Overview

The Dying Light is set on a remote Scottish island where everyone knows each other and nothing ever truly stays buried. A new incident forces the community to confront an older tragedy, one many would rather forget. As the past resurfaces, long held loyalties begin to strain, and the cost of silence becomes harder to ignore.

Writing & Atmosphere

The writing is tight and controlled, with short chapters that keep the story moving. Weather and landscape play a quiet but constant role. Rain, darkness, and power cuts add to the tension without overwhelming the plot. The island feels exposed and watchful, a place where it is hard to hide and impossible to escape your own history.

Characters

The characters feel recognisable and grounded, shaped by years of shared memory and unresolved guilt. Aubrey avoids easy villains. Instead, we see people protecting themselves, their families, and their reputations. Small choices and old grudges drive much of the conflict, making the story feel personal rather than sensational.

Themes

This is a novel about secrets and the long damage they cause. It looks at how close communities cope with trauma, often by pretending it never happened. The book asks what happens when that approach fails, and what it takes to finally face the truth.

What Worked

• Strong sense of place: the island setting adds constant tension.
• Character focus: relationships and history drive the story.
• Measured pacing: steady rather than showy, with a clear structure.

Minor Quibbles

• Some plot turns will feel familiar to readers of island based crime fiction.
• The ending resolves things quite cleanly after a long build of unease.

Final Thoughts

The Dying Light is a quiet, atmospheric thriller that builds tension through place, memory, and moral pressure rather than shocks.

Rating: ★★★½☆ (3.5/5)