Friday, July 11, 2025

The Demonologists' Daughters ~ Audiobook Review & Book Trailer

 
THE DEMONOLOGISTS' DAUGHTERS
By K. SCOTT CULPEPPER
Narrated by Hayli Henderson

Southern Gothic / Family Secrets / Suspense
Publication Date: October 15, 2024
Page Count: 271 pages
Audio Publication Date: June 4, 2025
Audio Length: 9 hours and 59 minutes

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ABOUT THE BOOK 
Some family secrets may be better left buried.

Diana Chambers thought she escaped her life as the daughter of famous demon hunters Denny and Lucille Hebert, that is until an exorcism turns fatal and her father is charged with murder. Now, forced to return home to Louisiana and the family she left behind, Diana is reunited with her surviving sisters to uncover the truth behind the murder. She unearths long-buried secrets that could destroy her family by unleashing the most frightening demons of all, the Heberts’ personal demons.

The Demonologists’ Daughters, a suspense and psychological mystery thriller with horror elements, takes readers into a world where The Conjuring meets Little Women.

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BOOK TRAILER

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BOOK REVIEW

HALL WAYS REVIEW: AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: In this debut novel by K. Scott Culpepper, readers are taken between the “Satanic Panic” days of the 1990s and contemporary times as the now-scattered Hebert family is forced to reunite. The bones of the family’s buried secrets begin to appear after a death during an exorcism happens twenty-five years after the similar death of the Heberts’ eldest daughter. Further fraying the familial bonds, new questions are raised about the demon-hunting parents who are now charged with the murder – or is it murders?

In The Demonologists’ Daughters, author Culpepper offers a unique premise with multiple subplots to deliver not only mysteries, but also horror, romance, and an exploration of the complexities of family relationships. There’s a lot going on, and there’s a wide cast of characters, but Culpepper dishes out bite-sized morsels for readers to easily digest. And wow, talk about cover-love! The cover of The Demonologists’ Daughters is so evocative and perfect for the story.

Demonologists Lucille and Denny Hebert have three living daughters – Diana, Delilah, and Dorcas. These sisters are particularly well-written by the author who gives each a distinct personality to make her pop from the pages. Their frustrations and actions are believable, and it is heartwarming to see these women come together again after living such separate lives for the years after their sister Dinah’s death. Additionally, some peripheral characters had enough punch that readers will clearly love or loathe them, a mark of great writing.

On the other hand, Lucille and Denny Hebert, the demon-slaying parents, are murky characters. There’s little to like in them, as their self-described helping of people is questionable. Through their words and actions, it’s clear that they are racists, they cherry-pick the Bible to support their version of Christianity, their exorcisms are a farce, and they capitalize on them by writing books and creating films that embellish and flat out contradict the truth. (Side note: it is a stretch for me to believe the motive behind why the film is being made; there are easier ways to accomplish what’s needed.) As if those scammer qualities aren’t endearing enough, they also choose their so-called God’s work over raising their daughters, and instead of supporting Dinah in her time of greatest need, the Heberts worried about their own reputations – and there was a deadly price to pay for that choice that they didn’t truly ever own. GRRRRR. There’s some character growth and maybe even redemption for Lucille and Denny Hebert, but it wasn’t enough to make them likable. The Demonologists’ Daughters forced me to ponder the meaning of forgiveness and how hard it is to offer sometimes. Again, this illustrates Culpepper’s skillful writing because readers will have to reflect and will have so many strong feelings about these two characters.

In addition to the required suspension of disbelief needed for an integral part of the plot to work, one of the aspects of The Demonologists’ Daughters that I struggled with is in character names. Deborah Hebert (who also has several nicknames starting with D) changed her name to Diane Chambers as a nod to the character from Cheers, and that’s acknowledged. But there’s also a Chrissy Heinz, which sounds a lot like Chrissie Hynde (of the Pretenders), and Chrissy also goes by Christine, but there’s also a possibly possessed doll called Christine – not to be confused with the Stephen King possessed car of the same name, but likely the inspiration for the name. See my point? It’s possible that listening to the story instead of reading it caused some of my confusion; perhaps there are distinctive spellings that would help a reader along? Authors, take note if you think there’s a chance you’ll create an audiobook from your work-in-progress.

About the narration: I listened to The Demonologists’ Daughters at 1.1x, barely faster than the recorded speed. Narrator Hayli Henderson gives a terrific performance and voices the numerous characters so that each sounds unique. Her pacing is perfect, she handles the Louisiana bayou accents well, and the narration truly complements the author’s writing. There are a few odd pronunciations, but some would only be caught by readers-of-a-certain-age, like me. Overall, the audiobook of The Demonologists’ Daughters is fabulously narrated and I’d seek out Henderson again.

The Demonologists’ Daughters is all about coming to terms with family, warts and all, and overcoming dysfunction to find peace and even love. But don’t dismiss this as a simple feel-good story. The Demonologists’ Daughters counters the cozies with bloody chills and thrills, twists and turns, suspense, and a sickening reveal that keeps readers turning the pages. It’s strong debut fiction making K. Scott Culpepper an author to watch.

Disclaimer: This audiobook review was coordinated by AudioBookReviewer.com and the review copy was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-biased, honest review. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
K. Scott Culpepper is an author, historian, and speaker creatively exploring the history and mystery of human experiences. He holds a Ph.D. from Baylor University and specializes in the history of the Atlantic World. His nonfiction book Francis Johnson and the English Separatist Influence was published by Mercer University Press in 2011. The Demonologists’ Daughters is his first novel. He teaches courses in history and religious studies at a private university in Iowa where he lives with his wife, Ginger.
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Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Winter's Season ~ Partners in Crime Tours Cover Reveal & Giveaway!

Winter's Season by R.J. Koreto Banner

~ COVER REVEAL! ~

WINTER'S SEASON

by R.J. Koreto

Genre: Historical Mystery
Published by: Histria Books
Planned Publication Date: January 20, 2026
Number of Pages: 300

In 1817 London, before the police, there was Captain Winter.

London, 1817. A city teeming with life, yet lacking a professional police force. When a wealthy young woman is brutally murdered in an alley frequented by prostitutes, a shadowy government bureau in Whitehall dispatches its "special emissary"―Captain Winter. A veteran of the Napoleonic Wars and a gentleman forged by chance and conflict, Winter is uniquely equipped to navigate the treacherous currents of London society, from aristocratic drawing rooms to the city's grimmest taverns.

Without an army of officers or the aid of forensic science, Winter must rely on his wits and a network of unconventional allies. His childhood friend, a nobleman, opens doors in high society, while a wise Jewish physician uncovers secrets the dead cannot hide.

But Winter's most intriguing, and potentially dangerous, asset is Barbara Lightwood. Shrewd, beautiful, and operating as a discreet intermediary among the elite, Barbara shares a past with Winter from the war years. Their rekindled affair is fraught with wariness; she offers intimate information crucial to his investigation, but guards her own secrets fiercely. Like Winter, she is both cunning and capable of danger.

From grand houses to dimly lit streets, death stalks Captain Winter. He must tread carefully to unmask a killer, navigate a web of secrets and lies, and perhaps, in the process, save his own soul.

PRE-ORDER NOW!

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R.J. Koreto

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: R.J. Koreto is the author of the Historic Home Mysteries series, set in modern New York City; the Lady Frances Ffolkes Mysteries series, set in Edwardian England; and the Alice Roosevelt Mysteries series, set in turn-of-the-century New York. His short stories have been published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, as well as various anthologies.

Most recently, he is the author of forthcoming Winter's Season, which takes place on the dark streets and glittering ballrooms of Regency-era London.

In his day job, he works as a business and financial journalist. Over the years, he’s been a magazine writer and editor, website manager, PR consultant, book author, and seaman in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Like his heroine, Lady Frances Ffolkes, he’s a graduate of Vassar College.

He and his wife have two grown daughters, and divide their time between Paris and Martha’s Vineyard

Catch up with RJ Koreto:

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Visit the other great hosts on this tour for book reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway! Click here to view the Tour Schedule.

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GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
ONE WINNER
will receive a $20 Amazon gift card!
(US only; ends noon, EST, 7/14/2025)
This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for R.J. Koreto. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

WINTER’S SEASON by R.J. Koreto (Gift Card)

Can't see the giveaway? Click Here!

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