The Dead and The Dark by Courtney Gould

It’s Watch Wednesday! Let’s talk about this thrilling debut about the things that lurk in dark corners, the parts of you that can't remain hidden, and about finding home in places – and people – you didn’t expect.

Synopsis

The Dark has been waiting for far too long, and it won’t stay hidden any longer.

Something is wrong in Snakebite, Oregon. Teenagers are disappearing, some turning up dead, the weather isn’t normal, and all fingers seem to point to TV’s most popular ghost hunters who have just returned to town. Logan Ortiz-Woodley, daughter of TV’s ParaSpectors, has never been to Snakebite before, but the moment she and her dads arrive, she starts to get the feeling that there’s more secrets buried here than they originally let on.

Ashley Barton’s boyfriend was the first teen to go missing, and she’s felt his presence ever since. But now that the Ortiz-Woodleys are in town, his ghost is following her, and the only person Ashley can trust is the mysterious Logan. When Ashley and Logan team up to figure out who – or – what is haunting Snakebite, their investigation reveals truths about the town, their families, and themselves that neither of them are ready for. As the danger intensifies, they realise that their growing feelings for each other could be a light in the darkness.

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Reviews

Most Anticipated Books of 2021 – Book Riot

28 New LGBQT+ Young Adult Novels That'll Add Sunshine to Your Summer – Buzzfeed

“A complex and sophisticated thriller with haunting real-world connections.” – Kirkus

“Gould’s supernaturally spooky debut is filled with all manner of creepy inventiveness…an intriguing read.” – Publishers Weekly

“Spooky atmosphere seeps out of every pore of this slow burn ghost story.” – Buzzfeed

“Gould delivers a spine-chilling and eerie debut with The Dead and the Dark that will leave readers hooked from the first page.” – The Nerd Daily

“Gould's debut begins as a snappy paranormal yarn and unspools into a profound story about the complex interplay between grief, guilt, and identity.” – Oprah Daily

“Gould’s debut is an utterly dreamy romance in the midst of a living nightmare, and a true testament to the power of love in a world of hate. It’s exactly the book we need right now.” – Dahlia Adler, author of Cool for the Summer and editor of His Hideous Heart

“The Dead and the Dark has something for everyone: thrills, chills, a mystery that'll keep readers guessing and a romance they'll absolutely love rooting for. Snakebite is a setting as unforgettably alive as the characters who inhabit it and once it gets hold of you, it won't let go. A riveting, spooky and expertly-crafted debut from a talented new voice in YA fiction.” – Courtney Summers, New York Times bestselling author of Sadie

4.23 stars on Goodreads with 654 ratings and 463 reviews

Amazon Best Sellers Rank:

• 255 in LGBTQ+ Romance for Young Adults

• 350 in Romantic Mysteries & Thrillers for Young Adults

• 433 in Paranormal & Urban Fantasy for Young Adults

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Author:

Courtney Gould writes books about queer girls, ghosts, and things that go bump in the night. She graduated from Pacific Lutheran University in 2016 with a Bachelor's degree in Creative Writing and Publishing. Born and raised in Salem, OR, she now lives and writes in Tacoma, WA where she continues to write love letters to the haunted girls and rural, empty spaces. The Dead and the Dark is her debut novel.

Publication Information:

Publication Date: 3rd August 2021

Author: Courtney Gould

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Format: Hardback

Pagination: 348 pages

Genre: YA Fiction

Other Themes: Thriller, LGBQT+, paranormal, romance, mystery

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Let us know if you will be adding this dark and thrilling debut to your reading lists. Don’t forget to send us your Watch Wednesdays recommendations – submit them using the form or find us on Instagram. Stay tuned for next week’s Watch Wednesday – let’s talk then!