A Grimoire Dark

The Spirit Hunter #1

by D.S. Quinton

An Orphan Girl. A Hellish Spirit. A fight for more than just her life...
New Orleans, 1963. When Del Larouche leaves the St. Augustine orphanage, she is desperate to build a normal life for herself and Jimmy, the mentally handicapped boy she spent years protecting.

But when a hellish spirit is raised from the dark swamps, unimaginable horrors begin to prey on the lost souls of the Crescent City, and Del’s soul is the most coveted.

When she learns the truth of her secret heritage, she is faced with a choice: forego the gift she was born with for the normal life she dreams of or embrace her birthright and the dark consequences that follow.

A Grimoire Dark is the spine-tingling first book in The Spirit Hunter supernatural thriller series. If you like black magic, strong female protagonists, and urban legends, then you’ll love this chilling tale.

Genres: Horror, Fantasy, Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Paranormal, Ebooks

414 pages, Paperback

Published October 23, 2019

About the author

D.S. Quinton was born in the Midwest USA and attended the schools of daydreaming, foosball, and mixology. He is an avid student of the unknown and grew up on Greek mythology, the Twilight Zone, and Night Gallery.

He is the author of the Spirit Hunter supernatural thriller series and the Circus Sideshow supernatural oddity series, along with a few other interesting tales.

Although his guitar slide is rusty, the piano keys are warm, and despite the lure of many untraveled paths, his feet are generally moving forward.

You can find him at dsquinton.com, some social media platforms, or on his deck solving the world’s problems with his wife and a good bottle of wine.

http://www.dsquinton.com
https://www.facebook.com/ds.quinton.37
https://www.amazon.com/author/dsquinton
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/d-s-q...

Reviews

[Michael Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

My thoughts on this book may be a bit biased, as I am from Louisiana, just 2 hours from New Orleans. Many words and phrases used in this book are part of my own vocabulary, as well as my upbringing. I don’t have any connections to the voodoo stuff in here, but I’ve heard tales that were similar in nature. For me, this book was liking taking a trip back home. I am very familiar with the story of Marie Laveau, but I had not previously heard of Dr. John . . . the real Dr. John, not the musician. I have a Marie Laveau story of my own. Actually, it’s my sister’s story. And to be honest, in truth, the following is more than likely coincidence. Many years ago, my wife, my sister, and I went to New Orleans. One of many times, as we lived in Baton Rouge at the time. We were walking down Bourbon Street and walked into Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo. There was this sort of shrine to Marie, with money offerings. There was a sign that said not to touch Marie’s tribute. I don’t remember the exact words, but it said something to the effect of - if anyone touches Marie shrine, you will have bad luck. My sister was touching the shrine. She hadn’t seen the sign warning against touching it. My wife and I were like, hey, don’t you see that sign. My sister looked at the sign and removed her hand and shrugged it off. Not long after that, my sister was broadsided by another vehicle, sending my dad’s truck turning over. Don’t worry, she was and still is ok. But the next week, while recuperating at my parents’ house, she told me, I wish I hadn’t touched that damn tribute. We had a laugh about it. Like I said, coincidence. But if I see another tribute to Marie Laveau, I’m for sure not touching it. And I may leave a few dollars in the tribute myself.

[Jessica M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Grimoire Dark - D.S. Quinton
LOVE the cover of this book. It is subdued yet incredibly eye-catching, it makes me think Harry Potter (which this book so is not) and Edgar Allen Poe (which it most certainly is). The colors and shadows, lightning, rain, raven, and even the scrollwork on the edges gives the potential reader a good feel for what will be found in the pages beyond.
The summary was well written enough information given about the book to interest the reader, but without giving any spoilers away. I will say the comment about Del needing to choose which life she wants, gave it a predictable feel, which this book was not.
A Grimoire Dark was one of the better horror/coming of age/supernatural books I have read in a long time. I will say that I almost set the book down after the first chapter. I found the first chapter, though short, to drag on. Fortunately, I kept reading, and I feel the book truly starts in the second chapter.
Mr. Quinton has exceptional talent when it comes to character development and dialogue. I absolutely loved Del and hope to see future novels. I am unsure if this is a standalone book or if this is the beginning of a series, but I hope this is book 1 in the series.

