So I didn’t actually finish this book and normally I wouldn’t give feedback for a DNF but I wanted to talk about why I didn’t make it to the end.

I’ve always appreciated the dark side of Ashley Winstead’s books and it’s why I’ve enjoyed them previously. Unfortunately this one felt lacking in that. Instead there was a romance feel throughout that felt just a little too twee for this heart of stone. Normally I can cope with your standard background love interest saga in thrillers but in this case, it really felt like the main element of the book. Factor in that this was an odd mix of Footloose meets Twilight meets Where The Crawdads Sing it just didn’t merge together for me. I just kept hoping it was going to take a deep, dark dive into some murky waters but I was left standing at the edge of the pool. I feel like this reads so much more like a romance with thriller elements and that might be important for thriller readers to know.

This book was so compelling - I read it within 24 hours!
There are some trigger warnings at the start of the book - include things like Religious indoctrination, sexual assault and violence.

The story is set in a small, very religious town in Louisiana. This appealed to me straight away - to me it invokes a certain vibe of old school magic, myths and legends and things with a supernatural element. Of course it also brings to mind things like the Sookie Stackhouse books and the True Blood Series. There is so much supernatural culture that goes hand in hand with that part of the world, so for me that set the scene almost straight away.

The story follows Ruth, the preacher's daughter, and her friendship with Everett, who is considered an outcast of the town. There are rumours about his father and an involvement with the occult, etc.
This is essentially a "coming of age" type story - its about learning to think for yourself and make your own decisions, even in times where you feel like those in power will beat you down anyway.
Ruth starts out as being a very naive sort of character but we definitely see her grow and become more aware of her world and her surroundings and forming her own opinions on things.

And moving on from True Blood - this book has been described as "Where the Crawdads sing" meets "Twilight" meets "Thelma and Louise." Again, this sounded incredible as part of the description but in reality, the book is only loosely based on any of these aspects.
To clarify - and this may be a little bit of a spoiler - There are no vampires in this book! That was a disappointment for me. The description alluded to vampires - false advertising in my opinion! So if you are looking for a vampire story (as I was), this is not the book! haha
The only reason Twilight is even mentioned in the book, is because Ruth is obsessed with it. The only vampire in this book is Edward Cullen.

I could see the similarities to "Where the Crawdads Sing," but only in the setting for the story - the descriptions of the forests, the swamps, and the town are very similar to the vibes of crawdads.

Finally - the Thelma and Louise comparison. Sigh. I could have guessed where this comparison came from. Spoiler alert - its is not a comparison at all - the ending is pretty much a complete carbon copy of the Thelma and Louise ending. It is exactly the same. So exact in fact, that it verges on plagiarism. The iconic ended pretty much copied and pasted.
And it was written and concluded so abruptly, it left me as a reader completely unsatisfied.

I ended up rating this one at 4 stars - mainly for the fact that I was enjoying reading it, whilst I was reading it. As I said, the story and writing style is incredibly compelling, and I finished the book in less than 24 hours. I couldn't put it down. But as soon as I finished the book and began reflecting on it and putting my thoughts together for the review, I kind of felt it was missing something. That may be due to the description alluding to certain elements that weren't actually present. This is a thriller/mystery story. I personally would have preferred for the story to have taken a different direction - one more based in the occult and supernatural aspects that the description alluded to, but that the story didn't actually deliver.
I also felt a little let down by the change in relationship between Ruth and Ever. I am not one of these people who insists that all books or stories need a romantic element. In fact I often prefer books without that. I felt that this would have been one of the books that explores the love and loyalty and the strong bonds in a platonic relationship, but in this case the author ruined all of that by adding in a romantic element at the end - like you cannot feel these things for another person unless you are romantically in love with them? nonsense! It's such a shame, and for me, completely changed the entire tone of the book.

EXCERPT: 'Are you afraid now?' he whispers? In the flickering light I can't read his face. But it doesn't matter. It's my heart on the scale, not his. The chains are tilting back and forth, asking 'Who are you?'
If this scene were a painting in my father's office it might be called The Final Corruption of Ruth Cornier. In one of my mother's cautionary tales, this would be the moment she leaned in and whispered, And the girl signed her soul away. If we were in one of the books I loved, those literary classics, it would be the moment the reader knew I was doomed.

ABOUT 'MIDNIGHT IS THE DARKEST HOUR': In her small hometown, librarian Ruth Cornier has always felt like an outsider, even as her beloved father rains fire-and-brimstone warnings from the pulpit at Holy Fire Baptist. Unfortunately for Ruth, the only things the townspeople fear more than the God and the Devil are the myths that haunt the area, like the story of the Low Man, a vampiric figure said to steal into sinners' bedrooms and kill them on moonless nights. When a skull is found deep in the swamp next to mysterious carved symbols, Bottom Springs is thrown into uproar and Ruth realizes only she and Everett, an old friend with a dark past, have the power to comb the town's secret underbelly in search of true evil.

MY THOUGHTS: I'm not overly enthusiastic about this novel which seems to have enchanted and pleased many other readers, but I really don't know why. Midnight is the Darkest Hour has all the traits that normally enthrall me: Small town secrets; set in the deep South; forbidden love; and a few bodies thrown in for good measure. I didn't enjoy the cultish aspect of the story, nor the frequent switches between the present time and the past which gave a somewhat disjointed feel to the read. And personally, I found the creep factor totally lacking.


I liked Ruth's and Everett's characters and Everett's unflinching devotion to Ruth, although Ruth's character at times perplexed me.

This is not a fast-paced book - it is more meandering; sometimes interesting, sometimes not. There is a lot of darkness in this book which I usually enjoy, but not this time. By the last third of the book, which should have been the most exciting and suspenseful, I was becoming bored and wishing it was all just over. Not even the ending came as a surprise.

As I said this has been very popular with other readers, so perhaps read some of the more positive reviews before deciding if this is for you.

⭐⭐.5

#MidnightistheDarkestHour #NetGalley

THE AUTHOR: Ashley Winstead writes across as many genres as she can get away with. She lives in Houston with her husband, two cats, and beloved wine fridge.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Aria and Aries, Head of Zeus, for providing a digital ARC of Midnight is the Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Ashley Winstead managed to portray the "true believers" to perfection.

<i>Midnight Is the Darkest Hour</i> takes place in Bottom Springs, Louisiana, a God-fearing little town, with myths of the "Low Man" and their trust in the town's preacher. Little did they know, he was nothing like they thought.

The story is from the preacher's daughter, Ruth's POV, and she is a very well-rounded character. Despite her strict upbringing, Ruth is a reader and a thinker, with a slight disregard for the rules. Especially when she meets Everett, the son of the town's pariah.

The two set out to discover the dark sins of the town after the reveal of a murder and they stop at nothing. Plus, despite being just friends, their chemistry was off the charts.

This is my second book from Ashley Winstead and she delivered, although it was a completely different genre.

I think that, at times, it became too descriptive and long, but overall, it was a strong and entertaining thriller.

And man, THE END. WOW.

Thanks to NetGalley and especially to Aria and Aries for the arc in return for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley, Aria & Aries/Head of Zeus & Ashley Winstead for the ARC of this book.

I really loved Ashley's previous thrillers so I couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. This one was quite different to Ashley's other books in terms of style and pace. The setting was great and I feel like a small religious town was a clever choice for the happenings.

It did take me about 30% to actually get into the book, despite some action early on I did find it dragged in that first 30%. After that however I was hooked. The pace, while slow burn, had alot going on after that first 30% with many twists and turns along the way.

I enjoyed the relationship aspect within this book and I feel that Ashley includes romance within a thriller SO well (this coming from a mostly non romance lover).

The characters were really well written, all flawed and the main characters so loveable at the same time. I felt emotionally invested.

The very ending was not what I was expecting and I still can't decide whether I love it or not.

One thing I know Is that Ashley Winstead is such a talented writer that can capture just about any reader. Brilliantly written characters, love within a thriller, twists upon twists and alot of dark aspects explored without it being too much. I did enjoy this book and can't wait to see what Ashley publishes next.

3.5/5

I really liked "In my dreams I hold a knife" by Ashley Winstead. I love her writing style and was delighted when I had the opportunity to read her upcoming book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of the novel. The interesting thing about the author is that her books are quite different from each other. In this one we travel to a small town in Louisiana. Ruth is an outsider and the daughter of a priest. Her father is the one who actually rules the town with his fanatical religious views. Women and children are subordinate to the men in the family, and different thinking is not well-received. Everett is also an outsider. After a terrible incident, the two become closer, and when the skull of a murdered man is found in the swamp, the two have to think about who the villain in the story is. Is there a killer on the loose or is the local legend of the Low Man true and the creature is hunting people.

I'll start by saying that the author very skillfully guides us through the story and tells things through Ruth's eyes in such a way that until the end we are not sure if there is something supernatural or not. We follow the story in the present and in Ruth's past. I also found her dynamic with Everett interesting. This is definitely the most slow-burn novel I've ever read. I enjoyed the downright weird but true friendship of the characters and was looking forward to seeing if anything would happen between them. The last few chapters kept me on edge, waiting to read how the story for our main characters would end. I can't say that I liked them, but I was able to sympathize with them and try to justify some of their actions. The story definitely turned my moral compass around quite a bit and I still think about it.

The small town is quite close-knit, but rather around the idea of faith and blindly following it. Everything that happened in this sect gave me chills, because that's what it was to me. With each chapter we learn new things about the inhabitants and until the last chapters we are not sure who is who. I liked how well buried secrets surfaced and the main characters are ready to fight to the end no matter what. Basically, reading the synopsis I wouldn't have reached for the book, but the author's name drew me in and I'm glad I read it.

This book, oh my goodness, it's a heart-gripping masterpiece! Normally, I steer clear of revenge plots, but this one had me completely hooked. I was on an emotional rollercoaster from the first page, and I didn't want it to end.

The way it painted life in that small town, where everyone knew everyone, yet darkness and secrets lurked beneath the surface, was both enchanting and deeply unsettling. It made me feel the complexity of human relationships in my bones.

And the characters, they became like dear friends. I laughed with them, cried for them, and my heart soared with their triumphs. This book has become the absolute highlight of my fall reading list, and the season has only just begun.

That Twilight reference, it was like a secret thread that wove through the story, reminding me of the power of love and how it can be both a temptation and a lifeline.

In conclusion, this book was an emotional whirlwind, a moving exploration of the human condition, and an unforgettable journey that has left me deeply touched. It's not just a must-read; it's a must-feel.

To me a Young adult fantasy novel it started promising but with a very similar cast ad twilight I quickly got bored. Not to say teens wouldn't like it just not me.

A fun, gothic suspense perfect for Halloween! I feel like it have been more impactful if there was more shown of the dynamic between Ruth and her father, as we didn't get to see much of it. Definitely feeling the Twilight vibes so perfect for those who grew up reading them. Bumped up to 4 stars cos of THAT ENDING! It's definitely a book I sought out opinions about immediately after reading, which is a great sign!

Ive enjoyed all the bookd i have read by Ashley winstead including this one. I love how she writes and how on edge she makes me feel whilst I'm immersed in her books.

This dark thriller had such a hold on me from the first few pages. The themes and topic presented in these book can get heavy, so having a content warning right at the beginning is such good practice and I hope to see more authors follow suit!
Poor naive Ruth, brought up in a small town and god fearing society with her father at the helm of the church. Leading to be a what is a normal life in her eyes, until an older man takes interest in her at 17 (absolute creep) and when trying to take advantage of her, the events that unfold next will change her life and her path forever.

I loved the character development of Ruth and the mysterious Ever. The twilight references woven in throughout with her comparing Ever in her mind to Edward. Their love is an unspoken undying bond, and the tension was killing me!

Expect secrets to spill and not stop until the very end! I thought this was a powerful tale of love, pain and sacrifice. Truly showing that religion and power will always be intertwined and that corruption is never too far away…

No spoilers, but the ending. I don’t think a book has ever made me have that reaction, but I remain ever the optimist and choose to believe in a happy ending!

REVIEW 🌙

Midnight is the Darkest Hour by
Ashley Winstead

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Here we find ourselves transported to the small town of Bottom Springs, Louisiana, an isolated swampland said to be haunted by a mythic figure named The Low Man. Ruth Cornier, now 23 years old, has lived here all her life. A librarian who is also the pastors daughter, Ruth, on the surface is a stereotypical ‘good girl’, a pious girl, a girl who lives by the Bible. But Ruth has secrets that bind her to the town bad boy, the mysterious Everett.
In the present day, the apparent peace of Bottom Springs is rocked when a skull is unearthed from the swamps. But who does it belong to? Why is it there? And what connection does it have to Ruth and Everett?

I could not put this one down! I have loved all of Winstead’s novels so far and I’m pleased to report that this one does not disappoint! This is her strongest since In My Dreams I Hold A Knife. Midnight is the Darkest Hour has a bit of everything. It’s an intense thriller that deals with spiritualism, a love story, mystery, and murder. It encompasses so much of what I really enjoy in a book: a woman’s POV; two timelines; a well-drawn setting; a dark storyline; shocking twists; and so much more.
Goodreads accurately describes it as ‘Where the Crawdad’s Sing meets Twilight’. If you’re a fan of either of these you will love the atmosphere and characters here!

I could not recommend this one more.
If you pick up any thriller this autumn, make it Midnight is the Darkest Hour! 🌙

Thank you so much to the Aria and Aries team at @headofzeus for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts! This one has been a delight to read and review!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 utterly fabulous!

This is one of my favourite books this year! I loved Ruth and Everett! There relationship was so dark and mysterious. This was so well written and the scene setting had me right there.
Parts had me on the edgy of my seat. I honestly hated to put this down. Even for a minute and i found myself thinking, ooh i cant wait to get back to the story to see what happens next!
Did i say i loved this?!
The more we get into the story the darker it gets and it was a thrilling journey.

I would say this was flawless to me. The way everything was described, character and story progression... it ticks all the boxes for an amazing read!

Many thanks to Ashleigh Winstead, Aria&Aries, Head of Zeus publishers through Netgalley for a DRC. It was a pleasure to read and leave my review.

Publication date 12/10/23 Grab your copy for a brilliant Halloween read! 🌟

Dee- Review written 20/9/23

Unsettling and disturbing. This southern gothic kept me on edge. Ruth, a twentysomething, is the daughter of the local preacher who also holds the power over the little city. He founded a fundamental church and everybody admires him. Ruth feels like an outsider. Her only friend is the town’s outcast. When a skull is found in the swamp a search begins to find out what happened to that man. Then another skull is found and rumours about a serial killer or the mystical local boogeyman called the Low Man begins to spread among the townsfolk. But Ruth has her own secrets to keep. Soon there is a manhunt going on and Ruth is right at the center of it.

Seems I have a new author to put on my favourite-writer-list. This is my second book from Ashley Winstead. I liked “In My Dreams I hold A Knife” but I was absolutely captivated by this one. It gave me a strange and unsettling feeling. I liked the unlikely and weird friendship between Ruth and Everett. They are bound by secrets and lies and love and being different and their different moral sights. At first I thought the story was set in the past because the thing with the fundamental church felt so anachronistic but it is actually set in the present. Ruth tries to live up to her father’s high expectations of her being a good girl and a devoted Christian. But when she finds the book “Twilight” (I never read the Twilight-Saga but loved that it triggered Ruth in so many ways) in her local library she discovers that she has also a dark side (a very very dark side) and different desires to what her father wants her to feel. I would like to say much more but I would wander into spoiler territory and I don’t want to ruin this book for you. I loved the writing and the differentness of the story. It is a very unusual book and I savoured it. Even the ending could not ruin it for me. In fact, it suits this weird story.

If you want to read something different and good, go for this book!

Midnight is the Darkest Hour is an outstanding book! Well written, unpredictable and immersive it keeps you hooked throughout. It’s never cliché and deals with some very heavy themes (do check the trigger warnings it is quite disturbing) exploring the darkest depths of people. It strikes an incredible balance between excitement and shock, inter personal relationships, longing and control and southern - especially religious - themes. One of my best reads this year, a class above the rest.

Having read and enjoyed Ashley Winstead's previous two thrillers, I went into this one hoping for another win. Sadly, I didn't love this one, which is a real shame because on the surface, it ticked a lot of my boxes. Set in the swamp land of Louisiana, the atmosphere was automatically spooky a la True Detective, but for me, the plotting in this was just a bit on the weak side. There were times when I was a bit bored and found the flitting back and forward in time (something that I usually enjoy) a bit contrived. The pace did pick up towards the end, but overall, I was pretty disappointed. With that being said, I will still give the author another go and there is definitely an audience for this story - it just didn't work for me.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Wow,wow,wow.. Ashley Winstead never ever misses does she? She takes us to the little town of Bottom Springs in South Louisiana where we meet Ruth and Everett.Ruth is a librarian but also the daughter of the local much respected preacher Pastor James Cormier and Everett is a boy from “the wrong side of the tracks” but really the best thing that has ever happened to Ruth.Human remains are found and our own Ruth and Everett are in the middle of it and they have to dig deep in the town’s secrets and legends to find out the truth yes,but also to survive…

Midnight is the Darkest hour is very much Bonnie and Clyde meets Twilight meets The Bible (???) and it had me literally on the edge of my seat the whole time.It’s atmospheric and gothic and the perfect read for your spooky fall TBR.If you want something that is dark and complex with lush writing and descriptions look no farther.

Massive thank you to Net Galley for letting me read one of my most exciting releases of 2023 in exchange of an honest review.

#MidnightistheDarkestHour # NetGalley #

The book begins by us meeting Ruth in Louisiana - Bottom Springs. We get to know that she is a bit of an outsider in her town - with her father a god fearing priest and her being friends with Everett the both of which don't mix. The book flicks between then and now and we begin to realise that something terrible happened years ago. Now they are starting to find the skulls of humans in the swamp and investigation is launched. I liked the mix of gothic thriller and the swamp and forest descriptions, was very atmospheric. The book covers religion, power and abuse as topics. I will be looking out for more from this author.

This is my first book by this author and I was immediately captivated by her use of imagery and the vivid descriptions of the small Louisiana town and its surrounding natural beauty. This story is heavily focused on religion and Christian zealots who fear a creature known as The Low Man, a vampiric character who takes the shape of a beautiful man and crawls into homes at night to feed on people. This character is what first piqued my interest in the novel however I feel that as the chapters progressed the story became a bit overwhelming in terms of what our main character Ruth was investigating to uncover the town’s hidden secrets - witchcraft, illegal trading and narcotics started becoming involved and it was getting hard to keep up especially with the frequent switches between past and present times. The writing was more focused on descriptions rather than action until the last couple chapters. I did admire Everett and the unspoken love between him and Ruth. Ruth’s Twilight obsession is one that I can relate to when I was at the age of fourteen and it was good to have some references thrown in to make the book a little more light-hearted. The ending is something that will divide readers but for me it was exhilarating and satisfying.

Ashley winstead is on the verge of becoming a favourite author! I really enjoy her books! I was so griped with the story that I didn’t realise that I flew through the book. I can’t talk about it without going into spoilers but if you like thrillers with religious tones then give the book a try.