Rating: 5⭐️
As what I believe is the penultimate book in the series, The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag is a fantastic story.
The plot takes the characters and readers into a different area of Portlock that hasn’t yet been explored, the Chrome Mines and the dwarves that spend their lives inside.
Of course it starts off with a murder case, an investigation by NOMO’s Sheriff Gunner and Officer Bunny, and an introduction to a great new character, Hag Matilda who lives deep inside the mines.
There’s so much to admire about this book and the beautifully crafted storylines. Bunny’s a person who has consistently shown that she’s able to grow and thrive in her new role and environment, finding a found family and strength in her life. Every one of these characters feature heavily here in the story, as the investigation evolves into unexpected moments and challenges.
Even the enigmatic characters like Shadow and Fluffy, the curses wolfshifter uncomfortable with his human presence, are here in complicated ways.
This ends on a heartbreaking cliffhanger which will lead directly into the final story, The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid, to be released later this summer.
What an amazing story and series. I’m sure when it comes out as a compendium or set I’ll read completely through it again.
Highly recommended and now waiting for the next one to be released.
Cover design by Christian Bentulan. Published by Hellhound Press Limited.
The Portlock Paranormal Detective series:
The Vampire and the Case of her Dastardly Death, a prequel.
The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf, Book 1.
The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren, Book 2.
The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee, Book 3.
The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine, Book 4.
The Vampire and the Case of the Perilous Poltergiest, Book 5
The Vampire and the Case of the Cozy Christmas, Book #5.5
The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag #6
The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid #7 – July 3,2025
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Blurb
Welcome to Portlock: where the dead don’t always stay that way.
When a human inspector drops dead in the Chrome Mine, things get messy fast. The dwarves are up in arms, swearing the mine is cursed, and when a second body turns up—this time without its head—all fingers point to the local hag.
But I’ve met Matilda. She’s terrifying, sure, but she doesn’t seem like the elaborate crime scene type. More of a ‘crush you under a landslide’ kind of gal. Still, with the dwarves baying for blood and a murderer on the loose, I need answers before this case spirals out of control.
Tracking killers is hard enough without worrying about a cryptid monster lurking beyond the town’s magical barrier, my four-legged best friend struggling with his humanity, and my infuriatingly attractive vampire mate trying to keep me out of trouble (good luck with that, Connor).
With a town full of suspects and secrets, I’ll have to dig deep to unearth the truth. Let’s hope I don’t end up buried—undead.
Dive into this fast-paced urban fantasy series if you love mystery, humour, found family, and a slow-burn romance.
Don’t miss the other Portlock Paranormal adventures!
The Vampire and the Case of her Dastardly Death
The Vampire and the Case of the Wayward Werewolf
The Vampire and the Case of the Secretive Siren
The Vampire and the Case of the Baleful Banshee
The Vampire and the Case of the Cursed Canine
The Vampire and the Case of the Hellacious Hag
The Vampire and the Case of the Malevolent Mermaid
- Publisher: Hellhound Press Limited (March 7, 2025)
- Publication date: March 7, 2025
- Language: English
- Print length: 403 pages
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 