Rating: 3.5 / 5

The internet can be a terrifying place. Inspired by true crimes, Dark Mode gives us a glimpse into possibly the worst that could happen when the internet becomes party to a crime. Revolving around an incel forum on the dark web, the novel features everything from murders to AI-assisted revenge sex videos to doxxing.

The protagonist, Reagan Carsen, is a rare person in an age where people are constantly glued to smartphones and social media. As someone dealing with her own trauma after a harrowing experience with a stalker on a chatroom, she keeps her life strictly offline until she is forced back online to keep her struggling business afloat. Ironically, it is not her presence on the internet that drags her back into what could only be described as a living hell. Rather, she simply falls victim to a cyber criminal in real life (or dare I say, IRL) - a frightening proposition for anyone, really.

Starting with a murder, the novel establishes its pace early enough and keeps you hooked. The murder victim’s appearance is a major plot point, as she looks like the protagonist, Reagan. In turn, events around Reagan coalesce into a certainty that her stalker has returned and has now adopted more violent means to terrorise her. Reagan’s fear is palpable and it is easy for the reader to feel her helplessness as an unknown someone destroys her life, piece by piece. But of course, you start thinking after a while that her stalker would make for a very predictable story and you start suspecting someone else, who does in fact turn out to be the criminal.

Just when you’re congratulating yourself on your win and accusing the author of having made it too easy, the novel throws you off-kilter and reveals that Reagan has in fact fallen victim to another crime, albeit one instigated by the murderer. The identity of the murderer unfortunately feels somewhat forced, given that the intense character development of people around the said murderer begs the question of how they operated undetected all along. On this front, the novel leaves you wanting just a little more for satisfaction.

This novel paints a grim picture of what life could become should one fall victim to an internet-assisted crime and is frighteningly relatable to anyone who has wondered what lies beyond the addictive facade of entertainment the internet often operates under. It is an enjoyable read and a caution to always remain wary of the internet.

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