Dead by Dawn
Virgil Everness Book 1
Mistcreek Publishing
ISBN 9798270684730
ASIN B0FX1F73RG
This was the thirteenth offering from the pen of LaPoint that I have read. I have now read eleven novels, and two short stories. I originally read about a book a week and now have read all novels he had in print. LaPoint has contributions to 4 anthologies I have not read yet, but I will get to them in good order. The first of his works I read was a short story, Azrael, in the anthology Swords and Maidens he edited; the second was, Christmas Evil: A Heavy Metal Holiday Novella. I have just finished alternating titles in this series his Raven Mistcreek series the Dinosaur Warfare series. The stories I have read by LaPoint are vastly different, and each book or series has given me a greater appreciation for his skill and talent as an author. LaPoint came from a recommendation by Declan Finn, a few years ago I read everything Finn had in print reading about a book a week, I now have one completed that same task with LaPoint and eagerly await the two announced novels. And this latest did not disappoint.
The description of this volume is:
“The year is 18XX
The great frontier is overrun. Not by bandits and outlaws, but by monsters, sorcerers, and things that shouldn't exist. Across the canyons of Colorado to the dark, unforgiving forests of the North, America has become a hunting ground.
Virgil Everness doesn't flinch. A man of quiet faith and lethal skill, he and his wife pursue the wicked, their blessed weapons turning back the tides of Hell itself.
When every town is a potential graveyard, and the darkness comes in a hundred twisted forms, only one thing is certain: There is no place evil can hide from the aim of Virgil Everness.”
The chapters in this volume are:
File 01: Madman
File 10: Blood Moon
File 13: Red Dirt
File 16: Null Pact
File 22: Phantom Ridge
File 23: Dead by Dawn
File 31: Chupacabra
File 33: Fog
File 45: Dinner
File 49: Rattus Diabolicus
I admit it took me a while to get around to reading this one. When it first came out life was very busy at work, and we were in the process of moving houses as a family. Once I started it thought I could hardly put it down. It is a real page turner.
This story is different in that it is a collection of 10 stories or case files in the adventures of Virgil Everness. Everness has an unusual occupation. He is called in by Bishops, Priests or just stumbles across things that need dealing with. The stories span more than decade. Everness is a bounty hunter of sorts, but he hunts the supernatural. From the names of the chapters a few of the creatures are expected, some it is more cryptic at the beginning of the tale. Over the course of the stories Everness works with a woman who becomes his fiancée, then wife, then mother to his children. In some stories his oldest child even plays a role in the hunt.
Again I find that LaPoint has masterfully written the plots across these stories. There are moments of great intensity, and also times of reflection. I love the use of blessed weapons and ammo. In some ways it reminds me of John Carpenter’s Vampires, but Everness is not only faithful to the hunt but to the church and Christian living. The collection was terribly difficult to put down. Fortunately being a series of stories it was easier to take a break based on life’s demands.
This is what I believe is a new series from LaPoint and I cannot wait for more stories set in this universe. And I have already suggested it for my 17 year old son.
This is an excellent read. I can easily recommend this volume. A great read, that leaves you hoping for further instalments!
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews 2025 Catholic Reading Plan!
Books by N.R. LaPoint:
Dinosaur Warfare Series:
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Virgil Everness Files:
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Contributed to:
Fantastic Middle Schools 4
Fantastic Middle Schools 6
Shoot the Devil
Shoot The Devil 2 Dark Matter
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