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Detective Bobby Mac Thriller #1
Black Beast
Decorated Denver Detective Bobby Macaulay has faced down a truckload of tragedy over recent years. The death of his partner; the loss of his own leg in the line of duty; the companionship of his beloved wife to cancer; his faith in God to his inner demons.
After the man who ruined his leg and killed his first partner is executed, Macaulay becomes the lead detective investigating the Sloan's Lake murders. The method of killing in this double-homicide is so heinous it leads Macaulay and his partner down an ever-darkening path—one that must be traversed if they are to discover the evil forces behind the slaughter.
Just when Bobby Macaulay is questioning the very career that has been his salvation, he will discover a heroic history buried within his own family The Clan MacAulay—a deep family lineage of protectors at the very core of a millenniums-long war against unimaginable evil.
"Black Beast" is the first in a series of Clan of MacAulay novels—a stellar first outing for new author R.S. Guthrie. The book is a page-turner that avoids meandering, written with tight prose that keeps the action flowing. The reader is taken inside the heart and mind of a common hero who will make you believe in good again—Macaulay is a believable, flawed character with whom each of us can relate and for whom each of us will cheer.
After the man who ruined his leg and killed his first partner is executed, Macaulay becomes the lead detective investigating the Sloan's Lake murders. The method of killing in this double-homicide is so heinous it leads Macaulay and his partner down an ever-darkening path—one that must be traversed if they are to discover the evil forces behind the slaughter.
Just when Bobby Macaulay is questioning the very career that has been his salvation, he will discover a heroic history buried within his own family The Clan MacAulay—a deep family lineage of protectors at the very core of a millenniums-long war against unimaginable evil.
"Black Beast" is the first in a series of Clan of MacAulay novels—a stellar first outing for new author R.S. Guthrie. The book is a page-turner that avoids meandering, written with tight prose that keeps the action flowing. The reader is taken inside the heart and mind of a common hero who will make you believe in good again—Macaulay is a believable, flawed character with whom each of us can relate and for whom each of us will cheer.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2011
74 people are currently reading
511 people want to read
About the author
R.S. Guthrie
15Ìýbooks320ÌýfollowersR. S. Guthrie has been writing fiction for several years. is the first in the series of Detective Bobby Mac Thriller books featuring Denver detective Bobby Mac.
is the second book in the popular Paranormal Mystery-Detective series; the third book, Reckoning, is now out that closes out the Detective Bobby Mac Thriller trilogy (though it is not the final Detective Bobby Mac book).
Guthrie finished his Mystery/Thriller novel set in Wyoming that has been beset by Big Oil, the millions of dollars that come with them, and the murder of a lawman's wife entitled . The story takes place in a fictional town in his home state of Wyoming and was published in 2012. A pre-release excerpt was featured in the June 2011 issue of New West magazine. Money Land, second in the Sheriff James Pruett series, continued the saga of the Wyoming lawman and was published in late 2012; Honor Land, next in the series is scheduled for release is Summer of 2013.
The author currently lives in Colorado with his beautiful wife, Amy, three Australian Shepherds, and a Chihuahua who thinks she is a forty-pound Aussie. It is a widely known fact that the canines rule the Guthrie household.
is the second book in the popular Paranormal Mystery-Detective series; the third book, Reckoning, is now out that closes out the Detective Bobby Mac Thriller trilogy (though it is not the final Detective Bobby Mac book).
Guthrie finished his Mystery/Thriller novel set in Wyoming that has been beset by Big Oil, the millions of dollars that come with them, and the murder of a lawman's wife entitled . The story takes place in a fictional town in his home state of Wyoming and was published in 2012. A pre-release excerpt was featured in the June 2011 issue of New West magazine. Money Land, second in the Sheriff James Pruett series, continued the saga of the Wyoming lawman and was published in late 2012; Honor Land, next in the series is scheduled for release is Summer of 2013.
The author currently lives in Colorado with his beautiful wife, Amy, three Australian Shepherds, and a Chihuahua who thinks she is a forty-pound Aussie. It is a widely known fact that the canines rule the Guthrie household.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
April 6, 2016
Thoroughly enjoyed this book, really well written and thought out.
This follows Bobby Macauley and his investigation into The Black Beast.
It was a very easy book to read which flowed really well and was adelight to read. Gripping throughout and a must read story.
This follows Bobby Macauley and his investigation into The Black Beast.
It was a very easy book to read which flowed really well and was adelight to read. Gripping throughout and a must read story.
November 7, 2011
I’ve been super busy lately, so much so that it has taken me weeks to get through my most favorite authors� New York Times bestsellers. Big names, page-turning books. I’m telling you this so when I tell you that I finished Black Beast within a 24-hour period you’ll understand the significance, that this book is that good! From the get-go, the story grabbed me by the shirt collar and demanded my full attention, forcing everything else to be put on hold. Bobby Mac’s struggle with his personal demons� and with actual ones� is absorbing, and R.S. Guthrie carves him out so skillfully that he feels real. The writing is powerful and vivid, manipulating the heart to race and the eyes to tear up. This was by far the most emotional mystery that I’ve ever read and one of the best. One last callout: the dialogue. Dialogue makes or breaks a story, and Guthrie’s is exceptional. It’s clever, rings true, and shouts volumes about the speaker, and could easily be adapted into a screenplay (hint hint). What I find most amazing is that this is Guthrie’s debut novel. Coming straight out of the chute with something that competes with the masters, imagine that? Needless to say, I highly recommend the first installment of Clan Of MacAulay to an adult audience.
September 13, 2011
I have been very surprised while I was reading this book. I am not very fond of novels including dark stuff. I am a person who scares easily. But this book is completely different. In its own special way, it has all those elements that keep you reading, being almost impossible to put the book aside. It is dark, brilliant, witty, well written, and the story has those twists and unexpected things that we good readers like. So it is a good that I would recommend to all of you who enjoy a good mystery novel with a fantastic touch. You will be moved, surprised, excited, and a lot more while reading it. I have enjoyed so much reading this book. And, at the same time, by reading this book you are making a difference, since the author is doing a great job at donating the proceeds of his digital sales of the book during September to Ben, a lovely kid who needs all our help to pay his tuition. Visit his website for more details. Please, do it.
November 12, 2011
Black Beast grabbed me from the very first chapter. I don't get a lot of time to read, usually twenty minutes in bed, but this was a story I couldn't put down and I found myself having early nights just to get my next fix.
The characters are beautifully drawn without slowing down the pace of the book and every time I picked up my kindle it was just a few sentences before I was drawn into Bobby Mac's world. I saw the characters so vividly it was as if I was watching the film version (and surely there will be one with such a great plot).
Guthrie has created a protagonist in Bobby Mac that will push Alex Cross all the way, and I can see this turning into an epic series of novels.
I have no hesitation in giving Black Beast five stars and will be first in line to buy the next of Guthrie's works.
The characters are beautifully drawn without slowing down the pace of the book and every time I picked up my kindle it was just a few sentences before I was drawn into Bobby Mac's world. I saw the characters so vividly it was as if I was watching the film version (and surely there will be one with such a great plot).
Guthrie has created a protagonist in Bobby Mac that will push Alex Cross all the way, and I can see this turning into an epic series of novels.
I have no hesitation in giving Black Beast five stars and will be first in line to buy the next of Guthrie's works.
November 26, 2011
Black Beast by R. S. Guthrie is a book that will send you on a journey of suspense and emotions that you will never expect. The characters are so well developed that I had a picture of them in my mind as I read. The main character "Bobby Mac" is someone that I felt great compassion for as the story progressed.
The writing is excellent, very descriptive and will compel you forward. This book is a Must Read for everyone. If you love to read and enjoy being totally immersed in the story this book is for you. I couldn't put this book down and didn't want to!! I cant wait for Volume Two. Thank you R. S. Guthrie for taking me on a journey that I could never have gone on without reading your wonderful book!
The writing is excellent, very descriptive and will compel you forward. This book is a Must Read for everyone. If you love to read and enjoy being totally immersed in the story this book is for you. I couldn't put this book down and didn't want to!! I cant wait for Volume Two. Thank you R. S. Guthrie for taking me on a journey that I could never have gone on without reading your wonderful book!
December 26, 2012
I have to be onest: at first I wasn't so attracted by this book. I like a certain extent of supernatural in thrillers but not if there's too much violence. Black Beast by R. S. Guthrie made me change my mind. This is an amazing thriller, in which action, supernatural and investigations are perfectly mixed.
As I often say in my reviews, my mother language is not English and I always need a few pages to get into the style of an author. This time I needed more than a few pages, but when I finally took the right rythm I was glued to the screen of my Kindle.
If you love a good thriller, with suspence and unexpected twists, Black Beast is the novel for you!
As I often say in my reviews, my mother language is not English and I always need a few pages to get into the style of an author. This time I needed more than a few pages, but when I finally took the right rythm I was glued to the screen of my Kindle.
If you love a good thriller, with suspence and unexpected twists, Black Beast is the novel for you!
September 14, 2011
The black beast took me on a very suspense filled journey, Its the story of A detective who discovers the world he is living in is not as it seems! This is a must read, I found myelf asking all those impossible questions we often close our minds too. I could not put this book down, very beautifully written, the story flowed perfectly from one chapter to the next. I would urge anyone to buy this book. This author is one to watch for the future...I will definately be downloading his next book.
Dawn Torrens
Dawn Torrens
July 14, 2012
Book Info: Genre: Police Procedural with Supernatural aspects Reading Level: Adult
Disclosure: The author approached me some time back, offering a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I already had this book, and it’s sequel, but agreed to read and review the book for him anyway.
Synopsis: Decorated Denver Detective Bobby Macaulay has faced down a truckload of tragedy over recent years. The death of his partner; the loss of his own leg in the line of duty; the companionship of his beloved wife to cancer; his faith in God to his inner demons.
After the man who ruined his leg and killed his first partner is executed, Macaulay becomes the lead detective investigating the Sloan's Lake murders. The method of killing in this double-homicide is so heinous it leads Macaulay and his partner down an ever-darkening path â€� one that must be traversed if they are to discover the evil forces behind the slaughter.Ìý
Just when Bobby Macaulay is questioning the very career that has been his salvation, he will discover a heroic history buried within his own family roots: The Clan MacAulay � a deep family lineage of protectors at the very core of a millenniums-long war against unimaginable evil.
My Thoughts: I was a bit worried when I noticed how much talk there was in the synopsis about religion and faith, afraid that the story might end up being a bit preachy. Fortunately, it was not � just a decent police procedural with some supernatural elements. That those supernatural elements are demons under the leadership of Satan and Samhain (horribly distorted) is just part of the story.
Bobby Mac is an interesting person, and I enjoyed reading about him, although I was terribly confused at first over the similarities between him and Terrence, who is at the beginning of the book. It is all explained, though. There is one major plot discrepancy, though, that just really bothered me, and caused me to mark off. The explanation is in the next paragraph, but it does include spoilers, so skip the next paragraph if you want to skip the spoilers. General review continued after the jump.
Major spoilers included in this paragraph, but this explains why the star has been marked off � your choice whether or not to read it. If you want to skip the spoilers, just skip this paragraph. I noticed one major plot discrepancy. Supposedly the event that caused Terrence Macaulay’s excommunication from his role as a priest happened in 1947, while Bobby Mac was told his grandfather had died in WWII. However, supposing that Father Macaulay had his experience in 1947, and it wasn’t until after that when he was excommunicated, and it was only after that when he got married and had Patrick, and only later still that he died and Patrick went to live with his uncle... well, everything happened after WWII had already ended, so the timing is all off. While Mac is not initially aware of his true family history, I’m not sure exactly how they could have explained his grandfather dying well over a year prior to his father even being born. End section with spoilers
So, while I enjoyed the book, due to that issue, I have taken off one star, because I kept thinking about it and turning over in my mind and trying to figure out how it all fit together, and that kept distracting me from the story. It is never explained; I sort of hope it will be in the sequel, L O S T, which I am reading next. There were also some grammatical issues here and there, more toward the end of the book than the beginning, but nothing that would have merited the loss of a star if it weren’t for the plot hole. Overall, those who enjoy police procedurals or suspense/thrillers, and who aren’t bothered by the inclusion of supernatural elements, should enjoy this book. Definitely check it out.
