Michael Romkey

I first read this in high school mistakenly having purchased it thinking it was connected (or at least similar) to Interview with the Vampire, which I'd recently seen in the theater. Of course, The Vampire Papers is a very different vampire story in its own unique world. I decided to give it a reread after finishing my last book because of... reasons (reasons that contain spoilers, so I won't delve into them).

I remember enjoying this book the first time around, and it is still an show more entertaining read, even if the concepts are a little hard to accept. Using real, historical figures that he combines with his fictional, Romkey creates a collection of luminaries that are actually a secret cabal of vampires who run the world as the Illuminati and a brutal killer they are trying to stop. The case is given to a newer vampire in the Illuminati, David Parker, a musician who is being tutored by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (also a vampire) in both music and Iluminati practices.

The killer cuts a bloody swath through New York City before making his way to Jerusalem, Mississippi, where he has some unfinished business from his previous mortal life. Parker is sent after the killer and winds up over his head. This is primarily because David Parker is a bit of a weak character, in almost every sense. There is also much more going on than "Wolf" (name Mozart uses publicly) and Parker could even begin to guess.

The whole thing builds through violence, sex, history, and a curious cast of characters that populate most tales surrounding the South until it eventually explodes in the killer's final act, an exceptionally theatrical performance to gain his final revenge.

Romkey takes a lot of liberty with his historical references, but since many of these characters are revealed to have become vampires (and one is just a brutal, racist killer who briefly went to California and used a very famous nom de guerre for a series of unsolved murders). It's interesting, but at points seems a bit much, especially the wealth of superpowers he gives his "vampiri" that at times stretch even the most elastic suspension of disbelief. Still, overall entertaining and an enjoyable read. show less

I felt it was a middle-of-the-road reimagining of the vampire mythos. Not bad, but also not as stirring as, say, Anne Rice's work.

I think my biggest issue is the characterization of our main protagonist. He is too vanilla/bland/nice guy-ish. I felt his emotions much better before he became a vampire. Romkey did an excellent job visualizing his life's setting and turmoil. But after the transformation it felt too detached, emotionally. It was fascinating, learning about vampirism as he goes show more along, but not as gripping.

I also got a sour taste near the end with the whole "walking in sunshine" thing. That just makes the Illuminati too, um, sparkly (alluding to the "good" vampires of Meyer's Twilight). show less

I liked this book, but not as much as I wanted to. I followed the story to the climax, but was overwhelmed by the characters (good AND bad) and the myriad story lines. By the end I just wanted to finish, having lost any sense of caring what would happen to the main characters.
Now don't get me wrong. I did enjoy the book for the most part and was really interested in the vampire 'coming of age' process. There were some incredible sections of the book that just flew by. I also felt however, show more that the author kept adding characters and plots to what would have been a great read if left to complete the story with just the main characters.
I WILL recommend this to others seeking intriguing vampire fiction. I will also seek the authors other works. He has a unique voice that I want to read more of. show less

I thought this book was quite fun, as a book on vampires ought to be. I mean, come on, it's not like this is supposed to be fine literature or something. One of the best parts of the book was the author's treatment of Dr. Van Helsing, the ace vampire specialist first noted by Bram Stoker and borrowed by many others. If you want to read this as a new and upcoming vampire "classic," you'll be disappointed. However, if you just want to kick back and relax with something fun, you're in the right show more place.

Set in 1880, a rash of killings has the British government under Disraeli concerned. The manner of the deaths points to the killer being a vampire. Disraeli not only appoints a special committee (from whom we get the accounts written in the first person of their adventures while on this committee), but also hires the famous Abraham Van Helsing as a special consultant. As more murders occur, the committee must try to locate and destroy the vampires before they infest Britain and perhaps the world with their growing numbers. Lots and lots of fun, lots of characters whom you will know by name and an entertaining way to spend a yucky, cloudy day. show less