VILLAGE IN THE DARK by Iris Yamashita is the second novel featuring Anchorage Detective Cara Kennedy and her continuing pursuit to understand the deaths of her husband and son. Her investigation will have her revisiting the small, remote Alaskan village of Point Mettier, where its 205 residents endure the harshest of winters and provide support to battle the worst offenders. Detective Cara Kennedy took a psychological leave after the deaths of her husband Aaron and six-year-old son Dylan. They disappeared on a family camping trip in the Talkeetna wilderness, and their bodies were found nine months later in a ravine. At first, Cara believed their deaths were accidental and caused by exposure, but now a picture of her family, taken right before their camping trip, is found on a dead gang member’s cell phone. Why did he have their picture? The phone also contains pictures of other individuals, whom Cara will soon learn are also missing or dead.

Cara’s search for answers will take her back to the remote village of Point Mettier, where all the residents live in one high-rise building called Dave-Co. The city is only reached by a tunnel, where the toll booth operator keeps a close eye on all who enter. There’s an eclectic group of people living here, including landlord Ellie Wright, entertainer Mariko Ishida, officers Chief Sipley and JB Barkowski, and general store owner Chuck Marino. Cara enlists Ellie’s help to obtain information from the Chugach Village gang. Ellie has her reasons for wanting to find out more about the gang’s recent activities. As the investigation continues, Cara finds herself delving into the lives of the other individuals on the gang member’s phone, including Mia Upash, a young woman with several identities from the Unity community. When Cara uncovers the connection between the victims, she soon understands the scope of the danger she has brought to not only her doorstep but to others as well.

VILLAGE IN THE DARK is an atmospheric, hard-edged thriller that will keep readers captivated. Life in the Dave-Co complex is a fascinating social study. The residents are all hiding from either past hurts, bad choices, or abusive exes, and their loyalty to each other exemplifies how a community should work. They watch out for each other and lend a hand when needed. The mystery of Cara’s husband’s and child’s deaths is compelling as the clues surrounding a pharmaceutical company’s involvement surface. What are the limits of research? When do you cross the ethical line? All the characters are expertly crafted and nuanced, making readers truly understand their motivations and baggage. There are bad situations and bad people but hope and redemption also surface, and the final pulse-pounding ending with an attack on another village will leave readers clamoring for the good guys to prevail. Filled with ethical questions, difficult emotions, and harsh circumstances, VILLAGE IN THE DARK will keep readers entertained and on the edge of their seats.