What do readers think of The Night Hunter by Natalie Moss? Write your own review.

This novel grabs hold from the opening scene and never really lets go. The tension is immediate, and the sense of danger comes from both the harsh environment and the people in it, which made the story feel especially unsettling. I was pulled in by the suspense and kept guessing about who was responsible for what was happening and what their motives were. One element that felt a little unclear tome was the stockpiling and how it connected to the conservation effort. it seemed somewhat counterintuitive, so I would have liked a bit more clarity there. Even so, that confusion did not take away from the how compelling the story was overall. What stayed with me most was the combination of high-stakes suspense, long-buried secrets, and the shifting, emotionally layered relationship between the sisters. Their dynamic gave the story added depth and made the twists feel more meaningful. Overall, this was a gripping, nail-biting read that kept me engaged all the way through.

Natalie Moss's debut novel The Night Hunter is the gripping tale of two sisters returning to South Africa to determine the fate of their childhood home following their mother's death. That the sisters are not on the best of terms, their mother was a wildlife conservationist, and the home is in a remote location on a private game reserve means the trip requires a multi-day safari with a guide and a few friends. What follows is the harrowing story of navigating the Reserve by car and on foot and the people and wildlife encountered. Moss's vivid descriptions draw the reader into the story—I imagined the surroundings and felt the emotions the characters were experiencing—and was anxious to learn the outcome! The plot takes many surprising yet believable twists and turns as the author educates as well as entertains her readers during her exploration of this South African wilderness.

The book is set in South Africa on a private nature preserve. A family journeys to the remote home of their recently deceased mother, who ran the foundation for the preserve. This journey is cloaked in palpable danger from the wildlife, the remoteness, and murderous humans. I could almost feel the dry heat and prickly flora. It is both a thriller and a whodunit where the true identity of the killer(s) are unknown and a network of betrayals revealed at the end..

Natalie Moss's debut novel, The Night Hunter, will surely keep you on the edge of your seat for hours on end. The setting in the bush of South Africa is both realistic and atmospheric. I've been on wild animal safaris in Africa and the fear and anxiety I felt then returned full force as I read this book. Every once in a while, I had to close the book and walk around just to break the unrelenting tension. You, the reader, are there and filled with dread as the dangerous, wild animals stalk the characters who are on foot after their vehicle crashes. You are there when the dangerous, mysterious people engage in some of the same behavior. This book is a suspenseful thriller that will stay with you long after you have read the last page. I look forward to reading anything else that Natalie Moss writes.

This debut novel immediately appealed to me because I have visited South Africa and gone on safari in the remote regions of Kruger National Park. The prologue opens with a bang, and most mystery fans will be quickly drawn in. Moss's descriptions of the bush are vivid, bringing the wildlife, vegetation, and waterways to life. However, the characters are not as fully developed as the setting. My main criticism is that the truly unexpected plot twist does not arrive until about three-quarters of the way through the book. From that point on, though, I could not put it down. Perhaps others might have seen it coming, but I never could have predicted the denouement.

3.5 stars, rounded up

I’m always interested in a mystery that takes me to a different locale. In The Night Hunter, Danielle and her sister Grace unite to return to their dead mother’s house on a game preserve in South Africa. They both bring friends in an attempt to combine duty with pleasure. But, from the minute they meet up, there is obvious tension. And things quickly go downhill when one of their party is killed.

The book is told solely from Danielle’s POV, yet I never felt a connection with her. In an attempt to keep the reader off balance as to who to trust, Moss also underdeveloped the other characters , so we never get a good feel for them. The book moves at a fast pace. The tension is palpable and Moss does a great job of putting the reader in the scene. It worked well that potential danger came from multiple sides - wildlife, external humans and the group itself. I had no idea who was behind everything and that desire to find out kept me reading chapter after chapter. It was all going well until the final reveal when numerous holes appeared in the denouement.

My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for an advance copy of this book.

I loved this book. This book had me hooked from the first word. This was gripping and chaotic at the same time. I thought I had it figured out and I had no clue at all. I was totally wrong about this whole book. This was such a good surprise to read. I cannot wait to read more by this author.

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.