The Dead and the Dark

The Dead and the Dark follows Logan Ortiz-Woodley, daughter of paranormal TV show hosts Brandon and Alejo, as she arrives in Snakebite, Oregon. The small town harbors hostility toward her family, particularly since her fathers left Snakebite years ago under unclear circumstances. After Logan's arrival, she meets Gracie Flores, who is searching for her missing boyfriend. More teens begin to disappear in Snakebite, and dark forces seem to be at work in the isolated community. Logan and Gracie work together to uncover the truth behind the disappearances and their connection to the town's past. The investigation forces both girls to confront their own identities and relationships with family as they face mounting danger. Their search reveals layers of buried secrets in Snakebite, where hatred and supernatural threats intertwine. This paranormal thriller explores themes of prejudice, belonging, and the price of secrets in small communities. The story examines how fear can transform into hatred, while also depicting the strength found in confronting both human and supernatural darkness.

Readers describe this as a slow-burn mystery with strong supernatural and horror elements. The romance subplot receives frequent mentions in reviews. Readers highlight: - Atmospheric writing that captures small-town isolation - LGBTQ+ representation and authentic teen characters - Complex family dynamics - Creepy, unsettling tone throughout Common criticisms: - Pacing drags in the middle sections - Some plot points remain unresolved - Romance overtakes the mystery elements - Writing style can be repetitive Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (17,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (500+ ratings) StoryGraph: 3.85/5 (2,000+ ratings) Several reviewers note similarities to YA horror novels like "The Devouring Gray." One frequent comment from readers is that the book works better as a romance than a mystery/horror story. Multiple reviews mention putting the book down during slower middle chapters but finding the ending satisfying.

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🌟 Author Courtney Gould wrote this debut novel while completing her Master's degree in Book Publishing at Portland State University. 🌗 The book skillfully blends multiple genres, including paranormal mystery, LGBTQ+ romance, and small-town horror, creating a unique hybrid that Publishers Weekly called "genre-bending." 🎬 The story features ghost-hunting reality TV show elements inspired by popular programs like "Ghost Hunters" and "Ghost Adventures," but subverts many common paranormal investigation tropes. 🏘️ The fictional town of Snakebite, Oregon draws inspiration from real small towns in Eastern Oregon, an area often overlooked in contemporary fiction. 🌈 The novel was recognized as a finalist for the 2022 Oregon Book Awards' Leslie Bradshaw Award for Young Adult Literature and praised for its authentic portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters in a rural setting.