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Jack Nightingale #6
San Francisco Night
Jack Nightingale fights his battles in the shadows – in the grey areas where the real world meets the supernatural. But when he arrives in San Francisco to take on a group of Satanists bent on opening a doorway to Hell, the danger is out in the open and all too real. The Apostles – a Satanic coven using murder and torture to pave the way for a demon to enter the real world – realise that Nightingale is on their tail. And unleash their own brand of monsters to take him down. With Nightingale’s life – and his very soul – on the line, he has only days to stop The Apostles from bringing death and destruction to the entire world. Jack Nightingale appears in the full-length novels Nightfall, Midnight, Nightmare, Nightshade and Lastnight. He has his own website at www.jacknightingale.com He also appears in several short stories including Cursed, Still Bleeding, The Tracks and My Name Is Lydia.
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2014
63 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Leather
245 books1,528 followersStephen Leather was a journalist for more than ten years on newspapers such as The Times, the Daily Mail and the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. His bestsellers have been translated into more than ten languages. He has also written for television shows such as London's Burning, The Knock and the BBC's Murder in Mind series. For much of 2011 his self-published eBooks - including The Bestseller, The Basement, Once Bitten and Dreamer's Cat - dominated the UK eBook bestseller lists and sold more than half a million copies. The Basement topped the Kindle charts in the UK and the US, and in total he has sold more than two million eBooks. His bestselling book The Chinaman was filmed as The Foreigner, starring Jackie Chan and Pierce Brosnan and grossing more than $100 million.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
May 22, 2024
I’m feeling a bit sad that the London era is over…and again with the ridiculous scenarios where the police immediately take Jack’s word on Satanism , where journalists give out confidential information and addresses…however I do enjoy the paranormal side of these books: they unnerve me without scaring me!
November 19, 2016
I continue to enjoy Jack Nightingale, and his adventures. But I do think Mrs. what's her name back in London should get paid more attention by Jack. And Worthington(?) is going to be bad news before too long. But there is a level of trepidation that just gets me every time.
January 29, 2021
This is a formulaic supernatural crime novel, book 6 in a series made up of maybe 8 novels and numerous short stories. This is an easy read, good for any situation where you have time to kill, such as at an airport or on a leisurely beach vacation. This is the first book in the series for me.
Jack Nightingale is an investigator for a satanist who has sent Jack at short notice to investigate some missing persons in SF. Jack builds on the little info he has by finding other knowledgeable people and using his arcane divination skills. He discovers he is chasing a coven called the Apostles who are planning a big, but unknown supernatural event that requires human sacrifices to fuel it. Many of the people who help him with information end up dead. He links up with a missing person detective named Amy Chen who has trouble believing his theories of the crime because they stem from the supernatural. When she is faced with an elemental, it causes her to side with Jack.
The plot is a little thin, the characters are two dimensional, the dialog is repetitive, the descriptions of the city don't pay SF justice. The plot also has holes, such as no inside trunk release and that Jack disappears at the end, with the expectation that Chen will get the full credit, even though there are numerous witnesses who saw Jack in on the conclusion. I'm not sure how well the book adheres to the common understanding of the supernatural. For example, a character called Proserpine is billed as a demon, but is better known to most of us as a Greek/Roman goddess wife of Hades/Pluto.
Even though I've bashed the book, I can see its appeal and would read more of these myself. Especially if I can find a short story collection.
Jack Nightingale is an investigator for a satanist who has sent Jack at short notice to investigate some missing persons in SF. Jack builds on the little info he has by finding other knowledgeable people and using his arcane divination skills. He discovers he is chasing a coven called the Apostles who are planning a big, but unknown supernatural event that requires human sacrifices to fuel it. Many of the people who help him with information end up dead. He links up with a missing person detective named Amy Chen who has trouble believing his theories of the crime because they stem from the supernatural. When she is faced with an elemental, it causes her to side with Jack.
The plot is a little thin, the characters are two dimensional, the dialog is repetitive, the descriptions of the city don't pay SF justice. The plot also has holes, such as no inside trunk release and that Jack disappears at the end, with the expectation that Chen will get the full credit, even though there are numerous witnesses who saw Jack in on the conclusion. I'm not sure how well the book adheres to the common understanding of the supernatural. For example, a character called Proserpine is billed as a demon, but is better known to most of us as a Greek/Roman goddess wife of Hades/Pluto.
Even though I've bashed the book, I can see its appeal and would read more of these myself. Especially if I can find a short story collection.
December 22, 2018
I devoured the previous books and looked forward to reading the next installment - Nightingale and his adventures in America. But alas, there was just something about this book that seemed to be lacking when compared to the previous ones...perhaps I just miss the English settings...
November 10, 2023
San Francisco Night (Jack Nightingale, #6) By Stephen Leather
The return of Mr Nightingale and for me the weakest of all the books so far, after the events of the first five books this can be read as a standalone after Jack reset everything at the end of the last book.
I wasn't fond of the Location I missed dirty old London and Jacks continuous smoking and crap old MG car and Jenny who now is a distant memory.
The writing is good and the action set pieces are on point, I had a lot of fun it just lacked that that little something the other books had.
Still a good read well worth your time and hard-earned cash.
The return of Mr Nightingale and for me the weakest of all the books so far, after the events of the first five books this can be read as a standalone after Jack reset everything at the end of the last book.
I wasn't fond of the Location I missed dirty old London and Jacks continuous smoking and crap old MG car and Jenny who now is a distant memory.
The writing is good and the action set pieces are on point, I had a lot of fun it just lacked that that little something the other books had.
Still a good read well worth your time and hard-earned cash.
November 10, 2024
This is the saga of Jack Nightingale and I have only read a few of them this time Jack is in America, San Francisco here he takes on a satanic coven, what Jack need to find out how far in league with the devil are they.
Like all satanic groups they are looking for a chaste maiden so as to unleash the full power of Satan, so Jack has to find out if this coven is just a bit of fun or more than that.
Although I love the Jack Nightingale saga's not sure of the America side if it. It was quite a long listen, was a lot to get in. The narration was superb
Like all satanic groups they are looking for a chaste maiden so as to unleash the full power of Satan, so Jack has to find out if this coven is just a bit of fun or more than that.
Although I love the Jack Nightingale saga's not sure of the America side if it. It was quite a long listen, was a lot to get in. The narration was superb
September 7, 2025
Well it may be a spoiler but I don't think so but Jack keeps fighting the supernatural for good backed by satanists and is still being tracked by Proserpine. This book continues from the London series and works hard to build itself into San Francisco but uses little more than Haight Street. I thought a tram car or the sealions at Fisherman's Wharf may have been added to give more local flavour. It works as far as it goes, the elemental attacks are well done but the end seems like Mr Leather got bored and quickly tied it up. I hope the next book works up to a better climax.
May 13, 2017
Constantine by any other name...
I've had the pleasure of reading most of the jack Nightingale series, and enjoyed them all, though so easy of the content was uncomfortable at times, I'm struck by how he seems like a version off DC comics John Constantine,, if he'd never dabbled in occult as a younger man and had had a decent upbringing, but even so jacks no Constantine-lite, he's a fully rounded character in his own right.. worth the read...
I've had the pleasure of reading most of the jack Nightingale series, and enjoyed them all, though so easy of the content was uncomfortable at times, I'm struck by how he seems like a version off DC comics John Constantine,, if he'd never dabbled in occult as a younger man and had had a decent upbringing, but even so jacks no Constantine-lite, he's a fully rounded character in his own right.. worth the read...
November 18, 2018
Jack Stops World Chaos
Detective Nightingale now works for Joshua. He gets set down in San Francisco to investigate a coven known as the Apostles. He teams up with an officer after surviving the attack of an elemental. The usual body count increases as Jack finds others to help his investigations and they are targeted. He saves the day, but allows the police officer to take all the credit. Good character development and action. A page Turner. It is a good read.
Detective Nightingale now works for Joshua. He gets set down in San Francisco to investigate a coven known as the Apostles. He teams up with an officer after surviving the attack of an elemental. The usual body count increases as Jack finds others to help his investigations and they are targeted. He saves the day, but allows the police officer to take all the credit. Good character development and action. A page Turner. It is a good read.
March 14, 2020
Sadly the nightingale stories in America have been ruined by the "strong" "plucky" in your face female sidekicks... Love the nightingale books and jenny was spot on, strong, independent but not obnoxious like the American counterparts... Bring Jack back to blighty
May 14, 2017
Excellent book once more.
I really like Jack Nightingale and all the authentic sounding details of his rituals etc.
A good read in a very different genre.
Always page turning and gripping .
I really like Jack Nightingale and all the authentic sounding details of his rituals etc.
A good read in a very different genre.
Always page turning and gripping .
November 3, 2017
excellent
November 22, 2017
Another great rollicking supernatural story from Stephen Leather. Worth a good read.
January 4, 2018
Excellent read
Loved this whole series had me gripped unusual stuff definitely going to read more of his books he is my new favourite author
Loved this whole series had me gripped unusual stuff definitely going to read more of his books he is my new favourite author
January 24, 2019
Really enjoyable read
My first Jack Nightingale book set in the USA and I really enjoyed it, it seemed to be a lot faster paced than the UK based novels, well worth a read
My first Jack Nightingale book set in the USA and I really enjoyed it, it seemed to be a lot faster paced than the UK based novels, well worth a read
April 23, 2019
This was good,but not great. I not get a drawn in as I have done with the previous books. Hopefully the next one will old my attention better.
February 27, 2020
Very good read but disturbing
I have read Stephen leather many occasions and will continue to read any of his books in the future. David
I have read Stephen leather many occasions and will continue to read any of his books in the future. David
March 12, 2021
Crackerjack
Great story, love Jacks character. Twists and turns. Could not put it down. I read it before in record time.
Great story, love Jacks character. Twists and turns. Could not put it down. I read it before in record time.
August 29, 2024
Great series
January 28, 2025
Good creepy story. The ending seemed to be over quite quick. I like the fact that these books are so different to Spider series. Great twists in this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
March 22, 2017magnificent
October 27, 2017
Maybe I read the previous book too fast (the series is quite good) but this book is a rough and bumpy continuation of Nightingale's story. At first, I thought I had missed a book but after some research it was clear I hadn't. Soldiering on, I finally fell into step with the story arc and the rest of the book was nasty - in a good way. :-)
Unlike the previous books, this is Jack's first time in the US so that was interesting but I do miss the rich London/English detail of his earlier adventures.
Unlike the previous books, this is Jack's first time in the US so that was interesting but I do miss the rich London/English detail of his earlier adventures.
January 21, 2015
I am a huge Jack Nightingale fan and was very glad that Jack was back and in the States. I felt that this book was in some ways darker (more gruesome) than the others, but still kept the fast paced action going and I didn't want to put it down. As I've commented on his other books, I really do enjoy how he brings the occult into a normal police-type mystery but not in an over the top way. Jack still remains totally down to earth and a normal guy.
Another thing I liked about the book was that throughout it left many unanswered questions including riddles by Proserpine. What does she have up her sleeve? I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment!
My only complaint would be that it seems that Stephen didn't have an American read through his book before publishing it. The dialogue of the Americans in the book was just often wrong (i.e., nobody uses the word "trousers", maybe if you're 90 years old, but not a 21 year old pop star, etc.). Part of what I love about reading British authors is the English dialogue and terminology, but getting that dialogue not just from Jack, but from the American characters was a little smack in the face which distracted me. It wouldn't have taken much to have an American read through and clean up the American dialogue to make the book seem more authentic (heck, I'd volunteer for next time).
All complaints aside, I will be anxiously awaiting Jack's next adventure and plan to read the short stories he's published about Jack in the mean time.
Keep up the good work Mr. Leather and get your trousers in action writing more :)
Another thing I liked about the book was that throughout it left many unanswered questions including riddles by Proserpine. What does she have up her sleeve? I'm definitely looking forward to the next installment!
My only complaint would be that it seems that Stephen didn't have an American read through his book before publishing it. The dialogue of the Americans in the book was just often wrong (i.e., nobody uses the word "trousers", maybe if you're 90 years old, but not a 21 year old pop star, etc.). Part of what I love about reading British authors is the English dialogue and terminology, but getting that dialogue not just from Jack, but from the American characters was a little smack in the face which distracted me. It wouldn't have taken much to have an American read through and clean up the American dialogue to make the book seem more authentic (heck, I'd volunteer for next time).
All complaints aside, I will be anxiously awaiting Jack's next adventure and plan to read the short stories he's published about Jack in the mean time.
Keep up the good work Mr. Leather and get your trousers in action writing more :)
August 15, 2015
I like the Jack Nightingale series, they are a diversion from reality with a rich dark side but "San Francisco night" came up a little short for me. I got the opinion that this was aimed at the American audience which I guess from the title, it was. However the casual Americanism of phrases and the odd use of a non English term felt like I was having my hero ripped from my clutches and deposited on the other side of the pond. I would like Jack back in suburbia tackling our own homegrown devil worshipers where he belongs.
For a pure flight of fiction, this book takes the fiction a bit far. There were a couple of times when I stopped and double checked what I had read as I couldn't believe the plot twist and the ultimate plot twist was slightly ridiculous. However, it wasn't a bad read and it wasn't a bad plot and it wasn't badly executed, it was just too formulaic. I will await the 7th Nightingale book before deciding if my hero has had his day, I think Mr Leather was perhaps thinking this as he wrote this edition.
For a pure flight of fiction, this book takes the fiction a bit far. There were a couple of times when I stopped and double checked what I had read as I couldn't believe the plot twist and the ultimate plot twist was slightly ridiculous. However, it wasn't a bad read and it wasn't a bad plot and it wasn't badly executed, it was just too formulaic. I will await the 7th Nightingale book before deciding if my hero has had his day, I think Mr Leather was perhaps thinking this as he wrote this edition.
May 24, 2023
As we saw in the last book, Jack has had to escape to the USA.
He now works for Wainwright, the occultist he has had dealings with in previous books, so Jack trusts him.
Wainwright has been contacted by a man who has gotten in over his head with a Witchcraft Group who use human sacrifice (and pretty gory at that) to appease their devil(demon). They are building up to calling up a demon on a certain day of the year (which co-insides with the San Francisco earthquake). So far they have sacrificed 12 virgin religious people (including a nun and a monk). Their last chore is to kidnap and sacrifice 2- 10 year old children. The first part of the ritual has been achieved they have been kidnapped and branded.
Jack teams up with a SFPD detective and together they figure out what is going on and where the kids have been held captive.
He now works for Wainwright, the occultist he has had dealings with in previous books, so Jack trusts him.
Wainwright has been contacted by a man who has gotten in over his head with a Witchcraft Group who use human sacrifice (and pretty gory at that) to appease their devil(demon). They are building up to calling up a demon on a certain day of the year (which co-insides with the San Francisco earthquake). So far they have sacrificed 12 virgin religious people (including a nun and a monk). Their last chore is to kidnap and sacrifice 2- 10 year old children. The first part of the ritual has been achieved they have been kidnapped and branded.
Jack teams up with a SFPD detective and together they figure out what is going on and where the kids have been held captive.
January 5, 2015
More Nightingale!!
I was worried that this book would have trouble crossing the pond, but it was "Americanized" well! I missed some of the "old" characters (Jenny!) but pleasantly surprised by some returning favorites! I can't wait to read more!!
I will say, my only compliant is the editing. Leather is an established writer, so I assume he had this edited, in which case he should get his money back. The punctuation was often wrong (periods and question marks, oddly enough). Nothing that hindered my enjoyment of the book, but I mention it in case someone reading this has the ability to get it fixed. When I pay for established writer's books, I'm more annoyed by an unpolished product than I am with free/rented self-published, first-book types.
I was worried that this book would have trouble crossing the pond, but it was "Americanized" well! I missed some of the "old" characters (Jenny!) but pleasantly surprised by some returning favorites! I can't wait to read more!!
I will say, my only compliant is the editing. Leather is an established writer, so I assume he had this edited, in which case he should get his money back. The punctuation was often wrong (periods and question marks, oddly enough). Nothing that hindered my enjoyment of the book, but I mention it in case someone reading this has the ability to get it fixed. When I pay for established writer's books, I'm more annoyed by an unpolished product than I am with free/rented self-published, first-book types.
November 15, 2015
Disappointed that the publishers of the earlier books in the series opted not to release this novel in the UK, but Stephen Leather went ahead and released it anyway. I am glad that he did as it deserves to be read by those that gave enjoyed the Jack Nightingale stories.
Moved from the UK to the USA but fans will know why. Despite the relocation, Nightingale is his usual recalcitrant self, involving a San Francisco detective in trying to stop evil being brought to life. Hoping for more in the series.
Ray Smillie
Moved from the UK to the USA but fans will know why. Despite the relocation, Nightingale is his usual recalcitrant self, involving a San Francisco detective in trying to stop evil being brought to life. Hoping for more in the series.
Ray Smillie
January 25, 2015
Another fantastic Jack Nightingale tale from Stephen Leather! Just when I can't possibly imagine what else Jack could get himself into, he comes through with another amazing escapade. Stephen, please don't ever let any of those "publisher-types" do anything to Jack. I can't wait for the next installment! I ♥♥♥ Jack!!
January 4, 2015
For me this seemed a little different to the usual Jack Nightingale books. Mostly due to its location but once again it didn't disappoint, fast paced, exciting and an easy read. I didn't want it to end but as always leaves you on a bit of a cliffhanger. For anyone looking for a supernatural read. These series are the one.
January 23, 2015
Jack is back! I thought we had seen the last of this series after book 5, but here he is in the states. How does it fare with London, I really missed his assistance Jenny, the new one doesn't quite cut it. Other than that, enjoyed it immensely, the supernatural cult angle, astro plains and power. I am looking forward to the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews