This novel was a powerhouse of character-driven moments where we see the life of a fighter with dreams and aspirations of living a good life with an early retirement seem just out of reach. The question remains whether he will be able to cut weight and prove himself in the cage one more time and keep the teetering house of cards that is his life together before it all topples down. There are interpersonal politics with his cousin at the MMA gym that end up coming to a head, caring for his father with dementia at his nursing home where his mental acuity unveils frightening truths about their relationship, an estranged mother, a mistreated dog up for adoption that needs the love he never had… And atop all of this, X struggles with an undiagnosed and increasingly severe case of undiagnosed Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) that is taking a larger and larger toll on his perception of the world, his relationships, and a fear that he might end up just like his father. It’s time to see if his chops still keep him a contender in the cage, but some major puzzle pieces from his life seem to encroach on his confidence and training time as contest opportunities get nearer. The Scarecrow Xavier Wallace is reentering his MMA career after a stint of being away from the sport after accidentally taking banned drugs in an earlier fight. Knowing what I know about fight cinema, however, it’s clear that the heart and strength of Vercher’s character-driven story has the momentum of an emotionally gripping comeback story unparalleled in the sports fiction genre. After the Lights Go Out is a fight novel, and honestly, I think it is the first one that I’ve ever read.

I absolutely loved the grittiness and social commentary of Three-Fifths and looked forward to his latest release with great anticipation. John Vercher’s After the Lights Go Out is a stunning sophomore release from the Edgar and Anthony Award-nominated author of Three-Fifths.

After the Lights Go Out by John Vercher