For fans of John Connolly and Dennis Lehane, the prequel to the bestselling, now-complete Erin Solomon Mystery Series. And don't miss the other novels in this critically acclaimed series, available in a single volume for a limited time at 50% off. Life, death, and the heart of darkness that lies between... When a Sudanese refugee is killed in a bizarre ritual murder in Portland, Maine, reporter Daniel "Diggs" Diggins attempts to revive his flagging career by investigating the crime. The story becomes personal when a young African girl Diggs has befriended is targeted by the killer, and Diggs himself falls victim to a curse that brings to terrifying light the ghosts of his own past. Working with young protege Erin Solomon, soon the duo finds themselves immersed in a world of dark secrets, crooked politicians, and black magic. Set during the summer of 2000, this standalone prequel to the bestselling Erin Solomon Pentalogy gives existing fans a front-row seat to those first tenuous days between Diggs and Solomon, as friendship evolves into something infinitely more complicated. And for newcomers to the series, Midnight Lullaby is the perfect introduction to the darkness and serpentine twists that mark every Diggs and Solomon mystery.
Jen Blood is a professional editor and publishing consultant, and author of the bestselling Erin Solomon Mysteries. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing/Popular Fiction, with writing influences ranging from Emily Bronte to Dennis Lehane, and any number of genres and authors in between. Her work has earned accolades and awards including the AIA Seal of Quality and the B.R.A.G. Medallion for ALL THE BLUE-EYED ANGELS, and honorable mention for Best in Fiction from the New England Book Festival for her second novel, SINS OF THE FATHER. All four of her novels have reached the Amazon Bestseller list in Mystery, Suspense, and Women Sleuths.
Born and raised among the smaller fishing villages of midcoast Maine, Jen's writing is rich with the details and tone of that isolated, occasionally harsh landscape. Today, after spending several years traveling the country, Jen is once again living in midcoast Maine, busily working on the next installment in the Erin Solomon series.
I so loved the Solomon pentology that when I saw this prequel I just had to read it. I thought it would just be a cosy backstory about how Erin and Digs got together - but no. They were thrust into a dark and twisty mystery with disappearances and voodoo magic. Excellent! I'm going to have to read all her other books now.
Honestly, Jen Blood could creatively write my grocery list and I'd still give it 5 stars and rave about it; she's just one of those authors who you just KNOW their book is going to be amazing based on previous works. Midnight Lullaby is no exception. It was such a fun experience to visit Diggs and Erin in the early stages of their partnership (and not-so-platonic partnership) and still witness the same type of chemistry portrayed in the Erin Solomon Pentology.
Right from the start - after Diggs and Erin stumble across the body of a female who was obviously staged and posed - the action and story sucks you in and engulfs all your senses while reading. Hints of things to come in the next 5, already released, books make me want to begin a re-read to pick up on those subtle plot lines.
In short, Diggs and Erin will always been among my Top 5 Favorite Couples and Midnight Lullaby reminded me about how amazing these characters are, and Blood's ability to weave an amazing tale with them. I can't wait to see what this author has in store for the future.
I still don't know what to write. Diggs and Solomon are the ultimate. I am processing the beginning of their relationship. I saw some Easter eggs that made me chuckle having read the previous books. I just ... Thank Jen Blood for having the vision to write this
I enjoyed reading this book. It did a good job of introducing the main and secondary characters, Solo man and Diggs, in the series, as well as was a good murder mystery.
I had read the Erin Solomon mysteries a few years ago, and picked this up as a prequel. I enjoyed seeing her through Diggs's eyes. The evolution of their relationship, along with the investigation into the initial murder, were really good. I did not see the ending coming. You can read this as a standalone. It will make you want to know more about Solomon and Diggs, which you can read in the Erin Solomon Mysteries
Jen Blood's characters are the best part of her stories and her gift is using each person's own voice to tell them. This time, it's Daniel "Diggs" Diggins narrating, and if I hadn't already read the Erin Solomon series, Midnight Lullaby would have definitely sent me looking for them. Many times, prequels rely on the reader being familiar with the stories they precede, but "Lullaby" stands on its own, with a great story fleshed out with as colorful a cast of miscreants as you'd never want to know.
There are a few series out there that you just can’t put down, you read one and you’re hooked. That’s how the Diggs/Solomon series is for me. I’ve read them all, and in all honestly I was a bit depressed when the last one came out, but then Jen Blood surprised us all and wrote the prequel!
Midnight Lullaby focuses on the early years and development of Diggs and Solomon’s relationship, but it’s filled with a disturbing mystery that takes flight from the very beginning of the book and doesn’t let go until the end. As usual Ms. Blood’s writing, characters, scenes, etc. are exceptional. This certainly functions as a stand-alone novel, but I guarantee you, you will buy the rest without hesitation (if you haven’t already).
another fantastic f'ing read from Jen Blood. I really did enjoy this prequel, and whether it was written recently (meaning after the series) or before - it's fantastic. I would have continued the series had this been first, but knowing the 'history' of the books, I just had a smart ass grin as I read thru it!
So many points for me why I loved this.. She writes great characters - and even though I knew the characters in the future - I loved who the where "early on". The "who done it" had me guessing until it was revealed, which I thoroughly enjoyed "not knowing".
Great book, I'll read anything this author keeps on publishing !!
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Jen Blood weaves a tale like no other with twists and turns and plots that you have to keep turning the page to figure it out. Diggs and Solomon are an awesome duet and get in and out of more trouble than the law allows. They are the perfect team to figure out what is going on and the way they do it leaves you in stitches and praying they will get out of the mess they continue to find themselves in. Great work!
Another Diggs and Solomon adventure...and I just can't get enough of them. You can sign me up for anything with these two characters in it. I loved seeing a young Salomon and Diggs and the almost beginnings of their unique dynamic. Great mystery, I was completely engaged the whole way through. More More More!
A great addition to the Erin Solomon Pentalogy--a gratifying extra installment for long-time fans, and, as a prequel, a wonderful introduction to the larger story for a newcomer. I enjoyed hearing this story from Daniel Diggins' point of view, in a sort of updated hard-boiled detective style.
Due to a bad knee, I had to keep my feet elevated most of the day, so I chose to read this book. I made a good choice. Once I started I was immersed in it and had to finish it. Complex story with a lot of suspects, and a very surprising ending. A good read.