Dead of Winter [Kindle Edition]

Brian Moreland (Author)

Book Description

A predator stalks the frozen woods.

At a fort deep in the Ontario wilderness in 1878, a ghastly predator is attacking colonists and spreading a gruesome plague—his victims turn into ravenous cannibals with an unending hunger for human flesh. Inspector Tom Hatcher has faced a madman before, when he tracked down Montreal’s infamous Cannery Cannibal. But can even he stop the slaughter this time?

In Montreal, exorcist Father Xavier visits an asylum where the Cannery Cannibal is imprisoned. But the killer who murdered thirteen women is more than just a madman who craves human meat. He is possessed by a shape-shifting demon. Inspector Hatcher and Father Xavier must unravel a mystery that has spanned centuries and confront a predator that has turned the frozen woods into a killing ground where evil has come to feed.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Dead of Winter is an exceptionally well crafted horror novel. The atmospherics are outstanding and the story offers plenty of surprises right up to its shocking and violent conclusion. Highly recommended.”
-- Douglas Preston, New York Times bestselling co-author of The Monster of Florence and Cold Vengeance

“A major new talent.”

-- James Rollins, New York Times bestselling author of Map of Bones

"Dead of Winter is a thrilling, wholly-engrossing read that masterfully crosses multiple genres and leaves the reader breathless. Moreland weaves one hell of a history lesson, rich with brilliant characters and incredible plot twists."
-- Brian Keene, author of The Rising and Ghoul 

Book Description

In the Ontario wilderness in 1878, a predator is attacking colonists and spreading a gruesome plague—his victims turn into ravenous cannibals. Inspector Tom Hatcher has faced a madman before, when he tracked down Montreal’s infamous Cannery Cannibal. But can even he stop the slaughter?
In Montreal exorcist Father Xavier visits the Cannery Cannibal in an asylum. But the killer is more than just a madman who craves human meat. He is possessed by a shape-shifting demon. Inspector Hatcher and Father Xavier must unravel the mystery and confront a predator that has turned the frozen woods into a killing ground.
 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 744 KB
• Print Length: 328 pages
• Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (October 4, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B005LYIDUY
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,184 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Deadly Winter 4.5 Stars October 26, 2011

By Patrick S. Dorazio VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition

Dead of Winter takes place in a fort in the Ontario wilderness in 1878. Inspector Tom Hatcher has been called in to solve a mystery surrounding strange murders involving cannibalism and a plague that seems to be turning its victims into ravenous creatures that both look and act inhuman. Tom has come from Montreal, where he dealt with a cannibal of a different sort-a serial killer who murdered street walkers and devoured their flesh. He managed to capture that madman, and tossed him into prison. Now it seems a new killer is following in that maniacs footsteps out in the backwoods. At the same time, back in Montreal, Father Xavier, an exorcist, has been called upon to cast out the demon possessing the serial killer that Tom Hatcher caught while the man rots in prison.
These two men's paths intertwine as the mystery at the fort grows deeper and more people end up dead or worse, transformed into savage monsters, both in mind and in body. It is up to these two men to discover what is behind the plague and stop it before everyone else ends up dead.
Dead of Winter is a horror-mystery that intertwines both of these elements with ease. The author also intermingles Catholic beliefs in demonic possession and exorcism with the traditional native tribal beliefs of evil and good spirits, and does so quite deftly. The interesting thing is that the way the story is told, the two elements don't clash or conflict with one another, but seem to make sense as a natural blend. Evil is evil, whatever it is called, and you need whatever resources you can collect to combat it. The culture, religious faiths, and historical elements of the story are well researched, and my first guess was that the author must live in the region, since he knows so much about its tribes and history. So I was surprised to find out that Mr. Moreland lives in Dallas according to his bio (though I suppose that doesn't mean he isn't originally from Canada).
I enjoyed the detail to which the characters were developed and the depth they were given. They are revealed inch by inch, divulging enough details that they kept me intrigued without revealing too much, too soon. The reveals are intriguing at each turn and the author was willing to give the reader a surprise with a startling turn of events fairly early on in the story. Elements like that are unexpected, but welcomed despite the sense that an author has zigged when you might expect him to zag. At least for me. Characters like Tom Hatcher and Father Xavier are definitely not cookie cutter-there are plenty of reasons to both like and dislike both men, and to really feel what they are going through as they face this nightmare both on their own and with the rest of the cast of characters.
I have not read anything else by Brian Moreland, but if his other works are this well researched and well crafted, I look forward to checking them out as well. Dead of Winter is a well crafted story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Horror read! October 9, 2011

By Leighanne's Lit

Format:Kindle Edition

**I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**

Let me start off by saying that there aren't very many authors that have made me afraid of sleeping with my back to the door, but that's how I felt when I was reading this! While I was reading I kept looking back, expecting one of the creatures out of this book to be staring me in the face. That being said, I really liked this book!

It is obvious that Moreland did a lot of research for this novel. There was a lot of research that must have been done on Catholicism as well as some of the Native American tribes that appear in this book. That's something that I could really appreciate. There are a lot of authors that don't take the time to research as they should.
With that, Moreland spends a lot of time giving his characters a lot of depth. From Father Xavier to Anika, all of the major characters, you really got a sense of who they were and why they were that way. You could relate to them and like them (in most cases). And then he makes the villain so despicable that you have so much hate for him, but he still scares the hell out of you.
My favorite part though, were the demons. He describes these creatures so vividly that I actually dreamed about them. And they're scary. Not to mention that there is a fair amount of gore sprinkled throughout this book, which I thought was fantastically executed.

Moreland does a fantastic job introducing the characters, making to connect with them and going through the story with them, making you just as scared as they are. There's also a level of suspense as you wait to find out where these creatures are coming from and how they are going to be stopped.
Overall, fantastic book and it was a fantastic read for October! If you love horror and don't mind gore, I highly recommend that you check this book out! I give it 4 out of 5 stars!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Dead of Winter by Brian Moreland October 19, 2012

By Lauren Johnson

Format:Paperback

Evil is coming, Brian Moreland makes the reader feel it in their bones through the descriptive chilly setting and depth of the characters. The suspense is ongoing throughout the story with believable plot twists, character betrayals, and justice. The story was well researched mixing Catholic beliefs with Native tribal views effectively incorporating both to ultimately fight the evil that is threatening them.

Realistically drawn characters, complete with histories, beliefs and flaws help progress the plot with their different choices and motives. While the urgency created for the reader with the fast pace of the action makes this a page turner.

I was provided a copy of the book by BTS eMag for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review - all conclusions are my own responsibility.

More About the Author

Brian Moreland is the author of the supernatural horror novels DEAD OF WINTER and SHADOWS IN THE MIST. In July 2013, Kindle owners can download a free short story THE GIRL FROM THE BLOOD COVEN. The free ebook sets up the mystery for his novella, THE WITCHING HOUSE, releasing August 2013. In December, check out Brian's latest novel THE DEVIL'S WOODS. You can find all his books right here on Amazon.

Brian loves visiting with readers.

Follow Brian on Shelfari

Follow on Twitter @BrianMoreland

Like on Facebook Horror Author Brian Moreland

http://www.facebook.com/HorrorAuthorBrianMoreland

Check out Brian's blogs:

http://www.brianmoreland.blogspot.com

http://www.brianmoreland.wordpress.com