BLACKDOWN (A Thriller and Murder Mystery) by D.M. Mitchell

(I bought this book.)

Blurb:
‘THE MOST SAVAGE OF BEASTS IS TO BE FOUND WITHIN THE HEART OF MAN.’

It is 1817, Regency England. Thomas Blackdown, a thieftaker and ex-soldier, receives word that his brother and father are in deep trouble and need his help. But Blackdown is a man that harbours bitter memories; a man banished from his homeland because of a terrible accident, and so is reluctant to return to his ancestral home in Somerset.

However, once there he discovers that his brother has been savagely murdered – torn to shreds, some say by a mythical creature the locals call the Blackdown Beast. Thomas Blackdown does not believe in any creature of fantasy, and is determined to bring to justice his brother’s murderer, encouraged by his brother’s fiancé, Julianne Tresham, and aided by the faithful servant Addison.

But Blackdown is quickly drawn deep into a complicated web of deceit, power, greed and murder involving Lord Tresham – Julianne’s father – and the cold Sir Peter Lansdowne. What is the mysterious Lupercal Club? Why do ex-soldiers go missing from Commodore Pettigrew’s travelling theatre? What strange thing is happening in Devilbowl Wood where Blackdown’s brother was found mutilated? And does a savage, hellish creature really prowl the night?

Soon, Blackdown must fight for his own life and face up to his demons both imaginary and real. He will need all his wits and skills to survive if he is ever to discover the shocking truth behind the evil that has penetrated as far as the government itself.

Set in Regency England following the end of the Napoleonic wars, ‘Blackdown’ is D. M. Mitchell at his creative best, crafting a believable world of strange, larger-than-life characters, with his trademark intricate plotting and surprise ending, it is a novel that is a rollicking good thriller, horror and adventure story rolled into one.

And in Thomas Blackdown, Mitchell has given us a hero like no other before – a D’Arcy with bite, a Bond in breeches…

 
Review:
What a fantastic book!  It's a mystery, thriller, suspense, and historical all wrapped up in one incredibly enjoyable package.
Thomas Blackdown was kicked out of his ancestral home at the age of 13, and he has spent the last 20 years becoming a battle-hardened soldier and trying to forget his past. He's a fascinating man.  Although disowned by his titled father and treated with disdain and hate, Thomas has retained his sense of honor, nobility and compassion.  He's a hard man, but a just one.  Out of the army now, he's making a living as a successful thieftaker, making use of his skills. He's a mix of undercover operative, spy, soldier, and is basically just existing.
Returning home after such a long time, he's shocked at the condition of his family estate, and discovers that his brother has died since sending the letter two years ago.  He's persuaded to investigate his younger brother's death, which seems to have been caused by a legendary monster that dwells in the deep woods nearby.  This Blackdown Beast is apparently on the rampage again, and the violently shredded sheep may just be the beginning, as Thomas learns that several ex-soldiers working for a traveling entertainment troupe have disappeared as well.  He also learns that his father was falsely accused of treason, an old friend and neighbor is buying up the Blackdown property for reasons of his own, and a new nobleman in the area has created an armed police force that seem to threaten and intimidate more than they keep the peace.  The more Thomas investigates, the stranger and more connected these mysteries become, and before long he's threatened and then attacked.
The cast of characters is extensive and intriguing, and their lives are prisms through which life in 1817 Regency England and the village of Blackdown is viewed.   His father's lawyer may be a parasitic manipulator, the kindly neighbor may have ulterior motives, the traveling troupe members are hiding a dangerous secret, and the town is preparing for an ancient pagan festival connected to the Blackdown Beast.  The overwhelming power and impunity of the local nobles is in stark contrast to the desperation and grueling nature of the servants, townspeople and traveling entertainers. 
This novel is like a beautiful piece of classical music.  The characters are the orchestra, and the author the conductor - he appreciates and develops each instrument in the orchestra, carefully guiding their actions to create a richly interwoven tapestry of mystery.  The sense of dread and rapidly encroaching danger increases with each page, and by the time I got to the shocking twist near the end I could not put the book down!
A simply outstanding story!



Buy from B&N HERE.
Buy from Amazon HERE.

Visit the author's Goodreads page HERE.

THE BLOOD GOSPEL by James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell

(I purchased this book.)

BLURB:

New York Times bestselling authors James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell combine their talents in a gothic tale about an ancient order and the hunt for a miraculous book known only as . . . The Blood Gospel.

Some books should never be found, never opened—until now.

An earthquake in Masada, Israel, reveals a tomb buried in the heart of the mountain. A trio of investigators—Sergeant Jordan Stone, a military forensics expert;Father Rhun Korza, a Vatican priest; and Dr. Erin Granger, a brilliant but disillusioned archaeologist—are sent to explore the macabre discovery, a subterranean temple holding the crucified body of a mummified girl.

But a brutal attack at the site sets the three on the run, thrusting them into a race to recover what was once preserved in the tomb's sarcophagus: a book rumored to have been written by Christ's own hand, a tome that is said to hold the secrets to His divinity. But the enemy who hounds them is a force of ancient evil directed by a leader of impossible ambitions and incalculable cunning.

REVIEW:
What a ride! Nonstop action, fascinating historical details seamlessly blended with legend, and characters as compelling and complex as the story, created one fabulous adventure.
As much as I love James Rollins' books, I was curious to see how a co-authored book would be for me as a reader, whether I'd be able to notice when each writer took over.  I was very happy to see that this story is a smoothly paced, nonstop thrill of a read, and that thrill is sustained for the entire book (no small feat for 803 pages!).
This was a creative and perfectly believable combination of Catholic history, vampirism, and secret wars.  It veered more to the paranormal than the usual James Rollins fare, with vampires, and monsters.  But by linking the Sanguinist vampire sect to the root of the Christian religion (body of Christ, blood of Christ is the seed of germination for this one), the authors create a story with a ready-made pantheon of stories.
Jordan Stone is back (from the short story City of Screams) and is paired with Dr. Erin Granger, who grew up in a radical Christian cult led by her abusive father.  As a result she is incredibly well-versed in Christianity, but regards it with cynicism and skepticism, making her the perfect investigator.
The commonality of blood at the heart of history's greatest religions, mysteries, and legends tie together events, including the historical figure Elisabeth of Bathory, create an entertaining, thoughtful, and just plan fun adventure.  I really enjoyed it.



       

Absolute Liability (Southern Fraud Thriller #1) by J.W. Becton

(I bought this book.)

Back of the Book Blurb:
Meet Julia Jackson. Apparently, she's been abducted....

A woman is taken at gunpoint from the downtown office of Southeastern Insurance, and the police believe the victim is Special Agent Julia Jackson. Only it isn't true.

Now, with the help of her new partner Mark Vincent, state fraud investigator Julia Jackson must find justice for the woman who was taken in her place.

As Vincent and Julia begin to unravel the multimillion-dollar frauds that led to the abduction, they encounter a cast of quirky characters, one of whom will go to desperate lengths to hide a deadly secret.

Things only become more dangerous as bodies begin accumulating around town and Julia must discover the truth before the abductor comes to rectify his mistake.

Absolute Liability is the first in the six-book Southern Fraud Thriller series, which blends suspense, humor, and Southern charm with just a touch of romance. If you enjoy reading humorous mysteries or watching TV crime dramedies like Castle or The Mentalist, you should like Absolute Liability.

Review:
This was a solid mystery/suspense book with a touch of romance as described, but I didn't find it to be very humorous, or the characters to be quirky. There were definitely a few humorous moments, such as the spa-going habits of one of the male characters, but readers looking for a funny mystery series will be disappointed.  Instead, it had a decidedly gritty feel with a well-plotted mystery involving arson, insurance fraud, kidnapping and murder.

Julia is a former police officer now working for the state insurance office.  On the side she has secretly been investigating her older sister's rape for the last seventeen years.  When she was laid off from the police department she took a copy of the file and some evidence with her so she could continue to search for the rapist.  The rape of her sister is the pivotal event of her life - Julia cites it as the reason she became a cop, and the reason her sister is now an alcoholic and her parents divorced and her family crumbled.  The current arson/kidnapping/murder storyline is the primary one, but the hunt for the rapist is a close second.  Julia's family allowed the event to ruin their lives, and this is evident in their behavior in the present and in Julia's memories.  Her father retreated into himself emotionally, disappearing long before the divorce from her mother.  And her mother retreated from her social life and pretty much neglected her younger daughter.  Julia is much like her parents and sister in that she obsessively blames the rapist for everything that happened, when in reality it's obvious that both her parents failed the major test of their lives, leaving both their daughters adrift after such a horrific event.  They are not very likeable characters.

The present-day mystery was really well-done.  The identity of the bad guys kept me guessing up until nearly the end.  The book is written in first person narrative by Julia, but every couple of chapters there is a very brief one from the villain's perspective.  It was intriguing and tantalizing, because as the reader we're in the mind of the killer, and he leaves us little clues about his motivations and thoughts, but we still don't know who he is.  A really effective construct.
As Julia and her new partner, Mark Vincent, continue to investigate the insurance fraud in the hopes of discovering the identity of the killer, Julia finds herself increasingly impressed by and attracted to Mark.  He has secrets and a painful past of his own, and their cautious behavior around each other felt real.

All in all I enjoyed the story, but found the secondary rapist storyline to be more of a distraction, taking the book into a much rougher vision of reality and casting an unflattering light on many of the characters.  It may be realistic as hell, but it was also sad and frustrating, and definitely took away from the main mystery for me as a reader.




Check out the author's website at:  http://bectonliterary.com/author/jenniferbecton/




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As JW Becton she writes mystery/thrillers:


As Jennifer Becton she has written historical fiction:

Red, White and Blood (Nathaniel Cade #3) by Christopher Farnsworth

(I borrowed this from our local library.)

Back of the Book Blurb:

The Presidential Campaign Trail, 2012: 

A political operative and a volunteer are brutally murdered while caught in a compromising position. Written in their blood on the wall of the crime scene: IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK.

And with that, a centuries-old horror known only as the Boogeyman returns to taunt Nathaniel Cade, the President’s Vampire. Against the backdrop of the 2012 presidential race, with the threat of constant exposure by the media, Cade and Zach must stop the one monster Cade has never been able to defeat completely. And they must do it before the Boogeyman adds another victim to his long and bloody list: the President of the United States himself.

Review:

This series just gets better and better.  This is easily the spookiest of the three books, probably because the Boogeyman is the creepiest bad guy I've read about in a long while.  He is Cade's oldest nemesis, and he always comes back from Hell, or the Other Side, to inhabit an average human who has sunk into such anger and hate that he invites such evil into his life.  The author then does a fabulous job of creating the myth of the Boogeyman, tying in urban legends, documented serial killers, and actual quotes from Son of Sam and the Manson Family concerning demonic possession.  By the time I was a third of the way through the book I was definitely creeped out.  I think the most terrifying aspect of evil is when we are confronted by the fact that it blends in, looks normal, and can carry on a conversation in line at the grocery store.  All of the other monsters Cade has fought are straight up "different" - species, genus, whatever, but they aren't human.  The Boogeyman wears a human like a suit of clothes, because the human lets him in.  Scary!

On top of dealing with such an enemy, Cade and Zach must also navigate the vicious waters of a political campaign, with its all-too-human scheming, and sociopathic manipulation. The President needs protection on many fronts, and in some ways the inhuman enemies are a lot more straightforward.

We learn a lot more about Zach in Red, White and Blood, and he really comes into his own as his past and present lives collide. As Zach tries to work in both, he comes to realize that his new position is all-encompassing.  He can't have a normal life, and if he tries to he will endanger everyone he cares about.  Throughout all three books Zach and Cade have been so well-developed that I feel like I know them.  Both man and vampire are so fleshed out, so real, and they continue to change as events mold them.  And I think that is one of the reasons why this series is so damn good - it's believable.  Even with vampires and demons and creepy critters, the action, the mysteries and the stories are so completely grounded  by the characters.  Add in a seamless blending of historic record, conspiracy theories, and real people, and the world of Nathaniel Cade feels like our own.  The shocking and ironic ending of this book reinforces that as well, and has lingered in my mind for days.

This is top-notch storytelling. 

Check out the author's website at http://chrisfarnsworth.com/.

  

The Nathaniel Cade Series by Christopher Farnsworth

         

(I purchased Books #1 and #2)


Back of the Book Blurbs:

Blood Oath (Nathaniel Cade Series #1):
Zach Barrows is a cocky, ambitious White House employee until he's abruptly transferred out and partnered with Nathaniel Cade, a secret agent sworn to protect the president. But Cade is no ordinary civil servant. Bound 140 years ago by a special blood oath, Nathanial Cade is a vampire. On the orders of the president he defends the nation against enemies far stranger-and even more dangerous-than civilians like Zach could ever imagine.


The President's Vampire (Nathaniel Cade Series #2):
or 140 years, vampire Nathaniel Cade has been bound to protect and serve the United States of America. When an ancient evil is resurrected, the President's Vampire and his human handler, Zach Barrows, must track down its source. The prime suspect is a shady private defense contractor who may be dealing with powers far deadlier than any mortal weapon. So it's up to Cade and Zach to drag the forces of darkness into the light...



Review:
I LOVE these books.  I've finished the first two and need to head to the library for #3. (At $9.99 for the ebook they are a little pricey).
Nathaniel Cade is one of the most interesting characters I have read in a long time.  Turned into a vampire during a vicious attack over 140 years ago, he was spared by then-President Andrew Jackson, who had the foresight to think of Nathaniel as a weapon for the United States.  Bound by a magical blood oath, Nathaniel is a secret agent for the United States' war on malicious paranormals and really evil humans.  He is principled and focused, even without the pull of the blood oath.  Raised in a time of incredible hardship and hard labor, the human Nathaniel was already a survivor and tougher than today's gym-goers and couch potatoes.  Nathaniel may be strong and silent with a sense of honor, but any other romantic comparisons to popular literary bloodsuckers ends there. Nathaniel is no longer human.  He no longer thinks, or has emotions, like the rest of us, nor does he consider himself to be part of the human world in any significant manner.  He is a predator and humans are prey.  His purpose is to perform his duties.
When Zach Barrows is ordered to become Nathaniel's latest human handler, he is less than impressive.  But Zach has hidden strengths of his own, and a mile-wide stubborn streak.  He slowly earns Nathaniel's respect and comes to realize how important his new role really is to his country.  Pretty soon Zach and Nathaniel are battling paranormal and superhuman enemies who may be involved with some of the highest ranking members of the US government.  And Nathaniel is apparently not the only secret in a town full of them - a shadowy organization seems to be running their own agenda right under the nose of the President.

One of my favorite things about this series is that at the beginning of each chapter, there is a paragraph taken from the research journals of the scientists who have studied Nathaniel over the years.  These little snippets offer insights into Nathaniel's abilities and history, and the world he is now resides in.
These are highly original, fast-paced adventure/thrillers with a paranormal twist.  The plots are rich and layered with all kinds of interesting characters.  The depths of the characters are beautifully revealed bit by bit as the story and action progresses, and the author is very deft at allowing a character's actions to reveal more about him.  I'm really excited about reading Red, White and Blood!




Back of the Book Blurb:
 The Presidential Campaign Trail, 2012: 

A political operative and a volunteer are brutally murdered while caught in a compromising position. Written in their blood on the wall of the crime scene: IT’S GOOD TO BE BACK.

And with that, a centuries-old horror known only as the Boogeyman returns to taunt Nathaniel Cade, the President’s Vampire. Against the backdrop of the 2012 presidential race, with the threat of constant exposure by the media, Cade and Zach must stop the one monster Cade has never been able to defeat completely. And they must do it before the Boogeyman adds another victim to his long and bloody list: the President of the United States himself.

For more information check out the author's website at http://chrisfarnsworth.com/

The Harvesting (Book 1 of the Harvesting Trilogy) by Melanie Karsak

Blurb from the Author's Website:
It's all fun and games until someone ends up undead.

Though Layla reluctantly returns home to rural Hamletville after a desperate call from her psychic grandmother, she could never have anticipated the horror of what Grandma Petrovich has foreseen. The residents of Hamletville will need Layla's help if they are to survive the zombie apocalypse that's upon them. But that is not the only problem. With mankind silenced, it soon becomes apparent that we were never alone. As the beings living on the fringe seek to reclaim power, Layla must find a way to protect the ones she loves or all humanity may be lost.

Review:

Sweet Mary, mother of god, this book was all kinds of awesome.  I first learned of it from Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer (http://www.caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/) who also loved it.

Layla is living in Washington D.C. and working as a medieval weapons museum curator and instructor (of the practical, medieval weapons-wielding kind), when she receives a very mysterious and brief call from her mystic and psychic Russian grandmother telling her to come home right away. 

Turns out the zombie apocalypse is about to happen, and Grandma Petrovich is a big believer in being prepared. The incredibly psychic Grandma P. has bought huge stockpiles of food, fuel, weapons and ammo, and has her property fenced in.  Next thing Layla knows, Grandma P. has given her a magic mushroom tea to open up Layla's considerable (but latent) psychic abilities.  She wakes up the next morning with a whopping hangover to discover the apocalypse is at hand, Grandma P. is nowhere to be found, and zombies are at the gate.  Pretty soon a Native American warrior spirit tells her to save the town survivors, which Layla does in a slam-bang action scene using a fierce combination of medieval and modern weaponry.

With her calm presence, her extensive academic background in studying medieval battle tactics (because life gets down to the non-electric basics mighty fast during the zombie apocalypse, folks), and her skill with weapons, Layla soon becomes the leader of the survivors.  All while dealing with her new second sight and the fact that her high-school sweetheart (who betrayed her) is still alive and human.  She excels at strategy and staying alive.

After a few months the survivors are found by a mysterious group that comes in a boat across the lake.  They promise them a safe haven at an island luxury hotel.  But something is off about the newcomers, and another frightening adventure with a new enemy is just beginning.  Layla can't convince her friends to stay where they are, and is forced to go with them to try and protect them.  By this time Layla has embraced her abilities, and the story is richly woven with creatures and tales from folklore.

I won't go into further detail because it would spoil the ending of the story, which is really a fantastic beginning to Book 2. 

Reading this literally left me breathless, as I kept going, wanting to know what happens next.  Layla is a fabulous heroine.  Reluctant, grieving, ethical, smart, and capable, she is a superior leader, a fiercely loyal friend and just all-around wonderful.  She does the job because people are depending on her and because it's the right thing to do.  And she is  damn good at it.

This story had so many fantastic elements all wrapped up in one superbly written and plotted book.  Folklore, fairies, magic, zombies, medieval weapons and battle strategy, all held together by the very human drama playing out with a small group of survivors, who may be on their way to losing status as the dominant species.  
I have a particular interest in folklore, and reading this absolutely delighted me - I haven't read this many references to classical folklore since I cracked open one of my Katharine Briggs books!

Book 2 is The Shadow Aspect, and the publication date is May 1, 2013.


For more information check out the author's website at http://melaniekarsak.blogspot.com/. 



 

Bloodline by James Rollins (Sigma Force Series #8)

Publisher's Blurb: 

Immortality is not just within our reach—it is already here.

Galilee, 1025. A Templar knight uncovers a holy treasure, a priceless icon that holds a mysterious and terrifying power that promises to change humankind forever.

A millennium later, Somali pirates hijack a yacht, kidnapping a young pregnant American woman. Commander Gray Pierce is enlisted for a covert rescue mission. Suspicious that the kidnapping masks a more nefarious plot, Gray must confront a shadowy cabal that has manipulated events throughout history.

And the danger is only beginning . . .

Halfway around the world, a firebombing at a fertility clinic in South Carolina exposes a diabolical conspiracy that goes back centuries . . . a scheme that lies within our genetic code. With time against them, SIGMA must race to save an innocent unborn baby whose very existence raises questions about the nature of mankind:

Could you live forever? Would you live forever?

Review:

Another great ride by James Rollins, this Sigma book is notable for introducing two new characters and for making women the focus.  Rollins has always written great female characters, strong, capable and smart, complicated and full of depth.  But this is the first book that places Kat and Lisa as the action-drivers while Painter is busy researching and Monk is home watching his young daughters.  Kat and Lisa are trying to infiltrate a fertility clinic with links to the President's family and his kidnapped daughter, when the operation goes horribly wrong.  Meanwhile, Gray is globe-trotting with Kowalski and Seichan, who has a much-expanded role as we learn a lot more about her background and see more of the person she is beneath her smooth-as-glass exterior. While the women have a different style of running an operation, they are just as fierce and action-oriented as their men, and it was a lot of fun to watch their brains and ass-kicking take center stage.  The fact that Lisa was wearing St. John while doing so was a really fun detail, one that I got a kick out of but it doesn't take away from the non-stop action/adventure/freaky science that is
Rollins' trademark style.
The new characters are Tucker Wayne, a former Army officer, and his war dog Kane, both of whom bring a rare set of skills.  There are several passages narrated from Kane's point of view, which was really unique and eye-opening.  It made me look at my dogs differently, giving me some insight into their worldview.
As the search for the President's pregnant daughter begins to overlap with the Guild and the mysterious family at the center of its powerful core referred to as the Bloodline, Painter begins to realize just how close Sigma is to unmasking the puppetmasters behind the Guild.
Kowalski is there for comic relief, Gray's interest in Seichan deepens, and although there are a lot of questions answered, the story takes a different turn at the end, leaving me both satisfied at the resolutions and curious about the new directions.
Good stuff!!

Read this 99 cent short story first for an introduction to Tucker and Kane.

+-*

For more information about James Rollins, check out his website at http://www.jamesrollins.com/.

The Devil Colony by James Rollins (Sigma Force #7)

Publisher's Blurb: 

Deep in the Rocky Mountains, a gruesome discovery—hundreds of mummified bodies—stir international attention and fervent controversy. Despite doubts to the bodies’ origins, the local Native American Heritage Commission lays claim to the prehistoric remains, along with the strange artifacts found in the same cavern: gold plates inscribed with an unfathomable script.

During a riot at the dig site, an anthropologist dies horribly. All evidence points to a radical group of Native Americans, including one agitator who escapes with a vital clue to the murder and calls on the one person who might help—her uncle, Painter Crowe, director of Sigma Force. To protect his niece and uncover the truth, Painter will ignite a war across the nation’s most powerful intelligence agencies. Yet, an even greater threat looms as events in the Rocky Mountains have set in motion a geological meltdown that threatens the entire western half of the U.S.

From the volcanic peaks of Iceland to the blistering deserts of the American Southwest, from the gold vaults of Fort Knox to the bubbling geysers of Yellowstone, Painter Crowe joins forces with commander Gray Pierce to penetrate the shadowy heart of a dark cabal, one that has been manipulating American history since the founding of the thirteen colonies. But can he discover the truth before it destroys all he holds dear?

Review:  Oh, how I love James Rollins.  How much, you ask?  If the guy lived next to me I'd make him a crockpot of my homemade-everyone-in-my-family-will-actually-eat-it-happily chili con carne.  Every week.  With corn bread!  Just so he could keep on writing:-)
In the latest outing for the secret Sigma Force (a Black Ops government agency of soldier/spy/scientist men and women), Director Painter Crowe and Commander Gray Pierce have their hands full on multiple fronts, as each races to figure out the ancient technology unearthed in the Rocky Mountains.  The discovery of what appears to be gold tablets with a strange writing on them has triggered a scientific and geologic chain of events that may cause near-global destruction.  As if that was not enough, the Guild has a centuries-old knowledge of the existence of these plates, and is somehow tied to the founding of America.  Throw in complicated ties to Native Americans, Mormonism and geological and cultural events over the last two millennia, and the race is on.  Rollins is a superb action-thriller writer, and has also continued to add emotional and personal complexity through these novels, creating a richly developed group of characters who outshine the competition.  Painter's niece is involved in the first explosion, and is on the run, desperately calling Painter for help.  Gray is struggling to decide how best to help his parents, as his father sinks further into dementia and his mother fights to hold it together.  And Gray is still the secret handler of Seichan, who is working for Sigma.  Or is she?
Rollins has always excelled at creating a quilt-like thriller, sewing strands of action, mystery, science, myth, military, fact and fiction into a near-seamless fabric.  But where he truly distinguishes himself is his ability to do this same thing with the personal lives of his characters, without sinking into the simplicity of sex-based relationships (not that there's anything wrong with that!), and emotionally simplistic or one-dimensional people.
Such balance keeps me reading late into the night, and come June it will happen again when Bloodline is published.  I am especially anticipating this book after the shocking ending of The Devil Colony!


Check out his website at http://www.jamesrollins.com/.

Bloodline will be published on 6/26/2012.