Do you enjoy suspense novels that suck you in with the first chapter and keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end, guessing at how all the twists and turns will unravel when the truth is finally revealed? “The Raven” by Mike Nappa is just such a book. Published by Revell in 2016, “The Raven” is actually the second book in the “Coffey and Hill” series. While I have not read the previous book (entitled “Annabel Lee”) it did not detract from my enjoyment of this separate-but-connected storyline. Also, while I am not an Edgar Allan Poe aficionado, fans of the famous poet will be delighted by the many intriguing parallels found in the story.

“The Raven” begins with a brief but mysterious, high-intensity encounter between the title character and another protagonist, in a scene entitled “Now: Sixteen Minutes to Nevermore. . .”. This scene ends without being explained and then falls back into the past, or “Then: Four Weeks Ago. . .”. Thus, the majority of the book is a countdown of tension and expectation to the dreaded unknown that is called “Nevermore”. During the countdown, the point of view shifts between three characters. . . A petty thief named Raven, P.I. Trudi Coffey, and elderly “Mama” Bliss Monroe.

While “The Raven” is, for the most part, a clean but often dark novel, it does contain several problem areas. Numerous but vague references are made to inappropriate relationships, troubling and violent scenes are not infrequent, and the diabolical behavior of certain characters can only be described as “troubling”. If, however, you enjoy unexpected novels filled with adventure and suspense, and don’t mind a bit of violence and several vaguely inappropriate scenes, this book will likely be an enjoyable read. If nothing else, it will capture your imagination and astonish you in more ways than one!

I am grateful to have received a copy of this book from Revell Reads, free of charge, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.