Transylvania Red [Paperback]

Bert Quint (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 29, 2002

It's a routine assignment for the veteran correspondent and cameraman - a feature about the tourist boom in Transylvania, Dracula's old stamping grounds. But it's modern human vultures, not ancient vampires, that they run into in Romania. The real story is of murder and politics and of old communists becoming capitalist criminals. It's a tale of subtle horrors, suspense and black humor.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Former CBS news correspondent Bert Quint's second novel, the testosterone-heavy thriller Transylvania Red, has "less angst and more fun" than his Rough Cut from a Bygone War: it's the story of a network news team hitting the Romanian pavement for a story on a vampire theme park. But the reporting gets dirty not to mention dangerous as the team uncovers murder, avarice and unscrupulous political wheeling and dealing, and also learn that modern-day capitalists can be at least as scary as centuries-old bloodsuckers.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Transylvania Red offers poignant...thoughtful reading." -- New Mystery Reader Magazine

"the testosterone-heavy thriller" about murder and modern day capitalists "who can be at least as scary as centuries-old bloodsuckers." -- Publishers Weekly, July 1,2002

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 278 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse (April 29, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595225071
• ISBN-13: 978-0595225071
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,668,050 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A highly recommended and original novel, September 14, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Transylvania Red (Paperback)

Bert Quint's Transylvania Red is a nicely crafted international thriller set in post-communist Romania. As a tourist boom flourished about the lands that birthed the legend of Dracula, a very human evil wreaks a bloody trail of murder compelled along with an unholy lust for money, in a dark and twisted saga of crime in the name of capitalism. Transylvania Red is a highly recommended and original novel that is a compelling read from first page to last!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning realism -- Very highly recommended, August 2, 2002

By 

C. Penn "WordWeaving" (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Transylvania Red (Paperback)

Whether he was riding in a tank or ducking bullets, Sam Sloan was a tough foreign correspondent that could handle any challenge to consistently bring home the story. Unfortunately, he has become a dinosaur in a competitive age when newsmakers produce the news in minute-forty bites packaged for the masses. Now New York producers have relegated Sloan to a Polish exile. Even that position proves inconvenient, however, to New York producers intent on presenting an entertaining story when a Dracula theme park plans to open in Transylvania. So Sloan and cameraman Camden must accept Peter Stark, a young, vibrant, attractive news clone that makes a pretty presentation for the camera. Peter, however, is ill equipped for the secrets that come his way.

Zoe Paranduru a translator provided by the National Organization of Tourism, and her mysterious boss Nicolae Balaur join the news team. Soon the news team learns of the ancient stories of Vlad Tepes, or Dracula, who bears a startling resemblance to a modern counterpart. Dracula mercilessly reduced the population dependent upon welfare in his day. In the modern era, during the communist reign, such dependents, as well as dissidents, and children, were relegated to government control. Over the years, without paperwork or records, they have been largely forgotten. But with the fall of communism and the advent of capitalism, they have fallen victim to a diabolical money making scheme.

Author Bert Quint creates a stunning cross genre novel that will keep readers glued to the edge of their chairs in TRANSYLVANIA RED. This masterfully woven tale includes a dash of romance, a hint of paranormal, and heavy doses of intrigue and suspense to keep tension high. Each strand of the plot reveals hidden motivation and a backdrop steeped in history and the supernatural to create a chilling tapestry of cruelty and evil. Yet the deft touches of black humor and highly believable characters give the novel unexpectedly amusing moments, odd juxtapositions, and stunning realism. TRANSYLVANIA RED comes very highly recommended.