This is not the sort of thing that I usually go for, psychological thrillers usually bore the hell out of me because they try too hard to be clever and turn the plot into a labyrinth. Haynes keeps it simple, and simple works really well here. With the help of her new neighbor, Stuart, she begins taking steps to overcome her fears. Finally Cathy has hope again, she is feeling better and her friendship with Stuart seems to be growing into something more. Until she gets a phone that changes everything. Lee is being release from jail.

Into the Darkest Corner’ is a real slow burn of a dark psychological thriller. Told in a dual timeline we switch between the past confident Catherine and the present terrified one as we gradually learn what has happened to her. This contrast between past and present is incredibly effective in showing the damage inflicted by domestic violence, gaslighting, and coercive control.⁣ From its uncompromising prologue – a young woman being bludgeoned to death in a ditch – Haynes’s powerful account of domestic violence is disquieting, yet unsensationalist.” A tasty, if not always tasteful, tale of supernatural mayhem that fans of King and Crichton alike will enjoy. Perhaps the most horrifying thing about Into the Darkest Corner is how much it reminds me of what people are calling "intense" and "dark" New Adult romances. No exaggeration. There is a young immature Cathy and an older Cathy. Young Cathy is full of spirit, laughter and love and the other is a mentaly destroyed OCD sufferer looking to recover from the trauma she has endured.This intense, gripping account of domestic violence and its aftermath is utterly unputdownable. A stunning debut."-- S.J. Watson, author of Before I Go to Sleep A harrowing psychological thriller....A terrifying and convincing portrayal of an abusive relationship and a damaged woman's heroic attempts to recover from it."-- Publishers Weekly, starred review Into the Darkest Corner was suspenseful, riveting, and disturbing. The story is unsettling because of how realistic it was. I’m sure something of what happened to Cathy has probably happened or is happening as I write this review. Four years ago Cathy fell for Lee who is equal parts good looking, intense, and charming. From that point on her life slowly turns into hell. This was one of those gripping reads where it’s painful to put it down. I was glued to my audio-book throughout a weekend, gasping at times in horror. The narration was excellent. Although most of it is from Karen Cass with her lovely English accent we do have David Thorpe’s wonderful performance as well (also an English accent). I have to thank the lovely Keertana for putting Into the Darkest Corner on my radar because I thoroughly enjoyed the thrilling ride! Tratando-se na sua maioria de casos em que os envolvidos se relacionaram de comum acordo, perguntamo-nos como raio sucederam essas versões reais da fábula do Capuchinho Vermelho devorado (subentenda-se violentado) pelo Lobo Mau!...

Cathy’s relationship with Lee seems good to begin with, but as his true self starts to emerge, the more she is pushed into the darkest corner. This is a story of a very abusive relationship and the chilling effects it has on Catherine. Lee is controlling, abusive and thinks he is smart enough to get away with it; but can he? Through all of this I knew the reign of terror did come to an end at some point, because Cathy’s no longer with Lee. However, there’s an ominous feeling to the present, and I bit my nails in anxious anticipation and fear at the possibility that Lee has found Cathy again. At least this time, though, Cathy has an ally, a neighbor who’s just moved to the apartment above her, Stuart. In spite of Cathy’s apprehension, they form a friendship that slowly turns into more. Their romance was gradual, but lovely! Into the Darkest Corner was the third of my annual ‘Nano’ novels and it was the first one that had something like a proper ending. I wanted to write about how it felt not to be believed, and the story evolved from that idea. Many writers plan their stories carefully before they start, but I have a tendency to get bored and distracted, and my solution to this is to let the story grow as I write it. That way the ending is a surprise to me, and writing about it is exciting and fresh. Of course, it takes much longer to edit than if I’d planned it properly.

Have you listened to any of David Thorpe and Karen Cass ’s other performances? How does this one compare?

Also, the story is carried almost exclusively by dialogue - perhaps would make a better play than novel - and as a personal preference I like more description of location and characterization; at least a sense of place to set the scenes and create a relatable ambience. Here in the "Darkest Corner" the characters seem flat, uninteresting in themselves and for the most part uninterested in themselves, and they are laid out only as game pieces in the advancement of an ominous situation. What can you do with a story with primary characters whose chief activity is hanging out in pubs? Catherine Bailey has been enjoying the single life long enough to know a catch when she sees one. Gorgeous, charismatic and spontaneous, Lee seems almost too perfect to be true. And her friends clearly agree, as each in turn falls under his spell. It’s a great, keep-you-up-all-night reading and thinking exploration of the dark side of relationships with the wrong person.... INTO THE DARKEST CORNER begs for a film adaptation for many reasons, even if there is no possibility that such a movie would be anywhere close to being as good as the book." I loved the character of Catherine Bailey, she was a very real character with real problems and I am sure so many people will sympathise with her and the delicate situation in which she finds herself.L. H. Healy (VINE VOICE)”This is an absolutely fantastic, gripping first novel from Elizabeth Haynes! I just could not put this one down and had to know what would happen next. Utterly compelling from start to finish.” E tal como a Noite se sucede ao Dia, aquela Catherine alegre e jovial sucumbe, sendo substituída por uma Cathy Negra, envolta numa aura de traumas e medos paralisantes. Told from the point of the view of a female victim, this first novel is utterly gripping, extremely well told and considerably more detailed and textured than the typical crime thriller.” Another sweltering month in Charlotte, another boatload of mysteries past and present for overworked, overstressed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan. Wow, just wow. I stayed up late last night reading this book, had a nightmare (as I thought I would, I think I even heard my self screaming or crying, right before I woke up. I'm not sure) and resumed reading it before I ate my breakfast.