tiny Alaskan town where all the residents lives in a single high-rise building. The book was Crime Fiction Lover's Editor's Choice for Best Debut Crime Novel of the year and was named one of the Best Thrillers of the year by Washington Post as well as one of the Best Crime Fiction of the year by Library Journal and one of the Best Fiction Books of the year by Reader's Digest.
Village in the Dark is her follow up novel to City Under One Roof.
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