Customer Reviews

The Flesh, the Blood, and the Fire

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This one will thrill mystery, history and horror buffs alike. Swiniarski creates characters, both human and undead, who are fascinating, realistic and dynamic. He also calls upon history to set a chilling background: the unsolved Cleveland Torso Murders, the media-frenzied career of Eliot Ness, and the mix of emotions surrounding the Depression and the world at war.

The novel takes a look at the unsolved series of murders in the 30's and asks "what if they weren't solved because the killer wasn't human?" Enter Stefan Ryzard; he's one of a few Cleveland cops who isn't corrupt. He does his job well all the while playing the dark, brooding cop with a sad history (dead wife and child). Along with his partner, Nuri Lapidos, he sets out to find out who is decapitating the locals. The body count rises, Eliot Ness is assigned as Safety Director to try to clean up the law enforcement and "fix" crime, and Stefan figures out that the killer isn't your average sick madman. What he uncovers is a secret vampire society regulated by a Covenant now broken by an old nemesis who is hell-bent on world domination. Our main vamp just happens to be as good with a sword as he is with his fangs. This is a roller-coaster read that is quite often downright chilling. The vampires are hungry. Dingy, nighttime Cleveland is creepy. And actual history morphs with an alternate reality to create quite a unique horror novel.

Don't read this if you want a fast, in-your-face slasher novel! This isn't it. There are a lot of characters to track, and Swiniarski does a remarkable job of giving us just enough information along the way until all the pieces fall into place. This is a great one for any fan of vampire fiction. But if you like good, solid horror that actually provides a surprising twist, get this now!

I am a very picky reader, but I knew from the first few pages of this book that it was going to be one of my all time favorites. The characters are fully rounded and unique, the setting completely realistic, and it is fascinating how the author weaves the facts of the real world with the fiction of his story. Surprisingly, there were even parts that managed to give me the creeps, and that is a difficult task. Anyone who likes mysteries, vampire fiction, horror, or just a great book should buy this one.

Swiniarski draws on the unexplained events of "torso killer" to weave a fascinating and terrifying tale of vampirism that raises the standard for all vampire fiction to aspire toward. The story is exciting, captivating, full of surprises, and even manages to give chills to horror fan as jaded as I am! I loved this book on its own, but it was even better when I read the historical records of the actual events on which it was based, and I saw how accurate the story was to the facts. I know, it is a complete work of fiction, but as close as Swiniarski followed what really happened, his story could have taken place. This is a must read for anyone, even those that don't like vampire fiction.

I really didn't know what to expect from this book, though the salesperson at my favourite bookstore on Coventry had it displayed in pride of place and recommended it.

"You'll never look at the case the same again" she said.

No kidding! Living here in Cleveland for the past 10 years, of course I've heard a lot about the case - and have been reading the nonfiction books, but THIS book makes an already creepy case all the more eerie. I don't want to go into details and ruin it for others, but be prepared for some neat surprises and twists (I especially like the 'real' identity of "The Head" - the real-life victim's death mask is still on display at the Cleveland Police Museum, for anyone in Cleveland who's interested). A good read, and Mr. Swiniarski shows his knowledge of the area well. Toss in the fact that you'll never look at the East Ohio Gas Fire of 1944 the same again, either, and you've got a ripping good read! Three friends who've also read it all love it, but be warned, we ALL found it disturbing, as well.

...as an aside, just last night I heard one of my 20-something neighbours call to her 7 and 9 year old kids "Be home by dark or the Torso Man will get you!" Maybe she should read this book...

I read Raven by this author and loved it so much that I went on a search for other books by him. I found this book and loved it just as much. It is based on a real case in the 1930s that was never solved. Dubbed the torso murders, Elliot Ness has his work cut out for him when dozens of decapitated and mutilated bodies are found along the railroad tracks and waterways of Cleveland, Ohio over the period of four years. What makes the case even stranger is they all have been drained of blood. The citizens of Cleveland, Ohio are panicked and Ness hits deadend after deadend. In Swiniarski's world, vampires are the culprits. Detective Stefan Ryzard can't believe what he's uncovering as he investigates the case. I won't give any more away but it is good reading.

Fact 1: From 1934 thru 1994 the citizens of Cleveland feared becoming the latest victim of the torso killer.

Fact 2: Over a dozen headless corpses were found.

Fact 3: The killer was never identified or caught.

Fact 4: Elliot Ness instituted one of the biggest manhunts in history, but that proved futile.

Detective Stefan Pyzard was on the force when the killings first began. Although he is fully aware of the moral decay eating away at his beloved city, Stefan stands firm in his belief that he must not fall under the influence of that evil shrouding his hometown. Now, he knows he will need all his faith to defeat a vampire, who plans to devour Cleveland today and rule the world tomorrow.

Vampire lovers can look forward to a crimson summer with the release of enthralling THE FLESH, THE BLOOD, AND THE FIRE by S.A. Swinarski, author of the Cult Favorite Review. Mr. Swinarski provides an intriguing alternate history on a real world haunting event, thereby turning his book into a well-written unique novel. Fans of historical fiction, historical mysteries, and supernatural mysteries will enjoy this terrific tale.

Harriet Klausner

My hat is off to S. A. Swiniarski, he really blew me away with this book. I read Mr. Swiniarski's other book, "Raven" and enjoyed it so much that when I saw this book, I just picked it up. Thinking that it was a sequel. It wasn't until I got home that I realized that I had been duped. What a nice dupe! This is a wonderful book. I'm not a vampire fan per sec. I do enjoy a good book and interesting plot. "The Flesh, The Blood and The Fire" is just that. Mr. Swiniarski does a great job in developing characters and plot once again with this book. I loved the way that he worked fact and fiction together. I didn't realize that so much went on in Cleveland, Ohio! The 30's and 40's were a rockin' time for Cleveland. After I finished this book, I rushed to the net to find out how much of it was fact. I love history tossed into my fiction Mr. Swiniarski gives you a good dose of it. It is tough to cover so much time, a little over ten years, tying so many events together into a cohesive story. The author gets many kudos from me for such an outstanding job. His main heroes Stefan Ryzard and Nuri Lapidos are great characters; I felt so much for them all during this story. The author also does a great job of invoking the era. Those of us, who didn't get a lot of exposure to the depression and WW II, will enjoy the way that Mr. Swiniarski brings this time alive. I highly recommend this book. This is a wonderful book, weather you are a Mystery, History or Horror fan. If you like tight plot and good character development, this book is for you!

Swiniarski shows brilliance in this twist on the 30s serial killings in Cleveland. The author skillfully weaves the documented historical account of the unsolved Torso murders and the individuals involved, including Elliot Ness of Chicago/Capone fame with a large dose of Vampire fiction/characters. I never wanted the book to end!

I bought this as a library copy. I'm pretty sure that I read it before but it didn't stick in my memory. It makes for a decent read. I was able to lose myself in it and that counts for a lot. The back cover makes it come across as a crime novel. You are told of the 1930s when countless bodies keep turning up in Cleveland, Ohio. You are tossed the name of Eliot Ness and even a defiant police officer. One named, Stefan Ryzard. That is only the surface of the story. A read for horror fans. The more so for fans of stories of bloodless bodies. If you are such a fan then you know of what I speak.

Leann Arndt, Reviewer