1. About the Author: Joy Ellis – The Mistress of Mist and Mystery
Joy Ellis is one of the UK’s most renowned crime fiction authors, best known for her gripping series such as Nikki Galena, Jackman & Evans, and Matt Ballard. Her works are distinctive for their atmospheric settings in the English Fens — a landscape of fog, stillness, and haunting silence. Ellis began her career as a florist and bookshop manager before transitioning into writing, where she found critical and commercial success. Her style is rich in psychological depth, with characters layered in emotional complexity. Joy Ellis has been a finalist for the Audible Sounds of Crime award and has earned a devoted international following. Her ability to weave chilling crime with deeply human storytelling sets her apart in the genre.
2. About the Narrator: Matthew Lloyd Davies – A Voice that Echoes through the Fog
Matthew Lloyd Davies is a seasoned stage actor and audiobook narrator with a talent for immersing listeners in the world of the story. His voice is refined, expressive, and perfectly suited for psychological thrillers. In The Dying Light, Davies brings Ellis’s eerie and introspective world to life, capturing the emotional nuances of the characters with quiet intensity. His narration doesn’t merely deliver the words — it creates a mood, making the foggy Fens feel like a living, breathing entity. His pacing, tone, and subtle delivery enhance the immersive experience, especially in scenes filled with tension or emotional turmoil.
3. About the Book: The Dying Light – Where Secrets Sleep Beneath the Surface
The Dying Light is the third installment in the Matt Ballard series by Joy Ellis. It follows retired detective Matt and his wife as they move into a secluded house in the Fens, seeking a peaceful life away from the shadows of the past. However, that peace is quickly shattered as psychological unrest, mysterious figures, and disturbing secrets begin to surface.
Genre: Psychological crime thriller
Setting: The English Fens — haunting, isolated, atmospheric
Themes: Crime, trauma, memory, fear, emotional breakdown
Goodreads Rating: 4.20/5 (based on over 2,000 reviews)
Audiobook Publisher: Tantor Media (2020)
Audiobook Length: Approximately 9 hours and 1 minute
What makes The Dying Light stand out is its seamless blend of psychological suspense with a brooding, atmospheric mystery. The book’s strength lies in how the Fens become a character in their own right — fog-drenched and ominous, amplifying the characters’ mental states. Ellis crafts a narrative where tension builds gradually, focusing on internal conflict as much as external threats.
4. Book Review: A Slow Descent into Stillness and Shadows
The Dying Light isn’t your typical fast-paced crime novel. Instead, it’s a slow-burning, introspective psychological thriller that lingers with its haunting atmosphere. One of the strongest aspects of the novel is its sense of place. The Fens are rendered in vivid detail, becoming a suffocating, eerie backdrop for Matt and his wife’s unraveling peace. Matt is once again a steady presence, but here, the emotional arc is largely driven by his wife’s mental state and the dark energy surrounding their new home.
Some readers may find the pacing too slow or the emotional loops repetitive. However, for fans of deep psychological exploration and ambient tension, the story is an immersive experience.
“Joy Ellis has painted a world where the light no longer illuminates the secrets in one’s heart.” – Promoting Crime Blog
“Cinematic in tone, layered in emotional complexity.” – Crime Fiction Lover
Personal thoughts:
I picked up The Dying Light hoping for something that would sink into my bones — and I wasn’t disappointed. Though the plot unfolds at a deliberate pace, every page envelops you in fog, silence, and emotional unease. It’s not a book that screams for attention — it whispers, and somehow that makes it even more haunting. If you’re seeking a story that explores the shadows of the mind, this is a journey worth taking.
5. Audiobook Review: A Voice That Captures Stillness and Sorrow
The audiobook version of The Dying Light, narrated by Matthew Lloyd Davies, has earned praise for its somber and captivating tone. Davies delivers the narrative with a quiet command that perfectly suits the story’s psychological depth. His performance is particularly compelling in internal monologue sections, conveying fear, doubt, and sorrow with a subtle but affecting delivery.
His pacing remains steady, avoiding melodrama while sustaining intrigue. Some listeners noted that his voice might feel slightly dry during emotional climaxes, but overall, his narration elevates the audiobook experience.
“Davies doesn’t just narrate — he breathes life into the setting, making the fog echo in your ears.” – Audible Listener Review
“A memorable performance that perfectly complements Ellis’s prose.” – AudiobookReviewer.com
Personal thoughts:
Listening to The Dying Light on audiobook felt like walking through a cold mist, where every whisper of wind carried hidden meaning. Davies’s voice guided me gently but firmly through the gloom, making each line feel like a memory returning from the dark. It’s one of those rare audiobooks that doesn’t just tell a story — it immerses you fully in it.
6. Who Should Read This Book?
The Dying Light is ideal for readers who enjoy atmospheric, slow-paced psychological thrillers. Fans of authors like Tana French, Ann Cleeves, or Peter May will feel right at home in Joy Ellis’s haunting world. The book also suits audiobook lovers seeking a reflective, emotionally layered listening experience. If you’re drawn to introspective narratives set in eerie locations, or if you enjoy exploring the fragile line between reality and memory, this is the story for you.
7. Conclusion
The Dying Light isn’t a book for readers seeking high-octane thrillers or flashy detective work. Instead, it offers a haunting, emotionally rich journey into the quiet fears and hidden traumas that shape us. Joy Ellis delivers a slow-burning narrative that rewards patience with deep resonance. Paired with Matthew Lloyd Davies’s evocative narration, this audiobook is a chilling, meditative experience that lingers long after the final chapter.
If you’re ready to explore a story where fog cloaks not only the land but the human soul — The Dying Light deserves a place on your reading list.
8. Where to Listen to the Audiobook
#CommissionsEarned
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
You can listen on the following platforms:
We recommend signing up for a membership to enjoy seamless access to this and many other high-quality audiobooks anytime, anywhere.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.