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Whispers at Midnight
Some mysteries aren't solved—they're survived.
A key witness in a high-profile federal case vanishes from a government safehouse just hours before testifying, leaving behind no sign of forced entry, no clear escape route, and only one cryptic word scrawled across a
Midnight.
FBI Agent Claire Anderson is tasked with investigating the disappearance off the books. The press can’t find out. The Bureau can’t afford a scandal. And her team—S.W.O.R.D., the Special-Washington-Oregon-Regional-Detachment—has just days to uncover what really happened before the entire case unravels.
Meanwhile, Claire must navigate growing tension inside her own unit, where blurred lines and hidden relationships threaten to erode the trust they need to survive what’s coming.
As the trail leads to a powerful surveillance technology firm, the clues grow darker and the pressure more intense. The silence surrounding the witness starts to feel carefully constructed.
What was the witness about to expose?
What is Midnight?
And how deep does the deception go?
Series
Book 1: The Fifth Victim
Book 2: We Forget Nothing
Book 3: Widows of Medina
Book 4: Beneath Hemlock Skies
Book 5: Whispers at Midnight
A key witness in a high-profile federal case vanishes from a government safehouse just hours before testifying, leaving behind no sign of forced entry, no clear escape route, and only one cryptic word scrawled across a
Midnight.
FBI Agent Claire Anderson is tasked with investigating the disappearance off the books. The press can’t find out. The Bureau can’t afford a scandal. And her team—S.W.O.R.D., the Special-Washington-Oregon-Regional-Detachment—has just days to uncover what really happened before the entire case unravels.
Meanwhile, Claire must navigate growing tension inside her own unit, where blurred lines and hidden relationships threaten to erode the trust they need to survive what’s coming.
As the trail leads to a powerful surveillance technology firm, the clues grow darker and the pressure more intense. The silence surrounding the witness starts to feel carefully constructed.
What was the witness about to expose?
What is Midnight?
And how deep does the deception go?
Series
Book 1: The Fifth Victim
Book 2: We Forget Nothing
Book 3: Widows of Medina
Book 4: Beneath Hemlock Skies
Book 5: Whispers at Midnight
303 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 10, 2026
261 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 18, 2026
Fantastic…What more can I say?
I have read and reviewed so many of D.D. Black’s books that I am at a loss for words. I’ve always had a lot of positives to say. He is one of my favorite writers. The plots are well constructed and keep me entertained and glued to the page. I love his characters and getting to know them throughout the series.
But what makes this book different?
It’s a real wake-up call – not a conspiracy theory. It makes you think about the world we all have been living in and what it takes to change it for the better. So much has continued to go on in the shadows that is unrighteous and corrupt, dare I say, evil, that affects us all in one way or another. This story sheds light on just one aspect that is extremely thought provoking – who and what are we really? Where do our ideas, aspirations and traits come from?
I really liked the psychological perspective that D.D. Black reveals in this writing and the unexpected conclusion that will lead to more intriguing novels to come…I greatly appreciate that I had the opportunity to read and review Whispers at Midnight and offer my honest and voluntary review.
I have read and reviewed so many of D.D. Black’s books that I am at a loss for words. I’ve always had a lot of positives to say. He is one of my favorite writers. The plots are well constructed and keep me entertained and glued to the page. I love his characters and getting to know them throughout the series.
But what makes this book different?
It’s a real wake-up call – not a conspiracy theory. It makes you think about the world we all have been living in and what it takes to change it for the better. So much has continued to go on in the shadows that is unrighteous and corrupt, dare I say, evil, that affects us all in one way or another. This story sheds light on just one aspect that is extremely thought provoking – who and what are we really? Where do our ideas, aspirations and traits come from?
I really liked the psychological perspective that D.D. Black reveals in this writing and the unexpected conclusion that will lead to more intriguing novels to come…I greatly appreciate that I had the opportunity to read and review Whispers at Midnight and offer my honest and voluntary review.
February 13, 2026
An investigation by an FBI team I'd love to meet, an investigation of a missing federal witness, told me right away that everything is serious about this book. Finding out the depths of "witness to what" by Dr. Elaine Mercer drove the story as much as the chase to find her. The book is so well written, drew me in so completely, that I turned pages as revelations of the evil deeds came along without keeping track of the bad guy's motivation. Calls for a re-read!
The personal team dynamics are special to this series and a huge part of what keeps drawing me back to it.
The path to solving the plot trigger, the disappearance of a federal witness, has big scary bumps, and the story is unforgettable for me so far. That the writing is smooth and masterful only adds to the kudos for the book and the series. Tour de force!
The personal team dynamics are special to this series and a huge part of what keeps drawing me back to it.
The path to solving the plot trigger, the disappearance of a federal witness, has big scary bumps, and the story is unforgettable for me so far. That the writing is smooth and masterful only adds to the kudos for the book and the series. Tour de force!
February 12, 2026
This book was worth the wait, everything I expected and more. I had to read it immediately once released and downloaded on my Kindle. The characters have become more well developed and added to the plot. The plot went in directions I didn't see coming and the ending was a total surprised. Can't wait for the next in this series to be released. DD Back has been added to my list of favorite mystery writers, his writing styles draws you into the story and makes you feel you have actually lived the plot.
