🕵️♂️ Book Review: The Burke and Blade Box Set: The First 3 Books in the Acclaimed “Night” Series by Michael Lister
A gritty, emotionally charged mystery thriller collection featuring two relentless private investigators haunted by their past and driven by justice.
Michael Lister’s Burke and Blade Box Set brings together the first three novels in the acclaimed “Night” series, introducing readers to Lucas Burke and Alix “Blade” Baker, a brother-sister duo specializing in missing persons cases. With a strong Goodreads rating of 4.36/5, the series is praised for its gripping plots, emotional depth, and noir-inspired storytelling.
📚 Series Overview
Set in the sun-soaked but shadow-laced streets of Panama City Beach, Florida, Burke and Blade are more than just investigators—they’re survivors. Raised in foster care and shaped by the unresolved disappearance of their own sister, their cases are personal, and every missing person is a mirror of their own trauma.
🔎 Book 1: The Night Of
A woman and her infant daughter vanish while vacationing in Florida. The only clue? A bizarre 911 call. Burke and Blade must do what law enforcement couldn’t—find them before it’s too late. This debut is a mix of classic whodunnit, emotional suspense, and gritty realism.
🧩 Book 2: The Night Before
The duo investigates a cold case that reopens old wounds and forces them to confront the possibility that their sister’s disappearance may be connected to a larger pattern. The tension builds as personal stakes collide with professional duty.
🕯️ Book 3: The Night Eternal
Burke and Blade face their most dangerous adversary yet—a killer who knows their secrets and uses them against them. As the line between justice and vengeance blurs, the siblings must decide how far they’re willing to go.
💬 Why Readers Love It
- Deep Characterization: Burke and Blade are complex, emotionally scarred, and fiercely loyal.
- Atmospheric Setting: Florida’s coastal beauty contrasts with the darkness of the crimes they investigate.
- Emotional Resonance: The search for their sister adds a poignant throughline to each case.
- Sharp Dialogue & Noir Style: Lister’s writing is tight, evocative, and often poetic.
📣 Notable Praise
“No badge, no problem. Michael Lister’s first swing at the modern private eye novel is a home run.” — Michael Connelly
“Rich characters and storytelling that grips your heart from first page to last.” — Goodreads community
🏁 Final Verdict
The Burke and Blade Box Set is a compelling, character-driven mystery series that blends emotional depth with hard-boiled suspense. If you enjoy private investigator thrillers with a personal edge—think Tana French meets Dennis Lehane—this box set is a gripping place to start.
