Aidan Sheppard has always resisted his darker urges—only the violent ones, he’d never deny himself anything sexual—until one night when he goes too far. Way too far. It doesn’t matter that it was an accident; it still happened, and he can’t escape it.
Now he must choose between what’s expected of him, morality, and what he truly wants, depraved release. But as bloody fantasies flood his mind, Aidan struggles to find control. Desire taking over, he dives deeper into his darker side. His best friend and coworkers remain unaware of the calculating criminal he’s become in the hours between work and drunken escapades.
Aidan analyzes each step necessary to fuel the cruel fire inside him, logic and preparation only two of the many weapons at his disposal. His creativity grows as well, until he hits a dangerous snag that threatens to expose him and obliterate everything he’s built. Paranoia and stress chip away at his confidence, but he must stay in control long enough to cover his tracks, or he risks his freedom, as well as his life.
He's becoming more comfortable in the dark than you are in the light.
If you like psychological thrillers with deliciously dark twists and a main character you love to hate (but still want to see make it to the end), Nothing but Darkness might be your next favorite book. It'll keep you reading just one more page until you reach the end.
It appeals to lovers of true crime, crime fiction, mystery and suspense, stories with serial killers and murder and mayhem, dark romance elements, fans of American Psycho, Dexter, Gilian Flynn, Ruth Ware, Tana French, J.A. Konrath, and the Timothy Blake Series by Jack Heath.
*Content graphic violence, sexual content, and language*
Maria, an internationally bestselling indie author, lives in Minnesota despite the frozen winters. Actually, she prefers snow drifts and icicles over summer and all that sweat running everywhere. She lives with her husband and little family, which includes a couple lazy cats who make great lap warmers. You can usually find her whishing that she lived in a secret cabin in the woods where she could be a hermit reading and writing all of the time. Instead she lives the suburban life where she pretends to her neighbors and the other moms around that she doesn’t swear like a sailor, have hidden tattoos, and loves a good bottle of wine. She absolutely believes in unicorns and ghosts and hopes vampires and monsters are real too. She's a coffee-in-the-morning and wine-in-the-evening kind of person, preferably with a nap in between. Maria prefers cats over dogs, books over people, and late nights over early mornings. She probably shouldn’t talk to anyone until she’s had her first cup of coffee. And if you ever want to hang out with her, you’ll have to be game for a horror movie or just a quick run to target for two (hundred) little things. Also, you couldn’t pay her to be in her twenties again; Thirties is where it’s at. She's a creative, mouthy, introverted, proud bisexual, highly-sensitive INFJ, Slytherpuff, dork with a sweet-tooth.
Maria devours books, reading mostly in bed or listening to audiobooks in the car. Writing has been one of her passions for pretty much her whole life. So creativity is a necessity for her, always. After working in the mental health field for almost a decade, she's now living her dream as a stay-at-home writer, kiddo wrangler, professional snuggler, and constantly-tired-person. When it comes to her writing, she specializes in dark and twisted thrillers or gritty, angsty contemporary romances. But no matter the genre, she always prefers writing deeply flawed characters with dysfunctional relationships. She's pretty sure the whole "unlikable character" thing is a conspiracy because every character she loves have been labeled this way. Ridiculous. And because of this, she's pretty much found it impossible to write anything without at least a little mayhem.
Maria was once told she painted with her words, and that phrase stuck with her - because writing really is an art, and good stories are true masterpieces. She's always trying to grow and improve in her craft, shooting for a masterpiece of her own someday. And she plans to write forever because writing gives Maria the ability to disappear into new worlds and create people within twisting plots, all from the comfort of her couch. She will always believe that though not every story is for her, and her stories aren't for everyone, every story has a reader.
For more from Maria find all of her links, including a link to get more content at her newsletter, here: linktr.ee/mariainmadness
Darkness (noun): 1. A lack of brightness; the quality of having no or little light: he sat alone in the darkness of his corner 2. A state of exhibiting or stemming from evil characteristics or forces; forboding: she provoked a particular darkness within me the longer she spoke
I could never figure out what dark meant for books lol. So this definition was in this book .
When I got Maria's newsletter, she had ARC opportunities, I read it and figured that the titles were very intresting , so I signed up for the 2 she had. When I saw the book was a third, I quickly emailed Maria to ask if I could read the first 2 books so that I can know who the characters are.
She told me that the books were dark, like Dexter. I said that I was dark myself so it would not bother me. She sent me both books, the first one is Nothing but Darkness and the second is Deeper into Darkness. I have yet to read the second one.
I started reading the first book which is this one. I could not put the book down at all. There were a couple nights where I woke up just to read the book. It gave me goosebumps because your actually in the mind of a killer. I even cheered the main Character. I would be saying, "kill her, kill her", then I would say "in man!! Why didn't you kill her!" . Could you tell U was so into the book!?!?! The chapters are short and the book was fast paced. You can really fall into the book while reading it. The description in the book was really good. So good that you can actually have a detailed picture of what he was doing. You HAVE to get this book and read it!!!!
It's not for the faint of heart. If you can't handle it, then don't read the series. I would rate this book for 18 + readers.
If I could get this series in print, I would be reading them again and a again!!
This book is a ARC, for an exchange for an honest review.
I had a conversation with the author of Nothing but Darkness before I started reading. I’d mentioned how much I despised Gone Girl (legit, hatred). She commented I might not like her book.
She was wrong. And right. Aidan, the main character, is completely hate worthy. He’s a superficial, chauvinistic, judgmental asshole. Oh, and a complete psychopath. Textbook psychopath.
From the first page, you know Aidan is going to do something horrific. He has zero respect for women or men, for that matter. But he hold a special disdain for women, seeing nearly all of them as an object to meet his desire.
Aidan’s nightmares soon become reality when he awakes to find his latest conquest fulfilled more than one of his fantasies.
I’m not usually one to enjoy dark thrillers. I’m especially freaked out when the content is something that could have been ripped from the headlines. (If I have nightmares, I’m coming for you @mariainmadness.) But this book was so well written that I couldn’t put it down. The very definition of a page turner.
It should go without saying, but there are plenty of triggers in this book and it won’t be for everyone. If you love intense thrillers where you actively root for the main character to be caught and thrown into a dark cell for their crimes, you will devour Nothing but Darkness.
Serial Killer? Check ✅ Normal functioning person? Check ✅ Best friend? Check ✅ Romance? Check ✅ Sex? Check ✅ Predictability? Nope! ❎
This story contained so much. I went in knowing I was going to read a dark book and was ready. I didn't expect so much more. The author does not only take you on a journey of murders, but insight as well. We were able to live in his head and watch the inner turmoil as decisions were made. It was interesting watching how he justified his actions.
Aiden is a ladies man, never settling down with any of his female conquests. That's what women are to him, conquests, he has fun with and forgets. He lives his life for immediate pleasure. He only respects two things in his life, his job and his friendship with his best friend Jason.
I did begin to suspect the twist at the end. So much could happen.
If you like suspense and serial killers I recommend to jump in.
THIS BOOK. I’m still shocked at myself for loving such a dark and twisted book but my god was it good. I had a massive love hate relationship with Aidan throughout this book because my god is he a psycho but I just couldn’t stop reading and no matter what he did I couldn’t be put off finding out what was going to happen next, and Maria did such a bloody good job at making a serial killer bearable too!
I did see the ending coming but only because I thought it would make a brilliant story for the next book, which it is for sure going to and I CANNOT wait to get my hands on it! It’s going to be incredible.
If you love a dark thriller you need to read this book. Seriously.
This book had me questioning everything from the beginning! Amazingly written and I did not see the ending coming! I plan on reading more by this author.
"No, I need to be in charge of my own bad decisions."
Nothing but Darkness is an American Psycho-esque story about a guy who develops serial killer urges & begins diving into the darkness of his desires. As always, this is a very intriguing concept, and it's fun to read stories from the point of view of the villain.
It took a while for this story to get going, and it's a bit of a slow burn. I had a hard time believing that these urges would randomly appear when the main character was an adult, and it kind of messed with my enjoyment of the story. There's normally some sort of build-up to this behavior, and in this book, it was like the main character just decided he wanted to torture and kill people one day. It didn't feel very natural.
I didn't really find the main character compelling enough to spend this much time in his head. I feel like I've read too many similar books, and I really need something else to make one stand out from the others. I had a hard time buying that every woman in his life wanted to sleep with him.
The second half of this book was much more interesting than the first half, but I found the ending to be predictable and a little bit far-fetched based on the character. However, I guess he deals with things in extremes, so there you go. I don't think that this was a bad book; I just had trouble connecting with it & it didn't have that spark that I need to really enjoy a book like this.
I fully admit, I was apprehensive about starting this book. The more I learned about it, the less it sounded like something that would be up my alley: I’m not a huge fan of serial killers, or gore, or romance. Not to mention those don’t really sound like things that would mix particularly well. But somehow, the author manages to take these very, VERY different elements and combine them into a thoroughly engrossing, supremely disturbing thriller.
I really didn’t have many issues with this novel. Sure, Aidan’s thoughts on women are pretty horrifying, but it fits with his character. It definitely made me make my “ick” face more than once, but it was overall well done. The writing is great, with good pacing and complex characters. I did find the ending to be a little bit abrupt, but knowing there’s a sequel coming, it didn’t bother me much. This was a really solid thriller, and a great take on showing things from the killer’s perspective. I’m very much looking forward to seeing where Aidan and Bee will end up in the next book!
Nothing but Darkness is a twisty thrill ride that does not disappoint. The main character, Aidan Sheppard, finds himself taking bigger and bigger risks as he gets away with one crime after another--until he reaches a point where he's bound to be discovered. I was on the edge of my seat through this one, and couldn't wait to find out whether Aidan would get caught. This is a great thriller for fans of Dexter and Gillian Flynn, particularly for people who love anti-heroes and gore.
I thoroughly enjoyed Maria’s writing style! The Characters draw you in & are relatable. I have to admit I don’t typically read books with this amount of detail in the disturbing actions, that threw me for a bit. But murderers don’t exactly play nice. That being said, I loved the characters, how the story develops & especially how it ends. Can’t wait for the next book!
This is a fantastic read for those who like DEXTER and AMERICAN PSYCHO. I loved the way the book started and drew me in. Aidan's descent was so greatly written that I felt like I was going a little mad reading it, even. There are some great twists and turns throughout, too! 10/10 would recommend.
++Dark, blunt, sexy, disturbing and keeps you wanting to turn the page. Can you really ask for more? +Got American Psycho vibes in the best of ways. +Being trapped inside of Aidan's mind for a little over 300 pages was a joy. +Super excited to read what's coming next from Maria.
Super dark, but interesting premise. Some graphic descriptions of violence, but not too overdone, just something to be aware of if you're sensitive to that. Even though the main is a complete misogynist, asshole, psychopath, I was still into the story enough to keep reading. Also once Bee comes in, I was incredibly curious about how their relationship would play out. Well done.
Aidan Sheppard, our main character, is a misogynistic, sexist, judgmental, psychopathic asshole. His thoughts and his actions made me want to kick him in his most precious part of his body and throw the book across the room. Except I was reading on my phone, so I didn't follow through with that urge. See, Aidan? It's not so difficult.
For one, Aidan fantasizes about Jason's wife all the time. Despite Jason being a good husband and father, Aidan thinks Jason doesn't deserve her because he's weak and overweight. And Jason is supposedly his best friend. The way Aidan views women is beyond repulsive and sexist, and makes me hate him with every fiber of my being.
This book is dark, twisted, and ignited a fury in me that I wasn't expecting. And I loved it. Green's writing had me turning every page, thirsting for more of the story. I was hooked from chapter one, and completely engaged the entire time. I finished this book in less than two days, and if I didn't have to work, it probably would have been less than one or just a few hours. I'm so glad this is a series, because I can't wait to read book 2! If you like dark stories, evil characters, and getting inside a psycho's mind, then you'll love this as much as I did. I can't wait to see the rest of the story unfold. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5!
Thank you, Ms. Green, for gifting me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
This book is the definition of a page turner!!! I knew page 1 I was going to love it. It has sex, it's a thriller,murder,and just keeps you on your toes. The author is so descriptive you feel yourself within the pages of the story. Once I started I couldn't put it down. I literally finished the book in a few hours. Maria Ann Green has a forever fan in me. I cant wait for book 2
From the first chapter, you get chills. The story opens on a mundane morning at the office and yet, Green so strongly grasps her character's voice -- slightly angry, slightly psychotic in the clinical sense -- that the anticipation that something will go horrifically wrong immediately tiptoed up my spine. It only gets darker from there. A truly unique serial killer story -- I always enjoy hearing a deadly tale from the point of view of the villain. An anti-hero thriller that you DEFINITELY need to grab if you're a mystery/thriller/suspense or even horror buff.
This is the story of a charming somewhat normal professional man finding his inner darkness. Aiden is a confirmed bachelor who loves the ladies but doesn't connect with them besides sexually. His best friend Jason who is married lives vicariously through Aiden's love life even though his wife is beautiful. Aiden starts to see real anger within as he has daydreams of wanting to harm the woman who got his desired promotion and incidents of road rage. He works hard to bring down Eva the woman who is now his boss. In the meantime Jason and his wife try to set him up Bee who isn't as attractive as the usual women he likes but he ends up hanging out with her. Simultaneously he accidentally kills a woman he takes home from a bar. Aiden is shocked he did it but thrilled at the same time and a serial killer is born. He now balances work, his growing relationship with Bee and his need to kill. Wow, what a ride. This is a well written story that takes the reader through the thought process of a sadistic killer. There is a great twist at the end. This book is dark and disturbing but what can you expect when reading about a serial killer. I highly recommend this book and I want more. P!ease write a sequel.
I really enjoyed the pace of this book. Most of the chapters were a quick read and was easy to continue or to take a break. I am excited to continue the series !
For me this book started rather slowly, but when it got going it went with a bang. Talk about deranged psycho, this guy is u there with the best of them. Like most really "good" baddies everyone sees him as a pleasent person, nothing to make him stand out. But behind this