The night I escaped from our abductor was the last time I saw my sister. I’ve never forgiven myself for the fact that I made it out and she didn’t. By the time the police found where we were held, there was no sign of her. Or the man that took us.
I’ve spent decades trying to forget that I couldn’t save my own sister. But on the anniversary of our abduction, I find a black rose on my car. There’s no one in the parking lot, but I know it’s a warning. My stomach churns to think it could be from the monster who held us captive all those years ago, wanting to take back what he believes is his.
But as I stare at it, I wonder if someone else may have left it: my sister. I always thought she died in that room, but what if she escaped? And if it’s her, and the truth of what happened the night I got out comes to light, will it destroy everything?
If you haven’t read Avery Bishop before (like me), this is a great one to start with. It’s more intricate and has more emotional depth than a straightforward “popcorn thriller,” but it’s still so easy to follow, making it the perfect binge read. The story combines familiar and unique tropes—missing twins, fractured memory, captivity survival, unreliable narrator, dual timelines, and buried secrets resurfacing—in a way that feels fresh and seamlessly woven into the story rather than feeling forced. And for all you audio lovers, Brittany Pressley does a flawless job narrating and elevates the story to a whole new level—so be sure to grab a copy of the audiobook to pair with the book or listen to it solo!
The dual timeline structure really works well here. The present-day storyline is told in Megan’s 1st person, which immediately immerses readers into her unreliable narration and all the mental gymnastics she uses to keep her secrets at bay. In contrast, the past captivity timeline is told in 3rd person, which is really effective—readers get to observe both twins’ choices/experiences from an objective perspective, and it’s really clear how their different personalities shaped the way events unfold. Their dynamic is both heartfelt and heartbreaking—they had already grown somewhat apart before their abduction, but being forced into survival mode makes them dependent on each other and ultimately deepens their bond as they try to survive. The captivity scenes are extremely disturbing and emotionally intense—sensitive readers should proceed with caution.
The antagonist is written in a way that makes him SO despicable and controlling, and his downfall can’t come soon enough! Add in a supporting cast of suspicious characters—Megan’s friend Zoe, who’s been linked to her since her escape, her husband Kyle, a manipulative ghostwriter, and a mysterious woman leaving cryptic messages—that all keep you second-guessing until the end. From the start you’re aware that Megan is keeping secrets about what happened when she escaped and how her sister was left behind—but you’ll need to be patient, as it’s a slow unraveling of truths that all come crashing together in the final act.
Another strength is the pacing and steady momentum. The short, punchy chapters make it easy to keep flipping pages, and what’s even more satisfying is that this book doesn’t have repetitive inner monologues—something so common in thrillers. If you’re paying close attention, you can definitely predict some of the twists. However, the final major reveal feels like it comes of left field and borders on not making logical sense, as opposed to simply requiring suspension of disbelief—so it may stop you from rating this a five-star read. Having said that, it doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyment, and you’ll still want to discuss the ending with others!
If you enjoy captivity thrillers, dual timelines, truly despicable villains, suspicious characters, and a slow unraveling of secrets, be sure to add this one to your list!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of The Girls in the Dark is narrated by award-winning narrator Brittany Pressley, who’s renowned for her work in thrillers with complex female leads like this one.
Pressley voices protagonist Megan with a tight, controlled tone that sounds like someone who’s always thinking five steps ahead while barely holding it together. In Megan’s inner monologue, Pressley emphasizes her as an unreliable narrator with an added layer of uncertainty and tension, to the point that the character comes across as mistrustful and even unlikable at times.
In the captivity timeline, Pressley shifts her tone perfectly to give younger Megan and Alison distinct, convincing voices that make their differences really evident. Alison is given a calmer, more calculating voice, while Megan sounds anxious and reactive—a contrast that makes their dynamic believable. Their dialogue also hits emotionally—heartbreaking scenes are delivered with authentic emotion, and listeners will be gripped as the girls try to cope, problem-solve, and stay alive!
Pressley gives secondary characters distinct voices and does a great job of making almost everyone feel slightly “off,” keeping you second-guessing who to trust. She moves between timelines smoothly, making it easy to follow along while staying fully immersed. By the end, she shifts her performance of Megan to reflect her emotional arc as she comes to terms with everything she’s been avoiding. The final chapter is executed especially well and will leave listeners both speechless and satisfied—the true sign of a standout performance!
Narrator Performance
The audiobook of The Girls in the Dark is narrated by award-winning narrator Brittany Pressley, who’s renowned for her work in thrillers with complex female leads like this one.
Pressley voices protagonist Megan with a tight, controlled tone that sounds like someone who’s always thinking five steps ahead while barely holding it together. In Megan’s inner monologue, Pressley emphasizes her as an unreliable narrator with an added layer of uncertainty and tension, to the point that the character comes across as mistrustful and even unlikable at times.
In the captivity timeline, Pressley shifts her tone perfectly to give younger Megan and Alison distinct, convincing voices that make their differences really evident. Alison is given a calmer, more calculating voice, while Megan sounds anxious and reactive—a contrast that makes their dynamic believable. Their dialogue also hits emotionally—heartbreaking scenes are delivered with authentic emotion, and listeners will be gripped as the girls try to cope, problem-solve, and stay alive!
Pressley gives secondary characters distinct voices and does a great job of making almost everyone feel slightly “off,” keeping you second-guessing who to trust. She moves between timelines smoothly, making it easy to follow along while staying fully immersed. By the end, she shifts her performance of Megan to reflect her emotional arc as she comes to terms with everything she’s been avoiding. The final chapter is executed especially well and will leave listeners both speechless and satisfied—the true sign of a standout performance!
The audiobook of The Girls in the Dark is narrated by award-winning narrator Brittany Pressley, who’s renowned for her work in thrillers with complex female leads like this one.
Pressley voices protagonist Megan with a tight, controlled tone that sounds like someone who’s always thinking five steps ahead while barely holding it together. In Megan’s inner monologue, Pressley emphasizes her as an unreliable narrator with an added layer of uncertainty and tension, to the point that the character comes across as mistrustful and even unlikable at times.
In the captivity timeline, Pressley shifts her tone perfectly to give younger Megan and Alison distinct, convincing voices that make their differences really evident. Alison is given a calmer, more calculating voice, while Megan sounds anxious and reactive—a contrast that makes their dynamic believable. Their dialogue also hits emotionally—heartbreaking scenes are delivered with authentic emotion, and listeners will be gripped as the girls try to cope, problem-solve, and stay alive!
Pressley gives secondary characters distinct voices and does a great job of making almost everyone feel slightly “off,” keeping you second-guessing who to trust. She moves between timelines smoothly, making it easy to follow along while staying fully immersed. By the end, she shifts her performance of Megan to reflect her emotional arc as she comes to terms with everything she’s been avoiding. The final chapter is executed especially well and will leave listeners both speechless and satisfied—the true sign of a standout performance!
