Descendant

by Bob Freeman

Federal Agents Selina Wolfe and Martin Crowe are called in to investigate a series of bizarre deaths in a small rural community. What first seems to be a misadventure involving black magic and satanic ritual soon takes on even more deleterious overtones, as the agents become embroiled in a plot by a sinister cabal intent on unleashing Hell on Earth.

362 pages, Paperback

First published August 21, 2010

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

Bob Freeman is an author, artist and paranormal adventurer from rural Indiana, where he lives with his wife Kim and son Connor.

He is the founder of the paranormal research group Nightstalkers of Indiana, a member of the Aleister Crowley Society, Horror Writers Association,and Indiana Horror Writers.

Bob is the author of the Cairnwood Manor series published by KHP Industries’ horror imprint, Black Death Books. The first two volumes in the series, Shadows Over Somerset (2006) and Keepers of the Dead (2008) are available at all major outlets

Watch for Bob's next novel Descendant, a supernatural thriller, coming in August 2010, from Belfire Press.

Reviews

[Gary Tenuta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first half of Descendent sucked me in from the get-go even though, after the first few chapters, I was not quite sure where the story was going. Still, I was captivated. This was due in large part to two things: (1) Freeman's writing style and (2) the characters: The enigmatic Dr. Landon Connors and the FBI agents, Martin Crowe and Selina Wolfe. I recognized, immediately, that my imagination and my thirst for an adventure was now in the hands of a writer fully confident in his craft and completely in control of where ever he was about to take me. And, damn, can this guy turn a phrase. Bob Freeman is a hell of a wordsmith. One note of warning to readers, however: if you're not at least moderately versed in esoteric lore and occult literature or even just words that were more or less common language back in the middle ages, you may find yourself puzzling over certain words and phrases peppered throughout the story. This is quite clearly Freeman's realm, his comfort zone. He knows this stuff up one side and down the other and he doesn't think twice about dropping terms like "eldrich power", "widdershins", "preternatural", "magickal working', "homunculus", and so on, into the dialog or the descriptive passages. Not that it really matters. Trust me. Freeman's writing is so good you'll "get it" even if you don't exactly know the meaning of a word here and there.

The primary characters, agents Wolfe and Crowe, are colorful, smart, emotionally driven, wise-cracking, resourceful, tough and just plain fun to watch. Er, I mean to read. Well, that's just the thing. I always had the impression that I was actually seeing them, like watching a movie. Man, I love these two characters! They each have very distinct personalities that play off each other extremely well. If this was a movie, I'd have to say the casting was perfect. Wolfe and Crowe have a terrific chemistry going on.

And monsters? Your want monsters? Demons? Creepy, dangerous, hideous, shape-shifting creatures from Hell that will delight in ripping your beating heart out of your chest and then devour it like sucking down a slimy delicacy and then go looking for seconds? Then watch out. You've come to the right place. They're everywhere, in the woods, in the shadows of back alleys. Hell, they could be your neighbors. Like I said, they're everywhere. And that's the problem. That's what Wolfe and Crowe are all about. They're demon hunters and they carry big guns, not to mention an assortment of magickal weaponry, bewitching spells and some pretty nifty psychic wizardry that comes in handy when the final showdown explodes across the pages of this exciting, masterfully written and highly intelligent thriller.

[Whitney Theresa June · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, literary lovelies, we meet again for another review of a book which I have to say was well out of my usual genre of reading. Which is one of the reasons I so wanted to delve in.

From the getgo, Descendant has an ability to captivate the reader and pull them right into the action. I enjoyed how quickly we were dropped into the scene providing a sense of having to hold on for the entirety of the novel's ride.

I really loved how the author painted visual scenes from the "Gothic swagger" of a cathedral to the "phantom odor" of "burnt timber". He made the world come alive and I often felt like I was actually within the pages of the book.

At first, the book having been split into three parts felt a bit disjointed as I was waiting to see where part one fit in but was very pleasantly surprised with how it eventually came full circle with part three. (Perhaps I was being a tad impatient.) In the end, I rather liked how the author set the book into parts keeping the reader enough in the dark and only providing us glimmers of light to see by until it was too late and we were in too deep.

There were definitely characters I was more interested in following as well as some I wished we heard more about. For instance, Tracy Larson's character was a driving force for me as a reader. Every time a chapter of hers came up I felt even more drawn into the book. I didn't feel the same way for the characters who were her classmates but who were in their own right essential plot threads. I also would have loved to read more about Samuel Travis Beck's character.

I will mention this novel contains coarse language as well as depictions of violence and sex. Personally, coarse language isn't too much of a deal-breaker for me as a reader but there were instances where the crassness felt a bit too much even if it was important from a characterization perspective.

