Black Oak is a security investigation firm headed by Ethan Proctor. The firm investigates standard business scams, but Proctor also takes on special cases, scams that seem to involve some sort of supernatural aspect that he tries to debunk. As this particular story begins, Proctor is burned out and his firm has lost it's most lucrative client. He is coerced by his concerned employees into taking a short vacation in Atlantic City, just to regain his focus. Of course, his visit to AC also coincides with a series of horrible mutilation murders that are occuring in the city, and to top it off a strong winter storm is about to hit the city. If you don't already know it, Atlantic City is on a barrier island alongside the NJ mainland, and when there is excess rainfall the roads flood out and cut the city off. Guess what happens when the rain starts to fall in this book?

Proctor and his two employees, Taz and Doc, are unwillingly drawn into the investigation of the murders, and it soon becomes apparent that the killer is not an ordinary being. This book reintroduces a character who intially appeared in the first book and hopefully will continue to appear in the series. This book is a great mixture of police/PI procedural and horror. If you like your mysteries with a supernatural twist, then you'll enjoy this series.

Grant's series really hits a comfortable stride in this outting. The story is rock solid and the characters fit together nicely and work as a real team, not just people working at the same job. Hunting Ground can also stand alone, the missing girl story arc is set aside (but not forgotten in the least) in favor of explorig the Dark Forces conspiracy and that makes the book even that more refreshing. There are more than a few subtle hints and clues that nastier things are in store for both Ethan and his Black Oak company. I also hope that Grant brings back one particular character for a second go around (you'll know who I mean after reading the book, no spoilers here). Highly recommended.

One story that particularly spooked me was the one about the little girl who moves to Oxrun Station. The part where she sees the boy under the tree watching the house is so spooky that I actually had to peer out the window during a thunderstorm just to make sure there was no one out there. Since I've read so many horror stories all my life, I find it great when I can find a story spooky enough to scare me out of my wits. This whole book is kind of like that. I think its great.

The world has already been devastated by the visit of two of the four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Death (see SYMPHONY) and Famine (see IN THE MOOD) have left the planet on the brink of extinction. Now the third horseman, Plague, has begun his destruction of mankind.

A mutated strand of small pox is ravaging the world. Only Las Vegas is spared because Plague waits in the city to confront and eliminate Trey Falkirk, the one person who can save the human race. Trey has his own dilemma, as he is unable to leave Vegas, a city that he considers to be his prison, unless he wants misfortune to strike him. Soon, Trey will learn his role in the upcoming fight will force him to make decision that no one should have to make.

The third novel in Charles Grant's "Millennium Quartet" is an exciting tale that demonstrates the author's flair for making the evil side of mankind seems so real. Like the first two novels, the dramatic story line is fast-paced, filled with action, and makes for an interesting reading experience. However, the novel does not require the reader to use much of their cerebrum snce this is an action oriened book. Still, fans of doomsday stories will fully enjoy CHARIOT and its two dark predecessors, while eagerly awaiting the visit of the last horseman.

Harriet Klausner

The killings are the work of an elemental force conjured up by Eddie years earlier after it had lain dormant in the town river for many years

It is left to The Pack to do battle with the force and try to overcome it and its depredations

The writing and characterization are well above the genre norm with all Pack members being sharplt differentiated--the crippled"brain"of the outfit;the jocks;the slightly weird one and the nice middle class one.Grant does not take refuge in the safety os stereotype either with the teenaged heroes and heroines or with the street people who form a key part of the plot.On the surface it is a prosperous town but it has an underclass and its vagrancy problem.Even outwardly comfortable people are shown to be managing only with some difficulty to keep heads above water

The resolution is a bit pat and too reminiscent of the "clap hands if you believe in fairies Peter Pan style tweeness I loathe so passionately

I am not disposed to be unduly critical of an author who clearly feels that finesse has its place in the genre and this ,while largely centred on teen characters is an adult--ie mature- read

With the rise of computerized wargaming on home PCs, few may be willing to extend what H.G. Wells referred to as, "groveling devotion," towards toy soldiers, but for those who cannot escape the childhood allure of lead or plastic troops, this book is an excellent primary source. The "canister cone" (which I believe is an invention original to Grant) has enhanced many of this reviewer's games.

Together with H.G. Wells', _Little Wars_, this is a wonderful addition to any wargamer's library.

Forget this noise! I used to think John Saul told the same story over and over, but Grant is just as deserving of the "DRIVEL" award.

Charles Grant delivers another exceptional episode (#5) of Black Oak in When the Cold Wind Blows. The series, after a few slightly clumsy footed introductions to the cast and the seemingly interlinked conspiracies, has really hit its stride. The novel is a well tuned engine that hums right through the intricate knots of its mysteries, dropping hints and clues that will keep the reader whipping through the pages until the rousing finale. The entire series is required reading for Dark Fantasy fans.