After Midnight

by Dan Padavona

Forensic linguist Evan Calder visits a mysterious lake town in Upstate New York to listen for what was never said.

Twenty-two years ago, his sister was one of five graduate students who vanished during a winter research retreat. The college’s security director was later convicted of their abduction, and the county prosecutor sealed the case. It ended on paper. For Evan, it never did. Because no physical evidence was ever recovered.

Sheriff Thomas Shepherd is left to re-interview professors, locals, and former students who learned long ago to choose their words carefully during a season that froze the town in fear. As for the man serving life, his statements have never aligned. Thomas and Evan aren’t convinced that’s proof of guilt.

Somewhere beneath the ice and silt, the lake keeps its own record of the dead.

Thomas will decode voices, threats, and half-truths to expose what really happened, even if it means drawing the attention of someone who has been shaping the story from the beginning.

And who intends to silence him before the truth finds a voice.

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2026

About the author

Author of the Wolf Lake and Darkwater Cove series.

Want a free thriller and mystery book? Please join my VIP thriller readers club at
www.danpadavona.com.

I'm a father, husband, dog lover, and an advocate for animals and the homeless.

My thriller style is often compared to Shari Lapena, Louise Jensen, Hilary Davidson, and Dean Koontz.

My kryptonite is ice cream, and my super power is cranking heavy metal.

More than anything, I love a good story. Let me tell you one.

Reviews

[Charles E. Kochan Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An new exciting read in the extensive Wolf Lake series this time features our favorite Sheriff Thomas Shepherd, his wife Chelsey, Levar, Scout and all the crew. A horrific crime occurred 22 years ago at the Lake, where 5 students were murdered and left to drown in the unforgiving waters. Oddly, the whole town wanted the case to go away and when a security guard from that fateful night confesses to the crime, all appears to be over and done. But no, the brother of one of the students, an FBI specialist in forensic linguistics, returns again each year trying to solve the case in spite of everyone else moving on. He convinces Thomas to reopen the investigation, to the chagrin of the town and to an unknown person with deadly intentions of suppressing the case. Many plot twists arise and we are taken on a warp speed effort by the whole team to uncover the truth. You are not likely to guess the murderer, that’s because Scout and Chelsey and Raven are smarter than you are! Prove me wrong. I enjoyed the entry and, like the others before, it is a nice enjoyable easy read.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

After Midnight - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

Terror comes to Wolf Lake as Sheriff Thomas Shepherd reopens a very cold (literally), case that saw five young research students paying the fatal price of being too good at their tasks. The story reminded me of Erin Brokovich and her fight to uncover the truth behind big-business' cover-ups of criminal environmental pollution and its after-effects. Those witnesses still alive are involved in the cover-up, for which a scapegoat is serving life.
Now join Thomas and the team - his PI wife Chelsea, Deputy LeVar, Chelsea's partners Raven (LeVar's sister), her boyfriend Ranger Darren and Scout Mourning their IT expert - as they search for the truth of what happened more than 2 decades ago.
After Midnight is intense, thrilling and guaranteed to keep you reading long past bedtime, until the very last malefactor is brought to justice one way or another. 

So grab a copy today...and lock your house up tight before you begin!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing thriller series!

One of the many things that I love about this series is how the characters are down to earth, relatable, while capable of doing remarkable things. They might be an unconventional family, but they are committed, loyal, as well as loving. It's an amazing series that those who love thrillers are not going to want to miss.

This was an unusual and intriguing case that happened over 20 years ago, and one that a brother has never let go of. When he pulls Thomas and the rest of the group into the mystery of the case, none of them anticipated how it would end. It's definitely a story that will keep you guessing until the very end.

I really hope that there will be many more stories in this fantastic series!

I would definitely recommend this book, series, and exceptional author.

[Dawn Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved After Midnight it kept me on the edge of my seat turning the pages. Dan Padavona gave me suspense, mystery and a cold case to solve. I twenty two year old case is reopened when the confession that was given is found to be falsified. Evan is obsessed with is sister's death and the body never being found. For me I figured out who did what when all the characters were introduced. There was one line in the book that gave it away for me. Most readers won't catch it. ( I think I read too many mysteries) I'm really enjoying how all the characters relationships are growing. There is a lot of action in After Midnight. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader's copy.

[Linae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow good stuff

I've been waiting for this book to come out.. Worth the wait. Dan P is a master at creating suspense. This book shows that. Besides the drama are the lives of the characters that change and evolve with each book. Always a new slant for what happens in this small town area that never fails to have to face big time crime.

[Vicki Gilbertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many people suspects and someone trying to find out the truth of a family members death. Thomas and crew dealing with new people who need help. Town full of suspects and cover ups don't know who's right about the truth.

[Stewart Scoble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally unputdownable!

Dan has excelled again with this story of heartstopping twists and turns and a storyline that draws you in and makes you feel you are part of it all, not just a reader but an observer. Incredibly skilled writing....Well done again!

[Mike G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aight, so I’ve read every Thomas Shepard book and love almost all of them but over the series I have really grown to dislike the characters. Otherwise this another solid entry and I’m looking forward to the next one.

[Mary Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

food for thought

Well beyond regular procedurals,this book gave me pause to ponder how one man’s self-absorption, self-preservation, greed and sense of entitlement could devastate so may lives to service this country’s obsession with the almighty dollar.

Bravo, Mr. Padavona!

[Mike Muldowney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series

Read everything by this author. Very entertaining. Characters are unique and unforgettable. Can’t wait for more books in ever series.

[Angel Hite · Rating 2 out of 5]

not my fav

Eh. It was an ok book. My fav series. Just not fond of this book in general just my opinion

[Marietta Rojas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Wolf Lake Thriller!

Excellent storyline and twists! I love this series. None of the books ever disappoints. Dan Padavona is a fantastic writer.

[Connie Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very moving story.

I never stopped reading until the end. I,'ve read several of Dan Padavona's books but this one is the best.

[jean buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who is behind the killings ?

Another great book by this author. Full of action and very suspenseful. A large cover up by
a industrialist company. They caused a lot of deaths.