Manitou Blood is the fourth novel in the 'Manitou' series.

One key to having a book guaranteed for a reader to adore is by including a beloved hero. Harry Erskine is perfect for that role, being quirky, silly, over-the-top, and humorous while never being corny or self-apologetic. He admits he doesn't know what he's doing but life sucks him in time and time again anyway. He's not a manly man afraid of admitting his fear, but he reaches deep inside himself to pull out inner strength when he really has to. Despite the hysterical dialogue and mannerisms of the hero, this book is anything but a comedy.

Dipped into historical lore and legend, the reading is rich, the history and background making it all the more fascinating. This intelligence creates a complicated backbone to the traditional horror novel. Pace is very quick without being overeager to climax too soon. This is certainly not your traditional 'vampire story', and vampires really aren't the main focus at all as you read deeper into the story. It is the almost perfect medium of violence, fear, sex, and comedy. All characters, not just Harry, are convincing and fun to follow. Have no fear, haters of romantic fiction, no sexy Anne Rice type vampires will be found HERE. The ancient, potent primary villain is one pissed off spirit to be reckoned with. He makes sure those who get in his way pay in horrifying ways, and he's no easy foe to overcome.

Suspense is taut at the right scenes, with a generous portion of gore. The 'mystery' is alluringly complex and it's never possible to figure out what's going to happen next, and I guarantee no one will know what's coming at the end. Masterton's fine writing style just keeps improving, his imagination seemingly bottomless. Although a part of a series, this is book that's easy to follow as a standalone, while continuing the Manilou thread in a way that will keep fans of the other books pleased. ( )

This is the 4th in the Manitou series. I really enjoyed the first three and love Masterton's books but I just couldn't get into this one at all and so it hit the wall I'm afraid.

Back Cover Blurb:
A bizarre epidemic is sweeping New York City. Doctors can only watch as, one by one, victims fall prey to a very unusual blood disorder. They become unable to eat solid food, are extremely sensitive to daylight - and they have an irresistible need to drink human blood....
As panic, bloodlust and death grip the city, a few begin to consider the unimaginable: Could the old folktales and legends be true? Could the epidemic be the work of....vampires? Their search for the truth will lead them to shadowy realms where very few dare to go. They will seek help from both the living and the dead. And they will realize that their worst fear was only the beginning. ( )

Even though he has, according to the bio on the book, written over 70 books, I'd never heard of Graham Masterson. I struggled a bit with Manitou Blood, even though it stands alone very well for a series book. What lost me was an annoying shift in POV between 1st-person Harry Erskine and the third-person gastrologist. The gastrologist, a medically-trained doctor, seems to have a poor concept of the consequences when a woman he saw die pays a visit to his bedroom later that night. I suppose it was mind control, but Masterton never established it as a characteristic of the vampires, and failed to show it happening later, either. It also starts out as a medical drama and ends up with a lot of spiritual hand-waving. Maybe it made more sense if you'd read the preceding volumes? ( )

I hadn't read a Graham Masterton horror in over half a decade, which is odd since he was once my favourite horror author. I was excited by the prospect of him returning to previous material, i.e. Indian supernatural folklore. Well, forget that. This book plunges you in to modern-day post-9/11 NYC. It's clever, fast-paced, sexy and gory. A slickly crafted style, half first person, half usual narrative, yet blended in a way that the reader is not displaced by the style. In fact, it's the only book in years to give me the heeby-jeebies (that spooky sensation that tells you evil has been well crafted). This is high-octane horror and Masterton has clearly had a strong story in mind from the offset. It's Terry Pratchett style, with a historical idea being warped for modern day story-telling - no bad thing at all. So, if you want a full-flavoured horror, which introduces some great new twists within the genre, although a little predictable in places, then Manitou Blood is definitely up your alley. ( )

http://www.sfreader.com/read_review.asp?ID=696 ( )