"What if a murder happened on a reality show like Love Island? That's the premise of Bea Fitzgerald's masterful debut thriller. A page-turner that's as addictive as the reality shows it satirizes, Then Things Went Dark is a clever, queer whydunit that will grip readers until the final page. With her pitch-perfect commentary on fame, social media, and reality TV, Bea has written a novel that's as thoughtful as it is entertaining. A true delight." -- Rebecca McKanna, author of Don't Forget the Girl

"Fitzgerald plays a scathing, thrilling game of worst case scenario, poking fun and critiquing dystopian reality TV tropes while also forcing the reader to take a look at themselves and ask, 'Why am I still watching?" -- Iman Hariri-Kia, author of A Hundred Other Girls and The Most Famous Girl in the World

"True crime meets juicy reality TV as six well-known contestants compete in the ultimate quest for glory, where the stakes are death. Was it murder? An accident? Nothing is as it seems in this smartly plotted whodunnit, a complex game of scandals and scheming, alliances and betrayals that pops off the page." -- Kimberly Belle, internationally bestselling author of The Paris Widow

"A delicious, murderous thriller that feels like you're watching a live episode of reality TV unfold in your living room. Fast-paced and addicting, I was gripped from the first page until the jaw-dropping conclusion." -- Lucinda Berry, bestselling author of If You Tell a Lie

"Sensational and unsettling, a masterful blend of 'whodunnit' mystery and modern day satire. With each shocking revelation I was drawn deeper and deeper into the addictive world of celebrity reality TV drama and couldn't get enough of these brilliantly vile characters. Then Things Went Dark is the perfect holiday thriller!" -- Natali Simmonds, author of Good Girls Die Last

"Shocking, addictive and utterly exquisite! Fitzgerald delves into the ugly side of our obsession with reality TV and fame, and does so in a gripping page turner. With characters you'll love to hate, it feels like a tv series in itself." -- L.C. North, author of Clickbait

"The different ways these contestants, most of whom identify as queer, hook up or fall into relationships with one another are mostly closed-door but feel true to love on a reality show...Fitzgerald's thrilling "whydunit" will keep readers focused on the lights and drama of the reality show, while they try to figure out what really happened when things went deadly." -- Library Journal

Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark

Pub date: 2024-08-27

Length: 432 pages