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Sirens in the Night
When three corpses are found at a construction site in Philadelphia, homicide detective Samantha Ballard is assigned to investigate the bizarre deaths. The bodies seem like a hoax – withered like ancient mummies, yet dressed in modern day clothing. As more mummified corpses begin to appear throughout the city, Samantha must embark on an investigation that erodes the line between the possible and impossible.
Jack Allyn, a radio DJ who thinks his career is in a downward spiral, has his world rocked by the unusual murder of his friend. As Jack begins to search for answers, he finds himself coming face to face with a force that is as malevolent as it is entrancing.
With his life in danger, Jack must join forces with Samantha to save the city from an evil that threatens the people of Philadelphia. But with the odds stacked against them, can Jack and Samantha save their city from a primeval force with a deadly purpose?
Jack Allyn, a radio DJ who thinks his career is in a downward spiral, has his world rocked by the unusual murder of his friend. As Jack begins to search for answers, he finds himself coming face to face with a force that is as malevolent as it is entrancing.
With his life in danger, Jack must join forces with Samantha to save the city from an evil that threatens the people of Philadelphia. But with the odds stacked against them, can Jack and Samantha save their city from a primeval force with a deadly purpose?
332 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2015
3 people are currently reading
1320 people want to read
About the author
Michael Bradley
9 books121 followersBorn and raised in southern New Jersey, Michael Bradley spent years in radio broadcasting in New Jersey and West Virginia. He has been “up and down the dial,” working as an on air radio personality, promotions director and even program director – all jobs that provided a wealth of fond, enduring, and sometimes scandalous moments. Some of them make it into his suspense novels. Particularly into his first, the supernatural thriller Sirens in the Night (2015), which was called a “smart, terrifying, heartbreaking” and “compelling read,” and his third, Dead Air (2020), a “phenomenal read” that will “make you look over your shoulder the moment night falls.”
Michael’s day job as an IT professional has taken him on frequent travels throughout the US and Europe. On his travels he’s met many people from diverse backgrounds, and he is grateful to all of them, as many of their quirks and habits also make it into his novels, albeit in clandestine and anonymous ways.
When he isn’t on the road, working, or writing, Michael hits the waterways in his kayak, paddling creeks, streams, and rivers all over Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey. Or he reads to get inspired by writers such as P.D. James, Ian Rankin, Leslies Charteris, Simon Brett, Lisa Unger, and Ian Fleming. Michael is a member of Pennwriters and Mystery Writers of America, and he serves as the technical assistant to the director of ITW’s Pitch Fest and ConsultFest for the annual ThrillerFest conference. Michael lives in Delaware with his wife Diane and their two furry four-legged “kids,” Preaya and Willie.
Michael’s day job as an IT professional has taken him on frequent travels throughout the US and Europe. On his travels he’s met many people from diverse backgrounds, and he is grateful to all of them, as many of their quirks and habits also make it into his novels, albeit in clandestine and anonymous ways.
When he isn’t on the road, working, or writing, Michael hits the waterways in his kayak, paddling creeks, streams, and rivers all over Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey. Or he reads to get inspired by writers such as P.D. James, Ian Rankin, Leslies Charteris, Simon Brett, Lisa Unger, and Ian Fleming. Michael is a member of Pennwriters and Mystery Writers of America, and he serves as the technical assistant to the director of ITW’s Pitch Fest and ConsultFest for the annual ThrillerFest conference. Michael lives in Delaware with his wife Diane and their two furry four-legged “kids,” Preaya and Willie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
November 28, 2015
BLUF: Great book for those who enjoy science fiction mixed in with their murder mystery.
**I was provided a copy of this book from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review**
Sirens in the Night follows two individuals: Samantha Ballard and Jack Allyn. Samantha is an experienced detective who is “mentoring” the homicide division rookie. In reality, she faces a need to prove herself as a strong detective and tries to lead the case ahead of her FBI counterparts, while being very impatient and unforgiving towards her rookie. Jack is a radio DJ. Once famous for his on-air personality, Jack now finds himself at the lowest of lows in the business. Unfortunately for Jack, he hits a new low as mummified corpses begin appearing around him.
At first, Samantha seems like your typical police harda** who doesn’t care about anyone and doesn’t play by the rules. Reading on, she sheds this initial judgment and becomes very likeable (It’s interesting how getting to know somebody sheds light on their actions.) She remains too hard on her partner, but it reads well. Usually, I am the first to whine about a character that feels pushed down by the man, but, at the same time, is rude to those around her and shuts her station out. In Samantha’s case, these aspects didn’t bother me. She doesn’t act as a lone wolf and she calls her partner in on all discoveries. For me, her desire to prove herself as a woman detective didn’t have a whine to it; it was just a fact of her position.
Jack is likeable from the start. His career is past its’ prime and he is unhappy, but he has his routines and a good personality.
As for the murders and investigation in these books, we discover the “who” and the “how” very quickly in this book, but not the “why”. In general, I don’t like knowing the “who” upfront, but really, we only see who it is, not know who it is. This allows the book to retain mystery despite knowing our murder’s pattern.
The only downfall of this book (unless you count not having a second book!) is that some of the descriptive phrases are reused. That is, one person describes somebody in very specific words and, much later in the book, another character uses the exact same words. It might be purposeful, but it gives the reader a sense of déjà vu and essentially disrupts the current story to reflect on parts of the story that has already passed.
Overall, I enjoyed this very much!
**I was provided a copy of this book from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review**
Sirens in the Night follows two individuals: Samantha Ballard and Jack Allyn. Samantha is an experienced detective who is “mentoring” the homicide division rookie. In reality, she faces a need to prove herself as a strong detective and tries to lead the case ahead of her FBI counterparts, while being very impatient and unforgiving towards her rookie. Jack is a radio DJ. Once famous for his on-air personality, Jack now finds himself at the lowest of lows in the business. Unfortunately for Jack, he hits a new low as mummified corpses begin appearing around him.
At first, Samantha seems like your typical police harda** who doesn’t care about anyone and doesn’t play by the rules. Reading on, she sheds this initial judgment and becomes very likeable (It’s interesting how getting to know somebody sheds light on their actions.) She remains too hard on her partner, but it reads well. Usually, I am the first to whine about a character that feels pushed down by the man, but, at the same time, is rude to those around her and shuts her station out. In Samantha’s case, these aspects didn’t bother me. She doesn’t act as a lone wolf and she calls her partner in on all discoveries. For me, her desire to prove herself as a woman detective didn’t have a whine to it; it was just a fact of her position.
Jack is likeable from the start. His career is past its’ prime and he is unhappy, but he has his routines and a good personality.
As for the murders and investigation in these books, we discover the “who” and the “how” very quickly in this book, but not the “why”. In general, I don’t like knowing the “who” upfront, but really, we only see who it is, not know who it is. This allows the book to retain mystery despite knowing our murder’s pattern.
The only downfall of this book (unless you count not having a second book!) is that some of the descriptive phrases are reused. That is, one person describes somebody in very specific words and, much later in the book, another character uses the exact same words. It might be purposeful, but it gives the reader a sense of déjà vu and essentially disrupts the current story to reflect on parts of the story that has already passed.
Overall, I enjoyed this very much!
February 16, 2016
I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in return for an honest review.
What can I say, this book scared the bejeezus out of me because of the nature of the crime and the apparently unstoppable perpetrators.
I found this book fascinating, the way the author weaved Greek mythology with modern life to produce a thoroughly enjoyable fast paced read.
I'm a big fan of paranormal fantasy as well as crime thrillers so this booked ticked quite a few boxes for me.
I felt sorry for Jack because as he had lost his way, coasting aimlessly along with no real idea of what he wanted now that his life in the fast lane was over but life (or death) certainly came crashing in to give him a rude awakening.
Samantha is a police detective full of guilt but determined to prove that she is up to the job.
The pairing of this unlikely duo to fight the growing terror was interesting. What I want to know is, does Jack's interest in comics have anything to do with solving the problem of how to deal with immortal beings??
A thoroughly enjoyable read having me sat on the edge of my seat, hiding behind the cushions and checking to see that all my doors and windows were locked. A crime thriller with a difference and book I would happily recommend.
What can I say, this book scared the bejeezus out of me because of the nature of the crime and the apparently unstoppable perpetrators.
I found this book fascinating, the way the author weaved Greek mythology with modern life to produce a thoroughly enjoyable fast paced read.
I'm a big fan of paranormal fantasy as well as crime thrillers so this booked ticked quite a few boxes for me.
I felt sorry for Jack because as he had lost his way, coasting aimlessly along with no real idea of what he wanted now that his life in the fast lane was over but life (or death) certainly came crashing in to give him a rude awakening.
Samantha is a police detective full of guilt but determined to prove that she is up to the job.
The pairing of this unlikely duo to fight the growing terror was interesting. What I want to know is, does Jack's interest in comics have anything to do with solving the problem of how to deal with immortal beings??
A thoroughly enjoyable read having me sat on the edge of my seat, hiding behind the cushions and checking to see that all my doors and windows were locked. A crime thriller with a difference and book I would happily recommend.
February 16, 2016
Female police detective with issues? Check. Rookie partner? Check. Washed up radio personality doing all nights at an MOR station? Check. Ancient malevolent life-sucking disco-dancing femme fatales? Um, check.
Kinda fun and a fast read; if you like taking the road less travelled by in your police procedurals, you'll like this. The mummified corpses were a break from the usual serial killer fare. And, having been in broadcasting off and on my whole life, the DJ and radio station were on the mark and my favorite part of the story. "Dead air! Damn it!" Made me smile, been there.
I thought that the dense paragraphs were overly descriptive sometimes, like this one which begins, "the building itself lacked any unique characteristic . . ." and proceeds to describe how featureless it was. I admit I started to skim when I saw a sequence of paragraphs coming up, wanting to get back to the good stuff like the dialogue.
And you gotta love the double entendre in the title.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for my opinion.
Kinda fun and a fast read; if you like taking the road less travelled by in your police procedurals, you'll like this. The mummified corpses were a break from the usual serial killer fare. And, having been in broadcasting off and on my whole life, the DJ and radio station were on the mark and my favorite part of the story. "Dead air! Damn it!" Made me smile, been there.
I thought that the dense paragraphs were overly descriptive sometimes, like this one which begins, "the building itself lacked any unique characteristic . . ." and proceeds to describe how featureless it was. I admit I started to skim when I saw a sequence of paragraphs coming up, wanting to get back to the good stuff like the dialogue.
And you gotta love the double entendre in the title.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for my opinion.
November 10, 2015
First off, this book’s good. Though not my oh-so-so-so-favorite book, this kept me interested. I wasn’t into the idea that much but I liked the characters—I always love characters, actually. This book’s an easy read though if it’s not you’re kind of genre then I suggest you’ll not like it.
I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars. It’s mainly because I didn’t enjoy it as much as I expected I would. I’m into thrillers and stuff but I didn’t like the narration of the murders and investigation in this book. I somehow find it a little dull and flat—I don’t know why and how but that’s how I feel. Maybe this book’s really not for me but I guess it’s worth the try. You can try to read the book and see for yourself if you’ll like it or not. Besides, we have different tastes when it comes to books.
I give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars. It’s mainly because I didn’t enjoy it as much as I expected I would. I’m into thrillers and stuff but I didn’t like the narration of the murders and investigation in this book. I somehow find it a little dull and flat—I don’t know why and how but that’s how I feel. Maybe this book’s really not for me but I guess it’s worth the try. You can try to read the book and see for yourself if you’ll like it or not. Besides, we have different tastes when it comes to books.
November 5, 2015
This one was okay for me. The book kept me interested and I liked how the author tied it to history and kept it believable. It was definitely different. While it's not really my genre, it did hold my interest and was entertaining. I kept wondering how it was going to end and the author did an excellent job at getting rid of those pesky sirens.
As I said, it's not my genre, so I'm no expert, but I would definitely recommend it.
Thanks Amberjack Publishing and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
As I said, it's not my genre, so I'm no expert, but I would definitely recommend it.
Thanks Amberjack Publishing and Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
January 7, 2016
I received this arc from Netgalley.
I really enjoyed reading this. This was a very good read from start to finish. I could not put it down. Definitely recommend
I really enjoyed reading this. This was a very good read from start to finish. I could not put it down. Definitely recommend
June 30, 2018
Warning: minor spoilers ahead. Although this review does not serve as a plot synopsis but rather a discussion of what I did and didn't enjoy, you may learn more than you want to know. Read the book first.
Set entirely in modern-day Philadelphia, Sirens in the Night successfully twisted both the serial killer and the paranormal monster tropes by making the murderer not a human, vampire, or werewolf. The perps? A trio of immortal - and luscious - sirens (now would be a good time to buff up on your Greek mythology.) The novel had several unique characteristics that I enjoyed:
1) Any book that believably works Benjamin Franklin into its backstory (and makes him a hero, no less!) is ok by me.
2) The pairing of the requisite hard-boiled police detective (Samantha) with not only a rookie male partner but with radio host and part-time disc jockey, Jack, was fun. I also liked that the author had the courage to avoid the happily-ever-after ending that often mars such pairings. The book ends with a bang (*ahem*), and that's also ok by me.
3) The author clearly knows the radio world and does a great job with the city of Philadelphia, South Street in particular. Having lived there for 4 years, I could easily imagine the greasy spoons in which Jack chooses to dine. You can practically smell the cheesesteaks (Geno's!)
So what didn't I like? For reasons I can't define, Jack's backstory (the loss of the love of his life) just didn't feel fulfilling or necessary. Although it does come into play during the climactic final scene, it still didn't quite work for me. Maybe because the details were relayed so late in the book, or maybe it's a male/female thing on my part because, in contrast, Samantha's backstory - her guilt over her partner's death because of a bad judgement call - was entirely believable to me.
The book was a quick, easy read (you don't even have to brush up on your mythology, if you don't want to!) which makes it perfect to take on vacation. I enjoyed it and plan to read the author's newest work, Follow You Down
Set entirely in modern-day Philadelphia, Sirens in the Night successfully twisted both the serial killer and the paranormal monster tropes by making the murderer not a human, vampire, or werewolf. The perps? A trio of immortal - and luscious - sirens (now would be a good time to buff up on your Greek mythology.) The novel had several unique characteristics that I enjoyed:
1) Any book that believably works Benjamin Franklin into its backstory (and makes him a hero, no less!) is ok by me.
2) The pairing of the requisite hard-boiled police detective (Samantha) with not only a rookie male partner but with radio host and part-time disc jockey, Jack, was fun. I also liked that the author had the courage to avoid the happily-ever-after ending that often mars such pairings. The book ends with a bang (*ahem*), and that's also ok by me.
3) The author clearly knows the radio world and does a great job with the city of Philadelphia, South Street in particular. Having lived there for 4 years, I could easily imagine the greasy spoons in which Jack chooses to dine. You can practically smell the cheesesteaks (Geno's!)
So what didn't I like? For reasons I can't define, Jack's backstory (the loss of the love of his life) just didn't feel fulfilling or necessary. Although it does come into play during the climactic final scene, it still didn't quite work for me. Maybe because the details were relayed so late in the book, or maybe it's a male/female thing on my part because, in contrast, Samantha's backstory - her guilt over her partner's death because of a bad judgement call - was entirely believable to me.
The book was a quick, easy read (you don't even have to brush up on your mythology, if you don't want to!) which makes it perfect to take on vacation. I enjoyed it and plan to read the author's newest work, Follow You Down
January 18, 2018
I won a print copy of Sirens in the Night by Michael Bradley in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Sirens in the Night is an intense horror story. It has a Stephen King feel to it; the slowly building feel of dread culminating in a fantastic finish.
I saw a big tip of the hat to one of my favorite tv sitcom's, WKRP in Cinncinnati. Also a smaller nod to Divergent, I'll let you find that one yourself.
Since the back cover tells us the history of one of our heroes, it's not a spoiler here to say, like WKRP we have a DJ who said a bad word on air and is paying the price. He is, eventually, teamed up with a female detective in the face of unspeakable evil.
They are forced to contend with an ancient mythic evil. Great suspense, and a great retelling of the mythology of the Sirens set in contemporary Philadelphia. No one but them knows that the very fate of the world depends on them.
The mood of the great horror stories is preserved here. There is overt, evil sexuality like in any good horror story. No romance though. Good action, great suspense. Like classic horror, the evil doers are not present front and center until the big confrontation, as I said, the dread slowly builds. The reader is not beaten over the head with graphic violence and gore (sadly, what often passes for horror nowadays). The conclusion of the story is true to the old school vibe, unsettling yet satisfying.
If you like old school horror, Sirens in the Night by Michael Bradley will feed the need (nicely?, suspense-fully?, horrifically?) choose your adverb. Enjoy!
Mike
Sirens in the Night is an intense horror story. It has a Stephen King feel to it; the slowly building feel of dread culminating in a fantastic finish.
I saw a big tip of the hat to one of my favorite tv sitcom's, WKRP in Cinncinnati. Also a smaller nod to Divergent, I'll let you find that one yourself.
Since the back cover tells us the history of one of our heroes, it's not a spoiler here to say, like WKRP we have a DJ who said a bad word on air and is paying the price. He is, eventually, teamed up with a female detective in the face of unspeakable evil.
They are forced to contend with an ancient mythic evil. Great suspense, and a great retelling of the mythology of the Sirens set in contemporary Philadelphia. No one but them knows that the very fate of the world depends on them.
The mood of the great horror stories is preserved here. There is overt, evil sexuality like in any good horror story. No romance though. Good action, great suspense. Like classic horror, the evil doers are not present front and center until the big confrontation, as I said, the dread slowly builds. The reader is not beaten over the head with graphic violence and gore (sadly, what often passes for horror nowadays). The conclusion of the story is true to the old school vibe, unsettling yet satisfying.
If you like old school horror, Sirens in the Night by Michael Bradley will feed the need (nicely?, suspense-fully?, horrifically?) choose your adverb. Enjoy!
Mike
May 28, 2020
I picked up Sirens In The Night with my latest batch of icky bug since I’m having a better opportunity to get icky bug through online sources. It’s something I can rarely do in the bookstore when it’s open.
The story is basically a cop procedural but this is where things take a turn into the weird. The antagonists in this case are not the normal human monsters, but something else. And, of course, mayhem ensues.
The writing was outstanding with solid third-person, past-tense. However, especially in the second half, the author tended to head hop with no transitions or scene breaks. This would’ve been jarring and annoying except he kept the pace up with the narrative and it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. Plus, he kept the number of point of view characters to a minimum, so it wasn’t a complete free-for-all.
There were some typos here and there as well, but not that many, so there was nothing to detract from the story.
Overall I had a great time though I was only partially satisfied with the ending. While it was mostly satisfying, I was kind of disappointed as well. It had to do with emotional investment and I’ll leave it at that. Otherwise it would’ve been five stars and I might have sought out more of his books. However, if that’s the way he likes to end his books, think I’ll pass on further installments. Still, this one was pretty decent.
The story is basically a cop procedural but this is where things take a turn into the weird. The antagonists in this case are not the normal human monsters, but something else. And, of course, mayhem ensues.
The writing was outstanding with solid third-person, past-tense. However, especially in the second half, the author tended to head hop with no transitions or scene breaks. This would’ve been jarring and annoying except he kept the pace up with the narrative and it wasn’t as bad as it could’ve been. Plus, he kept the number of point of view characters to a minimum, so it wasn’t a complete free-for-all.
There were some typos here and there as well, but not that many, so there was nothing to detract from the story.
Overall I had a great time though I was only partially satisfied with the ending. While it was mostly satisfying, I was kind of disappointed as well. It had to do with emotional investment and I’ll leave it at that. Otherwise it would’ve been five stars and I might have sought out more of his books. However, if that’s the way he likes to end his books, think I’ll pass on further installments. Still, this one was pretty decent.
July 14, 2017
This is not a genre I normally read. However, the fact that this was a crime thriller with a mix of science fiction had me intrigued. I was kept interested in this book because of all the twists. I loved how the past and present were brought together with the Greek mythology references. Just when I thought I had the killer wrapped up, another twist (which I never expected) had me going back to square one. Well done Micheal Bradley for your clever writing.
July 14, 2017
Thank you to Goodreads for the opportunity to read this book.
Interesting, well researched book about tracking supernatural killers.
Interesting, well researched book about tracking supernatural killers.
October 8, 2019
Fast paced and fun! Easily one of the most wonderful books I've read this year.
April 9, 2023
THIS IS A STORY DEALING WITH SIRENS FROM GREEK MYTHOLOGY. IT SOUNDS DAUNTING BUT IT IS A WELL WRITTEN STORY THAT IS HARD TO PUT DOWN
February 18, 2016
SIRENS IN THE NIGHT by Michael Bradley (Amberjack Publishing, 2015) Paperback ISBN #978-0-692-51719-2 322 pages
DISCLAIMER: I did not receive a promotional copy of this book in exchange for a written review. I purchased my copy. While I know Michael Bradley through our shared membership in a writers group, this review is completely unsolicited. I would have bought a copy of Sirens In The Night as a show of support, regardless of whether it was fiction in a genre that I enjoy, non-fiction, or memoir. While I don't know a lot about Michael Bradley outside of the writing group, I have learned that he takes a professional approach. So I expected Sirens In The Night to be a good story, engaging, and well-written. My expectations were exceeded.
This is my first time writing a long review on the Goodreads site. I noticed when I add a new title to My Books, there are a number of “shelves” - - - tags or genres to classify it in. One of the challenges with SIRENS IN THE NIGHT is that it can fit on many “shelves”. I ended up choosing contemporary mystery, detection thriller, horror, serial-killers, supernatural and urban fantasy until I was satisfied that this was enough. If forced to boil it down to a simpler genre description, “supernatural crime” seems to work best.
SIRENS IN THE NIGHT explores a dark side of crime investigation, introduces intriguing characters with interesting back stories, gives a glimpse into Philadelphia history and culture, and exhibits the flow and pacing of a good detective novel, albeit one with a supernatural element.
The story starts off at the murder scene on a Philadelphia construction site of a historic building renovation. An apparent triple murder has occurred, and the victims’ remains have a mummified appearance. Homicide detective Samantha Ballard suspects a hoax as she begins the investigation. The coroner’s autopsy reveals that the bodies are not unearthed remains, but recent deaths.
Ballard, and her new rookie partner Peter Thornton, begin their investigation in normal fashion with just a few clues to start them off. As more murders occur across the city with the mummified appearance on every victim, they begin to suspect that a serial killer with a supernatural signature is the perpetrator.
As things progress they begin to realize that the killer may be more than human. This creates yet another conflict for Ballard, who is trying to prove her worth in a competitive department. She doesn’t want to accept what the evidence is beginning to tell her as it would not be received well and could hurt her reputation. The story goes far beyond the standard police procedural and explores the realm of the unknown. Sometime after reading approximately one-third of the way through the story, the pacing and suspense build so much that it’s hard to put down and becomes a thrilling page-turner.
Author Bradley incorporates some characters from Greek mythology into the story, enhancing their dangerous nature by giving them other properties, including strength and immortality. All the characters in the book are sharply defined, believable in their imperfections, concerns and motives. Detective Samantha Ballard is the most intriguing and interesting character in the novel, and the amount of her background and history revealed during the novel would make a good subject for at least two prequels to this book. Her family has a history connected to police work; and her investigation of a past serial killer ended unsatisfactory.
Bradley also introduces a supporting character with plenty of internal conflicts. Jack Allyn is a radio disc jockey trying to regain his former status in the broadcasting industry. He becomes involved when a close friend becomes a murder victim. Jack crosses paths with Ballard and Thornton and jumps into the investigation with them, since he also believes in a supernatural killer and is one of the few persons they can confide in and compare notes.
Bradley flavors his novel by adding secondary details throughout, interesting notes that help lend a sense of realism and believability to the novel and help the reader visualize the scenery better. There is fascinating descriptions of Philadelphia architecture and city streets and landmarks. It will remind some readers of the style employed by Ian Rankin in describing the city of Edinburgh and Scotland in his detective novels, although Bradley does not venture into travelogue mode to the same degree that Rankin sometimes does.
Although some readers may quibble with the ending, things do come to a resolution. However, the short epilogue chapter seems unnecessary and feels like it was added on, perhaps at the prompting of the publisher. Unfortunately, it will seem predictable to any reader familiar with horror movie endings.
DISCLAIMER: I did not receive a promotional copy of this book in exchange for a written review. I purchased my copy. While I know Michael Bradley through our shared membership in a writers group, this review is completely unsolicited. I would have bought a copy of Sirens In The Night as a show of support, regardless of whether it was fiction in a genre that I enjoy, non-fiction, or memoir. While I don't know a lot about Michael Bradley outside of the writing group, I have learned that he takes a professional approach. So I expected Sirens In The Night to be a good story, engaging, and well-written. My expectations were exceeded.
This is my first time writing a long review on the Goodreads site. I noticed when I add a new title to My Books, there are a number of “shelves” - - - tags or genres to classify it in. One of the challenges with SIRENS IN THE NIGHT is that it can fit on many “shelves”. I ended up choosing contemporary mystery, detection thriller, horror, serial-killers, supernatural and urban fantasy until I was satisfied that this was enough. If forced to boil it down to a simpler genre description, “supernatural crime” seems to work best.
SIRENS IN THE NIGHT explores a dark side of crime investigation, introduces intriguing characters with interesting back stories, gives a glimpse into Philadelphia history and culture, and exhibits the flow and pacing of a good detective novel, albeit one with a supernatural element.
The story starts off at the murder scene on a Philadelphia construction site of a historic building renovation. An apparent triple murder has occurred, and the victims’ remains have a mummified appearance. Homicide detective Samantha Ballard suspects a hoax as she begins the investigation. The coroner’s autopsy reveals that the bodies are not unearthed remains, but recent deaths.
Ballard, and her new rookie partner Peter Thornton, begin their investigation in normal fashion with just a few clues to start them off. As more murders occur across the city with the mummified appearance on every victim, they begin to suspect that a serial killer with a supernatural signature is the perpetrator.
As things progress they begin to realize that the killer may be more than human. This creates yet another conflict for Ballard, who is trying to prove her worth in a competitive department. She doesn’t want to accept what the evidence is beginning to tell her as it would not be received well and could hurt her reputation. The story goes far beyond the standard police procedural and explores the realm of the unknown. Sometime after reading approximately one-third of the way through the story, the pacing and suspense build so much that it’s hard to put down and becomes a thrilling page-turner.
Author Bradley incorporates some characters from Greek mythology into the story, enhancing their dangerous nature by giving them other properties, including strength and immortality. All the characters in the book are sharply defined, believable in their imperfections, concerns and motives. Detective Samantha Ballard is the most intriguing and interesting character in the novel, and the amount of her background and history revealed during the novel would make a good subject for at least two prequels to this book. Her family has a history connected to police work; and her investigation of a past serial killer ended unsatisfactory.
Bradley also introduces a supporting character with plenty of internal conflicts. Jack Allyn is a radio disc jockey trying to regain his former status in the broadcasting industry. He becomes involved when a close friend becomes a murder victim. Jack crosses paths with Ballard and Thornton and jumps into the investigation with them, since he also believes in a supernatural killer and is one of the few persons they can confide in and compare notes.
Bradley flavors his novel by adding secondary details throughout, interesting notes that help lend a sense of realism and believability to the novel and help the reader visualize the scenery better. There is fascinating descriptions of Philadelphia architecture and city streets and landmarks. It will remind some readers of the style employed by Ian Rankin in describing the city of Edinburgh and Scotland in his detective novels, although Bradley does not venture into travelogue mode to the same degree that Rankin sometimes does.
Although some readers may quibble with the ending, things do come to a resolution. However, the short epilogue chapter seems unnecessary and feels like it was added on, perhaps at the prompting of the publisher. Unfortunately, it will seem predictable to any reader familiar with horror movie endings.
February 18, 2016
Police Procedurals are my bread and butter genre. Sometimes though they can get a bit samey, like the author has followed a formulaic bullet point list so, when I see a Police Procedural that looks a little different, my interest is definitely piqued. I also like reading outside my comfort zone and Supernatural is not on my usual reads list so that was another reason to give it a whirl.
So, strange things are happening in Philadelphia. Three bodies are found in an old basement. They are mummified - a process that usually takes months at least. Problem is, these people are only a couple of days dead! How is this possible? As the body count rises, can Detective Samantha Ballard and her rookie sidekick Peter Thornton make enough sense of things to solve the case? And how exactly does DJ Jack Allyn fit in to all of this? Innocent bystander or is there more to his involvement?
I saw a review of this book on my Facebook book club and there were subsequent comments to the thread made by people whose opinions I trust saying they also enjoyed this book so, I figured it may suit me and I wasn't wrong. Great plotting, good historical and mythological research, credible Supernatural element all come together in a story played out by a cast of great characters made this, for me, an attention grabbing quick easy read. It is not a particularly long book but not a single word is wasted. The scene setting is succinct and certain parts portrayed as appropriately chilling. The pacing is good throughout - ramping up and down as appropriate to the action. Characters are well defined and come across as real. Yes, ok, we do get the obligatory stereotypical damaged cop but even this was a little different to the norm. Paired with a rookie, there isn't the partnership and banter you get in most books of this genre but Samantha and Peter do have their moments. But it is Jack that I really liked. I am not sure what the author has planned for the future but I personally think that Jack is too good a character not to reappear and I for one would love to hear more from him.
All in all I'm glad I took a punt on this book. I might even be tempted by more Supernatural reads in the future. I'll definitely be keeping my eye open for more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
So, strange things are happening in Philadelphia. Three bodies are found in an old basement. They are mummified - a process that usually takes months at least. Problem is, these people are only a couple of days dead! How is this possible? As the body count rises, can Detective Samantha Ballard and her rookie sidekick Peter Thornton make enough sense of things to solve the case? And how exactly does DJ Jack Allyn fit in to all of this? Innocent bystander or is there more to his involvement?
I saw a review of this book on my Facebook book club and there were subsequent comments to the thread made by people whose opinions I trust saying they also enjoyed this book so, I figured it may suit me and I wasn't wrong. Great plotting, good historical and mythological research, credible Supernatural element all come together in a story played out by a cast of great characters made this, for me, an attention grabbing quick easy read. It is not a particularly long book but not a single word is wasted. The scene setting is succinct and certain parts portrayed as appropriately chilling. The pacing is good throughout - ramping up and down as appropriate to the action. Characters are well defined and come across as real. Yes, ok, we do get the obligatory stereotypical damaged cop but even this was a little different to the norm. Paired with a rookie, there isn't the partnership and banter you get in most books of this genre but Samantha and Peter do have their moments. But it is Jack that I really liked. I am not sure what the author has planned for the future but I personally think that Jack is too good a character not to reappear and I for one would love to hear more from him.
All in all I'm glad I took a punt on this book. I might even be tempted by more Supernatural reads in the future. I'll definitely be keeping my eye open for more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
November 27, 2015
Whoa just whoa. Did not expect that ending. Sad in a way because Samantha was a favorite character for me and now I don’t know what to think. Serious thriller. Seriously good thriller.
This book combines a murder mystery with mythology and was really really good. Jack I felt was a lost character. Lost in his own self pity because of a mistake he made professionally. It seemed he was in a rut but when jason had that tragedy, he reevaluated his life and landed in danger. Danger because of what he knows and because he wants to do right by Jason. He is overall a good guy he feels guilt over the past. A past that after the freaky time in the house he decides to face and change his life. A life that Samantha protected and kept alive.
Samantha was the detective that seemed frosty but she was trying to protect herself from the past as well. Hers was guilt over a case. Jacks was guilt over a past love. Samantha was more open minded than the others in the police force over what was causing the murders. Murders in which the bodies were devoid of all their fluids and as the medical examiner says looked like Beef Jerky. As the bodies pile up and the shock begins to overwhelm the city from what is going on we get a twist and turn. The danger is ratched up and wow did we get some addictive moments. Jack at the radio station and that red head creepy. Jack becomes more prominent in the investigation for he is one that knows more and is a danger to those involved.
As him and Samantha help each other the murders and why is revealed and the freaky gets more creepy and awesomely like a Stephen King concept.
A well written fast paced thriller that puts you on the edge of your seat as you find out what is causing the beef jerky victims and how they are stopped or are they is the question.
This book combines a murder mystery with mythology and was really really good. Jack I felt was a lost character. Lost in his own self pity because of a mistake he made professionally. It seemed he was in a rut but when jason had that tragedy, he reevaluated his life and landed in danger. Danger because of what he knows and because he wants to do right by Jason. He is overall a good guy he feels guilt over the past. A past that after the freaky time in the house he decides to face and change his life. A life that Samantha protected and kept alive.
Samantha was the detective that seemed frosty but she was trying to protect herself from the past as well. Hers was guilt over a case. Jacks was guilt over a past love. Samantha was more open minded than the others in the police force over what was causing the murders. Murders in which the bodies were devoid of all their fluids and as the medical examiner says looked like Beef Jerky. As the bodies pile up and the shock begins to overwhelm the city from what is going on we get a twist and turn. The danger is ratched up and wow did we get some addictive moments. Jack at the radio station and that red head creepy. Jack becomes more prominent in the investigation for he is one that knows more and is a danger to those involved.
As him and Samantha help each other the murders and why is revealed and the freaky gets more creepy and awesomely like a Stephen King concept.
A well written fast paced thriller that puts you on the edge of your seat as you find out what is causing the beef jerky victims and how they are stopped or are they is the question.
January 14, 2016
Firstly I would like to thank Netgalley and Amberjack Publishing for allowing me a free copy of Sirens In The Night and secondly, note to self, read the synopsis carefully before downloading. I like police procedurals which attracted me to the novel but my heart sank as soon as the cause of death was revealed because I find the paranormal impossible to swallow and it spoils a read for me. Nevertheless, I persevered as I promised to review the novel in return for a free copy and surprisingly, I enjoyed most of it.
Detective Samantha Ballard and her rookie partner, Peter Thornton are called to a murder site which has 3 mummified bodies with strange puncture marks on their necks. The strange thing is that the bodied have desiccated and become mummified in 48 hours, a process which normally takes months. As the bodies pile up there appears to be a link to Jack Allyn, a local DJ or as he prefers "personality".
I like the pace of the novel which is even and quite tense in parts and the characters as Samantha, Jack and Peter are pleasant and likeable. Samantha is a fairly stereotypical detective with little time for rules and procedure, truly dedicated and balls of steel but she is also sensitive and caring. Jack has his heart in the right place but is self centred and Peter seems like a good detective but isn't really developed as a character.
I can't really comment on the seirenes as I don't have much experience of this genre - to me it's all tosh, totally implausible and laughable but they are well imagined and drawn and the terror they induce is relatively well done.
As I said Sirens In The Night is not really my thing but I found myself enjoying it and I really didn't expect the twist in the tale at the end.
Detective Samantha Ballard and her rookie partner, Peter Thornton are called to a murder site which has 3 mummified bodies with strange puncture marks on their necks. The strange thing is that the bodied have desiccated and become mummified in 48 hours, a process which normally takes months. As the bodies pile up there appears to be a link to Jack Allyn, a local DJ or as he prefers "personality".
I like the pace of the novel which is even and quite tense in parts and the characters as Samantha, Jack and Peter are pleasant and likeable. Samantha is a fairly stereotypical detective with little time for rules and procedure, truly dedicated and balls of steel but she is also sensitive and caring. Jack has his heart in the right place but is self centred and Peter seems like a good detective but isn't really developed as a character.
I can't really comment on the seirenes as I don't have much experience of this genre - to me it's all tosh, totally implausible and laughable but they are well imagined and drawn and the terror they induce is relatively well done.
As I said Sirens In The Night is not really my thing but I found myself enjoying it and I really didn't expect the twist in the tale at the end.
November 14, 2015
In her time as a detective, Samantha Ballard has never encountered anything as strange as the series of murders that have just occurred in Philadelphia. How a person can go from very much alive to dead and looking like an ancient mummy is completely beyond her comprehension. But it's happening, and it's her job to find out how, why, and who is responsible. As more bodies are discovered, local radio DJ Jack Allyn becomes involved after a friend is one of the hapless victims. An unlikely pair, Samantha and Jack end up working together in their search for answers, only to learn that what their up against is far more dangerous and powerful than they ever could have imagined.
If urban fantasy with strong ties to mythology is your thing (and I will be honest, it's definitely one of mine), you will very likely find this to be an enjoyable and gripping read. It has that element of authenticity that I think is incredibly important in science fiction and fantasy writing (just because it's fictional doesn't mean it shouldn't still be believable in context), and there is a realness and complexity to the characters--especially Samantha and Jack--that shines through in the writing. The story is paced well, with a couple of lulls that seem to work for the overall plot. And in many ways, I see this as a very likely scenario of how law enforcement in an urban setting might very well deal with an ancient and mythological force suddenly showing up in town and doing its thing.
Definitely worth a read!
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
If urban fantasy with strong ties to mythology is your thing (and I will be honest, it's definitely one of mine), you will very likely find this to be an enjoyable and gripping read. It has that element of authenticity that I think is incredibly important in science fiction and fantasy writing (just because it's fictional doesn't mean it shouldn't still be believable in context), and there is a realness and complexity to the characters--especially Samantha and Jack--that shines through in the writing. The story is paced well, with a couple of lulls that seem to work for the overall plot. And in many ways, I see this as a very likely scenario of how law enforcement in an urban setting might very well deal with an ancient and mythological force suddenly showing up in town and doing its thing.
Definitely worth a read!
[Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.]
November 15, 2015
Sirens are in Philadelphia and they are hungry. This book was so very different from other detective/thriller books I have read and I was quite spellbound. It wasn't just a matter of solving who was committing these horrendous murders across Philadelphia but how would you make anyone believe you and how would you get rid of them? It wasn't like there was much to go on in this respect, a few mentions through history and a few comic books.
My favourite character in the book was Detective Samantha Ballard. I found her quite a Tom boy really, not afraid to tackle anyone. She had chosen her career over everything else. All the characters are very memorable as the author doesn't over complicate the story. I found myself fascinated by the Sirens and the Greek Mythology that surrounded them. Michael Bradley, the author, developed these beautiful women further to make a cracking story. I would certainly love to see more of the same. There are of course murders in this book, a constant fear of threat and violence. This is an interesting and intriguing read that I throughly enjoyed and what an ending!
I wish to thank Netgalley and the publisher Amberjack for allowing me to read and review this book.
My favourite character in the book was Detective Samantha Ballard. I found her quite a Tom boy really, not afraid to tackle anyone. She had chosen her career over everything else. All the characters are very memorable as the author doesn't over complicate the story. I found myself fascinated by the Sirens and the Greek Mythology that surrounded them. Michael Bradley, the author, developed these beautiful women further to make a cracking story. I would certainly love to see more of the same. There are of course murders in this book, a constant fear of threat and violence. This is an interesting and intriguing read that I throughly enjoyed and what an ending!
I wish to thank Netgalley and the publisher Amberjack for allowing me to read and review this book.
February 20, 2016
I thought the sirens could only charm and destroy men with their songs, but here, they turned into vampires and are -if possible, even more deadly than in Homer's work.
Philadelphia is under attack. Corpses are found, dry, like mummified, emptied of all blood. Who did that? How is it even possible?
You meet detective Samantha Ballard, and Peter Thornton, her partner. They are in charge of the inquiry concerning those weird and horrible murders.
I thought the first part of the book was slow but then the pace picked up and the final hundred pages go very fast.
I would classify this book as a horror thriller for lack of something better. For me, it's not satisfying to see creatures from another realm torturing human beings and of course, having the upper hand. With vampires, at least, the classical literature declares you can get rid of them with a wood stake or a silver bullet. Here, nothing!
And males melt in front of the sirens beauty. Too much is too much...
Not my favorite genre.
Philadelphia is under attack. Corpses are found, dry, like mummified, emptied of all blood. Who did that? How is it even possible?
You meet detective Samantha Ballard, and Peter Thornton, her partner. They are in charge of the inquiry concerning those weird and horrible murders.
I thought the first part of the book was slow but then the pace picked up and the final hundred pages go very fast.
I would classify this book as a horror thriller for lack of something better. For me, it's not satisfying to see creatures from another realm torturing human beings and of course, having the upper hand. With vampires, at least, the classical literature declares you can get rid of them with a wood stake or a silver bullet. Here, nothing!
And males melt in front of the sirens beauty. Too much is too much...
Not my favorite genre.
October 13, 2016
Samantha Ballard’s partner was Peter Thornton who was a rookie and had been her partner for three months. Samantha often thought with her eyes closed but Peter was driving her crazyby interupting her with all his questions. When Samantha got to the crime scene she found three corpses. There was modern clothing on these mummified corpses. It actually looked like a hoax. Jack is a radio D J, he was once a minor celebrity but he made a mistake professionally and was now at the low end of his career. Samantha was still trying to proove herself in a male dominated field. Jack is no longer happy with his career- then more bodies show up yet somehow seem to have something to do with Jackas one of his friends ends up a victim.
I really enjoyed this story alot. It was a fast read and kept me interested through the whole story. Deffinitely a new twist with mummified bodies and with the supernatural element and loved it. This story had a great plot and the writing was good. I loved the characters of this story . I liked the ins and outs of the story slot. I recommend.
I really enjoyed this story alot. It was a fast read and kept me interested through the whole story. Deffinitely a new twist with mummified bodies and with the supernatural element and loved it. This story had a great plot and the writing was good. I loved the characters of this story . I liked the ins and outs of the story slot. I recommend.
November 4, 2015
Samantha Ballard, a homicide detective in Philadelphia, and her new partner, Peter Thorton, have a horrible triple murder to solve. This murder, however, is not like anything they have ever seen.
Jack Allyn, a disgraced radio personality, now works the late night shift at a small radio station in Philly. He also spends Saturday nights at a dance club as the DJ.
Three incredabley beautiful women, a blond, redhead and brunett, have come back to Philly. They were there before, a long time ago. Men can't resist them.
These three women will come into contact with the other three and the fireworks will start. This is a don't breath story. Sam and Peter need to find the "serial killer(s)", Jack has seen them and wants to avenge his friends death. They know who he is and where he works. The killing keeps on. Which one of the three good guys will die? What will happen to the three sisters?
Read the story and discover for yourself. You won't be sorry.
November 18, 2015
Well, that was anticlimactic.
This book narrates a series of strange homicides in Philly that are being investigated by Captain Ballard. She is a bit traumatised after her last case involving a serial killer and wants to solve this case before the FBI or the press take notice.
The story also follows Jack's life, a DJ of the nightclub near where one of the victims was killed. He is thrifting after a tragedy in his hometown and with his career going nowhere, his life is a constant pity party.
In my opinion, there was too much attention to too many details of insignificant things like the decoration, and a lot of repetitions regarding the state of mind and background of the main characters.
This book narrates a series of strange homicides in Philly that are being investigated by Captain Ballard. She is a bit traumatised after her last case involving a serial killer and wants to solve this case before the FBI or the press take notice.
The story also follows Jack's life, a DJ of the nightclub near where one of the victims was killed. He is thrifting after a tragedy in his hometown and with his career going nowhere, his life is a constant pity party.
In my opinion, there was too much attention to too many details of insignificant things like the decoration, and a lot of repetitions regarding the state of mind and background of the main characters.
April 10, 2016
Part Homer, part thriller, part murder mystery, Michael Bradley has put together a great novel. A few bodies show up that appear to be mummified, but the recently deceased were just seen alive and well a few days ago. A washed up disc jockey tries to help a detective struggling with her past to solve one of the strangest cases to hit Philly.
This is certainly a PG13 book for the vivid detail that Bradley puts into the murder scenes and a slight bit of nudity. But hey, it's an adult book anyway. Fair warning for those with a curious mind; this could have you hitting up google to find out a bit more about tales of sirens, going back to the creatures of Homer's Oddesy. Very well worth the read; a page turner until the end.
This is certainly a PG13 book for the vivid detail that Bradley puts into the murder scenes and a slight bit of nudity. But hey, it's an adult book anyway. Fair warning for those with a curious mind; this could have you hitting up google to find out a bit more about tales of sirens, going back to the creatures of Homer's Oddesy. Very well worth the read; a page turner until the end.
January 10, 2016
Full disclosure: I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley.
So I didn't love this book. The characters were strong enough, but their story lines were a bit /too/ parallel and the plot itself pretty predictable at times. I also didn't care for the constant repetition of some words or phrases, such as "young" and "pulled her coat tightly around her." Overall, this book reads like a true debut novel, showing some promise mixed in with some rookie mistakes. Best of luck to the author.
So I didn't love this book. The characters were strong enough, but their story lines were a bit /too/ parallel and the plot itself pretty predictable at times. I also didn't care for the constant repetition of some words or phrases, such as "young" and "pulled her coat tightly around her." Overall, this book reads like a true debut novel, showing some promise mixed in with some rookie mistakes. Best of luck to the author.
October 23, 2016
This story is set in Philadelphia, where I grew up. It was well written and accurate. I could see the streets of Philadelphia in the descriptions. The characters were well constructed. This book was a real page turner especially toward the end. This book has mystery, suspense, mythological references and some pretty scary stuff. This is a perfect type of read. I thoroughly recommend this book.
January 26, 2016
Thank you NetGallery for the opportunity to read Sirens in the Night by Michael Bradley. A female protagonist as a washed up detective in Philadelphia hooks up with a washed up DJ, to solve a series of murders.
The twist of the supernatural gives this book life and although I found it somewhat predictable, I did like it.
Good ending. Good Read.
The twist of the supernatural gives this book life and although I found it somewhat predictable, I did like it.
Good ending. Good Read.
October 22, 2015
Thank you Netgalley for the arc. I must say that I don't usually read this type of book, but once started I didn't put it down till I was finished. Quick read, fast paced, interesting characters, made for an enjoyable evening. Thanks.
April 24, 2017
Won this book on goodreads,great read recommend this book.
April 24, 2017
Edit (almost forgot this part): Disclosure - I received this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.
This book is what I imagine an X-Files crossover with Sleepy Hollow would be like. It was a good, fast read. I really enjoyed it.
This book is what I imagine an X-Files crossover with Sleepy Hollow would be like. It was a good, fast read. I really enjoyed it.
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