Wow, Natalie is thrown off as the morning after the annual halloween party when she find a women murdered. As she and others try to investigate and find out who this women is a much larger plot comes to fruition. It is linked to the disappearance of her friend years prior. As she is closer to discovering who the hunter is, she does not know he is setting a trap for her. Will she manage to survive?

RATING: 4.5 STARS
2020; Minotaur Books/St. Martin's Press

I loved Blanchard's first novel in the Natalie Lockhart series, Trace of Evil, and was eager for this one to come out. Blanchard did not disappoint with this one. What I enjoy about Lockhart series is that it is more than a mystery, and does not depend on just suspense to keep the story flowing. Natalie as the protagonist really adds to the story. She is a flawed yet strong woman trying to do the right thing. She keeps losing those she loves and has other things thrown at her. You have other realistic characters that also have many layers, that adds to their realism. While the mystery is interesting, it is everything all together that really makes this novel so wonderful. With all the domestic suspense coming out, it's nice to have something a bit less superficial story wise. If you are looking for something on a rainy day, I recommend this one.

***I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.***

The Wicked Hour is the second Detective Natalie Lockhart procedural thriller by Alice Blanchard. Released 1st Dec 2020 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 320 pages and available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a character driven procedural thriller. The plot and character motivations are heavily dependent on the fallout from the first book, and as such it didn't work as well as a standalone. The mystery revolves around the abduction and murder of violinists in and around a prestigious music academy. Detective Lockhart (who is still suffering psychological aftershocks from the occurrences in the first book) pulls a homicide case when the nude body of a young violinist is found in a dumpster after the town's annual Hallowe'en festivities.

There's a lot to unpack here. As stated, the heavy dependence on previous unresolved plot threads from the first book left me feeling somewhat confused and wrong-footed for much of the book. I also got whiplash from how quickly main character Natalie switched emotional gears. She's still suffering brutal emotional trauma and alternately pushing away and trying to repair her relationships, but it was just awkward for me in several places, especially her interactions with her friend/maybe love interest Luke.

The writing is competent throughout and there are glimmers of compelling style and prose to be found. They're not a majority of the book, but they are there. I liked that Natalie is strong, flawed, and actively trying to work through her trauma and grief. I found it somewhat difficult to really invest myself in the characters apart from Natalie.

There is a fair bit of graphic description of violence and some (more minor) mentions of self-harm, suicide, sexual assault (GHB, rohypnol), and rough language.

I plan to continue with the series, but I would strongly recommend readers come into this book having read the first book.

Three and a half stars.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This was my last physical read of 2020, and it really ended the year on a high note, reading-wise.
I LOVED the first book. It was my top read of 2019. The second book did not disappoint either.
The portrayal of grief felt very real and visceral. Anyone who has lost someone close (myself included) can relate to knowing the steps of grief, and perhaps feeling like you're stuck if you don't feel them linearly. That was what I found so relatable about Natalie here: grief doesn't have a timeline, and it's okay to be wherever you are in the process.
There were some really cool details in the case she's working on that really blew my mind. Little A-HA moments that were interesting and also indulgent, like taking a peak into a secret world. I just love this writing style so much.

Sometimes you just need a good mystery to sink your teeth into, and this book gives you a good helping of that.
And the ending...UGH. I'm just sad I have to wait another year for book 3.

I tried to read the first book in this series so I could read this one but I could not get into the book at the time. I will try again another time! Thank you for the optional of reading this book, NetGalley!

The second book in the series and I recommend reading the first, Trace of Evil before starting this, there is a good deal of back story to be missed otherwise.
Natalie Lockhart is a detective in Burning Lake, in upstate New York.
Because the town burned three witches in 1712, it has become a focal point for witches and witchcraft.
After the enormous annual town Halloween celebration, Natalie is on clean up duty.
When a naked young woman's body is found in a dumpster, she is called to investigate. There are not many clues to go on, and it isn't apparent how the victim died. There is a new tatoo on her arm and a strange mark under her chin, which turns out to be a callus. She was a violinist, and after some inquiries, Natalie finds another female violinist has gone missing. Now she must discover if there is a connection between them.
This was a suspenseful police procedural/mystery, with an interesting and complex plot.
There was a variety of engaging characters and Natalie herself is intriguing. I would have liked a little more personal development with her, I know she is still struggling and depressed with things that have happened to her in the past.
Overall, a solid additon to a newer series and I look forward to continuing on with it.
Thank you St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the e-ARC via NetGalley.

The beginning is confusing if you attempt to read The Wicked Hour as a standalone. There are also spoilers for the prior book.

Ultimately I DNFed this because of the ableism. The final straw was the ableist slur at page 196 in the eARC - not only does no one contest the ableism and use of the slur, but they act like even though the use of the slur is mean it's reasonable because the victim scared people. No. Just no. You can call someone scary if they scare you. An ableist, homophobic, transphobic, racist slur is not an acceptable response. When the main character didn't contest this I was done.

Also, changing the slur does not make it okay. In the eARC they say "poot*rd" and everyone knows they really mean the R word.

This is the second book in the Natalie Lockhart series, and I quickly found myself wishing I had read the first book before delving into this one. The prologue is extremely gripping, but once I began chapter 1, I quickly felt confused. I was very distracted from the opening plot because I was trying to figure out what had happened at the conclusion of the previous novel, since Natalie was obviously grieving and had very strained relationships with Brandon and Luke. This really detracted from the story for me and made it hard for me to get engaged.

Natalie Lockhart is a detective who is now famous for solving a high-profile case. Each year, she helps with cleanup following the town’s huge Halloween celebration. When she is picking up trash, a young woman’s body is discovered in a dumpster. Natalie is reluctantly pulled into the investigation.

Some of the writing was repetitive or inconsistent, for example, details that were mentioned about a character would be listed again only a few pages later or repeated chapters later, almost word for word. (Though this could be because I read an unedited ARC.)

The plot of this story was very engaging, once I got past the beginning. I was kept guessing as the list of suspects grew, and I didn’t suspect the ending at all. It appears that there will be another book in this series, which I would eagerly read to learn more about what happens to Natalie next. (Maybe I should also read the first book too, so that I can more fully understand Natalie’s past.) This book is definitely worth a read, and I suspect that the final, edited book is even better than the version I read.

**Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books/St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy of this book to review!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

I wish I had read the first book in the series before starting this one. I will have to read it soon.

Natalie Lockhart is a detective, and she has a complex case to investigate – a young lady is found dead the day after Halloween. There isn’t a lot to go on, and she’s hard to identify.

Enjoyed the plot. There was kind of a surprise ending. Hoping to read book one before book three comes out!

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book from St Martin’s Press and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is book 2 of the Natalie Lockhart series. You can read this as a stand alone but you will be missing the detailed nuances of the characters and their relationships with each other. I had read book 1 and it took me a few chapters to recall the major events impacting Natalie’s behavior in this new story.

Burning Lake has a rich history dating back to the 1712 witch trials which brings rambunctious and rowdy crowds every Halloween. The town attracts those interested in the history of witchcraft and the occult. Unfortunately, street cleaning after the chaos is the least important issue for Burning Lake Detective Natalie Lockwood. A woman is found dead in a dumpster amidst her belongings which included a unique Wiccan charm unlike the odd tattoo discovered on her body.

They discover the deceased is Morgan Chambers who went to a conservatory in Chaste Hall. As an accomplished violinist she struggled to meet her parents high expectations unlike her violinist sister Poppy. This case reminds Natalie of her best friend Bella Striver who had been pronounced dead after her disappearance the night of high school graduation. Bella had attended Huntington Brock Conservatory and also an accomplished violinist. As Natalie tries to uncover who murdered Morgan she also becomes engaged in discovering what happened to her friend all those years ago.

Another twisted story involving the past and the present uncovering the truths and lies from the past. There are points where you can guess the direction of the story only to have a curve ball thrown in to confuse you.

The only aspect which disappointed me was the relationship between Natalie and Luke the police Lieutenant. Unless you read book one about the Crow Killer case you wouldn’t know there was a history between these two characters. They have known each other for years with a friendship that seemed to be a budding romance. This book doesn’t do much to add to the “drama” which is all I can say without adding a spoiler.

This is the second in the Natalie Lockhart detective series. The town of Burning Lake is known for its Halloween festivities which draw crowds of tourists each year. As the town starts to clean up after the latest Halloween, the body of a young woman is found in a dumpster.

I had a hard time rating this book. It is a solid mystery; a decent police procedural. And for that, I would give it four stars. Being the second in the series, though, there are repeated references to characters and actions from the prior novel. In fact, Natalie has been so damaged by the past case which apparently involved her sisters, it permeates her thoughts and actions.

Those who have read the first book will most likely be familiar with the characters and the references. However, I did not and not really knowing what she was talking about or reacting to, I just couldn’t connect with Natalie.

I think the author could have done a better job filling in the background. I’ve read a number of other book series having missed the earlier stories, but the authors were able to do a good job introducing the recurring characters and their history. I missed that in this book, and for that I would rate it 3 stars. There also were instances when the author would repeat the same information almost verbatim. This was a galley copy I read and perhaps the author will edit for the final copy. There also were some factual errors which bothered me.

All that said, I did not feel a burning desire to go back and read the first novel in the series.

Even though this is the second book in the Natalie Lockhart series it is the first I have read and I was blown away with how relatable she is and loved her dynamic with the other characters. This story is thought-provoking, had me on the edge of my seat and unable to put the book down from the first word until I read the last. I now realize I need to read the first book for her backstory and will look forward to more thrillers from the folks in Burning Lake, New York. I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

This is the second book in the series (?), so TECHNICALLY, you can read this one without reading the first one, Trace of Evil, but you'll be missing out on some pretty vital background information about why the characters react the way that they do.

That being said, this is a series about Natalie Lockhart, a rookie detective in the town of Burning Lake. Historically this town saw the burnings of witches so they have a tourist industry surrounding it. Each of these books follows a different case as the BLPD solves it.

Overall, I felt like the mystery was good and well thought out. The characters are fleshed out, but I felt like the middle of this one was a little slow, at least compared to the first one. This one also ended with a cliffhanger that makes me think that there is going to be more books in this series. Since this is a mystery/thriller book, I don't want to say more due to spoilers, but I'd definitely recommend this to those who are into cozy mysteries or crime/police thrillers.

A puzzling book. This story takes place right after the Halloween celebration that takes place at Burning lake. Detective Natalie Lockhart discovers a truly terrifying scene. A young woman who appears lifeless in a dump. No one knows the identity of this girl. The only clue is the mystical tattoo that she has on her arm and a callus under her chin. Natalie believes that this girl is not from her city, and she will not stop until this case is solved. But, it won't be that simple because researching this crime can be dangerous. This book intrigued me because one of the characters has a profession that I love. I couldn't stop reading because I needed to know what was going to happen next. I like Nathalie's dedication to desiring to solve this seemingly impossible and dangerous mystery. I thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed the first one in this series and was really looking forward to reading what happened next. Just like Traces of Evil this one will keep you guessing! Another great one from Alice Blanchard.

I really like Alice Blanchards “Natalie Lockhart” series. The Wicked Hour is the second book in the series. I have read the first book Trace of Evil and recommend you start with this first book. There is a lot of back story you will be glad to know. I have to say, I liked the first book much better. I had a hard time connecting with Natalie.
The main character, Natalie, has gone through a lot in the past year and is having a hard time coping with life in general. She seems to be having serious doubts of depression and anxiety. As a police detective, this does not bode well.
The ending was just meh. I found myself feeling a bit of confusion as the story jumped around a lot. With that said, I didn’t dislike the book. It just didn’t grab me like the first book did.
This series is a good police procedural mystery suspense. I hope to read the next book in the series. I need to know what is going on with Bella!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

ove this series!! I can't wait to find out vat's next for Natalie Lockhart. The biggest part of the book that I can't believe, is all the garbage left in town. Do the tourist throw everything on the ground? The whole month of October is Burning Lake's busiest time with the lead up to Halloween. I would think by Halloween there wouldn't be any place for people to walk around town. It takes a week to remove all the garbage, I'm surprised they were actually able to find a dead body so soon. I hated how Natalie pushed Luke away. She never eats, lost a bunch of weight and works non stop. She's still grieving for her sister and needs to have a friend or two for support. There were so many twists and turns throughout the book. I suspected so many people and was completely surprised when the killer was revealed. I hope we find out what happened to Bella in the next book. I wasn't expecting who Natalie ended up in bed with at the end of the book.

Definitely recommend the book. It's easier to follow the story if you read the first book in the series. Can't wait to read more about Detective Natalie Lockhart. There's bound to be another murder in Burning Lake. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I read Trace of Evil, the first book in this series, last year, and I really enjoyed it. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this follow-up as much.

If you haven't read the first book, I highly recommend doing so before reading this one. A lot happened in Trace of Evil, and all of it is frequently referenced though not explained throughout this book. Even for me, having read the first one more than a year ago, I struggled to remember the details to all the events referenced.

I enjoyed the atmosphere and setting. The characters are unique and interesting.

Pacing is erratic. Natalie isn't quite the strong, independent female of the first book. Here she wallows more, falling into random depressions and mood swings. Her behavior is due to the events that happened in the first book, which took place one year prior, so her imbalance, to me, seemed too raw given the passage of time.

The plot kept me wondering about the whodunit, though I wasn't wowed by any of it. Some of the investigative details are questionable at best, and the steady stream of Natalie's personal drama detracted from the case.

In the end, this was just an okay read for me.*

This is a fun new series to get into- this is book 2 and I plan on getting book 1 (Trace of Evil) over the holidays! Burning Lake sounds like a fun place to settle into, and Natalie is a modern policewoman in a small town. She has the burdens of marriage and children, so she is highly relatable. This page-turner will keep you up long into the night, thanks to the red herrings that make you think you have solved the case, only to fin in the next chapter that you hadn't, and Natalie has to sort through more clues and find hidden meanings, to see the truth that has been right in front of the town for years and years. The fast pace conclusion will leave you closing the book with satisfaction, so make you add this new series to your reading lists too

I was interested in this book because I love mysteries, and I am from upstate NY, so the premise was intriguing. My only real complaint is that this story made so many references to the prior book it was hard to keep track. This is a series that really does need to be read in order, if only to avoid confusion.

That being said, I did enjoy the overall story, and getting to know the main characters. While I did see the end coming, there was enough of a twist to leave me satisfied. There were some slow spots - again, if I'd read the first book they may not have felt that way - but when the action picked up it was swift, and kept you engaged.

I would recommend this series to anyone who likes a puzzle with tons of interesting characters.