Exhumed

Golden Blood #1

by S.J. Patrick

Whisked away from a medical conference in Sydney, world-renowned haematologist Dr David Reynolds is told that his expertise is needed for a top-secret case at the ECDC in Stockholm, Sweden. His confusion only intensifies when he finds himself in a room filled with a highly obscure collection of professionals. What could a haematologist have in common with a linguist; a historian; a psychologist; an occultist?

Confusion turns to incredulity when those gathered are finally informed of the reason they have been summoned. An archaeological dig in Romania has unearthed something that had been buried for centuries; something that should be no more than skeletal remains; something that is still alive to this day – thirsting, lusting, scheming …

The ancient vampire has been freed from his tomb and is slowly regaining his strength. A ‘prisoner’ at the ECDC, he plots his emancipation from captivity with one goal in retribution against those who entombed him all those centuries ago. Dr Reynolds is dragged into a world of revenge and pure hatred spanning the millennia. A world where only he holds the key to putting a lid on things before the consequences become dire for all of humankind.

Genres: Horror, Vampires, Fantasy, Fiction

450 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2024

About the author

From a young age S.J. Patrick has been an avid reader, with loves spanning between fantasy, science fiction, and especially horror. As a published scientific author, he branched out into fiction in 2021 and had a blast doing so!

Released in 2023 were his first two novels, DARK MATTER and THE SENTIENCE, each combining his dual loves of science and horror into plots both thrilling and scientifically accurate.

In 2024 came an homage to his favourite horror niche, vampires! EXHUMED has become an instant hit in the genre, with a sequel, SIREN, releasing later in the year.

Finally in 2025 released GOLDEN BLOOD which brought the Exhumed trilogy to a thrilling conclusion!

Reviews

[Carl Bluesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book dives deep into vampire lore

This is a fantastic fancy horror book that quickly introduce the characters and throws them into the action. The exam is great and the struggles are grand. I really appreciate how our balance this book was, for how deep the lore goes its was broken up evenly so I never got overwhelmed with info.

This is a good classic vampire story with a with a lot of originality to it. The characters are easy to relate to and villain is easy to fear. I think this is a great start to an amazing series. I can’t wait to start the next book!

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Huge thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC. This is out May 1st and is perfect for those who enjoy horror, especially vampires.

This is no typical vampire story, we do not have sparkly grumpy over aged high school boys running around. No, this is much more and it is fascinating. Has the author actually met a vampire in order to write this?

This book reminded me alot of Jurassic Park. No, there's no vampire park but something I love is people being called upon for their expertise, witnessing something out of this world fascinating and then watching it all fall apart in the worse, almost "told you so" way. Also - I find archaeology so fun! I love when this is included in books.

The book is set in parts, present day and the past. This is particularly interesting and something I think makes the book stand out among others. It's incredibly well written, heavily detailed (in a good way) and pretty fast paced (you meet the vampire very quick!). I love that it has illustrations such as family trees too!

You'll be hooked by chapter 1 - a fantastic, wild way to start the book! I think this book will be a big-un - go grab your copy!

[Kate | Date With A Thriller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, what do you know! A vampire book I actually enjoyed and loved!! ♥️🙌🧛‍♂️

I am not normally a huge fan of vampire stories because they always seem to be romanticized in them, and I am not a romance girlie at all!! 🙅🏼‍♀️ While there is a hint of a potential romance brewing, the relationship between the two characters is developing at what I consider would be normal pace - not over the top, love at first sight, make you sick to your stomach pace. 😂

Csanad is our OG vampire in this one and he is true evil, having no regard for the lives of humans or other vampires. 🧛‍♂️ David is our main character who gets innocently sucked (no pun intended) into this vampiric life. The twist at the end I did not see coming! 🙌

Thank you to S.J. Patrick for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ♥️ Looking forward to the next book in the series!!! 🧛‍♀️

[Steph Fuentes · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an enjoyable ride from start to finish, right from the start it does a great job of grabbing your attention and even during the sections that took a break from the main story to focus on the backstories of our villains it never felt like an awkward break in it’s pacing. It did take me some time to get use to the style of writing though, it’s not bad by any means (obviously if I gave the book 4 stars lol) but having it mostly describe what the characters were saying in a sort of summarized way (with mixed in traditional dialogue) felt a bit awkward at first but like I said I did get used to it eventually so it wasn’t the biggest issue.

Overall I loved the book though, it had some great truly despicable villains that I was rooting for the demise of and a likable cast of protagonists so if you’re looking for a fun and entertaining vampire book I’d definitely recommend this one! Plus there’s a sequel planned for sometime at the end of this year which is exciting!

[CreepyChronicles · Rating 5 out of 5]

ꜰᴏʀᴍᴀᴛ: Kindle
ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 🩸/5
ꜱᴛᴀʀ ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ: “…human blood was like fine wine…”
I’ll be honest, I do not read much that has to do with werewolves, vampires, etc. it doesn’t capture my interest. However, this is the FIRST vampire book I’ve read and I LOVED IT! Author S.J. Patrick wrote something that I could not put down. He assured me that I will not get any sparkles or suave vampires and he did not disappoint! With a scheduled release date of May 2024, Exhumed is the third book released by this author.

Exhumed is about a world-renowned “blood doctor”, Dr. David Reynolds. He and 8 other experts (in their own field) are “escorted” to ECDC to study/solve/research a recently exhumed vampire. No spoilers but shit hits the fan and hell breaks loose. No one is safe!

Overall, I loved this story! The backstories within helped tie everything together. Some may not enjoy it, but I found it super helpful! That main event though - EPIIIIIIIIC!

Thank you so much for providing me with an ARC! This was an absolute page turner!

Stay frightfulˁ῁̮ˀ
S

[Angela Pearse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a hankering to read Exhumed based on the premise and I wasn't disappointed. I wasn't sure what to expect going in but immediately I was caught up in the action and found it scarily real. I was engaged the entire way through to the nail biting conclusion and hardly put it down. The imagination and historical research put into this book was inspiring and so interesting; the author did a great job! Glad to see there is a sequel too. Definitely grab yourself a copy if you like "real" vampires, not the sparkly kind.

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ rounded to 5
I loved this book! It took me back to those classic vampire stories, but set in modern times. This is the first book in the series and it certainly starts with a bang, or should I say with a big bite (lol).

Loved the storyline, which starts with a mysterious archaeological find in Romania, that starts a series of events that would not only disrupt Dr David Reynolds’ life, but that of so many people! Whilst the plot is engaging in itself, I appreciated the historical and geographical accuracy, which enhances the story tenfold. The characters are diverse and interesting, so that whenever a part of the book is focused on either, the story doesn’t lose its grip.

Loved the explanations of the vampiric lore and the background of the vampire and his history. What a nasty piece of a being he is! But that’s how I liked my vampire stories, bloody, evil and mysterious.
I can’t wait to continue this series and see what awaits Dr David Reynolds and the rest.

Thanks to the author for a copy and this is my honest opinion.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

An ancient vampire is exhumed after being buried for decades, and once fully disinterred all hell breaks loose and a long-time feud is continued.

Exhumed was terrifying and tons of fun! What I expected to be a run-of-the-mill vampire story turned out to be so much more complex and thrilling than anticipated.

The plot pacing was phenomenal. I felt that even during the slower parts, I was totally invested. I loved the combination of Csanád's past, and the present storyline with David. They blended together really well for the ending.

I also appreciated the amount of research that seemingly went into this. Between the history of the countries over the years and the science behind the blood and vampirism (although fictional), I loved how everything was explained and felt accurate. I'm not a historian, and I'm not well-versed blood chemistry, but this seemed well-done to me.

Csanád's life and experiences as a vampire were probably one of my favorite parts of the novel. I love a good villain, and including his origin story added so much more depth and an emotional connection to the character, whether you empathized with him or loathed him. I also really loved seeing the parallels between his experience and the experience of other vampires throughout his lifetime.

The ending wrapped up really nicely for this particular plot, however I found myself wanting a sequel. There were some characters I enjoyed who I felt were just starting their stories. Lo and behold, a sequel is in the works and I'm excited to read that one when it's finished!

Thank you so much to the author for gifting me an advanced copy of the novel for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kiki · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of vampire stories - not the sparkly ones, the proper ones - and haven't yet read this, drop what you're doing and fix that now.

What a story?! Gripped. Edge of my damn seat. This was epic.

Exhumed is a highly captivating twist on the traditional vampire story. These are the vampires nightmares are made of; imposing, extremely fast, ruthless bloodsuckers that aren't easily taken down and could wipe out large groups of humans before you could say 'Buffy'.

