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Code Blood
Colt Lewis, a rookie fire paramedic, is obsessed with finding the severed foot of his first victim after she dies in his arms. His search takes him into the connected lives of a graduate research student, with the rarest blood in the world and the vampire fetishist who is stalking her. Within the corridors of high-stakes medical research laboratories, the shadow world of body parts dealers, and the underground Goth clubs of Los Angeles, Lewis uncovers a tangled maze of needles, drugs and maniacal ritual, all of which lead to death. But whose death? An unusual and fast-paced LA Noir thriller.
CODE BLOOD HAS WON SEVERAL LITERARY AWARDS
Writer’s Type - First Chapter Competition. January 2011- First Place
2012 International Book Awards - Fiction: Cross Genre category – First Place
NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE BOOK AWARDS® – Faction (fiction based on fact) – WINNER OF THE 2012 AWARD
The 2012 USA Best Book Awards - Fiction: Horror - WINNER
The 2012 USA Best Book Awards – Fiction: Mystery/Suspense - Finalist
Knoxville Writer’s Guild - 2011 Novella or Novel Excerpt – 2nd Place
CODE BLOOD HAS WON SEVERAL LITERARY AWARDS
Writer’s Type - First Chapter Competition. January 2011- First Place
2012 International Book Awards - Fiction: Cross Genre category – First Place
NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE BOOK AWARDS® – Faction (fiction based on fact) – WINNER OF THE 2012 AWARD
The 2012 USA Best Book Awards - Fiction: Horror - WINNER
The 2012 USA Best Book Awards – Fiction: Mystery/Suspense - Finalist
Knoxville Writer’s Guild - 2011 Novella or Novel Excerpt – 2nd Place
236 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
About the author
Kurt Kamm
12 books217 followersAbout Kurt Kamm
Malibu resident Kurt Kamm has used his contact with CalFire, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department and the ATF, as well as his experience in several devastating local wildfires, to write fact-based firefighter mystery novels. He has attended classes at El Camino Fire Academy and trained in wildland firefighting, arson investigation and hazardous materials response. He is currently riding with Los Angeles County Fire Department’s famed urban search and rescue task force. He is a graduate of the ATF Citizen’s Academy
One of the Malibu fires, the 60 mile-per-hour Santa Ana wind-driven Canyon Fire, burned to his front door and destroyed the homes of several neighbors. Kamm said the lessons he learned from the County Fire Department while writing his books helped him save his home.
Kurt Kamm has built an avid fan base among first responders. Each of his firefighter mysteries features a firefighter in a particular discipline (wildland, arson investigation, paramedic, hazardous material response, and search and rescue). His first novel, One Foot in the Black (2008) has become a favorite of firefighters. Subsequent novels, Red Flag Warning: A Serial Arson Mystery (Aberdeen Bay, 2010) and Code Blood (MCM Publishing, 2012) have won numerous fiction awards (see attached summary). Kamm’s latest book, Hazardous Material, will be released in May, 2013. He is currently attending search & rescue training and working on his fifth novel.
For further information on Kurt Kamm visit his first responder/author website http://www.kurtkamm.com/
Malibu resident Kurt Kamm has used his contact with CalFire, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department and the ATF, as well as his experience in several devastating local wildfires, to write fact-based firefighter mystery novels. He has attended classes at El Camino Fire Academy and trained in wildland firefighting, arson investigation and hazardous materials response. He is currently riding with Los Angeles County Fire Department’s famed urban search and rescue task force. He is a graduate of the ATF Citizen’s Academy
One of the Malibu fires, the 60 mile-per-hour Santa Ana wind-driven Canyon Fire, burned to his front door and destroyed the homes of several neighbors. Kamm said the lessons he learned from the County Fire Department while writing his books helped him save his home.
Kurt Kamm has built an avid fan base among first responders. Each of his firefighter mysteries features a firefighter in a particular discipline (wildland, arson investigation, paramedic, hazardous material response, and search and rescue). His first novel, One Foot in the Black (2008) has become a favorite of firefighters. Subsequent novels, Red Flag Warning: A Serial Arson Mystery (Aberdeen Bay, 2010) and Code Blood (MCM Publishing, 2012) have won numerous fiction awards (see attached summary). Kamm’s latest book, Hazardous Material, will be released in May, 2013. He is currently attending search & rescue training and working on his fifth novel.
For further information on Kurt Kamm visit his first responder/author website http://www.kurtkamm.com/
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 24, 2017
This book is both twisted and memorizing at the same time. It has never crossed my mind that people actually do steal items including body parts from crime scenes or accidents. Reading this book, I could imagine it being a storyline on Law & Order or Criminal Minds or any other crime show.
Instantly, I was hooked by everything about this story from the characters to the plot. I could not stop reading. Colt's obsession to find this accident victim's foot was compelling, once you learned why. Than there is the fetish of bring a "vampire". Markus wants nothing more than to be immortal. To achieve this he has found the perfect blood donor. The lengths that Markus goes as well as his obsession with body parts is freaky. I found Markus to be weird but interesting. As, you can tell I was a little "obsessed" myself with this book. This was a one day read for me. I look forward to checking out more books from this author.
Instantly, I was hooked by everything about this story from the characters to the plot. I could not stop reading. Colt's obsession to find this accident victim's foot was compelling, once you learned why. Than there is the fetish of bring a "vampire". Markus wants nothing more than to be immortal. To achieve this he has found the perfect blood donor. The lengths that Markus goes as well as his obsession with body parts is freaky. I found Markus to be weird but interesting. As, you can tell I was a little "obsessed" myself with this book. This was a one day read for me. I look forward to checking out more books from this author.
May 25, 2017
Colt Lewis is a paramedic in Los Angeles. He truly cares about people but you can tell that his job does get to him. He continually thinks about his first run with a young lady that was a hit and run victim that died in Colt’s arms. Cold thinks about her foot that was severed and disappeared. He really wants to find out what happened to it.
Then there is Markus, his is an albino and believes his is a vampire. He obsession with blood is almost sexual in nature and when he finds someone with very rare blood he thinks he has a way to make some quick cash.
This is an interesting story to say the least. Colt is a genuine good guy and wants to help. I can see how different incidents would be hard for him. Heck just reading about them is hard. I can see why he becomes obsessed with finding her foot. Markus is just beyond creepy but then again there are weird people out there. I couldn’t help but feel for poor A Li struggling in America. But the icing on this weird cake is the Russian thugs selling body parts.
This story was a little slow to get rolling but once you did it was a good little read. It could easily be read in one day. You get a firsthand feel of being a paramedic and the creepiness of a body parts trade. I also didn’t expect the ending which was really well done. Kurt Kamm is definitely one author to watch out for.
I received Code Blood from Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
Then there is Markus, his is an albino and believes his is a vampire. He obsession with blood is almost sexual in nature and when he finds someone with very rare blood he thinks he has a way to make some quick cash.
This is an interesting story to say the least. Colt is a genuine good guy and wants to help. I can see how different incidents would be hard for him. Heck just reading about them is hard. I can see why he becomes obsessed with finding her foot. Markus is just beyond creepy but then again there are weird people out there. I couldn’t help but feel for poor A Li struggling in America. But the icing on this weird cake is the Russian thugs selling body parts.
This story was a little slow to get rolling but once you did it was a good little read. It could easily be read in one day. You get a firsthand feel of being a paramedic and the creepiness of a body parts trade. I also didn’t expect the ending which was really well done. Kurt Kamm is definitely one author to watch out for.
I received Code Blood from Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours for free. This has in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
October 15, 2011
The best quality this book has to have is the author's obvious experience and knowledge with the subject of firefighting. The reader can really understand the plot and the details the author provides. The scenes are exciting, the author manages to blend an almost vampiric theme with firefighting. The characters, particularly Colt, pull the book together.
Colt is a new firefighter and immediately exposed to the oddest case he could experience. He is determined to figure out the mystery and track down the potential killer. The reader will anxiously follow his character through the novel, trying to guess his next move. Colt is a very likable character; he has all of the characteristics one could hope in a possible hero. He is brave, compassionate, and intelligent. The secondary characters are just as fun to get to know, they provide background facts and details to the story. This book is recommended to adult readers.
Colt is a new firefighter and immediately exposed to the oddest case he could experience. He is determined to figure out the mystery and track down the potential killer. The reader will anxiously follow his character through the novel, trying to guess his next move. Colt is a very likable character; he has all of the characteristics one could hope in a possible hero. He is brave, compassionate, and intelligent. The secondary characters are just as fun to get to know, they provide background facts and details to the story. This book is recommended to adult readers.
January 8, 2015
Not a good read for the faint of heart, Kurt Kamm takes readers into a dark and twisted tale that is gripping bloodiness with thrilling, suspenseful action. A heroic action from a fire paramedic spirals into the discovery of the underworld of a medical research laboratory, a dangerous Goth vampire stalker and a deadly climax. With a steady flow of medical mystery and mayhem, Code Blood is a guaranteed blood curdling masterpiece, pun intended.
May 30, 2017
Creepy fun book! An Albino who likes to think of himself as a Vampire and hangs out with other creepy Vampire wanna-Be's. I don't know why anyone would want to pretend they are a vampire to the point of actually drinking blood is beyond me but I do know this is a real thing! Just plain weird!
Great character development. Colt, the good guy, a paramedic is kind of strange at times and gets way too involved in the "missing foot case", but he is genuine and sweet and very likeable. I would like to read more books about him.
Markus, the "Vampire" - holy creepiness! This guy is strange to the max. But I have to say it was fun reading about him and his parts were my favorite parts. What does that say about my reading habits? LOL
Great ending! This book just got creepier and creepier and therefore better and better in my opinion right up to the fun, graphic end.
Kurt Kamm is a new author for me but I would definitely read another one by him. Especially if any of his books are like this.
*This book does have quite a bit of swearing and graphic details - but this just makes it more real to me.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours - Thank You!
Great character development. Colt, the good guy, a paramedic is kind of strange at times and gets way too involved in the "missing foot case", but he is genuine and sweet and very likeable. I would like to read more books about him.
Markus, the "Vampire" - holy creepiness! This guy is strange to the max. But I have to say it was fun reading about him and his parts were my favorite parts. What does that say about my reading habits? LOL
Great ending! This book just got creepier and creepier and therefore better and better in my opinion right up to the fun, graphic end.
Kurt Kamm is a new author for me but I would definitely read another one by him. Especially if any of his books are like this.
*This book does have quite a bit of swearing and graphic details - but this just makes it more real to me.
I voluntarily posted this review after receiving a copy of this book from Partners in Crime Tours - Thank You!
January 12, 2012
In Code Blood, a young woman dies in an accident and someone at the scene takes her foot, which has been severed. Colt Lewis, a member of the paramedic team on the scene, becomes obsessed with finding the foot. His search takes him into the world of wannabe vampires and people who deal in body parts.
Colt Lewis is a well developed character who comes to the job based on his history. He has his own demons, which he tries to outrun, but eventually faces and put to bed. He does exactly what he shouldn’t on the job – gets too involved.
Markus Draper, vampire and body part fetishist, is a complex, creepy character who not only like body parts, but is also after a research student who has an extremely rare blood type. His fixation on body parts and blood leads him to do unthinkable things that don’t quite work out the way he expects.
Kurt Kamm created believable characters in Code Blood. The two main characters are driven by different things that happened to them early in their lives and it was easy for me to figure out how they evolved into the people I met on the pages.
From the little I know of what paramedics do, the language seemed to be ‘paramedic speak’, and was such that I understood what was happening. The writer ensured that there were enough accident response scenes in the story to give a true picture of the role of a paramedic.
I could have lived without some of Markus’ weirdness, however, I understand that this is who he is and how he sees himself. ‘Marcus the Great’ is a character I’ll remember for a while, simply for his determination and what some might consider foolhardiness.
Code Blood is way different from the books I’ve been reading lately. It took me into the Goth world, but didn’t overwhelm me with details. I found some of the segments to be a little slow, but the writer presented the story in such a way that I was soon caught up in the story again.
For those who like high-stakes, suspense and single-minded characters, Code Blood will make a truly awesome read.
SOURCE: The Cadence Group
Colt Lewis is a well developed character who comes to the job based on his history. He has his own demons, which he tries to outrun, but eventually faces and put to bed. He does exactly what he shouldn’t on the job – gets too involved.
Markus Draper, vampire and body part fetishist, is a complex, creepy character who not only like body parts, but is also after a research student who has an extremely rare blood type. His fixation on body parts and blood leads him to do unthinkable things that don’t quite work out the way he expects.