I also know the violent and overtly sexual scenes are almost part and parcel with the supernatural/thriller aspects in this genre but there were definitely times where I wished it was possible to avert my gaze. Alas, this was a novel and not a movie. That being said dear readers if you are not squeamish to coarse language, violent and sexual scenes than I would definitely say give this book a read.

There were so many layers weaved within these pages that allowed me to understand how much of an expert the author Bob Freeman is in the field of the occult and paranormal phenomena. If the entire premise of his book didn't terrify me it would be a subject I would love to learn more about as you only really get a taste of it. Bob Freeman does a great job of captivating the reader.

All in all, if you enjoy supernatural thrillers or want to give the genre a try I would wholeheartedly recommend reading Descendant.

*** Copy received from Tomorrow Comes Media in exchange for an honest review ***

[Monster]

Selina Wolfe and Martin Crowe work for the FBI's Paranormal Operations Division. Each has special abilities that make them perfect agents for taking on gargoyles, werewolves, ghosts, and anything else that goes bump in the night. A string of bizarre murders in Indiana pulls Wolfe and Crowe into a mystery involving demons, angels, and a plot that could rip asunder the veil between heaven, hell, and this little mudball we call home.

Descendant is like the bastard lovechild of The X-Files, H.P. Lovecraft, and Doctor Strange; and I mean that in the most loving way possible. "Book One" is almost a miniature anthology. Four separate adventures are tied together by an underlying subplot. It’s a nice introduction to Wolfe and Crowe, highlighting their personalities and abilities, and introducing characters that will become integral to the main story. Whether using guns or magic, these agents kick ass. This is high-octane action that still manages to be creepy as hell.

"Book Two" is the meat of the story, a mystery/horror/ mythos hybrid that delivers on every level. Twists and turns abound, and just when you think it's over, THERE'S MORE! Freeman keeps the story moving at a good clip, with barely a chance for readers to catch their breath.

I'm a fan of H.P. Lovecraft and other authors of the classic pulps, but they can be a bit verbose. I was concerned that Bob Freeman would fall into this category, but, though his writing has a bit of that pulp flavor, his is a refreshingly modern take. His characters are fully formed with interesting back stories, and he leaves out just enough to leave the reader begging for more. The supporting cast is just as intriguing as Wolfe and Crowe. And the twists! Oh, the twists. You can (almost) never be sure who is good and who is working for the downfall of humanity. When an author can keep ME guessing, that's good writing.
I can't wait to find out what is next for Wolfe and Crowe and their cohorts. I highly recommend Descendant for libraries and, well, everyone.

Contains: Violence, gore, strong language, and sex

Reviewed by: Erik Smith
Note: The author Bob Freeman is a reviewer and contributor at MonsterLibrarian.com

[T.W. Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished reading what SHOULD be the next SyFy original series. I'm not talking cheesy movie (Mansquito...Sharktopus et. al.), nope...I am talking series. (Think along the lines of Galatia, Sanctuary, Caprica, and my favorite...Warehouse 13.) Descendant: A Wolfe and Crowe investigation by Bob Freeman has HIT written all over it.

Now pay attention zombie lovers...this is NOT standard zombie fare. In fact, its relation to zombie fiction is tenuous at best. There is one zombie scene near the end of the book. Also, there is Martin Crowe. He died and was brought back to life in a sort of Frankensteiny way, which could satisfy the zombie criteria on a technicality. But what you need to know is that this is an extremely intelligent paranormal thriller. Go into it thinking of it as an occult version of the X-Files.

Selina Wolfe and Martin Crowe are an FBI team responsible for dealing with the very real world of monsters and demons. They arrive on the scene to solve and then discredit the existence of said beasties. They know monsters exist and it is up to them to ensure that the general population does not.

Descendant would make an excellent first season. There is enough twists and turns to turn this story into a serial that would have watchers on the edge of their seats throughout. Belfire Press should put their resources behind this story. It really is that good.

A word of caution which can be taken as my critique of the work, Mister Freeman makes no attempt to dumb down his work. He uses eloquent words and obviously knows his occult material. There are times he makes your head spin with some of his references. However, this only gives his story more believability and credibility.

Descendant: A Wolfe & Crowe investigation by Bob Freeman expands the genre and is different from anything else out there for zombie lovers. I urge you to expand your horizons with what promises to be an exceptional series. If you are ready for something smart and several levels above the standard rip-and-tear zombie fiction that is flooding the market...this is the book for you

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

An action-packed adventure somewhere between the X-Files and The Dresden Files. Freeman brings the occult to life!