Cop and conjurer of demons, she's a woman in danger of losing control—to a power that could kill....
Why me? Why now? ThatR... read full description
Why me? Why now? ThatR... read full description
reviews
May 31, 2009
Katie(babs)
rated it: 
I can certainly say that Mark of the Demon is a great novel for those who enjoy a suspenseful crime solving mystery. Diana has written a strong heroine with Louisiana Homicide Detective Kara Gillian who is able to summon demons. Even though Kara does have this ability it doesn’t overtake the story. Diana has a great way of balancing everything from how Kara handles her powers, to the way she investigates her latest case about a serial killer named the Symbol Man who carves up bodies in a sort of
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3 comments
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(8 people liked it)
Apr 06, 2011
Marcela (BookaholicCat)
rated it: 
This review is also published at http://thebookaholiccat.com
Detective Kara Gillian had just been promoted from the Property Crimes Division to the Violent Crimes Division at the Beaulac Police Department in Louisiana. Kara is also a Demon Summoner. She has the ability to open portals from our world to a parallel world where the demons reside. But these demons are not the same as described in religious contexts, these are not evil beings just different from us.
She has been trai More...
Detective Kara Gillian had just been promoted from the Property Crimes Division to the Violent Crimes Division at the Beaulac Police Department in Louisiana. Kara is also a Demon Summoner. She has the ability to open portals from our world to a parallel world where the demons reside. But these demons are not the same as described in religious contexts, these are not evil beings just different from us.
She has been trai More...
4 comments
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(1 person liked it)
Sep 10, 2010
Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress"
rated it:
I have to thank my Goodreads friend, Jess R, for encouraging me to read this book. All she said was, Rhyzkahl was like an Anne Stuart hero, and I was there. And I am so glad about it.
Mark of the Demon gave me one heck of a read. Diana Rowland managed to take the concept of demon summoning and write a story that got past my personal hang-ups about that idea. I like that she made it clear that her concept of demons veers from the Christian concept, because I don't know if I could h More...
Mark of the Demon gave me one heck of a read. Diana Rowland managed to take the concept of demon summoning and write a story that got past my personal hang-ups about that idea. I like that she made it clear that her concept of demons veers from the Christian concept, because I don't know if I could h More...
13 comments
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(23 people liked it)
Feb 09, 2012
Karen
rated it:
A Louisiana police detective who also happens to summon demons in her basement as a hobby, an occult serial killer back for a second spree, and, oh yeah, a manipulative, powerful and toe-curlingly beautiful demon lord eager for a taste of freedom-- and for another taste of our heroine. What's not to like about this book?
I just picked up this series for the library after the success of Rowland's _My Life as a White Trash Zombie_, and wow, I hope the rest of it's as good as the first. More...
I just picked up this series for the library after the success of Rowland's _My Life as a White Trash Zombie_, and wow, I hope the rest of it's as good as the first. More...
Jan 30, 2012
Fangs for the Fantasy
rated it:
Kara Gillian is a police detective in Beaulac, Louisiana and has finally had her big break - she’s moving from property crimes to homicide - and her first case is a doozey - the Symbol Man, a serial killer who has been inactive for years has restarted his killings. And Kara is in charge of solving the case - not bad for her first murder case.
Of course, she has advantages. Not only has she read all the files on the Symbol Man killings, but she also has her own Arcane connections. Kara G More...
Of course, she has advantages. Not only has she read all the files on the Symbol Man killings, but she also has her own Arcane connections. Kara G More...
Dec 07, 2011
Melinda
rated it: 
I wish I could remember exactly how I stumbled on this series. I’m delighted that I did, because overall I enjoyed this debut novel. If someone recommended it to me, please send me more! If I found it via Amazon’s “you might like this” feature well, kudos! They were right, I did like it. Now for some details:
First line: “I could hear the intruder breaking into my house. Unfortunately, it was in the same instant that the demon appeared before me.” Two things about this opening. 1. Somet More...
First line: “I could hear the intruder breaking into my house. Unfortunately, it was in the same instant that the demon appeared before me.” Two things about this opening. 1. Somet More...
Aug 04, 2011
Amanda
rated it:
Southern Louisiana cop Kara Gillian isn't just the newest addition to the violent crimes team, but also a summoner-in-training who summons demons in her basement. When a spooky serial killer named The Symbol Man returns to ritual killings after a three year absence, Kara must unwravel the mystery and find the killer before he take more lives. Meanwhile, an unexpected demon comes through during one of Kara's summonings and as she tries to figure out the demon's identity, the murder case becomes i
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Aug 01, 2011
Mlle.
rated it: 
MARK OF THE DEMON gets a mixed review from me. On the one hand, the author did a lot of things right - she has personal experience as a detective and crime scene investigator, and it shows in her descriptions of police procedure and professonal camaraderie. Her worldbuilding is well thought out, thus far limited to the existence of demons inhabiting a parallel sphere that can be temporarily summoned to earth by those possessing the gift of arcane power. The different types of demons, and what th
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(1 person liked it)
May 13, 2011
Grace
rated it:
I like the way that demons and summoning are handled in this book. I don't usually go for the witchy/demony books, but this one's witchy/demony/detective and the detective stuff made it work for me. It helps that the author clearly knows a LOT about being a cop, so most of that stuff rings true - including the sighing about unexciting paperwork.
The mystery moves along at a good clip, and the demons are helpfully not evil, just powerfully self-interested. The torrid bodice-ripper stuff More...
The mystery moves along at a good clip, and the demons are helpfully not evil, just powerfully self-interested. The torrid bodice-ripper stuff More...
Apr 03, 2011
Tracy
rated it:
~* 4.5 Stars *~
Rowland's Demesne is Urban Fantasy at its Finest!
Beaulac Homicide detective Kara Gillian likes her chocolate donuts a little too much for her waistline. She's short, a bit socially inept, tactless and a bit crude, and as persistent as a terrier with a bone. She's not terribly beautiful, isn't terribly strong physically, and she hasn't ever had a boyfriend stick around longer than three months. Her childhood wasn't a walk in the park, and she dealt with personal trauma in More...
Rowland's Demesne is Urban Fantasy at its Finest!
Beaulac Homicide detective Kara Gillian likes her chocolate donuts a little too much for her waistline. She's short, a bit socially inept, tactless and a bit crude, and as persistent as a terrier with a bone. She's not terribly beautiful, isn't terribly strong physically, and she hasn't ever had a boyfriend stick around longer than three months. Her childhood wasn't a walk in the park, and she dealt with personal trauma in More...
Jun 16, 2010
Alta
rated it:
You know, sometimes friends see the same book in a completely different way, that's why I read books that sound interesting, even if they don't have the best reviews. Even if said review is by a friend ;)
My friend Kathy gave this book two stars. I gave it four. What rubbed her the wrong way didn't really bother me. My biggest complaint came at the beginning of the book. I felt there was too much unnecessary history about the area. A little too much thinking during conversations, so I More...
My friend Kathy gave this book two stars. I gave it four. What rubbed her the wrong way didn't really bother me. My biggest complaint came at the beginning of the book. I felt there was too much unnecessary history about the area. A little too much thinking during conversations, so I More...
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(1 person liked it)
May 20, 2010
Verna
rated it:
I've been out of the loop in the urban fantasy department for the past couple months, having gone on a romance spree, but I thought it was as good a time as any to make a quick trip into the Fantasy aisles of my local bookstore. After seeing a pretty flattering cover quote on a never-before published author, and I decided to give Mark of the Demon a spin. Aren't I glad I did!
Mark of the Demon introduces Kara Gillian, a Louisiana detective who has very recently been transferred to the More...
Mark of the Demon introduces Kara Gillian, a Louisiana detective who has very recently been transferred to the More...
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Mar 26, 2010
Nan
rated it:
Rowland's first novel is an exciting fantasy procedural. It's not quite an urban fantasy, as it takes place in a relatively rural area of Louisiana, but it's close. Rowland's extensive real-life experience in the law enforcement business lend realism to a fantastic story.
Kara is a newly promoted homicide detective who also summons demons. The reason for demon summoning is never quite explained; it's something she has the genetic gift to do, so she does it. Demon summoning is a way More...
Kara is a newly promoted homicide detective who also summons demons. The reason for demon summoning is never quite explained; it's something she has the genetic gift to do, so she does it. Demon summoning is a way More...
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(1 person liked it)
Mar 01, 2010
Jess the Romanceaholic
rated it:
It's a strange feeling for me to read a book that's more UF than PNR.. I've always been a Romance Reader -- that is, I typically want a strong romantic storyline in my novels, with a clear "hero" and "heroine", possibly some steam, definite monogamy, and a clear Happily Ever After (HEA)
And yet, despite the fact that this book had none of those save the bit-o-steam, I adored it.
Kara Gillian is definitely one of my new favorite heroines. She's kick-butt More...
And yet, despite the fact that this book had none of those save the bit-o-steam, I adored it.
Kara Gillian is definitely one of my new favorite heroines. She's kick-butt More...
