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Jessica Huntley
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The Darkness Within Ourselves: A spine-tingling psychological thriller that explores just how dark your mind can go … (The Darkness Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Jessica Huntley (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 627 ratings

Running and hiding won’t save you because The Darkness lives within … and it will never stop hunting you.


Amber and her four best friends are about to reach their teenage years when the unthinkable happens; one of her friends, Kieran, is killed in a freak accident.

Twenty years later, Amber no longer speaks to her friends and is still haunted by that day in the form of severe psychological issues, including sleep paralysis, insomnia and hallucinations of a terrifying entity she calls The Creature. But it isn’t just in her head; it is real.

Unbeknown to Amber, her former friends have also been suffering from their own psychological nightmares, each trapped and twisted into people they no longer recognise. Then a piece of evidence is found from that day and Amber and her former friends are forced to relive the events leading up to Kieran's death, learning truths along the way that they would rather not know about themselves.

Can they work together to rid themselves of their demons and find out what really happened to Kieran all those years ago?

The Darkness Within Ourselves is the first book in "The Darkness Series", a page-turning psychological thriller series that is guaranteed to keep you awake at night. If you like fast-paced thrillers with dark twists and themes of mental health then you’ll love this terrifying story of psychological disorders by author Jessica Huntley.


** Winner of the Editor's Choice Award in the BookShelf Fiction Awards 2023**

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Mental health issues (severe depression, agoraphobia, suicide), loss of a child (stillbirth), domestic violence, death.

Reviews for The Darkness Within Ourselves

"One of those books you can't put down."

"This was an amazing read, and one of the things I loved the most was the description and representation of the different psychological issues the protagonists are facing after the death of their friend. It is amazing to have such a great depiction of how the same event can bring out such different reactions."

"Jessica is definitely an author to watch for the future, I am looking forward to reading more of her books!"

"This story gave me IT the movie vibes!"

"Loved it! Reminiscent of Stephen King novels. Highly recommend."

"The subject matter of childhood friends and the unbreakable bond was covered so well."

"Made me cry, made me scared and THE FEAR was infectious! A definite must read can't wait to read more from this author."

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    The Darkness Series
  2. Print length
    360 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    April 1, 2021
  5. File size
    896 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

it started with a fun game it ended with one of them dead
twenty years later it's started again
but this time the rest might not be so lucky
The Darkness Within Ourselves (Book 1)
The Darkness That Binds Us (Book 2)
The Darkness That Came Before (Book 3)
Buying Options
Buying Options
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Customer Reviews
4.1 out of 5 stars 627
4.5 out of 5 stars 98
4.4 out of 5 stars 78
Price $2.99 $3.49 $3.49
Kindle Unlimited ✓ ✓ ✓
eBook/Paperback/Audio ✓ ✓ ✓
Read in Order Read first (can be read as standalone) Read second (can be read as standalone) Read third (can be read as standalone)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book had me gripped and I finished it in 2 sittings. It reminded me so much at times of IT by Stephen King - friends reuniting having not had contact since childhood, facing fears, the creature and the badman. I feel Jessica Huntley has just scratched the surface of her talents as a writer and cannot wait for her next novel!!" Natalie - Goodreads Reviewer

"What a fantastic book. Full of emotions. Had me gripped from the start! I laughed and believe me, I cried." - Michelle - Goodreads Reviewer

"Your instantly introduced with suspense that builds up your heart rate. All starting with a simple game of I spy with a twist. Then twenty years later you understand the horror that appears, the secrets she keeps from everyone including her husband. Look out for this read it's likely to give you nightmares if you scare easily." - Nicola - Goodreads Reviewer

"The Darkness Within Ourselves was incredible! I was gripped from the very first page! Even when I had to take breaks from reading (if those breaks weren't necessary, this is a book I could have easily read in one sitting), I found myself thinking about this book and trying to predict what would happen." - Klou - Goodreads Reviewer

"Really enjoyed this, a good easy read that keeps you hooked. Looking forward to the next one." - Danielle - Goodreads Reviewer

"It's impossible to second guess what will happen. As the story unfolds, the reader is pulled deeper and deeper in and some of the scenes will leave you reeling." - Daisy - Goodreads Reviewer

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08Y91LJSP
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ; 1st edition (April 1, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 1, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 896 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 360 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 627 ratings

About the author

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Jessica Huntley

Jessica Huntley

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Jessica Huntley is an award-winning and best-selling psychological thriller author. She's an ex-British soldier and Personal Trainer and has been writing almost non-stop for the past four years.

She is now the author of sixteen books, including two trilogies, six standalone thrillers, two anthologies, a co-written horror project and a novella. She is both self-published and traditionally published with Inkubator Books and Joffe Books.

She writes books for thriller readers who like their stories dark and twisty with complex, yet memorable characters, who often suffer from relatable mental health disorders.

When she isn't writing, Jessica is either keeping fit, walking her dog or looking after her young son.

Sign up to her email list to receive news about her upcoming book releases, get a first look at covers and some thriller recommendations. Visit her website where you'll also be able to download a short story called "You Die ... I Die".

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
627 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this psychological thriller engaging, with one review noting how the story moves at a great rate. The book receives positive feedback for its readability and writing style, with customers describing it as a wonderful debut novel that's easy to read. Customers appreciate the believable characters, and one review highlights how the story is told from multiple perspectives.

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17 customers mention "Plot"17 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the plot of the book, describing it as a good psychological thriller with engaging twists and a wild ride.

"...Jessica Huntly did a fantastic job with the plotline and going back and forth from present to the past...." Read more

"...This book was a wild ride, and although it is a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. It is a very interesting concept and written very well." Read more

"My latest read from Jessica Huntley is a chilling tale involving a group of people who have kept a childhood secret for years, but have been paying..." Read more

"The Darkness Within Ourselves: A spine-tingling psychological thriller that explores just how dark your mind can go … (The Darkness Series Book 1),..." Read more

11 customers mention "Readability"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and enjoyable, describing it as a wonderful debut novel.

"...Loved the book. Highly recommend." Read more

"...Otherwise very good and entertaining. I received a complimentary Audible version of this book from the author through Story Origin...." Read more

"...The story was good though. I enjoyed reading it. I'm bummed about Kieran and Tyler...." Read more

"...Overall a wonderful debut novel and I look forward to reading more of Ms. Huntley's books." Read more

9 customers mention "Enlightened"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enlightening, with one review highlighting its multi-perspective narrative and surprising plot twists, while another notes its descriptive writing style.

"...It is a very interesting concept and written very well." Read more

"...but the story was solid, and the characters were believable, with unique and captivating personalities...." Read more

"...But still I enjoyed this and the little twist of the watch was good." Read more

"...This novel is told from so many perspectives, multiple characters, and the past and the present! I felt this was fast paced and easy to read!" Read more

9 customers mention "Writing style"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing style of the book, finding it well-written and easy to read, with one customer noting it can be read as a stand-alone.

"...I loved her writing style and am looking forward to book two...." Read more

"...This book was a wild ride, and although it is a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. It is a very interesting concept and written very well." Read more

"...She didn't perform these characters, she just read it to me with compassion and class. 5 stars, well done." Read more

"...Writing style was topnotch, story line moved at a great rate and the book flowed very nicely...." Read more

8 customers mention "Narrator quality"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the narrator's quality, with several noting the believable characters, and one customer mentioning the story is told from four different perspectives.

"...I listened to the audio version of this book and really liked the narrator, Candace Fitzgerald, was really good. She has an "American" accent...." Read more

"...out a little too much, but the story was solid, and the characters were believable, with unique and captivating personalities...." Read more

"...The narrator was excellent in this book. She didn't perform these characters, she just read it to me with compassion and class. 5 stars, well done." Read more

"...Characters were outstanding and overall a excellent ready. Recommend highly." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Rose Patterson
    5.0 out of 5 stars Can't wait for book 2
    Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Four friends with an unsettling secret that is tearing them apart. This was such a good psychological thriller. Keep in mind it does touch on many trigger subjects such as mental health, loss of a child, abuse and domestic violence. However, Jessica Huntley does a great job of getting the point across without dwelling on each of these subjects. You're at the edge of your seat from the start. Four childhood friends went through a dramatic experience that drove them apart and ruined their lives. Jessica Huntly did a fantastic job with the plotline and going back and forth from present to the past. I was never lost and always knew what timeline the story was in. I loved her writing style and am looking forward to book two. I listened to the audio version of this book and really liked the narrator, Candace Fitzgerald, was really good. She has an "American" accent. However, I didn't understand right away why the characters had European accents. It wasn't until midway through the novel that I realized the story was based around London. Fitzgerald had a way of keeping me focused on the story and bringing me into the lives of all the characters. Loved the book. Highly recommend.
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  • Damita Perez
    4.0 out of 5 stars Guilt Is A Monster
    Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    When five friends go out and play and a tragedy happens, it would be best to tell someone. But what if instead they bury their friend and make an oath to never tell anyone?

    This book was a wild ride, and although it is a series, it can be read as a stand-alone. It is a very interesting concept and written very well.
    Helpful
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  • EMW
    5.0 out of 5 stars Darkness Hangs On
    Reviewed in the United States on October 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    My latest read from Jessica Huntley is a chilling tale involving a group of people who have kept a childhood secret for years, but have been paying the price ever since the incident happened. Each has some sort of dark entity attached to them, which has ruined their respective lives ever since the fatal incident when they were children. The story is intense, showing the horrors each have lived through and how one discovery changes the course of their lives. This tale was sad, but as the story moved along, I could tell there was a twist or two that had yet to be revealed. Not to give it away, but the shocking turn of events left me stunned. Once I got to the last few chapters, I couldn’t stop reading. Some of the dialogue and narration was drawn out a little too much, but the story was solid, and the characters were believable, with unique and captivating personalities. More books remain in this series, and I am excited to read each one.
    Helpful
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  • Joni (livebythemoon7)
    3.0 out of 5 stars Great narrator
    Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2024
    I really enjoyed the narrator choice. She did a great job. Without spoiling, there's a few things that just don't quite make sense to me and tripped me up, taking me out of the experience of the story.

    I received a listener code. This review is honest and voluntary.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Becky
    4.0 out of 5 stars The tragic lives of five friends.
    Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Five middle school friends. Experience a tragedy. Twenty years later they all have issues and secrets. This book is dark. Tragic. A heart breaker. Mental health issues. Unanswered questions. Two more books in this series. The 4 star rating is because I felt there is too much repeating. Otherwise very good and entertaining.

    I received a complimentary Audible version of this book from the author through Story Origin. The narrator was excellent in this book. She didn't perform these characters, she just read it to me with compassion and class. 5 stars, well done.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Roger Fauble
    5.0 out of 5 stars An enjoyable, unique read, 4 1/2 stars
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    The Darkness Within Ourselves: A spine-tingling psychological thriller that explores just how dark your mind can go … (The Darkness Series Book 1), my first read from author Jessica Huntley. A dark 360 page read that was hard to put down. “I received a free Kindle copy of The Darkness That Binds Us: A dark and twisted psychological thriller sequel to "The Darkness Within Ourselves" (The Darkness Series Book 2) and wanted to read this book first so I went and got a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author and in particular The Darkness That Came Before: The heart-racing and thrilling conclusion to "The Darkness Series when it comes out in February of next year. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
    One person found this helpful
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  • Lyndsie B
    4.0 out of 5 stars Book 2 coming?
    Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I didn't really like the ending only because I want to know if the creature leaves Bethany alone. I want to know about Brooke more and if the fairy tale ending is in the cards for Amber and Jordan. The story was good though. I enjoyed reading it. I'm bummed about Kieran and Tyler. But still I enjoyed this and the little twist of the watch was good.
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  • Micky P.
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Darkness Within Ourselves
    Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    First time reading Jessica Huntley and came away really impressed. Writing style was topnotch, story line moved at a great rate and the book flowed very nicely. Characters were outstanding and overall a excellent ready. Recommend highly.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Stephen Clynes
    5.0 out of 5 stars The ending of The Darkness Within Ourselves is simply brilliant.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 1, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Amber, Brooke, Jordan, Kieran and Tyler are secondary school friends in a fictional small town called Cherry Hollow, in the Lake District. As the saying goes “Cherry Hollow is a place where if you leave to live elsewhere, you never return, and if an outsider moves in, they never leave.”

    On a sunny day in July, these five children go to the fictional Beaker Ravine on the north side of their small town. It is a normal day for these children, simply playing around together, like they usually do. Then an incident occurs and these children are never the same again.

    I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Darkness Within Ourselves. Although a debut novel, this is top quality writing. It is a psychological thriller that grabs you with it’s jaws and will not let you go. This is not a children’s story, far from it. It is all about what happens to them twenty years after the incident in their childhood at Beaker Ravine. It is a very dark story and deals with many mental health issues, including agoraphobia, depression, hallucinations, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, sleep paralysis and suicidal tendencies. Four of these adults have their demons, so strong that each demon has been given a name by the adult shouldering their demon. Meet The Bad Man, The Black Shadow, The Creature and The Fear. No spoilers from me, I will not tell you which adult has which demon!

    Everybody has their secrets and their reasons for holding onto them. There are some lighter moments in this story, the joy of stealing that first kiss and some other romantic moments.

    The pace of this novel is very good. There are many, many small reveals sprinkled throughout this book. Doubts are cast in the reader’s mind as each character’s personality is developed, glancing back to the incident at Beaker Ravine. This dual time frame is brilliantly done as it lets the reader fully understand what these adults now have to cope with, day in and day out.

    The ending of The Darkness Within Ourselves is simply brilliant, then you have a short piece by a journalist retelling the story, followed by a lead into the second book in this series.

    I found The Darkness Within Ourselves to be a 5 star OUTSTANDING read. What better way to finish my review but to end with a quote that demonstrates the depth and quality of Jessica’s writing…

    Only we know our true feelings and thoughts and see into the dark recesses of our minds. People can get close, can maybe peek into those shadowy corners, but only we, truly, know the darkness that lies within ourselves.
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  • Maria
    5.0 out of 5 stars Heart Pounding Action!
    Reviewed in Canada on March 24, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    What an exciting book! From the first page to the last page. I really enjoyed reading this book if you like fast paced stories you certainly need to read this book.
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  • Linda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome Read!
    Reviewed in Australia on March 7, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    This book sucks you in and keeps you reading until all hours of the night. The characters are all affected by a tragedy that happened, they really suffer for it on their own for way too long.

    The truth shall set you free!
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  • Rosie G
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great read, couldn't put it down
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 5, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Loved the way the characters and storyline developed, and found the affect of what happened to those involved believable. The only thing I didn't like was the way the story remained unfinished, leaving us to wonder ( don't want to spoil it for anyone), what happened to Amber. The ending seemed rushed.
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  • reader
    4.0 out of 5 stars Different
    Reviewed in Australia on August 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The storyline was quite deep and drawn out. Even the ending didn’t really come to an end per se. It was all about guilt and how it manifests itself. Worth reading
    Report

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