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Wrath of a Minor God
Special Agent Cole Nightshade has learned how to use the telepathic abilities that have protected him since childhood to apprehend the most brutal of criminals. His latest case involves a serial killer who’s been christened the Vampire of Charlottesville thanks to a unique MO: biting the necks of victims before murdering them and taking body parts as trophies. While investigating one of the crime scenes, Cole is confronted with the vision of an angry, disheveled young man who doesn’t want him to get too close to the truth.
David Fairchild is a freshman at the University of Virginia. Smart, likable, and good looking, he’s the sort who seems destined to achieve great things. But David has a history of disturbing incidents, kept hidden by his well-to-do family, that are precipitated by a man who speaks to him in his mind.
As the investigation heats up, Cole and David’s paths are set on a collision course. Now Cole must put the pieces together before David carries out the will of his secret friend—and the Vampire of Charlottesville claims another victim.
David Fairchild is a freshman at the University of Virginia. Smart, likable, and good looking, he’s the sort who seems destined to achieve great things. But David has a history of disturbing incidents, kept hidden by his well-to-do family, that are precipitated by a man who speaks to him in his mind.
As the investigation heats up, Cole and David’s paths are set on a collision course. Now Cole must put the pieces together before David carries out the will of his secret friend—and the Vampire of Charlottesville claims another victim.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2021
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Hains
12 books69 followersAnthony Hains is a professor emeritus of counseling psychology with a specialization in pediatric psychology. He retired in May 2018 after thirty-one years at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. He is the author of a number of horror novels including Nightshade’s Requiem, Sleep in the Dust of the Earth, and The Disembodied. Anthony lives with his wife in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin. They have one daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 17, 2021
Confession:
I was very reluctant to read this story. For more than a decade, I read crime/police procedurals/thrillers almost exclusively. A little more than two years ago I felt totally burned out on them and switched to my original first love: horror. When I started this book, I wondered if I would be able to finish it and give a fair review.
This story is about Special Agent Cole Nightshade, a FBI agent who has telepathic abilities. It takes place in 1977, even though this is the fourth instalment in the series. This was my first read of this author.
From the description I knew it was going to be much more crime than supernatural elements and I still think it will draw the crime/thriller fans more than horror ‘only’ readers.
The serial killer has been dubbed ‘The Vampire of Charlottesville’ and, if you are unable to draw your own conclusions as to why, you are probably not ready to move past YA yet. Cole gets visions of a young man as the culprit, but there is a connection to a ‘Bonnie and Clyde’/Natural Born Killers couple called Dash and Glo. But Dash is dead and Glo is in prison, so what can it be?
David Fairchild is a rich kid who is attending the University of Virginia. And he is also the killer.
What, you think I should have killed ‘spoiler alert’ before that statement? This is not that type of book – instead of making the reader figure out who the killer is, the author gives you the information in order to explore the history of the murderer.
Will Cole be able to stop him before it is too late – damn, man, I included that sentence because it is a detailed description of just about nothing (and I have never understood why some people feel compelled to use it).
Too late? For what? The end of the book?
Anyway, you should rather ask yourself this:
Will Nightshade shed some light on the shadows? (How corny is THAT?)
Enough of the messing around. In the end, I really enjoyed the story. I don’t know if my reluctance created such low expectations that it surpassed it in spades. In the end, this story was not difficult to read, finish or digest. Little niggles about predictability toward the end (the misdirection did not work for me at all and felt a little cliché), but well worth the read.
I was very reluctant to read this story. For more than a decade, I read crime/police procedurals/thrillers almost exclusively. A little more than two years ago I felt totally burned out on them and switched to my original first love: horror. When I started this book, I wondered if I would be able to finish it and give a fair review.
This story is about Special Agent Cole Nightshade, a FBI agent who has telepathic abilities. It takes place in 1977, even though this is the fourth instalment in the series. This was my first read of this author.
From the description I knew it was going to be much more crime than supernatural elements and I still think it will draw the crime/thriller fans more than horror ‘only’ readers.
The serial killer has been dubbed ‘The Vampire of Charlottesville’ and, if you are unable to draw your own conclusions as to why, you are probably not ready to move past YA yet. Cole gets visions of a young man as the culprit, but there is a connection to a ‘Bonnie and Clyde’/Natural Born Killers couple called Dash and Glo. But Dash is dead and Glo is in prison, so what can it be?
David Fairchild is a rich kid who is attending the University of Virginia. And he is also the killer.
What, you think I should have killed ‘spoiler alert’ before that statement? This is not that type of book – instead of making the reader figure out who the killer is, the author gives you the information in order to explore the history of the murderer.
Will Cole be able to stop him before it is too late – damn, man, I included that sentence because it is a detailed description of just about nothing (and I have never understood why some people feel compelled to use it).
Too late? For what? The end of the book?
Anyway, you should rather ask yourself this:
Will Nightshade shed some light on the shadows? (How corny is THAT?)
Enough of the messing around. In the end, I really enjoyed the story. I don’t know if my reluctance created such low expectations that it surpassed it in spades. In the end, this story was not difficult to read, finish or digest. Little niggles about predictability toward the end (the misdirection did not work for me at all and felt a little cliché), but well worth the read.
January 21, 2021
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review...
I am always anxious and excited to read another story in the Nightshade Chronicles. All the books are wonderfully written. The story keeps me captivated and seeing the main characters develop through out each book is never disappointing.
In this installment, Cole is working for the FBI with a boss and partner aware of his abilities. Those abilities have helped solve some cases too. Cynthia and Cole are living together and she is studying to be a doctor. Kenny is still working covert operations and his son, Timothy is babysat by Cole and Cynthia during his missions.
