An elusive wolf in Alaska comes with mystery and a potential virus in Nix’s unsettling novel with supernatural undertones.

Not long after confirming his wife is cheating on him, mountain guide Warren Benning stumbles into the woods in a daze. A huge gray wolf attacks him, but he survives the vicious chomp to his neck. The next morning, there’s no sign of a wound underneath Warren’s bloody bandage. Another victim of a wolf attack, however, doesn’t make it; Dr. Catherine Grey of the CDC arrives in Alaska after an autopsy shows an “unusual enzyme” suggesting the four-legged assailant carried a pathogen. Warren soon teams up with Catherine, and it’s clear he has the virus— the astonishing healing ability he displayed isn’t a one-time event. Meanwhile, Yellowstone authorities send two experts to track down the gray wolf, which they dub Lucy. Who knows what studying the wolf and the virus will uncover? Someone certainly doesn’t want others finding answers; they ransack Catherine’s hotel room and steal her data, and, perhaps, they are responsible for a CDC colleague dying under mysterious circumstances (“the troopers extended their deepest sympathies as they informed her that Dr. Freeman had died in an automobile accident that morning”). Nix’s story doesn’t unfold quite the way readers may anticipate. It takes a largely plausible approach, with the CDC quietly looking into what Catherine suspects could result in a pandemic. A host of innately suspicious characters aid in providing a moody atmosphere that blankets the narrative. Warren isn’t an easy protagonist to warm up to; he does something in the opening scene that likely provokes the wolf’s attack and will undoubtedly infuriate more than a few readers. Still, his story is engaging throughout, and he’s part of a sublime cast, from the resourceful Catherine to the highly skilled wildlife biologist Susan Washburn. A plot turn near the end throws everything into a tailspin; while it’s a lot to take in, there’s enough story left for a gratifying wrap-up.

This atmospheric tale captivates while subverting expectations.

A college student transforms after a vampire’s bite in Nix’s supernatural thriller.

University of Michigan senior Drew Owens cherishes his late-night walks across campus. Unfortunately, that’s prime time for vampires to stalk, and one night a bloodsucker suddenly attacks him. Miraculously, he awakens in a body bag, and a voice coaxes him out. It belongs to Samatonius Belzar, a 1,500-year-old vampire (and not the one who bit Drew). Sam belongs to a “family” that Drew has now joined. While most of these vamps are affable, Fredrick Kolf is definitely not. He’s got his red eye on Meg Larson, a fellow student Drew met recently. Fredrick may be a powerful vampire, but Drew, unlike the rest of the family, is immune to sunlight and “religious relics” like crucifixes. Drew resolves to keep Meg safe from Fredrick. Much of this tale lingers in recognizable terrain; these vampires are immortal, nocturnal beings who bite necks and flaunt such supernatural abilities as telepathy. Still, the cast is engaging, as Sam lovingly embraces new family members and Drew resists drinking blood for as long as he can (“Remnants of his human side still resided within him….At the moment, he felt incapable of murdering some innocent stranger”). The subplots are uniformly engrossing, including the detectives’ murder case, Drew and Meg’s potential romance, and the backstory of the vampiric “curse” that began in Jerusalem millennia ago. There is nominal action and suspense, as the characters are more prone to discussions of all that comes with being a vampire. Nevertheless, Drew’s unique immunity leads to an intriguing narrative turn that ignites a riveting final act and an unforgettable ending.

This vampire yarn hits familiar beats with a standout cast and a grand denouement.