Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
The Dark Sleep
Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
P. N. Elrod
Class/Genre: Fantasy Mystery Vampire Historical
Series: Vampire Files # 8
Ace, Jun 1999, $21.95, 359 pp.
In 1937 Chicago, vampiric private investigator Jack Fleming finds his form of the afterlife filled with worries and concerns. His girlfriend Bobby Smythe is getting closer to her dream of making it in Hollywood. However, Jack wonders if radio star Archy Grant is tossing Bobby a line to get her in his boudoir. Jack has not figured out how to pay taxes and Uncle Sam is not noted for patience.
However, it is not his personal life that concerns Jack as much as the current case. Wealthy Mary Sommerfeld hired Jack's partner Charles Escott to steal back letters that she insists that Jason McCallen stole from her. Jason was once her lover, but Mary is now engaged to European Prince Ravellia. She implies that those letters could end her engagement because they place her in a bad light. However, the simple case of the dumb socialite suddenly turns dark when someone shoots Charles, who ends up in the hospital. Now that case is personal for Jack, he plans to use all his otherworldly powers to attain justice for his human friend.
The latest Jack Fleming vampiric historical mystery is an entertaining tale that fans of the series and the sub- genre will enjoy. The who-done-it story line of THE DARK SLEEP seems a bit on the light side, but the characters, especially Jack, add intelligence, dark humor, and depth that brings focus to 1930's Chicago. P.N. Elrod's Vampire Files continues to be enjoyable, offbeat sleuthing tales.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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