Blood Law

May 3, 2010
Holmes debuts with the first in a derivative paranormal mystery series featuring Federal Bureau of Preternatural Investigation enforcer Alexandra Sabian, a vampire charged with policing the undead populace of Jefferson, Miss. When someone begins killing and mutilating vamps in ways that send Alex flashing back to her father’s murder, Alex’s ex-fiancé, Varik Baudelaire, is dragged out of retirement, reassigned to the FBPI, and sent to help her on the case. With all the tension between human and vampire populations exposed, the story reads like a badly conceived morality play on racism, including 1960s vampire demonstrations for equal legal rights, which they earn in a scant seven years. A dash of religious zealotry and flimflammery adds little flavor. Holmes does deviate from tradition in that her vampires, while light-sensitive, are not night creatures—in which case, why bother?

May 1, 2010
Alexandra Sabian is an officer for the Federal Bureau of Preternatural Investigations (FBPI) tasked with maintaining the peace between humans and supernaturals in the small town of Jefferson, Mississippi. Alex is a vampire, but thats not a problem in her world; all the supernaturals came out when she was a small child. When vampire bodies start appearingstaked, beheaded, crucified, and defangedAlex must liaise with the bigoted local law enforcement. Complicating matters further, Alexs father was murdered in the exact same way (his killers were never found), and the senior FBPI officer sent in to help is her ex-fianc'. Fast paced and full of action, the story never flags, from the discovery of the first body to the exciting (and violent) finale. The characters are fascinating and well developed, but plenty is left for the future: this has excellent potential as a series. With a world similar to that of Kim Harrisons Hollows series (including Black Magic Sanction, 2010) and a main character with much of the same style as Harrisons Rachel Morgan, this makes a great read-alike for Harrison fans. Followers of Charlaine Harris Sookie Stackhouse, who appreciate the small-town southern setting (with vampires), are another good audience.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)