Spoiler-Free Review: Nothing Good Happens After Midnight Anthology (By Various Authors)

 

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT ANTHOLOGY by Suspense Publishing Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About the Book:

Title: NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT ANTHOLOGY

Authors: Jeffery Deaver, Linwood Barclay, Rhys Bowen, Heather Graham, Alan Jacobson, Paul Kemprecos, Jon Land, John Lescroart, Kevin O'Brien, Hank Phillippi Ryan, D.P. Lyle, Joseph Badal, Shannon Kirk

Pub. Date: November 17, 2020

Publisher: Suspense Publishing

Formats:  Hardcover, Paperback, eBook

Pages: 338

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, TBD, Bookshop.org

Read for FREE with a Kindle Unlimited Membership!

The sun sets. The moon takes its place, illuminating the most evil corners of the planet. What twisted fear dwells in that blackness? What legends attach to those of sound mind and make them go crazy in the bright light of day? Only Suspense Magazine knows…

Teaming up with New York Times bestselling author Jeffery Deaver, Suspense Magazine offers up a nail-biting anthology titled: “Nothing Good Happens After Midnight.” This thrilling collection consists of thirteen original short stories representing the genres of suspense/thriller, mystery, sci-fi/fantasy, and more.

Readers’ favorites come together to explore the mystery of midnight. The ‘best of the best’ presenting these memorable tales, include: Joseph Badal, Linwood Barclay, Rhys Bowen, Heather Graham, Alan Jacobson, Paul Kemprecos, Shannon Kirk, Jon Land, John Lescroart, D. P. Lyle, Kevin O’Brien, and Hank Phillippi Ryan.

Take their hands…walk into their worlds…but be prepared to leave the light on when you’re through. After all, this incredible gathering of authors, who will delight fans of all genres, not only utilized their award-winning imaginations to answer that age-old question of why “Nothing Good Happens After Midnight”—they also made sure to pen stories that will leave you…speechless.

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Contents:

INTRODUCTION By Jeffery Deaver

12:01 AM By Alan Jacobson

Cell Phone Intolerant by Kevin O’Brien

All Aboard by Hank Phillippi Ryan

Gone Forever by Joseph Badal

Night Shift by Linwood Barclay

Midnight in the Garden of Death by Heather Graham

The Sixth Decoy by Paul Kemprecos

A Creative Defense By Jeffery Deaver

After Midnight By Rhys Bowen

Easy Peasey by John Lescroart

TONIC by D. P. Lyle

Tonight is the Night by Shannon Kirk

ATM By Jon Land

Praise:

“Most of the 13 all-original tales in this superlative anthology are unified by strange or unpleasant incidences occurring after the stroke of midnight. In contrast, Alan Jacobson’s thrilling ‘12:01 AM,’ about a kidnapper patterning himself after a serial killer on death row, defies the perception that nothing good happens after midnight, as does Jon Land’s ‘ATM,’ a redemption tale of a young man sent on a series of vague quests to improve people’s lives. Of special the distinction is Linwood Barclay’s sublime nail-biter, ‘Night Shift,’ about a newspaperman trying to stop a late-night caller from going on a killing spree, and Kevin O’Brien’s ‘Cell Phone Intolerant,’ a darkly amusing vigilante tale of an anti-cell phone zealot whose crusade to punish inconsiderate people has shocking repercussions. Other standouts include Heather Graham’s disquieting spine-chiller, ‘Midnight in the Garden of Death,’ in which high schoolers spend the night in a cemetery, and Deaver’s supernatural gothic, ‘A Creative Defense,’ which underscores the power of music. This volume is guaranteed to keep readers burning the midnight oil well into the wee hours.”

Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

 

“Something very good happens after midnight…just pick up this brilliant book and be transported—and very afraid!”

—Peter James, UK #1 Bestselling Author of the Detective Superintendent Roy Grace Series

 

NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT is a treat—dark, chilling, and delicious. Grab it.”

—Meg Gardiner, Edgar Award-Winning Author of The Dark Corners of the Night

 

NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT proves that the witching hour still has the power to haunt in this suspenseful collection of stories by luminaries in the literary world. Inventive, twisted, and downright chilling, here is an anthology to be savored—well past midnight and into the dead of night.”

