3.5 "exciting, gruesome, somewhat inconsistent" stars !!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and RedDoor Press for an e-book copy in exchange for my honest review. This was first published in 2015 and is being re-released September 2021.

First of all I absolutely love horrors and thrillers that involve the Roman Catholic Church. I find the dark aspects of the church fascinating and frightening. Although not Catholic myself I have found much comfort in attending services, visiting churches and cathedrals, prayers and deep conversations with learned nuns, monks and priests. I especially enjoy old world rites which are closer to my own Orthodox Christian faith.

I so wanted to rate this higher than 3.5 stars but I knew that would be inauthentic although my enjoyment and thrill of reading this never abated.

Mr. Richardson is great at inducing dark atmosphere and conjuring very dark images, smells and sensations of what it would be like to be a soldier in first world war trench, or walking in the Vatican, kissing a lover or battling werewolves. You heard right....werewolves !

This book is a mish mash of genres and is historical fiction, horror and a fair splattering of melodrama. The book is well structured and laid out and bit by bit you understand the motivations of our main protagonist Poldek Tacit who belongs to a secret brotherhood of Inquisitors who fights witches, demons, Orthodox Christians(heretics?!?) and of course these terrifying werewolves. His damaged psyche, propensity for violence but also his tender vulnerabilities come to be known here.
Alongside him we have a brave nun, some scheming cardinals, a mysterious frenchwoman and a variety of British soldiers. There is so much to rave about here and I think with just a bit of editing that this book could be a pulp fiction masterpiece.

The writing is a tad inconsistent (4.5 stars for most of it but also sections that were more 2.5 star quality), the melodrama is great for much of the book but in a few sections the violins are playing a bit too loudly and are a tad off tune. The dialogue towards the end of the book is a bit longwinded and at times anachronistic. I feel that these are easy fixes as about 85 percent of the books is absolutely terrifyingly terrific!!!

This is not for the faint of heart as there is a lot of violence, gore and potentially triggering situations.

Well done Mr. Richardson and I look forward to reading Part 2 at some point !!

An alt-history/horror/supernatural book that almost hits the mark, but...unfortunately, for me, not quite.
The character and world building was good, but there were just a couple of places that I had to suspend disbelief a bit too much, and some elements either resolved too easily, or were just too far stretched to be credible.
It was otherwise an ok book.

I would recommend The Damned to those who enjoy horror and the supernatural amidst the historical setting it was interesting with good characters and an interesting mystery.

My e-copy to review actually expired before i could finish this. It was so compelling that I actually went and bought a physical copy to read. Now that is saying something!

The Damned is a compelling, bloody novel about an Inquisitor for the Catholic Church, some priests (good and bad), some British and German soldiers in 1914 in France, and some...werewolves! I fell in love with Tacit and Sister Isabella and I hope they both appear in the next installment of this series (The Darkest Hand Trilogy). There was also some new werewolf lore here that I enjoyed exploring.

I only wish that the chapters were not so short so that I could be with one character a little longer and sometimes I had a hard time figuring out which time period we were in, because it does jump around in time quite a bit.

Looking forward to the next by Tarn Richardson. Thanks!

Not much to say about this besides this was not a book for me. It dragged. Endlessly. I stopped and started this thing about a dozen times and finally finished it because I got tired of seeing it on my NetGalley dashboard. It's a horror novel set during World War I that had way too much dialogue. I mean to the point that I went, please shut up. All of you. Also I feel like I have seen this book played out via movies before. I think at one point I started Googling things and then realized it didn't matter cause I just didn't like this book. It also appears to have been updated and re-released every year according to Goodreads which to me was another bad sign that I wish I had known about before clicking on the damn request button. Mental note, in 2020 I am going to research books before getting click happy on NetGalley.

"The Damned" is the first book in "The Darkest Hand" trilogy. Taking place in 1914 in the city of Arras, a priest is murdered. The Catholic Inquisition (I guess they are still a thing at this point, no, I am not looking that up to see if that's true or just literary license) sends one of their inquisitors, Poldek Tacit (seriously that name was hilariously awful) to investigate. While this is going on with Poldek (seriously, that name sucks) trying to investigate, British and German forces are fighting across No Man's Land.

I don't even know what to say here. Poldek is found by the Church after he is found holding on to his mother who was murdered and raped. So yeah, we are still using the rape and death of a woman to "mold" men. Cause if women were not there to develop men what good are we? Can we stop doing this in 2020? I would love it. Thank you.

There's also another character named Sandrine who is trying to get a soldier (British) Henry to leave the area. Yeah it sounds like I just got booted into another book there didn't it? This is the whole freaking book. A lot of stuff happening that doesn't seem connected that drags on forever.

The writing was so so and the flow was awful. It takes too long to get to the whole who are the damned thing and of course I guessed at it because I have read horror books before. I don't mind if books revel in cliches, but at least make it worth my time.

The setting of the book as I said above is during World War I. There was so much information being thrown at me I just wanted to scream at some point. I am not one of those people who love to read endless books or watch movies about World War I or World War II. Also every time I read "No Man's Land" I kept thinking of the Wonder Woman scene depicting that place and then started to wish I was just watching that movie all over again (though the third act is a mess).

I have zero intention of reading books number 2 or 3.

A Vatican werewolf historical fiction soft horror.... I mean, if that doesn't sell you, I don't know what will. It's not so fast paced that you miss out on the atmospheric time building, but it most certainly doesn't fall into the slow burn historical fiction trap. My only fault with this book was the ending (no spoilers), but that could really be blamed on this being the first in a series (or perhaps trilogy).

The Damned is a historical/ fantasy fiction hybrid novel set in France during the First World War. After a savage attack on priest in the small village of Arras, the Catholic Church appoints Poldek Tacit, an alcoholic, rugged Inquisitor to investigate the death. Since the upper echelons inside the church have doubts about Poldek, they appoint Sister Isabella to assist Poldek in his investigation, and for her to report back on his behavior. Early suspicions in the attack point the finger at Hombre Loco aka the Werewolf. Poldek has suspicions that while the attack is ferocious in nature it is also controlled to a single victim, unheard of with Werewolves. Werewolves in their true nature are one of the oldest enemies of the Catholic Church, and since the Catholic Church also created them with brutal rituals, their existence is a protected secret. So if a werewolf is afoot in Arras, Poldek must find it.

I will admit that I was somewhat uncertain where the storyline was going when I first started reading this story. There is a lot at play early on with a war waging on the French front, and a hunt for a possible werewolf at play, but it all comes together in the end. The story is ripe with vivid, descriptive imagery, and a diverse group of characters who range widely across the spectrum. I was a little sad with where our hero ends up at the end of the story, but considering this is a trilogy, it will likely not be the end for him. I would be interested in reading the rest of the books in the series. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced galley.

This story is suspenseful, dark, and bloody. World War I is raging in France....trench warfare, dying soldiers, brutality. ravaged bodies. It's a time of violence and fear. But something else is lurking....something much more dangerous. A creature that kills brutally and without remorse. When a priest is murdered, the Vatican sends an Inquisitor to investigate. He discovers a conspiracy....a secret so dark that it might just threaten humanity itself.

This story is well-written and amazingly suspenseful. But, it is not for the faint of heart. It's bloody and has moments of extreme violence. A mix of alternate history, monster tale, and a War story, this book pulls no punches. War is hell. Battling a creature with no fear or remorse is violent. And the Catholic church hides secrets of all sorts. If any of those things bother you.....best to pass this one by.

I don't normally review a book more than a year ahead of publication date, but my review copy of this book was set to archive so fast, that I was forced to get it read and reviewed way ahead of schedule.

The Damned is the first book in the Darkest Hand Trilogy. I'm very interested where this story is going to go next. This first installation in the trilogy was quite good! I will definitely read the other books in this series.

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from RedDoor Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

I didn't know what to expect when I began reading "The Damned" by Tarn Richardson because I knew little about the plot and I had never read anything by this author before. I also didn't know what to expect from a novel that purported to be both horror and historical fiction. What a pleasant surprise! This book is well-researched and well-written, with engaging characters and an entertaining, creative story that kept my interest throughout the entire book. Though the book alternated between timelines and several different characters, it did so seamlessly and I was never lost or confused. This book was a fun twist on the popular werewolf story. I wasn't aware that this book was the first in a trilogy and I can't wait to read the next two books.

The blurb was interesting and the book is well written with the right level of creepiness.
Unfortunately it's very slow and it failed to keep my attention.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Unfortunately i can not review this book. Its unreadable on my kindle. Some of the passages have a strange appearance. Also the story altenates between two different timelines. The dates and years are missing. Such a shame because I think its a nice read

Thankyou to NetGalley, RedDoor Publishing and the author, Tarn Richardson, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of The Damned in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
Despite the slow pace in parts, I thought this book provided a good read. Have to question whether this may have been in order to build the tension?
Rich in description, you could imagine the sounds of gunfire, mortors dropping around you and the screams of the dying. I certainly can't wait for more. 3.5 stars.
Worth a read.

2.5/5 ⭐️
This book is a first for me, a horror historical fiction - it’s mainly set during the First World War.
It started really strong but then the more I read the less I liked it, the pace slowed down massively and the atmosphere just wasn’t there anymore.
I found the parts in the Vatican and all the dialogues between the characters specially boring. Generally I thought it was going to be much darker and plot more interesting.
Sorry but not for me.

Thank you NetGalley and RedDoor for had given me this copy in exchange for an honest review.

Tarn Richardson's werewolf trilogy kicks off with a lot of promise with a memorable attack on the frontline trenches during World War I.
Sadly, from there this one runs quickly out of steam. Essentially a lycanthrope murder mystery, it's a book that's bogged down by unmemorable characters and ho-hum dialogue, which leaves a lot riding on the mystery. Unfortunately, that's not strong either, making this one somewhat of a chore.

Supernatural horror meets man made horror in Tarn Richardson's work of dark fiction. A mixture of traditional horror, historical fiction and Dan Brown type Vatican conspiracy this alternate history will appeal to those who have enjoyed such works as Kim Newman's Anno Dracula series. With over 100 short chapters the story races along from one scene and time age to another leaving the reader at times perhaps a little baffled as to what is going on and how the different narratives all fit together. But don't worry just go along with this helter skelter of a ride for all will become clearer towards the end.

The story is mainly set in Arras during the early stages of World War 1 where Father Andreas is brutally murdered in the Cathedral and the Vatican sends its more fearsome inquisitor Poldek Tacit to investigate. At around the same time on the nearby front line the Germans evacuate their position and retreat after a ferocious attack from something lurking beneath the ground that is not connected with the nearby British forces. Is there a connection between the two events?

This is a surprisingly morally complex story and has an ambiguity at the heart of it for is ultimately Poldek Tacit an instrument for good or evil and can the application of the ruthless Inquisition still be justified when it is being administered not only against demons and werewolves but also against those of a different religious faith.

There is enough bloody gore to satisfy the average horror fan and a plot that will ensure that the reader is fully engaged. This was a most enjoyable read and if you like your horror mixed with fact and mystery then I think you might well like to give this a try.

3 stars

Warning: There is much gore in this book. So if that bothers you...

It is 1914 and the Nazis have overrun France. The British are making a valiant effort to hold them back, but their losses are great and the men are losing hope. And strange things are going on. A stronghold of Germans are literally torn apart. The Brits are puzzled.

When Father Andreas is murdered in a similar fashion as the Germans, the Catholic Church send their most talented Inquisitor to investigate. His name is Poldek Tacit. He is the sole survivor of the murder of his entire family. It is Poldek's mission to protect the Church from all threats and enemies.

When British Lieutenant Henry Frost is warned that there is something unnatural stalking the men on both sides of the war, he doesn't know what to believe. A beautiful woman named Sandrine warns Frost to stay indoors at night for beasts of the night roam the area.

Enter Tacit who is also stalking the as yet unnamed threat.

This is a horror story set during WWI. The reader soon becomes aware of just what the creatures are and it is absolutely terrifying. This book is fairly well written, but the transitions are poor. The author switches scenes without warning or break. It is jarring and very easy to lose one's place. The book turns rather mundane and falls flat in some areas. If I had but known that the book was about werewolves...well, I wouldn't have requested it.

I want to thank NetGalley and RedDoor Publishing for forwarding to me a copy of this book for me to read and review.

Thank you netgalley for sending me this book to reveiw. Unfortinetly it was no for me and I did not enjoy. Did not finish it . Sorry

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC. I thought this was a good read. It was a slow burn read for me. Very interesting but was slow to get through in parts. I don't feel like it hindered my reading enjoyment whatsoever. Slower reads don't bother me at all, as long as they're full of good context. This one definitely was! Will read more from this author in the future!

The Damned is a slow read, but very interesting. The storyline is interesting and the characters are well developed. The story is a slow read throughout. I would read more by this author.

Title: The Damned

Series: The Darkest Hand Trilogy #1

Author: Tarn Richardson

Pages:352

Genre: Historical Fiction Horror

Sep, 26, 2019



1914. The outbreak of war. In the French city of Arras, a Father 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 their 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.



Morally complex and fast paced, this 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


My thoughts

Rating: 5

Would I recommend it? yes

Will I read the rest of the books?yes

Would I read anything else by this author? yes

WOW , just WOW , right from the very start this story had me hooked , and I was lost from the begging to the end of it, yes its slow at the begging and some times if a story is slow going it takes me a while to get in to it but surprisingly it works for this story because gives it a more dark , and twisted feel , which made me enjoy it even more , another reason why I loved it was it was how it reminded me a little bit of my all time favorite series, by James Rollins , and that series is the Order Of the Sanguines , and just like that one is one had It is everything in it that made me fell in love with the Oder of the Sanguines series which is : the historical backdrop with supernatural ties, the struggle of good against evil and a little bit of conspiracy!With that said I want to thank Netgalley for letting me read and review in exchange for my honest opinion