🕯️ Supernatural

D.R.E.X. Blackout

✍️ Natasha Bennett
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$13.95
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A grieving widower joins a secret monster-hunting group to solve his wife's murder.

Matthew Burke loses everything when his family is killed and he is imprisoned. His sudden release with cash hints at a larger conspiracy. He discovers his late wife was part of D.R.E.X., a disbanded unit that hunted supernatural beings. Her death coincides with her attempt to reconnect with the group. Burke teams up with surviving members to track a new threat in France. The investigation exposes deep secrets and betrayals within the organization. Trust is a luxury they cannot afford. The narrative follows their dangerous quest for truth. Bennett uses this premise to explore themes of justice and identity. The story balances personal grief with supernatural action. It offers a fresh take on the monster-hunting genre by focusing on the aftermath of violence. Readers interested in complex characters and moral ambiguity will appreciate the depth.

Key Themes
supernatural hunting legal injustice grief and revenge
Literary Context

Published in 2017 by Dark Recesses Press, this work fits into the modern horror thriller genre. It draws on traditions of secret societies and urban fantasy. The story bridges contemporary legal drama with supernatural fiction. Bennett’s background influences the procedural tone. The setting moves from American prisons to French locations.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Joe Hill · Paul Tremblay · Simon Kernick
🕯️
Supernatural
🏛 Dark Recesses Press 📅 2017 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781988837000

📝 Description: D.R.E.X. Blackout

Matthew Burke faces a nightmare after his family is murdered. He is arrested, sentenced to life, then mysteriously released with money. This sudden freedom forces him to investigate. He finds old documents revealing his wife belonged to D. R. E. X., an organization that hunted supernatural creatures. Although the group was shut down years ago, she was killed just as she tried to contact them. Burke joins the remnants of this former team to follow clues to France. The story follows their investigation into a new problem arising there. As they dig deeper, trust becomes scarce. Bennett writes this tale of grief and conspiracy. The narrative focuses on legal injustice and hidden histories. It suits readers who enjoy procedural mysteries mixed with supernatural elements. Those seeking pure romance or lighthearted adventure will find little here. The plot relies on the tension between legal guilt and factual innocence. Burke must navigate a world where the law failed him. He confronts the reality that his wife’s death was not random. The investigation reveals layers of deception within the hunting organization. Each clue brings more danger than clarity. The setting shifts from prison to the streets of France. Characters must decide who is truly enemy and who is ally. The story ends with questions about loyalty and survival. Bennett structures the plot around Burke’s reluctant entry into a secret war. The pacing moves from confusion to urgent action. Readers will find a gritty look at loss and retribution. The supernatural elements are grounded in bureaucratic history. This approach creates a unique atmosphere of paranoia. The book appeals to fans of dark, character-driven thrillers.

💎 Our verdict on D.R.E.X. Blackout

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Bennett successfully merges the procedural mystery with supernatural horror, creating a tense atmosphere defined by betrayal and grief. The narrative shines in its examination of trust as a luxury, forcing characters to question allies amidst deception. While it lacks lighthearted adventure, it delivers substantial depth for those interested in legal injustice and conspiracy. The shift from prison to France adds geographical stakes to the psychological turmoil. This is a solid choice for readers who enjoy dark fantasy with a focus on moral complexity rather than pure action. It stands out by exploring the aftermath of violence through a lens of identity and survival.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

This book offers a compelling exploration of grief and identity for those who prefer complex characters over simple heroics. Readers seeking moral ambiguity will appreciate how the narrative balances personal loss with supernatural action. It is ideal for fans of procedural mysteries mixed with horror elements, as it examines legal injustice and hidden histories. Those willing to navigate tension between legal guilt and factual innocence will find depth in Burke’s journey. The story rewards patience with a fresh take on the genre, focusing on the dangerous quest for truth rather than immediate resolution.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Bennett successfully merges the procedural mystery with supernatural horror, creating a tense atmosphere defined by betrayal and grief. The narrative shines in its examination of trust as a luxury, forcing characters to question allies amidst deception. While it lacks lighthearted adventure, it delivers substantial depth for those interested in legal injustice and conspiracy. The shift from prison to France adds geographical stakes to the psychological turmoil. This is a solid choice for readers who enjoy dark fantasy with a focus on moral complexity rather than pure action. It stands out by exploring the aftermath of violence through a lens of identity and survival.

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