Book Review of THE LAUGHING POLICEMAN by Elizabeth J. Brown

THE LAUGHING POLICEMAN by Elizabeth J. Brown (Kobold Books, February 2022) Paperback, 416 pages. ISBN # 1739817036 

Synopsis on the Goodreads website . . . . . 

The law failed him. The demon won’t.

Charlie Haynes is an aging ex-detective, working unsolved cases. Obsessed with cleanliness and order, Charlie is a loner who trades on his experience of grisly crimes, and struggles to maintain a relationship with his adult daughter.

When three teenagers are murdered in a public cemetery, the ritualistic killings show similarities to one of Charlie’s old cases:  a savage serial killer who targeted the members of a notorious Traveller family, the Boswells.

Charlie is called in to speak to the one surviving witness, whose terrifying testimony confirms his suspicion that the Caravan Cannibal is back, roused by the reappearance of an ancient dagger that has haunted Charlie throughout his career.

As Charlie realizes he has a personal connection to the killer, he must confront his own demons to protect the last remaining Boswells, Ciara, and her young daughter, Addy, and free an innocent from the grip of an insatiable evil.

The Laughing Policeman is the first book in the Brimstone Chorus dark fantasy series. If you like gritty, fast-paced suspense, dry humour and dark supernatural forces, then you won’t be able to put down Elizabeth J. Brown’s addictive and ultraviolent debut.

The Laughing Policeman contains scenes of violence and strong language, that some readers may find distressing.

My Four-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

     Here’s the author's modest synopsis of the story: The Laughing Policeman has a strong revenge theme running through it. Horror element wise, there's demonic possession, mysterious ancient artifacts, witches and secret organizations. . 

     While that is an excellent blend for a horror novel, what made this one work for me was the strong characterization throughout. The first part is somewhat slow, but the benefit is that when it comes time to get more grisly and graphic readers are already invested in and feel true empathy for so many of these characters. I even felt sorry when a criminal was killed by the demon.

     There's also a bit of humor to go along with the gore (tastefully done, but still nasty), especially the conversations between the resurrected police detective and the ancient demon who possesses him. 

     I look forward to reading further into this series.