Elliot Cross didn't believe in monsters. At least, not until his brother died at the hands of something unnatural.
Four years later and a string of impossible deaths leave the police baffled. Consumed by a desire to shine a journalistic light on the supernatural world, Elliot sees a chance to make a difference. Enlisting the help of his (only) employee, Samantha, he quickly identifies the culprit - a demonic mime artist whose invisible creations are fatally real.
Way out of his depth, Elliot's only hope is renowned demon hunter Gabriel Cushing. But tracking down Gabriel is only the beginning... The search for a way to end the demon forever will take Elliot and Sam across the country, uncovering lost history, buried secrets, and a few new truths about themselves.
***
Oily and bitter, the lingering odour of burnt flesh lodged in the back of Elliot's throat. 2009, BRISTOL - 1
***
(Matador, 28 June 2020, 520 pages, ebook, copy from the publisher and voluntarily reviewed, #BlogTour 2 August via @RandomTTours)
***
***
It's been ages since I read a good horror novel. The last one that blew my mind was The Ritual when I listened to the audiobook last year. I wanted to read this when I read the blurb. It sounded like a fantastic book, something I could really get stuck into and the kind of horror fiction I enjoy a lot; demons and supernatural creepiness. I cannot fault this book. It's a fantastic read. The book reminds me a lot of The Dresden Files or Alone in the Dark. Elliot is a great character, driven to shine a light on the supernatural after his brother was killed by something not of this earth. He ruins his career was decent journalist to run an occult newspaper and is something of a joke to his former colleagues but he refuses to look away from the horrors he now knows exist. Sam is great as well; I loved the relationship between them both. This is a long book but it didn't feel like it because I was so riveted by what I was reading. This might be the first in a series. I hope so. I can't wait to read what the author comes up with next.
