Dark Nights of the Soul

A Nathen Turner Thriller

Fiction - Supernatural
270 Pages
Reviewed on 08/16/2016
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Andrew Langley started writing professionally over thirty years ago to accompany his work as a photojournalist. In a wide-ranging career, that has seen him travel the world, his work has featured in national newspapers, a number of books and on television. After the onset of multiple sclerosis, Andrew now lives a more sedentary lifestyle, creating his new adventures on paper. His debut novel, Mirror on the Soul, was published in 2015.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Tracy A. Fischer for Readers' Favorite

Wow! Just, wow! That's exactly what I thought when I finished reading Dark Nights of the Soul, the second book in the Nathen Turner Thriller Series by author Andrew Langley. This book grabbed me by the throat from the very first page and kept me obsessively reading until the very last. This book continues the story of supernatural expert Nathen Turner, this time as he tries to help Mike Fletcher, a photographer who has devastatingly found himself blinded due to his multiple sclerosis. Mike fled to the Scottish highlands, trying to make sense of his new reality, but instead finds himself embroiled in a mystery that might only be explained by the supernatural, witchcraft, or worse. Nathen is called in to help, but when he arrives, he finds that Mike has gone missing. Now Nathen believes he might be the only person who can save Mike from an evil that has been uncovered, if he isn't the next victim himself.

I loved Dark Nights of the Soul. Loved. It. How's that for a review? Well, it's definitely how I felt about this excellent new read by author Andrew Langley. The author has done a fantastic job in creating characters that his readers will connect with, relate to, and truly come to care about, thinking about them long after the book is finished. If that isn't a hallmark of a great author, I'm not sure what is. His story line is exciting, thrilling, and a true mystery. I was surprised by the end, and that rarely happens to me anymore. I am so pleased to be able to highly recommend Dark Nights of the Soul to any reader who enjoys supernatural fiction, mysteries, or just a great read of fiction in general. I look forward to reading more from the obviously talented author, Andrew Langley, as soon as I possibly can!

Jack Magnus

Dark Nights of the Soul: A Nathen Turner Supernatural Thriller is a supernatural novel of suspense written by Andrew Langley. Mike Fletcher had been a successful freelance photographer with a gorgeous girlfriend and an enviable lifestyle, and he had done it all before his thirtieth birthday. Then he suddenly lost his vision in his left eye - the doctor's prognosis was startling and, for Mike, devastatingly life-changing. Multiple sclerosis had claimed his sight in that eye and would progressively mount further attacks on his body. After several months of adapting to monocular vision, he needed a new direction and took his sister's advice to get away for a while. Mike found an old croft for rent up in the Scottish Highlands. It was primitive and off the grid, but he relished the idea of an isolated retreat in the woods. When he finally reached the croft, it was as idyllic and as rustic as he expected, but he never dreamed it would be haunted. When a thunderstorm badly damaged the nearby byre, he discovered a pentagram drawn in a dripping red liquid on the inside of the door. Then, a hooded figure in the dark seemed determined to come after him.

Andrew Langley's supernatural novel of suspense, Dark Nights of the Soul: A Nathen Turner Supernatural Thriller, has all the elements necessary for a good old fashioned scary story, and they succeed admirably. Langley's story combines two threads: Nathen Turner's new and more ethical foray into teaching others how to develop their psychic powers, and Mike Fletcher's reinvention of himself, and the Scottish Highland setting where the two paths merge is lovely and inspirational. I love the outdoors and found myself envying Mike's rustic croft in the middle of nowhere, even as I reminded myself of Scotland's harsh winters. Langley's plot is absorbing and taut, and his characters are authentic and fully fleshed. Dark Nights of the Soul also had special meaning for me as I have a friend with MS. Mike's story gave me insights into the challenges faced by those who have this disease and the curative power of faith and belief. Dark Nights of the Soul: A Nathen Turner Supernatural Thriller is most highly recommended.

Arya Fomonyuy

Dark Nights of the Soul: A Nathen Turner Thriller by Andrew Langley is a supernatural thriller set against the backdrop of the superstitious setting of the Scottish Highlands and Whitby. This work creatively combines the art of suspense with local lore and offers a treat that will be well received by fans of the genre. Photographer Mike Fletcher is experiencing the worst moment in his life, so he goes to the Scottish wilderness with the hopes of composing his thoughts and thinking about his life, but he finds a disturbing sign upon his arrival. Called up to investigate the bizarre symbol, Nathen Turner finds the photographer missing, and everything suggests something supernatural and sinister. Will he be able to locate and contain the source of the darkness before it takes more lives?

Andrew Langley writes with confidence and although he tells a supernatural story, he makes it very believable. I loved the powerful cast of characters and Nathen Turner will be adored by most readers. The plot is well constructed with many intricacies and a lot of cliffhangers to spur readers on. Not sooner has one finished a chapter than one wants to find out what happens next. The author has the uncanny gift of creating a dark atmosphere that seduces readers infinitely and one cannot forget the unsettling feeling that something sinister could happen at any moment. I was first attracted by the title of Dark Nights of the Soul, a title that reminded me of the spiritual work of John of the Cross, but it was good I judged the book by its title and cover because it was a very satisfying read, one I will recommend without reservations to fans of thrillers.

Samantha Dewitt (Rivera)

Fletcher is trying to find a way to escape from the world and his old life, the one that’s fading away from him as the MS takes over his body. But when he finds a mystery at the croft he’s decided to rent, it leads him into an entirely different world, one filled with mysticism, witchcraft, and the occult. Things are definitely going to change for him, as he finally meets a man named Nathen Turner, who seems to have a strange connection to the spirit world that even he doesn’t fully understand. That’s because there are far too many people involved who are going to need help, or need to be involved with the process of discovering the mystery in Dark Nights of the Soul by Andrew Langley.

This book definitely had some interesting twists and turns. The characters continue to grow and develop throughout. You learn a lot about them and what really makes them tick, and you'll be drawn into the plot because the supernatural is all around. I liked how this book really showed you all the characters and you could see things from everyone’s point of view. The fact that even the main characters start out somewhat skeptical about what’s going on makes it even more realistic, and you feel like you can really relate. There are many characters throughout the whole story, but you’re going to really enjoy it. There’s a lot going on and not just action, but romance as well in Dark Nights of the Soul by Andrew Langley.

Ruffina Oserio

Dark Nights of the Soul: A Nathen Turner Thriller by Andrew Langley is billed as a supernatural thriller, but it’s a gripping, hard-to-put-down story that will be enjoyed by readers with diverse interests and tastes. It is a well-crafted story that features the compelling character, Nathen Turner. A photographer disappears in very unusual circumstances after discovering an odd symbol with fresh blood. Now Nathen Turner must discover the source of the symbol and find out how to contain or destroy an evil that could hurt many lives. This fast-paced story is set against a superstitious background and features beliefs that, interestingly, are still rampant in many parts of the world.

There is a lot to look forward to in this new work by Andrew Langley. First, the prose is excellent and accessible, and the author strikes a beautiful balance between his masterful use of descriptions and compelling dialogue. The conflict, especially the psychological one, is extensively and deeply explored, and readers will feel close to the characters because they come across as real and highly convincing. The plot is well-structured and complex enough to keep the reader turning the pages. I enjoyed the fact that the author has trimmed the number of main characters to the minimum, which allows readers to create a powerful bond with them. Dark Nights of the Soul can be read as dark fiction, a supernatural thriller, or suspense. Yes, it’s a work of great imagination, with well thought out characters and writing that is far above average.