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Victory Nelson's Blood Investigations #1-2
The Blood Books, Volume I
Blood Price Vicki Nelson, formerly of Toronto’s homicide unit and now a private detective, witnesses the first of many vicious attacks that are now plaguing the city of Toronto. As death follows unspeakable death, Vicki is forced to renew her tempestuous relationship with her former partner, Mike Celluci, to stop these forces of dark magic—along with another, unexpected ally…
Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of King Henry VIII, has learned over the course of his long life how to blend with humans, how to deny the call for blood in his veins. Without him, Vicki and Mike would not survive the ancient force of chaos that has been unleashed upon the world—but in doing so, his identity may be exposed, and his life forfeit.
Blood Trail
Second in the “scary and sexy” (Judith and Garfield Reeve-Stevens, authors of
The Chronicles of Galen Sword) Blood series. For centuries, the werewolves of Toronto have managed to live in peace and tranquility, hidden quietly away on their London, Ontario farm. But now, someone has learned their secret—and is systematically massacring this ancient race.
The only one they can turn to is Henry Fitzroy, Toronto-based vampire and writer of bodice rippers. Forced to hide from the light of day, Henry can’t hunt the killer alone, so he turns to Vicki Nelson for help. As they race against time to stop the murderer, they begin to fear that their combined talents may not be enough to prevent him from completing his deadly plan.
Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of King Henry VIII, has learned over the course of his long life how to blend with humans, how to deny the call for blood in his veins. Without him, Vicki and Mike would not survive the ancient force of chaos that has been unleashed upon the world—but in doing so, his identity may be exposed, and his life forfeit.
Blood Trail
Second in the “scary and sexy” (Judith and Garfield Reeve-Stevens, authors of
The Chronicles of Galen Sword) Blood series. For centuries, the werewolves of Toronto have managed to live in peace and tranquility, hidden quietly away on their London, Ontario farm. But now, someone has learned their secret—and is systematically massacring this ancient race.
The only one they can turn to is Henry Fitzroy, Toronto-based vampire and writer of bodice rippers. Forced to hide from the light of day, Henry can’t hunt the killer alone, so he turns to Vicki Nelson for help. As they race against time to stop the murderer, they begin to fear that their combined talents may not be enough to prevent him from completing his deadly plan.
554 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published July 5, 2006
10 people are currently reading
727 people want to read
About the author
Tanya Huff
151 books2,449 followersTanya Sue Huff is a Canadian fantasy author. Her stories have been published since the late 1980s, including five fantasy series and one science fiction series. One of these, her Blood Books series, featuring detective Vicki Nelson, was adapted for television under the title Blood Ties.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
December 2, 2024
You know it's been a strange day, she mused, when you're looking forward to the arrival of the bloodsucking undead.
This is a double book of Blood Price and Blood Trail. Tanya Huff brings urban fantasy horror to life - in Toronto. A good series with a new type of monster in each book, feeling almost like the reading version of the classic Universal monster movies.
Since she lived in Toronto for years, Huff gives a great feel for the city, with actual places, distances and travel times sprinkled through the story. The mythos is consistent (at least so far) and it doesn't take much suspension of disbelief to get into the stories.
Recommended for urban fantasy, horror, and Canada fans.
This is a double book of Blood Price and Blood Trail. Tanya Huff brings urban fantasy horror to life - in Toronto. A good series with a new type of monster in each book, feeling almost like the reading version of the classic Universal monster movies.
Since she lived in Toronto for years, Huff gives a great feel for the city, with actual places, distances and travel times sprinkled through the story. The mythos is consistent (at least so far) and it doesn't take much suspension of disbelief to get into the stories.
Recommended for urban fantasy, horror, and Canada fans.
July 25, 2011
Opening Line:"Ian shoved his hands in his pockets and scowled down the length of the empty subway platform."
BLOOD BOOKS Volume 1 contains the first two books in Tanya Huff's 5 part Blood series. These stories became the first few episodes in the Blood Ties TV show which luckily I discovered before the books because now I have the added bonus of visual references for all the characters. The books aren't as cheesy as the TV series sometimes became in fact the writing here is well above average, fast paced and contains several POV's and tons of witty dialogue. The three main characters diverse personalities play well off each other and ooze sexual tension even though all the love scenes are fade-to-black. They also take place in the real (Canadian) world which I loved because I like to think that vampires and werewolves may indeed walk among us.
The first story Blood Price is identical to the Blood Ties series pilot and was my favourite of the two. We are introduced to Vicki Nelson a tough, sarcastic P.I who because of degenerative eye disease has had to leave her job with the Toronto Police Dept. One night Vicki stumbles upon a suspicious murder victim and immediately becomes wrapped up in a case involving black magic and demons. As the victims pile up Vicki is forced to call upon ex-partner (and sometimes lover) Mike Celluci as well as befriending the 450 year old illegitimate son of Henry VIII, romance author and vampire. Together all three will try to stop the demon before it destroys humanity.
The second story Blood Trail takes Vicki and Henry into rural Ontario as they attempt to catch a sniper taking out members of a family of sheep farmers that also just happen to be werewolves. With Henry and Vicki growing closer the love triangle comes full circle as Cop Mike Celluci shows up to warn Vicki that he thinks Henry might be involved with organized crime. However that's the least of their problems as together the trio must fight off a mad gunman, angry werewolves and ultimately each other.
First written in 1991, this excellent series has been reissued with the 2006 omnibus edition. Except for the absence of cell phones and computers you'll never notice the age off the writing. Both stories are also complete and a great deal together which I would highly recommend to paranormal junkies. Cheers.
BLOOD BOOKS Volume 1 contains the first two books in Tanya Huff's 5 part Blood series. These stories became the first few episodes in the Blood Ties TV show which luckily I discovered before the books because now I have the added bonus of visual references for all the characters. The books aren't as cheesy as the TV series sometimes became in fact the writing here is well above average, fast paced and contains several POV's and tons of witty dialogue. The three main characters diverse personalities play well off each other and ooze sexual tension even though all the love scenes are fade-to-black. They also take place in the real (Canadian) world which I loved because I like to think that vampires and werewolves may indeed walk among us.
