***Overall Rating: DNF @ 70%***

At this point, I don’t know why I’m still slogging through this book. Mysteries usually have me flying through the pages to get to the reveal, but in this case, I just couldn’t care enough to continue.

The mystery of the Black Dahlia’s death and who was killing these women didn’t make me curious enough, and even the relationship (with explicit spicy scenes) between Lena and Callahan couldn’t make me feel anything except boredom. I felt so disconnected from the characters, and the pacing was too slow and flat for me.

Did I laugh? Yes. For some reason, I found it funny when Valtu, aka Dracula, was flirting/teasing Lena.

Did I cry? No.


***Swoon Score: 🦋🦋 One Sigh, No Replay***

Callahan took “touch her and die” literally

He became possessive and protective of Lena shortly after they met. He stepped in one time when he found Lena’s boyfriend Marco hurting her.


***Steam Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 Hot and Explicit***

Callahan was feral for Lena

Callahan had a little bit of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde sitch, and so far, he only gave in to his need for her when his “good guy” side was not in control. This meant those times became furious claimings because his primal side couldn’t be denied. The spicy scenes were definitely explicit, and there was even a WTF scene (at least for me) that I thought wasn’t necessary, but the author included to maybe show how vampires were supposed to be hypersexual creatures.


Do I recommend this? No, not really. Unless you’re a fan of true crime and curious enough about this take on the Black Dahlia murder.

~Thank you to NetGalley and Metal Blond Books for the review copy of this book. This is my honest review and opinion. I read the book on KU when I found out that the book had already been published.~

♥♥♥

GENRE: Paranormal
POV: Dual, 1st person
TROPES: vampires, jazz singer x private investigator, true crime inspired, touch her and die, protective MMC

I went into Nocturne really intrigued by the early 1900s setting and the backdrop of a dark, supernatural tale. The first half of the book pulled me in with the mysterious air around both Lena and Victor; their setup was very interesting and unique. However, I found myself wanting more from the characters emotionally.

I struggled to fall in love with Lena or Victor. Their dynamic was lust-charged throughout and lacked actual love, and while the spice did increase later in the story, it never quite evolved into something that made me crave them as a couple. That “epic romance” vibe I was hoping for just wasn’t there.

It also didn’t help that the vampire element — which I expected to be central — was almost non-existent in the beginning. It became more significant in the second half, but by then, I’d already started to feel a bit detached. When the secrets finally began to unravel, things turned pretty predictable. And I'm not someone who usually sees twists coming, so that says something.

I can see why readers are drawn to Nocturne. I just wanted a little more from both the romance and the plot.

(4.5/5)

Moody and atmospheric, this book ticked boxes I didn’t even know I HAD.

Seductively haunting, Nocturne can be read as a dark standalone romance set in 1940s Los Angeles where a dark murder has recently happened and its circumstances may not be as originally thought. For those who have read this authors other books, particularly the Dracula Duet, you will enjoy the nods to characters you have met before!

Lena was a phenomenal FMC, the epitome of Femme Fatale. Karina introduces to her slowly, revealing her intricacies and secrets over the course of the first third of the book. This subtle introduction really leans into the noir genre, mysterious and mesmerising, every page spent within Lena’s chapters were enthralling.

In comparison, Callahan hit the pages like a steam train. Abrupt, bold, brash and immediately likeable. He has some secrets too, but ones not even he can share.

This was my first ever Karina Halle book, but let me tell you it will not be the last.

I want to thank NetGalley, Metal Blonde Books, and Karin Halle for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. The review is my own opinion and I have given this freely.

A huge thanks to Netgalley for giving me the chance to review Nocturne by Karina Halle in exchange for my honest review. 
What was not to love about this book ? It had it all ! Karina Halle never fails to deliver an amazing story and her new dark vampire stalker romance is once again a testament to her amazing writing !Based off on the Black Dahlia murder (a true crime that is to this day still unsolved) she takes all the right liberties to make a story suspenseful and steamy at the same time. 
Lena and Callahan dance around each other like moth to flame and it's only a matter of time before they both give in to temptation and find everything they deserve in each other !The film noir vibes from the 1947 Los Angeles and the old Hollywood aesthetic mixed with the right amount of dark romance and supernatural creatures, is a combination that you wouldn't expect to find yourself to love so much but will anyway !
Go read it for the aesthetic, the vibes and for Callahan. OH my GOD Callahan was everything !

I wanted to like this but ended up being unsure. I stopped at 93% and just returned to complete. I found the initial storyline intriguing and liked the twist and introducing previous characters but there was something about the story that didn't hold me and I was skipping pages willing for some action and plot. Not my favourite I'm afraid

I didn’t realize it tied into Halle’s vampire world, so the familiar cameos were such a fun bonus. The beginning was a bit of a slow burn, and it took me a minute to connect with the characters—but once things picked up, I was all in.

Set against the backdrop of 1940s LA and the Black Dahlia murder, Nocturne blends noir vibes, true crime, and supernatural twists. Lena and Callahan's connection grew on me, and their chemistry ended up stealing the show. Add in gangsters, secrets, and vampires, and you’ve got a gritty, atmospheric ride that feels both fresh and nostalgic.

