T. Chris Martindale

Competent but ideologically narrow. The novel treats vampirism as a floating metaphor for “undesirable others,” with violence—especially gun-centric violence—framed as clarifying and restorative. For readers who value moral ambiguity and implication in horror (e.g., Morrell’s The Totem), this approach feels reductive rather than unsettling.

It had what I came for, scary rabid vampires and lots of guns and explosions. I enjoyed this one for its cheesy goodness and answering gothic horror with extreme firepower. However, it did have a few collar tuggers due to its era, but I won't fault it too much for those. The story does resemble Die Hard meets Salem's Lot, but it doesn't suffer from the overwriting that the latter does. The book seemed to get going pretty quickly to me and I enjoyed the glee it took in the gory aftermath of show more gunfire against vampire bodies. I would recommend this one if you're looking for some fiery vampire-slaying B-horror action. show less

This is a really good vampire novel from both an underrated and under-published author, T. Chris Martindale. I stumbled on to his terrific novel "Where the Chill Waits" a few years ago and tried relentlessly to get my hands on his other 3 books. Fortunately, I was able to snag a copy of "Nightblood" a few weeks ago and was thrilled with the recent reading experience.

For me, this book ranks just behind my two favorite vampire novels, King's "Salem's Lot" and McCammon's "They Thirst". show more "Nightblood" has a wonderful set of fully-fleshed out characters who find themselves in a battle for survival in a tiny Indiana town called Isherwood. The fight is let by a tormented Vietnam vet, Chris Styles, who also just happens to be somewhat haunted by the ghost of his dead brother, Alex. In the years since the Vietnam War, Alex has led Chris into situations where evil needs to be destroyed, explaining Chris's venture into Isherwood. Chris finds willing allies in the form of teenage brothers, Bart and Del Miller, who have noticed mysterious goings-on at the old Danner estate - the site of the town's worst disaster years ago. Both boys and Chris soon find that their greatest fears are correct - something is in the Danner house that can't be explained.

That "something" is the vampiric spirit of Nathan Danner which digs itself out of its entombed sanctuary and begins to slowly build an army of dead Isherwood citizens - one soul at a time. The remaining town folks band together behind the strength and leadership of Chris and fight for their lives. The book is filled with action, has few slow spots, and plenty of chills along the way. Martindale throws in a enough plot twists to keep even the most inveterate horror reader engaged.

Now my quest begins to find the other two Martindale books - "Demon Dance" and "The Voice in the Basement". Happy reading! show less

This is basically every 80s/90s vampire movie ever made rolled into a book. It's over the top, and scary, and ridiculous, and I loved every minute of it.