I think one would easily be justified in agreeing with the statement that “War is Hell,” it has been attributed to General William Tecumseh Sherman, who represented armies for the Union side of the horrendous and bloodied Civil War, it was spoken to the graduating class of cadets at Michigan Military Academy (June 19, 1879). Now why do I mention and reference this quote, because the story in Christopher Michael Blake’s Prey for Dawn has a chilling tale, concerning the Walnford Plantation, a place where long since forgotten but most except the dead and a few others, where horrific battles happened. The war brought many atrocities committed on both sides likely many of the omitted to any living soul, but the dead don’t forget; the haunting ways transcend time. Unlike other book reviews, this shall be a tad shorter, as the plot developments and twists stay buried long enough to intrigue the reader, however one misstep to spoil the novel for other avid readers is something I am strongly going to avoid. Except for these initial items, first the all important but curious letter found in Chapter 7, which hints to possibility of Confederate lost gold enough to get the greediest to squandered time and effort, but that there’s a deeper issue going with those involved. One thing I thought was interesting, early on involving the character Jason, that he believed in the so-called fact that Confederacy was preparing to offer gold to France to enter the war to fight on their behalf, which in reality never would have happened. The curious reason, institution of slavery was illegal in France as well as Britain, hence a comprising reason for neutral standings. However, that is not all that is happening in this book, we have and adulterous relationship that started as a summer fling but now progressed much further, into a murderous mindset, then there’s a former police detective, working as an independent investigator that has eager taste for the bottle (which is a little too cliché) but hired to locate a few missing persons, the search area is vast, many states. Either these or others shall arrive at this sinister plantation at or near the same time, leading to thew wonderful intersecting of multiple subset plot stories, it’s similar to layering a mystery, think of Knives Out [2019] meets Ready or Not [2019], as there is still a maze that occurs in later chapters, and brings the conclusion to solid ending.
Oh, the by the way did I mention the monsters? Really creatures… well you’ll find out.
I like how Blake made sure some very little details matched up with historical facts, for example with the letter in Chapter 7, dated 1865, noting the fall of Richmond, Virginia and recaptured by Union armies, if some do know or recall that was in April of that year; it allows for the letter to have additional layer of detail. Although, if wasn’t aware of those little aspects of history, the author makes sure to deliver enough quality details to the reader so that they can develop their own visual picture.
In addition, Mr. Blake is often found at horror conventions, as to meet his fans in personal and an excellent opportunity to either have the author sign your book or purchase his novels.
Title: Prey for Dawn
Author: Christopher Michael Blake
Publisher: Breaking Rules Publishing
Release Date: 2021
Pages: 197
ISBN: 979-8490551492
Reviewed Format: Paperback
You can find the book through third party trough Amazon:
Paperback book:
https://www.amazon.com/Prey-Dawn-Christopher-Michael-Blake/dp/B09HJ8VRX5
Kindle eBook:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6JC9NY6/
Author and Book Links:
https://christophermichaelblake.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Christopher.Michael.Blake.9862
https://twitter.com/ChrisMblake77
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-michael-blake-155023223/