The Night Crew II: Bloodlust

by Brad Ricks

The hunt never ends—especially when the prey hunts back.

The Night Crew thought they’d seen it all—werewolves, vampires, and things too monstrous to name. But after barely surviving their last mission, Michael and his team are about to face something far a supernatural killer with an insatiable thirst for blood and a plan to unleash chaos on New Orleans.

In the city’s neon glow, shadows twist with ancient hunger, and every lead draws the Crew deeper into a labyrinth of murder, betrayal, and forbidden magic. This time, the enemy isn’t hiding in the dark—they’re walking boldly among the living, leaving a trail of corpses in their wake.

As the Night Crew fights to stop the bloodshed, they also confront their own inner haunting memories, deadly secrets, and the chilling realization that some monsters aren’t born—they’re made.

Perfect for fans of urban fantasy, paranormal thrillers, and supernatural horror, The Night Bloodlust delivers pulse-pounding suspense, monstrous action, and a dark, gripping adventure you won’t forget.

Proudly represented by Crystal Lake Publishing—Where Stories Come Alive!

Genres: Horror, Vampires

271 pages, Paperback

Published November 12, 2025

Reviews

[Kate Victoria RescueandReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Night Crew takes on a whole new breed of monsters in this second book. With a vibrant and hedonistic New Orleans setting, we get to see Mike post Silas battle, as well as familiar characters that continue to develop backstories and relationships.

For some reason I didn’t enjoy the side characters quite as much as I did in Book 1. I liked the villains a whole lot more actually, their history and violence and ultimate goal was so fascinating.

I have loved the covers for this series! Definitely makes you stop in your tracks!

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Night Crew II: Bloodlust
Brad Ricks

The Night Crew returns with newly-turned vampire Michael as the leader. While he is battling his thirst for blood, him and his team travel to New Orleans to rediscover extinct creatures. While coming together to fight this battle, the members also have to work together to help save each other.

The Night Crew 2 is just as thrilling as the first. Right away, I was drawn in by Brad’s writing. Between Michael discovering his new life as a vampire, the crew rediscovering sucubi, and having the team save one another, it gets pretty intense. I really enjoyed the backstory that we got with the other members of the Night Crew, especially Niki and Nate. It allowed the characters to feel more personable, and created an origin story. I’m excited to see the third book unfold.

Thank you, Brad, for the ARC

[Rhonda Bobbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an absolutely fantastic vampire story, set in New Orleans. Brad does an amazing job of describing New Orleans from small details of Bourbon Street to the mention of Anne Rice. This is book 2 in the Night Crew series. The action and chaos are a fantastic blend. Vampires, hunters and an enemy that is so terrifying you will definitely not walk the streets of New Orleans alone. The last 20% of the book was so intense I couldn't put it down. I can't wait for book 3🖤

[Ian Gielen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Night Crew II: Bloodlust continues the story of the characters from the first book and sees them battling a new type of foe thought to no longer exist. They soon find out how wrong they are.

Here, the crew find themselves in a compromised position. Their organization, they work for is falling apart, their crew are down team members whilst their new team leader Michael, is struggling to contain his bloodlust and his newly changed body as well as try and lead the team as best he can with limited knowledge. They are sent to New Orleans to investigate a spate of killings that are highly suspicious and what they find challenges them, not just physically but emotionally.

This is another brilliantly written book by Brad and it was a pleasure to ride along with the Night Crew once again. It's full of action, emotionally charged scenes and goes further in depth with the characters and their backstories which brings you closer to the characters.

This isn't your typical vampire story. This is a highly entertaining book and series and I personally can't wait for the next release!

[ScarlettAnomalyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to snag this ARC and I have to say, I was totally not sure where Brad was going to go after the first one.

Well after the first book, what else could the Night Crew come up against that could be a problem, I mean once you fight vampires and weres, that’s pretty crazy right?

But nope, Brad has something up his sleeve, and I dont know if the crew can handle it, fighting evil outside is one thing, but mix vampires, magic and fighting your own personal demons as well?
Chaos and a fight that could mean the death of everyone if the battle is lost..

This isn’t just an evil of monsters and the monsters you know, this is one that shows you, sometimes evil is created and you wont see it coming.

The freaking tension, this had me dying to know how it ended, I am being vague on purpose because oh my goodness..


I can’t wait for the third one now!

[Joe Scipione · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good as the first one. Lots of great action. Evil villains and a great cast of unique characters.

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brad Ricks continues the story of the Night Crew, a team of human monster hunters allied with a couple of Vampires, one of which freshly minted out of the breathtaking adventure witnessed in the first volume. "The Night Crew II: Bloodlust" draws more on urban fantasy themes than outright horror, though it's a fine sequel to one of the best forays into vampire lore I've read in years! It picks up pretty much where the last story ended, and throws the Crew almost immediately into battle. This time around, the entities to be hunted down weren't just considered extinct, they also prove to be far more powerful and cunning than expected - to the point that Mike himself, arguably the books' main character and now far stronger than we saw him last, has to do battle on both internal and external fronts, his life in serious danger (not to mention his growing bloodlust and lack of knowledge about the supernatural world he's been ushered in). Thankfully, the Crew is developing into a family of sorts, and members protect and care for each other. This allows for emotional growth among the characters, as well as several incredible action scenes when one of their own is threatened!

The book is set in New Orleans, and it mentions several entertaining details, from Anne Rice and her famous townhouse, to less well-known landmarks of this beautiful city. Ricks has a solid grasp of the new setting, and this helps make the second book feel very different in tone and mood from the first. Add to this the depth of feeling and the sense of history the new foes bring to the story, and you've got one terrific horror read to keep you company thoughout the night!

I highly recommend the book, especially if you enjoyed the first one; it genuinely moves the Crew's story forward, hinting at several exciting developments for our heroes on the horizon!

[Angel Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book of The Night Crew and needed to read book two. All I can say is that book two ratchets up the action by ten. Such an enjoyable read. Trust me this is not your typical vampire read either. There are plenty of fresh ideas in the series as a whole and book two brings in more side characters to grow with. In this one, they head to New Orleans, which is the perfect setting for this series to continue. The evil in this story is not your typical one, though. This is the kind of evil you won't suspect coming.

Did I mention the cover for this one is on the money? Oh yeah, yet it still doesn't do justice as the story inside is even better.

Can't wait for the next one in the series!

[NH MotherTucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Night Crew II: Bloodlust is a great follow up from the first book! if you like old school vampire feel with lots of action/suspense happening in good ole New Orleans, ruuuunnnnnn to get this one! Some other creatures are introduced as well. No shock to me that Brad nails it with another ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ book for me.

[Brandy Vallely · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the second book to be as enjoyable as the first. It is a must-read.

[Mallory Lovings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really 3.5 stars

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read the first book in the series, then I know you’re anxiously awaiting this sequel! (And if not, then what are you waiting for? 🧐)

Brad Ricks does it again! We jump right back in with our favorite hunters as they face even more powerful and challenging monsters. The world building is phenomenal and the character development is equally amazing. This is a fast paced ride that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I can’t wait to see this series continue to grow!

[Courtney Marcus-Deguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

After finishing the first one, I couldn’t wait to dive into the second night crew and Brad did NOT disappoint. The setting was absolutely fantastic and fun, with a super great description. I felt like I was in NOLA. New monsters and they are something I don’t read about often, so I really enjoyed learning some new lore. Nikki remains my absolute favorite character and we get to see a whole lot more of Nikki! Mike continues to grow into himself from the first book. Really a great continuation of the series, and an absolute standout book.

[Krystle Rouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good scary vampire action packed story with its bumps, bruises, and also a little bittiing. I went into this novel blind and was pleasantly surprised with it. It engaged me into the plot and made me really like the story. I am really excited for the third book coming out!

[Aaron Masters · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Night Crew strikes again. The first book was a surprise find for me this past year and became one of my top 3 reads of the year. In this return to the Night Crew there is more lore, more deadly monsters, a lot more action, but also an emotional story that sucks you in at every turn!

[Tim VanZile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sequels are often a tricky thing. Every writer wants the second book in a series to be better than the first. However, it seems to me that it rarely happens. Brad Ricks introduced us to the world of The Night Crew, giving the reader the opportunity to meet some intriguing characters in a fantastic take in the world of vampires and other creatures. The first book was an action-packed thrill ride that left me wanting more of this world, more knowledge of the characters, more adventure and a true desire to return to one of the few stories to take me for a ride that captivatingly consumed so much of my time.

And… Mr. Ricks nailed it for the most part. Is it truly better than the first book? I’m not sure. It is similar to how I felt about John Wick Chapter 2 – it’s really good, but is it truly better than the first? It is certainly on the same level but may be an 8.9 compared to the 9.0 of the first book.

The world building continues to expand, becoming a very enjoyable part of the sequel for me. Why? Simply put, it is done in such a way that it is not boring, tedious, or so all-consuming that you want to put the book down and take a break. No, Brad writes in the new details in such a way they simply flow with the story with absolutely no distraction. That is a truly rare feat in many of the book series I read. So refreshing!

New characters are, of course, introduced, as the series must be kept fresh while maintaining the feel of the original Crew. Some of the characters from the first book are absent with a perfectly acceptable reason which allows the other returning characters to grow. Let me warn you now – do not make any assumptions as you travel this world with The Night Crew.

Mr. Ricks allows a bit of time at the beginning for the Crew to have moved to Dallas and let the reader settle in a bit with the team, allowing for some good-hearted jokes that may, or may not, be picked up by the reader. For me this allowed the world of The Night Crew to become much more relatable, rapturous, and real. Brad quickly moves the story along to New Orleans, proving this is a series with vampires (I believe since 1976 there is a rule in place that a real vampire story must have at least part of it take place in The Big Easy). The story has just enough homage to Anne Rice’s world for the reader to appreciate while still keeping The Night Crew World its own. Everything about the setting and characters builds and continues the story without need of that constant re-hashing that takes place in other sequels.

This is certainly a worthy follow-up to the first Night Crew book. The characters become more fleshed out, the world expands, and the action continues to be top-notch. There are so many avenues this series can take, and I know I am looking forward to Book Three and as many as Brad feels he can add. Vampires and so many other creatures have been watered down by other writers that nothing feels fresh anymore – but The Night Crew series proves there are ways to make it once again a world that I want to visit time and time and time again.

[K.L. Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the closest to a perfect followup as you can get. Mike is back, and now leads the night crew himself. They are sent to New Orleans to deal with possible Sucubi, who were long thought extinct, as he tries to deal with what has become of his life. ( theres a spoiler for the first book here so im being vague)

Ricks writing is at its strongest with not just the action scenes but the deep emotional way we get to fall into each characters heads. You care for them, as if they are you friends. You cheer when they triumph, and jumped to the edge of your seat when they are in danger.

This is an expertly written sequal. And everyone should get behind this series. I cant wait for the third! .

[David Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vampires, werewolves and demons oh my.

I have really enjoyed the first two books in this series. I like my monsters scary not love struck and sparkling in the sunlight. I like how the author has good and bad Vampires, kind of like real life, power is neither good or bad, it is what you do with that power. That is how I feel Vampires would be, some good, a lot bad seduced by what an immense amount of power would give them. I highly recommend this series, very well written. A series I will be reading multiple times in the coming years.

[Calvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as the first

The Night Crew goes up against succubi in a story that would maybe three chapters long if the team were all there. Instead, Thomas and Jax disappear in the beginning and don't bother to come back even though the remaining team members need help. Michael is sidelined and becomes a minor character in his own book. Niki and Nate are the main characters, and you learn some more about their tragic history. There's a ton of plot issues that could've been easily solved if Thomas was there but oh well. Hopefully the third book is wayyyyy better.

[Shanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taking place a few months after the first one, the Night Crew takes on a creature thought to be extinct. As they dig deeper, they discover murder, mayhem, and memories best left buried.
I absolutely loved the first book and this was just as good, if not better. The crew heads to New Orleans to chase the newest baddie and Brad does a fantastic job of describing New Orleans and mentioning several famous locations around the city. Amongst the action and destruction we get a little bit of backstory and see the crew getting pretty close. Definitely looking forward to the third book.

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading The Night Crew, I wasn't quite sure what direction Brad would take this. But unholy hell, he chose the best one. I could picture this in my head as an epic vampire action-horror movie. The team from book 1 returns, and as they grow, so does your live for them. Fast-paced and filled with plenty of blood (I mean it IS a vampire novel), The Night Crew II is the sequel we never knew we needed.

[Xenia Melnik · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this series so far. However, I would like more of a sinister feel to the books. I feel as though the antagonists are transparent. There was a convenient plot hook that got thrown in and was then resolved easily. I like these books not because they're complicated. This reads more like a thriller with some supernatural elements thrown in, which is good for when you don't want to think too hard about what you're reading. Otherwise, a fun book and easy to read.

[Chrisanne Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart pounding nonstop till the end

Book 2 was just as impressive and a bit more. This story was more emotional and as always the lore used for this story was amazing and new. All the characters good n bad caused non stop heart beating anxiety. I had to finish in one read to see how it would end. Can hardly wait for Book 3!!!

[Emily Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike and the night crew head to New Orleans for a case. Bodies are turning up, and no one is sure what is doing it. The Night Crew must face an ancient monster thought to be extinct. There are more than one, and they are very powerful creatures.

[DELIA SHEPPARD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Really enjoyed reading, A lot of action and different monsters. Hope Mike grows stronger next time around. Great setting in New Orleans. Always like reading about monsters in New Orleans.

[Justin David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome series

The series continues to exceed my expectations. Despite a fairly straightforward, albeit awesome plot, The book remained replete with above average writing, twists and character development beyond my expectations. Looking forward to the next one

[Vincent Fuentes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great follow-up to the first book

This was a wonderful continuation of the first book. The team are getting used to each other, especially the newbie. New characters whom I hope will drop by from time to time
All in all very exciting, very interesting.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great 2cd book

I really had fun reading this book. I needed a brain break and this series delivered a lot of entertainment! Thank you, Mr. Ricks, for your creative writing. I needed it!

[Ann Keeran · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Night Crew has been dispatched to a truly scary city- New Orleans! Follow them if you dare.

[mike shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as the first book.

I loved everything and the long thing I disliked is that it wasn't longer. Ill be watching v for the next installment.