Review: A full-length novel's worth of action and emotion!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 8, 2012
Series: Vampire Files: Jack Fleming, 12.1This is a short story...what is the difference between a novella and a short story?...in the Vampire Files: Jack Fleming urban fantasy series revolving around a former journalist-turned-vampire-turned-nightclub-owner, Jack Fleming, in Chicago in the 1930s.My TakeWhoaaa, for a short story, there is a whole lotta action goin' on!Elrod is amazing in her depiction of the time period. You can see, smell, feel, and hear it as you read. The swish of satin, the smoke from cigarettes drifting in the air, the roar of a Studebaker, and the tat-a-tat-tat of a Thompson submachine gun.There's quite a bit of "what-if" in here as Jack and Jonathan both wonder how they could have prevented the tragedy. If only...Interesting side bit about Thomas E. Dewey as an assistant district attorney in New York.The CharactersJack Fleming was a journalist who left New York City and ended up in Chicago. Ended is the right word as that's where he learned about his new existence as a vampire. He now owns Lady Crymsyn there and is friends with Escott, a private detective, and Northside Gordy, a mob boss. Bobbi Smythe is his girlfriend and an amazing singer who performs at his club.Jonathan Barrett became a vampire during the Revolutionary War and has stayed on the East Coast for the most part. For years he has lived with Emily Francher a human.Maureen Dumont is the woman who caused Jack to become a vampire. It's saved his life at least a dozen times.Missus Stannard, a most interesting woman, provides the necessary clues for Jack and Jonathan to continue their search for the body's identity.Fleish Brogan is a gangster in New York City with the most amazing secret. Swann is his second with an interest in changing up. Thorp, Kaiser, Wendell, Remke, Harv, and Ernie are some of Brogan's soldiers. Griffin Endicott was Brogan's lawyer until he went beyond the pale. Mrs. Naomi Van Dusen Endicott is still living in their home, wondering where he disappeared to, hoping he'll never be back.Desmond "Clappie" Clapsaddle is a reporter from Jack's past. A sot and an excellent writer with more knowledge about the City's underworld than he is allowed to print. Isabelle DeLeon is another reporter whom Jack knew. One whom Jack would have tried to date if he hadn't been so deep in a bottle. Now she's holding up Clapsaddle, although Jonathan seems to be interested romantically.The CoverThe cover is all black-and-white with Jack and his shadow trekking across a concrete sidewalk.It's an opportunity for retrospection for Jack and he soon comes to realize that he prefers The Devil You Know.