The Dark Sleep (Vampire Files, No. 8) [Hardcover]

P. N. Elrod (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1999

The novel that vampire fans have been thirsting for...the newest addition to P.N. Elrod's popular series The Vampire Files. Called "fast...intriguing," by Science Fiction Review, and "good-natured fun" by Locus, P.N. Elrod's series The Vampire Files has captured the imaginations of vampire fans and mystery readers alike. Jack Fleming, a vampire detective, makes his "living" on the mean streets of post-prohibition Chicago. As he struggles to fight the gangsters at large, he is also trying to sustain an ordinary life. At least, as ordinary as it can get when you're a vampire... Death hasn't ended Jack Fleming's problems. His girlfriend Bobbi has caught the attention of a famous radio star, who promises to open doors for the lovely singer-including the one to his bedroom. His current case-retrieving incriminating letters from the ex-lover of a rich, foolish young socialite, looks simple until bullets start flying. Now Jack's mortal partner is in the hospital. Who's behind the gun? The ex-lover? The radio star's goons? An old enemy? Jack has to find out the truth-before the lives of those he loves are put at risk...

"Well done...original. You won't want to miss this series." -Cemetery Dance

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Jack Fleming is one hell of a lucky guy for a dead man. As Elrod's eighth entry in the Chandleresque Vampire Files series opens, Fleming's got some mob money that nobody's missing; his gorgeous girlfriend, Bobbi, headlines a new revue that could lead to stardom; and his partner, the P.I. Charles Escott, has what looks like a simple, profitable case. Miss Sommerfield, a saltine-cracker heiress, wants some papers retrieved from a former boyfriend. Piece of cake, when your partner is a vampire.

But Escott won't let Jack do it the easy way. He seems to court danger. He's also secretive about his past, though it keeps him awake at night. Jack's worried about him but distracted by popular radio personality, Archy Grant, who's offering Bobbi more than just an appearance on his show. Archy's not above using mob connections get Jack out of the way. The heiress's former boyfriend wants the papers back, and he's got a gun. Soon bullets are flying, Escott's in mortal danger and seems to be unraveling, and Jack's out for blood--as soon as he can figure out whose.

The Dark Sleep will give fans new insights into Jack, Bobbi, and Escott, along with plenty of action. If you like your detectives hard-boiled and your vampire heroic, this is the series for you. --Nona Vero

From Publishers Weekly

Times are tough in gangster-run 1937 Chicago, but for Jack Fleming, newsman turned vampire-hardboiled detective, lifeAor rather deathAcouldn't be better. In this latest entry in the Vampire Files (after A Chill in the Blood), vampirism's slight inconveniences (having to drink blood from cows at the stockyards, going comatose at dawn, etc.) are far outweighed by its blessings (invisibility, near immortality and so on). Jack's got a great girlfriendAplatinum blonde singer/dancer bombshell Bobbi Smythe, who's opening in a new revue at the Nightcrawler ClubAprotection from the mob and a tidy nest egg with which he hopes to launch his own nightclub. Jack's human partner, however, dapper Brit and former thespian Charles Escott, isn't faring as well. He's mysteriously troubled and going without sleep, although insomnia doesn't prevent him from taking on a case involving retrieving mysterious papers for a saltine-cracker heiress recently engaged to a European prince. Jack's on the case, too, but work takes second place to supporting Bobbi's bid for stardom. Somehow the plot twists into a dark, dangerous journey into Escott's past and the source of his troubled dreams, and only Jack and Escott's longtime pal Shoe Coldfield can save him. Winning characterizations and enough period detail for flavor enhance a clever and fast-paced detective story. Readers acquainted with the series will be particularly pleased to discover more about Escott's background and his connection to Coldfield. New readers will enjoy this one on its own, and gain a taste for earlier (and future) drafts from the same vein.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 359 pages
• Publisher: Ace Hardcover; 1st edition (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441005918
• ISBN-13: 978-0441005918
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,736,016 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm best known for writing THE VAMPIRE FILES, a series about an undead vampire Jack Fleming whose first case is to solve his OWN murder! There's 12 books and counting, as well as a number of short stories about his adventures.

In addition to writing, I've gone into editing and had the pleasure of working with the top names in urban fantasy with several award-winning collections.

Lately, I've just signed to edit a new anthology for St. Martin's called HEX SYMBOLS and signed a 3-book contract with Tor for a new steampunk series, ON HER MAJESTY'S PSYCHIC SERVICE. I'm currently working on the first book, THE HANGED MAN.

I consider myself to be danged lucky to have a job that I love this much!

There's a lot more info on my website: www.vampwriter.com and, yeah, you figured it, I'm on FaceBook. Far too often for my own good! Drop in and hang out!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful New Edition to the Vampire Files, July 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dark Sleep (Vampire Files, No. 8) (Hardcover)

This book was a wonderful addition to the Vampire Files, chronicaling the unlife and times of vampire journalist/P.I. Jack Fleming. I was really intrigued by Escott, and I am happy that we found out more about him in this book. The story was superb, though for some reason, reviewers seem to be hooked on overplaying the whole "case" that Jack and Escott are on. I found Jack and comp. personal problems much more interesting, although, I must admit, the case WAS...funny. As the writing, which is as always superb, I have to say it here. This book, and all Elrod's books have such a wonderful flow to them. The lines don't sound rehearsed and characters do have little problems they must address,just like the rest of us, such as parking, which some books/shows/movies always ignore. Wonderfully written! Brava!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as it gets, May 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Dark Sleep (Vampire Files, No. 8) (Hardcover)

In 1937 Chicago, vampiric private investigator Jack Fleming finds his form of the afterlife filled with worries and concerns. His girlfriend Bobby Smythe is getting closer to her dream of making it in Hollywood. However, Jack wonders if radio star Archy Grant is tossing Bobby a line to get her in his boudoir. Jack has not figured out how to pay taxes and Uncle Sam is not noted for patience.

However, it is not his personal life that concerns Jack as much as the current case. Wealthy Mary Sommerfeld hired Jack's partner Charles Escott to steal back letters that she insists that Jason McCallen stole from her. Jason was once her lover, but Mary is now engaged to European Prince Ravellia. She implies that those letters could end her engagement because they place her in a bad light. However, the simple case of the dumb socialite suddenly turns dark when someone shoots Charles, who ends up in the hospital. Now that case is personal for Jack, he plans to use all his otherworldly powers to attain justice for his human friend.

The latest Jack Fleming vampiric historical mystery is an entertaining tale that fans of the series and the sub- genre will enjoy. The who-done-it story line of THE DARK SLEEP seems a bit on the light side, but the characters, especially Jack, add intelligence, dark humor, and depth that brings focus to 1930's Chicago. P.N. Elrod's Vampire Files continues to be enjoyable, offbeat sleuthing tales.

Harriet Klausner

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Finally -- More Vampire Files, September 3, 2000

By 

C. Baker "cbaker" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Dark Sleep (Vampire Files, No. 8) (Mass Market Paperback)

The Dark Sleep is indeed an excellent addition to The Vampire Files. I've read them all and really thought the last few before The Dark Sleep were getting a little stale -- they seemed to have the same story line over and over. Now we get to learn a good deal more about Escott and see the friendship between the somewhat bumbling Jack and Escott grow deeper. Escott has a big secret and something terrible to live with from his past and it all comes out here.

And lots not forget Bobbi!!