Blood of the Demon by Diana Rowland
PRAISE FOR MARK OF THE DEMON
“Mark of the Demon is a nifty combination of police procedural and urban fantasy. Not too many detectives summon demons in their basement for the fun of it, but Kara Gillian is not your average law enforcement officer. In the course of Rowland’s first book, Kara learns a lot about demons, her past, and above all, herself.”
—CHARLAINE HARRIS, New York Times bestselling author of From Dead to Worse
“Mark of the Demon crosses police procedure with weird magic. Diana Rowland’s background makes her an expert in the former, and her writing convinces me she’s also an expert in the latter in this fast-paced story that ends with a bang.”
—CARRIE VAUGHN, New York Times bestselling author of Kitty Raises Hell
“If Karen Chance and Kim Harrison’s books had a baby and that baby was a ninja, it would be Mark of the Demon.”
—ANN AGUIRRE, national bestselling author of Blue Diablo
“Rowland spins a tale that is riveting, suspenseful, and deliciously sexy. With a unique take on demons, and with one of the most terrifying serial killers ever, Mark of the Demon will keep you up late at night turning pages.”
—JENNA BLACK, author of Speak of the Devil
“Mark of the Demon is a fascinating mixture of a hard-boiled police procedural and gritty yet otherworldly urban fantasy. Diana Rowland’s professional background as both a street cop and forensic assistant not only shows through but gives the book a realism sadly lacking in all too many urban fantasy ‘crime’ novels.”
—L. E. MODESITT JR., author of the Saga of Recluce
“A well-woven supernatural procedural that keeps the pages turning, hooking you on both the characters and the crime.”
—LAURA ANNE GILMAN, author of Free Fall
“In a world full of paint-by-numbers urban fantasy, Mark of the Demon is a breath of fresh air. Diana Rowland brings a cop’s cynical eye and gallows humor along with a great sense of storytelling to make this one of the standout books in the field. I’m looking forward to the next one.”
—M. L. N. HANOVER, author of Unclean Spirits
“A highly polished supernatural crime thriller … From the forensic and police procedures to the descriptions and dialogue, every facet has the ring of authenticity.… A great part of the success of this novel is how well the supernatural elements are integrated and grounded into a real-world crime procedural.… If I had read this book as a ‘blind test’ I would have guessed it to be the author’s seventh or eighth novel. It really is that good.… This is a very exciting urban fantasy debut.”
—SciFiGuy
“Diana Rowland’s Mark of the Demon is like an episode of CSI … only with more realistic science, better police procedural, and demons.… Mark of the Demon is fast-paced and fun. It’s sour, bitter, sweet, salty, and sexy. It’s science without technobabble, and gritty without being gross.… After gobbling up this debut, I’m really looking forward to what Diana Rowland offers us next!”
—InterGalactic Medicine Show
“Mark of the Demon floored me. Completely. I could NOT put this book down for a single minute.… Action, arcane witchcraft, demons, and dream travel—I can’t rave about Mark of the Demon enough. Part urban fantasy, part romantic suspense, Mark of the Demon will grab you, keep you enthralled.”
—Wild on Books
“Mark of the Demon is a great novel for those who enjoy a suspenseful crime-solving mystery.… This is one great mystery.… There are twists and turns and great chemistry between Kara and Ryan.… Not to be missed.”
—Babbling About Books
“Utilizing her real-world experience as an ex-cop/forensic assistant, debut author Rowland pulls together an edgy new urban fantasy novel that’s both a police procedural and a demonic thriller. The collision of heroine Kara’s dual careers sets the stage for an engrossing and gritty tale that also possesses a dangerously sexy edge. Through Kara’s eyes readers get a crash course on a serial killer case with an unholy twist. Brava to Rowland for creating a vivid heroine and several transfixing secondary players.”
—Romantic Times
“From the opening sequence to the very ending, Mark of the Demon never loses its pace and its atmospheric feel.… A very solid debut and I can definitely see a bright future for both the author and the series. Recommended.”
—The Book Smugglers
“One of those books that starts off with a nice bang and rarely let me down from then on.… Welcome to the urban fantasy genre, Ms. Rowland. Here’s to many more such engrossing reads.”