Death Blows (The Bloodhound Files, Book 2) [Mass Market Paperback]

DD Barant (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 30, 2010

FBI profiler Jace Valchek was pulled into this parallel realm to hunt for Aristotle Stoker, a human serial killer who preys on vampires and werewolves. Now she works for the National Security Agency of the Unnatural States of America—and her boss is a vampire.

At a bizarre crime scene, Jace finds a bloodsucker murdered by magic, fried to the bone and dressed in the costume of the comic book hero the Flash—a character who isn't supposed to exist here. Comic books have been outlawed for their powers, including crossover spells like the one that transported Jace to this world. Soon, she's following a trail of dead bodies into the sinister underworld of black-market comics—where a deranged madman gives new meaning to the term "super-villain"…

Death Blows is a fast-paced, exciting follow-up to Dying Bites—DD Barant and The Bloodhound Files just keep getting better, and Jace Valchek's world keeps getting stranger ...

Editorial Reviews

Review

“DEATH BLOWS by DD Barant--absolutely fun & exciting adult urban fantasy. 2nd in a series, but this one has comic book alt universe, multiverse stuff that made me call & geek to Spouse over it.  Great fun. Definitely recommended.” --Melissa Marr

"The second installment of The Bloodhound Files is as impressive as the first. Barant makes the familiar seem completely fresh by utilizing an alternate universe that mirrors our own, expect that supernaturals are in charge. Heroine Jace Valchek's in-your-face style brings plenty of humor to dangerous scenarios. Fast paced, fun and not to be missed!" --Romantic Times BOOKreviews on Death Blows (4 1/2 stars, Top Pick!)

"Death Blows is a fine addition to the series. Jace has to juggle several different issues involving her new friends, as well as solve the murders. The pace is swift, and the author proves a deft hand at managing all of the subplots without losing sight of the main one. The irreverent, smart-mouthed Jace is a perfect foil for the oh-so-controlled vampires and other species in the NSA. She may be the minority employee, but no one takes her for granted." -A Romance Review

“Snappy writing, a page-turning story and fresh world-building make Dying Bites a satisfying meal of a book.”—Kelley Armstrong, New York Times bestselling author of Men of the Otherworld and The Awakening

“Dying Bites is wacky, unpredictable, fresh and amazing.  I would kill to write as well as D.D. Barant. Seriously.”—Nancy Holder, author of Pretty Little Devils

“This engrossing debut adds another captivating protagonist to the urban fantasy ranks…Barant’s well-developed world offers intriguing enhancements to mythology and history. Jace is remarkable, strong-willed and smart, and she sets an unstoppable pace. Look for the Bloodhound Files to go far.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A heroine with plenty of guts, moxie and a sense of the absurd.  [A] fresh and original take on urban fantasy…Huge kudos to Barant for spicing things up with a story that expertly integrates detective work, kick-butt action and a wacky sense of humor.  Make sure you get in early on the outstanding new Bloodhound Files series.”—Romantic Times

“D D Barant builds a strong world and fills it with fascinating characters that will delight and entertain. Dying Bites is a well-written urban fantasy with a gripping plot and a heroine who is quite believable with her very human flaws.  I’m looking forward to seeing more in this captivating world.”—Darque Reviews (starred read)

“Five stars. An exciting new series. It has humor, mystery, and adventure. A great book!”—Affair de Coeur

“Barant does an excellent job introducing a whole new world where vampires make up the majority of the population…quick and engrossing…a great new series.”—The Romance Reader

From the Back Cover

Imagine a world where only one percent of the population is human, and the rest are vampires, lycanthropes, and golems. Now imagine hunting down killers in this world. These are The Bloodhound Files…

DEATH BLOWS

FBI profiler Jace Valchek was pulled into this parallel realm to hunt for Aristotle Stoker, a human serial killer who preys on vampires and werewolves. Now she works for the National Security Agency of the Unnatural States of America—and her boss is a vampire.

At a bizarre crime scene, Jace finds a bloodsucker murdered by magic, fried to the bone and dressed in the costume of the comic book hero the Flash—a character who isn’t supposed to exist here. Comic books have been outlawed for their powers, including crossover spells like the one that transported Jace to this world. Soon, she’s following a trail of dead bodies into the sinister underworld of black-market comics—where a deranged madman gives new meaning to the term “super-villain”…

“Engrossing… Jace is remarkable, strong-willed and smart,

and she sets an unstoppable pace.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks; 1 edition (March 30, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312942591
• ISBN-13: 978-0312942595
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,713 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Werewolf in a Pith Helmet April 2, 2010

By Rmahala Burlingame VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

Yes, there is one in this book along with the usual werewolves, vampires, and golems. D D Barant comes through with a intricate and fascinating second installment of the Bloodhound Files.

Barant's alternate universe and the characters that inhabit it acquire more depth and complexity as Jace is pulled into a murder investigation that has it's roots in the history of her new world. Barant is building a vivid, layered world that is both comfortingly familiar and strange as Jace learns more about its politics, magic, vampire reproduction, golem history, anthrocanines, and the ban on comic books.

The murder itself hits close to home as it involves and threatens both Gretchen and Cassius, the two vampires she works with. To add to this Dr Peter seems to be the target of a werewolf with murderous intentions who seems to know Jace. The more Jace discovers, the more questions she has and time really isn't on her side.

The plot is a good strong mystery and moves along at a fairly brisk pace. Barant has created a strong, intriguing paranormal mystery series and an enjoyable cast of characters. I really hope Jace doesn't find her way home anytime soon.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Death Blows, But Jace and Co. ROCKS April 4, 2010

By Tracy TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Jace Valchek is a criminal profiler - she does crazy for a living. The fact that she was yanked out of our world by some major mojo and dropped into an alternate earth where the human population is a measly 1% and the other 99% are things that go bump in the night doesn't change that. She's stuck in this alternately fangy world, working for the NSA, until she can track down and catch a human terrorist out to take down the large vampire (hemovore) and lycanthrope populations so the humans can stage a resurgence. Of course, catching the guy might be a bit easier if she wasn't being pulled away from the hunt to consult on other cases every time she turned around. Cases like the murder of a pire (vampire), found green, skeletal, sparked with lightning...and dressed up like the comic book hero Flash. And you thought YOUR job was complicated?

The second installment of The Bloodhound Files series is just as extraordinary (in every sense of the word) as the first, Dying Bites: The Bloodhound Files, and in a lot of ways, just as complicated. This one throws in a very confusing (for me) plot of metaphysics and comic book mythos that I found perplexing and a bit difficult to wrap my brain around at times, and yet the power of personality of the lead character, Jace Valchek, and a strong supporting cast of ultimately unique secondary and ancillary characters lift this book into a realm of must read for me.

I'll admit, a group of comic superheroes getting slaughtered for nefarious and ultimately confusing purposes as a result of an event that happened fifty-odd years ago isn't exactly a familiar or comfortable plot for me to easily grasp, but I LIKE Jace so much, and am SO impressed with the world D.D. Barant has created here, that the plot isn't a driving factor for me. The book is well written and the plot quickly paced and there is enough tension and danger to keep me entertained, so if I didn't totally love the comic book/metaphysics part of it...or...um...totally understand it, I'm okay with that.

I'm fairly certain I'll read anything that has Jace and her partner/protector Charlie (golem enchanted with the spirit of a Tyrannosaurus Rex) matching wits and trading barbs. By far my favorite secondary character of the series, Charlie is a fantastic straight man for Jace's wisecracking and their dialogue is compelling, witty, and funny. Another favorite character is Cassius, head of the NSA and Jace's boss, who is an ancient vampire with the body of an 18 year old California surfer. Other familiar faces are back, as well, like Gretchen, the now pregnant vampire and one of Cassius' top agents, and Dr. Pete, the thrope who saved Jace's life in Dying Bites. More than once.

This is an intensely intelligent series, well written and layered delicately with an intricate world building that is revealed to the reader in delicious bites, instead of being overdrawn or forced. The narrative was a little odd for me in this book. I don't remember it from the first book, but this one is told in first person present tense, and while I'm definitely used to first person narrative - especially in the urban fantasy genre - it's usually first-person past tense so every once in awhile the lack of familiarity with that particular POV nudged me out of the story and I started thinking about the words instead of experiencing them. That would have seriously affected my opinion of the book if I wasn't so enamored with Jace and her new-found but fangy and sometimes hairy friends. There just wasn't anything significant enough to make me do anything but totally love this book and yearn for the next as soon as possible. Now would be good. I really hate waiting.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Loving this Author's World! April 27, 2010

By M. Hughes

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a crowded genre, so anytime a new voice rises above the others it's a good day. D.D. Barant really delivers with this series. Great world building, interesting characters, well written dialogue and a plot that isn't held together with wishes and scotch tape.

I think what I like about this series is that it could be recommended to men and women equally. If you're looking for paranormal romance, or romantic urban fantasy, it's not here. There are flashes of it, but they're very subdued and romance is definitely secondary to the mystery element. The author's dry wit runs throughout the book, with little jokes hidden like easter eggs on a DVD. Plus she imbues her characters with humanity and many layers. There are no black and white, clear cut heroes and villains here. It's complicated - just like a real world. And I LOVE the fact that the author never resorts to deus ex machina (oh look! A new sparkly power just manifested itself and saved the day! Wow!!) to solve problems.

I don't want to give away the plot, but I will say this. If you love the genre, but are tired of the same-old, same-old variations on a theme, this series is definitely worth dropping your money on. I'm really looking forward to what D.D. Barant serves up next.