Built From Her Bones: A Mayhem At Midnight Novel

by Zachery Clark

In the rain-soaked streets of Port Sentinel, Special Agent Damon Parker hunts a killer whose crimes echo the darkest moment of his the brutal murder of his mother. Each body left behind is a meticulously staged tableau, marked by a single lilac petal, a chilling signature that drags Damon back to the night his world shattered. As the body count rises, the killer, Anthony Vexler, a man of chilling precision and hidden scars, plays a deadly game, taunting Damon with cryptic messages and personal relics.

With his team, rookie Joe Ortega and sharp profiler Natalie Rivera, Damon chases leads through seedy bars, decaying apartments, and forgotten parks, unraveling a pattern that points to a mastermind orchestrating chaos from the shadows. But every step closer to Vexler pulls Damon deeper into his trauma, threatening to break him before he can stop the next kill. As the stakes escalate and allies fall, Damon must confront the ghosts of his past to end the game or become its final piece.

A gritty, heart-pounding noir thriller, Built from Her Bones weaves a tale of vengeance, redemption, and the cost of chasing monsters in a city that never sleeps.

269 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 16, 2025

Reviews

[Janvi Santwani · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Built From Her Bones, Zachery Clark drags you straight into the rain-drenched chaos of Port Sentinel . The plot follows Special Agent Damon Parker as he hunts a killer who mirrors the trauma of his mother’s murder, leaving behind staged crime scenes and a haunting lilac petal . The story unfolds like a dark puzzle—each clue tightening the tension and pulling Damon closer to both the truth and his past. It’s a gripping mix of mystery, fear, and emotional unraveling as the city itself becomes a character in this chilling noir.

The characters carry the emotional weight of the narrative. Damon’s connection to the case is deeply personal, and his inner conflict adds a heartbreaking depth. His dynamic with rookie Joe Ortega and profiler Natalie Rivera feels real—messy, supportive, and sometimes strained, which adds to the story’s emotional layering . Even the antagonist, Anthony Vexler, is crafted with chilling precision; he’s not just a villain but a psychological mirror who forces Damon to confront his own shadows. Their cat-and-mouse energy drives the story forward like a ticking time bomb .

Zachery Clark’s writing is sharp, atmospheric, and perfectly paced . The noir vibe is consistent throughout—moody streets, quiet dread, and emotionally charged moments that hit hard. Themes of vengeance, trauma, and redemption are woven seamlessly, giving the story both a cinematic feel and an emotional punch . I loved how every chapter tightened the suspense without ever losing heart. If you enjoy gritty thrillers with depth, this one won’t just keep you up at nightit’ll stay with you long after you turn the last.

[Michelle Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am honored to have read Built from Her Bones, written by my friend & author, Zachery Clark. The story stays true to the classic murder mystery tropes that we love, with its own twist.

I found it to be a page turner and I look forward to reading the next series installment after the cliffhanger at the end!

[Delilah Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just as interesting and incredible as the first book in the series I loved the plot and the characters I can’t wait for book 3 to be out 😊 Zachery you did an amazing job as always keep up the amazing work I’m proud of you