Mark of the Demon (Book Review)

I can think of no better way to kick off a summer of great reading than with Mark of the Demon by Diana Rowland. 

There are two kinds of beach reads: books that are either very lightweight or episodic, so you can dip in or set them aside at your whim without losing track of the story; and books that are so compelling that they are a vacation in themselves, and everything around you drops away (even the snoring old man on the next beach towel and the explicit-language hip hop the kids are playing).

Mark of the Demon is definitely the latter. So if you are in charge of keeping small children from drowning? Do NOT take it to the beach! Unless the children are particularly annoying (KIDDING!).

Brand new homicide investigator Kara Gillian is assigned to investigate a murder where the victim has a symbol carved into her chest, a symbol Kara recognizes from photos of thirteen victims of a serial killer that hasn’t struck in three years. Because she also recognizes vestiges of arcane power, Kara summons a demon to ask for help identifying the symbol, but instead of the helpful, low level demon she called, she gets an unspeakably powerful, impossibly beautiful creature who touches her and …

Well, let’s just say I wouldn’t throw that being out of my bed for eating crackers.

So anyway, Kara has to find the killer before he strikes again (and definitely before the next full moon), while at the same time resisting the urge to call Rhyzkahl back. Oh and without making the mysterious, grouchy FBI agent assigned to the case suspicious.

Mark of the Demon is a riveting story.  And sexy too, have I mentioned sexy? I’ve been moving through my soccer-mom summer schedule in a bit of a fog because a huge chunk of my brain is always between the covers of the book, wondering what’s happening while I’m away. I didn’t want it to end, especially since I have to wait until January for the next installment in the series.

The defining characteristic of the urban fantasy genre is the juxtaposition of a modern city setting with some element of paranormal. Vampires and werewolves are common, but it can be any supernatural element. What’s fascinating about Mark of the Demon is how very well the author balances the cut-and-dry, real-world police procedures with the arcane. Both are believable. Neither overshadows the other. Rowland’s fictional town of Beaulac feels like someplace that really does exist, within driving distance of New Orleans. The fact that the town’s newest homicide detective summons demons for a hobby is immaterial.

I’m not surprised the book is incredible, much less that the details are dead-on (ha, ha, ha! I slay myself). Rowland is the former coroner’s assistant I met at WRW. So of course she knows all about bodies and police work.

But her descriptions of the summoning rituals, demons, even demonic culture — these are not biblical demons: they are creatures from another sphere whose culture holds honor as the highest value — all the arcane details felt as thoroughly accurate as the appearance of a body three weeks into decomposition. More, they felt believable.

Still, story needs more than believable setting and events. It needs characters you care about. Well, Kara is the kind of woman I want for a best friend — especially if she comes with demon helpers. In fact, all the people in Beaulac are fascinating: Kara’s aunt Tessa (who taught her to summon demons), her friend Jill in the CSI department, the FBI agent. All of them.

And the story itself is … well, it’s a thrill ride. But rather than a nice, safe ride on a carnival roller-coaster, it’s like being strapped on the outside of the space shuttle and launched into orbit. And the ending is especially exciting. I swear I forgot to breathe for the last several chapters.

Look, I love books. You know that. I read almost all genres (though I usually choose trade paperback women’s fiction), and I read a lot.

This is, by far, the most exciting book I’ve read this year. I won’t say it’s the best because I’ve read some wonderful literary and historical fiction that was just as good in a completely different way. But Mark of the Demon is definitely the most fun read, in a just-for-fun-and-excitement kind of way. 

Summer used to be fun. Summer should be fun! So put down that literature you’re trying to finish, and pick up Mark of the Demon. Just for the fun of it.