The old-fashioned bell jingled over the doorway, and a gust of chill wind swept through Lawson’s Bookshoppe. It was July. Greta shivered, knowing who it was even as her eyes remained focused on the counter she was cleaning. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“Anthony. We’re closing up early.”
“We? You look quite alone. Where’s your little redheaded friend? What’s her name? Charlotte?” The vampire licked his lips.
Greta is a werecat whose tribe plans to sacrifice her during the next full moon. Her only hope for survival is Dayne, a sorcerer who once massacred most of the tribe. What’s that thing they say about the enemy of your enemy?
(3 votes, average: 6.67 out of 10)
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Demonic elementals, vampires, krakens, werewolves, and other monsters aren’t as mythical as many of us believe. They roam the English countryside, playing their games, fighting their wars, and claiming the souls of many humans. Although many deny their existance, the Church of England is not among the doubters. A special branch of the Church, headquartered at the College of St. Van Helsing, battles demons and attempts to save fallen humans before their souls are devoured. Author Vanessa Knipe spins us stories of the faculty and students of St. Van Helsing–of their successes and failures in this eternal battle.
In “Granny’s Secret for Perfect Vegetables,” one man’s quest to win the county fair takes a dangerous turn when he relies on ‘granny’s secret.’ The reason it’s secret is that the kind of sacrifice it demands are beyond those approved by law or by Church. “In Rain Stopped Play,” two professors are suddenly confronted with evidence of trapped elementals. In “The Camera Just Piles on the Pounds,” St. Van Helsing student Mike tries out for a part time job as a model–in a modeling agency with very strange dietary habits. In “From Ghasties, and Ghoulies, and Long-Leggit Beasties…” tutor Dunkley, along with his wolfhounds, tries to save a man transformed to a werewolf. In “Going for the Burn,” Mike, along with Dunkley and tutor Trewithick discovers that a local health club has found a way to take advantage of the athletic young visitors. In “Dancing Through the Nigh with You,” student Dave discovers exactly how dangerous the fifth year exam can be. In “Say it with Flowers,” Dunkley runs into Penny, a young woman with powers–and the ambition to become a witch-finder. In “Long Shadows of the Night,” Mike learns a secret about computer monitors, and confronts truths he really would rather have avoided. In “Games People Play,” Penny attends a speed dating party–where some of the dates are there for very different purposes. In “Night Watchman,” Mike spots what looks like an old-fashioned Solstice party, complete with Wickerman–except the intended sacrifice isn’t just wicker. In “Ghost Sun,” a former tutor thinks he’s found a way to return his late wife and son to life. In “Tricks of the Trade,” a pair of young window salesmen learn that taking advantage of apparently foolish old ladies can be tricky indeed–especially if they have a Kraken in their back yard.
I found Knipe’s writing to draw me into the story, with intriguing characters. Penny, in particular, seems to deserve a complete novel of her own, rather than the fleeting looks we get of her. Knipe’s monsters draw on popular mythology while still being fresh, and the image of Dunkley’s business card, adorned only with a single cross, left in the hands of his dead victims, is truly haunting.
I’m happy to recommend WITCH-FINDER. (Bonus question: do you know who St. Van Helsing is?)
- BooksForABuck.com
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1906 – Something is discovered by workers digging the Panama Canal. Something dormant. Sinister. Very much alive.
2006 – Project Samhain. A secret underground government installation begun 100 years ago in New Mexico. The best minds in the world have been recruited to study the most amazing discovery in the history of mankind. But the century of peaceful research is about to end.
BECAUSE IT JUST WOKE UP.
Hell is about to break loose… for real.
In reality, Satan is not a handsome gentleman as portrayed by a Hollywood leading man. Viewing him through the Plexiglas, he’s a frightening beast, massively muscled, with hoofs the size of washtubs and the serrated teeth of a carnivore. The demon can be pleasant, even chatty, and delights in showing off his power of resurrecting the dead sheep he dines upon. To some of the staff studying him at the secret government compound, he’s even likable.
That is, until he breaks out…
ORIGIN is a mainstream thriller combining the techno-science of Jurassic Park with the theological horror of The Exorcist.
Billions around the world fear the concept of the devil.
Now they’ll have a chance to fear him in person.
(3 votes, average: 7.00 out of 10)
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