The Resurrection Murders
2009

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This was the original 2009 website that was created to launch Donald Michael Kraig's, The Resurrection Murders. Publisher: Galde Press; First Edition ~1st Printing edition (February 1, 2009). Once the publicity died done and Kraig was moving on to the launch of his next novel, this site's domain registration was allowed to expire. The website disappeared from the internet. Now I happen to be a fan of Donald Kraig, so I was delighted when I recently discovered that the domain for ResurrectionMurders.com/ was available. I bought it with the goal of recreating some of its content from archived pages and to point visitors to their new site. I definitely didn't want someone else purchasing the domain and re-purposing the site for something that had nothing in common with the original website. After I took this site live again, I decided to reread theThe Resurrection Murders. Anyway, I settled down on the large porch swing with a cold beer and started reading. Goodbye the rest of the day.

SO the site doesn't look like the original, but the content is direct from its archived pages. I think that this site, touting Kraig's, The Resurrection Murders should remain accessible to visitors on the web.

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The Resurrection Murders
The Exciting New Novel by Donald Michael Kraig

This thrilling new novel by bestselling author Donald Michael Kraig skillfully blends intriguing characters, a powerful murder mystery, and elements of real occultism placed in a modern environment. Surf this website to learn more about this amazing and startling story, the players, and how they're involved in magic, ritual, astral projection, murder, satanism, and bizarre sexual practices. You'll also discover more about the author and how you can get a copy for yourself.

The Background for
The Resurrection Murders

There's no doubt about it, interest in the world of the occult is growing every day. On TV there have been vampires and vampire hunters, psychics and Witches. One of the most popular series of books of all time is about a boy learning to be a wizard. Bookstores are filled with fantasy stories that are filled with occultism. And there is one thing all of the books, TV shows, and movies have in common:

Not one of them was written by a real occultist!

Make no mistake, magic is real! It is practiced by thousands upon thousands of people around the world every day. However, it is not at all like what appears in the novels, movies, TV shows, role-playing games and comic books. Magic is a real science that anyone can learn. But it requires far more than just badly mumbling through the words in an aged and eldritch book.

Perhaps nobody knows this better than Donald Michael Kraig, one of the most respected authors on practical, real magic in the world today. In The Resurrection Murder she answers some simple questions: "What would he be like if Harry Potter were an adult, practiced real magic, and lived in modern Los Angeles?”

There have been a few attempts to blend real magic with fiction, but it is only now, with his mastery of character and plot, that real magic comes alive! That is why you’ll read the following comments at the start of this book:

“The rituals and magical techniques described in this book are based on ancient, traditional methods. Practitioners of magic believe such rituals are effective and can actually work to cause changes in our physical world. However, all of the rituals and magical methods described in this book are incomplete. The author, publisher, distributors and retailers will not be responsible for the results should any person attempt to perform any of the rituals described in this work. Readers interested in learning the full forms of the rituals presented in this book, along with the theories, techniques and philosophies behind them, are directed to the author’s previous work, Modern Magick (St. Paul: Llewellyn Publications, 1988.).”

If you are an occultist or someone interested in what magic is really like, or if you just want the most exciting book you're going to read this season, you must get The Resurrection Murders!

Characters Make the Story

The secret of a good story that gets away from many authors is that the best stories are not about events. Rather, they're about intriguing characters and how they react to events. The Resurrection Murders is filled with fascinating people, each with strengths and weaknesses, that will draw you into a powerful story of victory and loss, of horror and shock, of heroism and redemption. Here are some of the major characters:

Simon Raven is the main character of The Resurrection Murders. His family left him enough money to live without working. Other than that, the tall, graceful, man of indeterminate age is just like you with one exception—he is a magician. No, not the guy in the wrinkled tuxedo who pulls bunnies from hats for children‘s birthday parties. He is a real magician, a person who is able to warp reality at will. Unlike typical movies and comic books, however, real magic is far more than simply mispronouncing words from an aged book. It requires practice as real magic is a skill that can be developed. He has an obsession with some objects to which he assigns magical powers. Simon is muscular but limber, more like a graceful Bruce Lee than bulky, muscle-bound professional wrestler. He's a vegetarian with long, light brown hair that he wears straight to his shoulders. He always wears black. His strong facial structure draws admiration wherever he goes. But he's far from perfect. His impatience and sometimes misplaced self-assuredness could mean his downfall, the deaths of members of the magical organization he runs, and perhaps even the end of humanity as we know it.;

Allenda (Alli) Henley is another of the main characters. She’s practically the opposite of Simon. He has enough money to survive comfortably, but she was brought up in great wealth. Her mother died when she was young and she was raised by her father who doted on her. His over protectiveness prevented her from establishing a strong personality, resulting in a low self-image. She always wears large, heavy-framed glasses and is somewhat overweight. She dresses conservatively and because she never had to do any physical work she hates even thinking about exercise, although once she gets going doing physical work she can really get into it.

In some ways, Alli is more than just a main character. In magical orders, one of the goals is to advance spiritually by developing and mastering the ego. As a member of Simon’s order, this is something she is supposed to do, but has been resisting. Now, however, things are different. As the events rapidly move toward a peak, people find themselves depending upon her for their very lives, and she must either come into her own as a strong, independent woman and magician, or face death. Is she really up to the task?

Paul Christian has been a cop in the Hollywood police department for 22 years. For all of his dedication he’s got a divorce from the only woman he’s ever loved, rarely gets to see his children, a peptic ulcer that he bathes in Tums tablets that he chews far too frequently, and a cynical attitude. Years ago he solved a crime that involved some people involved with the occult. He used standard procedures to solve the case, but was labeled “the occult cop.” He doesn't know anything about occultism, but he has to learn its secrets, and learn them quickly. Murders have been taking place and the bodies are being dumped in Hollywood. The murders have “occult overtones,” so he’s assigned the case. But the real clues are either too few, too many, or completely confusing. He’s always been tough but fair. He’d have been a captain by now, but because he won't play political games he’s still just a detective on the beat. And now, beside trying to stop what seems to be a serial killer, he also has to face further department politics, crazy occultists, wacky Christian fundamentalists, satanists, and a wild assortment of people that could only be found in what many have called “Hollyweird.” The resignation papers that only require his signature and that are sitting in the top drawer of his desk are becoming more and more inviting, but his dedication to stopping the killings may be even more important.

Arthur White is the teacher everybody hated in school. He’s a stuffy old fart in his late fifties. Even though he’s graying and balding far beyond his years, he still has a baby face with thin lips, beady eyes, an overbite and a receding chin. White owns an occult shop where people can go to purchase books and supplies. Like Simon, he runs an occult order, but like White himself, the order has no power and no magic although he is so egotistical and full of himself that he thinks it is the most powerful group in the world. White is so sure that everyone is interested in whatever interests him that he never notices his long and irrelevant monologues bore everyone to tears. He always uses big words when unneeded, and two paragraphs with a citation in Latin when a simple “yes” or “no” would suffice.

Dr. Alexander Gardner is a popular and well-respected professor at UCLA. He’s in his 70s, but with his white teeth and clear, sparkling eyes, he looks much younger. He is slim, but has a decided tummy paunch. Gardner still has a full head of thick, silver hair, but it is usually wild and unkept, matching his bushy eyebrows. He prefers sweaters to jackets, and usually carries a dark, tobacco-stained, unlit pipe in his left hand that he uses as a prop to emphasize a point.

As a professor, he is deliberate and unwilling to make guesses. He will say nothing unless he has researched it and is sure of what he is talking about. He is an expert in occult theory and history, but that doesn’t mean he could perform even a minor spell and he knows it. But if you’re a cop looking for information on the occult, knowing Dr. Gardner is invaluable.

Eris is nothing less than a mystery. In fact, Eris is the only name she goes by and nobody knows her full name. Now in her middle to late 30s, she was a wild child who had been deserted by her Gypsy parents. After not getting along with numerous foster parents she went off on her own. She is short, but has a tiny waist and large bust that draws the attention of men and women. She knows this and shows off her figure with revealing clothes. After gasping at her figure, people find the high cheekbones, brilliant emerald-green eyes and dark skin surrounded by long, reddish-black hair absolutely hypnotic.

Eris knows the erotic power she has over others and uses it to her advantage. She always has lots of money and how she gets it is never discussed between her and her friends in Simon’s magical order. But she knows what they think and laughs at it. She values herself too much to sell her sexuality. Actually, she discovered that she could predict movements in the stock market through the use of astrology and makes plenty of money through investments.

Passionate and filled with personal power, she enjoys helping others as much as she enjoys teasing. But there are others who are drawn to her overt sexuality, and that could be her downfall.

Alan Crawford is both a geek and a schlub. He was born in Chicago and brought up on its tough streets. He was the butt of jokes because he was always late. And lazy. Even now he is at least 35 pounds overweight. But he doesn't care because he’s so smart. He barely got through school because he was bored in all of his classes and didn’t pay attention. Although he has a high I.Q. he’s never gone after or worked at a good job because he wants to spend his time studying. He was bored with every job he's ever held.

And then he discovered two things: occultism and typesetting. He trained to be a typesetter before the modern computerized era. Instead of seeing what the page looked like on a screen, he had to visualize how a page would appear based on the intermixed code and text on the screen in front of him. As a result, he developed advanced skills in a basic mystical technique: visualization. This led him to the occult. He became fascinated by the mathematical and geometric transformations he found in certain aspects of the Kabalah.

A job led him to Los Angeles. His growing love of the occult led him to Simon’s magical order. He also has fallen in love with the mysterious Eris, but is far too shy to tell her and has to watch his every movement and glance when he’s around her so she doesn’t suspect. When he leaves work or the order meetings he just goes home to a small apartment where he studies and dreams of Eris’ touch. He has no hobbies and no friends outside of the order.

Angelica Firestone is a young goth punk. She is 21, but she frequently behaves as if she’s several years younger. Her hair is cut short and has been died jet black. She wears pale, whitish make-up so she looks as if she’s been stuck indoors throughout her life. She loves to dance and party. On the inside of her right thigh is a tattoo of a single red rose with a dagger through it. There is one drop of blood at the blade’s tip. She never had any self-discipline until she joined Simon’s order. Now, everyone has taken her under their wing and she is like the child of the order. Angelica is cute and sexy in a charmingly naive way. Everyone wants to protect and care for her. As a result, she has been allowed to grow mentally and spiritually. She has opened to the ability to channel other...“entities,” and has become the group’s seer.

The Baron is even more of a mystery than Eris. He has his own occult group, but they are independent and certainly not in competition with Simon’s group. Little is known about him and few know anything of his background. But one thing’s for sure: he's big. He’s six-foot-four and 300 pounds, but doesn't have an ounce of fat on his massive, muscle-bound body. He looks like a football lineman, with wide shoulders and stocky legs. His lack of body fat resulted in sharp facial figures. Although most images of male beauty today tend to focus more on a slender figure, he is definitely craggy and big, exuding a cold, cynical power.

The Baron—nobody knows if that is a name or a title—loves the finer things in life to a point of ostentatiousness. He wears custom-made clothes in modern fashions, but they really don’t look good on his massive frame. He appreciates fine foods and wines. Even though he doesn’t need it he wears a black patch over his left eye. A small ruby is embedded in the center of the patch. His strength is huge and his occult knowledge extensive. But pride can blind a person to reality.

Dr. Valdemar Orlac was born Hans Stringmeier. He grew up holding a wide variety of jobs, including a carnival barker and a tabloid reporter. He spent most of his time with the dregs of humanity and came to the conclusion that Barnum was overly optimistic when he said, “There's a sucker born every minute.” Five years in the army’s “black operations” gave him the skills to control people. Nietzche, Bentham, Darwin, and life as a carny gave him his philosophy. He presented this in a religious guise, the image of the opposite of what good people did. He called it “Satanism.” But his real intentions go far deeper than that, and part of his goal is to link neo-Nazi and occult groups. He realizes that Simon can be a great asset or his greatest foe, and he decides to do everything possible to make Simon an ally—or a corpse.

Miguel del Florio was one of the world’s most respected authorities on Norse mythology. But his interest in that area led to the loss of his job and the loss of his beloved wife through divorce. Embittered, he sought to find the real power behind the Northern ways. Unfortunately, that led him to Orlac, and he became an ardent follower.

These are just a few of the amazing people you will come to know and love...or hate...or fear in The Resurrection Murders. Intriguing, exciting, enticing, and involving, this book will pull you into its pulse-pounding pages from the first line to the last page. Order now or read some more information about this book.

WHO IS DONALD MICHAEL KRAIG?

Born in Chicago and raised in Los Angeles, Don’s father died when he was five and his mother had a nervous breakdown. After her recovery, the main focus of his early life was one conservative Judaism, which to him meant be good to others, attend religious services and everything else will turn out okay. Just before his Bar Mitzvah, however, one of the Rabbis at his temple demonstrated to Don some of the techniques of Judaism which were more mystical in nature. Thus began a search for the inner truths of life that has lasted over the rest of his life.

During that time Don was admitted to UCLA before graduating high school, then went on to receive a B.A. in philosophy from that university. During his time at UCLA he studied film, public speaking, and wrote for the school newspaper, The Daily Bruin. Don also taught sleight-of-hand through UCLA’s “Experimental College” and became a member of Hollywood’s famous Magic Castle, a private club for magicians. He studied music at UCLA as well as at Santa Monica College and UCSD. He received a fellowship to USC where he achieved a certificate in multimedia, 3D graphics and animation and web design following which he went on to work for major computer software companies and teach computers at USC. He has performed musically at major venues in Southern California and, playing keyboards in rock bands, has opened for such diverse acts as Elton John and Great White. On Super Bowl Sunday in 2000, Don had a near-death experience. This has lead him to the study of hypnotherapy. He is currently a certified as a clinical hypnotherapist by the American Board of Hypnotherapy (ABH), the Association for Integrative Psychology (AIP), and the National Guild of Hypnotists. He is certified to teach hypnosis by the ABH and is a certified Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming through the AIP.

Don received the title of Certified Tarot Master after a period of intense study through The Associated Readers Of Tarot, a not-for-profit, international, educational organization that has now ceased to operate. Later he was awarded the honorary rank of Certified Tarot Grandmaster by the American Tarot Association. He has read for thousands of people both privately and at “psychic faires” across the U.S. Don was the Editor-in-Chief of The Llewellyn New Times (now renamed New Worlds) for three years and FATE magazine, America’s longest-established magazine (over 50 years) that covers the paranormal for another three years. He has been the editor for Llewellyn’s on-line journal, found at www.llewellynjournal.com. He has contributed numerous articles for several magazines and has been interviewed many times on television and radio, both locally and internationally. He even had a radio show, “The FATE Magazine Radio Hour.”

Paranormal phenomena has always been part of Don’s life. When he was seven, his mother took him and his older brother to Las Vegas. At that time the city was not “family friendly,” and she sat him, totally bored, where she could safely watch him as she played the nickel slot machines. He begged to “play,” but she said he couldn’t as it was against the law. “Then I'll play by myself!” he announced. He walked over to a cigarette vending machine and pulled down the coin return lever matching what he had seen his mother do on the slots. Everyone was amused as $1.35 came out tumbling out. They ignored the obvious question: How did he know that machine would pay out money? Was it mere coincidence or something else?