The first story Blood Price is identical to the Blood Ties series pilot and was my favourite of the two. We are introduced to Vicki Nelson a tough, sarcastic P.I who because of degenerative eye disease has had to leave her job with the Toronto Police Dept. One night Vicki stumbles upon a suspicious murder victim and immediately becomes wrapped up in a case involving black magic and demons. As the victims pile up Vicki is forced to call upon ex-partner (and sometimes lover) Mike Celluci as well as befriending the 450 year old illegitimate son of Henry VIII, romance author and vampire. Together all three will try to stop the demon before it destroys humanity.
The second story Blood Trail takes Vicki and Henry into rural Ontario as they attempt to catch a sniper taking out members of a family of sheep farmers that also just happen to be werewolves. With Henry and Vicki growing closer the love triangle comes full circle as Cop Mike Celluci shows up to warn Vicki that he thinks Henry might be involved with organized crime. However that's the least of their problems as together the trio must fight off a mad gunman, angry werewolves and ultimately each other.
First written in 1991, this excellent series has been reissued with the 2006 omnibus edition. Except for the absence of cell phones and computers you'll never notice the age off the writing. Both stories are also complete and a great deal together which I would highly recommend to paranormal junkies. Cheers.
December 19, 2016
Rating: 3.5
Review coming soon-ish.
Review: 12/18/16
I have a weakness for books set in Canada, not even gonna lie. I spent 15 years living there, and while not a perfect country, I consider it home. Novels set in Canada make me incredibly nostalgic. <3
(I'm a dual citizen tho. I was born in America to Canadian military parents lol)
This is one of my favorite supernatural themed thriller/mystery book series so far.
I also enjoyed the show that was based on the series when I was in high school. I didn't watch that much of the show, but what I did watch, I enjoyed. Was Blood Ties just aired in Canada? I actually do want to know that.
Review coming soon-ish.
Review: 12/18/16
I have a weakness for books set in Canada, not even gonna lie. I spent 15 years living there, and while not a perfect country, I consider it home. Novels set in Canada make me incredibly nostalgic. <3
(I'm a dual citizen tho. I was born in America to Canadian military parents lol)
This is one of my favorite supernatural themed thriller/mystery book series so far.
I also enjoyed the show that was based on the series when I was in high school. I didn't watch that much of the show, but what I did watch, I enjoyed. Was Blood Ties just aired in Canada? I actually do want to know that.
February 16, 2023
*4 stars for Blood Price.*
I've been watching the show based on this series, catching it in bits and pieces thanks to dratted insomnia. Though it can be terribly cheesy and it doesn't feature the best acting, it's still entertaining.
Combine that with my impression of the one other Huff book I've read - a lacklustre story that never made me care for its characters - and I kept putting these books to the side. I hoped they'd expand on the intriguing aspects of the television show...but I feared wooden characters and ill-defined plot. Another day, another day.
But from the first page I knew my fears were unfounded. Huff rapidly establishes her world, characters, and tone, seamlessly incorporating them into the action. No info dumps! Multiple horrific, grizzly deaths! Dry humor! It all blends to create a fast-paced, gritty read.
Vicky is stubborn and bitter, but that doesn't prevent her from being likable. She's tenacious and compassionate. Above all, she maintains an open mind. Her ability to assimilate the evidence of the supernatural into her worldview - rather than forcing it into an ill-fitting box of Normal - is laudable.
My opinions of the other characters vary. Henry is given more than enough to work with, both in his scenes with Vicki and in the flashes of his past. The latter is slightly intrusive at first, but once I grew accustomed to it I thought it a neat way to Show rather than Tell the kind of man Henry is.
Celluci on the other hand is a pain in the ass. Is he a well-meaning, good guy? Yes. Is he the stereotypical Good Cop whose quest for justice has made him a bitter, rude bastard with no ability to communicate? Also yes. I didn't see anything romantic in Vicki's interactions with Celluci. I have to share her mom's opinion: they'd each be better off with someone a little less volatile.
As for the crime itself: we know who the killer is from the start, but that doesn't dampen the excitement. To the contrary, it ratchets it up because we know exactly what's at stake. The resolution is a little anticlimactic, and yet it seems appropriate for the characters involved. Vicki and her newfound friend prove they're adaptable, capable of weighing options quickly and finding the best solution for the problem. Again, I love Vicki's ability to deal with the truth: Sudden solid evidence that vampires and demons exist? Well, crap, excuse me a sec while I adjust my worldview. It's rather refreshing.
I definitely should not have waited so long to tackle the series. Now that I have, I'm already sad to learn there are only six books!
*4 stars for Blood Trail.*
Blood Trail is just as entertaining as the the first in the series. About halfway through, my brain needed to know what was going to happen and my eyes started darting around to skim the next paragraph, the next page, ohnonono don't go skipping ahead! It's always fun to find a book that inspires that sort of impatience.
Vicky remains likable and Henry still holds an enigmatic draw. Celluci is the one character I could do without; I envision his stubbornness leading to major trouble.
Although there's an episode of Blood Ties based on this story, the resemblance is limited to very few details (i.e. weres getting shot). Coming into the books after watching the show, I'm oddly pleased that the plots are so different. It allows me to separate the two and appreciate each on its own merits.
Since there are only six books in the series - and I just accidentally read a spoiler, ugh - I'm off to work on the rest. I can already see myself feeling disappointed when I've closed the cover on the final installment.
I've been watching the show based on this series, catching it in bits and pieces thanks to dratted insomnia. Though it can be terribly cheesy and it doesn't feature the best acting, it's still entertaining.
Combine that with my impression of the one other Huff book I've read - a lacklustre story that never made me care for its characters - and I kept putting these books to the side. I hoped they'd expand on the intriguing aspects of the television show...but I feared wooden characters and ill-defined plot. Another day, another day.
But from the first page I knew my fears were unfounded. Huff rapidly establishes her world, characters, and tone, seamlessly incorporating them into the action. No info dumps! Multiple horrific, grizzly deaths! Dry humor! It all blends to create a fast-paced, gritty read.
Vicky is stubborn and bitter, but that doesn't prevent her from being likable. She's tenacious and compassionate. Above all, she maintains an open mind. Her ability to assimilate the evidence of the supernatural into her worldview - rather than forcing it into an ill-fitting box of Normal - is laudable.
My opinions of the other characters vary. Henry is given more than enough to work with, both in his scenes with Vicki and in the flashes of his past. The latter is slightly intrusive at first, but once I grew accustomed to it I thought it a neat way to Show rather than Tell the kind of man Henry is.
Celluci on the other hand is a pain in the ass. Is he a well-meaning, good guy? Yes. Is he the stereotypical Good Cop whose quest for justice has made him a bitter, rude bastard with no ability to communicate? Also yes. I didn't see anything romantic in Vicki's interactions with Celluci. I have to share her mom's opinion: they'd each be better off with someone a little less volatile.
As for the crime itself: we know who the killer is from the start, but that doesn't dampen the excitement. To the contrary, it ratchets it up because we know exactly what's at stake. The resolution is a little anticlimactic, and yet it seems appropriate for the characters involved. Vicki and her newfound friend prove they're adaptable, capable of weighing options quickly and finding the best solution for the problem. Again, I love Vicki's ability to deal with the truth: Sudden solid evidence that vampires and demons exist? Well, crap, excuse me a sec while I adjust my worldview. It's rather refreshing.
I definitely should not have waited so long to tackle the series. Now that I have, I'm already sad to learn there are only six books!
*4 stars for Blood Trail.*
Blood Trail is just as entertaining as the the first in the series. About halfway through, my brain needed to know what was going to happen and my eyes started darting around to skim the next paragraph, the next page, ohnonono don't go skipping ahead! It's always fun to find a book that inspires that sort of impatience.
Vicky remains likable and Henry still holds an enigmatic draw. Celluci is the one character I could do without; I envision his stubbornness leading to major trouble.
Although there's an episode of Blood Ties based on this story, the resemblance is limited to very few details (i.e. weres getting shot). Coming into the books after watching the show, I'm oddly pleased that the plots are so different. It allows me to separate the two and appreciate each on its own merits.
Since there are only six books in the series - and I just accidentally read a spoiler, ugh - I'm off to work on the rest. I can already see myself feeling disappointed when I've closed the cover on the final installment.
March 21, 2019
dnf p. 125. Went off in too many directions, & was just okay before it did all that. Stopped caring. Also, this MC needs to get some gd glasses that fit, ffs.
September 2, 2007
Blood Price
Vicky Nelson, a former police-woman, now private investigator becomes witness of a terrible murder in a Toronto subway station. The victim has severe throat injuries and the body is drained of blood. When other murders happen in the exactly same way the media start to conjure up the picture of a vampire dealing out death and destruction.
Henry Fitzroy is a vampire and not happy at all about the suspicion against his kind. He lives unrecognized between people and he wants it to stay that way. He decides to stop the killer who is threatening to uncover that vampires really exist.
Eventually Vicky and Henry met and after he has convinced Vicky of the existence of vampires they join forces to clear up the murders…
Blood Trail
In the second book Vicky and Henry are investigating who is killing Henry´s werewolf friends. Mike Celluci, Vicky´s ex-colleague and time and again lover is – driven by jealousy – looking into Henry´s past and comes as well to the werewolves´ farm to confront Vicky with something he thought to have found out about Henry…
Both stories were entertaining but not really captivating. Too soon we learn – long before our investigators – who the villain is and for this reason I didn´t follow their investigations with bated breath. I couldn´t really connect with Vicky´s character I admit and although I liked her permanent banter with ex-colleague Mike Celluci it was getting sometimes really too much. The beginning "lovestory" between Henry and Vicky is boring, I never could comprehend the supposed attraction between the two. I´m sorry but Henry isn´t the epitome of a seductive vampire to me, I´ve already read about others who apply much better to my imagination what a "hot" and seductive vampire has to look like. The Mike/Vicky relationship is far more interesting in my opinion. What was annoying me after reading it for twentyfifth time was that Vicky constantly had to "push her glasses up her nose". Girl, go to your optician to get yourself better fitting glasses for heavens sake!
Although I enjoyed reading this book and I will definitely read the next volumes in this series I wasn´t really impressed. It´s a wonderful read for in between but I couldn´t indulge in my hot and sexy vampire attraction, sigh!
Vicky Nelson, a former police-woman, now private investigator becomes witness of a terrible murder in a Toronto subway station. The victim has severe throat injuries and the body is drained of blood. When other murders happen in the exactly same way the media start to conjure up the picture of a vampire dealing out death and destruction.
Henry Fitzroy is a vampire and not happy at all about the suspicion against his kind. He lives unrecognized between people and he wants it to stay that way. He decides to stop the killer who is threatening to uncover that vampires really exist.
