The Fox and the Devil

Anneke Van Helsing has been obsessed with finding the mysterious woman who murdered her father, Abraham Van Helsing years ago. Since the murder, Anneke has devoted her time to solving other crimes. When a series of strange murders begins to crop up, Anneke connects the dots. The killer is recording the murders and somehow forcing the victims to hurt themselves. Anneke begins to see and dream about the woman. As she closes in, Anneke receives letters from the woman, Diavola. Anneke spends years investigating the crimes around Europe and finds that the devil she thought she was chasing is much more dangerous than she could ever imagine; her father's ramblings near his death might be true.

The Fox and the Devil is a story of obsession, show more mystery, and the supernatural. I was hooked from the moment I met Anneke's fierce, determined and analytical character. The mystery of the unique circumstances of the killer's victims, combined with Diavola's supernatural character and her relationship with Anneke created a suspenseful and fast paced read. I enjoyed reading Diavola's letters to Anneke, which showed Diavola's humanity as well as her long time observing humans and their behaviors. As Anneke gets closer to the killer, she learns of Diavola's origins and the world that her father was hiding. I was intrigued by the folklore of the region Leda was from and how the town dealt with the supernatural events that happened near them. The suspense ratchets up near the end as Anneke and her team learn what they are dealing with and the dangers they face. A riveting conclusion with a good resolution for both Anneke and Diavola. show less

One part sci-fi/fantasy, one part historical murder mystery, and one part horror, this compelling book is the first novel I've read by this author (I have enjoyed a short story by her before too) and, like the story, it was a roller coaster. I will definitely look for additional works by this writer and perhaps we will get a book that features Inge and her background in a sequel.

Pros: female MC detective that is a descendant of Van Helsing; real locations and events researched for the setting; supernatural creatures and folklore; evolution of MC's relationship and understanding of her parents; diverse characters

Cons: the pacing slows down quite a bit in the middle and it makes the book seem a little longer than it needed to be: show more one-dimensional negative comments about religion that were repetitive

Overall, if length doesn't affect your reading choices and you are a fan of multifaceted storylines, give this book a try.

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The Fox and the Devil
by Kiersten White
Wow, what a gem! Monsters of various types. A tenacious female detective who is tracking the devil in white that killed her father. This path takes her on a long gory hunt and she builds a team of friends. Non-stop action, suspense, and surprises along the way. Never a dull moment. Set in the 1880s to 1900s. Supernatural elements. LGBTQ hints of romance.