The Dark Time

Peter Ash #9

by Nick Petrie

At the suggestion of his girlfriend, June, Peter Ash rides to the aid of an investigative reporter who may have stumbled on a story more explosive than even he can handle in this propulsive new thriller from the bestselling and award-winning series.

Katelyn Thorsen, known as KT to her friends, is an independent journalist tracking down the story of her career--a group of white nationalists who have infiltrated the local political culture of the Pacific Northwest. But these are not people to be trifled with and the story of her career may quickly turn out to be the last story of her life.

Fortunately, Peter Ash has arrived in town to look out for KT at the request of his girlfriend, June Cassidy. From the moment of his arrival, he's thrown into a maelstrom of violence trying to protect KT and her daughter. Peter's a man who's always risen to every challenge, but this one may be too much for even him.

Genres: Thriller, Suspense, Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Action

400 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 10, 2026

About the author

Nick Petrie received his MFA in fiction from the University of Washington, won a Hopwood Award for short fiction while an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, and his story “At the Laundromat” won the 2006 Short Story Contest in The Seattle Review, a national literary journal. A husband and father, he has worked as a carpenter, remodeling contractor, and building inspector. He lives in Milwaukee.

For more on Nick Petrie, see his website NickPetrie.com, or find him on Facebook or Twitter.

Reviews

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to have the opportunity to read the latest Peter Ash ARC. I have been a long time fan of the series and have enjoyed watching Peter as he navigates his way through his many challenges. The Peter of today is not the Peter that we first met, and seeing the strength of his relationships - with both June and with Lewis and Manny - show just how much he has grown.

This book has Peter finding himself in the middle of a series of complex situations when he offers to look after one of June's reporter friends. The friend, Katelyn Thorsen, received a threat and wasn't sure if she should be worried or not. Before you know it, Peter (and then shortly after, June, Lewis and Manny) find themselves trying to figure out what is going on after the threat turns out to be VERY real.

For whatever reason, this is the first Peter Ash book that I had a hard time settling in to. I normally run right through the books, becoming invested in the case and holding my breath during all of the action scenes. Now don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed this book. I just didn't.....well, I didn't find myself as invested as normal. There seemed to be issues in the pacing, a lull in the middle of the book that had me finding reasons to put the book down. I felt like I kept waiting. For what...I wasn't sure.

This can definitely be read as a stand alone, but the series really is wonderful, and things will make much better sense if you understand the dynamics underneath the relationships that Peter has with the other characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book will be out for publication on March 10, 2026.

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of The Dark Time by Nick Petrie.

I have read a lot of Nick Petrie’s books and this series just keeps getting better. Slipping back into Peter Ash’s world felt completely effortless and immensely satisfying. Peter remains a compelling lead, driven by a strong moral compass, while the familiar cast of side characters add warmth, humour and real depth. They now feel like an established team rather than supporting players, which gives the story real emotional weight.

The plot is tightly paced and tense, balancing action with character development in a way Petrie does so well. There is a confidence to the storytelling that comes from a series hitting its stride, and I was fully invested from start to finish.

A gripping, assured thriller that rewards long term readers while still feeling fresh and urgent. One of the strongest entries yet and an easy five star read.

[Steven Netter · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books

Propulsive, intense and anxiety-inducing, The Dark Time is a cautionary tale that will give you heart palpitations as violence explodes on seemingly every page. Kudos to Nick Petrie for delivering a novel that is equally entertaining and contemplative, exploring how technology’s impact on society can have a range of consequences.

You know that when you open a Peter Ash novel, it’ll be exciting, explosive and violent. The Dark Time is no different, delivering on all fronts with a story that puts you on edge from the beginning and doesn’t let you breathe for a moment. It also explores how the world is changing and how different sets of people view innovation differently. Some embrace it, others are resentful of what it means for them personally. Making this a timely book as AI explodes across the globe, leading to amazing capabilities while also threatening the livelihood of regular people.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent Petrie story.
KT is a journalist who receives a death threat that she shares with her best friend June, who in turn, sends her partner, Peter Ash, to help and protect KT
In her independent journalism work, she has apparently stumbled into a story that someone does not want to see ever reach publication.
When her teen aged daughter is caught up in the terror, the story really rackets up with suspense and thrilks.
Really good character definitions in a great story.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have loved all of the previous Nick Petrie novels that have Peter Ash as the protagonist. I have looked forward to the release of each new book with excitement. THE DARK TIME, for me, was an often frustrating book to read. The tempo seemed a bit off, the timing of action scenes seemed less frequent than previous books. And, frankly, it is very difficult to pull off a story about a Doomsday cult/plan when the news picks them up with some regularity. These books work, for me, when a vaguely plausible threat ignites Peter Ash, and his responses show ingenuity and power. I never wondered where this plot was heading because I knew the final destination. This is easily read as a stand alone novel, although the previous books are fantastic and worth finding. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Timothy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A special thank to NetGalley for the advance reader copy of The Dark Time by Nick Petrie. This is an unpaid review. Nick Petrie seems to get stronger with each book that he writes and The Dark Time is another stellar entry in the ongoing Peter Ash saga.
All of the gang is back with a new addition to Peter's former military life in the guise of Manny. In TDT, Peter is asked by June to watch over her former investigative reporter mentor who has received a threatening letter. Peter does his best but those after her are very bad men with an agenda.
Through a series of tragedies and a kidnapping of the mentor's daughter. Peter, June and Lewis discover a well funded group of doomsdayers who want to bring about the end of civilization as we know it.
There are twists and turns and plenty of action. A great entry to the series. Highly recommended!!

[Herzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping, high octane thriller! This story pulls you in from the first page with nonstop tension, compelling characters, and a plot packed with danger and intrigue. Peter Ash’s determination to protect KT and her daughter adds powerful emotional depth, while the escalating threats keep you hooked until the very end. A fast, sharp, and satisfying read for every thriller lover.