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:
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
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it: Goodreads,
Amazon, Kindle, B&N, TBD,
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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
—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
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
____________________________________________________________
ABOUT THE AUTHORS:
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/.
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/
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).
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/.
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’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
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/
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
____________________________________________________________
Giveaway Details:
1 winner
will receive a $10 Amazon GC, International.
Tour
Schedule:
Week
One:
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11/9/2020 |
Spotlight |
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11/10/2020 |
Instagram Stop |
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11/11/2020 |
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11/12/2020 |
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11/13/2020 |
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11/16/2020 |
Review |
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11/17/2020 |
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11/18/2020 |
Review |
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11/19/2020 |
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11/20/2020 |
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11/23/2020 |
Review |
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11/24/2020 |
Review |
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11/25/2020 |
Review |
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11/26/2020 |
Review |
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11/27/2020 |
Review |
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Four:
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11/30/2020 |
Review |
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12/1/2020 |
Review |
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12/2/2020 |
Review |
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12/3/2020 |
Review |
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12/4/2020 |
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12/7/2020 |
Review |
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12/8/2020 |
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12/9/2020 |
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12/10/2020 |
Review |
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12/11/2020 |
Review |
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