After Nightfall

Author: A. J. Banner

Publisher: Lake Union

Release Date: August 7, 2018

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

A fascinating who-dun-it that feels like playing a game of Clue.

Marissa Parlette has finally found joy in her love life. She has loved working as a speech language therapists with children and met her fiancée at the school his daughter attends, who also happens to be one of Marissa’s pupils.  She has also invited her childhood friend Lauren back into her life after several years apart when she discovered Lauren’s betrayal.  On the eve of Marissa’s engagement, Lauren is flirting openly with her fiancée and she confronts Lauren about it.  Lauren suddenly leaves and tells Marissa that she has something to tell her about her fiancée.  Unfortunately she never gets the chance when Marissa discovers Lauren’s lifeless body on the beach after falling over a hundred foot cliff, which doesn’t make sense given Lauren’s fear of heights.  Each of the guests at the party appear to have a motive for Lauren’s death with the secrets that are hidden behind the layers.  Will the true reason and murderer ever be brought to light?

 What a fun mystery read! This book was almost like stepping into a game of Clue.  It opens directly to the setting of the engagement party where the reader gets to meet all of the characters involved.  Personalities are put on display for the reader to see and get an understanding of the dynamic between the characters.  Then the transition to finding the body and the investigation begins.  Each character has something to hide and Marissa is in the middle of it all.  I thoroughly enjoyed working alongside Marissa to try to understand who was behind it all.  And it wasn’t some simple open and shut case, it was more secretive than that.  Needless to say, as the secrets came to light, several were appalling, but still not conducive to finding the murderer.  Being the detective on this case was definitely fun.

There was some strong language throughout the book and a little bit of sex, but nothing graphic for readers. Even so, I still recommend this book to readers who enjoy a good mystery.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.