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The Midnight King
Lucas Cole is a bestselling writer. He is also a father, a widower, and a beloved celebrity in his small town. He is an unassuming man - tall, thin and quietly friendly. Lucas Cole is also a serial killer.
Nathan Cole has known the truth about his father since he was ten years old. Too terrified to go to the police, he ran away from home as soon as he was able, carrying the guilt of leaving his sister behind. But when Lucas is found dead in a dingy motel room, Nathan returns to his childhood home for the first time in seventeen years. It's there he finds The Midnight King, his father's final unpublished manuscript, a fictionalised account of his hideous crimes, hidden in a box of trinkets taken from his victims. Trinkets that include a ribbon belonging to a missing eight-year-old girl who disappeared only days before his father's death.
Now, Nathan must deal with the consequences of keeping his father's secret. But it may not be as simple as finding a lost child. For The Midnight King holds Nathan's secrets as well as Lucas's, and he is not the only one searching for the truth...
Full of unexpected twists and heartrending turns, The Midnight King is a gripping thriller perfect for fans of Chris Whitaker, S.A. Cosby and Ian Rankin.
Nathan Cole has known the truth about his father since he was ten years old. Too terrified to go to the police, he ran away from home as soon as he was able, carrying the guilt of leaving his sister behind. But when Lucas is found dead in a dingy motel room, Nathan returns to his childhood home for the first time in seventeen years. It's there he finds The Midnight King, his father's final unpublished manuscript, a fictionalised account of his hideous crimes, hidden in a box of trinkets taken from his victims. Trinkets that include a ribbon belonging to a missing eight-year-old girl who disappeared only days before his father's death.
Now, Nathan must deal with the consequences of keeping his father's secret. But it may not be as simple as finding a lost child. For The Midnight King holds Nathan's secrets as well as Lucas's, and he is not the only one searching for the truth...
Full of unexpected twists and heartrending turns, The Midnight King is a gripping thriller perfect for fans of Chris Whitaker, S.A. Cosby and Ian Rankin.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2025
34 people are currently reading
1106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
April 12, 2025
Well this is dark and very unsettling and at the same time emotional. A story of a dysfunctional family, the father a serial killer and his children having to live with it.
I really liked that we learnt about Nathan Coles kills through his unpublished manuscript, which he says is not a confession but it was in many ways. Nathan was a famous author and beloved in the community. His estranged son, Lucas comes home after his father’s suicide. He learns a whole lot more about his father after his death.
This is a tough book to read, even for me, as the victims are children and there is quite a bit of animal abuse involved. I know that this is part of the genre but it did turn my stomach reading these parts.
This is a much hyped book and I feel that it deserves to be. It was a book that got into my head and there will be parts of it that will stay with me. It is a very dark crime book that may be too. Much for some readers.
Thanks to Serpents Rail and Viper for my early copy of this book to read. Out on April 10th
I really liked that we learnt about Nathan Coles kills through his unpublished manuscript, which he says is not a confession but it was in many ways. Nathan was a famous author and beloved in the community. His estranged son, Lucas comes home after his father’s suicide. He learns a whole lot more about his father after his death.
This is a tough book to read, even for me, as the victims are children and there is quite a bit of animal abuse involved. I know that this is part of the genre but it did turn my stomach reading these parts.
This is a much hyped book and I feel that it deserves to be. It was a book that got into my head and there will be parts of it that will stay with me. It is a very dark crime book that may be too. Much for some readers.
Thanks to Serpents Rail and Viper for my early copy of this book to read. Out on April 10th
January 18, 2025
My review will be in Scream Horror Magazine
This is THE thriller of 2025
This is THE thriller of 2025
April 10, 2025
3.5⭐️ ok so first off this book is VERY dark and some of the descriptions were actually quite gruesome. I love a dark thriller and I love that the author didn’t shy away from writing some pretty dark stuff.
I also really loved the book within a book element and overall I did enjoy reading it but for me I felt like something was missing. I didn’t feel at all satisfied after I’d read it and I don’t feel like I connected to any of the characters enough to care about how their stories ended.
I also don’t agree with the “biggest plot twist of 2025” marketing on the book either. There wasn’t really one big twist but rather several smaller ones.
Not my favourite thriller ever but still a solid book that I would still recommend
I also really loved the book within a book element and overall I did enjoy reading it but for me I felt like something was missing. I didn’t feel at all satisfied after I’d read it and I don’t feel like I connected to any of the characters enough to care about how their stories ended.
I also don’t agree with the “biggest plot twist of 2025” marketing on the book either. There wasn’t really one big twist but rather several smaller ones.
Not my favourite thriller ever but still a solid book that I would still recommend
March 26, 2025
Well if you are looking for a dark, disturbing and very uncomfortable crime thriller then The Midnight King is perfect for you.
This is my first book by author Tariq Ashkanani and having read it in one day, I can say, without doubt, that I will be checking out his other books now.
I actually confess that I didn't even read the blurb before starting the book, it was the cover and the text "Husband, Father, Serial Killer" that drew me in and made me read it! Yes, I know, I'm a twisted, dark and disturbed individual.
Anyway, back to the book, the story is told from the view point of Nathan Cole, a damaged man who is returning to his childhood town, having fled 17 years ago when he discovered his father Lucas Cole is a serial killer. Having been found dead in a motel room, Nathan discovers an unpublished manuscript which seems to be a fictional account of all his crimes over the past 30 years, including "trophies" from all his victims. One of the trophies include hair ribbons that belong to a missing 8 year old girl who was abducted only days before his fathers death.
The other main narrator is Isaac, a private detective who has been hired by the missing girls parents to find her and was also a close childhood friend of Nathan when they were growing up and during school.
This is DARK, this is GRUESOME, this is DISTURBING and this is exactly what I LOVE in a crime thriller.
I totally recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
My thanks to Netgalley for my ARC copy.
This is my first book by author Tariq Ashkanani and having read it in one day, I can say, without doubt, that I will be checking out his other books now.
I actually confess that I didn't even read the blurb before starting the book, it was the cover and the text "Husband, Father, Serial Killer" that drew me in and made me read it! Yes, I know, I'm a twisted, dark and disturbed individual.
Anyway, back to the book, the story is told from the view point of Nathan Cole, a damaged man who is returning to his childhood town, having fled 17 years ago when he discovered his father Lucas Cole is a serial killer. Having been found dead in a motel room, Nathan discovers an unpublished manuscript which seems to be a fictional account of all his crimes over the past 30 years, including "trophies" from all his victims. One of the trophies include hair ribbons that belong to a missing 8 year old girl who was abducted only days before his fathers death.
The other main narrator is Isaac, a private detective who has been hired by the missing girls parents to find her and was also a close childhood friend of Nathan when they were growing up and during school.
This is DARK, this is GRUESOME, this is DISTURBING and this is exactly what I LOVE in a crime thriller.
I totally recommend this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
My thanks to Netgalley for my ARC copy.
March 21, 2025
The Midnight King, for me, was one of those rare reads you start and just from that first chapter you already know: oooh, I’m going to LOVE this one! And quite possibly hate it a little bit, too. And I was right. On both counts.
The Midnight King is without a doubt one of the darkest books I’ve ever read. And that’s saying something, cos I really do love dark books. I won’t go into detail, I wouldn’t want to spoil anything, suffice it to say that even with just a few explicit scenes but many even darker things referred to and hinted at, The Midnight King is not for the faint-hearted.
Fortunately, I am not faint of heart nor weak of stomach – not when it comes to fiction anyway – and I gobbled it up! I became addicted! I was thinking about it when I wasn’t reading, dying to get back to it whenever life got in the way. And I had to tear myself away whenever duty in some form or other called. I’d been feeling a bit slumpy, sometimes a book just doesn’t work for me and my fatigue and brain fog make it worse, but then a book like The Midnight King comes along and reminds me why I love reading.
The Midnight King is a chillingly dark and twisted serial killer thriller. It is shocking but intelligent and I love how the nature vs nurture theme is woven into it. Suspenseful and engrossing, I hung onto every word and I would definitely recommend it to fans of the genre. Worth the hype!
Massive thanks to Viper and NetGalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.
The Midnight King is without a doubt one of the darkest books I’ve ever read. And that’s saying something, cos I really do love dark books. I won’t go into detail, I wouldn’t want to spoil anything, suffice it to say that even with just a few explicit scenes but many even darker things referred to and hinted at, The Midnight King is not for the faint-hearted.
Fortunately, I am not faint of heart nor weak of stomach – not when it comes to fiction anyway – and I gobbled it up! I became addicted! I was thinking about it when I wasn’t reading, dying to get back to it whenever life got in the way. And I had to tear myself away whenever duty in some form or other called. I’d been feeling a bit slumpy, sometimes a book just doesn’t work for me and my fatigue and brain fog make it worse, but then a book like The Midnight King comes along and reminds me why I love reading.
The Midnight King is a chillingly dark and twisted serial killer thriller. It is shocking but intelligent and I love how the nature vs nurture theme is woven into it. Suspenseful and engrossing, I hung onto every word and I would definitely recommend it to fans of the genre. Worth the hype!
Massive thanks to Viper and NetGalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.
February 25, 2025
Tariq Ashkanani is not an author I have heard of before but I know feel like I may have been missing out, so I will now be looking up his previous books.
This is a very taught thriller that wholly captured my attention. Lucus Cole is a killer, one of the worst kinds with his crimes against children. Nathan Cole is his son and as a ten-year-old boy was aware that there was more to his father than meets the eye. Terrified of this man, Nathan runs away, desperate to separate himself from the crimes being committed, but sadly leaving his siter behind and he has carried this guilt with him for many years.
After his fathers’ death Nathan returns to his hometown and in an old family cabin discovers a manuscript written by his father named the Midnight King. Not only does he find the manuscript he also finds trophies from his father’s victims, which if course is absolutely devastating as it makes it seem even more real.
Another child his now missing, only found days before his father’s death but there is also someone else on the hunt, a man named Isaac, a private investigator hired by the young girls family to find out the truth behind their daughters disappearance, a man who will also suffer terribly in his pursuit of the truth.
This is an incredibly dark story but one that had me turning the pages late into the night and one I will remember for quite a while. Incredibly suspenseful and enthralling, followed by an extreme twist, rattles along at the speed of a train and ensures the reader will not regret picking up this book, a fabulous read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
April 22, 2025
For me, ‘The Midnight King’ was one of those infrequent books that you start and know right away from the first chapter that you're going to adore! And quite likely loathe it a little bit, too. And I was correct. On both counts.
The Midnight King is not for the faint hearted! This is regarded as "The Thriller of the Year." Let's just say that it was a fantastic thriller with unexpected developments. With a few explicit scenes and references to many more sinister things, it is among the darkest novels I have ever read.
This is dark and incredibly unsettling yet at the same time emotional. A dysfunctional family with a serial killer father and his kids who must put up with it. I thought it was great that Nathan Cole's unpublished work, which he claims is not a confession but was in many respects, told us about his murders. Nathan was a well-known writer and a community favourite. Following his father's suicide, Lucas, his estranged son, returns home. After his father's passing, he discovers a great deal more about him.
Even for me, reading this book is difficult because it involves a lot of animal mistreatment and involves children as victims. Even though I am aware that this is a genre, reading these passages made me sick. This is a greatly touted book and I feel that it deserves to be. It was a book that stuck in my head, and I will always remember some of it. Perhaps it is also an extremely dark crime novel. Too much for some readers.
Overall, The Midnight King is a weird, dark, and terrifying thriller about serial killers. I adore how the nature vs. nurture debate is interwoven into it; it's surprising yet clever. I found it to be captivating and suspenseful, and I would highly suggest it to those who enjoy this genre.
The Midnight King is not for the faint hearted! This is regarded as "The Thriller of the Year." Let's just say that it was a fantastic thriller with unexpected developments. With a few explicit scenes and references to many more sinister things, it is among the darkest novels I have ever read.
This is dark and incredibly unsettling yet at the same time emotional. A dysfunctional family with a serial killer father and his kids who must put up with it. I thought it was great that Nathan Cole's unpublished work, which he claims is not a confession but was in many respects, told us about his murders. Nathan was a well-known writer and a community favourite. Following his father's suicide, Lucas, his estranged son, returns home. After his father's passing, he discovers a great deal more about him.
Even for me, reading this book is difficult because it involves a lot of animal mistreatment and involves children as victims. Even though I am aware that this is a genre, reading these passages made me sick. This is a greatly touted book and I feel that it deserves to be. It was a book that stuck in my head, and I will always remember some of it. Perhaps it is also an extremely dark crime novel. Too much for some readers.
Overall, The Midnight King is a weird, dark, and terrifying thriller about serial killers. I adore how the nature vs. nurture debate is interwoven into it; it's surprising yet clever. I found it to be captivating and suspenseful, and I would highly suggest it to those who enjoy this genre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 16, 2025
‘Reminiscent of Mo Hayder at her darkest‘ – OBSERVER.
Wow. What better praise for The Midnight King! Tariq Ashkanani is a new-to-me author, but this is his third book – his debut won the Bloody Scotland Debut Award in 2022.
I was keen to get reading this from the description, especially after hearing Tariq discuss the book during the Viper Panel at Bay Tales.
Following the suicide of his author father, Lucas Cole, Nathan returns to his hometown of Nashville in preparation for the funeral. Lucas was well respected within the community, but Nathan has always known the truth. The truth behind why his father would batch cook but the leftovers would disappear to his cabin… why sometimes other children might stay at their home for a couple of days… See, Lucas Cole was an unidentified serial killer. Nathan was aware something wasn’t right as a child and fled the family home as soon as he was old enough.
