Customer Reviews

The Vampire of New York

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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?

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

It never fails to astound me that Amazon.com allows really nasty, "negative" reviews from ficticious "customers" who clearly never read the material! Here's another example of a well-written, entertaining book that has been "spammed" by ficticious Amazon posters who have nothing more redeeming to do with their lives than to fling their feces onto the great accomplishments of writers and filmmakers. Perhaps that's the reason: frustrated monkeys in a cage, lashing out at those who are free and capable? Anyway, read this book for yourself, and NEVER listen to "negative" reviewers on Amazon.com, because 99% of the time they are FAKE comments from nasty people or jealous wanna-be types!

I loved this book, it switches between the 1800's and present day. While I thought this might be confusing or take away from the story flow, it worked together and was very interesting how this developed. I couldn't put it down and couldn't wait to see how it ended and it was an ending I never expected!!

I'm so confused. I thought I was reading a mystery paranormal, but somehow the ending, which was ludicrous, turned into a one-page romance. All the loose ends were tied together so fast that I had to catch my breath and then came the final two pages and wow the whole story took an unexpected turn that wasn't a pleasant surprise. This book is not for those who enjoy paranormal mysteries or romances. To me if the ending doesn't make sense then the whole story falls apart, which this did - flat on its pages.

this is not a good vampire book or a good historical mystery. the plot is full of holes and cliches. the characters and plots are underdeveloped. it reads as if the book's editor called in sick right around deadline time. this book will not satisfy your vampire itch, your mystery itch, or your historical fiction itch. not worth your time, even if you only wanted a light read.

I really liked this book until I got almost to the end. I liked the premise that Bram Stoker based his book on someone else's diary and that the Van Helsings were real. However, when the author implied that Dracula personally knew Louis de Pointe du Lac that was just ridiculous. Also, the ending is annoying, but read the book it was pretty good.

The book started off to be quite promising. I was enjoying the historical scenes, although I think the author played fast and loose with some of the historical characters (yeah, I read the standard disclaimer). The three main characters in "modern times" were interesting me. Then I got towards the end of the book and somehow I got quite lost. And the end? What just happened here? It made absolutely no sense to me at all. I'd advise not wasting your money.

Oh, how I wanted to love this book. I love vampires, and I've always wanted to learn more about the Draft Riots of 1863. When the great Count Dracula himself turns up in Civil War New York, I started out cheering but ended up snoring.

What went wrong? First there was the mystery in the present -- it was okay, but the generic cop and the lifeless girl archaeologist were so boring and dried up. This author does such good research, but his characters are flatter than cardboard. A cop who likes burgers and wings and chews with his mouth open -- that's about as colorful as things get.

Then there was the skullduggery in the past -- Dracula meets the Gangs of New York. How could you mess this up? Okay, have Drac stand around admiring the architecture for five pages in EVERY SCENE! "Ah, the children of the night, what tasteful decor they make!" This author just piles on the descriptions, and expects you to wait, and wait, and wait, till finally Drac busts a move and lays out some low rent rogue vamps. But by this time it's like, who cares?

This book needed less research, and more action.