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Rating: 
Summary: Jack starts acting like a real vampire; this can not be good
Review: After struggling through "Art in the Blood," the previous novel in the Vampire Files, I was starting to have the same problems with "Fire in the Blood," the fifth novel by P. N. Elrod in this series. Again the story was more in the vein of Raymond Chandler than Bram Stoker, and while I have read my share of mystery novels I do not think I have read one where there are such long stretches of dialogue as Jack and Charles investigate the disappearance of a rich guy's jewel bracelet. Then it dawned on me that part of the problem here is that Jack Fleming being a vampire detective presents some major problems to Elrod as a writer. After all, any time he wants to Jack can use his invisibility, strength and/or hypnotic eyes to solve the crime. The things that keep him from doing so at any given time usually come across as contrivances. But then the title of this book kicks in and Jack puts the bite on a woman other than Bobbi, almost going too far in drinking her blood. When he finally takes off the kid gloves and goes after the bad guys, Jack suddenly turns into the Shadow, revealing a new vicious streak that shakes both him and Charles. There is something going on with our hero and it does not look good. This twist in the tale is a turn for the better. I am actually looking forward to reading the next volume when halfway through "Fire in the Blood" I was going to give up on the series. The important thing is that the vampire angle has to be more prominent than the detective stuff.
Rating:
Summary: Jack starts acting like a real vampire; this can not be good
Review: After struggling through "Art in the Blood," the previous novel in the Vampire Files, I was starting to have the same problems with "Fire in the Blood," the fifth novel by P. N. Elrod in this series. Again the story was more in the vein of Raymond Chandler than Bram Stoker, and while I have read my share of mystery novels I do not think I have read one where there are such long stretches of dialogue as Jack and Charles investigate the disappearance of a rich guy's jewel bracelet. Then it dawned on me that part of the problem here is that Jack Fleming being a vampire detective presents some major problems to Elrod as a writer. After all, any time he wants to Jack can use his invisibility, strength and/or hypnotic eyes to solve the crime. The things that keep him from doing so at any given time usually come across as contrivances. But then the title of this book kicks in and Jack puts the bite on a woman other than Bobbi, almost going too far in drinking her blood. When he finally takes off the kid gloves and goes after the bad guys, Jack suddenly turns into the Shadow, revealing a new vicious streak that shakes both him and Charles. There is something going on with our hero and it does not look good. This twist in the tale is a turn for the better. I am actually looking forward to reading the next volume when halfway through "Fire in the Blood" I was going to give up on the series. The important thing is that the vampire angle has to be more prominent than the detective stuff.
Rating: 
Summary: Reptitive from Previous Books, Mostly
Review: Book Review by C. Douglas BakerFIRE IN THE BLOOD is somewhat disappointing. For those who have read the previous four books in the series, it will get quite boring. Jack is such a clumsy and sometimes stupid guy, he can't seem to keep his head from getting smashed in over and over again, despite his super human strengths and abilities. The book does introduce us to Jack struggling with the morality of being a vampire and his need to feed on blood. Elrod begins to explore this inner struggle as Jack loses controls of his actions. But the novel leaves the resolution of these problems to future books. If Elrod can get out of the rut of writing repetitive plots that read just like the last book, and further explore Jack's struggles as a vampire, good things will happen. (And since I've now read every single one, I can tell you indeed, this does happen.)
Rating:
Summary: Reptitive from Previous Books, Mostly
Review: Book Review by C. Douglas Baker FIRE IN THE BLOOD is somewhat disappointing. For those who have read the previous four books in the series, it will get quite boring. Jack is such a clumsy and sometimes stupid guy, he can't seem to keep his head from getting smashed in over and over again, despite his super human strengths and abilities. The book does introduce us to Jack struggling with the morality of being a vampire and his need to feed on blood. Elrod begins to explore this inner struggle as Jack loses controls of his actions. But the novel leaves the resolution of these problems to future books. If Elrod can get out of the rut of writing repetitive plots that read just like the last book, and further explore Jack's struggles as a vampire, good things will happen. (And since I've now read every single one, I can tell you indeed, this does happen.)
Rating: 
Summary: Yuck!
Review: This book defies description, it so bad. The dialogue is trite, the characters shallow, and the writing amateur. Sorry, Elrod, maybe you should go back to your day job. I'm ashamed I have bought all of Elrod's book on the advice of another author at Uncommon Con in Dallas/Fort Worth last year. I'm beginning to think she was in cahoots with Elrod to sell books for each other.
Rating: 
Summary: Not so Bad
Review: Unlike the other reviewer, *sheesh what a vicious writeup* I never thought Elrods books were that bad. Fleming isn't her best series, her other is actualy better, but that doesn't mean that this one isn't somewhat entertaining. I partly like it because I found some of it's triteness to be funny, and I like it better than some books because of it's 'vampire theory' where you don't nessisarily become a vampire just because you were bitten. So if you're looking for an easy read and a desent laugh, this book is ok. Otherwise, I'd say L.K. Hamilton. She's pretty good.
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