Rating: 
Summary: Another Solid Installment of the Vampire Files
Review: Book Review by C. Douglas BakerI described Elrod's BLOODLIST, Book One of The Vampire Files as "comic book quality action/adventure with a bit of the supernatural thrown in". LIFEBLOOD, Book Two of The Vampire Files, is more of the same. LIFEBLOOD continues the saga of Jack Fleming, former reporter, part-time private detective, full-time vampire. LIFEBLOOD brings back all the key characters from the previous novel and the story pretty much picks up where BLOODLIST left off. We find Fleming still searching for the elusive Maureen, his lost love. We also discover more of Maureen's past and why she fled from Fleming in New York. Jack meets Maureen's sister, now a gnarled and bitter old woman, after she responds to his advertisement in the personal column. This meeting marks the beginning of a life and death struggle for Jack. He is chased by two comical and inept vampire hunters who Fleming, not always so swift himself, easily dupes. But he also runs into a more diabolical and intelligent foe who nearly kills him. LIFEBLOOD is actually better than the first novel because it is much funnier and the plot is less thin. Escott plays a key role in his investigation of Maureen's past and once again has to save Fleming's vampiric hide (which I guess is kind of a spoiler but you knew he would pull through, right?). Elrod again does a nice job of providing humor and creating entertaining characters. And Fleming continues to have an unfortunate proclivity for getting shot in the head or otherwise severely mangled. It all makes for good if not clean (blood stains) fun.
Rating:
Summary: Another Solid Installment of the Vampire Files
Review: Book Review by C. Douglas Baker I described Elrod's BLOODLIST, Book One of The Vampire Files as "comic book quality action/adventure with a bit of the supernatural thrown in". LIFEBLOOD, Book Two of The Vampire Files, is more of the same. LIFEBLOOD continues the saga of Jack Fleming, former reporter, part-time private detective, full-time vampire. LIFEBLOOD brings back all the key characters from the previous novel and the story pretty much picks up where BLOODLIST left off. We find Fleming still searching for the elusive Maureen, his lost love. We also discover more of Maureen's past and why she fled from Fleming in New York. Jack meets Maureen's sister, now a gnarled and bitter old woman, after she responds to his advertisement in the personal column. This meeting marks the beginning of a life and death struggle for Jack. He is chased by two comical and inept vampire hunters who Fleming, not always so swift himself, easily dupes. But he also runs into a more diabolical and intelligent foe who nearly kills him. LIFEBLOOD is actually better than the first novel because it is much funnier and the plot is less thin. Escott plays a key role in his investigation of Maureen's past and once again has to save Fleming's vampiric hide (which I guess is kind of a spoiler but you knew he would pull through, right?). Elrod again does a nice job of providing humor and creating entertaining characters. And Fleming continues to have an unfortunate proclivity for getting shot in the head or otherwise severely mangled. It all makes for good if not clean (blood stains) fun.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent! (Read my review of Bloodlist)
Review: I will never again watch a movie or read a book about hunting down and eradicating vampires in the same way after having become acquainted with Jack Fleming. From now on, I'm rooting for the vampire. Jack is the ultimate vampire hero; sexy, smart and supernatural. He is a thrill to know. Elrod's characters are all, as a matter of fact, great to know, even those who you hate. They are well drawn, finely detailed, until they become living breathing people who leave you confused as to whether you've been reading fact or fantasy. She also knows how to bring the time period alive. Ms. Elrod you have my assurance that as your newest devotee I will be reading, no, devouring your books, one by one and then waiting for new ones to come out.
Rating:
Summary: Sublime!
Review: I will never again watch a movie or read a book about hunting down and eradicating vampires in the same way after having become acquainted with Jack Fleming. From now on, I'm rooting for the vampire. Jack is the ultimate vampire hero; sexy, smart and supernatural. He is a thrill to know. Elrod's characters are all, as a matter of fact, great to know, even those who you hate. They are well drawn, finely detailed, until they become living breathing people who leave you confused as to whether you've been reading fact or fantasy. She also knows how to bring the time period alive. Ms. Elrod you have my assurance that as your newest devotee I will be reading, no, devouring your books, one by one and then waiting for new ones to come out.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent! (Read my review of Bloodlist)
Review: In this book, Jack is still searching for the woman who made him a vampire. He finally decides to give up his search, therefore withdrawing his personal ad from the paper. Several people notice, and as a result, he has several vempire slayers on his tail. I won't reveal the ending, but I'll say this: it is a very good book, even for people who are not normally interested in vampires or in mysteries.
Rating: 
Summary: Fangs for the Comedy
Review: In this one I wanted a less serious vein to drain on the topic of vampires vs. vampire hunters. The fact that in this case the hunters are operating on about the same level as Laurel and Hardy made it especially fun to write. There's a serious side to the story as well, but I'll leave that for you to find out!
Rating:
Summary: excellent continuation of the series!!
Review: Jack Flemming, ace reporter, had the unusual experience of waking up one evening to find that he was dead. Actually, to find out he was UNdead-- apparently his old lover, Maureen, WASN'T kidding when she said she was a vampire!! In "Bloodlist", the first book of the Vampire Files series, Jack was in the unique position of being able to track down his own murderers while gaining experience in his new "life" (I use the term loosely, here). In the first book he teamed up with an actor-turned-P.I. named Charles, and the two formed a mutually beneficial relationship: Jack's strength, heightened senses and ability to disappear aided Charles's investigations, while Charles had the helpful ability to move freely about in daylight. The pair are back again in the second in the series, "Lifeblood". This time around Jack is getting more comfortable with his new condition, but is trying to find his lost lover, Maureen, who mysteriously disappeared 5 years ago. The search for her is suddenly complicated by Maureen's estranged (and possibly dangerous) sister and two bumbling-yet-dangerous vampire hunters who think Jack is some hideous creature of the night. Nothing could be farther from the truth as Jack is an extremely likeable character. He does not feed on humans, preferring cattle at the stockyards with occasional horse blood for treat, he has a girlfriend, and he even sends money home to his parents. Jack is the sort of supernatural creature you would actually LIKE to have as a friend. Set in Chicago towards the end of the Depression when Capone is in jail but crime lords still rule the city, The Vampire Files is a truly wonderful new genre: hardboiled vampire detective fiction. In the style of great detective stories like "Maltese Falcon", there are a lot verbal jabs and wisecracks in addition to sudden plot twists that keep you guessing. The characters are sometimes a little stylized, like film-noir-- Jack's girlfriend is a nightclub singer who used to perform in a gig called The Nightcrawler, and there's of course the big bruiser of a hitman with nerves like taught piano wire-- but this adds to the drama and flavor of the book and makes it more period and believable. The writing is excellent and the plot clips along at a fast pace that immediately draws in the reader. The story is fun and unusual with a vampire-cum-investigator as its main character, so even if you're not into vamp novels, you are easily drawn in. This is a series of books, and it's best to begin with #1, "Bloodlist" and work your way through the books. You COULD start here with #2, "Lifeblood", but you'd be missing out on a lot of history, characters and insight into Jack himself. Ms. Elrod doesn't spend much time rehashing what has happened before, so someone new to the series picking it up halfway through won't get all the subtle references. All in all, I really enjoy this series and highly recommend it!!
Rating:
Summary: excellent continuation of the series!!
Review: Jack Flemming, ace reporter, had the unusual experience of waking up one evening to find that he was dead. Actually, to find out he was UNdead-- apparently his old lover, Maureen, WASN'T kidding when she said she was a vampire!! In "Bloodlist", the first book of the Vampire Files series, Jack was in the unique position of being able to track down his own murderers while gaining experience in his new "life" (I use the term loosely, here). In the first book he teamed up with an actor-turned-P.I. named Charles, and the two formed a mutually beneficial relationship: Jack's strength, heightened senses and ability to disappear aided Charles's investigations, while Charles had the helpful ability to move freely about in daylight. The pair are back again in the second in the series, "Lifeblood". This time around Jack is getting more comfortable with his new condition, but is trying to find his lost lover, Maureen, who mysteriously disappeared 5 years ago. The search for her is suddenly complicated by Maureen's estranged (and possibly dangerous) sister and two bumbling-yet-dangerous vampire hunters who think Jack is some hideous creature of the night. Nothing could be farther from the truth as Jack is an extremely likeable character. He does not feed on humans, preferring cattle at the stockyards with occasional horse blood for treat, he has a girlfriend, and he even sends money home to his parents. Jack is the sort of supernatural creature you would actually LIKE to have as a friend. Set in Chicago towards the end of the Depression when Capone is in jail but crime lords still rule the city, The Vampire Files is a truly wonderful new genre: hardboiled vampire detective fiction. In the style of great detective stories like "Maltese Falcon", there are a lot verbal jabs and wisecracks in addition to sudden plot twists that keep you guessing. The characters are sometimes a little stylized, like film-noir-- Jack's girlfriend is a nightclub singer who used to perform in a gig called The Nightcrawler, and there's of course the big bruiser of a hitman with nerves like taught piano wire-- but this adds to the drama and flavor of the book and makes it more period and believable. The writing is excellent and the plot clips along at a fast pace that immediately draws in the reader. The story is fun and unusual with a vampire-cum-investigator as its main character, so even if you're not into vamp novels, you are easily drawn in. This is a series of books, and it's best to begin with #1, "Bloodlist" and work your way through the books. You COULD start here with #2, "Lifeblood", but you'd be missing out on a lot of history, characters and insight into Jack himself. Ms. Elrod doesn't spend much time rehashing what has happened before, so someone new to the series picking it up halfway through won't get all the subtle references. All in all, I really enjoy this series and highly recommend it!!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing and mediocre
Review: Not as bad as the author's Red Death, but nothing special. It's light reading, but there's a lot better stuff out there. For more comment see my review on Red Death. For better writing and reading try Barbara Hambly (especially Bride of the Rat God), Laurell Hamilton, Tim Powers, Philip Pullman, or numerous others. Sorry Elrod, you may be prolific, but based on these two novels, I can't recommend spending time or money on your books.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing and mediocre
Review: Not as bad as the author's Red Death, but nothing special. It's light reading, but there's a lot better stuff out there. For more comment see my review on Red Death. For better writing and reading try Barbara Hambly (especially Bride of the Rat God), Laurell Hamilton, Tim Powers, Philip Pullman, or numerous others. Sorry Elrod, you may be prolific, but based on these two novels, I can't recommend spending time or money on your books.
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