Regard for the Living

Name: Regard for the Living
Price: 29.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9798888246900

✍️ Timothy M Savage

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$29.95

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A veteran hunts a replicating ghoul with help from a secret Catholic faction.

Kevin Maloney, an Afghanistan veteran and former Navy Corpsman, faces a relentless supernatural threat in Philadelphia. After killing the initial monster, he discovers the entity is reproducing. A clandestine group within the Catholic Church intervenes, guiding his next steps. The story focuses on his methodical pursuit of the new threat, highlighting the dangers of close-quarters combat against an unknown enemy. The narrative emphasizes the physical toll of the hunt and the psychological weight of the mission. Maloney must overcome previous failures to succeed where others could not.

Key Themes

veteran trauma Catholic secrecy urban predation

Literary Context

The narrative is set in Philadelphia, grounding the supernatural elements in a recognizable American urban landscape. It blends military history with Catholic institutional power, creating a unique tension between secular veteran experience and religious authority.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Clive Barker · Dean Koontz · Joe Hill · Thomas Ligotti

🩸

Horror Fiction

🏛 Koehler Books 📅 2025 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9798888246900

📝 Description: Regard for the Living

Timothy M Savage presents a gritty urban horror narrative centered on Kevin Maloney, a former Navy Corpsman and Afghanistan veteran living in Philadelphia. The story begins with an ancient, forgotten creature preying on vulnerable residents. After a chance encounter, Maloney decides to hunt this ghoul-like menace to rid the city of its threat. He eventually traps and kills the beast, though he nearly loses his own life during the confrontation. The plot shifts when victims begin to emerge again, suggesting the creature is replicating. A secret faction of the Catholic Church recruits Maloney to uncover how this reproduction occurs and to exterminate the source before it spawns anew. The narrative follows his frustrating false starts and distractions as he tracks the quarry. A tragic loss marks a turning point in his investigation. Savage draws on military discipline and religious secrecy to structure the conflict. The book suits readers who enjoy tactical combat mixed with supernatural mysteries. It may not appeal to those seeking lighthearted escapism or purely academic theological studies.

💎 Our verdict on Regard for the Living

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Savage delivers a tense, atmospheric thriller that effectively merges the discipline of special operations with the mystery of cosmic horror. By centering the narrative on Kevin Maloney’s methodical hunt, the author creates a visceral sense of danger and exhaustion. The integration of a secret Catholic faction adds a unique layer of intrigue, distinguishing it from standard monster hunts. While the pacing may feel deliberate to some, it serves the story’s emphasis on psychological weight and physical toll. This book suits readers seeking gritty urban horror with tactical elements. It avoids theological complexity for narrative drive, making it accessible yet serious. Those who enjoy close-quarters combat descriptions and supernatural conspiracies will find this a satisfying, intense read that balances action with dread.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate a fusion of military procedural precision and supernatural dread will find this narrative compelling. It offers a grounded perspective on horror, focusing on the physical toll of close-quarters combat against an elusive enemy rather than relying solely on atmospheric scares. The book is ideal for those interested in the intersection of faith and violence, exploring how a secret Catholic faction might intervene in occult matters. Fans of tactical combat mixed with supernatural mysteries will enjoy the methodical pursuit of the threat. It provides a serious, weighty exploration of psychological burden and duty, appealing to audiences who prefer gritty realism over lighthearted escapism or purely academic theological studies. The focus on failure and redemption adds emotional depth to the action.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Savage delivers a tense, atmospheric thriller that effectively merges the discipline of special operations with the mystery of cosmic horror. By centering the narrative on Kevin Maloney’s methodical hunt, the author creates a visceral sense of danger and exhaustion. The integration of a secret Catholic faction adds a unique layer of intrigue, distinguishing it from standard monster hunts. While the pacing may feel deliberate to some, it serves the story’s emphasis on psychological weight and physical toll. This book suits readers seeking gritty urban horror with tactical elements. It avoids theological complexity for narrative drive, making it accessible yet serious. Those who enjoy close-quarters combat descriptions and supernatural conspiracies will find this a satisfying, intense read that balances action with dread.