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Benedict Hoffman & Helen Belle #1
A Voice in the Dark
An online manipulator with a deadly hold on his followers challenges an FBI agent to stop him in a gripping novel of psychological suspense by a Wall Street Journal bestselling author.
When a husband, wife, and son are murdered in their Denver home and the family’s teenage twins vanish, the case draws the attention of FBI profilers Helen Belle and Benedict Hoffman. It triggers more than professional alarm. It mirrors a horrific case they investigated five years ago, when a boy slaughtered his family and went mute after speaking only a handful of haunting words. Among them: Midnight Man.
Then, nearly thirteen hundred miles away, one of the twins is found dead in a snowy Ohio field, and the parallels between the past and present cases grow more disturbing. Identical suicide notes. The same symbolic blood imagery. And a shared obsession with an online fantasy game. Its mastermind is an influencer who manipulates his most vulnerable and alienated players into killing the people they love most.
The Midnight Man is back.
Helen and Benedict must hunt the darkest corners of the internet to find him before someone else falls prey to an insidious evil that, for now, is in total control of the game.
When a husband, wife, and son are murdered in their Denver home and the family’s teenage twins vanish, the case draws the attention of FBI profilers Helen Belle and Benedict Hoffman. It triggers more than professional alarm. It mirrors a horrific case they investigated five years ago, when a boy slaughtered his family and went mute after speaking only a handful of haunting words. Among them: Midnight Man.
Then, nearly thirteen hundred miles away, one of the twins is found dead in a snowy Ohio field, and the parallels between the past and present cases grow more disturbing. Identical suicide notes. The same symbolic blood imagery. And a shared obsession with an online fantasy game. Its mastermind is an influencer who manipulates his most vulnerable and alienated players into killing the people they love most.
The Midnight Man is back.
Helen and Benedict must hunt the darkest corners of the internet to find him before someone else falls prey to an insidious evil that, for now, is in total control of the game.
363 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2026
About the author
Barbara Nickless
14 books1,042 followersBarbara Nickless is the Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of two award-winning crime series. Her first series has been optioned for television. A teacher and activist, she uses the healing power of writing to support combat veterans and civilians in the U.S. and Ukraine. She’s a three-time winner of the Colorado Book Award and a six-time winner of the CAL awards. A former fencer and falconer, Barbara lives in Colorado where she loves to hike, cave, snowshoe, and drink single malt Scotch. Not at the same time. Her most recent research travel involved taking cover from rocket fire and being grilled at military checkpoints. Her latest novel—The Drowning Game—is a spy thriller. It dropped January 1, 2025.
Sign up for Barbara’s newsletter at www.barbaranickless.com.
Sign up for Barbara’s newsletter at www.barbaranickless.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 309 reviews
July 11, 2026
I love a good mystery but lean more into PI noir than fbi procedural… It might be because of my personal taste but this just didn’t do it for me.
It was reasonably well plotted and written. I liked the authors perspective & the characters she created. It didn’t really feel like we got to know those characters intimately though. They were too busy with the murder for much growth.
My biggest barrier was how much talking happened. Just pages and pages of characters over explaining all sorts of terminology to each other. If one character worked at the FBI & the other is a police homicide detective neither would need all this. Plus any time a new character arrived they had to be caught up to speed so plenty of plot summarizing too.
For all their talking & theorizing I still was confused about what Benedict & Belle specialized in. I understand the concept of taking into account popular cultures influence on killers but neither did that with our killer. In theory this concept would help build a more thorough profile but no one ever sat down & created a profile. It made me feel like Benedict’s specialty was made up to try and make the series more interesting instead of having any real world FBI usage…
It was reasonably well plotted and written. I liked the authors perspective & the characters she created. It didn’t really feel like we got to know those characters intimately though. They were too busy with the murder for much growth.
My biggest barrier was how much talking happened. Just pages and pages of characters over explaining all sorts of terminology to each other. If one character worked at the FBI & the other is a police homicide detective neither would need all this. Plus any time a new character arrived they had to be caught up to speed so plenty of plot summarizing too.
For all their talking & theorizing I still was confused about what Benedict & Belle specialized in. I understand the concept of taking into account popular cultures influence on killers but neither did that with our killer. In theory this concept would help build a more thorough profile but no one ever sat down & created a profile. It made me feel like Benedict’s specialty was made up to try and make the series more interesting instead of having any real world FBI usage…
January 21, 2026
2.5 rounded down
The premise had potential, but this felt like the ARC was released far too early. The book is overly long, messy, and packed with unnecessary information that drags the story down.
