I didn't refresh myself with the synopsis before I started reading The Gathering so I was excited to see there was vampires. I haven't picked up a vampire book in a few years and I'm kinda glad it was this one. The Gathering is an atmospheric (wintery and cold) slow burn of a murder mystery. It's the kind of vampire book where they are NOT necessarily the villains. There IS a lot of characters mentioned but it wasn't hard to keep them separated. Everything is wrapped up at the end but the groundwork was laid for a sequel.

If you liked Twilight for the vibes and lore but wish it had cut out the love story, wolves, and sparkles you will definitely like The Gathering!

An imagined world where vampyre and humans live side by side.

Tensions emerge when a young man is found dead under mysterious circumstances. Was it suicide? Murder? Did humans kill him or have vampires overstepped their bounds?

Intrigue. Religion. Politics. They all collide in this dark thriller!

4 stars to this unique, supernatural spin on the police procedural.

This book definitely isn't your typical vampire story, but in a good way. It is full of originality as it approaches vampirism through the lens of prejudice and discrimination. It took a bit of time to get into the story; there were a lot of characters and I had trouble keeping them straight at first. But the lead characters were well developed, especially Barbara, who I really enjoyed, and who I would love to see in a sequel, which is hinted at in the epilogue. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a fresh take on a murder mystery.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc of this upcoming book! Right off the bat, at the conclusion of chapter 1, I knew I was hooked. Hooked, line and sinker kind of hooked.
CJ Tudor is an author that had always been on my radar but I never read before. The book is written with such a fiery pace, that there is never a point in time where it lulled. This does have enough horror elements to it, to satiate my horror loving heart. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I will say just go in with an open mind and be ready to be swept off with the mystery of this Alaskan town!

I have been waiting for another C.J Tudor to love. As the last two were disappointments to me.

This book follows a more traditional and enjoyable storyline for me. A detective is investigating a crime that has happened in Alaska.
This small town is not used to crimes like this happening, and the detective must uncover what is going on, before the town loses it.

As I said before, I really like the story even though it was not anything revolutionary. I like the way that Tudor weaves and tells us a story.

Thank you to netgalley & the publisher for my arc copy!

The Gathering is an intriguing vampire detective story.. In this world, vampires live in colonies and are none to the world.

When a teenager in Alaska is apparently killed by a colony vampire, Detective Barbara Atkins of the Forensic Vampyr Anthropology Department is called in. The detective faces a challenging task trying to gain the cooperation of a small Alaskan town who are ready to hunt down all the vampires while trying to untangle the truth.

A really unique murder mystery. The town of Deadhart, Alaska grudgingly accepts the existence of a vampyr colony set up on the site of an abandoned mine on the outskirts of town, but when a local boy is found with his throat torn and his blood drained, the residents are calling for a cull (basically genocide of the colony). Vampyrs are somewhat protected and although they aren’t allowed to work or mix with general society, it is no longer legal to hunt them for sport and claim body parts as trophies. When there is a suspected vampyr related murder, a government official is called in to investigate.

Enter Detective Barbara Atkins. Despite the town’s pressure to authorize a cull, she delves deeper and uncovers ties to a quarter century old murder, a right wing evangelical sect, a racist group and an old boys hunting club.

An entertaining read. Highly recommended.

🩸🩸🩸🩸
As with my previous experiences with this author...I was expecting one part horror and 2 parts thriller. I quickly realized I’d need to add vampires into the mix, or should I say Vampyrs !🧛‍♀️

I was a bit concerned it wasn’t going to work for me. I’ve never read a vampire-themed book before and not really sold on starting one now. But, it found its way to my shelf, and I've been wanting to expand my reading... so why not!

And yes…🥁🥁 it worked! This is a tale of small town America living next to a Colony of vampyrs. Can they coexist? Or is one group bent on seeking total control, eliminating the other? Who will win this centuries-old battle?

In Deadhart Alaska a teenage boy has been killed. And all roads point to a vampyr as the murderer. To solve the case and bring those responsible to justice, Barbara Atkins is brought in. Not only is she a highly respected homicide detective, she’s also a doctor of forensic vampyr anthropology. (2 for 1…can’t beat that!)

When Barbara is handed evidence of the killing in the form of a video, everyone assumes it’s an open and shut case. Everyone but Barbara! Can she get to the bottom the killing before an all-out killing spree (I mean culling) erupts?

This was quite a suspenseful and captivating read and was pleasantly surprised how much I really enjoyed it. I applaud, and tip my hat to CJ Tudor for always writing outside the box and tackling something just a bit different! Can’t wait for her next!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group -Ballantine via NetGalley

The Gathering was exactly the type of book I have been looking for. Very suspenseful, with a great setting, interesting characters and many twists along the way. I was unable put this book down, and can't wait to read more from this author! Definitely recommend.

A murder with facts that don’t point toward the conclusion that those in a small Alaskan town want uncovers something darker and more complicated in The Gathering by C.J. Tudor.
Called to a rural Alaskan town to investigate a murder of a teenage boy, Detective Barbara Atkins must determine if the Colony is responsible for the killing and whether a cull of the vampyrs should be authorized. With the death of the boy drawing eerie comparisons to the last killing like this twenty-five years ago the emotions of those in the small town are running high and the residents aren’t taking too kindly to Barbara, both as an outsider and in her role glibly referred to as a Fang Doc, which they fear makes her sympathetic to the vampyrs; however, Barbara is simply determined to find the truth and hold the perpetrator responsible so when facts and evidence raise more questions she enlists the aid of the former sheriff, Jenson Tucker, who worked on the previous case and has been reclusive since then. As the pair investigate, they uncover the long-kept dark secrets of the town as the vampyrs and humans draw ever closer to each other’s throats seeking to land a killing blow.
Combining perspectives of a variety of characters to provide a fuller view of the situation and version of the world with a vampyr society beside a human one the story’s tension and intrigue is slowly built up as pieces of the mystery’s puzzle are slotted into place and eventually understood in context, after various misdirects. The narrative depicts small town dynamics well, with the distrust of outsiders loudly presented and deep-seated prejudices exemplified through both the actions and words of those in the town toward Otherness, which in this instance is vampyrs. Though this particular case seems to be fairly well wrapped up, there’s a much larger story to be told within this world and through these characters, which was hinted at throughout the narrative with portions of Barbara’s past and that of a trapped vampyr as well as with another inciting event to offer an opening for and tease of what Barbara might encounter next.
Overall, I’d give it a 4 out of 5 stars.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

WOW WOW WOW!! I absolutely loved The Drift by Tudor last year; so much so that I knew even though I would like The Gathering (her writing is phenomenal!), I wasn't sure it would be as good. OMG this one blew me away too! What great characters and setting. I could see myself in the town of Deadhart, cold and all. I could feel the tension in my bones in this small Alaskan town. What a ride this was! Suspenseful and thrilling, I could not put this down!! Bravo to C.J. Tudor for another amazing story!!

Detective Barbara Atkins is summoned to investigate a grisly murder in a remote Alaskan town where a boy is discovered with his throat torn out and his body drained of blood. Specializing in vampyr killings, Barbara holds the authority to sanction a cull of the local clan if deemed necessary. However, her findings in Deadhart unsettle her, prompting her to seek the truth despite the town's suspicions. Teaming up with former Sheriff Jenson Tucker, Barbara delves into the town's hidden secrets amidst a raging snowstorm, racing against time to stop further bloodshed. The narrative's exploration of vampirism as a recognized condition facing prejudice, set against the backdrop of Alaska's vast and desolate landscape, adds depth to the story. While the characters and their backgrounds contribute to the atmospheric setting, the excessive focus on Barbara's weight and self-deprecation detracts from her role as a skilled detective. Such characterization, applied to other characters as well, feels like a simplistic approach to portraying flaws. Overall, I appreciated the opportunity to review this ARC provided by NetGalley and Ballantine Books.

Sometimes a book surprises you, leaves your jaw hanging on the floor. This was that book for me. I had initially requested this title having read and enjoyed other works from the same author and because of that beautiful cover. But boy! I was in for a ride.

Following a cast of characters whom you will certainly come to relate with, this book is the perfect horror-thriller that brings vampires into the equation. And as is the classic CJ Tudor style, we are given a wonderful case study of the human psyche and how deeply bloodthirsty we can be.

A perfect five stars. This book is not something that I can recommend for light reading. It will definitely leave its mark and make a reader think about many a things. Truly, I am glad to have enjoyed it as much as I did.

I spent many years living in Alaska and the setting alone sucked me right in. Once I opened the book, I could not put it done. There were so many twists and turns and some surprises along the way. The characters are well written, and the atmosphere made this book even better. I would highly suggest if you are looking for something different but amazing. Thank you NetGalley.

The Gathering was a compelling dark telling of vampires and humans. Are the vampires the evil ones or could it be the humans? A teenage boy is found dead and the police will have to investigate to find out who’s responsible for this. Things are not what they seem and this story will take several turns before the truth is found out. Well done and worth the read.
4.5⭐️
Thanks Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley.

Wow, this was incredible. Everything from the characters and setting to the intricate web of deceit was so well done. I would die for a sequel based on that epilogue.

The intricacies of the vampyr world were explained in a simple way that flowed well within the story. It never felt like it was being over explained. The pacing was fast, but not too fast where it felt like you were getting whiplash.

CJ Tudor does a great job crafting a horror story that feels real. The Gathering is set in a small Alaskan town where ostracized vampyrs also live. When a boy is found killed with his throat ripped out, the people know that a vampyr is responsible, thus bringing in Detective Barbara Atkins who specializes in vampyr killings. While the townspeople want to call for a cull to kill their nemeses, Barbara cannot authorize it until she finds the truth since there are some inconsistencies in the killing, and there are definitely people keeping secrets.

I loved the dark, chilling setting of the small town. The town is filled with so much hatred and mistrust because you can't necessarily tell for sure who is a vampyr and who is human. This is a novel crafted for people that enjoy thrillers, even if you don't like a good vampire story. Barbara was a great main character, and I wouldn't be surprised if there was a follow up to this book.

4⭐️

After a boy is found with his throat ripped out and his body drained of blood in a small town in Alaska, Detective Barbara Atkins is called in to investigate. As a specialist in vampyr killings, Barbara is the one who can authorize a cull of the local clan should they pose a risk. But what she finds in Deadhart doesn't sit right with her.

Barbara is determined to find the truth, regardless of the towns suspicions of the colony. She asks former Sheriff Jenson Tucker to help in her investigation and the two uncover many dark secrets the town has kept quiet. In the middle of a snow storms, the two officers must find their killer before more citizens of the town die.

This was interesting! I liked that vampirism was a well known affliction that faced it's own prejudices. I liked the isolated locale of a small town in Alaska in the middle of a snow storm. Alaska is such a vast land where it's easy to hid the dead and that really worked with a vampire story. The characters were interesting and their backstories really added to the ambiance.

I did feel like the heavy focus on characters weight to be a a bit off putting. Barbara's weight was the main focus rather than her being a successful detective and Barbara's internal monologue was mostly talking down about herself. And Barbara wasn't the only character that we saw this with. Using the weight of your character to show that that character is flawed or bad just feels like lazy writing to me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for providing this ARC to me!

I really enjoyed The Gathering by C.J. Tudor. Dark and atmospheric, with tense situations and characters so complex that you never know what secrets people are hiding. Can't wait for the next one!

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!