If you love dark romance and vampires this is for you. I loved the 1940s setting and the story that unfolded.

What an interesting standalone read with a throwback to the late 1940s in Los Angeles. Lena and Victor have an unexpected connection and soon their quest to solve a mystery builds to a relationship. The only hitch is one is a vampire….eek! As the mystery unfolds their relationship becomes consuming. Good closure but would like more on the mystery and consequences (trying not to spoil!)
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I have loved every book I’ve read from Karina Halle, but this one just didn’t pull me in as much as they usually do. I think I was expecting something else when they described a Hollywood Noir story, or just that I found the characters to be a little wooden, it could even be that I didn’t feel like we were in post war America. The romance and the plot played out really nicely, if somewhat predictable as well as a little anticlimactic. I would definitely recommend it for those who enjoy vampire novels with twists, I just wouldn’t count on it being super suspenseful mystery it was advertised as.

This was my first Karina Halle book (although I have heard great things about her new book, Realm of Thieves), and I really loved the concept of vampires meeting the traditional era of film noir Hollywood. Thanks to Metal Blonde Books for the early copy.

After the death of her best friend, Betty Short (the Black Dahlia), nightclub singer Lena Reid is trying to stay out of attention. But when private investigator Victor Callahan is hired to find the truth about Betty's death, he proves difficult to shake...especially since Lena feels an instant connection to him.

I hadn't read the connected books, but it didn't really have an impact on understanding the dynamics of the character friendships, even though Lena's vampires friends are centred in other novels. Halle absolutely delivered on the atmosphere - femme fatales, smoky nightclubs, murders in the hidden alleys of Los Angeles, and I was captivated. I would definitely recommend reading the trigger warnings - the book does go very dark and may not be for everyone.

The book does end with the crime solved, but I will say that there felt like a lot more story with these two characters. Since Halle loves playing in this world, I do hope she comes back to it.

3.5 - Fun Black Dahlia inspires vampire romance set in the 40s. Bit weird that they used the actual real victim’s name as a character in the story IMO. Also could have been a little shorter & it is in desperate need of more editing, but overall I enjoyed the storyline.

Nocturne is a bit of 'true crime' romance regarding the LA "Black Dahlia murder" vibes and the 1947 backdrop. I love a book that takes some history and interweaves it with romance to really bring together an unputdownable story and Karina did that in spades. Nocturne was a whimsical read. It has so many enticing elements layered throughout; you get vampires, suspense, intrigue, romance and just the right amount of spice to set the story ablaze without detracting from the emotional arc.

The way that Karina writes a story has you gripped from the prologue all the way until the last word. It doesn’t matter what type of book she’s writing I’m without a doubt reading it, and this book was no different. Karina can spin a tale that will live rent free in your mind long after you’ve finished. Her books always weave together the perfect amount of spice, intrigue, allure with her signature prose setting the backdrop for a perfect read.

Highly recommend if you love:
• True crime inspired w/a Serial Killer
• Morally gray heroes and femme fatales
• Vampires
• Forbidden romance
• Touch her and die
• with an old school movie vibes...

Nocturne is equal parts seductive and sinister. Karina Halle blends film noir, paranormal horror, and true crime into something that feels both familiar and entirely unhinged. The 1940s setting hums with cigarette smoke, secrets, and obsession, while the narrative sinks its teeth into themes of control, identity, and monstrosity.

This is not a romance in the comforting sense. It’s blood-streaked, morally off-center, and often disturbing. And that’s the point. The writing doesn’t shy away from discomfort. In fact, it thrives in it. There’s a boldness to how Halle portrays compulsion and longing, using both the supernatural and the psychological to explore the difference between desire and choice.

Fans of twisted vampire lore, unreliable narrators, and gothic suspense will devour this. But it’s not for everyone. The consent lines blur, intentionally so. The violence is graphic. The romance is jagged. And the line between love and hunger is razor thin.

If that intrigues rather than deters you, welcome to the dark.

I loved that this semi-dark romance is also sort of historical fiction. I, like many people, am fascinated by the Black Dahlia, so that was one of the reasons that drew my attention to this book. The other was the stalker element. This is my first Karina Halle book--I'd never seen anything by her before but I was really excited to discover her and have my wish granted for this title! Her books are well-written and entertaining, so I'm looking forward to reading more of hers.

