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Softly Calls the Devil
Not yet published
Expected 4 Nov 25From NZ cop-turned-novelist Chris Blake comes a dark, gripping, intricate crime thriller set on the South Island's wild and remote West Coast
Things are going well for Matt Buchanan. After some hard times, life is peaceful as sole-charge constable for the small, isolated settlement of Haast on New Zealand's wild West Coast. He's made friends among the locals, won their trust. He keeps their little world safe. And he's working in spectacular surroundings - the fierce Tasman Sea, the dense beech forest, the dark, cold swamps, the snowy Southern Alps.
But then his much-loved predecessor, Gus, is discovered beside a river with a bullet through his head. He'd been looking into a disturbing murder-suicide from 1978: the parents' bodies were found, but not their daughter's. Suspecting a darker truth, Matt is certain the answers can't be too far away in this close-knit community. How does former forest service ranger Liam, with his gang links, fit into the story? What about Joe, the alcoholic hermit whose knowledge and intelligence seem so at odds with his appearance and lifestyle?
Tensions rise, there are more deaths, people are threatened, memories surface of a cult that went horribly wrong ... Even when support arrives, Matt finds himself pursuing a case that's well outside his remit and is taking him to places he'd sooner not revisit. Also part of an increasingly terrifying situation are an over-curious journalist and a woman who could be someone special.
Matt has managed to shun his own demons, and is desperate not to face them again, but when confronted by the devil himself, he must take action, rediscover something of the person he was - for his own sake and to save those he loves.
This is the work of an award-winning master storyteller. Fast-moving, spare, compelling and rich in laconic humour, Softly Calls the Devil will grab you from the first page and refuse to let go.
Things are going well for Matt Buchanan. After some hard times, life is peaceful as sole-charge constable for the small, isolated settlement of Haast on New Zealand's wild West Coast. He's made friends among the locals, won their trust. He keeps their little world safe. And he's working in spectacular surroundings - the fierce Tasman Sea, the dense beech forest, the dark, cold swamps, the snowy Southern Alps.
But then his much-loved predecessor, Gus, is discovered beside a river with a bullet through his head. He'd been looking into a disturbing murder-suicide from 1978: the parents' bodies were found, but not their daughter's. Suspecting a darker truth, Matt is certain the answers can't be too far away in this close-knit community. How does former forest service ranger Liam, with his gang links, fit into the story? What about Joe, the alcoholic hermit whose knowledge and intelligence seem so at odds with his appearance and lifestyle?
Tensions rise, there are more deaths, people are threatened, memories surface of a cult that went horribly wrong ... Even when support arrives, Matt finds himself pursuing a case that's well outside his remit and is taking him to places he'd sooner not revisit. Also part of an increasingly terrifying situation are an over-curious journalist and a woman who could be someone special.
Matt has managed to shun his own demons, and is desperate not to face them again, but when confronted by the devil himself, he must take action, rediscover something of the person he was - for his own sake and to save those he loves.
This is the work of an award-winning master storyteller. Fast-moving, spare, compelling and rich in laconic humour, Softly Calls the Devil will grab you from the first page and refuse to let go.
- GenresCrime
ebook
Expected publication November 4, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 27, 2025
Unflinching dazzling 5 Stars!
Constable Matt Buchannan is a perfectly written character. Living a quieter life in a small, isolated settlement after more stressful times, he’s happy. Loving the location, he’s fitting in with the locals as their solo cop. Very quickly this changes, the necessity is dire, he must think like the capable Detective he once was. Chris Blake knows how to write the skilled and flawed man. The one behind gun and the badge, the bloke that can have a beer at the local and the soldier, the soldier holding the M4 rifle for survival. The motivation and feeling of holding a weapon that can kill, the power and the reality it holds communicated to the page remarkably. Conveying what it feels like to be hunted, and to be the hunter. Flowing seamlessly, the narrative reflecting this is not the movies, interweaving horrifically convincing scenes of terror and real physical pain. Vivid descriptions of surrounding areas were intricate to this well plotted novel, the local players blended perfectly to form each of their roles in supporting the race to survival. More than a police procedural, it encompassed all the meaty parts in between that will undoubtedly have you turning the pages quickly as I did.
Thank you Good Reading Magazine and Echo Publishing it really was a hit, I’d say truly it will be one of my top crime reads of the year.
