Bloodcircle

by P.N. Elrod

Book Overview

Paperback: 202 pages Publisher: Ace (October 1, 1990) Language: English ISBN-10: 0441067174 ISBN-13: 978-0441067176 Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 3.9 x 0.7 inches Shipping Weight: 4 ounces Average... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0441067174
• ISBN13: 9780441067176
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: Ace Books
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

3rd in Jack Fleming, Vampire PI series

The third story, "Bloodcircle", continues straight from where "Lifeblood" left off. Jack Fleming, vampire investigator, and his assistant/boss Charles Escott are still trying to find out what happened to Maureen Dumont, the female vampire that made Jack. She disappeared five years ago when realising her sister Gaylen was going to force her to make her a vampire. Jack and Charles have a small clue to follow about Maureen's disappearance so they set off on a trip to New York State to follow the clue. Eventually their search takes them to a rich household of the reclusive lady Emily Francher whose mother died in strange circumstances. Jack goes to investigate and soon discovers that Emily's gigolo lover is rather more significant than he might seem. They follow more clues which culminate in Jack being seriously injured and with a very amusing scene where Charles appears to be a body snatcher. The unmasking of the villain and the explanation of what really happened five years before is no great surprise but is well written and enjoyable nonetheless. In this episode of the Vampire PI series we learn more and more about Jack's personality, particularly with regard to his morals and his feelings. There are some really interesting little vignettes into his thoughts, for example when seeing coffins sized for children when he is in the funeral parlour. Jack's about as far from the traditional view of the evil vampire as it's possible to get and yet he also has to drink blood and carries out mind control on people. The scene where he's trying to find a meal in a farmyard is an amusing episode amongst some of the darker events of the story. Again this is a great read, like the two previous stories, and it seems like P N Elrod has settled well into her characters and is slowly revealing more and more about them. It's a most enjoyable series and a welcome change from the usual overblown and sex-obsessed vampire genre tale.

Jack Fleming finally finds out the truth about Maureen

After cleaning up a few loose ends from their previous adventure, nice guy vampire Jack Fleming and his private agent friend Charles Escott try to uncover what happened to Maureen, Jack's former lover and vampire sire, when she disappeared five years ago. Apparently on that night she was at the estate of Miss Emily Francher, whose personal assistant Jonathan Barrett not only turns out to be a 160-year-old vampire, but also is revealed to be the one who sired Maureen. With plenty of in-jokes for those who still remember the soap opera "Dark Shadows," P. N. Elrod follows our hero and his faithful human companion as they seek to solve the mystery of Maureen's disappearance, which has been haunting Jack for years. Once again, Elrod saves the best for last, as the climatic chapters of this novel elevate the story line to a new level. What I continue to appreciate with these novels are not only how Elrod deals with the practical aspects of being a vampire, especially once they are staked, but how Jack never responds in a predictable manner. I also like the fact that "Bloodcircle," like its two predecessors in "The Vampire Files," are clearly part of a larger story, always "to be continued" and always compelling our continued interest. These books are fun reads, perfect for a day at the beach or living the commuter lifestyle.

Wonderful, as always

Bloodcircle has proven to be as satisfying as the two before it. The conversation is sparkling, the plot gripping, and the world of the vampire, as always, totally engrossing.

Very well done; the saga continues

In this book, Jack meets Jonathan Barrett, from Red Death, and asks for knowledge of the missing Maureen. Jonathan states ignorance, but says that Maureen did come to him after she left Jack. I am rather partial to this book since I liked the character of Barrett. It is always interesting to see a character you've read a first-person narrative by through the eyes of someone else.