My Unbeating Heart

by Eli Wilde

Like a shade, I walked in silence unseen by anyone.

Until I needed to feed.

Rufus Hobster is not my real name. It did not become my name until I saw it chiselled on a gravestone one moonlit night and claimed it as my own.

It was not until I found a name I realised I had once been a man. From that night onwards, I endeavoured to become more human.

London in the 1800’s taught me what it meant to be mortal. Made me understand why a human should never fall in love with a vampire.

Genres: Vampires, Horror, Fantasy

334 pages, Paperback

Published July 20, 2023

About the author

Eli Wilde started writing when he was very young and stopped writing while he was still young. He didn’t pick up a pen again until many years later. Now that he is telling stories once more, everything feels as it should.

Reviews

[Ruben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before adopting Rufus Hobster as his name (the name inscribed on the tomb he was looking at), he has no recollection of who he was, what he did, where he lived or anything else.

There are flashbacks, though, flashbacks that tell him he was once a human. Will he someday be able to recall all those memories taken away from him before being turned into a vampire? Who and why turned him into such a being? Those are the questions that come to mind and he would be more than happy to have an answer to.

It is now the present days and Frank (a frustrated and unhappy manager) has been tasked with writing Rufus's memories due to his writing skills and that for reasons unknown to Frank their paths have somehow intertwined. How are Frank and Rufus connected? Why has Rufus chosen him to tell his story? How has Rufus made it from the early 1800s to our days? It seems as usual that the only way to find answers is by getting immersed into his world.

I quite enjoyed having felt part of such world by reading Eli Wilde's first instalment of this series. Throughout his writing I could somehow experience Frank and Rufus's emotions and the way in which everything is described made me visualize London in the 1800s and what people's lives were like back then.

I look forward to what's coming next, which I hope will be just as enthralling!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️…I was lucky enough to read this in exchange for a review. Frank is a dejected husband and father when he’s approached by Rufus & asked to write his life story. When Frank accepts, we begin to learn Rufus’ story & how he became who he is. We travel in 1800s London with him & learn about his tragedies, his triumphs, his love & his loss. But most importantly, how he became Rufus Hobster. As usual, Eli’s writing is beautiful & immersive. His original take vampires turned someone (me) who’s always avoided vampire stories, into someone who now likes vampires (Rufus, at least). I can’t wait to see where Rufus’s story takes us next & where we’ll end up.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I was given an ARC in exchange for a review.
It's so great when you find a story that's got a familiar concept but brings something new to it. My Unbeating Heart has plenty of the classic vampire tropes, but Wilde gives them a twist from the start.
I liked the side story/framing device of Frank and his family, and then how he is roped in to get involved with Rufus.
Rufus' story is intriguing from the start and I liked the change between the British countryside to Victorian London. The plot takes some slightly odd turns, but they work. There is a great mix of gore and violence, but also human complexity, love, and sex. Wilde plays with the idea of the vampire being part man, part beast and Rufus' struggle is compelling, and often brutal.
I was dubious when I got to 70%, and we were still in the 1900s, as I am not always interested in a series, but the way things were wrapped up was satisfying and interesting enough for me to want to read book 2!
A great vampire novel, great atmosphere and characters.

[Chandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An original take on the vampire story. Frank, an unhappy man, is tasked with writing the biography of Rufus, a mesmerizing vampire from 1800's London. Through Frank's writing we learn how Rufus came to be. We share his life, his triumphs and his tragedies, his loves and his losses.
Reads quite a bit like a period piece, reminiscent of Dickens. Gruesome at times, thrilling at times, erotic at times.
Emotionally charged and has me thinking about the characters long after I have put the book down.

[Sonia LeeAnn Hyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eli Wilde has a way of writing characters that is completely and utterly rare. Every story I have had the pleasure of reading has left me feeling oh so many emotions when I was finished. This one was no exception. The story features Rufus Hobster who has lived for many many years (like since the 1800s). Rufus has tasked Frank (a middle aged man with a failing marriage who hates his job) to write his confession to God. What follows is a beautifully written tale of love, tragedy, and just the perfect amount of gore. As we follow Rufus throughout the glimpses into his life we see a man that has suffered unbearable tragedy all while trying to be better. Better than the virus that has left him a blood thirsty monster. I simply cannot wait to read more of Rufus. Eli Wilde has written another character so captivating you just can't get enough. I was so lucky as to be able to read this book and leave a review. Do yourself a favor and read this book.

[Mary Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5 star read from Eli Wilde!
Now I'm not really a fan of vampire stories. It's one of my least favorite horror tropes. But this one... Just wow. I was so wrapped up in Rufus and his story, I couldn't stop reading. I NEEDED to know what happened next and now.. I REALLY need the second book. I want more Rufus!!

Eli writes what I would consider "intelligent horror." His style is so clean and his stories are so visual. He's truly a master wordsmith.

[MRS C MARSHALL · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book and giving my honest review.
A new author.
Wow what a story, enjoyed from start to end. Could not put this down.
A vampire, love sexy and a lot of gore. Exciting, with twists.
I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did.

[Amanda Estes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book through NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to read this book. This book was a bit of a slow burn for me. The characters were wonderfully written. I was expecting a gory vampire book but was surprised to read a commentary on how people treat each other. I am expecting there and is a follow up book in the way. I look forward to reading that too

[Sky · Rating 5 out of 5]

What does it feel like to view the world in black and white only? That's how Rufus Hobster saw the world - well, apart from the colour of blood. Eli Wilde's writings never disappoint me. As soon I started reading, I was already sucked in and eager to know Rufus's story. It's about a vampire that was trying to figure out our who he was when he was a human. His naivety and his effort to get back to who he was are what I liked most about Rufus. I loved every characters in this book. I think each of them had their own significance appearing in every chapters. I liked the concept of Eli Wilde's writing in this book, classics but with twists. Looking forward to book 2 of this series.

[Leventak · Rating 5 out of 5]

fus Hobster, a vampire with an enigmatic desire for a biographer to transcribe his confessions to the Almighty, is discovered by Frank Lambert. He unwillingly decides to write his memoirs despite having no experience with literature and being in a miserable marriage. Readers are taken on a spine-tingling voyage into Rufus's universe in the first-person narrative, where conflicts arise as a result of flashbacks to his human background. My Unbeating Heart, by Eli Wilde, examines the thin line separating the real world from the supernatural and marks his comeback to the literary scene.

[Mindy'sBookJourney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the copy for review.

Rufus Hobster is a vampire who hires a man to record his life story which takes us on a journey to 1800's London. This is the story of a new vampire on a path of discovery of himself and human kind.

This is an atmospheric vampire story. There is a modern day timeline following Rufus as he works to record his life story, and there is a past timeline that weaves in chilling true events from 1800s London. The 1800s timeline is especially atmospheric. A dark grand tale of all the confusion, love, and mistakes in an immortals life. It is a dark tale to capture the imagination. I recommend My Unbeating Heart to fans of vampire stories and like a historical timeline.

[RedHouseBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

British novelist Eli Wilde is also known by his pseudonym Zangu Poet, and is renowned for his gripping psychological horror tales. His bibliography includes titles like the Strangers in Paradise series, and now he introduces us to a fresh series - Rufus Hobster with My Unbeating Heart.
From the very first lines of this novel, Wilde laid a captivating groundwork with his portrayal of the undead. Such a vivid introduction set the stage for an interesting vampire novel. Wilde's unique storytelling ability creates an atmosphere that engulfs readers, making them part of his eerie yet enthralling world. With his works, I think he is steadily growing to the literary heights occupied by legends like Edgar Allen Poe, Anne Rice, HP Lovecraft, and Stephen King. Eli Wilde is undoubtedly a rising star in the horror genre. An absolute must-read for fans of these type of books. I’ll be looking out for all future releases.

[Joan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank You Eli Wilde and BookSirens.

This Gothic Horror / Romantic novel focuses on the Protagonist's best and worst times of his lives Journey. It's a great book to introduce that friend that has never read a horror book.

Mr Wilde is a very sensational dark poet. The book is well written and the characters are believable. The story kept me wanting to find out what was on the next page.

The main character finds a writer to write is life story. He hopes to be forgiven for the wrongs he has committed thru out his long life.

It gave me vibes of Interview with a Vampire meets Face Off. It's a 5 star plus.

Speculative fiction is a genre of writing that allows for limitless possibilities. This type of writing can include elements of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and more. 

Crime /Horror
Melodrama
Religious
Gore

Whitechapel section of London England

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
Lovely vampire commissions slightly unwilling author to pen his life story - you've read this book, right? No, you haven't. This was my first Eli Wilde book, and I must say, I'm very impressed. I'd been seeing his books talked about all over the Books of Horror Facebook group. So when the chance came about to read him for myself, I jumped at it. The hype surrounding this book is very real. Although Rufus has done terrible things (as vampires tend to do), he remains a very sympathetic character. I'm looking forward to reading the second volume of Rufus' life story.

[Gemma Rigby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was recommended at the end of Orchard of Skeletons and I was definitely ready for more Eli Wilde so I went straight in for it completely blind.

Vampires are probably the only supernatural I can cope with and I ended up really enjoying this one.

I did struggle getting into this at first, and I was flickering between DNF and 2 stars for the first 150 pages but once I got into the second half I was really glad I stuck with it.

I was ready to jump into the second one (Mauve Coloured Hell) that is advertised at the end of the book but I cant seem to find it anywhere?

Anyway, if you are in the mood for vampires definitely consider this!

[Rae Lanczak · Rating 3 out of 5]

First, I would like to thank Net Galley for allowing me to read this book.

I quite enjoyed the majority of the book as it told the story of Rufus. I would have enjoyed to read more about his early life as a vampire instead of the main narrator. I didn’t find his parts near as interesting. In fact, parts of it were a bit confusing.

I am keen to read book 2 as I feel like Rufus the vampire has more to share.

[Robert Foland · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Unbeating Heart (Rufus Hobster Book 1) is an amazing read. Wonderful characters. A solid and original storyline. Vampires and Jack the Ripper! 1880's London. A modern connection. So much to enjoy. This series is off to a great start.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[xyZeereads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this different take on the overtired vampire story, mainly the parts where Rufus wanted to be more human than vampire, and his naivety in discovering the differences between the two.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank is tasked to take Rufus's story as he recalls fading memories about his life before he claimed Rufus's name. The story delves into Frank's character long before Rufus talks about his past. The book soon switches to Rufus's point of view through Frank's writing, introducing readers to the 1800s and the consequences of being a vampire in a human world.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jackiee B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this vampire story. I NEED to know more about a few characters. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘A human should never fall in love with a vampire’ - A fascinating novel!

UK author Eli Wilde, aka Zangu Poet, writes contemporary psychological horror fiction. His books to date include the series Strangers in Paradise (CRUEL, FOUR DAYS, NEOPHYTE), THE SWEET SCENT OF LIVER, TWO LUMPS OF SUGAR FOR MR ANXIETY, LA PETITE MORT, ORCHARD OF SKELETONS and now he opens a new series - Rufus Hobster with MY UNBEATING HEART.

Wilde magnetizes attention for this novel about the undead in the opening paragraph: ‘I’m not sure why Rufus chose me, or how he knew I was a writer. When we first met, I was not a writer, I saw him when I was drinking with my wife, Angie, in Voodoo Café in my hometown, Darlington. For all I know, he had been watching me for hours, days, or even weeks. Maybe that was the first time he ever saw me. He was alone’ standing at the other end of the bar with his head cocked to one side, staring directly at me. As soon as I saw him, there was nothing else of interest in the crowded bar, only Rufus…As quickly as he became known to me, he was gone…All that remained of him was his empty shot glass. A red line trailed down the inside of the glass. It looked like blood…’ With that near visual scene the concept (and intro) to a bristling vampire story begins, condensed by Wilde: ‘Like a shade, I walked in silence unseen by anyone. Until I needed to feed. Rufus Hobster is not my real name. It did not become my name until I saw it chiseled in a gravestone one moonlit night and claimed it as my own. It was not until I found a name I realised I had once been a man. From that night onwards, I endeavoured to become more human. London in the 1800’s taught me what it meant to be mortal. Made me understand why a human should never fall in love with a vampire.’

Eli Wilde writes with an inimitable penchant for establishing a mood that pulls the reader into his very strange, but fascinating, stories, here mastering that fine line between paranormal and normal (whatever 'normal' is!). He is joining the ranks of Edgar Allen Poe, Anne Rice, HP Lovecraft, Stephen King, et al. This is an author to watch closely. Very highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever read a book that you want to share everything about it, but don’t know what to say? My Unbeating Heart by Eli Wilde is that story. There is so much to unpack and reflect on. I finished this story two days ago, and it still has me lingering. Everything Eli has written has been beautiful horror.


Rufus Hobster is a lonely vampire, lost in a world of humans. He doesn’t remember his past as a human. This story is the beginning of his life as a vampire, learning how to exist in a world of humans during the late 1800s in Whitechapel, London. He experiences every emotion of a human, but as a vampire. So obviously, when you have vampire abilities and thoughts, the outcome of how he handles these situations is, at times, different from a human's response. The era and place he tries to become more human to exist among them was a time of poverty, death, and abuse. Rufus is watching, learning, and growing. As you can imagine, during that era, it was difficult. We are, to some extent, an extension of our upbringing.


Eli Wilde is a truly gifted writer, in my opinion, and he writes literary horror skillfully. There is a certain beauty to his style that can invoke emotions that will linger long after the story is over. He uses an amazing range in the voices of the characters and you visualize, easily, the scene. There is a movie in your mind and it is so effortless. If you have not read anything by Eli Wilde, I highly suggest you put him on your to-read list.

[Lorna Enslin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A chance meeting in a pub in Darlington, England, puts Frank Lambert on a path to discovery. Rufus Hobster, part man, part vampire and using a name inscribed on a tombstone, as his own, has a strange request: an insightful biographer to write his confessional to God. With minimal literary exposure, an unhappy marriage and unfulfilling day job, Frank reluctantly agrees to write the memoirs. Written in first person narrative, we are taken on a spine-chilling journey into a vampire's world where flashbacks of a time when he was human cause Rufus deep conflict. This captivating and cleverly written novel, partly told in old English prose, set in 1800s London, will leave you equally stunned and intrigued at the horror within its pages.The glimpses into the extensive lifespan of Rufus, encompass love and tragedy in equal measure.

The author, Eli Wilde, in his book, My Unbeating Heart, cleverly draws the reader into a world that portrays the very fine line between what is normal and what is paranormal and explains why his return to the literary world has been met with much gratitude. A highly gifted writer with a penchant for skillfully written horror, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

[Elizabeth McConnon · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Unbeating Heart is a vampire story similar to Anne Rice's Interview with a Vampire. A vampire named Rufus enlists the help of a human to tell his story as a confession to his God. The overall premise of the story is enlightening and fast-paced with familiar vamp themes of gore, bloodlust and human misunderstandings about the immortal species.

The initial story of the chronicler, Frank, is strained and contrived but when he begins his mission of writing the memoir of Rufus, that's when the story really picks up. Rufus isn't the first vampire to crave his humanity just as he craved blood - the Cullens, Castlevania's Dracula, Angel, among many others - but his longing is palpable and despairing the more Frank writes his story.

Overall I enjoyed the story, my one big gripe and where the stars have fallen fast for this title is the unfortunate writing style. My Unbeating Heart is told in the first person and unfortunately falls into some style failings with an overuse of the word 'I' and very superficial attempts at description and an over reliance on dialogue to move the plot along. I kept thinking, "was this originally a play?" - In fact, I think it would be great as an on-stage production.

[Soochi Sandhiya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been interested in fantasy, especially created around vampire stories. They represent a true blend of unimaginable powers and human emotions. This makes me more connected to them, and I feel like I am more into the character and its depth. And obviously this would draw you to a different world, far from your own.

