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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This was an enjoyable read, but I found that I picked all of the twists from very early on in the book so it was a bit predictable
4.5 ⭐️ I desperately wanted to give this book 5 stars, but the ending disappointed me. justice for Afton
*After Dark* is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you on edge from start to finish. Afton Teachout is a fascinating protagonist, a woman burdened by a dark past and the cruel whispers of her small town. Accused of a crime she can’t fully remember, Afton’s life is one of isolation and quiet desperation, making her story both heartbreaking and compelling.
The plot takes off when Afton receives an unexpected financial windfall, setting in motion a series of events that spiral out of control. Minka Kent masterfully weaves suspense into every chapter, making you question what’s real and what’s imagined. The eerie phone calls and the sense of being watched add layers of tension, making it impossible to put the book down.
Afton’s relationship with her only friend, Sydney, adds an emotional depth to the story. Her desire to help Sydney escape a toxic marriage is noble, but as the story unfolds, the line between savior and victim blurs in unexpected ways. The twists and turns in the plot keep you guessing, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, Kent throws in another surprise.
*After Dark* is a solid thriller with a haunting atmosphere and a protagonist you can’t help but root for, even as the darkness closes in around her. If you enjoy suspenseful reads with a psychological edge, this one is definitely worth picking up.
The plot takes off when Afton receives an unexpected financial windfall, setting in motion a series of events that spiral out of control. Minka Kent masterfully weaves suspense into every chapter, making you question what’s real and what’s imagined. The eerie phone calls and the sense of being watched add layers of tension, making it impossible to put the book down.
Afton’s relationship with her only friend, Sydney, adds an emotional depth to the story. Her desire to help Sydney escape a toxic marriage is noble, but as the story unfolds, the line between savior and victim blurs in unexpected ways. The twists and turns in the plot keep you guessing, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, Kent throws in another surprise.
*After Dark* is a solid thriller with a haunting atmosphere and a protagonist you can’t help but root for, even as the darkness closes in around her. If you enjoy suspenseful reads with a psychological edge, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Very good, didn’t anticipate the twists! Felt like there could have been a little more to the ending but overall it wrapped up nicely.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
This one was approaching 5 stars for me. It kept me engaged, but the ending wasn't as good as I had hoped.
I can always rely on Minka Kent to spin a great mystery and keep me on my toes and this book did just that!
As a teen Afton was found covered in blood standing over the body of her moms boyfriends body, who also happened to be Aftons best friends Sydney’s dad. Labeled crazy and a murder her past has followed her she’s an outcast. Now as an adult Afton lives with her grandmother and works the night shift at the local hotel in her small town, she relies on pills to help her sleep and make it through the day. Luck has never been something Afton has ever felt, but one night everything changes. Afton creates a secret plan in motion to help her only friend Sydney yes the same Sydney whose dad she’s accused of murdering! Afton sees how Sydney is struggling being a wife and a mom and a business owner. Afton also believes Sydney’s husband is toxic and lazy and a possible adulterer. What could go wrong?! Afton begins receiving unsettling phone calls from a restricted number, and someone has been lingering outside her home. But soon it’s apparent her best intentions maybe spinning out of control and whose lurking in the dark or is it just her imagination?
As a teen Afton was found covered in blood standing over the body of her moms boyfriends body, who also happened to be Aftons best friends Sydney’s dad. Labeled crazy and a murder her past has followed her she’s an outcast. Now as an adult Afton lives with her grandmother and works the night shift at the local hotel in her small town, she relies on pills to help her sleep and make it through the day. Luck has never been something Afton has ever felt, but one night everything changes. Afton creates a secret plan in motion to help her only friend Sydney yes the same Sydney whose dad she’s accused of murdering! Afton sees how Sydney is struggling being a wife and a mom and a business owner. Afton also believes Sydney’s husband is toxic and lazy and a possible adulterer. What could go wrong?! Afton begins receiving unsettling phone calls from a restricted number, and someone has been lingering outside her home. But soon it’s apparent her best intentions maybe spinning out of control and whose lurking in the dark or is it just her imagination?
fast-paced
“My mother always says that inside each of us is a stranger - someone who looks like us and sounds like us, but is anything but. She calls it our shadow self. It’s where we keep our anger, our shame, our guilt, our darkness.”
A fantastic standalone psychological thriller!
Don’t you often wonder how authors come up with names for characters? I’d love to know how Minka Kent arrived at ‘Afton Teachout’ for her protagonist. Even more puzzling than the FMC’s name is her ‘friendship’ with her best friend and her family after allegedly killing Sydney’s dad. How can you remain friendly after you see your bestie with a bloodied knife and your dad dead? I was hooked - especially after learning that Sydney’s dad was Afton’s mom’s boyfriend! What toxic relationships.
What follows is a dual timeline revealing Afton’s friendship with Sydney; it’s dark and full of secrets! The author examines mental health and questions whether a deferred sentence really means freedom or if it’s just as limiting as a conviction. Sometimes, second chances aren’t all they are cracked up to be….even after a windfall! Even after boring shifts at the Grantwell Hotel in Shelter Rock. Just ask Afton! I had to suspend disbelief for a few moments and I didn’t know whether to trust the narrator, but I was on the edge of my seat and I was entertained.
You’ll have to read this well-paced quick read to get an inside look into the strangers, the ‘shadow self,’ within Afton and Sydney. Know this, you’ll have plenty of questions unanswered!
Anyone else need a sequel?
I was gifted this copy Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
A fantastic standalone psychological thriller!
Don’t you often wonder how authors come up with names for characters? I’d love to know how Minka Kent arrived at ‘Afton Teachout’ for her protagonist. Even more puzzling than the FMC’s name is her ‘friendship’ with her best friend and her family after allegedly killing Sydney’s dad. How can you remain friendly after you see your bestie with a bloodied knife and your dad dead? I was hooked - especially after learning that Sydney’s dad was Afton’s mom’s boyfriend! What toxic relationships.
What follows is a dual timeline revealing Afton’s friendship with Sydney; it’s dark and full of secrets! The author examines mental health and questions whether a deferred sentence really means freedom or if it’s just as limiting as a conviction. Sometimes, second chances aren’t all they are cracked up to be….even after a windfall! Even after boring shifts at the Grantwell Hotel in Shelter Rock. Just ask Afton! I had to suspend disbelief for a few moments and I didn’t know whether to trust the narrator, but I was on the edge of my seat and I was entertained.
You’ll have to read this well-paced quick read to get an inside look into the strangers, the ‘shadow self,’ within Afton and Sydney. Know this, you’ll have plenty of questions unanswered!
Anyone else need a sequel?
I was gifted this copy Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.