Mark of the Demon by Rowland, Diana
Praise for Diana Rowland
“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
“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 other-worldly, 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
“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, author of Kitty and the Dead Man’s Hand
“An intriguing police procedural … which shouldn’t be surprising, in that Rowland is a former street cop as well as a former forensic specialist. It’s a strong book, not for the faint-hearted, but solid and engrossing.”
—Fantasy Book Critic
For Jack and Anna, my two favorite Demons
Acknowledgments
Since this is my first published novel, I feel I should thank everyone who helped me get this far. On the other hand, my publisher might get a bit testy about having to add an extra twenty pages just for the acknowledgments, so I’m going to have to cut it a bit short and hit the highlights.
Therefore, thanks go to:
My mother, Sue Rowland, for encouraging a love of science fiction, fantasy, and all things weird.
My sister, Sherry Rowland, for tolerating the weird little brat who shared her house, and for continuing to tolerate the weird, middle-aged broad who shares her life.
Kat Johnson, for introducing me to the demons. Dak’nikahl lahn. Tah agahl lahn.
Laura Joh Rowland, Andrew Fox, Fritz Ziegler, Marion Moore, Gwen Moore, Mark McCandless, and the rest of my writing group for suffering through the early drafts.
Kent Brewster, for being everything that is Kent Brewster.
Daniel Abraham, for helping me through several varieties of angst over the years, for continuing to believe in me despite my angst, and—most importantly—for telling me what was wrong with this book.
The entire St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office. You Rock.
Dr. Peter R. Galvan, and the rest of the St. Tammany Parish Coroner’s Office. Y’all made death fun!
Dr. Michael DeFatta, for answering heaping scads of questions related to forensic pathology—far more than any one man should ever have to answer. Lots of questions. Seriously. Lots.
Lindsay Ribar, for pulling my manuscript out of the slush pile, for falling in love with it, and for being a completely awesome chick!
My agent, Matt Bialer, for agreeing with Lindsay, for being an absolute rock of support, and for finding my book a wonderful home.
My incredible copy editor, Kathy Lord, for taming my wild use of commas and the word “just,” and for keeping track of demons, victims, and phases of the moon far better than I was able to!
My editor’s assistant, David Pomerico, for patiently answering my many stupid questions.
And finally, my editor, Anne Groell, for not letting me get away with any degree of authorial laziness, for devoting incredible amounts of time and effort and patience, and for guiding me and goading me into making this book a thousand times better than I could have ever imagined.
I COULD HEAR THE INTRUDER BREAKING INTO MY HOUSE.
Unfortunately, it was in the same instant that the demon appeared before me.