• Open Tuesday
    to Saturday
    from 10 am to 5 pm.
  • *To order any book featured on our website, click on the book cover and then on the Order button. To request any other book, click on the Request button.
  • Newham Bookshop by Pete Fallan
    Newham Bookshop, Pete Fallan, March 2021.
  • We can send books by post, usually £3.50 in the UK.
  • National Year of Reading 2026


What Happens in the Dark by Kia Abdullah
What Happens in the Dark is published by HQ in paperback at £9.99.

Kia Abdullah

What Happens in the Dark

Don’t miss the brand-new gripping thriller and courtroom drama full of twists and turns that will keep you up at night!

Lily and Safa were best friends growing up. Now, Lily is the nation’s favourite breakfast TV presenter and Safa, once a renowned journalist, is reeling from a recent fall from grace. When news breaks about suspicious bruises on Lily’s body, Safa attempts to rekindle their old friendship.

But Lily claims the bruises are nothing to worry about. And then one night the police are called to Lily’s home. Lily is strangely calm – and a body lies dead at her feet.

Lily pleads not guilty, and then says nothing more. Driven by her desire to give a voice to all victims, Safa begins her own investigation into what happened that night. But Safa is not prepared for what her quest for justice will uncover…

“An impeccable blend of courtroom drama, mystery thriller and social commentary… a true masterpiece.” — Andrea Mara.

“Timely… Suspenseful and unpredictable.” — iPaper.

“A brilliantly thought-provoking read.” — Crime Monthly.

“The kind of crime fiction that eventually becomes social history.” — Literary Review.

Praise for Kia Abdullah

“One of my ten best reads of the year. Easy five stars.” — Lisa Jewell.

“Terrific and hugely thought-provoking.” — Ian Rankin

“Rich in drama and intrigue. Kept me turning the pages long into the night. Bloody superb.” — Graham Bartlett, author of Bad for Good.

“Abdullah draws out the truth with compassion, charting with notable understanding the ever-changing currents in human relations.” — The Times.

“Timely and powerful, Abdullah’s fourth novel lets no one off the hook.” — The Guardian.

“Gripping.” — Woman’s Weekly.

Kia Abdullah will be in conversation with Ellie Levenson