This is interesting twist on a murder mystery. It incorporates horror elements without becoming a true horror story. I liked how the vampyrs did not fit the traditional mold and had more human-like qualities than most other vampyr tales. There are many different storylines and mysteries at play here. Sometimes it was hard to keep up with each one but overall I enjoyed how it all came together. This is a great read for anyone looking for a mystery/thriller with a unique horror spin. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

What a ride!!!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. As a fan of CJ Tudor this was my most anticipated release of the year and it did not disappoint. What a ride!
New York detective and vampyr killings detective Barbara Atkins is sent to the small town of Deadhart, Alaska in the middle of winter to investigate the gruesome murder of a teenage boy. Deadhart residents are convinced the killer is a vampyr and are demanding a cull.
But Barbara isn’t so sure. As she teams up with former Deadhart sheriff Jenson Tucker, who 25 years prior led a similar investigation, Barbara slowly discovers that everyone in town has secrets, and she is determined to unearth them all.
I could not put this book down. Fast paced, amazing cast of characters (Detective Barbara Atkins is a dead ringer for actress Melissa McCarthy to me), each with a very unique and fascinating story, this is a book that still keeps me thinking and makes me want to read it all over again. Fans of CJ Tudor and of small town mysteries will love this book.

The Gathering is a riveting murder mystery that takes place in a world where vampires exist and are both protected and regulated by the government. I really enjoyed this book! It's fast-paced, engaging and full of twists. I had no idea what was really going on and who the murderer was. So many of the characters had their own secrets and hidden agendas that it kept you guessing until the end. The isolated Alaskan town was the perfect setting and added to the chilling atmosphere. Barbara was a great main character and I loved seeing her solve the case while holding her own against the townspeople who didn't want her there. The book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger so hopefully that means we'll see her again soon! Highly recommended!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for the ARC!

In the small town of Deadhart, a boy is found murdered with his throat ripped out and the blood drained from his body. The town believes this is the work of the Colony, an ostracized community of Vampyres.

Detective Barbara Atkins is commissioned to determine if a culling should be authorized. As she starts digging, she deals with a town who is determined to make the Vampyres pay, but the deeper she digs, the darker the secrets she finds.

I love this author. C.J. Tudor writes such amazingly descriptive novels and she is so captivating. As I was reading this book, I felt myself being transported to the bone chilling town of Deadhart Alaska. I’m not sure if it’s coincidence or what, but when I got into this one, I got so cold I had to cuddle under the blanket on my couch, I just felt like I was there because the writing was so good. It was wonderfully atmospheric.

I loved how the Vampyres were written into the story. The backstory and world building was eloquently pieced out over the course of the book. Usually, I prefer to know the backstory going into the book, but the way this one was done, I enjoyed it being pieced out. Once the pieces started coming together, and things started clicking it was amazing. I just loved how the Vampyres were seemingly a normal part of the world. I do wish that there would have been a little more history, but this one already dragged a little for me in the middle, so I didn’t mind.

The characters had a lot of depth and felt very real, even the side characters who didn’t have a large role were well done. The characters felt like real people, and I could envision them right in front of me as part of my world. Even the Vampyres were easy to picture and came to life easily.

I loved how the twists were presented as well, they were done in a way that made sense and everything just went with the natural progression and flow. Nothing was truly surprising except the final reveal, but everything was chilling. It was perfect. The ending was just great and made a lot of sense with the rest of the book.

The pacing was well done for most of the book, though as I mention things did lag a little for me about the 50-70% marks. I wanted more details on some things, but then got a few too many on others. It didn’t really deter from my overall liking of this one, I still loved it and wholeheartedly recommend it to others.

I do think that even though this book contained Vampyres and some chilling aspects, it wasn’t horror heavy, and won’t appeal to those who prefer more horror heavy reads. However, I tend to lean more toward horrors that are written like thrillers, and this book delivered in that way for me.

I will continue to seek out books by this author. Each one I have read has been a five-star read for me. I’m not even sure how I could rate them in order of preference, because they are all just so good in their own unique way. I love how the author writes and am excited for what she comes up with next.

Thank you so much to Random House Books, Ballantine Books, and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-arc. All thoughts are my own.

