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Campaign Trilogy #1
The Lesser of Two Evils
Davis Briggs moved out of Austin to get away from the the horrors of his old life as a homocide detective, and Devine Texas seemed like the perfect place to make a new life for himself. But the murder of a young boy destroys his hopes of a quiet life as a deputy of the tiny town's police force. With every passing day, another child dies, and Davis finds himself unable to locate any clues as to the killer's identity. His only leads in the case are Wendy Stoffel, a local girl infamous for her nasty temper and shoplifting habits, and Jobe McKenzie, a drifter who just happens to have appeared in town on a "vacation" the same day that the murders begin. Jobe seemingly has a lock clad alibi for every murder, while Wendy seems intent on hunting down the killer herself. And somewhere in Devine, the real killer is quickly seeking out their next victim.
- GenresHorror
184 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2007
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 10, 2009
The Lesser of Two Evils is a perfect example of why readers shouldn't dismiss every book with a self-published label.
Davis Briggs, sheriff of the small Texas town of Devine has a hell of a mess on his hands when children start showing up dead and a drifter and a thirteen year old psychic seem to be the only ones who can help. Jobe, not the typical hero, comes to Devine via possibly divine intervention (haha, get it?), not just because he's laying low from his last botched bombing which killed more than just the cop it was intended for. Meanwhile, Wendy, thirteen and already having faced more reality than most people do in their lives, is trying to keep her brother alive, and be the parent while her actual parents are out of town on a job. She's the first to sense a supernatural doom descend on the town and has to convince Davis to trust her instincts before more lives are lost. And when things start to get real bad she and Jobe must team up to take down the killer.
The Lesser of Two Evils is a well paced serial killer story with strong, unique characters. It combines science and fantasy in explaining the paranormal aspects of the plot. The antiheroes rule the show, sharing their own twisted pasts, morals and going through an emotional shift to become something else. While much of the book isn't graphic there are spectacular murders and an unrelenting, unstoppable killer than keeps the readers swept away for all 363 pages.
An example of "the cream that rises to the top" of the self publishing world, The Lesser of Two Evils is definitely on the Buy list.
Davis Briggs, sheriff of the small Texas town of Devine has a hell of a mess on his hands when children start showing up dead and a drifter and a thirteen year old psychic seem to be the only ones who can help. Jobe, not the typical hero, comes to Devine via possibly divine intervention (haha, get it?), not just because he's laying low from his last botched bombing which killed more than just the cop it was intended for. Meanwhile, Wendy, thirteen and already having faced more reality than most people do in their lives, is trying to keep her brother alive, and be the parent while her actual parents are out of town on a job. She's the first to sense a supernatural doom descend on the town and has to convince Davis to trust her instincts before more lives are lost. And when things start to get real bad she and Jobe must team up to take down the killer.
The Lesser of Two Evils is a well paced serial killer story with strong, unique characters. It combines science and fantasy in explaining the paranormal aspects of the plot. The antiheroes rule the show, sharing their own twisted pasts, morals and going through an emotional shift to become something else. While much of the book isn't graphic there are spectacular murders and an unrelenting, unstoppable killer than keeps the readers swept away for all 363 pages.
An example of "the cream that rises to the top" of the self publishing world, The Lesser of Two Evils is definitely on the Buy list.
June 10, 2021
Loved it!
I actually live in the town of Devine, Texas. I was told about this book and decided to purchase and read it. I loved it. I couldn't put it down! The suspense really kept my attention. I couldn't wait to find out "whodunit". The author's detailed descriptions of street names and locations made me feel like I was part of the story since the actual street names and buildings really do exist in Devine. If she wrote another short story mystery with a setting in Devine, I would absolutely read that one too. Great job Zoe! Keep up the good work. Can't wait to read your other works! Go Warhorses!!
I actually live in the town of Devine, Texas. I was told about this book and decided to purchase and read it. I loved it. I couldn't put it down! The suspense really kept my attention. I couldn't wait to find out "whodunit". The author's detailed descriptions of street names and locations made me feel like I was part of the story since the actual street names and buildings really do exist in Devine. If she wrote another short story mystery with a setting in Devine, I would absolutely read that one too. Great job Zoe! Keep up the good work. Can't wait to read your other works! Go Warhorses!!
July 6, 2011
I didn't start reading this book as soon as I bought it. I've read other books by this author and I had a feeling that it might be a bit hard to put it down once started. I was wrong, it wasn't just hard to put down,it was almost impossible. I would classify this as crime/mystery/thriller and I consider it different from the other books by Ms Whitten that I have read because of that classification. What this book has in common with the other books by this author is the high standard of writing, the well thought out and interesting characters and the gripping story line, to which there is always an added ingredient, or twist if you prefer. Two of the most intriguing characters in this book are not mentioned in the synopsis above, and I won't tell you more about them as I don't want to give spoilers here. Unlike some authors Ms Whitten does not leave you hanging in suspense at the end of a book , she neatly ties up the loose ends and leaves you quite content to finally put the book down. Having said that,the characters here are so good that I want to know where they go next,so I've bought "Trail of Madness" already and I'm trying to resist starting it until I have a free weekend so that I don't have to put it down before I finish it
March 17, 2011
It should be noted that many problems I had with the book were self inflicted. Never read the first book of a series after having read some later short stories in that series. I found myself with more questions than answers in some cases, but that is good since this is the first book in a trilogy. I also had a bit of a problem with the amount of 'purple' prose in this volume, but that is where reading some of the author's later work pays off. It appears that this just really occurs in her early work.
Overall, the story was interesting and kept me turning the pages. I like the character of Jobe a lot. I look forward to reading more about him as the series progresses. This book was a very enjoyable read and even some early flaws make the polished facets just shine that much brighter.
Overall, the story was interesting and kept me turning the pages. I like the character of Jobe a lot. I look forward to reading more about him as the series progresses. This book was a very enjoyable read and even some early flaws make the polished facets just shine that much brighter.
August 19, 2009
I listened to Zoe reading parts of this book in Second Life one year ago and I have been intrigued ever since. Finally I clicked the order from Amazon and I am happy I have read it. It is a great book and the characters, all portraied in different shades of grey, are believable - even if supernatural plays a big part in the story - and easy to care for. In fact, I moved the follow-up, Trail of Madness, up the ladder of the books to read, to see what happens next ;)
Anybody liking mistery and horror should read it
It was funny to realize - once I completed - it that I read it in the same days of August the action took place. It was not intended :)
Anybody liking mistery and horror should read it
It was funny to realize - once I completed - it that I read it in the same days of August the action took place. It was not intended :)
July 18, 2011
OK - so this book is a perfect example of how there are some indie books out there, self-pubbed that are just as good or better than publisher backed books.
I don't usually like horror or crime drama, but this book manages to mix those two things with the supernatural, and be gritty, believable (you know what I mean!), and exciting/scary.
The writing is just... amazing. I loved the prose, the pacing, the characters (especially), and the book is so ingeniously original for a book that has a serial killer.
Some of my favorite bits are the anti-hero quality of the leads, how no one is safe, and I really did not see the ending coming at all.
I don't usually like horror or crime drama, but this book manages to mix those two things with the supernatural, and be gritty, believable (you know what I mean!), and exciting/scary.
The writing is just... amazing. I loved the prose, the pacing, the characters (especially), and the book is so ingeniously original for a book that has a serial killer.
Some of my favorite bits are the anti-hero quality of the leads, how no one is safe, and I really did not see the ending coming at all.
October 26, 2011
Fast-paced, rollicking, horrific ride.
Super characterizations, a lot of unexpected twists, and just a totally absorbing read.
I 'know' Zoe via Twitter. Purchased the ebook after reading the sample.
Super characterizations, a lot of unexpected twists, and just a totally absorbing read.
I 'know' Zoe via Twitter. Purchased the ebook after reading the sample.
January 25, 2016
This one gripped me once it got going and the ending took me for a real surprise, way to go Zoe. It was curious and interesting the whole way.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews