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Vlad by C C Humphreys Trust nothing that you've heard...Dracula. A name of horror, depravity and darkest sensuality.Yet the real Dracula was just as alluring, just as terrifying, his story not of a monster but of a man...and a contradiction. For the one they called 'The Devil's Son' was both tyrant and lawgiver, crusader and mass slaughterer, torturer and hero, lover and murderer. Vlad's extraordinary tale is told by those who knew him best. The only woman he ever loved and whom he has to sacrifice. His closest comrade and traitor. And his priest, betraying the secrets of the confessional to reveal the mind of the man history would forever remember as Tepes - 'The Impaler' Thanks to Nollaig for steering me onto this book. It grabs ones attention from the outset, drawing one into the 15th Century with all the sounds and sights almost visceral, almost physically transporting one there. The character of Vlad - indeed, Vlad's closest comrades and 'friends' - are interesting in that, despite the terrible deeds they perpetrate, as the reader I can't help but...erm...empathise with them somewhat. Should this worry me? Vlad has qualities I search for in my favourite characters in novels. He's loyal, honourable, strong minded and a pragmatist. He's determined, noble and fearless. Is this a man I would have loyally followed into battle were I of this time? The thought chills me a little, but it's a possibility... Vlad himself commits some disturbingly gruesome acts throughout the book, and orders many others, but Humphreys' skills are such that it doesn't seem gratuitous (although they are disturbing). The writing is fast-paced, a little idiosyncratic, which I enjoyed, and accessible. The chapters jump from major incident to major incident, sometimes missing out huge chunks of the years passing, but this does not affect the novel negatively in any way. In fact, out of necessity, this ramps up the pace of the novel. I can find nothing wrong with this novel at all. I loved it. It's up there with my favourite books now (along with The Historian, funnily enough). Thank you, Noll! 10/10

Understood and duly noted, thanks Bookworm!

Oh, yeah! I forgot about him! He is a brilliant character and I loved him. He's my sixth.

One of the greatest movies of all time. It's number one on the top 250 on the IMDb! That takes some doing...

Don't take on so - 'tis only my dreadful typing skills that make me a buffoon...

Oh, Marcia...Mexicola Counts it amongst her favourites? I might need to calm down a bit here... It's up there for me, as well. But don't get me started on Mr Dumas's name... Good work, Mexicola. Good work. x

I'm intrigued by Tender Morsels, Michelle. What is it that put you off? Is it something I should have a look at? Is it worth picking up from the bookshop?

I agree that it's a shame you've had to put The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo down - the trilogy is up there towards the "Favourite Books of All Time" shelf for me. Maybe give it another go later on? I guess if everyone liked the same stuff the world would be a terribly boring place, eh! Fahrenheit 451 is a book I read when I was younger, probably a teenager, and I remember loving it. I enjoy Bradbury's writing a lot, although I've not read anything by him for a long while. I have a first edition of a collection of his short stories to have a go at, somewhere in Mount TBR. Hope you're very well. MM

Oops...wrong doo-dah...I mean......DARN IT....I mean Yay!

An awesome book. I really enjoyed it. Read it about ten years ago - not much like the recent film (which I also enjoyed...)

Five of my favourites are: Myron Bolitar from Harlan Coben's novels Dexter Morgan from Jeff Lindsay's novels Carson Ryder from J A Kerley's novels Chief Inspector Alan Banks from Peter Robinson's novels (because it's possible he's based on me...) Jack Reacher from Lee Child's novels It's interesting how these are all connected in some way to the Police, isn't it...

I'm rattling through Vlad by C C Humphreys and am absolutely loving it. It's nice to have the time to do so, actually...

Alas, this is what happens to me, too. Curse you, BCF! Curse you!!! Only joking, of course. I love it. Love it, love it love it! (the pink person's me, the baffled one is BCF...)

The Five People You Meet In Heaven was wonderful, I agree. I have Revolutionary Road on Mount TBR (which is growing by the day) and am unsure as to whether to bump it nearer the top. What do you think?

Here are five more facts about yours truly: I am allergic to acorns. This proves problematic, as most of my furniture is made from acorn pulp and my diet largely consists of, you've guessed it, acorns! Simon, my left knee, is currently having a crisis of faith after watching a past episode of Britain's Got Talent. Everything I write is a lie. Especially that last fact. When in Rome, I do as the Romans do and set about conquering the world and bringing religion to the barbarous hoards on the outlying regions. Standing at six feet tall, I am entered into the Guinness Book of Records as being the tallest midget that's ever lived. There you go. I'd better get back to me beans...

Great reviews, Kelly. As for Christopher Fowler, you could give The Devil in Me a go. It's a really good collection of his short stories. Or you could try Spanky (which isn't as rude as the name suggests!) which is about one of the angels booted out of heaven when old Nick was cast out. It's brill and lots of dark fun. Also, maybe you'd like I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan. This is a great book as well - again, lots of black humour. Pip pip. xx