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The Marker Chronicles #4
Sorrow's Lie
Only an Exorcist Can Confront His Demons
Jimmy Holiday, exorcist extraordinaire, is about to embark on his most unusual case yet—a baby that may be possessed by the demonic...or worse, a true demon spawn. The Order wants him to make sure it is a true case and not some hoax...or so they say.
Once Jimmy arrives, the situation changes into a living nightmare. The Order is not what he thought at all. And now, they demand he commit an unspeakable act. But Jimmy has enough scars of his own.
When the full truth of the corruption within the Order comes to light, Jimmy must act. With a voudou woman who lives down the lane as an ally, Jimmy must fight for the life of this supernatural child, but at what cost?
Jimmy Holiday, exorcist extraordinaire, is about to embark on his most unusual case yet—a baby that may be possessed by the demonic...or worse, a true demon spawn. The Order wants him to make sure it is a true case and not some hoax...or so they say.
Once Jimmy arrives, the situation changes into a living nightmare. The Order is not what he thought at all. And now, they demand he commit an unspeakable act. But Jimmy has enough scars of his own.
When the full truth of the corruption within the Order comes to light, Jimmy must act. With a voudou woman who lives down the lane as an ally, Jimmy must fight for the life of this supernatural child, but at what cost?
- GenresHorror
194 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2017
9 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Danielle DeVor
25 books174 followersDanielle DeVor spent her early years fantasizing about vampires and watching “Salem’s Lot” way too many times. After living briefly in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she moved back to her hometown to write. When not writing and reading about weird things, you will find her hanging out at the nearest coffee shop, enjoying a mocha frappuccino.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 24, 2017
Well, it seems Jimmy is hitting his stride at last. He’s gotten himself together enough to actually be in a place where he can contemplate married life with his sweetheart, Tabby. The ghosts in his charge are more or less intact (wait, can ghosts be intact?). And he might actually be just a little…happy.
But of course, with Danielle DeVor, you know this rainbow is doomed to turn gray—even black. There’s always some new evil lurking just around the corner that demands Jimmy’s attention. And this time, it’s baaaaaad. So much for honeymooning in the Poconos.
I am a huge fan of this series, and so far, this is my favorite. The characters are well developed and familiar, and the terror is worse than ever. If you like dark fiction with this author’s trademark humor, then I suggest you pick up Sorrow’s Lie. Just make sure the doors and windows are locked and warded.
But of course, with Danielle DeVor, you know this rainbow is doomed to turn gray—even black. There’s always some new evil lurking just around the corner that demands Jimmy’s attention. And this time, it’s baaaaaad. So much for honeymooning in the Poconos.
I am a huge fan of this series, and so far, this is my favorite. The characters are well developed and familiar, and the terror is worse than ever. If you like dark fiction with this author’s trademark humor, then I suggest you pick up Sorrow’s Lie. Just make sure the doors and windows are locked and warded.
January 22, 2026
Sorrow’s Lie is a dark, unsettling horror story that leans heavily into moral conflict, corruption, and the terrifying idea that sometimes the greatest evil doesn’t come from demons — it comes from people.
Jimmy Holiday continues to be such a compelling protagonist. As a defrocked priest turned exorcist, he’s already burdened with guilt, trauma, and doubt, and this case pushes him further than ever. A baby suspected of being possessed immediately raises the stakes, but what truly makes this story chilling is the realisation that the Order itself may be far more dangerous than whatever supernatural force they claim to be fighting.
I really appreciated how this book focuses on ethical tension rather than just shock horror. Jimmy is repeatedly forced to confront where his loyalties lie and how far he’s willing to go — or refuse to go — in the name of faith and obedience. The corruption within the Order is slowly revealed in a way that feels genuinely disturbing, and the demand placed on Jimmy is both horrifying and heartbreaking.
The atmosphere is heavy, bleak, and uncomfortable in the best way. There’s a constant sense of dread, not just around the baby, but around the people who hold power and believe their actions are justified. The inclusion of the voudou woman as an ally adds depth and balance, offering a counterpoint to the rigid, fanatical worldview of the Order.
This installment is emotionally intense, morally complex, and deeply unsettling, making it a strong entry in the series. While this is Book 4, the core conflict is engaging on its own.
Recommended for readers who enjoy dark horror, religious themes, moral dilemmas, and stories where the true horror lies in human choices.
