4.25 ✨✨✨✨✨The Gathering" by CJ Tudor is a captivating exploration into the supernatural, skillfully weaving a tale of dark secrets, superstitions, and a grisly crime in the remote town of Deadhart, Alaska. Tudor's writing prowess shines through, making this novel a compelling read.

This was my first foray into a vampire-themed book, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Tudor's narrative prowess takes center stage as Detective Barbara Atkins, a specialist in vampyr killings, delves into the mysterious death of a young boy with his throat ripped out in Deadhart. The eerie atmosphere of the small town and the secrets lurking in its history add layers of suspense and intrigue.

The collaboration between Detective Atkins and former sheriff Jenson Tucker brings a dynamic element to the story. As they navigate through the town's dark past, the tension builds, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. Tudor masterfully explores the fine line between a bloodthirsty monster and a twisted psychopath, leaving us to question the true nature of the killer stalking Deadhart.

The snow-thickened landscape and the lengthening nights provide an atmospheric backdrop to the unfolding mystery. "The Gathering" skillfully merges the detective thriller genre with elements of the supernatural, creating a unique and enthralling reading experience. Tudor's ability to craft a well-written narrative while introducing readers to a fresh take on vampire lore makes this novel a standout addition to the genre.

In conclusion, "The Gathering" is a compelling read that seamlessly blends crime, supernatural elements, and an intricate plot. CJ Tudor's storytelling prowess shines, making this novel a must-read for fans of mystery, suspense, and those open to a surprising twist on vampire lore.

I like CJ Tudor. She writes solid, serviceable thrillers that can be easily digested in a couple of sittings. Tudor does some interesting world-building here where humans live alongside vampyrs with a Y. There is no glamor to these vampires, they live as outcasts in squalid "colonies" feeding on animals. The government offers them little more protection than it does to other wild animals and inexplicably does not take advantage of their strength, historical knowledge, or longevity. When a teenage boy appears to be killed by a vampyr in the unsubtly named town of Deadhart, Detective Barbara, a "forensic vampyr anthropologist" is sent to investigate. From here the story follows a formulaic who-done-it (with a twist of vampyric supernatural elements) in the howling Alaska wilderness. Cold, icy, and isolated seems to be the trope de jour in thrillers, and a similar setting is employed in Tudor's last book, "The Drift". The ending is ripe for a sequel, which I would happily welcome on a cold winter night.

Wow! I didn't realize I needed a police detective story with vampires. I have read several of C.J. Tudor's books, but this one is my favorite so far, I really do hope this becomes a series.
This story has it all, vampires, the detective, the not so friendly sherif, the bored kids, grouchy old man and the odd priest
We follow Barbara into Alaska to solve a mystery of a murdered boy . You can feel the tension in the small town when the outsider comes into town.
The chapters are short enough to keep you wanting more, yet long enough to give you details. I was never bored with this book. I loved that I didn't know who the murderer was till it was revealed in the story.
This is the perfect book if you love mystery, horror and a little paranormal.

Truth be told, I did not read the synopsis before I requested this book. CJ Tudor is an auto author, so I went in blind. I was thrown off by the vampyr plot, but I really grew to love it, especially when character stories intertwined. I love a small town story and I feel like stories in Alaska are having a moment, which I’m also really enjoying. The setting, the atmosphere and the darkness really added to the mysterious, ominous vibe suited for this story. In a small town, there were a lot of players, so it was hard to remember them all, so I didn’t relate as much to them, but overall, a really quick read that captivated my attention, with a twisty ending that satisfied.

Honestly not my cup of tea. I hate to say it because the book was an arc yet it didn't give me what I wanted in this type of story.

Refreshingly Unique. A little bit horror, a little bit crime, and a whole lot of mystery is happening in this vampire-themed story set in the small town of Deadhart Alaska. Barbara Atkins, a vampyr expert is called in to evaluate the unfortunate demise of a youngster. Tensions run high between the angry townsfolk and the resentful inhabitants that reside in a protected vampyr colony nearby. Barbara’s job is to determine the exact cause of death and whether or not to permit an authorized cull to remove any further threat to human life. Finding the true culprit, human or Vampr,  is imperative. Her ultimate decision could place a whole community in imminent danger. It can be hard to know which of the local hunters have colder blood . . . some are just looking for sustenance, some for trophies, and some are out for revenge.

I'd like to thank NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Gathering for my unbiased evaluation.  4 stars

Detective Barbara Atkins from the Forensic Vampyr Anthropology Department is sent to Deadhart, AK, after a teenager is killed in a suspected vampire attack. In The Gathering, vampires are a protected species, but the town wants revenge for the killing. But was it really a vampire who killed the boy?
This is essentially a police procedural with vampires. I wanted to like it, but it took me forever to read because I didn't find it that engaging. There were A LOT of characters to keep track of.
Also, I believe Tudor is British and, while this book takes place in the US, there are a lot of British words used instead of American words, such as windscreen, jumpers, trainers. It's very distracting.
Not my favorite Tudor book.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of The Gathering by C.J. Tudor.

Even though Twilight took from us, I have to admit, vampire stories are still pretty fun, or in this case, should I say vampyre. Add a frigid mysterious Alaska town, with even more mysterious and grizzled characters, and you have yourself quite the chilly adventure going. It sets itself up quite nicely for a sequel too, I'll I'll be ready when that comes out!

C.J. Tudor has thrown her hat in the ring of 'books featuring vampires' and bloody nailed it! I devoured this book and had a difficult time putting this book down. It was gripping, atmospheric, tense and well thought out. This hit all the bells and whistles for me. It is set in a cold unforgiving setting, is a police procedural and has vampires in it! Woohoo! I had such a great time sinking my teeth into this book!

Deadhart, Alaska.

Detective Barbara Atkins, a specialist in vampire killings, has her work cut out for her when the body of a teenager is found with his throat ripped open and drained of blood. Along with former Deadhart sheriff, Jenson Tucker, Barbara sets out to catch a killer! Was the killer a vampire? Did someone kill the boy and made it look like a vampire killed the youth? Whodunit?????

I thought Tudor did a fantastic job of nailing the description of the small town feel of this book. Small towns have a strong sense of community. Everyone knows everyone or at least knows them. Outsiders may be welcomed or viewed with a sense of "they are not one of us" or "they don't know our ways." Tudor brilliantly depicted the sense of mistrust the townspeople felt when Barbara came to town.

I also enjoyed the chilling feel to this book. This is not only from being set in the cold Alaskan setting but from Vampires and humans living near each other. But do they live in harmony??? They have an agreement that both sides have agreed to follow.

I was instantly sucked into this book from the very beginning. As I mentioned, I had a hard time putting this book down. I enjoyed the characters, the plot, the detective work and the many, many secrets that the town harbored.

This book also asks the question, who are the real monsters in this book?

As with Tudor's other books, this book was well written, well thought out, perfectly plotted, and paced. I enjoyed the mystery, the secrets, the mounting tension and danger in The Gathering.

Another plus is that this book is not scary or gory. Some horrific things do happen but not in graphic detail. I doubt this book will keep anyone up at night, unless someone is kept up thinking about how much they enjoyed this book. I also have my fingers and toes crossed hoping there will be more books to come.

Atmospheric, chilling, gripping, and so bloody good!!

4.5stars

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine (Ballantine Books) and NetGalley for this eARC. I have been a fan of CJ Tudor for some years and have read several of their previous books. I did enjoy this book, especially the alternate universe where vampyres and humans have lived together for hundreds of years. I liked the main character, Detective Barbara Atkins and the remote setting in Alaska. It gave creepy vibes and this would be a great book to read in the fall (or anytime if you like spookiness). The mystery kept me on my toes, and I didn't know what to expect at the end.

Barbara Atkins is a forensic detective specializing in vampyrs. She travels to Deadhart Alaska where a teenage boy has died, presumably at the hands of a vampyr from the Colony. The town is convinced it was a Colony member and are calling for a cull of the entire Colony. When more details come out possibly connecting this to a case that happened 25 years Barbara isn't quite sure a cull is the right thing.

I quite literally jumped up and down when I got the email from random house approving my request for this book. Thank you Random House! I've read almost all of CJ Tudor's books and I could not wait to read this. I went in blind, as I usually do and was sucked in immediately. The way CJ Tudor writes is what draws me in. She connects me to the characters and I find myself needing to know what really happened just as much as Barbara does. She has a nack for writing about the weird, the creepy, and the strange. For a long time now The Burning Girls has been my favorite of her books but this might just be my new favorite! If you love thrilling books that keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time then I highly recommend this book! I'm not sure I've read a book where my jaw physically dropped so many times. It's available for preorder now and releases April 9th!

First off- I have enjoyed every book this author has written and was so happy to receive this eARC! Thank you!
I loved this thriller- had me on the edge of my seat, never saw the twists coming, and really liked seeing how all the characters played out! Highly recommend!!

The Gathering

It hasn’t been since Buffy the Vampire Slayer that I’ve gone for the vampire flavor, but I was all here for it in this book! The Gathering is fast paced, intriguing, and the rural Alaskan scenery is a whole mood.

In a town that exists at the edge of a vampyr colony, a boy is murdered and the suspected killer is one of the colony members. In comes Barbara Atkins, detective and expert on vampyr killings, who is determined to catch the killer while maintaining the balance between the living and undead. As the story advances, many secrets of town members and a dark town history are unraveled. The story culminates in some pretty wild revelations leaving me shocked.

I would absolutely recommend this book for someone who enjoys a fast paced mystery/thriller and who is able to suspend disbelief enough to appreciate the existence of vampyrs in colonies just beyond our towns’ borders…

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy of this book!

**3.5

Enjoyed this one a lot! Tudor’s last book threw me for a loop and I wasn’t sure if her books were gonna jive with me anymore, but this one had all the things I’ve skeet’s liked about their books! I think Tudor writes very well and is able to fully flesh out a story, which bodes well for mysteries. Everything that’s happening seems to unravel seamlessly and there’s never any lull in the story. My only complaints with this book are that I felt it was very slightly too detailed at some parts and I didn’t really understand the perp’s motives, but was a solid fun time and I would recommend!

I knew I enjoyed CJ Tudor’s books. And she has done it again with The Gathering. What a gripping story with some colorful characters. I didn’t want the book to end (even though I wanted to find out what happened)

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

I really liked the way that this book unfolded. It was exciting and engaging and there were some very worthy twists and turns. Some of the action became a little convoluted, but I appreciated how Tudor tried to wrap things up and explain some of her choices for the characters. I would've loved to have had more with Tucker, his story was probably the most interesting.

The idea that vampires live among us in colonies that are subjected to laws and codes that were built for them by government agencies is a fascinating concept. I liked the build-up on this and of course, the very apparent analogy that this creates for our situations that are present right now can't be ignored, so bravo to Tudor for writing a book that has us looking at our society and what they're/we're doing to completely foul things up. If it wasn't for some of the unnecessary characters and lack of development this is easily a 5-star read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.

The author creates a vivid and atmospheric setting, transporting the reader to the small town of Arnhill, where something sinister lurks beneath the surface. The book also explores themes such as guilt, revenge, forgiveness, and redemption, as well as the power of memory and the bond of friendship. The characters are well-developed and realistic, each with their own flaws and motivations. The book is told from multiple perspectives, switching between the present and the past, which adds to the complexity and mystery of the plot.

The Gathering is a book that will haunt you long after you finish reading it. It is a brilliant debut from CJ Tudor, who has proven herself to be a talented and skillful storyteller. If you are a fan of psychological thrillers, horror, or mystery, you will not want to miss this book. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good scare, vampire novels, and a thrilling ride..

Thank you to @randomhouse, @netgalley and CJ Tudor for the ARC of The Gathering!

This was a deliciously creepy read, perfect for a long winter afternoon. It’s based in Alaska and has all things vampire and crime 🥶🧛🏼‍♂️

This book will be released on April 9th

3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
#cjtudor #thegathering #alaska #detective #arc #netgalley #randomhouse

Ok this book was creepy. I had no idea it was going to have vampires or I might not have requested it but I had read C.J. Tudor's books before and I knew they were slow burn mystery that I liked and this one was no exception. A kid is dead. Everyone assumes it must be the vampires because, come on, they are vampires! Right? Well, of course not right because if it was that obvious, it wouldn't be a novel. At least not a good one, and she writes good novels. This is creepy, and fun, and interesting. I wasn't crazy about the vampire bits but I loved the book.

with gratitude to netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review