Publishers Weekly
01/14/2019
In British author Savage’s deliciously creepy first novel, Patrick and his wife, Sarah, who’s depressed after her mother’s death, move with their two teenage children, Mia and Joe, from Cardiff to Patrick’s childhood home on the South Wales coast. They’re disturbed to learn that the once magnificent Victorian house has been empty for 15 years following the brutal murder of a family. When relics from the past inexplicably start to appear in the house, Sarah’s unease grows. Are the strange happenings related to the release of Ian Hooper, the murderer? Or could Tom Evans, the sole survivor of the attack, be responsible? As Patrick becomes obsessed with the house and the crimes committed there, Sarah struggles to protect Mia and Joe. Only a new friend, Anna, and her renewed interest in painting make life bearable. With her sanity and life threatened, Sarah must discover the source of the evil closing in on her family before they become the next victims of what the press has dubbed the Murder House. Savage carefully sustains the growing tension to the final twist. Psychological thriller fans will be rewarded. Agent: Juliet Mushens, Caskie Mushens (U.K.). (Mar.)
From the Publisher
A Cosmopolitan "15 Thriller Books That Will Pretty Much Guarantee You Never Get Another Good Night's Sleep" Pick
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A Bookriot Best Psychological Thrillers to Add to Your TBR in 2019
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"One of the best psychological thrillers of 2019"—Bookriot
"I'm weirdly drawn to murder house stories—who isn't?—and this one takes the cake. Vanessa Savage's novel about family dysfunction is the quintessential psychological thriller, the story of a husband who moves his family into his childhood home...that also happens to be the site of a family massacre (casual). Based off that alone I was expecting the plot to be a typical whodunnit, but it's so much more: The story tackles elements of mental health and domestic abuse in a provocative way, while adding just the right dose of horror."—MarieClaire.com "Must Read Books for the Beach"
"When a psychological thriller begins with a family moving into a home known as 'the Murder House,' you know it's going to be good. The Woman in the Dark will have you hooked from page one."—Hello Giggles, Best New Books of the Week
"Savage carefully sustains the growing tension to the final twist. Psychological thriller fans will be rewarded."—Publishers Weekly
"Claustrophobic and compelling."—Good Housekeeping
"I LOVED The Woman in the Dark by Vanessa Savage. Unputdownable thriller that I devoured in a couple of sittings. One to look forward to."—Laura Marshall, author of Friend Request
"I read this brilliantly creepy thriller in one weekend because I couldn't put it down! So scary, pacy, and compelling with a very clever twist. One I'm still thinking about now."—Claire Douglas, author of Do Not Disturb
"Creepy, atmospheric, and with a tangible sense of growing unease which powers a compelling story and keeps you turning the pages. Vanessa Savage is a name to watch and I can't wait to see what she writes next!"—Amanda Jennings, author of The Cliff House
"Atmospheric, creepy...Combines the intrigue of thrillers like The Wife Between Us and Behind Closed Doors, coupled with the delicious terror of a haunted house story."—Booklist
"Suspenseful and macabre"—Bustle
"A real page turner....The book has twists and turns you don't see coming and lead to a shocking climactic reveal...[Savage] will be one to watch in the future."—Red Carpet Crash
"Kept us utterly spooked and utterly hooked."—Heat
"A vivid portrait of buried tensions."—Daily Mail
"An intense tale of deceit, treachery and loss."—The Sun
