Barbara is a police officer who investigates crimes with vampyrs involved. Humans aren’t allowed to kill them unless they have been involved in crimes. A child is murdered in Alaska and Barbara goes there to try to figure out what happened. Not my favorite book by Tudor since this was less thriller and more vampire-y but it was an okay read for me.

I’ve liked some of Tudors other books but this one just didn’t captivate me like I had hoped it would.

Did not get to read - have way too many books on the shelf. Need to clear some out. Hope to get to this one in the future though.

CJ Tudor has effectively created her own sub-genre of horror, the supernatural crime thriller, and she has once again proven that she is the queen of her domain. The Gathering reads like the very best crime fiction, but exists in a world in which vampires and humans have achieved some semblance of strained peace. When a vicious murder happens in Deadhart (what a name) Alaska, the list of potential suspects includes the undead as well as the living.

CJ Tudor’s plots are intricately woven, and although the events take place in an imagined world, she doesn’t use the supernatural as a crutch to tie up the lose ends…her novels work within the real, as well as imagined worlds in which they exist.

Personally, I think that this is one of her best works. Highly recommended.

Set in wintertime Alaska, CJ Tudor’s newest book The Gathering delivers plenty of chilly atmosphere and chilling characters. Vampires and humans live side by side in a colony town, and this arrangement is not working well at all. Sins from the past are coming back to haunt the present and retribution has a long memory, especially when the wronged live for centuries.

I enjoyed the unexpected plot twists and the snappy dialogue. Most of the characters were hard and angry, and their tense interactions kept me hooked. I thought about this book when I put it down, and since finishing it yesterday, I’ve still been thinking about it. It definitely captured my interest.

My one complaint is that the editor didn’t pick up on British English phrases that aren’t used here in the US. This is a pet peeve of mine and I have seen it in other books written by British authors who don’t quite have the ear for US American speech patterns. For instance, a US American calls the knit item of clothing a sweater and not a jumper. A jumper is a one piece overall that a baby wears. And we don’t say “I’ve not…” , we say “I haven’t…” Little things like that take me out of the story and distract my attention from the plot.

I’m rating The Gathering 4.5 stars and I always round up.

Thank you Netgalley for a free ARC for review consideration.

I wanted to love this, but I got bored so quickly. I think it had a good premise, but I was not invested in the characters at all.

I truly enjoyed the mix of horror and mystery this book covered. It was interesting to see the small town dynamics and the vampire colony clash with this out of town detective. I liked how nuanced all the characters were and how fleshed out this town was. It was a very good read that kept me guessing.

The Gathering by C.J. Tudor is a chilling blend of horror, mystery, and small-town secrets with a fresh twist on the vampire genre. Set in a frozen Alaskan town, the story grips you from the start with its eerie atmosphere, tense pacing, and layered characters. Tudor builds a world where danger lurks not just in the dark but in human nature itself.

The narrative switches perspectives, slowly revealing a web of lies, grief, and blood-soaked truths. It’s more than just a thriller. It’s a story about survival, trust, and what we’re willing to do to protect what matters.

Creepy, smart, and compulsively readable. If you like thrillers with supernatural edges and morally complex characters, this one delivers.

C.J. Tudor’s The Gathering is a gripping blend of murder mystery, horror, and social commentary set in the isolated town of Deadhart, Alaska. The story begins with the gruesome murder of a teenage boy, his throat ripped out and blood drained—a crime that reignites tensions between the human residents and the Colony, a marginalized community of vampyrs living on the outskirts of town. Detective Barbara Atkins, a specialist in vampyr killings, is brought in to investigate whether this is a Colony killing and potentially authorize a cull. As Barbara delves deeper into the case with the help of former sheriff Jenson Tucker, she uncovers dark secrets that challenge her understanding of justice and morality.

Tudor crafts an atmospheric setting with meticulous detail, immersing readers in the chilling isolation of Deadhart and its simmering conflicts. The narrative explores themes of prejudice, fear of the unknown, and societal divisions through its portrayal of vampyrs as an oppressed minority. While the vampyrs are dangerous, they are also bound by laws that protect them—a nuanced take on vampire lore that adds depth to the story. Barbara Atkins serves as a compelling protagonist; flawed yet determined, she navigates the fine line between truth and community pressure while grappling with her own biases.

The novel’s pacing is deliberate, allowing Tudor to build tension and layer mysteries effectively. However, some critics have noted that the narrative occasionally suffers from an overload of subplots and characters, which can dilute its impact. Despite this, The Gathering excels in its ability to keep readers guessing with twists and turns that elevate it beyond standard vampire tropes.

Ultimately, The Gathering is more than a horror novel—it’s a thoughtful examination of hatred, discrimination, and moral ambiguity wrapped in an engaging thriller. Fans of Tudor’s previous works will find her signature style intact: richly developed characters, sharp dialogue, and an ability to weave social themes into suspenseful storytelling. Whether you’re drawn to paranormal mysteries or enjoy thrillers with substance, The Gathering is worth picking up for its chilling atmosphere and thought-provoking narrative.

Not normally a fan of vampire fiction, but this one was good! I enjoyed this ride and it seems like the series is starting, so that's exciting!

OKURRRRR, this book was a surprise and I will say that the surprise was unexpected! Vampires and a mix of mystery and horror

Might be bias because I love vampires in any form and I also really love an Alaskan setting. Top it off with a main character that is older - lots of great stuff going on here! Perfect quick mystery!

4⭐️

Solid mystery with some horror elements. There were a lot of characters with a lot of interconnected history to piece together, which made it a compelling but sometimes confusing read. The catalyst and final act conflict felt a bit rushed and lacked some tension, but overall things fell together pretty well. The atmosphere pacing, and structure were all excellent, and I truly enjoyed my time with this. I will read more from this author in the future - I even hope we get a direct or spiritual sequel after that epilogue!

Tudor brings us into this world where vampires and humans have evolved to exist in the same world, yet a select few humans don't agree that Vamps should be allowed to live peacefully in their own sects and villages. When a younger person dies and suspicion grows because it seems like they were attacked by vampires, hatred begins to boil over. As a detective Barbara Atkins is brought in to work along with the sheriff, she notices a few things just aren't adding up. Maybe there is more to the story, but it turns out this case is going to be like pulling fangs, when one group blames another and the puzzle pieces don't fit, Atkin's is going to have to really dig deep to find the truth. 25 years ago there was a similar case and sometimes folks want the past to stay buried and the dead to stay that way.

A whirlwind vampire noir that pulls the reader into some really cold, dark places. Vampires are monsters but sometimes humans are too. This is such an interesting take on tales of the undead, bloodsucking horrors that we've grown so used to. Tudor knows how to weave together a story that is both moving, tragic, and creepy.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a little backlogged with my ARCs but working diligently to get caught up. This was not at all what I was expecting from a book about vampires, but it was definitely something new and interesting. I thought it might have been too similar to other books I’ve read but this one stood out all on its own! I would definitely recommend if you like science fiction, vampire stories, and mysteries!

With so many wonderful books in existence, I don't often reread previous selections. I read this one twice! It is set in the dark, far north of Alaska which makes for a great escape read from the summer heat or when you're surrounded by winter yourself. The name of the small (873 living) rural town is Deadhart. It is located near a protected Colony of vampyrs.

When a murder takes place, Detective Barbara Atkins comes to town. Her job is to determine if the murderer is in fact vampyr killing. If it is, she is to authorize a cull of the colony. So much is riding upon her findings, so many people have things to hide. There are echos of a murder 25 years ago. The detective must walk a tightrope between the raging townspeople, law enforcement past and present and some downright creepy people.

This is a fantastic read with a fresh twist on traditional vampire lore. I would love this to become a series please!

Who was expecting this to be SO GOOD?! Just a raucous good time with some vampires! CJ Tudor delivers again!

The Gathering by C.J. Tudor blends murder mystery with supernatural horror in the small Alaskan town of Deadhart. Detective Barbara Atkins investigates the brutal death of a teenage boy, torn between suspecting a vampyr or something more sinister. The book's chilling atmosphere and small-town setting create a compelling mystery, though its slow pace, ambiguous ending, and complex themes may not appeal to all readers.

Tudor excels in world-building and atmosphere, though the pacing can feel sluggish. The supernatural horror element is fresh but unbalanced with the mystery, and some readers might find the vampire portrayal unsatisfying. The themes of fear, prejudice, and moral ambiguity add depth, though character development beyond Barbara feels underexplored.

Final Thoughts: The Gathering offers an eerie mystery but falters with pacing and character depth. While it may appeal to fans of Tudor’s previous work, the lack of strong vampire action and the slow buildup may leave some readers cold. It's worth a try for fans of supernatural mysteries, but don't expect a fast-paced thriller. I'd rate it 3.5 stars—solid, but not flawless.

I love C.J. Tudor, no one scares me like she does. Anytime she writes ANYTHING, I must read it and this was no exception.

You never know what will happen next in this book. Great thriller that is well written. I am never disappointed by this author. Always some surprised and a lot of twists. Great book!