A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham

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⭐ 4/5 Book Review: A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham

👉 Grab A Flicker in the Dark on Amazon 📚 (affiliate link)

🚨 Trigger Warnings

  • 💔 Death of children / teens

  • 🔪 Murder, serial killings

  • 🍷 Substance abuse (Xanax, alcohol)

  • 🏥 Suicide attempt / mental illness

  • 😱 Gaslighting & manipulation

✨ My Quick Take

This book was twisty, dark, and binge-worthy — I read it in basically one sitting. Stacy Willingham knows how to keep the pages flying, and I genuinely loved most of the reveals.

But… the biggest twist (that Chloe’s dad Richard wasn’t actually a killer, but confessed to protect his son Cooper) just didn’t do it for me. I’ve seen that plot device way too many times in thrillers, and honestly? I don’t even think I liked it the first time. 🙃 Would I cover for my kids if they were serial killers? Nope. 🚔 Call me a bad mom, but I’m dialing 911 immediately.

Still — the execution here was strong enough that I’m giving it a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars).

📖 Spoiler Warning: Full Plot Summary Below

If you just want vibes, stop here. If you want the full tea 🍵 — keep reading.

🌌 Overview

Published in 2022, A Flicker in the Dark is Stacy Willingham’s debut thriller, set in Louisiana. It follows Chloe Davis, a Baton Rouge psychologist whose father has spent 20 years in prison for the murder of six teenage girls. But as the 20th anniversary of his arrest approaches, new murders begin — eerily similar to the old ones.

🕯️ Plot Summary (Spoilers Included)

Childhood Trauma

At 12, Chloe’s world imploded: six girls vanished in her small hometown, and her father Richard confessed to their murders. He pled guilty, led police to the supposed burial site (though no bodies were found), and went to prison for life. Chloe, her brother Cooper, and their mom never recovered.

Present Day – Chloe’s Life Now

Flash forward 20 years: Chloe is 32, a psychologist in Baton Rouge, engaged to Daniel Briggs. She’s juggling wedding plans, work, and her crippling anxiety — managed with wine and (too many) Xanax.

Then, a teenage girl named Aubrey Gravino goes missing. The case feels chillingly similar to Chloe’s past. Soon after, another girl — her own client, Lacey — also disappears. Both are later found dead.

Copycat or Family Curse?

Reporter “Aaron Jansen” shows up, convinced that someone is copying her father’s crimes. Chloe teams up with him, partly because she doesn’t trust the cops, partly because… well, she’s a little reckless.

Meanwhile, Chloe suspects basically everyone: her fiancé Daniel (who lies a lot), her neighbor Bert Rhodes (father of one of the original victims), and even her own brother Cooper. She starts spiraling, pill-binge style, convinced her father’s crimes are happening all over again.

False Leads Galore

  • Chloe digs into Daniel’s past and meets his estranged mother, Dianne — who drops a bomb: she thinks Daniel killed her daughter Sophie. Chloe finds Sophie’s ring (which is also Chloe’s engagement ring 😬).

  • But plot twist: Sophie isn’t dead. Daniel actually helped her escape their abusive home.

  • Aaron Jansen isn’t Aaron Jansen at all. He’s Tyler Price, a creepy hometown boy who’s been stalking Chloe since childhood. He turns out to be the recent killer of Aubrey and Lacey. Chloe kills him in self-defense.

The Big Reveal

Just when it seems like the story is wrapping, Chloe uncovers the real truth:

  • Her dad Richard wasn’t guilty of the murders 20 years ago.

  • He confessed to cover for his son, Cooper.

  • Cooper killed the six girls back then, and also orchestrated the new murders with Tyler as his pawn.

Chloe records Cooper’s confession (via security cameras) after drugging his wine, and the police arrest him.

Ending

  • Richard is now poised to be released from prison after 20 years of wrongful imprisonment.

  • Chloe returns Sophie’s heirloom ring and quietly slips out before seeing Daniel.

  • The final image: Chloe catches and releases a firefly — a haunting callback to Lena, the first girl murdered, who once wore a firefly belly ring.

💭 Final Thoughts

A Flicker in the Dark is a page-turner with atmosphere and strong writing. The Southern Gothic vibes, the unreliable narrator element, and the suspense kept me hooked.

But that “dad confessed to protect the son” twist? Meh. Overdone and (for me) unbelievable. Still, Stacy Willingham’s debut proves she can deliver a suspenseful ride — and I’ll keep reading her books.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5 stars).

📚 If You Liked This, Try:

  • All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham — another dark, twisty mystery.

  • The Last House Guest by Megan Miranda — unreliable narrator and secrets galore.

  • Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris — domestic thriller with jaw-dropping reveals.

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