Let me tell you a little story about this book...

It was nearly impossible to get my hands on a copy and I was beginning to debate some illegal tactics..

Well, luckily it didn't have to go that far (but I would have!)

I was introduced to this sensational author through Bookstagram and I have been hooked on her every word ever since. The Silent Woman and Gone Again, are amongst my most favored books and two books I always suggest to fellow thriller lovers.

I had high expectations for After Dark, but I was confident Kent would deliver.

Well, all of my expectations were exceeded!!!

I loved every minute of this wild ride. There was never a time I was bored or wanted to close the book, instead it was just the opposite. I could not move, I was completely consumed and I white knuckled my kindle after I was thrown from one twist to the next.

This is a riveting suspenseful thriller that will get even the biggest critic going.

After reading all of Kent’s books and loving them, I have to say After Dark is definitely my favorite.

5 stars

Teaser :

She’s a pariah with a killer past. Her bid to escape it is nothing short of terrifying in a heart-pounding novel of suspense by Washington Post and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Minka Kent.

Afton Teachout has been an outcast in her small town for twenty years―ever since she was accused of murdering her mother’s lover in a blackout fit of rage. That is, if one believes the malicious lies.

Living with her grandmother, working a hotel night shift, and relying on pills to get a day’s sleep, Afton is due a little luck. It comes in the form of an unexpected financial windfall. With her newfound wealth, Afton sets a secret plan in motion to help her only friend, Sydney, flee a toxic husband. But the best intentions soon spin out of control.

Afton is getting unsettling calls from a restricted number, and someone has been lingering outside her home. As Sydney’s troubled marriage comes into focus, so does Afton’s past. Her second chance―for herself and for Sydney―isn’t what she dreamed of at all. In fact, it’s becoming a nightmare.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy. This was my first Minka Kent book. I love reading books that are set where I’m from. This book made me not want to put the book down. I finished it in two days. I will definitely pick up another book from Minka Kent.

"After Dark" by Minka Kent is a riveting and atmospheric thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from the very first page. This gripping novel weaves a complex web of secrets, lies, and suspense, delivering a story that is as emotionally charged as it is thrilling.

At the heart of the narrative is Afton Teachout, a character whose tragic past has left her an outcast in her small town for two decades. Minka Kent masterfully portrays Afton's sense of isolation, her reliance on pills to find sleep, and the weight of the false accusations that have haunted her for so long. Afton is a multi-dimensional character, and readers will find themselves empathizing with her as she grapples with the past and strives for a fresh start.

The unexpected financial windfall that Afton receives serves as a catalyst for the story's suspenseful twists and turns. Her secret plan to help her friend, Sydney, escape her toxic marriage sets the stage for a rollercoaster of events that spiral out of control. Minka Kent skillfully blends elements of psychological tension and domestic drama, creating a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and thrilling.

The novel's pacing is impeccable, with each chapter building upon the suspense of the previous one. As Afton receives unsettling calls from a restricted number and senses someone lurking outside her home, the tension escalates, keeping readers guessing about the identity of the mysterious threat. The author's ability to maintain this sense of unease throughout the story is a testament to her storytelling prowess.

One of the novel's strengths is its exploration of themes such as redemption and the consequences of one's actions. As Afton's past is gradually unveiled, readers will be drawn into the moral complexities of her situation, making them question the truth behind the accusations that have haunted her for so long.

Minka Kent's writing is evocative and immersive, creating a vivid sense of place and atmosphere that adds depth to the narrative. The small town setting and the characters who inhabit it are brought to life with vivid detail, making the story all the more engaging.

In conclusion, "After Dark" is a stellar thriller that combines a compelling mystery with complex characters and a sense of impending danger. Minka Kent's skillful storytelling, expert pacing, and exploration of deep emotional themes make this novel a must-read for fans of suspenseful fiction. Prepare to be captivated by this gripping tale of secrets, redemption, and the darkness that lurks after dark.

Afton Teachout has been an outcast in her small town for 20 years, since she was accused of killing her mother's lover in a blackout fit of rage. Afton has issues, and secrets. Living with her grandma and working the night shift at a local hotel, she unexpected wins a huge amount of money. She plans to use the money to help her only friend Sydney get away from her toxic husband.

Secrets come to light, mysteries revealed. Afton is an unreliable narrator, and it's really jarring. Something some readers may not understand or appreciate, but I think it adds to the thrill of this story. Fantastic premise, well written, very effed up characters. Thrilling page turner you could easily read through in a long evening. Loved this!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

Minka Kent does it again. Awesome phycological thriller. This book is a quick exciting read that I would highly recommend.

Review: oh my gosh! I love Minka Kent’s books! The twist at the end of this one was one I did not see coming! I was so sure I had it all figured out, but I was not close at all! One thing I learned while reading this is apparently you have 180 days to claim your lottery winnings after the drawing. Did not know that but had to look it up. This book was so full of drama that I loved so much! It had multiple timelines along with multiple POVs. I think this is my favorite of her books so far! Would definitely recommend giving this one a read when it comes out!! Thanks you @netgalley and @thomasandmercer for my advanced copy!!!

This was told from two POV’s and alternating between the past and present (which I love). I found this easy to read and so well written that it kept me engaged. I did predict the twist early on, but not the events leading up to it which still kept me intrigued. I was a bit disappointed with the ending; I wanted more of what would happen to Sydney. Overall, it was a fast paced and easy read and I look forward to the next book by Minka!

This book kept me hooked from the minute i started!! I finished it in four hours!! Just when you think you’ve figured it out.. there’s another twist!!! 5/5 stars for sure !!

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this book ahead of time in exchange for a review. It didn't disappoint! Must read!!

AFTER DARK was my second read by Minka Kent and I’m now on a hunt to find the rest of her books! This book was an insane ride and really picked up in the second half. It was super entertaining with some surprising twists, thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end.

Would recommend AFTER DARK to anyone who loves a quick thriller with some quality twists.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review AFTER DARK!

Thank you net galley and publisher for this ARC. I've read every Minka Kent book and enjoyed this one. This book kept me guessing.

This book kept me guessing until the very end! Amazing storyline & characters with suspense throughout. Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed this story. It was fact paced, with great character development, I was definitely surprised by the twists! I couldn’t put it down! This is my first Minka Kent, but it won’t be my last.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this early. What a story! I did not anticipate the twist at the end that revealed what had been happening. Ms. Kent has become a favorite author and I don't hesitate to read her works.

As someone who lived with her grandmother while working a hotel night shift, parts of this book hit a little too close to home. Thankfully, though, I've never been accused of a bloody murder that I cannot adequately defend myself against due to an inconvenient blackout. This book's protagonist has been, though, and all of the above made me very sympathetic to her. The mystery of whether she's an unreliable narrator, and if so, what exactly she's unreliably narrating, adds spice to what could be a standard whodunnit really story.

After Dark by Minka Kent put me into the perfect autumn thriller mood. It reminded me of a true crime documentary that kept me guessing until the end. The story is told from two perspectives, which I loved, and helped to keep me guessing as to how the story would end and who had killed Sydney’s father. My favorite line from the book was “My mother always says that inside each of us is a stranger — someone who looks like us and sounds like us but is anything but. She calls it our shadow self. It’s where we keep our anger, our shame, our guilt, our darkness.” So good, definitely recommend this dark thriller that kept me up late to finish!

Afton lives a simple, secluded life after a tragic event takes place during her childhood. Her mother turns her back on her, and Afton only has her grandmother and her best friend, Sydney, to rely on. When Sydney’s life seems to be falling apart, Afton knows she has to help her only friend. While Afton is busy looking out for Sydney, who is looking out for Afton?
I enjoyed this book overall. I was curious to know what truly happened the night of the murder. Was Sydney’s husband cheating? Did Afton really win the lottery? Why are Afton’s pills not working and she never seems to sleep? Toward the end of the book, I felt some things were a little far fetched and I wish justice had be served. Afton deserved more.

Another great psychological thriller from Minka Kent!

I have read almost all of her thrillers; I just have two left on my TBR to finish her full collection. I love her style and they way she makes you so invested in the lives of her characters. This one has an unreliable narrator, which is something I have seen Minka do before and do it well! I enjoyed the twists and turns and loved the answers we got at the end.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I appreciated the fast-paced, twisty aspects of this book. However, the writing style the characters and the plot did not quite do it for me. The writing style was very simple. It felt like two friends gossiping, which is great if that is what you’re looking for, but it’s not the style I tend to gravitate towards. The sentences were short, sometimes a little choppy, and it felt like the two main characters were 17 rather than the 37 they were supposed to be. The choices the characters made were definitely frustrating; some of them made sense once you figured out, Afton was hallucinating. The very end was satisfying enough, but despite Sydney making a few comments about her darkness and her mom seeing that in her, we don’t actually see any actions that support those claims. Hers and Afton’s friendship was toxic, but we also did not see much of that play out either. The characters felt under developed. I would maybe recommend this to a friend if they were looking for a beach read but it would not be my first recommendation. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for my advanced reader copy.

Wowzers! Like all books by Minka Kent I pretty much went in blind. After all, that’s what makes reading a thriller even more enjoyable. This book had an unbelievable twist I couldn’t have imagined; it literally blew my mind!!!!!! This book was unpredictable, well written and had a fast pace. A total enjoyable read and one I would recommend.