The Mummy's Vengeance

by David Alyn Gordon

Los Angeles, 1928. It has been a year since Victoria Tori Jacobsen became a Vampire and agreed to live under the guidance of Werewolf Abraham Mueller.

After months of training to control her vampiric urges, Tori asks Mueller if she can accompany him to the opening of the new mummy exhibit at the Natural History Museum

But what was meant to be a run-of-the-mill visit soon turns into a heart-pounding race against time when they stumble on a murder in progress. Because this isn't just any murder - it involves an ancient artifact and the supernatural power it carries with it.

The duo, with the help of some formidable allies, must sprint to catch the cunning murderer before they can activate the catastrophic powers of the Eye of Aten, and release the curse of the Mummy's Vengeance upon the globe
If they fail, the forces of evil will bring on a new Dark Age.

154 pages, Paperback

First published October 18, 2023

About the author

I have been a social studies teacher, principal, and founding owner of the Grand Canyon College Preparatory Academy in Tempe, Arizona. I grew up reading and watching science and historical fiction. I am also a big baseball fan. I have combined my various passions in the Jigsaw series, which focuses on time-traveling teens thrust into major historical events—many of which never made the standard history books. I was born in New York and now live in Arizona with the love of my life Gwyn. We are both are dog people, and enjoy travel and food—Italian, Asian, Middle Eastern and Indian cuisines in particular.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Mummy’s Vengeance by David Alyn Gordon is a novella related to his Jigsaw series. It is a paranormal mystery featuring a gollum, a vampire, a werewolf, several people who have been cursed with immortality and a variety of other interesting characters. There is also a mummy, sort of, who is the corpse of a man the two immortals knew once. There is a lot going on in this charming mystery. Although, once reading it is is fairly easy to keep track. My biggest compliant is the number of people killed, but it is what it is.

The characterizations are good, and interesting if one is attracted to the paranormal. The mystery is tracked, step by step, and solved in good time. It is not a horror book, but one filled with interesting “people” and events. There is no time travel, as such, as in the Jigsaw books, but there is the result of time travel. Much less confusing, actually. The story flows well as the pacing is good. It is easy to read and pleasant (as pleasant as any murder) to recall. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Mummy’s Vengeance by the author. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #DavidAlynGordon #TheMummysVengeance

[Lois Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Met the author

I met this author at a Tempe Horror con. I took his information promising to leave a review.
The story gripped my attention in the first chapter, I shared the book title and author with two friends so they also like the book. Look forward to read more written by him. Highly recommend his writings.

[Mary Roya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story

I thought at first this was just a "normal" thriller. Then a vampire, A werewolf, and a golem show. This was a really fun read. I loved Tori, with her side remarks. Frank, the golem, would be an incredibly interesting creature. Great read! I highly recommend it!

[Tim Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!!!

This is the way I like to read mysteries. It has good characters. It moves smoothly and quickly. There's the nagging questions about who the murderer is. Well worth reading. I've already started the next one.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Mummy's Vengeance: A Mystery Horror Fiction Novella (Case Files From The Nightfall Detective Agency Book 1)" by David Alyn Gordon is a thrilling and atmospheric read that combines mystery, horror, and the supernatural. The novella follows the Nightfall Detective Agency as they investigate a series of mysterious deaths in a small town, uncovering ancient curses and vengeful spirits along the way. The well-developed characters and the author's attention to detail create a captivating narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. With its blend of mythology, suspense, and a chilling atmosphere, "The Mummy's Vengeance" is a must-read for fans of the genre.

[Tabatha Slagle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gordon has done it again. His mix of paranormal and mystery in this book was great. There was also some sci-fi and it just all flowed so well together. The characters all had great chemistry and it really felt like you were their uncovering the mystery with them. I cannot wait to see what the future of the Nightfall Detective Agency will be.

[Ilene G> · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

I enjoyed this mystery. The characters and plot are good. It is a fun and quick read. The mystery is good and has twists. There are several murders.

[pdmac pdmac · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book reads like a poorly written cheap detective novel, full of cliches and illogical/unbelievable actions, and anachronisms. Most of the story takes place in 1928, with other sections either a bit earlier or in ancient times.

Thorne, the stereotypical evil rich man is in league with Sullivan, an equally stereotypical evil “evangelist.” The two characters are so bereft of any real character development that they become cardboard superficial. Their goal is to steal certain Egyptian artifacts that will give them ultimate power (amongst other things). Combating them is Professor Mueller (a werewolf) and his Vampire “girlfriend” Tori, who is from the future.

Mueller manages to keep his girlfriend under check because he has contacts at the local hospital who provide him with a steady supply of blood. Say what??! The woman needs a daily dose of blood, and the hospital has no problem sending over a pint or two every day. And no one at the hospital seems to mind or care? By the way, the first hospital blood bank was not established until 1937.

Assisting Mueller and Tori is a golem, a reanimated man made from clay who acts as their bodyguard and general assistant and refers to them as “Master” and “Mistress.” Oh, as an aside, Mueller frequently carries and hammer and stake in his breast pocket in case Tori gets carried away and decides to have dinner on some unsuspecting human – and apparently no one ever notices. This dynamic is more than weird, for Mueller has established that he will kill Tori if she steps out of line, and Tori nonchalantly accepts it as just a part of life.

Tori is not only a vampire, she’s a Temporal Guardian – whatever that means as it is never explained. But she has traveled from the future and now resides in 1928. Why? We’re never told. And if she’s a Temporal Guardian, why is Mueller carrying a hammer and stake?

Then there’s Tori’s repeated references to the future that are more than annoying, like saying something reminded her of Downton Abbey. “That’s right,” Tori said, frowning. “Those haven’t happened yet either.” “Oh,” Mueller said. “I understand. Try not to talk about the future again. Don’t want to accidentally disrupt the timeline.” This is just silly.

Fast forward to a reception when the power goes out (of course – how else can it be completely and conveniently dark). A scream occurs and Mueller, using his werewolf senses, immediately discovers Tori standing over two corpses, the evil rich man Thorne and his bodyguard, in an office off the reception area. How she managed to know where to look is not adequately explained. It’s still pitch dark, but Mueller kneels next to the bodies and manages to conduct a thorough examination.

The police arrive and Mueller takes over the investigation, for not only is he an archaeologist, he’s a criminologist. All this happens after he and Tori are discovered standing over the bodies. Even the police blithely accept that Mueller and Tori are innocent, and subsequently turn over the investigation, interview procedures, and other police matters to this civilian with no legal authority.

At one point, Mueller, Tori and others are racing to capture the murderer and end up at Sullivan’s crusade, which Tori describes as a “White Nationalist, KKK, American First, Trump Rally.” The novel is bad enough without throwing in the silly “I hate Trump and Republicans” trope. What’s the purpose of the ideological diatribe? Does it add or detract from the story?

And then there are enough anachronisms to be distracting. At one point, a character “dove behind a huge dumpster.” The problem? Dumpsters weren’t invented until 1935. Or the use of “Latina,” “free healthcare,” and other terms not in use in 1928. While it may take time, doing the appropriate research for all parts of the story is necessary to a realistic novel.

There is more, but this is enough for this critique. Overall, the writing is superficial and the characters one-dimensional. The plot is predictable, and the novel suffers from a lack of editing.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Following the groundbreaking discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1922, mummies and the ominous curses they carried became an obsession. For archaeologist Trevor Grantham, the allure was not just the thrill of unearthing history but also the opportunity to cement his reputation within his field. His benefactor, the obscenely wealthy Malcolm Thorne, had far less noble motivations, status, wealth, and notoriety. Fast forward five years, and Thorne meets a gruesome end at a museum gala, murdered on the very night Grantham’s latest find is unveiled. As the suspect list grows, Dr. Abraham Mueller an undead werewolf from ancient Egypt and his supernatural team enlist the help of a few familiar faces to unravel the mystery of the Mummy’s vengeance.

Case Files From the Nightfall Detective Agency: The Mummy’s Vengeance by David Alyn Gordon delivers a fast-paced and exhilarating supernatural mystery. Though novella in length, the story packs a formidable punch, weaving together supernatural lore, ancient curses, family tensions, and the timeless downfall that comes with an insatiable thirst for power. Gordon masterfully balances the fantastical elements without veering into absurdity, maintaining a lighthearted tone while constructing a compelling and immersive narrative.

Mueller, serving as the de facto leader, is a particularly nuanced character. Despite his supernatural origins and formidable abilities, he remains composed and cerebral, his wisdom shaped by centuries of existence. He takes great care in mentoring his team, Frank, the steadfast golem, and Tori, a newly turned vampire fully aware that any loss of control could lead to catastrophe. While the supporting cast is not as intricately developed, each character serves a clear purpose, navigating the story’s labyrinthine twists with precision.

Finding a novel that seamlessly blends multiple genres without losing coherence is rare, but The Mummy’s Vengeance achieves this feat effortlessly. Gordon crafts a story that is equal parts mystery, adventure, and supernatural intrigue, never allowing any element to overshadow the rest. The journey to the book’s conclusion is as enjoyable as it is unpredictable, culminating in a final twist so unexpected it cements the story’s strength as a truly effective mystery. Readers looking for a thrilling, genre-bending read will find The Mummy’s Vengeance an absolute delight.

[Rik Ty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story—a series, it seems—where the Universal monster-types run a time-traveling detective agency and solve Agatha Christie-type mysteries in black-and-white movie style.

There are monsters and killings, but most of the violence happens off screen. Most of the good guys in this story are actual monsters—werewolves, vampires, and golems (Frankenstein). This isn’t written for kids, but if you have young Universal Monster fans in your family, they would probably have fun with this. It isn’t a horror book. It’s never scary, but it does have lots of fun with its premise. The story takes place in the 1920s, but the team is from all sorts of timeframes—including ours. It’s fun to hear monsters make x-files references, and it's fun to read characters discuss the differences between the Mary Shelly Frankenstein and the Universal Frankenstein right in front of a golem named Frank, who is filling the commonly familiar Frankenstein role.

The vampire Tori is used a few times in the book for visual humor, which works very nicely. Laced throughout the entire book are easter eggs from history—sometimes facts and sometimes attitudes—there are also historic pop-culture easter eggs—one of the films the characters mention is Conrad’s Veidt’s The Man Who Laughs—I won’t spoil why that is a pop-culture easter egg.

Overall, this is a pleasant read that works hard to please its audience. If it sounds intriguing, don’t wait. Go ahead and jump in!

[Jenni Strand · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine, but I felt a little lied to going in. When I bought the book from the author, I was told that it was ok to read on its own - it really should be read after at least starting his other series. There are characters that are important to the story that aren’t explained in this, and I kept feeling like I was not quite getting something important.

I also this that it tries to do a little too much. Between time travel, vampirism, werewolves (neither of which are integral to the story), Golems (which was cool to see, but again not really more than a look at me ~inclusivity), and mummies, the only ones that needed to be there was the time travel and mummies. Honestly, just having those two (and the Golem) would have made a better story than trying to cram everything in at once.

It wasn’t awful, but I probably won’t be recommending it to a lot of people. I’ll keep an ear out for the sequel, the author said it should be coming out in October I believe, but I’m most likely not going to run to the store to buy it.

I just wish it wasn’t so dependent on the other series with minimal explanation. It has such good potential! But just tries to do so much and falls short of the mark.

[Eric Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first two scenes set the novel's stage well, the past and present events surrounding the killing, cursing, entombing, and exhuming of the titular mummy. Who was basically stabbed, rolled in a sheet, and dumped in a pine box. The author manages the old-timey, 1920's vibe well and the book reads quick and easy. Then there is the biggest bump in the narrative when the main characters are introduced and you are bombarded with the connection to the author's main series, Jigsaw. The sudden, non sequitur introduction of the trio of time-displaced movie monsters is jarring, though likely not for readers of the previous books. That bump was rough, but brief, and the road smooths out nicely. The anachronistic vampire becomes the instrument for some pretty well done social commentary, giving her the perspective to compare past, present, and future. The connections to Gordon's previous works are used as backstory for the characters, but don't harm the telling of this story.
All in all, it's a fun read that doesn't take itself too seriously, and manages a pleasantly quick, cinematic tone.

[Jessica Olenski · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I found this book at a signing, I had no idea what I was getting into. Turns out this is part of a whole series of novels! The author did a great job at creating such a complex world. That made some parts confusing at first (more context would've been nice), but one the story got going, it didn't really matter that I had been thrust into the middle of Tori's story. I loved her and Muller's characterization! They bounce off of each other really well. I wish Muller's supernatural side had been seen more (along with Frank!), but that makes his werewolf scenes especially exciting. Despite more talking than action, the mystery they solve is intriguing throughout. Each chapter brings new clues and characters. They're not the most developed characters out there, but they get the job done in aiding Tori and Muller. Off to read book 2 and book 4 of the Jigsaw series to find out Tori's backstory! Or book 1 to get a fuller picture? Either way, I'll definitely be returning to the vast Jigsawverse!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though set in the Jigsaw Universe of his earlier books, this story embarks on a change of pace and focus. It focuses on two characters, Tori and Abraham already familiar to the readers, and delves deeper into the characters than could have been done with them being part of the ensemble cast. Also, there are no time travel hijinks here, the plot twists are the old fashioned whodunnit mystery where the principal detectives happen to be a young fledgling vampire and a centuries old werewolf.

Despite the protagonists being humanly challenged, this is not a horror story, the “monsters” are shown to be exceedingly human in their drives and motivations, whereas the true monsters are revealed to come in all forms.

Fans of the authors earlier work will not miss the time travel aspects as there are still historical and nostalgic references to appease those interests. Hopefully the planned follow on stories will continue this work.

[Nicki Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to beta read this book and I have to say that this is a wonderful addition to David's fictional universe.
The Mummy's Vengeance is the first in the Nightfall Detective Agency series, which is a spin-off of the Jigsaw books.
If you haven't read the Jigsaw books, don't worry, you won't feel lost. This book stands on its own extremely well.
However, having read the other series, it did add to the story in a few places for me; like a visit from an old friend.
I really enjoyed the classic Noir detective feel to The Mummy's Vengeance, and I felt the plot was well paced and that the characters were well developed and likeable.
I've read this book twice and am really looking forward to book two.

[Eisha Elahi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is quite a different novel. It is multi-dimensional, varied and definitely multi-genre. I found a bit of a cluedo feel to the story and it covered a lot in a fairly short story.
If one thing did complicate things a little, ot would be the number of characters, maybe too many.
The Egyptian element to the story is intrinsic, leading to the attraction of the Eye of Atin aspect, a magical aspect with Lord of the Rings type powers.
Then move into more recent times as this Detective story opens up nicely but with a werewolf and vampire! Odd, but it worked well and gave a black comedy feel to it.
The clever ending opens up the door for more stories and adventures for the crew and I did like that ending.

[Sass Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love classic films like "The Mummy" you'll have fun delving into this story set in vibrant 1928 Los Angeles.

The plot centers on Professor Mueller, an occult scholar and werewolf, who solves supernatural crimes. When a series of supernatural murders occur, Mueller and his aide, young vampire Tori, spring into action.

Can Mueller find the root of the dangerous mystery before evil is unleashed in the world?

Author David Alyn Gordon writes enticing historical mysteries with lots of colorful background and witty banter between his characters. A fun read.

[Arriah Kiprujistho · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to hand it to the author for creating this amazing fictional world that takes a reader on a mysterious adventure. The world building, the dialogues, the characters, the flow of the story, everything kept me hooked till the end. The best part is that the story doesn’t drag unnecessarily and every event unfolds itself at a perfect timing. If you are a fan of paranormal mystery with a vampire and a werewolf working together as detectives, do give this book a try, you will not be disappointed. Overall, it was a great read. I am looking forward to another part.

[Malik Touré · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, I’ve always been partial to anything that deals with mummification and ancient Egyptian mythology and culture in general, so I was immediately pulled in from the first page of this book. I also love murder mysteries and found the various narrative twists and turns thoroughly fascinating to read. The story begins with a double homicide that takes place in the distant past, and goes on to unveil a menagerie of engaging characters; some lovable, others loathsome, and enough action to keep me enthusiastically turning the pages. At times, I felt that I could have benefited from a knowledge of the author’s previous works, but ultimately, it wasn’t too difficult to dive into this as a standalone. Highly entertaining escapism.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐ While I didn't care for nor particularly dislike this book, it just wasn't that good in my opinion. It felt like at times there was too much going on and others like we were getting useless info to fill the pages. 100% not horror in anyway which is what I was expecting or at least a bit of horror but nope. Do I recommend this book no it felt like my kid with ADHD trying to tell me a dream he had last week.

[Mrs. Priscilla M. Dicus · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story until the vampire character said the religious rally reminded her of the hateful MAGA rallies of her time and she feared for her life and told the werewolf character that they needed to kill then all. Seems the author has no clue about history and the Democrat party who invented the kkk and hates minorities

[Emily Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

My interest was grabbed quickly and the frequent twists and turns held my attention. It was a great escape and mysterious adventure!

[Claudia A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

This was a good story. I liked the characters. It could have been longer with better character development. Nothing special, a good quick read.

[Deann Hershberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it but I read the first 10 chapters. then in the middle of the 11th chapter the book started all over again from the beginning.