The Night Crew by Brad Ricks is a fun mix of action and horror as a crew hunts down a vampire horde. It reminded me of The A-Team if the team included a female member and a vampire, mixed with Marvel’s Blade. It’s horror written like an action thriller, and it is awesome.
The novel strikes a great balance between action and horror. Some scenes lean heavily into action, others into horror, and the best moments seamlessly blend both together.
I loved the world Brad Ricks creates. All those legendary creatures you’ve heard about are real. Vampires are the immediate threat, but there are hints that other supernatural beings exist and are regulated as well. It left me wanting to learn much more about this universe.
The opening is excellent. We follow a vulnerable woman who feels compelled to open a door she absolutely shouldn’t. It’s a genuinely horrifying scene, but it also serves as the perfect launching point for a revenge driven action story.
The novel hits all the beats of a great action thriller. It’s fast-paced and difficult to put down. Whenever the story slows down, it’s either building the horror or delivering an emotional moment that propels the action forward.
There are several fantastic twists throughout the novel. The final twist especially has me incredibly excited for the next installment. The Night Crew is currently a three-book series, and I immediately wanted to continue after finishing this one.
I really liked the main character, Mike. He has a unique memory ability that allows him to almost relive moments from his past. It’s an important part of the story and is used very effectively. It reminded me a little of Will Graham in Red Dragon, who mentally reconstructs crime scenes. Mike’s ability works differently, but the storytelling gave me similar vibes.
The ending is outstanding. It delivers edge of your seat action followed by a twist that made me stop and think, No way! Once the shock wore off, I was even more excited to continue the series. I genuinely didn’t want the book to end.
My biggest criticism is that I wanted to spend more time getting to know the members of the Night Crew. At first, it was a little difficult to remember who everyone was, but once they completed their first mission together, I had everyone straight.
The Night Crew was first published on February 18, 2025, by Crystal Lake Publishing.
Why did I read The Night Crew by Brad Ricks?
I received The Night Crew from Crystal Lake Publishing as part of their street team.
I originally requested The Night Crew 3 based solely on its cover. This series has some of the best covers I’ve seen. Crystal Lake asked if I wanted to start with the first book so I’d be prepared for everything that happens later in the series. I’m very glad I did because there’s a huge twist at the end of this novel.
I’m someone who simply can’t read a series out of order. I’ve been told countless times that certain series can be read in any order, but if there’s a clear beginning, I always want to start there.
This book wasn’t really on my radar beyond its incredible cover. I actually saw Brad Ricks at AuthorCon but never stopped to talk to him. After reading this book, I’m kicking myself because it was fantastic.
If you have Kindle Unlimited, The Night Crew is available to read for free. Otherwise, it’s only $3.99, and it’s well worth the price.
Plot Summary
A woman is home alone watching a horror movie while waiting for her husband to return from his night shift. She hears a knock at the door and assumes he forgot his keys.
It isn’t her husband.
It’s a killer looking for blood.
When Mike finally arrives home from work, he finds his wife lying on the floor while the killer feeds on her. Mike, a former Special Forces soldier, attacks the stranger but is completely overpowered.
The police find Mike covered in his wife’s blood, holding her body. His story sounds impossible. How could one man overpower someone with Special Forces training? Even stranger, there isn’t a trace of DNA from the attacker.
Mike’s extraordinary memory allows him to recall one crucial detail from that night, but the police aren’t interested. Determined to find answers himself, Mike soon discovers the truth: the killer is a vampire.
He’s rescued by a mysterious group known as the Night Crew, whose mission is hunting vampires. Mike joins them, driven by one goal, revenge.
What I Liked
The pace of this novel was exactly what I needed after finishing a slower book. Brad Ricks keeps the story moving without sacrificing character moments or horror, making it incredibly difficult to put down. The action scenes are especially well written. I was never confused about what was happening, and each encounter felt exciting and easy to visualize.
I also loved the twists throughout the novel. They were surprising without feeling forced, and each revelation made sense once it happened. The final twist, in particular, completely hooked me for the next book in the series. Mike’s unique memory ability was another highlight. It could have easily felt gimmicky in another author’s hands, but here it becomes an important investigative tool that adds another layer to both the action and mystery.
I have to mention the cover art. Crystal Lake Publishing absolutely knocked it out of the park with the entire Night Crew series, and these are some of my favorite horror covers in recent years.
What I Disliked
My biggest complaint is that I wanted more time getting to know the members of the Night Crew. Early in the novel it took me a little while to remember who everyone was, and while that became much easier after the team’s first mission together, I still found myself wanting more background on several of the crew members. The ending even hints at one character’s past, and I wished that had been explored further in this first installment.
I also felt Mike’s memory ability was explained a bit more than necessary. While I appreciated understanding exactly how it worked, but too much repetition. That said, I’d much rather an author over explain an important concept than leave readers confused, so this is only a minor criticism.
Recommendation
The Night Crew is a fantastic blend of horror and action with excellent pacing. If you’re stuck in a reading slump, this is exactly the kind of book that can pull you out of it because it’s such a quick, entertaining read.
I expected a solid vampire action thriller, but the book exceeded my expectations thanks to its memorable characters, smart world-building, and a bold final twist that immediately made me want to pick up the second book.
I highly recommend The Night Crew to horror and action fans alike.
Rating
The Night Crew by Brad Ricks
4 out of 5
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