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Nocturne
A vampire romance so dark it’ll bite.
He’s not just dangerous—he’s designed to destroy you.
Blood. Obsession. Murder.
And a love story twisted enough to hurt so good.
Los Angeles, 1947.
The city is drowning in secrets and blood—and Lena Reid just lost her best friend to the shadows.
Elizabeth Short is dead. The press calls her the Black Dahlia.
Lena wants answers. Closure. Revenge.
What she finds instead… is him.
Victor Callahan is danger in a three-piece suit. An ex-boxer with fists like thunder and eyes that promise ruin. He’s supposed to help her.
Instead, he haunts her. Follows her. Wants her.
He doesn’t remember what happens after dark.
The blackouts. The blood.
The hunger.
But Lena’s not afraid of monsters.
She falls for them.
She is one.
Now, with a serial killer circling closer and a secret society pulling strings behind the curtain, Lena has one rule
Don’t let a vampire fall in love with you.
Because once he does…
He’ll never let you go.
Seven meets L.A. Confidential with a vampire twist, in this true crime and film noir-inspired standalone dark romance from New York Times Bestselling author Karina Halle. This book contains mature content with potential triggers--please consult the Content Warning at the start of the book.
He’s not just dangerous—he’s designed to destroy you.
Blood. Obsession. Murder.
And a love story twisted enough to hurt so good.
Los Angeles, 1947.
The city is drowning in secrets and blood—and Lena Reid just lost her best friend to the shadows.
Elizabeth Short is dead. The press calls her the Black Dahlia.
Lena wants answers. Closure. Revenge.
What she finds instead… is him.
Victor Callahan is danger in a three-piece suit. An ex-boxer with fists like thunder and eyes that promise ruin. He’s supposed to help her.
Instead, he haunts her. Follows her. Wants her.
He doesn’t remember what happens after dark.
The blackouts. The blood.
The hunger.
But Lena’s not afraid of monsters.
She falls for them.
She is one.
Now, with a serial killer circling closer and a secret society pulling strings behind the curtain, Lena has one rule
Don’t let a vampire fall in love with you.
Because once he does…
He’ll never let you go.
Seven meets L.A. Confidential with a vampire twist, in this true crime and film noir-inspired standalone dark romance from New York Times Bestselling author Karina Halle. This book contains mature content with potential triggers--please consult the Content Warning at the start of the book.
414 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 2025
844 people are currently reading
6367 people want to read
About the author
Karina Halle
122 books19.6k followersKarina Halle is a screenwriter, former music & travel journalist, and the New York Times bestselling author of Grave Matter, Blood Orange, & The Royals Next Door, as well as 80 other romances across all sub-genres, ranging from spicy rom coms to gothic horror and dark fantasy. Needless to say, whatever you're into, she's probably written an HEA for it.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 650 reviews
April 16, 2025
THE WAY MY JAW DROPPED.
EXCUSE ME KARINA BUT WHAT DID YOU PUT IN THIS!?
it was absolutely addictive in every way.
—standalone dark romance
—set in 1940s
—she’s a singer, he’s a PI
—twists, mystery solving
—YOURE MINE
“I’m going to ruin you…ruin you for anyone else.”
I’m not kidding when I say that Karina Halle is one of my all time favorite authors. And this book just solidified that even further. The plot, the spice, the romance, the atmosphere of this entire novel was absolute perfection. Nocturne is a must read especially if you love a incredible romance that’s dark, filled with a mystery to solve, unputdownable story telling, characters you can’t help but feel compelled too, and so much more.
Please I’m quite literally begging you to read this book.
EXCUSE ME KARINA BUT WHAT DID YOU PUT IN THIS!?
it was absolutely addictive in every way.
—standalone dark romance
—set in 1940s
—she’s a singer, he’s a PI
—twists, mystery solving
—YOURE MINE
“I’m going to ruin you…ruin you for anyone else.”
I’m not kidding when I say that Karina Halle is one of my all time favorite authors. And this book just solidified that even further. The plot, the spice, the romance, the atmosphere of this entire novel was absolute perfection. Nocturne is a must read especially if you love a incredible romance that’s dark, filled with a mystery to solve, unputdownable story telling, characters you can’t help but feel compelled too, and so much more.
Please I’m quite literally begging you to read this book.
January 4, 2026
3.75/4⭐️
Dark stalker vampire romance, set in 1940’s LA, where mysterious murders are happening and Lena and Callaghan join up to find out who’s responsible, whilst navigating the underground vampire world
I loved this, the beginning was a bit slow but the last 30% was really good and I loved all the cameos of characters from her other vampire world books, blood orange & black sunshine & night wolf and all the vampire lore we learn in those that comes into play in this!
Can be read as a standalone but will have so much more context if you’ve read her other books
Dark stalker vampire romance, set in 1940’s LA, where mysterious murders are happening and Lena and Callaghan join up to find out who’s responsible, whilst navigating the underground vampire world
I loved this, the beginning was a bit slow but the last 30% was really good and I loved all the cameos of characters from her other vampire world books, blood orange & black sunshine & night wolf and all the vampire lore we learn in those that comes into play in this!
Can be read as a standalone but will have so much more context if you’ve read her other books
April 15, 2025
perfection. beautiful. mind boggling. mysterious.
I LOVE THIS BOOK WORLD SO MUCH AND THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING !!
thank you so much karina for giving me the chance to arc read 🖤 every time i read a book by karina i just get so lost into the plot and book world. the characters are always written so perfectly. and the connection to her other characters in the other books are just so wonderful 🥹 i loved this so much !!
this is a dark vampire romance, private investigator mmc + singer fmc, set in 1940s, murder mystery, serial killer, cult themes, rituals, sacrifice, abuse, primal urges, stalking, blood play, “you’re mine”, dragging, kidnapping, on the run, mentions and scenes with characters from different books in same book world, and duo pov 🩸
callahan was hired to investigate the brutal murder of lena’s friend. every information he comes to leads him straight to lena and soon he can’t help himself but fall for her. she is a singer at one of the most corrupted club owned by the criminal underworld. she hides in plain sight with the humans and tries to stay under the radar not to show her vampire side. when callahan keeps digging into the murder, he and lena work together to find who killed her best friend. they come face to face with people who try to brush the murder under the rug and keep it quiet. but an even bigger act is in play. callahan begins to lost track of time and blacks out randomly. he doesn’t know what’s triggering it and why he suddenly doesn’t remember what happened the past couple of hours. lena learns more about this connection she feels toward him and the longing that keeps pulling them together.
when i tell you i ate this up … i literally couldn’t put it down. especially not when one of my favorite sexy vampires showed up 😩🙌🏼 PROFESSOR VALTU BABYYYY !!! ugh the amount of aura this man has needs to be studied because HOW can i still get butterflies even just seeing his name 😮💨 lena and callahan are so perfect for each other it’s actually insane. i absolutely adore them 💌 the way they both found each other and how they trusted each other right from the beginning just shows how deep their connection and chemistry goes. the “you came” “always” PLEASE I’M BEGGING THIS LOVE TO ATTACK ME 🧎🏻♀️
i love how karina connected the characters from her other books into this !! it just makes so much sense to me and seeing how characters like valtu, abe, wolf, and so on were during this time just felt like coming home 🥹 i’m forever obsessed with karina’s writing and her ability to make the plot so grasping from the first page alone. literally couldn’t put this down and i simply need to go crash out.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
I LOVE THIS BOOK WORLD SO MUCH AND THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING !!
thank you so much karina for giving me the chance to arc read 🖤 every time i read a book by karina i just get so lost into the plot and book world. the characters are always written so perfectly. and the connection to her other characters in the other books are just so wonderful 🥹 i loved this so much !!
this is a dark vampire romance, private investigator mmc + singer fmc, set in 1940s, murder mystery, serial killer, cult themes, rituals, sacrifice, abuse, primal urges, stalking, blood play, “you’re mine”, dragging, kidnapping, on the run, mentions and scenes with characters from different books in same book world, and duo pov 🩸
callahan was hired to investigate the brutal murder of lena’s friend. every information he comes to leads him straight to lena and soon he can’t help himself but fall for her. she is a singer at one of the most corrupted club owned by the criminal underworld. she hides in plain sight with the humans and tries to stay under the radar not to show her vampire side. when callahan keeps digging into the murder, he and lena work together to find who killed her best friend. they come face to face with people who try to brush the murder under the rug and keep it quiet. but an even bigger act is in play. callahan begins to lost track of time and blacks out randomly. he doesn’t know what’s triggering it and why he suddenly doesn’t remember what happened the past couple of hours. lena learns more about this connection she feels toward him and the longing that keeps pulling them together.
when i tell you i ate this up … i literally couldn’t put it down. especially not when one of my favorite sexy vampires showed up 😩🙌🏼 PROFESSOR VALTU BABYYYY !!! ugh the amount of aura this man has needs to be studied because HOW can i still get butterflies even just seeing his name 😮💨 lena and callahan are so perfect for each other it’s actually insane. i absolutely adore them 💌 the way they both found each other and how they trusted each other right from the beginning just shows how deep their connection and chemistry goes. the “you came” “always” PLEASE I’M BEGGING THIS LOVE TO ATTACK ME 🧎🏻♀️
i love how karina connected the characters from her other books into this !! it just makes so much sense to me and seeing how characters like valtu, abe, wolf, and so on were during this time just felt like coming home 🥹 i’m forever obsessed with karina’s writing and her ability to make the plot so grasping from the first page alone. literally couldn’t put this down and i simply need to go crash out.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
April 18, 2025
4.25✨ another epic horror romance by karina. it was amazing. are we surprised? nope. not at all.
i loved lena as a leading lady. she really is the epitome of femme fatale in more ways than one. her vibe but also literally could kill you. a KH classic fmc questioning and trying to figure things out and the reader just enjoying the ride alongside her. i love how she’s scared. even though she’s a vampire, even though she’s a predator, she’s still scared of what could be lurking. watching. stalking. it gave more oomph to the story if you ask me. she was so brave, so calm, and i loved watching her discover her own strength.
detective private investigator, victor callahan. oh how i love an unreliable narrator. and callahan is nothing if not that. damn i loved him. reading his pov’s was like putting a monochromatic puzzle together with no edge pieces. i loved the guessing game that was his life throughout the duration of this book. watching come into himself, accept himself, his reality, and everything that came with it. and knowing that he could do that because he had lena at his side. lena who saw every part of him and considered him whole when he thought himself nothing but a monster.
notes, thoughts, & questions ~
- i’m so intrigued so far
- she’s being hunted…
- is callahan the man in the shadows? or is it someone else?
- callahan seems to be losing time but why? what’s the blood?
- is he like a vampire without knowing it or something? what’s with the taste of blood when he wakes up? is he stalking lena during his blackouts?
-
- males become vampires at 35 right? could it really be that he is but doesn’t know it
- okay he’s definitely a vampire. but when did he turn? and how does he not know? obviously hunger is driving the blackouts but why blackouts? again, how does he not know? considered him whole when he thought himself nothing but a monster.
^this is how you know i don’t read the blurbs…even when it’s an arc lol oops.
these two characters were perfect together. the film noir vibes, the black dahlia murder reimagined, the world & fashion & lifestyle of the 1940’s, all of it was just so well done. right down to kitten.
and seeing valtu & abe & the gang!!! wow i thought they were just gonna be introduced but they had stunning roles in this story and it was all the better because of it. i adored them all. and i love how karina ends her books with sneaky little openings to write more in the same world. i eat it up.
i honestly think this book could have been slightly longer and had a bit more detail. i ca’t quite pin point it but there was just lil something extra that was missing for me. but i love every second of it. this was such a fascinating and intriguing story. yet another one of karina’s books that has me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what’s happening and connecting the dots. and because i don’t read blurbs, it was even more fun. i mean really, i hear “new karina halle book” and i’m sold. i need not know more. she never disappoints.
thank you so much karina for the arc! 🫶🏼
”The newspapers would soon call her the Black Dahlia. But to the figure watching from the shadows as the first police cars arrived, she was simply the beginning.”
“Something about Lena has bypassed my carefully constructed self-control, tapping into instincts I didn’t know I possessed. Instincts to want. To need. To possess.”
“Yeah. You belong with me. All of you.” Heart, body, and soul…
“I’m going to fuck him out of you, dollface.”
“Touch her again and they’ll never find your body.”
“Human or vampire, killer or protector, he’s become entangled in my fate. And I in his. Whether either of us wants it or not.”
“They’re all you, Callahan. All parts of the same whole. And I don’t want just one piece. I want it all.”
• horror romance
• romantic suspense
• vampires
• murder mystery
• black dahlia murder reimagining
• film noir vibes
• femme fatale
• 1940’s LA setting
• jazz singer fmc
• private investigator mmc
• unreliable narrator
• possessive/protective mmc
• morally grey hero
• touch her & die
• serial killer
• stalker
• jekyll & hyde vibe
• secret societies
• true crime inspired
i loved lena as a leading lady. she really is the epitome of femme fatale in more ways than one. her vibe but also literally could kill you. a KH classic fmc questioning and trying to figure things out and the reader just enjoying the ride alongside her. i love how she’s scared. even though she’s a vampire, even though she’s a predator, she’s still scared of what could be lurking. watching. stalking. it gave more oomph to the story if you ask me. she was so brave, so calm, and i loved watching her discover her own strength.
notes, thoughts, & questions ~
- i’m so intrigued so far
- she’s being hunted…
- is callahan the man in the shadows? or is it someone else?
- callahan seems to be losing time but why? what’s the blood?
- is he like a vampire without knowing it or something? what’s with the taste of blood when he wakes up? is he stalking lena during his blackouts?
-
- males become vampires at 35 right? could it really be that he is but doesn’t know it
- okay he’s definitely a vampire. but when did he turn? and how does he not know? obviously hunger is driving the blackouts but why blackouts? again, how does he not know? considered him whole when he thought himself nothing but a monster.
^this is how you know i don’t read the blurbs…even when it’s an arc lol oops.
these two characters were perfect together. the film noir vibes, the black dahlia murder reimagined, the world & fashion & lifestyle of the 1940’s, all of it was just so well done. right down to kitten.
and seeing valtu & abe & the gang!!! wow i thought they were just gonna be introduced but they had stunning roles in this story and it was all the better because of it. i adored them all. and i love how karina ends her books with sneaky little openings to write more in the same world. i eat it up.
i honestly think this book could have been slightly longer and had a bit more detail. i ca’t quite pin point it but there was just lil something extra that was missing for me. but i love every second of it. this was such a fascinating and intriguing story. yet another one of karina’s books that has me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out what’s happening and connecting the dots. and because i don’t read blurbs, it was even more fun. i mean really, i hear “new karina halle book” and i’m sold. i need not know more. she never disappoints.
thank you so much karina for the arc! 🫶🏼
”The newspapers would soon call her the Black Dahlia. But to the figure watching from the shadows as the first police cars arrived, she was simply the beginning.”
“Something about Lena has bypassed my carefully constructed self-control, tapping into instincts I didn’t know I possessed. Instincts to want. To need. To possess.”
“Yeah. You belong with me. All of you.” Heart, body, and soul…
“I’m going to fuck him out of you, dollface.”
“Touch her again and they’ll never find your body.”
“Human or vampire, killer or protector, he’s become entangled in my fate. And I in his. Whether either of us wants it or not.”
“They’re all you, Callahan. All parts of the same whole. And I don’t want just one piece. I want it all.”
• horror romance
• romantic suspense
• vampires
• murder mystery
• black dahlia murder reimagining
• film noir vibes
• femme fatale
• 1940’s LA setting
• jazz singer fmc
• private investigator mmc
• unreliable narrator
• possessive/protective mmc
• morally grey hero
• touch her & die
• serial killer
• stalker
• jekyll & hyde vibe
• secret societies
• true crime inspired
May 7, 2025
okay this was just… not it for me no matter how hard i tried to convince myself it was.
the premise was interesting but the execution was very surface level and felt almost like a caricature of other vampire stories and i just couldn’t take it seriously.
the repetition of some irrelevant plot points was wild like can we PLEASE talk about how many damn times lena made this woman sandwiches? literally every. single. day. at a certain point it became comical to me. ☠️ NOT JUST THAT but she kept talking about how big his dick was, like damn girl we know.
i am a big true crime girly but for some reason this story actually using a victims name rubbed me the wrong way? it’s one thing to do a story heavily based on something but it’s a different thing entirely when you’re using victims names from me. it just felt very ick to me.
———————————
is it still technically an arc if i got approved after the release date? who knows but shoutout to netgalley, karina hallee and metal blonde books for access to this book in exchange for an honest review. 🥰
April 25, 2025
so interestingly enough for this one i liked everything but the romance lol. i found myself not wanting callahan and lena to get together because when they did the story hit the biggest plateau for me. sexually they had great chemistry but outside of the spice there was just nothing to hold my interest between the two of them.
i thought this story was really cool!! i loved how unique it was and how it brought a cool twist to the black dahlia murder, as someone who has been deeply interested in forensics, true crime and vampires since i was young this was just the perfect set up for a story for me which is why i find myself so upset that the romance wasnt it for me 😭
i really enjoyed the appearances of the characters from karina’s dracula duet!! it was a nice surprise seeing them in this story.
besides not caring for the romance my other biggest disconnect with this story was the pacing, it felt so choppy in some areas which was really surprising for me as i have only felt this way one other time in a book of hers (realm of thieves, which also had a very boring couple for me as well).
i dont know. maybe ill give this another shot with the audio one day to see if that’ll help keep my interest?!
i thought this story was really cool!! i loved how unique it was and how it brought a cool twist to the black dahlia murder, as someone who has been deeply interested in forensics, true crime and vampires since i was young this was just the perfect set up for a story for me which is why i find myself so upset that the romance wasnt it for me 😭
i really enjoyed the appearances of the characters from karina’s dracula duet!! it was a nice surprise seeing them in this story.
besides not caring for the romance my other biggest disconnect with this story was the pacing, it felt so choppy in some areas which was really surprising for me as i have only felt this way one other time in a book of hers (realm of thieves, which also had a very boring couple for me as well).
i dont know. maybe ill give this another shot with the audio one day to see if that’ll help keep my interest?!
Read
April 15, 2025DNF
SAFETY SPOILER (NOT SAFE)
Over halfway into the book, the hero and heroine are under "compulsion" but hero repeats multiple times during it that he does want to see it and continue. A woman goes down on the heroine, another woman goes down on the hero. Hero then fcks the heroine while the women I'm pretty sure gives him anal or something idk (it was vague)
SAFETY SPOILER (NOT SAFE)
Over halfway into the book, the hero and heroine are under "compulsion" but hero repeats multiple times during it that he does want to see it and continue. A woman goes down on the heroine, another woman goes down on the hero. Hero then fcks the heroine while the women I'm pretty sure gives him anal or something idk (it was vague)
May 6, 2025
Cool book title ✅
Old Hollywood/ Noir vibes ✅
Dark romance ✅
Vampires ✅
Mystery / thriller ✅
Literally what more can you ask for? This book perfectly blends all the BEST elements a girl could ask for.. this is my third Karina Halle book and understandably this is my favourite so far, the vampire component may have given this one an extra boost for me because I’ve always had a thing for vampires 😂😂😂
Enter a smoky Hollywood lounge, an alluring singer who also happens to be a vampire, a broody ex boxer turned private eye and a hunt for an murderer…I honestly can’t make this up, it’s SO good why has no one thought of this before 😆
I don’t think I have to say anything else to convince you on this one.
Thank you for the gifted copy!
Old Hollywood/ Noir vibes ✅
Dark romance ✅
Vampires ✅
Mystery / thriller ✅
Literally what more can you ask for? This book perfectly blends all the BEST elements a girl could ask for.. this is my third Karina Halle book and understandably this is my favourite so far, the vampire component may have given this one an extra boost for me because I’ve always had a thing for vampires 😂😂😂
Enter a smoky Hollywood lounge, an alluring singer who also happens to be a vampire, a broody ex boxer turned private eye and a hunt for an murderer…I honestly can’t make this up, it’s SO good why has no one thought of this before 😆
I don’t think I have to say anything else to convince you on this one.
Thank you for the gifted copy!
April 20, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️
Thank you to Karina for providing me with an electronic ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I have read several of Karina’s books, but I especially love the Dracula Duet (Blood Orange/Black Rose). I knew I needed this book immediately when I found out this book featured vampires. Add to that the film noir vibe? Sign me up!!
The book revolves around the Black Dahlia murder. It pairs together a PI, Victor Callahan, and the BD’s friend, Lena Reid. They seem to be at odds at first, but quickly partner up to solve the mystery.
As we dive deeper into the ‘whodunit’ of the story, Victor and Lena become closer. However, for various reasons, they keep pushing each other away. Victor is having blackouts and losing track of time and afraid of hurting Lena. Lena is in deep within a mob/gang of dangerous men, because of where she works. She wants to keep Victor safe.
The vampire lore ramps up towards the middle of the book and features heavily to the end. We get cameos of characters from some of Karina’s other vampire books. While they’re not a prerequisite for reading this one, it definitely helps knowing these stories, as the decisions that are made by the characters make more sense.
I highly recommend you pick up this book if you want a dark romance that is twisted in a true crime murder mystery in 1940s Hollywood!
2/5 🌶️
Thank you to Karina for providing me with an electronic ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
I have read several of Karina’s books, but I especially love the Dracula Duet (Blood Orange/Black Rose). I knew I needed this book immediately when I found out this book featured vampires. Add to that the film noir vibe? Sign me up!!
The book revolves around the Black Dahlia murder. It pairs together a PI, Victor Callahan, and the BD’s friend, Lena Reid. They seem to be at odds at first, but quickly partner up to solve the mystery.
As we dive deeper into the ‘whodunit’ of the story, Victor and Lena become closer. However, for various reasons, they keep pushing each other away. Victor is having blackouts and losing track of time and afraid of hurting Lena. Lena is in deep within a mob/gang of dangerous men, because of where she works. She wants to keep Victor safe.
The vampire lore ramps up towards the middle of the book and features heavily to the end. We get cameos of characters from some of Karina’s other vampire books. While they’re not a prerequisite for reading this one, it definitely helps knowing these stories, as the decisions that are made by the characters make more sense.
I highly recommend you pick up this book if you want a dark romance that is twisted in a true crime murder mystery in 1940s Hollywood!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2025
4.5 Stars
This book was loosely based on The Black Dahlia Murder case back in the forties. That is if vampires had anything to do with it. The story tells of a young woman who sings in a mob controlled nightclub. The victim was her best-friend. Of course she’s interrogated about it by the police and then by the PI the victim’s sister hired to search for the killer. She’s drawn to him immediately and when he tells her that he’s experiencing black outs and waking with blood covered clothes on, she begins to suspect what he is. He has no idea. The two become involved and then start working the case together. That’s about all I can say about the actual story without spoilers. I did really like the two main characters as well as some side characters as well. Unfortunately, the book has more than its share of villains.
All this being said, I should also mention how well written this book and really most of the author’s books are. I say most because she’s very prolific and even though I’ve been reading her books since around 2011?,I haven’t managed to read all of them-yet. To me, my favorites are her paranormal ones although I’ve read just as many contemporary romances by her. This particular book is a sort of spin off of other paranormal books of hers and had crossover characters at times. It’s not a series although I wouldn’t mind there being more books with these characters. The other thing you need to know going into this is that it is very very spicy. Some might consider parts to be erotica although there’s not a lot of kink involved. There is quite a bit of violence and at times it’s quite bloody. It’s definitely for ages 18 plus. I do recommend it to paranormal horror readers or readers of paranormal romances that aren’t for the faint of heart.
This book was loosely based on The Black Dahlia Murder case back in the forties. That is if vampires had anything to do with it. The story tells of a young woman who sings in a mob controlled nightclub. The victim was her best-friend. Of course she’s interrogated about it by the police and then by the PI the victim’s sister hired to search for the killer. She’s drawn to him immediately and when he tells her that he’s experiencing black outs and waking with blood covered clothes on, she begins to suspect what he is. He has no idea. The two become involved and then start working the case together. That’s about all I can say about the actual story without spoilers. I did really like the two main characters as well as some side characters as well. Unfortunately, the book has more than its share of villains.
All this being said, I should also mention how well written this book and really most of the author’s books are. I say most because she’s very prolific and even though I’ve been reading her books since around 2011?,I haven’t managed to read all of them-yet. To me, my favorites are her paranormal ones although I’ve read just as many contemporary romances by her. This particular book is a sort of spin off of other paranormal books of hers and had crossover characters at times. It’s not a series although I wouldn’t mind there being more books with these characters. The other thing you need to know going into this is that it is very very spicy. Some might consider parts to be erotica although there’s not a lot of kink involved. There is quite a bit of violence and at times it’s quite bloody. It’s definitely for ages 18 plus. I do recommend it to paranormal horror readers or readers of paranormal romances that aren’t for the faint of heart.
May 14, 2025
new Daddy vampire alert!
4.5 ☆
I’m begging on my hands and knees for Karina to give me a dozen more vampire romances. I love everything about them. The blending of all these different elements, from paranormal and dark romance to a thriller murder mystery and 1940s film noir was so phenomenally done. I was sucked into Lena and Callahan's story immediately. It's gritty and raw and sexy and tense. The stakes are high from the beginning, and at no point did I know how these two were going to achieve their happy ending. It's always mind boggling to me how she can take a truly gruesome moment or event and somehow weave into it a mystical element that captivates my attention.
Also if you've read any of Karina's other PNR books, you'll definitely enjoy the character cameos (hi Daddy Valtu!!!!), and it's so fun to see her expand on lore and a world you're already familiar with. It brings so much depth to the story and characters that I've grown to love.
Thank you so much to Karina Halle for the eARC! ❤️
4.5 ☆
I’m begging on my hands and knees for Karina to give me a dozen more vampire romances. I love everything about them. The blending of all these different elements, from paranormal and dark romance to a thriller murder mystery and 1940s film noir was so phenomenally done. I was sucked into Lena and Callahan's story immediately. It's gritty and raw and sexy and tense. The stakes are high from the beginning, and at no point did I know how these two were going to achieve their happy ending. It's always mind boggling to me how she can take a truly gruesome moment or event and somehow weave into it a mystical element that captivates my attention.
Also if you've read any of Karina's other PNR books, you'll definitely enjoy the character cameos (hi Daddy Valtu!!!!), and it's so fun to see her expand on lore and a world you're already familiar with. It brings so much depth to the story and characters that I've grown to love.
Thank you so much to Karina Halle for the eARC! ❤️
Want to read
January 16, 2026soft dnf at 45%, it's been sitting since July at that percentage, mainly because of something I really didn't like and it put me off. But I love this author so I will keep it for another time when I will be ready for it.
April 19, 2025
As someone who has been obsessed with the Black Dahlia case for years and will drop everything for a dark, blood-soaked vampire romance — this book owned me. Karina Halle took two of my favorite obsessions, wove them together in a haze of noir shadows, cigarette smoke, and crimson-stained promises, and gave them the twisted, hauntingly beautiful justice they deserve.
Nocturne is a fever dream. A story you don’t just read, you feel it in your bones. The setting — Los Angeles, 1947 — was seedy and glamorous in equal measure. The streets bleed secrets. And at the heart of it is Lena Reid: bold, broken, relentless. She’s not the kind of heroine who shies away from monsters. She seeks them out. She falls for them. And Victor Callahan? He’s a predator in a tailored suit. A dangerous, intoxicating, morally gray man who forgets what he does when the sun goes down… and it’s bloody, it’s tragic, and it’s beautiful.
Their chemistry is magnetic in that slow, ruinous way. Every look, every near-touch, every confession is soaked in danger. And I lived for it. The murder mystery thread kept my heart pounding, while the romance carved a space inside me that ached in the best possible way.
If you love:
🖤 Gothic vampire romances
🩸 True crime-inspired fiction
🖤 Film noir atmosphere
🩸 Morally gray monsters you shouldn’t love, but do anyway
You need to let Nocturne sink its teeth into you.
Nocturne is a fever dream. A story you don’t just read, you feel it in your bones. The setting — Los Angeles, 1947 — was seedy and glamorous in equal measure. The streets bleed secrets. And at the heart of it is Lena Reid: bold, broken, relentless. She’s not the kind of heroine who shies away from monsters. She seeks them out. She falls for them. And Victor Callahan? He’s a predator in a tailored suit. A dangerous, intoxicating, morally gray man who forgets what he does when the sun goes down… and it’s bloody, it’s tragic, and it’s beautiful.
Their chemistry is magnetic in that slow, ruinous way. Every look, every near-touch, every confession is soaked in danger. And I lived for it. The murder mystery thread kept my heart pounding, while the romance carved a space inside me that ached in the best possible way.
If you love:
🖤 Gothic vampire romances
🩸 True crime-inspired fiction
🖤 Film noir atmosphere
🩸 Morally gray monsters you shouldn’t love, but do anyway
You need to let Nocturne sink its teeth into you.
April 23, 2025
✨ paranormal romance
✨ stalker
✨ mystery x thriller
✨ true crime x inspired by the Black Dahlia murder
✨ dark romance
Karina Halle has somehow combined two of my favorite things, romance and true crime, and gave me what I didn’t even know I needed 😍
This book had everything packed into it, a haunting mystery, a tension filled romance layered with plot twist and secrets at every turn. I love how from page one you’re immediately transformed back into that time and place.
It’s mystical, it’s dark and it’s so so so hot. Cal and Lena have such a wild ride together between figuring out who killed Lena’s friend, her monster boyfriend, and the mysterious shadow that keeps following Lena around.
✨ stalker
✨ mystery x thriller
✨ true crime x inspired by the Black Dahlia murder
✨ dark romance
Karina Halle has somehow combined two of my favorite things, romance and true crime, and gave me what I didn’t even know I needed 😍
This book had everything packed into it, a haunting mystery, a tension filled romance layered with plot twist and secrets at every turn. I love how from page one you’re immediately transformed back into that time and place.
It’s mystical, it’s dark and it’s so so so hot. Cal and Lena have such a wild ride together between figuring out who killed Lena’s friend, her monster boyfriend, and the mysterious shadow that keeps following Lena around.
May 25, 2025
4 AB Negative Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
In 1947, Elizabeth Short was found murdered in the Leimert Park neighbourhood of Los Angeles. She was completely drained of blood. The media dubbed her The Black Dahlia. Since the police seem unwilling or unable to find her killer, her family hires Victor Callahan, a private detective, to uncover what really happened. His pursuit leads him to Lena Reid, a femme fatale club singer who was best friends with Elizabeth and one of the last people to see her alive. She’s also the on-again, off-again girlfriend of a powerful mob enforcer. But Lena has a secret... she’s a vampire. And as Victor digs deeper into the case, he finds himself pulled not only into the dangerous world of Mafia men, but into the shadowy, seductive underworld of vampires...
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
First, I have to commend Karina Halle on the vibes of this book. They were immaculate. I felt like I was watching an old noir detective film. You can picture the sleazy diner, with Victor narrating his own inner monologue. It’s 3 a.m., and the only people in the diner are himself and an old couple drinking stale coffee, while he drowns his sorrows with a cigarette. Karina Halle nailed the noir atmosphere perfectly.
The tone, the mood, the nuance, and the way she intertwined a true crime case with a vampire plotline were absolutely seamless. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who usually leans toward thrillers or murder mysteries and wants to try something a little more paranormal. It blends both genres in a way that feels natural and effortless.
If you love the style of The Vampire Diaries but want something darker, grittier, and rooted in historical fiction, this is for you. It takes that paranormal edge and places it right in the middle of 1940s Los Angeles. The smokiness, the underground crime, the gangsters-rule-the-world vibe.
The romance was surprisingly sweet. Victor and Lena are drawn to each other quickly. There’s an instant connection, and as secrets unfold, their bond deepens, and you can see how these two are meant to be together.
Lena is careful, calculating, and guarded. She has to be as she’s caught up in the LA mafia and in an on-again-off-again situation with one of the mob’s enforcers. But she can handle herself. She’s got superhuman strength thanks to being a vampire, and she knows how to survive. She doesn’t need saving and is a real force to be reckoned with in a gorgeous red dress.
Victor Callahan is exactly what you’d expect from a detective in a noir story. He’s rough around the edges, relentless in his investigation, and won’t stop until he has answers. He’s clever, observant, and catches on to things others miss. He’s tenacious, but grounded, and you just want to follow him through every shady alley and smoky bar to see how his mind works!
I loved how the story was laid out. I loved how everything was woven together. And I adored being in this world. It felt like I was watching a movie but in book form. I couldn’t get enough of it.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Vampire Romance
▶ Historical Dark Mafia Vibes
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Suspense and Mystery
▶ Hidden Identity
▶ Strangers to Lovers
and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Cages her with his arms
▷ Degradation and Praise
▷ Stalking
▷ Chin Lift
▷ Mirror/Reflection Sex
▷ "More"
▷ Hand Necklaces
▷ Blood Play
Overall this book was everything I didn’t know I needed. Basically, whatever Karina Halle is doing in her books, it’s working. She’s so good at gothic thrillers. I want more. She is fantastic at building atmosphere, tension, mystery, and emotional weight, and this is 100% the lane she needs to keep driving in.
Thank you to Metal Blonde Books, Netgalley and Karina Halle for the gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own
Spicy Level: 🌶️🌶️/5
You belong with me. All of you.”I am convinced that Karina Halle is obsessed with video games. The previous book I read from her had very strong elements of The Last of Us and Nocturne felt like a spinoff of L.A. Noire. So yeah, I think she’s a gamer at heart, and I absolutely love that. I’ve played both of the games and now my dream is that she writes something inspired by Uncharted or American McGee’s Alice, because I would love to see what her brain does with those vibes.
Heart, body, and soul…
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
In 1947, Elizabeth Short was found murdered in the Leimert Park neighbourhood of Los Angeles. She was completely drained of blood. The media dubbed her The Black Dahlia. Since the police seem unwilling or unable to find her killer, her family hires Victor Callahan, a private detective, to uncover what really happened. His pursuit leads him to Lena Reid, a femme fatale club singer who was best friends with Elizabeth and one of the last people to see her alive. She’s also the on-again, off-again girlfriend of a powerful mob enforcer. But Lena has a secret... she’s a vampire. And as Victor digs deeper into the case, he finds himself pulled not only into the dangerous world of Mafia men, but into the shadowy, seductive underworld of vampires...
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
First, I have to commend Karina Halle on the vibes of this book. They were immaculate. I felt like I was watching an old noir detective film. You can picture the sleazy diner, with Victor narrating his own inner monologue. It’s 3 a.m., and the only people in the diner are himself and an old couple drinking stale coffee, while he drowns his sorrows with a cigarette. Karina Halle nailed the noir atmosphere perfectly.
The tone, the mood, the nuance, and the way she intertwined a true crime case with a vampire plotline were absolutely seamless. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who usually leans toward thrillers or murder mysteries and wants to try something a little more paranormal. It blends both genres in a way that feels natural and effortless.
If you love the style of The Vampire Diaries but want something darker, grittier, and rooted in historical fiction, this is for you. It takes that paranormal edge and places it right in the middle of 1940s Los Angeles. The smokiness, the underground crime, the gangsters-rule-the-world vibe.
The romance was surprisingly sweet. Victor and Lena are drawn to each other quickly. There’s an instant connection, and as secrets unfold, their bond deepens, and you can see how these two are meant to be together.
Lena is careful, calculating, and guarded. She has to be as she’s caught up in the LA mafia and in an on-again-off-again situation with one of the mob’s enforcers. But she can handle herself. She’s got superhuman strength thanks to being a vampire, and she knows how to survive. She doesn’t need saving and is a real force to be reckoned with in a gorgeous red dress.
Victor Callahan is exactly what you’d expect from a detective in a noir story. He’s rough around the edges, relentless in his investigation, and won’t stop until he has answers. He’s clever, observant, and catches on to things others miss. He’s tenacious, but grounded, and you just want to follow him through every shady alley and smoky bar to see how his mind works!
I loved how the story was laid out. I loved how everything was woven together. And I adored being in this world. It felt like I was watching a movie but in book form. I couldn’t get enough of it.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Vampire Romance
▶ Historical Dark Mafia Vibes
▶ Forced Proximity
▶ Suspense and Mystery
▶ Hidden Identity
▶ Strangers to Lovers
and 𝙈𝙞𝙘𝙧𝙤 𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▷ Cages her with his arms
▷ Degradation and Praise
▷ Stalking
▷ Chin Lift
▷ Mirror/Reflection Sex
▷ "More"
▷ Hand Necklaces
▷ Blood Play
Overall this book was everything I didn’t know I needed. Basically, whatever Karina Halle is doing in her books, it’s working. She’s so good at gothic thrillers. I want more. She is fantastic at building atmosphere, tension, mystery, and emotional weight, and this is 100% the lane she needs to keep driving in.
Thank you to Metal Blonde Books, Netgalley and Karina Halle for the gifted copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own
May 21, 2025
This is the perfect road trip book. Or, it is the book to binge while doing a full house clean. Need to listen to a book while you go on a full-day hike? Look no further!
This book has just enough intrigue and steady pacing to make the time pass by quickly. Unfortunately, it didn't have enough for me to feel the need to pick it back up again once I put it down. The pacing was steady, almost detrimentally so. The big story twists and surprises felt diluted and treated with the same emphasis as the early world-building and character development.
All that said, Karina Halle does a fantastic job with the time and setting of the book. I felt the same way with Grave Matter - she sets the tone expertly. You feel the essence of the time and place, but yet you aren't hit over the head with it. Slang common to the times is used, but it is sporadic and as a reminder of where we are but it isn't used to a point of annoyance and eye rolls. The dark noir tone is layered throughout, and again, to a perfect balance where you don't even recognize it happening.
Thank you to Metal Blonde Books and NetGalley for a digital advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book has just enough intrigue and steady pacing to make the time pass by quickly. Unfortunately, it didn't have enough for me to feel the need to pick it back up again once I put it down. The pacing was steady, almost detrimentally so. The big story twists and surprises felt diluted and treated with the same emphasis as the early world-building and character development.
All that said, Karina Halle does a fantastic job with the time and setting of the book. I felt the same way with Grave Matter - she sets the tone expertly. You feel the essence of the time and place, but yet you aren't hit over the head with it. Slang common to the times is used, but it is sporadic and as a reminder of where we are but it isn't used to a point of annoyance and eye rolls. The dark noir tone is layered throughout, and again, to a perfect balance where you don't even recognize it happening.
Thank you to Metal Blonde Books and NetGalley for a digital advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 22, 2025
✨ Overall Rating 5/5
📈 Plot 5/5
🖊️ Writing 5/5
👤 Characters 5/5
⚖️ Interpersonal Relationships 4.5/5
🗺️ World Building 5/5
🔥 Spice 3/5
😭 Emotional Damage 2/5
🤩 Entertainment 5/5
I have yet to read a book by Karina Halle that I do not absolutely love!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Karina Halle for the e-book 🖤
I will return to elaborate on this review.
📈 Plot 5/5
🖊️ Writing 5/5
👤 Characters 5/5
⚖️ Interpersonal Relationships 4.5/5
🗺️ World Building 5/5
🔥 Spice 3/5
😭 Emotional Damage 2/5
🤩 Entertainment 5/5
I have yet to read a book by Karina Halle that I do not absolutely love!
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Karina Halle for the e-book 🖤
I will return to elaborate on this review.
May 8, 2025
Si hay algo que me gusta de esta autora es que todos sus libros me parece que tienen tramas muy interesantes y me resulta magistral su forma de crear ambientaciones, ya me pasó con Grave Matter y Death Valley.
En esta ocasión creo que también ha sabido transportarnos a los años 40 y rodearnos de ese aura misteriosa que siempre ha envuelto al caso de Elizabeth Short, dándole un giro de tuerca y trayendo a escena a los vampiros. Hablando de estos, la autora le ha dado su propia visión, atribuyéndoles ciertas particularidades e historia de fondo.
Los personajes están bien construidos aunque no puedo decir que me hayan encantado, tal vez por eso no ha sido un libro que me termine de conquistar por completo. Igual que ha habido momentos en la trama en la que desconectaba. Supongo que ha sido una montaña rusa con sus subidas y bajadas, picos altos en la trama que me tenían en vilo con otros en los que mi atención se dispersaba un poco.
Además de lo anterior, una cosa que voy a destacar es que la autora no suele meter escenas +18 por meterlas, siempre creo que hay un balance adecuado entre ellas y en esta ocasión se ha coronado escribiendo una de las escenas que me va a costar tiempo olvidar 7u7. La tensión entre los personajes era palpable desde el primer minuto.
En general es una historia disfrutable, aun más si te gustan los vampiros, los crímenes y el aura misteriosa.
Muchas gracias por la oportunidad de leer la historia unos días antes de su publicación (ARC).
Eng:
Karina Halle is an absolute queen when it comes to creating environments full of
mystery. In this book it has been no different. The tension between the characters was visible from the beginning and that has resulted in heart-stopping adult scenes, one of them being difficult to forget.
3,75/5
En esta ocasión creo que también ha sabido transportarnos a los años 40 y rodearnos de ese aura misteriosa que siempre ha envuelto al caso de Elizabeth Short, dándole un giro de tuerca y trayendo a escena a los vampiros. Hablando de estos, la autora le ha dado su propia visión, atribuyéndoles ciertas particularidades e historia de fondo.
Los personajes están bien construidos aunque no puedo decir que me hayan encantado, tal vez por eso no ha sido un libro que me termine de conquistar por completo. Igual que ha habido momentos en la trama en la que desconectaba. Supongo que ha sido una montaña rusa con sus subidas y bajadas, picos altos en la trama que me tenían en vilo con otros en los que mi atención se dispersaba un poco.
Además de lo anterior, una cosa que voy a destacar es que la autora no suele meter escenas +18 por meterlas, siempre creo que hay un balance adecuado entre ellas y en esta ocasión se ha coronado escribiendo una de las escenas que me va a costar tiempo olvidar 7u7. La tensión entre los personajes era palpable desde el primer minuto.
En general es una historia disfrutable, aun más si te gustan los vampiros, los crímenes y el aura misteriosa.
Muchas gracias por la oportunidad de leer la historia unos días antes de su publicación (ARC).
Eng:
Karina Halle is an absolute queen when it comes to creating environments full of
mystery. In this book it has been no different. The tension between the characters was visible from the beginning and that has resulted in heart-stopping adult scenes, one of them being difficult to forget.
3,75/5
April 29, 2025
One of my favorite Karina Halle books!!!!
May 27, 2025
atmosphere ✔️
spice ✔️
vampires ✔️
really cool story here and another karina halle book i loved. Might not be my favorite of hers but I loved the mystery, the characters and the action packed ending. I also loved seeing some of my favorites make their appearance in this book.
spice ✔️
vampires ✔️
really cool story here and another karina halle book i loved. Might not be my favorite of hers but I loved the mystery, the characters and the action packed ending. I also loved seeing some of my favorites make their appearance in this book.
May 1, 2025
Nocturne by Karina Halle is a standalone paranormal romance set in Los Angeles in 1948. Inspired by the true crime cold case known as the Black Dahlia, this story follows the fictional best friend of Elizabeth Short after the discovery of her brutal murder, and the private investigator looking for answers. This was an addictive and entertaining adventure that I did not want to end!
The historic setting and film noir vibes created such a vivid landscape for this story! I loved the dark, gritty city, the murder mystery, mobsters and swanky clubs... It was so fun to be back in Karina Halle's world of vampires, but with a completely refreshing backdrop. The addition of details from the Black Dahlia cold case added so much to the story and I love how Halle used creative liberties to seamlessly weave this infamous case into her paranormal world.
