Low is the second book I have read by Mike Duke, and it is quite different from the first story I read (Warm, Dark Places Are Best). And a huge thank you to the author for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review. While Warm, Dark Places Are Best made me squirm and itch and writhe around in my own irrational fear of bugs, Low took me to a place where fear is way deeper. The book is a blend of horror and noir (and maybe a teeny percentage of a little romance thrown in for good measure). The struggle between good and evil is real. And it might not always pay to be good and it might serve us all to be a little evil from time to time. Maybe there is this blurred line between the two in which we all exist?



I love the way Duke writes our main character, Mark Adams, who is a police officer. You feel like you are really there in the conversations (or TV shows if any that you watch have cop dialogue) and it pulls you further into the overall story. It makes sense that Duke knows how to write a believable cop since he was, in fact, an officer! So bonus points already for credibility and honesty to the character.

The pace of the novel is great. I read this in 2 (MAYBE 3) sittings, and only stopped because I literally had to stop and be somewhere or do something that would not allow me to continue reading. There were enough twists scattered throughout that you are never left feeling complacent or that you can predict what might happen next. There is just enough skepticism while reading whether or not this is reality, dream, or something else.

One of my favorite parts of the book was all about Mr. Phailees and Phobos! Every scene with these two really got to me and made me start questioning whether or not I would be at their mercy if I were all of a sudden launched into this story for real. Such creepy and fun characters that really added a lot to the atmosphere of the book for me. And if I wasn’t afraid of being bitten by a dog before, I sure as hell am now! Those are some nasty wounds inflicted!

My biggest (and maybe only?) peeve with the book, and maybe the only reason I am giving it 4.5 instead of 5 stars, has to do with the female characters. They all seem so subservient sexually and emotionally. Sometimes I half expected them to be sitting in the room naked with wine, grapes, and a palm tree branch to fan the men. The way they talked did not seem too believable to me; they almost seemed TOO thirsty and too codependent. I just couldn’t find them credible or believable. I’m excited to read Ashley’s Tale, another book by Duke, to get a different perspective from a stronger female character!

But, that one quirk above being said, this book is still a great read and I definitely recommend it. 4.5 stars FOR SURE! Mike Duke can write a story, guys! I am excited for more of his works (also looking forward to The Awakening) and will definitely be a continued fan as he is bringing a fresh voice to the horror genre.