Review, Excerpt, & #Giveaway: Beyond the Darkness (Basic Instincts #3) by Thom Collins
- Debbie
- 3 hours ago
- 7 min read
Book Details:
Book Title: Beyond The Darkness (Basic Instincts Book 3)
Author: Thom Collins
Publisher: Entwined Publishing
Cover Artist: Kelly Martin
Release Date: October 7, 2025
Genres: Contemporary MM Romance, Crime and thriller
Tropes: Celebrity, murder mystery, Erotic romance, Suspense
Themes: Theatre, stalking
Length: 64 453 words/259 pages
It is a standalone story that is part of a wider series (Basic Instincts)
It does not end on a cliffhanger
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A starring role in a new show could give Hudson the career boost he needs… if he lives that long.
American actor Hudson Rhodes enjoys working in the UK. After a successful career in film and TV in his twenties, he’s established himself as a bankable star in the theatre world. A month long run in a new play at Blyham’s Empire Theatre has the potential to lead to a West End run and Hudson is ready for it. The only thing threatening to spoil it is a series of sinister letters that point to a role he would rather forget.
Rehearsals for the show are going smoothly until a local journalist, Luke Kamal, arrives to write a piece about the production. Luke is handsome and smart and highly regarded in his field, but Hudson hates reporters. He’d learned the hard way that the press can not be trusted.
When a member of the cast is murdered, the show is thrown into greater jeopardy. The victim is someone close to Hudson. As he struggles with his attraction to Luke, the menacing letters continue to arrive. The killer has Hudson in their sights and he might not make it to opening night.
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The handsome man was still at the end of the bar. Their eyes locked once more as Hudson stood. Hudson gave him a friendly smile of acknowledgement and his cock stirred as he walked out of the door. Maybe another time, when he had less on his mind.
The sun was hidden behind the high buildings when he stepped out, but it was still a fine and clement evening. He decided to take the long way back. He would go down to the river and follow the waterfront for a while, before heading up into the city.
“Excuse me,” a voice called from behind. “Mr Rhodes.”
He turned, stunned to find the hot guy from the bar following him. The warm sensation returned to Hudson’s neck, climbing over his face. His balls tightened.
As the man approached, the dazzling smile was at full voltage. He was even more attractive than he had appeared from a distance.
And he already knew who Hudson was.
“Hi,” he said, coming closer. Was that a flush of red in his cheeks and neck? “Sorry to bother you. I didn’t like to disturb you earlier, I just wanted to say hello.” He had a strong accent that Hudson had come to recognise as being unique to this city. He was familiar with Geordie, and this was similar, but softer, sexier.
Hudson returned the smile, full on. This guy was not like the typical fans who approached him for selfies. On the whole, he mostly got recognised for a handful of cheesy romcoms he’d made in his late twenties and early thirties, and it was often women who flagged him down.
Through the open neck of the man’s shirt, he caught a teasing glimpse of dark chest hair. Hudson’s dick swelled to a semi state.
“Luke Kamal,” the man said, thrusting his hand forward.
Hudson took it welcomingly, noting the firm, dry grip. “Hi, Luke. I guess you know who I am.”
Luke’s dark eyes focused directly on him, and it was quite disarming. Hudson had worked with some world-famous actors and heartthrobs and very few of them possessed the raw magnetism of this stranger.
“You’re quite a big deal around here. Everyone is excited about the play launching in Blyham.”
Luke was an apparent flatterer, but he was so good-looking Hudson took his comment as a compliment rather than pure bullshit. “You’re coming to see the show then?”
That smile again, then Luke broke eye contact, seemingly shy. It was quite endearing. “You could say that. Actually, I’ll be there tomorrow. That’s why I wanted to say hello when I spotted you. It seemed rude not to.”
For a second, Hudson wondered if he was so hypnotised by this hot man that he’d misheard what he’d said. And damn, he smells great too. “Oh, we don’t actually open for a couple more weeks. The first preview is early next month, I think.”
“I’ll be there for that too, but I’ll be there tomorrow for the rehearsals.” The blank expression on Hudson’s face seemed to confuse him too. He continued. “Luke Kamal, from The Blyham Chronicle. I’m the arts and culture editor. Well, editor is putting it grandly, but I cover all the major arts, music and theatre events for the paper. We’re going to run a major feature on Darkest Blue over the next few weeks—that’s why I’m sitting in on rehearsals for a few days.”
Again, Luke’s words were not computing with Hudson. “Wait, you’re a journalist…? You’re going to watch us put the show together?”
The smile wavered then disappeared. “It’s been arranged for weeks. I thought you knew.”
Hudson withdrew into himself, trying to make sense of what he’d heard. What the actual fuck? How the hell were they supposed to dig deep into themselves, to make themselves vulnerable in search of the characters and stories, with a reporter watching and taking note of every fuck-up, every misstep?
“That can’t be right,” he managed. “You’ve got it wrong.”
Luke fumbled in his trousers, pulled out a leather wallet and produced his press card. “It’s all legit. I’m due there at ten tomorrow and then in and out all the way to opening night.”
“Not if I have anything to do with it,” Hudson muttered.
“I’m sorry. I thought they would have told you. Hasn’t it been cleared with the cast?”
“No, it fucking well hasn’t.” Hudson’s lust for Luke was on the verge of turning into anger. Not just at him but at Rav and Andie and this whole damn shit-show of a production.
4 out of 5 (very good)
Independent Reviewer for Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is book 3 in the Basic Instincts series but you don't need to have read the other two books for this to make sense. I've only read book 2, and I loved that book.
And I loved this one too, bar for one thing and I'll come back to that in a mo.
Again, I'd like to commend Collins on a blinder of a twist I did not see coming! I had my doubts, when they were saying who might have been behind it all, but my idea was way, WAY off base and I loved being thrown for a loop!
I really, really do not want to see that film Hudson was in! Sounds gory and violent and not really my thing.
The book is dark and deadly and some of it is on page, but I do think that it is necessary to get the point across.
Some emotional moments, some steamy, but the focus is on the play and the chaos that comes with it.
That thing? But for one solitary chapter, only Hudson has a say. Luke has a chapter and that is the only reason I cannot give this 5 stars! I think if he had no say at all, I might have been tipped over to 5 stars, though! Weird, I know but ya'll know my book feelings!
so, a very VERY good
4 stars
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
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one of five ebooks of the novel.
Thom Collins is the author of the Jagged Shores series and the Anthem Trilogy as well as numerous standalone novels and novellas.
His new series Basic Instincts launches in spring 2025 with the novel Now Comes the Dark.
Thom has lived in the North East of England his whole life. He grew up in Northumberland and now lives in County Durham with his husband and two cats. He loves all kinds of genre fiction, especially bonk-busters, thrillers, romance and horror. He is also a cookery book addict with far too many titles cluttering his shelves. When not writing he can be found in the kitchen trying out new recipes. He’s a keen traveler but with a fear of flying that gets worse with age, but in 2013 he realized cruising is the best way to see the world.
Check out his website for news updates and a free ebook The Night.
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