Mark of the Demon (Kara Gillian Series #1)

Six cool things about Mark of the Demon

This book was so entertaining and fascinating! What a great read - I was bummed when it was over.

Charlaine Harris describes Mark of the Demon as a cross between a police procedural and an urban fantasy, and I think that's apt. Main character Kara Gillian is a newbie police detective by day, reclusive demon summoner on certain nights. Much to the dismay of the other detectives, she's been assigned to lead big case--a serial killer!


** 1. Interesting & realistic details**
I enjoy learning new things and getting nerdy little details in books. Rowland spent time as a cop, a crime scene investigator and even in forensics, so she really delivers - not on the dry details, but the way real people behave in that world.

I loved getting the view of a smart, sensitive woman making it in a male dominated profession, how the different people work a crime scene, the way the cops kid each other, the little things they know about each other, autopsy room biz and more.

** 2. The odd involvement of a comic book artist and his work in the plot **
I won't say much about this, except it was cool. And whenever I thought I had the relationship of the comic and the comic artist to the plot figured out, I was wrong.

** 3. Excellent hero/subtle romance balance **
Some people found this book to be a love triangle, some feel it's clearly not a love triangle, and I'm in the 'not a love triangle' category. I felt there was one appropriate hero, and he's evolved through the book in a way that really satisfies me, and also makes me look forward to more from this pair.

** 4. Demon world **
Again, great details. The whole demon thing was well thought out, but not overly labored. One little detail I thought was so charming - Rhysel, a minor, part-animal demon Kara frequently summons, enjoys Barq's root beer as an offering.

** 5. Clothes **
I love the way clothes make Kara feel real and even vulnerable. For example, one time cops come to her home and see her in her demon summoning outfit, and they think she's in her pajamas, and actually, her summoning outfit is sort of like simple silk pajamas. (She doesn't get into the "whole flowing robes thing.")

At another point Kara is feeling vulnerable about the investigation and getting all this push-back from male detectives and handsome Fed Ryan, so she puts on a spiffy-looking detective outfit instead of going with her usual casual look. The highly professional suit is a kind of armor against the flak she's getting, but she also looks good in it.

** 6. Villain backstory **
There's a whole villain backstory, and I rather enjoyed how it made sense when you got to the end. In retrospect, I enjoyed ruminating on his it lined up with the morality/amorality of the demon world.

Rowland's next comes out next spring. I can't wait!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

This romantic police procedural fantasy is a fast-paced thriller

On her first homicide case, Beualac police detective Kara Gillian needs help capturing a serial killer who has murdered thirteen taking their souls with him. Instead of other cops, she uses her inherited occult skills as a demon summoner to conjuror up a minor demon to help her stop the Symbol Man. However, the mage is stunned when her ritual brings her demon lord Rhyzkahl.

At the next murder scene the wastewater plant, Kara senses a trace of magic, but before she can follow up, she is stunned when FBI Agent Ryan Kristoff arrives. She needs his help, but also fears the price she will pay to bring in a killer thought dead three years ago; as Kara knows Ryan's touch burns her soul.

This romantic police procedural fantasy is a fast-paced thriller starring two fascinating lead characters who each understands catching the Symbol Man comes before their personal desires. The investigation is top rate as paranormal clues are as important to solving the case as the mundane (poor choice of words with what happens to the victims). Sub-genre fans will welcome Diana Rowland into the fold as the author brings a fascinating twist to forensic science and police work with the exhilarating magic murder mystery MARK OF THE DEMON.

Harriet Klausner

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Mark of the Demon is a keeper!

This is Ms. Rowland's debut book and well, I LOVE IT. For being a first book, it's highly well-written. The characters are wonderful, the plot is tightly-focused and I'm so looking forward to the following book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Amazing

Loved this book. Plenty of suspense and action. The murderer was a complete shock, which is a rare find since i read so many paranormal mysteries. The potential love triagle keeps the book interesting. A must read!

Total unexpected find

I think the cover it what almost had me walk away for this story. The that old saying came into my head about not judging books by there covers and i went ahead and got it. I am glad I did because this book is really good. In this story we follow Kara Gillian who has just recently been promoted to homicide. She is giving the lead on a serial killer investigation. She also happens to be a summoner of demons but not like we know then. It is an interesting twist to the story. For those of you who like Dexter you will like this one.

must read buy buy buy!

soooooo great! ive gone on to read the next books and this series rocks. if u love kim harrison, jenna black or caitlin kittredge youlllove this!

Highly Recommended

This series just made my favorites list. I love this book, from the characters to the plot it's great. This book never let me down. And Rhyzkahl could not be more drool worthy. I you try one new series this month, let it be this one.

Excellent

Excellent book, with an incredibly well written char. development. Highly reccomended. Great ending. Started reading and finished in one sitting. Looking forward to the next two in this series.

Had me from the first chapter

This is a great paranormal detective suspense mystery. I loved the book and intend to read the series. The characters are great and the story was interesting with lots of twists and turns.

Highly Recommend-Great Read

I love the book-it is a great book that you cannot wait to see the next event as it unfolds! What will Ryan do, when will Rhyzkahl come into her dreams-or is it a dream...read the next book & see!

Mark of the Demon

I thought this was a good book and I will reread it probably. My only problem is I find it one of those easily forgotten stories.

This paranormal romance has plenty of action and suspense with realistic references to crime scene investigations.

Three years ago, a serial killer known as the Symbol Man, killed mutilated 13 people in different torturous manners and dumped the bodies to be found much later. Each victim was marked with the same symbol connecting them together. Although the mystery was never solved, it was assumed over until another murder occurs that leads Detective Kara Gillian to believe the Symbol Man is back. This mystery has been of personal interest to Kara and her knowledge gains her the lead in the murder investigation. Promoted three months ago from street cop to investigations, Kara's peers are questioning her ability. She's assigned a team of 4, one of which is Ryan Kristoff, a FBI agent who was assigned to the case due to his exposure to supernatural type cases.

Summoning demons is a rare gift/skill that requires several years of mentoring to develop. Mentored by her Aunt Tessa, Kara Gillian has recently completed her 12 levels of training and has become a true 'Summoner of Demons.' Kara is hoping to use her skills and knowledge to find the killer and solve the case.

Kara decides to summon a demon to help with translating the runes found on one of the crime scenes but mistakenly brings forward a Demon Lord, Rhyzkahl. Rather killing her, the Demon Lord seduces her and leaves her wondering what happened.

I felt the relationship between Demon Lord, Rhyzkahl and Kara Gillian was somewhat rushed and left me feeling shallow. However, the author left enough questions left unanswered to continue on with another book. I look forward to seeing how the characters continue to evolve and grow.

Easily one of the best books I've read in quiet some time

This is a must read for fans of the early Anita Blake series. The storyline will keep you guessing. The characters are interesting. Once I started I simply couldnt put it down until I finished it.... Demons both scary and hot. Murders. Witty heroin. What else could you ask for?

Rowland Gives Readers What They Secretly Crave.a Sinister Love Connection that Smolders.

Mark of the Demon is dark, sexy, fare where the heroine doesn't always get her way and the chase is filled with longing as well as plenty of twists and turns. For those fans of Kim Harrison's Hollows series, Mark of the Demon will instantly be a hit. Guaranteed. And those fans who might hunger for a Rachel Morgan demon "lurve" connection with Algaliarept or Minias, or Morgan Kingsley and Lugh from Jenna Black's series, then feed your desires with Mark of the Demon.


Kara Gillian leads dual lives: that of a homicide detective in her small Louisiana parish, and a demon summoner. When Rhyzkahl, one of the most dangerous demon lords to cross into the earthly plane steps casually out of her summoning portal instead of a lower level luhrek demon, Kara knows she is in trouble. Big trouble. But what could have been an impending gory death for the tricky summoner, morphs into something sensual and extremely dangerous.


As Kara heads the team on the Symbol Man serial killings, she comes to realize that there is a definite connection between Rhyzkahl, the recent ritual mutilations, and a powerful unknown rival summoner who is leaving a trail of bodies a mile-wide. Shackled with an FBI agent she doesn't quite trust and yet is attracted to, Kara finds she has few allies in which to solve one of the grisliest crime sprees to hit her region in years. Stumped, Kara tries to tentatively solicit information from Rhyzkahl with potential devastating consequences. She finally comes to realize what "playing with fire" means when toying with a demon lord.


Rowland gives readers what they secretly crave: wicked non-stop action, diabolical sensuality and danger. As well as a sinister deadly demon force to be reckoned with in Rhyzkahl, and the possible means to tame him through Kara Gillian.


One can only wonder what Rhyzkahl has planned for Kara in BLOOD OF THE DEMON (out February 2010). We hope it's equally good and BAD!
(c)Nicola Mattos www.fiendishlybookish.com

Great Pick Up and Read when Bored Book

I've been reading a lot of books lately and wanted something fun and light. I came across this book and liked the cover art, so I opened it up and read the first few pages and felt it was exactly what I was looking for.

I was so right. It wasn't the best book I've read but the way it was written and the character interaction was so well played that I thoroughly enjoyed reading it...twice in a single day. It was a fun book and I have still yet to get my copy back from friends who are circulating it. A couple of which have bought their own copies.

A DEFINITE reccommend it in your permanent library and a great conversational book for a book club or between girlfriends...sorry guys, I fear that not very many men will enjoy this book as much since it definitely has a chick flick feel to it. Enjoy

I read this in 1 day!

What a great read! I liked that the author is writing from experience. Having been a cop as well, she was able to create a level of believability in the police procedural part of the book that I enjoyed (and noticed!). The supernatural parts of the story took some time to get fleshed out, but overall I was happy to go along for the ride. The cast of demons is explained several times in the book, but I would prefer to see a little list or index or something for easy reference... maybe in future novels? I hope there are more! I love Diana Rowland's writing style, I love that the mystery in this book didn't need the supernatural to be solved, and I love the blending of the normal world with the witchy/demon world. And I especially love the heat and chemistry Rowland creates between the characters. Some of these demons are HOT!

Mark Me Hooked

I came across this book just because of some I have read in the past. I loved it. I wanted the main charater to get busy with the demon again and hell stay with him in his world. Makes waitin gon the next book hard to do. I loved the story line...cops who can call on demons that might help with cases....now that a demon lord has a fancy with her (the cop) is awesome...in a weird way. I liked the details provided which made it easier to picture the murder scenes in my mind and this story had it all....love...well maybe the starting of love...murder, mystery and good guys.....Look forward to more.

Fantastic Debut to a New Dark Urban Fantasy Series!

I really enjoyed this book. It starts off a bit slow, so stick with it, it gets better. Detective Kara Gillian has a secret; she has been endowed with the natural talent of summoning demons from another plane of existence. Regrettably, her secret is at risk of being exposed by a murderous serial killer known as the Symbol Man. Kara is granted the opportunity to be lead detective on this case and jumps at the chance to solve it. Knowing that demons may be able to shed some light on her case, Kara summons a high-level demon in attempts barter for information on the case. However, during her nighttime activities as a summoner, something goes terribly wrong and instead of summoning a high-level demon, a powerful Demonic Lord comes through instead, fully of wrath and anger at being involuntarily pulled through, he is definitely not happy! With the Symbol Man's savage hunger for death and destruction ever increasing, Kara puts her life on the line to identify the killer before it's too late. With its dark and dangerous demonic intrigue, Mark of the Demon easily became one of the best whodunit novels I've read in a long time. I highly recommend this book to dark urban fantasy readers, and look forward to the next book in the series Blood of the Demon due out 1/26/2010.

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