Book started out exciting then turned to zombies and the occult. Not a favorite of mine. ( )

I had a hard time engaging with this book. While it was very well written, it was very dark and hard for me to enjoy. The character depth was incredible and the plot line was intense. Too dark for my taste but still a very well written, suspenseful, story. ( )

Six-word review: Macabre joyride is fast, forgettable entertainment.

Extended review:

This book really isn't a mystery, although it's structured like one. We don't get a lineup of suspects and try to figure out whodunit. And everything isn't logically explained in the end.

What it is is a suspense thriller. And it is pretty creepy, a pulse-thumper, by no means highbrow literature but not bottom of the barrel either; rather, a B-movie equivalent that's worth the popcorn on a Saturday night.

If you're in the mood to consider as entertainment a gruesome murder, some demonic possession, satanism, ritual magic, seduction, sex, madness, suspicion, misdirection, and a race against time in the company of a likeable enough detective, fluff your sofa cushions and sit back. Don't worry about the unanswered questions and loose threads; think of it as a theme park attraction that isn't really going to resemble the experience of an Alpine climb or a mining tunnel but is going to give you a pretty rambunctious ride anyway.

And it's free.

(Kindle edition) ( )

This entertaining mystery successfully maintains suspense throughout the story. At the start the discovery in a landfill of the mutilated corpse of Erin Carmody, the 18-year-old daughter of a prominent Boston businessman, presents homicide detective Adam Garrett with a particularly sensitive case. Marks on the body suggest the killer was conducting Satanic rituals. When Adam and his partner, Carl Landauer, question the prime suspect, Jason Moncrief, a college friend of Erin's, Jason chants the name of the demon Choronzon, then assaults Carl. Despite what appears to be an open-and-shut case, Adam can't discount the claim that Jason is innocent made by Tanith Cabarrus, an attractive witch who comes to police headquarters to report, that she dreamed of other murders--and who believes that supernatural forces are behind the slaughter.
The main character, Detective Adam Garrett, is the type of hero who follows his own instincts even when his boss and others do not approve. Mystery is darkened throughout by a layer of witchcraft and the setting in Massachusetts near Salem augments that layer. The major supporting characters are presented with believable detail while the trappings of the supernatural do not detract from the more traditional aspects of detective work. Overall, Sokoloff's fast-paced and suspenseful style makes this an enjoyable entertainment. ( )

OK, what shall I call this? Paranormal police procedural? Boston homicide detective Adam Garrett and his partner Carl Landauer are called to a landfill where a body has been found -- missing its head and left hand. They quickly zero in on a suspect, and make an arrest. They are approached by a woman, Tanith Cabarrus, a witch who owns a shop in Salem called Book of Shadows, who insistes that they have the wrong man -- and that there have been and will be more victims. Garrett -- who is markedly attracted to Tanith -- consults her as to the meaning of some of the evidence relating to the murder. The killing appears to be linked to satanic rituals -- some evil person is trying to summon forth a powerful demon.

Is Tanith really trying to help? Or is she somehow involved in the killing?

This book was a bit out of my comfort zone as far as the details of the perpetrator's demonic rituals and some of the witchcraft Tanith uses, as well as some sexual scenes. I will acknowledge that it's a clever story with lots of twists and turns, and it kept me turning pages to see what was going to happen. Sokoloff seems to have a knack for writing horror stories that are a little unusual, and appear to be well-researched as to particular types of beliefs and practices.

But it gave me nightmares. No more like that one for me.

It did offer a clear warning for kids who are bored or longing for power not to go messing with black magic that can tangle them up with dangerous powers beyond their control or comprehension. ( )