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Wolfbane
James Coldstone is the ideal eligible he’s wealthy, handsome, lives modestly…and he can turn into a gigantic Werewolf at will. When a string of grisly murders are discovered in his sleepy South Carolina town, James agrees to help his friend Sgt. Phillip Brown investigate. But as the investigation take a turn down a dark path, James soon realizes that monsters aren’t always defined by their supernatural appearance. As he digs for answers about this current case, James will have to face many things, including his father’s hellish the long-dead case of the Wolf-Man Murders. Wolfbane is the first book in The Coldstone Files, the thrilling new dark urban fantasy series from Jason Gilbert, author of The Clockworks of War and The Rifle Chronicles.
- GenresUrban Fantasy
142 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2019
45 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 2, 2021
This is a quick little read that honestly had some great moments to it, some surprising twists, fun dialogue and dynamics, as well as some interesting details to the whole lycanthrope genre, without falling into, well lycanthrope tropes for the most part. That said, I think 3/4 of the book is solid but feel as if it stumbles near the end, where we land on a couple of clichés that caught me a bit off guard since the rest of the book honestly felt pretty fresh and fun. The writing is solid throughout but I went from being curious as to what would happen to guessing the following plot points, which was kind of a bummer. That said, I think Gilbert's writing is tight, fun, interesting, cheeky when it has to be, and I particularly enjoyed and would definitely highlight when he shifts from a normal narrative to a were-narrative. I think it was done wonderfully and though it did have that trip at the end, wouldn't mind continuing the series one bit and recommend to anyone who loves to bark at the moon.
October 27, 2020
ORIGINAL REVIEW 5/28/2019
Wolfbane is the first of a new action-packed urban fantasy, where the series-title character helps his police friend solve crime of the supernatural nature.
James Coldstone has it all but hates most of it - he has wealth, but will never touch it; famous family with long-history ruined by a serial killer father; and great power ... as a werewolf. Living modestly, out of the way, helping his childhood best friend, Phillip Brown, with police cases that have supernatural culprits, James' not-quite idyllic life comes to an abrupt end when a series of murders leave bodies torn apart, as if by an animal - but in their homes, as if by a human. Having had a werewolf father, all eyes turn to James.
Someone is framing him. While his best friend asks formal police questions like "Why?", James' wolf asks a more feral question: "When are you going to let me off the leash?"
A "cozy" mystery/crime solving, just not very cozy.
(Read through Kindle Unlimited)
10/27/2020 BOOK CLUB REVIEW
The book came up on my book club and so I read through the book again since it had been over a year. The book still was entertaining as the first time around. Sometimes I wince at James relationship with Phillip, as they joke like boy-men who known each other a long time (and one has been in the military) including college together. Male humor for friendship is very prickly.
A good second read. Some books don't stand up to a re-read, especially ones with mystery aspects, but this one does.
Wolfbane is the first of a new action-packed urban fantasy, where the series-title character helps his police friend solve crime of the supernatural nature.
James Coldstone has it all but hates most of it - he has wealth, but will never touch it; famous family with long-history ruined by a serial killer father; and great power ... as a werewolf. Living modestly, out of the way, helping his childhood best friend, Phillip Brown, with police cases that have supernatural culprits, James' not-quite idyllic life comes to an abrupt end when a series of murders leave bodies torn apart, as if by an animal - but in their homes, as if by a human. Having had a werewolf father, all eyes turn to James.
Someone is framing him. While his best friend asks formal police questions like "Why?", James' wolf asks a more feral question: "When are you going to let me off the leash?"
A "cozy" mystery/crime solving, just not very cozy.
(Read through Kindle Unlimited)
10/27/2020 BOOK CLUB REVIEW
The book came up on my book club and so I read through the book again since it had been over a year. The book still was entertaining as the first time around. Sometimes I wince at James relationship with Phillip, as they joke like boy-men who known each other a long time (and one has been in the military) including college together. Male humor for friendship is very prickly.
A good second read. Some books don't stand up to a re-read, especially ones with mystery aspects, but this one does.
May 24, 2020
I picked this one up because I know Jason, not because I have any particular fondness for werewolves. Happily it's really good (and yes, even though I know him, this review is honest and I paid for my own copy).
The protagonist is a werewolf in a small Southern town. He uses his powers to help out his friend-on-the-force with supernatural crimes but lives very quietly, so he doesn't stir up the locals with memories of his lycanthrope dad's string of murders. Investigating a murder case, however, things get a little too public ... and there's an evil shapeshifter involved ... and human traffickers ... it's going to get ugly.
Urban fantasy's a very hit-or-miss genre for me, but this one was definitely a hit.
The protagonist is a werewolf in a small Southern town. He uses his powers to help out his friend-on-the-force with supernatural crimes but lives very quietly, so he doesn't stir up the locals with memories of his lycanthrope dad's string of murders. Investigating a murder case, however, things get a little too public ... and there's an evil shapeshifter involved ... and human traffickers ... it's going to get ugly.
Urban fantasy's a very hit-or-miss genre for me, but this one was definitely a hit.
June 25, 2019
I am adding another author to my Must Read list. Gilbert has created a character that is not the usual bloodthirsty 'I must kill everything" werewolf nor the human in wolfy fur werewolf, but one that is a disturbing mix of the two. James Coldstone is a werewolf who calls to mind Quincy Harker from John G. Hartness and Thomas "Veck" DelVecchio, Jr. from J.R. Ward and both Clayton and Malcolm from Kelley Armstrong. I definitely need to see what happens next with his hunting partnership with Phillip.
I received an ARC from Falstaff Books and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received an ARC from Falstaff Books and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 31, 2019
Hilariously great
This was an amazing book. The trust that Phillip and James have is what makes friendship worthwhile. The plot was fleshed out brilliantly. The backstory about James and his family could have been a little more fleshed out to make it connect more. Other than that, I would love to see this as an animated movie or live action. Thanks for the wonderful read. Can't wait for the next part of there is one.
This was an amazing book. The trust that Phillip and James have is what makes friendship worthwhile. The plot was fleshed out brilliantly. The backstory about James and his family could have been a little more fleshed out to make it connect more. Other than that, I would love to see this as an animated movie or live action. Thanks for the wonderful read. Can't wait for the next part of there is one.
June 28, 2019
A good book one to a setup for a series about James Coldstone - the heir to a fortune that is also a werewolf, like his father before him. James has control while the wolf which is refreshing and he does his best to do good and assist the law through his best friend Phillip. The story will continue in book two and the chase is on.
April 29, 2019
Good story
Interesting story that keeps you turning the pages. Well with the read you'll enjoy it. Good characters and plot with a struggle to reconcile the main characters family history.
Interesting story that keeps you turning the pages. Well with the read you'll enjoy it. Good characters and plot with a struggle to reconcile the main characters family history.
October 14, 2019
Good book
I really enjoyed reading this book. It kept me reading on to see what happens and I was disappointed that I couldn't find Book 2. I will definitely be looking for the next in the series.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It kept me reading on to see what happens and I was disappointed that I couldn't find Book 2. I will definitely be looking for the next in the series.
May 4, 2019
James Coldstone and Phillip Brown are my new favorite buddies. Urban fantasy/comedy at its best. It you enjoy Psych and Quincy Harker, you will enjoy this werewolf outing.
September 23, 2019
I really liked the story and would recommend it to anyone that wants a quick read.
November 7, 2019
Good, quick read
The characters are captivating and the plot is well thought out. This is a good, quick read. I'm ready to see where the story goes from here.
The characters are captivating and the plot is well thought out. This is a good, quick read. I'm ready to see where the story goes from here.
August 8, 2020
This is a refreshing take on werewolves (and other paranormal creatures). The werewolf doesn't look like an actual wolf, more like a classic movie monster. And yet, when in "wolf" form, the main character, Jason, isn't the classic mindless beast, either. There were hints that Jason doesn't have the full history about werewolves and seems surprised to discover another type of were creature, while helping his cop friend investigate a series of gruesome murders. I look forward to learning more in future books.
Jason and his cop friend are best buds. There is a lot of brotherly teasing and one liners between them, as well as absolute trust. It's a bit like a buddy cop relationship, but only one of them is actually a cop.
Jason and his cop friend are best buds. There is a lot of brotherly teasing and one liners between them, as well as absolute trust. It's a bit like a buddy cop relationship, but only one of them is actually a cop.
August 15, 2020
James Coldstone has a secret, he is a werewolf, although not your usual blood thirsty kind. Good introduction to the series, as James attempts to stop a spate of killings, which appear to point to a werewolf.
August 25, 2020
So good I ordered the next 2 as soon as I finished.
October 16, 2020
Fun read
Totally different take on the werewolf genre. Really liked it. Great mystery, lots of action, evil human trafficking. Can't wait to read next in series
Totally different take on the werewolf genre. Really liked it. Great mystery, lots of action, evil human trafficking. Can't wait to read next in series
July 23, 2024
3 Stars
Story was pretty good, but, the ending wasn't the end it is continuing to the next book. Reason for only three stars.
Story was pretty good, but, the ending wasn't the end it is continuing to the next book. Reason for only three stars.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews