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A Passing Curse
Harvard trained archeologist Penelope "Rusty" Webber has been hired by philanthropist Ajax Rasmussen to investigate Indian skeletons found behind the Santa Marina Mission. The last time she worked for Ajax, searching for Dracula’s tomb, she was nearly raped and executed by Romanian rebels. Rusty doesn't trust Ajax, but he has the money to resurrect a career stalled by charges she killed a fellow archeologist.
Homicide detective Reese Tarrant leaves the LAPD under a cloud of suspicion that he murdered serial killer Richard Lamb, dubbed by the media as the Anaheim Vampire for draining the blood from thirteen women. Because Lamb had once worked for billionaire Ajax Rasmussen, Reese drives up the coast to Santa Marina and Ajax's palatial mansion overlooking the Pacific.
Ajax Rasmussen, CEO of Cirrus Industries, the world's premier chemical conglomerate and whole blood fractionator, is a respected businessman and philanthropist, owns a dozen Picassos, courts royalty, prime ministers, and presidents, and is a success by any standard.
Reese is in the formerly quiet town of Santa Marina only a few days when a priest is found butchered and hanging by his feet at the mission, the owner of a gothic book store is drained of blood, and a young cop Reese has befriended is hacked to death.
When Rusty is arrested for killing the priest, Reese provides an alibi and they soon find themselves not only falling in love but also coming to the conclusion that Ajax may not be the man he claims to be.
Homicide detective Reese Tarrant leaves the LAPD under a cloud of suspicion that he murdered serial killer Richard Lamb, dubbed by the media as the Anaheim Vampire for draining the blood from thirteen women. Because Lamb had once worked for billionaire Ajax Rasmussen, Reese drives up the coast to Santa Marina and Ajax's palatial mansion overlooking the Pacific.
Ajax Rasmussen, CEO of Cirrus Industries, the world's premier chemical conglomerate and whole blood fractionator, is a respected businessman and philanthropist, owns a dozen Picassos, courts royalty, prime ministers, and presidents, and is a success by any standard.
Reese is in the formerly quiet town of Santa Marina only a few days when a priest is found butchered and hanging by his feet at the mission, the owner of a gothic book store is drained of blood, and a young cop Reese has befriended is hacked to death.
When Rusty is arrested for killing the priest, Reese provides an alibi and they soon find themselves not only falling in love but also coming to the conclusion that Ajax may not be the man he claims to be.
445 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2012
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72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 6, 2016
What happens when a hard-boiled detective meets a hard-boiled billionaire? Find out in A Passing Curse by C.R. Trolson. It is so energizing to read Trolson who cares about the written word in a way that is evocative of Hemingway. Some parts of the story are almost poetic and show thoughtfulness and discernment while others are raw.
Honestly, I’m unable to identify this novel to a specific genre. Yet, the story is captivating, and relentlessly course its way through the thought processes of a cynical man, past a strong, emotionally guarded woman. The characters are used by a creature having the power to alter their futures.
C.R. Trolson lives in Northern California with his wife and have been writing for a number of years. He spent a good deal of time researching aspects of his book such as forensic procedure, both police and archeological, the quacks, scientists, and entrepreneurs that make up the blood business, mission life in Old California, as well as the customs and myths of the Caneleno Indians and the Franciscans.
Honestly, I’m unable to identify this novel to a specific genre. Yet, the story is captivating, and relentlessly course its way through the thought processes of a cynical man, past a strong, emotionally guarded woman. The characters are used by a creature having the power to alter their futures.
C.R. Trolson lives in Northern California with his wife and have been writing for a number of years. He spent a good deal of time researching aspects of his book such as forensic procedure, both police and archeological, the quacks, scientists, and entrepreneurs that make up the blood business, mission life in Old California, as well as the customs and myths of the Caneleno Indians and the Franciscans.
April 3, 2014
This book is an interesting approach to the vampire genre and the author does a very good job of tackling the subject matter. In following Rusty and Reese the author delves into what would happen if vampires really did exist in the modern day, in a way that is much more believable than most books that tackle the subject. This is not your typical book about vampires and it is a good read even for people who are well and truly sick of how common vampire books and movies are becoming in the modern day.
The story is fascinating, and the lead character is tough, realistic and interesting. The book is a little violent at times, but this fitted very well into the story, and it would have seemed more strange if the violence was not present. Overall, I felt that the book was more realistic than many others I have read, particularly due to the attention to detail. I didn’t spot any issues with formatting, spelling or grammar, which was a nice change.
The story is fascinating, and the lead character is tough, realistic and interesting. The book is a little violent at times, but this fitted very well into the story, and it would have seemed more strange if the violence was not present. Overall, I felt that the book was more realistic than many others I have read, particularly due to the attention to detail. I didn’t spot any issues with formatting, spelling or grammar, which was a nice change.
October 11, 2016
I have read a couple of stories with Vampires in my day, they tend to be a bit fluffy, for lack of a better term. This story on the other hand had little to no fluff when it came to the vampire. It is an interesting series of events with a few very nice twists and turns. It is clear from the start who the bad guy is but it comes down to figuring out what the motive is with the other characters. Is there actually a love interest? Is the cop actually on the hunt or just losing it? There are little stories, it seems within the story and how these characters interact and how they are all drawn together.
This is not a one sitting book. It is a book that has to have the time taken to read and absorb the information and leave it to marinate a bit. The nice part about the ending is everything tied up in a nice bow, which I appreciate. When you come to the end, you know you have reached the end. There is a possibility for a follow up but on a level I believe there would be too much “old hat” that went into that to make it happen. That would actually take away from the overall feel of the story.
There are some places that it is a bit drawn out. There could of been less of some things and more of other but of course I am sure everyone feels that way about a book that they read. Also there is possibly a character or two that could of been either scaled down or removed but in the grand scheme it works. There were a few characters that I would of liked to see more of but their time in the story was a nice twist.
Overall it was a very good book that took me a bit longer to read than usual. There were a few times that I thought I would just put it down, the dragging parts, but I pushed through and was happy with the outcome.
This is not a one sitting book. It is a book that has to have the time taken to read and absorb the information and leave it to marinate a bit. The nice part about the ending is everything tied up in a nice bow, which I appreciate. When you come to the end, you know you have reached the end. There is a possibility for a follow up but on a level I believe there would be too much “old hat” that went into that to make it happen. That would actually take away from the overall feel of the story.
There are some places that it is a bit drawn out. There could of been less of some things and more of other but of course I am sure everyone feels that way about a book that they read. Also there is possibly a character or two that could of been either scaled down or removed but in the grand scheme it works. There were a few characters that I would of liked to see more of but their time in the story was a nice twist.
Overall it was a very good book that took me a bit longer to read than usual. There were a few times that I thought I would just put it down, the dragging parts, but I pushed through and was happy with the outcome.
May 5, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I have read a few Vampire stories in the past but this is by far the most enjoyable read so far. The reason I say this is because this is a Vampire story which is truly dark and in parts somewhat violent which is what I would expect from a story about creatures who suck blood from people for a living.
The story is set around Reese Tarrant an LAPD Detective and his pursuit to arrest Richard Lamb who he believes to be a serial killer, this ultimately results in Reese losing his job due to lack of evidence.
We also meet Ajax Rasmussen a millionaire business man who employs Rusty Webber an archaeologist, this doesn't come without it's past history.
These characters are well developed and provide plenty of twists and turns to the story.
This book is not a quick read which can be read in one sitting, however, the author does an excellent job of ensuring that you want to pick it up again.
I was thoroughly engaged from the beginning right through to the end and I can not wait to read some more of this author's work in the future.
4,7 stars from me.
Becky Sherriff.
I have read a few Vampire stories in the past but this is by far the most enjoyable read so far. The reason I say this is because this is a Vampire story which is truly dark and in parts somewhat violent which is what I would expect from a story about creatures who suck blood from people for a living.
The story is set around Reese Tarrant an LAPD Detective and his pursuit to arrest Richard Lamb who he believes to be a serial killer, this ultimately results in Reese losing his job due to lack of evidence.
We also meet Ajax Rasmussen a millionaire business man who employs Rusty Webber an archaeologist, this doesn't come without it's past history.
These characters are well developed and provide plenty of twists and turns to the story.
This book is not a quick read which can be read in one sitting, however, the author does an excellent job of ensuring that you want to pick it up again.
I was thoroughly engaged from the beginning right through to the end and I can not wait to read some more of this author's work in the future.
4,7 stars from me.
Becky Sherriff.
May 31, 2015
This book is an interesting approach to the vampire genre while still being both realistic and interesting. We are introduced to several strong and unique characters, each of them from a different walk of life. The story is rather dark and contains some violence, though the violence is expected given that it is a vampire book. This book is rather long at about 400 pages and therefore isn’t a quick read. With the authors attention to detail, character building and his almost poetic way of creating one scene and then being raw in the next you still don’t want to put it down though! This is a story that you will be eager to get back to in order to find out what happens next and with who. Probably the best part of this book is that it doesn’t fall into the same categories we are seeing these days in regular television shows. It is a stand-alone story that doesn’t seem to be influenced by the “sparkly” vampires we see on TV. I really liked this story! I would have given five stars had it not been so long.
April 12, 2016
A Passing Curse
War Against Evil for Good in a Vampire Empire
February 11, 2015
Review by Scarlett Jensen done on the vampire and mystery novel "The Passing Curse" by C R Trolson
This work is a scientifically designed outpour of intelligent information in the form of a novel with three protagonists:
Rusty, the female archeologist who represents intelligence and knowledge.
Reese, the homicide detective; he is the hunter and represents the passing curse to eliminate bad, a mission, which exists through the ages; and
Ajax, the billionaire blood tycoon. He stands for eternal life, power and wealth and colours the scenes in dramatically bloody vampire coldness. Even the sea is described as "the blue tired sea".Descriptions like "flashing eyes popped from the scull" help our imagination.
The reader finds an interplay of many forces against the background of the major crime scenes at Santa Marina, in the area of California. We have the supernatural which offers mystery and magic and secrets. Then there is the search for reality, the truth, the destruction of evil and the the fountain of everlasting life. The detective work transforms into the search, a hunt for the devil in hell-like, godforsaken areas like catacombs. We get to know the working of archaeology, the existence of archelogical and historical sites. We meet homicide detectives, forensic laboratories and get to know the blood transfusion industry through the eyes and control of vampires, beings manifesting greed.
We have underground and undercover manipulation of the good to establish a blood dynasty to give Dracula's decendants an eternal life. You see conscience deteriorating, distortion of the truth, tamperings and deaths while the search for immortality is ongoing.Can we tamper with time not to lose a lifetime?
A few of the events in the story that leave us questioning: Can priests be vampires? ...They drink the blood of Christ. Can we reach immortality? We see the interplay of malice and madness and fear. We sense the smell of death while surroundings are masterfully described in a macabre butcher-like language. We find ourselves in panic situations when preditors and evil need to be dispelled. We are introduced to luck and magic when killing the bad and salvation of the good is wanted. Deception is camouflaged in the fight for survival. We see corruption to win power.
Our imagination is stimulated and invited to partake in the scenes with all our senses. Some scenes are distinct and unique, adding to the imagination and reality of the reader. We see lives saved but we also see guts mutilated and turned inside out. Life strangled and secrets buried. We acknowledge the existence of power, the church, but we also see souls sold to hide the truth for a life.
We unearth, locked rooms, mysteries and find skeletons, artifacts and secrets. The author describes dust on bones as "smudge of eternal sleep."
He writes about "stars burned cold" creating an atmosphere of death. Perfume "like a garden in her hair". We see blood as life-giving and as pure enegy but in the hands of bloodthirsty beings, life is sucked away and contaminated. Do not give evil your soul.
We meet magic; whistles blown to summon spirits for help. The question of infinity is raised. The concept of rerouting of time. I hope for a sequel to this book in that vein. This is an author of great intelligence as his words flow fast and freely, overpowering for the reader, at times. Because the content of the book has impact and is fully-loaded, maybe overloaded, the story might have been easier digestible for contemplation, if it was published as two books.
December 15, 2014
Many of today’s readers grow cynical when they hear the word “vampire,” as it is easy to feel that vampires have left the world of classic literature and become a passing fad of today’s youth. In this respect, “A Passing Curse” is one of the more refreshing books around. This is essentially more of a crime novel than a vampire novel. In some ways it is similar to Jeff Lindsay’s “Dexter is Delicious,” but it is arguably much, much darker.
The writing in this book is wonderfully descriptive where it needs to be, and the two main characters are equally compelling. Both have fairly dark pasts that make them seemingly untrustworthy, and solving the mystery at the heart of the novel is a highly personal matter for them. This is missing from a number of crime novels, wherein the main character is simply out to solve a mystery. In “A Passing Curse,” Reese Tarrant feels as if he MUST solve it.
This novel is not for the faint of heart. It gets violent at times, and there are some crime scenes that will remind the reader of literature’s ability to accomplish a level of realism and intensity in its imagery that cannot be seen in even the best of TV shows. In other words, readers should not assume that having watched True Blood and True Detective will have prepared them for the amazing genre mixture that awaits them in this novel. This is not the average vampire novel, nor is it the average crime thriller.
While dark, this book is highly enjoyable. The novel is given a cast of characters that are anything but black-and-white. While it may be easy to leave the novel with something of a cynical worldview, it is absolutely worth the treat one receives from being treated to such a host of amazingly written characters. This book is truly a diamond in the rough, a wonderful crossover of two genres that have become so saturated, it can be difficult to find anything of this caliber.
The writing in this book is wonderfully descriptive where it needs to be, and the two main characters are equally compelling. Both have fairly dark pasts that make them seemingly untrustworthy, and solving the mystery at the heart of the novel is a highly personal matter for them. This is missing from a number of crime novels, wherein the main character is simply out to solve a mystery. In “A Passing Curse,” Reese Tarrant feels as if he MUST solve it.
This novel is not for the faint of heart. It gets violent at times, and there are some crime scenes that will remind the reader of literature’s ability to accomplish a level of realism and intensity in its imagery that cannot be seen in even the best of TV shows. In other words, readers should not assume that having watched True Blood and True Detective will have prepared them for the amazing genre mixture that awaits them in this novel. This is not the average vampire novel, nor is it the average crime thriller.
While dark, this book is highly enjoyable. The novel is given a cast of characters that are anything but black-and-white. While it may be easy to leave the novel with something of a cynical worldview, it is absolutely worth the treat one receives from being treated to such a host of amazingly written characters. This book is truly a diamond in the rough, a wonderful crossover of two genres that have become so saturated, it can be difficult to find anything of this caliber.
December 15, 2014
You'll "Curse" yourself for "Passing" this up! #badwordplay
I really like this vampire renaissance that has been happening lately. After vampires were all but ruined by Twilight the vampire, Shirtless Dog-Faced Boy, and Mannequin 3: Kristen Stewart, we have been getting books like The Strain, that make vampires terrifying again. Which is how they are SUPPOSED to be! They murder people for food, or at the very least, turn their victim into one of them. And they NEVER sparkle!
(deep breath)
Anyway, this book gets back to what The Strain has been very successful in doing: Grounding vampires back in reality, and turning them back into monsters. But I also kind of get a “Walking Dead” vibe as well (both the comic, and TV show). The Walking Dead is definitely about zombies, but it’s not ONLY about zombies. There are other storylines, and other things for the characters to worry about. There are several plotlines through A Passing Curse, and a couple of times those other plots took center stage, and it catches you off-guard when the whole vampire thing jumps right back, aiming for your jugular (pretty hilarious joke I just made, right?)
All in all, I thought this was a very engaging and enjoyable read. I don’t think I can categorize it as strictly a vampire/horror novel, or strictly a thriller/mystery/police procedural novel, it’s a little bit of both. The two sides of this book come together, to make a very interesting mashup of the two. If they made a CSI: Transylvania, or Law & Order: Exsanguination Victims Unit, then this book… would definitely be better than those shows, honestly.
I really like this vampire renaissance that has been happening lately. After vampires were all but ruined by Twilight the vampire, Shirtless Dog-Faced Boy, and Mannequin 3: Kristen Stewart, we have been getting books like The Strain, that make vampires terrifying again. Which is how they are SUPPOSED to be! They murder people for food, or at the very least, turn their victim into one of them. And they NEVER sparkle!
(deep breath)
Anyway, this book gets back to what The Strain has been very successful in doing: Grounding vampires back in reality, and turning them back into monsters. But I also kind of get a “Walking Dead” vibe as well (both the comic, and TV show). The Walking Dead is definitely about zombies, but it’s not ONLY about zombies. There are other storylines, and other things for the characters to worry about. There are several plotlines through A Passing Curse, and a couple of times those other plots took center stage, and it catches you off-guard when the whole vampire thing jumps right back, aiming for your jugular (pretty hilarious joke I just made, right?)
All in all, I thought this was a very engaging and enjoyable read. I don’t think I can categorize it as strictly a vampire/horror novel, or strictly a thriller/mystery/police procedural novel, it’s a little bit of both. The two sides of this book come together, to make a very interesting mashup of the two. If they made a CSI: Transylvania, or Law & Order: Exsanguination Victims Unit, then this book… would definitely be better than those shows, honestly.
May 30, 2015
More Than A Supernatural, Dark Mystery!!
Rusty Webber archeologist has been sent to Romania on a quest of all things Dracula. This is by far nowhere she wants to be but after the death of her boyfriend jobs are scarce when others blame her greed for his death. Leaving her tour guide Radu to keep watch she finds herself in the heart of the tomb and opening the casket a shot rings out…
Reese Tarrant detective knows he has cornered the Anaheim Vampire in a cheap motel room. But with no proof, no backup and no warrant what is he to do? But with thirteen women brutally killed by draining their blood he knows this has to stop and Richard Lamb must die. A struggle ensues and Reese manages to get him handcuffed as he hears sirens in the distance realizing he only has a matter of minutes to make a decision…
What seems to be two separate plots is Ajax Rasmussen billionaire owner of Cirrus Industries distributor of blood, is lining the pieces up to his master plan to poisoning the blood supply. As all roads seem to be assembling in Santa Marina home of Homer Wermels aka Richard Lamb and Ajax how do all the parties fit into this scheme and who or what is Ajax Rasmussen?
Not your typical vampire story but a storyline that is more than a supernatural, dark mystery leaving the reader on the edge of their seats wondering what is going to happen next. The descriptive detail is amazing being so clear and precise one doesn’t have to guess the scene but live it. Excellent characterization brings forth two powerful lead characters in Rusty and Reese as the plot thickens. Anyone seeking more in the supernatural paranormal genre won’t be disappointed in “A Passing Curse”.
Rusty Webber archeologist has been sent to Romania on a quest of all things Dracula. This is by far nowhere she wants to be but after the death of her boyfriend jobs are scarce when others blame her greed for his death. Leaving her tour guide Radu to keep watch she finds herself in the heart of the tomb and opening the casket a shot rings out…
Reese Tarrant detective knows he has cornered the Anaheim Vampire in a cheap motel room. But with no proof, no backup and no warrant what is he to do? But with thirteen women brutally killed by draining their blood he knows this has to stop and Richard Lamb must die. A struggle ensues and Reese manages to get him handcuffed as he hears sirens in the distance realizing he only has a matter of minutes to make a decision…
What seems to be two separate plots is Ajax Rasmussen billionaire owner of Cirrus Industries distributor of blood, is lining the pieces up to his master plan to poisoning the blood supply. As all roads seem to be assembling in Santa Marina home of Homer Wermels aka Richard Lamb and Ajax how do all the parties fit into this scheme and who or what is Ajax Rasmussen?
Not your typical vampire story but a storyline that is more than a supernatural, dark mystery leaving the reader on the edge of their seats wondering what is going to happen next. The descriptive detail is amazing being so clear and precise one doesn’t have to guess the scene but live it. Excellent characterization brings forth two powerful lead characters in Rusty and Reese as the plot thickens. Anyone seeking more in the supernatural paranormal genre won’t be disappointed in “A Passing Curse”.
May 31, 2015
A gruesome read that checks a lot of boxes...If all you're hoping from this book are pages filled with vampires committing copious acts of violence and depravity with unabashed zealousness, then you're going to be sorely disappointed by A Passing Curse. Why? Simply put - because this book is so much more than that. C.R. Trolson has woven an intricate tale that combines careful historical research with a strong story line and a well-crafted Machiavellian villain who cold-bloodedly preys on the character flaws of the other two protagonists, a retired LAPD cop and an archaeologist, in order to further his own diabolical and deadly plan. Trolson's voice is crisp with just the right amount of foreboding. Overall, the story had me from the get-go and despite the fact that there were some sections that seemed to be a little "over the top" - like when Rusty, the archaeologist, is rescued from a firing squad by a Blackhawk helicopter (no less) right before they're about to riddle her body with more holes than Swiss cheese - these didn't really detract from the story itself. More than anything though, A Passing Curse makes a reader think about ugly possibilities. In this age of growing bioterrorism, the possibility of infecting humanity through a tainted supply of anything is, unfortunately, a very real threat; a threat that has you thinking long after the last page has been read.
December 15, 2014
Excellent Mix of Horror, Mystery, and Romance
As a huge fan of anything paranormal, this book got me right from the start. I didn’t have to worry about a soppy romance plot in order to get my paranormal fix and I loved that fact. You know you have a good book when you already know the identity of the murderer, but you are so enraptured with its character that you are willing to forgive him, if only to read more about him. This was the case with Ajax, who is the villain of the book. The author has you guessing about his involvement in the murders until the very end. Then you have Rusty and Reese, who make an amazing team trying to solve a mystery throughout the book. Although there are hints of romance, it doesn’t overshadow the mystery portion and is by no means a main focus. I like that the archaeologist Rusty was a strong female lead and didn’t cower with fear at the first sign of trouble. It was very refreshing, especially with the latest trends in sparkly vampire romance novels. With a tinge of gore, I wouldn’t recommend the book for a younger adult. But it’s perfect for any horror/mystery aficionados. There are no loose ends or cliffhangers so expect to be satisfied at the end. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by this author in the future.
