Dead of Night

Hidden Faces #3

by Brandilyn Collins

All words fell away. I pushed myself off the path, noticing for the first time the signs of earlier passage---the matted earth, broken twigs. And I knew. My mouth turned cottony. I licked my lips, took three halting steps. My maddening, visual brain churned out pictures of colorless faces on a cold slab---Debbie Lille, victim number one; Wanda Deminger, number three . . . He'd been here. Dragged this one right where I now stumbled. I'd entered a crime scene, and I could not bear to see what lay at the end. . . .This is a story about evil.This is a story about God's power. A string of murders terrorizes citizens in the Redding, California, area. The serial killer is cunning, stealthy. Masked by day, unmasked by night. Forensic artist Annie Kingston discovers the sixth body practically in her own back yard. Is the location a taunt aimed at her?One by one, Annie must draw the unknown victims for identification. Dread mounts. Who will be taken next? Under a crushing oppression, Annie and other Christians are driven to pray for God's intervention as they've never prayed before.With page-turning intensity, Dead of Night dares to pry open the mind of evil. Twisted actions can wreak havoc on earth, but the source of wickedness lies beyond this world. Annie learns where the real battle takes place---and that a Christian's authority through prayer is the ultimate, unyielding weapon.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Christian, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook

385 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 22, 2005

About the author

Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®--fast-paced, character-driven suspense with myriad twists and an interwoven thread of faith.

Brandilyn is also known for her distinctive book on fiction-writing techniques, Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors (John Wiley & Sons). She is a sought-after teacher and speaker at writers' conferences.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my first book by this author. I appreciated the Christian Fiction/Crime-Mystery merge. There were things I definitely liked, but it also tipped in the other direction. I liked the plot. It was intriguing and had some twists that were well placed.

My main two complaints may be linked. I didn't care for the MC. I prefer the MC to be a little stronger and not a complete mess, especially when they have to carry the entire book. My dislike of her might be linked to the narrator. I listened to the audio and it felt way over acted and the MC came across as super whiny. I struggled with that.

[Allie Andersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning: This book is NOT for the faint of heart...

Whoa, this book... I think I'm gonna need a break from thrillers for a while 😅 The killer was *very* unhinged, and I wound up mainly skipping over the chapters from the anatogist's perspective because of the intensity.

And while we're talking about intensity... wow, the last 20% of the book flew by. It was the most intense and gut-wrenching climax I've read in a while.

This book has a very powerful message about prayer, which I haven't actually read in a realistic way before now. Overall, this is a really good book... but I think I need a break from mysteries and thrillers for a bit. *skips off to go read a not-so-heavy Middle Grade*

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great, heart-thumping suspense novel from Brandilyn Collins! This one sees the main character's faith growing and becoming an ever-more important part of her life. In this book, she will need every bit of her own faith as well as that of those around her as she, once again, finds herself in the thick of a murder investigation. While she is heading for trouble in that direction, her teenage son in rushing into it from another. The climax was so well-written and descriptive, my heart was pounding! I'll be sorry to see this series end...

[joyce lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brandilyn Collins is a phenominal mystery writer, who certainly knows how to toss the twists and turns in, and keep you on your toes! she puts lots of details in it, but not too much, so if you're squeemish about murder, you should still be able to handle it.

btw, for those of you that will only read christian books, she is a christian author!

oh, this book is #3 in a series. the main character starts out as a court room artist in the 1st book, who becomes a forensic artist.

[bookscoffeeandcats77 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Overall, I liked this story and thought it had a solid mystery. I did figure out who the killer was but not until the very end when it is probably obvious to everyone. I felt a bit detached from the characters because I read the first two books in the series a long time ago. I didn't care for the brief times we spent in the killers POV. The ending was very good and why I gave it the 1/2 star.

[Julie Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12



Annie finds out just how true this verse is in DEAD OF NIGHT. A serial killer is on the loose and several women have been found dead. It seems the killer is escalating. Annie is once again chosen to draw the dead women in order to identify them. The killer seems to be taunting Annie and the police. Annie is feeling the evil that this killer represents. Annie has never felt such an urge to pray nor such oppression from being attacked by the enemy. Not only is Annie having to help the police track down a killer, but her family is once again in crisis thanks to her son Stephen. How much is too much for one woman to handle?



Oh. My. Word! DEAD OF NIGHT was a true thriller a minute! The author truly captured the evil that the killer represented. You could practically feel the oppression of the enemy while reading. I loved how determined Annie was to not lose her faith and to not let the enemy win. It seems Annie is growing stronger. In this book she didn't seem as hysterical as in the first two books. There were still a couple of times that I wanted to shake her, especially where her son Stephen was concerned. It was frustrating how she wanted to constantly protect him even when he was in self-destruct mode. And her ex-husband? Ugh! What a total JERK! In the midst of all of the danger and all of the crises with Stephen, Annie and Dave start realizing they have feelings for each other...eep! Poor Chetterling! I was hoping it would be him! Sigh...DEAD OF NIGHT is not for the faint of heart. If you aren't a thriller fan it could be hard to read this one. If you are a thriller fan, then this one will surely keep you turning the pages and possibly even keep you up at night!

[Paulette Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

There Are No Words...

This third book in the Hidden Faces Series is phenomenal! There are just no words to descibe the amazing story Brandilyn Collins weaves in this intensely spine-tingling multiple murder mystery. Once again, the author blows me away with the ending....you think you know and have it figured out and she pulls the rug out from under you!! I have never read such incredible suspenseful, heart-pounding novels as Brandilyn Collins' novels! Just don't read them before you go to bed...I couldn't fall asleep until I finished the book...even with having taken a sleeping pill...that's how riveting and intense this story is!!! She definitely has become my favorite Christian suspense author and I plan on reading every thing she publishes.

Now I will go to sleep and cannot wait to start book four in the series tomorrow...

[Rumeur · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don’t like having horror/thriller mixed with religion. I don’t want religion pushed on me anywhere, esp while I’m reading what I think is horror

It may have worked for the Exorcist, but this was NOWHERE near that level & really no NEED to add religion. Exorcist there was a need, this book....NO!

Perhaps this publisher is one of those Christian publishing groups? I dont know? If not.....even more reason to leave it out. The fact this author is religious doesn’t mean it needs to be thrown in my face. Not appreciated in this type story!

[Brittani · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just for anyone who follows anything I read. These do have heavy religious (positive if that helps anyone who follows me that is religious) themes. I struggle with how heavy the religious themes are, personally, but I find the stories interesting regardless of the quite heavy religious themes.

The first book i either just completely washed over it or it wasn't as strong but for books 2 and 3 they were very very heavily Christian themed.

That being said.
Too heavy for me, personally, and I won't be reading on. I wish they had a "trigger warning" for heavy religious themes on them.

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annie drawing the victims from the scene where the girls are found and at the morgue. Her faith is stronger and relying on pray to help her through. Her son Stephen has push all the buttons, and that continues to grow, finding just how deep he was in, to even selling. The romance begins with a necklace at Annie’s birthday. Two plots one was the message of the value of prayer. The other was the intensity of the murders.

[Ron Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way too much faith based content for me and I'm done with this series. The underlying story is excellent with a totally unexpected development in its conclusion. Collins is a brilliant novelist and I would highly recommend this series to anyone who is fine with the strong theme of Annie's faith being a dominant component throughout - especially in Dead of Night.

[J. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesus Jesus Jesus

Dead of Night is one of the most terrifying yet most powerful stories I’ve ever read. If you have ever questioned the power of prayer … yours alone … or the multiplied power of agreement, your questions will be answered in the context of this story. Thank you, Ms. Collins, for this wonderful testimony.

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall I really enjoyed this main character. It was so refreshing to read a character who showed genuine struggle and not just for one chapter or until the end of the book. The mystery itself was full of twists and turns which kept me reading and reading!

[Lynn Weldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book of a series, and my favorite so far. There is one book left in the series. This book was filled with suspense from page one. It also shows God prompting the characters to pray. Powerful prayers. This book kept me guessing til the end.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

As this series progresses, the books get better and better. I think I know what is going on and then I begin to question myself. Emotional and captivating. My eyes fly across the pages because I am so eager to figure it all out. Ready to read the next!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say about such a great book! I really enjoyed this book! I love the mystery and suspense in this book. Brandilyn weaves in the power of prayer and how much we need prayer in our lives. Must read!

[Lisa Lewis Lewis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Left me hanging with a lot of things unexplained.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

still haven't listened to book 2 - hope that doesn't mess up the series; it takes so long to get some things from the library; enjoying series, but a bit gruesome.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a page turner

[Angie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hang on to your hat. Like a rollercoaster, it starts slow, then picks up with twists and turns until you look up and the ride is over!

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, just wow! I didn’t see this ending coming at all. 5⭐️

[Crystal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable plot - 3.5 stars.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining. Not very realistic, with same “victim” and spotty theology but still entertaining.

[Kathy Albright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one yet!

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series but if I could give half points this would be 3 1/2 stars. It’s a little too much of the same thing in the other books.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great who did it! Keeps you guessing.

[Kathy Moody · Rating 4 out of 5]

very dark but expresses the urgency of prayer. villian superbly camouflaged.

[Mark Andrlik · Rating 5 out of 5]

True to form, suspenseful and unpredictable. great insight into the discipline of forensic investigative processes.

[Louise E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second Brandilyn Collins novel I've read, and sadly, it will probably be my last.

Here's the thing. I like the complexity of her plot, and the plot ideas are quite clever and engaging, at least in the two books I've read.

But I just can't take the writing style. First, I'm not at all a big fan of first person. It's a form of emotional dissonance to me, trying to force me into pretending I'm the main character when I know I'm not and I frankly don't want to be. I don't read a novel to experience what the main character experiences. I want a good plot without all the extra "please identify with my main character" stuff. The action and plot are what I care about.

So I should enjoy a novel such as this because the plot is good, right? I should. But I don't because of the weird phrases and ways of saying things this author has. The beginning and the endings are the worst for these things (although there often are a few scattered throughout). It's almost like those two parts are overworked, like the author thinks she can twist words/metaphors around to make them sound clever when they just come across as rather pompous or nonsensical. They drag me right out of the story, and that's especially not something you want to happen when the reader is in the middle of the climax action. I had a really hard time getting past a very early reference to a dead body as smelling sweet like rotting vegetables. One, rotting vegetables can in no way be described as a sweet smell. And two, my dad was a renderer so I KNOW what dead animals smell like, which is similar to dead humans. NO WAY they are described as sweet. Ever. Ever. Just never.

I hate it that these things have come up in both books because I think if it weren't for the first person and the pretentious words pictures in places, I would probably enjoy this author otherwise. But sadly, I can't get past these things. They make me want to throw the book across the room (especially those few at the end, right in the middle of the action). Sorry.

Oh, and as for the sister interactions in this, a couple of scenes between the two dragged on a bit and didn't seem to provide much to the plot.

The plot itself was good, well-researched and very believable.