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There are currently 26 member reviews
for The Night Hunter
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Rebecca G. (Havertown, PA)
Great suspense
The Night Hunter is a wonderful murder mystery set in a reserve close to Kruger National Park in South Africa, truly one of my favorite places. I read it in one sitting as it kept me in suspense. Danielle and Grace are two sisters who lived part time in a private house on the reserve growing up though their lives have taken them in different directions. Their mother was a guide, researcher and head of a foundation dedicated to the preservation of wildlife, especially rhinos. After their mother's death, they return to settle her affairs with the help of Dani's boyfriend, her best friend, a friend of Graces and their guide who is a childhood friend. Within the first three days, two people are murdered, their car ends up in a ditch, and another is killed by a buffalo. They end up having to walk to their mother's house through the dangers of wild animals and the danger of someone trying to kill them. There are two twists that keep the suspense going and keep the reader guessing. The only reason I have given the book 4 stars instead of 5 is that everyone has so many secrets and suspicions especially Danielle, that it borders on the ridiculous. If only everyone had just talked to each other people would not have died. But a good read nonetheless.
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Nina W. (Milwaukee, WI)
African bush thriller
The action in this novel moves quickly and nimbly. Twists and betrayals you won't see coming start piling up towards the end. The main characters are deeply developed and I was filled with compassion for both by the end. The ending was satisfying. I recommend this book for those who love action novels set in African game reserves. The settings are detailed and authentic.
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Jennie R. (Plymouth, MN)
Suspense in South Africa…
I especially enjoyed reading the descriptions of the South African landscape. They were so well done, I could visualize it and nearly feel it. I think the premise of the story was great, but to me, the characters felt flat and two dimensional, and most of the dialogue didn't seem authentic. The climactic scenes near the end of the book were too far fetched and it all just fizzled out for me. Overall, it was still an entertaining read and anyone with an interest in South Africa may enjoy it.
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Linda S. (Waycross, GA)
Secrets, Intrigue - and Gore
A warning to animal lovers: this book contains scenes of animal violence that can be hard to read.
The South African bush thriller, The Night Hunter by Natalie Moss, grabs you by the throat - over and over. With short chapters and fast pacing the author works hard to keep that relentless suspense level going throughout the book with most chapters ending in a cliff-hanger. You just have to keep turning the pages!
The premise is intriguing, keeping me curious to see how things would turn out. The author also is very successful in creating an eerie, creepy atmospheric setting at an isolated game reserve; it is easily the most powerful and well drawn character in the book. Most of the plot evolved around creating mystery and tension and little on character development so the characters fell flat for me. Still, the book held my interest, and while not hating it, I did not love it either. Readers who are looking for a good solid thriller with little literary design, however, will enjoy it. A solid three stars from me.
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Olivia G. (Temple, TX)
The Night Hunter by Natalie Moss
After the death of their conservationist mother, sisters Danielle and Grace return to the South African bush and the family home located within a wild game reserve. Each sister brings along two friends for what is supposed to be a safari adventure. Instead, one of the friends is murdered on their very first morning in the reserve. With no way to call for help, limited supplies, and danger lurking around every corner, the group must decide whether to turn back or continue deeper into the bush toward the family home.
The South African setting was easily the strongest part of this book. The isolation of the game reserve created a creepy, eerie atmosphere, and the ever-present danger of the wilderness added tension throughout the story. I found the premise entertaining and was curious to see how everything would unfold.
While I enjoyed the book overall, I never became fully invested in the characters, and some of the suspense didn't land quite as strongly as I had hoped. I didn't dislike this book, but I didn't absolutely love it either. Still, it was a solid thriller with a unique setting and enough intrigue to keep me turning the pages.
