For any vampire fans: new novel out

Disclaimer: This is about an author I like -- I blogged about him awhile back. Once again, I'm not affiliated as anything other than a fan, so though what follows may seem a bit like an advertisement, it's nothing I'm selling. If you don't like vampire fiction, don't bother reading further.

Thirteen Bullets, a vampire novel, is in print, and listed on Amazon.com.

I thought I'd take this occasion to issue a review. Note that this review is based on the online serialization of the book; I'd assume the print edition is a little more polished.

This is Wellington's best writing (in print, anyway) to date. Having previously authored the Monster Trilogy of zombie novels, his writing here is leaner, his characterization more vivid. His take on the nature and psychology of the undead was refreshing, seeming to take part equally in obscure legends and modern action-horror. Particularly for those who are tired of effete, tragic antihero vampires, this may be just what you've been waiting for.

It follows the story of Pennsylvania State Trooper Laura Caxton as she's pulled into the investigation of the first vampire activity in America in twenty years. Yes, that word was "investigation"; Wellington has apparently decided that having the protagonists spend the first half of the story trying to convince themselves and others that vampires even exist is a little boring. Instead, his setting -- otherwise like the real world -- is one where vampires and other supernatural entities are known but rare phenomena; people keep assuming vampires are extinct in the wild, until another one shows up after a few decades.

And yes, that was "in the wild." Part of the cleverness of the world where vampires are real is that it allows Wellington to explore the ramifications of the law. One of these is that the one known living vampire is kept alive (or whatever) under lock and key, but for legal reasons cannot simply be killed.

This is an interesting turnaround from recent literary tradition, wherein vampires are worldly, often sympathetic creatures who must fear wholesale violent reaction from human society. In 13B, vampires are pretty much irredeemable villains (if only because they've no interest in redemption). After the first new vampire shows up, we are allowed to hear (mercifully briefly) reporters' insinuations of its unfair treatment at the hands of the authorities (most of whom it had just gleefully slaughtered).

Thus, the protagonists are forced to fight not only the creatures of the night, but the restrictions of their offices. The worst foe, though, may be the plot twists and turns Wellington gleefully throws at them -- he seems to pull the rug out from under them so often -- while retaining believability -- that one has to respect them for not simply lying down, especially Caxton, who voices her temptation to do just that.

Throughout, Wellington seems to have enormous fun playing with clichés. Some are simply ignored -- Caxton, for example, is neither sultry sex-kitten, helpless femme nor superwoman, but nothing more nor less than a competently trained State Trooper. Others are more subtly played -- the quiet, badass figure of Special Deputy Arkeley is both second banana to Caxton from the story's perspective (despite his greater rank and expertise with vampires) and eventually revealed as no one to envy, however square his jaw.

The story ends with a clear opening to a sequel -- and in fact Wellington has admitted that the wonderfully-titled 99 Coffins is in the works -- but by this time the character of Caxton is so familiar that the reader experiences more anticipation than annoyance.

Note that Amazon.com has a special bundle offer with another of his books. Also, Wellington has a special offer if you order it.