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Vampire Book Club #5
In Want of a Knife
What more could a diehard fan ask for? Except that Jane is undead and unamused…
To bookshop owner and witch Quinn Callahan’s delight, Jane Austen shows up for the late-night Vampire Book Club in Ballydehag, Ireland. Quinn’s thrilled and aching to ask her favorite author all the questions every rabid reader has about Jane's books, especially Pride and Prejudice. But Jane isn't in Ballydehag on a social call. She’s on a mission to stop the latest movie version of her most famous book from being made. Having Pride and Prejudice turned into a pornographic film is too much for the undead author to bear.
Dermott Lynch ditched Ballydehag seventeen years ago for the bright lights of Hollywood, leaving behind at least one broken heart and some very bad feelings. Now, he’s back, flashy and full of himself, wowing the townsfolk, and scouting locations for his movie, though it's obvious he’s never read a single page of Pride and Prejudice.
While excitement ripples through the locals at the prospect of having a movie shot in a village that doesn’t see much excitement (in daylight, anyway), the vampires living at Devil’s Keep are far from impressed. They prefer to keep Ballydehag quiet and remote. And Dermott Lynch could ruin it all.
Quinn, Jane, Lochlan Balfour, and his fellow vampires are determined to block this unsavory character from besmirching the classic novel. But as dark feelings grow, rather than a porno, the movie could end up being a murder mystery.
In Want of a Knife is book 5 in the Vampire Book Club series, which promises quirky characters, humor, and a touch of romance, but no swearing, blood, or gore. Each book can be read on its own. “I’ve read my way through this series and escaped my mundane working life for the magic of an Irish village with pleasure.” *****
To bookshop owner and witch Quinn Callahan’s delight, Jane Austen shows up for the late-night Vampire Book Club in Ballydehag, Ireland. Quinn’s thrilled and aching to ask her favorite author all the questions every rabid reader has about Jane's books, especially Pride and Prejudice. But Jane isn't in Ballydehag on a social call. She’s on a mission to stop the latest movie version of her most famous book from being made. Having Pride and Prejudice turned into a pornographic film is too much for the undead author to bear.
Dermott Lynch ditched Ballydehag seventeen years ago for the bright lights of Hollywood, leaving behind at least one broken heart and some very bad feelings. Now, he’s back, flashy and full of himself, wowing the townsfolk, and scouting locations for his movie, though it's obvious he’s never read a single page of Pride and Prejudice.
While excitement ripples through the locals at the prospect of having a movie shot in a village that doesn’t see much excitement (in daylight, anyway), the vampires living at Devil’s Keep are far from impressed. They prefer to keep Ballydehag quiet and remote. And Dermott Lynch could ruin it all.
Quinn, Jane, Lochlan Balfour, and his fellow vampires are determined to block this unsavory character from besmirching the classic novel. But as dark feelings grow, rather than a porno, the movie could end up being a murder mystery.
In Want of a Knife is book 5 in the Vampire Book Club series, which promises quirky characters, humor, and a touch of romance, but no swearing, blood, or gore. Each book can be read on its own. “I’ve read my way through this series and escaped my mundane working life for the magic of an Irish village with pleasure.” *****
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 24, 2023
330 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
Nancy Warren
284 books1,882 followersNancy Warren is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 novels.
She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
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She’s known for writing funny, sexy and suspenseful tales. She’s an avid hiker, animal lover, wine drinker and chocolate fiend. Favorite moments in her career include being featured on the front page of the New York Times, being the answer to a crossword puzzle clue in Canada’s National Post newspaper and being a finalist three times in the Rita awards. She has won the Reviewer’s Choice Award from Romantic Times magazine.
Get a free short story when you sign up for Nancy's newsletter at www.NancyWarrenAuthor.com or join Nancy in her private Facebook group to talk about books, knitting, pets & life.
www.facebook.com/groups/NancyWarrenKn...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
December 27, 2023
Not my favorite. I've been loving Warren's works. I love vampire knitting club
I've been enjoying this series. I loved the great witches baking show...expect the ending. I was excited for this one because Austen but it didn't hit for me. We don't find the body until page 145. Which is fine. This isn't the only time Warren took forever for us to get to the murder but the book also ends on page 201. The last line is ugh. It just feels unfinished. And the mystery part feels rushed. It's not enough for me to give up on this series. And I am planning to read the village flower shop series but this one is a low point
I've been enjoying this series. I loved the great witches baking show...expect the ending. I was excited for this one because Austen but it didn't hit for me. We don't find the body until page 145. Which is fine. This isn't the only time Warren took forever for us to get to the murder but the book also ends on page 201. The last line is ugh. It just feels unfinished. And the mystery part feels rushed. It's not enough for me to give up on this series. And I am planning to read the village flower shop series but this one is a low point
October 26, 2023
Not a bad entry in the series, just not my favorite. Once again Quinn, a witch sent to a small town in Ireland for bad witch behavior, ends up investigating a murder in the small town. While she runs a local bookshop (owned by another witch who has been sent away for bad behavior), almost no action takes place there this time.
We do have a few of the local vampires play a part in this mystery, but a good deal of the book takes place inside Quinn's head this time, probably more than I typically care for.
I will definitely read the next in the series, but hope the Vampire Book Club gets to play a bit more of a part in it.
We do have a few of the local vampires play a part in this mystery, but a good deal of the book takes place inside Quinn's head this time, probably more than I typically care for.
I will definitely read the next in the series, but hope the Vampire Book Club gets to play a bit more of a part in it.
November 9, 2023
I love this series and Nancy Warren's other books, but this one just did not connect with me.
First, Quinn felt these evil forebodings. But nothing bad happened to those in her inner circle, so that seemed pointless.
Then we have Jane Austen as a vampire. Seriously? And she's not even pleasant. And don't get me started that McDermott was going to make a porno out of her novel! That just seemed so completely unsavory and out of step with these para-cozy reads.
And I don't like how Karen, the B&B owner, is associated with Billy, American gangster. She does look to Quinn to get him out of her hair a bit, but why is she wasting her time with this oaf? Surely she deserves better! Same for Beatrice and Giles. Why are these women wasting themselves on these losers?
I would have liked to have seen more of Quinn and Lochlan. This book just kind of depressed me. I really didn't care who the murderer was, so I didn't hazard a guess. But I would be grateful if we could keep the quaint Irish village free of pornographic filmmakers. Sheesh.
First, Quinn felt these evil forebodings. But nothing bad happened to those in her inner circle, so that seemed pointless.
Then we have Jane Austen as a vampire. Seriously? And she's not even pleasant. And don't get me started that McDermott was going to make a porno out of her novel! That just seemed so completely unsavory and out of step with these para-cozy reads.
And I don't like how Karen, the B&B owner, is associated with Billy, American gangster. She does look to Quinn to get him out of her hair a bit, but why is she wasting her time with this oaf? Surely she deserves better! Same for Beatrice and Giles. Why are these women wasting themselves on these losers?
I would have liked to have seen more of Quinn and Lochlan. This book just kind of depressed me. I really didn't care who the murderer was, so I didn't hazard a guess. But I would be grateful if we could keep the quaint Irish village free of pornographic filmmakers. Sheesh.
December 3, 2023
The continuity errors in “Nancy Warren’s” books are an absolute joke. I thought the Vampire Knitting Club errors were bad enough, but this was ridiculous. In books 1-4, the pub owner is Sean O’Grady, but in this book he’s suddenly called Liam. At the end of book 4, the Leprechauns were going to open a cobblers shop, as they were no good at baking. Lo and behold, in this book they open a bakery… I suspect that “Nancy Warren” is in fact more than one writer, but even so, you would think that they would all be familiar with all the relevant plot points. It all makes for a rather irritating read
May 7, 2024
Ok…..definitely not the best - but won’t stop me reading her books by this one felt very rushed. I had this one finished in less than two hours.
No mystery at all who did the murder - which doesn’t even occur until 145 pages in, but I could tell you who was going to die, who did it, what the murder weapon was and where the body would be found, before the victim had even been killed!
The book doesn’t add much to the overall story of Balldehag so can easily be missed and really wish I had.
I don’t know what is was but everything felt lacking, no gardai presence acknowledged like in other books with them being bemused with Quinn discovering body, barely any witch coven involvement even with the presence of possible leprechaun/vampire murderers, barely any book club apart from right at the end which doesn’t get them anywhere and then no final big reveal of the murderer just a knock at the door and Quinn accusing them until they attack her. The Gardai were even going to let the victims business partner leave even though they had an ongoing investigation and she had been given one of the murder weapons, and the other weapons hadn’t even been taken for evidence!!!!!
Overall just felt a very bland story and not up to her usual standard- hoping for better in the next Vampire knitting club book and hopefully she gets back on track with the next book club instalment.
ETA - this reads like an AI version of her previous books - someone mentioned this on another site and now I can’t see it any other way. Characters that don’t act like themselves, changes to names and descriptions all make sense when put in this light. I know others have mentioned someone who had never read her books must have written this and it does feel very much like an AI approximation of her vampire book club world!
No mystery at all who did the murder - which doesn’t even occur until 145 pages in, but I could tell you who was going to die, who did it, what the murder weapon was and where the body would be found, before the victim had even been killed!
The book doesn’t add much to the overall story of Balldehag so can easily be missed and really wish I had.
I don’t know what is was but everything felt lacking, no gardai presence acknowledged like in other books with them being bemused with Quinn discovering body, barely any witch coven involvement even with the presence of possible leprechaun/vampire murderers, barely any book club apart from right at the end which doesn’t get them anywhere and then no final big reveal of the murderer just a knock at the door and Quinn accusing them until they attack her. The Gardai were even going to let the victims business partner leave even though they had an ongoing investigation and she had been given one of the murder weapons, and the other weapons hadn’t even been taken for evidence!!!!!
Overall just felt a very bland story and not up to her usual standard- hoping for better in the next Vampire knitting club book and hopefully she gets back on track with the next book club instalment.
ETA - this reads like an AI version of her previous books - someone mentioned this on another site and now I can’t see it any other way. Characters that don’t act like themselves, changes to names and descriptions all make sense when put in this light. I know others have mentioned someone who had never read her books must have written this and it does feel very much like an AI approximation of her vampire book club world!
April 27, 2024
Quinn has a premonition of something bad about to happen. Then strangers appear in town that seem to have ill intent or do they? Could locals have something to do with the bad events about to happen? Quinn and the vampires are on alert, but since they don't know what to look for it makes it difficult to stop anything bad from happening. Once again, the book club needs to investigate, but are they investigating theft, murder or both and are they related or separate issues. The characters are so well written and some of the vampires are famous literary writers so for a bookseller like Quinn, it is quite exciting. This series is one of my must listen series and once again the audiobook does not disappoint! The narrator really brings the characters and events to life. The narration enhances an already well written cozy mystery.
November 2, 2023
Knife
The Book Club stories are not as full and exciting as Ms Warren's Vampire Knitting Club series. I won't be reading any more of these. Pity.
The Book Club stories are not as full and exciting as Ms Warren's Vampire Knitting Club series. I won't be reading any more of these. Pity.
January 10, 2024
Book #6 can't get here fast enough.
October 26, 2023
I love the series. This book fell flat for me.
November 10, 2023
I absolutely adore The Vampire Knitting Club series so I figured I would love Vampire Book Club, as well. But I don't. This is the second book I've tried (which is #5) and only because Jane Austen is featured in the story. (She's a vampire.)
Quinn wakes with a feeling of dread. Something bad is coming but she doesn't know what. Lucinda, wherever she is, calls her on the scrying mirror. She, too, has felt something but again, knows nothing other than Quinn most be extra careful and use everything in her power to protect the village. Soon the problem becomes clear--a piggish local man who had left the village 17 years earlier has now returned. Portraying himself as a big deal movie director, he has returned home to bring some commerce to the village, by making a porn version of Jane Austen's beloved book, Pride and Prejudice. Quinn vows to save her best loved book and its author as best she can. She needs a way to get rid of the scammer director. Also, two leprechauns move into the village in order to reopen the bakery. No one wants leprechauns around, either, as they are greedy and sneaky .
I've found that the two books I've read in the series (#1 and #5), are incredibly boring. Ms. Warren brings the characters in her "Vampire's Knitting Club" series to life. The characters are wonderfully drawn and likable. The characters in Vampire Book Club are shallowly drawn. I get no sense of them. And I really don't like seeing famous people as vampires. (Oscar Wilde, too, is a vampire.)
I was disappointed in the poor writing and story telling and won't be reading any more of the series.
Quinn wakes with a feeling of dread. Something bad is coming but she doesn't know what. Lucinda, wherever she is, calls her on the scrying mirror. She, too, has felt something but again, knows nothing other than Quinn most be extra careful and use everything in her power to protect the village. Soon the problem becomes clear--a piggish local man who had left the village 17 years earlier has now returned. Portraying himself as a big deal movie director, he has returned home to bring some commerce to the village, by making a porn version of Jane Austen's beloved book, Pride and Prejudice. Quinn vows to save her best loved book and its author as best she can. She needs a way to get rid of the scammer director. Also, two leprechauns move into the village in order to reopen the bakery. No one wants leprechauns around, either, as they are greedy and sneaky .
I've found that the two books I've read in the series (#1 and #5), are incredibly boring. Ms. Warren brings the characters in her "Vampire's Knitting Club" series to life. The characters are wonderfully drawn and likable. The characters in Vampire Book Club are shallowly drawn. I get no sense of them. And I really don't like seeing famous people as vampires. (Oscar Wilde, too, is a vampire.)
I was disappointed in the poor writing and story telling and won't be reading any more of the series.
October 26, 2023
In want of a knife
What did I truly enjoyed reading Nancy Warren’s 5th book in the Vampire Book Club series! It’s a true delight filled with so many funny passages, as a Jane Austen turned vampire is in need of help to stop a moviemaker from making a porno of her beloved Pride and Prejudice book.
You just feel the fun coming of the pages that Nancy Warren must have had writing In Want of a Knife! I really love also how Quinn the local librarian and secretly a witch, is really teaming up and getting closer and closer with Lochlan Balfour, the handsome local Alfa vampire.
Quinn will need all the help she can get to stop a horrendous movie to be made, but is that really what the dark clouds of her nightmares are foretelling her to stop? Or is there a real darkness coming and will Quinn, Lochlan and the other vampires will have stop more than just a bad movie to be made?
I just have to say, Quinn will have her hands full with all of this movie making mess and her ancestor Biddy O’Donnell won’t make matters easier! Put also a couple of leprechauns in the middle of it, and Quinn won’t know where to look first!
I would say, grab yourself a good cup of tea and enjoy this awesome cosy mystery! I know I sure did! Can’t wait for Nancy Warren’s next book, in any other series she has actually, because they are one by one all true little reading gems!
What did I truly enjoyed reading Nancy Warren’s 5th book in the Vampire Book Club series! It’s a true delight filled with so many funny passages, as a Jane Austen turned vampire is in need of help to stop a moviemaker from making a porno of her beloved Pride and Prejudice book.
You just feel the fun coming of the pages that Nancy Warren must have had writing In Want of a Knife! I really love also how Quinn the local librarian and secretly a witch, is really teaming up and getting closer and closer with Lochlan Balfour, the handsome local Alfa vampire.
Quinn will need all the help she can get to stop a horrendous movie to be made, but is that really what the dark clouds of her nightmares are foretelling her to stop? Or is there a real darkness coming and will Quinn, Lochlan and the other vampires will have stop more than just a bad movie to be made?
I just have to say, Quinn will have her hands full with all of this movie making mess and her ancestor Biddy O’Donnell won’t make matters easier! Put also a couple of leprechauns in the middle of it, and Quinn won’t know where to look first!
I would say, grab yourself a good cup of tea and enjoy this awesome cosy mystery! I know I sure did! Can’t wait for Nancy Warren’s next book, in any other series she has actually, because they are one by one all true little reading gems!
October 26, 2023
Quinn Callahan is a witch who has been banished to Ballydehag in Ireland for things she did in her past. Now the owner of a bookstore in the delightful village, Quinn often finds herself involved in murder! Not as a victim or suspect, but as someone who might be able to solve the crime. Along with her friends in the Vampire Book Club, she has a pretty decent track record.
To her delight, Quinn's favorite author, Jane Austen, arrives in the village. Of course, she is a vampire (how else could she still be "alive"), but Quinn is used to those supernatural beings. It seems that a former resident, Dermott Lynch, is determined to make a movie based on Quinn's favorite book, Pride and Prejudice. Unfortunately, it is going to have a bit of a pornographic flair!
Now, Quinn has to try to placate Jane while deterring Lynch from making this horrible travesty of a movie. But, before this can happen, she also has to figure out what is up with the new owners of the bakery, who are Leprechauns, keep her long-dead ancestor from causing havoc, and making sure that the former American thug, Billy, stays out of trouble.
This is a fun series, full of magic, a bit of romance, great characters and just a bit of crime. If you are looking for a well-written cozy mystery, give this book or any of the others by this author a try. It is a wonderful way to spend a few hours.
To her delight, Quinn's favorite author, Jane Austen, arrives in the village. Of course, she is a vampire (how else could she still be "alive"), but Quinn is used to those supernatural beings. It seems that a former resident, Dermott Lynch, is determined to make a movie based on Quinn's favorite book, Pride and Prejudice. Unfortunately, it is going to have a bit of a pornographic flair!
Now, Quinn has to try to placate Jane while deterring Lynch from making this horrible travesty of a movie. But, before this can happen, she also has to figure out what is up with the new owners of the bakery, who are Leprechauns, keep her long-dead ancestor from causing havoc, and making sure that the former American thug, Billy, stays out of trouble.
This is a fun series, full of magic, a bit of romance, great characters and just a bit of crime. If you are looking for a well-written cozy mystery, give this book or any of the others by this author a try. It is a wonderful way to spend a few hours.
October 25, 2023
Nancy Warren / In Want of a Knife // Book 5 of her Vampire Book Club.
Who knew that Jane Austen was a vampire? Well apparently she is and she is quite miffed about a movie to be made out of her beloved novel “Pride and Prejudice”. Miffed indeed as the director of the movie, Dermont Lynch a former resident of Ballydehag some 17 years ago, is wanting to turn her classic into a pornographic movie.
While the village is excited of the prospect of the possible influx of money to their village the local vampires and a bookshop owner (Quinn Callahan) are not so happy. Vampires about the attention to the village and Quinn the horrible thought of one of her favorite classic books being disrespected in such a way.
Quinn gets over her fan girl status of finding out that Jane Austen is an actual vampire and helps try to put the halt on a pornographic movie being made stumbles into a murder. With complications of leprechauns, vampires, undead but not vampire family member (think Biddy) and witches, Quinn has her hands full.
This is another in a series of stories in the quaint village of Ballydehag in Ireland. I cannot wait for the next installment of this series to see where it goes. Highly recommend the read. Can you solve the mystery before the end?
Who knew that Jane Austen was a vampire? Well apparently she is and she is quite miffed about a movie to be made out of her beloved novel “Pride and Prejudice”. Miffed indeed as the director of the movie, Dermont Lynch a former resident of Ballydehag some 17 years ago, is wanting to turn her classic into a pornographic movie.
While the village is excited of the prospect of the possible influx of money to their village the local vampires and a bookshop owner (Quinn Callahan) are not so happy. Vampires about the attention to the village and Quinn the horrible thought of one of her favorite classic books being disrespected in such a way.
Quinn gets over her fan girl status of finding out that Jane Austen is an actual vampire and helps try to put the halt on a pornographic movie being made stumbles into a murder. With complications of leprechauns, vampires, undead but not vampire family member (think Biddy) and witches, Quinn has her hands full.
This is another in a series of stories in the quaint village of Ballydehag in Ireland. I cannot wait for the next installment of this series to see where it goes. Highly recommend the read. Can you solve the mystery before the end?
October 13, 2023
Nancy Warren's new Vampire Book Club is the best yet. In the village of Ballydehag, Ireland, Quinn Callahan, an exiled Seattle witch, feels the storm of darkness coming. While increasing the protections on her bookshop, home, and Devil's Keep, home of Lochlan Balfour, leader of the vampires, she encounters her idol and favourite author. Jane Austen is a vampire! But not a happy one. She's here to stop yet another adaptation of her most famous book, Pride and Prejudice. Things go from bad to worse when it turns out the producer who's originally from the village is making an X-rated version! Just as bad is Biddy, Quinn's witch ancestor, and Captain Blood, her vampire partner in crime, learning to scam humans on the Internet. Quinn and Lochlan plus the rest of the vampires have to puzzle out who murdered the movie producer. There are plenty of motives and suspects including Biddy and Blood, the new leprechaun bakery owners, and even some of Quinn's friends. Can everyone weather the evil storm swirling around Ballydehag?
October 23, 2023
Quinn Callahan is a witch residing in Ballydehag Ireland who runs a bookstore. One morning she wakes with a feeling of dread and apprehension thinking that something or someone bad is headed to town. She goes for walk and who does she run into but her favorite author of all time Jane Austen !
Not only is Quinn shocked to meet her, the reason Jane is there is even more shocking.
Dermott Lynch is another new character on scene - the boy who left Ballydehag year ago and maybe insulted and hurt a few people with his exit years ago .... he's back but he wants to turn Pride and Prejudice into an adult film. Quinn and many of her friends are quite against this and working to come up with ways to stop the production.
Along with the film and Jane there are other antics involving Leprechauns and Biddy a witch over 400 years old that Quinn has to deal with.
While I didn't feel like this particular story was my favorite of the series I still loved reading it and enjoy the characters and setting. I am a huge Nancy Warren fan and can't wait to read the next book in the series !
Not only is Quinn shocked to meet her, the reason Jane is there is even more shocking.
Dermott Lynch is another new character on scene - the boy who left Ballydehag year ago and maybe insulted and hurt a few people with his exit years ago .... he's back but he wants to turn Pride and Prejudice into an adult film. Quinn and many of her friends are quite against this and working to come up with ways to stop the production.
Along with the film and Jane there are other antics involving Leprechauns and Biddy a witch over 400 years old that Quinn has to deal with.
While I didn't feel like this particular story was my favorite of the series I still loved reading it and enjoy the characters and setting. I am a huge Nancy Warren fan and can't wait to read the next book in the series !
October 24, 2023
IN WANT OF A KNIFE is a standalone read in a cozy mystery. Cozy means that it is a fun read and not one that causes nightmares. There are vampires and witches, but they are all respectable residents of the small village. Quinn is the owner of the local bookstore. She lived in Seattle when she broke a witches' rule and was banished to the small village. She loves her little cottage, and all the village has to offer. On an early morning walk of the castle grounds, where the vampires live, Quinn comes across Jane Austen sitting on a bench. She is very upset. She has learned a rogue producer is planning on making a porno version of her Pride and Prejudice. She is having none of it.
Things are in an uproar and only gets worse when a body is discovered in the bakery.
This is a fun read with no sex scenes or colorful language so any age can read and enjoy.
I definitely recommend it.
I was not paid for this review. I am not a writer, nor do I know one. I am not kin to this author. I am a reader, and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 10/23/2023.
Things are in an uproar and only gets worse when a body is discovered in the bakery.
This is a fun read with no sex scenes or colorful language so any age can read and enjoy.
I definitely recommend it.
I was not paid for this review. I am not a writer, nor do I know one. I am not kin to this author. I am a reader, and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 10/23/2023.
November 8, 2023
In Want of a Knife is the fifth book in the Vampire Book Club series by Nancy Warren. This book can easily be read as a standalone mystery if you have not read the previous books.
Unlike a lot of cozy mysteries I've read, the main character in this story, Quinn, is in her 40's. I found that to be so refreshing. Quinn is wiser (and doesn't lose her mind over the hot vampire) and more mature than most lead characters in other cozy series I read and I loved it! I felt so much closer to Quinn and could relate to how she acted in so many situations.
The storyline was so good and trying to solve the mystery was so much fun! I love how Nancy Warren brings together witches, vampires and a book club (all of my favorite things)! This book was funny, quick to read, and a great break from reality! I loved the murder mystery in this book. There were so many twists and turns that kept you in suspense until the very end!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Unlike a lot of cozy mysteries I've read, the main character in this story, Quinn, is in her 40's. I found that to be so refreshing. Quinn is wiser (and doesn't lose her mind over the hot vampire) and more mature than most lead characters in other cozy series I read and I loved it! I felt so much closer to Quinn and could relate to how she acted in so many situations.
The storyline was so good and trying to solve the mystery was so much fun! I love how Nancy Warren brings together witches, vampires and a book club (all of my favorite things)! This book was funny, quick to read, and a great break from reality! I loved the murder mystery in this book. There were so many twists and turns that kept you in suspense until the very end!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 14, 2023
"And then she said, 'Beware of any strangers coming to town.'"
Quinn is still in Ballydehag, still running The Blarney Tome and the vampire book club, and still dealing with mysterious deaths. And instead of one famous dead author, now she's dealing with two as she runs into Jane Austen up on Devil's Keep.
Is Jane the stranger? Or is it a producer that comes back to his hometown to make a picture? And when Quinn finds out exactly what he's making out of a Jane Austen book, she,and Jane, work hard to stop the film from seeing the light of day.
Will it be stopped? Can it be stopped? How will it be? These are questions I will not answer as I don't like spoilers.
However, this book is a bit of a disappointment to me. It felt forced, not at the energy level other Nancy Warren books have had ( and I have read most of them) which is why, although I recommend it, it's only getting 4 stars.
[ Disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
Quinn is still in Ballydehag, still running The Blarney Tome and the vampire book club, and still dealing with mysterious deaths. And instead of one famous dead author, now she's dealing with two as she runs into Jane Austen up on Devil's Keep.
Is Jane the stranger? Or is it a producer that comes back to his hometown to make a picture? And when Quinn finds out exactly what he's making out of a Jane Austen book, she,and Jane, work hard to stop the film from seeing the light of day.
Will it be stopped? Can it be stopped? How will it be? These are questions I will not answer as I don't like spoilers.
However, this book is a bit of a disappointment to me. It felt forced, not at the energy level other Nancy Warren books have had ( and I have read most of them) which is why, although I recommend it, it's only getting 4 stars.
[ Disclaimer: I received this book from the author and voluntarily read and reviewed it]
November 26, 2023
In Want of a Knife by Nancy Warren
The Vampire Book Club Series Book Five
Quinn Callahan is enjoying her life in Ireland. As beautiful and peaceful as the area is, trouble keeps finding her. And now she feels a darkness coming her way. It’s a heavy storm, but not physical.
When her favorite author comes to town, she goes all fangirl. Of course, this author died two hundred years ago and is at Lochlan’s castle. Lochlan is her wealthy, undead neighbor who always seems there for her when trouble strikes.
Could this author be the darkness Quinn was feeling? Or perhaps it was another newcomer making a movie from her favorite book. Only the film would be nothing like the original. Once again, the peaceful town has a murder, and Quinn fears the culprit may not be someone the police can arrest.
It is a fast-paced story that keeps the reader guessing.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
The Vampire Book Club Series Book Five
Quinn Callahan is enjoying her life in Ireland. As beautiful and peaceful as the area is, trouble keeps finding her. And now she feels a darkness coming her way. It’s a heavy storm, but not physical.
When her favorite author comes to town, she goes all fangirl. Of course, this author died two hundred years ago and is at Lochlan’s castle. Lochlan is her wealthy, undead neighbor who always seems there for her when trouble strikes.
Could this author be the darkness Quinn was feeling? Or perhaps it was another newcomer making a movie from her favorite book. Only the film would be nothing like the original. Once again, the peaceful town has a murder, and Quinn fears the culprit may not be someone the police can arrest.
It is a fast-paced story that keeps the reader guessing.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com...
October 26, 2023
Vampire Book Club has a new amazing character. What a thrilling surprise to find Jane Austen in Nancy Warren’s latest book, In Want of a Knife. She undead and unhappy. No one could blame her for wanting to put a stop the latest adaptation of her most famous book, Pride and Prejudice. Glad to see this author take a stand on her work even if it was written so long ago.
Just when you think you know what will happen the movie does come to a halt. Murder will do that. Now there is murderer to catch and it is not one of the undead. What a fun wild ride trying to help the group catch the killer. You don’t need to be a Jane Austen fan to enjoy this story but id=f you are you certainly don’t want to miss reading it.
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Just when you think you know what will happen the movie does come to a halt. Murder will do that. Now there is murderer to catch and it is not one of the undead. What a fun wild ride trying to help the group catch the killer. You don’t need to be a Jane Austen fan to enjoy this story but id=f you are you certainly don’t want to miss reading it.
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 7, 2024
I'm so sorry. I found this to be the most boring of all the series. I guess even Nancy Warren has to have a bad few days of writing.
Hollis McCarthy (the Narrator) made it sound pompous and unrelatable. I couldn't stay awake to it even while playing my games. So, the shortest book took me twice as long to read.
Worst of all, the murder wasn't even brought up until near the end of the book. The story was about how our main character was trying to figure out why the producer was in town to make a porno of Jane Eyre. And how this witch doesn't get arrested for murder in any of these books amazes me. She is always there when it happens or nearly so.
And I still can't figure out how the lady with the watch was electrocuted. I listened to that part a couple of times. I just had to know that it happened, and there is the whole case. Bah!
Hollis McCarthy (the Narrator) made it sound pompous and unrelatable. I couldn't stay awake to it even while playing my games. So, the shortest book took me twice as long to read.
Worst of all, the murder wasn't even brought up until near the end of the book. The story was about how our main character was trying to figure out why the producer was in town to make a porno of Jane Eyre. And how this witch doesn't get arrested for murder in any of these books amazes me. She is always there when it happens or nearly so.
And I still can't figure out how the lady with the watch was electrocuted. I listened to that part a couple of times. I just had to know that it happened, and there is the whole case. Bah!
November 10, 2023
Interesting Mystery
So, the main character's favorite book is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. And she took serious affront to a sleazy producer who wanted to make a pornographic version of her most loved book. Thankfully the rest of her village and the village priest was more open minded. Otherwise we may be faced with movie banning along with book banning. Anyways, back to this book, another thing that surprised me was the main character's prejudice towards the leprechauns who opened a bakery. I do not recall anything in the book that the leprechauns did to warrant this attitude. And the leprechaun wife is a good baker. The book had an interesting mystery, but I was uncomfortable with how judgemental the main character was.
So, the main character's favorite book is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. And she took serious affront to a sleazy producer who wanted to make a pornographic version of her most loved book. Thankfully the rest of her village and the village priest was more open minded. Otherwise we may be faced with movie banning along with book banning. Anyways, back to this book, another thing that surprised me was the main character's prejudice towards the leprechauns who opened a bakery. I do not recall anything in the book that the leprechauns did to warrant this attitude. And the leprechaun wife is a good baker. The book had an interesting mystery, but I was uncomfortable with how judgemental the main character was.
February 5, 2024
What happened??
Unfortunately, the series seems to be going from good to bad... it's drifted off into a drab nothingness where there's no distinct storyline... instead, there's another new vampire author, although it's very hard to consider Jane Austen as new, a conveniently annoying visitor to the town all ready to drop dead, with a handful of equally convenient suspects... when we get there it's all a bit dull... clues are really weak, and it's solved in minutes without us even meeting the Gardaí...
Whatever was going on with the witch and the vampire appears to be forgotten completely... Blood and Biddy are not even remotely interesting... and I think the book club convened once...
Warren has fallen down a rabbit hole and needs to come up for air...
Unfortunately, the series seems to be going from good to bad... it's drifted off into a drab nothingness where there's no distinct storyline... instead, there's another new vampire author, although it's very hard to consider Jane Austen as new, a conveniently annoying visitor to the town all ready to drop dead, with a handful of equally convenient suspects... when we get there it's all a bit dull... clues are really weak, and it's solved in minutes without us even meeting the Gardaí...
Whatever was going on with the witch and the vampire appears to be forgotten completely... Blood and Biddy are not even remotely interesting... and I think the book club convened once...
Warren has fallen down a rabbit hole and needs to come up for air...
January 4, 2025
I've read all of the vampire knitting club books that are out so far, I've enjoyed most of them. This one was not one of my favorites, it does keep you guessing about who the killer is but by the hallway point you have it pretty much figured out. I'm a bit older than Quinn, the lead character, I find myself wishing she was younger, her stated age doesn't fit with how I think of her or how she's portrait in this book or pervious ones. I enjoyed the story, it's an easy read. I wish each of the vampires were fleshed out more with complete back stories and the relationship with Quinn and Lochlan was more playful and bordering in flirtation but that could be the reason Quinn's stated age is what it is. Lastly, I do wish Karen, he best friend, was taken into her confidences more.
December 3, 2023
2023 bk 296. Methinks Warren is having personal issues with the characters and plots of the series. While enjoyable, it wasn't as tightly written as the earlier books. Warren wanders all over the place before the very sudden denouement near the end of the book. I'm not sure what was going on and I hope it resolves itself. I did enjoy meeting Jane Austen as a vampire and wish I had seen more of her. I'm enjoying the leprechauns, and want to know more about them. Our heroine, Quinn, seemed a little lost and much less focused on her bookstore which is a character in the series that was mostly ignored this time.
May 1, 2024
Like the original Vampire Knitting Club series from which this series, Vampire Book Club, arose, Warren continues to develop her continuing characters and building her multi-series world. I have no real complaints about this episode, except wanting to see the new character, Vampire Jane Austen, to have more of a role in the book, and to be more likeable. But, for me at least, neither of those things happened, and the novel ended without knowing if she would be a continuing character in the series or would just disappear into wherever she was prior to this novel. I guess we'll see in the next novel in this series.
June 11, 2024
Oh this was good! I hadn't read a book in this series in such a while. A film director comes to the sleepy little town of Ballydehag to film an R-rated version of Pride and Prejudice. When he ends up dead, Quinn investigates with the help of none other than Jane Austen come back from the dead.
The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is because I can't think of anything worse than this film - never fear, the director is killed before he can make it but god just the thought of it - but I enjoyed this. There's a lot of Irish flavour here which I absolutely loved and I really enjoy the recurring character (Lochlan in particular). Always a nice way to spend the time.
The only reason I'm not giving it five stars is because I can't think of anything worse than this film - never fear, the director is killed before he can make it but god just the thought of it - but I enjoyed this. There's a lot of Irish flavour here which I absolutely loved and I really enjoy the recurring character (Lochlan in particular). Always a nice way to spend the time.
October 5, 2023
Flamboyant movie producer Dermott Lynch has returned to his childhood hometown of Ballydehag, Ireland, to make a pornographic version of Jane Austen's classic tale, Pride and Prejudice.
What Lynch doesn't know is that Jane herself, as a vampire, is in town and is aware of his plans. And while she never actually utters the words, "Over my undead body!" the sentiment is certainly present.
So when Lynch's body turns up on the floor of the local bakery, there is no shortage of suspects, including a noted Recency-era author ...
What Lynch doesn't know is that Jane herself, as a vampire, is in town and is aware of his plans. And while she never actually utters the words, "Over my undead body!" the sentiment is certainly present.
So when Lynch's body turns up on the floor of the local bakery, there is no shortage of suspects, including a noted Recency-era author ...
October 12, 2023
As I have said previously, my favorite cozy series of Ms. Warren’s is whichever one I am reading currently. Although each series involves some aspect of the paranormal, each also has wonderfully defined characters with different perspectives. The precipitating action for this series by the MC was perhaps misguided and yet totally true to her wonderfully flawed character. And (minor spoiler alert and swoon!) Jane Austin is the latest visitor to the village.
Although it was my pleasure to receive this ARC from the author, it was completely my choice to share my honest review.
Although it was my pleasure to receive this ARC from the author, it was completely my choice to share my honest review.
October 27, 2023
This is the fifth book in the Vampire Book Club series by Nancy Warren.
The town of Ballydehag is all a buzz with a flamboyant movie director arriving . It seems the director grew up in Ballydehag and wants to make a movie about Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen herself has arrived but in a kerfuffle.It seems the movie is to be a porn.
Quinn is all enraged and wants help to put a stop to her beloved story’s demise.
But then things start to happen and Quinn and the vampires are up to their eyeballs in mystery ,intrigue and mayhem.
An enjoyable book set in the Irish countryside where you practically can smell the grass and feel the ocean breeze on your face.
Couldn’t put the book down .
Looking forward to the next adventures this quaint town has to offer.
The town of Ballydehag is all a buzz with a flamboyant movie director arriving . It seems the director grew up in Ballydehag and wants to make a movie about Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen herself has arrived but in a kerfuffle.It seems the movie is to be a porn.
Quinn is all enraged and wants help to put a stop to her beloved story’s demise.
But then things start to happen and Quinn and the vampires are up to their eyeballs in mystery ,intrigue and mayhem.
An enjoyable book set in the Irish countryside where you practically can smell the grass and feel the ocean breeze on your face.
Couldn’t put the book down .
Looking forward to the next adventures this quaint town has to offer.
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