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Night Shadows
Des Moines Homicide detective Harry Reznik teams with F.B.I. agent Lori Campisi to investigate a series of gruesome murders.
While dealing with personal problems, the unlikely pair find themselves battling malevolent creatures from another dimension.
While dealing with personal problems, the unlikely pair find themselves battling malevolent creatures from another dimension.
First published February 15, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 13, 2011
Pretty darn good supernatural/horror novel about a dangerous, evil book that has the potential to wreak great havoc in our world. For those who like the whole dark book motif, and Lovecraft devotees out there (you know who you are), this book will probably find your favor.
3.75/5.0 stars
Reviewed for Bitten by Books. Http://bittenbybooks.com.
3.75/5.0 stars
Reviewed for Bitten by Books. Http://bittenbybooks.com.
April 16, 2011
Book Title: Night Shadows
Author: Stephen L. Brayton
Publisher: Echelon Press
ASIN: B004O0VD1M
Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Couch Tater Review
In Des Moines, Iowa, there lurks a sense of pure evil in the midst of the hustle and bustle of city life. After a rash of unexplained deaths with gory and gruesome results, FBI agent Lori Campisi has been summonsed to assist with the case; a agent that works on the most weird ones. The detective she must work with is Harry Reznik, a no nonsense by the book cop. This unlikely working duo has to learn to work together and be open minded to the strange and bizarre statement from eyewitnesses to these off the wall murder scenes. Could it be a gang of skilled killers terrorizing this city or the even more unlikely explanation of shadows with red eyed devouring people as they dwell in the darkness.
This book is quite horrifying and scary in the best of ways. It reminds me of the great author Clive Baker, with the fear and carnage factor. The reader is engrossed in the battle of good versus evil with the piling of bodies in the mean time. Written with great detail that the reader can almost hear the snaps and smell the blood as the shadows do their devilish work. A sit up all night, with the lights on, of course, read till its, done tome. With its great chapter flow it leaves nowhere for the reader to leave a bookmark. It leaves the shadows of any room even more spookier than ever and a healthy fear of old scary looking books. An author to keep a sharp eye out for his next book or books for that matter.
Author: Stephen L. Brayton
Publisher: Echelon Press
ASIN: B004O0VD1M
Reviewed by Michele Tater for The Couch Tater Review
In Des Moines, Iowa, there lurks a sense of pure evil in the midst of the hustle and bustle of city life. After a rash of unexplained deaths with gory and gruesome results, FBI agent Lori Campisi has been summonsed to assist with the case; a agent that works on the most weird ones. The detective she must work with is Harry Reznik, a no nonsense by the book cop. This unlikely working duo has to learn to work together and be open minded to the strange and bizarre statement from eyewitnesses to these off the wall murder scenes. Could it be a gang of skilled killers terrorizing this city or the even more unlikely explanation of shadows with red eyed devouring people as they dwell in the darkness.
This book is quite horrifying and scary in the best of ways. It reminds me of the great author Clive Baker, with the fear and carnage factor. The reader is engrossed in the battle of good versus evil with the piling of bodies in the mean time. Written with great detail that the reader can almost hear the snaps and smell the blood as the shadows do their devilish work. A sit up all night, with the lights on, of course, read till its, done tome. With its great chapter flow it leaves nowhere for the reader to leave a bookmark. It leaves the shadows of any room even more spookier than ever and a healthy fear of old scary looking books. An author to keep a sharp eye out for his next book or books for that matter.
July 17, 2021
I did enjoy this slightly different fantasy horror story! Interesting characters & ideas, I do recommend this to all that love this genre! 1 good fun read!
June 29, 2023
Not for those with fear of the dark
What child has never been afraid of the dark, of hidden monsters and ghosts, and of the rustling of dry leaves against a midnight window? Indeed, who among us does not yet fear dark places under the right circumstances? Night Shadows exploits that fear masterfully, a skillful blend of Dan Brown and H. P. Lovecraft, it contains all the best elements of both—a fast-moving plot and cliff-hanger chapters that keep the pages turning, chilling narrative and descriptions with ominous, disquieting creatures, and, of course, that ancient tome, the Sarmangous, that holds the secrets to it all, along with a powerful grip over its possessor.
Harry Reznik is the skeptical cop who is investigating a sudden rash of gruesome murders in Des Moines. Soon a few random killings morph into a city-wide panic with bodies, mutilated beyond description, cropping up all over. Enter FBI Agent Lori Campisi, brought in because of her particular expertise in cases involving unnatural phenomena, to lend an X-Files vibe to the story. They eventually engage the help of Rudolph Whitehead, an eccentric professor whose expertise is crucial to ending the ongoing slaughter. The real main characters, however, are the shadow beings. Carl Jung recognized shadows as one of his primary archetypes, and Brayton makes full use of that instinctual fear. Those looking for a comforting read with a saccharine happy ending will be sorely disappointed. But if you’re the one who relishes ghost stories around a spooky campfire, this book is for you.
What child has never been afraid of the dark, of hidden monsters and ghosts, and of the rustling of dry leaves against a midnight window? Indeed, who among us does not yet fear dark places under the right circumstances? Night Shadows exploits that fear masterfully, a skillful blend of Dan Brown and H. P. Lovecraft, it contains all the best elements of both—a fast-moving plot and cliff-hanger chapters that keep the pages turning, chilling narrative and descriptions with ominous, disquieting creatures, and, of course, that ancient tome, the Sarmangous, that holds the secrets to it all, along with a powerful grip over its possessor.
Harry Reznik is the skeptical cop who is investigating a sudden rash of gruesome murders in Des Moines. Soon a few random killings morph into a city-wide panic with bodies, mutilated beyond description, cropping up all over. Enter FBI Agent Lori Campisi, brought in because of her particular expertise in cases involving unnatural phenomena, to lend an X-Files vibe to the story. They eventually engage the help of Rudolph Whitehead, an eccentric professor whose expertise is crucial to ending the ongoing slaughter. The real main characters, however, are the shadow beings. Carl Jung recognized shadows as one of his primary archetypes, and Brayton makes full use of that instinctual fear. Those looking for a comforting read with a saccharine happy ending will be sorely disappointed. But if you’re the one who relishes ghost stories around a spooky campfire, this book is for you.
May 14, 2024
Stephen Brayton's "Night Shadows" is a fun novel that moves quickly and without many slow spots. The plot revolves around a mysterious grimoire known as the Sarmangous which provides its holder with terrible power, but at a cost. Set in Des Moines, Iowa, the book takes off when its power-mad possessor unleashes a number of ghostly, red-eyed shadow creatures who wreak gory attacks on the good citizens of the Iowa city.
Detective Harry Reznik and FBI agent Lori Campisi are charged with unraveling the mysteries behind the citizens' deaths. There are few clues and no witnesses. Both Reznik and Campisi are beset with their own problems that author Brayton does a fine job of including in the plot.
As the body count increases and the pressure to find the killers intensifies, it soon becomes apparent to Reznik that they are involved in a paranormal situation. Enlisting the help of an eccentric college professor, Reznik and Campisi set out to make a final stand against the Night Shadows.
Detective Harry Reznik and FBI agent Lori Campisi are charged with unraveling the mysteries behind the citizens' deaths. There are few clues and no witnesses. Both Reznik and Campisi are beset with their own problems that author Brayton does a fine job of including in the plot.
As the body count increases and the pressure to find the killers intensifies, it soon becomes apparent to Reznik that they are involved in a paranormal situation. Enlisting the help of an eccentric college professor, Reznik and Campisi set out to make a final stand against the Night Shadows.
June 21, 2021
A story of evil shadows, other worlds/dimensions, and the horrific trail of bodies left behind. Detective Reznik teams of Des Moines PD reluctantly teams with Agent Campisi to solve the first of the murders that the killer(s) left behind no evidence or clues.
The events are non-stop and become personal at different parts to each of the main characters and therefore effecting their handling of this supernatural case.
A typical cop and FBI agent collaboration but with very unusual circumstances, which call for unorthodox means to solve the case or maybe currently resolve is a better way to leave it.
The events are non-stop and become personal at different parts to each of the main characters and therefore effecting their handling of this supernatural case.
A typical cop and FBI agent collaboration but with very unusual circumstances, which call for unorthodox means to solve the case or maybe currently resolve is a better way to leave it.
February 22, 2025
Night Shadows is a classic paranormal procedural, with an added dash of pathos and noir thrown in for good measure. We follow the story of hard-bitten detective Harry Reznik and FBI special agent Lori Campisi as they attempt to solve a series of increasingly gruesome murders in the Midwest metropolis of Des Moines, Iowa. The author skillfully manages what can be one of the trickiest tasks for an occult thriller - how does the main character shift from incredulity to belief in the explanation of events that are by their very nature unbelievable. A fast-paced narrative, dark humor and quippy dialog made this an enjoyable read. Be warned, not for the squeamish. This book is incredibly bloody!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews