Summary
A Flicker in the Dark by Stacy Willingham is a psychological thriller examining a family’s past. Set in Louisiana, the narrative follows Chloe Davis, a psychologist dealing with memories of her childhood. At age 12, Chloe learned of her father's arrest for the murder of six teenagers. Twenty years later, as her wedding approaches, new disappearances evoke memories of her early trauma.
Plot
Set in contemporary Louisiana, A Flicker in the Dark follows Chloe Davis, a psychologist haunted by her her father's past. Twenty years earlier, Richard Davis was convicted of killing six teenage girls. As Chloe plans her wedding, new disappearances echo her history.
Chloe's trust wavers as her fiancé, Daniel, begins acting strangely and her brother, Cooper, shows a mysterious intensity. The plot thickens with the arrival of Aaron, a journalist investigating the old murders. Chloe uncovers a web of deceit and hidden family secrets. In a shocking climax, Chloe uncovers the identity of the real murderer.
Characters
Chloe Davis: A psychologist who continues to struggle with her father's conviction as a serial killer twenty years ago. Chloe faces resurfaced traumas and seeks to uncover the truth behind a recent string of chilling disappearances.
Cooper Davis: Chloe's older brother. Initially a supportive presence, Cooper later reveals a dark and dangerous side.
Daniel Briggs: Chloe's fiancé, whose secretive behavior and hidden knowledge about Chloe's past make him suspicious. His role explores the complexities of trust and secrecy.
Richard Davis: Chloe’s father, who confessed to the murders. His admission was meant to protect a darker family secret.
Detective Thomas: An integral part of the investigation, he both challenges and supports Chloe in uncovering the complex truths of her family and history.
Aaron Jansen: A journalist with an interest in the unresolved crimes. He becomes involved in Chloe's search for the truth, signifying the link between media and personal quests for clarity.
Setting
A Flicker in the Dark unfolds in a dual timeline. The story follows protagonist Chloe Davis as she navigates her distressing past and a tense present. Her father's previous crimes define her past, and recent events evoke similar fears. The structure focuses on Chloe's unreliable perspective, offering insight into her paranoia and anxiety.
The novel takes place in Louisiana, using its setting to enhance the drama. The swampy landscapes and intense summer heat contribute to a sense of tension. Descriptions of dense woods and persistent heat create an atmosphere of unease. Southern Gothic elements reflect Chloe's internal struggles, paralleling her complex journey in Baton Rouge. The setting supports Chloe’s search for truth, mirroring both her history and mental state.
Themes
A Flicker in the Dark explores themes of trauma, psychological suspense, familial betrayal, and trust. Chloe Davis grapples with trauma after her father's confession to being a serial killer. This experience influences her career as a psychologist and affects her personal relationships, including with her fiancé, Daniel. As Chloe faces her turbulent reality, the narrative layers suspense and questions the motives and honesty of each character.
Familial betrayal emerges when Chloe learns unsettling truths about her family that shake her belief that her father acted alone in past murders. Chloe confronts complex family dynamics and loyalty intertwined with deceit. This situation underscores deeply rooted bonds that shield even dark truths.
Trust issues pervade the narrative, reflected in Chloe's strained relationships. Her unresolved trauma leads to doubt and confusion, intensified by past events echoing into the present. Through Chloe’s perspective, the story explores betrayals from familiar sources, leading to insights about vulnerability and deception.
Quick facts
A Flicker in the Dark is Stacy Willingham's debut novel, published in January 2022.
Set in Louisiana, the novel features an atmospheric, Southern Gothic backdrop enhancing suspense.
Chloe Davis, the protagonist, is a psychologist whose father was arrested for serial killings she uncovered at age 12.
Twenty years after her father's arrest, Chloe becomes involved in investigating new disappearances mirroring past crimes.
Chloe is portrayed as an unreliable narrator, adding complexity to the psychological thriller.
Willingham has a background in journalism and psychology.
Themes of psychological trauma, familial relationships, and trust permeate the novel.
Jewelry plays a significant role in linking past and present murders.
A Flicker in the Dark was nominated for Goodreads Choice Awards for Best Mystery/Thriller and Best Debut in the 2022.
The audiobook version, narrated by Karissa Vacker, won an Earphones Award from AudioFile Magazine.
Emma Stone's production company and A24 are developing a limited series adaptation for HBO Max.
TV adaptation
HBO Max is working with Emma Stone’s Fruit Tree and A24 to create a limited series based on A Flicker in the Dark. Morgan Gould is writing the screenplay. As of July 2025, no casting decisions have been announced.
About the author
Stacy Willingham (1991-) is an American author known for her psychological thrillers. Her debut novel, A Flicker in the Dark (2022) drew significant attention for its gripping plot, told from the perspective of a serial killer’s daughter. Drawing on her education in both journalism and psychology, she brings meticulous research into psychological disorders and criminal behavior to her fiction. Her subsequent novels include All the Dangerous Things (2023), Only If You’re Lucky (2024), and Forget Me Not (2025).