The story is told from multiple POV and includes maps, charts and other supporting 'documentation', making the reader feel very much a part of the research team...just without the danger of close proximity to an ancient vampire on steroids.

There's strong character development, especially when it comes to the vampires. The reader is taken back in time to see a little of their lives as humans just before being changed and then through a good deal of their...vampire lives to better understand the dynamic between the vampires and the Watchers.

It's a wonderfully speedy pace, wasting no time getting to the good stuff. My attention span is shot at the moment so I need a gripping story and a fast pace and this was both.

Exhumed is an all-round fascinating approach to a vampire tale, topped off with an epic battle that had me white-knuckling my phone, that led to a very interesting ending that I really didn't see coming. 🤌
I can't wait to get into book two!!

[Jonas Maes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exhumed by S.J. Patrick was absolutely amazing! He takes a unique turn on vampires and spins an incredible story around it.

The facts that you get multiple views of all people involved was a great experience. I thought it might get confusing while in reality, it made stuff so much more clear!

This is also not a story with lovely vampires that keep their humanity and try to live amongst people. These are creatures with barely any humanity left in them. They kill, they torture and only have eye for their own existence. They know no guilt or sorrow and they just go for the kill when they can.

Except for David that is! He desperately tries to cling to his humanity the moment he figures out he is changing and it makes it all so much more interesting.

All in all, I LOVED this book and I cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel! This is an ideal book if you are looking for a horror Story that features the monstrous kind of vampires!

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing vampire story that had me enthralled from the prologue to the epilogue. Superbly written and the historical information put into this book by the author was most impressive. Great storytelling and looking forward to the sequel.

[Alexander Tadj-Saadat · Rating 5 out of 5]

bloody excellent (pun genuinely not intended)

Loved this from the first chapter. Literally could not put it down. Written impeccably, paced excellently. Amazing research and realism has gone into this, which is hard for a vampire story, but everything made sense, and felt like it could happen.

I love vampire stories, but they seldom do the genre or the ‘monster’ justice and this did both. If this book was a film I would have watched it over and over.

One of the best I’ve read in a while.

[Brandy Brusseau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! A fantastic, wild ride with back stories that help tie everything together. Very well written and I look forward to reading more by this author!

[Phil K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t think I’d like a vampire book this much. I’ll read the sequel when it comes out.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal

This book needs so much more attention! One of the best vampire books ever written! Can't wait for the sequel.

[Wade Johnston · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun and surprising take on a well worn horror trope! Also very action packed for a horror novel. With this I've become a big fan of this author and wait patiently for what he brings us next

[Tracy's Terrors · Rating 3 out of 5]

As soon as I saw the title and cover art of S.J. Patrick’s Exhumed (2024), I knew that I had to read it. To me, an ornate toe-pincher wrapped in chains is the visual promise of a great vampire novel. The book isn’t quite that. Its characters are simplistic and the temporal scope of the story is too ambitious to be well done. Still, the premise of an archaeological dig gone wrong has a rich horror history, and Patrick uses it to exciting effect. Also, despite the laboratory setting of the early chapters and the protagonist's medical credentials, Patrick successfully threads the needle of science and mythology, exposing some aspects of the vampire’s anatomy while leaving the mechanics of his more occult powers in obscurity. If you think that the modern transformation of vampires from enigmatic creatures of the night to mere disease vectors is reductive and boring, then you’ll appreciate his more balanced approach as much as I do.

When an archeological dig in the Carpathian mountains uncovers what seems to be a 13th-century vampire, Dr. David Reynolds, an Australian hematologist or blood doctor, is summoned to Stockholm by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). There he joins specialists from a variety of fields, including medicine, history, linguistics, and even occultism, to study the creature and assess the potential impact of its discovery. Before long, the vampire, whose name is Csanad Farkas, escapes the ECDC and, in the process, accidentally infects David with his strange disease. David learns more about his condition and Farkas’ history from a group called the Watchers, descendents of the villagers who originally entombed the vampire and ensured his continued confinement until recently. Through their stories and his own budding extra-sensory perception, David learns that Farkas is seeking vengeance against his vampire son Iuliu, who was the mastermind behind his internment. Once Farkas is done with his son, he plans to destroy the Watchers and his most recent progeny, the blood doctor. Up against two Goliaths, David must find a way to kill both Farkas and Iulio before their ancient feud and unquenchable appetites take a bloody toll on the human population.

Patrick picked the perfect premise for Exhumed. The archeological dig that propels the novel’s early chapters has a powerful horror lineage and enough untapped potential for contemporary applications. Employed by writers and directors for decades, the scenario is quaintly spooky in The Mummy (1932) and terrifying in The Exorcist (1973). More recently, in the short story “On Skua Island” (2001), John Langan proves that, far from an exhausted cliche, archeological digs continue to be an ideal catalyst for horror. Why is this set-up so attractive to me and other genre fans? I think it’s because it’s a great way to build suspense: Unearthing relics is a painstaking process and archaeologists are never quite sure what they’re going to bring up. As long-hidden objects are slowly raised from the depths, we are implicitly invited to explore the darkest corners of our imaginations and to confront our fears. And while excavations speak to our psychology through obvious metaphors of light and dark, conscious and unconscious, they also force us to confront the alienness of ancient cultures and the terrible sublimity of time. Like its predecessors, Patrick’s archaeological dig introduces to the modern world something that has been out of circulation for centuries. And if there’s anything that the horror archive of film and fiction has taught us, it's that this forced intersection between the past and the present can only go one way–terribly wrong.

Aside from using one of my favorite hooks, Patrick also successfully navigates what I think is one of the biggest problems with modern vampire fiction. So many interpretations of vampirism have reduced it to nothing more than a virus, a biological agent that can be understood and controlled through medical means. On the one hand, I understand that the myth needs to be refurbished if it’s to remain relevant in the contemporary world–a context in which, aside from anti-vaxxers, medicine’s truth claims are generally accepted and disease poses the greatest threat to our wellbeing. But I also think that it strips vampirism of its most compelling elements, those parts of the lore that address our desire for transcendent experiences. Taking the vampire out of conversation with age-old theological questions of death, immortality, and sin, the medical discourse that often prevails in the subgenre threatens to place the monster under the fluorescent lights of a sterile hospital. In Exhumed, Patrick runs the risk of demystifying vampirism by doing just what I’ve described–he delivers Farkas to a glass-walled cell in a literal center for disease control. Nonetheless he skillfully manages to avoid the potential pitfalls of this plot line by following the middle path: While he exposes some of the physical anomalies of the condition–for instance, Farkas’ abnormally large adrenal glands–he leaves the more significant mysteries of immortality and mind control in place. In Patrick’s hands, the vampire’s body may be subject to examination, but his supernatural secrets are impervious to probes and scans. To my surprise–and satisfaction–they remain shrouded.

While Exhumed has its strong points, character development isn’t one of them. David, our protagonist, lacks a personal history and never reflects on the life that he lived before entering the ECDC. It’s as if he had no colleagues, friends or family; no work projects to worry about, trash to take out, or apartment to maintain; in short, none of the baggage that typically comes with adulthood and would almost certainly accompany a career as a world-renown medical specialist. He’s remarkably free of all past associations and fully present in a way that even Eckhart Tolle could never be. While admirable, it’s also an unconvincing representation of a human being. His personality could have been delineated through flashbacks to his home in Sydney; but, instead, the majority of the book’s chapters are wasted on Farkas, who–stolidly maintaining the same schematic outlook until the end–doesn’t reward the reader’s prolonged attention with any kind of personal growth. Driven by only two motivations–anger and hunger–he’s about as well-rounded as a Punch and Judy character. I’m not saying that he needs to be likable, but he needs to be interesting, especially since we’re expected to follow him for hundreds of pages, depicting hundreds of years.

We follow Farkas from 363 AD to 1241; and–counterintuitive though it may be–it’s this astonishing breadth of scope that makes the vampire such a thinly drawn figure. A few strategically placed passages about his origins would have been enough to make the point that he’s old and has enemies. But instead of gesturing toward this background information, Patrick insists that we accompany Farkas from the moment of his creation to the time of his entombment, abiding with him in isolated hideouts as the Roman Empire gives way to the various hordes sweeping across Europe. People are a product of their specific time and place. So by situating Farkas in a broad sketch of history, covering a span of years that would be impossible (as well as undesirable) to depict with any detail, Patrick ends up with a vampire who is as flat and unreal as the events unfolding around him. Instead of a nuanced character with a constellation of traits attributable to a particular period, we get a figure who is reduced to the basic urges that, from a great distance at least, seem to move history forward.

All of this makes me wonder why Patrick assigned himself such a difficult task. Not only is he trying to represent vast swathes of time, but he’s going back to an era that, even with the most active and historically informed imagination, is almost impossible to access from 2024. There’s only one writer I can think of who has written great Roman Empire horror and that’s the inimitable Gemma Files in her amazing short story “Sent Down”--if you haven’t read it, do yourself a favor. Files' secret is this: Instead of going wide like Patrick, she focuses on a particular set of power dynamics on the margins of the Empire where colonization has collapsed and cultural confusion reigns. It’s in this space of political, linguistic, and religious slippage that she coaxes a familiar humanity–one characterized by loneliness, desperation, and brutality–into being. It’s a magic trick that few can pull off. I could go on and on about Files, but let’s return to Patrick and his vampire. It’s a very brave writer who would try to portray the circumstances and interior life of a Visigoth in the Roman Empire. Farkas is not persuasive in this role, but I applaud Patrick for his attempt.

By the time I reached the end of Exhumed, I knew that I would not pre-order the sequel, which comes out this November. Complete with explosions and automatic gunfire, the novel’s final chapters read like the transcription of a big budget action film, and Patrick–by way of the narrator–openly acknowledges the influence of a visual, blockbusting aesthetic. I prefer something more traditional and low-key. When vampires defend themselves with paramilitary teams and fight with guns instead of teeth, I know that it’s time for me to bow out. Still, I don’t regret having read Exhumed because Patrick’s enthusiasm for vampires is infectious and it has rekindled my own. 2024 has been a busy year in the sub-genre, and I’m excited to see how other authors have interpreted my favorite monster.

[Adam Burroughs · Rating 5 out of 5]

for me i loved reading this book as science and mystery are my interest.
With the story I get the feels that this could be a possibility in real life circumstances and that sets the stage for me with interest.
I enjoyed all the different characters and there realistic personalities especially David. I love how it unfolded to get to where it starts off and how it takes vampirism to a very real time present situation which got me to be a
believer and hooked me right till the end.
I really enjoyed the book and can't wait for the sequal as mentioned!

[Noelie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The start of this book really pulled me in, but:

1) I found the characters pretty one-note. The main character never mentions any family or friends or so much as a cat left behind in Australia as his life changes forever. The vampires are angry and bloodthirsty (of course) and very little else.


2) At least twice the word "ancestor" was used when they clearly meant descendants. I don't know if this is a writer problem or an editor problem, but either way it's a problem.

I wanted to love it, but ultimately didn't.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the author for an ARC of Exhumed - I loved it from start to finish.

Vampires aren't usually my kind of thing, but after enjoying his other works I had to give it a shot and I'm glad I did. The thing I loved most was how the story was split into present and past, and since the vampires live so long it gives a really interesting look at moments in history. The detail and research impressed me greatly!

[H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Laughable.

Look part of the mystique is the impossibility. The regeneration, the strength, the speed, all those myths.

Silver? No, that got added in later.

Author use rh null as a supposed reason for vampirism. Sounds good, but afraid not.
Anyway I hate books that try and make it to be a disease (or in this case a mutation) and voila, medical science.

Nope. It was, even without this, a crap book.

[Alexis Barrera oranday]

En muchas listas de libros sale como uno de los mejores libros de vampiros.
El inicio es buenísimo
Alrededor de la mitad está un poco aburrido.
La última tercera parte está muy buena también.
Recomendado, es un libro propio de vampiros en la actualidad, con ciencia, destrucción y todos los buenos ingredientes.
El personaje principal es hematólogo. 👍🏼

[S.J. Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exhumed is my love letter to probably my favourite horror subgenre: vampires!

Rest assured you won't find any misunderstood gentleman here; no suave romantics; and definitely no sparkles!

I hope you love the story as much as I do, because I had a blast writing it!

[Mackenzie Stose · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. I thought the premise was interesting and had the potential for a great story. But block after block of chunky text really turned me off. It became a little monotonous. DNF @ 33%

[Sally the Salamander · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF about 20 or 25 pages in. Neat premise but Exhumed has the clunkiness, thin characters, and lack of polish often seen in self-published work and that's something I have a low tolerance for nowadays.

[Kittin · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5* not sure why I finished this.

[Will Cantrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the main vampire. But the David character got on my nerves and took me days to read his chapters at times.