This review will be featured on my blog, speedreadstagram.com during publication week

A terrific novel full of twists and turns. The plot was quick, yet well developed, just like the characters. And the surprise ending was the cherry on top

I am going to be the first to admit that this specific genre and books about vampires are not my typical go to at all, HOWEVER… C.J. Tudor is a phenomenal author and does it in a way that had me questioning… my go to genres! But truthfully this author is what hooks me! Love the writing style and development of every book.
I am going to try to summarize this book as neatly and quickly as I can because there is a lot to cover, but I don’t want to ramble on forever. This book starts out with the brutal killing up a 15-year-old boy who has his throat ripped out and his body, drained of all of its blood in a small Alaskan town. Two people in this town it mirrors the killing of a murder that happened over 25 years ago and seems pretty open and shot that it is the doing of what is known as the colony the colony is an ostracized community of vampyrs that live in the woods, and are considered, obviously to be on the outside of the residents of this community. They decide to bring in detective Barbara, who specializes in vampyr killings, and she enlist the help of a former sheriff named Jensen Tucker , to help her solve this murder. Of course, Barbara is met with a lot of resistance from the people in this town because they feel this is an open and shot case and do not want to hear any theories or other explanations for this murder because they have their mind made up but that does not deter Barbara from her own investigation to find out the truth. I did like learning more about the character of Barbara as we do learn about her past, and why she is the way she is now and many different ways. However, I do wish that it would dive a little bit deeper into her character, and a little bit more emotion would have come out from that. Together these two are on a mission to find out what truly happened and if this is a result of a murder of the colony, or if there is a serial killer on the loose that is using the colony as a cover.
Overall, this book was an extremely wild, crazy, weird and wild ride especially because this is not my typical genre but if you are into this type of novel, this author or this genre, then this is going to be a book that you will love because it gets crazy, and in the best possible way. I did enjoy this book and found myself as I stated to become even a more of a fan of this author, and look forward to more books that she will write in the future.
Thank you to the Author, Netgalley, and Random House Publishing Group/Ballentine for an ARC !

Many thanks to C.J. Tudor, Random House - Ballantine, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel. I’m a big fan of Tudor and I’ve read and enjoyed all of her books. This novel hooked me right from the beginning and I was intrigued to read a genre-bending mystery/police procedural with such an interesting twist. The Gathering held my interest until the end, though ultimately I was a bit disappointed. Alternative world building is hard, and building a world where vampires are intended to be sympathetic characters — all while telling an allegorical tale about hate and bigotry — is very tricky. I’m not sure this effort was successful. Also, this novel is set in Alaska and is told from the point of view of an American detective, but it is full of many British-isms (“windscreen” instead of “windshield”, “jumper” instead of “sweater”, “smelt” instead of “smelled,” etc.) These are tiny things but they are jarring enough to repeatedly pull the reader out of the story. That said, this is an interesting blend of genres and as always, I will look forward to Tudor’s next novel.

This made me want to sleep with the lights on but I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review

Thank you to C. J. Tudor, NetGalley, and Penguin Random House for the ARC of The Gathering. I wasn’t sure what I signed up for when I requested this book, I just knew that I’ve loved every book that Tudor has written. The premise of this book was a little out of my comfort zone but I won’t lie, I actually got really interested in this book! The thing that was actually most difficult for me in reading this book was keeping track of all the characters. For it being such a small town, there are SO many characters. Luckily you can parse out who they are for the most part by context. I wasn’t entirely sure I would finish this book in the first 20% but I’m SO glad that I did!

CJ Tudor is BACK with this latest thriller that reads as if Sherlock Holmes had been a character in 30 Days of Night!

The Gathering is a thrill ride of a murder mystery set in a frozen small Alaskan town. In an alternate reality, vampyrs have a place in society. A protected piece of society that many humans fear and would rather see snuffed out. These colonies are protected unless crimes committed (and proven) ensure that the colony is culled. Enter our detective of this story., Barbara Atkins, who has been called to investigate the murder of a young human.

Just like any other CJ Tudor mystery, I really enjoyed this story. Tudor has a really fun way of writing that keeps you enthralled and glued to the page. Not only is this just an entertaining writing style, but the characters that Tudor weaves together, feel authentic and realistic. I feel like I could walk into this situation and Barbara Atkins would be real to life in this world. I think this is a talent that keeps you hooked in any of her stories, but in this one particularly it ensures that EVERYONE is truly a suspect.

This story has so many twists and turns that I guarantee you won't be able to guess where it is going to end. Truly with every clue found and each motive revealed I had another suspect picked and ready to go down for the crime. Additionally, I love the mysterious plot points that get revealed at the end. There is an entire subplot that isn't going to make sense until one of the last chapters and LET ME TELL YOU - THIS REVEAL IS WORTH IT!!!!

I recommend this book with everything that I have in me right now and know that this is going to be a GREAT release in 2024! Readers beware and buckle up, its going to be a bumpy ride, and you're going to love it!

Perfect for fans of Midnight Mass and 30 Days of Night!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing House -Ballantine.
I went into this book expecting it to be different This book is a slow burn,more like a crime novel than a vampire novel.
Barbara Atkins, vampyr anthropoligist, is tasked with finding the murderer of a fifteen year old boy who was found with his throat ripped out It is s similar case to one that the town faced 25 years ago. The town of Deadheart in Alaska is a colony town, meaning that a colony of vampyrs live in a colony near the town. They keep to themselves for the most part Many in the town want Detective Atkins to allow them to cull the vampyr population She hesitates until she can gather all of the facts as to whether or not a vampyr was responsible.
I liked the backstories for the main characters. The story goes back and forth sometimes midway through a chapter but it all makes sense in the end.

Another great read from CJ Tudor! I’m so glad I got to read this arc. First of all the characters were out of this world (literally!). I loved the everyday logic. Filled with tension, secrets and lies. Captivating and such a huge creep factor.
Thank you NetGalley, CJ Tudor and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book

Another great book by Tudor. This one was creepy as could be, and very atmospheric. I loved the Alaskan dark nights. A very good read. Probably my favorite by this author.

So, in the beginning I was a little comme ci comme ça on this one. It was giving vampires meet police procedural and I just wasn’t sure. It also irked me that these were *vampyrs*. I mean, in a world were vampires exist and everyone’s heard of them, just say vampire?

But before I knew it, I was in. I loved the lore that the author created about her (urgh) vampyrs and adored our main character. It got so that I was aching to get back to the book when I should have been doing other things.

After a little bit of a meh start, I was loving it.

The book is definitely full of chills and feels and I am so happy that it appears to be one in a future series of books.

I would like the next one now, please!

• ARC via Publisher

The residents of Deadhart, Alaska have an uneasy truce with the colony of “ vampyrs” who live on the outskirts of the small town. But when a young boy is found dead from an apparent vampyr attack, that truce may be about to explode. The Gathering explores the fragile relationship between the two groups, as vampyr specialist Detective Barbara Atkinson is sent to determine if vampyrs were responsible for the boy’s murder. At its core this is a police procedural novel, only with modern vampyrs (where vampyr colonies are a protected species), as possible culprits. The book clearly uses the “us vs. them” theme, and you can substitute any ethnic group for the vampyr colony, and those moral issues are prominent throughout, although they get repetitive. I’ve always liked this author’s writing, and this book is no exception, but the plot is a little muddled and confusing, and that slowed the pace for me. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House/Ballentine Books for an arc of The Gathering in exchange for an honest review.

This story takes place in Deadhart, Alaska, a small town where they take care of their own. Barbara, a vampyr detective, heads there to solve a murder case of a 15 year old boy. The town wants the vamprys held responsible but did they murder him? Barbara must solve this murder before the town takes it into their own hands!

This book reminded me of 30 Days of Night in some ways! This was a slow burn of a book. I was waiting and waiting for things to happen and once I got about 50% in it picked up and once it got to about 80% and the epilogue, I could not put it down! I enjoyed the main characters and how the story was written. The only thing I found confusing at times was when the chapter changed, it was a new narrator. Sometimes it was confusing as to who was talking. Other than that, I enjoyed this book!

C.J. Tudor's The Gathering isn’t your run-of-the-mill vampire tale; it's a narrative that will twist and turn through your imagination, leaving you breathless, and yes, a tad bit scared to glance over your shoulder, even in broad daylight.

In the frostbitten air of a remote Alaskan town, a grisly murder catapults Detective Barbara Atkins into a world where ancient superstitions and modern police work collide. It's in Deadhart that a young boy's life is cruelly cut short, and the evidence a macabre spectacle that points, perhaps too conveniently, to a colony of vampyrs living in the shadows. But in this biting cold lies a trail of secrets too deep to freeze, and suspicions too warm to rest.

Tudor's narrative skillfully weaves the eerie folklore of the Colony, a community of vampyrs, with an engrossing murder mystery. In the heart of a close-knit town where whispers carry more weight than fact, the author sets the stage for a confrontation not just between life and death, but between rational and ancient fears.

At the heart of the investigation is not just the quest for the killer, but an exploration of the very foundations upon which truth is built. Here, two figures rise to the challenge: Detective Atkins, whose professional resolve is tested by personal demons, and the former sheriff, Jenson Tucker, whose past entanglement with the Colony pushes the boundaries of reason.

As they sift through the town’s past, questioning loyalties, and braving the intense Alaskan winter that blankets Deadhart in foreboding silence, it becomes clear that the truth is not to be found in the facts but in the deep undercurrents of Deadhart's history. Tudor paints a picture as chilling as the whistling wind that threads through the woods, where each page unfurls a new layer of deception and darkness.

What makes The Gathering a standout in the vampire sub-genre is its commitment to story over spectacle. The novel relishes in the complexity of character and a plot as layered as the Alaskan permafrost. As readers, you will find yourself drawn not only to the central murder but the peripheral lives that teeter on the edge of destruction.

Each turn of the page feels like peeling another layer from an onion; it stings the eyes, sure, but leaves a distinct flavor. Tudor is a master of pacing, threading an intricate tapestry that quickens the pulse and stirs the imagination. Yet, the narrative never feels cluttered with cliché, navigating these familiar undead waters with unexpected currents.

This is more than typical vampyr story; it’s a reflection on the living, breathing apparatus of towns like Deadhart, where suspicion pools as surely as the surrounding terrain catches the softly falling snow.

Whether it's the first time you’re stepping into the macabre world or you're a seasoned traveler of such dark shores, The Gathering beckons. And when it’s all said and done, you'll emerge from this unsettling journey with the profound satisfaction that only a gripping tale can offer.

Detective Barbara Atkins is a vampyr specialist. She goes to Deadhart, Alaska to investigate the murder of teen Marcus Anderson. Many think it was the work of the Colony but Barbara isn’t so sure. Lots of strife exists between the town people and the Colony.
This was another excellent read by CJ Tudor. Totally different from her previous books. I was hooked from start to finish.
Thanks NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this eARC that will be released April 9, 2024!

Barbara Adkins, a doctor of forensic vampyr anthropology (and there’s never any explanation for why “vampyr” is spelled that way) is sent to Deadhart, Alaska, population 672 (and you may feel like you meet most of them), after a teenage boy is found with his throat torn out and drained of blood, a suspected vampyr killing. It’s her investigation which will determine whether there is to be a cull, a killing of a full Colony when it is determined that vampyrs are a threat to human life.

The vampyrs have only been back in Deadhart for one year; they fled after an unauthorized, attempted cull when Chief of Police Jensen Tucker was at the helm. Now Chief Nicholls is in charge and the town is demanding justice. However, in Deadhart not all is as it seems and there are many secrets Adkins must uncover before determining what true justice really is.

I recently read Tudor’s THE DRIFT and liked it. Wasn’t sure about this one, but it was also really good. Lots of good work with the large cast of characters, loved the setting, and, once I got over the spelling (I didn’t get over the spelling) I enjoyed the never explicit comparison of the vampyrs to Native Americans. Recommended.

C.J. Tudor is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors; I read The Drift earlier this month, and damn though, they can write.

Perfect setting, top notch dialouge (especially from the main protagonist, Barbara), and not as overly vampire-y as I feared and expected. The was much more of a murder mystery/police procedural than your typical, tired vampire book. I see this appealing less to horror/vampire fans than to mystery/thriller fans.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballentine for the opportunity to read/review this book prior to publication.