Midnight Is the Darkest Hour: A Novel BY Ashley Winstead

Midnight is the Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead is a gripping tale set in the small, enigmatic town of Bottom Springs, Louisiana. The story centers on Ruth Cornier, a librarian who has always felt out of place in her deeply religious community, where her father's fire-and-brimstone sermons at Holy Fire Baptist Church are a regular occurrence. This town is steeped in myths and fears, none more terrifying than the legend of the Low Man, a vampiric figure said to prey on sinners during moonless nights.

The discovery of a skull in the swamp, accompanied by mysterious carved symbols, sends shockwaves through Bottom Springs. The town is thrown into chaos, with suspicion and fear running rampant. Ruth, along with her old friend Everett, who harbors his own dark past, takes it upon themselves to delve into the town's hidden depths. Together, they seek to uncover the true evil that lurks beneath the surface.

Winstead weaves a dark and compelling narrative that explores the intersections of love, religion, and power. She delves into the expectations placed upon women and the monstrous efforts required to navigate and reclaim power in a world fraught with dangers, both real and imagined. Midnight is the Darkest Hour is a chilling examination of the beastly urges that reside within all of us, even among the devout and God-fearing. Fans of Verity and A Flicker in the Dark will find themselves captivated by this twisted tale of murder, obsession, and the dark secrets that haunt a small Southern town.