The Night Howlers

Evil Rising Series, Book 2

By: European P. Douglas

Narrated by: John Walker

A Supernatural Suspense Novel

They've watched over town for as long as anyone can remember.... They've seen everything.... Now they want to play!

It started out with a missing child, then came the slaughter of wild animals and now—what exactly?

People are being brutally murdered in the town of Centerpoint and Sheriff Ted Colson has no idea who is behind it. He is unpopular and needs to get a handle on this soon.

Some people feel it is the start of a new wave of evil over the town like that of almost two years previous, but Ted doesn't want to believe this. He can't believe this.

As outlandish claims roll in and people live in fear for their lives, others take the law into their own hands.

While Ted deals with this, Sarah, Joyce, and some of the other people heavily involved in the Near Miss events look for a way to bring this new evil to heel.

The Night Howlers is the second book in the Evil Rising Series, set in the small town of Centerpoint. It follows almost two years after the events of the first book, Near Miss.

©2022 Rory McNeill (P)2023 Rory McNeill

Action-packed thriller.

European P Douglas’s latest offering in the Evil Rising serir is a home run, jam packed with action and a cast of characters readers of the series will be very familiar with. Once again Centerpoint is plagued by an evil that sets the town on a crash course with a reckoning rooted in the recent past. To say more about this story might provide unintended spoilers and with a story such as this one a spoiler would be unforgiveable. If you haven’t read Near Miss, the first in the series, you really need to give it a go before tucking into The Night Howlers so that you are familiar with what leads up to the latest challenges Centerpoint and its inhabitants are faced with. If you really want to get the full experience of this series, you might also read Gossamer Falls. Once again John Walker does an awesome job narrating this story. His character voices bring everyone to life and his pacing make for an excellent listening experience.

This was a welcome surprise

A nice little creature feature. I enjoyed this more than. I thought I would. The wording gets strangely formal sometimes (i.e. remember how ineffectual you were) other than that, the story is solid and the characters are good. I was not aware this was book 2 in a series, but that does not affect enjoying the story.

Don't ignore these scarecrows

Received as an audio review copy from Story Origin, this is an honest review. Wonderfully narrated by John Walker, the town of Centerpoint has already become rattled by bizarre, twisted darkness... but no one in this town could ever imagine is a rash of gruesome murders committed by something that isn't even alive to begin with. How do you battle bodies made of sticks and straw that can tear you limb from limb? Ted Colson is the new sheriff in town and its determined to give Centerpoint the kind of law enforcement that Jeylend Folks never did and believes the "scarecrow" murderers are just criminals Colson needs to bring down. What Ted Colson could ever see coming is when people are desperate and scared, innocent people will pay the highest price. While this all unfolds, Jeylend discovers that Centerpoint isn't the only town that has battle surreal darkness.

Highly recommended.

Bark at the Moon

The Night Howlers, the second installment in European P. Douglas's Evil Rising Series, is a spellbinding journey into the supernatural suspense genre. In this 6-hour and 25-minute audiobook, narrated by the talented John Walker, Douglas delivers a thrilling narrative that will have listeners on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Who names their kid European? Who takes that as their non-de plume? I just find it funny.

Centerpoint, a town steeped in secrets and plagued by its sinister past, is at the center of the mysterious and malevolent forces that have taken hold. Sheriff Ted Colson, a man already struggling with popularity, now faces a crisis that could shatter the community he swore to protect. As the town becomes the scene of brutal murders, Ted is left grasping for answers, while the residents live in constant fear.

As the dark clouds of uncertainty gather over Centerpoint, some citizens decide to take the law into their own hands, while others, such as Sarah and Joyce, are determined to confront this new evil head-on. The Night Howlers seamlessly continues the gripping tale that began in Near Miss, the first book in the series, and is set nearly two years after the events of its predecessor.

European P. Douglas has once again hit a home run with The Night Howlers. The action-packed narrative is driven by a familiar cast of characters that fans of the series have grown to know and love. Douglas masterfully navigates the intricate web of suspense, ensuring that listeners will remain riveted to the story's every twist and turn. To delve too deeply into the plot risks revealing spoilers, and in a tale as engaging as this, such revelations would be unforgivable.

For those who have yet to experience the Evil Rising Series, starting with Near Miss is highly recommended. This initial installment lays the groundwork for the challenges that Centerpoint faces in The Night Howlers, providing essential context and backstory. To fully immerse oneself in the series, readers might also consider exploring Gossamer Falls, another of Douglas's interconnected works.

However, one of the standout elements of The Night Howlers is undoubtedly John Walker's exceptional narration. Walker's delivery is nothing short of spectacular, bringing each character to life with vivid distinction. His pacing and intonation create an immersive listening experience that elevates the audiobook to new heights. Walker's skillful narration adds depth and texture to the story, enhancing the overall enjoyment.

As I listened to The Night Howlers, I couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity in the story's elements. It evoked the spirit of some of my all-time favorite horror authors, such as Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, Peter Straub, and Clive Barker. While Douglas's narrative is unique and distinct in its own right, it captures the essence of these literary legends, making it a must-listen for fans of the horror genre.

From the moment the audiobook began, I was utterly absorbed in the narrative. The suspense, the mystery, and the well-crafted characters drew me in so completely that I found it impossible to stop listening until the very end. Douglas's writing and Walker's narration together create an audiobook experience that is truly exceptional.

John Walker's contribution to The Night Howlers cannot be overstated. His ability to breathe life into each character, from the enigmatic Sheriff Ted Colson to the resilient Sarah and Joyce, is nothing short of remarkable. Walker's captivating narration ensures that listeners will become emotionally invested in the story and its characters. His pacing is spot-on, maintaining a perfect balance between tension and release throughout the audiobook.

The Night Howlers, the second installment in European P. Douglas's Evil Rising Series, is a supernatural suspense masterpiece that will captivate listeners from beginning to end. John Walker's outstanding narration further enhances the audiobook, making it a truly exceptional experience. This is a sequel that not only lives up to the expectations set by its predecessor but surpasses them, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. If you're a fan of supernatural suspense with a touch of familiarity to iconic horror authors, The Night Howlers is a must-listen that will leave you craving more.

scary scarecrows

Im not sure! if it's because I didn't read the 1st book but I really couldn't get into the book all that good!!

it wasn't a bad listen at all and it kept my attention i just kept having to push it back and listen again! I'm still not understanding who they blamed it on! or what was actually even unliving the people!! who was even calling the man! did he live!! like I said it wasn't a bad read at all but It wasnt for me at all

Scarecrows are scary 😟

Scarecrows, you say?

Much creepier than clowns for my money. This is a fun & not gory-type story.

High marks, thank you! 😰

Better than the first book

As if scarecrows aren't creepy enough...now this story. I liked this one better than the first. What's not to like about killer scarecrows? It seems like the story isn't over yet in this small town. The evil still exists, so possibly a 3rd book??? This was a creepy book between the noises at night and the murders. Well written and good continuation to the series.

I received an ARC copy from Story Origin and this is my honest review.

The follow-up to 2022’s Near Miss Evil Rising #1

The Night Howlers: Evil Rising Series, Book 2, my twelfth read from author European P. Douglas. A well-written, entertaining 6-hour 25-minute/279-page read the follow-up to 2022’s Near Miss Evil Rising Series, Book 1. Many of Douglas’ works are interconnected as regular readers will recognize local names in this work. John Walker's narration again adds to this supernatural thriller's enjoyment. “I received a free Audible copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

Great narrator.

I really enjoyed the narration and story. While it’s really annoying when characters do something they were told NOT to do, I did enjoy the story. It wasn’t what I was expecting to happen so that was a good thing.

Narrator was awful.

I couldn’t get past chapter 5, it just didn’t hold my attention. Narrator seemed to be in a hurry to read the book.