The Devil of Misty Lake

A Creature Feature Horror Suspense: Lorestalker, Book 5

Fiction - Horror
312 Pages
Reviewed on 11/17/2021
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite

All hell breaks loose when two sets of cryptid hunters cross paths in the exciting science fiction novel, The Devil of Misty Lake: Lorestalker Book 5 by J.P. Barnett. Abby witnesses her fiancé killed by a monster while camping at Misty Lake. The horror of his death drastically alters her life, and her career focus takes a sharp curve. Abby turns her pain and anger into a passion for hunting down and killing monstrous animals for a profit. When Abby's employer sends her and her partner Beatty to Misty Lake to kill the monster, Abby's life has come full circle. In the meantime, another company hires Miriam and Macy to find a cryptid reportedly living near Misty Lake. Escorted by the local guide Kim, their job is to determine whether it exists and to document its presence. The two sets of hunters are at cross purposes, and Abby and Beatty are the ones who have weapons. Can Miriam, Kim, and Macy protect the rare animal? Or will they also die along with the innocent creature?

The Devil of Misty Lake by J.P. Barnett is a thrilling tale in a science fiction series featuring a creature based on an old European legend. This captivating novel brims with action and danger and is comparable to a Michael Crichton or Dean Koontz novel. Spellbinding, the plot develops at a fast pace, smoothly flowing from one intense scene to the next. It holds the reader captive from the first exciting page until the last. Miriam and Macy are intriguing characters with flaws and personality traits that give them a sense of genuineness. Even though I never read Macy or Miriam's previous exploits and adventures, their backgrounds smoothly ease into the story, enhancing their present venture. Superbly written, this suspenseful and exciting novel promises to thrill science-fiction fans and adventure readers alike.

Tanja Jurkovic

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.

Shrabastee Chakraborty

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.