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Devils Desk
Katmai National Park: 7,000 square miles of rugged, isolated wilderness in southern Alaska. Vast stretches of frozen tundra, deep ancient forests, and impassable ravines ruled by the massive volcanic God, Devil's Desk.
Despite the vigorous protests of Michael, the Talbots and the Tynes head to the park for a much-needed vacation away from it all.
The adventure begins with deluxe cabins, mind-blowing scenery, and a cast of suspiciously odd characters, including a few old friends they’ve never met. But the idyllic surroundings quickly devolve into a hellscape as a mutilated body is discovered, the earth breaks apart around them, the worst storm in history moves in…and a terrifying race of flesh devouring monsters hunts down the desperate, forsaken group.
Yep. They should have gone to Vegas.
Despite the vigorous protests of Michael, the Talbots and the Tynes head to the park for a much-needed vacation away from it all.
The adventure begins with deluxe cabins, mind-blowing scenery, and a cast of suspiciously odd characters, including a few old friends they’ve never met. But the idyllic surroundings quickly devolve into a hellscape as a mutilated body is discovered, the earth breaks apart around them, the worst storm in history moves in…and a terrifying race of flesh devouring monsters hunts down the desperate, forsaken group.
Yep. They should have gone to Vegas.
10 pages, Audiobook
Published January 11, 2022
122 people are currently reading
189 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
January 15, 2022
Story 5/5
Narration 5/5
Narration 5/5
February 17, 2022
If you like action, attitude, and a touch of the paranormal, you’re going to love Devil’s Desk. Mike and his wife, Tracey, join their best friends, BT and Linda, on a camping trip in the Alaskan wilderness. While they are there, a massive earthquake sinks chunks of California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska (and presumably parts of Canada too) setting off volcanic eruptions and tsunamis that basically cut the four (and the other campers) off from civilization. That would have been bad enough. There are a lot of bizarre personalities in the campground, including a man who turns out to be a psychopathic murderer. But the group’s problems are only just beginning. Because all of the seismic activity has also drawn a clan of yeti (or maybe sasquatches) down out of the mountains and they have quickly discovered they like the taste of human flesh.
What follows is a truly exciting adventure in which the humans try to figure out how not to get eaten while fighting continuously among themselves. BT’s wife is initially worried about harming what must be an endangered species. The college kids don’t want anyone telling them what to do. The psychopath similarly can’t play nice. BT (a cop) can’t get it through his head that this isn’t the best time to be telling the psychopath that he’ll be charged with murder when they get back to civilization. And that’s all before the extraordinary tension causes real problems to come out between the friends and their fellow survivors.
Tufo also makes the yeti actions seem highly plausible as they show they are more than animals if less than human. This low-grade intelligence makes them all the more terrifying as they tighten the noose around the humans. Things get so bad that about seventy percent of the way through the book I started wondering what the author could do with the last pages—first few chapters of anther novel?—because it seemed impossible for everyone not to be dead in the next few pages. Yet, each time what happened seemed credible, even when one of the group starts lambasting the man who keeps saving them for being a killer and therefore morally inferior to the others.
There are two elements to this story that scream for a sequel without in anyway making the book less than a standalone novel. The first is the prologue. What exactly happened in the mine? Is this the true source of the yeti as I initially suspected, or is something else going on? The second is an almost throw away line which suggests that one of the group isn’t from this timeline. I suspect that Mark Tufo has a lot more instore for us. I can’t wait to read his next novel.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
What follows is a truly exciting adventure in which the humans try to figure out how not to get eaten while fighting continuously among themselves. BT’s wife is initially worried about harming what must be an endangered species. The college kids don’t want anyone telling them what to do. The psychopath similarly can’t play nice. BT (a cop) can’t get it through his head that this isn’t the best time to be telling the psychopath that he’ll be charged with murder when they get back to civilization. And that’s all before the extraordinary tension causes real problems to come out between the friends and their fellow survivors.
Tufo also makes the yeti actions seem highly plausible as they show they are more than animals if less than human. This low-grade intelligence makes them all the more terrifying as they tighten the noose around the humans. Things get so bad that about seventy percent of the way through the book I started wondering what the author could do with the last pages—first few chapters of anther novel?—because it seemed impossible for everyone not to be dead in the next few pages. Yet, each time what happened seemed credible, even when one of the group starts lambasting the man who keeps saving them for being a killer and therefore morally inferior to the others.
There are two elements to this story that scream for a sequel without in anyway making the book less than a standalone novel. The first is the prologue. What exactly happened in the mine? Is this the true source of the yeti as I initially suspected, or is something else going on? The second is an almost throw away line which suggests that one of the group isn’t from this timeline. I suspect that Mark Tufo has a lot more instore for us. I can’t wait to read his next novel.
If you liked this review, you can find more at www.gilbertstack.com/reviews.
January 7, 2023
If you have read any of Mark Tufo's other series, you know most of the characters already. Each series is the same characters living very different lives in other planes of the multiverse. You don't need to have read any of the other storylines to have fun with this story though. It's just fun meeting up with the characters if you already know them.
This is a stand alone story featuring Mark Tufo's recurring characters. In this plane of existence, Mike and his wife Tracy and their friends BT and Linda (Linda is alive in this world). Go on a camping trip to Alaska.
A gold mining company does something extremely irresponsible, they blast without environmental government clearances. This triggers a massive earthquake. After parts of the American west coast fall away, tidal waves and fires cut the campers off from the rest of the world, they are forced to be in survival mode.
To make matters worse, the rearranged wilderness has driven certain...uhm? Wildlife? From their home in search of a new place to live. Mike's group faces an enemy not like any other they have faced so far. A tribe of Yeti, more than happy to kill and eat the humans that stand in the way of them claiming their new territory. Mike does not have his faithful English Bulldog companion in this story, but he does find an unexpected ally in an orphaned grizzly cub.
Other characters you may know are Trip and Stephanie and the sociopathic clown Timothy (not a zombie in this story, but still not a nice person).
This is a stand alone story featuring Mark Tufo's recurring characters. In this plane of existence, Mike and his wife Tracy and their friends BT and Linda (Linda is alive in this world). Go on a camping trip to Alaska.
A gold mining company does something extremely irresponsible, they blast without environmental government clearances. This triggers a massive earthquake. After parts of the American west coast fall away, tidal waves and fires cut the campers off from the rest of the world, they are forced to be in survival mode.
To make matters worse, the rearranged wilderness has driven certain...uhm? Wildlife? From their home in search of a new place to live. Mike's group faces an enemy not like any other they have faced so far. A tribe of Yeti, more than happy to kill and eat the humans that stand in the way of them claiming their new territory. Mike does not have his faithful English Bulldog companion in this story, but he does find an unexpected ally in an orphaned grizzly cub.
Other characters you may know are Trip and Stephanie and the sociopathic clown Timothy (not a zombie in this story, but still not a nice person).
January 11, 2022
Holy Shoot
Had to say shoot... You know because of the zon. Book landed on my kindle at midnight and i couldn't stop. Once again entering a world of Mike Talbot was a ride like no other. Just buy the book and see for yourself you won't be disappointed.
Had to say shoot... You know because of the zon. Book landed on my kindle at midnight and i couldn't stop. Once again entering a world of Mike Talbot was a ride like no other. Just buy the book and see for yourself you won't be disappointed.
January 25, 2022
I love the relationship that Mike and BT have. Alaska, then blend in some bigfoot action and I really liked the book. Loved having Timothy the clown in the book.
January 13, 2022
You can read this book as a stand alone even if you haven’t read any other of Tufo’s work. But if you have, Easter eggs are plentiful. I can’t say much without spoilers… but I laughed, I cried, I dreaded, I mourned, I threw up a little in my mouth, then I laugh again. As usual, it was an awesome ride. Tracy is a badass.
