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'What Evil Lurks' is an adventure module for the D20 system for 4 to 6 characters of 8th to 10th level or higher and it is the first full module written by Lance Hawvermale. It is published by Necromancer Games under the banner of Sword & Sorcery Studios. The cover is of the same style and high quality as the other products by Necromancer Games, much resembling the general layout of classic D&D modules. If you don't know the title yet and hold this book in your hands for the first time, the title 'What Evil Lurks' may be a little hard to decipher at first glance. The cover art is a fine introduction to the general mood of WEL. The interior art is very nice as well and fits the mood of the module perfectly.

Reviewing this adventure module without spoiling the fun of reading it is not an easy task. The plot draws the adventurers from a seemingly simple mission of finding a friend's missing son into the wicked plot of a desperate -yet enigmatic- man, questing to remove an ancient curse. On their way they will meet several bizarre persons and visit strange places, some of them inviting and friendly, others dark, dangerous, and filled with unspeakable evil. This is all I dare to say about the story. Detailing it more would definetly spoil the fun of it, for both, DM and potential players.

The entire module is written in such a fine language and style that it almost feels like reading a short story with an atmosphere of strangeness and gothic horror. This alone makes it worth the price of $10.95. When I finished reading it, I felt like I had just finished a good novel. I lay awake for more than an hour imagining the main characters, thinking about their feelings and desires and how to run them. All the NPCs that occur in 'What Evil Lurks' are described in a very imaginative manner, the places are ripe with atmosphere and the plot may well stirr the full range of human emotions in the players.

To play WEL, I'd recommend a healthy mix of PC-classes, as it holds parts for every class. There are riddles and traps, investigation and interrogation, diplomacy and battle, wilderness and dungeon encounters, divine will and magic power, and poor souls to be saved. The riddles, by the way, are quite difficult and you may wish to help your players along with some additional hints.

The seven maps were made by Necromancer's new cartographer Christopher Boll, who also did the maps for 'Prisoners of the Maze' for them. They are very detailed and otherwise excellent in all respects

Finally, there are a new monster, the 'Soul Nibbler', and a new monster template, the 'Shade', to be found within the pages of WEL.

For the negative aspects: There remain one or two questions about the villain's background unanswered, the title is hard to decipher, and some of the riddles may appear a bit too difficult.

These three points do not influence the overall quality of 'What Evil Lurks' so much that I'd be willing to rate this product less than Excellent.

Should I come to a different conclusion after I have DMed this, I may review this product again and update my opinion.

As a concluding word I can only say: I love it. If you love mindless hack & slay adventures, you'll hate it.