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Vampire Hunter

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“Intricate storytelling & well-developed characters.” -Entertainment Monthly

Riding to the rescue with quick wits and snappy one-liners.

Tobias Halson, a young paranormal hunter, is charged with protecting the city of Philadelphia from the undead creatures of the night. A corporate board member is thrown out of an office building showing signs of vampire attack, and Tobias is called in to investigate. But he soon realizes he’s out of his element, lost in a world of white collar politics and water cooler plots. With the innocence of a young woman in danger, it’s a race against time to find the killer, preferably before Tobias ends up the next victim.

Fans of Ilona Andrews, Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, Nalini Singh, Faith Hunter, and Nalo Hopkinson will enjoy John Evans’s Urban Fantasy books.

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2025

2 people are currently reading
14 people want to read

About the author

John (ronin) Evans

5 books16 followers
John Evans is the debut author of the pulse-pumping book Midnight Falls. He also writes the “Tobias Halson Hunter” series and various short stories. Inspired by greats like Stephen King and Gary Brandner, he loves all things “old school” horror, and often claims his purpose is to give readers a little bit of fun Lovecraftian escapism from the scarier real world.

Follow: facebook.com/JohnJEvansauthor and @roninmercllc

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5 stars
16 (53%)
4 stars
13 (43%)
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1 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Jenni.
6,488 reviews79 followers
October 21, 2025
4 stars

I enjoyed John’s Midnight Falls and quickly dove into Vampire Hunter, the first book in the Tobias Halson: Hunter series. I must say, it was a refreshing change from the typical vampire novels. This paranormal story follows Tobias, a vampire hunter with a quick wit and clever remarks that had me laughing throughout.

The vampires in this tale are vicious and feral, far removed from the sparkly, romanticised versions we often see today. Vampire Hunter is a fast-paced urban fantasy short story that will leave you peering into the darkness, wondering if something sinister is lurking nearby. With its moody atmosphere, John’s descriptive narrative pulls you into the story, immersing you in a vivid world he has created.

I eagerly await further books in the series!
3 reviews
May 7, 2025
As someone that is not a big fan of vampires—often overplayed and unoriginal—I had my reservations about whether I’d enjoy John Evans’ Vampire Hunter. It only took about three pages to dispel those doubts and realize that Evans had done something that not many authors have successfully been able to do in recent years—make my jaw drop with how fun and engrossing the book is. The story sucked me in so completely that I read Vampire Hunter for hours leading up to one of my finals instead of studying, and even as I agonized over those final exams, I was already calculating how long it would be before I could resume my reading.

Tobias Halson, the story’s protagonist, is funny and relatable in a way that I have not seen since Percy Jackson, his inner monologue and quippy one liners making me laugh out loud at times. The supporting cast of characters is just as engaging, each feeling unique and real while leaving me invested in their lives and praying they’d all make it out okay—and when one didn’t, gasping aloud and expressing my affront to an empty room.

Vampire Hunter is truly a remarkable read that got me out of a months-long reading slump and has made me so excited for more, impatiently counting down the days until the sequel is released. I hope that Tobias Halson’s story continues to evolve over the course of many books, as I know that I’ll be eagerly awaiting any news of a continuation of this series.
Profile Image for Ann Schwarz.
268 reviews15 followers
October 21, 2025
Vampire Hunter by John Evans may just be my new favorite urban fantasy series to follow. It opens with Tobias Halson in the middle of a hunt, chasing down a newly turned redneck vampire. Right away I was swept into the action of this version of Philly and Tobias's calling to protect his city from bloodsucking monsters. Make no mistake, in this series, vampires are not the angsty, goth "Anne Rice kind" as Tobias explains. They don't leave little love bites on your neck. When these vampires feed there is nothing conflicted or pretty about it. They rip and tear into their prey in an overwhelming need to feed.

Evans does a masterful job of opening the novel by giving plenty of information about this world without sacrificing any of the tension or pacing to do it. For instance, in addition to explaining what vampires are really like we also get hints that they aren't the only supernatural beings that exist. While there are some clues given that magic wielders might also be out there, Halson isn't one of them. He is a vampire hunter who has been successful in exterminating them when needed, but he does so with careful planning, cunning weapons specially developed for the task, and skill alone. He is as he says, just a "vanilla human" at the end of the day. This kept me turning pages as the stakes were pretty high throughout each encounter with these monsters in the book. How could Tobias succeed in some of the tight situations he gets into when he doesn't have any special abilities, I often wondered?

The characterization of Tobias was deft as well. He was a very relatable character with a tragic backstory that has made his focus being a hunter detrimental to having a personal life, meaning he's socially awkward and tries to disguise the fact with snark and smartass comments. He isn't a complete loner though. Early in the book, he explains that he's been working with a special division of the Philly PD to take care of special pest problems that he is uniquely skilled at handling. In large part, this is because the head of that division, Detective Bullard, witnessed Tobias's prowess firsthand. Since then, Tobias has been on-call for Bullard and his partner, the beautiful Alex Benson, when needed. This has allowed Tobias to do well enough to pay his rent, have an office and even hire on a secretary, Anita. I loved the small group of allies who are in the know about the supernatural that Evans gives his character. It makes for a nice respite at times from the action but also serves to raise the stakes even more for Tobias as he has people to lose. Something that being a complete loner wouldn't give him.

