86: Kia Abdullah on What Happens in the Dark, Violence Against Women & Class | Reading Is Political

If you love crime fiction that makes you think as much as it thrills, this episode of In My Good Books with author Kia Abdullah is a must-listen.Kia joins me to talk about her powerful new novel What Happens in the Dark, a crime thriller that explores violence against women, class, race, and who gets to be heard. Beyond the novel, this episode explores wider themes around class, social mobility, and how our backgrounds shape both opportunity and perception — particularly within the justice system. Kia also reflects on representation in literature, the power of storytelling, and why all books can be political, even when they don’t seem it on the surface.We also talk about the role books can play in driving real-world change, with a powerful discussion around Grenfell and the importance of telling stories that hold systems to account.Plus, Kia shares a brilliant selection of book recommendations, from life-changing childhood reads to thought-provoking nonfiction and comforting favourites.Find Kia here: https://www.instagram.com/direct/inbox/Buy Kia's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/what-happens-in-the-dark-kia-abdullah/7751475?ean=9780008570064&next=t