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Under the Midnight Cloak
Lee Grayson is a nature photographer whose father is a senator in New York. She's never felt close to him and her faith in people as a whole is lacking. She moves to the town of Harmon deep in the Adirondack Mountains after inheriting her great aunt's estate, but the local townspeople seem a little...off. Then she meets Ranger Jamison Kessler and learns there's a killer running rampant around the area. Jamison seems to be hiding things from her and Lee is starting to become suspicious.
Lee discovers that her aunt was a central part of this community and that she possesses the woman's unique abilities. She and Jamison are falling for each other, but things take a turn for the worse when the murderer sets his sights on Lee and a cure for his condition which he believes her to be harboring. Their situation is further complicated by the fact that the killer isn't even human. Neither is Jamison.
Lee discovers that her aunt was a central part of this community and that she possesses the woman's unique abilities. She and Jamison are falling for each other, but things take a turn for the worse when the murderer sets his sights on Lee and a cure for his condition which he believes her to be harboring. Their situation is further complicated by the fact that the killer isn't even human. Neither is Jamison.
252 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2013
15 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
About the author
S.Y. Thompson
14 books36 followersBorn in California but raised in Texas, Susan joined the United States Marine Corps straight out of High School. After ten years and a lot of travel, she left the military and became a San Diego Deputy Sheriff. Retired from an on the job injury, Susan returned to Texas and began writing Star Trek Voyager fan fiction in 2002, but her imagination insisted on creating scenarios outside that genre. Today she still resides in North Texas with her two dogs and the five stray cats that adopted her. Her previous works, all seventy-two stories, can be found on her website. (from the publisher's website)
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
February 10, 2017
This is my second book by this author, and I'd left a little note at the end of the review for the prior read something about how I planed on reading another book by this author. And I'm quite glad I did. The first was interesting, but didn't really mesh as well as it might with me (I mean book meshing with me, the reader). But this one was quite fun, thrilling, exactly what I wanted to read.
Ah werecats, how I like thee, even if they aren't as common to be found in books.
I liked everything about this book - the cats, the people, the world, the two main characters - the back story of what these 'creatures' are, at least their connection to ancient Egypt.
I know others feel differently about the book, since I already saw some ratings - but I felt a kind of happy, contented, pleasurable glow while sliding through this book.
September 10 2016
Ah werecats, how I like thee, even if they aren't as common to be found in books.
I liked everything about this book - the cats, the people, the world, the two main characters - the back story of what these 'creatures' are, at least their connection to ancient Egypt.
I know others feel differently about the book, since I already saw some ratings - but I felt a kind of happy, contented, pleasurable glow while sliding through this book.
September 10 2016
January 31, 2020
On a second (possibly third) read of this FF shifter story (because I’m trying to pen my own). I was focused on the plot structure, pacing, and level of detail regarding the shifter process and culture world-building. All of these are excellent. The main characters are given backgrounds with personalities and motivation/decision-making to match. It’s a nice and fluid read.
March 19, 2016
A similar premise to the Garoul series, but takes on a totally different route. I had been searching for paranormal lesbian romances for a while now, as I had already read most of them. The description of this book caught my eyes, needless to say, I immediately jumped into it.
This book met my expectation. The storyline is very satisfying, though it has some loose end issue. I was hoping the two main characters could have a better romance development, since it looks more like love at first sight.
I was also hoping the villain could be a bit more...smart and somewhat reasonable for realistic sake. But then again, that doesn't mean most criminals are smart and aren't blinded by bigotry. So fair enough.
At the end, I truly enjoyed this, and will definitely grab the next book.
This book met my expectation. The storyline is very satisfying, though it has some loose end issue. I was hoping the two main characters could have a better romance development, since it looks more like love at first sight.
I was also hoping the villain could be a bit more...smart and somewhat reasonable for realistic sake. But then again, that doesn't mean most criminals are smart and aren't blinded by bigotry. So fair enough.
At the end, I truly enjoyed this, and will definitely grab the next book.
November 19, 2013
Nice start and set-up (although Jae does it bettering True Nature and this felt almost within the same universe) with interesting characters, backstory and an intriguing mystery.
It was a pity that the ending felt rushed and the villain was entirely 2-dimensional.
Nice diverting read and will get other books from this author.
It was a pity that the ending felt rushed and the villain was entirely 2-dimensional.
Nice diverting read and will get other books from this author.
August 1, 2013
Very nice! I love a good paranormal thriller and this was a lot of fun. It stands up well against my favorite series in the genre, the Garoul books by Gill McKnight. I don't think it quite reaches their level but give Thompson time and she might make it.
I really liked Thompson's writing over-all. She created great atmosphere and paced things very well, leaving me excited for what would happen next and engaged all the way through. There were some great moments of mystery. I like the Panthera society a lot too and to bring up the Garouls again, it felt like they could exist in the same universe which is fun to think about.
I only had a couple problems. The leads didn't capture my emotions as much as they could have. I liked them just fine, I just wanted to know them a bit more. Also I'm not sure what to say about the ending except that I wanted a bit more wrap up.
Still I enjoyed it a lot and I'm very much looking forward to more books in this series. I really hope Thompson has them coming. If paranormal stories and were-creatures are your thing I think you'll really enjoy this but even if they aren't you still could have a good time.
I really liked Thompson's writing over-all. She created great atmosphere and paced things very well, leaving me excited for what would happen next and engaged all the way through. There were some great moments of mystery. I like the Panthera society a lot too and to bring up the Garouls again, it felt like they could exist in the same universe which is fun to think about.
I only had a couple problems. The leads didn't capture my emotions as much as they could have. I liked them just fine, I just wanted to know them a bit more. Also I'm not sure what to say about the ending except that I wanted a bit more wrap up.
Still I enjoyed it a lot and I'm very much looking forward to more books in this series. I really hope Thompson has them coming. If paranormal stories and were-creatures are your thing I think you'll really enjoy this but even if they aren't you still could have a good time.
July 17, 2016
Under the Midnight Cloak is a definite page turner and a really enjoyable read.
November 12, 2024
New York City resident Lee Grayson, a nature photographer, inherits her aunt’s estate in Harmon, a town in the Adirondack Mountains. The townspeople are not very welcoming at first.
On her arrival to Harmon, she meets Park Ranger Jamison Kessler. Unbeknownst to Lee, the attractive Jamison is more than what she seems.
Jamison leads an investigation into animal killings and a murder. The killings have all the markings of having been committed by a shape-shifter.
Lee soon becomes tangled in the events in a shocking way when she uncovers a family secret and a surprise.
Ms. Thompson creates a believable and vivid world of shape-shifter society and its members. The main characters are well-developed. Each character in the story has their own voice and differences. Adding charm to the story is a raccoon that is more than what it seems, and Lee’s dog.
The growing attraction between Lee and Jamison was written in a way that I found tasteful and believable.
This is no cookie-cutter shifter story. Ms. Thompson crafts a well-written story that will make you want more.
On her arrival to Harmon, she meets Park Ranger Jamison Kessler. Unbeknownst to Lee, the attractive Jamison is more than what she seems.
Jamison leads an investigation into animal killings and a murder. The killings have all the markings of having been committed by a shape-shifter.
Lee soon becomes tangled in the events in a shocking way when she uncovers a family secret and a surprise.
Ms. Thompson creates a believable and vivid world of shape-shifter society and its members. The main characters are well-developed. Each character in the story has their own voice and differences. Adding charm to the story is a raccoon that is more than what it seems, and Lee’s dog.
The growing attraction between Lee and Jamison was written in a way that I found tasteful and believable.
This is no cookie-cutter shifter story. Ms. Thompson crafts a well-written story that will make you want more.
May 19, 2024
Interesting
This is a clever take on shapeshifter stories. I enjoyed the main characters, but I must admit that Cleo and Benny are my favorite characters. And, I certainly liked this story enough to read book two. So I’ll just go do that… ta!
This is a clever take on shapeshifter stories. I enjoyed the main characters, but I must admit that Cleo and Benny are my favorite characters. And, I certainly liked this story enough to read book two. So I’ll just go do that… ta!
September 11, 2022
I just love reading about otherworldly beings.
January 15, 2023
Good
This was a very good shapeshifter book. It had suspense mystery and a nice love story. I cannot wait for the next book.
This was a very good shapeshifter book. It had suspense mystery and a nice love story. I cannot wait for the next book.
April 2, 2025
I'm a sucker for shifters. This book is great. Vivid descriptions, exciting action, and great humor. Lots of twists and turns. I really enjoyed it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2022
In the whole shifter/vampire dichotomy, I'm more of a vampire gal, but I do enjoy a good shifter book. Especially when one of the main characters comes into being a shifter later in life. (Hmm. I wonder why 🤔 ) Unfortunately, this book is just okay. While the murder mystery and one of the lead's shifter self discovery was well done, the romance part of it just fell flat. I like a little buildup to it, some chemistry going in, but unfortunately this falls under the snare of the two leads meet, they're immediately hot for each other, they have sex, and now they're in love. There really isn't much more I have to say about this one. 3 stars.
May 20, 2013
This is a wonderful read...I have loved it from start to end!
The story is about a photographer, Lee, that moves to the town of Harmon deep in the Adirondack Mountains after inheriting her great aunt's estate.
The habitants of the town seems to be not prone to welcome Lee into the community, and Lee little by little found that the town is weird.
The other protagonist is Jamison Kessler, Ranger by day and important figure in the Panthera society by night. The town and the > of it's habitants are Jaguars shape-shifters, they are not the only shape-shifters that live in the world but the territory in Adirondack Mountains is only for them, so when some really violent killings of animals start in the area there are a lot of question, a Panthera is gone crazy? someone try to make their specie visible for the humans? there is another shape-shifter that do it in their territory?
Jamison need to lead the investigation and Lee seems a good suspect, she is a human photographer and maybe her aunt (a really respected Panthera) have told her to much about them.
I don't tell you much more about the book, it's better read it LOL
The protagonists and their companions are well developed, and tridimensional..the story is well written and credible, the shape-shifters story is rich and interesting.
And most of all I'm happy that S.Y. Thompson have told me that this is only the 1st book in the "Under" series (she has been so nice to reply to an e-mail that I have sent her after reading this book)...right now she think to wrote 4 books for this series...and I surely can't wait to follow Lee and Jami in their next adventure!
The story is about a photographer, Lee, that moves to the town of Harmon deep in the Adirondack Mountains after inheriting her great aunt's estate.
The habitants of the town seems to be not prone to welcome Lee into the community, and Lee little by little found that the town is weird.
The other protagonist is Jamison Kessler, Ranger by day and important figure in the Panthera society by night. The town and the > of it's habitants are Jaguars shape-shifters, they are not the only shape-shifters that live in the world but the territory in Adirondack Mountains is only for them, so when some really violent killings of animals start in the area there are a lot of question, a Panthera is gone crazy? someone try to make their specie visible for the humans? there is another shape-shifter that do it in their territory?
Jamison need to lead the investigation and Lee seems a good suspect, she is a human photographer and maybe her aunt (a really respected Panthera) have told her to much about them.
I don't tell you much more about the book, it's better read it LOL
The protagonists and their companions are well developed, and tridimensional..the story is well written and credible, the shape-shifters story is rich and interesting.
And most of all I'm happy that S.Y. Thompson have told me that this is only the 1st book in the "Under" series (she has been so nice to reply to an e-mail that I have sent her after reading this book)...right now she think to wrote 4 books for this series...and I surely can't wait to follow Lee and Jami in their next adventure!
September 13, 2015
When I started reading this book, I felt like the premise of it isn't anything new. You have a shape-shifter, a possible shape-shifter who isn't aware of her abilities and finds herself pulled into the middle of the community, and a mysterious enemy on the loose. It's the basic set up of a lot of starting shape-shifter series I've come across.
However, what I found in this book was a lot more! Despite the plot formula, I am amazed to find that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I did not find anything that I disliked or thought was annoying. Each part of this story had me enthralled until I reached the end. I ended up finishing this book in a matter of 2-3 days!
I love the community the author built in this story and the characters are all unique with their own problems to work out. The pacing of this book is also great and nothing seems too fast or too shallow. The characters go at their own pace and it really helps them stand out as individuals. Even the animals in this story felt like their own characters because their own personalities really stood out! I was also satisfied by the conclusion of this story and how everything came to an end. There might have been one or two things I predicted but some things I didn't. The author managed to surprise me!
It's rare for me to rate a book 5 out of 5 but I really think this one deserved it. I just cannot think of anything I disliked about it and that is rare for me. I can't wait to read the second installment!
However, what I found in this book was a lot more! Despite the plot formula, I am amazed to find that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I did not find anything that I disliked or thought was annoying. Each part of this story had me enthralled until I reached the end. I ended up finishing this book in a matter of 2-3 days!
I love the community the author built in this story and the characters are all unique with their own problems to work out. The pacing of this book is also great and nothing seems too fast or too shallow. The characters go at their own pace and it really helps them stand out as individuals. Even the animals in this story felt like their own characters because their own personalities really stood out! I was also satisfied by the conclusion of this story and how everything came to an end. There might have been one or two things I predicted but some things I didn't. The author managed to surprise me!
It's rare for me to rate a book 5 out of 5 but I really think this one deserved it. I just cannot think of anything I disliked about it and that is rare for me. I can't wait to read the second installment!
August 31, 2013
This was my first paranormal book in this genre. I will definitely seek more out. One of my issues with paranormal material is "buying into" the premise. With this novel, that was no problem. The story was well written and captivating. I do wish the romance was not as abrupt and instead explored more. Very likable characters. I would definitely read a sequel.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews