29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
How often does someone investigate their own murder?, January 30, 2001
This review is from: Bloodlist (Vampire Files, No. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
This is a vampire novel. 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?
P.N. Elrod's series about Jack Fleming is in the hard-boiled detective genre. Fleming is a good guy (although with worries about his own ethics). Fleming is a former journalist (before he died), now working as a sidekick to a private investigator. The series takes place in the Chicago of the '30s, after Al Capone is locked up, but before the Depression ends. Criminal gangs are still a big force in Chicago. Besides Jack and his boss, various criminal mobs, and police both honest and corrupt, are recurring characters in the series. So is Jack's girlfriend, Bobbi, a nightclub singer. Jack drinks blood, but it doesn't have to be human- he uses cows at the Stockyards usually, and likes horses as a treat. He does, however, also drink a little from his girlfriend during sex. Sex is discreet and not too frequent in the series- no explicit details; this is a detective series, not a romance. Jack has a few supernatural powers associated with being a vampire: the usual ones of being stronger and faster than humans, and he also can turn invisible and float through walls. He must sleep during the day, on his native earth - but garlic and crosses don't bother him. There aren't any other kinds of supernatural characters in the series. As befits the detective genre, there is a certain amount of wisecracking in the dialogue; Jack can be a smart-ass sometimes, and the criminals can be inadvertently funny. Overall, the series is a well-done version of the genre, each book being easy to read and most of the characters being well-described and thought out.
The first book in the series has Jack solving a very important crime: his own murder. When he wakes up to the vampire life, he has to get used to it. A very alert private investigator notices something odd about Jack, and arranges quite ingeniously to meet him. Together, they encounter members of several different gangs. Jack meets Bobbi, a singer at the Nightcrawler Club; it's love at first site, and she doesn't mind the bite. We are left at the end of the book with one mystery resolved, but several others still hanging that let us know there will be another in the series.
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I was doubtful, but it turned out excellent, May 26, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Bloodlist (Vampire Files, No. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
The hokey titles and cover art had made me pass over this series for quite a while, even though I was very much into vampires. I judge books very much by their covers, and before I buy book, I will think, Do I want to be seen reading this book? Finally, I checked out the book and decided only to read it at home. To my surprise, it was very good.
Meet Jack Fleming, a man waking up on the side of the road to discover that he is a vampire. His character is very well drawn, and he seems very believable. His struggle to avenge his attempted murder is touchingly human, along with his somewhat inability to cope with the sudden change into vampirism.
I have read up to book three, and I am currently waiting for the library to recieve the fourth book. Try to ignore the cover art, this is actually a very good book.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gang Bosses, Crimes, Private Eyes, Mystery, Vampires., September 7, 1998
By A Customer
This review is from: Bloodlist (Vampire Files, No. 1) (Mass Market Paperback)
I was a little bit leary when I picked up this book. I didn't really know if the book would hold my attention... I really do not like Mystery novels, but LOVE Vampire books. I decided to give the book a shot... ended up buying every book in the series half way through Bloodlist. I can't wait for the next book!
Jack Fleming is one of the coolest vampires I have ever had the pleasure of reading about! He is not the typical vampire. He's a really nice guy. He doesn't wear a cape or speak with a French accent. He's from Cincinnati.
Charles Escott... more intelligent than the average sidekick... and more amusing! I can't wait for the next book in the series, so I can learn more about him!
This is just a wonderful book series. A vampire story with a Noir twist. Jack doesn't stalk the night to find food... he wants to find criminals. He's the sidekick to a Private Agent! Or is the Private Agent the sidekick to Jack? Hmmn...
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