No politics, no sexism, no sex thank goodness, gore o’plenty but c’mon they’re fighting Bigfeet, (shrugs) and I’ve never been colder in my life just from immersion in a chilly book setting. Have an electric blanket and a cup of tea nearby.
I enjoyed this book WAY more than Devolution (Max Brooks disappointing Bigfoot recent release) and I was actually rooting for the humans in this one. I barely even took a break in listening. My only complaint is that if Tufo ends one more book with that particular relationship resolution I’m going to start mailing him the pounds of wet Kleenex I’m accumulating. You really must stop it dude. I’d also love to know what real world “Paul” ever did to you. You must really hate that guy.
I listened to the audiobook. The narrator Sean Runnette was glorious as always. Well worth the credit!
No politics, no sexism, no sex thank goodness, gore o’plenty but c’mon they’re fighting Bigfeet, (shrugs) and I’ve never been colder in my life just from immersion in a chilly book setting. Have an electric blanket and a cup of tea nearby.
I enjoyed this book WAY more than Devolution (Max Brooks disappointing Bigfoot recent release) and I was actually rooting for the humans in this one. I barely even took a break in listening. My only complaint is that if Tufo ends one more book with that particular relationship resolution I’m going to start mailing him the pounds of wet Kleenex I’m accumulating. You really must stop it dude. I’d also love to know what real world “Paul” ever did to you. You must really hate that guy.
I listened to the audiobook. The narrator Sean Runnette was glorious as always. Well worth the credit!
January 20, 2022
You may be a long-time reader of Mark Tufo, so won't require convincing about how riveting is DEVILS DESK. Or if you're like me, you're new to his work. I adore DEVILS DESK, which literally contains just about anything I might wish in a book, barring aliens and outer space. I understand from the author's note that some of these characters are "regulars" and so are familiar to fans. The sense of adventure here is extraordinary, plus the emotional range, joy, tragedy, terror; and the author manages to pile on the reasons for terror until you think nobody's going to survive, so it's realistic, even when some of those frights are unexpected. DEVILS DESK is a one-sitting gloriously nightmarish experience and I totally recommend it.
October 12, 2024
I picked this book up on audible because it seemed like an interesting listen that would involve Sasquatch attacking people. It starts off with a mining camp that never returns in the story and jumps to a future point. From there on it is a loose connection of events involving the apocalypse (which doesn't matter at the end), psychos that go way over the top with anything they do, and a drug addict that provides comedy at some of the worst times. It references Max Brooks book Devolution, but this was like a worse attempt at a similar story.
September 13, 2024
Everything with the yeti's was fantastic. Tufo does an awesome job slowly introducing them and building up the intensity of their interactions with the human characters. Felt like a very grounded approach to where the Yeti's were clearly intelligent but still very primal. The presence and danger really came through in Tufo's writing.
On paper I enjoyed the character relationships. Tufo does well showing the comfort and discomfort with one another that by the end the losses do hit pretty hard.
My main/only gripe is the humor in the dialogue. Our main protagonist, Mike, was tough to get behind because at least 3/4 of his dialogue is smart ass / dry sarcasm / condescending douchebaggery that was really annoying for the first 200 pages. Luckily as the action got more intense, he was less quippy in the final 50 pages. Then there is Trip who is cartoonishly dimwitted. Kept waiting for that to pay off but never quite does.
On paper I enjoyed the character relationships. Tufo does well showing the comfort and discomfort with one another that by the end the losses do hit pretty hard.
My main/only gripe is the humor in the dialogue. Our main protagonist, Mike, was tough to get behind because at least 3/4 of his dialogue is smart ass / dry sarcasm / condescending douchebaggery that was really annoying for the first 200 pages. Luckily as the action got more intense, he was less quippy in the final 50 pages. Then there is Trip who is cartoonishly dimwitted. Kept waiting for that to pay off but never quite does.
September 16, 2023
An altered reality story
This stand alone novel features our favorite unlikely heros Mike Talbot and BT. The storyline takes place in an altered reality scenario where Mike has skirted d the existence of Zombies and werewolves, but finds himself facing an entirely different threat. This delightful romp through the snow and ice ( and not little gore) presents us with other favorite characters from Tufo's series in new roles and what if concepts. Plenty of Easter Eggs are planted within this edge of your seat thriller.
Even if you are unfamiliar with Tufo"s other work, horror lovers everywhere will find this story hard to put down. A mix of Tufo humor and nail biting action makes this adventure a wonderful read.
This stand alone novel features our favorite unlikely heros Mike Talbot and BT. The storyline takes place in an altered reality scenario where Mike has skirted d the existence of Zombies and werewolves, but finds himself facing an entirely different threat. This delightful romp through the snow and ice ( and not little gore) presents us with other favorite characters from Tufo's series in new roles and what if concepts. Plenty of Easter Eggs are planted within this edge of your seat thriller.
Even if you are unfamiliar with Tufo"s other work, horror lovers everywhere will find this story hard to put down. A mix of Tufo humor and nail biting action makes this adventure a wonderful read.
January 29, 2024
Pure Gold for Tufo Fans
If you're a fan of the author, this is a must-read/listen! Especially if you're already familiar with any of the novels that feature the one and only Michael Talbot. Because this story is about what happens when the Talbots and their best friends (BT and his wife) take a vacation in the Alaskan wilderness. Think of it as the love child of "National Lampoon's Vacation" and "Survivor." Only Tufo could create something that can only be described as comedic horror. But it works for me. When I'm looking to distance myself from anything real, I pull out a work by Tufo and enter his slightly deranged, totally hysterical world.
If you're a fan of the author, this is a must-read/listen! Especially if you're already familiar with any of the novels that feature the one and only Michael Talbot. Because this story is about what happens when the Talbots and their best friends (BT and his wife) take a vacation in the Alaskan wilderness. Think of it as the love child of "National Lampoon's Vacation" and "Survivor." Only Tufo could create something that can only be described as comedic horror. But it works for me. When I'm looking to distance myself from anything real, I pull out a work by Tufo and enter his slightly deranged, totally hysterical world.
May 25, 2022
This was a pretty damn good story! Good, not great - but it is a “horror” novel and few are without flaws. I’ll admit it took me a few chapters to get into it, but then I quickly became invested in the characters. It’s an interesting adventure involving Yetti’s and a cast of characters that cover the gamut well. Most of the main action doesn’t begin until the last half, which is not surprising. Stories like this always make me wonder “what would I do?” Anyway, it was worth the read and I liked the ending. I always appreciate a good wrap up!
May 6, 2024
I absolutely loved Tufo's take on humans coming up against the sasquatch/yeti/yowie in an us against them, Darwinian fight for survival.
In a survival of the fittest v survival of the smartest who wins? Especially when the line between physical and intellectual advantage is so fine?
Tufo's take was well paced and very much action-packed. A great page turner from start to finish. That said, I still love Max Brook's Devolution as my first foray into the Sasquatch genre. Both authors did phenomenal jobs and delivered very different takes on similar scenarios.
In a survival of the fittest v survival of the smartest who wins? Especially when the line between physical and intellectual advantage is so fine?
Tufo's take was well paced and very much action-packed. A great page turner from start to finish. That said, I still love Max Brook's Devolution as my first foray into the Sasquatch genre. Both authors did phenomenal jobs and delivered very different takes on similar scenarios.
January 16, 2022
different
Not sure what I was expecting but this book had everything I needed I just didn’t realise it. Great to see the characters in a different light all be it weird after following them for so long in ZF.
If you want humour, sarcasm, banter, friendship, family, fighting, blood and gore, adventure, mythical animals and a story to take you away with your imagination then read this, you won’t be disappointed.
Not sure what I was expecting but this book had everything I needed I just didn’t realise it. Great to see the characters in a different light all be it weird after following them for so long in ZF.
If you want humour, sarcasm, banter, friendship, family, fighting, blood and gore, adventure, mythical animals and a story to take you away with your imagination then read this, you won’t be disappointed.
January 20, 2022
I thought this book was pretty good. Mike has talked his friends into going to Alaska for a vacation. There were some very interesting characters in this book. I really liked trip he was pretty funny. Alaska is beautiful but all hell broke loose after the volcano took some of Alaska and the Big foots showed up and tried killing everybody. I listen to this book on audible and I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the narrator when I first started but I really thought he did a good job.
March 3, 2022
Horror mixed with humor
I got to admit this story got me laughing hard several times if not each time i sat down to read it, don't get me wrong, the caracters goes to real hard times fighting for their lives against both nature and a tribe of cryptids, there is gore, horror and violence but the dialogues bwtween them are just crazy and my kind of black humor, had a real fun time reading this
I got to admit this story got me laughing hard several times if not each time i sat down to read it, don't get me wrong, the caracters goes to real hard times fighting for their lives against both nature and a tribe of cryptids, there is gore, horror and violence but the dialogues bwtween them are just crazy and my kind of black humor, had a real fun time reading this
March 9, 2022
Mark Tufo does it again…damn
I’ve been reading Mark Tufo for awhile now. Everything I can get my hands on. With Devils Desk, we get a whole new version of some of the best characters I’ve ever read.
DD is a tight, fast, heart wrenching novel that pulls no punches. Mark writes with his trademark humor and action, mixed with heart and soul like no other. Read this book. But be prepared for pain. The good kind you can only get from a master.
I’ve been reading Mark Tufo for awhile now. Everything I can get my hands on. With Devils Desk, we get a whole new version of some of the best characters I’ve ever read.
DD is a tight, fast, heart wrenching novel that pulls no punches. Mark writes with his trademark humor and action, mixed with heart and soul like no other. Read this book. But be prepared for pain. The good kind you can only get from a master.
October 21, 2023
Yettis at their best in one of the best books
This is, by far, one of the best Bigfoot books I have ever read. The characters are so intriguing, and I was immediately swept away by their story. There are so many moments of this book that will make you want to keep reading. There are the funny moments that can turn into the heart stopping moments. I have already pre-ordered the next book, and I look forward to the next adventure.
This is, by far, one of the best Bigfoot books I have ever read. The characters are so intriguing, and I was immediately swept away by their story. There are so many moments of this book that will make you want to keep reading. There are the funny moments that can turn into the heart stopping moments. I have already pre-ordered the next book, and I look forward to the next adventure.
January 16, 2022
Mike, BT and their wives head to Alaska for what they hope will be a vacation to remember, unfortunately, it will be for all the wrong reasons.
When an earthquake of epic proportions, snowstorms and then a bone chilling blizzard traps them there with a looney tune cast of characters, they realize to their horror that their fight for survival will be against a much, more terrifying enemy.
When an earthquake of epic proportions, snowstorms and then a bone chilling blizzard traps them there with a looney tune cast of characters, they realize to their horror that their fight for survival will be against a much, more terrifying enemy.
January 20, 2022
Another good story.
I enjoyed this. Very clever of the author to develop characters we love and to set them in different worlds. Not sure if it’s as good as the original series.
Worth a read if you like Mark’s work. The book does need a review by an editor the mistakes were few but annoying and unexpected by now.
I enjoyed this. Very clever of the author to develop characters we love and to set them in different worlds. Not sure if it’s as good as the original series.
Worth a read if you like Mark’s work. The book does need a review by an editor the mistakes were few but annoying and unexpected by now.
January 20, 2022
Change from the zombie genre.....