Constable Matt Buchannan is a perfectly written character. Living a quieter life in a small, isolated settlement after more stressful times, he’s happy. Loving the location, he’s fitting in with the locals as their solo cop. Very quickly this changes, the necessity is dire, he must think like the capable Detective he once was. Chris Blake knows how to write the skilled and flawed man. The one behind gun and the badge, the bloke that can have a beer at the local and the soldier, the soldier holding the M4 rifle for survival. The motivation and feeling of holding a weapon that can kill, the power and the reality it holds communicated to the page remarkably. Conveying what it feels like to be hunted, and to be the hunter. Flowing seamlessly, the narrative reflecting this is not the movies, interweaving horrifically convincing scenes of terror and real physical pain. Vivid descriptions of surrounding areas were intricate to this well plotted novel, the local players blended perfectly to form each of their roles in supporting the race to survival. More than a police procedural, it encompassed all the meaty parts in between that will undoubtedly have you turning the pages quickly as I did.
Thank you Good Reading Magazine and Echo Publishing it really was a hit, I’d say truly it will be one of my top crime reads of the year.
October 14, 2025
Matt Buchanan is enjoying life as the sole-charge police constable in the small settlement of Haast, on the remote west coast of the South Island of New Zealand. Matt is respected, has made friends amongst the locals, and is happy to turn his back on some personal demons in his past.
But the peace Matt has enjoyed is short-lived. His predecessor, Gus, is discovered dead with a bullet shot to the head. Gus had been looking into a case from 1978. The case was thought to be a murder suicide: the bodies of a husband and wife were found, but their daughter (who had been with them) was missing. Matt is convinced that some of the locals in this close-knit community must know something. And they do, but revisiting the past is fraught with both danger and death.
There are multiple twists in this story, heightened by isolation. No quick solve, no straightforward path to the truth. More people die and others are threatened: can Matt save himself; can he find the truth?
This is one of those books where the surroundings become an important part of the story, where each of the characters has history and where methodical police work is critical to untangling what has happened and why.
Highly recommended.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Echo Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
But the peace Matt has enjoyed is short-lived. His predecessor, Gus, is discovered dead with a bullet shot to the head. Gus had been looking into a case from 1978. The case was thought to be a murder suicide: the bodies of a husband and wife were found, but their daughter (who had been with them) was missing. Matt is convinced that some of the locals in this close-knit community must know something. And they do, but revisiting the past is fraught with both danger and death.
There are multiple twists in this story, heightened by isolation. No quick solve, no straightforward path to the truth. More people die and others are threatened: can Matt save himself; can he find the truth?
This is one of those books where the surroundings become an important part of the story, where each of the characters has history and where methodical police work is critical to untangling what has happened and why.
Highly recommended.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Echo Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
October 25, 2025
This was a cracking read, with a good pace and some twists and turns. There are quite a lot of characters, but the plot was very unpredictable and held my attention enough to keep track.
I found the brutality and descriptions of torture confronting in some parts, but it rang true and made for a very realistic look at the underbelly. No doubt the author’s experience in the police force adds authenticity.
I would happily read more novels about Matt Buchanan, who is a likeable character with intelligence and integrity. It was also refreshing to read a crime novel where all the police are good, honest, capable and get on with each other.
If you like a good crime and police procedural story, you will love this book.
*Thanks to Echo Publishing and Good Reading Magazine for my Early Bird copy in return for a review.*
I found the brutality and descriptions of torture confronting in some parts, but it rang true and made for a very realistic look at the underbelly. No doubt the author’s experience in the police force adds authenticity.
I would happily read more novels about Matt Buchanan, who is a likeable character with intelligence and integrity. It was also refreshing to read a crime novel where all the police are good, honest, capable and get on with each other.
If you like a good crime and police procedural story, you will love this book.
*Thanks to Echo Publishing and Good Reading Magazine for my Early Bird copy in return for a review.*
October 27, 2025
The Prologue had me intrigued from the start and I knew this book was going to hold my interest.
A storyline of a past crime in 1978 was brought to light and so begins the investigation to the case. New lines of enquiries have come forward, along with a spate of recent deaths, that are intertwined and connected.
Matt Buchanan is in charge of the case and follows the leads and gut instinct. He unravels the clues and hunts down the killer.
A crime story that has all the right elements.
A storyline of a past crime in 1978 was brought to light and so begins the investigation to the case. New lines of enquiries have come forward, along with a spate of recent deaths, that are intertwined and connected.
Matt Buchanan is in charge of the case and follows the leads and gut instinct. He unravels the clues and hunts down the killer.
A crime story that has all the right elements.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews