Hounds of the Underworld: The Path of Ra, Book 1
Raw Dog Screaming,
$14.95 trade paper (204p)
$14.95 trade paper (204p)
ISBN 978-1-9357389-6-1
FTC: Reviewed for Raw Dog Screaming, Early Reviewers copy from LibraryThing
FTC: Reviewed for Raw Dog Screaming, Early Reviewers copy from LibraryThing
Description
On the verge of losing her laboratory, her savings, and all respect for herself, Pandora (Penny) Yee lands her first contract as scientific consult to the police department. And with seventeen murder cases on the go, the surly inspector is happy to leave her to it. Only she's going to need to get around, and that means her slightly unhinged adopted brother, Matiu, will be doing the driving. But something about the case spooks Matiu, something other than the lack of a body in the congealing pool of blood in the locked room or that odd little bowl.
Matiu doesn't like anything about this case, from the voices that screamed at him when he touched that bowl, to the way his hateful imaginary friend Makere has come back to torment him, to the fact that the victim seems to be tied up with a man from Matiu's past, a man who takes pleasure in watching dogs tear each other to pieces for profit and entertainment.
Hounds of the Underworld blends mystery, near-future noir and horror. Set in New Zealand it's the product of a collaboration by two Kiwi authors, one with Chinese heritage and the other Māori. This debut book in The Path of Ra series offers compelling new voices and an exotic perspective on the detective drama
Matiu doesn't like anything about this case, from the voices that screamed at him when he touched that bowl, to the way his hateful imaginary friend Makere has come back to torment him, to the fact that the victim seems to be tied up with a man from Matiu's past, a man who takes pleasure in watching dogs tear each other to pieces for profit and entertainment.
Hounds of the Underworld blends mystery, near-future noir and horror. Set in New Zealand it's the product of a collaboration by two Kiwi authors, one with Chinese heritage and the other Māori. This debut book in The Path of Ra series offers compelling new voices and an exotic perspective on the detective drama
May contain spoilers
My Thoughts
I have to admit something. I was selected back in July to receive an Early Reviewers copy from LibraryThing of the book 'Hounds of the Underworld'. And, I didn't start reading it till a few hours ago.
I just felt I needed to be in a different place, to read a sci-fi thriller like this. You see, this setting takes place in a future New Zealand, but I learned it mixes well with the ancient.
Pandora (a.k.a. Penny) Yee opened a crime lab and is hired to consult on a crime scene. Penny has quirks in that she won't drive so she is being driven around by her brother, Matiu. Penny is well educated and feels her overbearing parents scrutinize her more closely than Matiu who's adopted and has an imaginary friend Makere.
I found the duo to be devoted to one another. Matiu has instincts the tightly wound Penny trusts. And, he shadows her well. So, it seems she is not only comforted by this but dependent upon it.
As a reader, I appreciate their tongue - in - cheek relationship. And, unlike the last book I read that has wolves in it, this book, has a Pit Bull - Satffie mix, named Cerberus, among other dogs.
Amidst toxic fumes and crashed crime scenes, this short, quick read has everything and everyone in a state of uncontrolled excitement, including this reader. Yes, I enjoyed the writing and truly liked the ending. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series.