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Harry Hendrick #3
Bad Blood
Freelance journalist Harry Hendrick is beginning to realise that you’re only as good as your last exclusive, and buzz doesn’t pay the bills, when he’s blackmailed by the police into investigating a series of bizarre suicides.
Those investigations lead him into the web of Mistress Hel, who plies her dark arts from her luxurious suburban lair. With continuing challenges in his personal and professional life, can Harry resist her seductive power? Or the thrill of danger itself?
The latest genre-bending thriller from an exciting Australian author, Gary Kemble.
Those investigations lead him into the web of Mistress Hel, who plies her dark arts from her luxurious suburban lair. With continuing challenges in his personal and professional life, can Harry resist her seductive power? Or the thrill of danger itself?
The latest genre-bending thriller from an exciting Australian author, Gary Kemble.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2016
9 people are currently reading
367 people want to read
About the author
Gary Kemble
11 books48 followersGary Kemble has spent his life telling stories. He wrote, illustrated and self-published his first story (Back from the Grave) aged eight. His debut novel Strange Ink (aka Skin Deep in Australia/NZ) is due out in the US and UK in October 2018. You can follow him on Facebook (@garykembleauthor).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
July 7, 2017
Wow! My mind is still racing from trying to digest what it's just read. What an amazing read, I couldn't wait to get back to the story to find out what happened next, and I wasn't disappointed...
Harry Hendrick has again managed to get himself into a whole bunch of trouble. Being a freelance journo with the nose for a good story, leads Harry on a very dark journey, where he is again the centre of the storm.
When Harry is "persuaded" by the Qld police to try to discover the reason behind a bizarre number of male suicides "for the Goddess", evolves into him discovering more evil doings. Systematic abuse of school children, corrupt cops and union officials misappropriating funds for personal use, all meld into a paranormal page turner.
I'm really looking forward to the next Harry Hendrick instalment, as he's a very interesting character, and I'm sure he'll take us to even more bizarre places.
Harry Hendrick has again managed to get himself into a whole bunch of trouble. Being a freelance journo with the nose for a good story, leads Harry on a very dark journey, where he is again the centre of the storm.
When Harry is "persuaded" by the Qld police to try to discover the reason behind a bizarre number of male suicides "for the Goddess", evolves into him discovering more evil doings. Systematic abuse of school children, corrupt cops and union officials misappropriating funds for personal use, all meld into a paranormal page turner.
I'm really looking forward to the next Harry Hendrick instalment, as he's a very interesting character, and I'm sure he'll take us to even more bizarre places.
April 26, 2017
Men are committing suicide in bizarre ways. One breaks all the mirrors in his house, sweep all the bits of glass and dumps them in the bathtub. He then gets in the bathtub and starts eating the glass until he dies. His last words ...For you my Goddess.
Harry Hendrick is a freelance journalist when he's he sort of blackmailed by the police into investigating this series of strange suicides. All they have to go on is the peculiar cuts to all the men's backs.
His investigation leads him to Mistress Hel who is not only a dominatrix, but one who also dabbles in the black arts. How has she seduced these men into killing themselves?
Can Harry avoid the same ending?
I have to admit, I was mesmerized by this book. Involving the occult with a well written crime thriller really worked for me. I don't normally read horror, so this was quite a surprise.
Harry is a terrific character. He's got issues on top of issues. But he's got a good heart. He counts as friends, Sandy, who is a psychic of sorts and is responsible for saving his life the previous year. Bec is his ex-girlfriend, but that is changing. And Doug, the friend that keeps on giving. They all play a pivotal part of the story.
The story line is a good one, a mash-up of crime, blood, sex, and death. Kept me reading from the very first page to the very last page.
Many thanks to the author / Bonnier Publishing Australia - Echo Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of BAD BLOOD. Opinions expresses here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Harry Hendrick is a freelance journalist when he's he sort of blackmailed by the police into investigating this series of strange suicides. All they have to go on is the peculiar cuts to all the men's backs.
His investigation leads him to Mistress Hel who is not only a dominatrix, but one who also dabbles in the black arts. How has she seduced these men into killing themselves?
Can Harry avoid the same ending?
I have to admit, I was mesmerized by this book. Involving the occult with a well written crime thriller really worked for me. I don't normally read horror, so this was quite a surprise.
Harry is a terrific character. He's got issues on top of issues. But he's got a good heart. He counts as friends, Sandy, who is a psychic of sorts and is responsible for saving his life the previous year. Bec is his ex-girlfriend, but that is changing. And Doug, the friend that keeps on giving. They all play a pivotal part of the story.
The story line is a good one, a mash-up of crime, blood, sex, and death. Kept me reading from the very first page to the very last page.
Many thanks to the author / Bonnier Publishing Australia - Echo Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of BAD BLOOD. Opinions expresses here are unbiased and entirely my own.
September 11, 2016
Bad Blood is the second book in the Harry Hendrick series by British-born author, Gary Kemble. Some months after the exciting events that saw Harry making big news, he is now a freelance journalist working on drafts of several possible stories, some with definite headline potential. A headline event in Harry’s personal life is the welcome reappearance of Bec, unattached and tentatively willing to rekindle their relationship.
But then, under the implied threat of prosecution for certain past activities, Harry is coerced by the Queensland Police to look into a case that has them baffled. It seems that Harry’s previous experience with strange happenings qualifies him to look into a series of bizarre suicides. Four men with nothing in common except the words in their suicide notes, unusual incisions on their bodies, and their association with a certain dominatrix.
A fifth event makes it clear that Mistress Hel exerts a strong influence over the behaviour of the men who use her services. Harry is intrigued: she’s stunningly beautiful, but of course he can surely resist her powers, can’t he? Harry is intelligent, he is excited about getting back with Bec, and, despite warnings from his psychic friend, confident he can be objective.
Once again Kemble gives his reader an original plot that has more than one exciting climax, and features some very topical themes, as well as a few age-old ones: a paedophile ring, the diversion of union funds for personal use, a suicide pact, mixed martial arts cage fights, strip clubs and the exploitation of women, guilt, shame and revenge. Kemble’s familiarity with his setting is apparent in every paragraph.
Kemble’s protagonist a totally believable, ordinary guy; his friends are appealing and many of the incidental characters are the sort one regularly encounters in everyday life. Kemble’s skill at crafting his tale is such that the reader is soon shaking their head at Harry’s naiveté and self-confidence, then beginning to feel anxious for him, and grateful for his good friends, Sandy and Dave. He relieves the tension with well-placed moments of (often black) humour.
This is another brilliant dose of Harry Hendrick, and the reader can only hope that Kemble is planning on more of these adventures with a paranormal streak for this unassuming hero. Readers should be aware that this book contains major spoilers for the first Harry Hendrick book, Skin Deep, so it is advisable to read this series in order.
With thanks to Echo Publishing for this copy to read and review
But then, under the implied threat of prosecution for certain past activities, Harry is coerced by the Queensland Police to look into a case that has them baffled. It seems that Harry’s previous experience with strange happenings qualifies him to look into a series of bizarre suicides. Four men with nothing in common except the words in their suicide notes, unusual incisions on their bodies, and their association with a certain dominatrix.
A fifth event makes it clear that Mistress Hel exerts a strong influence over the behaviour of the men who use her services. Harry is intrigued: she’s stunningly beautiful, but of course he can surely resist her powers, can’t he? Harry is intelligent, he is excited about getting back with Bec, and, despite warnings from his psychic friend, confident he can be objective.
Once again Kemble gives his reader an original plot that has more than one exciting climax, and features some very topical themes, as well as a few age-old ones: a paedophile ring, the diversion of union funds for personal use, a suicide pact, mixed martial arts cage fights, strip clubs and the exploitation of women, guilt, shame and revenge. Kemble’s familiarity with his setting is apparent in every paragraph.
Kemble’s protagonist a totally believable, ordinary guy; his friends are appealing and many of the incidental characters are the sort one regularly encounters in everyday life. Kemble’s skill at crafting his tale is such that the reader is soon shaking their head at Harry’s naiveté and self-confidence, then beginning to feel anxious for him, and grateful for his good friends, Sandy and Dave. He relieves the tension with well-placed moments of (often black) humour.
This is another brilliant dose of Harry Hendrick, and the reader can only hope that Kemble is planning on more of these adventures with a paranormal streak for this unassuming hero. Readers should be aware that this book contains major spoilers for the first Harry Hendrick book, Skin Deep, so it is advisable to read this series in order.
With thanks to Echo Publishing for this copy to read and review
August 13, 2021
Dark Ink starts out very strong with a visceral and fascinating scene of a man driven to eat glass until he dies. This scene was what had me holding on, thinking I was going to experience this same level of creativity and intrigue again but it never comes. By the middle of the book I began to slowly realize, this isn't going anywhere.
I was disappointed with this story because I felt the characters were paper-thin, that the story was not fleshed out, and a big chunk of the book was a bit tedious because our main character was not able to release himself, if you know what I mean. Which I thought could be interesting if it went somewhere unique but it didn't. But reading about blue balls for what seemed like forever was kind of boring. The end was a Michael Bay type fiasco that surprised me a little. Not in a good way though.
There were some cool moments like the first chapter was so rad, and it is really interesting for a bit, and the main character was kinda funny at times.
To be fair though take this with a grain of salt because this was the second book in the series...so maybe because I hadn't read the first one, it all flew over my head.
I was disappointed with this story because I felt the characters were paper-thin, that the story was not fleshed out, and a big chunk of the book was a bit tedious because our main character was not able to release himself, if you know what I mean. Which I thought could be interesting if it went somewhere unique but it didn't. But reading about blue balls for what seemed like forever was kind of boring. The end was a Michael Bay type fiasco that surprised me a little. Not in a good way though.
There were some cool moments like the first chapter was so rad, and it is really interesting for a bit, and the main character was kinda funny at times.
To be fair though take this with a grain of salt because this was the second book in the series...so maybe because I hadn't read the first one, it all flew over my head.
August 27, 2016
The second Harry Hendrick book from Gary Kemble is a tight, fast-paced sequel to Skin Deep. More visceral, darker and bloodier than its predecessor, it carries a hard and twisted story powerfully through to the end.
September 5, 2016
Gary Kemble's first book SKIN DEEP was shortlisted for the 2016 Ned Kelly Award for a very good reason. It was a hands on, in your face, blood, guts and glory paranormal crime mashup with a quintessentially Australian bloke central character that worked incredibly well. So well that a reader would be excused for wondering where Harry Hendrick could be taken next. Straight into the web of a dominatrix with an overwhelming ability to manipulate her clients wasn't quite what I was expecting.
Yet again, in BAD BLOOD, we have something that just shouldn't work for this reader on so many levels and yet it's compulsive reading. In this outing Gary Kemble has upped the ante in a number of aspects. There's quite a bit of sex, of the erotic / vaguely weird variety. There's considerably more of the paranonormal than was in the earlier book. There's some short sharp bursts of very confrontational violence (of the self-inflicted variety) and there's again an historical viewpoint - in this case child abuse. There's also Union corruption, people behaving badly, suspicious wives and always, at the centre of the web there's the mysterious and slightly unnerving Mistress Hel, and her suburban lair. Which means that there's also humour and more than hefty dose of tongue in cheek in this series as well. Or it might just be me that found the idea of a luxurious, custom built, den of a dominatrix in an otherwise "nice" suburban street not just apt, but funny into the bargain. Not that what Mistress Hel is up to is funny, nor her reasons.
There are quite a few strengths to this series. The paranormal aspects work for this slightly allergic reader, mostly because they are presented in such a matter-of-fact, every day sort of style. There's always that slight sense that Hendrick isn't 100% convinced about what's happening around him either, and he's certainly not presenting it as special or mystical or "other". It's a pain in the neck (literally) and he's not afraid to show that.