The romance is perfectly paced and absolutely sizzling!! Callahan can stalk me any day!! Their banter had me laughing out loud one minute, hot and bothered the next. Lena and Callahan are two monstrous characters that bring out the best in each other, and though their romance is sexy, wild and bloody at times, it's also very sweet.
This story can be read as a standalone, but there are side characters from Halle's other vampire books and I think readers who've read the others will have more fun with this story. I loved spotting these characters and getting a look at what they were up to in the 1940's. The ending is so nostalgic, it made me want to revisit the Dark Eyes duet! And I loved the cameo of another infamous icon from American history... IYKYK.
Thank you so much to Karina Halle and team for the ARC! This review is voluntary and all thoughts are my own.
“This city eats dreams for breakfast. Elizabeth wouldn’t be the first girl who got devoured.”
The historic setting and film noir vibes created such a vivid landscape for this story! I loved the dark, gritty city, the murder mystery, mobsters and swanky clubs... It was so fun to be back in Karina Halle's world of vampires, but with a completely refreshing backdrop. The addition of details from the Black Dahlia cold case added so much to the story and I love how Halle used creative liberties to seamlessly weave this infamous case into her paranormal world.
There’s nothing professional about what’s happening between us. Nothing appropriate about the raw hunger that rises when I think of her. And nothing rational about the certainty that she feels it too.
The romance is perfectly paced and absolutely sizzling!! Callahan can stalk me any day!! Their banter had me laughing out loud one minute, hot and bothered the next. Lena and Callahan are two monstrous characters that bring out the best in each other, and though their romance is sexy, wild and bloody at times, it's also very sweet.
“That’s the thing, kitten. I don’t know what’s gotten into me. I don’t even know who I am anymore. I just know that you don’t belong with a thug like that.” [....]
“I’m going to fxck him out of you, dollface.”
This story can be read as a standalone, but there are side characters from Halle's other vampire books and I think readers who've read the others will have more fun with this story. I loved spotting these characters and getting a look at what they were up to in the 1940's. The ending is so nostalgic, it made me want to revisit the Dark Eyes duet! And I loved the cameo of another infamous icon from American history... IYKYK.
Thank you so much to Karina Halle and team for the ARC! This review is voluntary and all thoughts are my own.
July 3, 2025
“I’m going to ruin you,” he says through gritted teeth. “Ruin you for anyone else.”
4.5 stars
Okay, but this whole book was such a vibe! I felt like I was right there with them in the 1940s, listening to Lena sing and seeing Callahan sit in his private investigator's office. Such an experience! It was great.
This book follows the unsolved murder of the Black Dahlia. What this story gives you that reality didn’t is an actual fucking end to the murderers cuz that shit was never solved irl. That makes me mad lmao
“I’m going to fuck him out of you, dollface. You’ll never be the same again.”
I loved both Lena and Victor in this, I found them great as both standalone characters and together as a couple. I am so excited to read Karina’s other vampire books so I can see more from the secondary characters we met here, like Valtu Aminoff (aka Dracula) and Absolon! It was nice to see Abe as well, from Ocean of Sin and Starlight! I love crossovers like this!
“And who do you think I am, Callahan?”
“Someone who’s survived by keeping secrets. Someone who’s used to being watched, admired, desired—but never really seen.”
There were lots of twists, turns, and reveals, and of course, the thriller/mystery aspect as well, so overall, 10/10 would recommend!
Thank you so much Karina and Lauren for this eARC and PR Package!
4.5 stars
Okay, but this whole book was such a vibe! I felt like I was right there with them in the 1940s, listening to Lena sing and seeing Callahan sit in his private investigator's office. Such an experience! It was great.
This book follows the unsolved murder of the Black Dahlia. What this story gives you that reality didn’t is an actual fucking end to the murderers cuz that shit was never solved irl. That makes me mad lmao
“I’m going to fuck him out of you, dollface. You’ll never be the same again.”
I loved both Lena and Victor in this, I found them great as both standalone characters and together as a couple. I am so excited to read Karina’s other vampire books so I can see more from the secondary characters we met here, like Valtu Aminoff (aka Dracula) and Absolon! It was nice to see Abe as well, from Ocean of Sin and Starlight! I love crossovers like this!
“And who do you think I am, Callahan?”
“Someone who’s survived by keeping secrets. Someone who’s used to being watched, admired, desired—but never really seen.”
There were lots of twists, turns, and reveals, and of course, the thriller/mystery aspect as well, so overall, 10/10 would recommend!
Thank you so much Karina and Lauren for this eARC and PR Package!
May 25, 2025
this was the first book i’ve ever read set in “our world” but before the 21st century, and i’m surprised to say i really enjoyed that aspect!
it was also the first book i’ve read where real world events were sprinkled in— i’m talking slightly historical in terms of politics, war, and real people who were alive in America during that specific time, as well as some relevant pop culture/film references. it was interesting to get glimpses back into a time period that feels both really far away yet still extremely relevant to the current world we live in.
and while this had a really cool concept/plot and some amazing spice, it was a bit predictable… which is the main reason i docked a star. and even tho i was a bit confused for the first 20-30%, i think the way this story unfolded and gave us answers to our burning questions at just the right moments was what kept me reading.
all this to say that even tho i figured most of the twists out before they happened, the story was ultimately told in a way that continually held my interest and i can really only commend Karina Halle for that! definitely pick this up if you’re looking for a spicy, paranormal, murder mystery filled with secrets, manipulation, and lots of action packed moments!
it was also the first book i’ve read where real world events were sprinkled in— i’m talking slightly historical in terms of politics, war, and real people who were alive in America during that specific time, as well as some relevant pop culture/film references. it was interesting to get glimpses back into a time period that feels both really far away yet still extremely relevant to the current world we live in.
and while this had a really cool concept/plot and some amazing spice, it was a bit predictable… which is the main reason i docked a star. and even tho i was a bit confused for the first 20-30%, i think the way this story unfolded and gave us answers to our burning questions at just the right moments was what kept me reading.
all this to say that even tho i figured most of the twists out before they happened, the story was ultimately told in a way that continually held my interest and i can really only commend Karina Halle for that! definitely pick this up if you’re looking for a spicy, paranormal, murder mystery filled with secrets, manipulation, and lots of action packed moments!
April 28, 2025
I always have such a great time with Karina Halle’s books. I was immediately drawn into this one with the black dahlia murder connection, the Hollywood noir vibes, the promise of a spicy standalone, and of course vampires. I also loved that the FMC and I had the same name lol. Getting appearances from characters from the author’s other vampire books was a great bonus.
The romance was definitely on the side of insta-lust but I didn’t really mind. I feel like that’s something to just be expected with standalones this length. I didn’t feel super connected to the characters because I feel like this was definitely a lot more plot-driven than character-driven.
I was super invested in the plot and mystery of it all, and I was fully entertained from start to finish. This was exactly what I was in the mood for!
The romance was definitely on the side of insta-lust but I didn’t really mind. I feel like that’s something to just be expected with standalones this length. I didn’t feel super connected to the characters because I feel like this was definitely a lot more plot-driven than character-driven.
I was super invested in the plot and mystery of it all, and I was fully entertained from start to finish. This was exactly what I was in the mood for!
April 20, 2025
Yazarı sevdiğim doğru seçtiği konular da tam benlik dark gothic vampir karışımı😍her seferinde büyük bir merak ve heyecanla okuyorum. ❤️ Kitapta yazarın okuduğum başka bir serisinden karakterlerle de karşılaşmak hoşuma gitti. (The Dracula Duet)
Tarih 1945'ler Lena bir vampir kimse bilmiyor. Kulüpte şarkı söylüyor ve tehlikeli bir erkek arkadaşı var kendini gizlemesi için paravan gibi onun kötü tavırlarına katlanmak zorunda. Lena'nın aynı yerde çalıştığı yakın arkadaşı Bety çok kötü bir şekilde ölü bulunur.
Victor Callahan özel dedektif bazı anlar kendinde değil. Bety'nin cinayetini araştırırken Lena'ya rastlar ve görür görmez çekimine kapılır. Tabii karşılıklı Lena'da anlam veremediği bir şekilde Callahan'a kapılmıştır. İkisininde bu cinayetle ilgili sakladıkları bir şeyler var gibi görünüyor. Ve ikisi de bunun peşinden gidiyor. Tehlikeyi seven Lena ve Callahan'ın alev alev yanan aşklarına tanık oluyoruz. 🔥💥🌶️🌶️
Tarih 1945'ler Lena bir vampir kimse bilmiyor. Kulüpte şarkı söylüyor ve tehlikeli bir erkek arkadaşı var kendini gizlemesi için paravan gibi onun kötü tavırlarına katlanmak zorunda. Lena'nın aynı yerde çalıştığı yakın arkadaşı Bety çok kötü bir şekilde ölü bulunur.
Victor Callahan özel dedektif bazı anlar kendinde değil. Bety'nin cinayetini araştırırken Lena'ya rastlar ve görür görmez çekimine kapılır. Tabii karşılıklı Lena'da anlam veremediği bir şekilde Callahan'a kapılmıştır. İkisininde bu cinayetle ilgili sakladıkları bir şeyler var gibi görünüyor. Ve ikisi de bunun peşinden gidiyor. Tehlikeyi seven Lena ve Callahan'ın alev alev yanan aşklarına tanık oluyoruz. 🔥💥🌶️🌶️
October 7, 2025
The minute I found out this was influenced by the Black Dahlia murder I couldn't click download fast enough. I wouldn't say I am obsessed, but I have been fascinated by the Black Dahlia murder for years. It's one of those cases that keeps me up at night spiraling down the rabbit hole.
I thought this book was so much fun to I read. I loved the Noir vibes and thought Elizabeth Short being best friends with the FMC, Lena was a great idea. I was invested in the story, and some elements creeped me out, which is actually perfect for this time year. I liked how the author incorporated real-life people as characters such as Mickey Cohen, Johnny Stampanato, Elizabeth Short, and even more. It was a nice touch to the Hollywood Noir vibe/style. I was thoroughly entertained. The romance was nice, but some of the smut scenes were cringy. I think it was the dirty talk. Sometimes it works, but in this, it just didn't work for me. Other than that, I really liked this book.
I thought this book was so much fun to I read. I loved the Noir vibes and thought Elizabeth Short being best friends with the FMC, Lena was a great idea. I was invested in the story, and some elements creeped me out, which is actually perfect for this time year. I liked how the author incorporated real-life people as characters such as Mickey Cohen, Johnny Stampanato, Elizabeth Short, and even more. It was a nice touch to the Hollywood Noir vibe/style. I was thoroughly entertained. The romance was nice, but some of the smut scenes were cringy. I think it was the dirty talk. Sometimes it works, but in this, it just didn't work for me. Other than that, I really liked this book.
May 5, 2025
Is there anything miss Halle cannot write exceptionally well? This was another fantastic dark romance this time with a thriller/crime/film noir spin with vampires, loved it! Always a great balance between plot and characters, the spice and chemistry between our protagonists was sizzling! Love love love!
May 5, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ A dark vampire romance mystery set in the 1940s? Sign me up! 🔥
Nocturne is a dark, seductive story set in 1940s Los Angeles, where danger lurks in every shadow and vampires walk among us. The atmosphere is rich and moody, and the whole book feels like a classic film noir with a paranormal twist.
Lena Reid is a true femme fatale 🌹 — confident, clever, and impossible to ignore. I loved her character. Her chemistry with Victor Callahan is intense, full of tension and dark romance that really pulls you in.
While the mystery was interesting and the vibe was great, some of the plot twists were easy to guess, and the story didn’t feel super original. Still, it was fun to read — especially if you like vampire stories with a mix of romance, mystery, and a touch of danger. It gave off strong Dracula (he’s literally in it) meets Buffy energy.
Thank you NetGalley for sending me this book!
Nocturne is a dark, seductive story set in 1940s Los Angeles, where danger lurks in every shadow and vampires walk among us. The atmosphere is rich and moody, and the whole book feels like a classic film noir with a paranormal twist.
Lena Reid is a true femme fatale 🌹 — confident, clever, and impossible to ignore. I loved her character. Her chemistry with Victor Callahan is intense, full of tension and dark romance that really pulls you in.
While the mystery was interesting and the vibe was great, some of the plot twists were easy to guess, and the story didn’t feel super original. Still, it was fun to read — especially if you like vampire stories with a mix of romance, mystery, and a touch of danger. It gave off strong Dracula (he’s literally in it) meets Buffy energy.
Thank you NetGalley for sending me this book!
April 11, 2025
Inspired by the Black Dahlia murder of 1947, Nocturne follows PI Victor Callahan as he hunts the murderer through the streets of 1940s Los Angeles, aided by the seductive jazz singer, Lena Reid.
“𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳.”
Karina Halle has a talent for taking real life historical places and events and blending them with paranormal elements to create compelling and fresh takes on the stories; The Donner Party in Death Valley, D’Arcy Island in Dead Sky Morning, and now The Black Dahlia Murder in Nocturne.
If you’ve read any of Karina’s other vampire novels (Black Sunshine, Blood Orange), then you’ll likely recognize some of the supporting characters in Nocturne! Following her same vampire lore, Nocturne is a paranormal mystery filled with crime families, vampires, and, of course, grisly murders.
“𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦.“
🥀 Morally Gray Hero
🥀 Femme Fatale
🥀 Serial Killer
🥀 Stalker
🥀 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
🥀 True Crime Inspired
“𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘯. 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳.”
Karina Halle has a talent for taking real life historical places and events and blending them with paranormal elements to create compelling and fresh takes on the stories; The Donner Party in Death Valley, D’Arcy Island in Dead Sky Morning, and now The Black Dahlia Murder in Nocturne.
If you’ve read any of Karina’s other vampire novels (Black Sunshine, Blood Orange), then you’ll likely recognize some of the supporting characters in Nocturne! Following her same vampire lore, Nocturne is a paranormal mystery filled with crime families, vampires, and, of course, grisly murders.
“𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦.“
🥀 Morally Gray Hero
🥀 Femme Fatale
🥀 Serial Killer
🥀 Stalker
🥀 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
🥀 True Crime Inspired
June 3, 2025
Unfortunately this is my least favorite of Karina Halle’s paranormal romances so far…
I felt no connection with the characters and the plot felt rushed. I didn’t really like the tension between them. It just seemed liked insta-lust, and that was it. The highlight for me was to see other characters that I already know from the other books.
… but I know I’ll keep reading these anyways. It’s my guilty pleasure 😂
I felt no connection with the characters and the plot felt rushed. I didn’t really like the tension between them. It just seemed liked insta-lust, and that was it. The highlight for me was to see other characters that I already know from the other books.
… but I know I’ll keep reading these anyways. It’s my guilty pleasure 😂
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