You can really experience the dark and the cold of this town of Deadhart! And then you add in the Colony for a very hard to put down murder thriller mystery. Humans are very good at hating and discriminating against those that are different from them. The hate and tension is high in this book when Marcus is found murdered, apparently by a vampyr. Barbara, arriving as the voice of reason, and to figure out what the heck really happened ends up in going down the rabbit hole for the truth which goes back years in the past to other murders and crimes. Was it really a vampyr, or were they framed? Deadhart is not an easy place to live but I am glad Barbara (with Tucker's help) was able to get to the bottom of it.

This story flowed well and I really liked it. I also kind of hope there may be another book written in this world because it is interesting to portray this way of living with humans and vampyrs.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read an early copy of this book for review.

Barbara is sent to a small town in Alaska to investigate a murder of a teenager. This is no ordinary killing, the victims throat was ripped out. The question is was this from a vampyr from the nearby colony or someone in town. If you like the new True Detective Night Country this book has the same atmospheric setting, cold and constantly dark. The story was good and definitely did not expect all the back stories.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

I am not surprised how excellent this was, because for me, CJ Tudor always knocks it right out of the park. This is a fabulously plotted murder mystery, fraught with dark, snowy Alaskan winter atmosphere and there are vampires. What made this such a clever read is that the vampires were not there for any kind of glorification or horror shock and awe, they were there quietly, as part of everyday life and as a backdrop to the focus of the story, which is the murder. That is not to say humans and vampires get along, they don't, and there is a horrific history and tons of friction to create great suspense. I was sad to finish this and know this will be one of those books I wish I could read over again for the first time.

A unique and fascinating view on the vampyr realm. Are vamprys or humans responsible for a child’s murder in a small Alaskan town? It’s up to Detective Atkins to find out. I really enjoyed this book and the unique take on vampires. Enjoyable and interesting characters, plenty of action and a fascinating history.

I've been a fan of this author's past couple releases but sadly this title just didn't do it for me. I enjoyed Barbara as a character and the plot had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, the story felt really slow and aside from the murder investigation aspect I felt like nothing was happening. The book switched from different POV's but instead of them all coming together nicely it felt disjointed. I also would not call this book horror; as the vampires were not scary or gory. I think this should be described as only mystery/thriller with a touch of paranormal.

I really enjoyed The Drift by C.J.Tudor , so was looking forward to this book. It was an interesting read, written as a police procedural in small town Alaska, with vampires thrown into the mix. The atmosphere is chilling and creepy, and there is a whole cast of suspect characters that keep you guessing till the very end. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy to review.

This was a unique take on the typical vampirical story, pitting two groups living in the same area against each other.

In a small rural Alaska town, a boy is found dead in a horrific way. It’s been 25 years since the townsfolk have seen something like this… it looks like a grisly vampyr killing and there is nobody better to determine that than Detective Barbara Atkins.

The Colony, a group of Vampyrs ostracized by the town, have been living out in the woods and if it is determined that this boy, a member of the Colony himself, was killed by a vampyr, the more fearful members of the Colony want them gone for good.

With the help of the town’s former sheriff, they spend their time uncovering all of the discrepancies of the case. I really enjoyed the Atkins-Tucker duo. This was riveting. I loved the creepy evangelical obstacle we encounter and the procedural aspects. This was entertaining from the very start and one of my favorites from Tudor so far.

I loved it! After the first chapter I knew this would be an excellent vampire mystery. By the second I'd decided that it was superb! The author drops you in the minds of various people at different times so you want to trust and believe them but also not to. I'd certainly want Detective Barbara running the show every time. She stayed professional and fair even in her own head. Fantastic author.

I'm not a huge fan of vampire or vampyr books unless of course they are written by what is becoming my favorite author, C.J. Tudor! I could not put this down, This was a one day read.

Quick Synopsis: Vampyr's currently co-exist with humans but in their own colonies. There are laws in place to help protect them as well as to lawfully prosecute if crimes have been committed by them against humans. This is where we meet Barbara. Barbara is a detective with the Forensic Vampyr Anthropology Department, who is called to help investigate a murder in an isolated Alaskan town. Her job entails investigating when a Vampyr is a suspect in a crime and if a cull is in need. As can be expected she is met with hostility from the local townspeople who want a cull ordered asap.

What I liked: Basically, all of it! While we follow Barbara (who i loved!) we are introduced to a ton of townspeople and her interactions with them in trying to solve the crime. Each character had a distinct role and was written in very well. I love reading characters that are used for depth and not just plot development. Tucker and Athelinda were a close second, I loved their storyline and how it came together. There were so many layers to this mystery that just kept unfolding and holding my attention and surprisingly there wasn't much gore considering the topic. Which is good for me as I stated above the topic of Vampyr's isn't my cup of tea. Till, now!

I feel like Tudor is a very versatile author, with each book being unique and going outside the box of her previous novels. This one felt like it could be left open for a sequel and I would certainly read. Even if this doesn't seem like your type of novel, I recommend giving it a try. You will not be disappointed.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Detective Atkins is called to investigate a brutal murder in a small Alaska town. She enlists the help of a former sheriff to uncover dark secrets while trying to determine if they are dealing with a supernatural killer or a human psychopath. Their investigation becomes more urgent when another body is found, and they race against time to solve the case.

In this book, vampires are real and protected by the law, challenging our ideas about good and evil. There are many surprises and kept me interested until the end. It's not a typical scary story, but it keeps you engaged with its spooky atmosphere and discussions about prejudice and morality.

If you know me at all, you know I love books with vampires, so this was an easy 5 star for me!

This was an excellent crime mystery. I really enjoyed our "non mainstream" lead characters. A slightly, overweight, middle-aged detective ends up sent to Alaska to deal with a Colony (read Vampires) murder. And then chaos ensues. This was a really fun and exciting read.

I had previously read The Drift by C. J. Tudor and really enjoyed it, so when The Gathering came on my radar I immediately requested it. I once again really enjoyed Tudor's writing (she crafts a spooky atmosphere so well!) but the pacing of this book didn't work for me. I think I came in expecting the pacing of The Drift and The Gathering is much slower since it is a detective novel. While there are other POV's, we don't spend as much time with them as we do our detective protagonist but I appreciated how Tudor used the POV's to bring in the backstories or show us other things that were happening elsewhere in the small town.

I don't read a lot of horror novels, but I think what I like best about Tudor's horror elements is that they are the horrors of human nature. She has some moments of blood and gore but it's really the horror in how we treat each other that shines through in this one. There is a lot of thinly veiled commentary in this book that some people might not enjoy having to confront but I thought it was very fitting to use the vampyrs as an example of how groups can be pitted against each other by colonialism, sexism, racism, etc.

Overall, I think this is a well written book and if you enjoy slow burn mysteries with some horror/paranormal elements, I think you would enjoy your time with this one.

I enjoyed this murder mystery/police procedural about a small town in Alaska. In this book world vampyrs exist and are known. After a boy is killed by one, the town wants to cull the entire vampyr colony. But the forensic specialist Barbara Atkins comes to sort out what actually happened before authorizing a cull.

I do wish there had been a bit more focus on the vampyrs because that is what made this book unique. You could replace any marginalized group and the result would be the same. So this isn’t so much a horror as it is a social commentary. It does do that well, but I think it’s good to know in advance.

There are some good twists, and it is set up for a sequel. My one complaint would be a spoiler, but I could’ve done with less of those reveals at the end.

Overall I recommend this for a good, atmospheric murder mystery.

Loved this book! C.J. Tudor never fails to disappoint and I'm happy to say this book continues to prove this. I loved how the vampyres and hate toward them seemed to be an allegory for antisemitism. I actually gasped outloud when the killer was revealed. Definitely recommend.

Oh my gosh!! I hope this ends up a series! I loved this book and the world CJ Tudor built! The perfect winter read! It has vampires, lore, dark and snowy Alaska. It’s perfect!

The Gathering is an atmospheric and suspenseful novel that explores the darker side of human nature. To quote The Hunchback of Notre Dame, “Who is the monster and who is the man?”

If you’re looking for the next I Am Legend, this book isn’t it. It’s got a really poignant theme focused on vampyr rights that I’m sure you could replace with any number of marginalized groups, including indigenous communities. What I liked the most, though, was the focus on the mystery. Unlike The Drift, which combined horror, supernatural, and mystery elements, this book follows a more classic detective storyline. It unravels almost like a police procedural with suspect interviews, assumptions, re-interviews, and more.

I appreciated the inclusion of the historical elements, which helped contextualize the reckoning of the small town’s history with its innate prejudices and those who turn a blind eye in the name of capitalism and religion. I wish there had been steadier pacing, but all the characters were extremely well developed and I found the conclusion satisfying. Highly recommend!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Dude, writes some weird books, and this one is no exception. The small town Alaska setting is timely if you’re watching the new series of TrueDetective- it definitely captures the creepiness of the dark remote space. Fresh, enjoyable, take on what makes someone a monster.

[Blurb goes here]

This intriguing alternate history novel delves into the complex relationship between vampyrs and humans, exploring a world where the two coexist, yet are starkly divided. The vampyrs, relegated to isolated colonies, face stringent rules that bar them from utilizing technology or engaging in human occupations. The delicate peace between the species is threatened when a tragic incident in rural Alaska sparks word of a ruthless cull by the human population, prompting Detective Barbara Atkins to intervene.

As Atkins delves into the investigation, she unravels a tapestry of deceit woven by both species. The narrative skillfully exposes a web of lies and half-truths, leaving no character untouched by guilt in the eerie setting of Deadhart Alaska.

The author paints a vivid picture of a game that began over a century ago when human settlers displaced vampyrs from their town to mine copper.

What sets this novel apart is its portrayal of the deeply ingrained prejudices and fear among the human population. The depiction of ignorant, god-fearing humans is particularly chilling, drawing uncomfortable parallels to contemporary societal issues. The author masterfully explores how prejudice runs rampant, and morality becomes a tattered excuse to justify questionable actions.

You will find yourselves captivated by the intricate plot, with characters who are mere pawns in a larger, century-spanning conflict. The narrative's exploration of historical events and their lasting impact adds depth to the story, making it a compelling read for those seeking a fresh take on the vampire trope.

I highly recommend this read, especially for those looking for a novel approach to the timeless vampire narrative. The author skillfully weaves together elements of alternate history, mystery, and social commentary to create a captivating and thought-provoking experience.

Thank you for the advanced copy!

Sigh.

I was really really hoping to like this one. It has a winter setting and a really interesting premise. Also, I absolutely loved her books the chalk man and the drift. Especially the drift. I was hoping this book would be more like that.

There’s no question that it’s an interesting concept: a police procedural that also deals with a world where Vampires are real and studied as a species and have laws that protect them and their lands.

I loved that concept and there were several things throughout the book that were interesting around it.

I also really loved a lot of the characters in the character development in this book.

So those are the things that worked for me. But, again here we get to an issue of pacing. There were things that were interesting but they were only mildly interesting. And then there were things that were happening, but then there would be long periods of time we’re just not very much moved the story forward.

But, I pushed through till the end and it had a reasonably satisfying ending. Overall I’m only gonna give this one 3.25 stars. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who really has always wondered what a world might look like if vampires were treated as a normal part of society.

I felt like maybe CJ tudor was trying to give us a metaphor for maybe indigenous people? And done well I think that could’ve been incredibly affective. But here, I kept grasping for the metaphor and just not finding it.

The Gathering

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Gathering is a new novel by CJ Tudor. I had her novel The Chalk Man on my shelf for over a year before I read it and was so engrossed with it I read it in days (a major feat for me) so I was thrilled for @netgalley @randomhouse approval for this one. Fun fact; right after reading Chalk Man I followed @cjtudor on instagram and she was documenting her time in Alaska doing research for this book.

Set in a very small town in Alaska, homicide detective/fang doc Barbara is dispatched from the Big Apple to investigate a murder of a local teen. The townspeople point the finger at the well known colony of vampyrs (or vampires if you will) and call for a cull aka mass execution of the group. The colony denies the murder and Barbara is there investigating on all ends.

The town definitely has a colorful cast of characters and CJ herself describes this a “30 Days of Night Meets Fargo”. I love the writing style and she just draws me in to where I can’t bear to look away. Also, very Kingy vibes to me. Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend however the ending did fall a little flat for me.

Pros: couldn’t put it down, some twists I didn’t see coming, I enjoy Tudors writing style overall

Cons: too many characters/names, in the beginning I kept mixing up who everyone was along with too many side/back stories, overuse of the word sir

Thank you to @netgalley @randomhouse @cjtudor for this ARC. Book comes out 04/09/24