Thursday, August 6, 2026

Brandon Barrows: The Darker The Night

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222446329-the-darker-the-night

Book Blurb:

Matt Allen knew it wouldn’t be easy convincing his ex-wife Lilly that their son should have a chance to live with his dad, at least for a little while. He’s been gone four years, but he’s back now. The divorce had been bitter, so of course Lilly is dead set against the idea.

Except… Now she’s just dead, and Matt is the prime suspect.

Only he and the real killer know he’s innocent.

Tropes:

*Mystery *crime fiction *💀 Mystery *Wrong Man Accused *Everyman Protagonist

*Intergenerational trauma *Relatable Family Ties *State Challenge Michigan

*whodunit *noir vibes *Femme fatale 

Thoughts:

When Matt Allen returned to Michigan to see his son after 4 years living away in Boston he had hoped to have the chance to be there for his son in a way that he hadn't been able to previously... 4 years is a long time of just screen time and hoping that his ex-wife Lilly would be willing to allow at least partial custody he shows up with high expectations.

A lot has changed... but one thing hasn't Lilly she's still sinking her claws into unsuspecting men, he knows how hard she is to resist he was in her clutches once and the divorce was hard on both of them... but she seemed to land on her feet just fine with a wealthy new husband shortly after their divorce seems like she didn't even let the ink dry on their paperwork.

Matt and Lilly have a checkered past she did humiliate him by cheating on him with a line of men but Matt is looking towards the future and hopes that Lilly will give him the chance to spend more time with their son.  Before he even gets a chance to really talk to her about it she ends up dead... and he is the prime suspect.

Matt determined to clear his own name begins his own investigations and discovers that Lilly while he knew she wasn't an angel has been up to shady business... including continuing to go thru men after her 2nd husband had a suspicious accident (leading to his early demise) her most recent man has a temper... but he isn't the only one who had something against Lilly.  

While Matt's back in town we're introduced to his ex Lilly, their son, His best friend and sister in-law Sheila and her husband Steve along with a line up of others that have their own motives where Lilly being gone would benefit them.

When more people begin to turn up dead... Matt knows that his time to find out who is behind this is limited what if he's next?  

We as the reader are with Matt so we know he isn't the true suspect but this mystery kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to find out who it could be and just when I thought I knew who the true suspect was another twist came showing that maybe it wasn't them at all... but if not then who did it?

I truly enjoyed this book, I love a good mystery that truly makes you think it could be anyone so it's that much more surprising to find out who it is at the end!  

Have you read this one?  What did you think?  


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