Why I read it: Because it sounded interesting!

The Night Flowers tells the story of two women on a shared mission: uncovering the names of a woman and two young girls who were found murdered over 30 years ago. The narrative alternates between the perspectives of Jean, a cold case detective, and Laura, a librarian and genealogist, each driven by her own methods and motivations to solve the mystery.

While the book is officially categorized as a mystery and thriller, I’d argue it leans more heavily toward mystery. Yes, there are moments of urgency, but it unfolds more as a slow, deliberate reveal of facts rather than constant, high-stakes action. Early on, you can sense that something isn’t quite right, though it’s unclear what. Around the halfway mark, the pieces start to fall into place, and the pacing noticeably picks up.

I’m giving this book four stars for a couple of reasons. First, while the concept of Jean and Laura as co-leads is compelling, the characters themselves felt a bit flat to me. The author’s attempts to add depth sometimes came across more as distractions than meaningful insights into their motives. That said, I could absolutely see Jean and Laura returning as co-leads in future books—there’s definitely potential there. One element I found particularly intriguing (though opinions seem mixed) was the inclusion of a ghost’s perspective. For me, this added dimension to the story and helped me connect more deeply with Jane Doe.

Second, there are so many names in this book that it’s hard to keep track. Once the solution began to unfold, I found myself wishing for a family tree or some sort of visual aid to help organize everyone. For this reason alone, I wouldn’t recommend the audiobook version—I kept flipping back and forth through pages just to keep everything straight.

All in all, I thought this was a solid read, especially considering it’s the author’s debut. The book does touch on dark themes, but I really appreciate how the author handled these topics with restraint, focusing on their weight without delving into graphic details—a skill not every writer possesses.

Fun fact: the story is inspired by a real case. This is a perfect example of why it’s always worth reading the author’s acknowledgments!

If you read this one and have any additional thoughts, let me know in the comments!

TL;DR: Would I recommend it to a friend? For sure. It’s a solid read and very enjoyable, especially if you like ghost-related things. Just make sure to check the content warnings.