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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
(Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.)
Minka Kent is an author that I consistently read - and enjoy - her books. This one was no exception. I didn't read the summary before starting, so I didn't know what to expect. The first 50% was so-so, but once I hit that first twist, I was sucked in and had to finish the book ASAP. There were a few things that were unlikely, but overall, it was a great story. I only wish there was a bit better of an ending (seems like I have a more vindictive side to me than the author does. lol). I recommend this if you're looking for an intense story!
Minka Kent is an author that I consistently read - and enjoy - her books. This one was no exception. I didn't read the summary before starting, so I didn't know what to expect. The first 50% was so-so, but once I hit that first twist, I was sucked in and had to finish the book ASAP. There were a few things that were unlikely, but overall, it was a great story. I only wish there was a bit better of an ending (seems like I have a more vindictive side to me than the author does. lol). I recommend this if you're looking for an intense story!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Oh my god???
The first half of this book felt like a standard thriller/mystery and was good, but around the 2/3 mark the story pivoted and made me rethink the entire story. I was genuinely surprised by both of the major plot twists and was actually satisfied with the ending (which I didn’t anticipate).
One knock against this book is that the writing had some weird repetition. There were a few quirky phrases that were used 3+ times (e.g., “I felt it in my marrow”, “I’d pay a thousand pennies for his thoughts”) and it took me out of the story every time they came up.
The first half of this book felt like a standard thriller/mystery and was good, but around the 2/3 mark the story pivoted and made me rethink the entire story. I was genuinely surprised by both of the major plot twists and was actually satisfied with the ending (which I didn’t anticipate).
One knock against this book is that the writing had some weird repetition. There were a few quirky phrases that were used 3+ times (e.g., “I felt it in my marrow”, “I’d pay a thousand pennies for his thoughts”) and it took me out of the story every time they came up.
Wow, just wow! I've become such a huge fan of Minka Kent and this one blew me away! Fast-paced thriller to keep you on the edge of your seat just waiting to see what's going to happen next! Nicely blended dual time periods and POV's. She really got me with the twists at the end!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
AFTER DARK was quite the unexpected read. I found myself really liking Aston. She is living as the town outcast due having “allegedly” murdering her best friends dad *that was doing the dilly dally with her mom. You hear from Aston that she didn’t commit this crime so you’re immediately wondering well if not her than who. And is she sure she didn’t? She had been prone to blackouts so anything was possible right? Aston comes into some money which can change the world whole life and along with helping herself, she wants to help her friend. The dynamics of this friendship have to be paid close attention to as well as her closeness to her besties mom. Minka Kent does a great job developing her characters and allowing you to get to know them while you get to read a suspenseful and satisfying story!
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Everything she knows to be real is just a figment of her imagination and her life is unraveling fast. Who can she trust?
This story unfolds in Shelter Rock, an isolated Midwestern hamlet where everyone knows everyone else’s business while also being obsessed with their high school football team
There are two points of view between Afton Teachout and Sydney Carson in first person narrative. Other characters are Cynthia, Sydney’s mom and Drew, Sydney’s high school sweetheart now husband. They have 3 boys. She runs a Spa and he has his own business. Sydney also works as a nurse some nights because they need the money.
We see two timelines alternating between present day and their memories of 2003. Afton was 17 and was on trial for killing her mom’s boyfriend, who just happened to be Sydney’s dad, Rick Carson, Shelter Rock High School football coach, and Cynthia’s husband. Afton always claimed her innocence, but the entire town treated her like a pariah then and still to this day. Cynthia and Sydney always believed in her innocence.
Present Day and things aren’t so good for either one of them .Afton is on a large regimen of pills for her mental health and Sydney and her cheating husband are close to filing bankruptcy. Afton knows she’s innocent of Rick Carson’s murder 20 years ago, but can not remember anything that happened that night. Now, she is having blackouts, hallucinations, and paranoia. Everything that she knows to be real is just a figment of her imagination and her life is unraveling fast. The development of the two characters, Afton and Sydney, is a big focus in the story. They go from being best friends as teenagers to a rather strange and complicated relationship that adds to the mystery of what happened. I liked Afton and felt like she was trustworthy and too kindhearted to have killed someone. I had mixed feelings about Sydney, but as things transpired, my feelings about them changed.
I have read every thriller that Minka Kent has written and she is always a “must read” for me. In “After Dark” she has written a riveting, fast-paced psychological thriller with perfect timing and pacing to draw you in and keep you engaged with the characters and the storyline. There are a few different twists and surprises throughout the book that keep you intrigued but I definitely was not prepared for the final reveal.
Overall, I can only say good things about this book. It gave me everything I love in a suspense thriller from the easy, fast-paced storyline, to the intriguing plot and unexpected twists. I’m giving After Dark a well-deserved rating of 5 stars. I recommend this book and Minka’s other thrillers to serious psychological thriller fans that like a fast-paced, suspenseful, and well-written story.
This story unfolds in Shelter Rock, an isolated Midwestern hamlet where everyone knows everyone else’s business while also being obsessed with their high school football team
There are two points of view between Afton Teachout and Sydney Carson in first person narrative. Other characters are Cynthia, Sydney’s mom and Drew, Sydney’s high school sweetheart now husband. They have 3 boys. She runs a Spa and he has his own business. Sydney also works as a nurse some nights because they need the money.
We see two timelines alternating between present day and their memories of 2003. Afton was 17 and was on trial for killing her mom’s boyfriend, who just happened to be Sydney’s dad, Rick Carson, Shelter Rock High School football coach, and Cynthia’s husband. Afton always claimed her innocence, but the entire town treated her like a pariah then and still to this day. Cynthia and Sydney always believed in her innocence.
Present Day and things aren’t so good for either one of them .Afton is on a large regimen of pills for her mental health and Sydney and her cheating husband are close to filing bankruptcy. Afton knows she’s innocent of Rick Carson’s murder 20 years ago, but can not remember anything that happened that night. Now, she is having blackouts, hallucinations, and paranoia. Everything that she knows to be real is just a figment of her imagination and her life is unraveling fast. The development of the two characters, Afton and Sydney, is a big focus in the story. They go from being best friends as teenagers to a rather strange and complicated relationship that adds to the mystery of what happened. I liked Afton and felt like she was trustworthy and too kindhearted to have killed someone. I had mixed feelings about Sydney, but as things transpired, my feelings about them changed.
I have read every thriller that Minka Kent has written and she is always a “must read” for me. In “After Dark” she has written a riveting, fast-paced psychological thriller with perfect timing and pacing to draw you in and keep you engaged with the characters and the storyline. There are a few different twists and surprises throughout the book that keep you intrigued but I definitely was not prepared for the final reveal.
Overall, I can only say good things about this book. It gave me everything I love in a suspense thriller from the easy, fast-paced storyline, to the intriguing plot and unexpected twists. I’m giving After Dark a well-deserved rating of 5 stars. I recommend this book and Minka’s other thrillers to serious psychological thriller fans that like a fast-paced, suspenseful, and well-written story.
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced