Bloodlist (Vampire Files, No. 1)

Meet Jack Flemming, ace reporter for a New York newspaper. At the beginning of our story, Mr. Flemming has just woken up to find out a number of interesting things about himself. First off, he's dead. Actually, to be more precise, he's UNdead: apparently the woman he had been dating who said she was a vampire wasn't kidding!! Jack Flemming is now a member of the Creatures of the Night Club, with all the rights and responsibilities that entails.Having had an idea that something like this just might happen to him (there is no guarantee that being bitten by a vampire would transform you into one), Jack is surprisingly cool about his new transition. What is bothering him more is WHY is he dead in the first place, and what is he doing in Chicago? Some nasty-looking bullet holes are rapidly healing on his chest, which gives him the sinking suspicion he didn't die from food poisoning. Unfortunately, dying has affected his memory and he can't remember why he's dead or what he's supposed to be doing in Chicago. Still, as the jacket says, "there are definite advantages to being a vampire. For starters, you can track down your own murderer."A good deal of "Bloodlist" involves Jack getting familiar with his new body and all the new restrictions and expansions on his new "life" (no pun intended). He is, of course, suddenly restricted to a liquid diet and daylight hours are right out. On the other hand, he has gained tremendous strength, agility, heightened senses and a handy ability to disappear at will (a skill he uses to hilarious effect in his efforts to track down his own killer and determine why he was bumped off).Ms. Elrod has created a very likable fellow in a heretofore-unexplored genre: hardboiled vampire detective. In the tradition of such classics as "The Maltese Falcon", Flemming explores the underbelly of Chicago in the years after Capone was imprisoned, but the crime bosses still ran the city. It's got that gritty, seedy flavor to it that detective and mystery aficionados will love, and with the introduction of a main character that is a vampire, the book takes the reader into a new and exciting direction.Flemming himself is a fine fellow and unlike the bloodthirsty, virgin-enchanting monsters of most vamp stories who would just as soon rip your heart out as say hello. Unlike most other vamp stories where the vampires have a seething contempt of humankind, Flemming tries to keep his humanity about him as much as possible and put his new talents to good use by avenging his own death. He visits the stockyards to feed and even sends money to his mother in rural New York. He is, in short, the sort of guy you'd actually like to have as a friend, though he won't be much fun as a dinner date.This is the first in Vampire Files series, and though you don't need to read them in order, you'll find that you WANT to because they're so good. I myself am not into vamp or Goth culture, but I do very much enjoy a good read. If you're looking

This is a vampire novel. Those who already know that they like vampire novels, anything at all that features a vampire, can skip this review, and likewise, those who hate the whole idea of vampires can skip it. But for those trying to decide whether or not to read more of this genre, or whether the one vampire novel you've already read was a fluke, it may help to have some ways to categorize these novels. Thus: BunRab's Standard Vampire Classification Guide. First, most authors of vampire novels approach from one of the main genres of genre fiction; thus their background may be primarily in romance, or in science fiction/fantasy, or in murder mysteries, or in horror. Second, many vampire novels come in series; knowing whether this is one of a series, and where in the series it falls, may be helpful. Then we have some particular characteristics: - Is the vampire character (or characters) a "good guy" or a "bad guy"? Or are there some of each? - Are there continuing characters besides the vampire, through the series? - Are there other types of supernatural beings besides vampires? - Can the vampire stand daylight under some circumstances, or not stand daylight at all? - Does the vampire have a few other supernatural characteristics, many other supernatural characteristics, or none other than just being a vampire? (E.g., super strength, change into an animal, turn invisible) - Does the vampire have a regular job and place in society, or is being a vampire his or her entire raison d'etre? - Does the vampire literally drink blood, or is there some other (perhaps metaphorical) method of feeding? - Is sex a major plot element, a minor plot element, or nonexistent? - Is the entire vampire feeding act a metaphor for sex, part of a standard sex act, or unrelated to sex? - Is the story set in one historical period, more than one historical period, or entirely in the present day? - Does the story have elements of humor, or is it strictly serious? - Is the writing style good, or is the writing just there to manage to hold together the plot and characters? P.N. Elrod's series about Jack Fleming is in the hard-boiled detective genre. Fleming is a good guy (although with worries about his own ethics). Fleming is a former journalist (before he died), now working as a sidekick to a private investigator. The series takes place in the Chicago of the '30s, after Al Capone is locked up, but before the Depression ends. Criminal gangs are still a big force in Chicago. Besides Jack and his boss, various criminal mobs, and police both honest and corrupt, are recurring characters in the series. So is Jack's girlfriend, Bobbi, a nightclub singer. Jack drinks blood, but it doesn't have to be human- he uses cows at the Stockyards usually, and likes horses as a treat. He does, however, also drink a little from his girlfriend during sex. Sex is discreet and not too frequent in the series- no explicit details; this is a detective series, not a romance. Jack has a few supernatu

The hokey titles and cover art had made me pass over this series for quite a while, even though I was very much into vampires. I judge books very much by their covers, and before I buy book, I will think, Do I want to be seen reading this book? Finally, I checked out the book and decided only to read it at home. To my surprise, it was very good.Meet Jack Fleming, a man waking up on the side of the road to discover that he is a vampire. His character is very well drawn, and he seems very believable. His struggle to avenge his attempted murder is touchingly human, along with his somewhat inability to cope with the sudden change into vampirism.I have read up to book three, and I am currently waiting for the library to recieve the fourth book. Try to ignore the cover art, this is actually a very good book.

When I picked up this book my thought's were "Mystery? Detective's? No. I don't think so." I said that 3 years ago, and now I've read every vampire related novel in the library so I sighed and picked it up, desperate for something to read. When I got it home and started I was still leery, but soon I was hooked. Now I've read 5 of the series(all that our Library has) and I want to know if there's more. They're excellent and keep you on your toes trying to solve the mysteries that come up in every novel. My favorite character is Charles. He's so suave, and smart. (another plus is the accent.) All in all, excellent plot lines that enthralls readers, well built characters, even the secondary one's, and always interesting twists. And of course, the best part. The Vampires. So, I give this series 5 stars and 3 thumbs up.(I'll just have to borrow someone else's hand)

I was a little bit leary when I picked up this book. I didn't really know if the book would hold my attention... I really do not like Mystery novels, but LOVE Vampire books. I decided to give the book a shot... ended up buying every book in the series half way through Bloodlist. I can't wait for the next book!Jack Fleming is one of the coolest vampires I have ever had the pleasure of reading about! He is not the typical vampire. He's a really nice guy. He doesn't wear a cape or speak with a French accent. He's from Cincinnati. Charles Escott... more intelligent than the average sidekick... and more amusing! I can't wait for the next book in the series, so I can learn more about him!This is just a wonderful book series. A vampire story with a Noir twist. Jack doesn't stalk the night to find food... he wants to find criminals. He's the sidekick to a Private Agent! Or is the Private Agent the sidekick to Jack? Hmmn...