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Sneak Peek: A High Tide Murder by Emily George

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A High Tide Murder by Emily George

The newest installment in the Cannabis Café cozy mystery series featuring twenty-eight-year-old, classically trained pastry chef Chloe Barnes—sure to appeal to millennial readers as well as lovers of classic cozy mysteries!

What a long, strange trip it’s been for Chloe. After her dream of becoming a Parisian pastry chef—and a wife—crashed and burned, she returned home to the seaside town of Azalea Bay, California and opened a cannabis café. Despite some residents’ misgivings about how such a business may affect the community’s reputation, Baked by Chloe has become a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Nothing mellows out people like sweet edibles and frothy drinks with a dash of CBD.

But when it comes to surfers, the only high they want to ride is on a wave. The annual summer Azalea Bay Pro Challenger Surf Competition is underway, and fan favorite Aaron Gill is treading water. Plagued by professional and personal pressures, he finds himself no longer a top contender, and everyone is saddened when he takes his own life.

But his best friend Ethan Wilson knows that despite Aaron’s difficulties, suicide was not on his mind, and he begs Chloe to investigate. Against her better judgment, Chloe dives in and discovers Aaron was surrounded by people motivated enough to help him wipe out—permanently . . .

[Cannabis and CBD-infused Recipes Included (always consume responsibly)!]

 

Between The Helpless & The Darkness By Brent Olson

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Between The Helpless & The Darkness
The newest alternative history epic by critically acclaimed author, Brent Olson

HARALD SIGURDSSON, King Harald Hardrada of Norway, King of the Vikings, was born to rule. He embraced that birthright, dominating his world with the strength in his arm and the power of his will. In an instant, one brutal mistake and a shattering wound took all he valued from him. But what if . . .Harald Sigurdsson fled his disgrace with a band of equally broken warriors still holding tight to his leadership. they ventured West, to Iceland, Greenland, into the darkness, to a land known only through legends and lies. A land with no need for a king, no room for a ruler. A land where a king could hope to become something more. This enthralling, thought-provoking story begins a thousand years ago on a battlefield outside York, England, and then moves across the North Atlantic to Iceland and beyond. Brent Olson’s biggest, boldest, and best book yet is a stunning work of alternative history. By moving the path of one arrow one inch, Olson has achieved an entire new script for the world.

Amazon.com: Between the Helpless and the Darkness: 9781952976186: Brent Olson: Books

Brent Olson | Kirk House Publisher (kirkhousepublishers.com)

This is the most amazing book I’ve read since the hobbit and Lord of the rings. Brent takes us for a ride through the era of kings battling for supremacy. There’s a kink in the story that I can’t say. Don’t want to spoil it. I also like the fact that the author has been to these places so he writes from the heart. This should be on the New York times as a best seller. I would recommend this to anyone who wants adventure. Hope to see more from this author. _ Computer Technical Service
How would our world be different if the Vikings had settled in the New World and formed a mutually beneficial alliance with First Nation peoples? This novel is a page turner; full of historical detail, action, and grand characters including a number of fierce women. _ MGO

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Brent Olson’s biggest, boldest, and best book yet is a stunning work of alternative history. Olson has achieved an entirely new script for the world by moving the path of one arrow one inch. Brent Olson, a journalist for a quarter of a century, has published seven books and filed thousands of articles from over twenty countries on six continents. Throughout this time, he couldn’t help but wonder, “Could we have done better?” Not fully content with his world, he decided to create a new one.

“CTHULHU CAT” CONTAINS THE CUTEST ELDRITCH HORROR ON THIS PLANE OR ANY OTHER

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Dark Horse Manga invites cat lovers across the cosmos to experience a new take on the eldritch horrors of Lovecraftian lore in Cthulhu Cat! A one-shot, full-color gag manga from Pandania (The Evil Secret Society of Cats, Yokai Cats), this collection is a charming tribute both to Lovecraft’s stories and love of cats. This new English edition is translated by Zack Davisson (Kaibyo: The Supernatural Cats of Japan, H.P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness) and lettered by Steve Dutro (Plants vs. Zombies, H.P. Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness).

An ordinary Japanese high school student takes home an abandoned supernatural cat left in a cardboard box. Maybe he shouldn’t have meddled with kitties beyond human comprehension—after all, it had tentacles where its whiskers should have been! But it’s too late now. With no Elder Sign on the cat door, soon the pick of the Mythos litter starts to invade his house, as furry and feline versions of Hastur, Yog-Sothoth, Nyarlathotep, and other adorable Lovecraftian horrors blast his mind, whisper impossible secrets, and generally get underfoot!

Ph’nglui mglw’nfah Cthulhu Cat R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagnya! (“In his house in R’lyeh dead Cthulhu Cat waits dreaming, meow!”)

Cthulhu Cat arrives in trade paperback (136 pages, 5.75” x 8.25”) on bookstore shelves September 17, 2024 and comic shops September 18, 2024. Pre order at your local comic shopbookstoreAmazon or Barnes and Noble for $14.99.

Praise for other works from Pandania:

“All of the illustrations are very similar to what’s happening on this cover. The cats and people are drawn pretty cartoony with small button eyes, but Pandania still manages some great expressiveness.”—The Graphic Library

“Pandania’s manga also features some exceptionally cute art. All the animals are drawn in a semi-chibi style, which means they’re all adorable and expressive. Along with the accessories and details all the main characters have, this means each one is brimming with personality that jumps off the page, making it impossible to not fall in love the second they’re introduced.”—CBR

Dark Horse Comics

New Release: Arctic Revelation By Dr. Hugh Finch

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Dr. Hugh Finch Releases “Arctic Revelation” – A Thrilling Blend of History, Mystery, and Philanthropy

Author, educator, and practitioner Dr. Hugh Finch announced the release of his unique fiction thriller, “Arctic Revelation: A Thousand Lifetimes in the Blink of an Eye.” An international tour-de-force culminating in a stunning ‘whodunit’ conclusion that has kept even the most seasoned readers and critics captivated and guessing right till the end.

“…this is a thriller…the reader can’t resist going forward to find out how it all connects …the heady concept, action and danger pay dividends.” from Kirkus Reviews

…a true masterpiece” and “…a mind-blowing psychological thriller” from critics at OnlineBookClub.org and Discovery Reviews.

Dr. Finch reflects, “The true reward in accomplishing something great is when you do it for something far greater than yourself. In the current world climate, our mental health may be the factor that either sets us back a century or sets us free. This is a core theme in my book. If a reader walks away with just that message and nothing else, I will have accomplished something good, maybe even great!”

Support a wonderful cause while immersing yourself in a mystery that readers and critics alike are recommending. “Arctic Revelation” is available in hardcover, paperback, and digital formats at Amazon and other major online retailers. Dr. Finch posts receipts from donations on his Facebook page so you can follow the charities he supports-including the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the SAFE Project.

Journey Beyond the Ordinary: Book Synopsis

Set in the scenic backdrops of Rhode IslandDenmarkGreenland, and Switzerland, the novel follows Dr. Christian Yates, a recent psychology graduate haunted by a traumatic past – including the death of his father and a patient he couldn’t save. Embroiled in academic intrigue, Christian’s journey also intersects with a mysterious and deadly serial killer, ‘The Surgeon,’ that leads him to Greenland in search of an ancient elixir. This lost and forgotten psychotropic formula may offer salvation for Christian, by unlocking his past. But what else may lie in the ancient ancestral memories of each and every human who has ever walked the planet? ‘Arctic Revelation’ delves into themes of mental health, psychedelic therapy, Danish culture, repressed trauma, and environmental issues – for a thought-provoking read that seeks to heal as it entertains.

Delve Deeper Into the Mind: About Hugh Finch

Dr. Finch is not only an author and successful practitioner but also a former Assistant Dean and Professor at Stony Brook University’s School of Dental Medicine. He attributes much of his success to the community support that helped him as a child after his father, a respected South Carolina statesman and caring family man, had a debilitating stroke that robbed him of the ability to regulate emotions and perform simple tasks. As his health declined, he became abusive and, at times, violent. Finch’s remarkable journey from a traumatic childhood to a celebrated career as an academician, practitioner, and author is its own resilient story worthy of any great fiction title. It’s this history and passion to help that imbues an authenticity to his writing. Dr. Finch is committed to paying it forward by using his story to support mental health awareness.

Learn more about Dr. Finch and “Arctic Revelation” by visiting his Author Site or following him on FacebookInstagramLinkedInYouTube, and TikTok.

Behind The Words With Jennifer Deibel

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Today we welcome Jennifer Deibel to the blog. We’ll be talking about her latest release THE IRISH MATCHMAKER. First, give our readers a quick look at your novel.

Catríona Daly is no stranger to the business of love—even though personally she has yet to find it. Eager for a match of her own and a fresh start away from her sleepy village, she makes grand plans for the annual Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival. She never expects a shy, widowed sheep farmer to distract her from her goal.

What do you hope readers will gain from reading The Irish Matchmaker?
I pray that all readers will be encouraged in their own faith journey—whether they’ve been
following Jesus for years or just exploring what this God thing is all about. And if anyone
is struggling to trust in God’s provision, when it’s almost impossible to see how He could
provide, I hope that they would be heartened and encouraged to trust Him.

Why do you love setting your novels in Ireland?
The culture, language, and people are part of my heart and soul. I love being able to help
others experience even a piece of that incredible country. It is such a joy.

What type of research was required to portray the historical setting in The Irish
Matchmaker?
While I’ve driven through Lisdoonvarna and stopped for tea once or twice, I was never
able to spend much time there. So I spent a lot of days and weeks online learning about the town’s history, as well as the history and methods of matchmaking. I was so grateful to be able to chat with people at the Spa Wells Historical Centre, as well as talk to third-
generation matchmaker Willie Daly (who is still making matches in Lisdoonvarna to this day)! It was some of the most fun research I’ve done in a while!

Catríona is the daughter of a renowned matchmaker. What were the responsibilities of a matchmaker during this time period?
Matchmakers were responsible for finding suitable matches for their clients. Sometimes the
first match worked, other times it took a few tries. Then it was their job to negotiate the
terms of the match—money for dowry and land or livestock that was going to be part of
the deal, etc. Many matchmakers also kept meticulous records. Lisdoonvarna’s current
matchmaker carries a book with him that has the details of every match made by him, his
father, and his grandfather!

Catríona is determined to make a reputation for herself as a great matchmaker, as well as make herself a prosperous match. What, in your opinion, makes a great match between two characters?
That’s the million-dollar question! There has to be some common thread connecting the
characters to begin with. It could be a shared circumstance, mutual attraction, or even
mutual annoyance! But both parties really need to have the same goal for the relationship.
A good dose of conflict or a few obstacles can really help refine those goals and draw the
couple together. I also think laughter is a must for any successful romantic match.

What do you love most about writing historical romance?
I love being able to experience the world through a different lens. No matter how many
stories I write, I learn so much, and I get to see countries, cultures, and time periods most
people don’t get the opportunity to if they don’t read or write historical fiction. It’s a
chance to see what things were like.

What about your own life influences your writing?
Oftentimes, my own faith and struggles influence what or how I write. I’m able to draw on
those experiences in order to add a deeper layer of authenticity to the characters’ thoughts
and actions. Many of the humorous situations in my books were inspired by events I
actually experienced—like the “moving cloud” (aka sheep) in the nighttime journey over
the Errigal Pass in A Dance of Donegal and the cows munching on seaweed in the middle
of the street after a storm in The Lady of Galway Manor!

How can readers connect with you?
I absolutely love connecting with readers, so I hope they will! My website has all the links
to find me around the web. Readers can sign up for my newsletter there and find links to all my social media.

Where can readers purchase a copy of The Irish Matchmaker?
The Irish Matchmaker is available wherever books are sold in paperback, ebook, and
hardcover format. And the audiobook will be available after the release date. The best deal
can always be found at Baker Book House where you can preorder the book for 40 percent
off and free shipping.

Thank you so much for joining us today, and sharing a look inside The Irish Matchmaker. Reader’s, here’s a quick look. . . . .and it releases today!

As daughter of a well-known matchmaker, Catríona Daly is no stranger to the business of love–and sees it as her ticket away from the sleepy village that only comes alive during the annual matchmaking festival. Enter Lord Osborne’s son, Andrew, who has returned to the festival after being disappointed by a rival matchmaker’s failed setup. Catríona seizes the opportunity to make a better match for the handsome man–and for herself!

Cattle farmer Donal Bunratty is in desperate need of a wife after loss left him to handle the farm and raise his daughter on his own. Shy and lacking the finer social graces, he agrees to attend the matchmaking festival to appease his daughter. But when he arrives, it’s not any of the other merrymakers that catch his eye but rather his matchmaker–who clearly has eyes for someone else.

Catríona will have to put all her expertise to work to make a match that could change her life forever. Will her plan succeed? Or will love have its own way?

HALF IN LIGHT AND HALF IN DARK: SYNTHWAVE BAND “THE MIDNIGHT” CREATES NEON-SOAKED POST-APOCALYPTIC C

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“The Midnight: Shadows” takes the electrifying, tech-noir aesthetic and heartfelt lyrics from music to the page

Dark Horse Comics presents The Midnight: Shadows, an electrifying, original sci-fi comic adventure inspired by the poetic storytelling of band THE MIDNIGHT, composed of singer-songwriter Tyler Lyle and producer-songwriter Tim McEwan. Fans of the band’s retro sound and newcomers to the 1980s nostalgia-filled, cyberpunk-style aesthetic alike will enjoy an immersive universe that is engrossing and visually stunning. The Midnight: Shadows is an original graphic novel written by prolific comics creator Zack Kaplan (Kill All Immortals, Break Out) with art by Stephen Thompson (Star Trek, Batman Beyond) and artist Jahnoy Lindsay (Superboy), vibrant synthwave colors by Thiago Rocha (Hacktivists) and lettering by DC Hopkins (Nocterra, Star Wars). Fans can also expect a limited deluxe edition, available through the band, which includes an alternate cover and gilded magenta edges along with bonus art, interviews, and behind-the-scenes at the book’s creation. The deluxe edition will be available through the band, in two bundles, with signed art prints and other special items.

“The creative MO of The Midnight has always been to “combine not confine,” said Tyler Lyle of The Midnight. “We noticed early on that creative people in other fields were taking our music and adding video, VR worlds, digital art, photography and the world of The Midnight kept expanding. We were thrilled to be able to work with Zack and this amazing creative team to help to add even more flesh on our creative skeleton. What is nostalgia? Does it indicate an escape from “normal life” or does it provide the wisdom to help us escape INTO it. The graphic novel is a medium that allows a much bigger and more complex story to be told and we couldn’t be more excited to watch that story slowly become real.”

“Visuals have always been a huge aspect of the world of The Midnight,” adds Tim McEwan of The Midnight. “From the very beginning, our fanbase joined in by creating videos and art that expanded on our music and visual aesthetic. It was natural to take it one step further and create a graphic novel. We’ve been lucky enough to have an incredible team of artists and creatives, headed by the talented Zack Kaplan, who skillfully helmed this ship from the very start. Partnering up with Dark Horse is a match made in heaven and we feel so blessed to see this creation come to life. Thank you to everyone who participated in making this a reality but thank you first and foremost to our amazing fans, without whom none of this would have been possible.”

“Before I got the privilege to write this graphic novel, I was a fan,” Confides graphic novel writer Zack Kaplan. “Intoxicated by the immersive beats and heartfelt lyrics since their very first demo. It was no surprise to me to see them become one of today’s best synthwave bands. Their presence is so narrative, that it was dying to be shared in this form. And it’s been a joy to bring it all to comic life, to partner with Dark Horse for such a vivid and mind-bending series, and to create this electrifying world with a powerhouse creative team, Stephen, Jahnoy, Thiago and DC, that will blow your mind with one visually stunning page after the next. Whether you are a listener of the music or you just love a good sci-fi adventure, we cannot wait to take you to that place half in dark and half in light, where arcade dreams are a reality, where heroes battle monsters. Get ready for a truly epic, synth wave adventure.”

The Midnight has probably been the most challenging and interesting book of my career so far,” admitted artist Stephen Thompson. “The task of bringing Zack’s layered scripts to life, while simultaneously trying to evoke the flavor and atmosphere of the music of the band has been both a labor of love and a real artistic stretch for me. But the 1980s kid I am at heart felt right at home in this retro futuristic world and with the characters and vehicles which inhabit it. And high praise has to go to Thiago’s colors, which add so much to the aesthetic we’ve created here.”

About The Midnight: Shadows:

Twenty-something young man Jason is on the precipice of parenthood with his childhood sweetheart. Struggling with the loss of his adolescence, Jason is sucked back into THE MIDNIGHT, a cyberpunk game from his childhood. As the helmeted hero who travels to the post-apocalyptic Neverland in the year 2085, he is the hero who once vanquished the shadow monsters, and they believe he has returned to his actual reality to do it again.

With two different realities beckoning him home, Jason must reconcile which world he belongs to and how he can embrace adulthood without losing himself.

The Midnight: Shadows arrives in trade paperback (136 pages, 6.625″ x 10.1875″) on bookstore shelves on October 1, 2024, and comic shops on October 2, 2024. Pre-order at your local comic shopbookstoreAmazon, or Barnes and Noble for $19.99. The Midnight: Shadows Deluxe edition from The Midnight is available for pre-order through themidnightshadows.com.

Dark Horse Comics

Sneak Peek: One Last Shot by Susan May Warren

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One Last Shot by Susan May Warren
(Available for Pre-Order)

USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren has the gift of blending action, suspense, and romance to create adrenaline-packed novels that will leave readers breathless but longing for more. In her newest work, One Last Shot, book 1 in the Alaskan Air One Rescue series, Warren catapults a country music star and a novice EMT into the thick of the action. But can these opposing personalities learn to work together before tragedy strikes?

When country music star Oaken Fox joins survivalist Mike Grizz’s new adventure show in the Alaskan wilderness, he just wants to boost his fan base. But when tragedy strikes and Air One Rescue must save Mike and Oaken, Oaken wants to quit. Too bad his producer has other plans—namely, signing Oaken on with Air One Rescue as a recruit and making a reality show.

EMT Boo Kingston did not join Air One Rescue to train a celebrity. But she’s a rookie to the team, so yes, she’ll train Oaken and keep him alive and not for a minute pay attention to his charm.

And then five women go missing from a resort during a bachelorette weekend gone wrong. Now, Air One and the rescue team will have to use all their skill and manpower—including Oaken—to find them before a blizzard settles in.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of over ninety novels with more than 1.5 million books sold, including the Sky King Ranch, Global Search and Rescue, and Montana Rescue series. Winner of a RITA Award and multiple Christy and Carol Awards, as well as the HOLT Medallion and numerous Readers’ Choice Awards, Susan makes her home in Minnesota.

Book Review: “Fractured” by Karin Slaughter

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“Fractured” by Karin Slaughter

Abigail Campano just arrived back home, called her husband Paul on her cell phone, and started into the house.

But…..something is wrong.

Someone is in the house!

Heading up the stairs, Abigail comes upon a man, with a knife, stooping over the dead body of a girl!

Her daughter, Emma, is lying in a pool of blood and the man with the knife now turns to Abigail.

Abigail runs for her life, down the stairs…..with the man in hot pursuit.

He catches her, they fight, and…….

…..Will Trent and his boss in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Amanda Wagner arrive at the scene.

The local police are already on site, but, after arriving (and seeing how poorly the cops are handling the situation) Will is put in charge of the investigation.

What happens next is a fascinating read detailing a complex kidnapping and murder investigation.

“Fractured” gives the reader more background on Will Trent including his struggle with dyslexia, his growing up in a home for orphaned kids, and, for the first time, working with a partner, who happens to hate him for busting several cops (including her mother)……Atlanta Police Detective Faith Mitchell.

Great read!

RETURN TO THE FANTASTICAL WORLD OF TRALODREN IN “RAINIER’S LEGACY”

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Dark Horse Books presents the varied adventures of the Famed Bard of the Midlands!

Dark Horse Books presents Rainier’s Legacy, a new fantasy prose short story collection by Chad Corrie (The Wizard King TrilogyThe Shadow Regent) with cover art by Dan Burgess. Rainier’s Legacy includes seven short stories set in Tralodren, a mystical world featured in Corrie’s Wizard King Trilogy. These new stories expand on the realm first explored in The Wizard King and serve as a perfect jumping point for both readers new to Corrie’s works and those already familiar with Tralodren.

Join Corwyn Danther, “Famed Bard of the Midlands,” as he faces off with halfling highwaymen, long-forgotten horrors, mystical encounters, conniving con men, and an old flame with some questionable machinations, along with a few other surprises in this short story collection.

With a mixture of humor, adventure, insight, and wonder, get ready to explore Tralodren in a whole new light. No epic struggles. No grand, glorious schemes. Just a pragmatically pacifistic bard and some of his varied adventures.

“I’m thrilled to be returning to Tralodren as there are so many more tales to tell, and the stories in this particular collection were such a joy to explore,” said Corrie. “I’m eager for other readers and fans to get a chance to explore them as well, discovering new insights and faces along the way.”

Rainier’s Legacy (304 pages) arrives in bookstores on September 24, 2024 and in comic shops on September 25, 2024. It is now available to preorder at AmazonBarnes & Noble, and your local comic shop and bookstore for $19.99.

Dark Horse Comics on social media and check our website, www.darkhorse.com, for more news, announcements, and updates!

Praise for Chad Corrie:
“Chad Corrie delivers a very promising start to an exciting epic fantasy saga filled with intriguing characters and unexpected twists.”—Richard Knaak, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author

“Here be roaring monsters to be fought, characters who come vividly to life, and fell magic…A wild ride. Highly recommended.”—Ed Greenwood, New York Times bestselling author and creator of the Forgotten Realms

“This saga of faith triumphant belongs in larger fantasy collections.”—Library Journal

“…spellbinding…”—Publishers Weekly

“…incredible worldbuilding…[complex] characters…and various religions and histories that make you want to know more.”—Geek’d Out

“Lovers of swords and sorcery…will get quite a thrill out of this series…”—Southwest Book Reviews

“Corrie excels by reimagining traditional fantasy stereotypes and making them believable.”—Mania

Dark Horse Comics

“All The Dark Voices,” a novel by Philip Myles Dane

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ALL THE DARK VOICES

Is our universe the human experiment? There’s no other explanation. It’s real, and it must be fixed. “There is no looking back,” Adira.  

A suspenseful doomsday thriller of demons and ancient secrets – – booklife by Publishers Weekly January 2024T

Thomas Shelton, the vice chairman of Lambert Capital, might seem to have it all. But he’s a haunted man—a watched man. Over the two decades since he took the life of a pedophile reverend while somehow speaking ancient Hebrew and Latin, Shelton has been shadowed—”observed”— by hooded men, always at a distance, but always there. When he receives confirmation from his trusted friend and bodyguard, Ben Davis, that the men are not hallucinations, Shelton is relieved to know that he is not crazy yet understandably vexed by the watchers. In the intricate thriller that follows, Dane’s debut and the start of a projected trilogy, the influence of these paranormal entities called “guardians” will rock the church and global governments, with Shelton at the center of it all, the bearer of a mysterious destiny that transcends worlds and time.

Dane’s offering is an imaginative and creepy story of ancient secrets and immortal life forms that watch from the sidelines and strike in strategic and deadly ways. Shelton is more than just a wealthy businessman with an impressive military career— he is a complex character with a secret double life as a vigilante seeking justice for the innocent and those who have been violated in the foulest way. Dane peels back the layers of this complicated hero with care, building suspense and setting up jolting revelations. Embroiled in a doomsday narrative that spans centuries are a wide range of characters from clergymen to the president, as Dane pits good against evil and humanity against a threat to the world itself.

“I am required to rely on seven souls to help me. Seven souls who believe in what I am doing and will lay down their life for the cause,” Thomas explains of his mission. That captures the tone of this brisk, tense novel. Readers who enjoy bloody thrillers of demons, souls, lost religious tomes, and quick-witted, philosophical-minded characters will find much to enjoy.

Takeaway: Suspenseful doomsday thriller of demons and ancient secrets.