Customer Reviews

Blood Price: Victory Nelson Private Investigator: Otherworldly Crimes a Specialty

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Tanya Huff has been turning out fine fantasy work for some time now. "Blood Price," an early effort from 1991, is the first volume of a vampire series that focuses on three main characters. The first of these is Victoria Nelson, once a homicide inspector with the Toronto police, she has been forced to retire by the start of retinitis pigmentosa. Tough and intelligent, Vicki refuses to be beaten by the disease and has set up as a private detective. Mike Celluci was Vicki's partner on the force and her lover as well. Anger over Vicki's decision to leave the police force has separated the two lovers, but sparks still fly when they are together. Their bickering disguised a deeply held mutual affection.

A sudden rash of hideous killings, throats torn out and blood drained, brings Vicki and Mike back together. As the body count mounts Vicki begins to suspect that the killer is not quite human. The newspapers warn of a vampire, but Mike refuses to believe that any such creature can exist. Vicki is not so sure. When she manages to be present at the next killing she discovers Henry Fitzroy at the death scene. Henry, a handsome, intelligent writer of romantic novels, manages to convince Vicki that he is not the killer. But to do so he must reveal that he is a 450 year old vampire, the illegitimate son of Henry VIII, no less.

Henry realizes what Vicki does not. The killer is not a rogue vampire, but a demon, called into service by someone in the city. But the creature serves two masters, the human who called him and one of the greater demons of hell. By using the killings to spell the name of the greater demon across the Toronto landscape, this evil force intends to open the way for a reign of terror on the earth. All Vicki and Henry have to do is identify which of the greater demons is trying to cross over, catch the lesser demon, and stop the human mage who is casting the summonings. Piece of cake.

The three investigators, separately and together are challenged to a race against time. Hampered by Vicki's night blindness, Henry's vampire hours, and Mike's refusal to consider an inhuman killer, it will take all of their energy and a fair amount of luck to track down the elusive magic user. There are lots of plot twists, some hair-raising brushes with death, and very satisfying conclusion. This is a fine start to what will develop into an exciting series.

Inevitably, the reader will make comparisons between Vicki Nelson and Hamilton's Anita Blake. They have much in common. Their personalities are similar, but Vicki doesn't quite have the attitude that Blake does. Of course, Anita has far more powers than Vicky does. And Henry, while attractive, is no Jean-Claude. All of Huff's characters, even while they are squabbling, have far better manners. Hamilton is a stronger author, but saying so is unfair to Huff, who is hardly lacking in writing skills. If readers are willing to judge this fine series on its own merits I think no one will be disappointed. If you are looking for a new Anita Blake, seek elsewhere.

"Blood Price" by Tanya Huff is the first book in a five book series revolving around Vicki Nelson, an ex-policewoman turned Private Investigator because of a degenerative condition that is slowly causing her to go blind. Add in Henry Fitzroy, a 450-year-old vampire romance writer and bastard son of Henry VIII and Mike Celluci, Vicki's ex-partner on the force and sometime lover, and you have the recipe for a compelling, exciting, and fun story. Huff has created an intriguing group of main characters and set them in the midst of a suspenseful and well-written mystery. Sure to please readers of fantasy, mystery, and even romance genres, "Blood Price" is one great read.

Something is stalking the streets of Toronto at night, tearing out throats and draining bodies of blood. After Vicki discovers the first body in a subway station, she is reunited with Mike Celluci, the primary homicide detective on the case, who she hasn't seen in the eight months since she resigned from the force. These two can't seem to talk to each other for long without yelling, but underneath all the anger, they still hold a deep affection for one another.

Vicki quickly begins to believe that the killer is far from human, but Mike stubbornly refuses to believe in a supernatural possibility. The media has started crying vampire, which is where Henry Fitzroy comes in. He has long since learned to survive without killing, and happily co-exists with the 3 million citizens of Toronto. However, the vampire frenzy the media has created is exactly what Henry doesn't want, for it is more than likely to bring about his demise.

Vicki and Henry meet under less than ideal circumstances when Vicki comes across Henry leaning over the newest mutilated body. In order to convince her he's not the killer, Henry reveals his secret to Vicki, who he immediately feels drawn to. It's not long before these two team up, and start hunting the killer together. Henry knows just what it is, a demon, being called into service by an unknown human. And what's worse is that this lesser demon is the minion of a greater demon, and the killings are writing the name of that greater demon on the city of Toronto. Once the name is complete, it will open the doorway to Hell on Earth, and the start of Armageddon.

And the world's only chance lies in the hands of one vampire, who can't work days, and a night-blind ex-cop. But Henry and Vicki make a great team, and they aren't about to give up without a fight. The chemistry Huff develops between Vicki and Henry is electric, and I can't wait to see what develops between them in later books. Vicki is a wonderful heroine, she's got plenty of vulnerabilities but she's still very tough and very determined. I adore Henry; he is a refreshingly different kind of vampire, and a fascinating character. The flashes of his past are expertly handled and really help the reader understand him better. Mike Celluci is also well drawn, and his interactions with Vicki are often humorous and always interesting. The story effectively builds to a thrilling climax and Huff provides readers with a satisfying conclusion.

"Blood Price" is a hugely entertaining and tightly plotted book. The story is filled with suspenseful brushes with death and chilling scenes of undiluted evil, but Huff skilfully blends these with some very funny moments to keep the tone from getting too dark. "Blood Price" is just an all-around excellent read, sure to amuse, intrigue, and entertain readers everywhere. It's a book you don't want to miss and I most definitely recommend it!

I'm not usually a sci fi/fantasy/horror reader (I usually read mysteries), but I got hooked on one subgenre after reading the first Anita Blake novel by Laurell Hamilton (I have since read the entire Anita Blake series as well as the opening novel for the Merry Gentry series). Perhaps that is because Hamilton's novels, as well as the "Blood" series by Tanya Huff, are real-world mysteries with fantasy/horror elements added as a twist.

Tanya Huff's "Blood" series is set in present day Toronto and features ex-Homicide detective Vicki Nelson, current Homicide detective Mike Celluci (Vicki's former partner and sometime lover), and Henry Fitzroy, 450 year old vampire (illegitimate son of Henry VIII, romance writer, and potential lover of Vicki's). This unlikely trio, who do not always like or understand each other, must work together to stop Evil (in the form of killer demons, etc.) and keep Toronto safe, while keeping secret from everyone the fact that there really ARE vampires, demons, werewolves, etc.

While, in my opinion, Laurell Hamilton is the best writer of this subgenre, Tanya Huff is a close second. I read the first 4 of the "Blood" series within a week and will be sorry to finish the series after reading "Blood Debt". However, I have just discovered Huff's newest series, "Summoning", so I can't be too sad. The only problem is, there were 3 years between the first "Summoning" book and the second (which just came out in paperback this year), so I may have to wait awhile for the third!

If you love vampire fiction, if you love quirky mysteries, if you like horror/fantasy/sci fi, then this is worth a look! I had an hour or so to kill at the mall and picked this up in a bookstore by the food court. I ended up being late for my appointment because I sat down and finished almost half the book before I could leave!
Vicki Nelson is a former homicide detective who left the force due to a disease that stole her night vision. Now a private investigator, Vicki is the first to literally stumble upon a grisly murder. She is then hired to track down the killer who is building quite a long victim list. Enter Henry Fitzroy, the illegitmate son of Henry VIII. The two meet in the middle of this investigation and decide to join forces. One can't see at night, the other can't go out in the day. The perfect crime solving team! Vicki wants to solve the case to stop the killing while Henry wants to stop the killer before a panicked public starts blaming the killings on vampires. Henry has a vested interest in maintaining anonymity. Meanwhile, the body count rises and all clues start pointing to a perp that is anything but human.
This was such a fun book to read. I also liked that it is set in Toronto which is a refreshing change from most of the stories I read that are set in American locales. I'm glad I picked this up, and I'm quickly adding the rest of the series to my wish list!

I really enjoyed this novel, and all the others that followed. I'm a sort of fan of vampire fiction, from the sublime (A Taste of Blood Wine), to the extremely cheesy (too many to mention here). When I first picked up the book, it was at a friend's recommendation. I didn't expect to much..come on, an (almost) blind detective and a vampire romance writer working together? Still, I was very pleasantly surprised. First of all, I'm a sucker for fantasy books set in Canada. So much is set in the States, or in Europe, or in Worlds Beyond. But to read something that takes place an hour and a half from where I live...cool. I knew where they were searching, where they lived, where things were happening, and Huff described it well. Secondly, the characters were so much better than I thought. They had depth...motivation, a sense of history, definate personalities (talk about rocks and hard places!), and little quirks that made them seem real. The friction between the three main characters is tangible, but I could see why they liked each other, too. Third, there was a plot. The characters had a purpose, and it had a bit more to it than good-vs-evil. Each of the books also explored other 'issues' (at the risk of sounding cheesy): isolation, family, power, tolerance, bigotry... Fourth, the books were funny. Not laugh a minute joke books. They were serious, and dealt with serious issues. Still, Huff never let her books get bogged down with their own seriousness. She let it be funny, just when you needed it the most. So, I really enjoyed the series. I think I liked the first book the most (hence my review here instead of in Blood Pact, for example), but that might just be sentiment talking. I wish there were more books like these out there.

Like many others drawn to sci-fi/horror novels. I picked up this book after the recommendation of many on this site who compared it to the Anita Blake series. This series is definitely up there. It is a total of 5 books, and this is the first in the series.

Vicki is an ex cop turned private investigator who had to leave the police force because she is losing her night vision. One night at the subway station Vicki finds a murdered body, and even though she has left the force, she feels compelled to investigate this crime (and it helps that she is finally hired to investigate the crime). While investigating she meets Henry, a romance writer who is also a vampire. Henry has his own reasons to investigate the crime. Vicki is unable to see at night. Henry is unable to go out during the day. They both have to work together to discover the murderer.

I do not want to give too much away, but if you are looking for a good vampire series, give this one a try. You will not be disappointed. If you would like the exact order of the series, it is Blood Price, Blood Trail, Blood Lines, Blood Pact and Blood Debt. This book and the entire series gets five stars!

Ms. Huff is readily known for her "Fantasy" shows with this great book, she can do a whole different style of work. Introducing a Female ex-cop Detective and a Male Romance writing Vampire. Through a client Detective Vicki Nelson crosses paths with Romance writer Henry Fitzroy, they both are hunting the same "Villian(s)" A supernatural evil, trying to end the world as we know it. As these two work together, a spark developes making this a nice sexy as well as a fast paced scary mystery.. A nice blend of Horror-ScFi-Mystery & Romance, with a strong women in the lead. Just my cup of tea.

This is the first book in a series about Henry Fitzroy, writer of bodice-rippers, bastard son of Henry VIII, and vampire. Those who already know that they like vampire novels, anything at all that features a vampire, can skip this review, and likewise, those who hate the whole idea of vampires can skip it. But for those trying to decide whether or not to read more of this genre, or whether the one vampire novel you've already read was a fluke, it may help to have some ways to categorize these novels. Thus: BunRab's Standard Vampire Classification Guide. First, most authors of vampire novels approach from one of the main genres of genre fiction; thus their background may be primarily in romance, or in science fiction/fantasy, or in murder mysteries, or in horror. Second, many vampire novels come in series; knowing whether this is one of a series, and where in the series it falls, may be helpful. Then we have some particular characteristics: - Is the vampire character (or characters) a "good guy" or a "bad guy"? Or are there some of each? - Are there continuing characters besides the vampire, through the series? - Are there other types of supernatural beings besides vampires? - Can the vampire stand daylight under some circumstances, or not stand daylight at all? - Does the vampire have a few other supernatural characteristics, many other supernatural characteristics, or none other than just being a vampire? (E.g., super strength, change into an animal, turn invisible) - Does the vampire have a regular job and place in society, or is being a vampire his or her entire raison d'etre? - Does the vampire literally drink blood, or is there some other (perhaps metaphorical) method of feeding? - Is sex a major plot element, a minor plot element, or nonexistent? - Is the entire vampire feeding act a metaphor for sex, part of a standard sex act, or unrelated to sex? - Is the story set in one historical period, more than one historical period, or entirely in the present day? - Does the story have elements of humor, or is it strictly serious? - Is the writing style good, or is the writing just there to manage to hold together the plot and characters?

