A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham

A Gripping Psychological Thriller That Will Keep You Listening

Rating: 5 stars!!!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Stacy Willingham’s debut novel, “A Flicker in the Dark,” delivers exactly what psychological thriller fans crave: an unreliable narrator, dark family secrets, and enough twists to keep you guessing until the final chapter. As an audiobook experience, this story becomes even more immersive, thanks to the exceptional narration by Karissa Vacker.

Plot Summary

The story follows Chloe Davis, a psychologist living in Baton Rouge, whose life was forever altered when she was twelve years old. Twenty years ago, six teenage girls disappeared from her small Louisiana town, and her own father confessed to the murders before being sent to prison for life. Now, as Chloe prepares for her wedding, teenage girls begin disappearing again with an eerily familiar pattern. Is she paranoid, or is history repeating itself with a copycat killer?

20 years later, when girls start to go missing again, her memories of that terrible summer come rushing back. Mom attempted suicide and cannot communicate. The dual timeline structure weaves between past trauma and present danger, creating a compelling narrative that explores how childhood trauma shapes adult perception and decision-making.

Audiobook Performance

Karissa Vacker, the talented narrator for the audiobook, brings Chloe’s psychological complexity to life with remarkable skill. Vacker’s performance captures the Chloe’s fragile mental state, her growing paranoia, and the emotional weight of her dark past. Her narration enhances the suspense, making this truly a twisty, turny, heart-stopping read, one I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend if you’re looking for a book you can’t put down or stop listening to. I could feel my adrenaline pumping and my heart beating out of my chest listening to this book. It felt as if I was watching a movie rather than listening to a book. This is one to listen to when you have time to binge. Every pause had me craving and itching to get back to the book!

The pacing of the audiobook works particularly well for this type of psychological thriller. Vacker’s delivery builds tension gradually, making the revelations hit with maximum impact. Her ability to differentiate between present-day Chloe and the memories of her twelve-year-old self adds depth to the storytelling experience.

Strengths

Atmospheric Setting: The Louisiana backdrop adds a layer of Southern Gothic atmosphere that enhances the dark mood of the story. The small-town setting feels claustrophobic and authentic.

Psychological Depth: This is a bit on the psychological thriller side, but still one that is hard to put down that will keep you guessing. The author skillfully portrays Chloe’s mental state, making readers question what’s real and what’s paranoia.

Effective Suspense: “A smart, edge-of-your-seat story with plot twists you’ll never see coming” accurately describes the reading experience. The book maintains tension throughout while planting clues that reward attentive listeners.

Overall Assessment

A Flicker in the Dark is eerily compelling to the very last moment. The huge twist I did not see coming, lyrical thriller. This is a wonderful debut author Stacy Willingham. As an audiobook, it’s particularly effective, with Karissa Vacker’s narration elevating the already strong material.

This is perfect for fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy unreliable narrators, family secrets, and stories that blur the line between past and present trauma. It’s got a bit of a dual timeline- present with some flashbacks- a serial killer, a possible copycat, and a woman who is questioning what safety really is.

Recommended for: Fans of Gillian Flynn, Ruth Ware, and Tana French. Perfect for listeners who enjoy domestic suspense with psychological depth.

Listening time: Approximately 10 hours

Publisher: Macmillan Audio

Available free on Libby!

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