6 comments
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(5 people liked it)
Feb 21, 2010
Ellz
rated it:
My thoughts...This was a very dark story that kept me guessing until the very end. The plot could be described like an episode of CSI, from the crime scene workers to the medical coroner giving autopsies. The heroine, Kara, is placed as lead on a murder investigation to find a serial killer who has recently restarted his killing spree after a lengthy hiatus. She has the abilitly to summons demons which helps her detect the presence of arcane on the victims. Diana Rowland did a phenomenal jo
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Feb 07, 2010
Marsha
rated it:
I have to admit, I am a urban fantasy snob. I have authors I love (Patricia Briggs, Jeniene Frost and Rachel Caine) and those I just like. Lately, I have been restless and unfulfilled. My favorite authors and finalizing their next installments of novels and I have desperately looking for new material. Unfortunately the results have been less than stellar and have left me totally disillusioned. So, I decided to take a chance on Mark of the Demon and boy, was I pleasantly surprised. I loved M
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(3 people liked it)
Jan 18, 2010
Fiendishly
rated it:
Mark of the Demon is dark, sexy, fare where the heroine doesn’t always get her way and the chase is filled with longing as well as plenty of twists and turns. For those fans of Kim Harrison’s Hollows series, Mark of the Demon will instantly be a hit. Guaranteed. And those fans who might hunger for a Rachel Morgan demon “lurve” connection with Algaliarept or Minias, or Morgan Kingsley and Lugh from Jenna Black’s series, then feed your desires with Mark of the Demon.
Kara Gillian leads More...
Kara Gillian leads More...
Dec 02, 2009
Felicia
rated it:
I have had this on my shelf since the author Tweeted at Comicon she wanted to give me a copy, haha. I got a little burnt out on Urban Fantasy novels though, so I put it on the pile of "things I want to get to when I'm again in the mood for supernatural ladies doing it with demon/vampire/were-men".
First, I love the cover art, classy, thank you! (since half the UF stuff out there is utter awfulness. Even though I read most stuff on my Kindle, it's the principal of the thing More...
First, I love the cover art, classy, thank you! (since half the UF stuff out there is utter awfulness. Even though I read most stuff on my Kindle, it's the principal of the thing More...
Jul 19, 2009
Darcy
rated it:
I thought that this was a really good book for a start. Kara was an interesting character and I found myself rooting for her. What I really liked about her was her ability to look at her life and accept it, not whine about how she was dealt a bad deal and her choices to deal with them. I also like Tessa, her relationship with Kara. It was funny how they both were hiding what they both really thought about each other, but in the end came clean. Which considering the ending Kara will be grate
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4 comments
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(3 people liked it)
Jul 15, 2009
Julie (jjmachshev)
rated it:
"Mark of the Demon" is more paranormal mystery with hot sex than a paranormal romance with mystery. Make sense? The is Diana Rowland's first book about a brand new detective in soutern Lousiana who also happens to be a demon summoner. Her very first case turns out to be one that has ties to her family's past and also introduces her to one smoking hot demon lord!
Kara is a small-town cop and a demon summoner. When her first case turns out to be the resurgence of the 'Symb More...
Kara is a small-town cop and a demon summoner. When her first case turns out to be the resurgence of the 'Symb More...
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(1 person liked it)
Nov 07, 2009
K.
rated it:
Kara is a police officer in a small town in Louisiana trying to find a serial killer. She also happens to be a summoner, one of a secret, small number of humans genetically gifted with the ability to open a portal between our world and a world of "demons" (not judeo-christian, really, just a handy term)and summon the inhabitants into our world.
Of course, the serial killer turns out to be a summoner, too. And of course, Kara tries to summon a demon to help her catch the kill More...
Of course, the serial killer turns out to be a summoner, too. And of course, Kara tries to summon a demon to help her catch the kill More...
Jan 25, 2012
slayra
rated it:
RATING: 4 stars!
This one should have a Goodreads shelf all to itself named "what urban fantasy should be but often isn't". No, really. I enjoyed this book a lot; it wasn't outstanding in terms of plot, world or characters (it's still only the first book, though), but overall it was pretty good on all three aspects.
Kara Gillian is a detective... and a summoner. She calls on beings from a different realms and works spells with arcane magic.
She lives a More...
This one should have a Goodreads shelf all to itself named "what urban fantasy should be but often isn't". No, really. I enjoyed this book a lot; it wasn't outstanding in terms of plot, world or characters (it's still only the first book, though), but overall it was pretty good on all three aspects.
Kara Gillian is a detective... and a summoner. She calls on beings from a different realms and works spells with arcane magic.
She lives a More...
Jun 03, 2010
Catherine
rated it:
This book started out a little slow for me, but once I got into it I couldn't put it down.