Aside from the paranormal Harry Hendrick comes across as a pretty normal sort of bloke. Able to screw up a relationship in a single bound, somewhat erratic when it comes to household chores, struggling to pay the bills and looking for a way to give his life some direction. Martial arts helps, mates help and stick close despite some ups and downs. All in all it's a really average, normal sort of a life, aside from the paranormal, and that's what makes it work so well.
BAD BLOOD is accessible crime / thriller / paranormal / action packed day to day life style storytelling, although a series that would be more compelling if read in order. It's good fun and at the same time it's tackling some serious social failings. Very cleverly done and well worth following even if, like me, you're normally a little leery of speculative fiction.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
Yet again, in BAD BLOOD, we have something that just shouldn't work for this reader on so many levels and yet it's compulsive reading. In this outing Gary Kemble has upped the ante in a number of aspects. There's quite a bit of sex, of the erotic / vaguely weird variety. There's considerably more of the paranonormal than was in the earlier book. There's some short sharp bursts of very confrontational violence (of the self-inflicted variety) and there's again an historical viewpoint - in this case child abuse. There's also Union corruption, people behaving badly, suspicious wives and always, at the centre of the web there's the mysterious and slightly unnerving Mistress Hel, and her suburban lair. Which means that there's also humour and more than hefty dose of tongue in cheek in this series as well. Or it might just be me that found the idea of a luxurious, custom built, den of a dominatrix in an otherwise "nice" suburban street not just apt, but funny into the bargain. Not that what Mistress Hel is up to is funny, nor her reasons.
There are quite a few strengths to this series. The paranormal aspects work for this slightly allergic reader, mostly because they are presented in such a matter-of-fact, every day sort of style. There's always that slight sense that Hendrick isn't 100% convinced about what's happening around him either, and he's certainly not presenting it as special or mystical or "other". It's a pain in the neck (literally) and he's not afraid to show that.
Aside from the paranormal Harry Hendrick comes across as a pretty normal sort of bloke. Able to screw up a relationship in a single bound, somewhat erratic when it comes to household chores, struggling to pay the bills and looking for a way to give his life some direction. Martial arts helps, mates help and stick close despite some ups and downs. All in all it's a really average, normal sort of a life, aside from the paranormal, and that's what makes it work so well.
BAD BLOOD is accessible crime / thriller / paranormal / action packed day to day life style storytelling, although a series that would be more compelling if read in order. It's good fun and at the same time it's tackling some serious social failings. Very cleverly done and well worth following even if, like me, you're normally a little leery of speculative fiction.
http://www.austcrimefiction.org/revie...
July 21, 2016
Harry Hendrick is back. And so is local author Gary Kemble (soon to return to Brisbane after two years in Scotland) who has just released his second novel, Bad Blood, featuring Hendrick, the journalist who has an unfortunate habit of becoming embroiled in murder, mayhem and mystery.
Bad Blood begins with a tortuous scene in which a man smashes all the mirrors in his house and then proceeds to eat the glass shards. What would drive someone to such extreme lengths? The image is difficult to shake from your head, and is an indication of what is to follow (nicely bookended by a similarly graphic scene in a mirror fun house at the end of the story).
Once again, Gary has presented us with a genre-bending novel that transcends boundaries and pushes us well outside our comfort zone. Bad Blood is a supernatural thriller, a fast-paced crime story and a visceral tale of blood-letting and torture. Once again, Gary has defied the convention of sticking to one genre, and has managed to present a story that seamlessly moves from investigation of a paedophile ring and a series of suicides, to the dark world of the occult, and then to the clandestine underbelly of torture and a scary S&M domanatrix.
In some ways this book is darker than its predecessor, Skin Deep, with more graphic illicit sex and a more indepth look at the evil within the human realm. The supernatural aspect is still very much present, however, and the connections and explanations of paranormal and psychic behaviour are stronger.
Some familiar characters return: Harry rekindles a romance with his ex, Bec; the medium Sandy again assists; and Harry's affable and staunch friend, Dave, plays a role.
Although this is not a series as such, and each of the two books is a stand-alone, the characters and narrative lend themselves to an ongoing saga. I felt that the supernatural elements were more believable in this book, and more grounded to human behaviour and failings. The story begins with many different threads, but Gary weaves them together until by the end, they depict a dangerous and evil tapestry that is uncomfortable, distressing and repellant. He looks that evil squarely in the eye and doesn't shy away from the graphic details.
Harry Hendrick has a penchant for trouble, and I have a feeling this won't be his last fight.
This is not a book for the faint-hearted. But if you are looking for a tense, fast-paced thriller with lots of action, this is it.
Bad Blood begins with a tortuous scene in which a man smashes all the mirrors in his house and then proceeds to eat the glass shards. What would drive someone to such extreme lengths? The image is difficult to shake from your head, and is an indication of what is to follow (nicely bookended by a similarly graphic scene in a mirror fun house at the end of the story).
Once again, Gary has presented us with a genre-bending novel that transcends boundaries and pushes us well outside our comfort zone. Bad Blood is a supernatural thriller, a fast-paced crime story and a visceral tale of blood-letting and torture. Once again, Gary has defied the convention of sticking to one genre, and has managed to present a story that seamlessly moves from investigation of a paedophile ring and a series of suicides, to the dark world of the occult, and then to the clandestine underbelly of torture and a scary S&M domanatrix.
In some ways this book is darker than its predecessor, Skin Deep, with more graphic illicit sex and a more indepth look at the evil within the human realm. The supernatural aspect is still very much present, however, and the connections and explanations of paranormal and psychic behaviour are stronger.
Some familiar characters return: Harry rekindles a romance with his ex, Bec; the medium Sandy again assists; and Harry's affable and staunch friend, Dave, plays a role.
Although this is not a series as such, and each of the two books is a stand-alone, the characters and narrative lend themselves to an ongoing saga. I felt that the supernatural elements were more believable in this book, and more grounded to human behaviour and failings. The story begins with many different threads, but Gary weaves them together until by the end, they depict a dangerous and evil tapestry that is uncomfortable, distressing and repellant. He looks that evil squarely in the eye and doesn't shy away from the graphic details.
Harry Hendrick has a penchant for trouble, and I have a feeling this won't be his last fight.
This is not a book for the faint-hearted. But if you are looking for a tense, fast-paced thriller with lots of action, this is it.
July 24, 2016
Gary Kemble is back with another dynamite read. Bad Blood is a gripping novel that has thrown a bunch of genres into a blender. A bit crime fiction, part supernatural mystery, a dash of eroticism all blitzed up into one compelling tale. Graphic and intense from the outset – that opening scene with the mirrors was powerfully visual. Plenty of mystery and intrigue to keep the reader interested. The crime genre is not one I am usually drawn to but with the mysterious otherworldly aspect and the undercurrent of social issues like abuse in schools and corruption I couldn’t help but get swept up in the tale.
January 9, 2022
literally what the hell
July 5, 2016
My View:
Gary Kemble has his own brand of speculative fiction; it is the perfect mash up of horror, crime, gothic darkness, eroticism and paranormal narratives with a tiny bit of love and optimism thrown in for good measure.
The first prologue is dynamite! “NIGHTMARE. YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT A NIGTHMARE IS!” p.3 (until you read this book).
Harry Hendrick is a great character; on the surface an average guy, just trying to live his life, earn a living and find love but scratch away at the epidermis, peel back the layers and discover the real Harry. Harry is complex, likeable, at times self-destructive, full of good intentions, a great investigative reporter and is a little under the influence of a tattoo that mysteriously appeared on the back of his neck( see the first book in the series Skin Deep). You can’t but help liking Harry. I would like to know more about Sandy – the clairvoyant, I hope she features strongly in the next book.
This book has great characters, a suburban Australian setting, is a great example of the speculative read, and yet manages to seamlessly weave into this engaging narrative some serious social issues. Historical abuse against children, misuse of Union funds…corruption…there is plenty of meat on this bone, give it a good chew.
Gary Kemble introduces Bad Blood here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-ZU6...
Gary Kemble has his own brand of speculative fiction; it is the perfect mash up of horror, crime, gothic darkness, eroticism and paranormal narratives with a tiny bit of love and optimism thrown in for good measure.
The first prologue is dynamite! “NIGHTMARE. YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT A NIGTHMARE IS!” p.3 (until you read this book).
Harry Hendrick is a great character; on the surface an average guy, just trying to live his life, earn a living and find love but scratch away at the epidermis, peel back the layers and discover the real Harry. Harry is complex, likeable, at times self-destructive, full of good intentions, a great investigative reporter and is a little under the influence of a tattoo that mysteriously appeared on the back of his neck( see the first book in the series Skin Deep). You can’t but help liking Harry. I would like to know more about Sandy – the clairvoyant, I hope she features strongly in the next book.
This book has great characters, a suburban Australian setting, is a great example of the speculative read, and yet manages to seamlessly weave into this engaging narrative some serious social issues. Historical abuse against children, misuse of Union funds…corruption…there is plenty of meat on this bone, give it a good chew.
Gary Kemble introduces Bad Blood here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-ZU6...
September 23, 2016
After the terrifying events of the previous book in this series, the journalist Harry Hendricks may believe that nothing can get under his skin.
"Men are so easy to control. It's so easy to get into their heads. I've been in your head this week, haven't I?"
He may be more confident than he used to be, but Harry's no fool. When a young man contacts him, claiming to have been sexually abused at an exclusive school, he knows he's starting on a dangerous path. When disparate suicides across Brisbane leave identical notes, claiming to act in the name of the Goddess, he knows that the world of magic and spirits is stirring once again. He's been training in the martial arts, but he knows when to reach out to his friends for help; Sandy, the psychic, and Dave, the medical student. The tattoo their last adventure left on the back of his neck is still providing protection. What he doesn't understand is that nothing avails against the evil you invite to enter.
Harry looked down. "Yes, Mistress."
The great strength of this book and the previous Skin Deep is their psychological realism...
To read the full review, go to http://tabula-rasa.info/AusHorror/Bad...
"Men are so easy to control. It's so easy to get into their heads. I've been in your head this week, haven't I?"
He may be more confident than he used to be, but Harry's no fool. When a young man contacts him, claiming to have been sexually abused at an exclusive school, he knows he's starting on a dangerous path. When disparate suicides across Brisbane leave identical notes, claiming to act in the name of the Goddess, he knows that the world of magic and spirits is stirring once again. He's been training in the martial arts, but he knows when to reach out to his friends for help; Sandy, the psychic, and Dave, the medical student. The tattoo their last adventure left on the back of his neck is still providing protection. What he doesn't understand is that nothing avails against the evil you invite to enter.
Harry looked down. "Yes, Mistress."
The great strength of this book and the previous Skin Deep is their psychological realism...
To read the full review, go to http://tabula-rasa.info/AusHorror/Bad...
August 26, 2016
I received an advance reading copy of Gary Kemble's Bad Blood from Echo Publishin. Kemble is not an author I had heard about before. so I was interested to find out what a'genre bending thriller' was like.
'Bad Blood' certainly got me in, as journalist Harry Hendrick was sucked further into Madame Hel's vortex. The author keeps the reader guessing and there are numerous plot twists.
Much of the subject matter resonates with contemporary events, which provided a real-life feel. However i found Madame Hel and the supernatural elements and Harry's compulsive descent into her web disturbing reading. The link to real life events and the dark secrets of community 'heroes' counterbalances the supernatural elements.
Very well-written - I'm recommending it, With a rider - its certainly a good read if not one I always 'enjoyed'. Its good to challenge yourself - and that i have kept thinking about it demonstrates its impact.
'Bad Blood' certainly got me in, as journalist Harry Hendrick was sucked further into Madame Hel's vortex. The author keeps the reader guessing and there are numerous plot twists.
Much of the subject matter resonates with contemporary events, which provided a real-life feel. However i found Madame Hel and the supernatural elements and Harry's compulsive descent into her web disturbing reading. The link to real life events and the dark secrets of community 'heroes' counterbalances the supernatural elements.
Very well-written - I'm recommending it, With a rider - its certainly a good read if not one I always 'enjoyed'. Its good to challenge yourself - and that i have kept thinking about it demonstrates its impact.
August 6, 2016
Bad Blood By Gary Kemble is a mystery and thriller read.
Freelance journalist Harry Hendrick is beginning to realise that you’re only as good as your last exclusive, and buzz doesn’t pay the bills, when he’s blackmailed by the police into investigating a series of bizarre suicides.
Those investigations lead him into the web of Mistress Hel, who plies her dark arts from her luxurious suburban lair. With continuing challenges in his personal and professional life, can Harry resist her seductive power? Or the thrill of danger itself?
The latest genre-bending thriller from an exciting Australian author, Gary Kemble.
Fantastic read.
I loved the story and the characters.
Harry was my favourite character.
Simply unputdownable.
devoured in less than 24 hours.
I loved the ending too.
Highly recommended.
5* from me.
Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
Freelance journalist Harry Hendrick is beginning to realise that you’re only as good as your last exclusive, and buzz doesn’t pay the bills, when he’s blackmailed by the police into investigating a series of bizarre suicides.
Those investigations lead him into the web of Mistress Hel, who plies her dark arts from her luxurious suburban lair. With continuing challenges in his personal and professional life, can Harry resist her seductive power? Or the thrill of danger itself?
The latest genre-bending thriller from an exciting Australian author, Gary Kemble.
Fantastic read.
I loved the story and the characters.
Harry was my favourite character.
Simply unputdownable.
devoured in less than 24 hours.
I loved the ending too.
Highly recommended.
5* from me.
Thanks to netgalley for the arc.
May 8, 2017
My goodness! The trouble this guy gets into! For a journalist he has to deal with some outrageous events, not to mention, paranormal crime that leaves the reader wondering how he can get out of this predicament. Thank goodness for good friends and some paranormal help of his own, although I was expecting the latter to do more for him... The door is open for more of this story to follow.
May 25, 2020
Started strong, but got weaker in the final third of the story - the ending felt incredibly rushed, with very little to explain the climax
August 24, 2023
Did not realise that this book was a succeeding one to the first. I did not know what to expect because I pulled it off the shelf at random at my public library. I went looking for a chilling horror experience and perhaps it isn't the type of horror that would make me scared but I do enjoy the gripper at the beginning of the book. I was a bit dissapointed when I found out that "Strange Ink" was the first and I would have liked to see if Harry Henrick developed at all as a person.
If you have ever watched "Supernatural" the TV series, it wouldn't be far from that experience. A little smut here, a little drama there. At least it was not useless drama, it fit in here and there. The side characters were not as developed as I would have hoped but maybe that is because there was more to them in the first book.
It did give me some viewpoint on the way I view my own addictions and my own problems via the main antagonist's main power of controlling men through mind control via a female dominatrix. I am gay so I don't exactly know how that would pan out with my preferences. Men really do give into their vices to satiate the already unsolved problems that they are experiencing or have experienced throughout their lives. I do enjoy how I questioned myself on whether or not I would be stronger than Harry and I found myself giving into my own vices in my mind, like the way that Mistress Hel's victims would behave.
I enjoy the parts of how Sandy explained how the curse worked and I do wish I could learn a tad more about the history of witchcraft to gain more background. My background is history and linguistics and I would have liked to see if there were some graphics or maybe some phonemes or syllables of the dark language that Hel uses. I want more of that.
I give the book a 3 star. Well written so there is a star there. I felt affected by the theme of vice and the frailty of man so thats a star (even considering my orientation). A third star because their was a detective-mystery element to the work but I would say it barely had enough for it. Not a 4th star because it was not scary. It was morbid and disturbing at some points but the main villian did not issue enough of a fear factor from me. Revenge was the main driving point of Mistress Hel and thats all fine and good. I relate to wanting revenge as a life theme so I find significance that way. Nevertheless, it doesn't make me look over my shoulder anxiously or close the windows and lock the doors. If my library labeled it as a horror novel by mistake then I would understand, but I would classify it more as a dectective-thriller with macabre flair but not a mind rattler or a spine tingler. I suppose my expectations were high and the outcome was mediocre. It is a good book, not great but good. Not a 5th star due to that fact. I wouldn't recommend this book for horror reader enthusiasts, for mystery and quasi-erotica/suspense yeah for sure. I don't tend to like thriller/suspense because I indulge in the fantasmic and the fantastic. Dark Ink just was not memorable enough. At least it isn't "Nothing but Blackened Teeth" that book was a pile of dissapointment and utter garbage.
The multiple stories that Hendrick as a journalist had had as plot points were at times jarring when the beginning of some chapters jumped from one story to another. Literary artistry it was ok but considering this category of book it gave me a headache. It wasn't seamless as I would have hoped but at least the structure of the plot was visible.
Didn't regret it but didn't impress me.
If you have ever watched "Supernatural" the TV series, it wouldn't be far from that experience. A little smut here, a little drama there. At least it was not useless drama, it fit in here and there. The side characters were not as developed as I would have hoped but maybe that is because there was more to them in the first book.
It did give me some viewpoint on the way I view my own addictions and my own problems via the main antagonist's main power of controlling men through mind control via a female dominatrix. I am gay so I don't exactly know how that would pan out with my preferences. Men really do give into their vices to satiate the already unsolved problems that they are experiencing or have experienced throughout their lives. I do enjoy how I questioned myself on whether or not I would be stronger than Harry and I found myself giving into my own vices in my mind, like the way that Mistress Hel's victims would behave.
I enjoy the parts of how Sandy explained how the curse worked and I do wish I could learn a tad more about the history of witchcraft to gain more background. My background is history and linguistics and I would have liked to see if there were some graphics or maybe some phonemes or syllables of the dark language that Hel uses. I want more of that.
I give the book a 3 star. Well written so there is a star there. I felt affected by the theme of vice and the frailty of man so thats a star (even considering my orientation). A third star because their was a detective-mystery element to the work but I would say it barely had enough for it. Not a 4th star because it was not scary. It was morbid and disturbing at some points but the main villian did not issue enough of a fear factor from me. Revenge was the main driving point of Mistress Hel and thats all fine and good. I relate to wanting revenge as a life theme so I find significance that way. Nevertheless, it doesn't make me look over my shoulder anxiously or close the windows and lock the doors. If my library labeled it as a horror novel by mistake then I would understand, but I would classify it more as a dectective-thriller with macabre flair but not a mind rattler or a spine tingler. I suppose my expectations were high and the outcome was mediocre. It is a good book, not great but good. Not a 5th star due to that fact. I wouldn't recommend this book for horror reader enthusiasts, for mystery and quasi-erotica/suspense yeah for sure. I don't tend to like thriller/suspense because I indulge in the fantasmic and the fantastic. Dark Ink just was not memorable enough. At least it isn't "Nothing but Blackened Teeth" that book was a pile of dissapointment and utter garbage.
The multiple stories that Hendrick as a journalist had had as plot points were at times jarring when the beginning of some chapters jumped from one story to another. Literary artistry it was ok but considering this category of book it gave me a headache. It wasn't seamless as I would have hoped but at least the structure of the plot was visible.
Didn't regret it but didn't impress me.
October 29, 2021
Dark Ink, the second novel from Gary Kemble, picks up a year or so after the events of Strange Ink. Harry Hendrick, roving reporter/investigator/possessor of multiple tattoos and otherworldly skills from beyond the grave, is finding that fame is a fleeting thing that doesn't pay the bills. It also shuts as many doors in his face as it opens as not everyone is happy with the part he played in book one. Hunting around for the next big scoop, he finds himself enlisted by a friend on the police force to unofficially look into a series of strange and gruesome deaths that have the police stumped.
Before he knows it, he finds himself drawn into a web of conspiracy, politics, sex and black magic that may just threaten his sanity, his life and his soul. Who is the mysterious Goddess that demands all these lives and what drives her servant, the enigmatic and alluring Mistress Hel?
Putting it bluntly, Dark Ink is a damn good read. Strange Ink was a great first novel, but there were issues with it that were raised in our previous review on this site, plot threads left dangling that never seemed to quite go anywhere. Dark Ink, though, takes all these issues, fixes them, and then layers on a lovely big helping of world-building and character development as we delve deeper into Queensland's murky, supernatural underbelly. This book is a delicious mix of horror, thriller and noir-esque detective novel, steeped in politics of not only the civil but the sexual kind.
Touching on issues of abuse, both in a sexual sense and in political power, adding to the lore established in the first book and mixing up the supernatural elements, Gary Kemble has delivered everything I hoped the sequel would be. I devoured the entire book in a day, unable to put it down until I knew how it would end. Harry is a beautifully written character, as flawed and fallible as any of us, still remaining sympathetic even when he's being an arsehole, and as the body count rises and the tension ratchets ever higher, the reader can't help but wonder if Harry will make it out of the story alive.
Fans of horror, rejoice. There's a new author bringing us all new dread and it is GLORIOUS. Dark Ink is a welcome addition to the canon of modern-day horror and will leave its reader hoping that there is at least one more book in the increasingly strange life of Harry Hendrick.
Before he knows it, he finds himself drawn into a web of conspiracy, politics, sex and black magic that may just threaten his sanity, his life and his soul. Who is the mysterious Goddess that demands all these lives and what drives her servant, the enigmatic and alluring Mistress Hel?
Putting it bluntly, Dark Ink is a damn good read. Strange Ink was a great first novel, but there were issues with it that were raised in our previous review on this site, plot threads left dangling that never seemed to quite go anywhere. Dark Ink, though, takes all these issues, fixes them, and then layers on a lovely big helping of world-building and character development as we delve deeper into Queensland's murky, supernatural underbelly. This book is a delicious mix of horror, thriller and noir-esque detective novel, steeped in politics of not only the civil but the sexual kind.
Touching on issues of abuse, both in a sexual sense and in political power, adding to the lore established in the first book and mixing up the supernatural elements, Gary Kemble has delivered everything I hoped the sequel would be. I devoured the entire book in a day, unable to put it down until I knew how it would end. Harry is a beautifully written character, as flawed and fallible as any of us, still remaining sympathetic even when he's being an arsehole, and as the body count rises and the tension ratchets ever higher, the reader can't help but wonder if Harry will make it out of the story alive.
Fans of horror, rejoice. There's a new author bringing us all new dread and it is GLORIOUS. Dark Ink is a welcome addition to the canon of modern-day horror and will leave its reader hoping that there is at least one more book in the increasingly strange life of Harry Hendrick.
October 20, 2021
I feel awful for rating this one star, but this novel was a pain to read.
The cover and blurb were promising. I was expecting supernatural and horror themes and that is kinda what is promised by what is written in the blurb so I had high hopes.
The first chapter, in fact, was actually really gripping. Quite gory and uncomfortable. The way Kemble wrote in that first chapter really had me stirring and I was so intrigued by the whole man eats glass incident that I decided that no matter what, I had to find out what was going on.
However, a few chapters in - I started to get worried. The main character is a journalist, but somehow ends up doing some sort of PI work - which I get is feasible, but it just seemed a bit odd that the author would choose a journalist to lead the story. Another thing I couldn't get by is the fact that this book was advertised as something you could read as a stand alone novel. There were so many references to the protagonist's past that I didn't understand. I feel like I should have read the story from the beginning. My bad, I guess. Should have done a little research before buying it.
And now for my main moan. In the book, there were a few stories that were linked. There was some sort of magic/cult program going on, the investigation of a paedophile ring and a string of crazy suicides. But not one of these were the main focus of the book. Instead of delving into this mayhem, our protagonist spends a good third or more of the book masturbating and crying about not being able to release himself. Ohhhh my god, Kemble! You were so promising! You had a beautiful little line up of topics to explore, but chose to embarrass the reader by talking about blue balls! Hahaha
Man, what a shame. Maybe it's because I'm female that I didn't appreciate this *ahem* theme. But I can't imagine many people would appreciate reading something so personal. Not when they went out of their way to pick up a horror, anyway.
The cover and blurb were promising. I was expecting supernatural and horror themes and that is kinda what is promised by what is written in the blurb so I had high hopes.
The first chapter, in fact, was actually really gripping. Quite gory and uncomfortable. The way Kemble wrote in that first chapter really had me stirring and I was so intrigued by the whole man eats glass incident that I decided that no matter what, I had to find out what was going on.
However, a few chapters in - I started to get worried. The main character is a journalist, but somehow ends up doing some sort of PI work - which I get is feasible, but it just seemed a bit odd that the author would choose a journalist to lead the story. Another thing I couldn't get by is the fact that this book was advertised as something you could read as a stand alone novel. There were so many references to the protagonist's past that I didn't understand. I feel like I should have read the story from the beginning. My bad, I guess. Should have done a little research before buying it.
And now for my main moan. In the book, there were a few stories that were linked. There was some sort of magic/cult program going on, the investigation of a paedophile ring and a string of crazy suicides. But not one of these were the main focus of the book. Instead of delving into this mayhem, our protagonist spends a good third or more of the book masturbating and crying about not being able to release himself. Ohhhh my god, Kemble! You were so promising! You had a beautiful little line up of topics to explore, but chose to embarrass the reader by talking about blue balls! Hahaha
Man, what a shame. Maybe it's because I'm female that I didn't appreciate this *ahem* theme. But I can't imagine many people would appreciate reading something so personal. Not when they went out of their way to pick up a horror, anyway.
May 21, 2020
After the events in Strange Ink, journalist Harry Hendrick is now investigating a string of suicides. His inquiry leads him into the path of Mistress Hel, a dominatrix and dark arts practitioner. Soon Harry finds himself trapped in her claws, his sanity - and life - threatened.
This was a disappointing read! I loved the details about witchcraft and dark arts but there’s very little of it. Harry is investigating suicides with occult marks but he doesn’t get far into it. There’s also a sideplot where he investigates a pedophilia ring but he doesn’t get far into it either. Instead we get scenes upon scenes of Harry being horny for Mistress Hel. There’s some BDSM scenes that felt kinda gratuitious - definitely steer clear if this isn’t your thing. I actually find the Mistress’s motivations interesting, I would’ve loved to get her POV. But this is Harry’s book for better or worse, and unfortunately it’s the latter. At least the cover looks great!
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This was a disappointing read! I loved the details about witchcraft and dark arts but there’s very little of it. Harry is investigating suicides with occult marks but he doesn’t get far into it. There’s also a sideplot where he investigates a pedophilia ring but he doesn’t get far into it either. Instead we get scenes upon scenes of Harry being horny for Mistress Hel. There’s some BDSM scenes that felt kinda gratuitious - definitely steer clear if this isn’t your thing. I actually find the Mistress’s motivations interesting, I would’ve loved to get her POV. But this is Harry’s book for better or worse, and unfortunately it’s the latter. At least the cover looks great!
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March 31, 2020
Journalist Harry Hendrick investigates sordid political corruption. He is intrigued to get to the bottom of it when he hears chilling rumors. Mistress Hel is intent on getting revenge. She uses dark arts to get her revenge from past wrongs.
Harry is asked to investigate a string of murders and deaths. The cause of each death hints to supernatural reasons. As Harry digs deeper into the deaths, he realizes that he is caught inside a deadly web. Can he stop Mistress Hel before it's too late?
When I picked up this novel, I didn't realize it was the second book in the series. The novel could be read as a standalone but, I felt like I was missing some backstory on Harry. I liked the creepy atmosphere of the novel and the supernatural theme. However, I can't say that I am a fan of Harry's. I felt like he spent a lot of time trying to focus his desires than actually doing any investigating work. I finished the novel as it was a quick read but, I don't see myself reading more books in this series.
Harry is asked to investigate a string of murders and deaths. The cause of each death hints to supernatural reasons. As Harry digs deeper into the deaths, he realizes that he is caught inside a deadly web. Can he stop Mistress Hel before it's too late?
When I picked up this novel, I didn't realize it was the second book in the series. The novel could be read as a standalone but, I felt like I was missing some backstory on Harry. I liked the creepy atmosphere of the novel and the supernatural theme. However, I can't say that I am a fan of Harry's. I felt like he spent a lot of time trying to focus his desires than actually doing any investigating work. I finished the novel as it was a quick read but, I don't see myself reading more books in this series.
May 18, 2020
The more the story of Dark Ink unraveled to me, the less I started to like it. The supernatural element it starts off with seems initially promising, with a female villain to the bar as well, so to begin with I was intrigued despite my difficulties with not having read the first book in the series. Dark Ink works as a stand-alone but I would advise reading both (that’s a lie, I wouldn’t recommend this one at all) to get a clearer picture of the characters’ histories.
It is in the details that I was lost on this one: victims of sexual abuse get turned into monsters of their own making multiple times (three out of the four main abuse victims proceed to reciprocate that abuse to others, with the fourth manipulated into committing crimes as well) just painting an awful picture of all involved. Speaking of sexual, this book is EXCEEDINGLY so and very rarely works in its favour. The majority of chapters have a sexual scene of sorts for no real gain. The characters were shallow and unlikeable to me and the ending disappointing, too.
It is in the details that I was lost on this one: victims of sexual abuse get turned into monsters of their own making multiple times (three out of the four main abuse victims proceed to reciprocate that abuse to others, with the fourth manipulated into committing crimes as well) just painting an awful picture of all involved. Speaking of sexual, this book is EXCEEDINGLY so and very rarely works in its favour. The majority of chapters have a sexual scene of sorts for no real gain. The characters were shallow and unlikeable to me and the ending disappointing, too.
February 6, 2025
The novel kicks off with a really gripping, interesting opening chapter, one that instantly draws you into a supernatural horror. That’s what it makes you believe at least anyway, which is slightly where the book goes a little wrong. It’s not really a supernatural horror at all, with in fact the book taking a really weird kinky turn for fairly large sections.
If you’d read the first book, Strange Ink, you’d know to expect something other than a flat out horror, and so I did go into this with an open mind. I really enjoy Kemble’s writing style, and the plot wasn’t actually half bad. It was perhaps a little rushed towards the end, with maybe not everything wrapping up and explained in as much detail as it could’ve been, but I found it satisfactory enough.
I think unfortunately where this is marketed as more of a supernatural horror it’s spawned a fair amount of misconceptions hence the low rating. It’s actually quite a good, gripping read if you can get over the strange sexual parts.
I’d recommend giving it a go, I liked it in spite of the previously stated issues.
If you’d read the first book, Strange Ink, you’d know to expect something other than a flat out horror, and so I did go into this with an open mind. I really enjoy Kemble’s writing style, and the plot wasn’t actually half bad. It was perhaps a little rushed towards the end, with maybe not everything wrapping up and explained in as much detail as it could’ve been, but I found it satisfactory enough.
I think unfortunately where this is marketed as more of a supernatural horror it’s spawned a fair amount of misconceptions hence the low rating. It’s actually quite a good, gripping read if you can get over the strange sexual parts.
I’d recommend giving it a go, I liked it in spite of the previously stated issues.
October 29, 2024
Very fun, but suuuuch a rushed ending. Also, some delicate subjects explored with not enough nuance leading to some problematic ideas but I don't think this was purposeful, just not enough thought put into it. Started off SO well, but the story meandered into the wrong places a bit and the ending didn't satisfy me at all. Good for a quick flip through to get out of a reading rut tho
February 25, 2022
Finished this book in one day. It's a fast easy read. Could not put it down because you wanted to know what Mistress Hel was up to. Some of the reviews I read gave it 2 stars, I think they are wrong. I really enjoyed it. Full of suspense.
July 28, 2022
This was a pretty good novel, but the story just seemed off. It seemed like the author had a good idea of where he wanted to go with the story, but some parts were thrown in for no reason and could have been left out while other parts I felt like should have been explained more. But the pictures the author can paint with words are riveting and I was kept interested the entire time.
November 25, 2021
This book would of been better if it wasn’t set in Australia, also the main character wanks more than me, seriously read it I’m not joking
November 24, 2022
I did not like this I thought the concept was really interesting but I did not like his writing style
June 25, 2024
Not really a fan of it. Gratuitous descriptions of the "dirty" variety. Overall storyline wasn't bad, but the writing and overuse of smut wasn't great.
September 14, 2025
This is so underrated!
September 1, 2016
“Bad Blood” is an interesting novel that straddles the fence between a crime novel and a fantasy novel – or perhaps horror? Kemble blends his genres smoothly and effectively, so that you don’t really care how it’s defined. You just enjoy the novel.
Harry Hendrick is a freelance journalist. Still somewhat buoyed mentally and socially by an earlier huge story, he’s just beginning to realise that doesn’t pay the bills. Increasingly short on cash, with his relationship in tatters, and his friendships few, Harry is looking for something big to write about.
An old friend from the police coerces him into investigating a series of extremely strange suicides. He quickly finds himself on the doorstep of Mistress Hel, a dominatrix. Mistress Hel is more than a prostitute, though, and Harry is perhaps less than he thought he was. And yet a great deal may depend on his strength of character.
This doesn’t sit comfortably in any one genre, but it’s a good novel that should be enjoyed by both crime readers and fantasy readers. There is a tinge of horror in there too, but I don’t read enough of that to have a sense of how it fits in the genre. The characters are strong, which will get you involved fast. The action is well paced and credible; Kemble sucks you into the world he’s created with very little difficulty.
Although this novel was involving and interesting, the ending didn’t have much of an emotional punch for me. Nevertheless, this was well worth reading and I enjoyed it. Recommended for readers looking for something well written but just a little different from more genre bound novels.
Harry Hendrick is a freelance journalist. Still somewhat buoyed mentally and socially by an earlier huge story, he’s just beginning to realise that doesn’t pay the bills. Increasingly short on cash, with his relationship in tatters, and his friendships few, Harry is looking for something big to write about.
An old friend from the police coerces him into investigating a series of extremely strange suicides. He quickly finds himself on the doorstep of Mistress Hel, a dominatrix. Mistress Hel is more than a prostitute, though, and Harry is perhaps less than he thought he was. And yet a great deal may depend on his strength of character.
This doesn’t sit comfortably in any one genre, but it’s a good novel that should be enjoyed by both crime readers and fantasy readers. There is a tinge of horror in there too, but I don’t read enough of that to have a sense of how it fits in the genre. The characters are strong, which will get you involved fast. The action is well paced and credible; Kemble sucks you into the world he’s created with very little difficulty.
Although this novel was involving and interesting, the ending didn’t have much of an emotional punch for me. Nevertheless, this was well worth reading and I enjoyed it. Recommended for readers looking for something well written but just a little different from more genre bound novels.
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