Major characters and plot threads are introduced with urgency and then quietly dropped, which made the investigation feel unfocused. The FBI agent’s decisions often felt unbelievable, and the lack of clear backstory made it hard to buy into her role or the stakes involved. As the book went on, the villain lost whatever intrigue he started with, and I found myself caring less and less about where it was all headed.
With heavy editing and tighter pacing, this could have worked. As it stands, it felt sloppy and frustrating.
The premise had potential, but this felt like the ARC was released far too early. The book is overly long, messy, and packed with unnecessary information that drags the story down.
Major characters and plot threads are introduced with urgency and then quietly dropped, which made the investigation feel unfocused. The FBI agent’s decisions often felt unbelievable, and the lack of clear backstory made it hard to buy into her role or the stakes involved. As the book went on, the villain lost whatever intrigue he started with, and I found myself caring less and less about where it was all headed.
With heavy editing and tighter pacing, this could have worked. As it stands, it felt sloppy and frustrating.
July 8, 2026
Thumbnail -
An online manipulator with a deadly hold on his followers challenges an FBI agent to stop him in a gripping novel of psychological suspense.
My takeaway -
A bad actor seeks out gamers playing his dark web roll playing game to carry out heinous acts of violence while under his "spell", so to speak.
- Large language model
- Adaptive empathy algorithm
- High-sensitivity template configuration
These are tech things I know very little about. What I do know is that the author has created a clever and satisfying mystery wherein folks are losing their lives. It takes specialized police and FBI BAU involvement to get to the bottom of these crimes before more innocent people lose their lives to these psychopathic individuals. Entertaining and deserving of my 4-star rating. I will strongly consider the second instalment in this new series.
An online manipulator with a deadly hold on his followers challenges an FBI agent to stop him in a gripping novel of psychological suspense.
My takeaway -
A bad actor seeks out gamers playing his dark web roll playing game to carry out heinous acts of violence while under his "spell", so to speak.
- Large language model
- Adaptive empathy algorithm
- High-sensitivity template configuration
These are tech things I know very little about. What I do know is that the author has created a clever and satisfying mystery wherein folks are losing their lives. It takes specialized police and FBI BAU involvement to get to the bottom of these crimes before more innocent people lose their lives to these psychopathic individuals. Entertaining and deserving of my 4-star rating. I will strongly consider the second instalment in this new series.
December 24, 2025
Summary
A family is murdered and a teenage boy and his twin sister are the lone survivors. At least, they’re presumed to be alive. Both are missing along with the family dog.
When the details of the scene come to light, they are shockingly similar to a case previously worked by FBI Special Agent Helen Belle in collaboration with FBI contractor, Benedict Hoffman. Years ago, Belle and Hoffman tried to prove the existence of a ghost, the Midnight Man, only to come up short. But now, he seems to have resurfaced, and they won’t let him slip away this time.
Review
I am absolutely obsessed with this concept. Psychological thriller where the killer uses an online RPG to groom teenagers into committing violent crimes? Sign me up!
I think this book gave off a kind of Criminal Minds vibe with all of the discussions regarding psychopathy. I really appreciated the depth and research that must’ve gone into providing such details. Plus, this strikes a very chord with today’s reality. Anyone can be whoever they want online, and you don’t know who your kids are talking to.
The use of acronyms is pretty heavy, and although they’re all explained throughout, I felt like some weren’t entirely necessary and that sometimes, it was weird that the characters internal monologue was explaining the acronyms to the reader.
The other thing that I didn’t love was the number of characters. The story itself is already a bit of a winding trail to follow, but the addition of characters that don’t add any value only serves to muddy the waters further. Namely, I think Clif and Livvie were unnecessary side plots. Unless this is setting up something for a future book, these two characters didn’t add much of anything to the plot of this book. And although I know they had different functions at the BAU, beyond the initial introduction, I have no idea what the difference between Sara and Zane was.
I did see some comments about the inaccuracy of the gaming components, but as someone who isn’t immersed in that world too deeply, I didn’t have any concerns. Maybe I don’t know how the dark web works, but I’d assume that as the person who built the game / code, you’d have free reign to make any code related components (including NPCs) act however you wanted. And while I understand the argument that a game master would ban a user rather than move the website, I feel like it could also be argued that the same user could just create a new account with spoofed location if need be. If they’re savvy enough to access the dark web, I think they can get around a simple ban. Which, to me is why it would make sense that someone conducting criminal activity would move the site itself.
Overall, I felt like the character development was strong for our two main protagonists, and I really enjoyed the plot itself. Although, I was left wishing for more in the end, some kind of dialogue with Midnight Man. It feels like he literally doesn’t speak unless it’s through the game.
As a side note, I do think this could use another read through by an editor prior to publishing. I noticed some errors. The one the comes to mind was when they were taking about Katelynn’s friend’s braids and at one point, the book reads “brain” instead of “braid”.
(Thank you to Barbara Nickless, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be published May 12, 2026)
A family is murdered and a teenage boy and his twin sister are the lone survivors. At least, they’re presumed to be alive. Both are missing along with the family dog.
When the details of the scene come to light, they are shockingly similar to a case previously worked by FBI Special Agent Helen Belle in collaboration with FBI contractor, Benedict Hoffman. Years ago, Belle and Hoffman tried to prove the existence of a ghost, the Midnight Man, only to come up short. But now, he seems to have resurfaced, and they won’t let him slip away this time.
Review
I am absolutely obsessed with this concept. Psychological thriller where the killer uses an online RPG to groom teenagers into committing violent crimes? Sign me up!
I think this book gave off a kind of Criminal Minds vibe with all of the discussions regarding psychopathy. I really appreciated the depth and research that must’ve gone into providing such details. Plus, this strikes a very chord with today’s reality. Anyone can be whoever they want online, and you don’t know who your kids are talking to.
The use of acronyms is pretty heavy, and although they’re all explained throughout, I felt like some weren’t entirely necessary and that sometimes, it was weird that the characters internal monologue was explaining the acronyms to the reader.
The other thing that I didn’t love was the number of characters. The story itself is already a bit of a winding trail to follow, but the addition of characters that don’t add any value only serves to muddy the waters further. Namely, I think Clif and Livvie were unnecessary side plots. Unless this is setting up something for a future book, these two characters didn’t add much of anything to the plot of this book. And although I know they had different functions at the BAU, beyond the initial introduction, I have no idea what the difference between Sara and Zane was.
I did see some comments about the inaccuracy of the gaming components, but as someone who isn’t immersed in that world too deeply, I didn’t have any concerns. Maybe I don’t know how the dark web works, but I’d assume that as the person who built the game / code, you’d have free reign to make any code related components (including NPCs) act however you wanted. And while I understand the argument that a game master would ban a user rather than move the website, I feel like it could also be argued that the same user could just create a new account with spoofed location if need be. If they’re savvy enough to access the dark web, I think they can get around a simple ban. Which, to me is why it would make sense that someone conducting criminal activity would move the site itself.
Overall, I felt like the character development was strong for our two main protagonists, and I really enjoyed the plot itself. Although, I was left wishing for more in the end, some kind of dialogue with Midnight Man. It feels like he literally doesn’t speak unless it’s through the game.
As a side note, I do think this could use another read through by an editor prior to publishing. I noticed some errors. The one the comes to mind was when they were taking about Katelynn’s friend’s braids and at one point, the book reads “brain” instead of “braid”.
(Thank you to Barbara Nickless, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be published May 12, 2026)
June 5, 2026
What a thorough, intense, and scary novel about AI and the harm that it can be used for, especially teens that struggle with social issues. The book is heavy on computer and programming jargon but the main characters (an FBI agent and a college professor) bring a sense of reality to the story.
The plot is strong and written to be believable and it is certainly a timely topic. This was written as the first in a series with the next to be published in 2027.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC to read and review.
The plot is strong and written to be believable and it is certainly a timely topic. This was written as the first in a series with the next to be published in 2027.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC to read and review.
August 10, 2026
4.5/5 stars
July 2, 2026
FBI profilers Helen Belle and Benedict Hoffman, along with Detective Clif Burgess worked on a horrific case together in which a teenage boy killed his father and then himself. The teen was arrested and the court ruled he was acting alone. Now six years letter, it looks like history is repeating itself when a teen named Jason appears to have done the same thing, leaving a suicide note that references the same Shakespeare quote as the first young man. Belle, Hoffman, and Burgess see this as further proof that someone, possibly the game master of a dark web video game, is manipulating these teens. The stakes are high since they want to prevent more deaths, especially since Jason's twin sister Katelynn is missing.