Kurt Kamm created believable characters in Code Blood. The two main characters are driven by different things that happened to them early in their lives and it was easy for me to figure out how they evolved into the people I met on the pages.
From the little I know of what paramedics do, the language seemed to be ‘paramedic speak’, and was such that I understood what was happening. The writer ensured that there were enough accident response scenes in the story to give a true picture of the role of a paramedic.
I could have lived without some of Markus’ weirdness, however, I understand that this is who he is and how he sees himself. ‘Marcus the Great’ is a character I’ll remember for a while, simply for his determination and what some might consider foolhardiness.
Code Blood is way different from the books I’ve been reading lately. It took me into the Goth world, but didn’t overwhelm me with details. I found some of the segments to be a little slow, but the writer presented the story in such a way that I was soon caught up in the story again.
For those who like high-stakes, suspense and single-minded characters, Code Blood will make a truly awesome read.
SOURCE: The Cadence Group
October 24, 2014
The twisted tale of a paramedic, an albino with a vampire fetish and a blood researcher...
Code Blood is the story of three people whose lives are tied together in this thriller but barely interact throughout the book.
Colt Lewis is a brand new paramedic in the Los Angeles area who is struggling with the emotional toll this sort of job can cause. He is an open young man who became a paramedic because he truly cares about people and wants to help them. But, he is struggling with the reality that some of the victims he helps just cannot be saved. He keeps on going back to his first run and the beautiful young woman who was found on the side of the road after having been hit by a hit and run driver. She died while Colt was reassuring her because her foot had been amputated in the accident. Strangely, the foot was never found and Colt starts to obsess about this woman, the tragic loss of such a young life and the total creepiness of the kind of person that would steal someone's foot.
Markus is that creep. He is an albino who lives a goth vampire lifestyle in which he not only dresses like a vampire, he also drinks blood and has developed a sexual fetish about blood. He is also in serious need of cash and he is running out of options. That is, until he meets a Chinese blood researcher named A Li. A Li has a rare blood type that Markus craves. He also knows that he can sell it for a lot of money to his vampire friends.
A Li is struggling in America. She is a minority in China (from near Tibet) and political repression has forced her to give up everything and dedicate herself to science so that her family can prosper back home.
One thing I enjoy about reading is that, if you are lucky...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2014/...
Code Blood is the story of three people whose lives are tied together in this thriller but barely interact throughout the book.
Colt Lewis is a brand new paramedic in the Los Angeles area who is struggling with the emotional toll this sort of job can cause. He is an open young man who became a paramedic because he truly cares about people and wants to help them. But, he is struggling with the reality that some of the victims he helps just cannot be saved. He keeps on going back to his first run and the beautiful young woman who was found on the side of the road after having been hit by a hit and run driver. She died while Colt was reassuring her because her foot had been amputated in the accident. Strangely, the foot was never found and Colt starts to obsess about this woman, the tragic loss of such a young life and the total creepiness of the kind of person that would steal someone's foot.
Markus is that creep. He is an albino who lives a goth vampire lifestyle in which he not only dresses like a vampire, he also drinks blood and has developed a sexual fetish about blood. He is also in serious need of cash and he is running out of options. That is, until he meets a Chinese blood researcher named A Li. A Li has a rare blood type that Markus craves. He also knows that he can sell it for a lot of money to his vampire friends.
A Li is struggling in America. She is a minority in China (from near Tibet) and political repression has forced her to give up everything and dedicate herself to science so that her family can prosper back home.
One thing I enjoy about reading is that, if you are lucky...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2014/...
Read
January 2, 2012This book was pretty far out of my comfort zone guys. I have read some noir/mystery/thrillers, but not many, so I come to this book pretty unfamiliar with the genre. The story begins with a girl and an accident. Colt Lewis, a Paramedic in training shows up and finds himself entangled in the very strange story of this girl, with a severed foot. Oh yeah, and the foot has apparently been stolen. Kamm weaves together Colt's story with the stories of an albino fetishist vampire, a Chinese immigrant genetics researcher and a gang of Russian thugs in the business of selling body parts.
The book was not nearly as dark as it sounds, although there were certainly some cringe inducing scenes. What stood out the most to me about the book was the detail in Kamm's writing. It was very clear that he had researched extensively in many areas in order to produce the narrative. I learned things about genetics, about the field of paramedicine and about Chinese culture. This is one of the things that I enjoyed the most about the read, although it was occasionally too detailed and detracted from the pacing of the narrative.
I was disappointed by the ending of the book, although I certainly won't ruin it for anyone else. I think I was expecting to be more surprised, or for it to be a bit twistier. The strength of the book for me was really the development of some of the characters, in particular A Li, the young genetics researcher. I'm not sure how this book stacks up with other contemporary L.A. noir novels, but I would imagine that it has something to add. I would recommend it for fans of the genre, and for readers comfortable with and interested in the type of material.
The book was not nearly as dark as it sounds, although there were certainly some cringe inducing scenes. What stood out the most to me about the book was the detail in Kamm's writing. It was very clear that he had researched extensively in many areas in order to produce the narrative. I learned things about genetics, about the field of paramedicine and about Chinese culture. This is one of the things that I enjoyed the most about the read, although it was occasionally too detailed and detracted from the pacing of the narrative.
I was disappointed by the ending of the book, although I certainly won't ruin it for anyone else. I think I was expecting to be more surprised, or for it to be a bit twistier. The strength of the book for me was really the development of some of the characters, in particular A Li, the young genetics researcher. I'm not sure how this book stacks up with other contemporary L.A. noir novels, but I would imagine that it has something to add. I would recommend it for fans of the genre, and for readers comfortable with and interested in the type of material.
March 8, 2012
The book opens with a young woman who is obviously delusional as she gets ready to set off down the road. Colt Lewis is a new EMT who encounters the young woman at the scene of an accident and as he tries to help, he becomes entangled in trying to find her severed foot. It becomes his own personal quest and eventually a vendetta against the person who .
And then there’s Markus, whose life as an albino has lead him into the bizarre desire for status as one of the city’s vampire types. And, scientist Ai Mae whose unusual blood type make her a target these.
Code Blood is an intense, unique and entertaining read and it reminded me of the movie Crash where wildly divergent characters all converge in one intersection, and though none of the characters would ever be likely to hang with the others, one major accident ultimately unites them.
I have to say that I thought that this author was probably an EMT or policeman, as he really understood the lingo, but I've since learned that he's just a very good researcher for his books.
Very satisfying ending.
RP Dahlke, Author of mysteries, Good Reads author
A DEAD RED CADILLAC
A DEAD RED HEART
A Dangerous Harbor
And then there’s Markus, whose life as an albino has lead him into the bizarre desire for status as one of the city’s vampire types. And, scientist Ai Mae whose unusual blood type make her a target these.
Code Blood is an intense, unique and entertaining read and it reminded me of the movie Crash where wildly divergent characters all converge in one intersection, and though none of the characters would ever be likely to hang with the others, one major accident ultimately unites them.
I have to say that I thought that this author was probably an EMT or policeman, as he really understood the lingo, but I've since learned that he's just a very good researcher for his books.
Very satisfying ending.
RP Dahlke, Author of mysteries, Good Reads author
A DEAD RED CADILLAC
A DEAD RED HEART
A Dangerous Harbor
December 10, 2011
A turn paging enthralling story - the characters and places portrayed by the author give the reader a perfect picture and you can imagine yourself in the background observing and following the main characters.
A rookie fire paramedic on a shout is horrified to find a victims severed foot has disappeared, but who has taken it and who would want it? This is a mystery he cannot let go of and will pursue all avenues to solve. The thief is an albino goth who has a strange fetish and obsessions, he gets drawn into the Russian underworld to feed his fetish habits, which he then has to find ways of making money to pay them or lose his life. Working in a research lab, the goth finds a way he could pay the Russians back after discovering a Chinese student has a very rare blood type, which his fellow goths, who have a taste for human blood, would buy.
Will the paramedic solve his mystery before the goth gets his blood? Will the goth survive or die?
This story had me hooked from page one and I found it really hard to put down. The author has kept the storyline simple which means the reader can get to grips with what makes each character tick and their reasons for pursuing their own individual goals. I would strongly recommend this book to all readers who enjoy a really good thriller.
A rookie fire paramedic on a shout is horrified to find a victims severed foot has disappeared, but who has taken it and who would want it? This is a mystery he cannot let go of and will pursue all avenues to solve. The thief is an albino goth who has a strange fetish and obsessions, he gets drawn into the Russian underworld to feed his fetish habits, which he then has to find ways of making money to pay them or lose his life. Working in a research lab, the goth finds a way he could pay the Russians back after discovering a Chinese student has a very rare blood type, which his fellow goths, who have a taste for human blood, would buy.
Will the paramedic solve his mystery before the goth gets his blood? Will the goth survive or die?
This story had me hooked from page one and I found it really hard to put down. The author has kept the storyline simple which means the reader can get to grips with what makes each character tick and their reasons for pursuing their own individual goals. I would strongly recommend this book to all readers who enjoy a really good thriller.
November 28, 2011
In the noir world of Los Angeles’ dark streets a young woman dies and rookie fire paramedic, Colt Lewis, can’t find her severed foot. So starts Kurt Kamm’s hard-hitting thriller Code Blood which follows Colt’s final training, set against a background of vampire fetishists, high-stakes medical research, and the mixed lives of immigrant Los Angeles residents from as far afield as Colorado, India, Russia and Tibet. The author’s experience and access to LA county firefighters lends a very genuine feel to the character and life of Colt Lewis. The scientific process of animal experiment is nicely paralleled with an underworld of body parts dealers, drugs and insanity. One character’s fall from the last semblance of grace parallels another’s rise. And the whole is a gruesome tale of stalker, stalkee, idealism, surreal drama and a race against time.
Time wins. It always will. But characters find victory too and the reader is led through breathless chases and dangers to a pleasing resting place, somewhere above the smogline where the sun still shines. Code Blood is a darkly different, very real and exciting noir thriller that weaves storylines and backgrounds very neatly into a compelling whole.
Disclosure: I was given a free copy of this novel by the Cadence Group in exchange for an honest review.
Time wins. It always will. But characters find victory too and the reader is led through breathless chases and dangers to a pleasing resting place, somewhere above the smogline where the sun still shines. Code Blood is a darkly different, very real and exciting noir thriller that weaves storylines and backgrounds very neatly into a compelling whole.
Disclosure: I was given a free copy of this novel by the Cadence Group in exchange for an honest review.
December 27, 2011
Thrillers are not my usual fare but this one looked very intriguing so I was happy to get a chance to read the book! Colt is a pretty good guy. He's serious about his job and really seems to care about the people he is saving. He gets tangled in a mystery after a vehicle crash where a foot is missing and a vampire lover might have it.
Which brings me to Markus, the vampire fetishist, who totally freaked me out. This guy is not a good guy and furthermore, he's more than a little bit of a whack job. He really, really creeped me out a lot. And this is why I typically don't read thrillers, because of really astoundingly creepy characters like Markus! Some of the things that he does throughout the book may not be for those who don't have strong stomachs. Kamm definitely got me with this one.
The writing itself is great and definitely helps to draw you into the story. I thought that it would have helped to flesh out a couple of the sections such as why Colt is so drawn to the young woman that he tries to save whose foot is missing.
All in all, this is a pretty solid book.
Which brings me to Markus, the vampire fetishist, who totally freaked me out. This guy is not a good guy and furthermore, he's more than a little bit of a whack job. He really, really creeped me out a lot. And this is why I typically don't read thrillers, because of really astoundingly creepy characters like Markus! Some of the things that he does throughout the book may not be for those who don't have strong stomachs. Kamm definitely got me with this one.
The writing itself is great and definitely helps to draw you into the story. I thought that it would have helped to flesh out a couple of the sections such as why Colt is so drawn to the young woman that he tries to save whose foot is missing.
All in all, this is a pretty solid book.
December 19, 2011
When I read the synopsis for this book, I was very intrigued. After reading the book, I can say that I wasn't disappointed. Code Blood is a pretty dark, yet well written book. It was a definite change from what I have read lately. It is hard to describe without giving away the plot, so I'll let the synopsis speak for itself.
The story waffles between 3 main characters and at first I wasn't sure how they all fit together. The author did an excellent job of keeping up the suspense, yet allowed the story to unfold in a way that made sense. There were a few moments where I was cringing as I read them, talk about gross! I loved the ending and was very happy with it. Let's just say that everyone got what they rightly deserved!
