The Darkness in the Light
by Daniel Kalla
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After Brianna O'Brien takes her own life, Dr. David Spears blames himself. Though he understands suicides can be a tragic occurrence in psychiatric practice, this loss hits him particularly hard. With Brianna, he's convinced he missed crucial warning signs.When David suspects Brianna's friend, Amka Obed whom he's also been treating virtually is in crisis, he flies to the remote Arctic community of Utqiagvik, Alaska, only to discover that she has disappeared.While the regional police are show more confident that Amka will turn up safe, David and the town's social worker, Taylor Holmes, have serious doubts. Each battling their own demons, David and Taylor launch an investigation, determined to help uncover the truth about what happened to Amka. David wonders if a new antidepressant he recently prescribed both Amka and Brianna played a role in what took place. Taylor, who's familiar with the locals, suspects a drug lord with connections to Amka's boyfriend. Who is right? Where is Amka? Is she still alive?What begins as a missing persons inquiry and suspicion over a pharmaceutical cover-up quickly evolves into a terrifying journey of treachery and death one that will horrify this isolated town and endanger many more lives. show lessTags
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A Psychological/medical thriller
“I’m not trying to kill myself” How many times have I heard those words?
“You’re not suicidal” “You just don’t want to extend your life any longer than necessary”
Patients are dying- are the suicides related to a new antidepressant or is there something more sinister going on.
During the Covid crisis, Dr. David Spears communicates by video conference with his patients in Utgiagvik, a small village in the Arctic most have emotional problems and desperate needs his help. Till Brianna, a young mother, committed suicide and her daughter almost died with her. Brianna was on a new anti-depressant he has been prescribing to his patients, she was not the only one to die while taking this show more medication. Was this drug responsible? Dr. Spears determined to find out, heads out to the remote village....What will he find out once there....and what will happen to him.....
Holy moly what an exciting read one that will resonate to those who are suffering from depression where meds and therapy are prescribed to help them. In this novel a spin turns this medical thriller into a mystery where something is uncovered far more sinister that battling demons. Mr. Kalla is an expert in buildup and perfectly pacing his words to shock us with tidbits of clues but of course he keeps us on our toes till the very last chapter were we have twists after twists. I never guessed the outcome. Excellent writing filled with interesting clinical details on antidepressant. A bit of originality given to a narration which changes point of view mid-way, although it seemed curious and slightly confusing at first, all turned out to be very effective in the long run.
“The Darkness in the Light” is a gripping and heartbreaking read vividly said to draws us in to the remote world of the Arctic where drugs and tragic clusters of suicide do ravages in small and tight knit towns.
What a compelling story: well said and well-done.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for providing this riveting medical mystery. show less
“I’m not trying to kill myself” How many times have I heard those words?
“You’re not suicidal” “You just don’t want to extend your life any longer than necessary”
Patients are dying- are the suicides related to a new antidepressant or is there something more sinister going on.
During the Covid crisis, Dr. David Spears communicates by video conference with his patients in Utgiagvik, a small village in the Arctic most have emotional problems and desperate needs his help. Till Brianna, a young mother, committed suicide and her daughter almost died with her. Brianna was on a new anti-depressant he has been prescribing to his patients, she was not the only one to die while taking this show more medication. Was this drug responsible? Dr. Spears determined to find out, heads out to the remote village....What will he find out once there....and what will happen to him.....
Holy moly what an exciting read one that will resonate to those who are suffering from depression where meds and therapy are prescribed to help them. In this novel a spin turns this medical thriller into a mystery where something is uncovered far more sinister that battling demons. Mr. Kalla is an expert in buildup and perfectly pacing his words to shock us with tidbits of clues but of course he keeps us on our toes till the very last chapter were we have twists after twists. I never guessed the outcome. Excellent writing filled with interesting clinical details on antidepressant. A bit of originality given to a narration which changes point of view mid-way, although it seemed curious and slightly confusing at first, all turned out to be very effective in the long run.
“The Darkness in the Light” is a gripping and heartbreaking read vividly said to draws us in to the remote world of the Arctic where drugs and tragic clusters of suicide do ravages in small and tight knit towns.
What a compelling story: well said and well-done.
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for providing this riveting medical mystery. show less
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Globe and Mail | Canadian Fiction: May 14, 2022
10 works; 1 member
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- The Darkness in the Light
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