What Happens in the Dark – Kia Abdullah

Lily and Safa were best friends growing up. Now, Lily is the nation’s favourite breakfast TV presenter and Safa, once a renowned journalist, is reeling from a recent fall from grace.

When news breaks about suspicious bruises on Lily’s body, Safa attempts to rekindle their old friendship. But Lily claims the bruises are nothing to worry about.

And then one night the police are called to Lily’s home. Lily is strangely calm – and a body lies dead at her feet.

Lily pleads not guilty, and then says nothing more. Driven by her desire to give a voice to all victims, Safa begins her own investigation into what happened that night.

But Safa is not prepared for what her quest for justice will uncover …

Book Info: Print length: 352 pages. Publisher: HQ. Publication Date: 19 June 2025

My Thoughts:

I have followed Kia Abdullah’s writing career since she first published the incredible Take It Back in 2019. She is one of a handful of authors that I download without even checking the blurb or description.. It literally just has to say her name on the front cover and I get all tingly and excited at the thought of a new book by her.

Not only is she a talented and brave author, she is a super nice person in real life and I can’t help girl-fanning every time we meet up. I call her brave because Kia tackles the topics and subjects many would naturally shy away from.

Take It Back takes a long hard look at racial tension, bullying, gang rape and religion. Truth Be Told delves into the rape of a young Asian man by a fellow student at an exclusive all boys board school. Next of Kin is every parent’s nightmare, the death of a young child and Those People Next Door is about next door neighbours embroiled in a toxic and racist war with each other.

Her new book What Happens in the Dark (out in June) is about domestic violence and once again Kia tackles another triggering subject with sensitivity.

This latest standalone thriller featuring a strong female cast. Safa and Lily were best friends growing up on a council estate in London. Both are from single parent families, Safa’s family were originally from Bangladesh and she lives with her widowed father. Lily’s mother was an alcoholic, unable to care or feed her children adequately.

Now in their adulthood, Safa is a journalist who has suffered a huge career setback and is now working on a local newspaper, barely surviving financially and lives in a tiny flat. Lily is now a famous and beloved daytime TV presenter, living in luxury with her teenage son and husband.

When Lily appears on tv with a black eye and then bruises on her arm Safa tries to reach out as both a friend and journalist. However within days Lily is involved in a crime and now Safa is determined to uncover the truth and save her friend from life behind bars.

Hard-hitting, thought-provoking, heart-breaking and totally gripping you can be guaranteed a 5 star read with any of these authors books.