Bride of the Fat White Vampire

I'm a nobody but I loved this book and Fox's earlier tome. This one's a mighty tasty outre novel about contemporary vampires in New Orleans. And, thank whatever gods may be, there's nothing Anne Rice about them. Delicious and savory but be warned this is a sequel and you absolutely first must read Fox' Fat White Vampire Blues.

I was moderately amused by _Fat White Vampire Blues_; enough so to give Andrew Fox's sequel a try. Am I glad I did. Jules really comes into his own as a character this time around, as he sets out to investigate who or what is mutilating some of the "youngsters" of the High Krewe of Vlad Tepes, as well as killing several black ministers. All the characters from the first book are back--Doodlebug, Jules' transgendered vampire progeny, Maureen, Jules' vampire/stripper girlfriend, and the black vampires who gave him so much trouble in the first book, but who show signs of developing mutual respect and admiration for Jules this time around. I was touched by the developing friendship between Jules and Preston, one of the black vampires who were out to get Jules and his friends the last time around. There is a surprising depth to the story, too, as it talks about redevelopment of aging neighborhoods and at what price such development can or should come. There's an easy, laid-back vibe to things, too, in keeping with the New Orleans setting. All in all, this is a much more cohesive book than _Fat White Vampire Blues_ which often read like a series of vignettes or unrelated scenes that weren't always tied together very coherently. This one has a strong plot and very vivid, well-realized characters and I really enjoyed reading it. I would certainly be willing to read the future adventures of Jules Duchon and co.

Read the first book "FAT WHITE VAMPIRE BLUES"? No? Shame on you and go read it then get "BRIDE OF THE FAT WHITE VAMPIRE". You did read it? Exxxcellent. This second entry in Jules Duchon universe is just as angaging and entertaining as the first. Jules is back bigger and better than ever...well, except for one minor detail (read the book, you'll know what I'm talking about). Trying to regain his true love Maureen, Jules gets tangled up in a "whodunnit". Someone is mutilating vampires in New Orleans and it's up to Jules to find out who, and why. The story really pulls you in with all the sub-plots. And with a few twists and turns thrown in you'll be up all night with a pot of chicory coffee (Jules' favorite) wanting to finish the book.

In New Orleans, the High Krewe of Vlad Tepes commands Doodlebug Richelieu to appear before them. They stun him when they show him two comatose female vampires; one without her arms and the other without her legs. The Krewe wants the killer stopped so they order Doodlebug to find vampire Jules Duchon who has the ability to locate and kill the rogue. The only problem is that Doodlebug knows that Jules was transformed at his own request into 187 rats because he wanted to forget that his beloved Maureen was staked. With the help of his human assistant Daphne and 186 rats, Doodlebug transforms the rodents into Jules minus the sex organs (something had to give). Daphne searches for the head rat while Doodlebug tries to convert the ashes of Maureen back into a vampire. Jules agrees top assist the Krewe in finding a bloodthirsty killer. The undead of BRIDE OF THE FAT WHITE VAMPIRE have little in common with the typical creature of the night that frequent horror movies and novels as this Krewe is campy and frequently withdraw from blood banks. The mystery is terrific as the vampires lack sleuthing skills and need Jules' expertise. Still this tale belongs to the quarter ton Jules, whose lack of sex organs apparently cost much of his vampiric skills so he bluffs human and bloodsucker alike. Andrew Fox brings cyberpunk to his cutting edge horror who-done-it that will keep readers wondering, laughing, and rooting for Jules who just keeps asking Y. Harriet Klausner

Jules Duchon, the 450 pound vampire who went ratty at the end of "Fat White Vampire Blues," pulls himself together (mostly) for a new set of hilarious adventures in this book. Sherlock Holmes he ain't, but in this novel he does start to resemble Columbo and Clouseau rolled into one. Will Jules be able to figure out who is mutilating the younger members of the High Krewe? Will he be able to avoid the black vampires who gave him so much trouble in the first book? Will Jules ever find another car he can fit into comfortably? Will Doodlebug be able to help Jules resurrect his lost love, Maureen? Will Jules be reunited with his missing body part in time for the wedding night (if there is one)? Those questions, and many more, are answered in this multi-layered and highly amusing story. Fox has really outdone himself this time. I hope we'll be seeing more of Jules in the future.