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Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit
Officer Mary Riley thought she knew what it meant to be a cop-until the night she chased a scream into a blood-soaked house and came face-to-face with something that shouldn't exist.
In the shadows of Providence, she discovers a secret police division tasked with cases no one else will touch: possessions, vanishings, creatures from beyond, and crimes that defy reason. Partnered with the emotionally guarded Detective Shippe and the enigmatic Rashid, Riley must adapt fast or end up like the victims she's sworn to protect.
But some truths are more dangerous than lies. The deeper she digs, the more Riley realizes the greatest threat isn't what stalks the dark-it's the secrets her own department is desperate to keep buried.
Fast-paced, chilling, and atmospheric, Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit blends the grit of police procedural with supernatural horror-perfect for fans of The X-Files, True Detective, and Supernatural.
In the shadows of Providence, she discovers a secret police division tasked with cases no one else will touch: possessions, vanishings, creatures from beyond, and crimes that defy reason. Partnered with the emotionally guarded Detective Shippe and the enigmatic Rashid, Riley must adapt fast or end up like the victims she's sworn to protect.
But some truths are more dangerous than lies. The deeper she digs, the more Riley realizes the greatest threat isn't what stalks the dark-it's the secrets her own department is desperate to keep buried.
Fast-paced, chilling, and atmospheric, Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit blends the grit of police procedural with supernatural horror-perfect for fans of The X-Files, True Detective, and Supernatural.
372 pages, Paperback
Published September 2, 2025
About the author
Chad Anctil
34 books29 followersChad Anctil grew up in the fascinating little state of Rhode Island, birthplace of H.P. Lovecraft and his peculiar branch of fiction, where he found his love for reading and horror at a young age – probably too young, but that’s just how Generation X did it. He has always been creative, taking up both writing and DJing in his teenage years before joining the Navy as an electronics engineer on fast attack submarines through the 90s.
Moving from New England to various parts of California, Hawaii, and beyond gave Chad a view into strange underworlds of art and dance and literature, from technicolor electronic dance parties in abandoned warehouses to vampire poetry performance art held in graveyards, to crazed robot combat held in secret, under dark highway overpasses. Throughout these experiences he often imagined there were secret inhuman forces at play, and created detailed landscapes where the dark world of the supernatural brushed up against his own mundane world, driving his creativity and his writing.
Moving back to New England after leaving the military, Chad’s path has always struggled between his artistic desires and his desire to pay his mortgage and cover health insurance for his wife and son, so he has devoted his days to software engineering where he currently works in cybersecurity, and his nights to his art, where he is not only a writer of horror and urban fantasy, he is also a nationally recognized fire performer, flowarts instructor, DJ and more.
Chad is currently contracted with Perspective Publishing for the release of his urban fantasy crime series ‘Providence SCU’, with book one expected to be released in 2025.
Moving from New England to various parts of California, Hawaii, and beyond gave Chad a view into strange underworlds of art and dance and literature, from technicolor electronic dance parties in abandoned warehouses to vampire poetry performance art held in graveyards, to crazed robot combat held in secret, under dark highway overpasses. Throughout these experiences he often imagined there were secret inhuman forces at play, and created detailed landscapes where the dark world of the supernatural brushed up against his own mundane world, driving his creativity and his writing.
Moving back to New England after leaving the military, Chad’s path has always struggled between his artistic desires and his desire to pay his mortgage and cover health insurance for his wife and son, so he has devoted his days to software engineering where he currently works in cybersecurity, and his nights to his art, where he is not only a writer of horror and urban fantasy, he is also a nationally recognized fire performer, flowarts instructor, DJ and more.
Chad is currently contracted with Perspective Publishing for the release of his urban fantasy crime series ‘Providence SCU’, with book one expected to be released in 2025.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 26, 2025
This was a complete surprise. I love urban fantasy like Dresden, and this was listed as urban fantasy horror, so I checked it out. I was kind of shocked at how well it read, how tight the story was, and just how engaging the characters were. The main character, Mary, is a great audience stand-in, and she's clearly competent, too, which is a nice change. She's also queer, but not in the 'oh boy here's a rainbow wearing gay character!!' way, it's only mentioned a little, and it feels more like a 'hey, some people are gay' kind of thing, it's not played up for anything.
Most of the characters are well written, and you get a feel for almost all of them and want to know more, especially the priest and Wendela. Her reveal(s) (no spoilers) were surprising and just made me want to know a lot more about her.
I think this is more horror and crime thriller than urban fantasy, but it's about sorcerers and evil magic in a modern-day setting, so I guess it counts as UF. The author goes heavy on the spell books.
I guess my main takeaway was that it's a pretty quick, exciting read and keeps you on your toes until the end. It says it's book one in a series. I really hope that the next book is coming out soonish and we don't have to wait years to get more of this, because I'd buy book 2 today.
Most of the characters are well written, and you get a feel for almost all of them and want to know more, especially the priest and Wendela. Her reveal(s) (no spoilers) were surprising and just made me want to know a lot more about her.
I think this is more horror and crime thriller than urban fantasy, but it's about sorcerers and evil magic in a modern-day setting, so I guess it counts as UF. The author goes heavy on the spell books.
I guess my main takeaway was that it's a pretty quick, exciting read and keeps you on your toes until the end. It says it's book one in a series. I really hope that the next book is coming out soonish and we don't have to wait years to get more of this, because I'd buy book 2 today.
December 29, 2025
“Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit” by Chad Anctil
🌚If you want to dive into a creepy yet adorable urban fantasy horror, Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit is precisely what you need.
🌜The Plot:
We follow Officer Mary Riley. She is a smart cop—an open-minded young woman with an adventurous spirit. One day, she comes across an extraordinary murder that leads her to a secret police unit and a group of people who deal with magic. From that moment on, all the dangerous and incredible adventures of her career begin unfolding.
🌛The Writing Style:
This is the first book in the series, and it hooked me from the very first lines. It’s cleverly written and dynamic, so if you have some spare time, you’ll definitely read it in one sitting. It’s twisty, dark, creepy, and atmospheric. The book also includes light, well-placed humor—a feature I truly love in this genre.
🌚The Characters:
The characters are absolutely stunning. Each one is perfectly thought out, vivid, and multilayered. Officer Riley, in particular, is memorable, and I felt a strong emotional connection to all of them.
🌚Fave Quote:
“Do not ever let anyone get access to your blood and hair. Worse than giving someone your Social Security Number, date of birth, and PIN.”
⭐️Would I read other books by this author?
Absolutely, yes!
⭐️My humble rating: 5/5
🌚P.S. If you enjoyed The X-Files and Supernatural, you’ll definitely like this book.
🤌I sincerely hope you enjoy reading Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit by Chad Anctil as much as I did.
🙏🏼Thank you so much for dropping by and reading this review.
📖Stay safe, take care, and happy reading.
🌚If you want to dive into a creepy yet adorable urban fantasy horror, Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit is precisely what you need.
🌜The Plot:
We follow Officer Mary Riley. She is a smart cop—an open-minded young woman with an adventurous spirit. One day, she comes across an extraordinary murder that leads her to a secret police unit and a group of people who deal with magic. From that moment on, all the dangerous and incredible adventures of her career begin unfolding.
🌛The Writing Style:
This is the first book in the series, and it hooked me from the very first lines. It’s cleverly written and dynamic, so if you have some spare time, you’ll definitely read it in one sitting. It’s twisty, dark, creepy, and atmospheric. The book also includes light, well-placed humor—a feature I truly love in this genre.
🌚The Characters:
The characters are absolutely stunning. Each one is perfectly thought out, vivid, and multilayered. Officer Riley, in particular, is memorable, and I felt a strong emotional connection to all of them.
🌚Fave Quote:
“Do not ever let anyone get access to your blood and hair. Worse than giving someone your Social Security Number, date of birth, and PIN.”
⭐️Would I read other books by this author?
Absolutely, yes!
⭐️My humble rating: 5/5
🌚P.S. If you enjoyed The X-Files and Supernatural, you’ll definitely like this book.
🤌I sincerely hope you enjoy reading Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit by Chad Anctil as much as I did.
🙏🏼Thank you so much for dropping by and reading this review.
📖Stay safe, take care, and happy reading.
February 22, 2026
I snagged this at a pop up market and went in with minimal expectations (only because I knew nothing about it, and it’s been a while since I’ve strayed from my TBR list). Detective work, sigils and sorcery, Providence, LGBTQ representation, essentially everything I want in a book. BUT I was still keeping my expectations to a minimum, and I was so pleasantly surprised. It was a solid 4-4.5 stars until the end, which bumped it to 5 stars.
It seemed obvious that the font and spacing were meant for improved readability, which I appreciated. I saw a comment that they’re cleaning it up a little for future copies, but the few critiques I had about em dashes and typos really didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this book. Would buy from Chad again at a random pop up event in a heartbeat!
It seemed obvious that the font and spacing were meant for improved readability, which I appreciated. I saw a comment that they’re cleaning it up a little for future copies, but the few critiques I had about em dashes and typos really didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this book. Would buy from Chad again at a random pop up event in a heartbeat!
April 9, 2026
What happens when Law & Order meets H.P. Lovecraft in the fog-draped streets of Rhode Island? You get Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit, a debut series opener that is as thrilling as it is atmospheric, and one that announces Chad Anctil as a genuinely exciting new voice in urban fantasy horror.
At its heart, the story follows Officer Mary Riley, a sharp, open-minded cop with an adventurous spirit, who stumbles upon an extraordinary murder that pulls her into a secret police unit that deals in magic, monsters, and the unexplainable. Goodreads From that inciting moment, the novel hits the ground running and rarely slows down.
Riley's new colleagues are a wonderfully odd ensemble: the stoic Captain Thompson, the enigmatic Detective Shippe whose deadpan humor conceals deeper secrets, the arcane scholar Rashid, a reformed witch named Wendela who crafts mystical tools from her lab, and Father Carl, who wields his faith like a weapon against the dark. Amazon Together, they form a team that feels lived-in and believable, each member adding a distinct flavor to the group dynamic.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its tonal balance. It's twisty, dark, and creepy, yet it also includes light, well-placed humor, a feature that elevates the genre rather than undermining it. Goodreads Anctil never lets the darkness become suffocating, and the wit woven throughout keeps the pages turning with genuine pleasure.
The novel sits comfortably at the intersection of Men in Black, Law & Order: SVU, and Lovecraftian horror Chadanctil, yet it never feels derivative. Anctil synthesizes these influences into something that feels distinctly his own, rooted in the geography and mythology of Providence itself. From eerie alleyways to the sprawling WaterFire festivals, the city becomes as much a character as the people who patrol it. Amazon
The writing style is perfectly suited to the story, easy to read, with a relatively short but concise chapter structure that makes it genuinely hard to put down. Goodreads This is the kind of book you tell yourself you'll read one more chapter of, and then suddenly it's 2 a.m.
If there's any criticism to level, it's that the world-building, while rich, occasionally leans so heavily on magical lore and spell books that the pacing tightens just slightly in the middle act. Readers expecting a relentless thriller may need a touch of patience. But for those who love immersive world-building, this is a feature, not a bug.
Some truths are more dangerous than lies, and the deeper Riley digs, the more she realizes the greatest threat isn't the creatures that stalk the dark, it's the secrets her own department is desperate to keep buried. That tension between institutional secrecy and personal integrity gives the book a surprisingly emotional core beneath all the supernatural fireworks.
Final Verdict: Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit is a confident, compelling debut that fans of The X-Files, Supernatural, and urban fantasy crime fiction will devour. Chad Anctil has built a world worth returning to, and book two cannot come soon enough.
At its heart, the story follows Officer Mary Riley, a sharp, open-minded cop with an adventurous spirit, who stumbles upon an extraordinary murder that pulls her into a secret police unit that deals in magic, monsters, and the unexplainable. Goodreads From that inciting moment, the novel hits the ground running and rarely slows down.
Riley's new colleagues are a wonderfully odd ensemble: the stoic Captain Thompson, the enigmatic Detective Shippe whose deadpan humor conceals deeper secrets, the arcane scholar Rashid, a reformed witch named Wendela who crafts mystical tools from her lab, and Father Carl, who wields his faith like a weapon against the dark. Amazon Together, they form a team that feels lived-in and believable, each member adding a distinct flavor to the group dynamic.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its tonal balance. It's twisty, dark, and creepy, yet it also includes light, well-placed humor, a feature that elevates the genre rather than undermining it. Goodreads Anctil never lets the darkness become suffocating, and the wit woven throughout keeps the pages turning with genuine pleasure.
The novel sits comfortably at the intersection of Men in Black, Law & Order: SVU, and Lovecraftian horror Chadanctil, yet it never feels derivative. Anctil synthesizes these influences into something that feels distinctly his own, rooted in the geography and mythology of Providence itself. From eerie alleyways to the sprawling WaterFire festivals, the city becomes as much a character as the people who patrol it. Amazon
The writing style is perfectly suited to the story, easy to read, with a relatively short but concise chapter structure that makes it genuinely hard to put down. Goodreads This is the kind of book you tell yourself you'll read one more chapter of, and then suddenly it's 2 a.m.
If there's any criticism to level, it's that the world-building, while rich, occasionally leans so heavily on magical lore and spell books that the pacing tightens just slightly in the middle act. Readers expecting a relentless thriller may need a touch of patience. But for those who love immersive world-building, this is a feature, not a bug.
Some truths are more dangerous than lies, and the deeper Riley digs, the more she realizes the greatest threat isn't the creatures that stalk the dark, it's the secrets her own department is desperate to keep buried. That tension between institutional secrecy and personal integrity gives the book a surprisingly emotional core beneath all the supernatural fireworks.
Final Verdict: Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit is a confident, compelling debut that fans of The X-Files, Supernatural, and urban fantasy crime fiction will devour. Chad Anctil has built a world worth returning to, and book two cannot come soon enough.
November 21, 2025
‘Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit,’ a book from an enthusiastic novice, lacks the polish one expects from a pro. However, what it lacks in polish it makes up for in gusto. Well, gusto and a rootedness in Rhode Island history and locales that I, who settled in the state over a decade ago, found charming.
Here’s the setup: Officer Mary Riley is a Providence beat cop who happens upon an eldritch horror from beyond imagination. Such an encounter normally renders humans into gibberish lunatics, but Officer Riley survives. Not only does she survive, but she acquits herself so well that she comes to the attention of the titular Supernatural Crimes Unit. Rhode Island, of course, is Lovecraftian to the core - there’s a lot for them to do. Soon enough, Officer Riley finds herself neck-deep in monsters, warlocks, and murderers. And this is just the first act.
Fun stuff, right? Mix in a deep rootedness in, and love for, Rhode Island geography and lore, and we have ourselves a proper adventure.
“Hang on,” you may be thinking. “This doesn’t read like a three-star review.” Well, there are some problems. First, the novel lacks polish. It reads like a well-written first adventure novel, but like a first novel nonetheless. In printed form, the publisher uses a large font and creative spacing. The author has informed me that this was a conscious choice to improve accessibility and reliability. However, it gives the impression that one is reading a term paper by a student who jiggered font sizes, spacing, and margins to get an 18-pager across the line to 20. Additionally, there’s a distracting quirk of the font. The em-dashes are barely distinguishable from the regular dashes - and the author uses em-dashes a lot. I got hung up on this, often rereading a sentence to get the “dashing” right. The Chicago Manual of Style says that em-dashes don’t need spaces before and after. In this case, they would have helped.
So, hey, a mixed bag. That said, I enjoyed it. If you live in, or love, Rhode Island and you’re willing to overlook a developing writer’s growing pains, I think you’ll enjoy ‘Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit.’ I’ll certainly share my copy with some local friends.
Here’s the setup: Officer Mary Riley is a Providence beat cop who happens upon an eldritch horror from beyond imagination. Such an encounter normally renders humans into gibberish lunatics, but Officer Riley survives. Not only does she survive, but she acquits herself so well that she comes to the attention of the titular Supernatural Crimes Unit. Rhode Island, of course, is Lovecraftian to the core - there’s a lot for them to do. Soon enough, Officer Riley finds herself neck-deep in monsters, warlocks, and murderers. And this is just the first act.
Fun stuff, right? Mix in a deep rootedness in, and love for, Rhode Island geography and lore, and we have ourselves a proper adventure.
“Hang on,” you may be thinking. “This doesn’t read like a three-star review.” Well, there are some problems. First, the novel lacks polish. It reads like a well-written first adventure novel, but like a first novel nonetheless. In printed form, the publisher uses a large font and creative spacing. The author has informed me that this was a conscious choice to improve accessibility and reliability. However, it gives the impression that one is reading a term paper by a student who jiggered font sizes, spacing, and margins to get an 18-pager across the line to 20. Additionally, there’s a distracting quirk of the font. The em-dashes are barely distinguishable from the regular dashes - and the author uses em-dashes a lot. I got hung up on this, often rereading a sentence to get the “dashing” right. The Chicago Manual of Style says that em-dashes don’t need spaces before and after. In this case, they would have helped.
So, hey, a mixed bag. That said, I enjoyed it. If you live in, or love, Rhode Island and you’re willing to overlook a developing writer’s growing pains, I think you’ll enjoy ‘Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit.’ I’ll certainly share my copy with some local friends.
December 12, 2025
Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit by Chad Anctil is a fun, fast-paced, and thrilling read. Chad utilizes his setting in a highly effective manner, allowing its readers to navigate the historic avenues of Providence while also traversing down the underbellies of the city. With Lovecraft-inspired monsters and nods throughout, we are introduced to a world where monsters and wizards hide in plain sight and those who seek knowledge of the dark arts are scratching at the surface of the supernatural world just itching to break through.
The novel follows police officer Mary Riley who has just stumbled on a crime scene that has presented her with an unexplainable situation for which she struggles accepting the nonchalant response from her department. Mary is quickly approached by a special department who see Mary’s curious a nature and passionate dedication to protecting others and recruit her for the Providence SCU…the Supernatural Crimes Unit. From that point on Mary’s life will never be the same as she investigates a case that has devastating potential. Some things can never be unknown and Mary soon realizes why it is so important the department keeps these cases hidden from the public.
The novel perfectly blends Men in Black, Law and Order: SVU, and Lovecraft to create a story that feels easily screenplay adaptable. Chad Anctil’s writing style is perfect for a story like this, creating an easy to read book with relatively short but concise chapter structure that makes it hard to put down. The character development of Mary Riley allows the reader to feel connection to her character while also building some strong side characters who hopefully we will get more background on in future installments. Anctil also does some great world building here, not just within the setting of Providence but also explaining the rules and types of supernatural spells and creatures we see here.
For fans of crime fiction and the supernatural this is one I can’t recommend enough. With this being such a fun read, the only down side of this book is now having to wait for the next installment!
The novel follows police officer Mary Riley who has just stumbled on a crime scene that has presented her with an unexplainable situation for which she struggles accepting the nonchalant response from her department. Mary is quickly approached by a special department who see Mary’s curious a nature and passionate dedication to protecting others and recruit her for the Providence SCU…the Supernatural Crimes Unit. From that point on Mary’s life will never be the same as she investigates a case that has devastating potential. Some things can never be unknown and Mary soon realizes why it is so important the department keeps these cases hidden from the public.
The novel perfectly blends Men in Black, Law and Order: SVU, and Lovecraft to create a story that feels easily screenplay adaptable. Chad Anctil’s writing style is perfect for a story like this, creating an easy to read book with relatively short but concise chapter structure that makes it hard to put down. The character development of Mary Riley allows the reader to feel connection to her character while also building some strong side characters who hopefully we will get more background on in future installments. Anctil also does some great world building here, not just within the setting of Providence but also explaining the rules and types of supernatural spells and creatures we see here.
For fans of crime fiction and the supernatural this is one I can’t recommend enough. With this being such a fun read, the only down side of this book is now having to wait for the next installment!
February 4, 2026
Officer Mary Riley thought she understood police work until a horrifying call led her into a blood soaked house and face to face with something impossible. That night pulls her into a hidden division of the Providence police department that handles the cases no one else can: possessions, unexplained vanishings, and creatures that defy logic.
Teamed with guarded Detective Shippe and the mysterious Rashid, Riley must quickly adjust to a world where the supernatural is real and deadly. But as she investigates, she discovers the biggest danger may not be the monsters in the dark, but the secrets her own department is hiding.
Fast paced and atmospheric, this novel blends gritty police procedural with chilling supernatural horror.
Teamed with guarded Detective Shippe and the mysterious Rashid, Riley must quickly adjust to a world where the supernatural is real and deadly. But as she investigates, she discovers the biggest danger may not be the monsters in the dark, but the secrets her own department is hiding.
Fast paced and atmospheric, this novel blends gritty police procedural with chilling supernatural horror.
April 25, 2026
This fun read sucked me in from the start and kept me enjoying till the end. As a person with a short attention span, I often find myself not wanting to read novels due to their length, but the chapters were just the right size. The book itself was the exact right length, giving a great mystery, while seemingly setting up more to come. I really like how the cast is a bit limited, which gives each character more room to grow. My only criticism is that some of the font and design choices weren't ones I would have made, but my enjoyment of the writing was enough to keep me from focusing on it. I'd say this book is a must-read for fans of things like Men in Black, the X-Files, or anything by H.P. Lovecraft. Really looking forward to buying the sequel!
February 27, 2026
Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit by Chad Anctil is an electrifying blend of gritty police drama and chilling supernatural horror. From the first haunting scene, I was completely hooked. Officer Mary Riley is a strong, believable protagonist whose courage and vulnerability make her journey compelling. The secret division concept is brilliantly executed, layering suspense with mystery at every turn. The atmosphere feels dark and immersive, and the tension never lets up. The partnership dynamics add emotional weight to the fast-paced action. Fans of The X-Files will devour this. A thrilling, smart, and unforgettable read.
October 27, 2025
I’m so thrilled with this book, I want more from this author!
Part police procedural, part cosmic horror, part urban fantasy, combining a world with magic and a compelling story. The characters were well written and the plot had a great pace, keeping my interest throughout. I loved the ending, and it leaves so much more to explore in a sequel but wraps the story up satisfactorily. I highly recommend!
Part police procedural, part cosmic horror, part urban fantasy, combining a world with magic and a compelling story. The characters were well written and the plot had a great pace, keeping my interest throughout. I loved the ending, and it leaves so much more to explore in a sequel but wraps the story up satisfactorily. I highly recommend!
February 18, 2026
Providence Supernatural Crimes Unit is a dark, electrifying page turner that perfectly blends gritty police work with chilling supernatural horror. Officer Mary Riley’s plunge into a hidden world of impossible crimes is intense, atmospheric, and impossible to put down. The suspense builds relentlessly, the mystery cuts deep, and the twists keep you hooked until the final page. A thrilling, cinematic read that delivers fear, intrigue, and nonstop action. Absolutely captivating!
December 19, 2025
Could not stop reading it. Being from Providence area, I could see most of the area described in the book. I purchased the book directly from the author after we talked about it during a festival he was at. He got me interested and it was worth the money. Hopefully there will be another book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews