What do you think?
Thomas Walker #2
The Daughters of the Darkness
1898, East Africa. The Tsavo man-eaters kill 130 people over the course of nine months. The unusually large, pale-coloured, and maneless male lions mark history in what became known as their reign of terror.
Now, history is repeating itself. A new pride of killers has arrived in Tsavo, staking out their own bloody legacy. One that includes the murdered wife of conservationist and former hunter Thomas Walker.
Torn between the newfound happiness he has discovered in the Highlands of Scotland with his new fiancée, and his loyalty to the man whose brother has been taken by the man-eaters, Thomas must face his past and creatures feared as myth by his friend and the people of Kenya.
Arriving in Africa, Thomas finds the situation worsening as a local arms dealer and war lord declares the ‘critters of the bush’ are under his command to drive those not loyal to him from the land. With all not as it seems, the odds are stacked against Thomas and the small band of friends trying to restore balance to the region and its wildlife.
Now, history is repeating itself. A new pride of killers has arrived in Tsavo, staking out their own bloody legacy. One that includes the murdered wife of conservationist and former hunter Thomas Walker.
Torn between the newfound happiness he has discovered in the Highlands of Scotland with his new fiancée, and his loyalty to the man whose brother has been taken by the man-eaters, Thomas must face his past and creatures feared as myth by his friend and the people of Kenya.
Arriving in Africa, Thomas finds the situation worsening as a local arms dealer and war lord declares the ‘critters of the bush’ are under his command to drive those not loyal to him from the land. With all not as it seems, the odds are stacked against Thomas and the small band of friends trying to restore balance to the region and its wildlife.
- GenresHorror
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2017
About the author
Luke Phillips
5 books126 followersLuke Phillips is a writer with a real passion for monsters. Having studied as a zoologist, his imagination has always been captivated by the darker side of our unnatural history.
From trekking through California looking for Bigfoot to camping out in the Highlands on the trail of real-life reported big cats, Luke has strayed from the mainstream into the eerie world of cryptozoology. There, truth may well be stranger and far scarier than fiction!
He lives in the West Kent town of Sevenoaks in the UK. Shadow Beast is his debut novel and is out now.
From trekking through California looking for Bigfoot to camping out in the Highlands on the trail of real-life reported big cats, Luke has strayed from the mainstream into the eerie world of cryptozoology. There, truth may well be stranger and far scarier than fiction!
He lives in the West Kent town of Sevenoaks in the UK. Shadow Beast is his debut novel and is out now.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
April 12, 2021
A pride of man-eating lions led by a fierce lioness is on the prowl in Tsavo. Thomas Walker (the protagonist of the prequel Shadow Beast) comes out of his self-imposed isolation to hunt them down. The portions featuring the animal attacks are splendid and well-constructed. In both the books that I have read by him, Luke Phillips manages to create compelling antagonists in his super predators. The human parts of the story are flimsy and quite unrealistic and I skipped over a fair bit of that.
If you are fan of stories that feature monster mayhem, then hesitate no more and dive in. Leave logic aside and let imagination do the work for you.
If you are fan of stories that feature monster mayhem, then hesitate no more and dive in. Leave logic aside and let imagination do the work for you.
July 6, 2017
Brilliant better than the first
Couldn't put it down I thought the first book was good but this was even better can't wait for the next one
Couldn't put it down I thought the first book was good but this was even better can't wait for the next one
June 28, 2017
Really enjoyable
Having just read Shadow beast ,was delighted to see that the sequel was ready to come out. The adventures of Thomas Walker are fun and exciting
Having just read Shadow beast ,was delighted to see that the sequel was ready to come out. The adventures of Thomas Walker are fun and exciting
February 6, 2020
Very suspenseful and great storytelling from both the viewpoint of human and predator. BUT...and, for a voracious reader, this is VERY IRRITATING...the book is chock-full of typo and grammatical errors. It needs a complete re-editing to make for a less "bumpy" read!
