The Case of the Vampire Cat

Hank the Cowdog #21

by John R. Erickson, Gerald L. Holmes (Illustrator)

Hank encounters the weirdest cat he’s ever seen, when he, Slim, Drover, and Little Alfred head over to the Hodge’s place to feed the cattle. But, when Hank gets bumped out of the back of the Cammo-Stealth army truck, Mary D. Cat is the only one around to help keep Rip and Snort at bay. Will Slim realize Hank is missing in action? Is Mary D. Cat really a vampire? Or could it be--gulp--that she’s a good cat after all?

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Adventure, Humor, Animals, Comedy, Mystery

115 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 1993

About the author

John R. Erickson, a former cowboy and ranch manager, is gifted with a storyteller's knack for spinning a yarn. Through the eyes of Hank the Cowdog, a smelly, smart-aleck Head of Ranch Security, Erickson gives readers a glimpse of daily life on a ranch in the West Texas Panhandle. This series of books and tapes is in school libraries across the country, has sold more than 7.6 million copies, is a Book-of-the-Month Club selection, and is the winner of the 1993 Audie for Outstanding Children's Series from the Audio Publisher's Association. Publishers Weekly calls Hank a "grassroots publishing phenomena," and USA Today says this is "the best family entertainment in years."

Hank the Cowdog made his debut in the pages of The Cattleman, a magazine for adults, and when Erickson started getting "Dear Hank" letters, he knew he was onto something. So in 1983, he self-published 2,000 copies of The Original Adventures of Hank the Cowdog, and they sold out in 6 weeks.

When teachers began inviting Erickson to their schools, Hank found his most eager fans. Teachers, librarians, and students alike love Hank. According to some Texas Library Association surveys, the Hank the Cowdog books are the most popular selections in many libraries' children's sections. The lively characters make excellent material for reading and writing lessons, and turn even the most reluctant readers into avid Hank-fans.

Erickson was born in Midland, Texas, but by the age of 3, he had moved with his family to Perryton, Texas, where he and his wife live today on their working cattle ranch. They have 3 grown children and 4 grandchildren. His advice to young writers is, "Write about something you know. Try to leave your readers better off than they were before."

Reviews

[Clynton · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this case of the vampire, Hank the Cowdog finds himself alone and out in dangerous territory. It is there he makes friends with a cat. Mary D, who has gone a little crazy from living alone for so long. Hank gets tips from Mary D on how to survive and get back home. Hank and the cat encounter two coyotes and buzzards, where Hank and the Cat pretend that the cat is a vampire. They trick the predators, and arrive home safely

I enjoyed reading this Case from Hank the Cowdog. It brought me back to the days of my youth reading these books. I enjoyed the deconstructive thought process of Hank, and how within pages he contradicts himself. I think that this is a good book, and series for kids to get going with reading.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're enjoying listening to Hank the Cowdog series, so technically it's not reading. The stories are really exciting. I don't like the background music and effect, as they get on my nerves sometimes (too repetitive and loud). But otherwise, the stories are very enjoyable.

[LillyAnne Newcomb · Rating 5 out of 5]

read it for halloween it was really good cheek it out!!!!!!!!!!!!

ps all hank the cowdog is grate!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Malorie (Firereader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My brother, who hates reading with a passion, loved these books. My son is 7 and struggles with reading but loves books anyway so I decided to read this series to him. He loved it and would remind me to read it to him every night. He said we're borrowing another one from the library soon. They are the best stories for kids and filled with enough humor and maturity to keep adults interested.

[Kyra Coffell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always heard a lot about the hank the cow dog books, seeing as I grew up in a rural town. But I never got to them, now I am sad! This is such an adventure for children, it leads children into a different life of animals and what possibly might be going on in their minds. Increasing curiosity and interest in animals.

[Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1993/1994 someone donated a "box" set of Hank the Cowdog books to the group home I lived in. I remember well that the set included 22 books and I remember flying through them one by one. I'm not sure I was in the age range of the target audience, but I loved them nonetheless. It is a fond memory in a sea of uncertainty. I can honestly say that these books got me through a rough time.

[Angie Shoemaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hank the Cowdog has that special kind of humor that makes elementary children and teenagers alike chuckle. The only annoying thing about this book was the cat’s voice. It grated on my nerves. I think that was the point, but still....

[Nathaniel Seagraves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book, but kinda annoying after the 3rd time of “pleaaaase some cheeeeeeese if you pleaaaaase…it’s been so long since I’ve seen a friendly face!” Now whenever my wife asks for cheese…I place 4.5 lol I love annoying my wife!!

[Norman Styers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hank is great entertainment. Do the audiobook if you can, so that you can hear the songs.

[Jack Shields · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not a fan of this series. Actually, I consider this one to be the worst in the series and one of the worst books I've ever read. In general, I'll just give it two stars, to be generous.

[B.R. Martindale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Erickson continues to display incredible page-turning talent as he takes his characters through yet another amazing adventure through the Texas ranch.

[Paige Norwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! Good tale about the inlikely interspecoes friendship!

[Sahar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audio version was hilarious! The whole time that cat was crying in the background, I was laughing loud. And that part of Snort and Rip, I was amazed, I didn't expect them to rap, lol.

[Sallie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our family loves about Hank the Cow Dog and his band of wacky ranch animals, but this installment of the series is our very favorite because it includes the slightly crazy Mary D. Cat! We laughed till we cried and listened 3 or 4 times to the whole thing when we found this gem. Now she is our favorite character to quote, "Is that all you can say???" :-)

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It rather beggars belief that Hank - that stylized, pompous canine cowpoke - made it to this, the twenty-first installment of his series. Even now there's still some charm in Hank's stable of tricks...though it's gone a bit mangy. The Vampire Cat bit is sheer silliness, but that's probably what sells it to the kidlet demographic.

[Darryl Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read pretty much this entire series years ago after I descovered them in my elementary school libary. The plot, and characters are great. Plus these books are extremly funny. I loved this series then and I still love it.

[Morteza Samadian · Rating 3 out of 5]

هنک بر خلاف اصول اخلاقی و حرفه ایش! با یه گربه همکاری می کنه تا از مزرعه ی متروک فرار کنه
این قسمت زیاد جذاب نبود. شخصیت گربه خیلی بی مایه و خاصیت در اومده

[TransparentFilter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always one of our favorites.

[Robb Menlove · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite installment of my favorite Ranch hero. "That cat was wierd, I mean wierd!" "A piece of cheese!" Classic.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

when Hank finds a cat and had become he's sidekick Hank is wondering if his new sidekick is a vampire cat.

[Alie Boucher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still slaps

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I nearly died laughing. I will never get, "A crust of bread. Bologna. Cheese," out of my head!

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh goodness, this book was awesome!I couldn't put it down!

[Owen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good but the story didn't make any sense to me. The background wasn't really good and it's kind of freaky. But it is a good one

[SSM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this one. So good and entertaining.

[Cws]

JM4 Eri

[L.L. Gappa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-listened to this audiobook today and boy did it bring back joyous memories. Such a great series and this one is so entertaining as an audiobook. Just the right level of creepy for kids to enjoy and not actually be scared. Given it a listen (even as an adult) for a couple of hours of good fun !

[Mrs. Blum]

Aaron Finished: January 11
It is a good book because it builds up the big surprise at the end of the book. It is a mix of fantasy and mystery.