Village in the Dark

Yamashita’s riveting sequel to 2023’s City Under One Roof sets a chilling murder mystery against the backdrop of the Alaskan wilderness. Detective Cara Kennedy has come to believe that her husband and son died in a natural accident. After Cara discovered and buried the pair’s remains in the Talkeetna forest near where they disappeared on a hike, she takes leave to cope with her loss. But when investigators find a series of photographs in a deceased gang member’s possession, including an image of Cara and her family, she suspects foul play. Fueled by grief, Cara makes a startling discovery—the people in each of the gang member’s photographs are either dead or missing. Among them is Mia Upash, a quiet young woman who grew up in hiding from an abusive man and harbors key secrets that may connect each of the missing people. Enlisting the help of her former partner J.B. Barkowski, Cara sets out to find Mia, uncovering dark truths that endanger herself and her colleagues along the way. Yamashita maintains a breakneck pace throughout—some might argue that she jumps into the investigation a little too quickly—but dispels any initial vertigo with memorable characters and a stunning conclusion. Readers will be glued to the page. Agent: Lucy Carson, The Friedrich Agency. (Feb.)