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Deacon Chalk: Occult Bounty-Hunter #0.5
That Thing at the Zoo
Shredding monsters is his stock and trade. He sniffs them out, tracks them down, and corners them. End of story. But when the tables are turned, expect the unexpected. . ."Knowing his enemy is a rule Deacon Chalk swears by. But he's never seen anything like whatever is leaving the Atlanta Zoo's most dangerous predators bloodless, skinned, and hanging high in treetops. And he s only got till sunrise to keep it from turning the entire city into a slaughterhouse. Now Deacon is in zoo lockdown with a handful of staffers to save. His zookeeper backup has more guts than monster-hunting experience. And the only chance Deacon has to run this thing to unholy ground is to risk unleashing his darkest, most uncontrollable instincts. . .
James R. Tuck is a professional tattoo artist whose work has appeared in numerous publications. He currently lives with his wife, children, and several dogs in Georgia, where he owns and operates a tattoo parlor.
James R. Tuck is a professional tattoo artist whose work has appeared in numerous publications. He currently lives with his wife, children, and several dogs in Georgia, where he owns and operates a tattoo parlor.
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First published January 1, 2011
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About the author
James R. Tuck
51 books236 followersI am the author of the Deacon Chalk: Occult Bounty Hunter series. Book one, BLOOD AND BULLETS, will be out from Kensington Publishing February 7, 2012.
I write DARK URBAN FANTASY. It is gritty, it is violent, it is bloody, it is DARK. The monsters are monstrous and they do Very Bad Things. The good guys are Big Damn Heroes.
I write the ultimate thrill ride in the form of a book, just for you. I want you turning those pages as fast as you can while precariously balanced on the edge of your seat.
I write DARK URBAN FANTASY. It is gritty, it is violent, it is bloody, it is DARK. The monsters are monstrous and they do Very Bad Things. The good guys are Big Damn Heroes.
I write the ultimate thrill ride in the form of a book, just for you. I want you turning those pages as fast as you can while precariously balanced on the edge of your seat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
August 6, 2021
That Think at the Zoo by James R Tuck
Deacon Chalk: Occult bounty-Hunter series book 0.5. Paranormal fantasy horror novella.
Deacon is a monster hunter. He investigates whatever is brutally killing animals at the Atlanta Zoo.
Spoiler: vampire.
This is the prequel to the series. It’s dark and gritty with terrifying descriptions of the monsters Deacon is hunting. It moves fast and includes the world building of some unique secondary characters but standard vampire deterrents such as a cross and holy water.
Much darker than my preferred fantasy but at 80 pages didn’t give me nightmares. I can imagine the full length books will have me looking for a night light.
Deacon Chalk: Occult bounty-Hunter series book 0.5. Paranormal fantasy horror novella.
Deacon is a monster hunter. He investigates whatever is brutally killing animals at the Atlanta Zoo.
Spoiler: vampire.
This is the prequel to the series. It’s dark and gritty with terrifying descriptions of the monsters Deacon is hunting. It moves fast and includes the world building of some unique secondary characters but standard vampire deterrents such as a cross and holy water.
Much darker than my preferred fantasy but at 80 pages didn’t give me nightmares. I can imagine the full length books will have me looking for a night light.
December 19, 2023
You got my attention.
September 7, 2014
Although I prefer to read in order, I think this is one of those times I should have skipped to the first book.
This is similar to Supernatural. After losing his wife and two children, Deacon Chalk became an occult bounty hunter. He drives a big car with a lot of weapons in his trunk, he hunts monsters and he has a team. In this story he even has a sidekick with a mullet - skinny guy, brave, reliable, good person and so on. Remember Ash?
Something had killed and skinned a few huge animals and left them on the tree. Deacon Chalk is there to kill it. I wasn't impressed with his way of doing things. A guy that big and with so much experience should be better.
This prequel just introduces the main character, two members of his team he called and a bit of this world (holy water and objects work whether you are believer or not, they glow and so on). There is a disturbing moment near the end so I hope the series are better than this story. I should have just read the first book and come back for this later. This might be one of those stories you like simply because you know a lot about the characters.
Overall, it is an ok story, but you won't lose much if you skip it.
This is similar to Supernatural. After losing his wife and two children, Deacon Chalk became an occult bounty hunter. He drives a big car with a lot of weapons in his trunk, he hunts monsters and he has a team. In this story he even has a sidekick with a mullet - skinny guy, brave, reliable, good person and so on. Remember Ash?
Something had killed and skinned a few huge animals and left them on the tree. Deacon Chalk is there to kill it. I wasn't impressed with his way of doing things. A guy that big and with so much experience should be better.
This prequel just introduces the main character, two members of his team he called and a bit of this world (holy water and objects work whether you are believer or not, they glow and so on). There is a disturbing moment near the end so I hope the series are better than this story. I should have just read the first book and come back for this later. This might be one of those stories you like simply because you know a lot about the characters.
Overall, it is an ok story, but you won't lose much if you skip it.
September 1, 2021
I very much enjoyed this introduction to Deacon Chalk. When it ended I wanted more. This is a series I will return to for sure as it promises a character with a troubled past, plenty of paranormal creatures, and enough humor to balance all the dark and gory.
March 6, 2012
Review originally at Fantasy Book Critic
OVERVIEW/ANALYSIS: That Thing At The Zoo is a prequel novella set approximately six months before the events of Blood and Bullets. The novella is about 80-odd pages long and is divided into eleven chapters. Akin to Blood and Bullets, this prequel story is also narrated by Deacon Chalk. The story premise focuses on the Atlanta zoo wherein someone or something is slaughtering the animals however the peculiar nature of the kill is what gets Deacon invited to the crime scene. Detective John Longyard knows about Deacon’s past and is a part of it; he also has some semblance of foresight into Deacon’s current goals. He brings Deacon to the zoo to solve the problem and that’s when the bedlam begins.
I really enjoyed reading this novella as it felt that the author’s strengths were maximized in this form of the story and there wasn’t enough space/time for the negatives to make an appearance. Once again the pace of the story is its highlight as the author quickly brings the reader up to speed and then lets things go haywire. Another positive feature is the horror edge to this story which is nicely nuanced by the zoo location, the author has managed to let his imagination take some weirdly creative turns which accentuate the story's darkness. The author also wisely utilizes the side character cast in this tale and therefore they get much more of a bigger role than in the debut novel.
After finishing this novella I was struck by two things, primarily that James R Tuck really nails down this novella idea mixing horror and thriller themes within the urban fantasy sub-genre and secondly this novella is much better than the actual book purely because the nature of the story does not let the author create the points which I noted in the review above that detracted from my reading experience. I would very much recommend this novella to readers who are looking for a quick thrill ride, with the hope that the author can recreate his form in the longer forms of his craft in the future as well.
December 8, 2016
Deacon is an occult bounty hunter, still trying to get over the death of his wife and kids. His latest job is to stop a beast that is stalking the zoo and mutilating the animals. He has to take on a helper-Jimmy the redneck zookeeper as his normal team are not with him.
I liked this story. First we had a good urban fantasy plot with the deadly beast stalking the zoo at night and Deacon setting traps to capture and kill it. There is a lot of good tension and action sequences in those dark shadows of the zoo closed at night! It would be a bit of a creepy place to be hunting vampires and things! I can't really say much else about the plot without telling the whole story but urban fantasy fans should enjoy it.
The second good thing about it was the characters. Deacon himself is the kickass bounty hunter with a human side, as you see how he is suffering the loss of his family. He looks like the big tough guy on the book covers in the series so it is good to see the real human emotions in him as he struggles to function in his job while mourning the family he adored. It makes you like the guy and feel real sympathy for him. He is also snarky, brave and intelligent, which I like in a male lead. I also liked Jimmy the redneck zookeeper who is in some ways the comic relief sidekick who I liked very much. I don't know if he features later in the series or not but I hope we see him again. Despite his terror, he wants to protect his animals, which makes him ok by me. Deacon has contact with his usual partners by computer-the feisty female Kat and the Catholic priest/exorcist Father Mulcahy, who I assume feature in the books.
I'm quite excited at the prospect of this series, based on how good this prequel story is. Sometimes the prequels are good but the series doesn't match up...well I have high hopes for Deacon Chalk and look forward to trying the first novel soon!
I liked this story. First we had a good urban fantasy plot with the deadly beast stalking the zoo at night and Deacon setting traps to capture and kill it. There is a lot of good tension and action sequences in those dark shadows of the zoo closed at night! It would be a bit of a creepy place to be hunting vampires and things! I can't really say much else about the plot without telling the whole story but urban fantasy fans should enjoy it.
The second good thing about it was the characters. Deacon himself is the kickass bounty hunter with a human side, as you see how he is suffering the loss of his family. He looks like the big tough guy on the book covers in the series so it is good to see the real human emotions in him as he struggles to function in his job while mourning the family he adored. It makes you like the guy and feel real sympathy for him. He is also snarky, brave and intelligent, which I like in a male lead. I also liked Jimmy the redneck zookeeper who is in some ways the comic relief sidekick who I liked very much. I don't know if he features later in the series or not but I hope we see him again. Despite his terror, he wants to protect his animals, which makes him ok by me. Deacon has contact with his usual partners by computer-the feisty female Kat and the Catholic priest/exorcist Father Mulcahy, who I assume feature in the books.
I'm quite excited at the prospect of this series, based on how good this prequel story is. Sometimes the prequels are good but the series doesn't match up...well I have high hopes for Deacon Chalk and look forward to trying the first novel soon!
Read
July 1, 2021I can definitely state I am a scaredy cat. With that said, the author did an excellent job at presenting the details of this "monster hunter" book. Not the book for me. However, if you are into these type of themed book, Mr. Tuck will definitely pull you in.
September 16, 2012
Deacon Chalk is an Occult Bounty Hunter. To finance his hunting, he owns a strip club where he occasionally employs someone that had need of his skills. He lost his wife and kids to the monsters that go bump in the night. He is a tough guy that tweaks your heart with moments of vulnerability and the next he had you laughing out loud. This is not for the faint of heart. There are blood, guts, and gore but I loved his voice and bad assery.
August 31, 2021
Audiobook Review:
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Not my typical read but I really liked it!
I do not like horror movies, I do not read horror books… having said that… This author is scheduled to attend the 2022 Coastal Magic Convention in February in Daytona Beach Florida. As part of the reading challenge, I’m trying to read at least one book by each author. I choose this book because it was available in audio format and it was fairly inexpensive.
Oh, my are there ever some gory descriptions in this story! I think it’s kind of funny that listening to this didn’t bother me at all but I think if I would have read it with my eyes, it might have freaked me out a bit.
This is a prequel to a series about a monster hunter. Read the blurb for a great description of the story. I liked it because it was different from my regular go-to reading material and also because I enjoyed the mellow voice of the narrator, Jim Beaver. If my TBR list wasn’t so unmanageable I can see myself listening to more books in this series.
Overall – 5
Performance – 5
Story – 5
Not my typical read but I really liked it!
I do not like horror movies, I do not read horror books… having said that… This author is scheduled to attend the 2022 Coastal Magic Convention in February in Daytona Beach Florida. As part of the reading challenge, I’m trying to read at least one book by each author. I choose this book because it was available in audio format and it was fairly inexpensive.
Oh, my are there ever some gory descriptions in this story! I think it’s kind of funny that listening to this didn’t bother me at all but I think if I would have read it with my eyes, it might have freaked me out a bit.
This is a prequel to a series about a monster hunter. Read the blurb for a great description of the story. I liked it because it was different from my regular go-to reading material and also because I enjoyed the mellow voice of the narrator, Jim Beaver. If my TBR list wasn’t so unmanageable I can see myself listening to more books in this series.
October 31, 2021
This is a monster hunter prequel introducing his popular character, Deacon Chalk, Occult Bounty Hunter. He's a jaded optimist with a sarcastic streak, doing what he can to rid the world of monsters one day at a time. There's a scene towards the end that some squeamish readers may choose to skim or fast-forward, but I really enjoyed jumping into this world.
And on top of the great story ... he scored Jim Beaver (Bobby from Supernatural) to do the narration. OMG! Such a treat.
And on top of the great story ... he scored Jim Beaver (Bobby from Supernatural) to do the narration. OMG! Such a treat.
August 31, 2021
Monster hunting books aren't necessarily my favorite genre of book, but I can appreciate the talent it takes to write them. The Thing at the Zoo was pretty graphic and gruesome at times, but I liked going on an adventure with Deacon to figure out what was causing such mayhem at the zoo. The audiobook was well done and Deacons voice matched perfectly with what I imagined.
January 17, 2022
Surprise to me I actually enjoyed this story. Deacon has a tragic past and a snark I appreciate. He is a monster hunter at the zoo and gains a not monster hunter Jimmy the Redneck sidekick. The only thing that was creepy was going into the drain tunnels, dark, damp and tight - yuck!
the audio was fabulous.
the audio was fabulous.
January 9, 2012
That Thing At the Zoo is a good size dark urban fantasy prequel novella introducing a character whose physical appearance I can picture perfectly. Rarely can I say that, I'm mostly left with a vague overall impression but Mr. Deacon Chalke is a man that cannot and will not be ignored. He's an intimidating 6'4 and 300 pounds. Think WWE star with no hair and lots of tattoos. This guy looks like he could cause trouble and with a classic muscle car complete with a 4-corpse trunk full of weapons, he's equipped to deal with it. Reminds me of a certain beloved Impala belonging to a pair of monster-hunting brothers on TV. Loved that show.
Bottom line: Deacon Chalk, occult bounty hunter, is a total badass. He could kick Harry Dresden's butt easy-peasy. And that brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.
You may actively avoid meeting Deacon on the street or a dark alley but he's not the thug his appearance advertises him to be. He's a man still reeling from, and is haunted by, personal trauma. Monsters murdered his family and now he hunts those dangerous to humans. He's not the "tough guy" cliché often expressed in movies where the hero ultimately gets over his tragic loss by kicking some lame villain's butt then settles down with a waitress he just happened to encounter along the way, completely trivialising the effect his past had on him. No, Deacon has full-on flashback panic attacks he tries desperately to stifle and hopes no one notices his distant, pained silences as he experiences a post-traumatic stress episode. These lapses in concentration aren't professional and are downright inconvenient when hunting deadly nasties but he has no control over when they occur. You feel for his anguish, knowing that if he wasn't a Catholic he would rejoin his family in death.
The side character I'm most eager to get to know is the priest:
The writing style is reminiscent of pre-controversy Anita Blake. Gory and gritty. Visceral. No one is safe from being ripped apart and carelessly tossed aside without dignity.
Although it's obvious this has been written by a debut author, I've found something I've been missing from UF of late: a real sense of darkness without the distracting focus on angst-ridden romance (is it really necessary every...single...book?). There's nothing but the characters, plot and the danger around the next corner to occupy the reader -what a relief. My only real negative is the lack of contractions i.e. can't, won't, etc. which in my opinion, slow the pace and jar the reader out of the story. I'm also surprised Deacon so readily disfigured his tattoos to get some blood to "chum the waters" so to speak. I thought tattoos were treasured permanent works of art but it was emergency so I'll let it go.
When it comes to non-full-length prequels authors aren't usually interested in making a concerted effort to give readers an accurate taste of what's to come, with a few exceptions like this. Next up, Blood and Bullets.
Favourite Quotes
'Rednecks are part of the South, and even when they don't look like much, they usually turn out to be tough as leather and full of skills that save your ass.'
"What the fuck are you doing?"
"Putting this thing in the back of my pants like they do on the TV."
'I found Dr. Critter trying to hold off the [spoiler removed] with a bullwhip and an office chair.'
***My thanks to the author for the ebook in return for an honest review.***
Bottom line: Deacon Chalk, occult bounty hunter, is a total badass. He could kick Harry Dresden's butt easy-peasy. And that brings a smile to my face just thinking about it.
You may actively avoid meeting Deacon on the street or a dark alley but he's not the thug his appearance advertises him to be. He's a man still reeling from, and is haunted by, personal trauma. Monsters murdered his family and now he hunts those dangerous to humans. He's not the "tough guy" cliché often expressed in movies where the hero ultimately gets over his tragic loss by kicking some lame villain's butt then settles down with a waitress he just happened to encounter along the way, completely trivialising the effect his past had on him. No, Deacon has full-on flashback panic attacks he tries desperately to stifle and hopes no one notices his distant, pained silences as he experiences a post-traumatic stress episode. These lapses in concentration aren't professional and are downright inconvenient when hunting deadly nasties but he has no control over when they occur. You feel for his anguish, knowing that if he wasn't a Catholic he would rejoin his family in death.
The side character I'm most eager to get to know is the priest:
I don't know what his life was before becoming a Catholic priest, but he can shoot like a sniper and knife fight like a convict. He has my back anytime I need it, whether that means tending bar at Polecats [strip club] or two steps behind me, shotgun in hand.
The writing style is reminiscent of pre-controversy Anita Blake. Gory and gritty. Visceral. No one is safe from being ripped apart and carelessly tossed aside without dignity.
Although it's obvious this has been written by a debut author, I've found something I've been missing from UF of late: a real sense of darkness without the distracting focus on angst-ridden romance (is it really necessary every...single...book?). There's nothing but the characters, plot and the danger around the next corner to occupy the reader -what a relief. My only real negative is the lack of contractions i.e. can't, won't, etc. which in my opinion, slow the pace and jar the reader out of the story. I'm also surprised Deacon so readily disfigured his tattoos to get some blood to "chum the waters" so to speak. I thought tattoos were treasured permanent works of art but it was emergency so I'll let it go.
When it comes to non-full-length prequels authors aren't usually interested in making a concerted effort to give readers an accurate taste of what's to come, with a few exceptions like this. Next up, Blood and Bullets.
Favourite Quotes
'Rednecks are part of the South, and even when they don't look like much, they usually turn out to be tough as leather and full of skills that save your ass.'
"What the fuck are you doing?"
"Putting this thing in the back of my pants like they do on the TV."
'I found Dr. Critter trying to hold off the [spoiler removed] with a bullwhip and an office chair.'
***My thanks to the author for the ebook in return for an honest review.***
August 30, 2016
Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A short, descriptive introduction to the dark and gritty world of Deacon Chalk, monster hunter.
Opening Sentence: “Tell me what it is I’m looking at.”
The Review:
I was really excited when I received That Thing at the Zoo to read for review. It looked like an interesting new series with a lot of promising potential. I am a huge horror fan and this appealed to me on so many levels. Let me just say that I was not disappointed.
That Thing at the Zoo is a prequel to James Tuck’s upcoming debut dark urban fantasy, Blood and Bullets. In this novella we get an introduction to the main character, a badass, gun toting monster hunter, Deacon Chalk. Deacon’s world was turned upside down when he learned that monsters really existed, they killed his family, and now he hunts them down and kills them. He is called to the Atlanta Zoo after several animals are slaughtered. He hunts down the culprit with the help of a redneck, mullet wearing zookeeper and his truly unique team that consists of a manager of a strip club and a priest.
James R. Tuck really delivered with this e-novella. His descriptions really draw you in; make you feel like you are there right along side Deacon. The monsters are scary, the way that they are supposed to be in horror, the language is raw and gritty and the characters are tough. Deacon is a no nonsense character who wants to protect people from the monsters that tore his life apart and he is prepared to do whatever is necessary to accomplish that. He still has hard times where the pain from his memories threatens to overwhelm him but he knows that in order to do right by his family that he needs to move forward and do what he can to make sure that others don’t have to live his misery.
