Skinwalkers (Volk Series – Book 2) by D. Werkmeister
A genre-blending powerhouse: equal parts thriller, horror and heartfelt character study.
What do you get when ancient shapeshifter lore collides with the precision and danger of modern FBI investigations? In Skinwalkers, the pulse-pounding second installment of D. Werkmeister’s VOLK series, readers are launched into a high-stakes narrative where myth and reality blur with chilling results.
The story kicks off with an eerie prologue set in the New World of 1595, immediately grounding the reader in a sense of historical dread and blood-soaked mystery. From there, the action jumps to present-day Arizona, where state trooper Roger Pearl is brutally slain in what appears to be a savage animal attack. But it soon becomes clear that something far more intelligent — and dangerous — is on the prowl.
Alex Stepanova, Shapeshifter and Source
Returning from VOLK, Alex Stepanova is the enigmatic shapeshifter now allied with FBI Agent Terri Watson and her team. She’s a compelling antihero: elegant, intelligent, dangerous, and wrestling with a fractured identity that stretches across human and beast. The moral complexities of Alex’s character give this thriller depth, especially as she confronts the terrifying idea that she might not be the only one of her kind.
Werkmeister crafts Alex with a precision that blends cyber-hacking savvy with feral instincts, making her one of the most unique protagonists in the thriller genre today. Her scenes pulse with internal conflict and tension, especially when facing threats from both the supernatural and the human realm.
FBI Meets Folklore: A Genre-Bending Case File
The investigation at the heart of Skinwalkers expertly blends procedural crime-solving with ancient legend. FBI agents Watson, Marc Peterson and Sarah Holmes team up to uncover a pattern behind brutal killings in the desert. Their interactions are snappy, believable and peppered with dark humor — especially Marc’s deadpan quips that provide moments of levity amid the horror.
What elevates the novel is how Werkmeister integrates Navajo lore and shapeshifter mythology without veering into stereotype. Instead, he respects the source material, using it as a framework for building tension rather than a gimmick.
Weaponized Myth and Surviving the Unknown
One of the standout sections in the book involves the team theorizing about how to stop the creature. The exchange about “oobleck physiology” — how slow, bladed weapons may harm shapeshifters more than bullets — adds a fresh scientific twist to supernatural vulnerability.
Werkmeister’s background in law enforcement adds realism to the team’s strategy sessions, bringing an authenticity that fans of Criminal Minds and The X-Files will appreciate.
Werkmeister’s prose doesn’t waste time on over-embellishment. It’s sharp, tactical and emotionally grounded, reflecting the mind of its creator — an FBI veteran turned novelist. The dialogue is crisp, the stakes feel real and the pacing never lets up.
Must Read Gritty Thriller with a Supernatural Edge
Beneath the action and mythology, Skinwalkers is a story about identity and the families we choose. Alex’s emotional evolution — especially when mourning long-lost parents and defining her place within a new “pack” of human allies — adds poignancy to the plot’s relentless momentum.
The climax is brutal and emotional, delivering a satisfying blend of physical confrontation and psychological catharsis. The book ends with more questions than answers, setting the stage for a potential third entry while leaving readers with a satisfying sense of resolution.
Skinwalkers is a genre-blending powerhouse: equal parts thriller, horror and heartfelt character study. With crisp pacing, sharp dialogue and a protagonist unlike any other, D. Werkmeister cements his place as a unique voice in contemporary fiction. If you’re a fan of gritty thrillers with a supernatural edge, this book deserves a top spot on your nightstand.
About D. Werkmeister:
D. Werkmeister is a retired FBI Agent with 21 years of street experience, during which time he investigated white collar crime, Italian organized crime, Eastern European organized crime and international money laundering. He was also an eight year member of the Philadelphia FBI SWAT team. Prior to joining the FBI, he was a Marine Corps Officer and a contractor supporting DARPA.
After his father died in 2021, Werkmeister started writing as an outlet for his frustrations, anger and sadness. He discovered he truly enjoyed the world-building power that a writer can exert over their creation; thus, his first novel, Volk, was born.
When he’s not writing, he enjoys cooking. He lives outside of Philadelphia with his wife Amy and their two daughters.
Publish Date: 10/21/2024
Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal, Thrillers
Author: D. Werkmeister
Page Count: 260 pages
ISBN: 9798991499101