Lady Crymsyn (Vampire Files, No. 9) [Hardcover]

P. N. Elrod (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 7, 2000

Spiked with "a flavor of the supernatural" (Science Fiction Chronicle), P. N. Elrod's series, The Vampire Files, goes one step beyond detective noir. Its hero is Jack Fleming, a private detective on the right side of the law-but on the wrong side of the living-in post-prohibition Chicago. This vampire-turned-gumshoe will take on mobsters, monsters, and everything in between. Now, in Lady Crymsyn, Fleming tries to find a good-time girl gone bad, who may have been the victim of a premature burial...

Praise for The Vampire Files series:

"Elrod's treatment of the practical aspects of vampirism is clever and refreshing."-Booklist

"Echoes of Hammett and Chandler abound...an entertaining exercise in supernatural noir."-Publishers Weekly

"Plenty of action, full of twists and betrayals, and the quirky characters and many touches of period flavor keep things amusing."-Locus

"Snappy vampire-with-a-conscience yarn, laced with blackish humor."-Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

It's still 1937, and he's still in Chicago, but things are looking up for vampire PI Jack Fleming in the eighth installment in this strong series from veteran Elrod (Bloodlist; Lifeblood; etc.). Jack has picked up enough cash to finance his dream: a snazzy nightclub, dubbed Lady Crymsyn, where his chanteuse girlfriend can sparkle and a man can get an honest drink. Complications arise when basement remodeling reveals the remains of a mysterious lady in red who had been handcuffed and walled up while still alive. Jack's sympathies and curiosity are arousedDafter all, he was murdered himself before he turned into a vampireDand he sets out to solve the mystery. This latest adventure plays up the sleuthing more than ever, but with a detective who can use superhypnosis to verify the stories he is told and dematerialize through any locked door, a too-quick solution might be expected. Not so. Mix ruthless gangsters and tough broads with long-standing secrets at stake and things get dangerous even for a vampire. Several sordid pasts, numerous plot twists and even a ghostly presence combine for an only slightly supernatural, but altogether entrancing, who-done-it. (Nov. 7)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

P. N. "Pat" Elrod, best known for The Vampire Files and the Jonathan Barrett: Gentleman Vampire series, co-edited Time of the Vampires and has written stories for several anthologies. She is currently working on a new set of toothy titles and branching into the mystery and science fiction genres.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Ace Hardcover; First Edition edition (November 7, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0441007244
• ISBN-13: 978-0441007240
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,299,603 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

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent horror-mystery combo, November 7, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lady Crymsyn (Vampire Files, No. 9) (Hardcover)

In spite of Franklin Roosevelt's efforts in his first term of office, the Depression still grips the nation in 1937. Prohibition has been repealed leaving the Chicago mob quiet as they seek new sources of revenue. In that backdrop, vampire Jack Fleming, who attains his sustenance by drinking the blood of cows in the nearby stockyards, plans to make something of himself. He is building a classy nightclub, LADY CRYMSON, catering to the tastes of the elite for fine wine, food, and entertainment.

His efforts hit a snag when the construction crew finds a body hidden in the basement behind a wall. The remains is at least five years old with a horrified Jack wondering who could have so cruelly walled the victim inside that death prison? Jack, a reporter in his previous life and currently a partner with a detective, begins to investigate. With the help of his mortal girl friend, he starts with the dress leading to its designer, which in turn sends the duo to Jack's landlord, a powerful mob boss. However, Jack seems no closer as the road continues to twist and wind.

The latest vampire Tales, LADY CRYMSON, is a delightful mix of mystery and horror with characters speaking the vernacular of a 1930s gangster in a way that would make Cagney proud. The select people who know what species Jack is treat him with respect and friendship that allows the audience to forget he is a vampire. That augments the feel of an authentic environment and adds to Jack's appeal. P.N. Elrod has written another great novel containing a well designed who-done-it with a pinch of horror elements to spice up the plot.

Harriet Klausner

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Amazing, December 26, 2000

By 

"huffpuff1228" (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lady Crymsyn (Vampire Files, No. 9) (Hardcover)

This book was simply amazing. It took the very best of all the books in the series and used it in this one story with wonderful results. Elrod has a wonderful flow of dialogue (as always) and a stunning wit (as always) that can send me into fits of laughter just reading it. But she out did herself here, (just barely edging out 'E-I-E-I-O' as being my favorite quote from Jack) in so many ways... The mystery aspect was simply astounding. It kept me guessing all the way to the VERY end. The relationship stuff was great, with Bobbi and Jack being THE cutest supernatural couple ever. The supernatural aspect was great. Jack was in great form, back to his beginnings as the totally tough guy he can be. The introspective stuff was great.

IN SHORT...IT ROCKED! Keep going, Elrod!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Elrod Strikes Again!!, December 16, 2000

By 

Marc Ruby™ "The Noh Hare™" (Warren, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Lady Crymsyn (Vampire Files, No. 9) (Hardcover)

I've been reading this series for a very long time, and have enjoyed each one. Jack Fleming is a somewhat traditional vampire who is also one of the good guys. Don't expect to encounter all the anguish and soul searching that Angel goes thru. Jack is hardly supernatural, instead, he is simply an all American boy with a 'condition.'

I enjoyed Jack's adventures in night club ownership so much that I went back and reread most of the series. This was a mixed blessing. I realised that there was a long period where the plots were very much the same. It's post-prohibition Chicago, guys-gals-gansters, and one gregarious and somewhat inept vampire. Considering the Jack can vanish, walk thru walls, see in the dark and tear people in half, it is amazing how many times he overestimates his abilities and gets beaten to near death with a stick (or an end table, etc.)

Jack seems to have acquires some intelligence in Lady Crymsyn, and that adds some depth to him and his story which make this one of the most pleasant volumes in the series.