🩸 Horror Fiction

The Darkness: Book Two of the 'Living In Hell' Trilogy

✍️ Kc Anderson
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$5.75
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A novelist turned deputy investigates mass suicides in a town under perpetual darkness.

Anderson expands the scope of the Living In Hell series by introducing a new threat that defies logical explanation. The plot centers on Philip Solomon, who must balance his writing career with his duties as a volunteer deputy. The narrative examines how ordinary citizens react when their reality is fundamentally altered by an unexplained environmental event. The story highlights the breakdown of social order and the reliance on local authority figures to maintain some semblance of control. Anderson uses the character of Sheriff Ridley to ground the supernatural elements in bureaucratic procedure, creating a contrast between the mundane and the monstrous.

Key Themes
perpetual darkness mass suicides volunteer deputy
Literary Context

This novel is part of an independent horror series published in 2019. It sits within the tradition of American small-town supernatural fiction, focusing on community resilience against external paranormal forces. The work reflects contemporary interests in isolated settings and psychological dread.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Stephen King · Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child · Dean Koontz
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Independently Published 📅 2019 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781697663150

📝 Description: The Darkness: Book Two of the 'Living In Hell' Trilogy

In Kc Anderson’s The Darkness, the second installment of the Living In Hell Trilogy, readers return to a town besieged by escalating paranormal activity. Anderson, an independent author, continues the narrative of horror novelist Philip Solomon three months after his confrontation with the chameleon. Philip has finally overcome writer's block and is preparing to publish his latest work when a dense cloud engulfs Missouri in perpetual darkness. This event triggers a wave of mysterious deaths that appear to be suicides. Sheriff Ridley recruits Philip as a volunteer deputy to investigate these incidents. Together they uncover truths that exceed even the novelist’s extensive imagination. The story focuses on the expansion of supernatural phenomena within the community and the psychological toll it takes on its residents. Anderson draws on traditions of small-town horror where isolation amplifies fear. The narrative structure follows the investigation, moving from the initial atmospheric shift to the grim discovery of bodies. This book suits readers who enjoy procedural elements mixed with supernatural mystery and character-driven plots involving creative professionals. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or standalone stories without prior context. The text relies on the established lore of Hell, Missouri, and the specific dynamics between Philip and the law enforcement officials. Anderson presents a scenario where the unknown becomes tangible through physical evidence and official inquiry rather than abstract horror.

💎 Our verdict on The Darkness: Book Two of the 'Living In Hell' Trilogy

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Anderson effectively expands the series scope by introducing a defying logical explanation for the town’s plight. The contrast between Sheriff Ridley’s bureaucratic procedures and the escalating supernatural phenomena creates a compelling tension that anchors the narrative. This approach highlights the breakdown of social order while maintaining a focus on character dynamics. The book succeeds in its atmospheric build-up, moving from initial darkness to grim discoveries with steady pacing. It is best suited for readers who enjoy small-town horror traditions and procedural mysteries. Those seeking standalone stories may find the reliance on established lore challenging, but dedicated fans will appreciate the continued exploration of Hell, Missouri’s unique horrors and the psychological impact on its residents.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate the intersection of bureaucratic procedure and supernatural horror will find this installment compelling. It offers a deep dive into psychological tolls on ordinary citizens as social order breaks down under an unexplained environmental event. The narrative is ideal for those interested in character-driven plots featuring creative professionals grappling with impossible realities. By grounding monstrous elements in mundane law enforcement duties, the book provides a unique perspective on community resilience and fear. It suits fans of atmospheric dread who prefer investigative structures over fast-paced action, allowing them to explore how authority figures maintain control when reality itself is fundamentally altered.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Anderson effectively expands the series scope by introducing a defying logical explanation for the town’s plight. The contrast between Sheriff Ridley’s bureaucratic procedures and the escalating supernatural phenomena creates a compelling tension that anchors the narrative. This approach highlights the breakdown of social order while maintaining a focus on character dynamics. The book succeeds in its atmospheric build-up, moving from initial darkness to grim discoveries with steady pacing. It is best suited for readers who enjoy small-town horror traditions and procedural mysteries. Those seeking standalone stories may find the reliance on established lore challenging, but dedicated fans will appreciate the continued exploration of Hell, Missouri’s unique horrors and the psychological impact on its residents.

📖 From the series “Living in Hell”

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