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The Dark Before Dawn
Not yet published
Expected 7 Jul 26FROM EXCITING AUTHOR OF LGBTQIA ROMANTIC SUSPENSE THOM COLLINS
Book four in the Basic Instincts series
A brutal killer. An unwitting witness. A cop caught in the middle of a deadly pursuit.
Jude Kalvert is glad to be back in his home city and playing gigs around his favourite bars. Blyham is a dangerous place, and things only seem to have got worse in the time he’s been away. It’s not safe to be out alone at night, but when Jude runs into an old school friend after one of his shows, things don’t so seem bad after all.
Danyal Nadir has changed a lot since they knew each other. He’s cop for one thing, newly appointed to act as liaison between the police and the LGBTQ+ community. And he’s come a long way from the shy, bullied kid Jude remembers from school. The adult Danyal is strong, confident and very attractive. Both men jump at the chance to get reacquainted.
But that first night is not a safe as it appears. Jude discovers that he’s one of the last people to have seen a murder victim alive. Soon the killer has Jude and Danyal in their sights. On the run and desperate, there’s no limit as to what he’ll do. As their friendship turns to passion, their new beginning could be the end of them.
Book four in the Basic Instincts series
A brutal killer. An unwitting witness. A cop caught in the middle of a deadly pursuit.
Jude Kalvert is glad to be back in his home city and playing gigs around his favourite bars. Blyham is a dangerous place, and things only seem to have got worse in the time he’s been away. It’s not safe to be out alone at night, but when Jude runs into an old school friend after one of his shows, things don’t so seem bad after all.
Danyal Nadir has changed a lot since they knew each other. He’s cop for one thing, newly appointed to act as liaison between the police and the LGBTQ+ community. And he’s come a long way from the shy, bullied kid Jude remembers from school. The adult Danyal is strong, confident and very attractive. Both men jump at the chance to get reacquainted.
But that first night is not a safe as it appears. Jude discovers that he’s one of the last people to have seen a murder victim alive. Soon the killer has Jude and Danyal in their sights. On the run and desperate, there’s no limit as to what he’ll do. As their friendship turns to passion, their new beginning could be the end of them.
- GenresRomantic Suspense
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy
I would like to thank GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
This was another fantastic installment in a thrilling series I've been enjoying a lot! I will never get enough of POC rep, and Danyal being Brown and a total babe, who was also a kind and genuine human, had me locked in from the jump! And Jude was just the most precious, musical darling who'd likewise clocked Danyal's deliciousness, and I was happy that their very sexy hot romance grew into love easily enough during some veeeeeeery dangerous times!
Collins' narrative style and tone was as immersive and moody and gritty as ever. I was nervous and scared for everyone from start to finish! Especially because the emotional connections between every single one of the characters (not just the MCs) were heartfelt and had me invested in all their lives remaining ALIVE!!!
Because the murdery unhinged attacks that'd been menacing Blyham's queer population was t e r r i f y i n g to read. The ending action pretty much broke my heart and stg my chest still feels caved in from THE BUILD-UP to everything that went down.
There was an HEA, but I was emotionally rocked by the violence of crazy bigots so I'm still sad and spiralling about a lot of the bad and bloody things. ofc ymmv
***Review portion over and incoming real talk. Feel free to stop reading here because I'm about to bring down the mood.***
This was another fantastic installment in a thrilling series I've been enjoying a lot! I will never get enough of POC rep, and Danyal being Brown and a total babe, who was also a kind and genuine human, had me locked in from the jump! And Jude was just the most precious, musical darling who'd likewise clocked Danyal's deliciousness, and I was happy that their very sexy hot romance grew into love easily enough during some veeeeeeery dangerous times!
Collins' narrative style and tone was as immersive and moody and gritty as ever. I was nervous and scared for everyone from start to finish! Especially because the emotional connections between every single one of the characters (not just the MCs) were heartfelt and had me invested in all their lives remaining ALIVE!!!
Because the murdery unhinged attacks that'd been menacing Blyham's queer population was t e r r i f y i n g to read. The ending action pretty much broke my heart and stg my chest still feels caved in from THE BUILD-UP to everything that went down.
There was an HEA, but I was emotionally rocked by the violence of crazy bigots so I'm still sad and spiralling about a lot of the bad and bloody things. ofc ymmv
***Review portion over and incoming real talk. Feel free to stop reading here because I'm about to bring down the mood.***
Review of advance copy received from Author
**********Contains Spoilers**********
I really enjoyed this book and thought that it was also another good addition to the Basic Instinct Series but it can totally be read as a standalone. This brutality of the killing in this book hits hard. Like I really can’t understand how someone can have so much hate in them for others. Danyal & Jude went to school together, they were both bullied but for different things.
Jude for being openly gay & Danyal for be small, geeky, immigrant, even though he was born in Scotland his father is of Indian decent. Jude has recently come back to Blyham and is playing gigs at local bars when he runs into Danyal who he went to school with. Jude doesn’t recognised him since he’s definitely changed a lot but the two catch up for a cuppa while Danyal takes a break walking the beat, he’s now a cop.
The two hit it off and agree to catch up soon. I really liked them together and the way their relationship progressed felt realistic. With everything that they went through their happily ever after was well deserved but also bittersweet considering the loss they both suffered. I’m looking forward to reading more books from Thom Collins in the future. I’d recommend this book, series and author to others.
******I received a complimentary copy of this book through GRR. I would still happily review this book even if I purchased it myself. My thoughts and feelings about this book are completely unbiased******
I really enjoyed this book and thought that it was also another good addition to the Basic Instinct Series but it can totally be read as a standalone. This brutality of the killing in this book hits hard. Like I really can’t understand how someone can have so much hate in them for others. Danyal & Jude went to school together, they were both bullied but for different things.
Jude for being openly gay & Danyal for be small, geeky, immigrant, even though he was born in Scotland his father is of Indian decent. Jude has recently come back to Blyham and is playing gigs at local bars when he runs into Danyal who he went to school with. Jude doesn’t recognised him since he’s definitely changed a lot but the two catch up for a cuppa while Danyal takes a break walking the beat, he’s now a cop.
The two hit it off and agree to catch up soon. I really liked them together and the way their relationship progressed felt realistic. With everything that they went through their happily ever after was well deserved but also bittersweet considering the loss they both suffered. I’m looking forward to reading more books from Thom Collins in the future. I’d recommend this book, series and author to others.
******I received a complimentary copy of this book through GRR. I would still happily review this book even if I purchased it myself. My thoughts and feelings about this book are completely unbiased******
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
Collins' writing style is, as always, gripping and raw.
From the very beginning, I was drawn into the story. Not just the MC's story, but also the other characters.
This installment is once again thrilling and fantastic. Genuinely a very good series.
💞Thank you to the Author and GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC💖
From the very beginning, I was drawn into the story. Not just the MC's story, but also the other characters.
This installment is once again thrilling and fantastic. Genuinely a very good series.
💞Thank you to the Author and GRR for the opportunity to read and review this ARC💖
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review to follow.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews