An Argeneau Vampire novel
Author: Lynsay Sands
Publisher: Gollancz
Page Count: 357pp
Reviewer: Theresa Derwin
I first came across Linsay Sands in a Christmas double novella The Bite Before Christmas, which include a wonderful story by Sands and got me hooked. This was my first encounter with the Argeneau vampires, and I wanted more, so when About a Vampire arrived in a goody box from those wonderful people at Gollancz, I squealed with delight.
When Holly spots a bundle of papers belonging to a client she’s not at all impressed, particularly as the papers contain a burial permit and need to be taken to the crematorium at just after midnight involving a trip through the graveyard. Not her idea of a good time. So, papers clasped between her fingers she ventures out into a darkened graveyard to the crematorium on a foggy, horror-movie night. Things don’t go according to plan when she discovers two men in the building and eavesdrops on their conversation. One of the men is vampire Justin Bricker, busy getting rid of decapitated bodies, when a head rolls onto the floor, all witnessed by Holly, and it’s up to him to clean up the figurative mess. Except for the slight hiccup that he can’t read her or control her, which means she could be his life mate.
Brimming with romance and humour, this is a fun addition to the vampire genre. There’s a solid scientific explanation for how the Argeneaus form of vampirism works, including the use of nanos. There’s also a fabulous backstory as to how these immortals even exist.
This book works on so many levels. It’s 22 in the whole series but this doesn’t matter, it can be read independently and all of the history of the Argeneaus comes across with ease. It’s sexy, steamy, exciting, but more than that, hilarious. Sands has an incredible wit about her that simply jumps up from the page. I loved this book so much I’m determined to seek out the first one and read the lot. Preferably in order but I don’t think that matters. My first search will be for the story of head honcho Lucien and his enigmatic bride Leigh. This series is simply addictive.