Angel of Death by Michelle Godard-Richer

Lock your windows and doors and settle in for the magic and folklore. Here’s a supernatural horror thriller to chill out with. There are days of the year that are more dangerous than others, especially in Gideon’s Hollow. On Friday 13th, residents of the small town shelter inside, fearing the spirits of witches burned at the stake in nearby Salem return to seek revenge for those who wronged them. In book one of the Vengeful Spirits series, the main character, Maya, faces the consequences of not adhering to local beliefs when she encounters malevolence on a dark, silent street.

I was immediately drawn to Maya and her bravery and felt her struggle with the good inside herself and the evil forces attempting to gain control. Maya’s quest for justice takes her down a conflicted path filled with moral ambiguity, and I kept rooting for her to find peace and resolution to her grim circumstances. A strong female character who fights to the end, she’s a force to be reckoned with herself.

Author Godard-Richer creates a spooky atmosphere with her descriptions of the setting and the suspenseful scenes that egged me on to the next chapter and the next. Well-written with the right amount of ‘scare factor’, Angel of Death is a fast-paced, short novel that I read in one sitting. The satisfying ending left no loose plot threads, making it a complete story even though Vengeful Spirits continues with subsequent books.

A perfect Halloween read to treat yourself with, but any dark and quiet night works. Horror fans and those who love to be pleasantly spooked will love this book. And what’s more to love is that it’s a series. Looking forward to the next book!