The Girls in the Dark

by Avery Bishop

I stare at the security footage, heart pounding in my chest. I know who broke into my home—she has a face just like my own. Twenty years ago, my sister was killed and I survived. So how can she be here now? And what does she want?

For years I have been haunted by memories of the almost five months my twin sister and I were abducted and held in darkness. I see her frightened eyes, staring at me for the last time as I whisper a promise to her, the one I failed to keep. “I’ll come back for you…”

The twentieth anniversary of our abduction brings a swirling sense of dread. And when I find a black rose on the passenger seat of my car, it feels like a warning. Not long after, a figure with a face so like my own breaks into my house. My sister.

I tell myself it can’t be true. Her body was never found and I’m sure she died in that room at the hands of our abductor. But what if I’m wrong and she’s back for revenge?

Because for years I’ve kept a secret about what really happened the night I escaped. And as the threats grow, I start to fear for my life. Now it’s clear someone wants the truth to come to light. But if it does, will it destroy everything?

An addictive and breathtaking thriller, packed with nail-biting tension and a shocking final twist, The Girls in the Dark is perfect for fans of Jessica Knoll, Mary Kubica and John Marrs.

Praise for Avery

“THIS BOOK IS 5 STAR WORTHY. I absolutely loved it. It had me hooked from page one and I could not put it down.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“HOLY MOLY THIS WAS GOOD… Had my jaw dropping several times… I absolutely loved this and honestly wanted MORE!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“This gave me whiplash in just a few pages!!… Perfectly plotted, made my jaw drop when I finally realized what was really going on.” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Wow… Sent shivers down my spine!… From the first page to the last, I was hooked!… Left me speechless… Incredible!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I was completely glued to my Kindle… I flew through the pages and the last quarter had me literally biting my nails (well, the ones I had left).” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“I LOVED this book!!… So many secrets and twists and things I was literally *shook* over… [A] can’t-put-down read!!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“WOW!… Fantastic!… Truly had me up at night… Ten stars for sure! I loved it!” Goodreads reviewer, ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genres: Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Mystery, Audiobook, Psychological Thriller, Suspense, Fiction

404 pages, Paperback

Published April 21, 2026

About the author

Avery Bishop is the bestselling author of Girl Gone Mad, One Year Gone, and Dear Seraphina.

Reviews

[Caz (Underlined) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐️ This is such a dark, twisty, and emotional thriller about twin sisters who are abducted while out walking their dog in the woods. They’re taken and held captive in cages, controlled with shock collars, and treated like slaves—going through horrific trauma that leaves them both mentally scarred.

What really got me was how, even in those awful conditions, they still try to hold onto each other and come up with a plan to escape. But when only one of them makes it out, the story takes an even more gripping turn. You’re constantly questioning what really happened and what’s actually true.

As the story unfolds, more secrets start coming to light and the tension just keeps building. It completely pulled me in, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it. And that ending… I genuinely didn’t see it coming. Such a jaw-dropping twist that changes everything.

If you love dark, emotional thrillers with plenty of suspense and a big twist at the end, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a read.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Oulture. And the author Avery Bishop for the ARC in exchange for my honest review

Publication date 24th April 2026

[Jindi (readingwithcaffeine) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reading/listening experience like no other. I listened to the audiobook (thanks NetGalley) and okay it’s no secret that I would listen to anything narrated by Brittany Pressley anyway - but this was just so, so well done. The last few chapters left me unable to breathe and the build up absolutely paid off! I won’t say much about the plot because I really think it would be best to go in as I did, totally blind.

I sensed the big twist coming and correctly predicted it just seconds before it was revealed and just wow. I was still floored!!!! I finished with tears in my eyes although I really wasn’t expecting to feel so much emotion. These characters felt so real and the author so wonderfully and accurately portrays the relationship between sisters, despite the horrors they’re facing at the hands of their kidnapper.

It’s DARK and disturbing at times, but the use of short chapters & a dual timeline will keep you invested until the very end. A solid fast-paced & gripping thriller - definitely a slump breaker!!!! I would 100% recommend trying the audio, Brittany nails it every time but this has got to be one of her best!

[Janna (Bibliophile Mom) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Girls in the Dark is another story that made it to my 5‑star reads this year. It was painfully heartbreaking, beautifully written, and deeply moving. I’m honestly lost for words because the tropes included are gut‑wrenching, and yet I found myself completely invested. I finished it in less than two days. This is my first novel from the author, and I’ll definitely be reading more!

It was a rollercoaster of feelings with a mix of found family, betrayal, and survival. I’m not sure which of these three hit me the hardest, but I can definitely say the author handled all of them with so much sensitivity. Megan has just survived a tragic event after being abducted with her twin sister at fifteen, and now she’s receiving threats that make her believe her sister could still be alive… and wanting vengeance. Who knows?

What I Enjoyed:
• Powerful tropes that leave a mark
• Fast‑paced
• Deeply emotional

What Didn’t Sit Right:
• A betrayal I didn’t see coming
• A tragic experience that may be too much for some readers
• The Lie was a bit too explosive

Ratings Breakdown:
• Setting: 4⭐️
• Characters: 5⭐️
• Writing: 5⭐️
• Message: 4⭐️
• Overall: 5⭐️

In summary, this is a highly recommended story for all the thriller girlies like me who feel like they’ve read it all. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat and have you screaming after the last chapter. Wow! Huge thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, and author Avery Bishop for my advance copy — my views are my own.

~ JaNnA ~

[Pav S. (pav_sanborn_bookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly a wild ride filled with unexpected twists and heightened emotions. As someone new to this author, I find myself already hooked! Bravo!

Megan is confronted by a figure resembling her long-lost twin sister, who was believed to have been killed twenty years ago during their abduction. As the anniversary of their kidnapping approaches, she receives a black rose that seems to serve as a warning. Despite believing her sister died, the appearance of this doppelgänger leads her to question the truth of her sister's fate. Megan harbors a secret about the events surrounding her escape, and as threats escalate, she fears for her safety, realizing that revealing the truth could have devastating consequences.

The story unfolds both in the present and the past, allowing us to fully understand the events leading up to Megan's escape and her life afterward. We get to know Megan, Zoe, and Seraphina, and we catch intriguing glimpses of Allison, Megan's twin. Each character is gradually developed with every chapter, but it becomes clear that not everything is as it appears. Trust becomes a tricky subject in this narrative, and at times, I found myself suspecting everyone. Yet, all those lies eventually surface at just the right moment!

This fast-paced story is packed with surprises, and while I may have anticipated the ending, I can't quite put my finger on how I did. Though I wasn't entirely shocked, the timing was impeccable, and everything connected seamlessly. The truth is bittersweet, leaving you wishing for a happier resolution, but it ultimately works out in its own way. This story isn’t just about uncovering whether Megan's sister is still alive; there are a few more dead bodies to solve! So, when I say you’re about to help crack two additional murder mysteries, I'm not exaggerating.

I was fortunate enough to receive both the eBook and the audiobook for review. I love having this combo, as I'm often too busy to sit down and read, but multitasking makes it so much easier. The narrator did an excellent job distinguishing the characters and really brought the story to life. I highly recommend experiencing the audiobook alongside the reading. What a complete adventure that was!

This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys thrillers centered around twins. With so many lies, I occasionally struggled to keep everything straight. If you love crime podcasts digging deep into someone's past and revealing questionable details that fit into place, or if you're simply looking to piece together a puzzle that keeps breaking apart, this one’s for you. The dynamics and relationships between these sisters evolve and will resonate with many readers. There’s a moment when one twin strives to be her own person, rather than just the other half. Emotions run high in this story, so I recommend checking for trigger warnings before diving in. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to get rid of my dog's electric collar—ouch!

Thank you, Bookouture Audio and Bookouture, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 star

I finished this in one day. This is my first book by the author and definitely won’t be my last.

Megan and Alison are teenaged twins, one is rebellious and the other the good girl. They take the dog out for a walk in the woods and get abducted by a serial killer and rapist. He is a cruel, sadistic man who starves them and does every unimaginable thing to them that a person like this would do. After 5 months of captivity, Megan manages to escape, Alison has never been found and the killer was never caught. Their horror is revealed through 2 timelines, then and now.

20 years later; Megan is now married to a successful lawyer and they have a daughter. She is now famous after writing a book and making the TV show rounds to tell their story.

There are two other subplots in the midst of all that’s going on, and they all tie back to Megan. I suspected what the twist was early on in the book, so I wasn’t shocked, but there are other things happening and I was totally wrong about those. The book is a page turner. I listened to the audio and Brittany Pressley does a great job narrating as always. Highly recommend if you like fast-paced mystery-thrillers.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ALC in return for my opinion.

[Christina C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d give *The Girls in the Dark* a solid 4 stars. The story follows Megan, who survived a horrific childhood experience where she and her sister were kidnapped and held captive. The narrative moves between past and present, slowly revealing what happened while showing how those events continue to shape Megan’s life.

The dual timeline worked really well and kept me engaged throughout. The past chapters were especially gripping, building tension and emotion as the story unfolded. Megan is a strong and compelling main character, and it was easy to stay invested in her journey.

While the ending felt a bit predictable, the overall execution of the story made up for it. The pacing, atmosphere, and emotional depth were all handled effectively.

I also listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did an amazing job bringing the story to life. Their performance added an extra layer of intensity and made it even more immersive.

Overall, a well-done and engaging thriller that’s definitely worth the read (or listen).

[Sherri Thacker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her and her sister were kidnapped and locked up for 147 days. One sister made it out to tell her story and one did not. This grabbed me from the very first page and didn’t let go until the end. I did not see the twist coming at all and it was shocking! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advance copy. I was up until the wee hours reading it, glued to each page racing to the end!

[CaityKaboooom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This gets 3 stars because I stayed up all night binge reading it. It’s really a 2.5 at best but I will give it credit for being a one sitting, bingeable read. I started it at like 9pm and just plowed right through and finished,

But the twist at the end was terrible. I’m sorry, but it was just not good. And the actual last chapter? I was robbed of a true ending. It was weak. Quite honesty, this book is entirely forgettable.

It has some high points— I enjoyed the way it was written, the dual timelines, the pacing, and the tension that was built. It absolutely gripped me. I needed to know if her sister was alive and taking revenge on her for some reason unbeknownst to us! But the reveal was SO disappointing. A bad trope, with a bad resolution. And then on top of that, a weak last chapter.

This book is full of 4 and 5 ⭐️ ratings and truly, I envy people who had that experience with this because as I read, I had high expectations for the ending.

It was not meant to be. Read this book, maybe don’t read this book… I think you’ll forget about it eventually no matter what you do.

I’m going to spoil the ending for those who need a review to tell them what happens if they decide to DNF it


S
P
O
I
L
E
R
S

A
H
E
A
D

*************
Megan is really Allison. She took Megan’s identity when she escaped. Megan has been dead the whole time. Zoe was embezzling from Beacon’s Light, Ida knew and was prepared to expose her, it’s undetermined if she died by suicide or if Zoe killed her. Zoe did kill Jessica the ghostwriter. The shooter in the parking lot was Stephanie Knowles, encouraged by Jess prior to Jess being killed. Megan’s bones are found and when they are Allison confesses that she is Allison, not Megan. The end.

I’m telling you, it was trope darts. The author put a bunch of trope on a dart board, threw a few, and said “welp, I’ll make a plot out of these!” It’s a plot alright 🥴😩

Side note: we were never given an explanation for the significance of the black rose and the “soon” message, other than Stephanie’s sort of out-of-nowhere rampage. And if Jess knew she was really Allison, why would Stephanie have tried to kill her? I woke up this morning still salty about this book. Maybe I disliked this so much because I really do not like unreliable narrators.

[Sammy's Study · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 🌟

What a great thriller!!! This is a fast paced story, filled with tension and twists, that just keeps you hooked!! I have to say that the ending was absolutely beautiful. Which is a bit odd, I have never said that about a thriller, I think 😅

I reallyyyyyy felt like the chapters written about the captivity about the girls was done with so much research and respect! This left like a true crime documentary, so wel done Avery Bishop! The focus on survivors guilt and trauma were done so nicely.

Britney Pressley did a great job in bringing these characters to live! I do feel like the audiobook really lifted this story to a new level.

I don't really like the cover of the book to be honest. It doesn't do the content justice and I don't understand why they chose that specific red flower? The cover is so generic, but the story definitely is not!

Save to say it will be adding more books by Bishop to my tbr!

Thank you so much Netgalley and Bookouture Audio publishing for this ARC! ❤️💙

[Glory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book completely got me out of my reading slump 😭💜

It’s fast-paced, super addictive, and full of short chapters that made it really hard to stop reading. I kept telling myself “just one more chapter,” and before I knew it, I was fully invested.

What I loved most was how it constantly made me question everything. Just when I thought I understood what was going on, something would shift and keep me guessing.

It does get dark at times, but that adds to the tension and makes the story more impactful.

Overall, I had a really good time with this one, and I’m so glad I picked it up. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys twisty thrillers.

[Chapters_and_Cabernet · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review!
The Girls in the Dark by Avery Bishop.
Release date - 4/24/26

Gripping ✅
Edge of your seat ✅
Atmospheric ✅
Dark ✅
Twisty ✅
Suspense✅

If you’re looking for a book to keep you hooked the whole time, this is it!
15 year old twins Megan and Allison are kidnapped while walking their dog in the woods, and their lives become a nightmare, trapped by their captor for months and held in cages. When they finally get a chance to escape, only Megan makes it out. Twenty years later, Megan has a stalker and security footage shows an intruder at her home. Shockingly, Megan sees her twin sister’s face on the monitor.

The story is packed with tense moments that kept me guessing the entire time. I loved that the FMC had a secret too. It gives it that that “oh snap!” moment in a book that I totally love and adds more intrigue to the premise. In fact, it seemed like everyone had secrets! I thought at times I had figured out the twist and then again I wasn’t so sure…

The dual timelines added extra tension, and I found myself racing through the final chapters.

The descriptions of the scenes were really vivid, especially the scenes while they were held captive. It brought that creepy feeling to life. I’m still going back and forth with the ending, while the ending worked, I did find myself wanting just a little bit more from those final moments! A certain part of it gave me all the feels, I just can’t speak on it even though I want to because I don’t want to give anything away. Definitely a great read!


Thank you @averybishopbooks @netgalley and @bookouture for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Samantha Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy of this book.

Wow, what an emotional roller coaster this book was from start to finish. I kept thinking I had it all figured out, but I’d flip the page and realize I didn’t. If you want and mystery that you won’t solve until the reveal, pick this up asap.

[Lauren Self · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE GIRLS IN THE DARK by @averybishopbooks
📖/ 🎧 ARC/ALC review • out 04.24.26
narrated by: @britpressley
length: 10h 21m / 404 pages
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

thank you @bookouture, bookouture audio, @thrillerbookloversthepulse for my gifted ARC/ALC

🚨 ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR 🚨
his last book (girl gone mad) is one of my favorite thrillers and so I jumped at the chance to read this one early and it absolutely lived up to all expectations 👏 his work is highly underrated and more people need to read them!! guys, they’re so good!

I read the first half on my kindle, then saw an option for audio so I requested that so I could continue the book even when I couldn’t sit and read. And Brittany Pressley 👏👏 she narrates so well and really brings the vibes of a woman desperate to escape her past.

what to expect:
•thriller about twins
•20 years ago she escaped her kidnapper
•her sister wasn’t as lucky
•now she’s being blackmailed
•is it possible her sister is still alive? 👀

[booked.with.julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️
What if the story you survived… wasn’t the truth?

Twenty years after escaping a childhood abduction that took her twin sister, Megan is still living in the shadow of that night. She is still overcome with guilt the guilt of surviving and the events that happened during. Suddenly, she finds a black rose on her car, which feels like a warning. As memories and mysteries come to the surface, she begins to question everything she thought she knew..is her twin sister still alive???

This book had me questioning everything alongside the main character. All of that emotional weight, slow build of tension and revelations kept me hooked from the beginning to end. It’s definitely one of those books that will linger long after you finish it.

[♡Heather✩Brown♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review notes bc I can’t even write .. will update later

The Girls in the Dark

𝖲𝖼𝖺𝗋𝗋𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗇𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋 𝗀𝗈𝖾𝗌 𝖺𝗐𝖺𝗒. 𝖨𝗍 𝗅𝗂𝗇𝗀𝖾𝗋𝗌.
𝖱𝖾𝗆𝗂𝗇𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗒𝗈𝗎 𝗈𝖿 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗒𝗈𝗎'𝗏𝖾 𝖻𝖾𝖾𝗇 𝗍𝗁𝗋𝗈𝗎𝗀𝗁.
𝖮𝖿 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗒𝗈𝗎'𝗏𝖾 𝗄𝖾𝗉𝗍 𝗌𝖾𝖼𝗋𝖾𝗍.
𝖮𝖿 𝖾𝗏𝖾𝗋𝗒𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗒𝗈𝗎'𝗏𝖾 𝗉𝗋𝗈𝗆𝗂𝗌𝖾𝖽 𝗍𝗈 𝗍𝖺𝗄𝖾 𝗍𝗈 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗀𝗋𝖺𝗏𝖾. (78)

𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥. 𝘚𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘶𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘤𝘩. (188)

Megan and her twin sister Allison were kidnapped and held hostage as teens, but only one sister made it out alive. Megan sparks public interest with her story, but is it the true story? What is Megan hiding and could her sister really be alive?

It was an ordinary day for the sisters, until it wasn’t. Their lives forever altered in a single few minutes. Blissful to misery in a snap of the fingers.

Classic Avery Bishop, this book was lit af and such a fun and dark read. The story alternates between the now and back when the girls were kidnapped and is full of suspense, horror, and more.

Bishop’s writing is off the charts - why there’s been no adaptions, more eyes, blows my mind.

It’s been 20 years and while half the world thinks JLW - the kidnapper - is long dead, Megan has her doubts and now someone is leaving her mysterious gifts.

This book did not disappoint. One major plot line after the other. Gripping and unputdownable, you’ll binge this one. AHHH SO GOOD!

He kidnapped twins - 3 sets before them.

Working on a documentary - focus on the victims and not the killer/s.

How you have to be this perfect victim

Born 7 mins apart - Megan takes the role of the big sister. Would their personalities have been different had they had each other’s name. Does a name make you part of who you are?

Thought-provoking !


Mem
Farting during test lol - making your sibling laugh in bad situations right on par for me

Some will find it predictable but it’s not about the twists - this book was so fking good.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

Going into The Girls in the Dark, it had been over four years since I last read one of Avery Bishop’s books, so I was curious to see how this one would compare to her earlier work. The books I’ve read by her in the past were solid reads for me, and this one reminded me why I’ve enjoyed her writing.

The story moves between before and present timelines, gradually revealing what happened during the sisters’ terrifying abduction years earlier. I liked how those timelines worked together to slowly uncover the truth. Bishop does a great job sprinkling in intriguing and unsettling details along the way, and the overall plot kept me curious about where things were headed.

Having previously read Girl Gone Mad and One Year Gone, I noticed some familiar elements in The Girls in the Dark. Like those earlier books, Bishop leans into secrets from the past and gradually reveals the truth through shifting timelines. Girl Gone Mad focused more on the fallout of childhood friendships and buried guilt, while One Year Gone centered on the emotional search for a missing daughter. In comparison, The Girls in the Dark felt a bit darker and more suspense-driven, with the twin abduction storyline adding an extra layer of mystery and tension.

That said, the pacing felt a little uneven at times, and there were moments where the story slowed down more than I expected. Even so, the mystery itself was compelling enough that I stayed invested and wanted to see how everything would ultimately unfold.

Overall, this ended up being an engaging psychological thriller with an intriguing mystery at its core. I enjoyed seeing how everything came together and would happily pick up another book by Bishop down the road.

A big thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book! It follows twin sisters who are abducted, with only one making it out, and what follows is a dark survival story with trauma, secrets and the past catching up in unsettling ways.

I really liked that the plot felt different from some of my recent reads, and I especially enjoyed watching the sisters’ relationship unfold over the course of the story. That dynamic added depth for me and made the emotional side of the book land well.

The varied storytelling also worked for me. It gave the story a unique feel, kept me on my toes, and made me want to see how all the pieces would come together. There were a few twists along the way. One felt a little semi predictable but others definitely surprised me.

This book does deal with heavier subject matter, so I would recommend checking trigger warnings beforehand.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC

[Tabatha Ryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank You so much Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC !!!
Wow what a captivating page turner !!! This book had me hooked from the start and I couldn’t put it down.
Twin sisters Allison and Megan were abducted while out walking their dog.
One gets free but her past won’t stop following her. She wants to know what happened to her twin. Is she still alive ??? Who is stalking her ??? Is it her twin ??? What secret(s) is she keeping ???
The twist still got me while I questioned it most of the book.

[Melissa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan and Alison were abducted 20 years ago and Megan survived to tell their story. Haunted by memories, she now believes she’s seeing her sister everywhere, but how can that be?

This story is told in the before and after and the story is quite compelling as we don’t know how Megan escaped or what exactly happened in regards to her sister. This was definitely a fast read that had me on the edge of my seat! The twist at the end quite literally floored me which is hard to do. I did NOT see that coming at all! Well done!

[FictionalFlings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book totally blind except for seeing that Brittany Pressley was the narrator, and I’m so glad I did. What really grabbed me wasn’t just the suspense, but the relationship between Megan and Allison — their sister bond felt so real and messy and loyal that I couldn’t stop listening. The way grief, guilt, and love are all tangled together in their story hit me hard, and there were a few moments that made me want to just sit in my car and process before going inside. Brittany’s narration pulled every bit of emotion out of the writing; she gave each character such a distinct voice that I forgot I was listening to a performance and not real people. This is one of those audiobooks that lingers after it’s over, and I’m still thinking about these sisters and everything they went through.

[Yasaman Sabersheikh · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Girls in the Dark had a premise I wanted to love: twin sisters abducted as children, only one survives, and years later the past may not be buried after all. That setup had so much potential for a tense, emotional thriller.

For me, though, it was too long for the story it told. The twin angle was interesting, but the twist felt very basic and didn’t deliver the shock or depth I was hoping for. I kept waiting for a bigger payoff that never really came.

Not terrible, just underwhelming. A strong idea that needed sharper execution.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Where do I begin with this one??
This was rough…

Twin girls… Maggie and Alyson. 15 years old. Beauty pageants when they were younger. Whole lives ahead of them. Lots to look forward to… and then one day, they have a fight… but, it is what it is… Teenage hormones…siblings… it’ll be ok… they go out to walk their dog… and, they are abducted, basically right in their own backyard.

And… the guy is a real creep. Caged like dogs. Collars and leashes… barely any food or water to speak of… stripped away of every single shred of morality or decency… and then abused even more…
Horrific circumstances. Unbelievable conditions. Totally inhumane…

But then… one of them escapes. Promises to come back for the other…

But, she’s never found.

Maggie holds out hope that she’s somewhere alive…

But years go by…. With no sign of Alyson…

Maggie gets married. Has a baby. Writes a book about her experience… and goes around signing books and giving talks/lectures…. But Alyson is never found. And the guy who abducted them disappears too.

And then one night, after a book signing, she finds a black rose in her car…with a note…

And it gets creepier from there….
and then her daughter tries to run away from school with a woman… who she says is her Mommy!?!

Lots of creep factor for me! Lots of suspense. Lots of gruesome scenes…
Told in a dual timeline from when the girls were 15-16… to now, 20 years later.

Five sad, heart-breaking, cruel stars for me. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️😮😮😮😮😮

#TheGirlsInTheDark by @AveryBishop and narrated phenomenally by @BrittanyPressley!

**** This one has not been released yet! Look 👀 for it in a few days on 4/24/26!! ****

Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @BookoutureAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

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And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷

[Roelia (Roelia Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girls in the Dark is a tense and emotionally charged thriller that hooked me from the opening chapter. The story follows Megan Hadley, the only survivor of a serial killer who abducted twin girls twenty years earlier. Megan escaped. Her sister Allison did not. She has spent her adult life writing and speaking about her survival, trying to build something steady out of the wreckage. On the anniversary of the abduction, someone asks her a question that only Allison could have known, and a black rose left on her car suggests that the past is not finished with her.

The novel moves between Megan’s present day fear and the months of captivity she and Allison endured. Both timelines are strong and equally absorbing. The past is disturbing but handled with care, while the present keeps tightening around Megan as she tries to understand who is stalking her and why. I appreciated how the book explores guilt and memory without turning Megan into a trope. She is flawed, frightened and determined, and that complexity gives the story real weight.

The final twist lands well and reframes the story in a satisfying way. Dark, gripping and surprisingly moving, this is a thriller that stays with you.

The narrator, Brittany Pressley brings real emotional weight to the story and makes the tension hit even harder.

Happy Publication Day Avery Bishop! #TheGirlsInTheDark

With thanks to #NetGalley and #BookoutureAudio

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a feeling I’m going to be the outlier on this one.

As an audiobook experience, this absolutely worked for me—but as a whole story, I didn’t connect in the same way so many others seem to have. The emotional depth that really resonated with other readers is actually what pulled me out of the story. I’ve realized that blending heavy emotional storytelling with a thriller just doesn’t quite land for me. It’s very much a me thing and why this still sits at a solid 4 stars.

The emotional rollercoaster, instead of heightening the tension, ended up disrupting it for me. But the audiobook? That’s where this really shines.

Brittany Pressley’s narration was the saving grace. She brought the story to life in a way that kept me engaged even when my attention started to drift. Her performance added that extra layer of tension and emotion that helped smooth over some of the disconnect I felt with the story itself.

And when it comes to the plot—the twists and turns were genuinely fun to piece together. Add in the atmospheric, slightly creepy vibes, and it definitely delivers that edge-of-your-seat feeling at times.

Even if the emotional elements didn’t fully land for me, this was still an engaging and entertaining listen—especially in audio format.

I am thankful to have received a complimentary ALC from Bookouture Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Avery Bishop for the advanced audiobook copy of The Girls in the Dark, narrated by Brittany Pressley.

The Girls in the Dark is a twisty psychological thriller that follows a woman forced to confront the trauma of her past as secrets resurface through flashbacks and present-day danger, blurring the lines between memory, truth, and survival.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The story was twisty and maintained suspense throughout from beginning to end. As we follow the main character through both her past and present experiences, you develop a real connection with her; you want to understand more, to know what happened, and to see where everything is leading. You feel sadness for her past, anxiety for her present, and suspense for what may come next.

Brittany Pressley adds significantly to the audiobook experience with her vocal inflection and emotional delivery. The depth she brings to the narration enhances the tension and keeps the listener fully immersed in the rollercoaster that Avery Bishop created.

I truly did not want to put this one down. And did I figure it out? Yes… no… yes… and no! If you’re looking for a twisty thriller that is genuinely suspenseful and keeps you guessing, I highly recommend The Girls in the Dark.

[Claire - TheBookendReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is dark.

Twin sisters are abducted while walking their dog in the woods. What followsnis harrowing - cages, shock collars, complete control. The trauma they endure is brutal, but what stayed with me is how fiercely they cling to each other, planning their escape even in the worst conditions.

When only one sister makes it out, the story shifts into something even more gripping. Twenty years later, Megan is confronted by a figure who looks exactly like her twin - the sister she believed died during their escape. A black rose arrives as the anniversary approaches, and suddenly, everything she thought she knew starts to unravel.

Told through past and present tense, the story gradually reveals what really happened - and who's telling the truth. At times, I suspected everyone. Trust becomes impossible, and the lies surface at exactly the right moments.

The pacing is relentless, and while I sense where the ending might land, the timing was perfect Everything clicked into place The truth is bittersweet - not the resolution you hope for, but one that makes sense.

If you love dark, emotional thrillers packed with suspense and a twist that changes everything, this one delivers.

[Siarra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fact that this book was about 2 sisters who got kidnapped is what drew me in. The fact that one sister got away and we don’t know if the other sister did for sure is what made me stay. Megan is the twin who escaped, she is trying to live a normal life as an author, mother, and wife when she starts being visited by someone who knows her and her secrets from the past very well. A Black rose is left in her car and home, this causes Megan to start spiraling because she believes her sister may still be alive and is coming back to reveal the truth of what happened the day Megan escaped. This story is told from the past and present pov, it explores more of how the girls got captured and their relationship dynamics at the time.

The sisters go through a lot while in captivity, they live in cages and are forced to wear shock collars around their neck. They also start to grow closer during this traumatic experience and plot how they are going to get away. This story was so heartbreaking and shocking at times, the twist had me shook! I thought about the possible twist before finding out, but to see how it played out in the story was crazy! I overall really enjoyed this book and I don’t think I will forget about it anytime soon.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was definitely feeling some FOMO after seeing all the rave reviews for this one, so I picked up the audio—and I’m happy to say it absolutely lives up to the hype. I’m always drawn to a good serial killer thriller, and this one strikes the perfect balance: it’s disturbing without going over the top. Megan and Allison are very well developed, each with a distinct personality despite being identical twins.

The story moves seamlessly between past and present, gradually revealing the trauma the girls endured during their captivity. Those past timelines were especially gripping, largely because we know from the start that Megan is hiding something—we just don’t know what. That tension really drives the story forward. The present-day narrative is just as compelling, with a string of mysterious deaths in Megan’s adult life that kept me guessing the entire time.

My only (minor) complaint is that I was easily able to see the big twist coming. It’s a curveball that’s been used before in twin-centered thrillers, and it didn’t feel entirely necessary here. That said, it didn’t take away much from my overall enjoyment.

If you’re short on time, I highly recommend the audio version. It’s the kind of story you’ll want to binge, and Brittany Pressley absolutely nails the narration, as always.

This is a review of the audiobook.

[Nurse Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to The Girls In The Dark audiobook in just over one day, not wanting to turn it off. It was such a refreshing take on psychological thrillers because I didn’t spend the entire time trying to pick apart characters to anticipate the twist.

The horrific story of twin teenage girls, kidnapped by a psychopath, locked in cages, and desperate to return home. The story is told from the perspective of one of the twin survivors, both in current and “while captive” timelines. It was super easy to navigate between the two timelines, though there was a lot going on in the current time line that felt overwhelming at times. The story elicited a lot of emotions during the time spent in captivity, a palpable hopelessness. The twist at the end wasn’t necessarily predictable and the author was successful with creating a sleight of hand distraction for the reader.

Overall, an easy listen with a great voice narrator. The story was great at keeping the reader’s attention and creating a “one more chapter” sense of suspense! Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for this ALC!

[becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an audiobook recording of The Girls In The Dark from NetGalley! And to say I am obsessed with this book is an understatement.

This story follows identical twin girls who one day got abducted, but only one survives…or so we think?!?

This thriller is so addictive and breathtaking. I couldn’t stop listening and needing to know what was happening or what would happen next. I was at the edge of my seat as we follow along this mystery with our fmc Megan and figuring out what really went down from the moment her and her twin Alice were abducted, and the moment she escaped. The twist at the end had me so floored that I had to pause the audio and throw my headphones onto my bed.

I was hooked from chapter one and I cannot recommend this book enough to everyone in need of a great mystery and thriller. I will 100% be purchasing a physical copy once it officially releases. Beautifully written. Defiantly being added to my top favorite mystery thrillers.