Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read and review the e-ARC of this delightfully adventurous book: 'Night Bleeds Into Dawn'.

This is a ritual satanist cult thriller / horror story that leaves you on your toes while begging for more. And more does it gives, does it ever.

<B>"From Graeme Reynolds, the acclaimed author of the High Moor Trilogy, comes a lightning-paced supernatural thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat."</B>

Detective Jack Carlton is a deadbeat private investigator, father and alcoholic and his days are counted by the company he keeps, or rather, whom he'd rather avoid. Suddenly he finds himself pulled into a case that at first seems like a joke, but quickly turns into a horror movie, throwing his life and anyone he meets and knows into a world filled with supernatural danger.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and it's twist and turns and would highly recommend it to my friends / readers who enjoy good thrillers and horrors.

If this hadn't been an ARC I think I would have enjoyed doing back and reading it a second time, just so I can take in all the smaller details I might have missed.

Five stars.

This book got me at the first Chapter! It draws you right in and has you wanting to find out what the hell is going on. Creepy. Mysterious. They're something very sinister about prep schools in general so i found the setting perfect.

ARC provided by BooksGoSocial in exchange for an honest review.

Night Bleeds Into Dawn by Graeme Reynolds is an electrifying mix of horror, detective thriller, and supernatural suspense. Following the life of Jack Carlton, a down-and-out private investigator, the story plunges readers into a dark, twisting case that begins with a gruesome massacre at a public school. When Carlton takes on the case to clear the only surviving witness, he finds himself tangled in a nightmarish web that threatens both his life and sanity.

Reynolds brings a gritty realism to the detective genre, imbuing Carlton's journey with both sardonic wit and a palpable sense of dread. With each turn of the investigation, the author ratchets up the tension, blending police procedural elements with unnerving horror. This blend keeps readers hooked, especially as the line between reality and the supernatural begins to blur. The final act is an intense, bloody showdown that is as terrifying as it is relentless, pushing Carlton to confront his own inner darkness.

The characters are richly developed, each grappling with their own personal demons as they confront the sinister forces around them. Reynolds’ ability to craft complex, relatable protagonists adds depth to the story, making the stakes feel intensely personal. Their struggles and choices resonate deeply, pulling the reader further into their harrowing journey.

The writing itself is sharp and evocative, painting vivid images of both the hauntingly beautiful and the downright terrifying. Reynolds excels at creating immersive settings that become characters in their own right, from shadowy forests to desolate urban landscapes.

What sets Night Bleeds Into Dawn apart is its ability to balance supernatural thrills with genuine emotional weight. Beneath the scares lies a poignant exploration of human resilience, fear, and the lengths we’ll go to for survival.

If you’re looking for a supernatural thriller that keeps you on edge while delivering a story with heart and depth, Night Bleeds Into Dawn is an unforgettable ride into the darkness.

Jack Carlton is character that grew on me. In this book he goes through a lot of things, one gorier than the other. The plot is interesting and thw twists are nicely put in there without being there for just the sake of a twist, something that is common in thrillerbooks these days. I would love to read more of this talented author.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

The author has added atmospheric elements to a mystery thriller . This is not your usual mystery thriller. Expect the unexpected, sinister forces, eerie setting and insightful police procedural. Detective Carlton has been assigned to investigate the case of the brutal crime happened at King’s college but the mystery is twisted, perilous, and there is an involvement of demonic forces. The investigation is spot on. Writing is compelling and book is dark, intense, and mysterious. Characters are mysterious and have twisted minds. The book is fast paced and it will keep you on the edge. The twists and turns were unpredictable. Loved how the author has unfolded the mystery. The ending was shocking.

Thanks to the Author and Publisher

This was the first book I have had the honor to read by this author, and it is safe to say that I will be reading the entirety of his works. This was one of the best supernatural horror/thrillers I have ever read! This story follows a washed-up PI, Jack Carlton, as he is thrown into the supernatural world of demons and possession. Through this entire book, I could not begin to guess what would happen next. The writing was fluid and descriptively gory. I can only hope that we will see more of Jack in our future!

Thank you to BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

NIGHT BLEEDS INTO DAWN (2024) Book Review

 Author: Graeme Reynolds
 Publisher: Horrific Tales Publishing
 Originally published: October 19, 2024
 Page count: 298 pages
 Reviewed by Michael Juvinall


I was a bit hesitant when I began this book by author Graeme Reynolds, even though I had previously read his excellent High Moor werewolf trilogy and loved them. The storyline is a bit out of my usual wheelhouse of creature feature novels. This book is outlined as the first of five novels to feature his new Jack Carlton character. Carlton is a down-and-out private detective in London, England. His character is the typical gumshoe from pulp detective novels. He recently lost his job as a detective in the London police force, he is a raging alcoholic with a wise-ass sense of humor, and he cares. His life and career are heading in the wrong direction of down instead of up.

