The Promise of Plague Wolves

Well, whew! This was my very first thought after reading this absolutely astounding novel. I was breathless and a part of me was still in the world Coy Hall created. Such is the impact of this book.

Set in the late 1600s, the plague has wreeked havoc through the countryside. But there's something much worse, much more evil and malevolent going on as well.

Dorin Toth is a man on a mission. He is tasked by his church leaders to seek out this manifestation of the supernatural. And what a fantastic charismatic character he is. Along with his faithful sidekick, a greyhound dog named Vinegar Tom, he searches for answers to the terrors haunting this plague filled area.

And what he finds is horrifying to say the least. This novel is a perfect blend of historical fiction, supernatural horror, and folk horror elements that form a trifecta of terror that you won't want to put down.

The prose in here draws you into the world. You'll feel and experience everything with these characters and you won't want to stop reading. Even after the book ends your mind will be chewing on what you've read like a dog on a squeaky toy.

I'm hoping that this is not the last time we hear from this world or Dorin Toth and Vinegar Tom. I'm definitely ready for more! I can't recommend this book enough. It's frightening, disturbing at times, and adequately bloody. Most importantly, it's a damn great read.

I absolutely had to read this book because I own a greyhound, and greyhounds are rarely found in (modern) literature. I was going to say that finding a greyhound in a book is kind of like finding a unicorn, except that unicorns are found in literature far, far more often than greyhounds. So … a greyhound. Yay!

And, of course, I loved Vinegar Tom (the hound). He and Basina (a Pyrenees) are the two best characters in the book. I'm not sure that the author has ever actually owned a greyhound, however, because Tom did not once let out an ear-piercing Greyhound Scream of Death (I am not making this up – it's an actual thing) because a leaf fell out of a tree and touched his butt. Or because he stepped on a pebble. Or because a frog croaked nearby. Or because a "terrifying" mini poodle wandered ever so slightly into his personal space (okay, maybe it's only mine that does this one). And in addition to being drama llamas, greyhounds are also lazy AF and I'm pretty sure that Vinegar Tom did more running over the course of two days than mine has done in two years. I guess it's possible that Renaissance greyhounds were of a heartier stock.

Tom only obeying commands when he feels like it is pretty realistic, though.

But, um, yeah. I suppose I should actually review the book rather than just talk about greyhounds? Oh, fine.

Promise of Plague Wolves is a dark and atmospheric tale that starts off as a slow burn. Nothing much happens at first, but the creepiness builds and builds as Toth investigates the smallpox-ridden village to which he's been sent. Something of occult origin is obviously happening in Drunstall, but what?

This book is not for the faint of heart. It's gory and violent and full of pestilence and murder and death. The otherwordly villains are frightening and ghoulish, and the human villains only slightly less so.

Overall, I found the plot to be original and the book well-written. I did feel as if there were points where the story dragged a little, but it was still an enjoyable read … in a macabre sort of way. Dorin Toth is a mysterious and fascinating character, and his relationship with Vinegar Tom is endearing. I hope there will be further books featuring Toth, Tom, and Basina, because they're really a fantastic trio.

Many thanks to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

This is historical horror at its best. Very atmospheric and creepy. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for this opportunity to read rage and review this arc which will be available September 12,2023!

Two plagues are raging in the countryside. One is Smallpox, a torturous disease that ravaged the body and turning homes into tombs but the other is more insidious, a scourge in supernatural origin that ravaged the mind and the soul.

Here the deepest horrors are made manifest. Here the dead walk the shadowed wood. Into this absolutely horrifyingly descriptive medieval horror tale comes occultist and investigator Dorin Toth and his greyhound Vinegar Tom.

This book is damn near the ultimate perfection in the horror genre. It terrified me, made my body tense with dread and anticipation. My mind for days was stuck inside this book even after finishing it. I highly recommend it and I’m freaking buying it so I can experience it again.

Ok, where are my dog lovers? You’ll definitely get a kick out of this story!!

Plagues, demons, monsters, folk tales, and dogs are central themes in this historical horror.

Taking place in the 1600s, an investigator with the Order of Saint Guinefort (a sainted Greyhound if you can believe it!!) visits a small Styrian village in Austria to seek answers to troubling accounts from the locals.

They’ve been suffering from a Smallpox plague and now the dead have been spotted in the forests, arisen and wandering.

Dorin Toth, accompanied by his loyal hound Vinegar Tom, seek to understand the sightings and banish any malefic presence. With the help of a villager named Anna, and an abandoned Pyrenees dog, Toth begins to unravel the horrific mystery.

The characters, plot, and dialogue were just perfect in my opinion, seamlessly wound together and creating this tapestry of a tale.

This was perfect for fans of “The Mistress of Death” by Diana Norman, “His Black Tongue” by Mitchell Lüthi, and “Between Two Fires” by Christopher Buehlman.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and BooksGoSocial for a copy!

I didn’t expect the gross, gooey mixture of the undead, ghosts, and folklore presented within the pages, but I loved them!

The characters were exceptionally well drawn, and believable for people living in the seventeenth century. My suspension of disbelief was never stretched by them appearing to be too modern in their thoughts or actions, nor did they ever become puppets dancing to the author’s tune. I particularly liked Dorin, as well as Anna and Cili’s children from the village.

The dogs were the highlight of this book for me. Tom and the other canines were wonderful characters, as important as any of the humans in the book, without losing any of their canine nature. The author obviously knows dogs, for he writes about them with such love and accuracy. It is one of the best depictions of friendship between man and dog that I’ve ever read. There is true respect to the dog, without delving into sentiment.

Congratulations to Nosetouch Press for the beautiful presentation of this book. I loved the note at the back of the book about the font makers from the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. I found it surprisingly touching.

The horror element is imaginative and satisfying. The writing is excellent. I enjoyed ‘The Promise of Plague Wolves’ and I highly recommend it.

I haven't read any other Coy Hall books and my first reaction after finishing this is "Wow! This was outstanding!" The world this takes place in is masterfully created and sucks you right into it from the first page. The atmosphere is skillfully created. The characters are well developed and the story is well written. I would highly recommend this! I will be definitely checking out more books by Coy Hall. Special Thank You to Coy Hall, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is my second book from this author and this one is something very special. If any book I have read this year deserves 5 stars it's this one.

Set in Austria in 1686 as two plagues ruin the country. The first being small pox invading and desecrating the bodies of its victims and the second more of a mystery with the dead being seen or heard from a distance after burial.

We follow Dorin Toth an occult investigator with the church and his companion a greyhound Vinegar Tom as they settle into a small village town ravaged by both plagues to seek answers to the strange happenings. That's the basic outline of the plot.

What that plot doesnt tell you is how absolutely immersive this is to read. The world building in this is some of the best I have read. The way the town, the people, the customs, the language is all described transports you to 1686. I was blown away by how well the author is at conveying the visuals to the reader of the time period. The attention to detail is superb.

This is not just historical fiction however it is deeply horrific. From the descriptions of the infectious small pox to the occult elements which invoke some absolutely ghastly creatures. This is not for the squeamish as body horror plays a large part in this book.

The characters are wonderful. You get attached to Dorin Toth and his greyhound Vinegar Tom instantly. The greyhound and another dog we meet in the book play large roles in its story and are amazing characters you genuinely care for. Outside of the occult villains we also have some human ones a Doctor from the church who opposes Dorins work and is a despicable person who you just hate from the start. It's a credit to the authors writing to write a character which invoked such emotions from me.

This is historical horror at its absolute best. This author honestly deserves to be a household name like King and Koontz. This book is that good and a must read.

The Promise of Plague Wolves is a historical fiction horror set in Austria in 1686. The land is being left desolate by the plague: smallpox. But for those with a more discerning eye, a second plague is wreaking havoc, one of the occult nature. Daniel Toth, a famed occultist and investigator, along with his trust dog Vinegar Tom, must find its source and eradicate it before Toth becomes a victim himself.

This book was so atmospheric I was pulled in immediately. Hall does an excellent job presenting a sickness riddled town in the Austrian countryside. The setting is haunting as people begin to waste away and the infection spreads at dizzying rates. But more haunting is the dark occurrences hiding in the shadows. The dead are seen walking around again, seals of demonic origins appear, etc. Toth is an interesting character and I absolutely loved Vinegar Tom. The monsters are real in Drunstall, but the worst may still be human. The pacing was a little slow in the beginning, but it is worth the build up once the action and terror truly begin. I have never read anything quite like this and I can't recommend it enough.

Thank you to NetGalley and NoseTouch Press for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.

The Promise of Plague Wolves was brilliant! A fantastic supernatural horror. Love the dogs! Unusual to see a greyhound and a pyrenees in a story. These two were characters in their own right.
Coy Hall is a new-to-me author and I'm sorry its taking me so long to come across his work. I'll definitely be looking for more of his books.
A word of warning, some of the scenes are decidedly gruesome. If you're squeamish, take care!
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

After diving into my first Coy Hall book, my immediate sentiment is sheer amazement. The universe in which the tale unfolds is intricately crafted, pulling readers in from the get-go. The ambience is deftly woven, enveloping us in a world both familiar and novel. Every character brims with depth and personality, propelling a narrative that's compellingly penned. I can't recommend this enough! I'm eagerly looking forward to exploring more of Coy Hall's literary world. A heartfelt thanks to Coy Hall, BooksGoSocial, and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this complimentary copy, and the opportunity to provide a genuine review.

Two plagues rage in the countryside. One plague is smallpox, a torturous disease that ravages the body, turning homes into tombs. The other ailment is more mysterious, a scourge of occult origin, a plague that ravages the mind and consumes the soul.

A very interesting and unique horror novel. Loved it.

I devoured this book. Dark, horrific, and moving. I really enjoyed it and we will be buying it for my library.

Meet Dorin Toth. In 17th century Austria, the famed occultist and investigator wanders the countryside of Austria. A land beset by plague and rot, in the real and metaphysical sense. With his faithful greyhound Vinegar Tom at his side, Toth seems to find the secrets of the supernatural epidemic and the truth behind the ancient spirit Old Raum, whose agents haunt the mortal plane.

From the start, Coy Hall writes with a sense of nostalgia. One could easily mistake “The Promise of Plague Wolves” as the novelization of a Hammer Horror film that never was. Hall seems well aware of the tradition in which he writes, with numerous references both historical and fictional in nature.

The story unfolds like a grim mystery. “Plague Wolves” begins with Dorin Toth already a seasoned investigator, so Hall writes as though this is just another adventure that the reader has been fortunate enough to witness. Though while we do get a sense of Toth’s character, it feels at times like the development for Toth has already happened. Throughout the book, there seems little by way of personal stake for Toth as opposed to simply solving another mystery and fighting the forces of evil.

Nevertheless, there is enough about Toth to remain interesting and dynamic. His love for Vinegar Tom is a constant bright spot through what is a very dark narrative. Hall spares little room for ensuring the villains are suitably monstrous. A grieving occultist has brought down the forces of hell upon the region and Hall delights in portraying the resultant slaughter and monstrosity that ensues, while simultaneously giving Old Raum’s heralds, Grau and Toader, little moments of depth that serve to flesh them out.

But the book can simply not be topped for sheer atmosphere. Horror lurks in the pages like an oppressive mist, and Hall builds his lore from pieces of real occultism and history, while keeping it just fictional enough. It’s an excellent sojourn into darkness with Dorin Toth that’ll leave the reader hungry for another jaunt with him and his faithful Tom.

There are some books out there that start off a little rough around the edges. The more you read, the more you find it actually suits the narrative. A Promise of Plague Wolves is one of those books. I found the characters and precise writing style to be a little jarring. This does eventually level out to make the book hard to put down.

This strange amalgamation of horror, historical fiction, folklore and religion make for a very atmospheric story. Its the kind of dark and fantastic that if you’re a fan of Guillermo del Toro, you’ll really enjoy. The visuals presented at times make your skin want to crawl. (I’d advise not eating if you have a sensitive stomach)
You’re dealing with two plagues. One being small pox and the other that crossbreeds what feels like doppelgangers and ghouls. Dorin Toth and his faithful hound are sent into a small village to investigate the more occult aspects of what is going on. The characters we meet are empathetic, flawed, and well fleshed out. I'm not talking just the human characters. Hall’s incorporation of using the animals as part of his storytelling is quite refreshing, if not disturbing.

Overall its a solid story. I found the ending to be rather tidier then I expected given the rest of the plot. I honestly wonder if this particular story wouldn't be better served in visual medium because of the finale. There’s only so much you can present with a written description regardless of how talented the writer is. For my first experience with this author I'm interested enough to track down some more of their work.

Dark and atmospheric, this book was a masterpiece of historical horror. It was gruesome and I loved it. Coy Hall will be going on my *automatic purchase* list. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.

Ok how much I really liked this book surprised me. So many dnf lately that I went in to this with little hope no matter how much it intrigued me.
A really well written historical book, I truely hope we will see these characters again.
Coy Hill is now in my watch list.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book

A thrilling and exciting historical horror, a gorgeous cover, excellent storyteller.
it kept me hooked and reading
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This is an extremely well written novel. You can tell the author really puts his heart and soul into his writing. It's well researched and thought through. The book gives off very gothic vibes. I suggest people give this author a chance!

Oh Prose, The prose.

I am a fan of the author from the prose alone. Then he hit me with rich characters and immersive worlds. There not a single thing to cringe or frown about. Bam! Bam! Bam! He came. He delivered. He left.

I don't read horror and gore but for this author, I am going to read more.