L.H. Maynard and M.P.N. Sims, the authors of “Shelter” and other collections of stories, have brought us their latest “Demon Eyes”. This book shows that they still have what it takes to keep the readers on the edge of their seats.

Emma Porter has just accepted a job that seems too good to be true. Upon accepting this job, her lover Helen Carver is inexplicably killed under strange circumstances. Her new boss, Alex Keltner, invites her to a retreat at his estate on the English countryside where she is introduced to some of his high society friends. While exploring the mansion and grounds, Emma is witness to some extraordinary events, leading her to wonder if her boss and his friends are really who they claim to be.

Her lover’s brother Tony Carver shows up in town trying to get to the bottom of his sister’s death. He meets the proprietor of the local pub who agrees to help him find some answers. Along the way, they also team up with a local man who was severely disfigured during a run-in with the Keltner family who wants nothing more than revenge for what was done to him. Early on in the story we are also introduced to Nathan Wisecroft, whose role is explained later on in the story and proves to be one of the more interesting characters in the book.

 I thought that this book started a little slow and seemed to take a little bit of work to sink my teeth into it. Only about a quarter of the way through did things pick up and really start to get interesting. I wouldn’t recommend that the reader put this book down however because it ultimately proves to be a well written story full of sexuality, mystery and horror all rolled into one package. Without going into details, the ending certainly is a cliffhanger and one certainly hopes that these characters will return in the future.

To sum it up, Demon Eyes is a book that certainly gnaws at the nerve endings. Hopefully the authors will provide some relief for that itch in a sequel.