Darkly
Darkly by Marisha Pessl, published by Random House on October 28, 2025, is a psychological thriller that immerses readers in a world of dark secrets and intricate puzzles. This edition features a striking first edition paperback design with sprayed edges and a checkerboard motif. The story follows Arcadia “Dia” Gannon, who becomes captivated by Louisiana Veda, a game designer known for her chilling creations. When Dia is selected for a coveted internship at Darkly, the once-thriving game-making empire now shrouded in mystery, she finds herself alongside six other teenagers, each harboring their own secrets.
As Dia and her fellow interns explore the enigmatic world of Darkly, they uncover hidden symbols and buried clues that lead them deeper into a web of intrigue. The narrative unfolds against a backdrop of suspense, revealing the complexities of the characters and the chilling legacy of Veda’s games. With themes of young adult fiction, thrillers, and contemporary romance, Darkly presents a captivating exploration of ambition and the unknown. This edition, comprising 416 pages, invites readers to engage with a narrative that promises to challenge their perceptions and keep them guessing until the very end.
Official synopsis Publisher
#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A powder keg of dark secrets and mind-bending puzzles, this must-read thriller is “addictively suspenseful” (The Washington Post) and “full of atmospheric thrills” (Los Angeles Times)—from the New York Times bestselling author of Night Film.
The striking first edition paperback of Darkly will feature sprayed edges with a checkerboard design!
Your favorite game has come to life. And you don’t want to find out what happens if you lose…
“Pessl is gargantuan: wildly smart, extremely surprising, a wordsmith, a queen. Read her.” —E. Lockhart, #1 New York Times bestselling author of We Were Liars
A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR
Arcadia “Dia” Gannon has been obsessed with Louisiana Veda, the game designer whose obsessive creations and company, Darkly, have gained a cultlike following. Dia is shocked when she’s chosen for a highly-coveted internship, along with six other teenagers from around the world. Why her? Dia has never won anything in her life.
Darkly, once a game-making empire renowned for its ingenious and utterly terrifying toys and games, now lies dormant after Veda’s mysterious death. The remaining games are priced like rare works of art, with some fetching millions of dollars at auction.
As Dia and her fellow interns delve into the heart of Darkly, they discover hidden symbols, buried clues, and a web of intrigue. Who are these other teens, and what secrets do they keep? Why were any of them really chosen? The answers lie within the twisted labyrinth of Darkly—a chilling and addictive read by Marisha Pessl.
This summer will be the most twisted Darkly game of all.
“Complex and captivating.” —Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of House of Salt and Sorrows
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