As a huge fan of anything paranormal, this book got me right from the start. I didn’t have to worry about a soppy romance plot in order to get my paranormal fix and I loved that fact. You know you have a good book when you already know the identity of the murderer, but you are so enraptured with its character that you are willing to forgive him, if only to read more about him. This was the case with Ajax, who is the villain of the book. The author has you guessing about his involvement in the murders until the very end. Then you have Rusty and Reese, who make an amazing team trying to solve a mystery throughout the book. Although there are hints of romance, it doesn’t overshadow the mystery portion and is by no means a main focus. I like that the archaeologist Rusty was a strong female lead and didn’t cower with fear at the first sign of trouble. It was very refreshing, especially with the latest trends in sparkly vampire romance novels. With a tinge of gore, I wouldn’t recommend the book for a younger adult. But it’s perfect for any horror/mystery aficionados. There are no loose ends or cliffhangers so expect to be satisfied at the end. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by this author in the future.
December 17, 2014
A Passing Curse is an old time Dracula story dressed in modern garb. We have the wealthy, pale, charismatic and mysterious Mr Alex Rasmussen typical of old time Dracula. Reese a retired homicide cop is good at his job but unable to capture the villain on his own. He also possess a weird sense of humor that looks out of place on serious occasions (such as the passing thoughts when standing in front of the priest's butchered body). There are gory deaths and frightful scenes and the story seems painted in grey even though we are introduced to the sunlight at few instances in the novel. The high point of the story remains its heroine, the Archaeologist Rusty Webber who with her will power, personality, intelligence and inner strength helps Reese in putting Alex down and ending the bouts of murders. There is a backdrop of romance and a hint of continuity at the end when Rusty asks Reese "And what makes you think I'll get into trouble?". The book has been written in a well planned manner. The writer has not just presented a vampire story but dealt with it in an intelligent manner. He gives credit to the readers' analytic mind and his thirst for adventure by providing a scientific reasoning for several happenings. The book remains interesting at most of the instances.
March 31, 2015
My expectations of this book was nothing more than just another vampire story, but this book surpassed my expectations. Although this book was around 900 pages long and took a while to get to the end, A Passing Curse is full of action and provides a twist one would not expect.
This book also introduces many different characters, which I found a bit hard to keep up with and remember. However, the book focuses more on the main characters - Ajax, Reese and Penelope "Rusty". Although different characters are introduced in the beginning, the story lines switch mostly between Ajax, Reese and Rusty until their paths cross.
Reading this book, reminded me that literature has a great ability of creating realism and A Passing Curse did just that. Not only is the writing in the book descriptive and a bit violent at times, but this book created such a great imagery that I could visualize the crime scenes as I read about them.
Though it was a dark thriller, the romance between Reese and Penelope "Rusty" was a great addition to the book. I'm not too much into romantic novels, but a thriller with a bit of romance? Now that's my kind of book.
This book surprised me on so many levels and was definitely a treat to read.
This book also introduces many different characters, which I found a bit hard to keep up with and remember. However, the book focuses more on the main characters - Ajax, Reese and Penelope "Rusty". Although different characters are introduced in the beginning, the story lines switch mostly between Ajax, Reese and Rusty until their paths cross.
Reading this book, reminded me that literature has a great ability of creating realism and A Passing Curse did just that. Not only is the writing in the book descriptive and a bit violent at times, but this book created such a great imagery that I could visualize the crime scenes as I read about them.
Though it was a dark thriller, the romance between Reese and Penelope "Rusty" was a great addition to the book. I'm not too much into romantic novels, but a thriller with a bit of romance? Now that's my kind of book.
This book surprised me on so many levels and was definitely a treat to read.
March 23, 2015
When I first read the plot I said well, this is just another teen story of vampires that sparkle and look like top models. I was surprised to figure out that I was wrong. This is the second book I read about vampires that is meant for adults. I may even say that it is at the level of Dracula. Trolson, the author, did a great research about the subject matter before starting writing. This made the story completely fascinating.
This is not a short book. It has more than four hundred pages which are full of mystery and surprise. It took me some days to finish it but it caught my attention from the very first page. The vampires in this story were as anyone expect vampires to be; dark, terrifying and seeking blood, a lot of it. The characters are well developed. As you read you get to know who is the heroine and who is the villain.
This story has a remarkable writing and a perfectly developed storyline. What’s more, it is a great and interesting book. If you like vampire stories, suspense, and detective stories you have to read “A Passing Curse”.
This is not a short book. It has more than four hundred pages which are full of mystery and surprise. It took me some days to finish it but it caught my attention from the very first page. The vampires in this story were as anyone expect vampires to be; dark, terrifying and seeking blood, a lot of it. The characters are well developed. As you read you get to know who is the heroine and who is the villain.
This story has a remarkable writing and a perfectly developed storyline. What’s more, it is a great and interesting book. If you like vampire stories, suspense, and detective stories you have to read “A Passing Curse”.
May 9, 2015
Would you survive a vampire attack? Would you believe that vampires existed? A Passing Curse creates a vampire character that understands his surroundings and resources in California to allow him to survive as long as he has. He had been able to preserve his immortal life and massive fortune by dealing with those who talk too much or threaten his security in society. Or, in this case, his plan to poison the population. For Ajax Rasmussen, it doesn't matter whether or not you believe in vampires as it may result in your untimely, gruesome death.
This book is well written in details that takes your imagination to little known areas of Romania or in the morgue for an autopsy. It is also filled with historical and cultural facts such as the Native Americans and Franciscans in the missions of California. If the plot doesn't do enough for your intellectual side, the dialogue will intrigue you with the background. It is a really good read. And I look forward to reading more from this author.
This book is well written in details that takes your imagination to little known areas of Romania or in the morgue for an autopsy. It is also filled with historical and cultural facts such as the Native Americans and Franciscans in the missions of California. If the plot doesn't do enough for your intellectual side, the dialogue will intrigue you with the background. It is a really good read. And I look forward to reading more from this author.
September 20, 2017
A Passing Curse by C. R. Trolson is another fine example of astute writing by this author. An interesting mix of vampire, thriller and mystery, Trolson does a fine job of masterfully guiding the reader on a journey that involves a serial killer, archeology, and maybe even vampires. This story takes place in several locales as we follow detective Reese in his quest to solve the serial killer mystery, and the Transylvania area, where Rusty the archeologist is looking into finding Vlad Tepes (aka Dracula) for her latest employer. There are plenty of over the top graphic scenes whereby the victims' injuries are horrifyingly described, along with some violent fight scenes and some sexual undertones. These things don't detract from the story, but rather add to the sense of tension and peril. Trolson writes well, finely tuning his characters so you get to know them through their actions, and creates scenes that are memorable while meshing together disparate genres. This story is a different take on the vampire angle, and is highly enjoyable.
September 26, 2017
C. R. Trolson’s “A Passing Curse” is an exciting suspense novel about the search for a serial killer, which is a subject I find highly fascinating. I thought the author did a really good job of capturing the deranged psychopathy of a serial killer and presenting it in a way that seemed realistic and like it could have been something ripped directly from the front page of a modern day newspaper. This is the second book I have read and reviewed by C. R. Trolson (the first being “Shake the Dead”), and I have to say that Trolson is an author who fits A LOT into his plotlines! There are often many subplots going on along with the main plotline, which would probably seem a bit overwhelming if they weren’t fairly seamlessly woven together in a way that makes it easy to follow and digest, although if you don’t like switching storylines at all, you might have issues. The author’s writing style is good quality although it might have benefited from a bit more content editing.
October 5, 2017
A Passing Curse is a vampire story combined with a mystery plotline. It’s very engaging and very enjoyable, even though – almost from the start – you can guess where the story is leading to. It’s a classic heroes VS villains story, no problem there. The characters are nicely layered, with multiple motivations and very dark and gritty.
The start is a bit slow but it definitely speeds up and offers a good pace throughout the book with some nice twists here and there that add substance to the story. There’s a good combination of elements from different literary genres, that all blend quite well together.
It certainly has a Dracula vibe in it. Something like a supernatural thriller may be the best way to describe A Passing Curse. The author does a very good in story and character development, offering the readers a very enjoyable experience while avoiding a bunch of clichés. I really enjoyed reading it.
The start is a bit slow but it definitely speeds up and offers a good pace throughout the book with some nice twists here and there that add substance to the story. There’s a good combination of elements from different literary genres, that all blend quite well together.
It certainly has a Dracula vibe in it. Something like a supernatural thriller may be the best way to describe A Passing Curse. The author does a very good in story and character development, offering the readers a very enjoyable experience while avoiding a bunch of clichés. I really enjoyed reading it.
September 28, 2017
Who says you have to stay in one genre when you write? There is so much to this story, it is a thriller, a mystery, action packed horror, fantasy, and o so dark. I loved the combination of elements. It was very refreshing to see different elements of a story come together so beautifully. The author certainly knew what he was doing when it was stitched together seamlessly.
The story focuses on a couple different characters and the intertwining of their paths that meet at vampires, of course. But not in a vampire love story / good guy vampire / romanticised sort of way. Very much tapped into the Dracula vibe. The characters are dark and the killer is so twisted. The author did an excellent job of setting a tone throughout the entire book.
The story focuses on a couple different characters and the intertwining of their paths that meet at vampires, of course. But not in a vampire love story / good guy vampire / romanticised sort of way. Very much tapped into the Dracula vibe. The characters are dark and the killer is so twisted. The author did an excellent job of setting a tone throughout the entire book.
November 5, 2014
A Passing Curse or a curse to stay, is the question!
Penelope “Rusty” Webber, our lead lady and “world famous archaeologist” is sent out to excavate the mystery of Vlad Tepes, the ancient blood thirsty vampire warlord in Villareceau by Ajax Rasmussen, a modern day tycoon, from the lead supplier of blood products, Cirrus Industries in Santa Marina. Our hero Reese Tarrant, retired LAPD cop, joins in to uncover the conundrum of the “Anaheim vampire” Richard Lamb aka Homer Wermels, which has left behind a trail of dead and “live” bodies in and around California and Transylvania. But the duo end up unearthing the secrets of Ajax and his protégés, most importantly his henchman Ted Rovanovich.
As much as Rusty goes by the books in her research, Reese seems out of the box with his techniques. The more they disagree on the prolific facts and fiction round and about town, steeped in its Spanish colonist history and native Indian superstitions, closer they come together on one common ground, that everything is not what it seems. Something is just not right.
Surprisingly, it seems while ancient vampires were famous for their fangs and talons in sucking out blood meals from their prey, contemporary vampires have graduated to syringes and vials for extracting blood products from their victims. On the top of the list, Ajax, selling top quality blood corpuscles, plasma, serum and platelets for millions of dollars globally, makes the virtuous mogul on the face of it all, and some dark vampire lord behind the scenes. While he is plotting to expand his empire, contaminate his blood supplies, infest the world with zombies, Ajax himself invites and challenges Rusty and Reese to stop him at his own game. To add to the drama, Rusty, Ajax and Reese get embroiled in an ominous love triangle, where each struggles to have what is already taken. And each right step, every wrong move has its own sweet reward, its own brutal punishment.
As much as the 1200 years old vampire keeps resurrecting through history from Vlad Tepes to Father Delgado, then Raul Pavoni to Ajax Rasmussen, in the end we are left wondering if he is resurrecting once again as some one, in some other time, at some place else.
Or maybe, maybe the 55 years old ex CEO of Cirrus Industries had immaculately planned his vengeance against his previously owned company for having being dismissed from the powers and privileges he once held over his home turf. Maybe his plans to infect his virus into the global Cirrus supplies were deliberately meant to incriminate the organization; and his arrival on the scene with some antidote for the virus would catapult him as the much revered, much needed savior for Cirrus, hence being rewarded with a prolific publicized comeback to head Cirrus once again. Perhaps, as is so prevalent in the corporate world, it was all about power and control for Ajax, the narcissist that he was. Maybe Rusty and Reese were as much a part of his master plot as much as were everyone else, it simply did not matter if they were dead or alive in the larger scheme of things. And perhaps the folklore and myths surrounding some Dracula provided the perfect backdrop for his perfect revenge. Very well premeditated and orchestrated indeed for the villain that he was! Who knows?
Penelope “Rusty” Webber, our lead lady and “world famous archaeologist” is sent out to excavate the mystery of Vlad Tepes, the ancient blood thirsty vampire warlord in Villareceau by Ajax Rasmussen, a modern day tycoon, from the lead supplier of blood products, Cirrus Industries in Santa Marina. Our hero Reese Tarrant, retired LAPD cop, joins in to uncover the conundrum of the “Anaheim vampire” Richard Lamb aka Homer Wermels, which has left behind a trail of dead and “live” bodies in and around California and Transylvania. But the duo end up unearthing the secrets of Ajax and his protégés, most importantly his henchman Ted Rovanovich.
As much as Rusty goes by the books in her research, Reese seems out of the box with his techniques. The more they disagree on the prolific facts and fiction round and about town, steeped in its Spanish colonist history and native Indian superstitions, closer they come together on one common ground, that everything is not what it seems. Something is just not right.
Surprisingly, it seems while ancient vampires were famous for their fangs and talons in sucking out blood meals from their prey, contemporary vampires have graduated to syringes and vials for extracting blood products from their victims. On the top of the list, Ajax, selling top quality blood corpuscles, plasma, serum and platelets for millions of dollars globally, makes the virtuous mogul on the face of it all, and some dark vampire lord behind the scenes. While he is plotting to expand his empire, contaminate his blood supplies, infest the world with zombies, Ajax himself invites and challenges Rusty and Reese to stop him at his own game. To add to the drama, Rusty, Ajax and Reese get embroiled in an ominous love triangle, where each struggles to have what is already taken. And each right step, every wrong move has its own sweet reward, its own brutal punishment.
As much as the 1200 years old vampire keeps resurrecting through history from Vlad Tepes to Father Delgado, then Raul Pavoni to Ajax Rasmussen, in the end we are left wondering if he is resurrecting once again as some one, in some other time, at some place else.
Or maybe, maybe the 55 years old ex CEO of Cirrus Industries had immaculately planned his vengeance against his previously owned company for having being dismissed from the powers and privileges he once held over his home turf. Maybe his plans to infect his virus into the global Cirrus supplies were deliberately meant to incriminate the organization; and his arrival on the scene with some antidote for the virus would catapult him as the much revered, much needed savior for Cirrus, hence being rewarded with a prolific publicized comeback to head Cirrus once again. Perhaps, as is so prevalent in the corporate world, it was all about power and control for Ajax, the narcissist that he was. Maybe Rusty and Reese were as much a part of his master plot as much as were everyone else, it simply did not matter if they were dead or alive in the larger scheme of things. And perhaps the folklore and myths surrounding some Dracula provided the perfect backdrop for his perfect revenge. Very well premeditated and orchestrated indeed for the villain that he was! Who knows?
March 9, 2014
`Most of history is a crime....'
Bay Area Northern California author C.R. Trolson has been writing for a number of years. He grew up on Santa Barbara, CA and in Odessa, TX. According to his notes, `I spent a good deal of time researching aspects of this book such as forensic procedure, both police and archeological, the quacks, scientists, and entrepreneurs that make up the blood business, mission life in Old California, as well as the customs and myths of the Caneleno Indians and the Franciscans.' All of this background most assuredly contributed to this first novel, A Passing Curse, which takes place in an old Spanish Mission town much like Santa Barbara, the curse of the title being the vampire that arrived with the first Spanish colonists, a refugee of the Inquisition. Trolson's passion for history as well as his pleasure of constructing the perfect sentence/paragraph/page/chapter have lead him to create a multifaceted story with elements that will appeal (if not as a whole) to a wide audience.
Though the novel involves the vampire genre it weaves a story that includes a strong female lead character, tough enough to stand toe to toe with a jaded, LA police veteran. Both characters encounter the unexpected in a man out of time whose beginnings hint at the supernatural. The author has generously provided a synopsis of the story: `When homicide detective Reese Tarrant corners Richard Lamb, aka the Anaheim Vampire, a prolific serial killer who drains his victims' blood, and realizes he has no proof other than gut instinct and his own heart, he kills him and covers it up. Tarrant is fired from the Los Angeles Police Department but finds enough evidence to keep himself from going to prison, barely. Some of this evidence leads him up the coast to the small mission town of Santa Marina and billionaire philanthropist, art collector and whole blood fractionator Ajax Rasmussen who owns a palace overlooking the Pacific. Archeologist Penelope "Rusty" Webber has been hired by Ajax to investigate Indian skeletons found on land he owns behind the Santa Marina Mission. Even though it pays well, it is a job she views with ambivalence: the last time she worked for Ajax, a supposedly scholarly investigation into the whereabouts of Dracula's tomb, she was nearly raped and executed by Romanian rebels. Rusty doesn't trust Ajax, but he has the money to resurrect a career stalled by charges she killed a fellow archeologist.'
Making a story about gore, serial killings, copious amounts of sanguine details, plucky legal maneuverings, scholarly interest in Romanian folklore, and human passions plucked to the extreme is a task daunting for any author. But Trolson's attention to minute detail keeps his story fast paced, and despite some lapses into incredulity (do recall that this is a vampire tale...), he manages to keep the reader's attention riveted. If stories of this ilk appeal, this book will satisfy.
Bay Area Northern California author C.R. Trolson has been writing for a number of years. He grew up on Santa Barbara, CA and in Odessa, TX. According to his notes, `I spent a good deal of time researching aspects of this book such as forensic procedure, both police and archeological, the quacks, scientists, and entrepreneurs that make up the blood business, mission life in Old California, as well as the customs and myths of the Caneleno Indians and the Franciscans.' All of this background most assuredly contributed to this first novel, A Passing Curse, which takes place in an old Spanish Mission town much like Santa Barbara, the curse of the title being the vampire that arrived with the first Spanish colonists, a refugee of the Inquisition. Trolson's passion for history as well as his pleasure of constructing the perfect sentence/paragraph/page/chapter have lead him to create a multifaceted story with elements that will appeal (if not as a whole) to a wide audience.
Though the novel involves the vampire genre it weaves a story that includes a strong female lead character, tough enough to stand toe to toe with a jaded, LA police veteran. Both characters encounter the unexpected in a man out of time whose beginnings hint at the supernatural. The author has generously provided a synopsis of the story: `When homicide detective Reese Tarrant corners Richard Lamb, aka the Anaheim Vampire, a prolific serial killer who drains his victims' blood, and realizes he has no proof other than gut instinct and his own heart, he kills him and covers it up. Tarrant is fired from the Los Angeles Police Department but finds enough evidence to keep himself from going to prison, barely. Some of this evidence leads him up the coast to the small mission town of Santa Marina and billionaire philanthropist, art collector and whole blood fractionator Ajax Rasmussen who owns a palace overlooking the Pacific. Archeologist Penelope "Rusty" Webber has been hired by Ajax to investigate Indian skeletons found on land he owns behind the Santa Marina Mission. Even though it pays well, it is a job she views with ambivalence: the last time she worked for Ajax, a supposedly scholarly investigation into the whereabouts of Dracula's tomb, she was nearly raped and executed by Romanian rebels. Rusty doesn't trust Ajax, but he has the money to resurrect a career stalled by charges she killed a fellow archeologist.'
Making a story about gore, serial killings, copious amounts of sanguine details, plucky legal maneuverings, scholarly interest in Romanian folklore, and human passions plucked to the extreme is a task daunting for any author. But Trolson's attention to minute detail keeps his story fast paced, and despite some lapses into incredulity (do recall that this is a vampire tale...), he manages to keep the reader's attention riveted. If stories of this ilk appeal, this book will satisfy.
April 2, 2014
Reese Tarrant is a senior LAPD detective who tries to arrest serial killer Richard Lamb, the "Anaheim vampire" who killed thirteen women and drained their blood. The handcuffed Lamb attacks Reese and chews his chest before being shot. Reese, after hospitalization, is fired for unnecessary force and he goes to the coastal Californian town of Santa Marina. Meanwhile, Rusty Webber has been hired by billionaire Ajax Rasmussen, who has made his money by organizing the nation's biggest blood bank, to go to Romania and look for Vlad Tepes' tomb. For some reason, three Romanian police/soldiers kill her guard and try to rape her before she loses consciousness and wakes to find herself in the coffin, with the three assailants beheaded. She is arrested for their murder, taken in front of a firing squad, and after a long conversation she is rescued, and subsequently offered a job as archaeologist in Santa Marina. No, I am not spoiling this book; it has yet to really get started. Whereas this would provide the material for two novels in some hands, we are only a few percent into the book. What happens next is that Reese and Rusty eventually get to suspect Ajax of being a vampire, and of intending to create havoc by introducing the vampire virus into the nation's blood.
Which gets to the question, what sort of book is this? It is not really a horror story, because while there is plenty of grisly crime, it is all off-scene, and all we see is the remains. It is not really a mystery, because who is doing what is fairly evident after about ten per cent of the way through. It is not really a police story because Reese's habit of ignoring things like evidence and of trying to make a workable plan before taking action has to make Lestrade look like an inspiration. It is not really an action story, because when Reese tries, his bumbling simply gets him into horrible situations. However, whatever else is missing, events are not. The story evolves at a bewildering pace, and contains the elements of all the different genres listed above. If you don't think about it too much, the story is probably four and a half stars, but for me there were two problems. The first is I think there is too much content, with the result that at the end, there are too many loose ends. Examples are the scenes in the first paragraph above; how could they possibly happen? The second is that I found it difficult to work out why people are doing what, and in particular Ajax. However, if that does not bother you, it is well written generally, and while some other reviewers have complained about editing issues, and yes there is the odd nit to pick, there is nothing in the presentation that spoils your reading flow. This is apparently a first book, and I suspect that when Trolson can get a better hand on structural issues in his stories, he will be well worth reading.
Which gets to the question, what sort of book is this? It is not really a horror story, because while there is plenty of grisly crime, it is all off-scene, and all we see is the remains. It is not really a mystery, because who is doing what is fairly evident after about ten per cent of the way through. It is not really a police story because Reese's habit of ignoring things like evidence and of trying to make a workable plan before taking action has to make Lestrade look like an inspiration. It is not really an action story, because when Reese tries, his bumbling simply gets him into horrible situations. However, whatever else is missing, events are not. The story evolves at a bewildering pace, and contains the elements of all the different genres listed above. If you don't think about it too much, the story is probably four and a half stars, but for me there were two problems. The first is I think there is too much content, with the result that at the end, there are too many loose ends. Examples are the scenes in the first paragraph above; how could they possibly happen? The second is that I found it difficult to work out why people are doing what, and in particular Ajax. However, if that does not bother you, it is well written generally, and while some other reviewers have complained about editing issues, and yes there is the odd nit to pick, there is nothing in the presentation that spoils your reading flow. This is apparently a first book, and I suspect that when Trolson can get a better hand on structural issues in his stories, he will be well worth reading.
August 15, 2017
This book took me a while to really get into it, but that was because there were so many questions in the beginning that bogged down my mind. I loved that the questions were answered and how the book ended up. For once, I figured out what was going to happen.
Ajax is a delightful villain. He has motivations, but you really don't figure it all out until close to the end. I loved and disliked that about him. There was so much of me trying to figure him out that I didn't know what to think about him. However, he reminds me a lot of old school Hollywood Dracula. There's a forein-ness to him and everything that happens because of him, you start really rooting for the good guys.
Rusty was a pretty cool character. I didn't know what to think about with her at first, but she really grew close to the end. I was confused about her physical features and envisioned her a raven haired woman, not the red head that she was. That might have been because I missed that part of her introduction, though.
Reese was the character that I could understand the best. He definitely sounded like the crazy guy that everyone was trying to say he was, but somehow he was still someone I wanted to root for.
The overall story was a bit hard to get into, like I said before, but it was still a good book. I didn't want to stop reading, no matter how discouraged I was that answers weren't happening. Then again, that's what made this book interesting. The mystery of figuring out the "why" overpowered most of the story and keeps the reader going.
Ajax is a delightful villain. He has motivations, but you really don't figure it all out until close to the end. I loved and disliked that about him. There was so much of me trying to figure him out that I didn't know what to think about him. However, he reminds me a lot of old school Hollywood Dracula. There's a forein-ness to him and everything that happens because of him, you start really rooting for the good guys.
Rusty was a pretty cool character. I didn't know what to think about with her at first, but she really grew close to the end. I was confused about her physical features and envisioned her a raven haired woman, not the red head that she was. That might have been because I missed that part of her introduction, though.
Reese was the character that I could understand the best. He definitely sounded like the crazy guy that everyone was trying to say he was, but somehow he was still someone I wanted to root for.
The overall story was a bit hard to get into, like I said before, but it was still a good book. I didn't want to stop reading, no matter how discouraged I was that answers weren't happening. Then again, that's what made this book interesting. The mystery of figuring out the "why" overpowered most of the story and keeps the reader going.
October 26, 2014
Vampires stories are a dime a dozen these days, and due to the Twilight epidemic, most of them aren’t worth reading. This story, however, is NOT the typical vampire story you want to skip over. Homicide detective Reese Tarrant is after a serial killer dubbed the Ahaheim Vampire, a man who drains all his victims of blood.
When he accuses Richard Lamb, without any concrete proof, he is forced out of his job, and on the trail of some new evidence that leads him to wealthy Ajax Rasmussen and the woman he employs, Archeologist Penelope Webber. Webber was once hired my Ajax, and this time he hires to investigate the skeletons found on his land.
What makes this story so different that most vampire stories is that it focuses less on fantastical romance and more on forensic facts, investigation of the very real possibility of modern day vampires in Ajax, a charismatic, mysterious billionaire, who may or may not be a vampire. Because of this, the book isn’t just a fun quick read, it’s one that you want to sit and focus on for hours at a time.
This book has elements that you expect in a well-told vampire story: graphic descriptions, gore, death, and macabre mystery, and I appreciated that the author obviously did his research before starting to write.
I enjoyed the paring of the main characters Detective Reese and “Rusty” Webber and the twists and turns the author presents to keep you reading. If you are looking for a good paranormal murder mystery, give this one a shot. You won’t be disappointed.
When he accuses Richard Lamb, without any concrete proof, he is forced out of his job, and on the trail of some new evidence that leads him to wealthy Ajax Rasmussen and the woman he employs, Archeologist Penelope Webber. Webber was once hired my Ajax, and this time he hires to investigate the skeletons found on his land.
What makes this story so different that most vampire stories is that it focuses less on fantastical romance and more on forensic facts, investigation of the very real possibility of modern day vampires in Ajax, a charismatic, mysterious billionaire, who may or may not be a vampire. Because of this, the book isn’t just a fun quick read, it’s one that you want to sit and focus on for hours at a time.
This book has elements that you expect in a well-told vampire story: graphic descriptions, gore, death, and macabre mystery, and I appreciated that the author obviously did his research before starting to write.
I enjoyed the paring of the main characters Detective Reese and “Rusty” Webber and the twists and turns the author presents to keep you reading. If you are looking for a good paranormal murder mystery, give this one a shot. You won’t be disappointed.
April 17, 2014
I recorded the season finale of Walking Dead so I could finish reading this book first, I enjoyed it that much.
As the story begins, we are introduced to the main characters (Rusty Webber, archeologist and Reese Tarrant, LA cop, aka the heroes; and Ajax Rasmussen, the villain) and a series of events that brings the heroes to the fictional town of Santa Marina, near Santa Barbara, California. And from there, we have mayhem, gold, a California Mission, vampires, money, pseudo vampires, people on the take, ghosts, jealousy, bravery, mockery, lots of money, subterfuge, the Chumash, some really creative murder scenes and a bit of a love story. Not in that order.
Primarily taking place in a sleepy little town that hasn’t seen a murder in 10 years, C.R. Trolson introduces us to a town filled with quintessential characters that we would find in most any community ranging from the local vagrants to a police chief who may or may not be on the take to the local billionaire bachelor who spies on the goings on through a telescope in his office. Well written with a flare of drama, a touch of comedy and some seat of the pants action, “A Passing Curse” is the story of a vampire seeking control and domination of others. Or perhaps, it’s the orchestrated games of a lonely man who makes sociopaths look benign. Either way, you will have to pick up your copy to find out for sure, as Trolson takes you on an adventure that will keep you guessing to the end.
As the story begins, we are introduced to the main characters (Rusty Webber, archeologist and Reese Tarrant, LA cop, aka the heroes; and Ajax Rasmussen, the villain) and a series of events that brings the heroes to the fictional town of Santa Marina, near Santa Barbara, California. And from there, we have mayhem, gold, a California Mission, vampires, money, pseudo vampires, people on the take, ghosts, jealousy, bravery, mockery, lots of money, subterfuge, the Chumash, some really creative murder scenes and a bit of a love story. Not in that order.
Primarily taking place in a sleepy little town that hasn’t seen a murder in 10 years, C.R. Trolson introduces us to a town filled with quintessential characters that we would find in most any community ranging from the local vagrants to a police chief who may or may not be on the take to the local billionaire bachelor who spies on the goings on through a telescope in his office. Well written with a flare of drama, a touch of comedy and some seat of the pants action, “A Passing Curse” is the story of a vampire seeking control and domination of others. Or perhaps, it’s the orchestrated games of a lonely man who makes sociopaths look benign. Either way, you will have to pick up your copy to find out for sure, as Trolson takes you on an adventure that will keep you guessing to the end.
April 10, 2014
I was not sure what I thought this book would be when I started but as it turns out it is basically a police drama, throw in a bit of poorly written romance and a LOT of great story with enough uncertainty to make you wonder if you are reading things right.
Reese and Rusty make a great couple to move this amazing plot along. The fact that the author needs to get a romance writer to help with such things does not reduce how entertaining this book was, the romance was just klunky as written, more like a drive-by.
The whole thing revolves around whether the "big evil thing" Ajax who runs a blood distribution network and "might" be a vampire but the author keeps you second guessing yourself for a lot of the book. It is a great story and the author pulls it off well but the reading got slow a few times but I can say that my usual response to that is scanning pages, none of that here, I was afraid I might miss something. Read every page and loved the ending, there a very few people in this book that are good/bad but a lot of people in the grey, it makes for colorful characters.
There is a bit of gore and plans seldom go as imagined kinda like a real human plan so hang on for a good ride, this was great reading entertainment and if I ignored the poorly written romantic parts it would be a 5 Star novel.
Reese and Rusty make a great couple to move this amazing plot along. The fact that the author needs to get a romance writer to help with such things does not reduce how entertaining this book was, the romance was just klunky as written, more like a drive-by.
The whole thing revolves around whether the "big evil thing" Ajax who runs a blood distribution network and "might" be a vampire but the author keeps you second guessing yourself for a lot of the book. It is a great story and the author pulls it off well but the reading got slow a few times but I can say that my usual response to that is scanning pages, none of that here, I was afraid I might miss something. Read every page and loved the ending, there a very few people in this book that are good/bad but a lot of people in the grey, it makes for colorful characters.
There is a bit of gore and plans seldom go as imagined kinda like a real human plan so hang on for a good ride, this was great reading entertainment and if I ignored the poorly written romantic parts it would be a 5 Star novel.
August 1, 2014
I knew it! That's the first thing that came out of my mouth when I read about business magnate and blood-drinking Ajax Rasmussen. I didn;t have to be a detective nor a Dracula hunter like Reese Tarrant and Rusty Webber to put two and two together. These two folks, by the way, are intense and magnanimously paired. The billionaire villain made the story even more fun and engrossing to read.
A Passing Curse, is a greatly written work of art, the story is distinctive and really engaging. Why, I was already hooked right from the first chapter! Imagine interrogating a dying woman and describing the Anaheim Vampire who had pressed a sock to the hole in her neck and drained of blood. If it weren't creepy to you, well for me, that itself was a big-time introduction. The rest of the story were entertaining, at the same time, heart-pounding and nerve-wracking!
I liked how the author have described the vampire in this novel. For once, the vampire didn't glisten nor sparkle. Another, the story is full of twists and suspense. There are gruesome scenes, serial killers, dead bodies, gory bloodfest and so much more. Now this is the kind of vampire story that will really spook me and won't let me have a goodnight sleep. Kudos to C. R. Trolson for keeping me up all night!
A Passing Curse, is a greatly written work of art, the story is distinctive and really engaging. Why, I was already hooked right from the first chapter! Imagine interrogating a dying woman and describing the Anaheim Vampire who had pressed a sock to the hole in her neck and drained of blood. If it weren't creepy to you, well for me, that itself was a big-time introduction. The rest of the story were entertaining, at the same time, heart-pounding and nerve-wracking!
I liked how the author have described the vampire in this novel. For once, the vampire didn't glisten nor sparkle. Another, the story is full of twists and suspense. There are gruesome scenes, serial killers, dead bodies, gory bloodfest and so much more. Now this is the kind of vampire story that will really spook me and won't let me have a goodnight sleep. Kudos to C. R. Trolson for keeping me up all night!
March 30, 2014
The writing is good, the story is different (at least for me). I'm not use to reading about vampires. I know this is the new genre for people with all the emphasis on the vampire and zombie realm. But that is not what I like to read.
I picked the novel up because I was asked to take a look at it and see what I thought. I like detective novels that spin a good story. That part of the story is what I enjoyed. The detective is well seasoned but is not doing well with the concept of vampires. He is on the trail of a serial killer who mimics the traits of a vampire.
Then there is the Dracula hunter, really what's up with that?
The characters are well developed, the story line is well developed, the detective is someone you want to see win, the killer is someone you want to see behind bars. The vampires? Well, I'll leave that to you to decide.
So, what happens when a billionaire is maybe the vampire? Hmmmm, interesting twists of turns in the story.
All in all if you enjoy this genre you are going to like the book. It is not a quick read. It will take you time, but you should enjoy it.
I picked the novel up because I was asked to take a look at it and see what I thought. I like detective novels that spin a good story. That part of the story is what I enjoyed. The detective is well seasoned but is not doing well with the concept of vampires. He is on the trail of a serial killer who mimics the traits of a vampire.
Then there is the Dracula hunter, really what's up with that?
The characters are well developed, the story line is well developed, the detective is someone you want to see win, the killer is someone you want to see behind bars. The vampires? Well, I'll leave that to you to decide.
So, what happens when a billionaire is maybe the vampire? Hmmmm, interesting twists of turns in the story.
All in all if you enjoy this genre you are going to like the book. It is not a quick read. It will take you time, but you should enjoy it.
April 4, 2014
LAPD Detective Reese Tarrant is one cool dude. He gets fired for what some might say was doing his job. Richard Lamb was a serial killer that the media had dubbed the “Anaheim Vampire”, during the chase Tarrant kills him and this is what got him fired. Now on his own he is hot on the trail of a billionaire named Rasmussen. Reese does not believe there are really supernatural creatures like vampires and is in for a very rude awakening.
Rusty Webber is an archaeologist that has worked with the mysteriously pale billionaire on other occasions. The last time she was very nearly executed the Romanians while searching for Dracula’s tomb. She only takes the job this time because her career hit bottom after she was suspected of murder. Reese and Rusty cross paths in Santa Marina, and again rusty finds herself suspected of murder but this time Reese is her alibi. Together they begin to look into these new deaths, deaths where people are being drained of blood.
Although you know that Ajax is the killer the story is not your typical vampire lore. If you want to know more and join Reese and Rusty on their quest to solve the gruesome murders, I suggest you get your own copy today.
Rusty Webber is an archaeologist that has worked with the mysteriously pale billionaire on other occasions. The last time she was very nearly executed the Romanians while searching for Dracula’s tomb. She only takes the job this time because her career hit bottom after she was suspected of murder. Reese and Rusty cross paths in Santa Marina, and again rusty finds herself suspected of murder but this time Reese is her alibi. Together they begin to look into these new deaths, deaths where people are being drained of blood.
Although you know that Ajax is the killer the story is not your typical vampire lore. If you want to know more and join Reese and Rusty on their quest to solve the gruesome murders, I suggest you get your own copy today.
April 18, 2014
It is moments like this that I really wish there was a .5 scale rating system on this website because I likely have rated this book a 3.5. On the positive side I found A Passing Curse to generally enjoyable and I was a bit caught up in the mystery element surrounding the character Ajax. I liked having the author tease us with little glimpses or suggestions about the nature of the Ajax without giving an actual definition of whom or what he is. I also thought that some of the death scenes were creative. Also a positive mark for me was the use of other supernatural elements based in a specific Native American tribal culture; giving the story a very uniquely American twist. On the negative side, I felt that the two main characters were hard to relate to in that Rusty was unrealistically intrepid for a woman with a scholar’s background. Her male counterpart Reese, seemed to jump to conclusions too quickly for someone who spent years as a homicide detective. Lastly, I found it difficult to assume that even in a small town where money rules that so many homicides and other incidents would have been that easy to seep under the rug.
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