The perfect read for winter’s extra-dark nights ... It’s necessary to read the first book in the Natalie Lockhart series, Trace of Evil , to fully grasp the events of The Wicked Hour ... The Wicked Hour is a carefully plotted procedural that invites readers to examine each clue along with Natalie. As those clues come together and the novel progresses toward its climax, readers will be rewarded with a suspenseful and memorable finale.
References to events in the previous book will likely be confusing for readers who haven’t read it, but, otherwise, this is an absorbing look at small-town politics and relationships set against the intrigue of a mysterious death. Jodi Picoult’s fans will be an apt audience for Blanchard’s chilling latest.
The events of the previous book loom large, affecting Natalie’s relationships as well as her mental health; regrettably, Blanchard never provides a plot recap, leaving new readers in the dark. Though the setup is clever, the mystery suffers from a dearth of viable suspects with convincing motives (the killer included), and the action-packed denouement feels preposterous and arbitrary. Fans will hope for better next time.
When Morgan Chambers’ body is found following Halloween night, Detective Natalie Lockhart recognizes the signature red mark on the young woman’s neck that shows she’d spent long hours practicing the violin ... New readers of this series would be advised to catch up with the backstory first.
