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They Came at Night
In the five years since the fateful and horrific night that changed her life, Sandra Leigh has kept herself sequestered at the Compound, a trauma recovery/survival skill camp that helped her process her past and feel safe in the world again.
Now, the time has come for her to face life outside the Compound, and that starts with a family road trip to rebuild the relationship she once had with her young niece.
A weekend at a rented cabin in the woods sounds idyllic, but Sandra begins to notice that things are off. Strange sounds and shadows, combined with a less-than-welcoming atmosphere at the nearby small town, put Sandra quickly on edge. Is it all just her paranoia coming into play, or is there something truly dangerous happening?
When her niece discovers a cryptic message hidden in the cabin's guest book--THEY CAME AT NIGHT--Sandra realizes that her family is caught in the crosshairs of a heinously sinister plot, and she will need to call on all the skills she learned at the Compound to save them... if she can.
Now, the time has come for her to face life outside the Compound, and that starts with a family road trip to rebuild the relationship she once had with her young niece.
A weekend at a rented cabin in the woods sounds idyllic, but Sandra begins to notice that things are off. Strange sounds and shadows, combined with a less-than-welcoming atmosphere at the nearby small town, put Sandra quickly on edge. Is it all just her paranoia coming into play, or is there something truly dangerous happening?
When her niece discovers a cryptic message hidden in the cabin's guest book--THEY CAME AT NIGHT--Sandra realizes that her family is caught in the crosshairs of a heinously sinister plot, and she will need to call on all the skills she learned at the Compound to save them... if she can.
- GenresThriller
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 19, 2025
4 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Westley Smith
7 books122 followersWestley Smith is the author of the thrillers Some Kind of Truth, They Came at Night, and In the Pale Light. In the Pale Light landed on IngramSpark’s #1 pre-order charts in the mystery, thriller, and hard-boiled detective category.
Writing since he was ten, his first short story, “Off to War,” was published nationally at sixteen. His short stories have recently appeared in On the Premise and Unveiling Nightmares. He was the runner-up contestant in the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine’s Mysterious Photograph Contest, and his short story Winter Reflections was chosen as a finalist for Crystal Lake Publishing's Shallow Waters short story contest. He also had a short story, The Security Guard, in the horror anthology Hospital of Haunts, which hit #1 on Amazon.
Westley also authored two self-published horror novels, Along Came The Tricksters and All Hallows Eve.
He lives in southern Pennsylvania with his wife and two dogs.
Writing since he was ten, his first short story, “Off to War,” was published nationally at sixteen. His short stories have recently appeared in On the Premise and Unveiling Nightmares. He was the runner-up contestant in the Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine’s Mysterious Photograph Contest, and his short story Winter Reflections was chosen as a finalist for Crystal Lake Publishing's Shallow Waters short story contest. He also had a short story, The Security Guard, in the horror anthology Hospital of Haunts, which hit #1 on Amazon.
Westley also authored two self-published horror novels, Along Came The Tricksters and All Hallows Eve.
He lives in southern Pennsylvania with his wife and two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 19, 2026
They came at night is creepy Psychological Thriller with a splash of horror. With a strong female lead, Sandra is fighting for her life and her family. A family vacation has gone terribly wrong the minute they arrive in the creepy little of Little Hope. I loved the creepy atmosphere, it keeps you on the edge of your seat.
February 1, 2026
I went into this completely blind and had no idea what to expect. I didn’t know if it was an unknown creature, a thing, a person—or should I say persons. The thriller aspect was incredible and kept me on edge the entire time.
For me, this book was a mix of John Wick vibes with a truly badass main character. Sandra is relentless and absolutely unwilling to give up, which made the story even more gripping.
For me, this book was a mix of John Wick vibes with a truly badass main character. Sandra is relentless and absolutely unwilling to give up, which made the story even more gripping.
August 14, 2025
They came at night.
This book is thriller- horror all mixed into one.
Deserted town creepy people. there's no exits. feels like i'm reading a stephen king movie.
Sandra, five years have gone by living on a compound after an almost abduction.
Now she's on vacation with her family. But always on alert. This vacation.There in a cabin near the woods. in a Deserted town. with Creepy people. Something doesn't feel right.
Being with your family should be amazing. Wanting to rekindle what you haven't had for the last five years . one weekend. That's all anybody wanted. one weekend is all, it takes for everything to change.
This was a really good book. I have to be honest and say, I read half the book then I had to step away for a couple of days. And then when I picked it back up, I finished it. So I read this book in two settings.
It is so good. Sometimes we have to step away from a story. But wow what a book What an ending..
I must say I really enjoyed it.
Sarah is one badass character.
This book is thriller- horror all mixed into one.
Deserted town creepy people. there's no exits. feels like i'm reading a stephen king movie.
Sandra, five years have gone by living on a compound after an almost abduction.
