A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham
Brew: Vanilla Chai Latte

There’s something about cool, gloomy, rainy fall nights that makes me crave a good thriller – the kind that makes you pull your blanket a little tighter and glance toward the window just to be sure everything’s fine. A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham is exactly that kind of read – or so I’m told.

I’ll be honest – I’ve just gotten started, and it’s not quite giving off thriller vibes yet. It was also a bit hard for me to get into at first. I read a few chapters, drifted into another series, and then finally found my way back. But now I’m settled in, committed, and ready to see where this one goes.

So far, the story follows Chloe Davis, a psychologist living in Baton Rouge. Twenty years earlier, her father was arrested for the murder of six teenage girls in their small Louisiana town. Fast forward to today – two decades later – and Chloe has built a new life for herself, engaged to be married and trying to leave the past behind.

We spend a good amount of time in the opening chapters getting to know her story, and honestly, that’s part of why I had trouble diving in. Don’t get me wrong – I love a good back story and strong character foundation – but it didn’t immediately pull me in. Now, where I’ve left off, a young woman disappeared and Chloe’s world begins to unravel. Is this too eerily similar to what her father did? Is it a copycat? A Coincidence? Or is she being paranoid? All I know is she’s pulled back into the life she’s fought to forget.

This is where I leave off – chapter 11 – and where I’ll pause until my full review. I know I shouldn’t, but I have high hopes for the rest of this book. I’m hoping the story draws me in deeper and answers those lingering questions: Do we really know those closest to us? Can we ever truly escape the past? (And I’ll just say it – I’m already suspicious of her fiancé. It’s just a vibe.)

Until I finish, you’ll find me curled up under a blanket with a vanilla chai latte – warm, spiced, and just a little bit sweet. The latte feel like a comfort blanket of its own while reading. This story is dark and heavy, but the chai brings balance – calm moments amid the chaos, much like the ones Chloe herself seems to crave.
It’s the perfect contrast: a sip of comfort, then a page that keeps you chasing unease.

There’s something I love about pairing a story and a drink – how the right brew can mirror the mood of a book. This week’s combo reminds me that reading isn’t just about the plot; it’s about the feeling that stays with you long after you close the cover. So here’s to cozy evenings, good books, and a perfect cup in hand – until next week’s chapter beings.