Book Description
The Bram Stoker Award–Winning saga continues . . . .
Matthew Maule has seen many horrific things in his five hundred years as one of the most powerful vampires in the world. But even his formidable talents cannot predict the unthinkable acts about to occur within his own home.
When the vampire Dickon and his human partner appear in the middle of the night frightened for their lives, Matthew offers them protection. They carry with them a small Egyptian statue of great value and many secrets. By morning, Matthew has woken from a mysterious trance to discover that Dickon’s human friend has been brutally murdered, the vampire has gone missing, and their statue has been smashed to pieces. Matthew has also made a dangerous new enemy, one who possesses strength even Matthew may be no match for.
For the statue is no ordinary artifact, but one of six replicas. However, only one contains a gem in the center, a stone of unimaginable magical power that could spell the end of humanity if it ever fell in the wrong hands.
Matthew sets out on a heart-pounding journey to track down the remaining statues before his ancient foe finds them. Racing across the country, the vampire teams up with both the living and the undead, though not all are the allies they pretend to be. Using his wits, he must unearth the answers to a millennia-old mystery in order to prepare himself for a final showdown against the evil stalking him at every turn. Acclaimed fantasy and science fiction author Fred Saberhagen takes readers along for a trek of unbelievable suspense, action, and pure page-turning entertainment.
About the Author
In addition to the popular Dracula Series, Fred Saberhagen is the author of the popular Berserker (tm) Series and the bestselling Lost Swords and Book of Lost Swords. Fred Saberhagen lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Coldness in the Blood FROM THE PUBLISHER
"Matthew Maule has seen many horrific things in his first hundred years as one of the most powerful vampires in the world. But even his formidable talents cannot predict the unthinkable acts about to occur within his own home." "When the vampire Dickon and his human partner appear in the middle of the night frightened for their lives, Matthew offers them protection. They carry with them a small Egyptian statue of great value and many secrets. By morning, Matthew has woken from a mysterious trance to discover that Dickon's human friend has been brutally murdered, the vampire has gone missing, and their statue has been smashed to pieces. Matthew has also made a dangerous new enemy, one who possesses strength even Matthew may be no match for." "For the statue is no ordinary artifact, but one of six replicas. However, only one contains a gem in the center, a stone of unimaginable magical power that could spell the end of humanity if it ever fell into the wrong hands." Matthew sets out on a heart-pounding journey to track down the remaining statues before his ancient foe finds them. Racing across the country, the vampire teams up with both the living and the undead, though not all are the allies they pretend to be. Using his wits, he must unearth the answers to a millennia-old mystery in order to prepare himself for a final showdown against the evil stalking him at every turn.
FROM THE CRITICS
VOYA
The most powerful vampire, Matthew Maule, discovers that an intruder has entered his apartment, put him in a trance, and murdered one of his invited guests. Spying the gruesome remains, Maule understands that the perpetrator is an enemy much stronger than he has ever met in his five hundred years as an "undead." The dead breather (human) had arrived that evening with the skittish vampire Dickon to ask for the mighty nosferatu's refuge-no one would dare cross Maule's door without his bidding. Dickon was missing, and smashed beside the body on the floor was one of six statues of the ancient Crocodile god, Sobek. Monstrous Sobek was apparently alive and searching for the one artifact containing a secreted golden gem that offers the finder extraordinary magical powers. Maule sets off with his breather companions from earlier books in Saberhagen's Dracula series on a journey to stop Sobek and destroy the gem. Maule deduces, explains, and maneuvers like a vampire Sherlock Holmes, whose powers and feeding habits are those of a vampire but who attempts to limit his dining to nonhuman prey. He handles crucifixes and withstands daylight covered and wearing sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats. With keen gentlemanly insights that model Sherlock's, Maule's character is sharpened by the magic of a vampire and the gracious flair of a beast. Sobek literally devours his victims, but usually eats only half of the man or beast. Not for the squeamish but not as graphic as it could be, this book reads fast, is full of suspense, and is suitable for the older teen or vampire story reader. VOYA Codes: 4Q 3P S A/YA (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Will appeal with pushing; Senior High, defined asgrades 10 to 12; Adult and Young Adult). 2002, Tor, 384p, Powell
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