In the book, Carlton is forced into taking a case involving a horrific college massacre that left only one survivor. He is asked to investigate the killings to exonerate the survivor by her mother. He quickly finds out the case is not what it seems, and it takes a very dark turn before he knows it.

He soon realizes this case is not the one that will turn his life around but rather might end it. Carlton unwittingly enters a world of pitch-black supernatural forces that are far beyond his control, but he must solve this case before it is too late for himself and humanity.

The book really has a feel of the pulpy detective novels from the 1930s-1950s. It is a throwback, a grand mix of pulp noir and supernatural horror at its finest. It leaves readers in a state of utter desperation as they flip through the pages to find out what happens next.

The characters are beautifully written and lifelike to the reader. It is so hard to find books in which the characters are so well thought out and brought to life through written words. The primary protagonist Jack Carlton has a wry and dead pan sense of humor that works well in the book. There are several instances of his dark humor that made me smile. His humor almost serves as a pressure valve during the horror on the page that is happening at the time. Jack Carlton is a complex and likable guy, and I look forward to reading more of his exploits in future novels. The secondary characters are also great and feel like friends to the reader. The antagonists in the books are wonderfully evil and you enjoy hating them.

Reynolds has pulled no punches with Night Bleeds Into Dawn. It is a dark, gritty, violent, and impressively horrific novel of fear. He takes the best of two literary genres and mixes them into an impossible to put down nightmare. I highly suggest this book if you are a fan of supernatural fiction.

4 ½ Pentagrams Out of 5!

Night Bleeds Into Dawn leads off with a boozing wreck of a PI with urgent problems, a baffling gory crime, and whiffs of evil, and other foul things.

There are many fans of this author and his new release. I wasn't as swept away as I hoped to be, but the book was ultimately worthwhile. Reynolds writes well. The first half wasn't the best fit for me, although the book won me over in the end. I found the alcoholism, self-delusions, and assh*le behavior of the MC more depressing and annoying than entertaining. The attitudes towards women put me off, too. My interest plummeted in the middle when a big reveal fell flat for me, but I still wanted to know how it turned out, so I pushed through.

For me, it finally became the intense, fun ride I expected by around 65%. The book found its humanity, and the pacing kicked into gear, keeping me engaged to the end. Women get to be worthwhile characters in the second half. Strong action scenes, gore, imaginative violence, and graphic supernatural horror reminiscent of old horror comics came together. The ending hit a lot of emotional notes for a strong finish.

My personal rating is 3.5, rounded up to 4 because parts of the novel soar above average. Night bleeds Into Dawn packs strong punches served up with nightmare imagery and dark laughs. The vivid, gritty London settings enhance the creepy vibes. Reynolds goes all the way, creating truly gratifying squelchy, gooshy, gross, vengeful, and heroic experiences. I'd read more of his books.

Recommended for for horror readers comfortable with intense, brutal, and gruesome scenes. My thanks to Books Go Social and Horrific Tales Publishing for an eARC for consideration. These are my honest opinions.
I'll add the TikTok link soon.

Detective Jack Carlton thought he had hit rock bottom until an opportunity came. It seems like a chance to redeem himself quickly but turns into a dangerous game of survival. Trapped in a situation he can't escape, Jack must uncover the truth behind a brutal crime at King's College.The only witness is catatonic, while time is running out. As the night bleeds into dawn, Jack must confront the darkness lurking within the city's depths. Will he be able to solve the case and save those he holds dear? Or will he become another victim?

The author has written a supernatural novel. About halfway in the novel there are many twists and turns that are well written into the novel. I enjoyed this novel immensely. My favorite character was Jack. This is the first book in the series “Jack Carlton Thriller Book.” I am looking forward to seeing what happens in the book. The only thing that I didn’t care for was dark ink on dark paper. It just makes reading it harder for me.

Graeme Reynolds, best known for his High Moor trilogy, delivers another gripping supernatural thriller with Night Bleeds Into Dawn. This fast-paced novel follows Detective Jack Carlton, a flawed but determined protagonist whose life takes a sharp turn into the unknown when he is assigned to a chilling crime at King’s College. What begins as a seemingly routine case quickly unravels into a nightmarish journey through occult mysteries, brutal violence, and Carlton’s own inner demons.

