Scent of the Wolf

by Tracey DeVore

Sophia Miller has no idea she's descended from werewolves until after her grandfather dies. From the time she and her cousin, Karl, arrive at the old European castle to hear his will, she is plagued by frightening dreams. She intends to collect her inheritance and return to London as soon as possible. Her plans change, however, when she and Karl learn they must remain in their grandfather's home for a month or the will is void. Matters are further complicated when another benefactor is named. Peter Krieg, a dark, mysterious stranger, awakens feelings Sophia never imagined...or feared.

218 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting plot and new take on the werewolf lore. Interesting twist at the end. I highly recommend it. Tracy DeVore is a very descriptive, creative writer. She paints a picture that makes it easy for you to imagine the time period, as well as the setting.

[Monster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scent of the Wolf is a loosely historical romantic mystery, Scooby-Doo style. It centers on Sophia, who, with her cousin Karl, is called to a strange castle where she must stay for a month in order to inherit whatever it is that her grandfather left her. Unfortunately; there's a very old werewolf curse on her family, and although the conditions for the inheritance are real, they are also a means to lure Sophia to the arms of an evil creature that prowls outside the castle. The setting and time period are details-vague, the horror isolated to small glimpses of a sinister family past, and the bad guy’s threats to rape the heroine. Sophia’s behavior is frustratingly erratic, fluctuating between determined strength and being pliable and easily manipulated. It's not a bad book, but it's too passive for urban fantasy fans, and too vague for hardcore historical lovers. Scent of the Wolf is a stylish old classic werewolf tale that would especially appeal to fans of werewolf horror movies (An American Werewolf in London, The Wolfman, etc.) and classic haunted castle tales.
Review by Michele Lee

[Michele Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scent of the Wolf is a loose historical, Scooby Doo-style romantic mystery centering on Sophia, a woman called to a strange castle with her cousin Karl, and forced to stay for a month in order to inherit whatever it is that her grandfather left her. Unfortunately there's a very old werewolf curse on her family, and while the will is true, it's also a means to lure Sophia to the arms of an evil creature that prowls outside the castle. The setting and time period is details-vague, the horror isolated to small glimpses of a sinister family past and the bad guys threats to rape the heroine, and the lead herself waffles between determined strength and being pliable and too easy to manipulate. Together it's not a bad book, but it's too passive for urban fantasy fans, too vague for hardcore historical lovers. Scent of the Wolf is a stylish old classic werewolf tale that would especially appeal to fans of werewolf horror movies (An American Werewolf in London, The Wolfman, etc.) and classic haunted castle tales.

[Louise]

I am very happy to say, Lachesis will reprint "Scent of the Wolf" in the near future. Watch for Tracy at the WHC 2008, handing out fliers and more, promoting "Scent of the Wolf".