Imagine a horror novel that combines Stephen King’s SALEM’S LOT with the creepy film 30 Days of Night, and you will have just a small “bite” of what C.J. Tudor has created in what may be her most powerful book to date.

The setting is a small Alaskan village aptly named Deadhart, where a 15-year-old is found with his throat ripped out and all the blood drained from his body. Those who believe in the supernatural might point a finger at vampires. However, in THE GATHERING, there is no doubt. Tudor has created a world where Colonies of vampyrs (as they are referred to here) live side by side with humans typically without incident. However, there are always going to be those who see vampyrs as abominations and are just waiting for a reason to hunt and destroy the Colony.

"C.J. Tudor has done stellar work prior to THE GATHERING, but this novel takes that bold leap into the deep end that I am sure her fans have been waiting for."

The situation in Alaska, during a particularly snowy and dark part of the year, requires some outside assistance to deal with the recent murder. This comes in the form of Detective Barbara Atkins from New York. Barbara specializes in vampyr killings and, after a thorough investigation, is the authority to officially call for a cull. This brilliant concept creates the framework for a novel of horror and suspense that blends seamlessly with the most unique crime investigation you can imagine. The result is a book that never lets up, with a feeling of deep dread and an oncoming threat of death around every corner.

Barbara is not necessarily welcomed with open arms to Deadhart, but Police Chief Pete Nicholls has to follow the rules and obey the findings of her investigation. However, it is pretty clear to him and nearly every resident that Marcus Anderson's death needs to be avenged --- especially since his friends were able to film his slaying on their cell phone. Of course, nothing is as it seems in Deadhart, and Barbara’s suspicions about the credibility of this footage is the first order of business she must tackle. Once she obtains proof that it’s a fake, she must move on to the next issue. It's no lie that Marcus was found that night in a condition that only could have been caused by a member of the Colony.

With pressure from the town, as well as the local reverend and her congregation, Barbara does not have an easy time focusing on her job. When Nicholls is sidelined with a broken leg during their investigation, she must call upon the only person in the village who can fairly assist her: Jenson Tucker, a former Deadhart sheriff. Tucker had stepped away from law enforcement and the village itself for decades primarily due to some unfortunate incidents that occurred while he was at the helm. However, he steps up and proves to be a staunch and valuable ally to Barbara.

The Colony in question is led by a vampyr who turns very young and resembles a little girl. Make no mistake, Athelinda is not to be trifled with. And all this talk about a cull might be bringing about a countermove from the Colony, which is known in vampyr lore as a Gathering. There have been bloody messages left around parts of Deadhart, leading residents to believe that a Gathering may be coming and that they need to have Barbara authorize a cull so they can defend themselves and prevent the entire village from being wiped out.

Even a suggestion of this mythical battle between humans and vampyrs is enough to raise readers’ neckhairs. Tudor handles it all so deftly while still moving forward with a mystery that needs to be completely solved in order to have any chance at rectifying matters in Deadhart. The story also includes some flashbacks to the dark past relationships between humans and vampyrs in the area that will force sympathy for the Colony and what some of their members have endured through the ages. It’s completely unpredictable and so much fun to read.

C.J. Tudor has done stellar work prior to THE GATHERING, but this novel takes that bold leap into the deep end that I am sure her fans have been waiting for. The atmosphere and setting are enormously suspenseful with a non-stop feeling of terror, and the worldbuilding she has accomplished by imagining a world where humans and vampyrs co-exist is indeed the stuff of nightmares.