a unique and plausible take on the vampire (vampyre) myth, #thegathering really made me think. ms. tudor (@cjtudorauthor) provides a lot of social commentary here, wherein the vampires are the minorities who are profiled and discriminated against. so we have an interesting premise, of humans and vampires co-existing, along with a really great detective (who is an expert in vampirism) trying to solve the case of a young man's murder, while keep the two factions from warring. really, really cool. i hope we continue to read of barbara's adventures! also, some really, really chilling moments!

p.s. thanks to #netgalley for the ARC.

There’s something unusual about a crime investigation in a book that takes place in Deadhart, a small town of Alaska. It’s full of vampires or rather “vampyrs” as spelled in the book.

As I started reading, it clearly made me take a step back wondering who was going to get attacked by one of these blood-sucking creatures. Yet, the story had a soft approach to vampyrs. They were described as being similar to humans in many ways. They lived in colonies, deep in the forest and survived from the blood of pigs and goats.

However, when a teenaged boy was killed, it was the vampyrs that were accused and the humans in the town wanted revenge. Barbara Atkins, a doctor and detective from the Forensic Vampyr Anthropology Department, was sent to Deadhart with the population of a few hundred radicals to conduct an investigation. She would need to dig up all the evidence to determine who murdered 15-year-old Marcus Anderson in the woods. There was some familiarity: “How many dead kids will it take for the law to change its mind?”

The author set up the characters to show readers how harsh prejudice can influence decisions even before a case is presented with the evidence. She noticed tattoos of hate on a few of the men with symbols like swastikas. The human world like ours was comprised of people full of anger in some cases steaming from past generations. There were right-wing evangelicals and a few woke liberals in the town.

The plot was cleverly written with characters like many I’ve known. Barbara was a strong, single woman that held her ground. I found the names of some of the businesses in town interesting: Dead Cool Clothing, Deadhart Surgery, and Deep Hallow Lake. The vampyrs weren’t as dark and fearful as I thought they’d be and I had a lot of sympathy towards them. It was definitely thought-provoking.

My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of April 9, 2024.

C.J. Tudor's latest brings us to the frigid landscape of Deadhart, Alaska. Here, small town life cohabitates with a vampyr colony. Sure, most of the locals would like nothing more than to kill these abominations. Sure, the vampyrs would love nothing more than draining these rednecks of their blood but rules were put in place long, long ago banning either of these things from happening.

Vampyrs are to feed on animals, never humans, and in turn they are allowed to live together in peace within their own colony.

When a teenage boy is found dead and he looks to be killed by a vampyr they recruit Detective Barbara Atkins from the Forensic Vampyr Anthropology Department to investigate. If it turns out that the boy was indeed killed by a vampire then the townsfolk can order a culling of the entire colony. If it turns out he wasn't killed by a vampyr then they'll have take a hard close look at one of their very own.

The cover of this book and the Alaskan setting really set a perfect tone. I was positively shivering while reading this (though the weather here has scarcely hit 10 degrees for the last week). I adored Barbara. She's in her early fifties with a penchant for burgers and beers, two of my favorite things. 🍔🍺 She's intelligent, witty, humorous, and empathetic. She isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes to be true and always does it with a smile. The townsfolk are all interesting in their own ways. Some are all old school, old ways. While others have adapted a little better to their thirsty neighbors. I thought the mystery was well thought out, and like with all Tudor's books, even a few surprises were discovered along the way. If I had one complaint it would be that I was hoping for this to be a little grislier. A little bloodier. A little more terrifying. That said, I had a great time with this and it seems to have cured my book slump from the last two duds I read so thank you, Tudor. I really needed this. 🧛‍♀️ 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for my complimentary copy.

Thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for this ARC of C. J. Tudor's 'The Gathering.' As a huge fan of CJ Tudor I was thrilled to be approved for this one.

Tudor has shown a tremendous ability to write engaging and compelling stories in a wide variety of styles and settings and with 'The Gathering' she certainly does not disappoint with a foray into vampire fiction.

It's a 'what if' world where 'vampyr' exist as just another minority to be feared and marginalized by some and protected by the 'wokerati.' Tudor leverages the very real social and cultural divides of the real world and transplants them onto this alternative reality which is identical in most ways, the existence and nature of vampires aside.

The murder of a boy in a remote Alaskan town brings the outsider detective on to the scene and simmering and not-so-simmering resentment of the vampyr colony boils over in a tale of violence, religious conservatism, culture wars, discrimination, and otherness. All wrapped up in a very clever whodunnit.

Barbara Atkins, a specialist vampyr detective, reckons with the long-time locals and more recent blow ins and, like the reader, has to try to determine which 'side' they're on and to uncover their secrets. The police chief, the ex-police chief, the doctor, the mayor, the teacher, the tavern owners, the retirees. All potentially stock characters that are brought to life and given depth in the author's talented hands.

Hoping to (a) see more of Atkins in print and (b) in a TV adaptation of this novel - it would be fantastic.

Wow wow wow!! I’m a new fan of C.J. Tudor’s work and I’m so glad I found this title! This was not at all what I expected going in, in a good way! Seriously, this book is a true page-turner with so many twists I didn’t see coming. It was absolutely captivating. The characters are so fleshed out and real, I was so involved with what was going on with them.

Detective Barbara Atkins is called in to investigate the murder of a teenaged boy in a small Alaskan town. You have the small town vibes, the secrets, the superstitions, the church. I also really enjoyed the different POVs and seeing everything from different angles. It’s truly the perfect setting for the story. I really don’t want to give away anything and I’m so glad I didn’t look into it more before reading because I was surprised. 🤣 I was shocked by the ending! I absolutely loved Barbara. She was an excellent main character and I enjoyed learning about her past.

I honestly couldn’t put this book down. It was also a perfect fit for me, personally, as I’m currently snowed in my house. I cannot recommend this enough. Definitely a 5 star read. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House-Ballantine for the eARC!!

I was so excited to be approved for this book, and yet again, CJ Tudor blew this one out of the park. This was a genre mash-up of crime thriller, horror, and mystery that also had a 30 Days of Night kind of atmosphere. Each character was so diverse and unique, making the story that much more intriguing. The protagonist reminded me of a character from Fargo, giving people attitude right back to them, but in a polite manner. The story itself took its time, building the mystery and suspense until it reached that perfect crescendo while maybe hinting at more to come. I loved that this had its own take on vampyre mythology, putting them into a different kind of light. Overall, this was brilliant and earned four and a half stars from me.

Thank you, Netgalley, and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC.

first of all, this is a well written book from Tudor and the concept of a vampire murder mystery was a lot of fun - my 3 star rating is purely based on my own enjoyment. I wanted to love this more than I actually did, I think for me the biggest thing was that there are a LOT of different characters to keep up with and i had trouble remembering who was who in the story. our main character is the detective assigned to the crime and although I enjoyed her badass character, I felt like we never got *that* much depth into her enough for me to care that much. story is very plot over characters, I had a good time but it was missing something for me. Burning Girls remains Tudor’s biggest hit for me.

“The Gathering” is a mystery/supernatural/light horror book by CJ Tudor. Who I really liked was Barbara “Fang Doc” Atkins. From her asides to her “it’s the law” attitude, she was a great main character. At times I did get some of the characters confused (especially the males) especially toward the beginning. This book kept me engaged as I tried to puzzle out who was really guilty and who was possibly setting up things for the vampires to get destroyed (though I’ve seen too many “Supernatural” episodes; it’s really difficult to kill vampires!). I think the book ends with a potential sequel … and I did think things wrapped up a bit too neatly (and quickly), but it was a well written book that held my attention.

This is the first book by this author that I've read, and now I'm going back to read the previous six, it's THAT good.

A police procedural combined with paranormal activity and research, in a winter-bound Alaskan community - it's an awesome and very readable tale. An investigator comes to a murder site in order to determine whether the murderer(s) were vampyrs, paranormal beings that have a colony in the area, or if something else was afoot, like an attempt to convert the victim to a vampyr being.

Is it related to a mysterious death 25 years ago, which was quickly attributed to the Colony vampyrs. They were ran out of the area, and three of them killed in retribution. The story looks like somebody staged the current murder scene, and everybody is on edge.

There are some interesting tidbits as well. The somewhat ramshackle hotel where the investigator is staying has a restaurant...and the only large freezer in town. It's where they keep bodies they can't bury right away, due to frozen ground, as well as the restaurant food. The food, by the way, is a Forrest Gump-like list of reindeer. Reindeer burgers, reindeer dogs, reindeer this and that. Choices other than reindeer are a bit limited.

Imaging being in mid-investigating, and discovering that the only restaurant keeps their frozen foods in the same freezer as the corpse under investigation.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of The Gathering.

I didn't enjoy the author's previous book, The Drift, but I did like A Sliver of Darkness.

I was pleased my request was approved because I always hope for the best when I recognize an author I've read before.

I did think "Oh, great, another story about vampires" but I was open minded and curious to see what the author had planned.

It wasn't bad; a detective named Barbara Atkins is tasked to determine if a murder was committed by a vampire in a small town called Deadhart.

Naturally, a small town contains many secrets, not to mention stereotypes, racism, and plain good old-fashioned hate and disgust against the vampires and outsiders like Atkins.

In this new world, vampires have certain rights and Atkins' role is to find out who the murderer is, vamp or human, and with the help of the previous sheriff, she soon discovers nothing is what it seems.

I liked Atkins; she was a relatable, realistic character, and Tucker is a person I'd like to see more of.

The writing flowed and the author does a decent job building a world where vampires and humans live side by side, uneasily, uncomfortably, and more than just a bit awkwardly.

I figured out most of the 'twists' in the story, but the cliffhanger ending was a pleasant surprise.

I look forward to reading more about Atkins.

I didn’t see that one coming …

CJ Tudor, you totally punked me .

The depth of deception, the build up to the big reveal … all of it . This book has every key component to be a bestseller .

The character development was executed with perfection . The darkness that loomed throughout the entire book had my pulse pounding.

This started out as a slow burn but I think it added to the development of the storyline . Each chapter was a piece of the big puzzle that led you to the main twist .

Each swipe of my iPad became an addiction . The entire time reading I felt like I couldn’t get to the next page fast enough .

This is a must read .

Teaser :

A detective investigating a grisly crime in rural Alaska finds herself caught up in the dark secrets and superstitions of a small town in this riveting novel from the acclaimed author of The Chalk Man.

In a small Alaska town, a boy is found with his throat ripped out and all the blood drained from his body. The inhabitants of Deadhart haven’t seen a killing like this in twenty-five years. But they know who’s responsible: a member of the Colony, an ostracized community of vampyrs living in an old mine settlement deep in the woods.

Detective Barbara Atkins, a specialist in vampyr killings, is called in to officially determine if this is a Colony killing—and authorize a cull. Old suspicions die hard in a town like Deadhart, but Barbara isn’t so sure. Determined to find the truth, she enlists the help of a former Deadhart sheriff, Jenson Tucker, whose investigation into the previous murder almost cost him his life. Since then, Tucker has become a recluse. But he knows the Colony better than almost anyone.

As the pair delve into the town’s history, they uncover secrets darker than they could have imagined. And then another body is found. While the snow thickens and the nights grow longer, a killer stalks Deadhart, and two disparate communities circle each other for blood. Time is running out for Atkins and Tucker to find the truth: Are they hunting a bloodthirsty monster . . . or a twisted psychopath? And which is more dangerous?

It would be hard to find a more isolated town than Deadhart,Alaska. When a teenager is murdered, Barbara Atkins is sent to investigate. What she finds will determine whether or not a human or vampyre is responsible. Yup, you read that right. Vampyres now live among us in protected colonies, but people are just as prejudiced as ever, and feel threatened by their presence.
The town folk are quick to demand action, but Barbara isn’t so fast to rush to judgment. Not only do certain aspects of the murder set off her warning bells, but a storm leaves the town (and Barbara) cut off from outside help. Can she find the truth before the citizens react with violence? My lips are sealed.
I flew through the story and enjoyed trying to guess whodunnit (I was wrong), and learning more about the ongoing issues between these two groups. I love how different all of CJ Tudor’s books have been, and this might be my favorite. Some quirky characters mixed in with more than a few loathsome ones. I felt so sorry for the ways that the vampyres were treated.
Barbara was a great character who understood the evil that men can do to those who are different. A perfect read on a cold winter night, one that felt like I might have been transported to Alaska. I loved the story.

Vampyrs and humans have an uneasy alliance especially in the town of Deadhart, Alaska. A young boy is brutally murdered, seeming by a vampyr, so detective Barbara Atkins travels up to the isolated town because the residents want a cull, which means they can slaughter the entire colony of vampyrs. But all is not what it seems. Told from multiple viewpoints from a wide cast of characters this is a horror mystery that works beautifully on all levels.

What. A. Book. The Gathering is another terrific Tudor triumph! This is the book for you if you love a scintillating read! It's easy to say you can't put a book down, but it's literally true with The Gathering. Tudor produces a fantastic premise for her latest work. It's a world where humans and vampyrs co-exist. It's not always a peaceful relationship. And, because of that, law enforcement has to utilize vampyr experts like Detective Barbara Atkins . In the hands of a master like Tudor, we see vampyrs in a whole new light. Her use of remote Alaska for the setting of this book is another moment of brilliance from Tudor. It's perfect for this chilling tale. The pacing is pitch perfect. The best part is the hint of a sequel at the very end. I can't wait. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion. #TheGathering

This is an intense murder investigation set deep in the Alaskan wilderness. Barbara is a detective brought in for her speciality in investigating vampire killings. The plot has many interesting twists and turns as bodies continue to turn up. The characters are fiery and entertaining as many of them have things to hide. It is a really great story that readers will thoroughly enjoy.

I was thrilled to be offered the opportunity to read one of my favorite author's latest novels. I was almost giddy when I started reading and discovered it's about vampires.

The Gathering by C.J. Tudor is set in the aptly named town of Deadhart, Alaska. "Vampyrs" maintain an uneasy coexistence with humans, living in colonies close to towns. When a young boy is killed in what appears to be a vampyr attack, an attack that bears striking similarities to a killing twenty-five years ago, Detective Barbara Atkins of the Forensic Vampyr Anthropology Department, aka the Fang Doc, is dispatched to investigate.

The world that C.J. Tudor builds is both frightening and believable, a solid mix of thriller, horror, paranormal and speculative fiction. With lots of twists and surprises, The Gathering is fantastic. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

I read The Gathering in a couple sittings - really fast-paced and creepy. There were a few too many characters to keep track of, but overall it was a fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free e-copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an eARC of this novel.

The Gathering was the first book I've read from CJ Tudor - I own a couple of others since I have heard great things, but I haven't had the chance to read them yet.

I was extremely excited when I got the approval email for The Gathering, which is about a detective/forensic vampire anthropologist (Barbara) who is called to a small town in Alaska where a brutal murder occurred. In this book, vampires and humans co-exist, only the vampires are shunned and barely have any rights, so they live on the outskirts of town. Because the murder is believed to have been committed by a vampire, the people in the town want permission to kill the entire vampire colony. Barbara needs to figure out who killed the person before the townspeople end up starting a war with the neighboring vampires.

I really enjoyed this story! It was actually very unique, and I really liked how the author blended the genres of horror and thriller. The characters were diverse and interesting, and despite there being a fair number of them, I was actually able to keep all of the characters straight. The vibes of the book reminded me a bit of True Blood (without all the sexual stuff) and a little bit of 30 Days of Night. I liked the vampire lore, and how CJ Tudor made them more realistic than what we traditionally think of when we hear about vampires. The murder mystery was very twisty too. A few things I was able to predict, but there were other things I did not see coming at all. I was a little nervous about how the two separate storylines were going to come together, but that twist at the end was amazing and for me pushed this story to a 5 -star rating. I loved the ending, and hope there is a sequel for this one.

My reviews will be posted to Goodreads, and I will post a review to my social media page closer to the publication day.

The Gathering by C.J. Tudor
Pub date: April 9, 2024
Freaking LOVED!

“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘷𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘺𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴? 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘈 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦’𝘴 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘴.”

Welcome to a chilling world Tudor has created where humans and vampyrs co-exist but it’s a shaky coexistence with mistrust and hatred from both sides. Vamprys live in groups called Colony’s, segregated away from humans and unable to access even the most basic rights such as education and employment.

Detective Barbara Atkins is a detective with the Forensic Vampyr Anthropology Department. Her job is to determine whether any suspicious death that appears vampiric in nature is, indeed, just that, and if it requires the culling of an entire colony of vampyrs.

Barbara’s latest case is in the small remote Alaskan mining town of Deadhart. She’s investigating the death of a teenage boy who appears to be the victim of a vampyr attack. The more time she spends in Deadhart, though, the more she understands that the towns people don’t share the same ideals that the law does; that vampyrs should be protected and respected while given a fair and impartial investigation despite first impressions.

Stepping into this town and all its eccentricities was fascinating. Most of the residents are tough as nails, born and bred Alaskans – it’s a hard life and they protect their own. Tudor drew out each character’s personality with such finesse, I was completely dedicated to every character’s story arc and how they played a part in events both past and present. I couldn’t help but be drawn into the history of the old mining town, long since closed down, and the dark secrets that followed the families through generations.

I really want to avoid saying too much. I think any fan of Tudors or the genre will find this book an absolute feast of entertainment. The synopsis is vague enough to tantalize without giving away too much and I hope that anyone who picks this up will enjoy it as much as I did. The characters, the plot, the twists, the underlying social messages, the pure horror of vampyr colonies ….

The Gathering is truly one of the best horror thrillers I’ve ever read and I can’t recommend this one enough.

My thanks to Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for this gifted DRC!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this ARC! This was a very creative storyline, a whodunnit complete with vampyrs! Although it was slow at times, I was engaged throughout and especially enjoyed the big reveal and ending. I’m looking forward to CJ Tudor’s next work!