I definitely recommend this book. If you are in the mood for something different and edgy, this is the book for you. Mr. Kamm has a bright future as an author and I look forward to reading more of his books.
The story waffles between 3 main characters and at first I wasn't sure how they all fit together. The author did an excellent job of keeping up the suspense, yet allowed the story to unfold in a way that made sense. There were a few moments where I was cringing as I read them, talk about gross! I loved the ending and was very happy with it. Let's just say that everyone got what they rightly deserved!
I definitely recommend this book. If you are in the mood for something different and edgy, this is the book for you. Mr. Kamm has a bright future as an author and I look forward to reading more of his books.
November 3, 2011
Kurt Kamm Puts the Reader on the Scene
Kurt Kamm has prove in his previous novels - ONE FOOT IN THE BLACK and RED FLAG WARNING that an appreciation of danger courses through his veins: his background as a firefighter served him well in bringing the stark fear of overwhelming firewalls to our psyches. Now he steps into the other boots of firefighting, that of a paramedic, and instead of painting tactile images of fires gone mad, in CODE BLOOD he grabs the reader by the gut and superimposes some hyper-realistic gore of trauma onto a story that goes into the wild side of fantasy. A paramedic seeking to retrieve a young girl's accidentally severed foot takes the reader into a world of gothic tales that spin the pages of this complex but wholly satisfying novel of real meets surreal. It is a wild but strangely credible ride. Kamm's talent for creating 3D characters blossoms even more fully with this spellbinding tale.
Grady Harp
Kurt Kamm has prove in his previous novels - ONE FOOT IN THE BLACK and RED FLAG WARNING that an appreciation of danger courses through his veins: his background as a firefighter served him well in bringing the stark fear of overwhelming firewalls to our psyches. Now he steps into the other boots of firefighting, that of a paramedic, and instead of painting tactile images of fires gone mad, in CODE BLOOD he grabs the reader by the gut and superimposes some hyper-realistic gore of trauma onto a story that goes into the wild side of fantasy. A paramedic seeking to retrieve a young girl's accidentally severed foot takes the reader into a world of gothic tales that spin the pages of this complex but wholly satisfying novel of real meets surreal. It is a wild but strangely credible ride. Kamm's talent for creating 3D characters blossoms even more fully with this spellbinding tale.
Grady Harp
November 7, 2011
CODE BLOOD by Kurt Kamm is an interesting LA Noir thriller. See "One Blood in the Black" and "Red Flad Warning" for more of this author's writings. It is fast paced story of vampires,bio-researchers,fetishism,paramedics, maniacal rituals,stalker,underground Goth clubs of LA, and body parts dealers.It is written from different character's viewpoints. This is the story of Colt Lewis,a rookie fire paramedic,who finds a severed foot,and the fetishist who is stalking a graduate research student. It is fast paced,page turning story that will have you turning pages and gasping for air as you follow these charcters through from reasearch to body parts dealers and more. A wild ride with a complex story where the real world meets surreal.A fascinating story for any thriller,suspense,and LA Noir readers.Received for review from Cadence Group. Details can be found at MCM publishing,a division of Monkey C. Media and My Book Addiction Reviews.
December 24, 2011
I thought this story was pretty good and the action kept moving at a pretty good pace. Colt is a fire paramedic and while trying to help a girl whose foot has been cut off by a telephone pole, he develops a bond with her and vows that he will find her foot that has come up missing. She later dies from the blood loss, but he doesn't give up. Markus is an Albino who is very good at working with computers. He is also in the Goth culture, vampires, and drinking blood. His girlfriend is a stripper that is covered with tattoos. They happened to be at the accident scene that day and Markus took the foot home and placed it in his freezer. Collecting body parts eventually gets him in trouble when he can't pay off his bill to the Russian owner of a funeral parlor. But he believes he has the answer, to get the blood of a fellow employee, with one of the rarest blood types in the world, and sell it. So where will his obsession lead and will Colt get the foot from him?
December 25, 2011
This is a story of various people in the city of Los Angeles that revolves around the missing foot of a accident victim and the paramedic who is obsessed with finding it. Although, the major character is the paramedic, Cort Lewis, the other characters are an albino and a Chinese student with a rare blood type are all become intertwined this tale of vampirism, body parts and the underground.
The story is told from the various characters’ points of view and the author goes into depth so the reader gets to really know them, but is it necessary to push the story forward? The plot of one man’s obsession to find the missing foot seemed a little far-fetched. I enjoyed the story and the writing was very good, but it could have been much more.
The story is told from the various characters’ points of view and the author goes into depth so the reader gets to really know them, but is it necessary to push the story forward? The plot of one man’s obsession to find the missing foot seemed a little far-fetched. I enjoyed the story and the writing was very good, but it could have been much more.
March 12, 2012
Enjoyable read for me. Colt an interning paramedic has had some bumps in his life and becomes quite adamant about a stolen foot from an accident scene where the patient lost her life, which brings him into another scenerio and finding out about what that patient life was like after envisioning her life totally differently. Marcus on the other hand is quite the goth, Vamp wanna be who finds himself being caught up in quite the situation of wanting odd items such as Colt't patients foot and other body parts as well as Bombay blood from an Asian student at the University he works for. This fasination gets him much more than what he bargained for. Interesting book with interesting turn of events. I wouldn't mind reading more from this Author.
January 10, 2012
Colt Lewis is a fire paramedic that goes on a mission to find the severed foot of a woman that died in his arms, but he finds more than a foot. He discovers body part dealers, a research student with the rarest blood inthe world and Markus the albinothat is after her. It all leads to death....but whose?
Very well written and satisfying novel. Kurt Kamm reaches in and takes his experience and research and turns it into a masterpiece of horror and unthinkable actions.
http://www.kurtkamm.com
September 28, 2013
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you Kurt Kamm!
I think the book has good potential, however I felt the story line as well as the characters were underdeveloped. Also, in the epilogue, we find out what happens to the Russians and with Colt, but we never learn what happens with A Li. I did find it interesting to learn about Bombay blood, as I recently has a stem cell transplant which entailed multiple blood transfusions and had never heard of this blood type before. Not a bad read, but I feel it could have been more detailed.
I think the book has good potential, however I felt the story line as well as the characters were underdeveloped. Also, in the epilogue, we find out what happens to the Russians and with Colt, but we never learn what happens with A Li. I did find it interesting to learn about Bombay blood, as I recently has a stem cell transplant which entailed multiple blood transfusions and had never heard of this blood type before. Not a bad read, but I feel it could have been more detailed.
November 19, 2011
3 1/2 stars is my blog ranking, the story was interesting and very strange at the same time. I will give a more comprehensive review on my blog and then post it here soon. thanks
June 29, 2014
Creepy fun forensic thriller.
April 1, 2017
This novel is quite unlike anything I have read before. The plot includes a part of society I would rather pretend did not exist. The villain is a sort of would be vampire. Blood excites him and tasting it energizes him.
The strength of this book is that it is very informative. We are taken through the process of identifying an unknown murder victim. We learn about blood types and ones that are very rare. We are taken on a tour of a morgue, including a description of the embalming process. I was fascinated by the reason a woman was nearly covered in tattoos. Her father had molested her for years and every where he had touched her she covered the skin with ink.
There was some information I found unwelcome. We follow the villain into a bondage club. The descriptions of activities as he passed by were disgusting. I would rather not be reminded that such places even exist.
I must include a warning to potential readers. There is a great deal of gore and what I would call trigger situations included in this book. It is certainly not for the weak of stomach. It is a well written novel and Kamm is good at combining information, character thoughts and action into an exciting but very dark novel.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
The strength of this book is that it is very informative. We are taken through the process of identifying an unknown murder victim. We learn about blood types and ones that are very rare. We are taken on a tour of a morgue, including a description of the embalming process. I was fascinated by the reason a woman was nearly covered in tattoos. Her father had molested her for years and every where he had touched her she covered the skin with ink.
There was some information I found unwelcome. We follow the villain into a bondage club. The descriptions of activities as he passed by were disgusting. I would rather not be reminded that such places even exist.
I must include a warning to potential readers. There is a great deal of gore and what I would call trigger situations included in this book. It is certainly not for the weak of stomach. It is a well written novel and Kamm is good at combining information, character thoughts and action into an exciting but very dark novel.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
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