Title: The Gathering
Author: C.J. Tudor
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Release Date: April 9, 2024
A detective investigating a grisly crime in rural Alaska finds herself caught up in the dark secrets and superstitions of a small town in this riveting novel from the acclaimed author of The Chalk Man
Deadhart, Alaska. 873. Living.
In a small Alaska town, a boy is found with his throat ripped out and all the blood drained from his body. The inhabitants of Deadhart haven’t seen a killing like this in twenty-five years. But they know who’s responsible: a member of the Colony, an ostracized community of vampyrs living in an old mine settlement deep in the woods.
Detective Barbara Atkins, a specialist in vampyr killings, is called in to officially determine if this is a Colony killing—and authorize a cull. Old suspicions die hard in a town like Deadhart, but Barbara isn’t so sure. Determined to find the truth, she enlists the help of a former Deadhart sheriff, Jenson Tucker, whose investigation into the previous murder almost cost him his life. Since then, Tucker has become a recluse. But he knows the Colony better than almost anyone.
As the pair delve into the town’s history, they uncover secrets darker than they could have imagined. And then another body is found. While the snow thickens and the nights grow longer, a killer stalks Deadhart, and two disparate communities circle each other for blood. Time is running out for Atkins and Tucker to find the truth: Are they hunting a bloodthirsty monster . . . or a twisted psychopath? And which is more dangerous?
A well-done novel!
In the small town of Deadhart in Alaska a teenager has been murdered. It looks like his throat was ripped open and drained of all his blood.
The town wants justice. They believe the vampire Colony living close by was responsible for the death and the humans wanted nothing more than to get approval of a Cull. They want to eradicate the vampires which can only be done if it turns out that the vampires are responsible for the death of fifteen-year-old Marcus Anderson.
Detective Barbara Atkins of the Forensic Vampire Anthropology Department is sent to investigate the case. The town is distrustful of outsiders making things harder for Barbara. More so since Reverend Colleen Grey wants a Cull too.
Barbara decides to enlist the help of the ex-sheriff, Jenson Tucker. He was the last one to investigate a murder twenty-five years ago and it was very similar to the current case.
Besides, Barbara and Tucker, there is also Athelinda. She is the leader of the Colony although she looks to be a child. She is very old and deadly but she insists the Colony is not guilty of the killing.
Quite a great atmospheric novel with an amazing character. I liked Barbara from the get-go. She was smart, funny, and determined to learn the truth at all costs.
The author leaves the door wide open for another book with this character and I hope it does happen. I would buy that book for sure!
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Ballantine Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
No comments:
Post a Comment