Another win from Halle—unexpected, layered, and totally worth the ride.

The first thing that drew me in was the GORGEOUS cover! This book was unique and it had everything a girl could want in a story - vampires, a murder, and a sizzling romance… I loved it!

I picked this up because I’m a huge fan of Los Angeles in the early-to-mid century, and enjoyed the hell out of LA Noire, LA Confidential, and the works of James Ellroy.

Nocturne is something I’m not familiar with. I don’t usually read these sort of dark romance books, or romance books at all, but since it was set in a familiar place, I thought I’d give it a go.

I did enjoy it, to an extent. Although the settings and characters were very surface level (the brooding detective, the femme fatale), I thought it was an interesting concept, especially with Halle’s interpretation of a vampire.

I’m not sure how to feel about the rest though. Again, maybe I’m not built for dark romances, but there was a lot of repetition of certain things (we don’t need to know how big Callahan’s anatomy is all the time).

A very minor detail that stuck out to me was that Lena has a digital alarm clock, but those weren’t patented until 1956. Other than that, the book was alright. I genuinely liked the fact that Callahan and Lena managed to start a family, despite it all. I’m a sucker for happy endings sometimes.

Thank you to Metal Blonde Books and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If you love dark romance and vampires this is for you. I loved the 1940s setting and the story that unfolded.

What an interesting standalone read with a throwback to the late 1940s in Los Angeles. Lena and Victor have an unexpected connection and soon their quest to solve a mystery builds to a relationship. The only hitch is one is a vampire….eek! As the mystery unfolds their relationship becomes consuming. Good closure but would like more on the mystery and consequences (trying not to spoil!)
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have loved every book I’ve read from Karina Halle, but this one just didn’t pull me in as much as they usually do. I think I was expecting something else when they described a Hollywood Noir story, or just that I found the characters to be a little wooden, it could even be that I didn’t feel like we were in post war America. The romance and the plot played out really nicely, if somewhat predictable as well as a little anticlimactic. I would definitely recommend it for those who enjoy vampire novels with twists, I just wouldn’t count on it being super suspenseful mystery it was advertised as.

This was my first Karina Halle book (although I have heard great things about her new book, Realm of Thieves), and I really loved the concept of vampires meeting the traditional era of film noir Hollywood. Thanks to Metal Blonde Books for the early copy.

After the death of her best friend, Betty Short (the Black Dahlia), nightclub singer Lena Reid is trying to stay out of attention. But when private investigator Victor Callahan is hired to find the truth about Betty's death, he proves difficult to shake...especially since Lena feels an instant connection to him.

I hadn't read the connected books, but it didn't really have an impact on understanding the dynamics of the character friendships, even though Lena's vampires friends are centred in other novels. Halle absolutely delivered on the atmosphere - femme fatales, smoky nightclubs, murders in the hidden alleys of Los Angeles, and I was captivated. I would definitely recommend reading the trigger warnings - the book does go very dark and may not be for everyone.

The book does end with the crime solved, but I will say that there felt like a lot more story with these two characters. Since Halle loves playing in this world, I do hope she comes back to it.

3.5 - Fun Black Dahlia inspires vampire romance set in the 40s. Bit weird that they used the actual real victim’s name as a character in the story IMO. Also could have been a little shorter & it is in desperate need of more editing, but overall I enjoyed the storyline.

Nocturne is a bit of 'true crime' romance regarding the LA "Black Dahlia murder" vibes and the 1947 backdrop. I love a book that takes some history and interweaves it with romance to really bring together an unputdownable story and Karina did that in spades. Nocturne was a whimsical read. It has so many enticing elements layered throughout; you get vampires, suspense, intrigue, romance and just the right amount of spice to set the story ablaze without detracting from the emotional arc.

The way that Karina writes a story has you gripped from the prologue all the way until the last word. It doesn’t matter what type of book she’s writing I’m without a doubt reading it, and this book was no different. Karina can spin a tale that will live rent free in your mind long after you’ve finished. Her books always weave together the perfect amount of spice, intrigue, allure with her signature prose setting the backdrop for a perfect read.

Highly recommend if you love:
• True crime inspired w/a Serial Killer
• Morally gray heroes and femme fatales
• Vampires
• Forbidden romance
• Touch her and die
• with an old school movie vibes...

Nocturne is equal parts seductive and sinister. Karina Halle blends film noir, paranormal horror, and true crime into something that feels both familiar and entirely unhinged. The 1940s setting hums with cigarette smoke, secrets, and obsession, while the narrative sinks its teeth into themes of control, identity, and monstrosity.

This is not a romance in the comforting sense. It’s blood-streaked, morally off-center, and often disturbing. And that’s the point. The writing doesn’t shy away from discomfort. In fact, it thrives in it. There’s a boldness to how Halle portrays compulsion and longing, using both the supernatural and the psychological to explore the difference between desire and choice.

Fans of twisted vampire lore, unreliable narrators, and gothic suspense will devour this. But it’s not for everyone. The consent lines blur, intentionally so. The violence is graphic. The romance is jagged. And the line between love and hunger is razor thin.

If that intrigues rather than deters you, welcome to the dark.

I loved that this semi-dark romance is also sort of historical fiction. I, like many people, am fascinated by the Black Dahlia, so that was one of the reasons that drew my attention to this book. The other was the stalker element. This is my first Karina Halle book--I'd never seen anything by her before but I was really excited to discover her and have my wish granted for this title! Her books are well-written and entertaining, so I'm looking forward to reading more of hers.

I enjoyed the relationship between Lena and Victor, as well as her friendships and this universe of vampires. There was plenty of spice and that plot twist with his sisters had me VERY disturbed, which for me is always a good sign. I do wish we'd gotten more of the stalker portion, since it seemed that it was going to be a big plot point based off the book description. To me, it felt underwhelming. I enjoyed the murder mystery aspect and enjoyed its connection to the vampire side of the story. I thought this book would be darker than it was, but there was a disclaimer about that at the beginning. Unfortunately, it didn't pull me in as much as I hoped it would, but I still enjoyed it and plan on reading more of Halle's books.

3.5 stars ⭐️ Vampires, true crime, and 1940s Hollywood…give it to me.

Overall, this did hit the spot because I have really been craving a solid vampire book—a request to please bring back the late 2000s era vampires—and Nocturne delivered. It was a fun mix of spice and blood!

This was my first Karina Halle book, and while I enjoyed it, it may have been a little too drawn out for my taste. But she has written so many other books on my TBR that I am even more excited to try now. Maybe Grave Matter is next?

If you like me and are missing Twilight era vamps rn, I would highly recommend Nocturne. It was a good nostalgia hit.

Thank you to Metal Blonde Books for granting my wish for this ARC and for the opportunity to give my candid feedback.

devoured this book. From the moment I saw it was a 1940s vampire murder mystery with a private investigator MMC and a singer/vampire FMC? I was in. Add in cults, stalking, blood, blackouts, primal urges, and the “you’re mine” trope? You might as well have handed me a drink and dimmed the lights.

The vibes? Immaculate noir. Think The Black Dahlia meets Underworld, but in Karina Halle’s twisted, atmospheric universe where danger and desire blur at the edges.

Lena was everything I love in a heroine—elegant and deadly, terrified but still brave, hiding in plain sight while the world turns against her. And Callahan? God, I love an unreliable narrator. His blackouts, his confusion, the creeping dread that he might be the monster he’s hunting—it kept me absolutely hooked. His POV felt like piecing together a dream you’re scared to remember.

Their connection? Instant. Tense. Deliciously messy. I lived for their dynamic—how they trusted each other even when they couldn’t trust themselves. The “you came.” “Always.” line? Destroyed me in the best way. I need someone to love me like that, thanks.

And then Valtu showed up. One of my favorite vampires of all time just casually walking into the story like he owns the place (he does). I squealed. Seeing him, Abe, Wolf—it felt like coming home to a darker, bloodier chosen family. I love how Karina ties all her worlds together without ever making it feel forced.

There were a few parts where I wished for just a bit more—maybe a little more depth in the climax or a longer resolution—but honestly? I was too deep in to care much. This book was violent, erotic, mysterious, and emotionally gripping. Classic KH.

Final thoughts?
If you love dark paranormal romance with noir mystery, broken heroes, bold heroines, bloodlust, danger, and vibes that crawl under your skin… this one’s for you. It’s spicy. It’s bloody. And it’s begging for a reread.

I’m already low-key hoping Karina writes more in this exact time period with these characters. I’m not done with them—and I don’t think they’re done with me either.

𝔑𝔬𝔠𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔫𝔢 𝔟𝔶 𝔎𝔞𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔞 ℌ𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔢
4/5! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🦇་༘࿐

Hello hot, steamy, possessive vampire romance with a side of 1940's Hollywood glamour, mafia vibes and thriller bits thrown into it.

I love Karina Halle. Everything I had read by her is just a good time. This was no exception. This is based off the Black Dahlia Murder.......but twist it up and add vampires. Lena and Callahan, our two main protagonists, are a power couple working to solve the mystery of one of Lena's good friends, Betty. Along the way, Lena, our vampire, begins to suspect some things about Callahan that he may not know about himself, and whewwwwwww things get steamy.

“I’m going to ruin you,” he says through gritted teeth. “Ruin you for anyone else.”


...riiiiiiiiight.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Anyways, if you're a true crime girlie like me, but also love a bit of romance, glamour and fantasy thrown in....pick this uppppp! It was action-packed, the steam was steaming, and the vibes were perfect. Thank you Karina for another great read.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

There are times when vampire books, especially featuring detectives or police, seem to have vampire added as an afterthought. This is one of those books. I think there was enough spice and plot for the story to stand on its own and it should have.

(Also the playlist should have been era appropriate to immerse the reader. )