Review of Dark Things: A Psychological Thriller by Kate Anslinger
As a book blogger and avid lover of psychological thrillers, I was immediately captivated by the premise of Dark Things. The concept of a bestselling author vanishing into thin air, leaving her daughter to untangle a web of secrets, grabbed my attention from the start. The author, Kate Anslinger, has crafted a narrative that blurs the line between fiction and reality—something I can’t resist. You can imagine my excitement as I dove into the pages, eager to uncover the eerie mysteries that awaited.
In Dark Things, we follow Rylie, a struggling journalist and devoted daughter, who embarks on a quest to discover the truth behind her mother Amy Willows’s disappearance. Amy was not just any author; she wrote psychological thrillers that left readers breathless, paralleled now by Rylie’s own frantic search for answers. The story navigates through the murky waters of a social media group Amy joined, where Rylie discovers dark facets of her mother’s life that flip her understanding upside down. This resonated deeply with me—how often do we feel we know our loved ones, only to find they have hidden depths we never considered?
The themes of family dynamics, identity, and the sometimes thin veil between truth and fiction gripped my attention. As Rylie delves deeper, every revelation about her mother stirs a cocktail of dread and intrigue. What I loved most about Anslinger’s narrative style is how she draws you in; the pacing is just right, with tension mounting at every corner. The twists are not just shocking—they feel painfully real, making you question not only the characters’ motives but also the very nature of the stories we weave in our lives.
“Nothing is what you think it is,” Rylie realizes, which encapsulates the heart of this narrative. It’s a reminder to all of us that we often wear façades, even to those closest to us. The writing style is engaging and flowing; I found myself pausing to savor moments of tension and surprise, wondering what might happen next.
Among the reviews, fellow readers echoed my sentiments. Margaret wrote that the narrative "kept me reading," and I couldn’t agree more. Twanna described it as a "psychological thriller filled with disturbing twists," a fitting label for the unexpected journey it takes you on. Even J.C. Wing, who noted how impressed they were, pointed out the satisfying thump of the ending—a sentiment I wholeheartedly share.
For anyone who enjoys a gripping tale with layers of suspense and unexpected revelations, Dark Things is a must-read. Whether you’re a fan of psychological thrillers or simply love a good mystery, Rylie’s journey is compelling enough to keep you turning pages late into the night. Personally, this book was not just a thrilling ride but also a thought-provoking exploration of the shadows we all harbor, making it a standout in my reading list.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a book that challenges your perceptions and keeps you guessing until the very end, Kate Anslinger’s Dark Things is perfect for you. It may just give you a new perspective on those "dark things" lurking in the corners of our lives, reminding us that the stories we tell ourselves might hold more truth than we dare to confront. Happy reading!






