Description:

Afton Teachout has been an outcast in her small town for twenty years—ever since she was accused of murdering her mother’s lover in a blackout fit of rage. That is, if one believes the malicious lies.

Living with her grandmother, working a hotel night shift, and relying on pills to get a day’s sleep, Afton is due a little luck. It comes in the form of an unexpected financial windfall. With her newfound wealth, Afton sets a secret plan in motion to help her only friend, Sydney, flee a toxic husband. But the best intentions soon spin out of control.

Afton is getting unsettling calls from a restricted number, and someone has been lingering outside her home. As Sydney’s troubled marriage comes into focus, so does Afton’s past. Her second chance—for herself and for Sydney—isn’t what she dreamed of at all. In fact, it’s becoming a nightmare.

Adele’s Review:

After Dark is a compelling psychological drama. Minka Kent has crafted one of the most unusual protagonists this reviewer has read and will not soon forget. Afton Teachout is a fully formed character that filled me with empathy. She has lived a tortured life for over twenty years, and on each page of her story, I hoped she’d find the redemption she so desperately needs.

The story is told in alternating POV and timelines that are well marked to avoid confusion. The writing is excellent, and the plotlines tied. This book would have been a five-star read for me except for the less than satisfying story conclusion. I wanted the antagonist to receive the payback that’s so richly deserved. In mystery and thriller books and movies the punishment typically fits the crime. That didn’t happen in this novel. There is comeuppance that might satisfy some readers, but after connecting with Afton and rooting for her throughout the novel, this reviewer wanted retribution. I can’t say more without spoilers, and I’m interested in comments from other readers. Overall, After Dark is a page-turner and an entertaining read.

Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5886882591

Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BVRQHMMN