The Coven Murders opens with a horrifying account of a ritual Black Mass with a human sacrifice in an abandoned church. Twenty-one years later, near an old ruined church in an area of outstanding natural beauty, Chief Inspector Sheehan and his team discover the skeleton of a young woman. But what seems initially to be a straightforward case, brings the team into conflict with a powerful Satanist who has plans to offer up to Satan another human sacrifice on the evening of the great Illuminati feast of Lughnasa. Several murders occur, baffling the Inspector until he makes a connection between the modern murders and the twenty-one year old skeleton.
The team’s pursuit of the murderer, and their determination to protect a young woman who is targeted by the coven, lead to a horrific climax in a hellish underground crypt where Sheehan and his team, supported by an exorcist and a bishop, attempt to do battle with the coven and a powerful demon of Baphomet, jeopardising not only their lives, but risking the wrath of Satan upon their immortal souls.
Karen’s Magic Review
This is the third book in the Inspector Sheehan mysteries. I enjoyed The Doom Murders, I liked The 11:05 Murders, although I struggled to get into, I persevered, and by the end I couldn’t put it down.
But The Coven Murders were entirely different. By this time I had got to know and liked Jim Sheehan. I was getting to know his team of detectives too, and they fell into place as familiar people. That immediately gave me a good feeling, and straight away the story line took off. Once I started I really could not put it down.
I was also disturbed in a way like never before. Suddenly the affable and likeable Sheehan changed. He had a blazing row with his wife. He acted so out of character that it bothered me greatly. Even his wife was behaving strangely. Then we get to the police station and into the office. All the detectives I knew and loved were behaving oddly. They were in fact horrible, rude, objectionable and just down right nasty. I couldn’t stay up any longer and had to go to bed but my dreams were haunted. Why? What on earth…? I really felt unsettled at this strange turn of events. Soon as I awoke, I picked up my Kindle.
I was supposed to be collecting Kindle Quotes but I was so busy reading that I forgot. I only just remembered right in the middle of the action and I was so giddy to get back to it, I did it wrong, so haven’t any to share.
The climax to the story was brilliant and I could see the whole book as a film – although I’m not sure I could have watched it – it’s scary! I liked that it went from normal police work to something out of a horror book.
My favourite of the series so far! I have two more to go and three accompanying novellas, which I am looking forward to.
If you are seeking a detective series, I one hundred percent recommend this. They are brilliant.! Loves it. Five stars!
Karen J. Mossman 