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Jake Hatcher #2
Diabolical
Someone is trying to open a portal to Hell, and some others will do anything to stop it
Or so they say.
Jake Hatcher, lying low in Southern California, isn't all that surprised when he's asked to jump back into the battle between salvation and damnation and stop those bent on raising the forces of darkness--it's just why and by whom that's unnerving. Especially when it's put to him as an offer he can't refuse.
A former nun named Vivian Fall believes that a Hellion has escaped the infernal regions and returned to earth on an unholy mission--to unleash the forces of damnation on an unsuspecting world. Only Hatcher has the experience to track such a being. Only Hatcher has dealt with those who likely to know what what's really going on. And only Hatcher can get close enough to it--because the Hellion happens to be his own brother.
Or so they say.
Jake Hatcher, lying low in Southern California, isn't all that surprised when he's asked to jump back into the battle between salvation and damnation and stop those bent on raising the forces of darkness--it's just why and by whom that's unnerving. Especially when it's put to him as an offer he can't refuse.
A former nun named Vivian Fall believes that a Hellion has escaped the infernal regions and returned to earth on an unholy mission--to unleash the forces of damnation on an unsuspecting world. Only Hatcher has the experience to track such a being. Only Hatcher has dealt with those who likely to know what what's really going on. And only Hatcher can get close enough to it--because the Hellion happens to be his own brother.
311 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 21, 2011
4 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Hank Schwaeble
21 books42 followersHank Schwaeble is a thriller writer and attorney in Houston, Texas. His first novel, Damnable, will be published by Penguin/Putnam in September 2009 under their Jove imprint.
Hank's first short story, “Mugwumps,” appeared in the anthology Alone on the Darkside in 2006. In 2007, he and Gary Braunbeck won a Bram Stoker Award for the anthology Five Strokes to Midnight, which included three of his short stories.
A graduate of the University of Florida and Vanderbilt Law School, Hank is also a former Air Force officer and special agent for the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. He was a distinguished graduate from the Air Force Special Investigations Academy, graduated first in his class from the Defense Language Institute's Japanese Language Course, and was an editor of the law review at Vanderbilt where he won four American Jurisprudence Awards.
In addition to reading and writing, Hank enjoys keeping in shape and playing his guitars, his favorite being his Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Cut-away. He refuses to either confirm or deny rumors that he used to be a drummer.
Hank's first short story, “Mugwumps,” appeared in the anthology Alone on the Darkside in 2006. In 2007, he and Gary Braunbeck won a Bram Stoker Award for the anthology Five Strokes to Midnight, which included three of his short stories.
A graduate of the University of Florida and Vanderbilt Law School, Hank is also a former Air Force officer and special agent for the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. He was a distinguished graduate from the Air Force Special Investigations Academy, graduated first in his class from the Defense Language Institute's Japanese Language Course, and was an editor of the law review at Vanderbilt where he won four American Jurisprudence Awards.
In addition to reading and writing, Hank enjoys keeping in shape and playing his guitars, his favorite being his Gibson Songwriter Deluxe Cut-away. He refuses to either confirm or deny rumors that he used to be a drummer.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 6, 2016
Disappointing sequel to Damnable with Jake Hatcher and a plot involving attempts by evil forces to open a pathway to Hell to let demons into this world. This time, Hatcher comes across as a whiny troublemaker, repeating the same lines every time he encounters trouble and becomes increasingly disagreeable as the story progresses. The surrounding characters are more worthy of attention but not enough time is devoted to them. It's never quite clear who's trying to do what and interesting plot diversions are sometimes left hanging and not fully explored. Not a bad book, but not nearly as good as Damnable. 2.5 stars bumped to three for the quality of writing.
October 30, 2016
Holy hell... a glorious sequel! I enjoyed this one more than the first in the series (Damnable), but they are both wonderful books. Full review to come (and I can't wait to read The Angel of the Abyss now!).
July 10, 2011
Overall rating = 3 & 1/2 stars
A sequel which was highly anticipated due to the terrific debut book by Hank S. The book plot consists of lot of twists and Jake Hatcher is barely controlled in this one. Expanding upon the world mythology as well continuing the story, Hank Schwaeble's sophomore effort does manage to retain some of its predecessor's sheen. More to come in FBC review.
A sequel which was highly anticipated due to the terrific debut book by Hank S. The book plot consists of lot of twists and Jake Hatcher is barely controlled in this one. Expanding upon the world mythology as well continuing the story, Hank Schwaeble's sophomore effort does manage to retain some of its predecessor's sheen. More to come in FBC review.
May 19, 2017
I'm really not a fan of devils and demons from Hell trying to take over. It's an done-to-death trope. That said I did enjoy this story. mostly because it's basically a good, dark mystery and the protagonist is well developed, interesting character and the evil humans chilling.
The author also has real life experience with combat styles and his discription of fights is very vivid. The military aspect of the hero's life is also based in the authors actual knowledge. So Hell concepts aside it was an entertaining short book.
The author also has real life experience with combat styles and his discription of fights is very vivid. The military aspect of the hero's life is also based in the authors actual knowledge. So Hell concepts aside it was an entertaining short book.
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July 18, 2019Not my kind of read! The back cover is deceiving.
June 16, 2011
You may also read my review here: http://www.mybookishways.com/2011/06/...
4.5 Stars
Jake Hatcher really can't seem to catch a break. One of my favorite new heroes returns in Diabolical, the second in a series after Damnable. We move from New York City to L.A., where Jake is trying to lay low while working in a bar part time. Unfortunately, after receiving a note from a mysterious stranger, he's again drawn in to a massively evil plan designed to open a portal to Hell. There were quite a few twists and turns in this one, and the Carnates, the seductive beings from Damnable, play a major role in this story again as well. Jake, former special ops, is still the conflicted man that he was in Damnable, but this time, when it's possible that his baby nephew has been kidnapped to be used as a sacrifice, he's desperate to find out the truth before it's too late. Nobody is what they seem and Jake is constantly being bombarded by all sides. Not knowing who to trust begins to take its toll as Jake struggles to save his nephew and prevent this evil plan from coming to fruition. Diabolical constantly kept me on my toes, and I love hanging out with Jake, whose smart mouth is still in fine form. If it's action you're looking for, Diabolical is the place to be. The fight scenes are pretty awesome and extremely well choreographed. I found myself being able to picture them quite easily, because Mr. Schwaeble is just that good in his descriptions. He’s also very good at getting into the twisted psyches of his villians, and there are two really icky new bad guys in here that will make you squirm. The lovely and treacherous Carnates are back, and there's a twist that you won't see coming (at least I didn't). I admit it had my jaw hanging open in surprise. Jake Hatcher is a tough-as-nails hero with heart, in one of the best new thriller series in quite a while! I'll follow Jake anywhere!
4.5 Stars
Jake Hatcher really can't seem to catch a break. One of my favorite new heroes returns in Diabolical, the second in a series after Damnable. We move from New York City to L.A., where Jake is trying to lay low while working in a bar part time. Unfortunately, after receiving a note from a mysterious stranger, he's again drawn in to a massively evil plan designed to open a portal to Hell. There were quite a few twists and turns in this one, and the Carnates, the seductive beings from Damnable, play a major role in this story again as well. Jake, former special ops, is still the conflicted man that he was in Damnable, but this time, when it's possible that his baby nephew has been kidnapped to be used as a sacrifice, he's desperate to find out the truth before it's too late. Nobody is what they seem and Jake is constantly being bombarded by all sides. Not knowing who to trust begins to take its toll as Jake struggles to save his nephew and prevent this evil plan from coming to fruition. Diabolical constantly kept me on my toes, and I love hanging out with Jake, whose smart mouth is still in fine form. If it's action you're looking for, Diabolical is the place to be. The fight scenes are pretty awesome and extremely well choreographed. I found myself being able to picture them quite easily, because Mr. Schwaeble is just that good in his descriptions. He’s also very good at getting into the twisted psyches of his villians, and there are two really icky new bad guys in here that will make you squirm. The lovely and treacherous Carnates are back, and there's a twist that you won't see coming (at least I didn't). I admit it had my jaw hanging open in surprise. Jake Hatcher is a tough-as-nails hero with heart, in one of the best new thriller series in quite a while! I'll follow Jake anywhere!
September 27, 2011
This is one of the better action/horror series I have read lately.. It's different, that is, no vamps or zombies.. Our hero Jake Hatcher is dealing with demons and carnates.. The book is not very deep, so if the reader is looking for a quick read (popcorn thriller) with a lot of action in the horror genre, then diabolical is the book for you..
January 1, 2015
The second offering by Hank Schwaeble was a page turner, but it still lacked that special something in the writing department for me. Overall, nicely done, with an open ending for the next Jake Hatcher installment.
April 30, 2012
this was a great horror novel with great action and gore that reminded me alot of clive barker's the damnation game.
July 10, 2011
Lots of twists and turns in this one. Great action, too.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews