The Man Who Dealt in Death

Name: The Man Who Dealt in Death
Price: 31.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781955854351

✍️ Marlena Frank

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$31.99

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

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A werewolf detective and a blood-drinking card shark hunt a demon in 1893.

This novel introduces Colton Fen, a werewolf investigator, and his reluctant partner Rennick Dalton. They operate in Peridot during 1893, a time when supernatural creatures lived alongside gunslingers. The central conflict involves tracking a demonic entity that resides beneath the desert town. Mary Silva provides support as a sharp-shooting actress. The narrative emphasizes the danger of confronting a foe that desires to create minions from its victims.

Key Themes

supernatural western werewolf detective demonic creature

Literary Context

The story is set in 1893 within the old west of Peridot. It blends horror and gothic fiction with western genre conventions. The narrative explores a world where supernatural beings coexist with cowboys and gunslingers, creating a unique atmospheric backdrop for the mystery.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series · Kelley Armstrong's Darwin's Eagles · C.J. Cherryh's Morgaine stories · Tim Powers' On Stranger Tides

🩸

Horror Fiction

🏛 Mawr Paw LLC 📅 2024 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781955854351

📝 Description: The Man Who Dealt in Death

Marlena Frank presents a supernatural western in The Man Who Dealt in Death. Werewolf detective Colton Fen travels to the desert town of Peridot to investigate sinister events beneath its streets. He is forced to partner with Rennick Dalton, a card shark who drinks blood and manipulates illusions. Their professional friction threatens the mission as they face a demonic creature that slithers underground. The demon seeks to transform them into grotesque minions or add them to its disturbing collection. Sharp-shooting actress Mary Silva joins their investigation in this 1893 setting. The narrative explores a world where supernatural beings coexist with cowboys and gunslingers. Frank, the author, constructs a tale of unexplainable phenomena within this specific historical framework. The story focuses on the clash between human law enforcement and ancient evil. Readers who enjoy urban fantasy elements blended with western tropes will find this premise engaging. Those seeking traditional historical fiction without supernatural interference may prefer other titles. The book serves as the first entry in the Colton Fen series published by Mawr Paw LLC. It targets fans of genre-bending horror and gothic mystery. The plot relies on the tension between the unlikely partners and the lurking threat below Peridot.

💎 Our verdict on The Man Who Dealt in Death

“

🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Frank delivers a compelling supernatural western that successfully merges two distinct genres without sacrificing the core appeal of either. The dynamic between Colton Fen and Rennick Dalton provides sufficient narrative drive, while the setting of Peridot in 1893 offers a rich backdrop for gothic mystery. The book excels in establishing its unique tone early on, balancing the danger of demonic threats with the camaraderie of its flawed protagonists. It suits best readers who enjoy horror fiction that does not take itself too seriously and embraces creature features within historical frameworks. The integration of psychological horror with classic Western action creates a memorable reading experience for those seeking variety in their horror consumption.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who crave the grit of traditional Westerns but find historical realism limiting will appreciate this genre-bending premise. The book offers a fresh twist on the detective noir structure by casting a werewolf as the protagonist, allowing for unique internal conflicts and supernatural investigative techniques. Fans of urban fantasy elements transplanted into a dusty, lawless frontier will enjoy the juxtaposition of card sharks and demons. It is ideal for those who enjoy fast-paced plots driven by unlikely partnerships and the tension between ancient evil and modern(ish) law enforcement. The clear stakes and accessible tone make it an engaging escape for horror enthusiasts who also appreciate Western tropes.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Frank delivers a compelling supernatural western that successfully merges two distinct genres without sacrificing the core appeal of either. The dynamic between Colton Fen and Rennick Dalton provides sufficient narrative drive, while the setting of Peridot in 1893 offers a rich backdrop for gothic mystery. The book excels in establishing its unique tone early on, balancing the danger of demonic threats with the camaraderie of its flawed protagonists. It suits best readers who enjoy horror fiction that does not take itself too seriously and embraces creature features within historical frameworks. The integration of psychological horror with classic Western action creates a memorable reading experience for those seeking variety in their horror consumption.