NetGalley Buddy Readers discussion

A detective investigating a grisly crime in rural Alaska finds herself caught up in the dark secrets and superstitions of a small town in this riveting novel from the acclaimed author of The Chalk Man

Deadhart, Alaska. 873. Living.

In a small Alaskan town, a boy is found with his throat ripped out and all the blood drained from his body. The inhabitants of Deadhart haven’t seen a killing like this in twenty-five years. But they know who’s a member of the Colony, an ostracized community of vampyrs living in an old mine settlement deep in the woods.

Detective Barbara Atkins, a specialist in vampyr killings, is called in to officially determine if this is a Colony killing – and authorize a cull. Old suspicions die hard in a down like Deadhart, but Barbara isn’t so sure. Determined to find the truth, she enlists the help of a former Deadhart sheriff, Jenson Tucker, whose investigation into the previous murder almost cost him his life. Since then, Tucker has become a recluse. But he knows the Colony better than anyone.

As the pair delve into the town's history, they uncover secrets darker than they could have imagined. And then another body is found. While the snow thickens and the nights grow longer, a killer stalks Deadhart, and two disparate communities circle one another for blood. Time is running out for Atkins and Tucker to find the Are they hunting a bloodthirsty monster . . . or a twisted psychopath? And which is more dangerous?

tentatively set for March 2nd start date

Just got approved! I’ll join you for this one 😊

Hey guys I have this widget also. Will stop by to see what you guys think.

NetGalley approved me for this book yesterday so I will also be joining.

looks like we have 60 chapters
so I plan to come back and chat at 15, 30, 45 and then the end!
I'm starting late tonight so will update tomorrow!

I'm SO excited to read this one! I love this author!

I’m loving this setting breaking points ahead of time thing. Great idea, Trisha!

Does that mean stopping at the end of ch 15 or the end of ch 14?

at the end of - so through 15, through 30 and then through 45 :)

15 ch

(view spoiler)[
Ooh I’m liking this one so far. The small town vibe is perfectly atmospheric. At first I thought maybe we were getting an allegory about hate minorities face but then Tudor called that out right away so I guess not.

I wonder if the captive POV is the young head of the colony and isn’t in the same timeline but something that happened before?

Or if there’s a pipeline of people feeding her since she seemed disappointed by a jug of blood.

The other kid’s ring showing up is super weird. Or maybe they’re trying to fake vampyr attacks so the Helsing chapter will get the go ahead or something?

(hide spoiler)]

15 chapters

(view spoiler)[ I'm really liking this one too! it's so easy to read. I like the little quips about vampyrs and the quick history and information we got. I really like the details we got.

and I agree! I think it might be the younger girl and her captor (would it be the one who created her?) it sounds like she could lose herself a bit in that situation (or be vengeful)

but I wonder who did it or what happened to Marcus.

the ring, the tattoo, the hand signal. Love the ominous feeling going on here (hide spoiler)]

such a good start! I don't have any guesses yet!

30 chapters / 52%

(view spoiler)[ oh man. I'm glad she got Tucker to help but he's also a vampyr
and wait, I don't have any guesses who Michael is. Does he work in the bar? the restaurant? He's hiding among them, right?

and wow, the boys were really involved in a lot of illegal stuff in the town

and gross, the doctor was also involved

but all of this feels like the town is trying to get a good reason to attack the colony. I think it all stems back to that first death of a boy. and I think he was killed by humans because he wanted to be a vampyr (and was going to change if he hadn't been killed). (hide spoiler)]

YAY! So glad you are liking this one too!

45 chapters

oooh it's getting good!
(view spoiler)[ wow, so Michael and the dad?! yikes, didn't see that twist coming

and the girl being held. That wouldn't be Rita's house, would it? she acted so weird when Barbara almost went in the cellar

and what is going on with Beau. I assume he's a vampyr but maybe everyone doesn't know? their ability to blend is pretty amazing! file down the teeth and it seems like it's almost impossible to tell!

the hearts and pieces in the freezer was just awful. but where did they come from? have they already been killing vampyr's from the colony? if not, where did the heads and hearts come from? (hide spoiler)]

I'm done! I loved this one

(view spoiler)[ that was so good! I never guessed Jacob was actually a vampire!
and wow, I wondered about the 'reverend' but I never guessed that she was enthralling them! oooh, another vampyr ability!

but that ending!! I hope Tucker stayed on, hiding he was half turned
and WOW! I want to know more about the house in Oregon and why the kids left a message for Barbara! I would absolutely read another one in a series!! (hide spoiler)]

30 ch

(view spoiler)[
Wow... geez Doc.

Michael... No idea who that is? Jacob or Nathan maybe?

Still unclear about the captive girl. But I'm wondering if it could be Grace? Or the reverend?

Wait it said Tucker is a vampyr? I missed that! I guess in that case could Michael be Tucker?

Beau is scary. Keeping the heads like that?! So creepy. Also he's the kind of vitriolic, self righteous person that terrifies me.

Athelinda is clearly trying to trigger an attack but it must be a fine line to avoid the cull being approved first. And I don't think she killed the kid.

ETA: captor might be a woman? the girl keeps referring to the captor as they...

(hide spoiler)]

I just started it today and so far I’m enjoying it but I’m only about five chapters in. I can’t read any spoilers though because I didn’t have my Internet yesterday nor today. Ugh Hopefully when my husband gets home, he can figure out what’s going on..

Vicki wrote: "I just started it today and so far I’m enjoying it but I’m only about five chapters in. I can’t read any spoilers though because I didn’t have my Internet yesterday nor today. Ugh Hopefully when my..."

Oh that's so annoying. Hope it gets fixed asap!

You should be able to open Goodreads in your phone's internet browser to see the spoilers in the meantime.

45 ch

(view spoiler)[
All that speculation and it turns out Michael was just hanging out as Michael, no subterfuge?

The freakout Rita had about MC going to the basement plus thé comment the captive girl made about being confused bc she thought her captor was older. I'm thinking Rita or more likely Rita's mom is the captor. Maybe she's the missing aunt?

The reverend and grace creep me out way more than the vampyres do.

(hide spoiler)]

Shruti morethanmylupus wrote: "Vicki wrote: "I just started it today and so far I’m enjoying it but I’m only about five chapters in. I can’t read any spoilers though because I didn’t have my Internet yesterday nor today. Ugh Hop..."

Really? I didn't know that. I'll have to try that and see how it works for me. Thanks. :)

Through Ch. 15

I, too, am loving this one so far!
(view spoiler)[I get the creepiest vibe from this book, but it's creepy in a good way, if that makes sense. lol I love the small town and though I've never been to "Deadhart" (thankfully lol), I have been to Alaska and some of the sights mentioned. My brother was married in Denali National Park, so I've been there. I obviously have been to Anchorage, a little town called Eagle River (not mentioned in the story). Anyway,

A little side note: Talkeetna is a really small town, and (according to Matadornetwork.com) a 'CAT' is the mayor. lol A cat named Stubbs, so that tells it all.

I was so creeped out by the little girl held captive and I wonder who her captor is and why she's being held. She sounds like a vampyr too. She can't be Athelinda, right? But I think that's a possibility, and maybe set aside from the main part of the story like it took place in a different time? I'm loving all of the little tidbits of info on vamps that we're getting that I've never heard before, so I'm getting a different viewpoint of them and I like that. I like Barbara and how snarky she is and she holds her own...good for her. I don't like how Nicholls seems to not have a lot of respect for her. He seems not to trust her expertise.

Marcus...poor guy. I'm curious to see what Barbara finds out after talking with the two boys and Nathan.

Oh, and I love the nickname of "Fang Doc." lol

I think Tucker is weird and I think he knows something but isn't saying what. And why would Marcus's coat have been hung up on his property? Plus, he found that ring, so I'm a bit suspicious right now. (hide spoiler)]

Done!

This one was so good!!

my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Oh I missed this one! I think I might've gotten approved after the buddy read. Still have to read it lol!

oh my gosh, this one was fun! I hope you love it too!

Trisha wrote: "oh my gosh, this one was fun! I hope you love it too!"

Anything's better than lol