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MINE IS THE NIGHT: One perfect murder is not enough
A killer who thinks he's a genius.
A priest obsessed with solving murder.
A former detective haunted by her past.
The new page-turning thriller by international bestselling author Alex Wagner.
Father Simon Westerholt is a priest, but his secret obsession with murder investigations has gotten him into trouble more than once. When he discovers a decapitated woman in his church's crypt, his curiosity turns deadly. Because the killer knows him. And he's watching his every move.
Lucia Storm, brilliant ex-detective, steps in to help—until she suddenly becomes the prime suspect herself.
Read this if you
★ Rogue Investigators
✦ Cleric Detective
❖ Framed for a Crime
⋯ Dark Past
† Serial Killer on the Loose
✉ Cryptic Messages
🏛 Atmospheric Setting
⊠ Twisted Web of Lies
♟ Cat and Mouse Game
A gripping thriller full of twists you won't see coming—perfect for readers who love Riley Sager, Ruth Ware, and Freida McFadden.
A priest obsessed with solving murder.
A former detective haunted by her past.
The new page-turning thriller by international bestselling author Alex Wagner.
Father Simon Westerholt is a priest, but his secret obsession with murder investigations has gotten him into trouble more than once. When he discovers a decapitated woman in his church's crypt, his curiosity turns deadly. Because the killer knows him. And he's watching his every move.
Lucia Storm, brilliant ex-detective, steps in to help—until she suddenly becomes the prime suspect herself.
Read this if you
★ Rogue Investigators
✦ Cleric Detective
❖ Framed for a Crime
⋯ Dark Past
† Serial Killer on the Loose
✉ Cryptic Messages
🏛 Atmospheric Setting
⊠ Twisted Web of Lies
♟ Cat and Mouse Game
A gripping thriller full of twists you won't see coming—perfect for readers who love Riley Sager, Ruth Ware, and Freida McFadden.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 3, 2025
295 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 24, 2025
The subtitle on the cover of Alex Wagner’s novel “Mine is the Night” states “One perfect murder is not enough …”
That’s the key issue I have with this multiple-murder mystery. Someone, or perhaps more than one person, is trying to commit many perfect murders. And in the course of trying to weave these intricate webs into one cohesive narrative, the end of result is a much too convoluted story. Overkill times ten.
The setting is Vienna. The Prologue introduces us to Anton Mering, a low-level detective determined to prove himself to his chief inspector (Erich Brisart) by catching a serial killer on his own. We don’t learn whether he succeeds or not, as the narrative jumps ahead 17 years and introduces a smorgasbord of current, former and would-be crime solvers.
There’s Patricia Elmer, a successful private detective; her husband Robin, a famous crime novelist; Frank Konig, a widely read crime blogger; Father Simon Westerholt, a priest whose penchant for solving crimes has aided the local police on numerous occasions; Lucia Storm, a former investigator turned vigilante; inspector Beatrix Seiler, an inexperienced detective trying to prove herself; and her boss chief inspector Brisart.
Each of these crime solvers, except Beatrix, receives a cryptic yet personalized note from someone calling himself Mine is the Night. Is this person responsible for the headless body found in the crypt below St. Martin’s Church where Westerholt practices? Clues and hints are dropped like breadcrumbs indicating, and confusing the reader, that any one of these crime solvers could be the actual killer. Or one might be trying to frame the others. But why?
That, in my opinion, is the major issue here. There are too many characters, and too little backstory provided on each, to draw any reasonable conclusions. At times I felt like I was a participant in a game of Clue (I’ll take Westerholt in the church with the knife). I spent more time scratching and shaking my head when I’d rather have been putting pieces of the puzzle together.
Oh, I almost forgot. Shortly after Father Westerholt is whacked on the head and seems to suffer a concussion, he begins a running conversation with St. Martin – the actual saint who Westerholt sees and talks to throughout the bulk of the story. Is Westerholt losing his mind? Or is this the author’s way of demonstrating the Father dealing with his own conscience?
Whatever. I found “Mine is the Night” to be a bit overblown as Wagner goes overboard with the twists and turns. Keeping it simple would have been a better strategy.
Three out of five stars. Not highly recommended unless you like your mysteries mapped out like a game of Twister.
And you can check out all my reviews at my Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com) book blog.
That’s the key issue I have with this multiple-murder mystery. Someone, or perhaps more than one person, is trying to commit many perfect murders. And in the course of trying to weave these intricate webs into one cohesive narrative, the end of result is a much too convoluted story. Overkill times ten.
The setting is Vienna. The Prologue introduces us to Anton Mering, a low-level detective determined to prove himself to his chief inspector (Erich Brisart) by catching a serial killer on his own. We don’t learn whether he succeeds or not, as the narrative jumps ahead 17 years and introduces a smorgasbord of current, former and would-be crime solvers.
There’s Patricia Elmer, a successful private detective; her husband Robin, a famous crime novelist; Frank Konig, a widely read crime blogger; Father Simon Westerholt, a priest whose penchant for solving crimes has aided the local police on numerous occasions; Lucia Storm, a former investigator turned vigilante; inspector Beatrix Seiler, an inexperienced detective trying to prove herself; and her boss chief inspector Brisart.
Each of these crime solvers, except Beatrix, receives a cryptic yet personalized note from someone calling himself Mine is the Night. Is this person responsible for the headless body found in the crypt below St. Martin’s Church where Westerholt practices? Clues and hints are dropped like breadcrumbs indicating, and confusing the reader, that any one of these crime solvers could be the actual killer. Or one might be trying to frame the others. But why?
That, in my opinion, is the major issue here. There are too many characters, and too little backstory provided on each, to draw any reasonable conclusions. At times I felt like I was a participant in a game of Clue (I’ll take Westerholt in the church with the knife). I spent more time scratching and shaking my head when I’d rather have been putting pieces of the puzzle together.
Oh, I almost forgot. Shortly after Father Westerholt is whacked on the head and seems to suffer a concussion, he begins a running conversation with St. Martin – the actual saint who Westerholt sees and talks to throughout the bulk of the story. Is Westerholt losing his mind? Or is this the author’s way of demonstrating the Father dealing with his own conscience?
Whatever. I found “Mine is the Night” to be a bit overblown as Wagner goes overboard with the twists and turns. Keeping it simple would have been a better strategy.
Three out of five stars. Not highly recommended unless you like your mysteries mapped out like a game of Twister.
And you can check out all my reviews at my Raised on Reading (www.raisedonreading.com) book blog.
June 16, 2025
This book had me hooked from the beginning. There were so many times I found myself questioning who the murderer could have been as I went through this book. I must admit I was slightly confused when the book opened with Anton and then didn't mention him again for awhile
I personally thought the characters and writing in this book were really great. Yes there were a few times I thought it jumped around a little bit but it did eventually get back on track. As sick as they were I did think the murderer was "smart" about how they went about committing the murders. If everyone pointed fingers at another person they wouldn't be able to point fingers at the actual murderer.
The book was a little bit slow to start but picked up at the end which I was glad about. Yes there was a lot of intrigue but the action really ramped up in the last quarter of the book.
I thought the characters were well fleshed out. You could really feel for Lucia especially but also Beatrix and Fr. Simon. The only character I didn't think was that fleshed out was Brisirt but there was enough background to understand his motives at times. I felt like I was truly experiencing all of the action with the characters.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a pretty quick read but who also likes detective stories, action, intrigue, an unusual cast of characters and the like. I can't wait to continue the series!
I personally thought the characters and writing in this book were really great. Yes there were a few times I thought it jumped around a little bit but it did eventually get back on track. As sick as they were I did think the murderer was "smart" about how they went about committing the murders. If everyone pointed fingers at another person they wouldn't be able to point fingers at the actual murderer.
The book was a little bit slow to start but picked up at the end which I was glad about. Yes there was a lot of intrigue but the action really ramped up in the last quarter of the book.
I thought the characters were well fleshed out. You could really feel for Lucia especially but also Beatrix and Fr. Simon. The only character I didn't think was that fleshed out was Brisirt but there was enough background to understand his motives at times. I felt like I was truly experiencing all of the action with the characters.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a pretty quick read but who also likes detective stories, action, intrigue, an unusual cast of characters and the like. I can't wait to continue the series!
October 29, 2025
brilliant fun - great characters
The plot of this book is never predictable, always offering a new twist to and for all the characters.
I loved the killer’s strategy but was disappointed in the portrayal.
The priest who communicates with a dead saint offers great fun.
BTW l loved the idea of a saint having chosen to remain on earth to help people.
The plot of this book is never predictable, always offering a new twist to and for all the characters.
I loved the killer’s strategy but was disappointed in the portrayal.
The priest who communicates with a dead saint offers great fun.
BTW l loved the idea of a saint having chosen to remain on earth to help people.
May 1, 2025
Wow! What a read!!
This one had me hooked immediately. There were so many twists, I had no idea where the author was taking me. The end was more than I had hoped for, really exciting. Looking forward to the next book.
This one had me hooked immediately. There were so many twists, I had no idea where the author was taking me. The end was more than I had hoped for, really exciting. Looking forward to the next book.
December 4, 2025
Excellent Murder Mystery
Great read. Great character development, with several different “voices” being the “protagonist” of the moment. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, often finding myself seeking out my iPad to continue. Don’t pass this one by.
Great read. Great character development, with several different “voices” being the “protagonist” of the moment. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, often finding myself seeking out my iPad to continue. Don’t pass this one by.
December 5, 2025
Enjoyed this first book in the series. The mystery was interesting and so were the characters.
The priest was a human, but not wayward like Grantchester.
I look forward to more books in the series.
The priest was a human, but not wayward like Grantchester.
I look forward to more books in the series.
January 8, 2026
New heroes to follow. In Vienna!
A priest, a long-dead saint, an ex-detective/vengeance seeking woman, and a young, but talented, policewoman! The latest heroes among my favorite crime fighters.
A priest, a long-dead saint, an ex-detective/vengeance seeking woman, and a young, but talented, policewoman! The latest heroes among my favorite crime fighters.
October 19, 2025
Facinating storytelling
The characters were interesting! The author didn’t make the Clergy, or the police bad guys. Kept it very suspenseful! Will definitely read more from Alex Wagner.
The characters were interesting! The author didn’t make the Clergy, or the police bad guys. Kept it very suspenseful! Will definitely read more from Alex Wagner.
January 3, 2026
Good story
Once you get used to the different perspectives the story moves very well. It was a little slow to start and wrapped up quickly.
Once you get used to the different perspectives the story moves very well. It was a little slow to start and wrapped up quickly.
January 13, 2026
Great read
Kept me guessing almost to the very end, and I love when an author writes a book that keeps you guessing.
Kept me guessing almost to the very end, and I love when an author writes a book that keeps you guessing.
January 14, 2026
Twisty
I was engrossed with this story. never figured it out either. good plot. Likeable character s. Good read for surd
I was engrossed with this story. never figured it out either. good plot. Likeable character s. Good read for surd
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews