Another great book by Tudor. This one was creepy as could be, and very atmospheric. I loved the Alaskan dark nights. A very good read. Probably my favorite by this author.

So, in the beginning I was a little comme ci comme ça on this one. It was giving vampires meet police procedural and I just wasn’t sure. It also irked me that these were *vampyrs*. I mean, in a world were vampires exist and everyone’s heard of them, just say vampire?

But before I knew it, I was in. I loved the lore that the author created about her (urgh) vampyrs and adored our main character. It got so that I was aching to get back to the book when I should have been doing other things.

After a little bit of a meh start, I was loving it.

The book is definitely full of chills and feels and I am so happy that it appears to be one in a future series of books.

I would like the next one now, please!

• ARC via Publisher

The residents of Deadhart, Alaska have an uneasy truce with the colony of “ vampyrs” who live on the outskirts of the small town. But when a young boy is found dead from an apparent vampyr attack, that truce may be about to explode. The Gathering explores the fragile relationship between the two groups, as vampyr specialist Detective Barbara Atkinson is sent to determine if vampyrs were responsible for the boy’s murder. At its core this is a police procedural novel, only with modern vampyrs (where vampyr colonies are a protected species), as possible culprits. The book clearly uses the “us vs. them” theme, and you can substitute any ethnic group for the vampyr colony, and those moral issues are prominent throughout, although they get repetitive. I’ve always liked this author’s writing, and this book is no exception, but the plot is a little muddled and confusing, and that slowed the pace for me. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House/Ballentine Books for an arc of The Gathering in exchange for an honest review.

This story takes place in Deadhart, Alaska, a small town where they take care of their own. Barbara, a vampyr detective, heads there to solve a murder case of a 15 year old boy. The town wants the vamprys held responsible but did they murder him? Barbara must solve this murder before the town takes it into their own hands!

This book reminded me of 30 Days of Night in some ways! This was a slow burn of a book. I was waiting and waiting for things to happen and once I got about 50% in it picked up and once it got to about 80% and the epilogue, I could not put it down! I enjoyed the main characters and how the story was written. The only thing I found confusing at times was when the chapter changed, it was a new narrator. Sometimes it was confusing as to who was talking. Other than that, I enjoyed this book!

C.J. Tudor's The Gathering isn’t your run-of-the-mill vampire tale; it's a narrative that will twist and turn through your imagination, leaving you breathless, and yes, a tad bit scared to glance over your shoulder, even in broad daylight.

In the frostbitten air of a remote Alaskan town, a grisly murder catapults Detective Barbara Atkins into a world where ancient superstitions and modern police work collide. It's in Deadhart that a young boy's life is cruelly cut short, and the evidence a macabre spectacle that points, perhaps too conveniently, to a colony of vampyrs living in the shadows. But in this biting cold lies a trail of secrets too deep to freeze, and suspicions too warm to rest.

Tudor's narrative skillfully weaves the eerie folklore of the Colony, a community of vampyrs, with an engrossing murder mystery. In the heart of a close-knit town where whispers carry more weight than fact, the author sets the stage for a confrontation not just between life and death, but between rational and ancient fears.

At the heart of the investigation is not just the quest for the killer, but an exploration of the very foundations upon which truth is built. Here, two figures rise to the challenge: Detective Atkins, whose professional resolve is tested by personal demons, and the former sheriff, Jenson Tucker, whose past entanglement with the Colony pushes the boundaries of reason.

As they sift through the town’s past, questioning loyalties, and braving the intense Alaskan winter that blankets Deadhart in foreboding silence, it becomes clear that the truth is not to be found in the facts but in the deep undercurrents of Deadhart's history. Tudor paints a picture as chilling as the whistling wind that threads through the woods, where each page unfurls a new layer of deception and darkness.

What makes The Gathering a standout in the vampire sub-genre is its commitment to story over spectacle. The novel relishes in the complexity of character and a plot as layered as the Alaskan permafrost. As readers, you will find yourself drawn not only to the central murder but the peripheral lives that teeter on the edge of destruction.

Each turn of the page feels like peeling another layer from an onion; it stings the eyes, sure, but leaves a distinct flavor. Tudor is a master of pacing, threading an intricate tapestry that quickens the pulse and stirs the imagination. Yet, the narrative never feels cluttered with cliché, navigating these familiar undead waters with unexpected currents.

This is more than typical vampyr story; it’s a reflection on the living, breathing apparatus of towns like Deadhart, where suspicion pools as surely as the surrounding terrain catches the softly falling snow.

Whether it's the first time you’re stepping into the macabre world or you're a seasoned traveler of such dark shores, The Gathering beckons. And when it’s all said and done, you'll emerge from this unsettling journey with the profound satisfaction that only a gripping tale can offer.

Detective Barbara Atkins is a vampyr specialist. She goes to Deadhart, Alaska to investigate the murder of teen Marcus Anderson. Many think it was the work of the Colony but Barbara isn’t so sure. Lots of strife exists between the town people and the Colony.
This was another excellent read by CJ Tudor. Totally different from her previous books. I was hooked from start to finish.
Thanks NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for this eARC that will be released April 9, 2024!

Barbara Adkins, a doctor of forensic vampyr anthropology (and there’s never any explanation for why “vampyr” is spelled that way) is sent to Deadhart, Alaska, population 672 (and you may feel like you meet most of them), after a teenage boy is found with his throat torn out and drained of blood, a suspected vampyr killing. It’s her investigation which will determine whether there is to be a cull, a killing of a full Colony when it is determined that vampyrs are a threat to human life.

The vampyrs have only been back in Deadhart for one year; they fled after an unauthorized, attempted cull when Chief of Police Jensen Tucker was at the helm. Now Chief Nicholls is in charge and the town is demanding justice. However, in Deadhart not all is as it seems and there are many secrets Adkins must uncover before determining what true justice really is.

I recently read Tudor’s THE DRIFT and liked it. Wasn’t sure about this one, but it was also really good. Lots of good work with the large cast of characters, loved the setting, and, once I got over the spelling (I didn’t get over the spelling) I enjoyed the never explicit comparison of the vampyrs to Native Americans. Recommended.

C.J. Tudor is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors; I read The Drift earlier this month, and damn though, they can write.

Perfect setting, top notch dialouge (especially from the main protagonist, Barbara), and not as overly vampire-y as I feared and expected. The was much more of a murder mystery/police procedural than your typical, tired vampire book. I see this appealing less to horror/vampire fans than to mystery/thriller fans.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballentine for the opportunity to read/review this book prior to publication.

You can really experience the dark and the cold of this town of Deadhart! And then you add in the Colony for a very hard to put down murder thriller mystery. Humans are very good at hating and discriminating against those that are different from them. The hate and tension is high in this book when Marcus is found murdered, apparently by a vampyr. Barbara, arriving as the voice of reason, and to figure out what the heck really happened ends up in going down the rabbit hole for the truth which goes back years in the past to other murders and crimes. Was it really a vampyr, or were they framed? Deadhart is not an easy place to live but I am glad Barbara (with Tucker's help) was able to get to the bottom of it.

This story flowed well and I really liked it. I also kind of hope there may be another book written in this world because it is interesting to portray this way of living with humans and vampyrs.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read an early copy of this book for review.

Barbara is sent to a small town in Alaska to investigate a murder of a teenager. This is no ordinary killing, the victims throat was ripped out. The question is was this from a vampyr from the nearby colony or someone in town. If you like the new True Detective Night Country this book has the same atmospheric setting, cold and constantly dark. The story was good and definitely did not expect all the back stories.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

I am not surprised how excellent this was, because for me, CJ Tudor always knocks it right out of the park. This is a fabulously plotted murder mystery, fraught with dark, snowy Alaskan winter atmosphere and there are vampires. What made this such a clever read is that the vampires were not there for any kind of glorification or horror shock and awe, they were there quietly, as part of everyday life and as a backdrop to the focus of the story, which is the murder. That is not to say humans and vampires get along, they don't, and there is a horrific history and tons of friction to create great suspense. I was sad to finish this and know this will be one of those books I wish I could read over again for the first time.

A unique and fascinating view on the vampyr realm. Are vamprys or humans responsible for a child’s murder in a small Alaskan town? It’s up to Detective Atkins to find out. I really enjoyed this book and the unique take on vampires. Enjoyable and interesting characters, plenty of action and a fascinating history.

I've been a fan of this author's past couple releases but sadly this title just didn't do it for me. I enjoyed Barbara as a character and the plot had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, the story felt really slow and aside from the murder investigation aspect I felt like nothing was happening. The book switched from different POV's but instead of them all coming together nicely it felt disjointed. I also would not call this book horror; as the vampires were not scary or gory. I think this should be described as only mystery/thriller with a touch of paranormal.

I really enjoyed The Drift by C.J.Tudor , so was looking forward to this book. It was an interesting read, written as a police procedural in small town Alaska, with vampires thrown into the mix. The atmosphere is chilling and creepy, and there is a whole cast of suspect characters that keep you guessing till the very end. 3.5 stars rounded up.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy to review.

This was a unique take on the typical vampirical story, pitting two groups living in the same area against each other.

In a small rural Alaska town, a boy is found dead in a horrific way. It’s been 25 years since the townsfolk have seen something like this… it looks like a grisly vampyr killing and there is nobody better to determine that than Detective Barbara Atkins.

The Colony, a group of Vampyrs ostracized by the town, have been living out in the woods and if it is determined that this boy, a member of the Colony himself, was killed by a vampyr, the more fearful members of the Colony want them gone for good.

With the help of the town’s former sheriff, they spend their time uncovering all of the discrepancies of the case. I really enjoyed the Atkins-Tucker duo. This was riveting. I loved the creepy evangelical obstacle we encounter and the procedural aspects. This was entertaining from the very start and one of my favorites from Tudor so far.

I loved it! After the first chapter I knew this would be an excellent vampire mystery. By the second I'd decided that it was superb! The author drops you in the minds of various people at different times so you want to trust and believe them but also not to. I'd certainly want Detective Barbara running the show every time. She stayed professional and fair even in her own head. Fantastic author.

I'm not a huge fan of vampire or vampyr books unless of course they are written by what is becoming my favorite author, C.J. Tudor! I could not put this down, This was a one day read.

Quick Synopsis: Vampyr's currently co-exist with humans but in their own colonies. There are laws in place to help protect them as well as to lawfully prosecute if crimes have been committed by them against humans. This is where we meet Barbara. Barbara is a detective with the Forensic Vampyr Anthropology Department, who is called to help investigate a murder in an isolated Alaskan town. Her job entails investigating when a Vampyr is a suspect in a crime and if a cull is in need. As can be expected she is met with hostility from the local townspeople who want a cull ordered asap.

What I liked: Basically, all of it! While we follow Barbara (who i loved!) we are introduced to a ton of townspeople and her interactions with them in trying to solve the crime. Each character had a distinct role and was written in very well. I love reading characters that are used for depth and not just plot development. Tucker and Athelinda were a close second, I loved their storyline and how it came together. There were so many layers to this mystery that just kept unfolding and holding my attention and surprisingly there wasn't much gore considering the topic. Which is good for me as I stated above the topic of Vampyr's isn't my cup of tea. Till, now!

I feel like Tudor is a very versatile author, with each book being unique and going outside the box of her previous novels. This one felt like it could be left open for a sequel and I would certainly read. Even if this doesn't seem like your type of novel, I recommend giving it a try. You will not be disappointed.

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

Detective Atkins is called to investigate a brutal murder in a small Alaska town. She enlists the help of a former sheriff to uncover dark secrets while trying to determine if they are dealing with a supernatural killer or a human psychopath. Their investigation becomes more urgent when another body is found, and they race against time to solve the case.

In this book, vampires are real and protected by the law, challenging our ideas about good and evil. There are many surprises and kept me interested until the end. It's not a typical scary story, but it keeps you engaged with its spooky atmosphere and discussions about prejudice and morality.

If you know me at all, you know I love books with vampires, so this was an easy 5 star for me!

This was an excellent crime mystery. I really enjoyed our "non mainstream" lead characters. A slightly, overweight, middle-aged detective ends up sent to Alaska to deal with a Colony (read Vampires) murder. And then chaos ensues. This was a really fun and exciting read.

I had previously read The Drift by C. J. Tudor and really enjoyed it, so when The Gathering came on my radar I immediately requested it. I once again really enjoyed Tudor's writing (she crafts a spooky atmosphere so well!) but the pacing of this book didn't work for me. I think I came in expecting the pacing of The Drift and The Gathering is much slower since it is a detective novel. While there are other POV's, we don't spend as much time with them as we do our detective protagonist but I appreciated how Tudor used the POV's to bring in the backstories or show us other things that were happening elsewhere in the small town.

I don't read a lot of horror novels, but I think what I like best about Tudor's horror elements is that they are the horrors of human nature. She has some moments of blood and gore but it's really the horror in how we treat each other that shines through in this one. There is a lot of thinly veiled commentary in this book that some people might not enjoy having to confront but I thought it was very fitting to use the vampyrs as an example of how groups can be pitted against each other by colonialism, sexism, racism, etc.

Overall, I think this is a well written book and if you enjoy slow burn mysteries with some horror/paranormal elements, I think you would enjoy your time with this one.