I am proudly from the south, most authors make a mess of writing about the south but Tuck did it without seeming condescending or without the usual mockery. Sure we have rednecks like Jimmy, the zookeeper, but that’s not all we have. I really believed in Deacon’s character, the bald headed, gun toting, tatted up tough guy, monster hunter that really has a good heart. Probably because I know a few people who match that description, well minus the monster hunting.
I was really drawn into this world that Tuck created and I cannot wait to dive into Blood and Bullets and continue to learn more about Deacon and his world.
Notable Scene:
“Why is the lion display closed?” The voice was deep and fluid, sounding like it came from behind a closed door. It was the voice of a man who would tell you anything you wanted to hear to get his way. A snake oil shuckster, a used-car salesman, a tent revival evangelist with a methamphetamine addiction. The man who came around me to stand by Dr. Critter’s desk was not a disappointment to my expectations.
He was portly. A short, rotund man whose belt split him in the middle. The seersucker material of his suit bunched at the bends, dividing him into rounded sections of arm and leg like sausages. His shirt collar was damp from sweat despite the hardworking air conditioning. Overall, he had the rumpled appearance of a note someone had wadded up, thrown away, then dug from the trash to smooth out and read again.
The Deacon Chalk Occult Bounty Hunter Series:
1. That Thing at the Zoo
2. Blood and Bullets (February 7, 2012)
3. Blood and Silver (August 7, 2012)
FTC Advisory: Kensington Publishing provided me with a copy of That Thing at the Zoo. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: A short, descriptive introduction to the dark and gritty world of Deacon Chalk, monster hunter.
Opening Sentence: “Tell me what it is I’m looking at.”
The Review:
I was really excited when I received That Thing at the Zoo to read for review. It looked like an interesting new series with a lot of promising potential. I am a huge horror fan and this appealed to me on so many levels. Let me just say that I was not disappointed.
That Thing at the Zoo is a prequel to James Tuck’s upcoming debut dark urban fantasy, Blood and Bullets. In this novella we get an introduction to the main character, a badass, gun toting monster hunter, Deacon Chalk. Deacon’s world was turned upside down when he learned that monsters really existed, they killed his family, and now he hunts them down and kills them. He is called to the Atlanta Zoo after several animals are slaughtered. He hunts down the culprit with the help of a redneck, mullet wearing zookeeper and his truly unique team that consists of a manager of a strip club and a priest.
James R. Tuck really delivered with this e-novella. His descriptions really draw you in; make you feel like you are there right along side Deacon. The monsters are scary, the way that they are supposed to be in horror, the language is raw and gritty and the characters are tough. Deacon is a no nonsense character who wants to protect people from the monsters that tore his life apart and he is prepared to do whatever is necessary to accomplish that. He still has hard times where the pain from his memories threatens to overwhelm him but he knows that in order to do right by his family that he needs to move forward and do what he can to make sure that others don’t have to live his misery.
I am proudly from the south, most authors make a mess of writing about the south but Tuck did it without seeming condescending or without the usual mockery. Sure we have rednecks like Jimmy, the zookeeper, but that’s not all we have. I really believed in Deacon’s character, the bald headed, gun toting, tatted up tough guy, monster hunter that really has a good heart. Probably because I know a few people who match that description, well minus the monster hunting.
I was really drawn into this world that Tuck created and I cannot wait to dive into Blood and Bullets and continue to learn more about Deacon and his world.
Notable Scene:
“Why is the lion display closed?” The voice was deep and fluid, sounding like it came from behind a closed door. It was the voice of a man who would tell you anything you wanted to hear to get his way. A snake oil shuckster, a used-car salesman, a tent revival evangelist with a methamphetamine addiction. The man who came around me to stand by Dr. Critter’s desk was not a disappointment to my expectations.
He was portly. A short, rotund man whose belt split him in the middle. The seersucker material of his suit bunched at the bends, dividing him into rounded sections of arm and leg like sausages. His shirt collar was damp from sweat despite the hardworking air conditioning. Overall, he had the rumpled appearance of a note someone had wadded up, thrown away, then dug from the trash to smooth out and read again.
The Deacon Chalk Occult Bounty Hunter Series:
1. That Thing at the Zoo
2. Blood and Bullets (February 7, 2012)
3. Blood and Silver (August 7, 2012)
FTC Advisory: Kensington Publishing provided me with a copy of That Thing at the Zoo. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
June 11, 2013
Book Info: Genre: Urban Fantasy
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of urban fantasy, especially darker, male-oriented urban fantasy
Trigger Warnings: murder of animals and humans, evil babies
My Thoughts: This is a doozy of an introduction to Deacon Chalk, that's for sure! I've been wanting to read this series for some kind, so I finally just decided to buckle down and do it since I had the time this week. This is just an introductory, prequel novella, but it gives a very good taste of what is to come. Deacon is a very complex character and I'm looking forward to learning more of his backstory and seeing him in action in the first full-length novel in the series, Blood and Bullets. I was also very excited to learn that the author runs a tattoo studio only about an hour away from where I live, so who knows? Maybe my next tattoo will be done by someone famous! Stay tuned!
Series Information: That Thing at the Zoo is a prequel to the Deacon Chalk series.
Book 1: Blood and Bullets
Book 1.5: Spider's Lullaby
Book 2: Blood and Silver
Book 2.5: Circus of Blood
Book 3: Blood and Magick
Disclosure: I purchased this book for myself. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Shredding monsters is his stock and trade. He sniffs them out, tracks them down, and corners them. End of story. But when the tables are turned, expect the unexpected.
Knowing his enemy is a rule Deacon Chalk swears by. But he's never seen anything like whatever is leaving the Atlanta Zoo's most dangerous predators bloodless, skinned, and hanging high in the treetops. And he's only got until sunrise to keep it from turning the entire city into a slaughterhouse.
Now Deacon is in zoo lockdown with a handful of staffers to save. His zookeeper backup has more guts than monster-hunting experience. And the only chance Deacon has to run this thing to holy ground is to unleash his darkest, most uncontrollable instincts...
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of urban fantasy, especially darker, male-oriented urban fantasy
Trigger Warnings: murder of animals and humans, evil babies
My Thoughts: This is a doozy of an introduction to Deacon Chalk, that's for sure! I've been wanting to read this series for some kind, so I finally just decided to buckle down and do it since I had the time this week. This is just an introductory, prequel novella, but it gives a very good taste of what is to come. Deacon is a very complex character and I'm looking forward to learning more of his backstory and seeing him in action in the first full-length novel in the series, Blood and Bullets. I was also very excited to learn that the author runs a tattoo studio only about an hour away from where I live, so who knows? Maybe my next tattoo will be done by someone famous! Stay tuned!
Series Information: That Thing at the Zoo is a prequel to the Deacon Chalk series.
Book 1: Blood and Bullets
Book 1.5: Spider's Lullaby
Book 2: Blood and Silver
Book 2.5: Circus of Blood
Book 3: Blood and Magick
Disclosure: I purchased this book for myself. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Shredding monsters is his stock and trade. He sniffs them out, tracks them down, and corners them. End of story. But when the tables are turned, expect the unexpected.
Knowing his enemy is a rule Deacon Chalk swears by. But he's never seen anything like whatever is leaving the Atlanta Zoo's most dangerous predators bloodless, skinned, and hanging high in the treetops. And he's only got until sunrise to keep it from turning the entire city into a slaughterhouse.
Now Deacon is in zoo lockdown with a handful of staffers to save. His zookeeper backup has more guts than monster-hunting experience. And the only chance Deacon has to run this thing to holy ground is to unleash his darkest, most uncontrollable instincts...
January 12, 2012
You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2012/01/...
James R. Tuck’s Blood and Bullets is coming out on Feb. 7th, but you can meet his hero, Deacon Chalke, before then in this down and dirty novella. Deacon is a supernatural bounty hunter with a grudge, and he’s been called to the Atlanta zoo to hunt down a rather nasty creature that’s been preying on zoo employees and animals alike. With the help of a zookeeper (who proudly sports a mullet), Deacon takes on a hungry and vicious evil, and it loves the taste of humans. You’ll zip through this one lightning fast, and Tuck doesn’t waste time on flowery prose. Deacon is a man’s man, but he’s got plenty of personal pain to contend with, and it more than fuels his prowess as a bounty hunter. That Thing at the Zoo is a great intro to Tuck’s new series, and will have you adding Blood and Bullets to your pre-order list pronto!
James R. Tuck’s Blood and Bullets is coming out on Feb. 7th, but you can meet his hero, Deacon Chalke, before then in this down and dirty novella. Deacon is a supernatural bounty hunter with a grudge, and he’s been called to the Atlanta zoo to hunt down a rather nasty creature that’s been preying on zoo employees and animals alike. With the help of a zookeeper (who proudly sports a mullet), Deacon takes on a hungry and vicious evil, and it loves the taste of humans. You’ll zip through this one lightning fast, and Tuck doesn’t waste time on flowery prose. Deacon is a man’s man, but he’s got plenty of personal pain to contend with, and it more than fuels his prowess as a bounty hunter. That Thing at the Zoo is a great intro to Tuck’s new series, and will have you adding Blood and Bullets to your pre-order list pronto!
February 6, 2012
I was looking forward to getting stuck into the first book in the Deacon Chalk: Occult Bounty-Hunter series, when I found out there was a novella prequel. So, I got myself a copy for my Kindle and got stuck into it this morning.
Deacon has been called into the Atlanta Zoo after three animals are found dead, skinned and bloodless. With just a few of the zoo staff left behind, the zoo is on lockdown. But Deacon's not alone, he's got a few people able to help him narrow down what he could be dealing with. But even when he works it out, he still didn't expect how everything turns out.
This novella was great! Deacon's so kick-ass, but still has certain vulnerabilities. I loved the horror, action, mystery... and I'm also intrigued by his past. Can't wait to find out more about what happened to his family.
Yeah, this is going to be another awesome urban fantasy series! :)
Deacon has been called into the Atlanta Zoo after three animals are found dead, skinned and bloodless. With just a few of the zoo staff left behind, the zoo is on lockdown. But Deacon's not alone, he's got a few people able to help him narrow down what he could be dealing with. But even when he works it out, he still didn't expect how everything turns out.
This novella was great! Deacon's so kick-ass, but still has certain vulnerabilities. I loved the horror, action, mystery... and I'm also intrigued by his past. Can't wait to find out more about what happened to his family.
Yeah, this is going to be another awesome urban fantasy series! :)
February 10, 2012
This is a really cool novella.
Deacon Chalk is a kick-ass monster hunter who doesn't shy away from taking extreme measures to get the job done. He's gruff, direct to the point of rude, but likeable and with an intriguing past.
The world building is minimal, but effective enough to set a dark mood for this story, which is well written, fast paced and full of action. Next to a really cool and explosive tale of monster hunting and slaying this novella gives small hints to what other horrors Deacon might encounter in the future and it made me eager to read more about Deacon and the world he lives in.
As with every good story, this novella was much too short and I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of Tuck's full sized novel Blood and Bullets, so I can get my next Deacon Chalk fix.
Deacon Chalk is a kick-ass monster hunter who doesn't shy away from taking extreme measures to get the job done. He's gruff, direct to the point of rude, but likeable and with an intriguing past.
The world building is minimal, but effective enough to set a dark mood for this story, which is well written, fast paced and full of action. Next to a really cool and explosive tale of monster hunting and slaying this novella gives small hints to what other horrors Deacon might encounter in the future and it made me eager to read more about Deacon and the world he lives in.
As with every good story, this novella was much too short and I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of Tuck's full sized novel Blood and Bullets, so I can get my next Deacon Chalk fix.
December 28, 2011
4.5/5 gritty and funny, I've enjoyed it! :) review soon!
June 22, 2017
Short story but great. Another great audio listen in the Deacon Chalk world
April 15, 2021
I had read one of these books before and I was hoping to find more in the series. This short novella is 0.5 and the beginning of the series. Interesting and a quick solid read. I liked it
November 3, 2024
A short story to introduce the character of Deacon Chalk and what he does and why.
February 19, 2012
Reviewed for www.bookchickcity.com (8 out of 10 on the blog)
'That Thing At The Zoo' is James R. Tuck's debut novel, introducing us to the world of Deacon Chalk. We featured Tuck in our Debut Author Spotlight last month. At 80 pages, it's more of a novella, but well worth your times and a superb introduction into this new urban fantasy series.
Deacon, a man whose entire family was killed by a supernatural monster, now spends his life hunting the things that go bump in the night and killing them. So when Atlanta's zoo animals are being barbarically murdered, it's only natural the police call him in to investigate.
There's something about Deacon that slightly reminds me of a male Anita Blake. He's tough, determined and somewhat ruthless. There's a darkness to him, enhanced by his personal tragedy. This novella only scratches the surface of who Deacon is, there's plenty left unsaid and it's really only just enough to wet your appetite. But most importantly, you can't help but like him as he is seriously, seriously cool.
"You look like hell yourself, man. What are you going to do?" I held my gun up. "Suck it up. Keep moving. Finish this."
Tuck has a fantastic turn of phrase. There is a college kid coolness about some of his language, but you can also vividly pull into your mind the image he is trying to depict. Then there are some descriptions that amongst the blood and gore you cannot fail to smile at. Don't get me wrong this is far from a comedy, in fact the story is very dark and hints at further darkness yet to come, but there is also a hidden wit.
'The priest lifted scar tissue masquerading as an eyebrow while he lit another cancer stick. His Zippo clicked open with a metallic chime, flared a one inch spout of orange flame, then clacked closed. He worked the smoke around in his mouth like a pipe-smoker, tasting it, enjoying the flavour.'
'His hair out of the constrains of the hat was the biggest freaking mullet I have ever seen. I grew up with some white trash family members. I have seen mullets. Jimmy the zookeeper's mullet was absolutely epic.'
The story itself is a page turner, a mash of action, gore and horror with a super evil creature and plenty edge of your seat scenes. And lots and lots of guns, again reminding me of Anita. But all of this pivots around Deacon, Deacon makes the book. We are briefly introduced to some other members of his team in one scene. A scarred priest (mentioned above) and Kat the owner of Deacon's strip club, who are equally fascinating, and I found myself wanting to know a lot more about them as well as Deacon's background.
This novella really just gives you a flavour of what is to come, it sucked me right in with supernatural magnetism. I want to learn more about the world and more about the characters. So Tuck has achieved I'm sure exactly what he set out to achieve with this story. Made me want to read more!
VERDICT:
'That Thing At The Zoo' introduces you to a new series and even better hero. I truly can't wait to get my hands on the first full novel of the series 'Blood and Bullets'. Fans of gritty urban fantasy will love this one.
'That Thing At The Zoo' is James R. Tuck's debut novel, introducing us to the world of Deacon Chalk. We featured Tuck in our Debut Author Spotlight last month. At 80 pages, it's more of a novella, but well worth your times and a superb introduction into this new urban fantasy series.
Deacon, a man whose entire family was killed by a supernatural monster, now spends his life hunting the things that go bump in the night and killing them. So when Atlanta's zoo animals are being barbarically murdered, it's only natural the police call him in to investigate.
There's something about Deacon that slightly reminds me of a male Anita Blake. He's tough, determined and somewhat ruthless. There's a darkness to him, enhanced by his personal tragedy. This novella only scratches the surface of who Deacon is, there's plenty left unsaid and it's really only just enough to wet your appetite. But most importantly, you can't help but like him as he is seriously, seriously cool.
"You look like hell yourself, man. What are you going to do?" I held my gun up. "Suck it up. Keep moving. Finish this."
Tuck has a fantastic turn of phrase. There is a college kid coolness about some of his language, but you can also vividly pull into your mind the image he is trying to depict. Then there are some descriptions that amongst the blood and gore you cannot fail to smile at. Don't get me wrong this is far from a comedy, in fact the story is very dark and hints at further darkness yet to come, but there is also a hidden wit.
'The priest lifted scar tissue masquerading as an eyebrow while he lit another cancer stick. His Zippo clicked open with a metallic chime, flared a one inch spout of orange flame, then clacked closed. He worked the smoke around in his mouth like a pipe-smoker, tasting it, enjoying the flavour.'
'His hair out of the constrains of the hat was the biggest freaking mullet I have ever seen. I grew up with some white trash family members. I have seen mullets. Jimmy the zookeeper's mullet was absolutely epic.'
The story itself is a page turner, a mash of action, gore and horror with a super evil creature and plenty edge of your seat scenes. And lots and lots of guns, again reminding me of Anita. But all of this pivots around Deacon, Deacon makes the book. We are briefly introduced to some other members of his team in one scene. A scarred priest (mentioned above) and Kat the owner of Deacon's strip club, who are equally fascinating, and I found myself wanting to know a lot more about them as well as Deacon's background.
This novella really just gives you a flavour of what is to come, it sucked me right in with supernatural magnetism. I want to learn more about the world and more about the characters. So Tuck has achieved I'm sure exactly what he set out to achieve with this story. Made me want to read more!
VERDICT:
'That Thing At The Zoo' introduces you to a new series and even better hero. I truly can't wait to get my hands on the first full novel of the series 'Blood and Bullets'. Fans of gritty urban fantasy will love this one.
March 27, 2014
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before - Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven
Why was that baleful Creature made, Which seeks our Quiet to invade, And screams ill Omens through the Shade? – Anne Kingsmill Finch, The Owl
Then we’re gonna need a bigger gun. – Roy Scheider
That Thing At The Zoo is the first James R. Tuck book (well, this is a novella) that I have read. The Deacon Chalk series has been being discussed on a couple of my goodreads Urban Fantasy discussion groups, and it sounded interesting. Being the first in the Chalk series, and at .99 for the novella, That Thing At The Zoo seemed the perfect way to get a taste of the series.
I wasn’t wrong. It was a perfect place to start, and of course, I now have yet another series added to my tottering TBR stacks. As if I needed more to read! Deacon Chalk is an Occult Bounty Hunter – he hunts the things that the normal police force of Atlanta either can’t handle, or don’t even know anything about. At 6’4” and round about 300 pounds, Deacon is one big tough guy, tattoos, shaved head and all. However, there is a lot of heart to the guy, as you soon find out. And his reasons for taking down the monsters will break your heart and give you a deeper understanding of the guy, huge-ass semi-redneck or not.
When we meet Deacon, he is standing under a tree in the Atlanta zoo, waiting for Jimmy the zookeeper to push something out of the branches. Something that turns out to be a 500 plus pound lion, skinned, drained, and ripped. What could have possibly drug that lion into the tree – and all without leaving a mark anywhere on the tree, or the ground?
With the remote assistance of his two cohorts, Kat, the manager of Deacon’s strip club Polecats, and a computer whiz, and Father Dominic Boru Mulcahy, a rather unusual Catholic Priest who moonlights as a bartender at the club (and who can shoot like a sniper and knife fight like a convict) Deacon and Jimmy the zookeeper (well, and a load of silver coated weapons) track down the creature decimating the Atlanta zoo.
Full of blood, fighting, and a dry sense of humour, the Deacon Chalk series starts off with a bang, and promises to fulfill its semi-redneck, violent, and creepily horrific opening in the upcoming installments. Part horror, part UF and all guts and glory, I am looking forward to reading the next in the series, Blood and Bullets soon.
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before - Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven
Why was that baleful Creature made, Which seeks our Quiet to invade, And screams ill Omens through the Shade? – Anne Kingsmill Finch, The Owl
Then we’re gonna need a bigger gun. – Roy Scheider
That Thing At The Zoo is the first James R. Tuck book (well, this is a novella) that I have read. The Deacon Chalk series has been being discussed on a couple of my goodreads Urban Fantasy discussion groups, and it sounded interesting. Being the first in the Chalk series, and at .99 for the novella, That Thing At The Zoo seemed the perfect way to get a taste of the series.
I wasn’t wrong. It was a perfect place to start, and of course, I now have yet another series added to my tottering TBR stacks. As if I needed more to read! Deacon Chalk is an Occult Bounty Hunter – he hunts the things that the normal police force of Atlanta either can’t handle, or don’t even know anything about. At 6’4” and round about 300 pounds, Deacon is one big tough guy, tattoos, shaved head and all. However, there is a lot of heart to the guy, as you soon find out. And his reasons for taking down the monsters will break your heart and give you a deeper understanding of the guy, huge-ass semi-redneck or not.
When we meet Deacon, he is standing under a tree in the Atlanta zoo, waiting for Jimmy the zookeeper to push something out of the branches. Something that turns out to be a 500 plus pound lion, skinned, drained, and ripped. What could have possibly drug that lion into the tree – and all without leaving a mark anywhere on the tree, or the ground?
With the remote assistance of his two cohorts, Kat, the manager of Deacon’s strip club Polecats, and a computer whiz, and Father Dominic Boru Mulcahy, a rather unusual Catholic Priest who moonlights as a bartender at the club (and who can shoot like a sniper and knife fight like a convict) Deacon and Jimmy the zookeeper (well, and a load of silver coated weapons) track down the creature decimating the Atlanta zoo.
Full of blood, fighting, and a dry sense of humour, the Deacon Chalk series starts off with a bang, and promises to fulfill its semi-redneck, violent, and creepily horrific opening in the upcoming installments. Part horror, part UF and all guts and glory, I am looking forward to reading the next in the series, Blood and Bullets soon.
January 30, 2012
What would you do if you discovered that monsters really do exist? What if they hunted down and slaughtered your family and you had the power to take your revenge? Would you take it? As Deacon Chalk would put it... I sure as hell would…
After several animals are slaughtered at the Atlanta Zoo, Deacon Chalk is called in to take care of the job. However intimidating and indestructible Deacon seems to be he can’t do it alone. Deacon receives the help of the zookeeper and his team made up of strippers, a priest, and the club manager. Don’t be fooled, this team has one goal in mind and will ensure that they accomplish it, to search and destroy all the scary things that go bump in the night…
That Thing at the Zoo prequel novella presents badass monster hunter Deacon Chalk who swears to destroy all things paranormal. Deacon possesses some special abilities that help him carry out his mission. The full extent of his abilities are still a mystery and their origin has not yet been revealed to readers. Although Deacon is described to be this badass, the loss of his family has largely impacted Deacon’s emotions. Their memories threaten to break Deacon down and have him lose control each time he faces danger.
That Thing at the Zoo is written in Deacon Chalk’s perspective, sharing his every thought, which allows readers to better connect with this main character. James R. Tuck’s writing style is very descriptive, giving readers a vivid image of the characters, the battles between good and evil, and all the things Deacon encounters throughout his journey.
I have definitely been captivated by this world that James R. Tuck has created. There is so much to say about this short novella but I will end my review with saying this, what a terrific start to an awesome series by this debut author. Dark urban fantasy lovers will definitely love this!
This novella is a brief introduction as to what to expect in James R. Tuck’s upcoming debut release Blood and Bullets. I recommend That Thing at the Zoo too all those who enjoy gritty Urban Fantasy and Adult Fiction.
After several animals are slaughtered at the Atlanta Zoo, Deacon Chalk is called in to take care of the job. However intimidating and indestructible Deacon seems to be he can’t do it alone. Deacon receives the help of the zookeeper and his team made up of strippers, a priest, and the club manager. Don’t be fooled, this team has one goal in mind and will ensure that they accomplish it, to search and destroy all the scary things that go bump in the night…
That Thing at the Zoo prequel novella presents badass monster hunter Deacon Chalk who swears to destroy all things paranormal. Deacon possesses some special abilities that help him carry out his mission. The full extent of his abilities are still a mystery and their origin has not yet been revealed to readers. Although Deacon is described to be this badass, the loss of his family has largely impacted Deacon’s emotions. Their memories threaten to break Deacon down and have him lose control each time he faces danger.
That Thing at the Zoo is written in Deacon Chalk’s perspective, sharing his every thought, which allows readers to better connect with this main character. James R. Tuck’s writing style is very descriptive, giving readers a vivid image of the characters, the battles between good and evil, and all the things Deacon encounters throughout his journey.
I have definitely been captivated by this world that James R. Tuck has created. There is so much to say about this short novella but I will end my review with saying this, what a terrific start to an awesome series by this debut author. Dark urban fantasy lovers will definitely love this!
This novella is a brief introduction as to what to expect in James R. Tuck’s upcoming debut release Blood and Bullets. I recommend That Thing at the Zoo too all those who enjoy gritty Urban Fantasy and Adult Fiction.
February 1, 2012
Well, hello, Mr. Chalk. I am hopelessly intrigued about this series thanks to this introductory e-novella. I wasn’t sure what That Thing at the Zoo would be like since James R. Tuck is a new author but he had me hooked from the very first page. I desperate to know what was killing the animals at the zoo. As it turns out, the answer is both straightforward and complicated. The cover gives you a hint as to what might be doing the killing but it’s not your average vampire. It’s something a little darker, a lot less sparkly, and very, very motivated. It wasn’t what I expected and I love it when authors surprise me. This time around, in fact, I had a couple “Oh no he didn’t!” moments, which was great. James has done a wonderful job with this story and I was sad to see Deacon take care of business so quickly but, alas, this is the nature of novellas. Thankfully, I have a review copy of Deacon Chalk’s first full-length novel, Blood and Bullets, up next in my e-reader queue.
Before I close, though, I have to talk about Deacon. He’s an Occult Bounty Hunter with tragedy in his path and a gift for tracking down the spooky. I feel like I have a very good sense of what makes him tick, a testament to the author’s talent with words. I’m quite curious to learn more about Deacon and his friends because they seem like quite the team. After all, anybody who uses a strip club to finance a war on the occult is worth a second glance. Plus, we don’t know where Deacon’s abilities come from and I *need* to know what’s going on there!
In under 100 pages, James R. Tuck has thoroughly captivated my imagination. I can’t wait to see what he does with 300+ pages at his disposal.
http://www.tyngasreviews.com
http://ireadgood,wordpress.com
Before I close, though, I have to talk about Deacon. He’s an Occult Bounty Hunter with tragedy in his path and a gift for tracking down the spooky. I feel like I have a very good sense of what makes him tick, a testament to the author’s talent with words. I’m quite curious to learn more about Deacon and his friends because they seem like quite the team. After all, anybody who uses a strip club to finance a war on the occult is worth a second glance. Plus, we don’t know where Deacon’s abilities come from and I *need* to know what’s going on there!
In under 100 pages, James R. Tuck has thoroughly captivated my imagination. I can’t wait to see what he does with 300+ pages at his disposal.
http://www.tyngasreviews.com
http://ireadgood,wordpress.com
October 10, 2013
I enjoyed this novella so much that I just downloaded another Deacon Chalk novella called
(this time from my digital library), and I found out there is yet a 3rd novella:
to go along with the 3 novels. I guess the novellas are to be read in-between the novels, and I am reading the 3rd novella 2nd, but what the heck......I figured I would check out these shorter stories to see if I like the character of Deacon and it appears I do.
Being a novella, the story was short but sweet and to the point. I like this Deacon character and plan to finish reading the other two novellas and then reading all 3 novels. My digital library has them all, so I am set for a while.
If you are looking for a short action story featuring vampires, this is it.
(this time from my digital library), and I found out there is yet a 3rd novella:
to go along with the 3 novels. I guess the novellas are to be read in-between the novels, and I am reading the 3rd novella 2nd, but what the heck......I figured I would check out these shorter stories to see if I like the character of Deacon and it appears I do.
Being a novella, the story was short but sweet and to the point. I like this Deacon character and plan to finish reading the other two novellas and then reading all 3 novels. My digital library has them all, so I am set for a while.
If you are looking for a short action story featuring vampires, this is it.
January 27, 2012
What an excellent ride this novella was!! It was short and to the point, 62 pages of fab.
Deacon has so many things in his life that would keep anyone else down in a bottle somewhere. He chooses to hunt those things that go bump in the night.
One of the reasons I dig reading urban fantasy, or paranormal in general, is that there are so many takes on vampires, shapeshifters, demons, angels, etc. Reading this one has a difference between vampires and Nosferatu.
I really look forward to learning more about Deacon and his friends and the strip club he owns.
I found out about this novella on Amberkatze's blog http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/. She interviewed James this past weekend and there's a prize drawing for a signed copy of the first whole book in the series, BLOOD AND BULLETS
http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/2012/0...
I have it on the WWBL, it comes out 7 Feb. If I don't win the signed copy, I'll be at the bookstore that day.
Four bump in the night beans.....
Deacon has so many things in his life that would keep anyone else down in a bottle somewhere. He chooses to hunt those things that go bump in the night.
One of the reasons I dig reading urban fantasy, or paranormal in general, is that there are so many takes on vampires, shapeshifters, demons, angels, etc. Reading this one has a difference between vampires and Nosferatu.
I really look forward to learning more about Deacon and his friends and the strip club he owns.
I found out about this novella on Amberkatze's blog http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/. She interviewed James this past weekend and there's a prize drawing for a signed copy of the first whole book in the series, BLOOD AND BULLETS
http://amberkatze.blogspot.com/2012/0...
I have it on the WWBL, it comes out 7 Feb. If I don't win the signed copy, I'll be at the bookstore that day.
Four bump in the night beans.....
January 18, 2015
Original review posted at Not Now...I'm Reading!
3.5 stars
After finishing That Thing at the Zoo, I knew two things for certain. 1) I DO NOT want to deal with the creatures that reside in Mr. Tuck’s world and 2) Deacon Chalk is one bad ass mofo. In That Thing at the Zoo we get to tag along with Deacon as he tries to solve a rather perplexing case at the Atlanta Zoo. And boy what a night it turns out to be. I was counting my lucky stars that I wasn’t Jimmy the zookeeper. Although it wasn’t a hefty novella, James gives us just enough background and world building that you don’t feel lost or like you’re missing something important while reading the story. If you’ve hung out here regularly, then you know I love my Urban Fantasy gritty, fast-paced and scary. This novella delivers that and a little extra. All in all I thought it was a really good start to this new series.
3.5 stars
After finishing That Thing at the Zoo, I knew two things for certain. 1) I DO NOT want to deal with the creatures that reside in Mr. Tuck’s world and 2) Deacon Chalk is one bad ass mofo. In That Thing at the Zoo we get to tag along with Deacon as he tries to solve a rather perplexing case at the Atlanta Zoo. And boy what a night it turns out to be. I was counting my lucky stars that I wasn’t Jimmy the zookeeper. Although it wasn’t a hefty novella, James gives us just enough background and world building that you don’t feel lost or like you’re missing something important while reading the story. If you’ve hung out here regularly, then you know I love my Urban Fantasy gritty, fast-paced and scary. This novella delivers that and a little extra. All in all I thought it was a really good start to this new series.
June 10, 2012
Something is killing animals at the Atlanta Zoo. Since the bodies have been torn apart in a very strange way Detective John Longyard knows this case is going in the ‘Weird Shit’ file, so he calls the local Occult Bounty Hunter, Deacon Chalk to come do his thing. Deacon and his team decide it could be several nasty things, so the only way to find out and kill it is to stay the night in the zoo. Things get just a little weird after nightfall.
This short story is a quick read. Fast-paced, smooth-flowing with an interesting plot and characters, you’ll wish there was more to read. Don’t worry. You can go on and read the full length novel 'Blood and Bullets' then upcoming in a few weeks is another short 'Spider’s Lullaby' before another full length novel 'Blood and Silver' comes out August 1st. It looks like Deacon Chalk will be around for awhile and for that I’m glad.
This short story is a quick read. Fast-paced, smooth-flowing with an interesting plot and characters, you’ll wish there was more to read. Don’t worry. You can go on and read the full length novel 'Blood and Bullets' then upcoming in a few weeks is another short 'Spider’s Lullaby' before another full length novel 'Blood and Silver' comes out August 1st. It looks like Deacon Chalk will be around for awhile and for that I’m glad.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews