Review: Starts out as a normal mystery, then gets pretty creepy.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 3, 2012
Hank Mondale is a private detective who loves to drink and gamble, and is bad at both. He hasn't paid his rent, can't pay his secretary, and is in debt from gambling on various sports games. But salvation seems to arrive in the form of a rich man, Thomas Blake, who needs someone discreet to investigate the murders of his daughter's friends.  Mackenzie, a spoiled rich girl, insists that it was a monster who killed her friends, eating them from the inside out, and now it's after her.  She calls the creature "Symphony."  Skeptical, but desperately needing the large payment Blake promises, Mondale takes the case.After Mondale begins to check out leads and clues with the help of his friend Vic from the Homicide Department, he finds similar murders that defy rational explanation.  Mackenzie is either strung-out or in shock, and can't help him very well. And Mondale also discovers that Blake isn't to be trusted, either.  What is he hiding? And why are some of his employees disappearing as well?Symphony of Blood starts out as a normal mystery story, but soon turns into a creepy horror story. A little dark humor sprinkled throughout adds a little levity, but doesn't distract from the story in any way.The characters are very well fleshed-out and come across as real.  There are many suspenseful moments with a few gross ones thrown in for good measure.I am looking forward to reading more of Adam Pepper's work; Symphony of Blood hooked me from the first couple pages.  Keep an eye out for Adam Pepper's work; you won't be disappointed.