Now she's on vacation with her family. But always on alert. This vacation.There in a cabin near the woods. in a Deserted town. with Creepy people. Something doesn't feel right.
Being with your family should be amazing. Wanting to rekindle what you haven't had for the last five years . one weekend. That's all anybody wanted. one weekend is all, it takes for everything to change.
This was a really good book. I have to be honest and say, I read half the book then I had to step away for a couple of days. And then when I picked it back up, I finished it. So I read this book in two settings.
It is so good. Sometimes we have to step away from a story. But wow what a book What an ending..
I must say I really enjoyed it.
Sarah is one badass character.
November 11, 2025
Meet Sandra! Meet the Family!
Meet HIM!
“They Came at Night” by Westley Smith.
From page one I turned these pages and COULD NOT STOP till I crashed at 2 am!
A phenomenal gory thriller that is so messed up you Will read in ONE night. 👀☠️
A Woman waiting on help with her vehicle GETS more than she can even imagine! A woman so tormented by the aftermath that she loses all sight of everything else even her family.
But a cabin retreat with family that her sister finds to catch up, make up, sounds great right? WHAT could go wrong?!?
It’s a deadly horrific thriller that puts you on your ass! Gruesome and 🩸 bloody, the Town Of Little Hope holds FAR MORE than a mind can take!
Meet The Masked and secretive, the ELITE to clean up the MESS as terror reigns on a tiny town of milkshakes and 1950s style welcoming the tourists!!? Right?
This bloody dang book had me cringing with families torn and broken, all because of a Company that listed Family Retreats in peace and solitude. Auctions and Richter who masquerades within the darkness. Action packed!
Kill them all and Bathe in their blood from lime quarries to auctions
Be careful what you get when you Sign up.
“A Man can’t fight if he’s struggling to breathe!”
“Dead as a door nail” She’s an exterminator on the sex trafficking vile ones and the M60 kicks it off into action,
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Fast paced thriller that keeps you turning the pages, smooth yet volatile and insane read but consumes you in every word. Dirt sweat and Blood 🩸 is Sandra as her Monster rises above the rest. Years of training at a compound.
Terrific and terrifying reading that leaves your soul in the depths of violence, murder and praying for the ones captive nothing but prizes to the rich!
THEY CAME AT NIGHT by WESTLEY SMITH
I put it top on my TBR and So Glad I did!!!!
Meet HIM!
“They Came at Night” by Westley Smith.
From page one I turned these pages and COULD NOT STOP till I crashed at 2 am!
A phenomenal gory thriller that is so messed up you Will read in ONE night. 👀☠️
A Woman waiting on help with her vehicle GETS more than she can even imagine! A woman so tormented by the aftermath that she loses all sight of everything else even her family.
But a cabin retreat with family that her sister finds to catch up, make up, sounds great right? WHAT could go wrong?!?
It’s a deadly horrific thriller that puts you on your ass! Gruesome and 🩸 bloody, the Town Of Little Hope holds FAR MORE than a mind can take!
Meet The Masked and secretive, the ELITE to clean up the MESS as terror reigns on a tiny town of milkshakes and 1950s style welcoming the tourists!!? Right?
This bloody dang book had me cringing with families torn and broken, all because of a Company that listed Family Retreats in peace and solitude. Auctions and Richter who masquerades within the darkness. Action packed!
Kill them all and Bathe in their blood from lime quarries to auctions
Be careful what you get when you Sign up.
“A Man can’t fight if he’s struggling to breathe!”
“Dead as a door nail” She’s an exterminator on the sex trafficking vile ones and the M60 kicks it off into action,
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Fast paced thriller that keeps you turning the pages, smooth yet volatile and insane read but consumes you in every word. Dirt sweat and Blood 🩸 is Sandra as her Monster rises above the rest. Years of training at a compound.
Terrific and terrifying reading that leaves your soul in the depths of violence, murder and praying for the ones captive nothing but prizes to the rich!
THEY CAME AT NIGHT by WESTLEY SMITH
I put it top on my TBR and So Glad I did!!!!
August 19, 2025
I’m a huge fan of horror. All kinds of horror. Cryptids? Oh yeah. Vampires and werewolves? You betcha. And the paranormal and supernatural? Scary good stuff. Anything that can have me anxious and fearing the next paragraph is my jam. Give me thrills and chills.
I sometimes read a book without reading the synopsis. What drew me to this one was three things. First, the title. They Came At Night. I was wondering who or what They were. Then there’s the author. I’ve read other books by Westley Smith. He got some 5 star reviews from me. He writes what I like. Then there’s the cover. This one is simplistic. Two thirds of it is dark. Like you’re sitting in a room, staring into the darkness in front of you, wondering what could be in it. Is that a shadow? A shadow of someone holding a knife? A big knife? Then there’s what looks a table with a journal opened up. The only thing written in it is the title. The words are in black ink but they appear to bleed. All of that made this an easy pick to read.
I started reading and what did I get? Some great characters. They were so genuine and sure did respond to situations in believable ways. A couple of them became very important to me. That kept me invested in finding out if they survived. I also got so many feels. I expected to get creeped out. That was a given. And I did. In some instances I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Something else I got that surprised me was frustration and sadness. The frustration was caused by a certain character that got on my last nerve. The writer wrote that character really good. And then there was sadness. In lots of horror books not all of the characters survive. In fact, I love that. But when someone I was pulling for doesn’t make it, I feel sad. Wish I could change the outcome. Making me feel that is powerful stuff.
What else can I share. A famous quote from R.L. Stine, “Beware. You’re In For A Scare.” That sums it up.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
I sometimes read a book without reading the synopsis. What drew me to this one was three things. First, the title. They Came At Night. I was wondering who or what They were. Then there’s the author. I’ve read other books by Westley Smith. He got some 5 star reviews from me. He writes what I like. Then there’s the cover. This one is simplistic. Two thirds of it is dark. Like you’re sitting in a room, staring into the darkness in front of you, wondering what could be in it. Is that a shadow? A shadow of someone holding a knife? A big knife? Then there’s what looks a table with a journal opened up. The only thing written in it is the title. The words are in black ink but they appear to bleed. All of that made this an easy pick to read.
I started reading and what did I get? Some great characters. They were so genuine and sure did respond to situations in believable ways. A couple of them became very important to me. That kept me invested in finding out if they survived. I also got so many feels. I expected to get creeped out. That was a given. And I did. In some instances I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Something else I got that surprised me was frustration and sadness. The frustration was caused by a certain character that got on my last nerve. The writer wrote that character really good. And then there was sadness. In lots of horror books not all of the characters survive. In fact, I love that. But when someone I was pulling for doesn’t make it, I feel sad. Wish I could change the outcome. Making me feel that is powerful stuff.
What else can I share. A famous quote from R.L. Stine, “Beware. You’re In For A Scare.” That sums it up.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
February 10, 2026
Review: They Came At Night by Westley Smith
This was my first Westley Smith novel, and I went in without reading a single review or knowing what to expect. I’m so glad I did. I was pulled in almost immediately and ended up turning the pages far too late into the night.
It’s a fast-paced and gripping thriller, but what really stood out to me was the way the main character’s inner voice is woven into the story, almost like a separate character sneaking into the story, adding depth. It felt genuine and psychologically sharp, at times, I even recognised myself in the way she pushed herself forward, and it felt so unexpectedly comfortable and personal.
The story is undeniably violent, but the suspense is built masterfully throughout the story. It’s dark, unsettling, and at times brutal. Yet, beneath it all runs a thoughtful exploration of trauma, how it shapes a person and strains their relationships, while still leaving space for hope and eventual recovery.
This book surprised me in the best way. It’s not just a terrifying thriller. It also leaves you with a sense of female strength, survival, endurance, and change. I’m very happy to now add Westley Smith to my list of favourite authors.
Well, on to his next book now, and I think you should too 🥰
This was my first Westley Smith novel, and I went in without reading a single review or knowing what to expect. I’m so glad I did. I was pulled in almost immediately and ended up turning the pages far too late into the night.
It’s a fast-paced and gripping thriller, but what really stood out to me was the way the main character’s inner voice is woven into the story, almost like a separate character sneaking into the story, adding depth. It felt genuine and psychologically sharp, at times, I even recognised myself in the way she pushed herself forward, and it felt so unexpectedly comfortable and personal.
The story is undeniably violent, but the suspense is built masterfully throughout the story. It’s dark, unsettling, and at times brutal. Yet, beneath it all runs a thoughtful exploration of trauma, how it shapes a person and strains their relationships, while still leaving space for hope and eventual recovery.
This book surprised me in the best way. It’s not just a terrifying thriller. It also leaves you with a sense of female strength, survival, endurance, and change. I’m very happy to now add Westley Smith to my list of favourite authors.
Well, on to his next book now, and I think you should too 🥰
July 26, 2025
An absolute stunner of a thriller!
They Came at Night is an absolute stunner of a thriller by author Westley Smith, and I was absolutely enthralled from start to finish. From the horrific opening scene to the uneasy relationships among the characters and the unsettlingly atmospheric setting of an almost abandoned rural town, I developed a case of the heebie-jeebies that I couldn’t shake until the story’s climactic resolution.
Sandra Leigh had been a promising concert pianist until she’d suffered a career-ending injury during an attack on a deserted rural highway one night. She’d escaped with her life, but the emotional trauma eventually sent her away from her family to a secluded rehab program for those suffering from PTSD run by a retired former Navy SEAL in the West Virginia hills. Five years later, she agrees to accompany her sister and her family on a restful weekend trip to a lovely vacation rental home outside the quiet little town of Little Hope, Pennsylvania.The reunion with her sister and her family is awkward at first, and it becomes even more so when Sandra’s critical and manipulative mother shows up unannounced. Then, too, rather than being a quaint tourist town, Little Hope is eerily empty, with many properties bearing either “SOLD” or “CLOSED” signs. Sandra feels like someone is watching their every move, even when they arrive at the beautiful rental home, and because of her past, the rest of the family scoffs at her growing sense that something is off. But then, little things start happening …
Sandra, the main character, is a tragic figure, but one who refuses to remain a victim any longer. Even when her family refuses to take her feelings seriously, getting angry with her for voicing her concerns, she stands firm and continues to trust her gut. At first, her family seems to tiptoe around what happened to her five years earlier, but as her niece Emalyn begins to warm back up to her, her sister and mother seem to release pent-up anger and frustration toward her. I was relieved when Sandra’s relationships with the women in her life finally started to heal as the story progressed, even if this did happen under the worst of circumstances.The author creates one heck of a creepy atmosphere from the very beginning. The descriptions of the various settings are vivid and literally gave me goosebumps. The suspenseful plot is full of twists and unseen, yet palpable menace that begins with a shocking attack. There are exciting, Rambo-esque action sequences later on that match or surpass the opening in intensity and its highly visceral impact, so readers sensitive to this kind of thing should be forewarned. In between, the suspense was constantly building, and I couldn’t put the book down because of the feeling that something more was just about to happen. I was riveted to my seat and read the book in one gloriously tension-filled sitting.
I recommend THEY CAME AT NIGHT to readers of action or psychological thrillers.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.
October 28, 2025
Haven't read a thriller for some time, but this one was amazing. The story kept me enthralled and made it that I didn't want to put it down. I never suspected where this was headed and greatly enjoyed every minute of it. Checking out In the Pale Light next. Great story Wesley!
June 13, 2025
Couldn’t put it down with every anxiety filled page I had to know what was going to happen next. Taken meets Hostel. Terrifying. Would make a great movie!
July 30, 2025
MY THOUGHTS -
Eerie, creepy, kind of spooky, intense, action filled, sad, violent, heartfelt, and an unlikely heroine. This one has all the feels! This book is certainly not for the faint of heart! I think I read the whole second half of the book with my hand covering my mouth. I love books that give me the creeps and can put me way out onto the edge of that seat! This book certainly did that and more. The story had me questioning all kinds of things throughout the book and then rooting for the good guys at the end.
I could’ve easily read this book in one setting! But I’m glad that my schedule was so busy that I didn’t. I think I enjoyed it more having to wait to find out what was going to happen. Although I did read the last half in almost one sitting. I do tend to read books too quickly sometimes.
Character development is amazing! The "bad guys" really creeped me out they were done so well. I was questioning everybody. My two favorite characters were Sandra, the main character. Loved her, was rooting for her. What a superhero! But also I really loved young 14 yr. old Emalyn. I just loved her and really felt for her. She stole my heart.
Beware this book is pretty graphic at times. About half way I had to stop reading for a minute to get a grip! I love books that can do that to me. 🤦🏼♀️ Oh my word, the visuals! But... if you are into that kind of thing, oh and I am LOL This book is the best!
Another reviewer said “not everyone lives… But not everyone dies.” That pretty much sums it up. I don't want to give too much away so let's just say you really need to read this book, it might end up being one of our favorites.
My favorite book of the year is going to be a very hard decision this year. But this book is definitely a contender. I know there is probably not a chance for a sequel, but I kind of need a sequel. Fantastic read. I think I might have to go back and read his other two books.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours. Thank You!
Eerie, creepy, kind of spooky, intense, action filled, sad, violent, heartfelt, and an unlikely heroine. This one has all the feels! This book is certainly not for the faint of heart! I think I read the whole second half of the book with my hand covering my mouth. I love books that give me the creeps and can put me way out onto the edge of that seat! This book certainly did that and more. The story had me questioning all kinds of things throughout the book and then rooting for the good guys at the end.
I could’ve easily read this book in one setting! But I’m glad that my schedule was so busy that I didn’t. I think I enjoyed it more having to wait to find out what was going to happen. Although I did read the last half in almost one sitting. I do tend to read books too quickly sometimes.
Character development is amazing! The "bad guys" really creeped me out they were done so well. I was questioning everybody. My two favorite characters were Sandra, the main character. Loved her, was rooting for her. What a superhero! But also I really loved young 14 yr. old Emalyn. I just loved her and really felt for her. She stole my heart.
Beware this book is pretty graphic at times. About half way I had to stop reading for a minute to get a grip! I love books that can do that to me. 🤦🏼♀️ Oh my word, the visuals! But... if you are into that kind of thing, oh and I am LOL This book is the best!
Another reviewer said “not everyone lives… But not everyone dies.” That pretty much sums it up. I don't want to give too much away so let's just say you really need to read this book, it might end up being one of our favorites.
My favorite book of the year is going to be a very hard decision this year. But this book is definitely a contender. I know there is probably not a chance for a sequel, but I kind of need a sequel. Fantastic read. I think I might have to go back and read his other two books.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours. Thank You!
January 26, 2026
I actually read this entire book in one sitting- I could not put it down! From the first chapter, I was hooked! The character development was well thought out as I found the main character relatable and found myself getting annoyed with her sister and mother. The complex family dynamic through past tenuous circumstance was well balanced with the current suspense of the ongoing scenes! At certain times I felt like I could picture the imagery of a scene and could see movie potential for this great thriller!
January 24, 2026
Wow. Wow wow wow. I absolutely loved this book; I can’t rave about it enough. This was one of those books that the minute you’re done with it, you want to flip right back to page one to start it over again. This book was terrifying, downright diabolical, and kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time. Palpable imagery, great lines that stay with you (“This night belongs to us.”), and a bad ass woman main character all lend itself to a fantastic read. It was reminiscent of some of Stephen King’s darker works. Don’t miss this one.
July 31, 2025
From someone who reads dean koontz and Stephen king, this book is filled with thrills, action and suspense. After leaving a Compound-trauma recovery, tactical skills camp, the main character finds herself in an eerie little town with her family. She is trying to rebuild relationships after leaving abruptly after her traumatic experience. Page turner and didn’t want to put it down. The action and suspense of what was to happen next kept me engaged.
Only thing I say was a misspell on page 176-the spelling of the son’s name. DEVIN is spelled DEVEN. wasn’t a hang up, just something I noticed.
Only thing I say was a misspell on page 176-the spelling of the son’s name. DEVIN is spelled DEVEN. wasn’t a hang up, just something I noticed.
July 25, 2025
They Come At Night by Westley Smith is a thriller and horror book all rolled into one. They Come At Night introduces the readers to Sandra, our FMC, who is broken but healing after a traumatic experience with a man who kidnapped and mutilated her in the past. Sandra is headed to a very small mountain town that has about 50 people that live there. And not all of them are friendly. Sandra and her family head to a house completely in the woods away from town with weirdly no windows at all. That would be a red flag for me as it is for Sandra our FMC. And then she starts to notice uncomfortable and strange things about the town, the people in the town, the house, and more. And then things really go horribly wrong!
I cannot really say there is a 'happy ending' in this book, however it is an understandable one, when you read the book. I really liked how the author wrote a super fast thriller with so many great characters, one of my favorite one's was Sandra's mother. She was a very complex character. Sandra herself is a very strong female in this book, which normally I hate but in this book it worked really well as she needs to be strong in this book. I would recommend this book to fans of thrillers, mystery books, and even slight horror reads(if you read the book you will understand this). And I would absolutely read more by this author in the future!
I cannot really say there is a 'happy ending' in this book, however it is an understandable one, when you read the book. I really liked how the author wrote a super fast thriller with so many great characters, one of my favorite one's was Sandra's mother. She was a very complex character. Sandra herself is a very strong female in this book, which normally I hate but in this book it worked really well as she needs to be strong in this book. I would recommend this book to fans of thrillers, mystery books, and even slight horror reads(if you read the book you will understand this). And I would absolutely read more by this author in the future!
July 23, 2025
This is one intense thriller. It has a slow build with a continuous underlying threat of danger. Smith does a great job emphasizing the emotional terror of the heroine, Sandra. About half way through the novel, the threat materializes and it is a scary read. I found I could not read this novel in the evening, the terror being so well presented.
I though Sandra a very capable heroine, showing strength and abilities almost beyond belief. There was a predictable plot enhancement with a storm at just a crucial time. Nonetheless, this novel is a page turner. I was totally engaged in the action. Be prepared as this is not a cozy mystery. The body count is high and there are plenty of violent scenes. It is a good psychological and then action packed thriller.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
I though Sandra a very capable heroine, showing strength and abilities almost beyond belief. There was a predictable plot enhancement with a storm at just a crucial time. Nonetheless, this novel is a page turner. I was totally engaged in the action. Be prepared as this is not a cozy mystery. The body count is high and there are plenty of violent scenes. It is a good psychological and then action packed thriller.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
July 12, 2025
They Came at Night is so intriguing and it makes you feel like you are right there with the characters. I have a cousin named Emelyn(she is named for her grandmother Evelyn) but a little different. She is also 15, so I felt for her Aunt in protecting her niece like she did.
Wesley’s books are easy reads and you can’t stop reading once you start. This one along with his other books are very enjoyable. I recommend reading this one and his other books.
December 26, 2025
This was a very good book. The main character is Sandra, a survivor of a horrible incident that changed the way she lives her life. After her trauma she joins a survivalist camp that teaches her skills to help her overcome her trauma and allows her to be able to put one foot in front of the other. She joins her family for a weekend getaway in an attempt to reconnect with her niece and sister when things take a turn for the worst, and everything that she has learned at this camp is put to use.
The amount of detail that was used for the world building, explanation of characters personality, appearance, relationships, and difficulties was great. I hated Joyce.... the way the author wrote her character made me hate that woman... until the end.
The ending was not something that I was expecting... I was thinking this was going to be something completely different then how it ended. I would love to read any sequel that would depict the results of releasing the info that Sandra was able to obtain to find out what (if anything) happens to those that were the organizers behind the auction.
Sandra is a bad ass no other way to say that. The way that she is able to focus on her task is something to be admired given her predicament and is something that I don't think I could fathom doing.
The amount of detail that was used for the world building, explanation of characters personality, appearance, relationships, and difficulties was great. I hated Joyce.... the way the author wrote her character made me hate that woman... until the end.
The ending was not something that I was expecting... I was thinking this was going to be something completely different then how it ended. I would love to read any sequel that would depict the results of releasing the info that Sandra was able to obtain to find out what (if anything) happens to those that were the organizers behind the auction.
Sandra is a bad ass no other way to say that. The way that she is able to focus on her task is something to be admired given her predicament and is something that I don't think I could fathom doing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 26, 2025
Loved this book!
This is my first book by Westley Smith, and I really enjoyed it! It was a great mix of horror and suspense thriller. The first half was a lot of back story and set up for what was to come. It was stressful and intriguing and kept me interested.
The second half was non-stop action. I couldn't put it down. So much was going on.
If you need a fast-paced thriller with a bada$$ female main character, this is the book for you.
I'm hoping for a sequel with Emalyn as the FMC, but the ending was great, so I will be ok if that doesn't happen.
I'm definitely going to check out more by Westley! Highly recommend!
This is my first book by Westley Smith, and I really enjoyed it! It was a great mix of horror and suspense thriller. The first half was a lot of back story and set up for what was to come. It was stressful and intriguing and kept me interested.
The second half was non-stop action. I couldn't put it down. So much was going on.
If you need a fast-paced thriller with a bada$$ female main character, this is the book for you.
I'm hoping for a sequel with Emalyn as the FMC, but the ending was great, so I will be ok if that doesn't happen.
I'm definitely going to check out more by Westley! Highly recommend!
August 31, 2025
An action- packed thriller
They Came at Night is an action packed thriller that will keep you anxiously flipping the pages. The first half of the book centers around the main character Sandra, her PTSD, and the mystery of the the odd, mostly deserted small town where she and her family are vacationing. Once the book hits the halfway point, there is non-stop action. It is rare to find a book with a female protagonist who is such a bad-a**. Think of Jack Reacher in female form. Recommended!
They Came at Night is an action packed thriller that will keep you anxiously flipping the pages. The first half of the book centers around the main character Sandra, her PTSD, and the mystery of the the odd, mostly deserted small town where she and her family are vacationing. Once the book hits the halfway point, there is non-stop action. It is rare to find a book with a female protagonist who is such a bad-a**. Think of Jack Reacher in female form. Recommended!
August 7, 2025
I don’t even know where to start with this one. I could’ve easily devoured this in one sitting had I had the time. I imagine this would be a really good audio book, especially if it included different character voices and the ghoulish vibe that this book possesses.
Essentially, Sandra is reconnecting with her family after being absent for five years. She suffered a horrific trauma at the hands of another and needed to get herself back together, learn to deal with her trauma, and in the process of healing she also learned to defend herself so no one would ever hurt her again – physically or emotionally.
In her absence, her niece, Emalyn, did not understand why her Aunt Sonnie had disappeared. She was only a 9-year-old girl when Aunt Sonnie left their family. Now, five years later, at the age of 14, she wasn’t quite sure what to make of Sandra. Was Aunt Sonnie really under the tough exterior?
Sandra’s sister, Carrie, and Carrie’s husband, William, thought this family get-together was a good idea. And a surprise guest was Sandra and Carrie’s mother, Janis.
Janis – the mother Sandra had come to dislike, and seemingly Janis disliked Sandra. Wait until you find out why. Wait until you find out about the incident that dissolved their hard feelings toward one another.
Helga – what a character Helga turned out to be. You’ll find her and her boss, Richter, later in the book. This tale had to have a couple of bad guys, and Helga … she was a master bad guy.
I have to warn more sensitive readers that some of the scenes depicted throughout these pages are quite graphic. I am not a squeamish reader, but some of the scenes described made me cringe just a little bit. This is a talent that I have come to appreciate with this author’s writing style – the way he can describe something so terrible with just words alone – he paints a pretty grisly picture, beyond ugly in some cases. I liked the ghoulish vibe that I got while reading these pages, oddly enough.
There is definitely a bad vibe that hangs over this small town called Little Hope, which really is a masterful name for this small town. And the big corporation who came in to take over? Rest and Relax (R&R for short) … that just adds to the feeling that this small town would be peaceful, but it is anything but. If you like a very dark read and aren’t afraid to read past your bedtime with the lights off, I highly recommend you pick this one up.
Essentially, Sandra is reconnecting with her family after being absent for five years. She suffered a horrific trauma at the hands of another and needed to get herself back together, learn to deal with her trauma, and in the process of healing she also learned to defend herself so no one would ever hurt her again – physically or emotionally.
In her absence, her niece, Emalyn, did not understand why her Aunt Sonnie had disappeared. She was only a 9-year-old girl when Aunt Sonnie left their family. Now, five years later, at the age of 14, she wasn’t quite sure what to make of Sandra. Was Aunt Sonnie really under the tough exterior?
Sandra’s sister, Carrie, and Carrie’s husband, William, thought this family get-together was a good idea. And a surprise guest was Sandra and Carrie’s mother, Janis.
Janis – the mother Sandra had come to dislike, and seemingly Janis disliked Sandra. Wait until you find out why. Wait until you find out about the incident that dissolved their hard feelings toward one another.
Helga – what a character Helga turned out to be. You’ll find her and her boss, Richter, later in the book. This tale had to have a couple of bad guys, and Helga … she was a master bad guy.
I have to warn more sensitive readers that some of the scenes depicted throughout these pages are quite graphic. I am not a squeamish reader, but some of the scenes described made me cringe just a little bit. This is a talent that I have come to appreciate with this author’s writing style – the way he can describe something so terrible with just words alone – he paints a pretty grisly picture, beyond ugly in some cases. I liked the ghoulish vibe that I got while reading these pages, oddly enough.
There is definitely a bad vibe that hangs over this small town called Little Hope, which really is a masterful name for this small town. And the big corporation who came in to take over? Rest and Relax (R&R for short) … that just adds to the feeling that this small town would be peaceful, but it is anything but. If you like a very dark read and aren’t afraid to read past your bedtime with the lights off, I highly recommend you pick this one up.
August 11, 2025
They Came at Night
Westley Smith
05/19/2025
Available on KU!
Sandra Leigh has spent years clawing her way back from the worst night of her life, trading fear for fierce determination. She’s no longer a victim—she’s a survivor with sharpened instincts and the kind of grit that doesn’t crack under pressure. When she joins her family to a remote cabin, she’s expecting peace and healing, not predators. But peace shatters fast, replaced by an unsettling atmosphere that seeps under your skin and keeps your pulse high. Sandra’s transformation from wounded to warrior is the beating heart of this story, and once danger comes knocking, she’s ready to knock back harder.
The tipping point arrives with a single, chilling message: THEY CAME AT NIGHT. From that moment, there’s no turning back—for Sandra or for the reader. What follows is a breathless, fast-paced chain of events where every page is another surge of adrenaline, another gasp, another ahhhh.
Westley Smith masterfully checks all the thriller boxes—isolated setting, creeping dread, action that doesn’t let up, and a heroine you root for with every fiber of your being. This book drives home the idea that payback is a bitch and I am here for it.
This is available on KU. I have added it to my 2025 recommended reads list in my Amazon storefront – see the link in my bio. Thank you to the author and Partners in Crime Tours for my #gifted copy and for having me along on this books journey. #theycameatnight #westleysmith #fullybookedinkentucky #suspense #thriller #crimefiction
Westley Smith
05/19/2025
Available on KU!
Sandra Leigh has spent years clawing her way back from the worst night of her life, trading fear for fierce determination. She’s no longer a victim—she’s a survivor with sharpened instincts and the kind of grit that doesn’t crack under pressure. When she joins her family to a remote cabin, she’s expecting peace and healing, not predators. But peace shatters fast, replaced by an unsettling atmosphere that seeps under your skin and keeps your pulse high. Sandra’s transformation from wounded to warrior is the beating heart of this story, and once danger comes knocking, she’s ready to knock back harder.
The tipping point arrives with a single, chilling message: THEY CAME AT NIGHT. From that moment, there’s no turning back—for Sandra or for the reader. What follows is a breathless, fast-paced chain of events where every page is another surge of adrenaline, another gasp, another ahhhh.
Westley Smith masterfully checks all the thriller boxes—isolated setting, creeping dread, action that doesn’t let up, and a heroine you root for with every fiber of your being. This book drives home the idea that payback is a bitch and I am here for it.
This is available on KU. I have added it to my 2025 recommended reads list in my Amazon storefront – see the link in my bio. Thank you to the author and Partners in Crime Tours for my #gifted copy and for having me along on this books journey. #theycameatnight #westleysmith #fullybookedinkentucky #suspense #thriller #crimefiction
August 15, 2025
A thriller that really ramps up the pace & keeps those pages turning. Plus you get an all-action strong female MC leading the rescue. I have a weakness for isolated settings and small-town issues and I think that was the only (slight) flaw I found in the book - I wanted more of that, but then it launched into the high octane second half with Sandra Leigh leading the way and I was off again, carried along by the woman's energy and determination.
I loved that he created this character, a traumatised woman who had reclaimed her life and learned the skills that make her a survivor and not a victim, someone who will never allow herself to be the latter again. It is unusual to find a woman in this role, she completely gives the lie to that label of the 'weaker sex'. There were parts that were hard to read, the awareness this was a 'dark web' issue involving the trafficking of children and it's actually made me wonder if this sort of scenario does happen in real life. It would be beyond awful if it did.
I have one warning when you read this, there will come a point when the action has ramped up so fast you find yourself almost skimming the pages to see what will happen. I had to stop myself then and force my focus back to the page, to each word.
This is the second Westley Smith book I've read. It won't be the last.
I loved that he created this character, a traumatised woman who had reclaimed her life and learned the skills that make her a survivor and not a victim, someone who will never allow herself to be the latter again. It is unusual to find a woman in this role, she completely gives the lie to that label of the 'weaker sex'. There were parts that were hard to read, the awareness this was a 'dark web' issue involving the trafficking of children and it's actually made me wonder if this sort of scenario does happen in real life. It would be beyond awful if it did.
I have one warning when you read this, there will come a point when the action has ramped up so fast you find yourself almost skimming the pages to see what will happen. I had to stop myself then and force my focus back to the page, to each word.
This is the second Westley Smith book I've read. It won't be the last.
August 12, 2025
Book: They Came at Night
Author: Westley Smith
Genre: Psychological Thriller
#bookloungereviewteam
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
Oh my god! I absolutely loved They came at night. I couldn't put it down at all. I was hook from the first page. I don't normally read psychological thriller, but man am i hooked. The story is about Sandra Leigh, a former promising concert pianist who is still recovering from a traumatic assault that ended her career and led her to attend a secluded PTSD rehab run by a former Navy seal. Five years after retreating from the world to heal, Sandra Leigh steps cautiously back into the fray, joining her sister’s family for a weekend in the unnervingly desolate town of Little Hope. What begins as an attempt to reconnect quickly spirals into unease, especially when her domineering mother arrives uninvited, reigniting old tensions. The town’s eerie stillness gnaws at Sandra’s instincts, and though her warnings are brushed aside, she refuses to silence her intuition. As strange occurrences mount, Sandra holds firm—rebuilding fragile bonds with her niece and sister while confronting the creeping dread that threatens to consume them all. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
Author: Westley Smith
Genre: Psychological Thriller
#bookloungereviewteam
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
Oh my god! I absolutely loved They came at night. I couldn't put it down at all. I was hook from the first page. I don't normally read psychological thriller, but man am i hooked. The story is about Sandra Leigh, a former promising concert pianist who is still recovering from a traumatic assault that ended her career and led her to attend a secluded PTSD rehab run by a former Navy seal. Five years after retreating from the world to heal, Sandra Leigh steps cautiously back into the fray, joining her sister’s family for a weekend in the unnervingly desolate town of Little Hope. What begins as an attempt to reconnect quickly spirals into unease, especially when her domineering mother arrives uninvited, reigniting old tensions. The town’s eerie stillness gnaws at Sandra’s instincts, and though her warnings are brushed aside, she refuses to silence her intuition. As strange occurrences mount, Sandra holds firm—rebuilding fragile bonds with her niece and sister while confronting the creeping dread that threatens to consume them all. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
August 7, 2025
They Came At Night by Westley Smith is a perfect psychological dark suspense thriller. The story has this sense of doom that grows with every page. As the reader, I am on edge for what will happen next. It is dark, intriguing, and enough spook that it's like a Goosebump and Stephen King read. I recommend this novel for adults or 18 and above due to some content being a little dark. Otherwise, it's great. I really loved that we have a main character who has already had a traumatic past who has just gone through some healing to over that only to be in a similar situation. But this time, it is with her family in a small peculiar town filled with even stranger people. The main lead is fully alert and worried. The question the hangs in the atmosphere is whether she what she learned from her past can help her overcome the present dangers. Haunting, heartbreaking, and realistic They Came At Night is definitely suited for fans of crime, thrillers and horror reads.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
August 13, 2025
Sandra Leigh suffered a traumatic experience and is an emotional wreck. She reluctantly agrees to a "family getaway". She starts to notice odd things. Things go awry. This is one of the best suspense thrillers I have read recently. Epic fight scenes are excellently crafted. Female empowerment abounds. You can feel the atmospheric tension just drip from the pages. This was one extremely intense and engaging read.
August 14, 2025
Not sure how to put into words this book. Beyond amazing! And well worth more than a five star review! This book is a page gripper on the edge of your seat type of read! The way it grips you, the way it makes you want more and the way it's put together is wild! In some reads you can figure out what's coming next or who is the "bad" person, but not this one! This author did a well done job in creating this piece!
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