The main character Rufus Hobster is a vampire or we can say half-mam, who dwells in the present but has no memory of the past. He has this urge to know how this all started and how he ended up like this. The story will be more or less about his quest to learn about his past. During this quest he meets Frank Lambert and somehow gives him a pivotal role in this.
Once he starts unveiling his past, we dive deep into the era of 1800 situated in London, and mysterious events unfold to keep the readers hooked.
Detailed characterization and transparency in emotions serve as the captive feature of storytelling in an imaginary world. The author offers a lot of scope for imagination while moving on with each plot. He has successfully created a balanced world of normal and paranormal for readers.
I enjoyed this read and look forward to reading more fantasy like this. This brings a good storytelling.

[Lauren Erzsebet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rufus is a vampire who longs for forgiveness from God so he can leave this life and rejoin his family in heaven.
He finds who he thinks is the perfect person to write down his sins and how he remembers being changed.
His story begins in the early 1800s and Frank will be the one who has suffered enough to compile these memories to print.

This was an intriguing different type of story that piqued my interest from the description and I had to dive in without much of a clue.
This vampire has a tragic history and I was moved by the glimpse we see of his shocking yet grief filled past.
The gothic theme was perfect for the time period and I was captured by the detailed way this was set out by the author... I was drawn to this like a moth to a flame and I didn't mind getting burnt.
I found it difficult not to feel emotional about the sadness that is steeped in the words and about what will come after.
This was so heartbreaking because Rufus overcame his initial blood lust and still loses everything he strived for.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ironlady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading My Unbeating Heart by Eli Wilde felt like I was stepping back into the 1800s, but a supernatural 1800s which made it even more interesting. The protagonist, Rufus Hobster, is pretty enigmatic and plays a good lead. The moment I read about his journey from being a nameless entity to adopting a name from a gravestone I definitely thought I’d be hooked.
The narrative is steeped in history, love, and the eternal struggle of what it means to be human. Wilde's portrayal of 1800s London was so vivid, I could almost hear the clatter of horse-drawn carriages and feel the chill of the foggy nights.
Reading this made me feel like I was walking alongside Rufus, experiencing his journey from man to vampire, his struggle with his new identity, and his yearning for humanity. The story is a poignant reminder of the human condition, even when the protagonist is anything but human.
If you're in the mood for a unique take on the vampire genre, I’d say give My Unbeating Heart a shot. You might just find yourself as captivated as I was.

[Graesyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you, Book Sirens, for the ARC for an honest review.

I'm going to be the odd one out here, but I didn't really think this was a "fresh take" on vampires. To me, the beginning was a little original (until it got to the part where he basically kidnaps someone and scares them into writing a memoir... seriously?). If the book had been an intertwined story of the now and the past, it might have been more interesting, but I found everything after the book writing began to be pretty boring and one note.

I got excited at parts and then let down when the author decided to pursue the boring side story and NOT go down the path of new and interesting ideas he had. If this was all a setup for book two, well, you didn't hook me enough to read it. So many cool ideas they could have run with, but instead it was a boring day in the life of a Victorian-era vampire. Sorry, we've read that already. And seen the movie.

I was disappointed because the writer clearly has talent and good editors.

[Grymm Gevierre · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am incredibly picky with vampire stories. The wave that Anne Rice inspired in the modern vampire is really hit or miss, and some authors just can’t hack it without the same old boring tropes and vampire cliches. Some of them are fun, but most are not. Wilde manages to hit the sweet spot between boring cliché and new twist. The “vampire trying to be human” isn’t a new concept, but how it’s done feels more like a mystery unfolding rather than an edgy “not like the other vampires” type story.

Rufus, our beloved vampire friend, recounts his adventures to find what makes him human, and in his efforts, he stumbles upon what makes humans human, too. This isn’t my first Wilde story, and this one shares the same fantastic attention to character detail. It's a great book, well-written, and worth your weekend to read!

[John Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the synopsis, I went into this book expecting some sort of Interview With the Vampire type story, but after a few short pages, I found myself hooked on the story unfolding.

What differentiates My Unbeating Heart from other vampire books is the way in which Rufus Hobster is portrayed. Rather than being a vampire embracing his powers, Hobster wrestles with trying to be more human while keeping his "virus" at bay.

It quickly became clear that I was reading a small portion of the entire tale, with Hobster's time in this book spent in Whitechapel during the reign of terror of Jack the Ripper. The ending teases more to come, and I for one am looking forward to diving into more stories of Rufus' life.