Sound dark enough yet? Well, when Nathan goes through his father’s house and belongings, he uncovers a manuscript of an unpublished book called The Midnight King. That’s right – there’s an intertextual novel embedded throughout the book from the get-go. We begin with an Author’s Note from Lucas Cole… Is this simply an unpublished novel or an old man’s confession?
The language of the book is beautifully written, yet at the same time incredibly easy to digest, with short, snappy sentences. It’s dark, emotional and touches on some heavy subjects – but a lot of what happens is also off-page and described in the aftermath, rather than shown in graphic detail as the crimes happen. I found it incredibly difficult to put down and finished it in just two sittings!
Thank you to Viper Books for sending me a proof copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow. What better praise for The Midnight King! Tariq Ashkanani is a new-to-me author, but this is his third book – his debut won the Bloody Scotland Debut Award in 2022.
I was keen to get reading this from the description, especially after hearing Tariq discuss the book during the Viper Panel at Bay Tales.
Following the suicide of his author father, Lucas Cole, Nathan returns to his hometown of Nashville in preparation for the funeral. Lucas was well respected within the community, but Nathan has always known the truth. The truth behind why his father would batch cook but the leftovers would disappear to his cabin… why sometimes other children might stay at their home for a couple of days… See, Lucas Cole was an unidentified serial killer. Nathan was aware something wasn’t right as a child and fled the family home as soon as he was old enough.
Sound dark enough yet? Well, when Nathan goes through his father’s house and belongings, he uncovers a manuscript of an unpublished book called The Midnight King. That’s right – there’s an intertextual novel embedded throughout the book from the get-go. We begin with an Author’s Note from Lucas Cole… Is this simply an unpublished novel or an old man’s confession?
The language of the book is beautifully written, yet at the same time incredibly easy to digest, with short, snappy sentences. It’s dark, emotional and touches on some heavy subjects – but a lot of what happens is also off-page and described in the aftermath, rather than shown in graphic detail as the crimes happen. I found it incredibly difficult to put down and finished it in just two sittings!
Thank you to Viper Books for sending me a proof copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2024
First and foremost, Tariq can write. Fantastic prose and a story that rattles along at a pace.
The Midnight King is an incredibly engaging tale that will almost certainly feature in 2025's 'best of' lists come year end.
Touching on some incredibly sensitive subjects, this is, at times, a bleak read. The first 50% or so was sensational with its mixture of traditional and epistolary storytelling. For me, the pace did drop a bit as the story moved towards its surprising finale. That's not really a criticism as The Midnight King was a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience.
Reveals were well written and mostly well hidden (I did guess one event early doors, although I believe this was the authors intention).
My only issue was one scene where a character (who I believe was bleeding from the head/face) was allowed to answer a door, and their injuries were not noticed. It didn't really change the outcome, but it did irk me. I'm having to be really critical to find anything wrong with this book. 😆
I don't really want to say too much about the story. It's best to go in blind and let yourself be pulled into the shadows.
This is easily one of the best books I've read this year. I guess the best praise I can offer is that based on The Midnight King, I'll be buying Tariq Ashkanani's other books.
I think you should as well.
The Midnight King is an incredibly engaging tale that will almost certainly feature in 2025's 'best of' lists come year end.
Touching on some incredibly sensitive subjects, this is, at times, a bleak read. The first 50% or so was sensational with its mixture of traditional and epistolary storytelling. For me, the pace did drop a bit as the story moved towards its surprising finale. That's not really a criticism as The Midnight King was a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience.
Reveals were well written and mostly well hidden (I did guess one event early doors, although I believe this was the authors intention).
My only issue was one scene where a character (who I believe was bleeding from the head/face) was allowed to answer a door, and their injuries were not noticed. It didn't really change the outcome, but it did irk me. I'm having to be really critical to find anything wrong with this book. 😆
I don't really want to say too much about the story. It's best to go in blind and let yourself be pulled into the shadows.
This is easily one of the best books I've read this year. I guess the best praise I can offer is that based on The Midnight King, I'll be buying Tariq Ashkanani's other books.
I think you should as well.
February 3, 2025
The Midnight King is an action packed thriller that kept me guessing until the very last page! As soon as I read the premise of this book, I knew I was going to love it. The plot is like nothing I’ve ever read before, and it did not disappoint!
I don’t want to go too much into the story, because I think it’s better to go into a book like this blind. This book is about a serial killer, Lucas Cole, who was recently found dead in his hotel room. We follow his son, Nathan, who saw all of his fathers crimes when he was a young boy, and is very much carrying all the scars from that. We go back and forth between Nathan’s point of view, as well as private investigator, Isaac (whose character I adored!)
There are also snippets of the serial killer’s eerie novel, that basically documents all of his crimes. I really loved this aspect of the book and I literally sped through this! This is definitely one of the best, most unique serial killer thrillers I’ve read in a while, and I would recommend this to anyone who loves thriller books!
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t want to go too much into the story, because I think it’s better to go into a book like this blind. This book is about a serial killer, Lucas Cole, who was recently found dead in his hotel room. We follow his son, Nathan, who saw all of his fathers crimes when he was a young boy, and is very much carrying all the scars from that. We go back and forth between Nathan’s point of view, as well as private investigator, Isaac (whose character I adored!)
There are also snippets of the serial killer’s eerie novel, that basically documents all of his crimes. I really loved this aspect of the book and I literally sped through this! This is definitely one of the best, most unique serial killer thrillers I’ve read in a while, and I would recommend this to anyone who loves thriller books!
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 10, 2025
All my reviews can be found at damppebbles.com
Nathan Cole returns to the small town he grew up in following his father’s sudden death. Nathan didn’t have the easiest childhood. Lucas, his father, was a well-loved, much-admired, bestselling writer on the outside. But at home he was a cruel and unloving father. Lucas was also a serial killer. Nathan and his sister, Kate, were always aware of what their father was. But they did nothing about it. Whilst going through his deceased father’s things, Nathan discovers an unpublished manuscript titled ‘The Midnight King’ hidden inside a box also containing souvenirs from Lucas’s victims. The book claims to be fiction, not a confession. But Nathan knows the truth…
This is the third book I’ve read by this author and oh my goodness, the future of crime fiction is looking very, very bright with Tariq Ashkanani in it! Ashkanani’s award-winning debut, Welcome to Cooper, took readers on a dark journey to the heart of Nebraska. With this latest book, The Midnight King, the author has ramped that darkness level up tenfold. Where to begin with this twisty read? I’ve seen a couple of reviews that say, ‘the less you know about this book before making a start, the better’. As someone who automatically downloaded it without actually reading the blurb (knew it would be great!), I can wholeheartedly agree with that. I didn’t know what to expect and that, for me, heightened the entire reading experience.