Disclosure: The author approached me some time back, offering a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I already had this book, and it’s sequel, but agreed to read and review the book for him anyway.
Synopsis: Decorated Denver Detective Bobby Macaulay has faced down a truckload of tragedy over recent years. The death of his partner; the loss of his own leg in the line of duty; the companionship of his beloved wife to cancer; his faith in God to his inner demons.
After the man who ruined his leg and killed his first partner is executed, Macaulay becomes the lead detective investigating the Sloan's Lake murders. The method of killing in this double-homicide is so heinous it leads Macaulay and his partner down an ever-darkening path â€� one that must be traversed if they are to discover the evil forces behind the slaughter.Ìý
Just when Bobby Macaulay is questioning the very career that has been his salvation, he will discover a heroic history buried within his own family roots: The Clan MacAulay � a deep family lineage of protectors at the very core of a millenniums-long war against unimaginable evil.
My Thoughts: I was a bit worried when I noticed how much talk there was in the synopsis about religion and faith, afraid that the story might end up being a bit preachy. Fortunately, it was not � just a decent police procedural with some supernatural elements. That those supernatural elements are demons under the leadership of Satan and Samhain (horribly distorted) is just part of the story.
Bobby Mac is an interesting person, and I enjoyed reading about him, although I was terribly confused at first over the similarities between him and Terrence, who is at the beginning of the book. It is all explained, though. There is one major plot discrepancy, though, that just really bothered me, and caused me to mark off. The explanation is in the next paragraph, but it does include spoilers, so skip the next paragraph if you want to skip the spoilers. General review continued after the jump.
Major spoilers included in this paragraph, but this explains why the star has been marked off � your choice whether or not to read it. If you want to skip the spoilers, just skip this paragraph. I noticed one major plot discrepancy. Supposedly the event that caused Terrence Macaulay’s excommunication from his role as a priest happened in 1947, while Bobby Mac was told his grandfather had died in WWII. However, supposing that Father Macaulay had his experience in 1947, and it wasn’t until after that when he was excommunicated, and it was only after that when he got married and had Patrick, and only later still that he died and Patrick went to live with his uncle... well, everything happened after WWII had already ended, so the timing is all off. While Mac is not initially aware of his true family history, I’m not sure exactly how they could have explained his grandfather dying well over a year prior to his father even being born. End section with spoilers
So, while I enjoyed the book, due to that issue, I have taken off one star, because I kept thinking about it and turning over in my mind and trying to figure out how it all fit together, and that kept distracting me from the story. It is never explained; I sort of hope it will be in the sequel, L O S T, which I am reading next. There were also some grammatical issues here and there, more toward the end of the book than the beginning, but nothing that would have merited the loss of a star if it weren’t for the plot hole. Overall, those who enjoy police procedurals or suspense/thrillers, and who aren’t bothered by the inclusion of supernatural elements, should enjoy this book. Definitely check it out.
October 22, 2011
Reading a book that is written from the law enforcement perspective always makes me wonder how much knowledge the writer might have on the subject. Being as Mr. Guthrie is not a police officer, and never has been I was AMAZED at his realistic explanations an the words that he used.
From the first chapter I found myself hooked. His writing style was graceful and elaborate without being overdone. His conversations were direct and specific, showing the reader what was going on without over doing anything. I found humor in the short conversations pieces at times when Mac spoke with other police officers of males in general. I could imagine these conversations taking place just as they were written.
Being that I am a certified CSI, I was astounded at his ability to explain exactly what the crime scene was like and what the investigators were doing. It was as if he had attended this training and knew the right from the wrong - which honestly some of the people I work with don't even understand.
There was one part in the book that took my heart and tore it. Brought forth emotions that were strong to my heart and soul. He wrote of attending a police memorial, and the description struck me so perfectly from the way he described the officers walking in line to the sound of the bag pipes. It caused chills and brought tears to my eyes.
I very much enjoyed the story and I look forward to seeing what happens next in Mac's life! Great job Mr. Guthrie.
From the first chapter I found myself hooked. His writing style was graceful and elaborate without being overdone. His conversations were direct and specific, showing the reader what was going on without over doing anything. I found humor in the short conversations pieces at times when Mac spoke with other police officers of males in general. I could imagine these conversations taking place just as they were written.
Being that I am a certified CSI, I was astounded at his ability to explain exactly what the crime scene was like and what the investigators were doing. It was as if he had attended this training and knew the right from the wrong - which honestly some of the people I work with don't even understand.
There was one part in the book that took my heart and tore it. Brought forth emotions that were strong to my heart and soul. He wrote of attending a police memorial, and the description struck me so perfectly from the way he described the officers walking in line to the sound of the bag pipes. It caused chills and brought tears to my eyes.
I very much enjoyed the story and I look forward to seeing what happens next in Mac's life! Great job Mr. Guthrie.
May 22, 2011
ONE HECK OF A COMBO OF MYSTERY, INTRIGUE, WITHIN A REALM OF THE MAIN CHARACTER'S LIFE OF COMPLEX VALUES, LEARNED BEHAVIOR, FROM THE SCHOOLS OF HARD KNOCKS,AND LIFE'S LESSONS AND SELF-WORTH. STIR IN MYTHS, ANCIENT FAMILY TRAITS, TRIALS, TRIBULATIONS, AND A WEE BIT OF DNA, FROM THE PAST TO PRESENT , AND I THINK IT WILL GO INTO THIS FAMILY'S FUTURE AS WELL. THE DESCRIPTS OF THE WRITER ARE SO VIVID AS TO PLACE YOU IN THE STORY, WEATHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT. I AM NOT ONE FOR MURDER, MAYHEM, MYSTERY, FILLED WITH TRYING TO GUESS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT, ONLY TO BE WRONG ON THAT SCORE, RELIGION MYTHS, WHICH ARE BARELY TOUCHED UPON, BUT ARE THERE BETWEEN THE LINES,TO BE GROVELED, AND DIGESTED AT WILL. TO TELL THE TRUTH THIS IS ONE STORY THAT GRASPED ME BY THE NAP OF THE NECK AND STILL HAS NOT LET GO.. TO SAY THE LEAST I LOVED IT.
March 31, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. The story moves very quickly and I was wondering how many twists it was going to take before the end of the book. I will be reading the next one in the series, Lost, as I want to see where Clan MacAulay goes next.
January 3, 2015
Not my kind of murder mystery.
There are so many books are written about paranormal, evils and Lucifer, thought maybe I should read one. Did and definitely not my kind of book, even maybe I missed something and went back to beginning and re-read again.
There are so many books are written about paranormal, evils and Lucifer, thought maybe I should read one. Did and definitely not my kind of book, even maybe I missed something and went back to beginning and re-read again.
January 26, 2012
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's a great mix of mystery, police procedural, and the paranormal. It's gritty and harsh, being in Bobby Mac's head, but worth it for a good read.
February 28, 2018
Thriller Just Isn't Strong Enough
A fast-paced action packed paranormal thriller. This was a great read. Living for more than 10 years in Colorado this one hit homes with some of the description. A fantastic plot with the main character being a cop with more family history than he knows.
A fast-paced action packed paranormal thriller. This was a great read. Living for more than 10 years in Colorado this one hit homes with some of the description. A fantastic plot with the main character being a cop with more family history than he knows.
July 29, 2018
An Exceptional Thriller
This book has unusual twists and turns in it. I was surprised where the author took me in this story. It makes you think about your view of God and demons in our lives. I found myself asking questions of how much of our lives is predestined and many more deep questions. The author is wonderful.
This book has unusual twists and turns in it. I was surprised where the author took me in this story. It makes you think about your view of God and demons in our lives. I found myself asking questions of how much of our lives is predestined and many more deep questions. The author is wonderful.
October 11, 2019
Intriguing book
Overall I enjoyed the book. It was an interesting concept.
In places though it did feel like some areas were glossed over. I would've liked to heard more about the diary and clan macaulay.
The story did engage me and kept me intrigued throughout.
Overall I enjoyed the book. It was an interesting concept.
In places though it did feel like some areas were glossed over. I would've liked to heard more about the diary and clan macaulay.
The story did engage me and kept me intrigued throughout.
April 15, 2020
Will evil overcome?
Another match between good and evil, with a lot of interesting philosophy thrown in as well. Combines Celtic lore, Christian faith, ancient stories ..... and a modern Denver cop.
Another match between good and evil, with a lot of interesting philosophy thrown in as well. Combines Celtic lore, Christian faith, ancient stories ..... and a modern Denver cop.
August 6, 2021
Should not be reading so many books at one time. Not sure why I stopped reading this but I sure am glad that I picked it back up again. Good vs. Evil - dating back historically and bringing it to present day. What will book 2 have Bobby Mac unraveling...
July 10, 2015
[COYER RWBRAT]
The very definition of a hard-bitten detective novel, Black Beast kicks off the Bobby Mac detective series with a bazooka, not a hand grenade (to borrow from the book). Bobby is a detective with the Denver Police Department who is still feeling the effects of losing his wife to cancer and his partner to a perp's bullet. His son's in college far away so he can avoid home. Cole still holds his dad responsible for his mother's death in some ways.
A death-row inmate (put there for participating in the very robbery that killed his partner and blew off his left leg) asks to speak to Bobby before his execution. An early-morning jogger stumbles across the horrible sight of the bodies of two dismembered men, something that no human could have caused. The leather-bound journal written by his grandfather that his cousin, a priest, delivers to him out of the blue, along with an ancient cross. All trails seem to go back to Samhain, a demon who walks the earth and uses humans to do his bidding. But that's ridiculous, right? Bobby is not a bit superstitious, yet when he reads the diary entries and speaks with his cousin, it's hard not to deny what he's seen, what he's felt.
Bobby is a Macaulay, from Clan Macaulay, and, apparently, their family has been fighting evil all of their lives. Does that explain all of the death and destruction he's encountered? But Samhain's deputy is a drug dealer named Calypso, and he thwarts Bobby at every turn. But when he kidnaps Cole, there's hell to pay.
About as cozy as an iceberg (and probably just as hard to crack), Bobby Mac is the man's man of detectives. He's quiet, intense, riddled with guilt. He thinks in amazingly complicated and wordy sentences in a cold and procedural way. He's loyal and married to his job. He's all the things you would expect from a noir-ish story, except for the lack of heavy drinking. This is today's detective, usually fresh from the military, single because of tragedy, trying to find his way. Very by-the-book, it has all of the right boxes ticked. It's an updated Dragnet, in a way; no warmth, wooden characters and demons. Well, all except for the demons.
Black Beast by R. S. Guthrie was published May 11, 2011 by BluPencil Publishing, LLC. This was free on Amazon when I got it.
Rating: 3
Genre: Adult Fiction Fantasy Paranormal Thriller Series
The very definition of a hard-bitten detective novel, Black Beast kicks off the Bobby Mac detective series with a bazooka, not a hand grenade (to borrow from the book). Bobby is a detective with the Denver Police Department who is still feeling the effects of losing his wife to cancer and his partner to a perp's bullet. His son's in college far away so he can avoid home. Cole still holds his dad responsible for his mother's death in some ways.
A death-row inmate (put there for participating in the very robbery that killed his partner and blew off his left leg) asks to speak to Bobby before his execution. An early-morning jogger stumbles across the horrible sight of the bodies of two dismembered men, something that no human could have caused. The leather-bound journal written by his grandfather that his cousin, a priest, delivers to him out of the blue, along with an ancient cross. All trails seem to go back to Samhain, a demon who walks the earth and uses humans to do his bidding. But that's ridiculous, right? Bobby is not a bit superstitious, yet when he reads the diary entries and speaks with his cousin, it's hard not to deny what he's seen, what he's felt.
Bobby is a Macaulay, from Clan Macaulay, and, apparently, their family has been fighting evil all of their lives. Does that explain all of the death and destruction he's encountered? But Samhain's deputy is a drug dealer named Calypso, and he thwarts Bobby at every turn. But when he kidnaps Cole, there's hell to pay.
About as cozy as an iceberg (and probably just as hard to crack), Bobby Mac is the man's man of detectives. He's quiet, intense, riddled with guilt. He thinks in amazingly complicated and wordy sentences in a cold and procedural way. He's loyal and married to his job. He's all the things you would expect from a noir-ish story, except for the lack of heavy drinking. This is today's detective, usually fresh from the military, single because of tragedy, trying to find his way. Very by-the-book, it has all of the right boxes ticked. It's an updated Dragnet, in a way; no warmth, wooden characters and demons. Well, all except for the demons.
Black Beast by R. S. Guthrie was published May 11, 2011 by BluPencil Publishing, LLC. This was free on Amazon when I got it.
Rating: 3
Genre: Adult Fiction Fantasy Paranormal Thriller Series
July 27, 2013
My biggest issue with this book was that it had all the tools for greatness and it rushed it. This book was meant to be epic: we're talking generations-long legacies, demons from the beginning of time, the epic and ancient saga of the ultimate good versus evil, and a climax sequence taking us into that battle...
You can't do that and do it justice in the amount of space and story the author gave us. Everything fell...short.
It was like several segments of story, good pieces on their own, but laced together too quickly and without enough rational and adhesive between them to make it work. I like supernatural angles, and I love epic, but when you're drawing this much, you need to really build it and the author didn't build much.
We were Told more than Shown relationships between characters (especially those brought in at the end) and the main character's emotional transition between the "average" knowledge and the supernatural. It's just like a switch was flicked; no progression.
Not to mention I think Amanda was an awesome character woefully underused. And she was pretty much the only serious female character, so as a fan of strong female characters, I didn't like that so much.
I rate this book a three, however, because the writer was otherwise skilled. He managed to do banter--to write that back-and-forth dialog, either humorous/witty or serious--really work. A lot of authors try but just make it sound forced and stiff. Guthrie had a real knack for that, and the writing otherwise flowed well.
I really liked the ideas of it. I just wanted more: more things that drove the supernatural side of it, what made Bobby Mac the believer, what drove him towards the bad guy and what made him do the things he later did. I saw him do them, but didn't see the reasons why. Just that he suddenly turned a corner, and it was like that with other characters.
There are more books in this series, so perhaps these issues will be addressed. This was an introduction, and I get that. I don't know if I'll be reading them, but I may. I liked the characters, I just...wanted more.
But hey, as usual, it's just little salmon me swimming upstream against the sea of high ratings so take my thoughts, as ever, for what they're worth.
You can't do that and do it justice in the amount of space and story the author gave us. Everything fell...short.
It was like several segments of story, good pieces on their own, but laced together too quickly and without enough rational and adhesive between them to make it work. I like supernatural angles, and I love epic, but when you're drawing this much, you need to really build it and the author didn't build much.
We were Told more than Shown relationships between characters (especially those brought in at the end) and the main character's emotional transition between the "average" knowledge and the supernatural. It's just like a switch was flicked; no progression.
Not to mention I think Amanda was an awesome character woefully underused. And she was pretty much the only serious female character, so as a fan of strong female characters, I didn't like that so much.
I rate this book a three, however, because the writer was otherwise skilled. He managed to do banter--to write that back-and-forth dialog, either humorous/witty or serious--really work. A lot of authors try but just make it sound forced and stiff. Guthrie had a real knack for that, and the writing otherwise flowed well.
I really liked the ideas of it. I just wanted more: more things that drove the supernatural side of it, what made Bobby Mac the believer, what drove him towards the bad guy and what made him do the things he later did. I saw him do them, but didn't see the reasons why. Just that he suddenly turned a corner, and it was like that with other characters.
There are more books in this series, so perhaps these issues will be addressed. This was an introduction, and I get that. I don't know if I'll be reading them, but I may. I liked the characters, I just...wanted more.
But hey, as usual, it's just little salmon me swimming upstream against the sea of high ratings so take my thoughts, as ever, for what they're worth.
December 12, 2011
Once again, an independent author proven that the big commercial publishers just are not effective at finding good writers. RS Guthrie’s debut novel is a good, fast-paced read that kept me turning pages � or at least, flicking the screen of my e-reader.
Black Beast is an attempt to marry supernatural horror with hardboiled cop mystery. It’s mostly successful, if a little uneven in spots.
Synopsis: Robert Macaulay, “Bobby Mac,� is a Denver, Colorado cop with an artificial leg and a lot of history. The story begins with a death-row visit to the criminal who killed Macaulay’s first partner and was responsible for the loss of Macaulay’s leg, as well.
Macaulay is then perplexed by a series of especially grisly murders in Denver, and other events that bring up old cases he had worked one.
Macaulay’s family history becomes much more present, though, when he’s visited by his uncle, Father West, who reveals that Bobby Mac is the heir to an occult weapon and a responsibility to fight an ancient evil.
Author Rob Guthrie successfully weaves together the occult and the fact-based murder mystery genres in this tale. I’m not sure whether plotting or character development is his strongest point. Macaulay and all the other characters are absolutely believable (except maybe for some of the buddies from the Marines � but then, I’ve never been in the armed forces). I really identified with the main character’s awkwardness and difficulty with his college-aged son, and the anguish over the death of his wife.
And as for plot, there is only one big coincidence in this book. Everything else that I thought was a credibility stretch is very nicely tied together by the end. To me, this is a mark of a writer who takes his craft seriously.
There are a few places where Guthrie goes a little over the top, mainly in his descriptions of horror and ancient evil and in descriptions of criminals, but I can forgive those. By far, most of the prose is tight and fast paced. I was never bored reading this book.
I cannot understand why no commercial publisher picked this title up. Oh, right � because Rob Guthrie isn’t a celebrity.
He should be, by now.
Black Beast is an attempt to marry supernatural horror with hardboiled cop mystery. It’s mostly successful, if a little uneven in spots.
Synopsis: Robert Macaulay, “Bobby Mac,� is a Denver, Colorado cop with an artificial leg and a lot of history. The story begins with a death-row visit to the criminal who killed Macaulay’s first partner and was responsible for the loss of Macaulay’s leg, as well.
Macaulay is then perplexed by a series of especially grisly murders in Denver, and other events that bring up old cases he had worked one.
Macaulay’s family history becomes much more present, though, when he’s visited by his uncle, Father West, who reveals that Bobby Mac is the heir to an occult weapon and a responsibility to fight an ancient evil.
Author Rob Guthrie successfully weaves together the occult and the fact-based murder mystery genres in this tale. I’m not sure whether plotting or character development is his strongest point. Macaulay and all the other characters are absolutely believable (except maybe for some of the buddies from the Marines � but then, I’ve never been in the armed forces). I really identified with the main character’s awkwardness and difficulty with his college-aged son, and the anguish over the death of his wife.
And as for plot, there is only one big coincidence in this book. Everything else that I thought was a credibility stretch is very nicely tied together by the end. To me, this is a mark of a writer who takes his craft seriously.
There are a few places where Guthrie goes a little over the top, mainly in his descriptions of horror and ancient evil and in descriptions of criminals, but I can forgive those. By far, most of the prose is tight and fast paced. I was never bored reading this book.
I cannot understand why no commercial publisher picked this title up. Oh, right � because Rob Guthrie isn’t a celebrity.
He should be, by now.
January 2, 2012
If you like crossover fiction straddling mystery and horror, look no further than R.S. Guthrie's Clan of MacAuley series. With the second book of the series, Lost, just released, I knew it was high time to read the book that launched the series, Black Beast. And the book exceeded my expectations.
His Denver Detective, Bobby Mac, between his Celtic ancestry, his eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps, and his years on the Denver police force, certainly carries with him sufficient history upon which to build a series of books. Those years on the Denver force have left their mark. When two young drug-dealing punks are murdered in a local park, and only parts of their bodies found, the authorities at first think a bear might have wandered into the city. Bobby Mac is charged with getting to the bottom of the crime.
Guthrie has written the book in the first person, allowing the reader to plumb Bobby Mac's thought processes. Since Bobby Mac is a thoughtful dude given to armchair wisdom, the exploration of his psyche is one of the high points of the book. Scattered throughought the story are also third-person scenes, so that the reader has slightly more information than Bobbie most of the time. The author walks this line with great self-assurance.
The book progresses with alacrity to a satisfying finish. I found myself craving more story, having reached the last page. I can't give details here without spoiling. My feeling is that Guthrie is planning to fill in the gaps in future books in the series, and that's as it should be. Now I'm looking forward to reading his second book, Lost.
His Denver Detective, Bobby Mac, between his Celtic ancestry, his eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps, and his years on the Denver police force, certainly carries with him sufficient history upon which to build a series of books. Those years on the Denver force have left their mark. When two young drug-dealing punks are murdered in a local park, and only parts of their bodies found, the authorities at first think a bear might have wandered into the city. Bobby Mac is charged with getting to the bottom of the crime.
Guthrie has written the book in the first person, allowing the reader to plumb Bobby Mac's thought processes. Since Bobby Mac is a thoughtful dude given to armchair wisdom, the exploration of his psyche is one of the high points of the book. Scattered throughought the story are also third-person scenes, so that the reader has slightly more information than Bobbie most of the time. The author walks this line with great self-assurance.
The book progresses with alacrity to a satisfying finish. I found myself craving more story, having reached the last page. I can't give details here without spoiling. My feeling is that Guthrie is planning to fill in the gaps in future books in the series, and that's as it should be. Now I'm looking forward to reading his second book, Lost.
January 11, 2012
Title: Black Beast
Author: RS Guthrie
Publisher: Blu Pencil Publishing, LLC
Format: Kindle Edition
Interest: Supernatural/Thriller/Series
Rating 0-100: 95 (5 Stars)
____________________________________________
I originally purchased this book during the holidays in response to a Kindle giveaway promotion by the author. Since then, I've been a fan of his blog site. RS 'Rob' Guthrie has some great information posted there, for aspiring authors such as myself.
Even so, I wasn't sure whether I would like this book, after reading the sample on Amazon. I figured what the heck, it was a opportunity to win a Kindle for my wife and help support the author and his charity. I'm glad I took a chance on it. The sample that Amazon gives really does not do justice to this book. This one is on my recommended reading list, and I give it a grade of 95, solid "A".
My goal is to read at least 30 books this year. If the other books are as addicting as this, then I might have a chance to double that number. By the third or fourth chapter, I was hooked. I can't tell you how tempting it was to take my Kindle to work with me today. As it turned out, I found myself reading it on the iPhone with the Kindle app during lunch. In fact, the last five chapters went by with thumb blazing speed.
Bobby Mac is not the typical hero, and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I purchased 'Lost' a few minutes ago, and if it's as good as 'Black Beast', then I'm in for a long night.
If I had one suggestion to make, it would be that Guthrie post a few chapters of 'Black Beast' on his website, or if possible, extend the sample on Amazon.
--Rush
Author: RS Guthrie
Publisher: Blu Pencil Publishing, LLC
Format: Kindle Edition
Interest: Supernatural/Thriller/Series
Rating 0-100: 95 (5 Stars)
____________________________________________
I originally purchased this book during the holidays in response to a Kindle giveaway promotion by the author. Since then, I've been a fan of his blog site. RS 'Rob' Guthrie has some great information posted there, for aspiring authors such as myself.
Even so, I wasn't sure whether I would like this book, after reading the sample on Amazon. I figured what the heck, it was a opportunity to win a Kindle for my wife and help support the author and his charity. I'm glad I took a chance on it. The sample that Amazon gives really does not do justice to this book. This one is on my recommended reading list, and I give it a grade of 95, solid "A".
My goal is to read at least 30 books this year. If the other books are as addicting as this, then I might have a chance to double that number. By the third or fourth chapter, I was hooked. I can't tell you how tempting it was to take my Kindle to work with me today. As it turned out, I found myself reading it on the iPhone with the Kindle app during lunch. In fact, the last five chapters went by with thumb blazing speed.
Bobby Mac is not the typical hero, and I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I purchased 'Lost' a few minutes ago, and if it's as good as 'Black Beast', then I'm in for a long night.
If I had one suggestion to make, it would be that Guthrie post a few chapters of 'Black Beast' on his website, or if possible, extend the sample on Amazon.
--Rush
July 16, 2012
Black Beast: A MacAulay Novel Vol 1
By R. S. Guthrie
We start out with Father Terrence MacAulay, a priest that is chasing an evil that takes possession of men’s souls. During WWII in war torn Europe the beast was very active. Father MacAulay and Father Fic Rule do nine exorcisms, a couple ending in death, the last one ending in death for the child, and Father MacAulay loses his leg and his collar to the beast. If Father Fic Rule sounds funny to you, keep reading.
In 2011, Colorado, his grandson is a Detective; Bobby Mac is what he is called, and he too has lost his left leg, but his was too a drug dealer. Or was it? As Bobby Mac goes through the case that killed his partner, and meets up with Father West, who delivers to him his grandfather’s diary left to him by Father Rule who just passed on, Bobby Mac discovers that there is more between Heaven and Earth that he thought, and that he could see.
First he has to accept that his grandfather was not his grandfather, but his great uncle, then he finds out Father West is his cousin, and his girlfriend is possessed by the Black Beast.
This was a good suspense book, a thriller that kept you guessing at every turn. It was tightly woven, well plotted, the characters fleshed out, and a look at the end that let you know this wasn’t the end of the Black Beast. If you like a good suspense/thriller pick this one up, you will not be sorry you did, Mr. Guthrie has penned a winner. A five star rating for this book with no hesitation, I just could not put it down once I opened it.
By R. S. Guthrie
We start out with Father Terrence MacAulay, a priest that is chasing an evil that takes possession of men’s souls. During WWII in war torn Europe the beast was very active. Father MacAulay and Father Fic Rule do nine exorcisms, a couple ending in death, the last one ending in death for the child, and Father MacAulay loses his leg and his collar to the beast. If Father Fic Rule sounds funny to you, keep reading.
In 2011, Colorado, his grandson is a Detective; Bobby Mac is what he is called, and he too has lost his left leg, but his was too a drug dealer. Or was it? As Bobby Mac goes through the case that killed his partner, and meets up with Father West, who delivers to him his grandfather’s diary left to him by Father Rule who just passed on, Bobby Mac discovers that there is more between Heaven and Earth that he thought, and that he could see.
First he has to accept that his grandfather was not his grandfather, but his great uncle, then he finds out Father West is his cousin, and his girlfriend is possessed by the Black Beast.
This was a good suspense book, a thriller that kept you guessing at every turn. It was tightly woven, well plotted, the characters fleshed out, and a look at the end that let you know this wasn’t the end of the Black Beast. If you like a good suspense/thriller pick this one up, you will not be sorry you did, Mr. Guthrie has penned a winner. A five star rating for this book with no hesitation, I just could not put it down once I opened it.
March 10, 2012
Detective Bobby Macaulay is the main character in R. S. Guthrie's debut novel, Black Beast. Bobby narrates in first person throughout, and is pretty much the center of attention.
While a detective thriller with a healthy dose of the paranormal, there are long passages where the reader is treated to Bobby's conclusions--about himself, his wife, his job, life in general, God, men vs. women, etc. I didn't find that it interfered with the action or the story at all--rather, it enhanced it, and elevated the book above what it otherwise might have been, yet another detective thriller splashed with the paranormal.
Scenes are well constructed, prose is not overwritten, and tension is maintained from beginning to end. There are a couple of twists, but for the most part, the narrative is straightforward, not afraid to show you the cards and then win you over, anyway.
This story, like others I've read recently, is just as much about soul searching and personal redemption as it is about the grisly murders, the devil and the demons.
I'm looking forward to picking up Lost, Guthrie's follow up novel to Black Beast.
I would definitely recommend this book to any who likes to have some thoughtful introspection along with their paranormal grit.
While a detective thriller with a healthy dose of the paranormal, there are long passages where the reader is treated to Bobby's conclusions--about himself, his wife, his job, life in general, God, men vs. women, etc. I didn't find that it interfered with the action or the story at all--rather, it enhanced it, and elevated the book above what it otherwise might have been, yet another detective thriller splashed with the paranormal.
Scenes are well constructed, prose is not overwritten, and tension is maintained from beginning to end. There are a couple of twists, but for the most part, the narrative is straightforward, not afraid to show you the cards and then win you over, anyway.
This story, like others I've read recently, is just as much about soul searching and personal redemption as it is about the grisly murders, the devil and the demons.
I'm looking forward to picking up Lost, Guthrie's follow up novel to Black Beast.
I would definitely recommend this book to any who likes to have some thoughtful introspection along with their paranormal grit.
August 17, 2015
Black Beast is the first book in R.S. Guthrie’s Clan Macaulay series, and it clearly demonstrates his skill as a thriller writer. A veritable roller coaster of thrills and chills, with occasional pit stops in the mind and heart of the central character, a common man with an uncommon purpose.
Bobby Macaulay is a decorated Denver Police Detective who lost a leg in the line of duty, but is still one of the DPD’s sharpest detectives. When he’s assigned, though, to investigate a string of grisly murders, he has to face his tragic past—and his family legacy, a legacy of which he was unaware.
When Mac learns the truth of his past, he also learns that good and evil are not just abstract constructs, but a reality—a reality with which he must deal, or die.
Like crack cocaine, one shot of this will hook you for life. There are perhaps too many typos, and Guthrie plays a bit fast and loose with history and culture, but it’s an interesting read nonetheless. I found myself eventually skipping over the glitches and ignoring the historical errors in order to stay in the story. This is not as good as his Sheriff James Pruett mystery series, but given time, I think they’ll climb up beside them.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.
Bobby Macaulay is a decorated Denver Police Detective who lost a leg in the line of duty, but is still one of the DPD’s sharpest detectives. When he’s assigned, though, to investigate a string of grisly murders, he has to face his tragic past—and his family legacy, a legacy of which he was unaware.
When Mac learns the truth of his past, he also learns that good and evil are not just abstract constructs, but a reality—a reality with which he must deal, or die.
Like crack cocaine, one shot of this will hook you for life. There are perhaps too many typos, and Guthrie plays a bit fast and loose with history and culture, but it’s an interesting read nonetheless. I found myself eventually skipping over the glitches and ignoring the historical errors in order to stay in the story. This is not as good as his Sheriff James Pruett mystery series, but given time, I think they’ll climb up beside them.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.
November 12, 2011
Discoveries of Evil
This novel definitely has the makings of a fantastic series!
Robert Macaulay (Bobby Mac) and his partner are taken down a very dark path in their search for answers regarding a heinous double-homicide in Denver, Colorado.
It won’t take you long to discover Bobby Mac is a multi-dimensional character. The discoveries he makes regarding his heroic family roots and the evil are fascinating.
This novel always kept me guessing and with Guthrie’s uncanny ability to keep the prose tight and the action flowing, this was a total pleasure to read. The description of the crime scene is believable and from what many in law enforcement have said, very accurate as well.
It takes an author with heart and soul to write a section as he did that will tug at your heartstrings.
I am really looking forward to the second book in this series by this very talented author. I highly recommend you treat yourself to this wild ride through forces of dark and evil.
Rebecca Scarberry (Kindle Book Review)
This novel definitely has the makings of a fantastic series!
Robert Macaulay (Bobby Mac) and his partner are taken down a very dark path in their search for answers regarding a heinous double-homicide in Denver, Colorado.
It won’t take you long to discover Bobby Mac is a multi-dimensional character. The discoveries he makes regarding his heroic family roots and the evil are fascinating.
This novel always kept me guessing and with Guthrie’s uncanny ability to keep the prose tight and the action flowing, this was a total pleasure to read. The description of the crime scene is believable and from what many in law enforcement have said, very accurate as well.
It takes an author with heart and soul to write a section as he did that will tug at your heartstrings.
I am really looking forward to the second book in this series by this very talented author. I highly recommend you treat yourself to this wild ride through forces of dark and evil.
Rebecca Scarberry (Kindle Book Review)
August 5, 2014
Clan Macaulay - a tradition of protectors
Police procedural with a hearty dose of the supernatural thrown in, BLACK BEAST more than held my interest all the way through.
This is the author's "first major release" and there ARE some editing issues with the book. He could have used the services of a proofreader/copy editor and he could have researched the book better, especially the supernatural sections. Also, there are story threads that start out and then just leave the reader hanging.
BUT - even with its many problems, I really liked this book and I liked the protagonist Bobby Mac Macaulay, one-legged Denver cop and reluctant champion. I have bought the other two books in the trilogy and I hope the author's writing matures and he learned from the mistakes and omissions in this offering.
I especially liked reading a book that takes place in Denver, an area I love, and that the author writes about knowledgeably. And I hope that character Duncan Rand, computer whiz kid, is back in the other books of the trilogy - "Lost" and "Reckoning."
Police procedural with a hearty dose of the supernatural thrown in, BLACK BEAST more than held my interest all the way through.
This is the author's "first major release" and there ARE some editing issues with the book. He could have used the services of a proofreader/copy editor and he could have researched the book better, especially the supernatural sections. Also, there are story threads that start out and then just leave the reader hanging.
BUT - even with its many problems, I really liked this book and I liked the protagonist Bobby Mac Macaulay, one-legged Denver cop and reluctant champion. I have bought the other two books in the trilogy and I hope the author's writing matures and he learned from the mistakes and omissions in this offering.
I especially liked reading a book that takes place in Denver, an area I love, and that the author writes about knowledgeably. And I hope that character Duncan Rand, computer whiz kid, is back in the other books of the trilogy - "Lost" and "Reckoning."
March 24, 2012
Copied from my Amazon review:
I received this novel as a free promotional.
Overall, I enjoyed the time I spent reading this ebook. "Black Beast" has a lot going for it and I was involved enough to immediately move on to the sequel, "LOST".
This is an unashamedly good-vs-evil story. The protagonist, "Bobby Mac", discovers that he's scion of an ancient demon-fighting line. The Devil is playing games, His servant is a rather cool Voodoo character, there's a demon on the loose, and there's an ancient demon-destroying relic that only Bobby Mac can use. There's some hand-waving around the historical/mythic elements of the plot and a few questions concerning the demonology that remained unanswered, but I do not demand nuanced literature for my light reading, merely, that I am entertained. In this respect, Black Beast delivers and it earned its 4*s.
May 2, 2012
Kudos to R.S. Guthrie! At its heart, BLACK BEAST is a detective thriller with a twist of the nasty supernatural that carries the reader along. I love this kind of book - demons (real and personal), a heroic family with a responsibility to fight evil, a weapon that gives them the power to do so, and some grisly killing!
Bobby Mac is one of those characters you can't help but love. The guy's had a hard time of it but still musters the courage to go on in the face of some truly tragic bumps in the road. Mr. Guthrie shows us the pain and grief of Bobby's losses with a raw honesty that is at times painful to read.
BLACK BEAST's story and characters drew me in and had me picking up my Kindle at every opportunity. If you enjoy a fast paced read with a compelling story-line and great character development, give this one a try.
Bobby Mac is one of those characters you can't help but love. The guy's had a hard time of it but still musters the courage to go on in the face of some truly tragic bumps in the road. Mr. Guthrie shows us the pain and grief of Bobby's losses with a raw honesty that is at times painful to read.
BLACK BEAST's story and characters drew me in and had me picking up my Kindle at every opportunity. If you enjoy a fast paced read with a compelling story-line and great character development, give this one a try.
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