Years later, he vacationed again in Las Vegas with one of the members of a band he played in. His friend, Fred, had one dollar chip left and wanted to play roulette. He bet on “red,” but Don told him that it was a bad bet, paying only two-to-one, and recommended betting on a column where the odds were three-to-one. Fred asked which column he should put it on. Don rested his hand on the table and said, “The first column.” Fred placed the bet and won. He asked Don what he should do and Don again rested his hand on the table. After a moment, he said, “Move it to the middle column.” He did, and he won again. Fred asked what to do a third time, and once again, Don rested his hand on the table. “Leave it there,” he said, after a moment. The middle column won again. Fred now had almost $65 in chips, but Don felt something new. He looked around and saw a crowd gathering, including police. Fred was underage, so Don grabbed the chips and said, “Let's go!”

Don has acquired a library of over 5,000 books, magazines, journals, and manuscripts, both common and rare, that deal with metaphysics, the occult and related subjects. He has been a member of several metaphysical and magical organizations. After ten years of personal study and practice he began to teach classes in the Southern California area on such topics as Kabalah, Tantra, Tarot, magick, psychic development, psychic self-defence and Wicca. Over the next ten years he refined his teaching style. He took his most popular classes, expanded on them and refined them into what has become Modern Magick, the first step-by-step coursebook in ceremonial magick. Almost 600 pages in length, the book is arranged into 11 time-tested lessons. It explains such subjects as magick, Kabalah, Tarot, Tantra, talismans, reincarnation, sex magick, the evocation of spirits, pathworking and much more in a clear, easy-to-understand and easy-to-use manner. As a result, it has become the most popular book of its kind, a virtual classic, having sold over 150,000 copies. He has continued to teach classes and workshops all across the U.S. and in Europe.

Don first began writing fiction when he was ten years old. The students in his class were asked to write a fiction story. Most wrote a page or two. Don wrote twelve pages of science fiction with an O. Henry-like twist at the end. Although his personal drive to write fiction focused primarily on the science fiction and fantasy genre, he eventually decided to combine his fiction skills with his occult interests. The result is his first novel, The Resurrection Murders, an exciting tale of what real magic is like and its use by a small, brave group of warriors to stop a serial killer and much worse in modern day Hollywood.

 

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More Background On ResurrectionMurders.com

 

ResurrectionMurders.com is a literary website dedicated to The Resurrection Murders, a supernatural murder mystery written by American occult author, lecturer, and ceremonial magic practitioner Donald Michael Kraig. Originally established in 2009 to promote the novel's publication, the website introduced readers to a fictional world where contemporary Los Angeles becomes the setting for ritual magic, serial killings, secret occult organizations, and supernatural confrontations. Although the original promotional website eventually disappeared, its domain was subsequently acquired by an admirer of Kraig's work who recreated portions of its historical content. Today, ResurrectionMurders.com functions as both a literary introduction to the novel and an informal preservation project dedicated to an author who made significant contributions to modern occult literature.

The website occupies an unusual position among book-related internet resources because its subject is not simply a work of supernatural fiction. Kraig was already an established authority within the ceremonial magic community when The Resurrection Murders appeared in February 2009. His best-known publication, Modern Magick, had introduced generations of readers to the principles, symbolism, and practices of Western ceremonial magic. His transition into fiction offered an opportunity to incorporate the traditions he had studied and taught into an imaginative narrative. ResurrectionMurders.com reflects that ambition through detailed character biographies, explanations of the novel's occult background, information about the author, and promotional material intended to distinguish the book from conventional fantasy and horror fiction.

The Origins and History of ResurrectionMurders.com

ResurrectionMurders.com originated as a dedicated promotional website accompanying the 2009 publication of The Resurrection Murders by Galde Press. The book's first edition was published on February 1, 2009, during a period when independent authors and specialty publishers increasingly relied on individual book websites to supplement traditional publicity. A dedicated domain allowed prospective readers to explore the story, become acquainted with its characters, learn about the author's credentials, and obtain information about purchasing the novel. For a book aimed partly at a specialized audience interested in occultism and ceremonial magic, this approach offered advantages over conventional advertising because it provided room to explain the unusual intellectual and spiritual background of the narrative.

The original site was designed around the excitement of a new release. Its promotional language emphasized mystery, danger, magic, and the author's firsthand familiarity with occult traditions. Rather than offering only a short synopsis, it presented extensive character descriptions and a substantial excerpt from the opening chapter. This approach encouraged visitors to become emotionally invested in the story before purchasing the book. The site also devoted considerable attention to Kraig's biography, establishing his qualifications as an occult practitioner and writer while explaining how his experiences informed the novel's fictional world.

After the initial publicity period ended and Kraig moved on to other literary projects, the domain registration was reportedly allowed to expire. The website consequently disappeared from the active internet. Its subsequent revival was not presented as an official relaunch by the original publisher or author. Instead, the person responsible for restoring the domain described being a fan of Kraig's writing who discovered that ResurrectionMurders.com was available for registration. The new registrant purchased it with the intention of reconstructing material from archived versions of the original site and preventing the address from being redirected toward an unrelated commercial purpose.

The restored website does not claim to reproduce the original visual design. Its emphasis is on recovering and presenting the earlier content. This distinction is important because the current site should be understood as a fan-maintained historical reconstruction rather than a continuously operated publisher website. The present registrant's legal identity, the precise date of reacquisition, and any formal relationship with Kraig's estate or Galde Press are not established by the publicly available material. Nevertheless, the preservation effort gives readers access to promotional writing and literary background that might otherwise have remained difficult to find.

Donald Michael Kraig: The Author Behind the Novel

Donald Michael Kraig was born on March 28, 1951, in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Los Angeles, California. His intellectual development brought together philosophy, performance, religious inquiry, and an enduring fascination with esoteric traditions. He attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where he earned a degree in philosophy and studied subjects including music and public speaking. His background also included involvement in theatrical magic, an interest distinct from the ceremonial and spiritual practices that would eventually become central to his professional writing. These varied experiences helped him develop an approach to occult education that combined historical explanation, practical instruction, and accessible presentation.

Kraig became widely recognized through the publication of Modern Magick: Eleven Lessons in the High Magickal Arts in 1988 by Llewellyn Publications. The book presented Western ceremonial magic as a structured course of study, guiding readers through exercises, ritual symbolism, visualization, and philosophical concepts. Its organized teaching format helped distinguish it from more obscure or highly theoretical occult publications. Kraig later expanded and revised the work, with a major 2010 edition titled Modern Magick: Twelve Lessons in the High Magickal Arts. In an article published by Llewellyn in September 2010, he acknowledged more than 150,000 readers who had purchased the book, demonstrating the substantial audience he had developed before and after publishing his first novel.

His career extended beyond authorship. Kraig worked with Llewellyn Worldwide as a writer and editor, served as editor of FATE magazine, and participated in the production of publications concerned with paranormal experiences, metaphysical subjects, and alternative spirituality. He taught workshops and classes covering Kabbalah, Tarot, ceremonial magic, Tantra, and psychic development. His involvement in these communities brought him into contact with other influential writers and practitioners, including Scott Cunningham, whose encouragement played a role in the early publication of Modern Magick. Kraig also appeared in interviews and broadcasts discussing magical traditions and their interpretation in contemporary society.

Kraig died on March 17, 2014, at his home in Los Angeles following pancreatic cancer. He was 63 years old. His death was reported by Publishers Weekly and commemorated by Llewellyn Worldwide, which emphasized his influence as an author, editor, teacher, and mentor. The continued availability of ResurrectionMurders.com therefore has an additional historical dimension: it preserves promotional material from the lifetime of an author whose work remains associated with the development of accessible ceremonial magic literature in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.

The Resurrection Murders: Story, Setting, and Central Themes

The Resurrection Murders is a 374-page novel that combines occult suspense, detective fiction, supernatural horror, and elements of urban fantasy. Its story unfolds in modern Hollywood, where a series of disturbing murders creates an increasingly complex investigation involving police officers, occult practitioners, religious extremists, and individuals whose motives extend beyond ordinary criminal behavior. The novel's central conflict revolves around a group of ceremonial magicians who discover that their developing abilities may be essential to preventing further killings and confronting a supernatural threat of extraordinary magnitude.

The principal protagonist, Simon Raven, leads a magical organization known as the Warriors of the Light. Unlike fictional wizards whose powers operate through simple incantations or inherited supernatural abilities, Simon practices a disciplined system of ritual magic that requires study, concentration, symbolism, and repeated practice. His knowledge and experience make him a formidable figure, but he is not invulnerable. Overconfidence, impatience, and failures of judgment expose both Simon and his associates to dangers they may not be prepared to confront. This combination of competence and vulnerability gives the novel an important source of tension because the protagonist's greatest strengths can also contribute to his mistakes.

The Warriors of the Light include individuals with different backgrounds, personalities, and levels of experience. Many are beginners who have entered the occult world seeking spiritual development, intellectual understanding, or personal transformation. As the murders continue, however, their activities become far more dangerous than the study groups and ceremonial exercises they originally expected. Their conflict with an unknown enemy involves magical battles conducted in ordinary physical environments as well as on the astral plane, a concept associated with certain occult traditions in which consciousness is understood to operate beyond the physical body.

The supernatural threat eventually expands beyond the investigation of individual murders. The novel's published synopsis describes earthquakes, deadly atmospheric phenomena, and the possible emergence of an ancient demonic entity. This escalation transforms the story from a localized crime mystery into a confrontation involving the survival and freedom of humanity. Hollywood's distinctive mixture of celebrity culture, unconventional religious movements, underground social scenes, and urban eccentricity provides the setting for the interaction between ordinary police procedures and extraordinary supernatural claims.

The Characters Who Drive the Mystery

One of the most substantial features of ResurrectionMurders.com is its attention to the novel's characters. The original promotional material introduced numerous individuals in considerable detail, allowing readers to understand their motivations, personal histories, and relationships before encountering them in the full story. Simon Raven is presented as financially independent, physically disciplined, and deeply committed to ceremonial magic. His leadership of the Warriors of the Light places him in a position of considerable responsibility, yet his confidence sometimes exceeds his judgment. His character illustrates the novel's recurring concern with the relationship between spiritual knowledge, personal discipline, and the dangers of unchecked ego.