Thank you to @danielledevor, @netgalley, and @cityowlpress for the ARC
Jimmy Holiday continues to be such a compelling protagonist. As a defrocked priest turned exorcist, he’s already burdened with guilt, trauma, and doubt, and this case pushes him further than ever. A baby suspected of being possessed immediately raises the stakes, but what truly makes this story chilling is the realisation that the Order itself may be far more dangerous than whatever supernatural force they claim to be fighting.
I really appreciated how this book focuses on ethical tension rather than just shock horror. Jimmy is repeatedly forced to confront where his loyalties lie and how far he’s willing to go — or refuse to go — in the name of faith and obedience. The corruption within the Order is slowly revealed in a way that feels genuinely disturbing, and the demand placed on Jimmy is both horrifying and heartbreaking.
The atmosphere is heavy, bleak, and uncomfortable in the best way. There’s a constant sense of dread, not just around the baby, but around the people who hold power and believe their actions are justified. The inclusion of the voudou woman as an ally adds depth and balance, offering a counterpoint to the rigid, fanatical worldview of the Order.
This installment is emotionally intense, morally complex, and deeply unsettling, making it a strong entry in the series. While this is Book 4, the core conflict is engaging on its own.
Recommended for readers who enjoy dark horror, religious themes, moral dilemmas, and stories where the true horror lies in human choices.
Thank you to @danielledevor, @netgalley, and @cityowlpress for the ARC
February 4, 2026
This book throws a lot at you all at once—zombies, witches, demons, and ghosts—yet they all work remarkably well together. Even reading this as a standalone, I found the plot easy to follow and quickly caught up with the world-building. While there were a few things I wish I’d known beforehand (which is expected when jumping into the middle of a series), the story was so engaging that I’m now eager to go back and read the previous books.
Overall, the story offers a fresh, unique take on the "exorcist" trope. I loved the layered plot lines, which made it nearly impossible to put down during the middle and final acts. The ending caught me off guard, but while it wasn't what I expected, the choices made felt true to the story.
I’d describe this as "cozy horror": it’s a fast-paced, easy read with likable characters and mild twists, but it avoids unnecessary gore or shock value. It’s simply a solid plot set in a world where the horrific is normalized for the characters.
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
1 Star: For perfectly delivering on the blurb's promises.
1 Star: For a diverse, interesting, and likable cast.
1 Star: For being accessible without being overly simplistic.
0.5 Star: For featuring a cat as a genuine character rather than just a background pet.
0.5 Star: For a unique and refreshing concept of ghosts.
0.5 Star: For a solid enough storyline that it can be enjoyed fully as a standalone.
I want to thank the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. All opinions are my own; I only review ARCs that truly interest me, as life is too short for books that don't click!
Overall, the story offers a fresh, unique take on the "exorcist" trope. I loved the layered plot lines, which made it nearly impossible to put down during the middle and final acts. The ending caught me off guard, but while it wasn't what I expected, the choices made felt true to the story.
I’d describe this as "cozy horror": it’s a fast-paced, easy read with likable characters and mild twists, but it avoids unnecessary gore or shock value. It’s simply a solid plot set in a world where the horrific is normalized for the characters.
My Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
1 Star: For perfectly delivering on the blurb's promises.
1 Star: For a diverse, interesting, and likable cast.
1 Star: For being accessible without being overly simplistic.
0.5 Star: For featuring a cat as a genuine character rather than just a background pet.
0.5 Star: For a unique and refreshing concept of ghosts.
0.5 Star: For a solid enough storyline that it can be enjoyed fully as a standalone.
I want to thank the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. All opinions are my own; I only review ARCs that truly interest me, as life is too short for books that don't click!
March 1, 2026
I read this as a standalone but it was still easy to follow. I like stories with cats and it seems that Isaac is there to help Mr Holiday and the group when it comes to getting rid of zombies, ghosts and witches!
I like witches in stories and how they intertwine with mortal and immortal people.
Exorcism isn't for the faint-hearted, you don't really know how it'll play out.
This is a quick read at under 200 pages and I'm intrigued to go back and read in order.
I like Lucy and Doc, hidden to most people but visible to a select few. Sounds fun walking through walls etc!
I like witches in stories and how they intertwine with mortal and immortal people.
Exorcism isn't for the faint-hearted, you don't really know how it'll play out.
This is a quick read at under 200 pages and I'm intrigued to go back and read in order.
I like Lucy and Doc, hidden to most people but visible to a select few. Sounds fun walking through walls etc!
January 22, 2018
The characters are great, well rounded and their descriptions have you feeling what they are feeling. The same goes for the locations. The plot is tight and has you wondering what is going to happen next. There are a few typos but I bet they'll be fixed and they take nothing away from the story. You cheer their victories and mourn their losses. If you have a couple hours free, I recommend this book.
November 30, 2017
Who can't love Jimmy!
Dang I have to say Jimmy has the worse luck ever that is so entertaining lol. Once again The Order screws him and we get zombies and a adorable devil baby! But Lucy isn't so lucky in this one..... Highly recommend this series and definitely should be read in order. Looking forward to the next one : )
Dang I have to say Jimmy has the worse luck ever that is so entertaining lol. Once again The Order screws him and we get zombies and a adorable devil baby! But Lucy isn't so lucky in this one..... Highly recommend this series and definitely should be read in order. Looking forward to the next one : )
November 23, 2021
Sorrow’s Lie
It appears Jimmy has lost everything. This book had so many twists and turns I was whirling. Unexpectedly the loss of everyone didn’t upset me. I guess I only cared about one character. It should have been devastating to lose Tabby, but it wasn’t. Isaacs loss was a bit harder.
It appears Jimmy has lost everything. This book had so many twists and turns I was whirling. Unexpectedly the loss of everyone didn’t upset me. I guess I only cared about one character. It should have been devastating to lose Tabby, but it wasn’t. Isaacs loss was a bit harder.
September 9, 2018
Really Good series
I loved the characters. The twisting plots were well constructed. A tale full of surprizes, laughter and sorrow. I will read anything written by this author.
I loved the characters. The twisting plots were well constructed. A tale full of surprizes, laughter and sorrow. I will read anything written by this author.
February 4, 2020
Excellent book
Well that was different, Witches, Demon babies, Priests and Zombies. This book had me gripped, there was lots going on. I can't wait to read the next book.
Well that was different, Witches, Demon babies, Priests and Zombies. This book had me gripped, there was lots going on. I can't wait to read the next book.
October 23, 2020
Love this story!
I've loved learning about these characters and seeing how their stories unfold through this series. Great combination of horror, romance, and thriller.
I've loved learning about these characters and seeing how their stories unfold through this series. Great combination of horror, romance, and thriller.
January 20, 2026
easy supernatural read. only issues I had were there were some grammer/ wording issues that the editors should have caught but the book was great overall
September 24, 2017
We are at the fourth book in the Marker Chronicles. Jimmy is once again called somewhere to verify a devil baby, and he takes along his family. While there, he finds out more than he bargained for including more about what’s up with the Order. However, will the truth set him free, or put him on a path to destruction? I am really, really liking this series. It’s sort-of horror, without being really scary. I don’t mind the scary, but I know some people do. This author does a great job of painting a picture and keeping readers informed about other characters’ motivations in this book. I felt like I could see everything going on, and I felt so much for the characters. I do have to admit that I’m still not a big fan of Tabby; I can’t seem to get over that she’s a little whiney. And, there was one thing in here that bothered me: Lucy had something happen to her that she got over abruptly, a little too abruptly. It threw me off a little bit. However, this was still a great read and I can’t wait to see what happens next because the end was a shocker! This author is a great all-around writer and I highly recommend this book! Thanks to NetGalley and City Owl Press for the e-book which I voluntarily reviewed.
November 19, 2017
Jimmy Holiday is an exorcist and given a case by The Order to check out an alleged demon baby before the true experts arrive on a flight. However he finds that the order is not what he thought it was and that they are asking him to do unspeakable things. With the help of a voudou practitioner in the same lane and the safety of his family on the line, can he fight for the life of the child and what will be the repercussions in his life?
I really enjoyed this story. It was like a horror story but quite tame with the scary bits. The story was very well written and everything was clear and easy to understand. There was a lot of action and twists and turns (especially the one at the end which was a complete surprise!). Can be read stand alone even though it is the 4th book in the series.
I really enjoyed this story. It was like a horror story but quite tame with the scary bits. The story was very well written and everything was clear and easy to understand. There was a lot of action and twists and turns (especially the one at the end which was a complete surprise!). Can be read stand alone even though it is the 4th book in the series.
April 19, 2022
I really wanted to love this book and I did enjoy it- liked the concept, story & plot and the characters were ok but, ultimately I just didn't love it. I like really dark without being sick/violent just for the sake of it which is hard to find, it's a fine link. For me, it wasn't quite dark or scary enough. It was still a fairly entertaining read & I'd recommend for fans of demonic thrillers/horror.
October 30, 2017
Can’t wait for the next book in this series to come out. Still could use another proof reading session, but it wasn’t as distracting as in some of the previous books.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews