Monday, April 8, 2024

4.8.2024 - The Gathering

The Gathering by C.J. Tudor 

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by a favorite, CJ Tudor - 5 stars!

Detective Barbara Atkins, a specialist in vampyr killings, is sent to a small town in the mountains of Alaska to determine the cause of the slaying of a teenager. in town, found with his throat ripped and his blood drained.  The townspeople know that it is the work of a member of the Colony, a community of vampires living in an abandoned mine settlement in the woods.  If it is proven to be the cause, Detective Atkins can authorize a cull.  But she's not convinced.  She brings in a former sheriff to help her investigate, since he investigated a similar murder years ago and knows the Colony well.  But the pair are in deeper trouble than they anticipated.  Who exactly are they hunting?

I love Tudor's books but I think this is my favorite - and do I dare hope that this might be a series featuring Detective Atkins?  This was such a tense,  chilling, atmospheric read  but really never delved into too much gore, which is perfect in my book.  It was a small town atmosphere, with mob mentality - while this book focused on vampyres, the lessons are easily adaptable to any group persecuted for any reason.  Atkins' character was so realistic - she was a bit overweight, not quite fit, yet her sharp mind made for a smart police procedural.  The ending was perfect - highly recommended!  

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