Reynolds’ ability to blend the gritty realism of a police procedural with the eerie suspense of supernatural horror is evident from the opening pages. Jack Carlton is a classic hard-boiled detective, jaded and struggling with personal demons, yet his character remains fresh due to Reynolds’ sharp writing and his ability to imbue the story with psychological depth. Carlton’s desperation for redemption and his troubled past lend emotional weight to the relentless, almost claustrophobic tension that drives the narrative.

The novel’s setting—a dark, rain-slicked cityscape—amplifies the brooding atmosphere as Carlton hunts for clues in a world where reality bends and the supernatural feels ever-present. The crime at the heart of the story is particularly eerie: an impossible murder with a witness trapped in a catatonic state. As Carlton digs deeper, he begins to uncover an ancient and malevolent force that pulls the story beyond typical crime fiction into something far more sinister.

One of the standout elements of Night Bleeds Into Dawn is the pacing. Reynolds excels at maintaining momentum, keeping the reader on edge as the mystery deepens. Every discovery Carlton makes feels like a step closer to disaster, and the escalating tension leads to a nail-biting climax. Reynolds peppers the story with just enough twists and supernatural phenomena to keep readers guessing, but never at the cost of character development or the integrity of the story.

The novel’s blend of horror and noir will appeal to fans of series like The Dresden Files and Charlie Parker, where the line between detective work and the supernatural is blurred. Yet Night Bleeds Into Dawn distinguishes itself with its uniquely British setting and its focus on Carlton’s internal struggles, which mirror the external dangers he faces. Reynolds skillfully uses Carlton’s personal journey as a means to explore themes of guilt, redemption, and the corrupting nature of power.

However, those looking for a pure detective mystery may find the supernatural elements to be overwhelming, as they are central to both the plot and the resolution of the case. The novel’s supernatural forces are deeply intertwined with the crime and with Carlton’s own psychological state, creating a story that is as much about battling inner darkness as it is about solving a case. Some readers might find the leap into the occult a bit abrupt, but for those who enjoy horror-tinged thrillers, this blend of genres works seamlessly.

The supporting characters, while less developed than Carlton, serve their purpose in amplifying the stakes and the tension. The catatonic witness, the shadowy figures lurking in the background, and even Carlton’s closest allies all contribute to the ominous tone and the sense that something much larger and darker is at play.

In conclusion, Night Bleeds Into Dawn is a lightning-paced, atmospheric thriller that masterfully combines the grit of crime fiction with the terror of the supernatural. Graeme Reynolds crafts a story that is both a race against time and a deep dive into the darker corners of human nature and the occult. Fans of supernatural detective novels, horror mysteries, and fast-paced suspense will find this book impossible to put down. Carlton’s journey through the shadows of his city—and his soul—will leave readers breathless as the night gives way to dawn.

This is the first book by this author I have read. Well, I report that I will be reading other books by him. His style of writing invokes fear from the very beginning. Each scene provokes memories of watching horror movies. The disgraced detective became someone the reader wanted to root for. The lengths he was willing to go in order to see his daughter made him even more likable. Some of his past decisions were definitely questionable which led to him being manipulated into doing more of someone else’s dirty work. When he discovered there were demons in the human world his view on life changed. I cannot imagine finding out that demons exist. Everything humans have thought would be forever changed. The author made the whole situation believable. From the fighting scenes to the depiction of how people can be manipulated into doing what someone else wants. The level of gore was out there. I will never be able to get some of the images out of my head. I even watched a comedy in order to not have nightmares.

This book was kind of intense. And veryyy gruesome. I think in images when i read stuff, and let's just say, some things i did not need to see in my head. Damn, some things were nasty. It was also pretty detailed. But besides that it was a pretty good story, it was very interesting with some plot twists i didn't expect. It also had some sad moments, but i didn't feel the book that much, so i didn't cry or anything. I liked most of the characters, especially Billie. Felt like there was a lot going on. And that ending tho. Not sure if it's a close or open ending. Kind of feels like both to me. I do have to say, sometimes it was a tiny bit difficult to read because of the few spelling mistakes. But i mean, it's an arc so that is kind of to be expected a little. I also didn't really mind or anything.

When you read the description it really does sound like Her Soul to Keep. But once you start reading, it's kinda the same but also adds it's touch and it's really G rated.

A great read, a supernatural private detective novel. Jack Carlton has hit the bottom a heavy drinker, his detective business is not going well, a woman walks into his office thing then start to change. Plenty of gore, demons action and one liners to lighten things up a little(but not too much). This is the first novel I've read from this author and this is a strong book hope to see more of Jack. Thanks to Books go social and Netgalley for this review ARC

This was a great read! The mix of supernatural elements, gore, and one-liners to add a bit of humor, was nicely balanced. The action really picked up in the last half of the book and I couldn’t put it down! I’m hoping the story becomes a series and won’t be the last we see of Jack Carlton.

Night Bleeds Into Dawn was my first time reading a book from this author and I’m very impressed. Looking forward to going back and reading previous works from his catalog.

I’ve read all of Graeme Reynolds books and was looking forward to reading this. I was curious when I read the blurb. A private investigator novel, with supernatural elements and set in the UK! It’s like all of my favourite genres mixed in to one.

As soon as I started reading it, I knew it was going to live up to the hype. The characters are brilliant, especially Chris. The banter between them was fantastic. There’s plenty of humour scattered throughout the book but don’t let that worry you, there’s still plenty of chills, thrills and gore… Plenty!

It was like John Connolly, Shaun Hutson and Jeff Strand wrote a book together. (If you don’t recognise any of those names then you need to rectify that. Seriously!)

I can’t wait to see what comes next from Graeme Reynolds.

As a horror novel, you are not shortchanged on gore, demons and ancient scriptures. In amongst bodies being ripped apart, there are some nice one liners and some absurd situations that serve to lighten the mood between slayings.

**Book Review: "Night Bleeds Into Dawn"**

In "Night Bleeds Into Dawn," Graeme Reynolds delivers a gripping supernatural thriller that expertly intertwines police procedural elements with the eerie undertones of British horror. Detective Jack Carlton’s story is one of desperation and redemption, set against the backdrop of a sinister crime at King's College that pulls readers into a web of intrigue and supernatural menace.

From the outset, Reynolds crafts a relentless pace that keeps the tension high. Jack’s struggle with his own demons mirrors the dark forces he faces, adding a psychological depth that elevates the narrative. As he investigates a brutal crime with seemingly insurmountable obstacles—an impossible crime scene and a catatonic witness—Jack’s desperation becomes palpable. The sense of time slipping away enhances the urgency of his quest for truth, making each page turn feel like a race against the clock.

The atmospheric writing immerses readers in a world where the line between the mundane and the supernatural blurs. Reynolds has a talent for creating a vivid sense of place, whether it's the haunting halls of King's College or the gritty depths of the city. The supernatural elements are woven seamlessly into the storyline, providing an unsettling backdrop that heightens the stakes for Jack and those he seeks to protect.

The exploration of darkness—both external and internal—serves as a powerful theme throughout the book. Jack's journey is not just about solving a crime; it’s a confrontation with his own vulnerabilities and the darker aspects of human nature. This layered storytelling makes for a compelling read that resonates on multiple levels.

For fans of occult detective mysteries and supernatural suspense, "Night Bleeds Into Dawn" is a must-read. It offers a tantalizing mix of thrills and chills reminiscent of series like The Dresden Files and the Robert Hunter novels. Reynolds has crafted a story that is not only a page-turner but also a thoughtful exploration of morality, identity, and the shadows that linger in all of us.

In conclusion, "Night Bleeds Into Dawn" is a captivating addition to the genre, showcasing Graeme Reynolds’ skill at blending horror with detective fiction. With its relentless pacing, rich atmosphere, and profound themes, this novel is sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. Highly recommended!

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Jack Carlton is a private investigator on the skids. His liver, his bank account, and the local loan shark’s goons all want his attention, but he’s living in a lovely state of denial, dodging any such confrontations. Until a woman walks into his office with an offer he cannot refuse. For a nigh impossible to resist amount of money, Margret Wells wants him to investigate clearing her daughter’s name as the party responsible for a local tragedy.

Alice Wells is the only survivor of a prep school massacre, and she was found over one of the bodies with one of the murder weapons in her hand. However, whether she was responsible for the deaths or whether she was found soon after saving her own neck is the difficulty. And it’s not like she can be asked, since she is currently in a cataleptic state in the hospital, following the traumas she endured. It seems like an easy small fortune, and that money is enough to get rid of his debts and maybe pave the way to redrawing the terms of his divorce and thereby gaining some visitation time with his daughter, Stephanie.

Margret’s solicitor is ready to hand over all the information they have. However, when Jack meets him, well, he almost ends the deal before it even really begins. Margret is being represented by none other than Stuart Hartington, a sleazy legal eagle who ruined Jack’s career on the police force. He stands to ruin what little respectability and career he has left.

However, after a dalliance with a lovely woman with an agenda leaves Jack without the downpayment, he’s stuck looking into the affair. And it will lead him along incredibly strange avenues. What seems like a regular case of mass murder turns into a far weirder crime when he discovers occult significance and a history of demonology among some of the victims. And the deeper he digs, the closer Jack comes to the ugly truth that he’s been chosen for this task for more reasons than his questionable professional credentials or talent for investigation. Dark forces are working behind the scenes, and they have diabolic plans that involve Jack, his pub mates, his ex-wife and daughter, and the privileged Wells family. Can Jack Carlton discover the ugly truth before it puts him in a casket? Graeme Reynolds weaves together occult horrors, demonic lore, weird crime, and violent mayhem into the page turning suspense yarn, Night Bleeds Into Dawn.

Although the subtitle on the book is A Supernatural Thriller, the cover sports a promise of more such dark adventures by also declaring this to be “a Jack Carlton novel.” Right there, we know a few things without even reading the first page. Jack Carlton will survive the book in some form, the author will be doing some heavy lifting with this novel to put into place elements that subsequent volumes will build upon (giving us the ground rules for a series, in other words), and with only one hero’s name on the cover everyone around him is likely to be endangered. Though Reynolds’ book is a sleek and short one, it delivers on all three of these promises nicely, still manages to tell a standalone story with a coherent beginning, middle, and riveting end, as well as offering up a cliffhanger in the epilogue to make us eager for the next book.

There are connections to the author’s other works, notably nods to his first trilogy of horror novels, the werewolf themed High Moor books. However, such nods and easter eggs are sweet offerings to the fans and regular readers. Those earlier books are not required reading to enjoy this book. However, if Night Bleeds Into Dawn’s mix of crass dialogue, propulsive plot, creative mayhem, and pulpy horrors appeal, then there are several books waiting to be discovered in the author’s back catalog to tide us over while waiting for the next entry in this series.

I first encountered Reynolds not through those books, but the standalone horror book Dark and Lonely Water. That volume featured a single mother reporter trying to take care of her daughter while getting to the bottom of river ghost mystery. I was taken with the book’s ease with suspense and action, its clever characterizations, and its downbeat qualities. In my consideration of that book, I likened Reynolds’s writing style to that of James Herbert’s extreme brand of horror (e.g., The Rats, The Fog, The Dark, or The Spear). Those same qualities are on display here, but Reynolds very much makes the material his own. Night Bleeds Into Dawn is not merely a nod to the kinds of pulp horror material that found its way to prominence in the 1980s, it’s got enough contemporary values and elements to update the old while doing away with the hoary clichéd situations. Not that there’s aren’t familiar tropes for the author to play with.

When we meet him, Jack Carlton isn’t merely down on his luck, he’s at the bottom of the barrel. This is a character with debts no honest man can pay, overwhelmed by mundane threats to his livelihood, his body, and his spirit. Adding in the supernatural stuff takes him out of his familiar lifestyle, injecting enough of a metaphysical threat to put the rest in perspective. And when he discovers a sinister case of an unresolved possession at the heart of the tragedy he’s looking into, he finds himself stepping far, far from his comfort zone. However, Reynolds wisely keeps all the earlier threats in play while introducing the new ones, juggling the divine, the mundane, and the profane quite nicely.

The author has built an intriguing mythology here. It is slowly revealed to Jack via a variety of information sources, so the worldbuilding is less of an information dump than an accrual of clues for the larger mysteries he is involved in. One of my favorite characters is his pub pal Billie, who once had stories to tell about werewolves that none of her local friends took at all seriously, but who is connected to at least part of the truth underlying the Wells Case.

Reynolds has a talent for the extreme. While Night Bleeds Into Dawn is not necessarily wall-to-wall blood and other bodily fluids, the narrative is no stranger to the sanguine shades than it is to coarse language and gritty dialogue. However, Reynolds also shows a penchant for humor as a release valve mechanism in the prose. He will turn up the pressure, bleed it off a tad with a wry comment, and then return to building back into tense regions.

Horror fans of more literary efforts might not be served too well by the draught Reynolds keeps on tap. However, readers in search of a thrilling tale of a private dick (who happens to be rather dickish, indeed) plunging into the deep end of crime and supernatural depravity will find plenty to enjoy in Graeme Reynolds’ inaugural volume of Jack Carlton’s adventures. With touches of pulp horrors, occult thrills, clever suspense, and gory violence, there is much to enjoy here.