The Demon Skin

by Dwight Holing

Thrilling whitewater adventure, an ancient demon, a sexy new boss, trouble at home, and murder combine in this spellbinding new installment of Arts & Letters Fiction Prize winner Dwight Holing’s Nick Drake mystery series.

When US Fish & Wildlife Ranger Nick Drake gets a beautiful and impetuous new supervisor, he quickly becomes pulled into a physical and emotional cauldron after she orders him to guide her down a dangerous and deadly river. As rapids roar and passions roil, Nick must battle waterfalls and whirlpools, an unearthly predator killing anything that ventures into its realm, and doubts about his frayed marriage following the adoption of a psychologically scarred boy.

At the same time, Sheriff Pudge Warbler confronts demons of his own while transporting a killer to the state penitentiary. A snowstorm blocks a mountain pass and strands the old lawman and his cunning prisoner at an isolated lodge where checking out takes on an entirely different meaning.

Can Nick and Pudge fighting the depths of evil on separate battlefields draw upon their courage to win or will death finally prevail over one or both?

In The Demon Skin, the seventh installment of the popular Nick Drake series, Dwight Holing once again draws on his deeply-rooted connection to the American West and understanding of the natural world to create a masterful literary thriller populated by unforgettable characters and unstoppable action that will keep readers turning the pages late into the night.

Genres: Fiction

250 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 7, 2023

About the author

Dwight Holing is the award-winning author of over twenty books, including two popular mystery series: the acclaimed Nick Drake Novels and the witty Jack McCoul Capers. The 8th book in his Nick Drake series, The Broken Blood, won a Silver Falchion. His short story Gallopers was awarded the Arts & Letters Prize for Fiction.

His genre-spanning work includes standalone novels, short story collections, and books on natural history, conservation, wildlife, and outdoor travel. He lives beside a coastal river in California with his wife and two dogs who’d rather swim than walk.
Learn: Dwight Holing
Follow: Dwight Holing
Instagram: @dwight_holing

Reviews

[Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost quit reading as the first half seemed very formulaic. Glad I kept at it as the second half was much better and resolved itself nicely.

[Dave Weller]

The Demon Skin is the seventh in the Nick Drake series, and I read all the previous installments. I felt that the more recent novels lagged a bit compared to the earlier reads; however, Dwight Holing was back on his game for The Demon Skin. This book consists of three plot threads, and they all maintained my interest. The main storyline follows Nick and his fellow wildlife officer, Loq, as they are tricked into floating the Bruneau River, while it roars at flood stage. Their new District Supervisor, Liz Bloom. is the initiator of the ploy that forces a trip against their better judgement. Another plot thread follows Pudge Warbler, the local sheriff and father of Nick's wife, Gemma, as he transports a sentenced killer to the state penitentiary. The third story is related through flashbacks, as the reader hears the history of Johnny Da Den, a Vietnamese boy, who enters the lives of Nick and Gemma. Holing does a masterful job of weaving the threads together. The introduction of a young and pretty and impulsive boss in the form of Liz Bloom is a main ingredient that added appeal in this Nick Drake novel, and the stress in the Nick and Gemma marriage creates yet another dimension. Once again the descriptions of the landscape and the inclusion of the native American beliefs and spirits add to the attraction of this book. The Vietnam flashbacks and references to the politics and music of that time frame add realism for this reader who lived through the Vietnam War era. Hopefully Mr. Holing is working on book 8.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Words worth reading

Dwight Holing has found a unique niche in the mystery field and has filled it with remarkable stories. He writes of a time of tremendous changes in our society, shifts in our thinking about our natural world and the first people who inhabited the “new world”, and the effects that the Americans’ presence in the war in Viet Nam had on people - soldiers, Viet Nam civilians, and all people in the U.S. He writes of the people, birds, animals and territory of the American Northwest at the 1960’s and 1970’s in a way that connects me to that place and time. The characters he develops are so very interesting and part of the many changes that began in that era. While I suppose his books in this series are classified as mysteries, there is so much more to read, ponder, remember, and learn from these wonderful words. I treasure his stories and look forward to reading more. One word of advice: read the series in order. Each book could be a standalone, but will be a much richer experience with character backstories and settings.

[Randy Daugherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

When US Fish & Wildlife Ranger Nick Drake gets a beautiful and impetuous new supervisor, he quickly becomes pulled into a physical and emotional cauldron after she orders him to guide her down a dangerous and deadly river. As rapids roar and passions roil, Nick must battle waterfalls and whirlpools, an unearthly predator killing anything that ventures into its realm, and doubts about his frayed marriage following the adoption of a psychologically scarred boy.
At the same time, Sheriff Pudge Warbler confronts demons of his own while transporting a killer to the state penitentiary. A snowstorm blocks a mountain pass and strands the old lawman and his cunning prisoner at an isolated lodge where checking out takes on an entirely different meaning.
Can Nick and Pudge fighting the depths of evil on separate battlefields draw upon their courage to win or will death finally prevail over one or both?
Doing the right thing often comes at a cost of it's own. Nick knows this.

[Bruce Mendelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all of the books in this series. I live in Oregon and have been to most of the places mentioned in the previous books. This book is set primarily on the Bruneau river, that I have not visited. After reading the book, it sounds worth a trip. The characters continue to develop through the series. There is a semi love interest in this book. I thought that this part detracted from the story. The main Character, Nick Drake is married with a child. I thought that the introduction of potential love interest was uncomfortable. However, the rest of the story is strong and kept my interest throughout. I recommend this book highly.

[virgil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding Series Continues👏👏

I read 150 to 200 books a year in multiple genres. The Nick Drake series is one of my favorites. The characters are well developed, interesting and likeable. After a few reads, you like you're a part of the community. The quality of writing is excellent, and the setting descriptions are visually awesome. I can't wait for the next in the series!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Philip · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Rapid Reading

Mr. Holing has written another great story about Nick Drake and family! Although Nick is in a rough place through most of the story, he and Loq take dangerous trip on the Breaneau river and survive . Judge delivers a convicted killer during a snow storm to prison. All three have close calls with death. This story is full of tangents that add to the depth of the adventure! Great reading!

[Don A. Whitehead, Sr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesmerizing!!

I've now read all 7 of the Nick Drake stories. They just keep getting better and I sincerely hope they don't stop. I am an outdoor person and wildlife conservationist East of the Mississippi.Reading about wildlife rangers in the West "grab me". These excellent stories by Dwight Holing are right up there with C.J.Box's Joe Pickett stories

[Darwin L. Andoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A River Run

Excellent novel. Number 7 in the series. I have read all seven and I think this one is the best. As has been said before, you don't have to read the previous books, but it does help. Besides, they are also very good. Do yourself a favor, and read this book.

[Joyce Burk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the very best Dwight Holing mystery I have ever read and I have read them all. The suspense for both Nick Drake and his father in law sheriff's trials was almost unbelievable. The message of love and forgiveness was very beautiful

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parallel stories works for me when the two merge into a common conclusion. These were parallel stories that were completely unrelated and could easily have been two novellas. I find the technique offputting.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story line, written with energy & suspense. Though filled with suspense, it also encompassed the strong bonds of love between husband & wife.
I truly hope that there will be other Nick Drake books to follow

[Mary Coburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great as always

Love the adventure and suspense in the story. Hope we get to finish the story of Johnny is the next book. Can't wait. Great read for CJBox's Joe Pickett fans and Marc Cameron Arliss Cutter fans alike.

[JR · Rating 5 out of 5]

love these books!

Such a great series by this author - I hope he continues to write more! This one was just as exciting as all the others in the series and each book gets better and better.

[Steve Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one started a little slow for me, mainly because Liz was so annoying but that turned out to be a big part of the story. I eventually warmed up to her like Loq and Nick. A lot of the characters had bit parts in this installment.

[Donna Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent narrative

Your words drew pictures in my mind as I turned page after page ; the story twisted and turned like the swollen River ; thank you for exposing a real man who chooses self- control and upholds the truly important things of life

[Beth Hancock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written

Another story in the high lonesome! Enjoyed the story and the characters! Dwight is a wonderful story teller. Lots of excitement and learning about the environment and cultures!

[Trace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of the series and have read all six previous books. Speaking of #6, I thought the author missed the mark with that story. I still ordered Demon at my local book store when it became available even though #6 was a bit of a let down.

The premise for running the river at the beginning of Demon, to me, felt lame; lame enough to put me in a bad mood for the first thirty pages or so. But the author's style of writing pulled me in and away I went to the high lonesome.

The Demon Skin is a well crafted story with a strong sense of place and seamless character interaction all held together by love of the land, a strong moral compass and native mysticism.

[Martha L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

story was a little thin

I’m a big Nick Drake fan but this story line was a little thin. And hard to believe. But still enjoyable.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick Drake

Good story. Great characters. A light read with enough backstory to remind you of the other six books with the same main characters in more good stories.

[Gary Dewolfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my opinion, the worst of the Nick Drake series to date. Just didn’t excite me at all.

[Mel Entus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Great adventure and excitement. The only issue I have is that it ends to fast. I'll look forward to the next in the series, (I hope).

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holing's work continues to thrill.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 sometimes the will he cheat gets tiring. But overall a great read. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Mike Matteson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devil Or Demon

This was one of the best reads so far. Pudges troubles and Nick s adventure. Both keep you reading and not wanting to set the book down.

[Cecelia Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable read!

This is one of my favourite series and I really enjoyed this book. The story line was great and there was lots of action. I was intrigued from the start and could not put this book down. I also really love how the family has evolved and am looking forward to the next book to find out whether the new addition has settled in and truly become part of the family.

[Terrill D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Cannot Rate This As High As I Feel It Deserves!! An Excellent 7th Addition To The Nick Drake Saga

“The Demon Skin” once again shows off the extraordinary talents of author Dwight Holing’s ability to weave an exciting tale. A story filled with not only a great protagonist, but also a wonderful supporting cast all of whom are well developed, and yet continue to “grow, and expand” with each new addition to the “Nick Drake Series”.

The author’s attention to detail is amazing, and yet the reader is not “bogged down” with unnecessary prose, only that which fully sets the scene, or is necessary to the plot line.

I can honestly state that it is my belief that once you begin this series, (and I do recommend starting with book #1) you will understand exactly what I’ve stated.

Simply put, “I cannot rate this highly enough, 5-Stars simply are not enough. Read the Author’s Blurb as it is quite descriptive, and it does provide all of the information needed to stimulate your interest without any spoilers.

Yes, I’m Beta Reader, and as such I received a copy of this book prior to its release in “exchange” for my opinion, and to provide the author with any errors, or plot holes, I found within the “Beta Copy”. I also agreed to provide an “HONEST” Review on the books date of release. This is that review, and is based solely upon my personal enjoyment of “The Demon Skin”.

Thank you, and I hope this assists you in making your decision. If so please mark it as helpful.

[Janice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars