A well paced and twisty novel about two men locked in a sort of battle - serial killer and law enforcement officer, Know that there is ugly violence, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience

Government drama? I will pass. I should have read more deeply before starting this book. this was a DNF for me because I would count this as government crime and even spy thriller

This whole series is a must read for fans of well written crime and mystery, thrillers and suspense featuring a compelling protagonist that you can’t help but route for.
I couldn’t read this book and the others fast enough 🖤

I am going to assume this is a good book per others reviews but the formatting was so annoying I gave up. The formats are always a tad messy in ebook arcs, nut this is ridiculous. I don't want to figure out one or two words each sentence. Publisher: Do better. This is a distraction and a disservice to the author.

Current status: It’s 2am and my bedroom is lit up like Blackpool Illuminations!

Seriously! Why do I keep doing this to myself? I’m really starting to question my sanity...

Oi, that’s enough from the gallery – thank you!

I’ll admit that I have a fascination with twisted characters and, let’s face it, they don’t come more sick and twisted than Francis Ackerman Jr. He is the bogey man brought to life! Yet, I was obsessed with finding out what made him tick.

*shrugs* Issues? Yeah, I know.

What can I say about I Am The Night? It was a fast paced, heart-stopping read which was fraught with tension and suspense. Oh, and did I mention a tad gruesome? *winces*

Plus, you all know how I love a good conspiracy theory. Come on, I can’t be the only that’s mused about the possibility of something that’s happened reaching the higher echelons of power?

I’ve done it again! I apologise for all the ???, lol.

That ending though – jaw-dropping...

I’m a newbie to Ethan Cross’ books but can safely say he has cemented a place in my auto-buy list.

Personally couldn’t get over the format of the book, and I found a lot of miss spelled words. I just couldn’t get into it as much as I tried it was hard to get past the spelling errors. So I had to DNF it.

I Am The Night by Ethan Cross is a psychological tug-of-war between two killers - Ackerman, the serial killer and Marcus, a former homicide detective. The book starts out with a vivid glimpse into Ackerman's gruesome killing tactics, how he plays psychological games and tortures his victims. Meanwhile, Marcus inherits a ranch in the countryside and starts a new life, leaving his past in New York. When an innocent elderly neighbour gets killed in a similar grisly way like Ackerman's style, Marcus gets himself entangled in Ackerman's games.

I love psychological thrillers and this book fulfills my love for that genre. While the book disects the psychology of murderers, especially notable infamous serial killers throughout history, using Ackerman's character, it also spuns out an exciting tale of revenge. I certainly loved the plot, and it would have been gripping, if not for the sudden changes in narrative perspective, after every chapter. It was confusing at first, this change in point of view. The book takes its own sweet time to come to the point, because it takes the first 50 pages trying to establish Ackerman's antisocial personality. I would have definitely given this book an extra star, if it wasn't so long.

From the first page itself, the story of the book makes you interested in knowing what happens to Ackerman, how is this calculating killer going to get caught, that it makes the book unputdownable from the very beginning. However, trigger warning alert - the book is filled with scenes of violence and a few graphic description of the murder victims. And, a great many fight scenes that become repetitive afterwards.

I liked how this book was told by the villain and the hero. I did find the hero, Marcus to be a bit annoying. I liked the pace and the twists. I liked the ending for Ackerman (the villain), but I didn’t like the ending for Marcus. I didn’t think he would choose what he did. I have a hard time with vigilantes and I didn’t like how the vigilantes won in this book. I don’t think you can ever justify becoming judge, jury and executioner. I did like the pacing and the twists through out this book.

Francis Ackerman is a serial killer. He sets his victims up and forces them to ‘play a game‘ where the victim always ends up loosing. At the beginning of the book, he ties a police officer, his wife and child to chairs. Tells the police officer that only one of the three may walk away. Both the police officer and his wife agree with a look that their child must be the one to go free. So, the police officer shoots his wife. Ackerman offers him a new option. He can shoot himself, a quick death but will leave his child alone with a killer. Or run. Ackerman will give him a head start, but when he catches him, he will draw the death out and it will be brutal.

Marcus Williams is new in town. His aunt died and left him a ranch. He used to be a detective. But not anymore. He doesn’t talk about why. He doesn’t even like thinking about it. When Marcus decides to walk a pretty barmaid home, they are set upon by a bunch of guys. Marcus makes short work of that. Turns out the barmaids farther is the local sheriff.

At the end of a date, the barmaid decides to introduce Marcus to his new neighbour. Only to discover that she was brutally murdered moments before they arrived. Based on the murder scene, the killer must be Ackerman – or, is there another killer in town?

================

First off – WOW! This book – just – WOW.

When I first started reading, I was still on a high from a previous book, and the first couple of chapters of ‘I Am The Night‘ are hardly gripping. I was interested in the Ackerman parts a lot more than the Marcus ones.

With Ackerman, you are neck deep right from the off, whereas the Marcus part is slower and more character built. At least to begin with.

However, this quickly evens out, and there were so many parts of this book that literally made my jaw drop. I was hooked. I couldn’t put it down, I was racing through the pages. I was seriously feeling 5-star, one of the best reads of the year type vibes, despite the slow start. It’s just that great.

This book, in so many ways, is an absolutely brilliant thriller.

Less great: There is a massive twist almost at the end. However, this is not the type of twist I approve of. I am hoping the rest of the books in this series will make this twist feel like less of a lazy resolution. There’s a second little twist right at the very end that I saw coming a mile off, but I liked that it happened even if I would have preferred not to have seen it coming.

The ‘less great’ part is why this book dropped down to a 4-star for me.

I loved the complexity of certain characters. Marcus appears little too perfect and clean-cut, to begin with. His secret definitely saves him as a character for me. Ackerman is a brilliant character. His backstory is flawless. Can a psychopath be made or is he born? Can anyone, regardless of what they do, find forgiveness and redemption in the eyes of God?

I can not wait to read the next instalment. I am thrilled to recommend this book to anyone who loves a thriller.

================

TW: There are some scenes of gruesome violence in this book.

Psychological mind games.

I gather that this is the first in the Ackerman Thrillers series . . . depicting the psychological mindset of a seriously twisted individual. Although I usually love this genre, it is only fair to point out that it is exceptionally graphic throughout, with gratuitous violence . . . not for the faint-hearted!

The plot revolves around the two main characters, Francis Ackerman Jr., a serial killer, and Marcus Williams, a former New York homicide detective. Although they are poles apart in their personalities, somehow their lives become intertwined.

Ackerman thrives on his lust for killing in the most heinous crimes imaginable. He is a vain psychopath, enjoying the fame from his serial killings. He sinks to the depths of depravity, frequently removing various body parts from his victims. His father, Ackerman Sr. is also an interesting character!

Marcus Williams is an entirely different character, but even he has a deep dark secret from his past whilst living in New York. Why are their lives so entwined?

Throughout the book, both men encounter numerous killers, even some surprising characters. I feel that the author tries too deeply to shock his audience, so although some parts flowed smoothly, others just dragged for me. Overall, it was not an uplifting read.

Galadriel.

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of this book to review.

I volunteered to read this book, through netgalley in exchange, for an honest review.
My first time reading and Ethan Cross novel and I was impressed. It was a fast paced book with some plots that kept me on edge. Anyway who likes a thriller and action book this one is for you.

I volunteered to read this book, through netgalley in exchange, for an honest review. This book gets you in the head of two different killers. It is well written. The pacing of this story is good. It is a good psychological thriller. If you like reading about different killers then this is the book for you. This ebook is in stores now for $4.99 (AUD).

Thanks Net Galley

I have never heard of Mr. Cross but I enjoyed this clash of killers

With that clash there is a bit of violence to follow in the book but all within keeping of the basic story I thought.

Enjoy

This book was fantastic. It was a fast-paced thriller, however some people might find the violence a bit gruesome. The surprises happen very fast and catch you off guard. I was constantly turning the page and reading more because I just couldn’t get enough.

This is a psychological book about a serial killer and the former detective who is after him.
The action is full of twists and a little chaotic sometimes.
There are some gruesome scenes in the book that you should consider before reading the it.
Overall it was an interesting reading and maybe I will pick up the rest of the books too.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

The book opens strong with a murder which grips you right from the beginning. We then learn that the murderer is Francis Ackerman Jr, a well known serial killer. We follow a few of his kills and also the story of Marcus Williams, an homicide detective who has recently lost his job. Both of these men are more similar than they seem.

There is so much that goes on in this book and it is full of action. It is a proper cat and mouse chase and there is never a dull moment. I could definitely see it as a horror/action movie. Just when you think you are at the crux of the action, something else happens that leaves you in awe. It is really well written and everything comes around full circle.

This is the first book in the Ackerman series and it is a great introduction to him. We are given a deep backstory into the complexities and intricacies of his mind and why he kills. Most thrillers I read are series' based on the police officers hunting the killers but it is interesting to see it from the other side. I will definitely be picking up the rest of the books in series!

Violence is integral to this thriller, vividly depicted throughout, so be warned. This is more than a thriller about a serial killer and the ex-cop chasing him, both antagonist and protagonist are pawns in an immoral political game.

Flawed and relatable characters and a suspenseful and twisty plot make this an addictive read. The sense of menace pervades this story on many levels. The serial killer is evil, but the darkness, extends much wider, even the good characters have noir traits.

This is a grisly and gripping thriller that will satisfy the requirements of most thriller readers.

I received a copy of this book from Aries Fiction – Head of Zeus via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I am the Night by Ethan Cross
Originally Published 2011 as The Shepherd
Shepherd Thriller #1 or Ackerman Thriller #1

Graphic, gritty and gruesome some of the opening scenes had me cringing and thinking about not continuing the story BUT I chose to keep going even though I wondered how Ackerman could do the things he did. I did eventually find out a bit about Francis Ackerman Jr. but am sure there is more to be learned in future books. Then there was Marcus Williams – a man that seemed the complete opposite of Ackerman. Why are they in the same book and what purpose, if anything, will their meeting up have. Once I got into the story I couldn’t put it down and have to say I am eager to tackle book two if/when I find a copy to read.

What I liked:
* The writing: felt like I was there within the story
* The twists and turns – there were many
* That I was surprised at the end of the story – I tend to read the end before I reach the last page and was still surprised
* Marcus: a good man that carried a heavy weight
* Ackerman: in spite of how wicked he was he grew on me and I really want to see what will happen to him as the series progresses.
* That though this is a serial killer story it is not like most of its genre
* That I will be thinking about this story for quite a while.

What I did not like:
* Ackerman’s father – a heinous creature even more evil than his son
* That so many suffered and lost their lives…painfully

Did I enjoy this book? In the end I really did…in spite of the cringing and wanting to look through my fingers at times
Would I read more by this author/in this series? Definitely

Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus-Aria for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

I have a weak spot for serial killer thrillers, so as soon as I read the blurb of I Am The Night I knew I HAD to read it. I've been looking forward to read it ever since, and I fully expected to have a brilliant time with this first book of a series that is being republished... Sadly, things weren't ment to be. I'm going to keep things short as I honestly don't have much to say about this book, but I'll try to explain briefly why this book ended up being such a disappointment for me.

Before I start, I have to say that my issues weren't with the fact that this is basically one of the most twisted serial killers I've met to this date. Trust me, this part I could highly appreciate and Ackerman's character and his background was actually the sole reason I kept reading. Why? Let's just say that I Am The Night is so ridiculously over the top and farfetched that your eyebrows will suffer a burnout long before you reach that final page. I don't mind a little lack of credibility if the entertainment factor makes up for it, but saying that I Am The Night took it one step too far would be the understatement of the century. The conspiracy plot, the constant deaths, the convenient 'romance' so the 'hero' has someone to save, the plot twists (if you can call them that), the constant POV switches, the ridiculous sequence of actions of basically every character in play... Oh yes, I had serious issues with just about every aspect of this story.

Is there more? Sadly, there is. I wasn't convinced by the writing at all, and the many POV switches made it harder to connect to the story and keep track of everybody. Especially since so much of the plot is extremely over the top and not credible at all, and it reads more like a poorly written Hollywood action movie that lacks imagination and tries to make up for it with plenty of violence and a ridiculous conspiracy plot. I confess that I started skimreading long before the final page, and sadly my time with I Am The Night turned out to be as fun as a trip to the dentist despite my love for serial killer thrillers. Oh well, at least I know for sure now.