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vondav's review
5.0
Called in, whilst on sick leave, Detective John Green is asked to head up the investigation to a gruesome multiple murder. On his team is Janis Lodge and Todd Wiggins and whilst they worry that he is not up to the job, they will always have his back. The house where the murders happened has history, but as the investigation unfolds, they not only find out about the cause of the murders but things that were hidden in themselves.
John Green was a no-nonsense copper; however, he was willing to put himself in danger to save others. Injured in the line of duty, he was on sick leave when he had the call. The further John investigates the more you find out about his past, and you realise what a troubled childhood he had, tormented by demons, but always wanting to do the right thing. Janis Lodge thought the world of John Green and even when there was doubts that he was up for the job, she always had his back. Even when he was recovering from his injuries, she was always there for him.
This story started out like any murder/thriller, but as the story progressed it became more sinister. The house had a life of its own and the flashback scenes were used to explain its history. John’s journey through the house and his confrontation with his childhood demons the Reapers, made me feel that there was no hope for John and that he was fighting a losing battle. Although I did find a bit of humour with John’s dialogue with Death. Some of my favourite scenes involved Janis and the porcelain dolls. Tapping into Janis’s childhood phobia, the dolls stalked her wherever she went. There was a lot of minor details, that all played an important part to the story and it was when items were removed as evidence that the scenes in the Police station became graphic. This story draws you in and you feel the oppression of the house. The repetitive song “He Sleeps in the Depths” really plays with you mind and I had it running through my head for days. The ending tied up the story perfectly.
This book grabbed my interest from the blurb and whilst I recognised the author this is the 1st book that I have read, but will not be the last.
John Green was a no-nonsense copper; however, he was willing to put himself in danger to save others. Injured in the line of duty, he was on sick leave when he had the call. The further John investigates the more you find out about his past, and you realise what a troubled childhood he had, tormented by demons, but always wanting to do the right thing. Janis Lodge thought the world of John Green and even when there was doubts that he was up for the job, she always had his back. Even when he was recovering from his injuries, she was always there for him.
This story started out like any murder/thriller, but as the story progressed it became more sinister. The house had a life of its own and the flashback scenes were used to explain its history. John’s journey through the house and his confrontation with his childhood demons the Reapers, made me feel that there was no hope for John and that he was fighting a losing battle. Although I did find a bit of humour with John’s dialogue with Death. Some of my favourite scenes involved Janis and the porcelain dolls. Tapping into Janis’s childhood phobia, the dolls stalked her wherever she went. There was a lot of minor details, that all played an important part to the story and it was when items were removed as evidence that the scenes in the Police station became graphic. This story draws you in and you feel the oppression of the house. The repetitive song “He Sleeps in the Depths” really plays with you mind and I had it running through my head for days. The ending tied up the story perfectly.
This book grabbed my interest from the blurb and whilst I recognised the author this is the 1st book that I have read, but will not be the last.
errantdreams's review
5.0
Some of the early parts of this seemed a little aimless at first. Both John and Janis get a bit lost, each in their own ways, and at first there seems to be little rhyme or reason to it. Give it a chance to grow to a head; it’s worth it.
The characters are definitely interesting. John is still quite damaged, and he’s come back to work too soon. Janis has a few of her own old terrors haunting her. Todd is the most normal of the bunch, but after taking an interest in witness Samantha, he starts to hear the mysterious music as well. Sam, too, is intriguing–she’s a liar, a party girl, and a bit of a druggie, but she and Todd find a connection, and she definitely has brass balls.
I don’t know where it falls in the order of things since I’m not overly familiar with Meikle’s Sigils and Totems books, but I found that my background of having read one whole story set in that world meant that this one made perfect sense. The house is one of those houses, and it’s… broken. How, why, and how it might be fixed are fascinating things to look at. John, Janis, and Todd play a unique role in this, and I loved the tone of the ending in particular. It’s a bit unusual for cosmic horror. (Sorry to be vague, but I’m trying not to spoil things.)
I very much enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more in this series.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2020/01/review-songs-of-dreaming-gods-william-meikle/
The characters are definitely interesting. John is still quite damaged, and he’s come back to work too soon. Janis has a few of her own old terrors haunting her. Todd is the most normal of the bunch, but after taking an interest in witness Samantha, he starts to hear the mysterious music as well. Sam, too, is intriguing–she’s a liar, a party girl, and a bit of a druggie, but she and Todd find a connection, and she definitely has brass balls.
I don’t know where it falls in the order of things since I’m not overly familiar with Meikle’s Sigils and Totems books, but I found that my background of having read one whole story set in that world meant that this one made perfect sense. The house is one of those houses, and it’s… broken. How, why, and how it might be fixed are fascinating things to look at. John, Janis, and Todd play a unique role in this, and I loved the tone of the ending in particular. It’s a bit unusual for cosmic horror. (Sorry to be vague, but I’m trying not to spoil things.)
I very much enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading more in this series.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2020/01/review-songs-of-dreaming-gods-william-meikle/
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