Timothy has a slightly bigger role this time which is awesome to see his character develop. I love the banter between Cole and Kenny as well as Cole and Josiah.
Cole's abilities are shown to have another level and this comes in handy with a weird case he has been working where there have been 3 murders have turned up dead. Their necks bitten, threats cut, etc.. all signs point to...vampire.. No clear ties victims either.
Cole learns more about receiving telepathic messages and reincarnation which help solve his case and save a loved one from being the 4th victim.
A rollercoaster of action as the mystery gets clearer. Loved the background into the murderer's progression.
Definitely 5 stars!!!
I am always anxious and excited to read another story in the Nightshade Chronicles. All the books are wonderfully written. The story keeps me captivated and seeing the main characters develop through out each book is never disappointing.
In this installment, Cole is working for the FBI with a boss and partner aware of his abilities. Those abilities have helped solve some cases too. Cynthia and Cole are living together and she is studying to be a doctor. Kenny is still working covert operations and his son, Timothy is babysat by Cole and Cynthia during his missions.
Timothy has a slightly bigger role this time which is awesome to see his character develop. I love the banter between Cole and Kenny as well as Cole and Josiah.
Cole's abilities are shown to have another level and this comes in handy with a weird case he has been working where there have been 3 murders have turned up dead. Their necks bitten, threats cut, etc.. all signs point to...vampire.. No clear ties victims either.
Cole learns more about receiving telepathic messages and reincarnation which help solve his case and save a loved one from being the 4th victim.
A rollercoaster of action as the mystery gets clearer. Loved the background into the murderer's progression.
Definitely 5 stars!!!
August 29, 2021
I've truly enjoyed my time with Cole Nightshade, from a young kid discovering his abilities to where we find him here. Working with the FBI using those same abilities, some facets he's learned to harness, others he's still in the process of mastering.
Hains perpetually does a great job of developing the character and setting up a self-contained mystery and series of events. Wrath of a Minor God is no different. The killer in this story embraces, even leans into, the supernatural aspect that separates the Nightshade Chronicles from your average police procedural. It's an idea that might have been iffy in an earlier volume, but the author has earned our trust by number 4. If Hains asks us to suspend disbelief a little, we're willing to allow it.
While the character arcs/development continues to build book-after-book, there's really nothing in this book that a new reader would struggle with. The story stands alone, supported of course by a cast of characters we've come to know. I do wish Cynthia would have a little more to do in this book, but Kenny and Timothy's additions lend a fair bit of heart.
Another intriguing entry in the Nightshade Chronicles, Hains continues rolling.
I received a copy from the author for review consideration.
Hains perpetually does a great job of developing the character and setting up a self-contained mystery and series of events. Wrath of a Minor God is no different. The killer in this story embraces, even leans into, the supernatural aspect that separates the Nightshade Chronicles from your average police procedural. It's an idea that might have been iffy in an earlier volume, but the author has earned our trust by number 4. If Hains asks us to suspend disbelief a little, we're willing to allow it.
While the character arcs/development continues to build book-after-book, there's really nothing in this book that a new reader would struggle with. The story stands alone, supported of course by a cast of characters we've come to know. I do wish Cynthia would have a little more to do in this book, but Kenny and Timothy's additions lend a fair bit of heart.
Another intriguing entry in the Nightshade Chronicles, Hains continues rolling.
I received a copy from the author for review consideration.
January 24, 2021
Cole is a special agent who uses his powers to help solve cases. This time he also is tested by another agency. More powers are found and another supernatural connection with Cole. This is more development of our main character and his love ones. I love the conversations between Cole, Cynthia, Timothy, Kenneth, and Martin. Can Cole solve the case before another innocent dies? I received a free copy and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
July 11, 2021
Another Masterpiece
I'm giving this book another 5 star rating just like all of his books! Mr. Hains' books are so intriguing and interesting. They hold your attention throughout even what could be filler information. These have quickly become a favorite series of mine. I hope he continues to write about Cole Nightshade and his interesting abilities
I'm giving this book another 5 star rating just like all of his books! Mr. Hains' books are so intriguing and interesting. They hold your attention throughout even what could be filler information. These have quickly become a favorite series of mine. I hope he continues to write about Cole Nightshade and his interesting abilities
February 4, 2021
This is the first book I have read in this series and it can be a stand alone. That being said I'm interested enough to go and read the previous books. I like the paranormal elements in this story, there were some interesting theories presented. The characters were relatable & likeable
February 6, 2021
Next book, please!
It’s not a super long read - heck, I think I raced through it in a few hours. It kept me in the book. Mr Hains keeps you in with different points of view - some deep, others not as much, whipping the story along. I’m waiting for the next book!
It’s not a super long read - heck, I think I raced through it in a few hours. It kept me in the book. Mr Hains keeps you in with different points of view - some deep, others not as much, whipping the story along. I’m waiting for the next book!
January 25, 2021
Review to come!
February 25, 2021
Hains never fails to suck me right into the story. He continues to give us characters with such depth. Although most of the paranormal aspects are, for most, not feasible, Hains never fails to make them seem so completely realistic. So much so that at times, they have the potential to make one question their beliefs of what is real and what is not. I love that we continue to learn more about the character’s everyday lives, and we get to, in a sense, grow with them. This is true of Cole, Cynthia, Josiah, and Kenny. These characters almost feel like friends that we don’t speak to often but “catch-up” over a long weekend each book. I enjoyed this book and absolutely love this series. I cannot wait until the next book.
Voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of HiddenGems and the author, Anthony Hains.
Voluntarily reviewed after receiving a free copy courtesy of HiddenGems and the author, Anthony Hains.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews