Lady Crymsyn

"lady crymsyn" is just another one in a series of absolute perfection! The whole Vampire files is collectively addictive! The characters are alive and vivid, and As I have just finished reading this book, I am sad.....I want MORE! In this story Jack gets his UNlife long wish, and then some! He gets an ugly , terrible mystery, and it will take all his skills to solve the problems he faces, but no fear Jack is on the job.............I couldnt put it down! I hate to sound like a cliche-machine, but this has more twists and turns, than any roller-coaster ride..........I hope I have enough tickets to get back on again, because I want to ride it again! I shouldnt have to tell you this.........read this book!

Vampire investigator Jack Fleming seems on his way to being a nightclub owner when the remains of a woman's body are discovered walled up in the basement. It's up to Jack to began a probe of her death using his special vampire powers - which may not be enough to help him.

This book was simply amazing. It took the very best of all the books in the series and used it in this one story with wonderful results. Elrod has a wonderful flow of dialogue (as always) and a stunning wit (as always) that can send me into fits of laughter just reading it. But she out did herself here, (just barely edging out 'E-I-E-I-O' as being my favorite quote from Jack) in so many ways... The mystery aspect was simply astounding. It kept me guessing all the way to the VERY end. The relationship stuff was great, with Bobbi and Jack being THE cutest supernatural couple ever. The supernatural aspect was great. Jack was in great form, back to his beginnings as the totally tough guy he can be. The introspective stuff was great.IN SHORT...IT ROCKED! Keep going, Elrod!

This is the 9th book in this series now, and they are still an enjoyable read, which is a real accomplishment by the author, because they could be quite stale by now in another author's hands. With each book you learn more about the characters in this 1930's Chicago setting. The characters also evolve and learn from previous experience. However, having said this, each book is a story to itself, and not a never-ending cliff-hanger. They also have a great mix of suspense, mystery and humor.In this novel Jack has finally decided to stop reacting and start acting to make his 'new' life on his terms. To this end, he has leased an old run-down building (with money liberated from the mob in previous novels) and renovated it into his soon-to-be-opened club "Lady Crymsyn". Just when the workmen were getting to the last stages of the renovation, in the basement, Jack gets a phone call telling him of a horrible discovery. Behind a false wall in the basement the remains of a woman who had been walled up alive and left to die are found. With the memory of his own lingering death, Jack decides to investigate to give the dead woman justice. Jack starts stepping on some toes (including his landloard's) and things become very interesting.One of the things I love about this series, is that despite being a vampire, Jack (the narrator of this series) comes across as very human. In fact more human in someways than the mob elements he deals with on a regular basis.Looking forward to the 10th book. If you like supernatural/vampire/detective fiction this series is really worth a look at.

In spite of Franklin Roosevelt's efforts in his first term of office, the Depression still grips the nation in 1937. Prohibition has been repealed leaving the Chicago mob quiet as they seek new sources of revenue. In that backdrop, vampire Jack Fleming, who attains his sustenance by drinking the blood of cows in the nearby stockyards, plans to make something of himself. He is building a classy nightclub, LADY CRYMSON, catering to the tastes of the elite for fine wine, food, and entertainment.His efforts hit a snag when the construction crew finds a body hidden in the basement behind a wall. The remains is at least five years old with a horrified Jack wondering who could have so cruelly walled the victim inside that death prison? Jack, a reporter in his previous life and currently a partner with a detective, begins to investigate. With the help of his mortal girl friend, he starts with the dress leading to its designer, which in turn sends the duo to Jack's landlord, a powerful mob boss. However, Jack seems no closer as the road continues to twist and wind.The latest vampire Tales, LADY CRYMSON, is a delightful mix of mystery and horror with characters speaking the vernacular of a 1930s gangster in a way that would make Cagney proud. The select people who know what species Jack is treat him with respect and friendship that allows the audience to forget he is a vampire. That augments the feel of an authentic environment and adds to Jack's appeal. P.N. Elrod has written another great novel containing a well designed who-done-it with a pinch of horror elements to spice up the plot.Harriet Klausner