Beneath the Floodlights by Martin Tracey
Published Authorhouse on 22nd July 2011
364 pages
Reviewed by Yvonne Davies
When I was told about a book that incorporated Vampires, Football and Birmingham, I knew that I must read it.
Johnny Knox is the Captain of Kingsbarr United. Being a lifetime fan, he lived his dream every time he put on the blue and gold strip. Happy on and off the pitch, the only thing that marred his perfect life was losing his son in Romania. Going back to Romania year after year looking for clue, Johnny never gave but hope, and when he came upon a young lad fighting for his life, he knew he had to save him whatever the cost.
After getting relegated from the Premier League and struggling with their form, the owner brought in Cezar Prodanescu, a professor in football and owner of the Fosturnea School of Football Excellence. What people did not know that he was a Master Vampire, a genetics specialist and the real reason why he was in Birmingham. What he did not count on was falling in love with a human.
With its mixture of vampire and football, this story got me hooked and whilst reading this I reminisced about my time living in Birmingham. Coming from North Birmingham, I know Sutton Park very well and for it to be a major place in the story was inventive. I enjoyed how the author had his own take on vampire lore, as this enabled the vampires to do so much more The descriptive writing of the football games gave it an atmospherical feel to it. Whilst I liked Johnny as a character, I did have other favourites in the book. Vincent” Bruiser” Bradshaw, a Tourette suffering midfielder, due to his condition, he got away with swearing at the ref, and I wonder how may professional players would love to get away with this. Some of his outburst did give the comedy moments in the book. Jody Ropper the 80s loving defender, who before each game played an 80s playlist to get the team motivated, he was not afraid to throw a bit of 80s fashion into his attire and Gene Macgoree, Kingsbarr’s super fan and secret vampire hunter. Like most footballs teams you always get the one that is not team players and always think that they are worth more and Kingsbarr is no different. Leon Davis was this player and he reminded me of one of the players in my club WBA. The footballing vampires were exceptional at their craft and next time you watch the likes of Naymar, Messi or Ronaldo, you could imagine them as vampires.
The ending had a feel that there may be more come and I hope to read more of Callum’s journey. This is a great read and if you are looking for a different type of vampire book then grab this.