[Vicki Herbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's far worse things than just being dead...

No spoilers: 2 1/2 stars. I became so bored with this mind-numbing story that I finally stopped reading at 85%... I was almost to the end and just couldn't go the distance!...

I like a good book about New Orleans and its legends of hoodoo and voodoo and its mystical magical cemeteries but...

...this author threw in everything he'd ever heard about New Orleans' legends, trying to make this into a cohesive story... and he forgot about the story...

...the result was a mishmash of different things going on... most of them unbelievable. Less is usually more when telling a good story...

I won't go into the plot because it was very weak...it served more as a vehicle for the various beliefs and superstitions presented...

Of course Marie Laveau was added for good measure... she became some trite bit-player in this all-over-the-place story...

There's far worse things than being dead and reading this book was one of them...

Any serious horror reader would do better with well-written fiction about voodoo and hoodoo like HOODOO by Ronald L. Smith or BUSTER VOODOO by Mason James Cole.

[KMart Vet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a creepy, rich, and surprisingly heartwarming little gothic horror jaunt through 1960s New Orleans and I had a great time with it. You can feel the city in every page: the heat, the spirits, the thick swamp air, and the haunting folklore. It was like taking a trip back down South... only with more demons.

I especially loved the voice. The Cajun and Southern accents, the way people spoke, felt textured and natural, and while I’m no linguistics expert, it sounded authentic to my untrained ears. That commitment to voice and setting made the whole story feel grounded, even when the supernatural started creeping in. And creep in it did; dark spirits, swamp magic, and shadowy legacies, all wrapped in a pretty gripping coming-of-age story. I also loved the nods to Poe.

Del is a strong lead and I enjoyed the supporting cast: a mentally disabled child she's fiercely protective of, a blossoming sapphic romance (soft and sweet but not the main focus), and a community of characters that felt alive. It’s not often I see that kind of representation in a horror-leaning story, and I appreciated it.

If you like your supernatural thrillers with heart and a touch of tragedy, this is a great place to start. Thankfully, there’s already a second book waiting in the wings and I’ll be diving in soon.

Thank you so much to Storygram Tours and the author for the complimentary copy! This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[Bill · Rating 1 out of 5]

I returned this book to Kindle Unlimited unfinished. Didn’t like it.

[Kristen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was just not for me. It's my own fault, really. The description did say it was horror and that isn't my genre. But it is set in New Orleans - a favourite location for me - and the story sounded intriguing.

But 65 pages in things were already getting too gory and creepy for me and this went into the DNF category.

[Farhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb. Its after a long time that I've read a horror / supernatural novel this good. Superb characters and superb story. The buildup was tense, and climax totally satisfying. It would be a great injustice if Del, Frank, Armand and Mama D don't return for another supernatural thriller!

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘As I recall, it all began with an unholy rain’

Author DS Quinton made his publishing debut with DEVEL DJANGO, beginning an impressive career as a significant contributor to the realm of science fiction technothiller genre. Trained with a BS in Computer Science, an MBA, and a successful career in IT, he uses this foundation of knowledge to present credible combinations of futurism, metaphysics, and speculative alternative reality in novels that exceed expectations. As he states, ‘I'm an avid student of the unknown.’ In addition to his debut novel, he has now published THE PHOENIX STONE and now A DARK GRIMOIRE.

Having entered Quinton’s dark and strange world with his debut novel and being mesmerized with the experience, it comes as no surprise that his writing continues to skyrocket with superb prose and characters and storylines. He opens with an ominous Prologue that raises the curtain on this occult horror novel. ‘…Despite my wretched state, I have a yearning to portray to you what I am, so the same terrible fate does befall you. Excuse me, does not befall you. Yes, now that I state it, I am quite sure the telling of my tale is what is needed. I feel this to be true in the marrow of my bones, as if my life utterly depended on it…’ And with that mysterious thought process, the story opens.

Quinton’s own summary of his novel deserves to be shared – ‘When Del Lareaux leaves the St. Augustine orphanage, she is desperate to build a normal life for herself and Jimmy, the mentally handicapped boy she spent years protecting. But when a hellish spirit is raised from the dark swamps of Louisiana, abominations of unimaginable horror begin to prey on the lost souls of New Orleans, and Del’s soul is the most coveted. When Del learns the truth of her secret heritage, she is faced with a choice: forego the gift she was born with for the normal life she dreams of, or embrace her birthright and the dark consequences that follow.’

An excellent invitation into the imaginative world of DS Quinton, but it is the quality of the journey, the magnetic attraction to both the pages and the secrets of the book that makes this a feat of impressive strength: the joy and reward is in the reading. Highly recommended.

[Brittni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grimoire Dark is the perfect tale for anyone that loves an exciting coming of age story full of dark undertones and a fated underdog.
Desperate to finally be free of the orphanage she grew up in, Del Lareaux wants nothing more than to finally have the chance for a normal life. Along with Jimmy, a challenged boy she has taking to watching over the years, she hopes to be able to start over.
When a dark spirit threatening turns New Orleans into a nightmare, Del learns that her life will not be that simple. Forced to decide between the destiny she never knew she had or the life she always wanted, this novel creates a real page turner for people of all ages to enjoy.
This engaging book was well written and entertaining. You could definitely feel some Stephen King vibes through the style of writing.
At first glance, the whole orphan chosen one trope seems like it is going to lead to a predictable book, but Quinton defied my expectations.
I am a huge fan of horror novels and found this to be great book for anyone that shares this passion for dark mysteries -especially if you are partial to the whole culture of New Orleans.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poe-esque. Richly dark and darkly rich.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel starts out with a history of tragedies in the NOLA area and introduces the paranormal evil premise of the book in a smooth fashion. It didn’t feel overly explanatory or negate the exposition of the first chapters, which was nice. Set in 1963, the story follows Del, a young woman who grew up in an orphanage and discovers her true supernatural identity. Del was a wonderfully-built character with layers soaked in her history, which felt genuine and part of her being. All of the characters had those rich personalities, which really drew me into the story while the plot was still forming. I found some of the characters, like Armand and Mama Dede, to be a little bit too stereotypical, but otherwise all the characters were brilliant. The accented writing was a bit challenging to wade through, but that gave it an authentic feel. Overall, it was an engaging read full of history, lore, and the supernatural.

[Shanell Meek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really want to read more about Del! Can it be a series please?!?!

So I’m not into horror stories but I was intrigued by the cover, the raven and the shadows on the cover had a strong Edgar Allen Poe feeling. I’m an avid fan of Edgar Allen Poe and the mention of my all time favorite author in the summary was really what clinched it for me that I was buying this book immediately. I am glad I did! I love how the author channeled their inner EAP and really dug I to the grisly depths of New Orleans and depths of hell. Del is an orphan who just wants a normal life for her and Jimmy but someone has bigger plans for Del and she is plunged into a fight for her life as she learns who she is and why others are seeking her soul! The choices Del has to make are the hardest choices she has ever had to make in her life. I’ll let you read it to see if she embraces her heritage or if she becomes a normal girl with a normal life!

[Valery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Grimoire Dark by D.S. Quinton is a dark and delicious tale that evokes memories of Edgar Allen Poe. The cover alone is enough to send a chill up your spine, but the story itself works its magic, slowly unwinding in a terrifying and dark manner. Here we have the story of Del Lareaux who recently left an orphanage in St. Augustine with a boy named Jimmy, someone she has vowed to protect. This book is a combination of coming of age and horror, and after the first chapter, the story picks up steam, and you become fully invested in the outcome for Del. This story is an amalgamation of genres, reminding you of Stephen King, with a little touch of Poe to round out the creepiness. The city of New Orleans casts an eerie spell as the setting in this book, as the lost souls from a hurricane permeate the city. This is a wicked good story, one which will resonate if you love tales of horror with a dark and menacing backdrop. Highly recommend.

[A Cannady · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Grimoire Dark” by D.S. Quinton is a supernatural fantasy about a girl who has already been through enough darkness in her life by the time she leaves the orphanage. But more darkness is on the way for Del, since everyone wants her soul. Del Lareaux has no idea who she is or why she ended up abandoned. She just wants to be normal, and her main goal in life is to protect Jimmy, a fellow orphan with mental disabilities. But unfortunately that’s not going to happen, since someone opened the gates of Hell and those spirits are actively searching for her. The book is set in New Orleans where the practice of VooDoo runs rampant. When Del learns the truth about her family heritage and why everyone is after her, she has to make some serious choices about her future. It’s a book that has the makings of a series, and I hope the author gives us more Del soon.

[Jo Bass · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Orleans and bones, dark macabre funereal occurrences, zombies, witches and, of course, gris-gris men all seem to go together. Add a sprinkling of Poe to dish up a book grisly with weird happenings, betrayed friendships and agape love that is true and gentle. Float the whole lot in a soup of swamp creatures, chomped heads and things that decay WAY too quickly for a read that you won’t want to put down, and that leaves you hoping for a sequel.

D.S. Quinton says of himself that he “attended the schools of Daydreaming, Foosball, and Mixology.” Apparently, there was some additional formal education going on as well, because he holds a B.S. in Computer science, and an MBA. He is also the author of the Phoenix Stone and Devel Django. A relatively new author, Django came out in 2018, Quinton is definitely worth watching for more suspenseful books to read.

[Rachel Kester · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by author D.S. Quinton tells the story of Del Lareaux who has just recently left an orphanage in St. Augustine with Jimmy, a boy she has worked to protect. During her journey to a new life, she finds that things might be a little more troublesome than she expected, especially because a dark spirit, who has risen from the swamps of Louisiana, is off to prey on lost souls. Lareaux must fight to protect not only her life and Jimmy’s, but decide whether to face her hidden secrets that could cause trouble down the road.
If you’re on the search for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is one to definitely consider. It’s not only filled with thrilling twists and turns, but plenty of well-developed characters as well. While the book might be a little long for some (it’s 400 pages), the time investment is definitely worth it.

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Grimoire Dark by D.S. Quinton was a very interesting and dark read. From the beginning, when I read the summary, I was intrigued. I really loved the author’s writing style and how he made his writing seem so effortless and smooth. He really knows how to grab the reader’s attention. The characters were written with great background and detail. The main character, Del, was a very intriguing character to me, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about his character in this story. The description of this book says it is a twist of Stephen King and Edgar Allen Poe, and after reading this, I definitely say I have to agree! There are a lot of dark aspects to this book, and if I stayed up too close to bed to read this, I found myself worried about having nightmares! Great story. Overall, I would definitely recommend this book to any person dark, horror, Edgar Allen Poe – type of books.

[Chelseyam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually don’t think I have ever read anything quite like this book, which made it exceptionally exciting for me. I thought I knew where the story was going to go when I first picked it up but was pleasantly surprised to enjoy something entirely different. There are a lot of dark undertones in this story, which definitely make it a treat for anyone that loves a few creepy vibes in their life. The writing is wonderful too as the author has a unique voice that makes the story even better. I would recommend this book to anyone that is looking for something interesting and exciting. You won’t be disappointed with the incredible characters and the enjoyable plotline. I am looking forward to checking out more from this author, because he truly seems to have a knack for dark stories that will definitely leave you impressed.

[Jessie Hilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book Grimoire Dark as it is the a great read for anyone that loves fiction, fantasy, coming of age tales. The story is about the main character Del Lareaux who wants to finally be free and get out of the orphanage she grew up in, with hopes of being able to start over. The author did a wonderful job of developing Del's character, and other main characters throughout the read. If your a big fan of mystery or horror novels, this book is for you. As you will find, Del's experience does not turn out as easy as she had hoped. This book will keep you on your toes, but also have you constantly flipping the pages. I wasn't able to put it down! Great read, and well done to the author!

[Quirru · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Grimoire Dark: A Horror Thriller by D.S. Quinton is a horror novel that takes place at New Orleans when a girl, Del Lareaux that just got out of the orphanage has to face an evil hellish spirit that that is raised at Louisiana, and then she discovers and has to face that she was born with a not so normal gift that now she has to decide if she uses or not and just try to go on with the normal life she has been dreaming to live. The book is well written with a lot of imagination and real horror that makes it a thriller, without doubt, the characters are well described same as the scenes, the pace is quick and steady but it has a lot of twists and turns that gives to the plot that irrational sense of horror, and at the end … you need to read what happens.

Good read

[Jenny Neese · Rating 5 out of 5]

So full disclosure I didn’t read this I listened to the audio book. This was probably the best performed book I have ever listened to. I don’t think I would have enjoyed this book had I read it.
Now to the story: I don’t usually like horror books they are not good reads to me and I usually get very bored with them. This book was very entertaining. I took my time with it cause I didn’t want it to end. The incantation/binding spell was my favorite part. I love how he makes references to “The Raven”. It was dark and mysterious I found myself completely enchanted in the story. I liked the New Orleans based themes and the hoodoo and voodoo parts.
The last thing I have to say is. PLEASE MAKE THIS A SERIES

[Melissa Hernandez-Alvarez]

A grimoire is a witch’s book of spells, which is passed on after her death. The grimoire itself seems to become imbued with a power of its own as time passes so if this book is about a dark grimoire, you can be sure that it will be scary, and it doesn’t disappoint. This really is a supernatural thriller and a horror story rolled into one. The author is very skilled at conjuring the atmosphere of the Louisiana swamplands - miasmic, menacing and eerie. It reminded me very much of the television series, ‘True Blood’ and the action is gripping, as a hellish spirit is brought to life in the swamp. Its aim is to prey on the humans of New Orleans so that it can consume their souls.

[K Puck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being a big fan of Edgar Allan Poe I loved this book and the melancholy poems between chapters. Not to mention the book was just good, dark and imaginative. Delphine Larouche or Del after being raised in an orphanage, becomes old enough to begin life on her own. Eager to be on her own finds a job and begins to plan her future. When strange killings with ritual elements begin, she starts looking into the case with great fascination. She makes a startling discovery about her own past, making her make a pretty agonizing decision. Either to embrace her uncertain future or give up the life she's dreamed of. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it.

[BRT · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this story of magic and monsters in New Orleans a bit slow at first, partially due to the use of thick local dialect for the characters and partially because the book was reminiscent of The Witches of New Orleans series by J.D. Horn. As the book's action got going, though, I found that I couldn't stop reading. The author's depiction of New Orleans spiritual history is a helpful backdrop for understanding the disturbing magical events. An homage to Poe's The Raven gives the story a good rhythm and heightens the horrific gruesomeness of the story.

[Lola Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come sit a spell with this amazing novel!

This novel is an excellent balance between Louisiana lore and the author's own creations that it's difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins! Not to mention the many homages paid to some of history's greatest literary minds. This book will grant you by the collar and hold you in a death grip until you've read the last page.

If you're not reading D.S. Quinton, you are seriously missing out!

[Latonya Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark grimoire

Awesome book ! Being from south Louisiana he could have done better with the cajun language but i won't hold it against him !I'm looking forward to hearing more from this story line it kept me up until i was finished reading great story !

[Pattie S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

It is just a great story from beginning to end. Author does not let reader down. The plot unfolds with lots of interesting information and characters. Story is believable as horror and fun.

[Suzanne Landry · Rating 1 out of 5]

I live in south Louisiana and thought this would be a great read, but I could not get passed the horrible Cajun “accents” the book had in many places. It went into the DNF pile before I finished the first chapter.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not so great

Book was okay but not what I thought it would be. Disappointed in how things played put at the end.

[Lisa williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storyline

Amazing to read. .
Love the characters. And the suspense.i love that 1 of the heroes in the book was Jimmy a simple boy.