I really liked the fact that Kara is just a regular girl (who's also a summoner, of course) who gets caught up in a crazy situation. Her normalness is one of the reasons you can't help but root for her. She's a cop, but she's not automatically a bad ass. She has to work out to battle the stomach bulge like most everybody else. She has a weakness for chocolate donuts and she doesn't have th More...
I really liked the fact that Kara is just a regular girl (who's also a summoner, of course) who gets caught up in a crazy situation. Her normalness is one of the reasons you can't help but root for her. She's a cop, but she's not automatically a bad ass. She has to work out to battle the stomach bulge like most everybody else. She has a weakness for chocolate donuts and she doesn't have th More...
10 comments
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(6 people liked it)
Feb 24, 2010
Kay
rated it:
This was not the book for me.
Although an interesting mix of paranormal and procedural crime fiction - I could not get into Mark of the Demon. There was, literally, not a single character that I actually liked. There was a lot of show-no-tell when it came to the heroine - we had to sit through her telling people that she "gave a shit" about the victims about 30 times... *groan* Not to mention she was dull as hell. Even the hero - who I can usually appreciate in any circ More...
Although an interesting mix of paranormal and procedural crime fiction - I could not get into Mark of the Demon. There was, literally, not a single character that I actually liked. There was a lot of show-no-tell when it came to the heroine - we had to sit through her telling people that she "gave a shit" about the victims about 30 times... *groan* Not to mention she was dull as hell. Even the hero - who I can usually appreciate in any circ More...
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(5 people liked it)
Oct 24, 2010
Indigo
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 20, 2012
Gwyn
rated it:
This is a decent book that could have been absolutely amazing if the author hadn't failed every single opportunity to lift her story out of mediocrity. Despite this, I enjoyed it and have every intention of reading the next in the series. It certainly doesn't deserve 4 stars, but 3.5 would be more accurate than 3.
Aside from some awkward dialogue and flat characterization of secondary characters, the first problem Mark of the Demon has comes early, when Kara has (not-very-well-written More...
Aside from some awkward dialogue and flat characterization of secondary characters, the first problem Mark of the Demon has comes early, when Kara has (not-very-well-written More...
Nov 12, 2011
Cheryl
rated it:
4¼ stars - Kara Gillian is a summoner of demons and a detective newly promoted to homicide. A summoning that Kara does goes horribly wrong and, instead of the lower level demon she expected, some unknown super powerful demon, who looks human, comes through instead. And he is pissed. And then, surprisingly, he’s not and ends up not only not killing Kara, but tells her that she can call him to her whenever she wants. In Mark of the Demon, demons aren’t actually evil, they’re very honor bound, but
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Dec 22, 2011
Trevor
rated it:
"Mark of the Demon", thus far, is far more paranormal than romance in the realm of "paranormal romance" or "eerie erotica", putting it comfortably in "urban fantasy". It almost, almost drifts across the line into supernatural horror, but in a good way.
If this hadn't been expressly recommended to me and I hadn't skimmed the author's bio, I likely would never have picked it up; between the eye candy on the cover and the blurb on the back, it screa More...
If this hadn't been expressly recommended to me and I hadn't skimmed the author's bio, I likely would never have picked it up; between the eye candy on the cover and the blurb on the back, it screa More...
Jul 15, 2011
Anachronist
rated it:
Synopsis:
Kara Gillian a recently promoted homicide detective, in her free time summons demons. Her job gives her a sense of belonging, her hobby – an adrenaline rush sufficiently thrilling to make her forget some dark experiences from the past, like a rape at the age of eleven or a period of drug abuse or the premature death of her parents. Well, who said that demons are safer than drugs, though? Certainly not Kara.
In her small Louisiana town called Beaulac strange murder More...
Kara Gillian a recently promoted homicide detective, in her free time summons demons. Her job gives her a sense of belonging, her hobby – an adrenaline rush sufficiently thrilling to make her forget some dark experiences from the past, like a rape at the age of eleven or a period of drug abuse or the premature death of her parents. Well, who said that demons are safer than drugs, though? Certainly not Kara.
In her small Louisiana town called Beaulac strange murder More...
Jul 13, 2011
Bonnie
rated it:
‘Mark of the Demon’ is the first in Diana Rowland’s Kara Gillian Series. Kara Gillian is a newbie Detective in small town Beaulac, Louisiana. She’s also a skilled summoner of demons who uses her occult skills in her cases. She’s put in charge of a case of recent murders that appear to be the same killer, The Symbol Man, who killed 13 people but hadn’t killed anyone in over 3 years. All of the victims show evidence of being killed for demonic purposes so Kara attempts to summon a demon to assist
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