Tanya Huff's series about the vampire Henry Fitzroy starts from the mystery and thriller genres (Huff also writes Fantasy), and is a continuing series. Fitzroy is a good guy, just leading a quiet life. The continuing characters include several types of humans: police officers, detectives, street people, family members. There are other supernatural characters, usually only one type per book (e.g., demons). Henry definitely can't stand daylight at all; it literally burns him. He has extraordinary strength and speed, but no "magic" powers. In fact, other than the existence of a few types of supernatural beings, there is little supernatural going in in the series - it's everyday modern Toronto, not a fantasy world. He's got a day job - er, make that a night job: he's a writer. He drinks blood, usually from consenting adults, sometimes associated with sex, but not necessarily. There is sex in the books, but it's a minor plot element, not graphically detailed. These stories are there for the mystery/thriller elements; romance is only a sideline. Huff allows the characters to have a sense of humor: witty dialogue, a way with words. Some of the characters are set up for humor and farce as well, although not in a crude or gross way. The writing is well above average for "genre fiction" and the books are quite enjoyable to read.

In Blood Price, we meet first Vicki Nelson, former police detective and now private investigator. Then we meet Henry. We're introduced to other regular characters: Mike Celluci, Vicki's one-time lover, and still a police detective.; Tony, teenage street-kid with a heart of gold. And the bad guy, who just happens to be calling up a demon for personal gain, and who is not bothered by the fact that the demon kills and feeds on someone everytime he's called up. The police use their methods to narrow in on the killer; Vicki uses her resources as a PI, and Henry uses a few tricks only available to the supernatural. It all comes together at the end. Oh, and Henry asks Vicki out for a date... to be continued!

"Blood Price" is an intriguing start to a new vampire series, it has been unfavourably compared to a similar set of books namely the Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamilton. For everyone's piece of mind lets get the comparisons out of the way yes there are three strong main characters Vicky the private detective, Michael Celluci the homocide detective and sometime lover of Vicky, and Henry Fitzroy 450 year old vampire the bastard son of King Henry the 8th. Yes these three look as though they have the potential to become embroiled in a love affair. Yes these three characters are Toronto's only hope against the bloody destruction a demon and its handler are wreaking across the city.

Right now for the refreshing differences Vicky has a degenerative eye disease so she has had to give up her first love police work. She is a much more vulnerable character than even the early Anita Blake was, and so is much more sympathetic. Like the rest of us she avoids her mother's phonecalls, worries about paying her rent with her struggling detective agency, and avoids her ex lover Michael Celluci like the plague after they argue about her decision to leave policework. Enter debonair Henry Fitzroy a writer of bodice rippers and incidentally a vampire. We can sympathise easily with each of them henry's growing isolation and lonliness, Vicky's frustration at her physical weaknesses and poor night vision, and Michael's inability to accept the supernatural until it is almost too late.

If these books should remind you of anything think of the tv show Forever Knight the flashbacks to Henry's life through the ages are handled skillfully, as is the depiction of the demon and the unpopular young man who summons it for his own gains. You know a writer is good when you can feel pity for the villain of the piece, Huff is very good and it is not an insult to say that these novels read as a YA companion piece to the Anita verse, but it is unfair to trash these wonderful books because they aren't Anity enough! The plot is well structured and moves logically from A to B without the distraction of mysticism and magic that can foul up Anita Blake plots. Vicky, Henry, and Michael are the only hope of destroying the demon but they must work together against Vicky's inability to see at night, Michael's stubborness to refuse to see what's in front of him, and Henry's inability to work in daylight. The book is chilling in its depiction of the monster but funny too, and the reactions of characters and dialogue are very realistic you can almost hear Vicky and Michael argue. If your expecting Anita Blake you will be disappointed but judge it on its own merits and I think you'll find you quite like it.

I can tell that this series is going to be one to read. It'snot as dark as Laurell K. Hamilton, and Vicki is not as kick-ass as Anita Blake, but the characters are really good, already captivatingand intriguing.

Vicki is an ex-cop, whose failing eyesight forcedher to retire early. She is dealing with withdrawal and otherdifficulties when she stumbles on a body, and lands smack in themiddle of a supernatural murder.

It's not just Vicki, either.Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of Henry VII, is a 450 year-oldvampire who writes romance novels, but don't make the mistake ofunderestimating him. He is as strong as he is funny anddangerous.

Last but not least, there's Vicki's ex-boyfriend, andsometimes still lover, who is heading up the case.

They are greatbase characters on which to build a series, and what the story lacksin plot, it gains in characterization and potential. One to watch.