All the Things We Do in the Dark

All the Things We Do in the Dark centers on 17-year-old Ava, a sexual assault survivor who discovers a woman's body in the woods. Rather than contact authorities, she makes the unconventional choice to watch over the corpse while working to uncover the truth behind the woman's death. The novel follows Ava's investigation as she partners with the victim's friend to piece together what happened. Her own past trauma influences her choices and perspective as she becomes increasingly invested in solving this mystery. The story takes place against the backdrop of Ava's daily life as she navigates relationships, including one with her part-Korean Jewish love interest, while carrying the weight of her discovery. The book includes content warnings and resources for readers due to its handling of trauma-related themes. This psychological thriller explores the lasting impacts of assault, the complex nature of healing, and the unexpected ways survivors may process and respond to violence. The narrative challenges conventional approaches to both mystery-solving and trauma recovery.

Readers describe this YA thriller as raw and unflinching in its portrayal of trauma and assault recovery. Reviews note the book's authentic first-person narration and handling of difficult themes. Readers appreciated: - Realistic portrayal of PTSD and healing - LGBTQ+ representation - Atmospheric winter setting - Strong character development Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in middle sections - Confusing timeline jumps - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Content may be too intense for younger YA readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (50+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 (15 ratings) Several reviewers noted they needed breaks while reading due to the emotional intensity. As one Goodreads reviewer wrote: "This isn't an easy read, but it feels honest and necessary." Multiple readers mentioned appreciating the trigger warnings at the start of the book.

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🔍 The author, Saundra Mitchell, has written over 20 books across multiple genres, from historical fiction to horror. 🎬 Before becoming an author, Mitchell worked as a screenwriter and film producer, which influences her vivid, cinematic writing style. ⚖️ The book tackles the complex topic of sexual assault recovery, joining notable YA titles like "Speak" by Laurie Halse Anderson in addressing this sensitive subject. 🏆 Mitchell is known for her LGBTQ+ inclusive writing and has received recognition from the American Library Association's Rainbow List. 📚 The novel's unique structure alternates between past and present, using "then" and "now" chapters to show how trauma echoes through time - a technique that earned praise from reviewers.