The Night Hunter

by Natalie Moss

In a remote corner of the South African bush, two sisters reunite to bury a family secret once and for all, but when they’re stranded among the wild animals, they find a predator far more dangerous waiting for them in the shadows. . . .

When their conservationist mother passes, Danielle and her sister, Grace, reunite to return to their isolated family house nestled within a wild-game reserve. While Grace clings to nostalgia as their mother’s favorite, only Danielle carries the weight of their enigmatic mother’s final “Find the storehouse . . . Burn everything inside.”

What begins as a reluctant homecoming disguised as a safari adventure—each sister inviting two friends to ease the journey—turns into a nightmare when a murder rocks their first morning in the bush. In the chaos that follows, they crash their vehicle, stranding them, with no way to call for help.

Now Danielle must lead them on foot across miles of merciless savannah, with dwindling supplies and only one rifle. As the group navigates land where every rustle could mean death, a truth someone is sabotaging their escape.

Breathtaking and tense, The Night Hunter maps the treacherous terrain of family duty and loyalty as the two sisters confront what they’ve spent years trying to forget.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery

352 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 28, 2026

About the author

Natalie Moss is the author of the adult psychological thriller, The Night Hunter, which is planned to debut in July 2026, and has sold in five territories. She is a Filipina-South African, born and raised in Manila, Philippines, and has gone on safaris since she was three years old. An Oxford graduate, Natalie has lived in seven countries, including the Philippines, Australia, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, and Spain, and has now settled in London. She's an avid reader of thrillers and crime fiction, and is obsessed with solving the puzzle of a good mystery.

For more information about her books, check out her website.

Reviews

[Brea · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Night Hunter by Natalie Moss is survival suspense at its most feral—claustrophobic, nerve-shredding, and relentlessly immersive. Moss drops the reader straight into the South African bush and never lets up, using the landscape as both setting and weapon. Sisters Danielle and Grace, still fractured by old trauma, return to their mother Elizabeth’s conservation reserve expecting closure and instead find themselves pulled into a nightmare where grief, secrets, and violence collide. Alongside Elliot, Naomi, and local guide Jacques, they’re forced to navigate not only an unforgiving wilderness but the far more dangerous predators hiding within it. The writing is sharp and cinematic, packed with sensory detail—you can feel the press of the forest, hear every snapped twig, sense the constant watchfulness just beyond the tree line. Moss excels at tension, letting dread seep in slowly before tightening the screws, and the themes of conservation, legacy, and human greed deepen the stakes without slowing the pace. While a few character choices felt more plot-driven than emotionally grounded for me, the overall experience is gripping, atmospheric, and compulsively readable. This is the kind of thriller that makes your pulse spike and your surroundings fade away—wild, brutal, and impossible to ignore.
Thank you to Natalie Moss, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the eARC

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.


This was such an immersive, atmospheric survival thriller and I was locked in for most of it.

Two estranged sisters reunite in the South African bush after their conservationist mother dies, and what starts as a tense, emotional homecoming turns into a literal nightmare when someone in their group is murdered and they end up stranded in the wild. The setting alone? Incredible. You can feel the heat, the isolation, the constant danger. I genuinely felt like I learned a lot about wildlife and conservation, which made everything feel even more real.

The first half had amazing pacing. It was tense, gripping, and I flew through it. Natalie Moss is such a strong writer when it comes to evoking emotion — the sister dynamic, the resentment, the grief, all of it felt layered and believable.

The second half slowed down a bit for me, pacing-wise. But there was one major twist/event that I absolutely did NOT see coming. It was crazy… but in a way that felt realistic. And I personally love that. Even though this is fiction, I appreciate when big moments feel grounded and plausible instead of over-the-top for shock value.

Overall, this is a beautifully written, emotionally charged survival thriller with a vivid setting and one seriously unexpected turn. Definitely recommend if you love wilderness settings and messy family dynamics mixed with danger.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the book to be a pretty good thriller, though I somehow initially (very mistakenly) thought this would be a family drama - it was not!!! There were definitely parts where I could not put the book down because I wanted to see if my theories were correct - some were and some were not (haha). As a result, I read the book very quickly and felt it was a solid read overall. I enjoyed the setting: an animal reserve/protection zone - that was unique in my reading history. The plot was also pretty good, though the ending was far too bow-tied for my liking - everything just wrapped up so nicely and after the rest of the plot, it felt more forced or fake than usual. The twists and turns did keep me guessing and it sure ratcheted up the suspense factor! The characters, though, were rather flat and overall I found them all to be pretty intolerable. In summing up this feedback, I’d recommend this book; I did enjoy it and think others works enjoy it, as well.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Received ARC from publisher*

2.5 stars (rounded up for interesting plot)

........MAJOR SPOILER.......

I don't normally go on rants about the author's choice to kill off characters but...

Elliot dies?! Are you kidding me?! I'm so pissed. This was not a short book, and I spent a lot of time in the head of someone I'd really rather not, only for the one truly innocent person in all this to die?! I might as well just watch the news; I could feel this let down but much faster. I'd really rather the MC died, along with all her complaining and martyrdom. I haven't been this pissed at a book in a long time. Though, I don't normally read straight thrillers, so maybe stringing the reader along and harpooning their heart at the end is just par for the course.

Also, I'm so sick of first person and being subjected to strings and strings of annoying thoughts. This book would have been so much better (and shorter) without having to read everything going through MC's mind.

I don't know if authors still make changes after ARCs go out, but if they do, I'm 100% team Save Elliot. The reader deserves as much.

Oh also, you can't say it's "only a flesh wound" without calling to mind Monty Python and immediately ruining the seriousness of the moment.

[J Kromrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the Berkely Publishing group and Netgalley for this outstanding eARC.

I was surprised this was Natalie Moss's debut novel, as it read like it was written by a seasoned professional.

The Night Hunter - in this novel Natalie Moss doesn’t write a mere thriller; she constructs a pressure cooker and slowly turns up the heat until the reader is as breathless as the protagonists. In The Night Hunter, Moss delivers a chilling, atmospheric masterclass in suspense and rich environment.

This story follows Danielle, her sister Grace and their small group of friends as they return to their childhood home and navigate a world few of us will ever be lucky enough to experience.

Natalie Moss brings this rarified world into crystal sharp vision for her readers.

Having been raised in the African outback, the two sisters revisit their newly deceased mother's home as they decide what to do with her house and her sanctuary. However, there there is something—or someone—out in the dense timber, and it isn't just watching; it’s harvesting.
​
​Moss uses the environment as a secondary antagonist in The Night Hunter. . The "Great Green Wall" of the forest feels claustrophobic despite its vastness. You can almost smell the damp earth and feel the cold mist on your skin.
​
While "survival horror" is a well-worn path, Moss avoids the predictable. Danielle, Grace and their friends aren't helpless victims, they are knowledgeable trackers and conservationists who are scrap-metal tough, making choices that feel grounded in raw human instinct, in a world of animals who merely want to be allowed to thrive peacefully. The threat to the endangered wild animals from poachers and other villains mirrors the threat to the young women's very existence.

The narrative structure is lean, it crackles with tension, mystery, suspicion, betrayal and intrigue. . There is very little "fat" in this story; every crack of a twig and every silent shadow serves to tighten the metaphorical noose around the reader’s neck.

​The brilliance of The Night Hunter lies in its restraint. Moss understands that what we don't see is often more terrifying than what we do. The antagonist is handled with a ghostly touch, appearing more as a force of nature than a mere villain, which makes the eventual confrontation feel visceral and earned.

​"A haunting exploration of the thin line between the hunter and the hunted, Moss proves that the most dangerous predators aren't always the ones with claws.

​If you are a fan of psychological tension paired with survivalist grit—think The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon meets Silence of the Lambs—this is an essential addition to your shelf.

Also highly recommended for those who are curious about the amazing animals that most of us will never get to experience unless we visit the amazing South African bush; this story is reflective, suspenseful and educational.

A resounding 5 stars from this grateful reader, this author is definitely one to watch and follow.

[Amber Boos · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! That opening Prologue is absolutely jaw-dropping!!! And the story never loses that momentum! This is by far and away one of the best, if not THE best, debuts I have ever read. After that Prologue, we go to present day where the story starts off pretty typical for these sorts of adventures gone way wrong type stories. I was already picking out who was going to be the first body to drop, and which ones would be the next most expendable. But then the first body dropped. I was quickly reminded that I was reading one of the most exciting, suspenseful, fast-pasted, character driven thrillers that I have ever had the pleasure of reading! Good Gosh, where to start!? Dani and Grace are estranged sisters who partially grew up living on an African game preserve run by their mother. Mom and Grace were still close. Mom and Dani, not so much. Well, Mom has died and the girls go back to close up the house on the preserve and get it ready for sale. As the girls and friends are prepping to hit the Safari trail, Dani is handed a note from their late Mom. It says "Burn everything in the storeroom. Tell no one." Storeroom? Dani has no clue about a storeroom or where it could be and why shouldn't she tell her sister? That's just the beginning. The group takes off across the days long trail. Of course, mayhem ensues. LOTS of mayhem. Dani ends up leading the group in a battle for survival. I don't want to spoil anything plot point wise. Let's just say, I had no idea who to trust. The story is told both in the past and present and both timelines are fascinating. And that setting!! I actually felt as if I were out on the African plains trying to survive! I am already so excited to read more from this author.

Thank you to #NetGalley, Natalie Moss and Berkley Publishing Group for this much appreciated ARC.

[Coco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this ARC expecting a solid mystery, but what I got was something far better: a slow-burn, atmospheric thriller that feels right at home beside a Jane Harper novel—only set deep in the African bush.

From the first pages, the setting does heavy lifting. The heat, isolation, and vastness of the safari landscape are palpable, and the world of tour guides, conservation, and the dark undercurrent of illegal poaching feels lived-in and authentic rather than exoticized. The author uses the environment not just as a backdrop, but as a source of tension—danger lurks everywhere, and not all of it comes from wildlife.

The mystery itself is expertly constructed. Clues are layered carefully, red herrings are genuinely convincing, and just when I thought I had things figured out, the story slipped sideways. I kept second-guessing myself all the way to the final reveal, which felt both surprising and earned—a rare and satisfying combination.

The characters are all very flawed (reminiscent of a Jane Harper family) but compelling, and the stakes feel grounded rather than melodramatic. It’s the kind of mystery that trusts the reader to pay attention—and rewards them for doing so.

If you enjoy character-driven mysteries, morally complex themes, and settings that quietly tighten the noose as the story unfolds, this one is absolutely worth your time. Special thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

[Kimberly Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thriller set in the South African bush country? I'm all in!

To say Danielle had a complicated relationship with her mother would be putting it mildly. Mom Elizabeth ran a wildlife conservation foundation that resulted in Danielle feeling neglected and resentful. Combined with a terrible childhood event involving her sister Grace, Danielle left Africa in her late teens with no intention to ever return. But now her mother has died following a scorpion sting, and she has a last request for Danielle. Danielle, in turn, needs to permanently close this chapter of her life so she wants to sell her mother's home. She decides to invite Grace on a trip to the wildlife reserve where they lived as children in hopes of convincing her to sell the house.

Both sisters are keeping big secrets not only from each other, but from the friends they invite to accompany them on the trip. From the very beginning the trip seems off somehow but it's not until one traveler is murdered that the crew realizes they are trapped in the African desert, surrounded by the animals who live there. As if the wild animals were not enough of a threat, there seem to be humans out there with them intent on murdering them all.

This book was a rip-roaring good time. I was suspicious of nearly everyone and yet still found myself surprised by the ending.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Jeff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Natalie Moss composed an original mystery in The Night Hunter, punctuating relatively short chapters with surprises throughout the fast-paced narrative. Readers who limit their literary ambitions to those elements should be very satisfied, but anyone looking for more will be disappointed. Wildlife conservation content in the story is contrived and superficial. The focus is on the equally contrived emotions of the characters involved, who are difficult to empathize with beyond their desire to survive. A complete lack of authentic detail in backcountry camping scenes makes the whole thing feel like an AI interpretation of a safari. Even though much of the plot occurs in the African wilderness, the environment and its natural inhabitants play almost no role in the story's final outcome (especially when the hidden truth of the first scene is revealed). For a visceral safari thriller experience, try Michaelbrent Collings' Predators.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC.

[Liz O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

*ARC review via NetGalley

While I enjoyed the wildlife setting, this book asked too much of me as a reader. This wasn’t an easy read, there’s animal mutilation, child endangerment, and a protagonist who seems to be strangely resilient to the horrors that happen around her. If I’m being asked to experience events first person style, then I’m going to need to identify with or at least not dislike the main character. Sadly, I couldn’t connect with her at all. Also, one of the characters who were killed off made it so that there wasn’t any real catharsis story wise. I felt like I put in the time to make the trek through the South African wilds only to be left unsatisfied and a bit worse for wear. I think this new writer has so much potential and I’ll read whatever she writes next, but this story wasn’t for me.

[Ann Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the absolute pleasure of reading The Night Hunter early and I'm telling you right now this book is going to live up to the hype. Set largely in the unforgiving South African bush, the main plot of survival, mystery, and animal-related danger are tense and vivid -- and ever-present danger from both man and nature keeps the suspense high throughout. At the same time, the characters feel genuinely real, the emotional stakes are always high, and the relationship between the main pair is believable and gives the story so much heart. It's is a gripping, character-driven thriller that blends survival tension with real emotional depth, with strong pacing and a super satisfying climax. Highly recommended!

[Jeremy Reppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Night Hunter" is full of twists and turns that will keep you guessing. Multiple characters are keeping secrets, which will prove deadly. Sisters Danielle and Grace are burdened by their past and the incident that led to Grace's arm injury but also their very different relationships with their mother, a no-nonsense conservationist whose wildlife foundation took precedence. I was surprised by the identity of the villain and the motive. Having the story set in the South African bush added a uniqueness to the story. The author used the setting very effectively, as a source of wonder and danger -- animal sightings and confrontations, the ruggedness of the terrain, the struggle to find water, the beauty of the land and its wildlife, etc.

[Katy Coronado · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. It’s packed with action, tension, and twists that kept me guessing until the very end. What begins as a tense return to a remote wildlife reserve quickly turns into a gripping story of secrets, betrayal, and survival.

Beyond the suspense, the emotional depth and focus on sisterhood really made this story stand out for me. The pacing was strong, and the ending felt powerful and meaningful.

Thank you to Natalie Moss and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Kristen Perrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richly atmospheric and utterly transporting, Moss does a masterful job of mixing suspense, family drama, sinister secrets, and fast-paced adventure in The Night Hunter. If you think this is just another destination thriller, you’re wrong - this book has roots that make it feel like something special, all while delivering perfectly timed twists and turns that will keep readers on their toes. I felt swept away by this book, and particularly drawn in by the complex relationship between the two sisters. Trust me, you don’t want to miss this one.

*Advance copy received for review purposes

[Kerie Angele · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️’s

A suspense/murder mystery that brings us along for a dangerous trip through the South African outback. The description of the animals and landscape were so realistic and pulled me right into the story. The little glimpses into the history of the FMC and her sister bring them to life and evoke emotions. I loved the little tidbits that made different characters seem suspect. I was displeased with the ending, unfortunately, but the writing more than makes up for my disappointment in the sacrifice of the character. Enjoyed this one.

I received this ARC for my honest review.

[Anya Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Survival suspense threatened by both the wild and the people lurking within it, deep in the South African bush.
Sisters Grace and Danielle are still marked by a childhood trauma, and now they are forced to confront the uneasy legacy their mother, Elizabeth, founder of the Three Rivers Wildlife Foundation, left behind. Her death sparks a return trip that begins as a search for closure and quickly spirals into something far darker. Joined by Danielle’s boyfriend, Elliot, their friend Naomi, and Jacques, a local guide and longtime friend, they are drawn into a landscape where the natural world is unforgiving and the humans are even more dangerous.

[Eileen Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this a 3 and a half. Thanks to net galley I was able to read before release.
There is a lot of good things to the lot and the twists in the personal relationships. I was a bit disappointed in the ending and felt it was a let down after the build up.

I did struggle to read this as many of the words I had to look up since the book is set in the South African bush. I am a reader that has to know what the words mean so I did have to look up many.

[Mallory Goldsmith · Rating 2 out of 5]

The setting was refreshingly different, and I found myself invested in both the present and past storylines, which doesn’t always happen for me. That said, the book became a little too chaotic—there was so much going on that the second half really lost me. The character development outside of the FMC was fairly weak, and it felt like the author didn’t have clear end goals for many of the other characters.

[Libby Reidy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suspense and murder in the African Bush is the setting for this story. Two sisters reunited after their mother's death return to their mother's home to settle her affairs. What begins as an ordinary trip developes into a nightmare with the murders of some of their companions accompaning them. I began to loose interest in the storyline halfway through; I did finish it as I was curious how it would end.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barnstormer of a debut from Moss whose narrative moves at some pace. Melancholy and majesty combine in both the South African bush and the family drama that provide the setting. Ultimately both fuel rather than obstruct a breakneck thriller that was tough to put down. A recommended read for any fans of the genre.

[Andrea Bartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

With muscular prose, an evocative setting, complex characters, and a pulse-pounding plot, THE NIGHT HUNTER comes roaring onto the scene with all the skill and ferociousness of an apex predator. Moss's stunning debut is sure to be one of the most talked-about books of the year.

[Saundra Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! This setting, a nature preserve in South Africa, is as big a part of the book as the plot and characters. The descriptions are vivid truly paint the desperation of these character's plight. The plot kept me guessing until the reveal. This is a book I will recommend often.

[Marissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning debut novel!
Complex characters, beautiful setting, suspenseful plot and a few unexpected twists too.
Tore through this and enjoyed every page; thank you for the ARC NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group!

[☕Brenda Loves Books☕ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild book. I enjoyed the tension. I'll definitely be recommending this one. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like I was I was in the safari

[Trisha]

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

[Drew Jabin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really loved the setting, first African safari book, I definitely think the ending felt a little rushed - but a quick, easy, twisty read!