The Gathering by C.J. Tudor -> Starting March 2nd, 2024

[Aly]

Deadhart, Alaska. 873. Living.

In a small Alaska town, a boy is found with his throat ripped out and all the blood drained from his body. The inhabitants of Deadhart haven’t seen a killing like this in twenty-five years. But they know who’s responsible: a member of the Colony, an ostracized community of vampyrs living in an old mine settlement deep in the woods.

Detective Barbara Atkins, a specialist in vampyr killings, is called in to officially determine if this is a Colony killing—and authorize a cull. Old suspicions die hard in a town like Deadhart, but Barbara isn’t so sure. Determined to find the truth, she enlists the help of a former Deadhart sheriff, Jenson Tucker, whose investigation into the previous murder almost cost him his life. Since then, Tucker has become a recluse. But he knows the Colony better than almost anyone.

As the pair delve into the town’s history, they uncover secrets darker than they could have imagined. And then another body is found. While the snow thickens and the nights grow longer, a killer stalks Deadhart, and two disparate communities circle each other for blood. Time is running out for Atkins and Tucker to find the truth: Are they hunting a bloodthirsty monster . . . or a twisted psychopath? And which is more dangerous?

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At 10%: Intriguing set-up thus far. I actually forgot this has a community of vampyres in it! Perfect Winter read, IMO 🖤

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At 13%: ...the plot thickens. (view spoiler)[Athelinda seems intriguing. Interested to find out what happened 25-years ago and how Tucker was involved. (hide spoiler)]

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At 18%, or Chapter 10:(view spoiler)[ This is interesting. This sort of alternate pur world, where everyone knows vampyre colonies exist and the idea that hate groups and religious groups are outwardly opposed to their protections and rights. Very different from Tudor's other works. (hide spoiler)]

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At 29%:(view spoiler)[Mowlam's a little to smug for my liking. Suspicious as heck. Wouldn't surprise md if he was a Helsing leader. (hide spoiler)]

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At 31%:(view spoiler)[I am loving getting Athelinda's perspective. I am vibing with her the same way I vibed with Rose the Hat from Doctor Sleep, although Athelinda doesn't seem quite as diabolical as Rosie. Not yet, anyway. (hide spoiler)]

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At 41%: (view spoiler)[That freaking scene with Beau and Athelinda, that was terrifying 😳 (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

15 chapters / 26%

(view spoiler)[ I'm really liking this one too! it's so easy to read. I like the little quips about vampyrs and the quick history and information we got. I really like the details we got.

and I agree! I think it might be the younger girl and her captor (would it be the one who created her?) it sounds like she could lose herself a bit in that situation (or be vengeful)

but I wonder who did it or what happened to Marcus.

the ring, the tattoo, the hand signal. Love the ominous feeling going on here (hide spoiler)]

such a good start! I don't have any guesses yet!

[Trisha]

megs_bookrack wrote: "At 18%, or Chapter 10:[spoilers removed]"

I really like this part too! I also love (view spoiler)[ how quickly and easily she gave us a history of vampyrs. it was perfect and quick. (view spoiler)[

this one is so good so far! (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

30 chapters / 52%

(view spoiler)[ oh man. I'm glad she got Tucker to help but he's also a vampyr
and wait, I don't have any guesses who Michael is. Does he work in the bar? the restaurant? He's hiding among them, right?

and wow, the boys were really involved in a lot of illegal stuff in the town

and gross, the doctor was also involved

but all of this feels like the town is trying to get a good reason to attack the colony. I think it all stems back to that first death of a boy. and I think he was killed by humans because he wanted to be a vampyr (and was going to change if he hadn't been killed). (hide spoiler)]

[megs_bookrack]

At 47%:(view spoiler)[This atmosphere is great.
I am shivering -- not sure if it is from thd cold I feel coming off the pages, or the fear. Tudor has created a resl sense of dread and I'm loving that Barbara has pulled in the old deputy for assistance! (hide spoiler)]

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Trisha wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "At 18%, or Chapter 10:[spoilers removed]"

I really like this part too! I also love how quickly and easily she gave us a history of vampyrs. it was perfect and quick.

this ..."Yea, it's definitely easy to understand and get into. I love how Tudor didn't over complicate the background history, because it allows you to really focus on the mystery!

[Trisha]

45 chapters / 75%

oooh it's getting good!
(view spoiler)[ wow, so Michael and the dad?! yikes, didn't see that twist coming

and the girl being held. That wouldn't be Rita's house, would it? she acted so weird when Barbara almost went in the cellar

and what is going on with Beau. I assume he's a vampyr but maybe everyone doesn't know? their ability to blend is pretty amazing! file down the teeth and it seems like it's almost impossible to tell!

the hearts and pieces in the freezer was just awful. but where did they come from? have they already been killing vampyr's from the colony? if not, where did the heads and hearts come from? (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

I'm done! I loved this one

(view spoiler)[ that was so good! I never guessed Jacob was actually a vampire!
and wow, I wondered about the 'reverend' but I never guessed that she was enthralling them! oooh, another vampyr ability!

but that ending!! I hope Tucker stayed on, hiding he was half turned
and WOW! I want to know more about the house in Oregon and why the kids left a message for Barbara! I would absolutely read another one in a series!! (hide spoiler)]

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Trisha wrote: "I'm done! I loved this one"

I'm so glad to hear you loved it! I will come back and read your thoughts when I catch up!! xx

[Vicki]

Through Ch. 15

I, too, am loving this one so far!
(view spoiler)[I get the creepiest vibe from this book, but it's creepy in a good way, if that makes sense. lol I love the small town and though I've never been to "Deadhart" (thankfully lol), I have been to Alaska and some of the sights mentioned. My brother was married in Denali National Park, so I've been there. I obviously have been to Anchorage, a little town called Eagle River (not mentioned in the story). Anyway,

A little side note: Talkeetna is a really small town, and (according to Matadornetwork.com) a 'CAT' is the mayor. lol A cat named Stubbs, so that tells it all.

I was so creeped out by the little girl held captive and I wonder who her captor is and why she's being held. She sounds like a vampyr too. She can't be Athelinda, right? But I think that's a possibility, and maybe set aside from the main part of the story like it took place in a different time? I'm loving all of the little tidbits of info on vamps that we're getting that I've never heard before, so I'm getting a different viewpoint of them and I like that. I like Barbara and how snarky she is and she holds her own...good for her. I don't like how Nicholls seems to not have a lot of respect for her. He seems not to trust her expertise.

Marcus...poor guy. I'm curious to see what Barbara finds out after talking with the two boys and Nathan.

Oh, and I love the nickname of "Fang Doc." lol

I think Tucker is weird and I think he knows something but isn't saying what. And why would Marcus's coat have been hung up on his property? Plus, he found that ring, so I'm a bit suspicious right now. (hide spoiler)]

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Vicki wrote: "Through Ch. 15"

Oooo, that's an interesting thought on (view spoiler)[the girl captive being Athelinda and it being in an entirely different timeline. That would make sense...interested to see when that is revealed. I am in the 40% area and it hasn't been revealed yet! (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

I haven't had the chance to read any more, so I'll get to it today after my husband leaves for work. (view spoiler)[So there's been no mention of the girl being held captive yet? Does it continue to have her story in italics through the point you're at right now? (hide spoiler)]

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Vicki wrote: "I haven't had the chance to read any more, so I'll get to it today after my husband leaves for work. [spoilers removed]" Yes, it does. I got to Chapter 32 this morning, which is 54% and I just had a little section from her perspective.

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To 63%: I've lost track of the Chapters 😄😂 I am in the mid-30s, I think. (view spoiler)[Is the Reverend the one who had that girl hostage? (hide spoiler)]

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To Chapter 44, or 71%: (view spoiler)[so was that girl being held captive in the basement of the church and the attack was a diversion in order to free her!? (hide spoiler)]

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To Chapter 56: (view spoiler)[Shock and excited Tucker is actually a halfling. That's a powerful ally for Barbara to have in her corner. Looks like the towsfolk are after some vigilante justice come morning. This could be a bloodbath! (hide spoiler)]

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Finished!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If this turns into a series, I will be the happiest gal in the whole world 🌎

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Trisha wrote: "I'm done! I loved this one

that was

I loved it too!!!! I am over the moon this sounds like it is going to be a series!!!

[Vicki]

Through Ch 30

(view spoiler)[I had a bad feeling about Tucker from the get-go and I wasn't surprised that he's also a vampyr. I also thought Doc was murdered, so curious to find out if he really committed suicide or not.

I am also glad to get inside Athelinda a bit and find out more about her. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Through Ch 45

(view spoiler)[Oh, so gross! The heads and hearts scene...disgusting! Just awful! I'm so anxious to find out who the girl is now. I know the Reverend was suspicious from the start, or at least she was rather rude to Barbara for no real reason for a "person of God." (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Finished

(view spoiler)[Wow! This one was so good, and I'm not typically into horror genres, but this one was so different from others I've read, especially with Barbara being a specialist in the area of vampyrs. I never expected her character to be the role she had. Are there other books out there with characters with her career? (hide spoiler)]