Judith Ann McDowell
*I purchased a copy of this book. I received no compensation for this review. All opinions are mine.*
Book Blurb:
Everyone who lived in Saint Anthony Parish, Louisiana grew up hearing stories of the old Hindel Mansion . The one cast in shadow and sitting alone. Of late-night howling on nights of the full moon.
Parents listened and nodded as though in complete agreement with the strange happenings. Later they would laugh and shake their heads over the wild imaginings of today’s youth.
Then a family named Rawlins moved into the mansion and within days the laughter turned to a cold and paralyzing fear.
Now another child has disappeared from the mansion and Detectives Hays and Olivier’ know they need to move fast before they have another bloodbath on their hands.
Will they be in time to save this child?
Parents listened and nodded as though in complete agreement with the strange happenings. Later they would laugh and shake their heads over the wild imaginings of today’s youth.
Then a family named Rawlins moved into the mansion and within days the laughter turned to a cold and paralyzing fear.
Now another child has disappeared from the mansion and Detectives Hays and Olivier’ know they need to move fast before they have another bloodbath on their hands.
Will they be in time to save this child?
Masterful storytelling! This book was a surprise for me. I was expecting a paranormal romance with some untidy bits. What I got was a compelling, exciting, tension filled, terrorizing, atmospheric paranormal horror, romance thriller. Hot biscuits! How did the author manages to pull this off?
Well she thought up a story that grips you from the start, locates it in an area steep with mystery and adds a cast of characters that are well written. Then adds surprises.
First surprise two of the main characters, (Jack and Donovan), are male friends/partners who aren't gay. I really love how the author portrayed this friendship between partners. The banter and love between them was exactly the type I see and hear between my brothers and their best friends. Second surprise she was able to make me sympathetic to the rougarou, (werewolf). Since he viciously murders a child, (actually two), as well as a dog, (I am a dog lover), I would not think it possible for me to feel any sympathy for him. Yet I did. Kudos Judith Ann Mcdowell. Along with the rougarou is Chandra. The woman who is the center of the romance in this book. The mixed feelings that Jack had were, in my opinion, accurate. As was the grief experienced by the murdered girls parents. Each of these characters are well written as are the supporting characters.
The author painted scenery with her words. You can feel the heat from the Bayou and picture the creepy mansion as well as the cave. You feel the eyes watching you as you venture into the mansion.
Though the story flips from now to flashbacks, back to now and off again and a few times scenes changed abruptly I felt the author kept the story flowing at the perfect pace.
I am planning to begin Rougarou II this weekend.
Due to language, graphic violence and sex I would recommend the book to adults.
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