My 4th Grady Hendrix book, and the 4th great read from the man.
Patricia Campbell is a stressed and harried housewife. When the book opens, she's due to talk about a book at a very strictly run book club despite the fact she's not read it. It's a brilliant and hysterically funny introduction to Pat and the 4 friends she forms a new book club with to read trash instead of the highbrow books that feel like torture in the club from the opening chapter.
The embarrassment turns out to be the least traumatic thing that's going to happen to her for the rest of the book. She's attacked by a neighbour and initially befriends the neighbour's nephew - one James Harris.
Harris has his secrets which Patricia soon stumbles across. Why does he struggle to leave the house in daylight? Where is his housekeeper? What is happening to the children in the poor neighbourhood down the road? What is Harris's connection?
The title of the book is a pretty big clue tbh.
This is one of the most "realistic" vampire novels I think I've ever read. The characters don't believe what's happening. They rationalise all the strange happenings and this allows for events to spiral.
The characters are all beautifully drawn and believable. The one I hated most was actually Patricia's husband. James Harris at least is at least partly acting according to his nature. He's not choosing to be a massive ass. Carter is just a horrible person by choice. Again, he's entirely believable.
Grady Hendrix writes in an easily accessible style and can make the reader (me and 95% of my book group at any rate) laugh, cry, or scare them. This book has some great set pieces and a nice helping of gore amidst the laughs and relationships. the friendship between the group feels real and is the source of some genuine emotional moments and betrayals.
It's an excellent book and I recommend it unreservedly.
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