—James Rollins, #1 New York Times Bestseller of The Last Odyssey

 

“This anthology showcases some of the best talents in the thriller genre—or in any genre. Whether quirky or creepy, each story displays the talent and uniqueness of its author. And since all are so good, this collection is a delightful read.”

—Sandra Brown, #1 New York Times Bestseller of Thick as Thieves

 

“If you like intrigue and suspense, you’ll love this salmagundi of tense tales from some of today’s short story masters. This book is guaranteed to keep you awake until midnight and beyond.”

—Steven James, Bestselling Author of The Bowers Files

 

Nothing Good Happens After Midnight is loads of fun. The stories from this lineup of all-star authors are a blast to read, with plenty of neck-snapping twists and heart-stopping thrills that will keep you turning pages way past the title’s the witching hour.”

—Boyd Morrison, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

 

“Readers rarely get a gift such as this—a superb collection from the giants of mystery and suspense.”

—Robert Dugoni, Bestselling Author of the Tracy Crosswhite Series

 

“Midnight is the magic switch. Safe becomes dangerous, good becomes evil, quietly turns raucous. When the clock strikes twelve in NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT, a talented crew of writers unleashes a maelstrom of thrills so intense, you will never sleep again. Unputdownable!” 

—K.J. Howe, International Bestselling Author of SKYJACK

 

NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT is a treasure chest of novelties, curiosities, and gems. From Kevin O’Brien’s ‘Cell Phone Intolerant’ to Shannon Kirk’s ‘Tonight is the Night’ and Jon Land’s surprisingly heartfelt ‘ATM,’ you’ll never step outside at night in quite the same way.”

—Joseph Finder, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Nick Heller Series

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 Before diving into my review, please note that it is based on my opinion of the book. As you consider my thoughts, remember that you are allowed to have different feelings about this book. I was sent a free copy by the publisher Suspense Publishing and Rockstar Book Tours as an early review copy, however, that does not affect or influence my review of the book. If you haven't read it yet, feel free to pick up a copy and form your own opinion on it.


    Content Warnings: Violence, Mature Behavior, Death, Blood. Please proceed with caution.


    Note: This book deals with mature themes and topics.

    Review:

    I selected one story from the anthology to read and review: Gone Forever by Joseph Badal. The story is a murder mystery detective story that follows the journey of Detective Barbara Lassiter and her team as they conduct an investigation to uncover how exactly a vicious attack and murder of ten parishioners within a church went down. Despite being quite short in length, this story managed to build suspense without seeming too forced or unnatural. 

    The adjectives used in the descriptions of the setting were haunting and unsettling, perfect for the plot of the story, and worked to really build that feeling of suspense throughout. The church sanctuary description, in particular, was chilling as a reminder of the gruesome event that had taken place in that location. As Detective Barbara learns about the Brennan family's backstory, it felt like some of the pieces of the story were starting to come together as to what really happened and also in understanding the motives behind Lucas Brennan's actions. 

    It was devastating to read about all the tragedies that had befallen the Brennan family and see how their bad luck plagued them everywhere. I won't describe exactly what happens in the story as I don't want to spoil it, but I will say that the family definitely did not deserve all the pain and suffering they go through. I wish the story was longer so we could have seen some of the murder action beforehand or started in the room where the people were slaughtered right after it happened. I think this could've helped immerse readers more fully into the story and definitely would've added to the ominous, suspenseful mood present throughout. 

    Overall, I enjoyed this short story but I don't think it was mindblowing or revolutionary for the mystery/suspense genre. I wish that the story had been a bit longer so that we could get more characterization about the detectives and central characters of the story and to make the plot more intriguing. I think it fulfilled its intentions with what it set out to do, so I really can't fault the author or the story, there's nothing inherently wrong about it. The critiques I have for the story are mainly things to do with the fact that the story could only be so long and expansive as part of an anthology collection.


Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Murder Mystery

Publication Date: November 17, 2020

Publisher: Suspense Publishing

Author: Joseph Badal

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ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

 

JOSEPH BADAL grew up in a family where storytelling had been passed down from generation to generation. 

Prior to a long business career, Joe served for six years as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army in critical, highly classified positions in the U.S. and overseas, including tours of duty in Greece and Vietnam, and earned numerous military decorations. 

Joe is an Amazon #1 bestselling author, with 16 published suspense novels. He has been recognized as “One of The 50 Best Writers You Should Be Reading.” His books have received two Tony Hillerman Awards for Best Fiction Book of the Year, been top prize winners on multiple occasions in the New Mexico/Arizona Book Awards competition received gold medals from the Military Writers Society of America, the Eric Hoffer Award, and Finalist honors in the International Book Awards. 

He writes a regular column titled “Inspired by Actual Events” in Suspense Magazine

To learn more, visit his website at http://www.josephbadalbooks.com/

 

LINWOOD BARCLAY, a New York Times bestselling author and with nearly twenty novels to his credit spent three decades in newspapers before turning full time to writing thrillers. His books have been translated into more than two dozen languages, sold millions of copies, and he counts Stephen King among his fans. Many of his books have been optioned for film and TV, a series has been made in France, and he wrote the screenplay for the film based on his novel NEVER SAW IT COMING. Born in the US, his parents moved to Canada just as he was turning four, and he’s lived there ever since. He lives near Toronto with his wife, Neetha. They have two grown children. http://www.linwoodbarclay.com/

 

RHYS BOWEN is the New York TimesWall Street Journal, and the USA Today bestselling author of two historical mystery series, as well as three internationally bestselling standalone novels. Her books have won multiple awards and been translated into over twenty languages. A transplanted Brit, Rhys now divides her time between California and Arizona, where she escapes from those harsh California winters. http://www.rhysbowen.com/

 





New York Times and the USA Today bestselling author, HEATHER GRAHAM, majored in theater arts at
the University of South Florida. After a stint of several years in dinner theater, back-up vocals, and bartending, she stayed home after the birth of her third child and began to write. Her first book was with Dell and since then, she has written over two hundred novels and novellas including category, suspense, historical romance, vampire fiction, time travel, occult, and Christmas family fare.

She is pleased to have been published in approximately twenty-five languages. She has written over 200 novels and has 60 million books in print. She has been honored with awards from booksellers and writers’ organizations for excellence in her work, and she is also proud to be a recipient of the Silver Bullet from Thriller Writers and was also awarded the prestigious Thriller Master in 2016. She is also a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from RWA. Heather has had books selected for the Doubleday Book Club and the Literary Guild, and has been quoted, interviewed, or featured in such publications as The Nation, Redbook, Mystery Book Club, People, and USA Today and appeared on many newscasts including Today, Entertainment Tonight, and local television.

Heather loves travel and anything that has to do with the water and is a certified scuba diver. She also loves ballroom dancing. Each year she hosts the Vampire Ball and Dinner theater at the RT convention, raising money for the Pediatric Aids Society, and in 2006 she hosted the first Writers for New Orleans Workshop to benefit the stricken Gulf Region. She is also the founder of “The Slush Pile Players,” presenting something that’s “almost like entertainment” for various conferences and benefits. Married since high school graduation and the mother of five, her greatest love in life remains her family, but she also believes her career has been an incredible gift, and she is grateful every day to be doing something that she loves so very much for a living. http://www.theoriginalheathergraham.com/

 

ALAN JACOBSON is the award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of fourteen thrillers, including the FBI profiler Karen Vail series and the OPSIG Team Black novels. His books have been translated internationally and several have been optioned by Hollywood. Jacobson’s debut novel, FALSE ACCUSATIONS, was adapted to film by acclaimed Czech screenwriter Jirí Hubac.

Jacobson has spent over twenty-five years working with the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, the DEA, the US Marshals Service, SWAT, the NYPD, Scotland Yard, local law enforcement, and the US military. This research and the breadth of his contacts help bring depth and realism to his characters and stories.

For video interviews and a free personal safety eBook co-authored by Alan Jacobson and FBI Profiler Mark Safarik, please visit http://www.alanjacobson.com/. You can also connect with Jacobson on Facebook (Facebook.com/AlanJacobsonFans), Instagram (alan.jacobson), Twitter (@JacobsonAlan), and Goodreads (alan-jacobson).

 

PAUL KEMPRECOS is the author of eight novels in the Aristotle “Soc” Socarides private detective
series, including COOL BLUE TOMB, winner of a Shamus Award from the Private Eye Writers of America for Best Paperback, and SHARK BAIT, nominated for a Shamus in the same category. Grandmaster of Adventure writer Clive Cussler blurbed: “There can be no better mystery writer in America than Paul Kemprecos.” Paul became the first fiction co-author to work with Cussler when they created and wrote the New York Times bestselling NUMA Files series. After collaborating with Cussler on the first eight books in the NUMA Files, Paul wrote two adventure novels including THE MINOAN CIPHER, nominated for a Thriller award by the International Thriller Writers. Paul lives on Cape Cod with his wife Christi, a financial advisor.

To learn more about Paul Kemprecos, check out his website at http://www.paulkemprecos.com/.

 

SHANNON KIRK is the international bestselling and award-winning author of METHOD 15/33, THE EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY OF VIVIENNE MARSHALL, IN THE VINES, GRETCHEN, VIEBURY GROVE, and short stories in four anthologies: THE NIGHT OF THE FLOOD, NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT, and BORDER NOIR. Shannon is also a contributor to the International Thriller Writers’ Murderers’ Row. Growing up in New Hampshire, Shannon and her brothers were encouraged by their parents to pursue the arts, which instilled in her a love for writing at a young age. A graduate of Suffolk Law School in Massachusetts, Shannon is a practicing litigation attorney and former adjunct law professor, specializing in electronic-evidence law. When she isn’t writing or practicing law, Shannon spends time with her husband, son, and two cats. To learn more about her, visit http://www.shannonkirkbooks.com/.

 

JON LAND is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 50 books, including the award-winning,
critically acclaimed Caitlin Strong series, the most recent of which is STRONG FROM THE HEART. He has also penned six novels in the MURDER, SHE WROTE series and has recently taken over Margaret Truman’s CAPITAL CRIMES series as well. He’s a 1979 graduate of Brown University, lives in Providence, Rhode Island, and can be reached at
jonlandbooks.com or on Twitter @jondland.

 





JOHN LESCROART is the author of twenty-nine novels, nineteen of which have been New York Times bestsellers. Libraries Unlimited places him among “The 100 Most Popular Thriller and Suspense Authors.” With sales of over twelve million copies, his books have been translated into twenty-two languages in more than seventy-five countries and his short stories appear in many anthologies.

John’s first book, SUNBURN, won the Joseph Henry Jackson Award for Best Novel by a California author. DEAD IRISH, THE 13TH JUROR and THE KEEPER were nominees for the Shamus, Anthony, and Silver Falchion Best Mystery Novel, respectively; additionally THE 13TH JUROR is included in the International Thriller Writers publication “100 Must-Read Thrillers of All Time.” HARD EVIDENCE made “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Ultimate Reading List.” THE SUSPECT was the American Author’s Association 2007 Book of the Year. THE MOTIVE was an Audie Finalist of the Audio Publishers Association. THE MERCY RULE, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, THE SUSPECT, THE FALL, and THE RULE OF LAW have been major market Book Club selections. John’s books have been Main Selections of one or more of the Literary Guild, Mystery Guild, and Book of the Month Club.  http://www.johnlescroart.com/

“John Lescroart’s writing skills are a national treasure.”

—The Huffington Post

 

D. P. LYLE is the Amazon #1 Bestselling; Macavity and Benjamin Franklin Award-winning; and
Edgar(2), Agatha, Anthony, Shamus, Scribe, and USA Today Best Book(2) Award-nominated author of 22 books, both non-fiction and fiction, including the Samantha Cody, Dub Walker, Jake Longly and Cain/Harper thriller series and the Royal Pains media tie-in novels. His essay on Jules Verne’s THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND appears in THRILLERS: 100 MUST READS, his short story “Even Steven” in ITW’s anthology THRILLER 3: LOVE IS MURDER and his short story “Bottom Line” in FOR THE SAKE OF THE GAME. He served as editor for and contributed the short story “Splash” to SCWA’s anthology IT’S ALL IN THE STORY.

He hosts the Crime Fiction Writer’s Blog and the Criminal Mischief: The Art and Science of Crime Fiction podcast series. He has worked with many novelists and with the writers of popular television shows such as Law & Order, CSI: Miami, Diagnosis Murder, Monk, Judging Amy, Peacemakers, Cold Case, House, Medium, Women’s Murder Club, 1-800-Missing, The Glades, and Pretty Little Liars.

Learn more at http://www.dplylemd.com.

 

Before his thrillers landed him on the New York Times bestseller list, KEVIN O’BRIEN was a railroad inspector. The author of 21 internationally-published thrillers, he won the Spotted Owl Award for Best Pacific Northwest Mystery, and is a core member of Seattle 7 Writers. Press & Guide said: “If Alfred Hitchcock were alive today and writing novels, his name would be Kevin O’Brien.” Kevin’s latest nail-biter is THE BAD SISTER. http://kevinobrienbooks.com/

 


HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN
is an on-air investigative reporter for Boston’s WHDH-TV, winning 37 Emmys and dozens of more journalism honors. The USA Today bestselling author of 12 thrillers, Ryan’s also an award-winner in her second profession—with five Agathas, three Anthonys, and the coveted Mary Higgins Clark Award. Critics call her “a master of suspense.” Her highly-acclaimed TRUST ME was an Agatha nominee and chosen for numerous prestigious “Best of 2018” lists. Hank’s book THE MURDER LIST is an Agatha, Anthony and Mary Higgins Clark Award nominee.  Her newest standalone is THE FIRST TO LIE (Forge Books August 2020). The Publishers Weekly starred review calls it “Stellar.” http://www.hankphillippiryan.com/

 

JEFFERY DEAVER is an international number-one bestselling author. His novels have appeared on bestseller lists around the world. His books are sold in 150 countries and translated into twenty-five languages. He has served two terms as president of Mystery Writers of America.

The author of forty-three novels, three collections of short stories and a nonfiction law book, and a lyricist of a country-western album, he’s received or been shortlisted for dozens of awards. His THE BODIES LEFT BEHIND was named Novel of the Year by the International Thriller Writers association, and his Lincoln Rhyme thriller THE BROKEN WINDOW and a stand-alone, EDGE, were also nominated for that prize. THE GARDEN OF BEASTS won the Steel Dagger from the Crime Writers Association in England. He’s been nominated for eight Edgar Awards.

Deaver has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Bouchercon World Mystery Convention, the Strand Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award and the Raymond Chandler Lifetime Achievement Award in Italy.

His book A MAIDEN’S GRAVE was made into an HBO movie starring James Garner and Marlee Matlin, and his novel THE BONE COLLECTOR was a feature release from Universal Pictures, starring Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie. Lifetime aired an adaptation of his THE DEVIL’S TEARDROP. NBC television is airing the popular primetime series, Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector.

His latest novel is THE GOODBYE MAN, a Colter Shaw thriller. http://www.jefferydeaver.com/

 

SUSPENSE MAGAZINE was founded in 2007 on the premise that every author in the genre needed a platform to have a voice. From that original concept, Suspense Publishing was born in 2010 to publish high-quality books in the suspense/mystery/horror/thriller genre. Suspense Publishing’s goal is to be a leader in producing the highest quality books in the genre.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon GC, International.

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Tour Schedule:

Week One:

11/9/2020

Two Chicks on Books

Spotlight

11/10/2020

JaimeRockstarBookTours

Instagram Stop

11/11/2020

Living in a Bookworld

Spotlight

11/12/2020

Jazzy Book Reviews

Spotlight

11/13/2020

BookHounds

Spotlight


Week Two:

11/16/2020

The Phantom Paragrapher

Review

11/17/2020

The Reading Wordsmith

Review

11/18/2020

Cuzinlogic

Review

11/19/2020

A Dream Within A Dream

Spotlight

11/20/2020

ig reads

Spotlight


Week Three:

11/23/2020

Allie_reads95

Review

11/24/2020

Lifestyle of Me

Review

11/25/2020

Rajiv's Reviews

Review

11/26/2020

The Momma Spot

Review

11/27/2020

Savings in Seconds

Review

 

Week Four:

11/30/2020

Fyrekatz Blog

Review

12/1/2020

Gimme The Scoop Reviews

Review

12/2/2020

Here's to Happy Endings

Review

12/3/2020

callmekaare

Review

12/4/2020

Books A-Brewin'

Spotlight


Week Five:

12/7/2020

Books and Zebras

Review

12/8/2020

Rockstar Book Tours

Spotlight

12/9/2020

Jaime's World

Spotlight

12/10/2020

Momfluenster

Review

12/11/2020

two points of interest

Review


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