First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Gray, and Brilliance Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Always excited to get my hands on the work of an author who is new to me, I turned to this thriller by Lisa Gray. When a popular crime author seeks some inspiration writing in a rented house, she stumbles upon a complex mystery and missing family. Serena Winters wants to use it as a basis for her next bestseller, but also finds herself trying to solve it for her own mental wellbeing. A great story that spans multiple decades and shows Lisa Gray’s abilities.

The loss of her partner has left bestselling author Serena Winters unable to write at all. As her publisher pushes a new deadline, she flees New York and finds a rental home she hopes will provide much needed inspiration. California has to have more than sunshine to sterilise the grief in which Serena has been wallowing.

When people learn of Serena’s arrival, they are split. Some are excited to have a popular author in town, while others are sure she is only there to use the notoriety of her rental house for her own means. Serena has no idea about the latter, but soon discovers the story behind the house and its past residents. A family disappeared into thin air three decades before and people have speculated about it ever since, leaving Serena to want to know more and potentially use it as help for her next bestseller.

While many are excited with Serena walking the streets and visiting the local businesses, someone is surely not. They go to great lengths to ensure Serena does not feel comfortable and pushes her to the ends of her mental sanity, even questioning what happened that fateful night her partner died. However, the story of this family is a thread that Serena must tug upon, no matter where it takes her. These events are becoming all too real and she cannot stop once she’s started writing and researching. A well-paced piece that has me curious to read more by Lisa Gray.

I always enjoy the adventure an author I have not read before brings to my favourite pastime. Lisa Gray does well to paint a vivid picture of the story before her and keep the reader engaged as they begin the journey. The narrative flows well and keeps pace as things begin to clip along. As the momentum finds its stride, the reader is pulled into the middle of the mystery and begs for answers of their own. Characters emerge as both relatable and well developed, allowing the reader to make a connection with those of their choosing throughout the piece. The plot, while juggling many perspectives and time periods, works well and adds depth to an already strong story. I am eager to see what Lisa Gray has next and how it might compare to this story, which was well worth my time and effort.

Kudos, Madam Gray, for a chilling story that kept me hooked throughout.

I enjoyed this one. I usually figure out the twists but this one got me guessing. Recommended. Will read more from this author.

Dead of Night by @lisagraywriter ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mystery writer Serena Winters recently suffered the tragic loss of her boyfriend (albeit, a cheating one), but decides she needs some space from her NYC environment. She rents a clifftop house in small town California, in the hopes that the solitude can help cure her writers block. Little did she know, the house has a mysterious past, and she very quickly becomes both intrigued and inspired by the family that simply vanished from the house decades prior. She starts investigating, and writing, but there’s someone lurking who doesn’t want the truth to be discovered…

This book is GOOD. Like, realllll good. Coming from a thriller junkie, I ate it all up. Every twist, turn - fantastic. And all answers to any lingering questions were wrapped up and tied with a bow by the end. My jaw DROPPED during that epilogue! I’m definitely recommending this one, y’all!

Pub Date - May 15th ☀️

Thank you to @netgalley + @brilliancepublishing for this advanced audio copy! 🎧💕

#netgalley #netgalleyreads #netgalleyreviewer #netgalleyreview #deadofnight #booknerd #bookstagram #lisagray #lisagrayauthor #lisagraywriter

4.5 stars!

A grieving crime writer flees to a remote California house to overcome her writer's block. But as she uncovers a chilling cold case, someone in the town is determined to stop her from revealing the truth, putting her in danger.

I am a newcomer to this author, and I was graciously invited by the Pulse team to dive into this audiobook. Let me tell you, the narrator had me hooked from the get-go, eagerly anticipating each twist and turn. A skilled narrator truly has the power to breathe life into a story, and this one did not disappoint.

This tale unfolded like a high-speed mystery, with multiple points of view and a diverse cast of characters that were surprisingly easy to keep track of. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the plot took a sharp turn, leaving me guessing until the very end. The premise was solid, and the execution was top-notch.

Serena, the protagonist, takes on the role of detective while on vacation, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the story. Her intelligence, determination, and hidden secrets made her a compelling character to follow. And let's not forget about Danni, Bill, and Ruby - each playing a crucial role in the storyline.

The vivid descriptions of the environment, particularly the enchanting Cliff House, truly transported me into the story. I love when an author takes the time to set the scene, making me feel like I'm right there alongside the characters.

If you're a fan of unexpected twists, family secrets, and a jaw-dropping ending, this book is must-read. I found it nearly impossible to hit pause, as I was desperate to uncover the truth. And let me tell you, the ending completely flipped the script - bravo!

I can't wait for everyone to get their hands on this gem so we can dissect every juicy detail together. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

Thank you, The Pulse and Brilliance Publishing, for the digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Multi-layered and dual-time, I this story to be interesting and complex enough to hold my attention to the end!

I read this in one day (via audio) and really enjoyed it! While I didn’t quite get all the historical aspects (recent history as it was) I knew they’d be wrapped up by the end. I guessed most twists but it was still enjoyable with a light romantic thread.

Can recommend to fans of light thrills and mystery.

Note: Some language.

My rating: 4*

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Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ALC. All opinions are my own.