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There are currently 26 member reviews
for The Night Hunter
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Susan L. (Alexandria, VA)
A Thrilling Safari
The Night Hunter took me to the bush and surrounded me with wild animals and danger. It was a thrilling trek through mystery, murder, family drama, and outside threats where nothing was what it seemed to be. I liked how Natalie Moss painted each person with suspicion, so you didn't know who to trust. While I liked the setting, the tension, and the dangers of both humans and wild animals, I felt a bit disconnected from the characters and their fates. The writing worked. The setting was fantastic. But I would have liked a bit more from the characters. Also, the ending wrapped up a bit too easily for my taste. It made me a bit frustrated, especially with the main character who should have learned more along the way. That being said, I liked the book. I read it quickly and loved the setting. I look forward to reading more by this author. Great debut.
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Donna M. (Kennesaw, GA)
The Night Hunter
Estranged sisters attempt to work together after the death of their mother, the famous creator of a wildlife refuge foundation in Africa. Six people begin the journey to the mother's house deep in the bush. The location itself is a major character, with hazards from animals and environment throughout. In addition, multiple mysteries pile up along with bodies as the novel progresses, resulting in a palpable air of omnipresent danger. The final question is whether the sisters can ever resolve their conflict.
The Night Hunter holds the reader in suspense throughout the novel. The descriptions of life and danger in a wild environment read true as do the family dysfunctions, resulting in a gripping read. The mysteries provide a motivation for readers and characters to solve.
The Night Hunter is a stimulating read and lends itself to discussion. Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy and to Goodreads for offering the title.
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Helen B. (WINTHROP, ME)
The Night Hunter?
This debut novel begins on a strong note, sweeping the reader off to the wilds of South Africa, where the humans are much more dangerous than any type of wildlife this small safari might encounter. Filled with secrets, family drama, romance issues, greed and violence Natalie Moss has everything it takes to be a top-notch thriller. However, while Moss's writing is excellent there are a few things that kept the novel from being great. First only one character is someone, I was rooting for and it was not the main character. All the characters were self absorbed and it was really hard to care what happened to them. Some of the action, at least for me, was confusing. I will say some things that I got hung up on, were explained at the end, but it kept me from enjoying the book as I kept saying, that doesn't even make sense! I also found the 'secrets' confusing. Quite a bit happens in the last few chapters and at times it was difficult to figure it all out. I also wasn't happy with how it ended for some of the characters and the reaction of the survivors at the end. Finally, I have no idea where the title The Night Hunter comes from, as it has nothing to do with this book. All and all the writing clearly shows Moss can write and her use of the wilderness of South Africa made this book unique and interesting. I would absolutely try her next book. Many thanks to Bookbrowse.com, Netgalley.com, and Berkley Press for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
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Lisa R. (Murfreesboro, TN)
Slow Start, Strong Finish
"Night Hunter" takes a little time to find its footing, but once it does, it becomes a gripping and immersive read. As a wilderness survival thriller, it delivers exactly the kind of tension and danger the premise promises, with strong pacing that keeps the story moving and character development that gives the stakes real emotional weight. What impressed me most, though, was the atmosphere. The author's raw, visceral writing makes the setting feel almost alive—the heat, the discomfort, and the constant sense of threat come through so vividly that I felt completely pulled into the story's world. It is quite impressive for a debut novel. I received this book from BookBrowse in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive any discounts, cash, or any other type of compensation for my assessment.
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Charity M. (Herndon, VA)
Stranded
You know that feeling when you read a book that describes something so well you feel you're experiencing it yourself? That's what this book did to me.
The characters become stranded in the hot African savannah, and as they try to ration food and water, I found myself feeling increasingly thirsty.
Nothing beats a book that you have to keep reminding yourself is just fiction because it's making you so tense.
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Susan P. (Santa Paula, CA)
Tense, thrilling suspense set in the African bush
A serene wildlife reserve is transformed into a landscape of physical and psychological danger, where predators lurk on two legs as well as four.
We first meet sisters Danielle and Grace as they return to their isolated childhood home following their conservationist mother's death. Their mother's cryptic final instruction was to locate a hidden storehouse and destroy its contents, which sets the story in motion. What begins as a reluctant reunion quickly turns deadly after a murder occurs during a safari excursion, leaving the group stranded in the wilderness with dwindling supplies and a growing suspicion that one of them is a killer.
Moss's greatest strength lies in her setting. Drawing on her extensive experience with African safaris, she creates a vivid and immersive landscape where the environment itself becomes a character. The relentless savannah, dangerous wildlife, and isolation amplify the novel's tension, producing an atmosphere that feels both breathtaking and claustrophobic. The wilderness is not merely a backdrop but an active force shaping every decision and escalating every threat.
The relationship between Danielle and Grace provides the emotional core of the novel. Their fractured bond, shaped by childhood trauma and parental favoritism, adds depth to the thriller elements. As secrets emerge, themes of loyalty, guilt, and the lingering impact of family wounds are highlighted. The mystery unfolds alongside these emotional revelations, giving the story more substance than a conventional survival thriller.
The pacing is relentless. Once the murder occurs, the narrative rarely pauses for breath, balancing survival challenges with a steadily escalating whodunit. The author is good at scattering clues throughout the story while maintaining enough uncertainty to keep the identity of the culprit hidden until the final act. Great twists, atmosphere, and a satisfying conclusion.
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Barbara B. (Harlingen, TX)
The Night Hunter by Natalie Moss
Natalie Moss spent much of her childhood in South Africa. Thus, it is natural for her to choose the beauty and danger of the vast nature preserves there for her debut novel.
After their mother's death two sisters re-unite to trek through the jungle to her home. Do they really know this mother who put conserving animals and leading safaris ahead of her family obligations? As adults to the sisters really know each other.?
The young women are accompanied by 3 friends and a guide who may not really be friends. What does the letter from their mother ordering them to "burn everything" mean.
There are many twists and turns as the group survives hunger, thirst, being lost and murders before reaching the mother's compound. It seems no place and no one is safe.
