The Final Transmission – Book Review

by | Mar 24, 2015 | Book Reviews, Reviews | 0 comments

thefinaltransmissionThe Final Transmission
Brian F.H. Clement
Damnation Books
December 1st, 2013
Reviewed by Stuart Conover

In ‘The Final Transmission’ Brian F.H. Clement delivers us a mixture of the occult and a crime procedural in his shockingly fun debut novel. Set in Toronto we follow Detective Benoit Michaud as he investigates a horrific crime scene that goes from horrid to so much worse. What was meant to be a sacrifice of one innocent life actually has the intended victim as well as the cult that was about to end their life having all been burned alive.

When a cult is involved a suicide pact may be the first thing that runs through your mind but that quickly seems to be a misdirection. Were they all brought down by a serial killer? A vigilante targeting the cult? Or someone much much worse? Did I say someone? I may very possibly have meant something. Was this even a demon summoning gone wrong?

In the book we have some great character development on the Detective’s part but he isn’t the only one in the spotlight as the best moments are when he interacts with his civilian assistant Karen Wendleton. Are they just friends, or is something else brewing beneath the surface. They have a very comfortable and complicated relationship that so many have gone through themselves or have seen happen. You may want more to come from it but that isn’t our focus here.

Clement delivers not only on the suspense but the mystery as well. There is a constant guessing game of what is coming next and with one surprise after another you’ll be shocked that he keeps things unraveling in such an unpredictable fashion. With a murder mystery that involves the occult and such a violent opening you can expect that more bodies will be piling up before you turn the last page. Honestly there needs to be more novels out there that deal with cults as they are the perfect stomping ground for a modern day mystery. A set of people with a common goal that not everyone is going to be agreeable with? One that involves human sacrifice? If it is as well written as Clement’s novel I’ll be first in line to grab a copy.

I’m curious to pick up more of Clement’s work and see what direction any sequels may take the characters. At least those who survive.

Will Michaud solve the murders before things go too far? Will he survive to solve more mysteries in future novels? You’ll have to pick up a copy to find out!

Disclaimer: A copy was provided for review by one of our sponsors.

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