I enjoyed the relationship between Lena and Victor, as well as her friendships and this universe of vampires. There was plenty of spice and that plot twist with his sisters had me VERY disturbed, which for me is always a good sign. I do wish we'd gotten more of the stalker portion, since it seemed that it was going to be a big plot point based off the book description. To me, it felt underwhelming. I enjoyed the murder mystery aspect and enjoyed its connection to the vampire side of the story. I thought this book would be darker than it was, but there was a disclaimer about that at the beginning. Unfortunately, it didn't pull me in as much as I hoped it would, but I still enjoyed it and plan on reading more of Halle's books.

3.5 stars ⭐️ Vampires, true crime, and 1940s Hollywood…give it to me.

Overall, this did hit the spot because I have really been craving a solid vampire book—a request to please bring back the late 2000s era vampires—and Nocturne delivered. It was a fun mix of spice and blood!

This was my first Karina Halle book, and while I enjoyed it, it may have been a little too drawn out for my taste. But she has written so many other books on my TBR that I am even more excited to try now. Maybe Grave Matter is next?

If you like me and are missing Twilight era vamps rn, I would highly recommend Nocturne. It was a good nostalgia hit.

Thank you to Metal Blonde Books for granting my wish for this ARC and for the opportunity to give my candid feedback.

devoured this book. From the moment I saw it was a 1940s vampire murder mystery with a private investigator MMC and a singer/vampire FMC? I was in. Add in cults, stalking, blood, blackouts, primal urges, and the “you’re mine” trope? You might as well have handed me a drink and dimmed the lights.

The vibes? Immaculate noir. Think The Black Dahlia meets Underworld, but in Karina Halle’s twisted, atmospheric universe where danger and desire blur at the edges.

Lena was everything I love in a heroine—elegant and deadly, terrified but still brave, hiding in plain sight while the world turns against her. And Callahan? God, I love an unreliable narrator. His blackouts, his confusion, the creeping dread that he might be the monster he’s hunting—it kept me absolutely hooked. His POV felt like piecing together a dream you’re scared to remember.

Their connection? Instant. Tense. Deliciously messy. I lived for their dynamic—how they trusted each other even when they couldn’t trust themselves. The “you came.” “Always.” line? Destroyed me in the best way. I need someone to love me like that, thanks.

And then Valtu showed up. One of my favorite vampires of all time just casually walking into the story like he owns the place (he does). I squealed. Seeing him, Abe, Wolf—it felt like coming home to a darker, bloodier chosen family. I love how Karina ties all her worlds together without ever making it feel forced.

There were a few parts where I wished for just a bit more—maybe a little more depth in the climax or a longer resolution—but honestly? I was too deep in to care much. This book was violent, erotic, mysterious, and emotionally gripping. Classic KH.

Final thoughts?
If you love dark paranormal romance with noir mystery, broken heroes, bold heroines, bloodlust, danger, and vibes that crawl under your skin… this one’s for you. It’s spicy. It’s bloody. And it’s begging for a reread.

I’m already low-key hoping Karina writes more in this exact time period with these characters. I’m not done with them—and I don’t think they’re done with me either.

𝔑𝔬𝔠𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔫𝔢 𝔟𝔶 𝔎𝔞𝔯𝔦𝔫𝔞 ℌ𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔢
4/5! ⭐⭐⭐⭐

ִֶָ. ..𓂃 ࣪ ִֶָ🦇་༘࿐

Hello hot, steamy, possessive vampire romance with a side of 1940's Hollywood glamour, mafia vibes and thriller bits thrown into it.

I love Karina Halle. Everything I had read by her is just a good time. This was no exception. This is based off the Black Dahlia Murder.......but twist it up and add vampires. Lena and Callahan, our two main protagonists, are a power couple working to solve the mystery of one of Lena's good friends, Betty. Along the way, Lena, our vampire, begins to suspect some things about Callahan that he may not know about himself, and whewwwwwww things get steamy.

“I’m going to ruin you,” he says through gritted teeth. “Ruin you for anyone else.”


...riiiiiiiiight.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

Anyways, if you're a true crime girlie like me, but also love a bit of romance, glamour and fantasy thrown in....pick this uppppp! It was action-packed, the steam was steaming, and the vibes were perfect. Thank you Karina for another great read.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

There are times when vampire books, especially featuring detectives or police, seem to have vampire added as an afterthought. This is one of those books. I think there was enough spice and plot for the story to stand on its own and it should have.

(Also the playlist should have been era appropriate to immerse the reader. )

This book was amazing! I think the best arc I've ever received. I was hooked from the start. Murder mystery type books aren't usually my thing but the cross into dark romance and fantasy made ir so freaking good and captivating.

Do you love old Hollywood, film noir, true crime and vampires?

This book has all of them! It was such an interesting way to explore the Black Dahlia case and turn it into something new and hopeful. The setting of this book is so dreamy and really pulls you in from the start. The added vampire aspect was fun and interesting and Lena’s vampire friends are definitely my favorite characters. This story follow Lena as she is trying to get to the bottom of her dear friend’s murder, along the way she is tangled up in the web of vampire society and feuding families.

OBVIOUSLY you can write a fictionalized account of The Black Dahlia Murder and add in a vampire component. And OBVIOUSLY I’m going to like it.

Honestly I’m surprised this hasn’t been done before (to my knowledge, I could be wrong!) because it seems like such a natural combination of things given the facts of the real case.

Karina continues to write A+ smut, I loved the small queer component, and the flow of the story in general.

If you’re a fan of true crime and vampires, and can also separate facts of a case for a fictional “retelling,” you’ll really enjoy this one too!

Nocturne is a paranormal romance and mystery based off on the Black Dahlia murder case. The story is set in 1940's Los Angeles, following jazz singer Lena Reid, best friend of a murder victim and a private investigator, Victor Callahan, who's looking for answers to solve the case. All signs starts to point to Lena but she is no ordinary suspect, being a vampire and all. Lena and Callahan work together to unravel the events of what really happened that night but with both hiding secrets, not everything is what it seems.

True crime with vampires?? Sign me up! Give me all the moody and dark atmosphere vibes, and the forbidden romance that I can't resist. Both Lena and Callahan are intriguing characters and well written. I did find some parts a little slow, but it was still an enjoyable read. On my way to go read Karina Halle's entire backlog and any future releases because this did not disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

i’m torn on my exact feelings about this book. i didn’t care much for the romance. i love karina halle’s writing, but i think ultimately this book just wasn’t for me. it was well thought out, and incredibly well written but i don’t think im into the whole vampire thing. i would definitely recommend it to others, but it isn’t my favorite of hers!

Thank you to Netgalley and Karina Halle for the advance copy.

Nocturne absolutely left me a bit speechless. I am the first to tell you I’m not the biggest fan of vampire romances but this one was darkly delicious.

I have to begin by saying BLACK DAHLIA REIMAGINING!! Yes please! Karina did a fantastic job of creating the 1940’s world. It honestly felt like I was in Hollywood in the 40’s watching everything play out.

Characters and development was very well done. The MMC is a private investigator, investigating the Black Dahlia murder and the FMC is a vampire, jazz singer who was also the best friend of Elizabeth Short. Obviously they “connect” in a spicy as heck way with great chemistry and tension.

The plot was dark and twisty filled with so much mystery, rituals, sacrifices, vampires, witches, magic, suspense and a whole ton more.

Loved it and I can highly recommend to any dark romance reader.

This was a little too spicy for my taste but I did enjoy the vampires, Black Dahlia murder twists and the Hollywood noir vibes!

Lounge singer Lena Reid led a simple, insulated life. She sang at night and kept company with her mob boss boyfriend, otherwise she worked very hard to keep a low profile and blend in. Because Lena was not just a lounge singer, she was a vampire, constantly fighting to ensure no one discovered her secret.

Her world is changed when her friend is brutally murdered and she is sought by a private investigator, Callahan, who was hired by the family. Together, they navigate the case and their feelings for one another, as they try and figure out who murdered Lena’s friend.

As a mystery/suspense, the book held my attention. I loved the post WW1 setting, the old Hollywood feel to the story. I was captivated by the Lena and Callahan’s individual story lines, especially as Callahan tries to solve another mystery: why is he losing time? To me, there were three plot lines in this book: the murder(s), Lena’s journey, and Callahan’s journey. These storylines intermingle into a satisfying conclusion, one with an epilogue that made me wonder if there would be a continuation in the Nocturne series, perhaps with another couple.

I did struggle with the development of Lena and Callahan’s relationship. Their dynamic felt more successful when they were investigating the murders. The romantic chemistry fell flat for me. They have a happy ending, though.

Thank you to NetGalley, Karina Halle and Metal Blonde Books for giving me the opportunity to read Nocturne!