"The Darkness in the Light", by Daniel Kalla

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 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 draw 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.