A Step Past Darkness, Vera Kurian
A Step Past Darkness, Vera Kurian
List: $32.99
On Sale: $4.99

A Step Past Darkness

Author: Vera Kurian

Narrator: Jeena Yi

Unabridged: 14 hr 38 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/20/2024


Synopsis

SIX CLASSMATES. ONE TERRIFYING NIGHT. A MURDER TWENTY YEARS IN THE MAKING…

There’s something sinister under the surface of the idyllic, suburban town of Wesley Falls, and it’s not just the abandoned coal mine that lies beneath it. The summer of 1995 kicks off with a party in the mine where six high school students witness a horrifying crime that changes the course of their lives.

The six couldn’t be more different.Maddy, a devout member of the local megachurchKelly, the bookworm next doorJames, a cynical burnoutCasey, a loveable football playerPadma, the shy straight-A studentJia, who’s starting to see visions she can’t explainWhen they realize that they can’t trust anyone but each other, they begin to investigate what happened on their own. As tensions escalate in town to a breaking point, the six make a vow of silence, bury all their evidence, and promise to never contact each other again. Their plan works – almost.

Twenty years later, Jia calls them all back to Wesley Falls—Maddy has been murdered, and they are the only ones who can uncover why. But to end things, they have to return to the mine one last time.

About Vera Kurian

Vera Kurian is a writer and scientist. Her short fiction has been published in magazines such as Glimmer Train, Day One and The Pinch. She’s lived in DC for most of her adult life and has a PhD in social psychology. Never Saw Me Coming is her first novel.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Nilufer on October 16, 2023

When I noticed the length of this book and the extensive list of characters, I must admit, I was intimidated. I even considered giving up after a few pages. However, after about 40 pages, I found the story becoming more engaging. During a short break, I realized I had already devoured a third of the......more

Goodreads review by Linzie (suspenseisthrillingme) on March 15, 2024

At the end of school year party in 1995, six students witness something they couldn’t have imagined in their very worst nightmares. The group isn’t exactly close, however. A ragtag bunch put together by their school for their sophomore year capstone project, they decide to write it on the abandoned......more

Goodreads review by Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) on February 08, 2024

2.0 Stars Video Review: [URL not allowed]-6tcNZLQJpg In terms of concept coming of age, female driven story in the vein of IT. However, in execution, this one did not work as well as I hoped. This story is incredibly character driven, which would be fine if I found the characters more interesting. This......more

Goodreads review by Kelly on January 18, 2025

This is a good story about a church and how the people treated the ‘flock’. Also, a coal mine where kids were partying. Not a good combination!......more

Goodreads review by Mackenzie - PhDiva Books on February 27, 2024

Vera Kurian proves she can write about much more than psychopaths in her newest thriller, A Step Past Darkness. This book was a totally different feel than Kurian’s first book, but no less captivating. Picture I know What You Did Last Summer mashed up with Stand by Me and The Breakfast Club and a da......more