I haven't read the SPECTRA files novels, to which Smoke and Dagger was a prequel, but I liked the cover so I wanted to give this book a try even though I had no clue what to expect.

It set immediately after WW2 and as such there is a lot of talk about communists and other un-American activities. The main character is the first woman allowed into some kind of Freemason organization and send to investigate a character from another organization, because he likes redheads. There is a lot of talk of the occult and an endless supply of arcane occult artifacts, be it daggers, mirrors or otherwise. Thrown into the mix also is a secret organization investigation the paranormal which is so secret, even its own members don't know what the acronym stands for.

While it was in fact an easy and not unpleasant read, I found the pacing a bit odd at times and I missed something that could give it that little bit extra. I only found out in the acknowledgements that this story is set some generations before the main series, but for now I'm undecided whether to continue with the main series.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

There is something wrong with the Wade House. Really wrong. For one, it is difficult to locate. It seems to hover just at the edges of your vision. Once you find it though and step inside, it has a way of manipulating itself. Changing. Rearraigning. Something ancient and evil lurks inside. And it’s hungry. It wants out.

After saving the world from the Red Equinox two years ago, Becca Philips and Agent Jason Brooks are back in action. The mission, to investigate the infamous Wade House with the help of their old pals at SPECTRA.

A very well written and entertaining Lovecraftian tale of the Old Gods and an excellent follow-up to Wynne’s “Red Equinox”. This is shaping up to be a hell of a series. Nice.

*I received a complimentary audio copy of this work from the author in exchange for an honest review.

This is a wonderful story in a modern-day Cthulhu Mythos setting. Lovecraft would have loved Mr. Wynne’s detailed descriptions of Boston. The author was able to capture some of the cosmic dread that Lovecraft was known for, while still having strong human characters.


***Mild spoilers ahead..big spoilers are hidden***

The book started off well, but I soon felt restless reading the first 90 pages of this 260 page book. While it seemed that there should be a sense of urgency to what was going on, there wasn’t. The characters and descriptions were fabulous but events were just meandering on. I was worried this was going to continue throughout the book.

At about 35% into the book, the action revved into 5th gear and did not stop until the last chapter. Looking back, the slow set up was necessary to build the characters and the events. I was rooting for the main character, Becca, and enjoyed seeing how the author showed her overcoming her inner doubts. The reluctant heroine grew emotionally from the events in the story and I loved that.

I was really upset when Raphael died. I was glad to see that Becca had some closure after his death; I needed some too! I loved the twist at the end. Does this mean there will be a second book?

I would have liked to learn more about the Starry Wisdom cultists, what drew them to the church in the first place. It seemed that two of the cultists were actually SPECTRA agents but their back stories weren’t fleshed out. The descriptions of Nyarlathotep in his various forms were amazing. Mr. Wynne did a great job expanding on this entity.
Overall I really liked this book!

I won a signed copy of this one in a giveaway from Douglas, so I was pretty excited that I finally got to it. (And I’m glad it didn’t suck, haha)

A Robert Johnson-esque tale of witches, Gods, the devil and, of course, good ole rock n roll. Billy Moon was going nowhere. Fast. About to end it all he is approached by an enigmatic record producer, Trevor Rail, who throws him in his ride and makes him a star.

Echo Lake Studios has a history of recording some of most iconic names in music and this is where Billy Moon will take the leap from great to iconic. That is, if the ghosts of the past and the demon in the studio have their way with him.

I really enjoyed this one from Douglas Wynne. Atmospheric and haunting with great characterization and a very entertaining story. Solid 4+ Stars. Highly Recommended.

Desmond's wife, Sandy, was killed in their own back yard by a man with a samurai sword. The killer is behind bars and Desmond has been trying to pick up the pieces of this new life without her and take care of their son.
On an outing to the park Desmond catches his son talking to a stranger. His son's explanation of the man in the mask,
and the conversation he had with the stranger lead to other clues that Sandy's real killer is not behind bars, and the threat to their family is not over.

This thrilling read raised my blood pressure for sure. I was split between credulousness of the boys grandparents and the police thinking Desmond guilty of planting certain ideas in his son's head and making things up just because he's a writer and has an imagination and being tense when everyone teamed up against him and there seemed to be no way out of his predicament.
This read flowed so smoothly and I was invested in the outcome of the characters. The villain, a cop who seems to have it out for Desmond, was frustrating to read. He was so determined to bury Desmond that he made some less than smart choices. At times he was a little over-the-top, but he kept the read interesting.

I'd recommend you give this crime thriller a try as Mr. Wynne tells one heck of a story.

*I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review*