Miriam Brooks and her team set out to beautiful Misty Lake to find a mythical creature that dwells there, a creature deemed to be very dangerous, the Devil of Misty Lake. Miriam is employed by the local university to investigate the alleged sightings of this mythical creature and to find evidence of its existence if there is any. It was an easy job for Miriam: in and out, write the report, and take the money. However, things take an unexpected turn as she is not the only one looking for the Devil of Misty Lake. An experienced team of hunters, led by Abby, a fearless woman who has encountered the Devil in person and now has a personal vendetta with the creature, are on a mission as well. Being paid for revenge by a rich philanthropist who employed her and her partner to hunt down and kill this monster sounded like a good deal to Abby. When both teams, with very different missions, cross paths in the woods, things get dangerous for everyone, and their perception of reality and everything they believed in as humans changes forever.

The Devil of Misty Lake: A Creature Feature Horror Suspense, Lorestalker Book 5 by J.P. Barnett is an exciting novel packed with mystery and action. This is a great story about human nature and how we make our choices in relation to the unknown, and our relationship with nature that surrounds us. The characters are well built, with just the right amount of emotion and personalization that will hook the reader and leave them wanting to know more. J.P. Barnett skillfully creates the turmoil needed for the cumulation of the characters' actions, which gives this novel an exciting feel and a mysterious atmosphere. A creature feature that will make your senses tingle and take you on an adventure with unexpected twists and turns.

Over the years, there have been many sightings of a monstrous animal near Misty Lake, Portland, giving rise to the myth of a devil. As a part of their first paid assignment, Macy and Miriam, a pair of professional cryptozoologists, have to study the devil. However, soon they realize that other parties are also interested in their quarry. One group intends to hunt the monster, while the other wants to protect it at all costs. As they confront the so-called devil, things begin to unravel very fast. Lost in the wilderness with a dangerous beast and even more vicious humans, how will Macy and Miriam fare? The Devil of Misty Lake, the fifth book of J. P. Barnett’s Lorestalker series, will answer these questions.

Having read and enjoyed J. P. Barnett’s books previously, I expected a spine-chilling adventure from this one as well. However, it ended up being much more than a thrilling tale. In such a plot-driven book, I did not expect the characters to be so well-developed. Yet, Barnett sketched his characters masterfully with satisfying character arcs for each. Their past experiences were pivotal not only in shaping their persona but also in progressing the plot. From the way Barnett demonstrated how Abby’s anguish and resentment turned her into a ruthless hunter, I could empathize with her. Radley’s character made me question whether or not humans were the most brutal monsters on this earth. The vivid action sequences resembled a fast-paced movie, making The Devil of Misty Lake a perfect read for anyone interested in an adventurous ride.