I'd categorize this book as a procedural thriller. I enjoy procedurals, but be aware that the pacing of this one is uneven. It takes a while for the story to get going since it's bogged down with too many technical details about the investigation and the video games that play a big part in the plot. There are a lot of different characters and several points-of-view, but I like Helen as a main character. She is the easiest to get to know and relate to. Benedict was harder to relate to and I never did fully understand the past choices he had made. Toward the end, things definitely picked up and I was very eager to find out what would happen next. Overall, this is an intriguing and timely mystery with a satisfying conclusion.
I received an advance copy of this ebook from Amazon Publishing, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
I'd categorize this book as a procedural thriller. I enjoy procedurals, but be aware that the pacing of this one is uneven. It takes a while for the story to get going since it's bogged down with too many technical details about the investigation and the video games that play a big part in the plot. There are a lot of different characters and several points-of-view, but I like Helen as a main character. She is the easiest to get to know and relate to. Benedict was harder to relate to and I never did fully understand the past choices he had made. Toward the end, things definitely picked up and I was very eager to find out what would happen next. Overall, this is an intriguing and timely mystery with a satisfying conclusion.
I received an advance copy of this ebook from Amazon Publishing, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
July 11, 2026
Thank you Barbara Nickless and NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of this novel.
I really wanted to like this story, I liked that the characters and the general idea of dark web being part of the narrative of the antagonist but overall I felt it was over written to be more complicated then it needed to be and at times came off as incredibly cheesy.
.
The narrator was good but overall I just think this type of thriller was for me.
Meh read.
I really wanted to like this story, I liked that the characters and the general idea of dark web being part of the narrative of the antagonist but overall I felt it was over written to be more complicated then it needed to be and at times came off as incredibly cheesy.
.
The narrator was good but overall I just think this type of thriller was for me.
Meh read.
June 10, 2026
REVIEW OF ADVANCE COPY FROM AMAZON FIRST READS
I have read other novels by this author and enjoyed them very much. This book is a “ horse of a different color “. It has not been released yet, but I got a free copy on Kindle First Reads. The relationship between Helen and Benedict was interesting and well developed. I enjoyed reading about the teamwork among the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. I do not think it works so well in real life. That said, there was way too much time spent on describing the various video games. The big buildup to unmask the Midnight Man ended with a whimper. I struggled to get through these two elements. I may read the next episode if the subject matter is not so complex .
I have read other novels by this author and enjoyed them very much. This book is a “ horse of a different color “. It has not been released yet, but I got a free copy on Kindle First Reads. The relationship between Helen and Benedict was interesting and well developed. I enjoyed reading about the teamwork among the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. I do not think it works so well in real life. That said, there was way too much time spent on describing the various video games. The big buildup to unmask the Midnight Man ended with a whimper. I struggled to get through these two elements. I may read the next episode if the subject matter is not so complex .
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’m honestly stuck between 3.5★, maaaybe a 3.75★ here.
This book started strong. Serial killer recruiting kids in an MMO RPG? Yes please! Gaming + psychological thriller? Big yes from me, initially.
But somewhere along the way… the delivery kinda lost me.
When the story dove into GM/NPC explanations and all the ins and outs that game and how was meant to be used and all that, it got a little confusing (I say that as someone who literally plays games more than I sleep). The rest of the story wasn't bad, just not as gripping as the beginning.
As for Helen and Benedict… well... complicated.
Yes, he was her professor once and yes, there’s a 10y age gap (so a bit of yikes here and there). He broke things off and later realized he was wrong… and as expected, that storyline made me cringe a bit. But I loved that Helen didn’t take him back immediately. Girl closed the phone in his face and stood her ground aaand that was genuinely very satisfying to read.
Now, by the end, it feels like they’re heading toward reconciliation… and honestly, I’m curious how that will play out in book two.
So… not a bad book by any means. Just didn’t fully grab me all the way through. I went in for serial killer + gaming + thriller vibes (because that can absolutely happen in 2025), but the execution around the gaming detail and character dynamics kept me less hooked than I expected.
I’ll definitely be reading the next installment though, I’m invested enough to want more!
Thanks Netgalley & Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
This book started strong. Serial killer recruiting kids in an MMO RPG? Yes please! Gaming + psychological thriller? Big yes from me, initially.
But somewhere along the way… the delivery kinda lost me.
When the story dove into GM/NPC explanations and all the ins and outs that game and how was meant to be used and all that, it got a little confusing (I say that as someone who literally plays games more than I sleep). The rest of the story wasn't bad, just not as gripping as the beginning.
As for Helen and Benedict… well... complicated.
Yes, he was her professor once and yes, there’s a 10y age gap (so a bit of yikes here and there). He broke things off and later realized he was wrong… and as expected, that storyline made me cringe a bit. But I loved that Helen didn’t take him back immediately. Girl closed the phone in his face and stood her ground aaand that was genuinely very satisfying to read.
Now, by the end, it feels like they’re heading toward reconciliation… and honestly, I’m curious how that will play out in book two.
So… not a bad book by any means. Just didn’t fully grab me all the way through. I went in for serial killer + gaming + thriller vibes (because that can absolutely happen in 2025), but the execution around the gaming detail and character dynamics kept me less hooked than I expected.
I’ll definitely be reading the next installment though, I’m invested enough to want more!
Thanks Netgalley & Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!
https://turnthepagewithana.blogspot.c...
June 13, 2026
Absolutely intriguing thriller
This just pulled me in with the premise, and it never lost steam. With each chapter, I was pulled deeper into the story and did not want to put the boojdown.
This just pulled me in with the premise, and it never lost steam. With each chapter, I was pulled deeper into the story and did not want to put the boojdown.
July 9, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC of A Voice in the Dark by Barbara Nickless.
This follows FBI profiler Helen Belle and criminal behavior expert Benedict Hoffman as they investigate the brutal murder of a family and the disappearance of two teenage twins. As the case unfolds, they uncover eerie similarities to an older investigation and begin chasing a dangerous online predator known as the Midnight Man, whose influence over vulnerable teens leads them down a terrifying path. It’s a timely psychological thriller that explores online manipulation, trauma, and the darker side of technology.
This was such an interesting reading experience for me. It took me a little while to fully get into the story because the beginning is pretty detail-heavy, but once everything started falling into place, I was completely hooked. The mystery unfolds at a steady pace, and the deeper I got into the investigation, the harder it was to stop listening.
What really worked for me was the darker atmosphere and the psychological side of the story. Barbara Nickless does a great job building tension while weaving together multiple threads that slowly reveal the bigger picture. The investigation felt layered, the twists were well-earned, and I really liked the partnership between Helen and Benedict. Their dynamic brought some heart to an otherwise dark and unsettling story. The audiobook narrator also did a fantastic job building the suspense and keeping me invested throughout.
I do think this is one of those thrillers that requires a little patience. It’s not an action-packed mystery from the very beginning, but once everything starts connecting, it’s incredibly satisfying. If you enjoy slower-burn psychological thrillers with strong profiling elements, complex investigations, and themes that feel unsettlingly relevant today, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up. It ended up being a really solid read for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the audiobook ARC of A Voice in the Dark by Barbara Nickless.
This follows FBI profiler Helen Belle and criminal behavior expert Benedict Hoffman as they investigate the brutal murder of a family and the disappearance of two teenage twins. As the case unfolds, they uncover eerie similarities to an older investigation and begin chasing a dangerous online predator known as the Midnight Man, whose influence over vulnerable teens leads them down a terrifying path. It’s a timely psychological thriller that explores online manipulation, trauma, and the darker side of technology.
This was such an interesting reading experience for me. It took me a little while to fully get into the story because the beginning is pretty detail-heavy, but once everything started falling into place, I was completely hooked. The mystery unfolds at a steady pace, and the deeper I got into the investigation, the harder it was to stop listening.
What really worked for me was the darker atmosphere and the psychological side of the story. Barbara Nickless does a great job building tension while weaving together multiple threads that slowly reveal the bigger picture. The investigation felt layered, the twists were well-earned, and I really liked the partnership between Helen and Benedict. Their dynamic brought some heart to an otherwise dark and unsettling story. The audiobook narrator also did a fantastic job building the suspense and keeping me invested throughout.
I do think this is one of those thrillers that requires a little patience. It’s not an action-packed mystery from the very beginning, but once everything starts connecting, it’s incredibly satisfying. If you enjoy slower-burn psychological thrillers with strong profiling elements, complex investigations, and themes that feel unsettlingly relevant today, I’d definitely recommend picking this one up. It ended up being a really solid read for me.
June 18, 2026
Damn, this was so good. I am not exactly a tech person but I have been engaged in “spreading the word” about AI since I volunteered for Andrew Yang’s campaign for a couple of years in the late 2000 teens. Everyone I talked to back then, including very progressive people like Bernie Sanders supporters thought us Yang Gang people were nuts when it came to the potential for AI to change our entire society, mostly in detrimental ways. And mostly for men and boys. Unfortunately, no one listened and we voted in an elderly man with zero appreciation for AI. And of course the current administration is full of tech bro billionaires and now trillionaire. Our own President and his team regularly use AI to pump out propaganda these days. It takes 3/4 c of fresh water for AI to answer a single question. Think about the amount of water, minerals, electricity, land etc needed for programs like the fictional Animus to run. Think about people having full blown relationships with AI and how many resources we are blowing through because of this.
The writing was tight and eloquent, often funny, often disturbing, and it was inspired by a true life event. Everything in this book is not only possible but probable. Now, evil geniuses don’t come along every day and I’m not saying that part is probable. Just that mixing psychopathy and sociopathy with AI is extremely fucking dangerous. I think this book is kind of a masterpiece of very current thriller fiction. It doesn’t really get more current which means this book will be obsolete in a couple of years as tech advances past the tech in this book. This author has a lot to say and I’m excited to see what else she has written/will write.
The writing was tight and eloquent, often funny, often disturbing, and it was inspired by a true life event. Everything in this book is not only possible but probable. Now, evil geniuses don’t come along every day and I’m not saying that part is probable. Just that mixing psychopathy and sociopathy with AI is extremely fucking dangerous. I think this book is kind of a masterpiece of very current thriller fiction. It doesn’t really get more current which means this book will be obsolete in a couple of years as tech advances past the tech in this book. This author has a lot to say and I’m excited to see what else she has written/will write.
May 31, 2026
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC. This book was super confusing. Way too many switches in points of view. I don’t know that the author ever revealed the reasons for the events at the beginning of the book. I did enjoy the interactions between Helen and Benedict. After slogging thru 95% of the book, the ending was completely rushed and anticlimactic.
June 14, 2026
Intersting story about online grooming of teenagers
I enjoyed this story by Barbra Nickless, an author I had never read until this book. Benedict Hoffman is a college employee and Helen Belle is an FBI agent specializing in child psychology cases. The two are former lovers who now end up being together on a case where a teenage boy kills his family and his sister escapes. It’s eerily similar to a case Helen and Benedict worked on a few years ago.
It takes the reader down some of the darker corners of the internet, into a dangerous wold of online gaming and into the minds of vulnerable teenagers. The story started somewhat slowly, but picks up steam and the climax was very good. Caught enough of my interest that I’ll be looking for more from this author
I enjoyed this story by Barbra Nickless, an author I had never read until this book. Benedict Hoffman is a college employee and Helen Belle is an FBI agent specializing in child psychology cases. The two are former lovers who now end up being together on a case where a teenage boy kills his family and his sister escapes. It’s eerily similar to a case Helen and Benedict worked on a few years ago.
It takes the reader down some of the darker corners of the internet, into a dangerous wold of online gaming and into the minds of vulnerable teenagers. The story started somewhat slowly, but picks up steam and the climax was very good. Caught enough of my interest that I’ll be looking for more from this author
January 20, 2026
The premise of this story intrigued me with a family massacre and two of the children missing. FBI profilers Helen and Benedict notice this case mirrors one they’ve worked on in the past.
This focuses a lot on the gaming world and potential threats infiltrating vulnerable teens to do the unthinkable. This was a solid read but not quite a page turner for me. Lots of technical stuff with the gaming world which was ok but not always 100% easy to follow or stay super invested in. Still gets a 4 because I think many would enjoy this.
This focuses a lot on the gaming world and potential threats infiltrating vulnerable teens to do the unthinkable. This was a solid read but not quite a page turner for me. Lots of technical stuff with the gaming world which was ok but not always 100% easy to follow or stay super invested in. Still gets a 4 because I think many would enjoy this.
December 31, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. If you are into the Internet and plot themes that revolve around online crime and mystery this book is for you. To me, the vocabulary and the in-depth analysis of the Internet and gaming world just did not interest me. The characters are interesting, but the plot just did not keep me interested in what really happened.
August 8, 2026
A Voice in the Dark has a chilling premise—the idea of someone using the internet and an online game to manipulate vulnerable people into committing horrific acts is disturbing, especially because it doesn’t feel entirely far-fetched.
FBI profilers Helen Belle and Benedict Hoffman are pulled into a brutal family murder that bears eerie similarities to a case from five years earlier. The connection to the mysterious “Midnight Man” adds an unsettling psychological element to the investigation.
I liked the profiling aspect and the way the past and present cases gradually connected. The darker corners of online culture also made for an interesting and timely storyline. There were parts that held my attention more than others, but overall it was a solid psychological suspense novel with an appropriately creepy atmosphere.
Not a bad read, just not one that quite made it into my “couldn’t put it down” category.
3 Stars
FBI profilers Helen Belle and Benedict Hoffman are pulled into a brutal family murder that bears eerie similarities to a case from five years earlier. The connection to the mysterious “Midnight Man” adds an unsettling psychological element to the investigation.
I liked the profiling aspect and the way the past and present cases gradually connected. The darker corners of online culture also made for an interesting and timely storyline. There were parts that held my attention more than others, but overall it was a solid psychological suspense novel with an appropriately creepy atmosphere.
Not a bad read, just not one that quite made it into my “couldn’t put it down” category.
3 Stars
July 6, 2026
Great suspense thriller mystery book. I’ve enjoyed reading all her books. Nd this is the start of a new series. It was very scary story about an AI villain corrupting teenagers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I absolutely love Barbara Nickless and will automatically get anything that she writes as you know it's bound to be good.
This book had me on the edge of my seat, needing to know what comes next from the get go. It really made you think about particular current issues, such as the impact AI and technology has, and how easy it is for vulnerable younger people to be manipulated by people who they think are 'friends' online. Even if it is an extreme example. I also loved the concept of the video game theory in the book, and how we are living in a part of a simulation.
Some parts of the storyline I felt didn't add anything to the actual story, however it may be a part of a bigger storyline as this is the first in a new series, so I will be interested to see where it goes in any following books! Would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a good police procedural psychological thriller!
I absolutely love Barbara Nickless and will automatically get anything that she writes as you know it's bound to be good.
This book had me on the edge of my seat, needing to know what comes next from the get go. It really made you think about particular current issues, such as the impact AI and technology has, and how easy it is for vulnerable younger people to be manipulated by people who they think are 'friends' online. Even if it is an extreme example. I also loved the concept of the video game theory in the book, and how we are living in a part of a simulation.
Some parts of the storyline I felt didn't add anything to the actual story, however it may be a part of a bigger storyline as this is the first in a new series, so I will be interested to see where it goes in any following books! Would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a good police procedural psychological thriller!
January 1, 2026
This story opens with a chilling premise—a murdered family, missing teens, and the unsettling suggestion that an online predator may be orchestrating it all. While I’m not a gamer and some of the gaming-related language and descriptions weren’t entirely for me, the plot itself kept me engaged throughout. The main characters were likable and well drawn, and the tension steadily builds as the story unfolds.
As a parent, this book was especially unsettling and definitely made me think twice about kids’ online activity.
I’ve previously read the author’s Sydney Rose Parnell series (which I loved) as well as the standalone The Drowning, so I was excited to dive into this ARC. Once again, her writing shines—her characters feel real and personable, making it easy to stay invested even when the subject matter is dark. Overall, a compelling and timely read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
As a parent, this book was especially unsettling and definitely made me think twice about kids’ online activity.
I’ve previously read the author’s Sydney Rose Parnell series (which I loved) as well as the standalone The Drowning, so I was excited to dive into this ARC. Once again, her writing shines—her characters feel real and personable, making it easy to stay invested even when the subject matter is dark. Overall, a compelling and timely read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
June 20, 2026
A voice that will haunt you
Barbara Nickless is an accomplished and talented author whose novels are endlessly fascinating and richly detailed. She has a remarkable ability to draw readers in from the very first page, crafting dark and compelling stories that linger long after the final chapter. Her evocative and fluid prose is used much like an artist’s brush, painting vivid pictures of places, scenes, and emotions that come alive in the reader’s imagination.
The opening chapter of A Voice in the Dark is powerful and intense, immediately creating an atmosphere of unease and mystery. The second chapter firmly establishes the tone, and by Chapter Three the true horror begins.
As with all of Nickless’s work, this novel is clearly well researched and thoughtfully written. The psychological elements are convincing, while the technological aspects feel authentic and carefully considered. The story takes readers down dark alleys and into the underworld of computer gaming, revealing how dangerous these seemingly innocent activities can become.
The plot is complex and layered, with twists and turns appearing at every opportunity. Although I almost guessed the identity of the main perpetrator fairly early on, I was still captivated by the unfolding truth and eager to discover how everything connected. With danger around every corner, both Helen and Benedict risk their lives as they attempt to unravel the mysteries and save vulnerable teenagers.
I have been a fan of Barbara Nickless since reading her Sydney Rose Parnell series, which led me to her excellent Evan Wilding novels. Her standalone thriller, The Drowning Game, was a masterpiece, and I was delighted when she embarked on this new series—one that I sincerely hope continues for many more books. One of the qualities that particularly endears me to her work, beyond the brilliance of her imagination, is her inclusion of dogs or other animals. These companions often reveal a softer, more compassionate side to her characters and add warmth to even the darkest stories.
The Afterword is heartfelt and deeply personal, offering insight into the reasons behind the author’s choice of subject matter. It adds an extra layer of meaning to the novel and leaves the reader with much to reflect upon.
A Voice in the Dark is another outstanding novel from Barbara Nickless, combining intelligent research, gripping suspense, memorable characters, and masterful storytelling. It is a dark, thought-provoking thriller that I would highly recommend.
Barbara Nickless is an accomplished and talented author whose novels are endlessly fascinating and richly detailed. She has a remarkable ability to draw readers in from the very first page, crafting dark and compelling stories that linger long after the final chapter. Her evocative and fluid prose is used much like an artist’s brush, painting vivid pictures of places, scenes, and emotions that come alive in the reader’s imagination.
The opening chapter of A Voice in the Dark is powerful and intense, immediately creating an atmosphere of unease and mystery. The second chapter firmly establishes the tone, and by Chapter Three the true horror begins.
As with all of Nickless’s work, this novel is clearly well researched and thoughtfully written. The psychological elements are convincing, while the technological aspects feel authentic and carefully considered. The story takes readers down dark alleys and into the underworld of computer gaming, revealing how dangerous these seemingly innocent activities can become.
The plot is complex and layered, with twists and turns appearing at every opportunity. Although I almost guessed the identity of the main perpetrator fairly early on, I was still captivated by the unfolding truth and eager to discover how everything connected. With danger around every corner, both Helen and Benedict risk their lives as they attempt to unravel the mysteries and save vulnerable teenagers.
I have been a fan of Barbara Nickless since reading her Sydney Rose Parnell series, which led me to her excellent Evan Wilding novels. Her standalone thriller, The Drowning Game, was a masterpiece, and I was delighted when she embarked on this new series—one that I sincerely hope continues for many more books. One of the qualities that particularly endears me to her work, beyond the brilliance of her imagination, is her inclusion of dogs or other animals. These companions often reveal a softer, more compassionate side to her characters and add warmth to even the darkest stories.
The Afterword is heartfelt and deeply personal, offering insight into the reasons behind the author’s choice of subject matter. It adds an extra layer of meaning to the novel and leaves the reader with much to reflect upon.
A Voice in the Dark is another outstanding novel from Barbara Nickless, combining intelligent research, gripping suspense, memorable characters, and masterful storytelling. It is a dark, thought-provoking thriller that I would highly recommend.
July 13, 2026
Relevant story line
Pretty relevant story line given the fast pace of technology development today. I like the mix of tech and police procedural with a little bit of a budding romance to boot. The main characters were relatable and I felt myself cheering for them as the story went along.
Pretty relevant story line given the fast pace of technology development today. I like the mix of tech and police procedural with a little bit of a budding romance to boot. The main characters were relatable and I felt myself cheering for them as the story went along.
July 6, 2026
Took me a while to get into … it picked up the second half
August 14, 2026
2.5 interesting premise for an audiobook but was just so so :(
July 21, 2026
Another really good Amazon First Reads. Could’ve been shorter but still good
July 17, 2026
I've really like past books by this author ,however, this one was a little slow at times. I did ,really like the whole premise of this story. It was very thought provoking and even mildly disturbing.
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