Eventually Vicky and Henry met and after he has convinced Vicky of the existence of vampires they join forces to clear up the murders…
Blood Trail
In the second book Vicky and Henry are investigating who is killing Henry´s werewolf friends. Mike Celluci, Vicky´s ex-colleague and time and again lover is – driven by jealousy – looking into Henry´s past and comes as well to the werewolves´ farm to confront Vicky with something he thought to have found out about Henry…
Both stories were entertaining but not really captivating. Too soon we learn – long before our investigators – who the villain is and for this reason I didn´t follow their investigations with bated breath. I couldn´t really connect with Vicky´s character I admit and although I liked her permanent banter with ex-colleague Mike Celluci it was getting sometimes really too much. The beginning "lovestory" between Henry and Vicky is boring, I never could comprehend the supposed attraction between the two. I´m sorry but Henry isn´t the epitome of a seductive vampire to me, I´ve already read about others who apply much better to my imagination what a "hot" and seductive vampire has to look like. The Mike/Vicky relationship is far more interesting in my opinion. What was annoying me after reading it for twentyfifth time was that Vicky constantly had to "push her glasses up her nose". Girl, go to your optician to get yourself better fitting glasses for heavens sake!
Although I enjoyed reading this book and I will definitely read the next volumes in this series I wasn´t really impressed. It´s a wonderful read for in between but I couldn´t indulge in my hot and sexy vampire attraction, sigh!
June 5, 2010
Blood Books (vol. 1) is an omnibus containing the first two of Tanya Huff’s “Blood” series; Blood Price and Blood Trail.
Blood Price, the first in the series, introduces us to the main characters. We have Vicki Nelson, a female detective that left the force because of failing eyesight, her ex-partner (and on-again, off-again lover) Mike Celluci and her assistant, Henry Fitzroy. We learn that Henry is actually a vampire.
The novels are similar in style to Butcher’s Dresden Files in that each deals with some supernatural “baddy.” However, other than Henry, the detectives don’t have any special powers other than those that would be possessed by any good police officer. Huff’s novels are, however, much truer to standard police procedurals being somewhat formulaic. The first third of the book sets the scene and introduces all of the possible bad guys. Tension builds through the next third until the true villain is unmasked and the remainder of the book is the capture with a final climax.
Blood Price has a college “nerd” using demons as a weapon to try to become popular and get friends and women. In Blood Trail, we meet some of Henry’s friends that happen to be werewolves. Family members are being assassinated by a religious zealot and Henry asks Vicki to track down the perpetrator. In the end, they are left to “wer justice.”
The first two books were really entertaining. I’m looking forward to volume 2 and might also look into the Blood Ties series on Lifetime which is based on Huff’s novels.
Blood Price, the first in the series, introduces us to the main characters. We have Vicki Nelson, a female detective that left the force because of failing eyesight, her ex-partner (and on-again, off-again lover) Mike Celluci and her assistant, Henry Fitzroy. We learn that Henry is actually a vampire.
The novels are similar in style to Butcher’s Dresden Files in that each deals with some supernatural “baddy.” However, other than Henry, the detectives don’t have any special powers other than those that would be possessed by any good police officer. Huff’s novels are, however, much truer to standard police procedurals being somewhat formulaic. The first third of the book sets the scene and introduces all of the possible bad guys. Tension builds through the next third until the true villain is unmasked and the remainder of the book is the capture with a final climax.
Blood Price has a college “nerd” using demons as a weapon to try to become popular and get friends and women. In Blood Trail, we meet some of Henry’s friends that happen to be werewolves. Family members are being assassinated by a religious zealot and Henry asks Vicki to track down the perpetrator. In the end, they are left to “wer justice.”
The first two books were really entertaining. I’m looking forward to volume 2 and might also look into the Blood Ties series on Lifetime which is based on Huff’s novels.
December 31, 2011
Omnibus, so two parts:
Blood Price:
It's interesting to see how oddly dated this feels - not in a "clearly set in the late 80s" kind of way, but in a "urban fantasy has developed as a genre" sort of way. I don't even know that I can pinpoint why it feels a little archaic, although certainly the vampire lore is bog-standard and the demon summoning equally so.
That is not to say that it's not worth reading - it's entertaining enough, and Henry Fitzroy's flashbacks are neat, although they make the narrative a little choppy. It's an intro to a series that is trying to do a bunch of things at once, and doesn't entirely succeed, but it succeeds well enough that I'd happily recommend it to fans of vampire fiction.
Blood Trail:
Blood Trail contains maybe the most engaging werewolves I've ever come across. They're probably more doglike than anything - friendly, cute, innocent, not particularly human but still relatable. It works very well, particularly as they're unquestionably the victims.
The actual mystery isn't all that interesting, and I don't have a ton of patience for the developing love triangle, but the werewolves make up for it. Another solid effort.
Blood Price:
It's interesting to see how oddly dated this feels - not in a "clearly set in the late 80s" kind of way, but in a "urban fantasy has developed as a genre" sort of way. I don't even know that I can pinpoint why it feels a little archaic, although certainly the vampire lore is bog-standard and the demon summoning equally so.
That is not to say that it's not worth reading - it's entertaining enough, and Henry Fitzroy's flashbacks are neat, although they make the narrative a little choppy. It's an intro to a series that is trying to do a bunch of things at once, and doesn't entirely succeed, but it succeeds well enough that I'd happily recommend it to fans of vampire fiction.
Blood Trail:
Blood Trail contains maybe the most engaging werewolves I've ever come across. They're probably more doglike than anything - friendly, cute, innocent, not particularly human but still relatable. It works very well, particularly as they're unquestionably the victims.
The actual mystery isn't all that interesting, and I don't have a ton of patience for the developing love triangle, but the werewolves make up for it. Another solid effort.
May 16, 2008
I had never read a Tanya Huff book before, and when my friend sent me Volumes 1, 2 & 3 after our discussion of some books I'd just finished reading, I was under the impression it was a romance series.
So not the case!
Still under that impression, I started the book and began to loathe it because I was instinctively waiting for the big romance scenes that were not coming. After I got through Blood Price (and figured out it was more about mystery and drama rather than romance) I actually enjoyed Blood Trail.
I'm not familiar with Canada, more specifically Toronto, but I liked how Huff uses the street names and building references so you get a better idea of the character environment.
The relationship that Vicki and Mike have is priceless. I see a lot of myself in Vicki (minus the eye disease.)I'm still waiting for Vicki and Henry to really hit it off though. They got closer in Blood Trail... but I'd like to see them be more like lovers than business partners... guess thats the romantic in me! :)
So not the case!
Still under that impression, I started the book and began to loathe it because I was instinctively waiting for the big romance scenes that were not coming. After I got through Blood Price (and figured out it was more about mystery and drama rather than romance) I actually enjoyed Blood Trail.
I'm not familiar with Canada, more specifically Toronto, but I liked how Huff uses the street names and building references so you get a better idea of the character environment.
The relationship that Vicki and Mike have is priceless. I see a lot of myself in Vicki (minus the eye disease.)I'm still waiting for Vicki and Henry to really hit it off though. They got closer in Blood Trail... but I'd like to see them be more like lovers than business partners... guess thats the romantic in me! :)
October 27, 2011
This is the beginning of kind of a long running series for her. I read them quite a while ago, but remember enjoying them a lot.
Back in the dawn of the age of vampires (1991!) they seemed fresh and different. There's some good romantic/sexual tension with the female protag and two sexy guys(she's got kind of a chip on her shoulder, I'm afraid, but a good heart) and clever stories, too. Lots libraries have these, so a good break from Kindle/Nook extravagance.
Back in the dawn of the age of vampires (1991!) they seemed fresh and different. There's some good romantic/sexual tension with the female protag and two sexy guys(she's got kind of a chip on her shoulder, I'm afraid, but a good heart) and clever stories, too. Lots libraries have these, so a good break from Kindle/Nook extravagance.
September 13, 2019
This book is actually two complete novels in the Vicki Nelson series by Tanya Huff. These novels are Urban Fantasy. The first novel is Blood Price. In it Vicki Nelson, formerly of Toronto’s homicide unit and now a private detective, has had to leave the police force because of failing eyesight. She will not allow anyone to pity her however. After Vicki witnesses the first of many vicious attacks that are now plaguing the city of Toronto, Vicki is forced to renew her tempestuous relationship with her former partner, Mike Celluci, to stop these forces of dark magic. She also finds a new unexpected ally, Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of King Henry VIII, a vampire who also writes romantic novels. Henry has learned over the course of his long life how to blend with humans, and how to deny the call for blood and to only feed from willing humans without killing them. Without him, Vicki and Mike will not be able to survive the ancient force of chaos that has been unleashed upon the world.
The second novel is Blood Trail. In this one Vicki, Henry, and Mike will once again need to team up. This time to solve a somewhat furry problem. For centuries, the werewolves of Canada have managed to live in peace and tranquility, hidden quietly away on their London, Ontario farm. But now, someone has learned their secret, and is systematically killing them. They turn to Henry Fitzroy, who has long known their secret to help them. Because he can only work at night he turns to Vicki Nelson to help find the person or persons responsible for killing the peaceful werewolves. Although unasked, Detective Mike Celluci soon follows Vicki and Henry to the isolated farm of the werewolves and finds himself once again involved in supernatural problems.
If you like a good Urban Fantasy with mystery and a bit of romance, then I highly recommend reading these two stories. Tanya Huff is a very good writer, and I can hardly wait to read the next two books. I'm only sorry I didn't find these books sooner!
The second novel is Blood Trail. In this one Vicki, Henry, and Mike will once again need to team up. This time to solve a somewhat furry problem. For centuries, the werewolves of Canada have managed to live in peace and tranquility, hidden quietly away on their London, Ontario farm. But now, someone has learned their secret, and is systematically killing them. They turn to Henry Fitzroy, who has long known their secret to help them. Because he can only work at night he turns to Vicki Nelson to help find the person or persons responsible for killing the peaceful werewolves. Although unasked, Detective Mike Celluci soon follows Vicki and Henry to the isolated farm of the werewolves and finds himself once again involved in supernatural problems.
If you like a good Urban Fantasy with mystery and a bit of romance, then I highly recommend reading these two stories. Tanya Huff is a very good writer, and I can hardly wait to read the next two books. I'm only sorry I didn't find these books sooner!
May 18, 2021
I got the collected series a while back because I fell in love with the Lifetime series that aired for two seasons. The series prepared me for some things in the novels and it did a good job of making the characters relatable. That's my biggest problem with "Blood Price" and "Book Trail" -- I am not finding the characters as relatable. Vicki and Mike's constant fighting is tiring to read, Henry seems too laid back entice Vicki by comparison.
I find the paranormal and investigative parts of the two books to be well-done though a lot of misdirection wears on me after a while because I feel like Vicki should be able to do better at her job. I also like that Vicki is a strong character but that chip on her shoulder is starting to annoy so I hope she can trust the men around her and herself a bit more in the next book.
I find the paranormal and investigative parts of the two books to be well-done though a lot of misdirection wears on me after a while because I feel like Vicki should be able to do better at her job. I also like that Vicki is a strong character but that chip on her shoulder is starting to annoy so I hope she can trust the men around her and herself a bit more in the next book.
October 10, 2020
Blood Price was great. The characters were fleshed out and it never got confusing with the different perspectives. The story has aged well and doesn't feel worn out. Vicki is a strong female protagonist that is complex. And Blood Trail is written well too. However I feel like it did drag a little here and there. The different perspectives though were still really good and not confusing as a lot of books fal into. And the concepts for both books still feel fresh.
March 28, 2020
Vicki Nelson, formerly of Toronto’s homicide unit and now a private investigator, forced to renew her tempestuous relationship with her former partner, Mike Celluci, to stop forces of dark magic (book 1) and help werewolves (book 2) —along with another, unexpected ally…Henry Fitzroy, the illegitimate son of King Henry VIII, & a vampire.
Fantastic urban fantasy, well worth the read!
Fantastic urban fantasy, well worth the read!
March 4, 2021
Full review here:
https://jamesgenrebooks.blogspot.com/...
Honestly, these are a bit rough around the edges, particularly book one, but the story is engaging nonetheless, and only gets better if I remember correctly.
https://jamesgenrebooks.blogspot.com/...
Honestly, these are a bit rough around the edges, particularly book one, but the story is engaging nonetheless, and only gets better if I remember correctly.
June 2, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed the TV series, although it was quite light-weight, and the books have NOT disappointed!
December 26, 2018
Would give the first book a 3.5, and the second one a 3.75. I liked the werewolf family in the 2nd book quite a bit.
March 14, 2019
Tanya huff, people in their early 30s are not old and decrepit!
March 24, 2019
I wish I'd read this years ago. Excellent urban fantasy by Tanya Huff. I intend to read more by her.
February 23, 2020
Solid read with interesting vampire, werewolves and an excel who is going blind. Vicki, the main character is strong without being perfect. She is flawed but that is what makes her so interesting.
July 15, 2015
Blood Price -- Vicki Nelson, Vampire Slayer. No, wait, wrong character. Vicki Nelson, PI, former Police detective, now with retinitis pigmentosa is an interesting heroine. She's planted firmly in the side of good in this book from the beginning. After all, she was one of Toronto's finest, a detective who solved hard cases and solved a lot of them (maybe with a teeny bit of help from her partner Mike Celluci).
But then the eye thing came along and she had to retire and her life finally got interesting. When the book opens she's been a PI for a year, with no particularly special cases. Of course, there'd be no book if something didn't change that. She sorta of witnesses the killing of a young man and then gets sucked into the police investigation by the young man's friends. She meets Henry Fitzroy, and they try to solve the mystery of who killed the kid.
Since the whole reason that I read these books were because of the TV Series on Lifetime "Blood Ties" I can't help compare it to the show. I miss Vicki's wrist tattoos for some odd reason, and I miss Coreen from the show. She is in Blood Price, but in the show it was such a cool secondary character.
Truthfully I wasn't expecting this book or the other ones in the series to be good. Vampire books are such a sensitive thing to write, it can wind up totally unbelievable, or too real and with not quite enough unbelievability in it. But it kept me guessing at the mystery, and wasn't too over or under when it came to the vampire and other supernatural story lines.
Blood Trail - Werewolves, or perhaps they prefer werepeople. This is an interesting novel. It's Henry who asks for Vicki's help for a friend, who just happens to be a werewolf. She, of course, says yes (really, who could say no to Henry, even if he doesn't use his Vampire mojo) and they set off for the Ontario Country side (I think, I'll admit that I'm used to the relatively small states of the USA, not the much bigger provinces. Heck, it took me wayyy too long to realize that Vancouver was on the West Coast of Canada not the East Coast, I know, I know, really bad, what can I say, my brain is unique).
Henry and Vicki get into lots of mischief in the countryside of course, but the plot is simple enough, someone is killing off werepeople. They want it to stop.
I think that one of the reasons that Huff makes many of her mystery story lines so straightforward in this series is because by having the bare plot simple. "Find murderer, catch murderer". The rest of the story, all the werewolf and vampire and other supernatural beings story lines don't get lost or diluted, making them pop from the rest of the story. Like a yellow painting in a black room
Anyway, it was an enjoyable book and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a fun (though intense at some points) supernatural mystery read that isn't Sookie Stackhouse.
But then the eye thing came along and she had to retire and her life finally got interesting. When the book opens she's been a PI for a year, with no particularly special cases. Of course, there'd be no book if something didn't change that. She sorta of witnesses the killing of a young man and then gets sucked into the police investigation by the young man's friends. She meets Henry Fitzroy, and they try to solve the mystery of who killed the kid.
Since the whole reason that I read these books were because of the TV Series on Lifetime "Blood Ties" I can't help compare it to the show. I miss Vicki's wrist tattoos for some odd reason, and I miss Coreen from the show. She is in Blood Price, but in the show it was such a cool secondary character.
Truthfully I wasn't expecting this book or the other ones in the series to be good. Vampire books are such a sensitive thing to write, it can wind up totally unbelievable, or too real and with not quite enough unbelievability in it. But it kept me guessing at the mystery, and wasn't too over or under when it came to the vampire and other supernatural story lines.
Blood Trail - Werewolves, or perhaps they prefer werepeople. This is an interesting novel. It's Henry who asks for Vicki's help for a friend, who just happens to be a werewolf. She, of course, says yes (really, who could say no to Henry, even if he doesn't use his Vampire mojo) and they set off for the Ontario Country side (I think, I'll admit that I'm used to the relatively small states of the USA, not the much bigger provinces. Heck, it took me wayyy too long to realize that Vancouver was on the West Coast of Canada not the East Coast, I know, I know, really bad, what can I say, my brain is unique).
Henry and Vicki get into lots of mischief in the countryside of course, but the plot is simple enough, someone is killing off werepeople. They want it to stop.
I think that one of the reasons that Huff makes many of her mystery story lines so straightforward in this series is because by having the bare plot simple. "Find murderer, catch murderer". The rest of the story, all the werewolf and vampire and other supernatural beings story lines don't get lost or diluted, making them pop from the rest of the story. Like a yellow painting in a black room
Anyway, it was an enjoyable book and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants a fun (though intense at some points) supernatural mystery read that isn't Sookie Stackhouse.
July 16, 2008
There isn't anything particularly special about these books. The writing is okay, the characters are fairly one dimensional, and the plots are quite straightforward. However, Huff puts together a pleasant read. Two of the three main characters love to scream at each other and typically lose their temper every other page. How these two could possibly function as cops without a serious list of citations is anyone's guess, but it is quite entertaining to read about how they really, really want to give into their temper and rip someone's head off (I feel like that quite often myself).
These books fall into the urban fantasy category, one that I enjoy as there are a lot of problems that paranormal creatures would have that the genre gets to address (how do you explain that you always sleep during the day without someone becoming superstitious?).