Allenda Henley, generally called Alli, provides a contrasting perspective. Raised in wealth by an overprotective father, she enters the story with limited confidence and a tendency to rely on others for reassurance. Her involvement in Simon's magical order is supposed to encourage greater independence and self-mastery, but she initially resists the psychological challenges associated with that development. As the danger intensifies, Alli must confront her fears and determine whether she can act decisively when other people's lives depend on her. Her transformation represents one of the novel's clearest examples of spiritual development expressed through character growth rather than abstract instruction.

Detective Paul Christian introduces the conventional crime-fiction element. A veteran Hollywood police officer with more than two decades of experience, Christian is assigned to investigate murders that appear to have occult associations. His personal life is troubled, his professional advancement has been limited by departmental politics, and he approaches the investigation with a mixture of cynicism and determination. Although he has previously encountered crimes involving occult practitioners, he is not an expert in their beliefs or rituals. His struggle to distinguish meaningful evidence from misleading symbolism creates a bridge between the ordinary world of criminal investigation and the supernatural reality presented within the novel.

Other characters broaden the story's treatment of occult organizations and their internal rivalries. Arthur White operates an occult bookstore and leads a magical group, but his inflated opinion of his own knowledge contrasts sharply with his limited abilities. Dr. Alexander Gardner, a respected UCLA professor, possesses extensive scholarly expertise in occult history and theory without necessarily being capable of performing the rituals he studies. Together, these characters distinguish academic understanding, social authority, and practical magical competence, three qualities that are not automatically interchangeable in Kraig's fictional universe.

Eris, a mysterious and charismatic member of Simon's order, contributes another dimension through her independence, sexuality, and interest in astrology. Alan Crawford, a technically skilled but socially awkward typesetter, becomes fascinated with the relationship between visual imagination, mathematical structures, and Kabbalistic symbolism. His romantic interest in Eris adds an emotional complication to the group's relationships. Angelica Firestone, a young participant in the Gothic subculture, develops an ability to channel spiritual entities and becomes the organization's seer. Meanwhile, the enigmatic Baron commands a separate occult group and possesses considerable knowledge and physical strength, although his pride threatens to interfere with sound judgment.

The novel's antagonistic forces include Dr. Valdemar Orlac, originally known as Hans Stringmeier, whose background combines manipulation, extremist ideology, and a cynical interpretation of human behavior. His interest in linking neo-Nazi and occult groups introduces themes of political extremism and the exploitation of spiritual belief for personal power. Miguel del Florio, a former scholar of Norse mythology, becomes involved with Orlac after professional and personal disappointments. These characters allow Kraig to explore the distinction between spiritual inquiry and the destructive use of belief systems to dominate others.

Ceremonial Magic and the Novel's Distinctive Approach to Fantasy

One of the defining characteristics of The Resurrection Murders is its attempt to portray ceremonial magic through traditions that Kraig studied and practiced rather than relying exclusively on the conventions of popular fantasy. In the novel, magical activity involves visualization, ritual implements, sacred names, protective circles, symbolic correspondences, and the disciplined concentration of the practitioner. These elements reflect historical practices associated with Western esotericism, particularly ceremonial systems influenced by Hermeticism, Kabbalah, and the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Kraig's familiarity with these traditions allowed him to construct scenes that readers interested in occult history could recognize, even though the supernatural results belong to the fictional narrative.

The opening chapter demonstrates this approach through an attack on Simon Raven's home. Windows shatter, an unnatural wind enters the room, and Simon realizes that his magical defenses have been compromised. As Alli struggles with fear and uncertainty, Simon prepares a protective ritual using a dagger, sacred names, pentagrams, and carefully directed visualization. The scene combines familiar horror imagery with recognizable ceremonial symbolism, allowing the reader to experience the ritual as an element of the action rather than as a separate lesson. The protective circle also becomes a dramatic expression of the relationship between Simon's knowledge and Alli's developing confidence.

The book includes an introductory disclaimer explaining that its magical techniques draw upon traditional methods but are deliberately incomplete. Readers interested in the historical and practical background are directed toward Kraig's nonfiction work, Modern Magick. This distinction reinforces the relationship between the two publications while acknowledging that fiction is not intended to function as a complete instructional manual. Claims about the effectiveness of ritual magic are presented as the beliefs of practitioners rather than scientifically established facts. For readers, the novel's distinctive quality lies in its use of historically grounded esoteric symbolism to create an internally consistent supernatural world.

Hollywood and Los Angeles as the Novel's Cultural Setting

Los Angeles is more than a convenient backdrop for The Resurrection Murders. The city's entertainment industry, religious diversity, alternative spiritual communities, and unconventional social environments contribute directly to the novel's atmosphere. Hollywood provides a recognizable location where glamorous appearances can conceal disturbing behavior, eccentric personalities are commonplace, and the boundaries between performance and personal belief can become difficult to distinguish. The contrast between ordinary urban life and hidden magical organizations reinforces the story's central premise that extraordinary conflicts might unfold unnoticed within familiar surroundings.

The novel incorporates locations and institutions associated with greater Los Angeles, including UCLA, Hollywood police investigations, occult bookstores, and private meeting places used by magical groups. These settings have particular relevance to Kraig's own background because he studied at UCLA, lived in Southern California, and participated in the region's metaphysical and occult communities. The fictional environment therefore reflects places and social circles with which the author had direct familiarity. That connection gives the story a geographical identity beyond the generic metropolitan settings commonly used in supernatural thrillers.

ResurrectionMurders.com itself is not a physical destination or visitor attraction. It does not advertise a bookstore, museum, public office, or venue that readers can visit, and no verified business address is provided for its present operator. Its strongest geographical associations are with Los Angeles, where the novel is set and where Kraig spent much of his life, and with the publishing history of Galde Press. Readers seeking to understand the site's location should therefore distinguish between the website's online presence, the author's Southern California connections, and the fictional locations represented in the book.

Publication Details, Availability, and Collectible Editions

The Resurrection Murders was originally published by Galde Press in 2009 as a paperback. Bibliographic records identify the book with ISBN-10 1931942668 and ISBN-13 9781931942669. Goodreads lists the original publication date as February 1, 2009, and records a length of 374 pages. Some bookseller listings identify a 2014 publication or cataloging date and a different page count of 388 pages. These differences may reflect edition-specific records or variations in bookseller metadata, and purchasers should examine the particular copy being offered rather than assuming that every listing describes an identical printing.

The novel remains discoverable through online book marketplaces, including AbeBooks, where both used and new copies have appeared. Listings also include signed first-edition copies, which may be of interest to collectors of occult literature and readers familiar with Kraig's broader career. A signed first printing can carry significance beyond the book's ordinary reading value because it connects a relatively specialized work of fiction with an author who had an established reputation in ceremonial magic publishing. However, asking prices for collectible copies should not be confused with verified market values, and availability can change as individual booksellers sell or acquire inventory.

Unlike a conventional retail website, ResurrectionMurders.com does not function primarily as an active online bookstore with a comprehensive product catalog, shopping cart, or continuously updated merchandise selection. Its original purpose was to direct visitors toward information about purchasing the novel, while its restored form emphasizes the preservation of promotional and historical material. Its content is organized around the book's background, characters, narrative excerpt, and author biography rather than restaurant-style menus or commercial service listings. This straightforward structure reflects its origins as a single-title promotional website.

Reader Reviews, Popularity, and Public Reception

The public reception of The Resurrection Murders is more difficult to measure than that of Kraig's better-known nonfiction publications. Goodreads lists the novel with an average rating of 3.00 out of 5 stars based on five ratings, with no accompanying written community reviews in the listing examined. The five ratings are distributed across the five possible star categories, producing a mathematically balanced average but offering little meaningful evidence of broad reader sentiment. Such a small sample should not be interpreted as a reliable measure of literary quality or general popularity.

The contrast with Modern Magick is substantial. Kraig's nonfiction work reached a much larger audience, became associated with structured instruction in ceremonial magic, and was translated into multiple languages. The popularity of Modern Magick helped establish his name among readers interested in occult studies, but that reputation cannot automatically be transferred to the commercial performance of The Resurrection Murders. No independently verified sales totals, bestseller rankings, or substantial body of professional literary criticism were identified for the novel. Its significance is therefore better understood through its unusual subject matter, its relationship to Kraig's established career, and its appeal to a specialized readership.

There are also no reliable public traffic figures establishing how many visitors ResurrectionMurders.com receives or how its audience has changed since the domain was restored. The website's continued discoverability and the presence of the book in online catalogs demonstrate that information about the novel remains accessible, but they do not establish substantial contemporary traffic or mainstream popularity. The likely audience includes existing Kraig readers, collectors of occult publications, enthusiasts of supernatural detective fiction, and researchers interested in the relationship between esoteric literature and popular storytelling.

Press Coverage, Radio Appearances, and Literary Recognition

Although extensive mainstream coverage of The Resurrection Murders itself is not readily documented, Donald Michael Kraig received recognition through his larger career in occult publishing and broadcasting. His work as an editor and contributor placed him within a network of specialized publications concerned with spirituality, paranormal experiences, and ceremonial traditions. Llewellyn Worldwide maintained an author profile and published numerous articles by Kraig, providing readers with access to his commentary on subjects ranging from magical theory to Tarot and the development of contemporary Pagan spirituality.

Kraig also appeared on Coast to Coast AM, a nationally recognized radio program concerned with paranormal experiences, unexplained phenomena, and alternative interpretations of history and science. The program's guest archive identifies an August 3, 2010, appearance during which Kraig discussed the history of magic and attitudes toward magicians and witches. Significantly, the program's biographical listing includes ResurrectionMurders.com among his websites, providing independent evidence that the domain was associated with Kraig's public author profile during the period following the novel's release.

Another useful connection appears in Llewellyn's own archives. In an October 2013 article discussing Tarot, Kraig specifically referred to the inclusion of Tarot in The Resurrection Murders. This demonstrates that the novel remained part of his professional identity several years after its initial publication. The reference also illustrates the continuity between his nonfiction interests and his fictional storytelling. Tarot was not merely a decorative supernatural device in his writing; it was a subject he had studied, taught, and explored through multiple publications.

Following his death in March 2014, Publishers Weekly published an obituary recognizing Kraig's work as an author and editor. Llewellyn also issued a memorial emphasizing his influence on generations of students and readers. These reports establish his professional standing within the publishing industry and occult community, although they should not be mistaken for direct reviews of The Resurrection Murders. No independently verified major literary awards specifically associated with the novel were identified. Kraig's documented honors and credentials were primarily connected with his work in Tarot, occult education, and related professional activities rather than awards for crime or fantasy fiction.

The Website's Ownership, Restoration, and Preservation Goals

The ownership history of ResurrectionMurders.com is particularly important because the website has experienced at least two distinct phases. During its original operation, it served as promotional material for Kraig's novel. Its later disappearance followed the expiration of the domain registration, according to the restored site's introductory explanation. The current operator describes acquiring the available domain as an admirer of Kraig who wanted to preserve material from the original website and prevent the address from being repurposed for unrelated content.

The restoration reflects a broader challenge in digital publishing. Promotional websites are often created for a particular book release, film, exhibition, or cultural event, but their long-term survival depends on continuing domain registration, hosting arrangements, and maintenance. When a campaign ends, the associated website may disappear even though the work it promoted remains available. Archived copies can preserve portions of the original material, but their usefulness depends on whether the pages were captured successfully and whether readers know where to find them. By restoring selected content under the original domain, the current operator has made some of the book's historical promotional material easier to discover.

This preservation activity does not necessarily establish formal ownership of the original text, artwork, or other intellectual property. Domain registration and copyright ownership are separate matters, and the website does not provide enough publicly verified information to determine the legal arrangements governing the restored material. Its historical value nevertheless rests on the accessibility of content describing the novel as it was presented to prospective readers in 2009. The restored pages offer insight into the marketing language, character emphasis, and occult themes that shaped the book's original public presentation.

Cultural Significance and the Relationship Between Occultism and Popular Fiction

ResurrectionMurders.com represents a point of intersection between specialist occult literature and the broader market for supernatural entertainment. During the years surrounding the novel's publication, fantasy stories involving witches, wizards, vampires, and other supernatural figures were prominent in books, television, and film. Kraig's promotional material explicitly contrasted his own approach with fictional portrayals of magic that emphasized effortless spells and spectacular powers. His central proposition was that a practicing occultist could produce a different kind of supernatural narrative by incorporating the symbols, disciplines, and philosophical assumptions found in established magical traditions.

This approach has significance for readers interested in the representation of minority spiritual traditions in popular culture. Ceremonial magic, modern Paganism, Tarot, and related esoteric practices have frequently been portrayed through sensationalism, misunderstanding, or simplified horror conventions. Kraig's work attempted to distinguish the beliefs and practices of contemporary occult communities from the supernatural inventions of entertainment media. At the same time, The Resurrection Murders uses dramatic horror elements, including demonic threats and destructive magical conflict, demonstrating that the novel remains a work of imaginative fiction rather than an ethnographic account of actual occult communities.

The book also explores themes that extend beyond supernatural spectacle. Its characters confront questions about authority, spiritual development, personal responsibility, manipulation, prejudice, and the ethical use of knowledge. The contrast between Simon Raven's protective magical organization and Orlac's destructive ambitions presents a conflict over the purposes for which spiritual or psychological influence might be used. Alli's development examines the relationship between confidence and independence, while Detective Christian's investigation raises questions about the difficulty of interpreting unfamiliar belief systems through conventional institutional frameworks.

For researchers examining the history of occult fiction, the novel offers an example of a practitioner translating specialized knowledge into popular narrative. ResurrectionMurders.com contributes to that record by preserving descriptions of the author's intentions and the characters he created. Its importance is not dependent on large visitor numbers or commercial success. Instead, it lies in documenting a relatively unusual literary project by a writer whose nonfiction influence is more extensively recognized.

Why ResurrectionMurders.com Remains Relevant

ResurrectionMurders.com remains useful for several distinct audiences. Readers encountering Donald Michael Kraig through Modern Magick can discover a different side of his writing and examine how his practical knowledge of ceremonial traditions influenced his fiction. Fans of supernatural mysteries can learn about the novel's premise, setting, and characters before deciding whether to seek out a copy. Collectors can use its historical information alongside bookseller catalogs to identify the original publication and understand the context in which the book appeared.

The website also serves researchers interested in the history of independent book promotion and digital preservation. Its original existence illustrates how a specialized publisher or author could use a dedicated domain to communicate directly with a niche audience. Its disappearance and subsequent restoration demonstrate the fragility of online cultural records and the role individual enthusiasts can play in keeping historical material accessible. Although the restored site is not a comprehensive scholarly archive, it preserves a meaningful example of early twenty-first-century literary promotion.

Ultimately, the lasting interest of ResurrectionMurders.com comes from the relationship between the website, the novel, and its author. The Resurrection Murders brought together Donald Michael Kraig's experience as a ceremonial magic practitioner, his understanding of occult communities, and his interest in supernatural storytelling. The website originally helped introduce that project to readers in 2009 and now preserves much of its promotional identity for a later audience. For those exploring Kraig's literary legacy, the history of modern occult publishing, or the use of esoteric traditions in crime and horror fiction, ResurrectionMurders.com remains a distinctive resource.

 

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