September 11, 2019
Intense and fast paced adventure
This is a follow up novel to Shadow Beast, however, it's not exactly a sequel. I purchased Shadow Beast as an audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it as a quick, interesting story...its sets up a lot of backstory for this novel. Reading the first gives you perspective but this could definitely be a standalone novel. Now, enough comparison. This book opens up with a scene from the past that instantly hooks you into the story after that it seems like the action doesn't really stop from there. I especially like the snippets from the animals point of view that help build to the climax of the various situations. Character building is done well and there are several enjoyable ones throughout. (even the dogs) I kept thinking to myself what a great movie this would make. Don't miss out on this one!
This is a follow up novel to Shadow Beast, however, it's not exactly a sequel. I purchased Shadow Beast as an audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it as a quick, interesting story...its sets up a lot of backstory for this novel. Reading the first gives you perspective but this could definitely be a standalone novel. Now, enough comparison. This book opens up with a scene from the past that instantly hooks you into the story after that it seems like the action doesn't really stop from there. I especially like the snippets from the animals point of view that help build to the climax of the various situations. Character building is done well and there are several enjoyable ones throughout. (even the dogs) I kept thinking to myself what a great movie this would make. Don't miss out on this one!
September 30, 2024
Good, but not up to the standard of the first book. To much educational 'waffle' which felt forced into the narrative - some tighter editing would not have gone amiss.
The odd scene was a bit far-fetched eg the Black Mamba & Barbary Lion episode. Just plain silly.
Also, did we really need the full description of guns, binoculars, etc as per clumsy macho action thrillers?
In a similar vein; the mentioning of an upmarket suntan lotion!
The odd scene was a bit far-fetched eg the Black Mamba & Barbary Lion episode. Just plain silly.
Also, did we really need the full description of guns, binoculars, etc as per clumsy macho action thrillers?
In a similar vein; the mentioning of an upmarket suntan lotion!
July 30, 2025
Ok, this is now one of my favorite books ever! I possibly shed a tear at one part. Anyway, this book was a horror, adventure, and comfort book all in one. Luke Phillips is becoming one of my favorite authors. He really sets the scene, and the character development is awesome. I've been obsessed with the Tsavo lions and the movie The Ghost and the Darkness since I've been little, and this book brought everything together.
March 19, 2022
Amazing
This was a great story that had an awesome storyline. The characters bring you to the scene like you are there. It has heart, adventure, sadness, and made me angry in parts. It is not for the faint of heart. I live the main characters Thomas and Catherine. Looking forward to the next book. We'll done and thank you.
This was a great story that had an awesome storyline. The characters bring you to the scene like you are there. It has heart, adventure, sadness, and made me angry in parts. It is not for the faint of heart. I live the main characters Thomas and Catherine. Looking forward to the next book. We'll done and thank you.
December 7, 2017
A wonderfully long book, even better than Shadow Beast, and I loved it.
I can't wait for his next one. Please keep writing these books! Kudos, Mr. Phillips. I've never left a review and I've read literally thousands of books.
I can't wait for his next one. Please keep writing these books! Kudos, Mr. Phillips. I've never left a review and I've read literally thousands of books.
June 21, 2022
Good story, but some plagiarism
Enjoyable book. However there are several anecdotes lifted from work by Peter Capstick, professional hunter and big-time author. I could find no attribution, a disappointment.
Enjoyable book. However there are several anecdotes lifted from work by Peter Capstick, professional hunter and big-time author. I could find no attribution, a disappointment.
July 3, 2022
Great nr 2
Love these books, just the right amount of fiction, Great caracthers and storyline, i will defently read the next in the installment(if it is, not sure yet) and hope it is just as good as the two first
Love these books, just the right amount of fiction, Great caracthers and storyline, i will defently read the next in the installment(if it is, not sure yet) and hope it is just as good as the two first
July 26, 2022
Key words here are "The Darkness". As in "Ghost and the Darkness." Now, you know who Daddy was to all these daughters. I didn't read the first one, so I will go back and correct the error. The characters are good, the setting is great, if you like Africa and lions. And gore.
August 14, 2022
Well, I was wrong - is thought this was a 'flashback' novel.about Walker's time in Africa, but it wasnt, it was the true sequel to Shadow Beast. So I've read them a little out of sequence, but no matter!
This one's ever bit as good as the other, and I hope we see another Thomas Walker novel soon.
This one's ever bit as good as the other, and I hope we see another Thomas Walker novel soon.
December 23, 2022
#2 and well worth the time!
Luke, you did it again! I was thoroughly enthralled. Once again
n, this too would make a great movie! Keep up the great work! I look forward to Phantom Beast!
Luke, you did it again! I was thoroughly enthralled. Once again
n, this too would make a great movie! Keep up the great work! I look forward to Phantom Beast!
February 21, 2024
Loved it!
I love the way the author tied everything together. I appreciated the semi nature narratives that were spaced through out book. Good prospective.
The book itself was so good, hard to put down and at times scary.
Looking forward to the next one.
I love the way the author tied everything together. I appreciated the semi nature narratives that were spaced through out book. Good prospective.
The book itself was so good, hard to put down and at times scary.
Looking forward to the next one.
September 17, 2017
Awesome!
This is a great read,it makes Africa come alive! Great adventure, fast paced,couldnt put it down! If you like adventure this books for you!
This is a great read,it makes Africa come alive! Great adventure, fast paced,couldnt put it down! If you like adventure this books for you!
November 18, 2017
Great second book, better than the first.
September 3, 2019
Page turner
Edge of my seat excitement
Edge of my seat excitement, kept me going back for more. I enjoyed the book.
Edge of my seat excitement
Edge of my seat excitement, kept me going back for more. I enjoyed the book.
April 29, 2022
number 2 in series. great safari story with monster thrown in . but we never get to know just what it is. on to number three.
June 21, 2022
Awesome follow up
This was a great read. I thought it was better than Shadow for its pacing and action. Really good story and hoping this series continues.
This was a great read. I thought it was better than Shadow for its pacing and action. Really good story and hoping this series continues.
August 11, 2022
Great story!
I have read all of these books and they are just great! I am hoping for more along the same story line.
I have read all of these books and they are just great! I am hoping for more along the same story line.
December 18, 2022
The Daughters of Darkness
It was a good book. The author did a good job of writing and keeping you interested. I hope there is another book sometime.
It was a good book. The author did a good job of writing and keeping you interested. I hope there is another book sometime.
May 8, 2024
enjoy
going to be reading more of this guys books , enjoyed reading from start to finish , Luke Phillips is defro on my to read list
going to be reading more of this guys books , enjoyed reading from start to finish , Luke Phillips is defro on my to read list
July 12, 2024
enthralled
Wonderful book to read! Couldn’t put it down, and hated having to stop reading to return to work! Lol. Hope there is another few books coming soon.
Wonderful book to read! Couldn’t put it down, and hated having to stop reading to return to work! Lol. Hope there is another few books coming soon.
November 29, 2024
The Daughters of the Darkness
Absolutely fantastic novel! From start to finish, a rollercoaster of thrills, chills, death and life. It grips and doesn't let go till the very end.
Absolutely fantastic novel! From start to finish, a rollercoaster of thrills, chills, death and life. It grips and doesn't let go till the very end.
December 11, 2024
This is a very good book with fantastic cats .if you like horror and Cryptids you will love all of his books..thank you Mr.Phillips .please keep writing...
July 5, 2017
Well worth the wait!
If you love action, an excellent story line and raise the hair on the back of your neck thrillers, then you are in for a rare treat. Those of you who have already read Shadow Beast and didn't think it could get any better, you wrong! Mr. Phillips has raised this book to a whole new of of wow!
If you love action, an excellent story line and raise the hair on the back of your neck thrillers, then you are in for a rare treat. Those of you who have already read Shadow Beast and didn't think it could get any better, you wrong! Mr. Phillips has raised this book to a whole new of of wow!
March 17, 2022
These are the best 3 book I have ever read. And at 68, I have read a lot of books. I would love to see these made into movies. You just don't see original movies anymore and these would be very original. I think they would be right up there with all the dragon movies. Who knows what they could become it sure couldn't hurt. I would sure go to them and I know all my family would. We all love scary movies and these would be some really scary movies.
July 23, 2020
Great action book. Love the characters and the story line. Can't wait to read more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews