After Midnight

By: Irina Shapiro

Narrated by: Jess Nahikian

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Stranded by a raging hurricane, a group of strangers find themselves trapped at a grand antebellum mansion, now a boutique hotel. Novelist Callum Burke, known for his historical bestsellers, is among the guests, the Oleander Plantation the main stop on a research trip for his new book, while several couples from up north are in New Orleans to celebrate personal milestones.

As the hurricane batters the house and the waters rise, Callum is found hanging from an ancient oak, murdered in the same way as the notorious villain in his most popular book. Cut off from the outside world, the guests soon realize that the murderer might strike again, and everyone at the plantation could either be the next victim or the killer.

The Oleander Plantation becomes the perfect setting for a real-life locked-room mystery, where the truth is buried beneath layers of deceit, hidden motives, and suppressed desires. The tempest outside mirrors the chaos within the mansion's walls, and plot devices from Callum’s book become clues as truth and fiction collide in a deadly narrative.

©2024 Irina Shapiro (P)2024 Merlin Press LLC

Twist and Turn

Even thought I liked The Lost Colony a little better. My favorite part of this book, was that I couldn't take a break. I listened to all of it in one day.
I found myself trying to examine each of these characters, to figure out "who done it". I could feel for the main character when she was betrayed, as well. Even though I really wanted her betrayer to be a good guy!
Every time I hear this readers voice, I think Oh, I'm not going to like listening, but I soon change my mind. She's great.
Dawn M

A Captivating Psychological Thriller

"After Midnight" is a riveting journey into the depths of suspense and intrigue set in the picturesque background of a historical Southern Louisiana plantation of Oleander, skillfully crafted by the talented Irina Shapiro. From the moment I pressed play, I was ensnared by the exceptional performance of the narrator, whose voice lent a mysterious ambiance to the already disquieted background of inferred tales from people and times past. Each character, from the engaging and amiable protagonist to the shadowy figures lurking in the background, was brought to life with such complexity and nuance that I found myself utterly captivated.

The plot of "After Midnight" is a labyrinth of twists and turns, expertly woven to keep listeners guessing until the very end. Just when I thought I had unraveled the mystery, another layer was revealed, leaving me eager to uncover the truth. The pacing was relentless, propelling the narrative forward with a sense of urgency leaving me hanging onto every word.

However, as much as I enjoyed the journey, I couldn't help but wish for more. The story, while engaging, felt like it could have been expanded upon, allowing for a deeper exploration of both the world and the characters within it. In particular, the relationships between the supporting characters could have been delved into further at the beginning of the story, adding an extra layer of drama and complexity to the narrative. Is it possible these characters knew each other before arriving at Oleander or were they truly strangers? Furthermore, while the cast of characters was intriguing, there was one outlying character whose presence begged for further exploration. Fleshing out this character could have added another twist and dimension to the whodunit aspect of the story, keeping listeners guessing until the very end; however, there is still plenty of opportunity to speculate about who the killer might be until the very end.

Overall, "After Midnight" is another masterfully crafted psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. With its exceptional performance by Jess Nahikian, complex characters, and a myriad of twists and turns that keep you guessing who did it and why - it's a must-listen.

*Note: The author graciously provided an advanced copy of this audiobook to me at no charge; however, all ratings and opinions are my own.*

Who Done It???

This book will have you wondering ‘who done it’ to the end! And then have you wondering if justice will ever be served…well timed suspense and I loved the performance of the narrator. Well done Irina!

Excellent mystery!

Loved this book from the very beginning. Jess is so down to earth and relatable. Every time I thought I had it figured out I was so wrong. Narration was spot on I couldn’t stop listening.

Good, but a little predictable...

The story was a little like Agitha Christy's "And Then There ÷Were None", meets "Clue", but over all it was a good book.

I may be done with Irina Shapiro for a while

No. Nope. No way. I tried really hard to like this book enough to not return it. It was like the author was trying to tick as many PC boxes as possible to draw people in. African American man that is not only extremely handsome but also cooks and whose family has a history with the plantation as slaves..check. Woman that owns the mansion and is not only extremely independent but rich and recently dumped by a man that refused to sign a pre-nup..check. Power couple that are not only interracial but beautiful...check. Gay couple...check. The author that is not only well known but believes he is a legend in his own mind...check, And it goes on. Many times while listening I did an eye roll when descriptions of different characters were given. After five hours I gave up. I like the author and I have Isolation Island in my library. This book was not for me.