Review of Howl of the Banshee

This forum is for volunteer reviews by members of our review team. These reviews are done voluntarily by the reviewers and are published in this forum, separate from the official professional reviews. These reviews are kept separate primarily because the same book may be reviewed by many different reviewers.
Post Reply
User avatar
Seetha E
Minimum Wage Millionaire Reader
Posts: 1819
Joined: 02 Mar 2023, 10:18
Currently Reading: Unknowing
Bookshelf Size: 350
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-seetha-e.html
Latest Review: St Sebastian, Jack & The Silver Lining by Milly K Reynolds
2025 Reading Goal: 51
2025 Goal Completion: 62%

Review of Howl of the Banshee

Post by Seetha E »

[Following is a volunteer review of "Howl of the Banshee" by Dave McKeon.]
Book Cover
5 out of 5 stars
Share This Review


Lou Gault is an ex-commando. It was almost a decade since he fought in the Afghan wars. He belonged to the Canadian elite Joint Task Force Two commando unit. Lieutenant Kathryn played a crucial role within the Irish Directorate of Military Intelligence in bringing down a ring of international smugglers. She joined the Royal Canadian Mounties about seven months ago. Lou and Kathryn were married according to the Abenaki ceremony.
 
Lou and Jake Gault are cousins and run an inherited resort, Harve de Poisson. Lou enjoys his life outdoors and loves being close to nature. With some time on hand before the commencement of a fresh vacation season, Lou and Jake are planning several changes to maintain high standards for the visitors. Lou is doing all in his capacity to wind up all the instructions for the renovation, as he intends to dedicate his undivided time and attention to his wife, Kathryn O'Grady.
 
Kathryn plans a lavish Catholic church wedding to appease her Irish family and friends. Unaware of the lurking danger and upset that Lou was not making the trip with her, Kathryn takes a solo trip to the venue to spend time with family before the event. Lou promised to join her soon. The events facilitate a perfect setting for the revenge seekers in Howl of the Banshee, the third installment in Dave McKeon’s A Lou Gault Thriller series. Find out if Kathryn is rescued alive from the clutches of her dangerous and sadistic kidnappers. 
 
With plenty of characters and unique personality traits, the plot succeeds in keeping the readers on edge. The author skillfully engages readers with a straightforward writing style and unpredictable twists. Although a common goal unites Beatrice Hastings, Anne More, and Evelyn Maxwell, they all have different thoughts and boundaries about the acceptable means to reach it. The author blends some lighter moments with episodes of Jake prioritizing food and Francis O’Connor’s lukewarm approach. The intertwining of personal and professional lives and sharp, criminal-minded people led to a gripping string of events and counter-efforts.
 
What shines through is the camaraderie among the people who have served the nation—their self-confidence, alertness, and warrior spirit. The efforts of the criminal minds to avoid leaving their tracks were interesting. The short and crisp chapters were eventful, making it hard to keep the book down. The clever blend of the banshee, a mythical creature in Irish folklore, makes the title perfect for the narrative.
 
I did encounter a few errors, but they did not diminish my reading experience. As much as I appreciate the editing work, I recommend a re-edit to delight the readers with an error-free book. With a unique blend of characters, skillful writing, perfect pacing, and plot twists that kept me guessing the next move on either side, I enjoyed reading this book and have nothing negative to state. I gladly rate this book five out of five stars, as the errors were minor and do not justify any reduction in rating. 

I recommend this book to mature readers who enjoy thrillers. The diverse characters and the dynamics owing to personality traits, personal reasons for a sense of loyalty, and also the well-developed elements of intrigue, romance, and suspense make it a satisfying read.

******
Howl of the Banshee
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
User avatar
Kutloano Makhuvhela
In It Together VIP
Posts: 515
Joined: 28 Aug 2023, 07:39
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 103
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kutloano-makhuvhela.html
Latest Review: Tears and blood betrayal by V.S raven

Post by Kutloano Makhuvhela »

I think I will give it a chance when I see it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this with us. Keep going.
‘When you do a good deed, people are grateful, and that creates a nice feeling inside you; and then because it feels good, that makes you want to do more good deeds. That repetition is the cycle of goodness.’

~Hogoromo.
A new me
Posts: 44
Joined: 17 Oct 2023, 17:05
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 39
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-a-new-me.html
Latest Review: Blessed by the Blood by Samuel M Ebenezer

Post by A new me »

It feels that this book is quite complicated and well, I'm not a fan of thrillers. Although, I'm not a fan of this type of genre, I honestly enjoyed reading your review.
User avatar
Gerry Steen
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 2672
Joined: 08 May 2023, 20:08
Favorite Book: Life Shattered
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 456
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-gerry-steen.html
Latest Review: The Seer's Curse by A.K. Nikole

Post by Gerry Steen »

Seetha E wrote: 10 Sep 2024, 12:12 [Following is a volunteer review of "Howl of the Banshee" by Dave McKeon.]
Book Cover
5 out of 5 stars
Share This Review


Lou Gault is an ex-commando. It was almost a decade since he fought in the Afghan wars. He belonged to the Canadian elite Joint Task Force Two commando unit. Lieutenant Kathryn played a crucial role within the Irish Directorate of Military Intelligence in bringing down a ring of international smugglers. She joined the Royal Canadian Mounties about seven months ago. Lou and Kathryn were married according to the Abenaki ceremony.
 
Lou and Jake Gault are cousins and run an inherited resort, Harve de Poisson. Lou enjoys his life outdoors and loves being close to nature. With some time on hand before the commencement of a fresh vacation season, Lou and Jake are planning several changes to maintain high standards for the visitors. Lou is doing all in his capacity to wind up all the instructions for the renovation, as he intends to dedicate his undivided time and attention to his wife, Kathryn O'Grady.
 
Kathryn plans a lavish Catholic church wedding to appease her Irish family and friends. Unaware of the lurking danger and upset that Lou was not making the trip with her, Kathryn takes a solo trip to the venue to spend time with family before the event. Lou promised to join her soon. The events facilitate a perfect setting for the revenge seekers in Howl of the Banshee, the third installment in Dave McKeon’s A Lou Gault Thriller series. Find out if Kathryn is rescued alive from the clutches of her dangerous and sadistic kidnappers. 
 
With plenty of characters and unique personality traits, the plot succeeds in keeping the readers on edge. The author skillfully engages readers with a straightforward writing style and unpredictable twists. Although a common goal unites Beatrice Hastings, Anne More, and Evelyn Maxwell, they all have different thoughts and boundaries about the acceptable means to reach it. The author blends some lighter moments with episodes of Jake prioritizing food and Francis O’Connor’s lukewarm approach. The intertwining of personal and professional lives and sharp, criminal-minded people led to a gripping string of events and counter-efforts.
 
What shines through is the camaraderie among the people who have served the nation—their self-confidence, alertness, and warrior spirit. The efforts of the criminal minds to avoid leaving their tracks were interesting. The short and crisp chapters were eventful, making it hard to keep the book down. The clever blend of the banshee, a mythical creature in Irish folklore, makes the title perfect for the narrative.
 
I did encounter a few errors, but they did not diminish my reading experience. As much as I appreciate the editing work, I recommend a re-edit to delight the readers with an error-free book. With a unique blend of characters, skillful writing, perfect pacing, and plot twists that kept me guessing the next move on either side, I enjoyed reading this book and have nothing negative to state. I gladly rate this book five out of five stars, as the errors were minor and do not justify any reduction in rating. 

I recommend this book to mature readers who enjoy thrillers. The diverse characters and the dynamics owing to personality traits, personal reasons for a sense of loyalty, and also the well-developed elements of intrigue, romance, and suspense make it a satisfying read.

******
Howl of the Banshee
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
This book intrigues me partly because of my Irish-Canadian heritage and partly because your review guarantees that this 5-star thriller is a real page turner. Congratulations to Dave McKeon for writing such an entertaining and engrossing story.
User avatar
Seetha E
Minimum Wage Millionaire Reader
Posts: 1819
Joined: 02 Mar 2023, 10:18
Currently Reading: Unknowing
Bookshelf Size: 350
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-seetha-e.html
Latest Review: St Sebastian, Jack & The Silver Lining by Milly K Reynolds
2025 Reading Goal: 51
2025 Goal Completion: 62%

Post by Seetha E »

Gerry Steen wrote: 30 Oct 2024, 21:51 This book intrigues me partly because of my Irish-Canadian heritage and partly because your review guarantees that this 5-star thriller is a real page turner. Congratulations to Dave McKeon for writing such an entertaining and engrossing story.
This was an easy and quick read, the pacing, and the chase keep the interest. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.
User avatar
Julie Marie Basil
Minimum Wage Millionaire Reader
Posts: 588
Joined: 15 Jun 2023, 18:36
Favorite Book: The Little Prince
Currently Reading: Reclaiming Quiet
Bookshelf Size: 234
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-julie-marie-basil.html
Latest Review: Hard Rain by David Brown MIC
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU
2025 Reading Goal: 35
2025 Goal Completion: 65%

Post by Julie Marie Basil »

I appreciate your insightful and detailed review. Do you think that it is necessary to read the first two books in the series before reading this one?
"It is only with the heart that one can see clearly, what's essential is invisible to the eye." ~ Antoine St. Exupery
User avatar
Priya Murugesan
In It Together VIP
Posts: 1902
Joined: 27 Jan 2020, 01:51
Currently Reading: My Name is Kreussenheimer
Bookshelf Size: 107
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-priya-murugesan.html
Latest Review: Anticipation Day by Jeff Michelson

Post by Priya Murugesan »

I nearly picked this book up. Based on many reviews I read about this book, I believe I shouldn't miss out on this book. Thanks for your detailed review!
In a world where you can be anything, be kind :)
Post Reply

Return to “Volunteer Reviews”