Dead Of Winter

Title:Dead Of Winter
Author:Brian Moreland
Genre:Supernatural Horror
Publication:October 4, 2011

Summary:
A predator stalks the frozen woods.

At a fort deep in the Ontario wilderness in 1870, 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.

Review:
Author Brian Moreland doesn’t pull any punches. This story grabs you and pulls you back into 1870, at a fort in the vast Ontario wilderness. There is an excellent diversity of characters, and a great understanding of the people and cultures of that time. Indians, soldiers, priests, exorcists, cannibals, and one very sick serial killer. You think you have read it all when you’ve read as many horror books as I have. Dead of Winter managed to shock me over and over

Tom Hatcher has been asked to come out and investigate a series of very grisly murders. He has had much experience in this field, having brought the Cannery Cannibal to justice. Or did he? People are being attacked, murdered and changed into unthinkable creatures. Hope is quickly vanishing for the remaining survivors as people are slaughtered at a biting rate! Worse still, is that they don’t face certain death, but that death would be preferable to what they will become. An evil so dark, and so terrifying has every, single, soul in its grip. It is not going to let go!

Tom has already encountered great loss in his life, and is finding out that he still has much to lose. He is also having to open up to who he really is, and how he can use his heritage to stop the evil that is threatening his soul, and the souls of all he holds dear. You will be afraid with Tom, despondent with him, praying with him, and occasionally want to drink to distraction with him. He is a very strong character that is easy to identify with. Get the coffee ready and a candle to warm the chill that will overtake your heart as you read Dead Of Winter.