Set in Texas, We Are All the Same in the Dark revolves around the unsolved disappearance of the small town’s beloved girl Trumanell.

The story unfolds from the perspectives of 3 key characters, each mysterious in their own way: Odette, the latest generation of cops in the family with a prosthetic leg; Wyatt, brother of Trumanell and a prime suspect with a Boo Radley-esque presence; and Angel, a girl with a prosthetic eye that the former two rescues. These characters crafted by Heaberlin are vulnerable yet relatable and peel away delicately to expose the physical imperfections and emotional baggage they carry behind a facade of normalcy.

The novel takes on an exciting mix of themes – dandelions and prosthetics – that lends it an otherworldly feeling and adds to its gothic feel. The air is undeniably ominous, where prevailing elements of fear and death keep it tense and atmospheric.

It’s a dark psychological thriller riddled with secrets snaking their way to the end; you never quite see the next turn coming until it all piles on. But at the same time, it’s lyrical and beautifully written, portraying its characters in light of humanity and grace. This uncanny balance makes the novel linger after its last pages, even if it doesn’t offer complete closure of all that has transpired.

Captivating from start to finish, We Are All the Same in the Dark is perhaps the most underrated thriller I read last year.

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