Just know that this is a multi-layered, multifaceted exploration of how a traumatic past can influence our present selves. Not only does Nathan discover the manuscript when he’s looking through his father’s belongings, he also finds souvenirs from his father’s victims. One of which is a red ribbon. Nathan immediately knows who the ribbon belongs to; an 8-year-old girl who went missing a few days before Nathan’s father died. Was Lucas still up to his old tricks in the days before his death? Tasked by the child’s parents to find their missing daughter, disgraced cop, now private investigator and childhood friend of Nathan, Isaac Holloway starts to investigate the disappearance. Isaac is such a brilliant character. His connection to Nathan and the Cole family increases the already palpable tension throughout the book. Bloody marvellous!
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Midnight King is like nothing I have ever read before. It takes the serial killer trope and adds multiple new dimensions. As a lover of the serial killer thriller (I’ve read quite a few over the years), I applaud Ashkanani for taking the story in a different direction. Those twists…*chefs kiss*. Absolutely shocking! I loved the characterisation. I’ve already mentioned how much I loved Isaac in particular. I loved how gripping the story is, how the reader can’t predict how things are going to pan out. I loved the pace of the story with peaks and troughs to keep you thoroughly immersed from page one to the end. I loved the Nashville setting (Nashville!). All in all, I very much enjoyed the time I spent with The Midnight King, and I cannot wait to see what the author has in store for us next. Hugely tense, highly unsettling, totally irresistible and all-consuming. Skilled storytelling from an author to watch. Highly recommended.
Nathan Cole returns to the small town he grew up in following his father’s sudden death. Nathan didn’t have the easiest childhood. Lucas, his father, was a well-loved, much-admired, bestselling writer on the outside. But at home he was a cruel and unloving father. Lucas was also a serial killer. Nathan and his sister, Kate, were always aware of what their father was. But they did nothing about it. Whilst going through his deceased father’s things, Nathan discovers an unpublished manuscript titled ‘The Midnight King’ hidden inside a box also containing souvenirs from Lucas’s victims. The book claims to be fiction, not a confession. But Nathan knows the truth…
This is the third book I’ve read by this author and oh my goodness, the future of crime fiction is looking very, very bright with Tariq Ashkanani in it! Ashkanani’s award-winning debut, Welcome to Cooper, took readers on a dark journey to the heart of Nebraska. With this latest book, The Midnight King, the author has ramped that darkness level up tenfold. Where to begin with this twisty read? I’ve seen a couple of reviews that say, ‘the less you know about this book before making a start, the better’. As someone who automatically downloaded it without actually reading the blurb (knew it would be great!), I can wholeheartedly agree with that. I didn’t know what to expect and that, for me, heightened the entire reading experience.
Just know that this is a multi-layered, multifaceted exploration of how a traumatic past can influence our present selves. Not only does Nathan discover the manuscript when he’s looking through his father’s belongings, he also finds souvenirs from his father’s victims. One of which is a red ribbon. Nathan immediately knows who the ribbon belongs to; an 8-year-old girl who went missing a few days before Nathan’s father died. Was Lucas still up to his old tricks in the days before his death? Tasked by the child’s parents to find their missing daughter, disgraced cop, now private investigator and childhood friend of Nathan, Isaac Holloway starts to investigate the disappearance. Isaac is such a brilliant character. His connection to Nathan and the Cole family increases the already palpable tension throughout the book. Bloody marvellous!
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Midnight King is like nothing I have ever read before. It takes the serial killer trope and adds multiple new dimensions. As a lover of the serial killer thriller (I’ve read quite a few over the years), I applaud Ashkanani for taking the story in a different direction. Those twists…*chefs kiss*. Absolutely shocking! I loved the characterisation. I’ve already mentioned how much I loved Isaac in particular. I loved how gripping the story is, how the reader can’t predict how things are going to pan out. I loved the pace of the story with peaks and troughs to keep you thoroughly immersed from page one to the end. I loved the Nashville setting (Nashville!). All in all, I very much enjoyed the time I spent with The Midnight King, and I cannot wait to see what the author has in store for us next. Hugely tense, highly unsettling, totally irresistible and all-consuming. Skilled storytelling from an author to watch. Highly recommended.
March 17, 2025
I often say I prefer my crime fiction on the dark and disturbing side, with a dash of gruesomeness. But I don’t think I was quite prepared for the level 'The Midnight King' took me to. This is Dark and Disturbing with a capital D, folks.
Nathan Cole and his sister, Kate, grew up with a serial killer for a father. Seventeen years ago, Nathan ran away as far as he could. But now daddy-of-the-year, Lucas Cole, has been found dead, hanged in a dingy motel bathroom and Nathan retunes home. When he arrives at his childhood home, Nathan finds a manuscript Lucas wrote and a box of trinkets from his victims. The manuscript looks to be a fictionalised account of his crimes.
In a roundabout kind of way, it explains Lucas’s brutal deeds. Obviously, the man is psychologically damaged. But I don’t think it takes the insight of a psychiatrist to figure out where his actions come from. I almost sound like I’m defending him, but I’m really not. Both his somewhat fictional manuscript and the actual story Tariq Ashkanani was telling left me feeling awfully dirty and extremely ill at ease.
At its core, this seems like one of those fascinating nature versus nurture conundrums. Surely living with a serial killer leaves its mark, no matter how far you try to run. Nathan has lived with guilt for many, many years. He’s been keeping his father’s disgusting secret for so long, and now that he realises there may still be a child in danger somewhere, he’s stuck. Can he find her before it’s too late? Will he tell anyone the truth? Even if it means having to admit he was aware of what was happening?
This is without a doubt one of those books that gets under your skin. It definitely makes for some remarkably uncomfortable reading in that whole making-your-skin-crawl kind of way, and I dare say it’s not for everyone. I thought it was incredibly compelling and fascinating. Yet, I also feel in desperate need of a long, hot shower and an extended cuddle session with some cute and fluffy puppies.
I can't possibly use the word "enjoy" here, considering the unsettling topic that is tackled here, but 'The Midnight King' is well worth your time if you get a kick out of the decidedly more harrowing and shocking side of crime fiction.
Nathan Cole and his sister, Kate, grew up with a serial killer for a father. Seventeen years ago, Nathan ran away as far as he could. But now daddy-of-the-year, Lucas Cole, has been found dead, hanged in a dingy motel bathroom and Nathan retunes home. When he arrives at his childhood home, Nathan finds a manuscript Lucas wrote and a box of trinkets from his victims. The manuscript looks to be a fictionalised account of his crimes.
In a roundabout kind of way, it explains Lucas’s brutal deeds. Obviously, the man is psychologically damaged. But I don’t think it takes the insight of a psychiatrist to figure out where his actions come from. I almost sound like I’m defending him, but I’m really not. Both his somewhat fictional manuscript and the actual story Tariq Ashkanani was telling left me feeling awfully dirty and extremely ill at ease.
At its core, this seems like one of those fascinating nature versus nurture conundrums. Surely living with a serial killer leaves its mark, no matter how far you try to run. Nathan has lived with guilt for many, many years. He’s been keeping his father’s disgusting secret for so long, and now that he realises there may still be a child in danger somewhere, he’s stuck. Can he find her before it’s too late? Will he tell anyone the truth? Even if it means having to admit he was aware of what was happening?
This is without a doubt one of those books that gets under your skin. It definitely makes for some remarkably uncomfortable reading in that whole making-your-skin-crawl kind of way, and I dare say it’s not for everyone. I thought it was incredibly compelling and fascinating. Yet, I also feel in desperate need of a long, hot shower and an extended cuddle session with some cute and fluffy puppies.
I can't possibly use the word "enjoy" here, considering the unsettling topic that is tackled here, but 'The Midnight King' is well worth your time if you get a kick out of the decidedly more harrowing and shocking side of crime fiction.
July 18, 2025
This wasn't my vibe it should have been as I adore anything dark hard-hitting and disturbing which this promised. I like to be shocked, elated whilst also feeling equally appalled Unfortunately, this just wasn't doing any of those things and I was mostly just bored and apathetic.
This had a dark premise with plenty of triggers so if you decide to pick this up this is a courtesy heads up that the subject matter here is dark and disturbing. It has two core narrators, Nathan who is returning home after the unexpected demise of his estranged serial killer father, he's a neurotic trauma-produced product of his unusual abusive upbringing and Issac, Nathan’s old childhood friend a washed up PTSD ridden ex-cop with a persistent ulcer turned PI.
This started strong and I preferred the first half to the second. From there at least for me it went downhill rapidly. The dialogue itself is quite limited there's a whole lot of internal monologuing going on but it fitted the overall vibe and it worked well. It was also well written if a tad stereotypical in its character portrayal. For me what it lost points on was how much of the knowledge we already had. It took away a lot of the suspense and the compulsion to keep turning those pages to discover the truth was absent as we were aware of so many of the facts already. There were some added surprises sprinkled in along the way, just not enough to evaluate this to my satisfaction.
This felt less suspenseful thriller and more like a psychological story of messed-up family dynamics. It was mostly a story about fucked up people doing fucked up things for whatever there reasons and the ripple effect of all of that on the immediate family. The damage to Nathan and his sister Kate's psyches as the second generation children of a narcissistic serial killer and the aftermath. There was a critical point midway that I checked out. I won’t elaborate further as it’s a significant spoiler but you’ll definitely know when that is if you decide to pick this up. It was a downwards spiral from that point on and completely soured the rest of the experience. I then hated the ending such a total letdown but on a positive not I did finish so there's that. Plenty have liked this and I’m in somewhat of a minority with my rating so maybe You’ll fare better than me.
This had a dark premise with plenty of triggers so if you decide to pick this up this is a courtesy heads up that the subject matter here is dark and disturbing. It has two core narrators, Nathan who is returning home after the unexpected demise of his estranged serial killer father, he's a neurotic trauma-produced product of his unusual abusive upbringing and Issac, Nathan’s old childhood friend a washed up PTSD ridden ex-cop with a persistent ulcer turned PI.
This started strong and I preferred the first half to the second. From there at least for me it went downhill rapidly. The dialogue itself is quite limited there's a whole lot of internal monologuing going on but it fitted the overall vibe and it worked well. It was also well written if a tad stereotypical in its character portrayal. For me what it lost points on was how much of the knowledge we already had. It took away a lot of the suspense and the compulsion to keep turning those pages to discover the truth was absent as we were aware of so many of the facts already. There were some added surprises sprinkled in along the way, just not enough to evaluate this to my satisfaction.
This felt less suspenseful thriller and more like a psychological story of messed-up family dynamics. It was mostly a story about fucked up people doing fucked up things for whatever there reasons and the ripple effect of all of that on the immediate family. The damage to Nathan and his sister Kate's psyches as the second generation children of a narcissistic serial killer and the aftermath. There was a critical point midway that I checked out. I won’t elaborate further as it’s a significant spoiler but you’ll definitely know when that is if you decide to pick this up. It was a downwards spiral from that point on and completely soured the rest of the experience. I then hated the ending such a total letdown but on a positive not I did finish so there's that. Plenty have liked this and I’m in somewhat of a minority with my rating so maybe You’ll fare better than me.
April 4, 2025
Yes, yes, yes!!
When I read a book, I want to feel something. If that book is a thriller or crime, then I want it to make me feel unsettled, terrified, or anxious. This book delivers and with so much more.
There's one scene in this book, oh my! It filled me with dread. The way it's laid out and what it leads me to think was going to happen was so clever. It made me sick to my stomach, I remember thinking to myself, 'Please don't let it be what I'm thinking it is'. Intense.
You see Nathan returning to his childhood home after his father has died. His father, being the famous author Lucas Cole. A father who was abusive and was the reason Nathan ran and never looked back until now. Returning sees Nathan's emotions resurfacing, one of guilt for leaving his sister behind and undealt with trauma from his childhood. There is something else that resurfaces, too. I really don't want to say too much about this one. I went into it blind and felt all the better for it.
My review is going to be short and sweet. I loved all of it. The characters are all flawed, all dark and twisted in their own ways. Full of twists that didn't disappoint me. Tons of tension and suspense, gritty and disturbing. The works!
This was everything I wanted in a serial killer thriller. I loved the book within the book parts, too.
Go add this to your tbr... i loved it
Thank you, Viper, for my advanced copy.
When I read a book, I want to feel something. If that book is a thriller or crime, then I want it to make me feel unsettled, terrified, or anxious. This book delivers and with so much more.
There's one scene in this book, oh my! It filled me with dread. The way it's laid out and what it leads me to think was going to happen was so clever. It made me sick to my stomach, I remember thinking to myself, 'Please don't let it be what I'm thinking it is'. Intense.
You see Nathan returning to his childhood home after his father has died. His father, being the famous author Lucas Cole. A father who was abusive and was the reason Nathan ran and never looked back until now. Returning sees Nathan's emotions resurfacing, one of guilt for leaving his sister behind and undealt with trauma from his childhood. There is something else that resurfaces, too. I really don't want to say too much about this one. I went into it blind and felt all the better for it.
My review is going to be short and sweet. I loved all of it. The characters are all flawed, all dark and twisted in their own ways. Full of twists that didn't disappoint me. Tons of tension and suspense, gritty and disturbing. The works!
This was everything I wanted in a serial killer thriller. I loved the book within the book parts, too.
Go add this to your tbr... i loved it
Thank you, Viper, for my advanced copy.
April 10, 2025
4.5★
This was my first read from this author, and I’m thoroughly impressed. I haven’t come across a book this dark and twisted in a while—and I absolutely loved it. The use of multiple POVs to weave the story across past and present was masterfully done. The plot twists genuinely shocked me, and I was amazed at how often my feelings toward the characters shifted. The pacing was spot-on, especially considering the complex narrative structure and shifting perspectives.
This is a dark, dysfunctional, and deeply psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of family dynamics and the impact of a toxic upbringing. The author doesn’t hold back, delivering a gripping, edgy, and utterly bingeable experience. I couldn’t put it down.
This was my first read from this author, and I’m thoroughly impressed. I haven’t come across a book this dark and twisted in a while—and I absolutely loved it. The use of multiple POVs to weave the story across past and present was masterfully done. The plot twists genuinely shocked me, and I was amazed at how often my feelings toward the characters shifted. The pacing was spot-on, especially considering the complex narrative structure and shifting perspectives.
This is a dark, dysfunctional, and deeply psychological thriller that delves into the complexities of family dynamics and the impact of a toxic upbringing. The author doesn’t hold back, delivering a gripping, edgy, and utterly bingeable experience. I couldn’t put it down.
April 5, 2025
This is such a dark thriller. It is very cleverly written. I liked the way parts of the book were chapters from 'The Midnight King' which was written as a final unpublished novel by the serial killer himself (as a fictionalised account of his own life)
I read this book in just over a day as the short chapters jointly narrated by Nathan (the serial killer's son) and Isaac (a private detective) kept me turning the pages. There were some clever twists, and the book really helped the reader to see inside the mind of a serial killer. It also demonstrated how young lives could be affected when growing up amidst such misery, neglect and horror as the child of a serial killer.
This was not an easy read and certainly not for the faint hearted. There were some gruesome and horrific scenes. The characters and story strands all came together with a very satisfying conclusion.
I read this book in just over a day as the short chapters jointly narrated by Nathan (the serial killer's son) and Isaac (a private detective) kept me turning the pages. There were some clever twists, and the book really helped the reader to see inside the mind of a serial killer. It also demonstrated how young lives could be affected when growing up amidst such misery, neglect and horror as the child of a serial killer.
This was not an easy read and certainly not for the faint hearted. There were some gruesome and horrific scenes. The characters and story strands all came together with a very satisfying conclusion.
April 28, 2025
2.5 ⭐️
I really wanted to like this more than I did, I thought it started off well but towards the middle it just lost it about then the ending felt flat and rushed. I also didn’t connect with any of the characters so I really couldn’t care less what happened to them.
I really wanted to like this more than I did, I thought it started off well but towards the middle it just lost it about then the ending felt flat and rushed. I also didn’t connect with any of the characters so I really couldn’t care less what happened to them.
November 27, 2025
Super dark. Proceed with caution.
March 23, 2025
Okay. So, first things first - a word of warning. This is quite a dark storyline, so, if stories of child murder will be upsetting for you, then I would probably not recommend this book for you. This is the painful truth at the heart of this book. Whilst the act in itself does not really feature heavily, or gratuitously, within the book, there is no getting away from the fact that one of the characters is a serial killer, and that their story, and that of their family is, therefore, hard to read. If you can move beyond this particular aspect of the book, as abhorrent as it might be, then you will be reading something that is fascinating and grotesque in perhaps equal measure.
The serial killer in this particular novel is the recently deceased Lucas Cole. We are first drawn into his world via his son, Nathan, who has returned to his childhood home following his father's recent suicide. What his father was is not a revelation to Nathan, who has known since his childhood about his father's rather concerning obsession, and it is partly down to this that Nathan fled from his home as soon as he could. What is a surprise is that his father has documented his crimes in a manuscript, a fictionalised account of a serial killer whose hallmark is scarily similar to Lucas' own. Finding this manuscript, and items which belong to a recently missing young girl, lead Nathan in a quest to find out whether or not his father was responsible for one last crime.
I find it very hard to say that I liked or enjoyed this story - it is truly a dark read, even by the author's previous standards. But it is a very clever book. Tariq Ashkanani drew me in from the very opening of the novel, and using the story within a story aspect of Lucas's manuscript allowed him to really explore that nature of both killer and son in a way which was slowly revelatory. There is a clear thread in which we are forced to think about duplicity of character, and how easily a little charm and fame can shape people's opinions of someone, in spite of the fact the very core of their being is so different. This is true not just of Lucas, but of others within the book, but it is easy to understand how events, as they are explored in the fictitious retelling might have shaped the psyche of both Nathan and his sister, Kate.
This is not just Lucas and Nathan's story, and there is another character, Isaac Holloway, Private Investigator and childhood friend of Nathan and kate, who is called upon by the parents of the missing girl to try and find her. He was a very interesting character to spend time with. As troubled as Nathan perhaps, but in very different ways. A former cop, the pressure of his former career, and a particularly harrowing case have clearly affected him, and watching his navigate the difficulties of this new case was really interesting. The author has infused a real sense of authenticity within his character, avoiding the obvious stereotypes that could apply to such a personality, but still being able to draw upon his psychological fragility, and his uncertainty about being able to help the parents. I kind of liked Isaac, even though, much like Nathan he is a hard character to spend a lot of time with. Between them, they made for a very compelling narrative, for very different reasons, and I found I needed to know how things would work out for each of them.
The answer? Not as expected. Despite making the identity of the 'killer' quite evident from the start, Tariq Ashkanani is still able to deliver some very unexpected twists within the book. Revelations and actions that caught me unaware, and scenes that are able to shock even in the midst of an already taught and unsettling storyline. It is almost as though he has captured within this story the kind of morbid fascination that people derive from true crime documentaries. That need to know what really makes a killer tick, and how their actions might impact upon those who are closest to them, both knowingly and not.
A tough read at times perhaps, but still one I would recommend if you are able to take your crime fiction on the darker side of the genre. Murder should never really be pretty, but this one hits particularly hard.
The serial killer in this particular novel is the recently deceased Lucas Cole. We are first drawn into his world via his son, Nathan, who has returned to his childhood home following his father's recent suicide. What his father was is not a revelation to Nathan, who has known since his childhood about his father's rather concerning obsession, and it is partly down to this that Nathan fled from his home as soon as he could. What is a surprise is that his father has documented his crimes in a manuscript, a fictionalised account of a serial killer whose hallmark is scarily similar to Lucas' own. Finding this manuscript, and items which belong to a recently missing young girl, lead Nathan in a quest to find out whether or not his father was responsible for one last crime.
I find it very hard to say that I liked or enjoyed this story - it is truly a dark read, even by the author's previous standards. But it is a very clever book. Tariq Ashkanani drew me in from the very opening of the novel, and using the story within a story aspect of Lucas's manuscript allowed him to really explore that nature of both killer and son in a way which was slowly revelatory. There is a clear thread in which we are forced to think about duplicity of character, and how easily a little charm and fame can shape people's opinions of someone, in spite of the fact the very core of their being is so different. This is true not just of Lucas, but of others within the book, but it is easy to understand how events, as they are explored in the fictitious retelling might have shaped the psyche of both Nathan and his sister, Kate.
This is not just Lucas and Nathan's story, and there is another character, Isaac Holloway, Private Investigator and childhood friend of Nathan and kate, who is called upon by the parents of the missing girl to try and find her. He was a very interesting character to spend time with. As troubled as Nathan perhaps, but in very different ways. A former cop, the pressure of his former career, and a particularly harrowing case have clearly affected him, and watching his navigate the difficulties of this new case was really interesting. The author has infused a real sense of authenticity within his character, avoiding the obvious stereotypes that could apply to such a personality, but still being able to draw upon his psychological fragility, and his uncertainty about being able to help the parents. I kind of liked Isaac, even though, much like Nathan he is a hard character to spend a lot of time with. Between them, they made for a very compelling narrative, for very different reasons, and I found I needed to know how things would work out for each of them.
The answer? Not as expected. Despite making the identity of the 'killer' quite evident from the start, Tariq Ashkanani is still able to deliver some very unexpected twists within the book. Revelations and actions that caught me unaware, and scenes that are able to shock even in the midst of an already taught and unsettling storyline. It is almost as though he has captured within this story the kind of morbid fascination that people derive from true crime documentaries. That need to know what really makes a killer tick, and how their actions might impact upon those who are closest to them, both knowingly and not.
A tough read at times perhaps, but still one I would recommend if you are able to take your crime fiction on the darker side of the genre. Murder should never really be pretty, but this one hits particularly hard.
March 24, 2025
This is a dark tale and definitely not one for the faint hearted. It was, however, a compelling read and I raced through it in a couple of days but I can’t say it was enjoyable. Think “Silence of the Lambs” meets “ The Shining” and you’ll get my meaning.
This is a book about a serial killer and his family. Author, Lucas Cole, dies suddenly and his estranged son, Nathan comes back home to Nashville for the funeral. However Nathan knows all the dark secrets about his father who is a serial child killer. When he finds a semi autobiographical book that Lucas has written about his “career”, Nathan feels compelled to read it, particularly as a young girl has gone missing in the area and might still be alive.
This is an unpleasant story full of unpleasant characters. Even Isaac, the private detective, hired by the missing girl’s family has violent tendencies and a very large skeleton in his cupboard.
Isaac realises early on that all is not as it seems and desperately tries to find the missing child before it is too late, with very little cooperation from the police who regard him with disdain due to his past.
However when he receives information that she might be one of many child abductions and murders, he decides to investigate further and realises that the man in prison, on death row for the previous killings might not be the real “Music City Monster”
There are many twists and turns before the case is resolved and even the last pages reveal a number of dark secrets.
This story certainly made me think of what it must be like to live with such evil and how the families of killers must be seriously affected- obviously “The Midnight King” is an extreme example!
If you like very dark tales of murder, this book will definitely draw you in and hold your attention.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
This is a book about a serial killer and his family. Author, Lucas Cole, dies suddenly and his estranged son, Nathan comes back home to Nashville for the funeral. However Nathan knows all the dark secrets about his father who is a serial child killer. When he finds a semi autobiographical book that Lucas has written about his “career”, Nathan feels compelled to read it, particularly as a young girl has gone missing in the area and might still be alive.
This is an unpleasant story full of unpleasant characters. Even Isaac, the private detective, hired by the missing girl’s family has violent tendencies and a very large skeleton in his cupboard.
Isaac realises early on that all is not as it seems and desperately tries to find the missing child before it is too late, with very little cooperation from the police who regard him with disdain due to his past.
However when he receives information that she might be one of many child abductions and murders, he decides to investigate further and realises that the man in prison, on death row for the previous killings might not be the real “Music City Monster”
There are many twists and turns before the case is resolved and even the last pages reveal a number of dark secrets.
This story certainly made me think of what it must be like to live with such evil and how the families of killers must be seriously affected- obviously “The Midnight King” is an extreme example!
If you like very dark tales of murder, this book will definitely draw you in and hold your attention.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
November 6, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
Wow, this was dark! One of the darkest thrillers I’ve ever read, if not THE darkest. This was a horrific serial killer 😳.
This killer is one of the worst I’ve ever read about. What an insanely twisted and evil person. “Rescuing” but then killing innocent children.
Despite it being dark it was an incredible book. The characters were really well written. I mean for the most part they are not very likeable, minus a few people. But it was interesting and incredibly eerie reading what they have done or are doing. And how Lucas affected his children physically and psychologically. At times I found it really challenging to read. Lucas is a truly messed up man. Who decides to write one last book, a bit different than what he normally writes. This one is darker, this is a fictional telling of his life and his kills as a serial killer…
I did find Nathan’s arc a little predictable but it was still really interesting and interesting dark and twisted to read.
I did find the pacing to be a little off at times. But I still really enjoyed it.
After Lucas’ death his son Nathan is looking through some of his father’s belongings and finds a manuscript/unbublished book called “The Midnight Man” as we as some other things… One liking him to a very recent case. But Nathan isn’t surprised by any of this. Nathan and his sister, Kate already knew what their father was doing but they were too afraid to say anything.
Wow, this was dark! One of the darkest thrillers I’ve ever read, if not THE darkest. This was a horrific serial killer 😳.
This killer is one of the worst I’ve ever read about. What an insanely twisted and evil person. “Rescuing” but then killing innocent children.
Despite it being dark it was an incredible book. The characters were really well written. I mean for the most part they are not very likeable, minus a few people. But it was interesting and incredibly eerie reading what they have done or are doing. And how Lucas affected his children physically and psychologically. At times I found it really challenging to read. Lucas is a truly messed up man. Who decides to write one last book, a bit different than what he normally writes. This one is darker, this is a fictional telling of his life and his kills as a serial killer…
I did find Nathan’s arc a little predictable but it was still really interesting and interesting dark and twisted to read.
I did find the pacing to be a little off at times. But I still really enjoyed it.
After Lucas’ death his son Nathan is looking through some of his father’s belongings and finds a manuscript/unbublished book called “The Midnight Man” as we as some other things… One liking him to a very recent case. But Nathan isn’t surprised by any of this. Nathan and his sister, Kate already knew what their father was doing but they were too afraid to say anything.
Read
March 9, 202513 children from the greater Nashville area go missing over the span of 14 years. The press call him The Music City Monster. I called him Dad but he called himself The Midnight King.
This is the kind of book I would usually love and it’s meant to have an incredible twist but unfortunately- I was just so bored 😂
I DNF’d this around the 20% mark. It might just be that I wasn’t quite in the mood for this so I’m going to keep an eye on reviews over the next few months and I’ll maybe give this a second shot. But then again, life is very short!
This is the kind of book I would usually love and it’s meant to have an incredible twist but unfortunately- I was just so bored 😂
I DNF’d this around the 20% mark. It might just be that I wasn’t quite in the mood for this so I’m going to keep an eye on reviews over the next few months and I’ll maybe give this a second shot. But then again, life is very short!
May 14, 2025
A deeply disturbing yet brilliant book that tramples on every nerve.
The bereaved family of a serial killer try to come to terms with his suicide is the premise, the said serial killer is a writer and leaves behind his semi autobiographical opus The Midnight King detailing in detail his feelings while murdering children, as I said deeply disturbing indeed.The fact emerges that he was never caught is another tension builder.
Family friend and disgraced cop now PI back in his hometown of Nashville is the nemesis and part narrator along with the grieving son and daughter.
This is not a bedtime read unless you want nightmares but it is utterly compelling with horrifying revelations right up to the last page which you won't see coming.
For fans of Thomas Harris, this is a definite must.
The bereaved family of a serial killer try to come to terms with his suicide is the premise, the said serial killer is a writer and leaves behind his semi autobiographical opus The Midnight King detailing in detail his feelings while murdering children, as I said deeply disturbing indeed.The fact emerges that he was never caught is another tension builder.
Family friend and disgraced cop now PI back in his hometown of Nashville is the nemesis and part narrator along with the grieving son and daughter.
This is not a bedtime read unless you want nightmares but it is utterly compelling with horrifying revelations right up to the last page which you won't see coming.
For fans of Thomas Harris, this is a definite must.
March 30, 2025
I read this in one sitting, and I expect many readers will do the same. Get comfy before you start because chances are you won’t move from that spot until you’re done. Absolutely lives up to the hype and The Midnight King is set to be a massive hit of 2025. This is a DARK story, so you’ve been warned. But you should ignore that warning and read it anyways, because I guarantee you can’t put it down once you start.
March 30, 2025
Lucas Cole is a bestselling crime writer but he is also a serial killer. When Lucas is found dead in a hotel room, his son Nathan returns to his home town after many years. Here he finds the manuscript The Midnight King, his father’s account of his crimes and a box of trophies. From this he realises that there might still be a victim out there urgently waiting to be found.
This is my first story by this author and I hadn’t heard about his books prior to reading this one. I will most certainly be looking back at them now after finishing The Midnight King. This was a fantastically written thriller, that slowly builds up a harrowing atmosphere and ramps up the suspense. I like the thrillers I read to be dark and disturbing, something I probably shouldn’t admit, and this was definitely one that fits this criteria, at times making an uncomfortable read.
The characters were explored well and I gained an understanding of their flaws and history. I really enjoyed all the twists, there were some good ones. I will definitely be recommending this one, especially to those who enjoy dark, powerful, serial killer thrillers. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
This is my first story by this author and I hadn’t heard about his books prior to reading this one. I will most certainly be looking back at them now after finishing The Midnight King. This was a fantastically written thriller, that slowly builds up a harrowing atmosphere and ramps up the suspense. I like the thrillers I read to be dark and disturbing, something I probably shouldn’t admit, and this was definitely one that fits this criteria, at times making an uncomfortable read.
The characters were explored well and I gained an understanding of their flaws and history. I really enjoyed all the twists, there were some good ones. I will definitely be recommending this one, especially to those who enjoy dark, powerful, serial killer thrillers. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.
May 16, 2025
A twisty, unpredictable tale that won't let you go. Ashkanani has woven together something brilliant. The Midnight King left me speechless. Ashkanani knows his pacing and he is a master of unpredictable twists. The Midnight King was brilliant and realistic and It's a must read of the year. This a novel that is truly terrifying.
June 4, 2025
JESUS CHRIST!
I finished this at my desk at work and I cannot quite believe the breadth of the midnight kings terror.
I love a book within a book narrative. I have never had this within a thriller before but this landed so well for me.
The way the narrative of the midnight king seeps into the character psyche is so unsettling especially when you hear it on audio.
It was all round fucked up and I loved it 🫣🏃🏿♀️.
I finished this at my desk at work and I cannot quite believe the breadth of the midnight kings terror.
I love a book within a book narrative. I have never had this within a thriller before but this landed so well for me.
The way the narrative of the midnight king seeps into the character psyche is so unsettling especially when you hear it on audio.
It was all round fucked up and I loved it 🫣🏃🏿♀️.
June 5, 2025
As a horror reader, crime fiction rarely gets gnarly enough to impress me. This book did. It crept under my skin and bullied me throughout. Ashkanani has a way of blindsiding the reader as he did in Welcome to Cooper.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
March 6, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and Viper for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
This is my first book of Tariq's and was super excited to read it.
It's like a book within a book, which was interesting as it feels as though the characters are finding things out at the same time as the reader.
It is very graphic. At first, I meant that in the sense of the descriptions of what has happened as opposed to describing the murders, it was more graphic in the images you create in your head. But as the book goes on, it gets worse and worse in terms of the graphic. Especially as it's child murder, and animal murder. Obviously no murder is easy to read about, but child and animal murder seem to be the two that affect people the most, and so it does do well to have a strong stomach.
On more than one occasion I did let out an audible gasp, as Tariq presented twists and shocks that I never saw coming, which is exactly what I want from a thriller. And by the time you get to the last third, it's twists left, right and centre, and yet it never feels too much.
It's been a while since a book made me feel physically uncomfortable like this one did. It's dark and unsettling and frightening and emotional. And as the reader you feel powerless to help the characters.
If you're a thriller fan, then definitely get this book on your radar. It'll be unlike anything you've read before, and yet will still hit those buttons you expect from the genre.
There has been a lot of hype about this, people saying how it'll be the thriller of the year, and whilst it may only be March (at time of reading), I can definitely see why they're saying it. It's uncomfortable, torturous, horrific, sad, tense, dark, morbid, frightening, mad, horrendous, scary, rabid, thrilling, and absolutely 5-star fantastic! It's so intelligently written, so clever, and has so much depth. I'll definitely be looking up his other books.
This is my first book of Tariq's and was super excited to read it.
It's like a book within a book, which was interesting as it feels as though the characters are finding things out at the same time as the reader.
It is very graphic. At first, I meant that in the sense of the descriptions of what has happened as opposed to describing the murders, it was more graphic in the images you create in your head. But as the book goes on, it gets worse and worse in terms of the graphic. Especially as it's child murder, and animal murder. Obviously no murder is easy to read about, but child and animal murder seem to be the two that affect people the most, and so it does do well to have a strong stomach.
On more than one occasion I did let out an audible gasp, as Tariq presented twists and shocks that I never saw coming, which is exactly what I want from a thriller. And by the time you get to the last third, it's twists left, right and centre, and yet it never feels too much.
It's been a while since a book made me feel physically uncomfortable like this one did. It's dark and unsettling and frightening and emotional. And as the reader you feel powerless to help the characters.
If you're a thriller fan, then definitely get this book on your radar. It'll be unlike anything you've read before, and yet will still hit those buttons you expect from the genre.
There has been a lot of hype about this, people saying how it'll be the thriller of the year, and whilst it may only be March (at time of reading), I can definitely see why they're saying it. It's uncomfortable, torturous, horrific, sad, tense, dark, morbid, frightening, mad, horrendous, scary, rabid, thrilling, and absolutely 5-star fantastic! It's so intelligently written, so clever, and has so much depth. I'll definitely be looking up his other books.
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