Midnight hour is a collection of mystery and thriller stories written by crime fiction authors of color. These stories all take place around the midnight hour. Abby Vandiver, Tracy Clark, Jennifer Crow, H.C. Chan, Christopher Chambers, Tina Kashian, David Heska Wanbii Weiden are many authors who contributed to this crime fiction anthology. Well-written and quite entertaining. The stories consist of a simple robbery gone horribly wrong, a grisly murder in a secret love dungeon, suspicious life insurance company policyholders, from cybercrime to homicide.

Midnight Hour captivates readers with its diverse array of creative, dark, clever, and cunning characters. This anthology not only weaves compelling crime stories but also introduces a rich tapestry of characters from various ages, genders, ethnicities, and cultures. Navigating through the pages, readers encounter a melting pot of perspectives that adds complexity to the overarching theme of Midnight, infusing each narrative with a unique and multifaceted flavor.

Beyond its crime-centric tales, the collection subtly explores themes of humanity, guilt, grief, revenge, family, friendships, mortality and morally grey characters. Each story engages in a delicate dance with these universal concepts, leaving readers with contemplative thoughts on life's intricacies, family dynamics, broken friendships, malacic intent, the consequences of one's actions and much more. This literary journey transcends the boundaries of the crime genre, fostering a profound connection with the characters and their moral dilemmas.
The introduction's forewarning rings true as readers embark on a dark, haunting road of suspense, crime, and twisted minds. While many characters embody this ominous atmosphere, one particular gem stands out as leaving an indelible mark long after I finished the book. And for me, that standout moment occurred in Faye Snowden's Chefs. This short story weaves a tale of forbidden love, betrayal, the impending confrontation between two secret lovers, and murder adding complexity with the ironic twist that the woman's husband is also the best friend of the male lead. However, the cannibalistic implied twist at the end is what makes the story most memorable.

Snowden's storytelling prowess shines in Chefs, offering a nuanced exploration of human relationships, the consequences of deception and the depths of the mind. The narrative lingers, haunting the thoughts with its intricate portrayal of characters caught in the web of their own choices.

While not every story resonated equally, this anthology proves a treasure trove for mystery, crime, and thriller enthusiasts. Familiar names intermingle with distinct voices of previously undiscovered authors of color, creating a bridge that connects readers with both well-known and emerging talents in the genre.

Delving into other specific stories that left a lasting impression, Midnight Hour presents a lineup of narratives that beckon for extended exploration. If given the opportunity to dive deeper into the shadows, my first choices would undoubtedly be The Black Widow of Oshogbo by Stella Oni, Dead Men Tell No Tales by Callie Browning, and Midnight Confidential by Delia C. Pitts.

Stella Oni's The Black Widow of Oshogbo captivates with its enigmatic title, promising a tale of intrigue and suspense. Furthermore, the suggestion of a black widow hints at a character with a penchant for weaving intricate webs of deception and danger. We follow a retired female secret service turned private investigator that is put onto a case of a possible serial ritual killer in Nigeria.

Unraveling the layers of this mysterious culprit with a fourth body turning up Lara’s character drive and meticulous deduction and ability to squander potential leads from false distractions was amazing. I was left wanting to know more about Lara’s moral compass especially when she found “The Widow.” Just imagine if she was a story in a longer format; for me the very thought is tantalizing. In my opinion, The Black Widow of Oshogbo might leave fellow readers yearning for a more detailed exploration of Lara, her crew and the web of crimes they may uncover.

Moving on to Callie Browning's Dead Men Tell No Tales, the story introduces us to Vivian, whom I saw as a contemporary femme fatal, a character whose criminal exploits beg for further exploration. We only learn that Vivian selectively and skillfully used her body to gain political power and influence. Her plan to move up the ranks was timed exceedingly well and if not for one error she would have been deemed the new Prime Minister of Barbados!!

Imagining a longer form of this story opens the door to unraveling the mysteries of Vivian's past, motivations, passions, potential plans and peering into the crimes she committed before her inevitable arrest. The prospect of witnessing Vivian's intricate schemes and understanding the motivations behind her actions adds a layer of complexity that promises an engaging and suspenseful narrative.
Lastly, "Midnight Confidential" by Delia C. Pitts introduces readers to a world of secrets and revelations, where the midnight hour becomes a confessional for hidden truths—but only the truths the character “Barney” a police detective living a double life wants revealed. The character "Barney" emerges as a fascinating and multifaceted personality. Her remarkable ability to read people, coupled with her deceptive prowess, positions her as a standout character within the anthology. Exploring Barney's narrative arc in a more extended format becomes more enticing.
Barney's unique combination of intelligence and deceit raises intriguing questions about her fate within the criminal underworld, especially since she herself is a detective. Imagining a longer narrative allows readers to witness the evolution of Barney's character, exploring the depths of her genius and the challenges she faces as she navigates the treacherous landscape of crime. Pitts skillfully crafts Barney as a character with the potential for both promotion and downfall, adding layers of complexity to her story.
As readers, we are left to ponder whether Barney's double life will lead her to the pinnacle of success or if her deceptions will eventually catch up with her, resulting in a dramatic fall from the “top”. The allure of a more extensive exploration of Barney's journey lies in uncovering the motivations that drive her actions and the intricate web of relationships she navigates.

Overall, Midnight Hour is a literary gem that not only satisfies the cravings of mystery, crime and morally grey character enthusiasts but also leaves a lingering desire for more. And I would highly recommend this book to other likeminded readers on the premise of suspense, intrigue and a platform for diverse writers to shine. The anthology's distinctive blend of diverse voices, combined with its provocative glimpses into the lives of intriguing characters, sets it apart in the realm of crime anthologies.

As I personally contemplate the possibility of discovering other mystery or crime anthologies, the unique charm and appeal of Midnight Hour may indeed make it a tough act to follow. It's a testament to the anthology's exceptional quality that resonates with readers, making it a standout in a genre that thrives on suspense, twists, and the unexpected.

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.

MIDNIGHT HOUR – An Anthology Of Crime Fiction From Twenty Authors Of Color – Edited by Abby Vandiver

Highly Recommend!

‘Welcome to Midnight Hour...’

The Following Are My Favorites:

‘Lucky Thirteen’ – by Tracy Clark – As an avid fan of Horror, I must say, That. Was. Awesome!

‘Skin’ - by David Heska Wanbli Weiden – My Heart!

‘The Bridge’ - by Abby L. Vandiver

‘Dead Men Tell No Tales’ – by Callie Browning – That Was Awesome! I Love the ending!

‘Doc’s At Midnight’ – by Richie Narvaez – My Heart!

‘Nighthawks’ – by Frankie Y. Bailey – That Was Good!

‘The Search For Eric Garcia’ – by E. A. Aymar – My Heart!

‘The Vermeer Conspiracy’ – by V. M. Burns – I Love This One!

‘Midnight Confidential’ – by Delia C. Pitts – That Was Good!

‘Midnight Escapade’ – by Jennifer Chow – That Was Creepy Good!

‘The Diamond Vanishes’ – by Gigi Pandian – My Heart! I Love This One!

‘Cape May Murders’ – by Tina Kashian

‘The Black Widow Of Oshogbo’ – by Stella Oni

‘The Witching Hour’ – by Marla Bradeen – Love This One!

‘In The Matter Of Mabel And Bobby Jefferson’ - by Christopher Chambers – That Was Good!! I love the last line—relatable.

‘The Night The Internet Died’ – by Rhonda Crowder – That Was Good! I love the last line.

Thank You, NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, for providing me with an eBook of MIDNIGHT HOUR at the request of an honest review.

Midnight Hour is a collection of short stories written by different authors. The anthology is easy-to-read, and some stories are more interesting than others but they all grabbed my attention as well as allowed me to read authors that I did not know. Entertaining!
I thank the authors, their publishers, and NetGalley for the free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love anthologies. They can really pull me out of a reading funk/slump and keep me enjoying. Most are filled with satisfying, quick reads that are full of quirky characters, fast plots and funny lines. This one was a great addition to the many out there. I liked the limit of 20 stories, knowing how quickly they would fly. I loved the level of unique stories - from murder and mayhem to journal planning and art theft. Each story had a fascinating character and varied stories. There were definitely some stand outs that I'd love to read as longer stories.

Great set, I loved it!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

I devoured all these stories in three quick sessions - much faster than I typically read a book these days. It's a great assortment of mystery and quasi mystery stories. The great ones like Murderer's Feast, Midnight Escapade, Lucky 13, The Bridge ( I think that's the title, but I could be wrong)and the story about the séance do a great job of setting a mood and feel while still having surprises at the end

Each story was very well written, some had an amazing setting and pace, i.e. the feelings like uneasiness, horror, and tragedy could be felt through the pages of the collection. Personally, I think it's a perfect read if you are in the mood for horror and mystery, it's especially really good for times like Halloween.

Anthology Of Crime..
An anthology of crime to devour and delight. Dip in at your leisure. A mixed bag of tales of mystery and mayhem, each and every tale is well worth a read, from a variety of accomplished authors. Absorbing, immersive and entertaining.

Did not finish this book. The stories were weird and even though they should have been my kind of thing, I couldn't get into them. I think they just weren't evolved enough to catch my attention.

Midnight Hour is a well curated anthology of crime fiction and light horror curated and edited by Abby L. Vandiver. Released 9th Nov 2021 by Crooked Lane Books, it's 336 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.

This is a nice collection of varied short crime and light horror fiction from 2021 and all are by authors of color. There are several nominees here from mystery and crime awards such as the Edgar from the MWA (2 stories).

The stories are varied, there were (as always) some which didn't grab me personally, but all were well written and competently plotted. They were mostly in the 4 star range(ish) with a smattering of really standout stories. This is a well curated solid anthology of stories in the 3-5 star range. There are 20 stories in the anthology and all are previously unpublished fiction from very well known and some new-to-me authors. It shouldn't be noteworthy, but it is; not only are these authors all persons of color, but women are heavily represented here as well (16/20 by my count).

One reason I prefer collections and anthologies is that short fiction is really challenging. It's spare and the author doesn't have a wealth of wordage to develop characters or the plotting. Well written short fiction is a delight. I also love collections because if one story doesn't really grab me, there's another story just a few pages away. I can only recall a few times where I've read a collection (or anthology) straight through from cover to cover as I did this one.

Four stars on average. It's a diverting read.

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

I love to read short stories to discover new authors. I loved the story by Tracy Clark, Lucky Thirteen; and Skin by Wanbli Weiden; still reading.

This was a fun and spooky read overall! I liked that the stories were able to captivate me in right away and I could not put the book down. I especially enjoyed that all the stories were of different genres - mystery, romance, thriller and more. This diversity enables it so that everyone can find something they are looking forward to. I would definitely recommend to all who enjoy mystery and suspense. The tales are short enough to be read in a matter of minutes but long enough for good plot development!

Midnight Hour by Abby L. Vandiver.
Welcome to Midnight Hour...
Jennifer Chow: "Midnight Escapade"
After years of silence, two women decide to meet up in a unique escape room but get trapped in a deadly game from which there may be no escape.
Tracy Clark: "Lucky Thirteen"
A gun. A last meal. And only one survivor. Sometimes the stars align--but only for the lucky one--as predator and prey come face-to-face one fateful New Year's Eve.
H. C. Chan: "Murderer's Feast"
Techpreneur John Manley left a trail of duped investors and damaged women in his wake. What happens when two hundred of his closest enemies gather for a five-day gourmet retreat?
Christopher Chambers: "In the Matter of Mabel and Bobby Jefferson"
It's almost midnight, it's snowing, and a bored call center worker catches a customer inquiry that smells of murder. Is he a knight rescuing the intended victim or someone else's pawn?
Plus, stories by Richie Narvaez, Frankie Bailey, E. A. Aymar, Faye Snowden, Tina Kashian, and many more.
This collection was a great read. Each story was different. I had my favourite. 4*.

This was a wonderful collection. I discovered new authors that I will be sure to seek out more from. I will recommend this collection to any crime lover.

Midnight Hour is one of the few anthologies that focus on highlighting crime writers of color.

Of the 2o stories, I especially enjoyed reading Tracy Clark's "Lucky 13" where an attempted New Year's eve home invasion goes horribly wrong for the predator.. David Heska Wanbli Weiden's "Skin" has reservation fixer Virgil Wounded Horse agreeing to steal a historical book with a grisly past. Jennifer Chow's "Midnight Escapade" is a fun story where two former school "friends" meet up and try to beat the puzzles in a unique escape room. But one of them has planned to execute a long-simmering hit of revenge.

I am now interested in reading longer pieces for each of these authors.

I received this digital ARC from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.

From a simple robbery gone horribly wrong to a grisly murder in a secret love dungeon, this stellar collection of crime fiction short stories showcases some of today's finest voices of colour

Midnight Hour Earns 5/5 Leave-the-Lights-On Entertainment!

Let’s Do It…Together! From holiday-themed or clever detectives to romantic highlanders or thrilling mysteries, anthologies are my favorite way to enjoy authors I already read often while at the same time being introduced to work from authors I have yet to experience.

Abby L. Vandiver, author of two of my favorite series Logan Dickerson and Romaine Wilder, gathered together twenty authors from Crime Writers of Color challenging them to put their best “pen” forward and create a “chilling crime” short perfect for the dark, “midnight hour.” Each short tale included is set near the midnight hour offering an entertaining, sometimes chilling, drama. Revenge, greed, power, self-defense, or in some cases, defense of others has spurred on the characters’ motives, and with midnight providing the perfect cover, Karma can often be found waiting in the shadows. The authors have varied takes on crime fiction: some center around a female lead, others male; some are urban, others on a country road, some in the States, others far away, some planned mayhem, others crimes of opportunity, and some nail-biting tension, others tear-jerking reactions. Each author possesses an entertaining style with descriptive language illustrating the environment and mood and dialogue providing quick insight into diverse personalities. The book was excellent, entertaining drama and perspectives, moving well between each compelling tale, and keeping me engaged and… sleeping with the lights on.

Midnight Hour is a new anthology of crime fiction by 20 authors of color. Yes, twenty!

It is a good introduction to authors I'd never read; although, I preferred the short stories by authors I am already familiar with such as Abby L. Vandiver and Tracy Clark. The stories are all about crime committed around midnight. Grisly murders, guns, duped investors, damaged women and intended victims fill the pages. Different cultures are featured. Several writing styles are within. However, none of the stories were memorable enough to call a favorite.

Perfect for readers that like short story collections and those interested in discovering new crime fiction authors.

~LiteraryMarie

This was a great read. I spotlighted it as book of the day on my social media platforms, and I included it in a monthly roundup of new releases on my Black Fiction Addiction blog.