Quincey Morris, Vampire

Quincey P. Morris helped Professor Van Helsing, Mina and John Harker, and the rest kill Dracula. Or so he thought. The quest also killed Quincey. Or so he, and everyone else, thought. Quincey woke to the night, surrounded by hungary wolves. One of them, the leader, was Dracula ... quite alive, figuratively speaking. Quincey had become vampire. However, he was a different breed than Dracula. Quincey still had his soul. To survive Quincey must quickly adapt to his new type of life. Once done, he planned to return to his group of friends who still grieved over Quincey's death. But he was not sure they would accept him in his new state. And Professor Van Helsing believed the only good vampire was a dead vampire! ***** This book ROCKS! P.N. Elrod has done an excellent job continuing the story. I fully expect this book to win awards. Highly recommended reading! *****

This book begins where Bram Stoker's _Dracula_ ends, with the death of Count Dracula and Texan Quincey Morris in the Carpathians, in the very shadow of Castle Dracula. From there, however, the story takes some amazing twists, which I would hate to spoil by including too much detail. Quincey Morris, one of Dracula's original hunters (and if you can name the other four, you will *definitely* enjoy this book) does not die, but wakes up as a vampire, which is a great surprise to him and to Dracula, who survived Quincey's attack.The thank-yous at the beginning of this book are led off by Fred Saberhagen's name, and it's soon clear why. Like Saberhagen, Elrod picks up on Stoker's story, and runs with it; and her interpretation of Dracula's character bears a striking resemblance to Saberhagen's, with a couple of minor twists, including one that seems to be inspired by the popular Forever Knight TV series. Elrod reveals that there are actually two "breeds" of vampire--Dracula's wilder, more dangerous type, and the less powerful, more domestic strain that Morris & Elrod's Jack Fleming belong to. The rest of the story is an engrossing tale of what he does with that knowledge, and his effort to pick up the lost threads of his old life. There is lots to keep habitual vampiromanes and newcomers to the genre thrilled and enchanted from beginning to end. Elrod's Morris is remarkably true to Stoker's character, no mean feat, since Morris was fond of colourful Texan expressions and had some unorthodox behaviour. It would have been easy downplay this, or to go over the top, but Elrod treads a remarkably fine line, bringing Morris fully to life.A great book for fans of Fred Saberhagen, Bram Stoker, Tanya Huff, Forever Knight, and (of course) Elrod. Might not be so appealing for fans of Ann Rice or Kindred: The Embraced.

P.N. Elrod is one of our more prolific vampire novelists. Always, her vampires have been unique and non-traditional in the behavior and powers. I have always wondered how these entertaining creatures were related to the grand tradition of Dracula and his equally horrific cousins. In "Quincey Morris, Vampire," Elrod gives us a fascinating answer as she begins what will hopefully be a new series.Morris, you may remember, died in the process of destroying Dracula, who had fled back to Transylvania when his plans for establishing a British homestead failed. To Morris' great dismay he awakens in the night to discover that, as the result of an old affair, he has become a vampire. Worse, Dracula was there to welcome him into the club. After considerable discussion and argument, Quincey returns to the castle with Dracula, for introductory and advanced vampire classes.It turns out that Quincey is a different breed of vampire than Dracula was. Dracula was the soulless, evil, turn into animals, bite people on the neck and damn their souls to hell breed. Quincey was the mild mannered, sleeps by day, drinks blood from animals sort of vampire. Quincey's soul was still intact, and he had no problem with crosses, garlic and other anti-vampire paraphernalia. Both can disappear at will and hypnotize people. In short, Quincey is the classic Elrod vampire.Having graduated from vampire school, Quincey heads off, first to Paris and then on to London. In Paris Quincey discovers that sex and neck nibbling go well together. With a little hypnosis, the young lady is none the wiser, but suitably impressed. It's quite clear that, if Quincey is going to hell, it won't be because he had to sleep during the day. Once back in London Quincey meets Bertice Godalming, the sister of Quincey's best friend Arthur, Lord Godalming, and by far the most interesting character in the book.Bertrice is the scandal of the Godalming clan, an actress, a painter, bohemian and wearer of bloomers. To which may be added intelligent, capable and very good looking. Quincey, vampire powers and all, is totally overwhemed. The rest of the book is occupied with this explosive relationship and Quincey's efforts to let Arthur and his other friends in on the secret of his return from the grave. Quincey find's himself in a struggle with Dr. Van Helsing for his very survival as Elrod develops all these threads into a tremendous climax. Quincey and Bertrice offset each other very well, so hopefully Elrod will be inspired to continue the series. Victorian England is a more diverse setting than Gangland Chicago, that should provide material for many plots to come. I do have to wonder why Elrod's lead roles are always held by male vampires. In any case, Bertrice is not the kind of woman who will take second place to any man, immortal or not. We shall have to see.

I loved this book. There aren't many that can drag me through from beginning to end like this one did. The characters are always distinct and individual. I find more development of the characters in general than I've read in other series, be they non vampire or not.This, and all her other books, read easy, but in no way insults the reader's intelligence. The figures in the book feel like they're people you'd meet on the street, in a bar, or the local Starbucks. Granted, some of them don't drink. Coffee or liquor, that is.I highly recommend this, and any of her books to anyone. Even those who find the vampire lores gory will have their minds changed after a first read of Quincey Morris, Vampire.How many books are out there that one can truly say you wished never ended, even though one wanted to know the ending?

I've read Dracula. A few times. And every time I read it, I become angry at the death of Quincey Morris, the only American. It seems such a shame that so excellent a character had to pay the ultimate price to destroy Dracula. However, it was not until a few years ago that I was introduced to the notion that he might not be dead. It was a short story called "The Wind Breathes Cold." It's author was P. N. Elrod. I admit to being something of a fan of hers. After all, this was the author who brought the vampire world Jack Fleming, a detective/vampire who was one of the best, if not the earliest, supposed "Good guy vampires." I fully believe she's done more for Vampire fiction than some other authors who are more interrested in blood and guts. Now she's allowed Quincey Morris to tell his story, so to speak, picking up right after his own death. And she does it with the traditional Elrod humor, and quite a suspenseful moments. From finding himself a vampire in the forests of Transylvania to returning to his friends, who may think he is now damned and want to "Save" his soul with a stake through the heart. It is well worth the time spent on it. If you're a vampire fan, and wonder if Dracula really does end the story, pick this book up for your answer. I promise you, it will not disappoint.