February 12, 2026
Programming
A witness disappears from a Federal protection safe house. S.W.O.R.D a special FBI task force becomes involved in the search for the missing witness. Claire Anderson and her team undercover crimes that have been decades in the making and involve manipulating the minds of young children to serve a purpose for a later date and specific placement with various organizations. With everything going against them and roadblocks at every turn, the Team fights for justice. The Whispers at Midnight is a great read with layers, complexity and awesome plot.
A witness disappears from a Federal protection safe house. S.W.O.R.D a special FBI task force becomes involved in the search for the missing witness. Claire Anderson and her team undercover crimes that have been decades in the making and involve manipulating the minds of young children to serve a purpose for a later date and specific placement with various organizations. With everything going against them and roadblocks at every turn, the Team fights for justice. The Whispers at Midnight is a great read with layers, complexity and awesome plot.
February 13, 2026
All of D.D. Black’s books are enjoyable, easy reads. This new one included. I didn’t find any surprises or twists to make this story remarkable, so I gave it a 4 because I enjoyed the read and didn’t miss any complications. Cozy-detective books have worth, if only to shut out the political b.s. working to torment the world order into ignoring democracy and scientific truth.
So, thanks, D.D., for a few hours of peace where the good guys win, and characters analyze the validity of their own actions.
So, thanks, D.D., for a few hours of peace where the good guys win, and characters analyze the validity of their own actions.
February 12, 2026
I am a huge DD Black fan and this book was so amazing I read it in a day! SWORD has been tasked with finding out where a key witness in a high profile case has gone. She disappeared from a safe house and left a word clue “midnight” written in the windowpane. Their case takes them across the country and what they discover is frightening in its scope. It will take all of their abilities to solve this case!
February 15, 2026
Loved diving back into this world with this investigative team. The case included mind control, years-long experimentation, children as test subjects, and a few twists that add so much to the story and the tension. I especially love that it takes place in WA State, so I’m familiar with the locations and landscape; adds to my enjoyment of the story. I blew through this one and can’t wait for more!
February 16, 2026
Another strong story by DD Black about the S.W.O.R.D. task force.
A fascinating story line that is scary and believable. What the rich and powerful will do is mind blowing.
This is the 5th in the series and the characters continue to grow and evolve as they should. Interesting characters with good dialogue and some humor. Even Ranger gets some added story lines which is fun.
A good read. Enjoyable.
A fascinating story line that is scary and believable. What the rich and powerful will do is mind blowing.
This is the 5th in the series and the characters continue to grow and evolve as they should. Interesting characters with good dialogue and some humor. Even Ranger gets some added story lines which is fun.
A good read. Enjoyable.
February 19, 2026
Fast-paced, tense, a race against time & it's running out. Claire and her team are given an impossible task to locate a missing federal witness that left a safe house in the forest and vanished. One obstacle after another are thrown in their path and the S.W.O.R.D. department is threatened with closure, permanently! This is the absolute BEST S.W.O.R.D. novel yet. I can't wait for the next installment and am looking forward to seeing some romance along with the intrigue
February 20, 2026
captivating read !
I love the next edition to the S.W.O.R.D series! I read every day and D.D. Black is by far one of my very favorite authors, I always get his books as soon as they are available and highly recommend them to anyone who enjoys these genres. This book is definitely hard to put down, I love what’s going on with the characters in this particular book so much! 5+ Stars !!
I love the next edition to the S.W.O.R.D series! I read every day and D.D. Black is by far one of my very favorite authors, I always get his books as soon as they are available and highly recommend them to anyone who enjoys these genres. This book is definitely hard to put down, I love what’s going on with the characters in this particular book so much! 5+ Stars !!
February 18, 2026
This was the best S.W.O.R.D. Book, yet. It had the pacing of a book like the DaVinci code where you are against the clock looking for obscure clues when you have very little to go on. I really could not put this book down and finished up around 4:30am. It’s very fast paced and it was nice to see Ranger come into his own.
February 19, 2026
Wow! Just wow!
This has got to be the best book of the FBI SWORDS series. Very much worth the wait! DD Black produced an inhibited tactful story using such in-depth knowledge! No amount of words can give this justice! Just incredible!
This has got to be the best book of the FBI SWORDS series. Very much worth the wait! DD Black produced an inhibited tactful story using such in-depth knowledge! No amount of words can give this justice! Just incredible!
February 20, 2026
Whispers at Midnight
Can't find the copyright, but I started this book to escape what is currently going on in our country. Unfortunately, I kept finding parallels to the real realities of our lives today. I read it in one day, enjoyed it, but it was no escape.
Can't find the copyright, but I started this book to escape what is currently going on in our country. Unfortunately, I kept finding parallels to the real realities of our lives today. I read it in one day, enjoyed it, but it was no escape.
February 20, 2026
This was a great book! Having lived in the Seattle area for most of my life, it’s fun to read about places I’ve been to. Can wait for the next book on Claire’s group and how she deals with her history.
February 17, 2026
Love this series
February 17, 2026
Wow that is quite the storyline - scary. Could it happen?? Fast paced - nice growth in characters.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews