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Dark Country
Too often people mistake monsters for gods.
When a ravaged corpse is discovered in Pretoria, South Africa, Esmé Snyder—an occult-crime expert—is called in to investigate. But she doesn’t know the scope of what she’s up against. Esmé is the target of a cat-and-mouse game with a serial killer who uses the paranormal to do his bidding, with the intent of becoming a god on Earth.
With assistance from her team—a brusque detective, eccentric millionaire, stoic priest, hawkeyed secretary, and handsome British forensic criminologist—Esmé hopes to find the killer before he strikes again.
But the clock isn’t all that’s working against them. The media catches wind of the threat against the citizens of Pretoria, and their reported speculations promise a post-Apartheid Satanic Panic.
As the body count grows, Esmé must figure out who is behind the heinous crimes before she ends up the final sacrifice.
Dark Country highlights the multicultural mythologies, magic, histories, beauty, and horror of living in pseudo-modern South Africa.
When a ravaged corpse is discovered in Pretoria, South Africa, Esmé Snyder—an occult-crime expert—is called in to investigate. But she doesn’t know the scope of what she’s up against. Esmé is the target of a cat-and-mouse game with a serial killer who uses the paranormal to do his bidding, with the intent of becoming a god on Earth.
With assistance from her team—a brusque detective, eccentric millionaire, stoic priest, hawkeyed secretary, and handsome British forensic criminologist—Esmé hopes to find the killer before he strikes again.
But the clock isn’t all that’s working against them. The media catches wind of the threat against the citizens of Pretoria, and their reported speculations promise a post-Apartheid Satanic Panic.
As the body count grows, Esmé must figure out who is behind the heinous crimes before she ends up the final sacrifice.
Dark Country highlights the multicultural mythologies, magic, histories, beauty, and horror of living in pseudo-modern South Africa.
256 pages, Paperback
First published May 17, 2022
About the author
Monique Snyman
28 books138 followersMonique Snyman’s mind is a confusing bedlam of glitter and death, where candy-coated gore is found in abundance and homicidal unicorns thrive. Sorting out the mess in her head is particularly irksome before she’s ingested a specific amount of coffee, which is equal to half the recommended intake of water for humans per day. When she’s not playing referee to her imaginary friends or trying to overdose on caffeine, she’s doing something with words—be it writing, reading, or editing.
Monique Snyman lives in Pretoria, South Africa, with her husband and an adorable Chihuahua. She’s the author of the Bram Stoker Award® nominated novels, THE NIGHT WEAVER and THE BONE CARVER, and the upcoming South African horror series, DARK COUNTRY.
Monique Snyman lives in Pretoria, South Africa, with her husband and an adorable Chihuahua. She’s the author of the Bram Stoker Award® nominated novels, THE NIGHT WEAVER and THE BONE CARVER, and the upcoming South African horror series, DARK COUNTRY.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
August 9, 2022
“A fictional tale with one foot in reality”
This is how the author prefaced ‘Dark Country’ as Snyman wanted her readers to be aware that some of the events that occur in her novel are not that far removed from actual occurrences in South Africa today - what a way to open your book! I was already hooked!
When a ravaged corpse is discovered in Pretoria, South Africa, Esmé Snyder―an occult-crime expert―is called in to investigate. But she doesn't know the scope of what she's up against. Esmé is the target of a cat-and-mouse game with a serial killer who uses the paranormal to do his bidding, with the intent of becoming a god on Earth. With assistance from her team Esmé hopes to find the killer before he strikes again. As the body count grows, Esmé must figure out who is behind the heinous crimes before she ends up the final sacrifice.
I loved, loved, loved this book as it was a total hybrid of my two favourite genres, horror and crime!
Snyman created an interesting dynamic between the two genres that keep me intrigued from start to finish. I loved the feisty, Esmé and her handsome male counterparts and at the same time I really was invested in her hunt for the culprit of the ‘muti’ related crimes.
Gory, tense, atmospheric and exciting, this book had a little bit of everything and I can’t wait to join Esmé and her team on their next case.
This is how the author prefaced ‘Dark Country’ as Snyman wanted her readers to be aware that some of the events that occur in her novel are not that far removed from actual occurrences in South Africa today - what a way to open your book! I was already hooked!
When a ravaged corpse is discovered in Pretoria, South Africa, Esmé Snyder―an occult-crime expert―is called in to investigate. But she doesn't know the scope of what she's up against. Esmé is the target of a cat-and-mouse game with a serial killer who uses the paranormal to do his bidding, with the intent of becoming a god on Earth. With assistance from her team Esmé hopes to find the killer before he strikes again. As the body count grows, Esmé must figure out who is behind the heinous crimes before she ends up the final sacrifice.
I loved, loved, loved this book as it was a total hybrid of my two favourite genres, horror and crime!
Snyman created an interesting dynamic between the two genres that keep me intrigued from start to finish. I loved the feisty, Esmé and her handsome male counterparts and at the same time I really was invested in her hunt for the culprit of the ‘muti’ related crimes.
Gory, tense, atmospheric and exciting, this book had a little bit of everything and I can’t wait to join Esmé and her team on their next case.
June 15, 2022
This is a wonderfully dark occult thriller that is simply riveting.
The author has a way with words – she immediately pulls you into an eerie world and doesn’t let you go.
I loved the South African setting and the bits of culture that bolstered the plot.
Our characters are compelling and I was extremely anxious for them.
Would love to read the author again in the future!
*ARC via Publisher
The author has a way with words – she immediately pulls you into an eerie world and doesn’t let you go.
I loved the South African setting and the bits of culture that bolstered the plot.
Our characters are compelling and I was extremely anxious for them.
Would love to read the author again in the future!
*ARC via Publisher
April 5, 2022
A very haunting story with an intriguing blend of history and mythology woven into the pages that you become completely absorbed in this fast-paced, thrilling tale. Multi-dimensional characters that leap from the page make this a fascinating read. For me, the highlight was learning so much of the magic and beauty of South Africa. You will be transported.
June 17, 2022
I enjoyed this book, but the transitions were choppy. Every time something big happened, the chapter ended, and the character moved on as if nothing happened. The lack of segues left me with whiplash. Esme, the main character, seemed extremely nonchalant about a variety of occult events that would’ve sent any normal person over the edge. I understand she studies the occult, but it just didn’t sit well with me.
The information about Pretoria, ritualistic killing, and “muti” was very interesting. In my opinion is was the saving grace for the book. It is a country and culture I have read very little about, so I enjoyed learning about another society, even if was the grittier underbelly.
If you have a sensitive stomach, don’t read this book. There is a lot of human mutilation with full description.
The information about Pretoria, ritualistic killing, and “muti” was very interesting. In my opinion is was the saving grace for the book. It is a country and culture I have read very little about, so I enjoyed learning about another society, even if was the grittier underbelly.
If you have a sensitive stomach, don’t read this book. There is a lot of human mutilation with full description.
August 21, 2022
Once again, I’ve moved WAY out of my comfort zone in reading Dark Country by Monique Snyman, a book I received from BookTrib. Receiving the book from BookTrib in no way colors my review. I don’t read normally read horror. However, I decided to throw caution to the winds, so to speak, and jump into Dark Country, the first in the Dark Country series, to be followed by False Prophet. The series is billed as “an exciting horror series that highlights the multicultural mythologies, magic, histories, beauty, and horror of living in a pseudo-modern South Africa.” In the “Author’s Note” at the beginning, Snyman tells readers that “Dark Country is thus a fictional tale with one foot in reality.”
While the horror portion of the story gives me pause, I find many attributes to like in Snyman’s Dark Country. Esmé Snyder, Occult Crime Expert, is the main character; Esmé works with the police on special cases, those involving the occult and paranormal. Like many other readers, I find Esmé a compelling character. I also like the fact that she dresses well. She refers to her choice of clothing and footwear often throughout the story. I enjoyed those references.
Do not be misled by Esmé and her fashion sense, however. Esmé is whip-smart and carefully observes her surroundings as well as the crime scenes. Conversant in the occult and paranormal as well as South African history of ritual killings and muti-killings, Esmé is the expert needed.
Muti-killings refer to “ritual murders, a form of human sacrifice practiced by some African tribes.” The body parts harvested are used in rituals and magic. The police have discovered a body in a field and call Esmé into the investigation because of her expertise and the body’s link to possible muti-killings.
As mentioned earlier, I did find more to the story than the horror. Readers will be interested in the personal relationships that develop in the story, especially between Esmé and her colleague Howlen, a police consultant. Howlen’s expertise lies in identifying the loopholes that criminals might use in their defense. Howlen does his best to plug those holes before they can damage a case.
The repartee between Esmé and Howlen is also another draw. They are working on very dark cases, but they find ways to lighten the moment on occasion through their verbal sparring.
The story will keep readers turning pages because danger lurks in every dark corner. Esmé must be on her toes constantly because she is facing down a serial killer who uses the paranormal in his killings. Is he also stalking Esmé? How will she catch him and when?
Book club leaders must know their members when choosing any books, of course! Dark Country will provide much fodder for
Monique Snyman was born in Pretoria, South Africa. Snyman uses her exposure to many cultures, languages, religions, and class differences in her writings. The Night Weaver and The Bone Carver, part of the Night Weaver series, were both nominated for the Bram Stoker Award.
While the horror portion of the story gives me pause, I find many attributes to like in Snyman’s Dark Country. Esmé Snyder, Occult Crime Expert, is the main character; Esmé works with the police on special cases, those involving the occult and paranormal. Like many other readers, I find Esmé a compelling character. I also like the fact that she dresses well. She refers to her choice of clothing and footwear often throughout the story. I enjoyed those references.
Do not be misled by Esmé and her fashion sense, however. Esmé is whip-smart and carefully observes her surroundings as well as the crime scenes. Conversant in the occult and paranormal as well as South African history of ritual killings and muti-killings, Esmé is the expert needed.
Muti-killings refer to “ritual murders, a form of human sacrifice practiced by some African tribes.” The body parts harvested are used in rituals and magic. The police have discovered a body in a field and call Esmé into the investigation because of her expertise and the body’s link to possible muti-killings.
As mentioned earlier, I did find more to the story than the horror. Readers will be interested in the personal relationships that develop in the story, especially between Esmé and her colleague Howlen, a police consultant. Howlen’s expertise lies in identifying the loopholes that criminals might use in their defense. Howlen does his best to plug those holes before they can damage a case.
The repartee between Esmé and Howlen is also another draw. They are working on very dark cases, but they find ways to lighten the moment on occasion through their verbal sparring.
The story will keep readers turning pages because danger lurks in every dark corner. Esmé must be on her toes constantly because she is facing down a serial killer who uses the paranormal in his killings. Is he also stalking Esmé? How will she catch him and when?
Book club leaders must know their members when choosing any books, of course! Dark Country will provide much fodder for
Monique Snyman was born in Pretoria, South Africa. Snyman uses her exposure to many cultures, languages, religions, and class differences in her writings. The Night Weaver and The Bone Carver, part of the Night Weaver series, were both nominated for the Bram Stoker Award.
May 22, 2022
Shocking, and one of the most well-written crime novels I've read in a long time. The author really infuses South Africa into the work as well as the realistic horror.
August 19, 2022
Dark Country is the first book in a series by author Monique Snyman which follows occult detective Esme Snyder as she investigates bizarre and horrific crimes in South Africa. This particular case involves a string of muti-murders: murders involving mutilation and dismemberment for the purpose of obtaining ingredients for some strange magical rituals.
Steeped in the magical folklore of South Africa, this story has everything from crime to potions to vengeful spirits which stalk Esme's every move as she works to find the crazed practitioner behind all the horrific acts. Esme herself is a pretty likable character: she's a strong, independent woman who knows her way around both a fistfight and and a magical showdown, she mixes with the upper crust and the low-down-and-dirties of the city, and she always makes time for a little loving action on the side.
I found the premise intriguing and the fictional news stories and crime reports mixed into the story a clever addition. I'm a sucker for any kind of regional folklore and belief system so this small glimpse into South African magic was fascinating. The ending felt a bit anticlimactic to me but this is the first in a series and some little clues at the end let the reader know that there's more coming, so perhaps the reason the ending wasn't fully satisfying is simply the fact that it isn't *really* the ending.
All in all, this was a good little crime thriller-meets-occult story and I definitely want to read more about Esme and all her exploits, both in the field and in the bedroom.
Steeped in the magical folklore of South Africa, this story has everything from crime to potions to vengeful spirits which stalk Esme's every move as she works to find the crazed practitioner behind all the horrific acts. Esme herself is a pretty likable character: she's a strong, independent woman who knows her way around both a fistfight and and a magical showdown, she mixes with the upper crust and the low-down-and-dirties of the city, and she always makes time for a little loving action on the side.
I found the premise intriguing and the fictional news stories and crime reports mixed into the story a clever addition. I'm a sucker for any kind of regional folklore and belief system so this small glimpse into South African magic was fascinating. The ending felt a bit anticlimactic to me but this is the first in a series and some little clues at the end let the reader know that there's more coming, so perhaps the reason the ending wasn't fully satisfying is simply the fact that it isn't *really* the ending.
All in all, this was a good little crime thriller-meets-occult story and I definitely want to read more about Esme and all her exploits, both in the field and in the bedroom.
July 13, 2022
Dark Country is not a book from a genre that I normally choose to read, but it is part of a list of books to review that was required. I have to say I kept passing it up and finally just said I needed to “get it over with.” To my surprise, I enjoyed the suspense and I was afraid that the “horror” part would be something I didn’t like. It was actually very intriguing and well written, even informative to a point. I think if this were made into a short movie, it could be quite scary, but reading it made it very suspenseful and I really wanted to keep going to see how Esme was going to find this killer with these powers. I can see why this author has been previously nominated for the Bram Stoker award. Good book.
September 10, 2022
This has some of my favorite elements: epistolary elements, an occult investigator and a serial killer. This also takes place in South Africa and I loved that Snyman interspersed present-day culture and background into traditional "muti".
The fast-pace of the story and the atmospheric writing made it hard to put this down. I also enjoyed the cast of characters and their dynamics. The ritualistic style of the murder was really unique and complicated, but I need the story to be flushed out more - everything wrapped up fairly quickly, but I wanted more!
This is the first in a series and I can't wait to read more!
The fast-pace of the story and the atmospheric writing made it hard to put this down. I also enjoyed the cast of characters and their dynamics. The ritualistic style of the murder was really unique and complicated, but I need the story to be flushed out more - everything wrapped up fairly quickly, but I wanted more!
This is the first in a series and I can't wait to read more!
September 4, 2022
Thank you to Monique Snyman, Vesuvian Media, and Katie and Brey PA for providing me with an eARC of Dark Country! This my honest review 🖤
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It’s officially September! Which means it’s officially pre-October! Which means it’s the perfect time to dip into some horror 👀 Dark Country did not disappoint in the slightest! It’s macabre and morbid and exhilarating the whole way through. A smorgasbord of crime, a dash of paranormal happenings, and a healthy serving of the occult made for a great read. Definitely not for the queasy 😬
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I really enjoyed our cast of characters. I can’t wait to spend more time with everyone at SIRCIS as we move along in the series. I could have done without the romantic back-and-forth. I don’t think it played much of a role in this book, but it might add something to explore more in depth further along.
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I will hands down be reading whatever comes next for the SIRCIS crew. If you’re looking for a horror thriller with plenty of chills, definitely pick this book up!
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Please check TW/CW before picking up this book. Potential TW/CW include, but are not limited to, profanity, graphic violence, and sexual assault.
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It’s officially September! Which means it’s officially pre-October! Which means it’s the perfect time to dip into some horror 👀 Dark Country did not disappoint in the slightest! It’s macabre and morbid and exhilarating the whole way through. A smorgasbord of crime, a dash of paranormal happenings, and a healthy serving of the occult made for a great read. Definitely not for the queasy 😬
-
I really enjoyed our cast of characters. I can’t wait to spend more time with everyone at SIRCIS as we move along in the series. I could have done without the romantic back-and-forth. I don’t think it played much of a role in this book, but it might add something to explore more in depth further along.
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I will hands down be reading whatever comes next for the SIRCIS crew. If you’re looking for a horror thriller with plenty of chills, definitely pick this book up!
-
Please check TW/CW before picking up this book. Potential TW/CW include, but are not limited to, profanity, graphic violence, and sexual assault.
September 17, 2022
Thanks so much to Vesuvian Books and Monique Snyman for the complimentary copy and I am voluntarily writing a review.
Dark Country follows an an occult expert and her team in South Africa as they try to try down a murderer who is suspected of a spree of ritualistic mutilations and killings.
I enjoyed this book overall. The premise of the book initially caught my attention and it was interesting to learn more about South African history of ritual killing and muti. I was really engrossed in the beginning, however the pacing didn’t quiet work for me and I found myself disengaging in the middle portion of the book before I got back into it with the ending. I did like the main character, Esme, overall but it was a bit vexing having her continuously rush into decisions and situation that she knew she was not prepared for. Overall, I thought it was an interesting read and would recommend it as a crime/horror hybrid.
3.75 stars (rounding up to four)/5
Dark Country follows an an occult expert and her team in South Africa as they try to try down a murderer who is suspected of a spree of ritualistic mutilations and killings.
I enjoyed this book overall. The premise of the book initially caught my attention and it was interesting to learn more about South African history of ritual killing and muti. I was really engrossed in the beginning, however the pacing didn’t quiet work for me and I found myself disengaging in the middle portion of the book before I got back into it with the ending. I did like the main character, Esme, overall but it was a bit vexing having her continuously rush into decisions and situation that she knew she was not prepared for. Overall, I thought it was an interesting read and would recommend it as a crime/horror hybrid.
3.75 stars (rounding up to four)/5
August 16, 2022
Dark Country was a bewitching book that intertwines Dark Occult, South African mythology and history with Thriller! Monique Snyman's writing is similar to Stephen King and Graham Masterton.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Please research TW/CW before reading.
Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Please research TW/CW before reading.
July 26, 2022
I received this book as an ARC, and I leave this honest review voluntarily.
Dark Country follows the story of Esmé as she works with her team who are trying to hunt down a dangerous killer. The bodies are starting to pile up, and she needs to work fast to reign him in, while fighting against all the other forces the killer throws her way.
This book was WILD! The story drew me in from the start and just kept rolling. I absolutely loved the writing and the way the book was presented. The story is told with multiple point of views: Esmé’s, the killers, and case files/news stories. This helped to keep the pace of the book going while offering different insights into the characters. There are some elements of the supernatural, some romance, some culture and history: it’s really got something for everyone to enjoy!
The way it ended, it seems like this could be the beginning of a series, and I really hope so!!
Thank you to Vesuvian Books and KateandBreyPA for including me in this read.
Dark Country follows the story of Esmé as she works with her team who are trying to hunt down a dangerous killer. The bodies are starting to pile up, and she needs to work fast to reign him in, while fighting against all the other forces the killer throws her way.
This book was WILD! The story drew me in from the start and just kept rolling. I absolutely loved the writing and the way the book was presented. The story is told with multiple point of views: Esmé’s, the killers, and case files/news stories. This helped to keep the pace of the book going while offering different insights into the characters. There are some elements of the supernatural, some romance, some culture and history: it’s really got something for everyone to enjoy!
The way it ended, it seems like this could be the beginning of a series, and I really hope so!!
Thank you to Vesuvian Books and KateandBreyPA for including me in this read.
August 30, 2022
This was a quick read, but it didn’t grab me as much as I had hoped.
September 12, 2022
"The occult is a pseudoscience not easily explained in layman's terms. It changes often, is misunderstood, and accurate information is impossible to find."
Overview
Esme is an occult-crime specialist who studies all occult crimes and criminals. She works for SIRCIS, a company specializing in murder investigations, occult training, and everything paranormal. Sometimes they also lend their expertise to the African Police Service.
When a woman is found mutilated, Esme is called for her analysis. Soon, this case turns into a gruesome murder spree, with people being murdered with no rhyme or reason, and the killer with paranormal powers is now directly taunting her and the police.
Setting, Plot, World- building: The setting, the environment, or the tone of the book is very eerie, a kind of dark. This helps in elevating the murder plots. As the author stated, this book is a fictional tale with one foot in reality. This book felt exactly like that. It is set in South Africa, where people have been known to have dabbled in different kinds of magic. The world is both interesting and gruesome.
This is not a heart-pounding chase between a detective and a killer; I felt it was more close to reality, with a few clues, some false leads, and some gritty details. We follow Esme in her day-to-day life, both personally and professionally. I loved all the gritty details of this world.
"I expect monsters to do the things they're accused of doing, not regular human beings."
We get dual POVs, which is very interesting. The killer's character is what jumped out to me. Author has done an amazing job in getting us inside their mind and way of thinking. It also added a lot to the story and the setting.
Pace and writing: It took me some time to get engrossed in this. The pacing of the book is quite complex. When we are in a moment, then the pacing is medium, but when we go from one chapter to the next, sometimes we have very large jumps. Also, the thing that didn't work for me personally was that sometimes a person's first name was used for a few pages and then suddenly they were addressed using their last or middle names. These things left me quite confused, but not enough to take me out of the story.
Characters: We are introduced to multiple characters who work in different capacities on this case. Getting to know these characters a bit left me intrigued to find out more about them. As I understand, this is going to be a series, so hopefully we will get to see more of them. I particularly loved Esme's grandfather.
Esme's view of the occult is very relatable. She is not the one who blindly believes in magic, but she is also not the one who completely disregards it. Having worked on multiple paranormal cases, Esme acknowledges these things with a grain of salt.
The thing which left me a bit disappointed was my expectations of Esme and her capabilities. I did not agree with some of the decisions she took and, as I highlighted, I expected a bit more from her. Having said that, since this is the first book in the series, I hope she will get stronger, smarter, and more logical.
Please read through trigger warnings before picking this up.
I was kindly sent an ARC for an honest review.
Overview
Esme is an occult-crime specialist who studies all occult crimes and criminals. She works for SIRCIS, a company specializing in murder investigations, occult training, and everything paranormal. Sometimes they also lend their expertise to the African Police Service.
When a woman is found mutilated, Esme is called for her analysis. Soon, this case turns into a gruesome murder spree, with people being murdered with no rhyme or reason, and the killer with paranormal powers is now directly taunting her and the police.
Setting, Plot, World- building: The setting, the environment, or the tone of the book is very eerie, a kind of dark. This helps in elevating the murder plots. As the author stated, this book is a fictional tale with one foot in reality. This book felt exactly like that. It is set in South Africa, where people have been known to have dabbled in different kinds of magic. The world is both interesting and gruesome.
This is not a heart-pounding chase between a detective and a killer; I felt it was more close to reality, with a few clues, some false leads, and some gritty details. We follow Esme in her day-to-day life, both personally and professionally. I loved all the gritty details of this world.
"I expect monsters to do the things they're accused of doing, not regular human beings."
We get dual POVs, which is very interesting. The killer's character is what jumped out to me. Author has done an amazing job in getting us inside their mind and way of thinking. It also added a lot to the story and the setting.
Pace and writing: It took me some time to get engrossed in this. The pacing of the book is quite complex. When we are in a moment, then the pacing is medium, but when we go from one chapter to the next, sometimes we have very large jumps. Also, the thing that didn't work for me personally was that sometimes a person's first name was used for a few pages and then suddenly they were addressed using their last or middle names. These things left me quite confused, but not enough to take me out of the story.
Characters: We are introduced to multiple characters who work in different capacities on this case. Getting to know these characters a bit left me intrigued to find out more about them. As I understand, this is going to be a series, so hopefully we will get to see more of them. I particularly loved Esme's grandfather.
Esme's view of the occult is very relatable. She is not the one who blindly believes in magic, but she is also not the one who completely disregards it. Having worked on multiple paranormal cases, Esme acknowledges these things with a grain of salt.
The thing which left me a bit disappointed was my expectations of Esme and her capabilities. I did not agree with some of the decisions she took and, as I highlighted, I expected a bit more from her. Having said that, since this is the first book in the series, I hope she will get stronger, smarter, and more logical.
Please read through trigger warnings before picking this up.
I was kindly sent an ARC for an honest review.
October 11, 2022
1.5 stars
This is, I believe, a republished and slightly altered version of Snyman’s previous work Muti Nation.
And while I agree with a lot of the alterations made, I am genuinely disappointed by this novel.
I had really high expectations that were cultivated in the beginning of this story and they quickly feel off the deep end.
Because at the beginning?
The differently styled chapters were working so well for me. And I was really into the premise of the story and how it was being laid out. It was very procedural and case focused, detective style and I hadn’t read something mystery focused like this in a while, so I got excited.
Sue me.
The highlights were the mythology and worldbuilding. I’m not familiar with very much about South Africa as a whole, and Snyman really eases you into the world she’s created while still keeping a lot of real world elements and languages and cultural beliefs embedded within the story. It was fast paced with worldbuilding that is tinged with a sardonic sense of humour and investigative procedure that I had been craving. The team of characters working in SIRCAS seemed to genuinely complement one another, and as a whole I was really enjoying the story and the writing.
But then I started having issue with the editing. There was a not infrequent amount of tense shifting, even from sentence to sentence that was noticeable and annoying.
AND THEN came something which did not need to be incorporated into the story at all in my opinion, the romance.
The love triangle coupled with the horrid character dynamics and interpersonal relationships are the worst part of this book. The characters, especially Esme in particular became immediately insufferable. Like we’re talking 180 degree turns on character dynamics which ruined everything for me.
This didn’t need romance and the fact that the romance is one of my biggest issues with this story says a lot. And yet, this story will probably work for a lot of people, I'm just not one of them.
So yeah, I’m pretty flipping bummed at the outcome of this story and just so you’re aware, this began a reading slump for me.
This is, I believe, a republished and slightly altered version of Snyman’s previous work Muti Nation.
And while I agree with a lot of the alterations made, I am genuinely disappointed by this novel.
I had really high expectations that were cultivated in the beginning of this story and they quickly feel off the deep end.
Because at the beginning?
The differently styled chapters were working so well for me. And I was really into the premise of the story and how it was being laid out. It was very procedural and case focused, detective style and I hadn’t read something mystery focused like this in a while, so I got excited.
Sue me.
The highlights were the mythology and worldbuilding. I’m not familiar with very much about South Africa as a whole, and Snyman really eases you into the world she’s created while still keeping a lot of real world elements and languages and cultural beliefs embedded within the story. It was fast paced with worldbuilding that is tinged with a sardonic sense of humour and investigative procedure that I had been craving. The team of characters working in SIRCAS seemed to genuinely complement one another, and as a whole I was really enjoying the story and the writing.
But then I started having issue with the editing. There was a not infrequent amount of tense shifting, even from sentence to sentence that was noticeable and annoying.
AND THEN came something which did not need to be incorporated into the story at all in my opinion, the romance.
The love triangle coupled with the horrid character dynamics and interpersonal relationships are the worst part of this book. The characters, especially Esme in particular became immediately insufferable. Like we’re talking 180 degree turns on character dynamics which ruined everything for me.
This didn’t need romance and the fact that the romance is one of my biggest issues with this story says a lot. And yet, this story will probably work for a lot of people, I'm just not one of them.
So yeah, I’m pretty flipping bummed at the outcome of this story and just so you’re aware, this began a reading slump for me.
October 13, 2022
Dark Country, by Monique Snyman. If you love the kind of book that sets your mind on the edge at saying,” what the heck is going on here?!” Or were you find yourself simply saying, “nope”! Wait until you get a load of this book. It’s as if I was in the twilight zone of Geoffrey D. Slashes across ankles.
Slashes all over one’s body. Body parts shrivel up and disappearing! Entity’s staring over you as you sleep! My mind was completely numb after reading the first chapter. But guess what?
I kept reading. You want to know why? Because it was good. The authors writing is phenomenal. I mean she came with her research, her facts and her information. The plot of the story is well crafted for the chilling actions committed within the story.
I think that the characters were wonderfully choreograph together with the unsuspecting events surrounding the investigation, the team, as well as their personal lives. Most of the names of people and places I tripped over while reading them, but that was so minor to my opinion of the book. I found myself excited and completely invested in reading this book. I don’t know how the writer did it. Somehow the writer combined the paranormal, the occult, Ritualistic crimes together and out popped the ultimate crime mystery book.
And guess who is centered in the middle of all this chaos, none other then the Occult crime expert, Esme Snyder. This woman brought her “a game”. Esme was on point. She kicked butt and took names for past, present, and future cases. It was awesome to see that Esme has a structured team working with her, including her father and her grandfather.
And for emergency paranormal cases Father Gabriel. Oh Father Gabriel needs to camp out at Esme’s house. Whew lord! When Esme took a night trip to the kitchen, I got a flashback of Carol Anne. Where is Tangina when you need her?
This book did the excellent job of keeping me entertained from start to finish. I found the book both gripping and intense. Above all I feel that the book is very entertaining. I give this book two snaps and a, Howlen, stop sniveling and put your big boy underwear on. We got a job to do. Until next time my fellow readers… read on!
Slashes all over one’s body. Body parts shrivel up and disappearing! Entity’s staring over you as you sleep! My mind was completely numb after reading the first chapter. But guess what?
I kept reading. You want to know why? Because it was good. The authors writing is phenomenal. I mean she came with her research, her facts and her information. The plot of the story is well crafted for the chilling actions committed within the story.
I think that the characters were wonderfully choreograph together with the unsuspecting events surrounding the investigation, the team, as well as their personal lives. Most of the names of people and places I tripped over while reading them, but that was so minor to my opinion of the book. I found myself excited and completely invested in reading this book. I don’t know how the writer did it. Somehow the writer combined the paranormal, the occult, Ritualistic crimes together and out popped the ultimate crime mystery book.
And guess who is centered in the middle of all this chaos, none other then the Occult crime expert, Esme Snyder. This woman brought her “a game”. Esme was on point. She kicked butt and took names for past, present, and future cases. It was awesome to see that Esme has a structured team working with her, including her father and her grandfather.
And for emergency paranormal cases Father Gabriel. Oh Father Gabriel needs to camp out at Esme’s house. Whew lord! When Esme took a night trip to the kitchen, I got a flashback of Carol Anne. Where is Tangina when you need her?
This book did the excellent job of keeping me entertained from start to finish. I found the book both gripping and intense. Above all I feel that the book is very entertaining. I give this book two snaps and a, Howlen, stop sniveling and put your big boy underwear on. We got a job to do. Until next time my fellow readers… read on!
August 15, 2022
‘Too often people mistake monsters for Gods.’
Dark Country is a supernatural thriller set in Pretoria, South Africa. The story follows Esme Snyder, an Occult-crime expert, as she investigates some pretty grisly murders. Esme and her team are in a race against time to solve the crimes as the serial killer responsible has turned his paranormal attention onto her and is now playing a cat and mouse game.
This is a riveting and haunting novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. Monique Snyman does a wonderful job describing modern day South Africa and some of the multi-cultural mythologies and superstitions that are still believed to be true. Snyman’s novel is eerie and gets under your skin. I really liked the way there were chapters dedicated to case files and news articles. I think that worked really well and gave a lot of insight into the mood of the city. I am a bit of a wimp when it comes to anything paranormal, and I have to say I did have to stop reading this novel at bedtime because there were a few scary parts. Lol. This really is a fast paced thriller from start to finish and I really enjoyed it.
Dark Country does have some Trigger Warnings so make sure you check them out before you read.
I received a free ebook of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and is written voluntarily.
Dark Country is a supernatural thriller set in Pretoria, South Africa. The story follows Esme Snyder, an Occult-crime expert, as she investigates some pretty grisly murders. Esme and her team are in a race against time to solve the crimes as the serial killer responsible has turned his paranormal attention onto her and is now playing a cat and mouse game.
This is a riveting and haunting novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it. Monique Snyman does a wonderful job describing modern day South Africa and some of the multi-cultural mythologies and superstitions that are still believed to be true. Snyman’s novel is eerie and gets under your skin. I really liked the way there were chapters dedicated to case files and news articles. I think that worked really well and gave a lot of insight into the mood of the city. I am a bit of a wimp when it comes to anything paranormal, and I have to say I did have to stop reading this novel at bedtime because there were a few scary parts. Lol. This really is a fast paced thriller from start to finish and I really enjoyed it.
Dark Country does have some Trigger Warnings so make sure you check them out before you read.
I received a free ebook of this novel. This review is my honest opinion and is written voluntarily.
August 28, 2022
Too often people mistake monsters for gods."
Faith with superstition can be dangerous mix which history has proven. We tend to give in to the superstitions whenever it suits us. But this can lead to serious destruction of some peoples live.
I thoroughly enjoyed it as it keeps blowing my mind and I kept turning for pages for more. Writing style is refreshing and simple, one will keep on turning pages to know what's next.
Riveting cultural experience.
Splendidly taken you through a journey of Esmé Synder who is an occult crime expert to identify the multiple murders happening against women and girl childs.
Her life get's entangled with the criminal and soon she starts detangling the web and reaching near the criminal.
Why to read this?
-want to read something different from typical murder or crime thrillers
-crazy criminal with occult background
-gripping and UNPUTDOWNABLE
-occult criminal + copy cat of a serial killer
-development of characters along with the plot
Thanks @katieandbreypa for the e-ARC, it was absolutely splendid.
Faith with superstition can be dangerous mix which history has proven. We tend to give in to the superstitions whenever it suits us. But this can lead to serious destruction of some peoples live.
I thoroughly enjoyed it as it keeps blowing my mind and I kept turning for pages for more. Writing style is refreshing and simple, one will keep on turning pages to know what's next.
Riveting cultural experience.
Splendidly taken you through a journey of Esmé Synder who is an occult crime expert to identify the multiple murders happening against women and girl childs.
Her life get's entangled with the criminal and soon she starts detangling the web and reaching near the criminal.
Why to read this?
-want to read something different from typical murder or crime thrillers
-crazy criminal with occult background
-gripping and UNPUTDOWNABLE
-occult criminal + copy cat of a serial killer
-development of characters along with the plot
Thanks @katieandbreypa for the e-ARC, it was absolutely splendid.
September 4, 2022
I usually read fantasy or romance instead of murder mysteries or thrillers but the way the author wrote this thriller, I'm glad I decided to take a chance and read Dark Country. I've never been to South Africe nor do I know a lot about that part of the world but the authors descriptions of the area and the story made me feel as if I was with Esme as she was trying to find the killer.
This author had me on the edge of my seat everytime someone was killed, her descriptions of the grisly murders had me biting my nails as well as causing my stomach to flip flop, the details made me feel as if I was seeing each victim up close and personal, forever burning the imagine of every body in my mind forever! I thoroughly enjoyed this story as well as all the culture and history of South Africa. While I had some trouble getting into the beginning of the story, I was glad that I decided to keep going because before long the author had me hooked, I had to know who was committing these occult murders.
This author had me on the edge of my seat everytime someone was killed, her descriptions of the grisly murders had me biting my nails as well as causing my stomach to flip flop, the details made me feel as if I was seeing each victim up close and personal, forever burning the imagine of every body in my mind forever! I thoroughly enjoyed this story as well as all the culture and history of South Africa. While I had some trouble getting into the beginning of the story, I was glad that I decided to keep going because before long the author had me hooked, I had to know who was committing these occult murders.
August 26, 2022
When a corpse is discovered in South Africa, Esmé Snyder—an occult-crime expert—is called in to investigate. Esmé is the target of a cat-and-mouse game with a serial killer who uses the paranormal to do his bidding, with the intent of becoming a god on Earth. With assistance from her team—a brusque detective, eccentric millionaire, stoic priest, hawkeyed secretary, and handsome British forensic criminologist—Esmé hopes to find the killer before he strikes again. As the body count grows, Esmé must figure out who is behind the heinous crimes before she ends up the final sacrifice.
I enjoyed this one a lot. The use of South African mythology in this crime thriller made it different and interesting. The multiple point of views was done perfectly. The use of case files was the perfect touch to make it feel like it was real. I do not read a lot of paranormal crime thrillers, but this one has me wanting to read more. This book needs a movie ASAP because I would kill to see it.
I enjoyed this one a lot. The use of South African mythology in this crime thriller made it different and interesting. The multiple point of views was done perfectly. The use of case files was the perfect touch to make it feel like it was real. I do not read a lot of paranormal crime thrillers, but this one has me wanting to read more. This book needs a movie ASAP because I would kill to see it.
July 24, 2022
I enjoyed this book! The concept was fascinating and a cool new take on a horror/thriller novel. I thought the characters were great, I am always a sucker for a badass female lead. I absolutely loved learning more about South Africa and very specifically about some South African occult beliefs. There were parts of this book that were really exciting and sucked me in right away!
I will say that about half way through the book I felt like the pacing started to be a little bit inconsistent. Some sections would be fast paced and have me flipping pages to see what happens next, while other chapters felt a bit like they were crawling by.
Overall I thought the book was well written, Very well researched, and a fun read! If you are looking to read a horror/thriller book, pick up a copy of Dark Country for a refreshing new take on the genre!
I will say that about half way through the book I felt like the pacing started to be a little bit inconsistent. Some sections would be fast paced and have me flipping pages to see what happens next, while other chapters felt a bit like they were crawling by.
Overall I thought the book was well written, Very well researched, and a fun read! If you are looking to read a horror/thriller book, pick up a copy of Dark Country for a refreshing new take on the genre!
August 1, 2022
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review!
As someone who isn’t a fan of paranormal thrillers, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was very fast paced and managed to keep my attention from start to finish. There were a quite a few grammatical inconsistencies, but hopefully that will be worked out before it is officially published. I am not familiar with South African culture and mythologies. I would’ve liked for the terminologies to be explained a little more, as I had a hard time understanding what exactly was happening in certain parts. Some of the chapters were action packed but ended abruptly; these scenes did not usually continue in other chapters so you had to make your own inferences about what happened. Overall, I enjoyed this fast read and would consider reading any sequels or continuations in the future!
As someone who isn’t a fan of paranormal thrillers, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It was very fast paced and managed to keep my attention from start to finish. There were a quite a few grammatical inconsistencies, but hopefully that will be worked out before it is officially published. I am not familiar with South African culture and mythologies. I would’ve liked for the terminologies to be explained a little more, as I had a hard time understanding what exactly was happening in certain parts. Some of the chapters were action packed but ended abruptly; these scenes did not usually continue in other chapters so you had to make your own inferences about what happened. Overall, I enjoyed this fast read and would consider reading any sequels or continuations in the future!
August 22, 2022
I was unsure when I started this book, as crime thrillers are not my usual genre. However, this story sucked me in pretty quickly, and from there, I didn't want to put it down.
Set in South Africa, a serial killer seems to be on the loose. Esme Snyder, an occult crime expert, is called in to investigate. This is more then your usual serial killer though, this is a muti-killer, a man using human remains in a ritual to make himself a God. I will say that I wish there had been more information included about this, as I had to google muti in order to have a grasp on what it meant.
Yena, the killer in question, sets his sights on Esme and hopes to drag her into his plan. Esme, however, is determined to not let him win. What follows is a thrilling, suspenseful story that kept me on the edge of my seat.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.
Set in South Africa, a serial killer seems to be on the loose. Esme Snyder, an occult crime expert, is called in to investigate. This is more then your usual serial killer though, this is a muti-killer, a man using human remains in a ritual to make himself a God. I will say that I wish there had been more information included about this, as I had to google muti in order to have a grasp on what it meant.
Yena, the killer in question, sets his sights on Esme and hopes to drag her into his plan. Esme, however, is determined to not let him win. What follows is a thrilling, suspenseful story that kept me on the edge of my seat.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review, all opinions are my own.
September 24, 2022
📖 𝕖𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 📖
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚: 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺
𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧: 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘚𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘢𝘯
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴
𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨: 284
𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙜: 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘭 𝘑𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘴𝘰𝘯 - 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
*** Thank you to the author @therealmoniquesnyman @vesuvianmedia and @katieandbreypa for giving me a change to read this book.**
___________💭𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜💭_____________
"𝘛𝘰𝘰 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘴. "
𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙮 highlights the multicultural mythologies, magic, histories, beauty, and horror of living in pseudo-modern South Africa.
This story follows Esme as she works with her team who are trying to hunt down a dangerous killer. The bodies start to pile up, and she needs to work fast to catch him, while also fighting against all the other forces the killer throws her way.
This was a very haunting story with an intriguing blend of history and mythology. You become so absorbed in this book it is unbelievable. Monique certanly has a way with words because she pulls you in immediately in this world and doesn't let you go until you hit the last page.
The only thing I did not like is that some chapters ended abruptly without continuing in the next one. That felt kinda odd to be honest, because you have to make your own conclusions about what happened.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone in the mood for a quick thrilling story.
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
𝙏𝙞𝙩𝙡𝙚: 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺
𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧: 𝘔𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘲𝘶𝘦 𝘚𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘢𝘯
𝙂𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚: 𝘎𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘔𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴
𝙋𝙖𝙜𝙚𝙨: 284
𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙜: 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘭 𝘑𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘴𝘰𝘯 - 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳
· · • • • ✤ • • • · ·
*** Thank you to the author @therealmoniquesnyman @vesuvianmedia and @katieandbreypa for giving me a change to read this book.**
___________💭𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜💭_____________
"𝘛𝘰𝘰 𝘰𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘴. "
𝘿𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝘾𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙮 highlights the multicultural mythologies, magic, histories, beauty, and horror of living in pseudo-modern South Africa.
This story follows Esme as she works with her team who are trying to hunt down a dangerous killer. The bodies start to pile up, and she needs to work fast to catch him, while also fighting against all the other forces the killer throws her way.
This was a very haunting story with an intriguing blend of history and mythology. You become so absorbed in this book it is unbelievable. Monique certanly has a way with words because she pulls you in immediately in this world and doesn't let you go until you hit the last page.
The only thing I did not like is that some chapters ended abruptly without continuing in the next one. That felt kinda odd to be honest, because you have to make your own conclusions about what happened.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone in the mood for a quick thrilling story.
August 19, 2022
The setting of this book was entirely new to me as I don’t know much about South Africa and its many cultures that influenced this book. It was interesting to read about the occult presence and how each character responds to the supernatural occurrences happening around them. As a true crime & murder mystery enthusiast, I was fascinated by the exploration of muti-murders & crimes in this book.
It took a minute to get into the story, but when it got rolling, it quickly gained speed and the next thing I knew, it was over…or was it? Snyman does a great job of keeping the reader engaged and interested in what is happening in the book. I really enjoyed reading it.
It took a minute to get into the story, but when it got rolling, it quickly gained speed and the next thing I knew, it was over…or was it? Snyman does a great job of keeping the reader engaged and interested in what is happening in the book. I really enjoyed reading it.
August 31, 2022
Murder, mystery, mythology, all things occult and supernatural - what's not to love?! This was a very interesting read, it was like reading a crossover of Criminal Minds and Supernatural! I love the seamless blend of reality, fiction, and mythology it really set the mood for what I was diving into. I also loved that we were able to take a peek at the criminal and get an inside look into his perverse mind and tragic backstory. Loved how descriptive everything was including the more gorey scenes, but I'm pretty into gore and blood as it is so this was a given. I really enjoyed this book and the writing I'll definitely be checking out more of Monique Snyman's work!
January 12, 2023
I'm glad I finished this early this afternoon, if I'd finished it in the evening my dreams would have me in this dark place. Part of why this is more scary for me is that this is set in South Africa, with the people I'm often around believing this deeply, and that it is literally set around my place of work. I know these places, I ride the busses here, I walk these roads.
The story is very strong with complicated characters and push to know what happens next and how it ends.
The only negative I have is there was a section that was so similar to something in the Muti Nation book that seemed as if it was taken straight out of it.
The story is very strong with complicated characters and push to know what happens next and how it ends.
The only negative I have is there was a section that was so similar to something in the Muti Nation book that seemed as if it was taken straight out of it.
July 26, 2022
First off, the premise of the book caught my attention - supernatural, serial murders, set in South Africa. Everything about this excited me.
The characters were fleshed out nicely to where you felt you knew them in a way. There were some excellent scary moments, and fast paced action in places. The graphic description of the murders, and torture had me on edge. A heady mix of trashy romance novel sex scenes are strewn throughout, leading me to believe this would make a good movie. Dark, suspenseful, violent and erotic, it's all there
The characters were fleshed out nicely to where you felt you knew them in a way. There were some excellent scary moments, and fast paced action in places. The graphic description of the murders, and torture had me on edge. A heady mix of trashy romance novel sex scenes are strewn throughout, leading me to believe this would make a good movie. Dark, suspenseful, violent and erotic, it's all there
August 24, 2022
An atmospheric dark horror novel that covers cryptic puzzles, paranormal twists, the occult, mutilated bodies, Gods vs Monsters and sadistic killers.
Possible copycat murders, all set in the dry deserts of Africa.
An incredible and defined cast of sleuths, multiple murders with the potential of satanic panic of epic proportions sets the tone for this story.
The book cover art is stunning and promises dark and foreboding times.
A new author to watch for in horror.
A special thanks to Vesuvian Books for the this spooky advanced readers copy.
Possible copycat murders, all set in the dry deserts of Africa.
An incredible and defined cast of sleuths, multiple murders with the potential of satanic panic of epic proportions sets the tone for this story.
The book cover art is stunning and promises dark and foreboding times.
A new author to watch for in horror.
A special thanks to Vesuvian Books for the this spooky advanced readers copy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews