1914. The outbreak of war. In the French city of Arras, a priest is brutally murdered. The Catholic Inquisition-still powerful, but now working in the shadows-sends its most determined and unhinged of Inquisitors, Poldek Tacit, to investigate: his mission to protect the Church from those who would seek to undermine it, no matter what the cost. Yet as Tacit arrives, armed forces led by Britain and Germany confront each other across No Man's Land. As the Inquisitor strives in vain to establish the truth behind the murder and to uncover the motives of other Vatican servants seeking to undermine him, a beautiful and spirited woman, Sandrine, warns British soldier Henry Frost of a mutual foe even more terrible lurking beneath the killing fields that answers to no human force and wreaks havoc by the light of the moon. Faced with impossible odds and his own demons, Tacit must battle the forces of evil, and a church determined at all costs to achieve its aims, to reach the heart of a dark conspiracy that seeks to engulf the world, plunging it ever deeper into conflict. The first in The Darkest Hand series, The Damned is a gripping work of dark fiction set in an alternative twentieth century, where humanity's desire for love, compassion and peace face daunting challenges in a world overwhelmed by total war and mysterious dark forces.
Publisher: Overlook Press
ISBN: 9780715649541
Number of pages: 352
Weight: 548 g
Dimensions: 235 x 129 mm
Richardson's debut has mash-up leanings ... It works surprisingly well. - Daily Mail
The atmosphere drips with dark fear of the unknown and, eventually, the unknown's bloody leavings. This is definitely not one for the squeamish. - The Bookbag
The historical elements are fascinating, as is the author's twist on the werewolf mythos, but the brooding, conflicted Tacit is the most compelling element. The conclusion will leave readers looking forward to the next installment. - Publishers Weekly
This amazing book pitches you into a wonderfully rich world. The stories of Henry, Sandrine and Tacit are mesmerising, and draw you in before you know it. A real page-turner.
Recommended by a friend. Meaty, thrilling and original. Loved this book from the start. Tarn draws you in with great characters and a great story written with wonderful detail. Can't wait for the next instalment.
This book is a mind blowing mix of alternative/historical fiction, horror fantasy and thriller. Mostly set in the First World War in Fampoux, near Arras in France, the scenes seem wonderfully researched and are... More
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