I received an ARC of this book from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I am going with a rating of 3.5 stars rounded down.

For me, the reader has to suspend belief for many occurrences in this book. Secrets kept by multiple people for many years. Treatment of mental illness. A lot of this just didn't seem realistic.

However, the book is a quick read and definitely kept my attention. Ms. Kent is definitely skilled at creating suspense. As the book approached the main twist, I did have some suspicions, but initially I didn't predict it (always a plus for me).

I loved this book! Following Afton and her friend Sydney from high school into adulthood. They have a lot to navigate through since Afton May or may not have killed Sydney’s father. The story follows the 2 girls until we get to find out what’s actually happened the night her Dad died. So many twists and great characters. Very good read.

3.5 stars. Minka Kent is always a must read for me and with this book she continues to build on her reputation for original storylines and characters. I found this book kind of frustrating though due to the slower pacing and the lackluster ending that left me with a lot of questions. Afton and Sydney are 37 years old and have been good friends since their teenage years. When they were seniors in high school Afton was accused of killing Sydney's father while blackout drunk and has been heavily medicated and a pariah in their small town. Afton lives a small life, living with her grandmother and working third shift at a small hotel. She has no friends except Sydney and her mother Cynthia who is a therapist. Cynthia has always been like a mother to Afton since her own mother has never cared about her.

After Afton finds out she has a winning lottery ticket, things get strange. Her medicines no longer seem to be working, her grandmother reports strange footsteps in the house and the back door is always open after being locked. Due to her mental health issues Afton is an unreliable narrator so we never know what is real or not. Despite her problems, Afton decides to pay off the many debts of her friend Sydney and her husband Drew and to tell Sydney that she thinks Drew is cheating on her since she saw him with another woman at the hotel. The events come to a point one weekend when Afton goes to visit a hypnotist, but it was easy to guess what was going on before then.

I found the ending unsatisfying for a number of reasons. We didn't get answers to several things including the lottery ticket and there was no real moment where the bad guy gets their just desserts. Instead, the novel just kind of petered out. Some reviewers have suggested this is to make room for a sequel but I don;'t think I would want to read about these characters again.. Three stars for Kent's writing style and for the character of Afton who was fascinating. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a review.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!! I'm very recently getting into thrillers and have heard awesome things about Mika Kent so I was very excited to get to read her new release. This book is dual POV/dual timeline following our girl Afton who, as a teen, was pinned for the murder of her life long friend Sydney's father.
In present time, Afton's subpar life takes an unexpected positive turn, Sydney's perfect cookie cutter life starts to crumble, and we find out the sinister reason why. It was extremelv fast paced and an easy read, not many crazy twists and turns. The plot was a little outlandish and unbelievable however, that's why we read, right? All in all, this book was entertaining and great for an end of year reading goal boost!!

Minka Kent is the queen of the twists and turns. We follow along Afton's current life with a few glimpses into the past. She was found guilty of a crime she doesn't remember committing when she was a teenager. Life seems to be improving for Afton but things start to go very wrong.

I was really enjoying this book right up until the end. It felt a little unfinished or at least a lack of justice was served on a couple fronts. I'm sure Afton just wants to get on with her life but she could have had one little victory while keeping another ace up her sleeve, if needed.

Not a who done it so much as a "Are we really sure she did it?" mystery/thriller. Minka Kent can always be counted on to give a little something extra in her stories, this time it's the MC. Afton is just coasting along when she wins the lottery, maybe. She's determined to make the lives of her friend....note the singular....and her grandmother much, much better. But before then, well, the story definitely takes a few detours from a straight path and you end up asking yourself......what was that? A great book best read....not after dark!

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 !!

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.