My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Aconyte Books for an advance copy about a small town, an ancient order and a new store that opens up and promises overnight deliverance of people's darkest dreams.

Arkham, Massachusetts is a big city with a lot of small town appeal, one that would appeal to merchants with interesting wares to sell, or give, in hopes of making new customers. Arkham has a large port to bring cargo in, from far places, and perfect to bring in items that one does not want customs to know about. A good rail system, a prominent university, with lots of students with disposable income, especially for the esoteric. Lots of places to buy illegal hooch, and dance the night away. Sure there are the old ones in town, those who don't like to see the town change, like the Silver Twilight Lodge. They like the way things are going, and even more old Carl Sanford, likes telling people what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. However things are moving on, maybe the old ways should be left behind, new blood might make Arkham what it can be. Though some of that old blood might have to be drained away. Herald of Ruin: The Sanford Files by Tim Pratt sets off changes in the world of Arkham Horror, changes that while interesting, could be deadly for many people.

Carl Sanford is at the pinnacle of his power. Fresh off his defeat of the underwater creatures who tried to steal his town away, the Master of the Silver Twilight Lodge is feeling quite good. Sanford has a new bodyguard, the brother of his last one, and a new thief-in-residence, Rudy who has stolen from Sanford in the past, but now is under his control. Until reports come in of a new shop opening in town, in locations that seem all over the city. An occult bookshop, loaded with esoterica. This is something that Sanford can not allow. Soon an item that Sanford has coveted, has been taken by a once loyal minion, a minion who seems enraptured by a gift from this new business owner, Randall Tillinghast. Rudy, Sanford's thief, has had dealings with him, and she does not want to again. To Sanford this means war, however this war has many fronts, and Sanford is beginning to wonder not only who his enemy is, but who he can trust anymore.

A really clever and fun story that takes the old trope of the store with cursed items, and expands it in many ways. Pratt is a very good writer, dropping little things, that suddenly pay-off later in unexpected ways. In addition there are many twists and turns, betrayals, and moments of just hey wait a minute, ohh I see what he did there. In addition, Pratt uses the wild worlds of Lovecraft to great effect, using old characters, races, and older worlds to really add to the story. Diversity plays a part, and not only is their one great female role, there are three, all different, with motivations that are definitely not the same, but unique to the characters. More importantly all these characters make sense. Pratt really does a good job of building them up, while leaving the bad guy as a mysterious character of great menace, power and threat.

Fans of the Arkham Horror game will get quite a lot out of this, numerous ideas for game play and a good read. Also, people who love adventure stories will enjoy this, as the writer really has a good sense of pacing, and putting clues together. I really enjoyed this one, and look forward to more in the series.

In his follow-up to ‘The Ravening Deep’ (reviewed previously), we return again to an Arkham ruled by magus Carl Sanford and The Silver Twilight Lodge. While we might think that this town, of all places, would be a haven for cults and secret societies, Sanford is determined that his is primary above all others - so when an apparent challenger to his throne arrives about his own Great Work, it’s time to take decisive action!

I wasn’t aware that the first book would continue into a series, and it was a pleasant surprise to be reunited with these characters again, particularly master-thief Ruby and the mysterious Warden of the Lodge. Tim Pratt seems to agree, as these two strong, capable women are by far the most sympathetic characters in the book, seeking to make the best of their situations despite the tricks and bargains the egotistical magi work around them.

Because this is a book about egos. With some awareness of Aleister Crowley and his ilk, anti-hero Sanford is (to put it bluntly) so far up himself that he can’t see daylight! Master of his Domain, he is so threatened by newcomer Tillinghast that he charges in to battle the new dog in the park… and it’s such a pleasure to see him taken down as a result.

Those caught up in this reflect the reader as they try to determine who is the right horse to back. Who is the lesser of these two evils? Both are power-hungry magicians, seeking to harness the Great Old Ones for their own ends. The citizens of Arkham are practically pawns, as Tillinghast utilises a ‘Needful Things’-style approach to corruption rather than that of an bribing mobster.

It’s a hugely fun ride, and I’m certainly looking forward to how the story continues in future. This book leaves a lot of loose ends and unanswered questions, but this isn’t frustrating, I’m glad to say. While we have hints about what’s going on, this part of the journey is about how not to take on a master at his own game, and how far one might fall if they overreach in their bid for power.

I was also left wondering who/what Tillinghast’s assistant Gloria truly was. Perhaps the most chirpy and efficient lady I’ve ever seen in a Lovecraftian tale!

I read this in a couple of days and am definitely all in for what comes next. An easier read than its predecessor, it dives deeper… and I’ve no choice but to wonder what the next book will dredge up.

Writing a review without spoilers is hard for this one so I keep it short. I had my problems finding a way with the characters every now and then, even though I loved it was about the villains. The setting was great if you like the horror and mystery vibes.

Pratt elevates a fairly straightforward story by how fun he makes Carl Sanford. He is a villain undoubtedly, but one you still find yourself rooting for. Eager to see where this goes next.

This book when I started reading it I was expecting more about the plot but then everything went perfect in this story.

This had everything that I enjoyed from the Arkham Horror universe, it had that horror element that I enjoyed and the writing style that I've come to expect from this series. Tim Pratt does a fantastic job in bringing this to life and I wanted to read more when finishing this. It uses the Arkham element that I wanted and enjoyed how good everything worked. The characters were what I was hoping for and enjoyed how they worked with the mystery elements. It was a great sequel in the Sanford Files version of this world and glad I got to continue reading this.