Art in the Blood

Art in the Blood (1991) P. N. Elrod
The Vampire Files Vol II

It probably means something that when I started the first story in The Vampire Files Volume Two I had to stop and think, “Wait a second. Which vampire was this? Who did he kill in the last book?” It possibly means that I’m reading too many vampire mysteries. But that’s okay, because they’re fun.

The first story in The Vampire Files Volume II is Art in the Blood. Jack Fleming (and let me tell you, every time someone uses both his names, I am thrown out of the story. Not through any fault of the author, I just have a hard time imagining the Jack Fleming I am familiar with being detective, no less a vampire.) escorts Bobbi to a party where she is to help provide musical entertainment. The party is being thrown by Leighton Brett, to celebrate the opening of his fiancee’s gallery (where she shows and sells, unsurprisingly, Brett’s paintings.)

While wandering around the gardens, Jack manages to rescue Evan Robley from a probably justified beating, and after meeting Evan’s sister as well as the artist Alex Adrian, they end up carting Evan back home. From there, mayhem and murder ensue.

Although I like the setting of 1930s Chicago, what I enjoyed most about this story was the mystery. There’s something about murder mysteries, and the way that those who write them aren’t afraid to kill of characters (after all, it would hardly be a murder mystery of someone didn’t get killed.) The vampire bits are interesting, but secondary to the mystery. And it is, after all, interesting to have a private investigator who isn’t harmed by bullets, but can’t testify in court, since trials and hearings occur during the day.

The frustrating thing about this story, however, is that it kept constantly referring to events in the previous story. I mean–I read the last book in June! And I’ve several other vampire books since then! Give me a bit more of a hint about events if you’re going to keep referring to them!

Otherwise, I enjoyed the story, and I’m starting to find Bobbi slightly less annoying. But really, what is it about hard boiled detectives and their girlfriends? I’m having a hard time coming up with a detective whose girlfriend I actually like. But Bobbi seems to have become less of a bimbo over time, so she’s becoming easier to like.

If you like supernatural stories, and you like mysteries, then you should like the Jack Fleming Vampire Files collections. However, start at book one and work your way forward.
Rating: 6/10

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