..... but just as intense and brilliant. Michael T is back with a vengeance, loved the humour and style. It involves creatures of 'myth' but are they really? Loved it, Mark Tufo, in my opinion, you rate along side Dean Koontz and James Herbert with your attention to detail when writing.... thank you.
..... but just as intense and brilliant. Michael T is back with a vengeance, loved the humour and style. It involves creatures of 'myth' but are they really? Loved it, Mark Tufo, in my opinion, you rate along side Dean Koontz and James Herbert with your attention to detail when writing.... thank you.
April 7, 2022
Mark Tufo is always entertaining in his story telling, his descriptions of situations make it real. This is exactly how I believe my Alaskan experience would go lol. Being an Audible listner, Sean Runette really brings the characters to life. Can't say enough good things about Mark and his books.
July 24, 2022
I’m out of breath!
I enjoyed this book very much. The snippets of humor between the two main characters were a blessed relief from the intense goings on. I kind of pictured Danny Glover and Richard Dreyfus. The character’s characters were intensely original and riveting….every one.
I enjoyed this book very much. The snippets of humor between the two main characters were a blessed relief from the intense goings on. I kind of pictured Danny Glover and Richard Dreyfus. The character’s characters were intensely original and riveting….every one.
September 14, 2022
Never really been into Yetties or bigfoot, but doing through the Talbotverse was as enjoyable as I could imagine it being. Tufo actually did a really good job making them interesting and still scary. And, of course, can never go wrong with the craziness of Mike Talbot. Cool to have another lane of the multiverse with Trip as the constant guide.
January 17, 2025
This is outside of my normal reading. Impulse bought the series during an audible sale. Exceeded my expectations. Entertaining characters. Fast moving. Good story. Good thing I am on board as I have the other two in the series as well. I am intrigued that the author uses the same characters across series. Quick “read” / listen.
September 16, 2025
Yetis?
Oh yeah! Apparently if you take a camping trip to Alaska you might get stuck in an earthquake zone Sounds discover Yeti s or Bigfoots. Not jest one or two but at least a dozen. And of course the roads will be destroyed and you will have to escape by snowmobile. Sounds like fun right? Maybe not that much fun but its doable.
Oh yeah! Apparently if you take a camping trip to Alaska you might get stuck in an earthquake zone Sounds discover Yeti s or Bigfoots. Not jest one or two but at least a dozen. And of course the roads will be destroyed and you will have to escape by snowmobile. Sounds like fun right? Maybe not that much fun but its doable.
January 16, 2022
A well-written work of horror fiction.
I can envision this on the Sci-Fi channel.
One of their better than usual fares. Above Sharknado, yeah, I know it's a cult classic, this could be too!!
I can envision this on the Sci-Fi channel.
One of their better than usual fares. Above Sharknado, yeah, I know it's a cult classic, this could be too!!
January 16, 2022
My only complaint is I wish he made this a series more than a stand alone book. All gang is here and his great imagination is once more at work. I want more. After reading over 25 of his books I’m a spoiled reader lol. Thank you nevertheless it was an awesome thriller!
January 17, 2022
Couldn't wait to write review
Haven't finished yet and I really hope there's more books to come
THIS IS AWESOME!!! now I'm going back into my adventure
I will write a better review when I'm done
Haven't finished yet and I really hope there's more books to come
THIS IS AWESOME!!! now I'm going back into my adventure
I will write a better review when I'm done
January 18, 2022
Yet another page turner
This was another fantastic book, as I have come to expect from Mark Tufo. It was like the first books I read this but it was just as good in its one way. I'm really looking forward to the next Talbot adventure. Keep up the excellent work Mr. Tufo.
This was another fantastic book, as I have come to expect from Mark Tufo. It was like the first books I read this but it was just as good in its one way. I'm really looking forward to the next Talbot adventure. Keep up the excellent work Mr. Tufo.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews