Risen by Krystal Lawrence

About the book

Risen is a modern day vampire tale that takes place in the fictional town of Alder Lake, California. The town is plunged into a state of chaos and panic following the mysterious murders of six residents. One of the victims is the mistress of a local detective, and he is the only suspect.

As the detective struggles to fight the media, clear his name, and save his marriage, three more bodies are found slain in the same grisly manner. The detective and his partner believe they are dealing with a serial killer who chose Alder Lake at random. They are unaware that one of Alder Lake's residents has stumbled on a book of the town's history. The book chronicles a chilling tale of six similar murders that occurred in Alder Lake over two centuries before, and a frightening vow of revenge by a malevolent, evil creature who has been awakened from the grave.

The resident, a recovering alcoholic, struggles to stay sober and keep the horrifying story a secret. When the wife of one of the detectives is attacked by the monster, he is forced to share this unbelievable tale with local law enforcement.

After a fourth murder is committed, the FBI is called in to take charge of the case. The Feds are not aware of the true nature of the evil creature they are dealing with, so it is up to the local detectives and one valiant citizen, struggling to retain his sobriety, to find this vengeful demon and end its reign of terror.

As time passes, there are more brutal murders, a detective's two year old daughter is kidnapped by the hellish creature, and another detective's wife descends slowly into insanity. The nightmarish events are presumed over when the vampire dies once more.

Four years later on a lonely highway, one-hundred miles west of Alder Lake, a trucker stops to pick up a hitchhiker. There is something unsettling about this ragged stranger thumbing a ride by the side of the road, and the trucker quickly changes his mind and drives off.

In Alder Lake something is disturbing the detective and his wife. Their six year old daughter sits as if mesmerized, staring out the living room window for hours, eagerly awaiting the arrival of someone or something. Wise beyond her years, a knowing smile on her lips, the child sits and waits.

About the author

Born in Southern California in 1963, Krystal was inspired at a very young age to write. In junior high and high school she wrote poetry and her work was published in a school publication. As a child actress, Krystal appeared in a couple of major motion pictures. In her late teens and early twenties she redirected her creative energy into becoming a radio announcer and copywriter. Krystal hosted a successful talk show in Las Vegas in the 1980's. It wasn't until her thirties that she rediscovered her writing talent one day while looking out the picture window in her living room and watching a young man walk by. It was at that moment that Krystal's first novel, Risen was born. She has always had a passion for reading suspense novels and thrillers, particularly in the horror genre, so it is not surprising that writing them is second nature to her. Having always been interested in law enforcement, she majored in criminal justice in college. Working for the police department, Krystal gained valuable insight into how a department is run and particularly about crime scene investigation and police interrogation. Receiving the inspiration for her second novel, Be Careful What You Wish For, gave Krystal the courage to take a year off work to finish writing it. She has lived in the Seattle area for sixteen years, and part of this second novel takes place there. Krystal is currently working on her third book, Phone Call From Hell.