The Gathering by C.J. Tudor

 

From Goodreads

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

Deadhart, Alaska. 873. Living.

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?

My thoughts

My thanks to the Publishers via NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Set in Alaska where the summer days are long light filled days and the winter days are long dark filled days.  The scenery is great and the  country may be snow covered from time to time, but its's a great place to visit.  Is it a great place to live?  

Deadhart has 873 living inhabitants   It also has a colony of Vampires living nearby. 

When a young boy is killed in unusual circumstances, it's not long before the Vampires are in the spotlight for the killing.  Are they really to blame or is the murder of this young boy down to someone else?  As a specialist in Vampire killings, Detective Barbara Atkins is called in to help the local sheriff Jason Tucker as  he tries to make head and tail of what has  occurred.

Whilst CJ Tudor has a tendency to write more unusual themed stories that tend to lean towards the darker side, this is her first foray into the living dead Vampire style genre.  Why did it take you so long?  Please don't let it be your last as I would be interested in seeing what else you may be able to give us.

I enjoyed this story, I was gripped with the characters and the scenery that it was set in.  I wanted to know what had gone on and who was actually to blame for the death of this young boy.