Member Reviews
London Clarke is a new name to me, and until the About the Author page at the end of the book, I didn't even know if they were male or female. She's a woman BTW.
In this book, Callie, a ghost writer, accepts the contact to write the life story of Riff Fall, a rock singer who now lives as a recluse on a small island off the coast of Florida.
When she stays with him on the island she finds herself growing closer to him than she should. But there are mysteries about his behaviour. Why is he so strict about not allowing her out after midnight? What did happen to his ex-wife who disappeared under strange circumstances? Why does he fall ill every time he leaves the boundaries of his property? And who are the strange beings who sing their hypnotic songs outside his house every night?
I think this is the first time I've seen sirens as the villains in a horror novel, and I really enjoyed it. Greek myths have a lot to offer, and this book takes full advantage.
The first two thirds of the book are excellent. the slow build up is masterfully handled and Callie's natural skepticism is swept away believably. It falls apart slightly in the final act, but not so much as to render this a bad book in any way.
It's well written with believable and sympathetic characters. The Sirens/water witches make for an effectively creepy and dangerous antagonist. The only issue I have with the book is the reasonably predictable Deus ex-machina in the final chapters.
She has a few more books out. I will be adding them to my already out-of-control TBR pile in due course.
This is a 3.5 star read for me, which I rounded up to 4 stars.
I did like it, and I would recommend it for those who like their horror to be dark, but not too dark. There is also a romantic element in this story that may turn off some horror fans, but if you like some sweetness mixed in with your shivers, then this is for you.
I enjoyed the 2 main characters. The fact that Riff was a famous rock star and Callie is a ghostwriter looking to write his memoir is a really great premise.
I will not spoil anything, but the story is pretty interesting.
I wish that there was a bit more of the lore sprinkled into the story.
I also wanted some more from several of the supporting characters, especially the "big bad."
But overall, this was a fun, fast read that I would recommend to others.
Callie Rowe is a ghost writer for rock stars, writing memoirs of their lives. Callie is assigned a new client Riff Fall lead singer of a 90s metal group. He is known as a recluse and was once accused of killing his wife. Callie joins him at his home on a secluded island where things aren’t as they seem.
Firstly, I will say I like the idea of this book. I liked the idea of mythical creatures in the modern world and how they influenced society in different ways. It was a different take on sirens and how they essentially controlled the music industry. There were a lot of topics that’s tied to both the real world and this mythical one. How some musicians sign their lives away and they can never get out of contracts etc. it was refreshing story that I wouldn’t necessarily say it was horror but a thriller for sure.
However, there were many formatting issues in the beginning of the ebook and also editing problems with consistency (I.e. the housekeeper was named Esmeralda but two pages later she was called Esperanza and then switched back to Esmeralda within the next few pages). Callie and Riff were both interesting people bough characters with some integrity to them but overall there was nothing that made them stand out. I even forgot about some of the characters until I started putting together my thoughts (forgot about Elijah who seemed way more important in the beginning that he is not even mentioned again)
I would have liked a little more background on the sirens. There was some mention of the Odyssey and Circe but I wanted a little more.
Overall, it was good, quick story. Would I recommend it? Maybe. Would I reread it? No.
An incredibly fun, haunting read with ties to Greek mythology and nautical legends. Callisto, who goes by Callie, is a tough, chainsmoking ghostwriter who has her defensive walls up at all time. Her client, Riff Fall is a sexy, mysterious, slightly "washed up" former 90s rock frontman with a dark history that even he can't fully recall. Callie is quickly sucked into a dangerous and murky world of disembodied songs, a locked door that she isn't allowed to touch, and one firm rule- don't leave the house after midnight. She's writing a memoir for Riff, but hoping they'll both live long enough for her to finish the story.
This book is filled with dread, gorgeous ocean scenery, and a bit of romantic tension that kept me invested in both Callie and Riff. I recommend it to anyone who is interested in thrillers and light romance, and I'm so glad I was able to check out an ARC before buying my own copy.
"Night Singers" by London Clark is a gripping blend of suspense and supernatural intrigue. Ghostwriter Callie Rowe's journey working on the memoir of her 90s rockstar idol, Riff Fall, quickly turns eerie as she uncovers the dark secrets of Invisible Island. The atmosphere is rich with tension, and the enigmatic Riff adds layers of complexity to the narrative. Clark masterfully intertwines past and present, keeping readers on edge with unexpected revelations and sinister twists. While some plot points feel a bit predictable, the overall storytelling and character development make it a compelling read. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Much like Clarke, I am a lover of music and spent a fair share of my youth attending concerts, snapping photos, and using my press pass to spend the day hanging out with rock stars. I loved that juxtaposition of music and monster here, that the story was rooted in mythology, and that odd island culture was explored here. The story and its characters enchanted me, much like sirens singing out their irresistible songs. Give this one a try. Spend some time with Callie and Riff (what a phenomenal name).
London Clarke has done it again! I love the supernatural elements to London’s books, but this one may be my all time favorite! I have quite the obsession with Greek mythology, so that twist was absolutely fantastic! The prose of The Night Singers is enough to keep readers on the edge of their seats, and to keep them guessing up until the very end. I also enjoyed the character development, and how London shows the fragmented parts of humans and the choices one makes in life. I highly recommend this book to other readers.
Thank you @netgalley for the ARC of The Night Singers by London Clarke. This was a creepy atmospheric novel with a build and then a suspenseful ending. I really liked the incorporation of Greek Mythology of the sirens from Homer’s Odyssey. The description of their singing made me feel like I was there and it hurt my ears.
Callie is a ghost writer and was called to write the biography of one of her favorite childhood music idols. He has become a recluse on an island and rumors have circulated that he may have killed his wife. When Callie goes to the island, there are many rules, don’t go out after midnight, don’t go in the attic…. As she uncovers the truth behind Riff’s isolation, she is in danger from the sirens that inhabit the island.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I really enjoyed this story. It sort of reads as a balance between a mythology love letter, a horror novel, and a sprinkling of romance (but not so much so that you lose the rest of the story due to it!). I really enjoyed Callie as a main character - she was headstrong, determined, curious, and a really enjoyable protagonist. Riff maybe felt a little 'Mary-Sue' in places (or whatever the male equivalent of that may be!), but he was still an enjoyable character, and the relationship between the two of them felt quite genuine.
The world building is also great, with the island feeling truly isolated and realistic in terms of the rich tourist visitors and the year-round population. The horror segments, particularly at the resort, are sculpted really beautifully, and while not entirely frightening, they certainly bring an air of menace that helps in the suspense enormously.
The mystery of the book is fantastic as well, and it does an exceptional job of blending old myth with new ideas, in a really successful way. This novel was just all around a good time, and the only critique that I have (besides the character one above!) is that I wish it were a little longer.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author for granting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading bad books for fun. You'll have a rip-roaring good time. As for me, I simply do not have the stamina.
I received this book from NetGalley for a review. It’s my first one from them and I was very excited. I was a little worried I wouldn’t like the book but I didn’t need to worry. I loved it. It was even pretty scary in some places, hitting my absolute goal of finding a book so scary, I’m afraid to go to the bathroom without my dog (I read in bed at night in the dark).
Callie is a ghost writer for musicians. Her newest client, Riff Fall, was a famous musician from the 90’s and 2000’s and is known as a reclusive hermit. He never leaves his property and doesn’t talk to the media. Callie and her agent are overjoyed for the opportunity. Once Callie gets into the interview, Riff is cagey with his answers. Usually, she likes to meet with her clients in person, but Riff refuses. She asks him why he refuses to leave his property, assuming he has agoraphobia, and he refuses to answer. After a few more questions, Riff declares this was a mistake and logs off.
The next day, Callie’s agent calls her and tells her Riff agreed to let her come to his house. She sets off for Invisible Island, where Riff lives.
Once Callie arrives, Riff shows her around the property. He has strange rules. Such as Callie can’t leave the house or open any windows after 11:59pm. She isn’t allowed to open or even go near a door upstairs. He tells her he’d prefer she doesn’t leave the house after dark. Callie agrees, but thinks it’s very strange.
Weird things begin happening. At night, she thinks she hears footsteps, tapping, and singing. As she explores the island, talks to the locals, and gets Riff to open up, what she learns about the island and Riff truly surprises her and opens her eyes to the possibility of the supernatural.
I loved this book. I couldn’t put it down. If you like horror and are interested in something different than a run of the mill ghost story, you’ll like this book. I can’t wait to check out what else the author has written.
I went in to this book with absolutely no expectations. I honestly wasn’t sure how I felt going in. I am so glad I went with my gut and read it. I thought this book was great! Mysterious, thrilling, haunting…Loved it!
Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. The Night Singers is the first book by London Clarke that I have read, and I am most certainly glad that I did read this book. The description immediately grabbed my attention. The first pages of the book reeled me in, and I had a hard time to put the book down. The atmosphere and the characters really push the story forward. There is depth and complexity in The Night Singers, which made for a most satisfying read.
I didn't love this, but I liked it enough to see how it would all play out. I really enjoyed the locale, and the writing itself was great. I would have preferred more horror and less romance, but that's a me thing. I didn't really see the point of our MC's daddy issues either. I'm probably not the correct audience for this book.
4.5 stars!!
What a nerve-shattering read! This book was SO dynamic and twisty, I was OBSESSED! The well-written plot constantly kept me on edge and the character development was out of this world!
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I really was sure what to expect. Great characters and enough suspense and intrigue to keep you wanting to read more.
This was an interesting book. I didn't think it was the best I'd ever read, but it wasn't bad. I feel like more time could have been spent on a few details, but the characters were enjoyable.
Thank you, NetGalley and Books Go Social this is an amazing story about Callie, who is a ghost writer and gets her dream job of her life. She is able to write for her rockstar crush Rif Fall! I love the atmosphere and the sinister setting in this book. It made me feel like I was along with Callie at his island. I really enjoyed the aspect of murder and dealing with Riff’s missing wife. What is the cost of fame? That was definitely a big question in his book. I also learned about Sirens and I was very invested in this book from beginning to end.! I definitely recommend this book and I will be continuing to read more from this author. Thank you.! Works for me
The Night Singers was a very atmospheric book. As the reader I really felt a bit immersed in the world even though I also felt like some details were missing in places. The characters were complex and the plot was well fleshed out. This was the first book with Sirens that I've ever read which has me intrigued and wanting to go read more!
The Night Singers
by: London Clarke
due 5-28-2024
5.0 stars
London Clarke never disappoints. She excels in creating an atmosphere and characters that seem real-so relatable-I felt their fear. I felt their longing. The slow, and immersive chill of this story, pulls you in like being lost in a rolling fog, as it slowly takes over and covers you. Being alone it becomes difficult, and fearful, but the mystery, and unique alone-ness intrigue you and you are surrounded and pulled in. I enjoyed The Night Singers, a gothic chiller by London Clarke.
'The Night Singers' is about Callie, a ghost writer of music biographies. She's working with former pin-up rock star, Riff Fall, the lead singer of 90's band, Cry of Crows, who had many platinum albums. Now it's 2016, and Callie learns Riff lives on Invisible Island, that is only accesible by boat or ferry. Riff has become a recluse, and never leaves the island. He wife Lila has idsappeared and he thinks she may have been murdered. Riff tells Callie he thinks the Island is haunted but she makes pland to spend a week on the Island to interview him for the book. Riff tells Callie to never go out at night because of the spirits that sing. Their voice mesmerizes you, and can control you, but thats just the beginning of the spooky lure of this island. The chilly overtones are offset by the slowly developing friendship between Riff and Callie and make this an unforgettable story.
Thank you to Net Galley for sending this e-book ARC for review.
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