REVIEW
Nothing Good Happens After Midnight
A Suspense Magazine Anthology
by Jeffery Deaver, Linwood Barclay, Rhys Bowen, Heather Graham, Alan Jacobson, Paul Kemprecos, Jon Land, John Lescroart, Kevin O'Brien, Hank Phillippi Ryan, Joseph Badal, D. P. Lyle
Thirteen authors
Thirteen stories
All take place after midnight
All were a wee bit (or more) creepy
And now I want more ;)
I saw this and thought that it would be a good way to read the writing of well-known authors as well as a few that I had not heard of or read before. I thought for sure I would read a few and move on quickly BUT I found that each story I started was one that I could not put down before I read the very last word. The stories were all exceptionally well told and held my interest. I did not skip any of the stories as I thought I might. Thirteen authors, thirteen stories…and I highly recommend this collection for your reading pleasure!
12:01 AM by Alan Jacobson: A serial murderer with hours to live and a kidnapped woman in the same situation…are the two related? Will she be saved? I read about Karen Vail and now want to read more
Cell Phone Intolerant by Kevin O’Brien: Cell phones have become an addiction…one that Ed McKinnon, an inventor, would like to make a difference in.
All Aboard by Hank Phillipi Ryan: a woman on a train overhears something and decides to use her PR fixer skills to make a difference.
Gone Forever by Joseph Badel: A Lassiter/Martin Short Story that introduces cops I wouldn’t mind learning more about. A mass murder in a church has an impact on all there…the ending was powerful!
Night Shift by Linwood Barclay: OMG…gob smacked. Two men talking in a bar shooting the breeze and a story is told that had me on the edge of my seat…I did NOT see what was coming!
Midnight in the Garden of Death by Heather Graham: Would you sleep in a cemetery in tents when you were in high school? This one was…VERY good.
The Sixth Decoy by Pascal Kemprecos: Here is was introduced to Aristotle “Soc” Socarides and now I wonder how many books might have him as the main characters. Soc is tasked with finding a “lost” art object and in so doing things get a bit…dicey.
A Creative Defense by Jeffery Deaver: Music and murder…intriguing idea in this book and it made me wonder…and worry a bit because…what if???
After Midnight by Rhys Bowen: Well, this started out as a fairy tale but turned into something else entirely!
Easy Peasy by John Lescroat: This is another story with teenagers as main characters. There is a bit of an underdog feel to it with a bit of a big twist that I did not see coming.
Tonic by D.P. Lyle: Creepy and strange and just what this collection needed to add that extra noire to the list.
Tonight is the Night by Shannon Kirk: Cold and cruel in a few places…this one had me going and as it was late…might revisit it later to see if I got it right or not…it was definitely dark and gritty!
ATM by Jon Land: Brilliant way to close the anthology…with a bit of hope for Venn and he definitely deserved it!
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Are there authors I would like to read again? Definitely
Thank you to NetGalley and Suspense Magazine for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Description
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.
A Note From the Publisher
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 prime time series, Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector. His latest novel is THE GOODBYE MAN, a Colter Shaw thriller.
