The Night Lagoon by Jo Morey
The Night Lagoon by Jo Morey is an atmospheric thriller set deep in Belize, where a beautiful jungle setting gradually becomes as unsettling as the secrets hidden inside it.
Laelia is staying at her father's lodge with her partner, Aid. What began as a heady relationship has become increasingly difficult, and discoveries inside the lodge reveal a past that makes her question far more than she expected.
The decision waiting for Laelia before dawn
The story builds towards a decision Laelia has to make before dawn: remain silent and protect the life she has built, or confront the lies around her and risk everything.
The setting matters enormously. Belize is not simply a backdrop; the heat, jungle and isolation add to the sense that something dangerous is always close by.
Belize does half the work
This sits somewhere between a book-club novel and a psychological thriller. It has suspense, but it also spends time on relationships, power and the way people convince themselves to overlook warning signs.
The unusual setting helps it stand apart from more familiar domestic thrillers, and the slow accumulation of unease is one of its strongest features.
Who we think will enjoy it
This should suit readers who prefer atmospheric thrillers, complicated relationships and a slower build rather than a crime novel that races from twist to twist.
For readers
Why it stood out for the subscription
The Night Lagoon was one of the books we selected for The Book Resort subscription boxes.
We liked that it offered thriller readers something slightly different: a memorable location, a strong central relationship and enough character depth to appeal beyond readers of conventional crime fiction.
Our verdict
Yes, particularly if you like your thrillers atmospheric rather than purely plot-driven. The Belize setting gives it a distinctive identity and makes the tension feel much more immersive.
More book reviews you may enjoy
- The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
- When I Kill You by B.A. Paris
- The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
If you like atmospheric suspense
At The Book Resort, we select books for our subscription boxes and pair them with treats each month.
