Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Night Season summary
Brief summary
The Night Season by Chelsea Cain is a gripping thriller set in flood-ravaged Portland. As detective Archie Sheridan hunts a serial killer, the rising waters add a chilling urgency to the pursuit.
Topics
Table of Contents
The Night Season
Summary of key ideas
The Killer's Shadow
In The Night Season by Chelsea Cain, we are introduced to Portland's Detective Archie Sheridan who has just captured the notorious Beauty Killer. However, his victory is bittersweet as he's now addicted to painkillers and is haunted by the time he spent as the Beauty Killer's captive. As if that's not enough, a new killer emerges in the midst of a catastrophic flood, causing panic and chaos in the city.
Archie is called in to investigate the first apparent drowning victim, but something about the death doesn't add up. The victim was a young woman, seemingly healthy, and had a large amount of a sedative in her system. Archie suspects foul play and his suspicions are confirmed when the medical examiner finds signs of a rare poison in her system.
The Flood and the Fear
The flood, caused by heavy rain, has turned Portland into a disaster zone. The rising waters have submerged the city, destroying homes and businesses, and the residents are struggling to cope. The police force is stretched thin, and Archie is working under immense pressure. He's also dealing with his personal demons, trying to stay off the painkillers and keep his sanity intact.
As the floodwaters recede, more bodies are discovered, each a victim of a meticulous and sadistic killer. The police department is racing against time to catch the culprit, but the killer is always one step ahead. Archie is convinced that the new killer is somehow connected to the Beauty Killer, and he seeks the help of Gretchen Lowell, his captor and the woman who nearly killed him.
The Beauty Killer's Influence
Gretchen, a brilliant and manipulative psychopath, is serving time in a psychiatric hospital. She's obsessed with Archie and has a chilling influence over him. Archie's colleagues are horrified by his association with Gretchen, but he believes she holds the key to catching the new killer. He visits her regularly, trying to extract information while battling his own conflicting emotions.
As the bodies continue to pile up, the city is gripped by fear. The killer seems to be targeting specific victims, but the police can't figure out the pattern. When a young girl goes missing, Archie and his team are in a race against time to save her. The situation becomes increasingly desperate, and Archie must confront both the new killer and the demons from his past.
The Twisted Finale
In a thrilling finale, Archie discovers the identity of the new killer, and it's a shocking revelation. The killer has been hiding in plain sight, and Archie realizes that the answer was right in front of him all along. The climax is intense and violent, with Archie facing off against the killer in a heart-stopping showdown.
In the end, the case is solved, and the city can breathe a sigh of relief. But for Archie, the scars of his past and the harrowing events of the night season will continue to haunt him. As the floodwaters recede, the darkness in his own mind remains, leaving us with a chilling reminder that sometimes the most terrifying monsters are the ones we carry within ourselves.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Night Season about?
The Night Season by Chelsea Cain is a gripping thriller that follows detective Archie Sheridan as he investigates a series of mysterious drownings in Portland, Oregon. With a relentless killer on the loose and the city submerged in floodwaters, Sheridan must race against time to uncover the truth before more lives are lost.
The Night Season Review
The Night Season by Chelsea Cain (2011) is a gripping thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:
- With its twists and turns, the plot keeps you guessing until the very end, making it a thrilling page-turner.
- Characters are complex and intriguing, adding layers of depth and unpredictability to the story.
- The book masterfully combines suspense, mystery, and a touch of darkness, ensuring that boredom is never an option.
Who should read The Night Season?
Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with complex characters and gripping plots
Those who are fascinated by the mind of a serial killer and the psychology behind their actions
People who appreciate well-written, atmospheric settings that play a significant role in the story
Categories with The Night Season
Book summaries like The Night Season
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
32 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Night Season FAQs
What is the main message of The Night Season?
The main message of The Night Season revolves around the dark secrets lurking in the waters of Portland.
How long does it take to read The Night Season?
Reading The Night Season takes a few hours, while the Blinkist summary can be read in 15 minutes.
Is The Night Season a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Night Season is a thrilling read with unexpected twists, making it worth your time.
Who is the author of The Night Season?
The author of The Night Season is Chelsea Cain.
What to read after The Night Season?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Night Season, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
- Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys, Judith L. Raiskin
- Just After Sunset by Stephen King
- Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri
- Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye
- Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Nunzio DeFilippis
- Side Jobs by Jim Butcher