So why four stars if I am not impressed with the writing or any of my usual criteria for a high star rating? Perhaps it is my mood and my enjoyment of reading something where I don't have to think (which is infact a good thing from time to time). Perhaps it is that the stories, while not complex, are quite enjoyable. Perhaps it is that she doesn't overuse commas like many of the books I have been reading lately (I realize the comma conventions have changed but some people really just need to lighten up [/pet peeve rant]). Heck, maybe I will reread it in the future and drop a star off. Who knows. I do know that I enjoy reading Huff from time to time, as long as I mix it up with with my usual, heavier reading.
These books fall into the urban fantasy category, one that I enjoy as there are a lot of problems that paranormal creatures would have that the genre gets to address (how do you explain that you always sleep during the day without someone becoming superstitious?).
So why four stars if I am not impressed with the writing or any of my usual criteria for a high star rating? Perhaps it is my mood and my enjoyment of reading something where I don't have to think (which is infact a good thing from time to time). Perhaps it is that the stories, while not complex, are quite enjoyable. Perhaps it is that she doesn't overuse commas like many of the books I have been reading lately (I realize the comma conventions have changed but some people really just need to lighten up [/pet peeve rant]). Heck, maybe I will reread it in the future and drop a star off. Who knows. I do know that I enjoy reading Huff from time to time, as long as I mix it up with with my usual, heavier reading.
February 9, 2014
I had read Blood Price a couple of years ago, as I'll pick up almost anything related to the Tudors in any way shape or form. After binge watching "Blood Ties" on DVD, however, I returned to the series to see how well the series related to the books. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the TV series did the characters justice (although they completely wussed out as far as Tony, and Henry's bisexuality, is concerned). If you are familiar with the show, Blood Price is essentially the pilot episode, and focuses on private investigator Vicki Nelson, recently retired (due to losing part of her vision) from the Toronto police force. She teams up with her ex-partner/lover Mike Celluci and Henry Fitzroy, a 475-year-old vampire (and illegitimate son of Henry VIII) to solve a series of demonically-related murders. The second book, Blood Trail, features the three working on a series of murders involving werewolves.
Despite being set in the early nineties, the books hold up surprisingly well (what strikes me now is just how much cell phones and the Internet have changed things, as I watch Vicki poring over library books and relying heavily on her answering machine). The interplay between the three main characters is incredibly interesting, especially as I find "book" Henry to be far more compelling than his television counterpart. Huff is also a master of ramping up the suspense, and throws in some imagery and icky moments that I won't get out of my head anytime soon. Highly recommended.
Despite being set in the early nineties, the books hold up surprisingly well (what strikes me now is just how much cell phones and the Internet have changed things, as I watch Vicki poring over library books and relying heavily on her answering machine). The interplay between the three main characters is incredibly interesting, especially as I find "book" Henry to be far more compelling than his television counterpart. Huff is also a master of ramping up the suspense, and throws in some imagery and icky moments that I won't get out of my head anytime soon. Highly recommended.
April 1, 2016
First of all, I've watched the tv serie before reading the books.
And I am really glad of it.
Those are two different things. And the books are way better.
Blood Price:
The things start at the very first page. We get to know Vicki Nelson, a strong female character who stop at nothing when she works on a case. She doesn't seems to need anyone, but it don't bother. She is strong enough to be awesome, and have enough flaws to be likable. I really love her.
She is forced to team up with 450 years old Henry Fitzroy, a vampire, when the case she work on became supernatural. Henry is mysterious and attractive, and I loved the way is presence give an interesting twist between Vicki and her ex-partner in Toronto police, Mike Celluci.
The three of them are drawned in some demonic murder case, that they absolutly needs to resolve before it was too late...
Blood Trail:
Once again, Vicki is needed to resolve a supernatural crime. Henry takes her at his friend's farm, where werewolves are taking down by an unknown shooter.
The link between Vicki and Henry seems to tight again, and when Celluci gets there without being invited, things begins to get somewhat really funny. His obsession over Henry drove him in the middle of the case, and in the middle of the strangeness that became the life of Vicki.
I really enjoyed the two stories, and love the way the characters evolves in the underworld. I've closed the book, just to take the other. I want to read more of their story, and see where Vicki will be drawn again.
And I am really glad of it.
Those are two different things. And the books are way better.
Blood Price:
The things start at the very first page. We get to know Vicki Nelson, a strong female character who stop at nothing when she works on a case. She doesn't seems to need anyone, but it don't bother. She is strong enough to be awesome, and have enough flaws to be likable. I really love her.
She is forced to team up with 450 years old Henry Fitzroy, a vampire, when the case she work on became supernatural. Henry is mysterious and attractive, and I loved the way is presence give an interesting twist between Vicki and her ex-partner in Toronto police, Mike Celluci.
The three of them are drawned in some demonic murder case, that they absolutly needs to resolve before it was too late...
Blood Trail:
Once again, Vicki is needed to resolve a supernatural crime. Henry takes her at his friend's farm, where werewolves are taking down by an unknown shooter.
The link between Vicki and Henry seems to tight again, and when Celluci gets there without being invited, things begins to get somewhat really funny. His obsession over Henry drove him in the middle of the case, and in the middle of the strangeness that became the life of Vicki.
I really enjoyed the two stories, and love the way the characters evolves in the underworld. I've closed the book, just to take the other. I want to read more of their story, and see where Vicki will be drawn again.
March 6, 2023
I love the show "Blood Ties" which is based on Tanya Huff's Blood Books. Since I have seen the complete television series, I was hesitant to read the books because, well, I had already seen them. I was wrong. The first book "Blood Price" is the first two shows of the tv series, but the second book, "Blood Trail" is not. Yes there is a show concerning lycanthropy that does take a couple minute details from the book, but the two stories are NOTHING alike. Hopfully that will be the case with the other 4 stories from the book series also. I was very disappointed when the tv series ended and this is like gaining 5 more shows! I do have to admit though that I am disappointed that "Henry Fitzroy" is not described to look like the actor Kyle Schmid, who plays "Henry" in the tv series. Schmid is MAJOR hot and my all-time fave actor as a vampire! Completely YUMMY!
The old saying still stands... the book is always better than the movie! LOVED reading what was left out from the first shows!
The old saying still stands... the book is always better than the movie! LOVED reading what was left out from the first shows!
October 27, 2010
First two books of the 'Blood' series. Well done without being over done. Worth the effort to track down. Huff has a deft way of telling at story. Good characters, Henry is likable, Vickie is gruff and flawed enough to be interested. Sex is implied not grossly detailed.
Like many other reviewers I found out about the books from the TV series.
Huff does a good job of pulling the reader into the story. I liked her 'regular' characters enough to keep reading the rest of the series. While Norman came off as uninteresting, she makes up for it with her later villains.
Henry is my favorite vampire character - bumping the Vampire Kitty-Cat Patch off his throne. Vickie holds up well, now and in the rest of the series.
Finding the entire series was difficult. I had to buy the books used. I was disappointed that Huff has not released the series as e-books. I would liked to have bought them for my Nook, instead of paper copies that I don't have room to keep.
Like many other reviewers I found out about the books from the TV series.
Huff does a good job of pulling the reader into the story. I liked her 'regular' characters enough to keep reading the rest of the series. While Norman came off as uninteresting, she makes up for it with her later villains.
Henry is my favorite vampire character - bumping the Vampire Kitty-Cat Patch off his throne. Vickie holds up well, now and in the rest of the series.
Finding the entire series was difficult. I had to buy the books used. I was disappointed that Huff has not released the series as e-books. I would liked to have bought them for my Nook, instead of paper copies that I don't have room to keep.
January 13, 2012
This is actually a compendium containing Huff's first two novels in a series; Blood Trail and Blood Price. (I do wish more series would compile their books this way.) The first novel drops you in media res with a plucky protagonist; some of her relationships seem odd, but the reader becomes accustomed over the course of the novel. The omnipresent POV is interesting; much of the urban fantasy I've read is from the protagonist's point of view; transitions between character thoughts seem unwieldy at first, as though the author was working out first-book glitches; I can't decide if it smoothed out in terms of technique by the end of the second book, or if I just became accustomed to that writing style. In any case, I've grown attached to the characters, which is all I ask of an author to get me hooked. I'm looking forward to reading volume II. (I'd prefer to give the book 3.5 stars, but between 3 and 4, I'll give it a bump up.)
January 24, 2014
Even better than the show. Just LOVE IT!
BLOOD PRICE- Fantastic. Great story!
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I just love the main characters. Vicki is quite a strong yet hard-headed character-she's great. It does jump around a lot. Which isn't bad. it gives the characters more life, tells their back-story and provides more 'meat' to the stories. You get a look in to each of the characters, see from their points of view.
Shew, i really can't stand this Norman character- i just want to smack him. He was annoying in the show, but reading about him is even more annoying. You really get a feel for each of the different people, and take a look into their heads-great writing skills there!
Absolutely great book though!
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BLOOD TRAIL - Captivating.
Just starting the book i was intrigued and going further cracked me up. Oh, how i love Vicki's character. Fast paced, highly enjoyable. Beautifully written.
BLOOD PRICE- Fantastic. Great story!
-----------------
I just love the main characters. Vicki is quite a strong yet hard-headed character-she's great. It does jump around a lot. Which isn't bad. it gives the characters more life, tells their back-story and provides more 'meat' to the stories. You get a look in to each of the characters, see from their points of view.
Shew, i really can't stand this Norman character- i just want to smack him. He was annoying in the show, but reading about him is even more annoying. You really get a feel for each of the different people, and take a look into their heads-great writing skills there!
Absolutely great book though!
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BLOOD TRAIL - Captivating.
Just starting the book i was intrigued and going further cracked me up. Oh, how i love Vicki's character. Fast paced, highly enjoyable. Beautifully written.
April 10, 2010
This two-volume book includes the first two stories in Huff's "Blood Books" An urban fantasy series about ex-cop Vicki Nelson and Henry Fitzroy, bastard son of Henry VIII and a vampire. a predecessor to many of today's urban fantasy series, the blood books are focused more on adventure and mystery than romance. And while Nelson has her flaws, she is more mature, and less inclined to the hip-cocking, gum-smacking, sneering wisecracks of her more recent contemporaries. That said, this series lacks the suspense and peril that others (particularly Jim Butcher) manage to weave into their stories. You know Harry will eventually survive, you're just now sure how and at what cost. Here, Nelson always seems to emerge unscathed. Still, with the exception of the very first book, which dragged a bit, the stories are entertaining, and the mysteries solid.
December 27, 2009
This book was recommended to me because I was a sucker for anything with a vampire in it. I really enjoyed these books although the writing left a lot to be desired. It kept me engaged until they ended. Blood Price, the first in the series, introduces us to the main characters. Vicki Nelson private investigator, her ex-partner Mike Celluci and 450-year-old vampire Henry Fitzroy.
Viki Nelson left the police forced to become a private investigator, one night on the subway she comes across a murder, a very weird one the corpse has been drained of most of its blood, after several murders the news papers are screaming Vampires in Toronto, Henry worried about the threat of exposure joins forces with Vicki Nelson and Mike Celluci, a Toronto cop and ex lover of Vicki, to track down this killer.
I had no idea there was a television series.
Viki Nelson left the police forced to become a private investigator, one night on the subway she comes across a murder, a very weird one the corpse has been drained of most of its blood, after several murders the news papers are screaming Vampires in Toronto, Henry worried about the threat of exposure joins forces with Vicki Nelson and Mike Celluci, a Toronto cop and ex lover of Vicki, to track down this killer.
I had no idea there was a television series.
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