The setting for this book is very similar to Kristen Arnett's Mostly Dead Things (another book I loved) as it takes place in a very rural area. The characters depicted are also similar in both stories. However, The Familiar Dark is more sinister and dramatic when compared to Arnett's novel. I caution those who are thriller genre newbies as there is some very graphic violence present in this story. Fellow thriller lovers will probably really enjoy this one though!