A chilling and compelling mystery with the suspense building throughout the story. It can be dark at times and has some religious elements.
Many thanks to The Book Whisperer and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this.

I found this book, just... wow. It was very intriguing and engaging, and not quite what I expected. From looking at the cover, I thought there would be some paranormal links or maybe hints of fantasy, but nup, it was a complete mystery/thriller with the killer whose belief in an ancient religion led him down his path.

Told through the point of view of various characters, including the killer, I found it confusing at first, but after reading the first chapter of each character, I understood whose eyes are looking through, as the events unfold.

Told through several different points of view, Oblation is a terrifying crime thriller. Halloween starts out as a normal day in small town Alturas, CA... until a full school bus goes missing. Sheriff Phyllis Tarpley is quickly called in and the search begins. Someone has taken these kids, and their motives are absolutely horrifying. This case will take years to solve, and many families will be affected. One day, justice will be served.

Though a very different story, this novel reminded me a lot of the classic "Where Are the Children". It's tensely written and easily keeps you invested in the mystery. I loved all the different pov's, especially young Michael's. And it was quite creepy to be in the mind of the killer. I found the religious elements interesting as well. Some pretty horrifying depictions of the murders of children are included, so be prepared. A dark end engrossing mystery.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A different kind of thriller where the author has made good use of his skills. Gerard Anthony builds the tension as he moves the characters through their daily lives, up to the point where the everyday goes off the rails. Anthony pulls the readers into the story, my mind movie had the same feel as Charlaine Harris' Midnight Texas series. As these good people suddenly find themselves up against evil that they have no knowledge of, the strength of the emotions comes through the pages. When the actual killer lends his voice to the story, you feel the difference in his tone and his emotions. Then the victim, their voice, their story was hard to read.
This is a THRILLER that will keep you thinking about it long after you finish. It could even show up in your nightmares. It's that good!

If you like end of the world book. You like this book. First time reading this author.And I will be buying this book.

On Halloween day in Alturas California sheriff Phyllis Tartling thought it would be a normal day but OMG if it’s didn’t turn out to be the worst. When the local school principal James Oaks found out a bus didn’t show up on time he thought it was just old man Collins being late and they even tracked his phone back to his house when Mike and Alex‘s mom found out her boys were missing she knew what it was to worry and have a tragedy two years before her son Mike was hit by a motorbike and made a paraplegic but that’s not to say she took it any easier than the other parents of the missing children. Eventually however it would be paraplegic Mike who saved the day and found help for those left on the bus asleep -5 children. Many people were affected by what happened that day in Alturas California and even in a town 30 minutes away where they would eventually find the five children but it would take a long while before the crime was solved it would take a professor from Chicago an ancient deity in the brilliant sheriff Tartling. The five children kidnapped off the bus would not be the last victims and what makes it even scarier is it seems there is a method to his madness I think what is more scarier than a sociopath killing people is the one who cares but does it because of their deep belief it’s something and that is the case with this madman who the sheriff is set on catching. There is so much more to this book it isn’t a short read but because it is so entertaining the pages flyby I have never read a book by Gérard Anthony before but I will definitely download his other book and be looking for any book he has in the future. This was a very intelligently done mystery and when I highly recommend Phyllis Tartling is a bad “B.“ if you love crime mystery with a killer whose beliefs or steeped in ancient religion then you’ll definitely love Oblation by Gerard Anthony is a definite five star read I want to thank Net Galley and Book Whisperer for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

This story is so cleverly told, with the different perspectives making it something very special. Getting to know the sheriff (and the dog) gives an almost wholesome starting point, only to be ripped from under you when the perspective shifts to the killer. Just amazing.

Review of Advance Review Copy eBook

On a quiet Halloween morning in the small town of Alturas, California, several events occur . . . .

Someone smothers Eric Crenshaw as he lies sleeping.
Roselyn Guerro, [as always] keeps busy getting her sons, Michael and Alex, ready for school.
The sheriff, Phylis Tarpley, awakens [as always] just before the alarm rings.
A substitute driver drives the regular school bus route, picking up children who attend Hamilton Combined School.

But the bus never arrives at the school. Thirty-four children are now missing.

What happened to the bus? And where are the children?

=========

Well-developed, nuanced characters and a strong sense of place anchor the telling of this tale. Well-written, tense, and filled with ever-growing apprehension, the unfolding story pulls the reader into the telling of the tale from the outset.

Although divided into four sections, the story progresses smoothly, keeping the reader guessing as surprising revelations keep the pages turning as fast as possible. And while the denouement is largely satisfactory, there may remain a question or two in the minds of some readers.

And a note of caution: the evolving story is dark, grim, and infinitely disturbing, certain to upset even the most undaunted, unemotional reader. The progressing tale, though considerably intriguing, is most definitely not for the faint of heart.

Recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from The Book Whisperer and NetGalley
#Oblation #NetGalley

Oblation by Gerard Anthony tells the story in 4 parts. The first 2 parts are through the eyes of Sheriff Tarpley. A school bus vanishes on the way to school on Halloween. It was interesting to read her thoughts. They think the crime is solved. The 3rd part picks up the story through the eyes of the killer. The 4th part is through the eyes of one his victims. I’m still trying to figure out who. I’m thinking I missed a couple of clues. It made for a good read. The transition between parts was very smooth. The book is appropriately titled. I tried not to think too much about the actual killing. It’s disturbing. I did keep reading though and wanted to see what happens. I would recommend. Thank you to NetGallery and kindle edition for letting me review this book in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this book since I was convinced it was going to be a paranormal mystery. I was wrong about the paranormal which bummed me out a little, but let’s get to this book. This starts out just a little slow, but it probably has to to set up the scene. I really liked Sheriff Tarpley even if I feel we didn’t get to really know her. And while the book was a little slow in other parts (I feel a lot of the descriptions could have been toned down a little), the book did for the most part fly by. It is suspenseful, eerie, and it does really pull at your heartstrings in a couple of places. As a warning, a couple of the descriptions of the murder scenes are a little graphic, but that is one of the ways this draws you in. This is a well-written, psychological thriller sure to please fans of such. I still would like to know where the song he sang came from and who the motorcycle guy was even if I think I know. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

This story is incredible! It offers intriguing plot and the character development was amazing throughout! It's a fast read and the spice didn't disappoint.

I don't even know what to say about this book?! On one hand it was an awesome read but the storyline was so gruesome and heart breaking! It had high suspense, action, gruesome murders, a sadistic serial killer, child kidnapped, some not so great police work that let this character go for years! The storyline was very interesting but geez! I will recommend reading this book as it was worth reading but definitely beware its a rough on your heart read! I'm not even sure how many stars to give it lol It was a great book though?! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!