7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing!, January 26, 2008
This review is from: The Vampire of New York (Paperback)
The book started out well and flowed quite seamlessly, moving continuously and compellingly from the past to the present and back again. Indeed, the descriptions, particularly the historical ones, were incredibly detailed and filled with an accuracy that encouraged the reader to draw even further into the plot twists and turns - of which there were many. Perhaps a few too many to be "wrapped up" in the end. Unfortunately, the last 20 pages of this novel possess a rather rushed quality. In fact, the conclusion is so rapid and unexpected -- not to mention implausible (given the personality/development of one of the characters involved)--- that it ultimately renders the novel disappointing.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Who is Lee Hunt, July 9, 2008
This review is from: The Vampire of New York (Paperback)
I read a great deal. For example all of Robert Goddard's excellent books, save the most recent two, in less than two months. That's over 24 novels.
I picked this book the other day from Amazon because of the title. Hinky and obvious, it aroused my curiosity. I started Vampire of New York last night and forced myself to stop halfway through because it was 5 a.m.
I am reminded of Will Thomas, Andrew Martin, Charles Todd, and Rennie Airth. Lee Hunt captures historical eras with a "you are there" realism. A talent these other four writers have down cold.
Thankyou Mr. Hunt. I have been floundering the last week for a lack of good reads. I am holding back on the last of Goddards for a truly desperate time.
This book grabs you. The realism. The twist on Bram Stoker's classic. The various characters pull you in. Both the bit players and the stars of this tale.
I don't know who Lee Hunt is or if he or she is a real person. But what Vampire of New York is...is a cracking good read. It flows, keeps your interest, surprises you throughout. One should not expect more from a simple piece of well crafted fiction.
I'm reminded of the first time I read "The Relic" in the summer of 1994 or 1995. A cracking good read too.
It's summer. It's hot. One has time on one's hands. Relic satisfied that desire for a few hours of total escape. Once again, I am experiencing that pleasurable state with Vampire of New York.
What more should one expect?
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
unique enjoyable vampire thriller, January 4, 2008
This review is from: The Vampire of New York (Paperback)
During the American Civil War Echo Van Helsing comes to New York seeking revenge on Count Draculiya. The Count was driven out of Bohemia and London by Abraham Van Helsing, who thought Draculiya was pure evil. Echo believes he killed her father and she intends to pay him back in kind once she finds him. Pinkerton Agent Kate Warene helps Echo on her quest as she seeks to end the terror of a serial killer preying on women; this predator violently rips out their throats, and leaves behind a double eagle gold coin in their bodies.
In the present the Lincoln Corporation hires archeologist Dr. Carrie Norton to determine if there is any historical treasure that would prevent them from building high priced condos on a piece of land they own in Manhattan. No one is more surprised than Carrie is when the corpse of a perfectly preserved black man is found below ground with his throat ripped out and a gold coin in his body. As in 1863 many women have recently been murdered with their throats ripped apart and a double eagle gold coin left behind in their bodies. Carrie sees a connection although she does not understand how or what, but investigates learning much about her bloodlines as she does re a world that should not exist outside of literature and the movies. She allies with a creature who cannot be real as they work as a team to end the serial killings haunting New York.
Lee Hunt writes a bold different version of the vampire thriller in which he builds on Stoker's mythos and prime protagonist with the transference to Manhattan past and present. The chapters rotate between 1863 and today so that the audience can compare two generations of vampire hunters as well as a sly killing machine readily adapting to any environs. Although Echo is more of a professional hunter, she and the tyro amateur Carrie share much in common as both are brave, independent and obstinate yet quite different especially in their respective objective beyond the outcome of ending the terror. THE VAMPIRE OF NEW YORK is an enjoyable horror thriller, as no one not even Giuliani will want to bring it on after sunset.
Harriet Klausner
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