The Case of the Virtuous Vampire: A Gooden and Knight Paranormal Mystery [Paperback]

Monette Michaels (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 2004

A Gooden and Knight Paranormal Mystery

Abigail Merriweather Gooden isn’t your typical Austin, Texas lawyer. Sure she has the so very chic law offices on West 6th Street and the prominent social status that comes from old Texas money, but she also has magic with a "k." Abbie, after all, is a witch.

So it isn’t surprising that the preternatural community sends all its legal matters to her. Such is the case with Jurnik Golub, owner of Exotica, a popular Austin gentlemen’s club. Jurnik is a vampire--and someone has attempted to frame him for the murder of one of his strippers.

All lawyers like innocent clients--and Jurnik is definitely innocent, being that he was sleeping the sleep of the undead during the time of the murder.

Abbie, along with Lucan Knight, the shape-shifter private detective Jurnik has hired, must race to find "whodunnit" before the Austin police haul Jurnik in--and he becomes one crispy client.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"4 1/2 Stars...an excellent story from an excellent author...superbly unique." -- Sam, The Romance Studio

"5 Stars...Fans of Charlaine Harris need to sit up and take notice...BRAVA, Monette Michaels!" -- Detra Fitch, Huntress Book Reviews

"Fans of Laurell Hamilton...will love this urban romantic fantasy...a wary witch finds her soulmate in a shape-shifter." -- Harriet Klausner, Independent Reviewer for PNR Reviews

From the Author

This book is out of print and has been since December 2005.  The reprint of this book, The Virtuous Vampire, is available in e-formats from the publisher and through Amazon.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 238 pages
• Publisher: LTDBooks (December 15, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1553165543
• ISBN-13: 978-1553165545
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,554,577 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

A Hoosier born and raised, Monette lives in the heartland near Indianpolis, Indiana.

After obtaining her law degree, she worked in a small general practice, attempting in her own way to right wrongs and fight the good fight. Little did she realize that all those clients, opposing counsel and the problems she handled would jump start the need to write fiction. But after twenty years in law, she did just that -- started writing. First, romantic suspense, then adding paranormal romance and science fiction romance, then adding a sexier side (as Rae Morgan).

She still practices law - - but writing is her passion.

Monette is married to her college sweetheart and has one son and a cat. The cat is the boss.

Monette (and Rae) love to hear from her fans. Rae Morgan has her own Author Central page, please visit her there.

E-Mail her: [e-mail]

Website: www.monettemichaels.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A refreshing unique story that will appeal to readers of romance, mystery, or paranormal, August 30, 2005

By 

Kelley Hartsell "Kelley" (Irving, TX) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Case of the Virtuous Vampire: A Gooden and Knight Paranormal Mystery (Paperback)

Courtesy of CK2S Kwips and Kritiques

In a break from her usual type of story, Monette Michaels pens a witty romantic mystery with a twist that will satisfy readers.

Abigail Merriweather Gooden is from a long line of powerful witches, as well as being a darn good lawyer in Austin, TX. Though she doesn't advertise her magickal abilities, all of the supernatural beings in the city know her skill, and bring their cases to her. Her latest case, defending men's club owner Jurnik Golub, a vampire, will bring some changes in to her life.

Lucan "Luc" Knight is the PI on the case. Jurnik is under fire for the murder of one of his former exotic dancers, who was also an ex-girlfriend of his, but he's innocent. Luc needs to find the real killer and exonerate Jurnik, and he uses his own special abilities to help. For he just happens to be a shape shifter with some pretty impressive other powers he keeps secret.

Luc and Abbie become partners as they race against time to solve the mystery and protect their client. But danger mounts, as does their mutual attraction, the closer they get to solving the mystery, putting their lives at risk. Meanwhile they begin to wonder about becoming partners in more ways then one.

This is a refreshing unique story that will appeal to readers of romance, mystery, or paranormal. All three are blended into a plot that zigs and zags to a rather surprising ending. Though the paranormal element is necessary to the plot, it is not the central theme, but takes more of a back seat to the murder mystery. This reviewer enjoyed the mystery, which did have plenty of magick surrounding it, but wouldn't have minded seeing even more focus on the paranormal aspects of the story, especially Jurnik's vampirism. It is touched on and part of the reason for the mystery, but it could have been expanded on a little more.

There are many characters that add to the story, be they mere-mortals or supernatural beings. Abbie and Luc are the central characters who get in to all kinds of scrapes as the rush to find the real murderer. However, one will love Abbie's vivacious mother Ilana, who is pretty powerful in her own right... and just happens to be dating Abbie's newest client. Then there is Abbie's Uncle Vidal who has quite a female following, and is known for performing séances now and again, which will be crucial to solving this case. Of course, there have to be the "bad" guys as well since this is a murder mystery and there are some found. There is the slimy opposing council Jeffrey Walden III, who has been trying to attract some attraction from Abbie for quite some time. There are some other great villains as well, but this reviewer doesn't want to give anything away by mentioning names.

Readers will enjoy this different kind of story and upon finishing it, will be impatiently waiting for the next book in the proposed series by this talented author.

© Kelley A. Hartsell, March 2005. All rights reserved.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enough of everything for everyone, August 10, 2006

By 

Barbara A. Mazzuca "Risqué Reviews" (Wherever my imagination takes me) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Case of the Virtuous Vampire: A Gooden and Knight Paranormal Mystery (Paperback)

This is a refreshing story. The characters are all wonderfully coreograph to fit with each other. This is a who done it with witches, vampires, wizards, and of course we can't forget the "mere mortals". The only thing that ever stop me from buying this book was the price. And that is the only reason that I gave this 4 stars instead of 5. But as you can see I finally broke down and I am glad that I did. The twists and turns will keep you guessing, and the chemistry between Luc and Abby that will keep you turning the pages. But don't worry the attraction between Luc and Abby will not take over the story. Its just the right combination to keep you interested but never too much that you forget what the actual story line is.
So if the price doesn't scare you away I am sure you will be delighted with this tale.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Read, October 27, 2010

By 

Southern Gal "Southern Gal" (New Mexico) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Case of the Virtuous Vampire: A Gooden and Knight Paranormal Mystery (Paperback)

I liked this story - it turned out better than I thought it would. I like vampire mystries. Good story - good read.