The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires

Paperback

ISBN:
978-1-68369-145-7
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3 stars (3 reviews)

Steel Magnolias meets Dracula in this '90s-set horror novel about a women's book club that must do battle with a mysterious newcomer to their small Southern town, perfect for murderinos and fans of Stephen King.

Patricia Campbell’s life has never felt smaller. Her husband is a workaholic, her teenage kids have their own lives, her senile mother-in-law needs constant care, and she’s always a step behind on her endless to-do list. The only thing keeping her sane is her book club, a close-knit group of Charleston women united by their love of true crime. At these meetings they’re as likely to talk about the Manson family as they are about their own families.

One evening after book club, Patricia is viciously attacked by an elderly neighbor, bringing the neighbor's handsome nephew, James Harris, into her life. James is well traveled and well read, and he makes Patricia feel things she …

7 editions

Starts satiric, ends graphic

2 stars

It's been a long time since I've picked up a horror book so I grabbed this one when I saw it at the library. I knew about this author from back when he used to make appearances on podcasts before his writing career really took off. I would say that the title gives the summary of the book only if one applies a couple of adjustments. It isn't really much of a 'guide' except perhaps by example. The book club ladies' scheme nearly fails at several points, however. But more importantly, there's only one character that might be classified as a vampire, not multiple 'vampires.' The first 60% of the book was a fairly easy non-strenuous read where you're introduced to the major characters and it drills into the societal values of Charleston. Then it takes a hard turn where the viewpoint character, Patricia Campbell, gets into trouble, landing in …

Women slay vampires

3 stars

Various thoughts while reading the book (there may be spoilers):

  • A few dozen pages in, this book is about 50% pretty good, 20% really good, and 30% cute.
  • Neat vampire concept. According to his podcast, Super Scare Haunted Homeschool, he spent a ridiculous amount of time studying vampire lore history, and it shows. He took a very unique approach to the vampire, while at the same time, keeping it very obviously a recognizable vampire.
  • Overtly sexual without being sexy. The transfer of fluids in a very specific bodily location increases the rape-yness that vampirism already exemplifies.
  • About 2/3 of the way through, the book is 60% pretty good, 30% really good, and still 10% cute.
  • All the husbands in this book suck. Not a single one is a redeemable character.
  • Time jump! Finding it hard to believe in the 3-year gap, maybe it will pay off in some way.
  • COCKROACH …