Book review: Alone in the Dark by Joanne Ryan
Control, lies, and finding inner strength
CCB rating: 4/5
Genres: Psychological thriller, domestic suspense
Alone in the Dark by Joanne Ryan is an intense psychological thriller that portrays the harm inflicted by men's manipulation and emphasises the importance of trusting one's instincts in the pursuit of truth.
Here are my thoughts.
Let’s drop the synopsis:
She witnessed a murder… but nobody’s dead. It was a quiet night, like any other, when Abi went for her usual night-time run. It was her escape from all the stresses of life, the thing she did to become stronger than the man who’d once hurt her so badly.
But then – as she turns a quiet corner – she sees a car hitting somebody. Rushing forward, as the driver screeches off into the night, she realises the man in the road has already died.
After rushing to call for help, Abi returns to find a police officer already waiting. But there’s no body. No one is there. Abi knows what she saw, but everyone else thinks she’s lost her mind - everyone except the one person who wants her to stay silent forever.
CCB thoughts:
Joanne Ryan’s Alone in the Dark is a taut psychological thriller that immerses readers in a world of suspense, paranoia, and toxicity. We follow Abi, our flawed, down-and-out protagonist, as she navigates a past trauma that many women, unfortunately, can relate to today. What sets this book apart is how it handles such traumas. It offers a sensitive blend of psychological tension and social commentary, making the novel a compelling read for those interested in the exploration of toxic masculinity and female inner strength.
Abi's nightly runs serve as her sanctuary, a way to reclaim her strength after devastating events that derailed her life, career, and relationships. However, her fragile stability is shattered when she unwittingly witnesses a hit-and-run. As the car speeds away into the night, Abi rushes to the victim's aid, only to find the man already dead. The urgency and desperation in Abi's actions immediately hook the reader, pumping adrenaline into the novel’s first pages and setting the stage for a gripping narrative that poses more questions than answers - a common red thread you will come to recognise woven throughout the book.
Without her mobile phone handy (a small but pivotal detail), Abi is forced to find a (functioning!) phone box to call emergency services. When she returns, the scene is disturbingly altered: the body has vanished, and a lone police officer is present. Abi tells him what she saw, but he, frustratingly, only questions her credibility. Here, Ryan starts to construct a sense of confusion and disbelief, mirroring Abi’s growing paranoia, curating a deliciously unreliable narrator, leaving the reader unsure of who to trust. The body’s disappearance is a brilliant plot device, injecting a deep sense of unease as Abi questions her own sanity and struggles to prove what she saw. She doesn’t trust her gut or her instincts, amplified by the frustrating scepticism and doubt projected onto her from those around her.
Abi is remarkably relatable. Her introspective and self-critical narrative, often plagued by self-doubt and self-deprecation, mirrors the harsh self-talk that often accompanies feelings of inadequacy. She calls herself “stupid” and is convinced she “ruined her life.” She evidently feels painfully incapable when, in truth, she is a young woman processing trauma in the best way she can. It's gut-wrenching and horribly realistic.
Abi's backstory intensifies her isolation. Ryan unpicks Abi's past with precision, revealing a woman scarred but surviving. Themes of gaslighting, coercive control, deciet, and defamation are carefully explored, exposing the brutal impact of toxic masculinity and the treatment of women. The majority of male characters (with the exception of her supportive father) - from figures of authority to Abi's closest friends and intimate partners - are portrayed as dismissive or outright dangerous, underscoring the pervasive nature of these issues.
Abi's struggle to convince others of what she saw speaks to a broader commentary on society’s tendency to ignore or disbelieve those deemed unreliable. Ryan builds empathy for Abi while criticising the marginalisation of individuals based on their past traumas or perceived instability. This societal commentary is integral to understanding Abi's motivations, making her a protagonist you can't help but root for.
As the story unfolds, we do move onto more positive ground - Abi undergoes significant, fist-pumping personal growth. It’s quite remarkable to watch. She transitions from self-criticism to resilience and determination, reclaiming her lost inner strength in her pursuit of the truth. Like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon, Abi sheds her self-deprecation tendency, revealing a newfound resilience and courage that instils hope.
While the book is compelling, it would be amiss not to mention that seasoned thriller readers might find some plot aspects predictable, as certain events follow familiar tropes. I did find myself preempting a number of the twists. However, this is a minor gripe in an overall well-grounded story that maintains an energising and non-formulaic structure, keeping readers on their toes.
Alone in the Dark is an addictive, page-turning read and one you’ll rattle through. Ryan’s pacing is solid, with each chapter escalating the tension until its inevitable conclusion. Her ability to blend domestic suspense with social commentary ensures that the novel resonates on multiple levels, generously allowing us to connect deeply with Abi and her journey.
For those who enjoy exploring the darker aspects of human nature and societal issues, Alone in the Dark offers much to appreciate, complemented by a fast-paced narrative that keeps you riveted until the end.
Recommended for fans of:
Fans of Frieda McFadden. B. A. Paris, C. L. Taylor, and Paula Hawkins
TV shows such as Angela Black and The Sinner
A fast-paced book you can finish in a day
Content warnings:
Domestic abuse, cohesive control, violence.
Buy the book:
You can purchase Alone in the Dark here and at your local bookstore.
Publisher: Boldwood Books | Page count: 275
Discover what others thought:
Thank you to Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me on this book tour and Boldwood Books for allowing me access to the book via NetGallery in exchange for an honest review.
About the author:
Joanne Ryan is the author of several well-reviewed psychological thrillers. After realising she loved writing thrillers, Joanne left her office job and has been writing full-time ever since.
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As always, happy reading!
Until next time,
Sian | Criminally Creepy Books