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Red, White, and Blood (Nathaniel Cade #3)
Christopher Farnsworth
Published: April 26, 2012 (Putnam)
Purchase at: Book Depository or Amazon
Rating (out of 5): 3.5 stars
The thing I love most about Christopher Farnsworth’s Nathaniel Cade novels is just how plausible he makes the supernatural. In Red, White, and Blood he manages to link serial killers throughout history to one supernatural element: The Boogeyman.
The Boogeyman is essentially the patron saint of serial killers. This means ritual killings bring him over to our world. Cade has sent him back repeatedly — usually after he’s spawned new urban legends — but he’s yet to be able to kill this creature yet.
When the Boogeyman rises again, Cade’s on alert for the normal pattern. Only this time a former member of the Shadow Company, a group determined to bring down the U.S. government via occult methods, intends to manipulate things to make sure the Boogeyman succeeds and takes out Cade.
The supernatural elements in Red, White, and Blood are excellent and plenty creepy, Cade remains incredibly ‘other’ and Farnsworth included some wonderful one-liners about vampire fiction. (My favorite being a reference to what vampire bites should really look like, suggesting authors should look at their own teeth.) Those elements made the first half of the novel incredibly strong.
However, this installment in the series was heavier on political drama (e.g. presidential re-election) than conspiracy. It’s all very well done, but it was a bit more political banter than I was prepared to read. However, it won’t be enough to stop me from picking up the next Nathaniel Cade book. I love the writing and the tension Farnsworth can create.
While I recommend reading all of the series, especially The President’s Vampire, this book can be read as a stand alone title
Sexual content: References to sex
Because we love ass-kicking assassin vampires, we’re giving away one hardcover copy of Red, White, and Blood by Christopher Farnsworth. Open to U.S. addresses only. Be sure to enter via the Rafflecopter form below before April 24.
I really enjoyed the first two books and look forward to Red, White and Blood.
I really enjoyed The President’s Vampire and this was an entirely new world for me. Thank you for sharing about this installment of Cade’s journey and for the awesome giveaway opportunity.