Another thing that I like about urban fantasies in general are that they are essentially mystery thrillers with fantastic elements. That means that there is always a crime to solve. The mystery plot in this case is whether or not a prominent CEO of a large corporation was killed by a vampire or not. The clues seem to point to no. But Bullard isn't so sure and hires Tobias to do some snooping. Halson is reluctant, he isn't a private detective after all, he's a vampire hunter. But he is also curious about the murder and agrees if only to serve as a distraction to the would-be assailant. But as Tobias digs for clues, more and more questions arise. I truly enjoyed trying to piece things together along with Tobias. Evans gives us an intriguing plot, that while I did hazard a guess pretty early on about who was behind the murder, still left me questioning the how or why behind the crime. All of the elements kept me hooked and made this a fast and entertaining read. I"m very happy that the next book in the series, Werewolf Hunter, is already out for me to read. After the way things ended in this book, I'm very interested to see how things will unfold for Tobias from here. I really hope there will be more books to follow as well. If you enjoy fast-paced urban fantasies with interesting and well-developed characters, then I urge you to read this series. You won't be disappointed.
79 reviews3 followers
October 30, 2025
4 stars

Tobias Halson has been a Vampire Hunter for a long time. Working to protect the city of Philadelphia, he has little time for other people or relationships, apart from Anita, his sassy secretary who doesn't take his crap, Detective Bullard, who sends him contracts from investigations as part of PSIC, and Detective Alex Benson, who, well…hates him. When what should be a run-of-the-mill vampire attack investigation turns out to be far more complicated, and Tobias soon finds himself thrust into a world he can’t stake through the heart and set on fire.

I enjoyed this way way more than I thought I was going to. I've never been a massive fan of vampire stories, and when I have, it's definitely not been modern iterations, but I can honestly say that I loved this. I really liked the return to monstrosity that Evans took the vampires in; they once again felt like something to genuinely fear, which was great to read. I thought that Tobias was an awesome and funny main character, and his scathing insult exchanges with Alex were hilarious. I will say, though, he's a bit of an arse and I struggled sometimes to like him, but I think that's part of his charm, and you've got to hand it to him, Tobias is incredibly self-aware with regards to his arse-ish tendencies. Even with the shortness of the book, I felt like I grew to really know the characters, and the mystery was pretty good.

If you're looking for plenty of fun and action with your supernatural read, then look no further. It's a fast-paced, quick read, with plenty of heart. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more of Evans' work.
1,013 reviews14 followers
November 4, 2025
Tobias Halson is a young man on a mission, he is a vampire hunter and a good one at that and he is also a contractor for the Philadelphia Police Department, it is a way to make ends meet and get paid to do so, especially when he has to pay for his business premises and his secretary. He tends to spend his nights chasing vampires and monsters and his days asleep either at his office, or at home, recovering from the injuries which the undead can inflict on a lowly human, but it doesn't stop him from fighting with an impressive array of weapons, some of them of his own design.

One day, he is recovering from one such nocturnal hunt when he is called to a crime scene in the wealthiest district of Philadelphia and to what appears to be a vampire attack followed by being thrown through a top floor window of an office block, however, when he begins to investigate, he gets the feeling that something isn't right, there are some pieces of the puzzle which point towards a vampire, but there are other elements which don't.

As he digs deeper, Tobias realises that he is delving deep into the world of local politics, not to mention that he is not the only one in the web, another young woman is drawn in, but in a world of water coolers, gossip and seemingly unaffected coworkers, can Tobias figure out the who and the why before it is too late? This is a mystery where shadows are alive and the things which go bump in the night are more than real, as a race against time begins to discover exactly which creature is the culprit.
Profile Image for Mark Smith.
30 reviews1 follower
July 21, 2025
Vampire Hunter by John Evans has some solid ideas, especially in how it treats vampires as actual monsters instead of romantic figures. They’re brutal, animalistic, and genuinely threatening, which gave the book a nice edge and made it feel more like proper horror than dark fantasy.

The plot moves quickly and the setting—modern-day Philadelphia with vampire attacks creeping into corporate spaces—has a lot of potential. There’s a good mix of urban grit and supernatural tension that fans of things like the Dresden Files might enjoy.

But the main issue for me was the narrator, Tobias Halson. Since the whole book is told from his point of view, it’s a problem that I just didn’t connect with him. His voice felt flat and didn’t carry the emotional weight or personality needed to pull me in.

Overall, the book has atmosphere and energy, but without a compelling lead character, it never fully lands. If you’re into creature-heavy vampire stories, it might be worth a look—but don’t expect to fall in love with the narrator.
Profile Image for Meka Weaver.
661 reviews13 followers
November 4, 2025
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and it certainly won’t be the last. From the opening chapter, the story captures your attention with its quick pacing and sharp, witty dialogue. The author’s use of clever one-liners adds both humor and personality to the narrative, creating a cast of characters that feel vibrant and authentic.

As a longtime fan of vampire stories, I’m always ready to get hooked on a new one—and this book definitely delivered. It’s an easy and engaging read that pulls you in from the very start and doesn’t let go. Tobias, a young paranormal hunter charged with protecting the city at night, finds himself investigating a chilling case involving a woman in danger. What follows is a tense, fast-moving race against time to uncover the truth before he becomes the next victim.

This story blends supernatural mystery, action, and wit in a way that makes it hard to put down. A strong start to a promising series—I can’t wait to see what comes next for Tobias!
Profile Image for Santana.
403 reviews8 followers
November 4, 2025
Vampire Hunter was such a refreshing change from the usual vampire stories. No sparkly immortals or moody romance here. These vampires are wild, vicious, and actually scary, which I loved.

Tobias Halson, a snarky vampire hunter, had me hooked with his quick wit and sarcastic inner thoughts. He is chaotic, and just self aware enough to make his flaws fun to read. The side characters like Anita and the detectives added so much personality and made the story feel more alive.

The world-building was dark and gritty with the perfect urban fantasy feel. The mystery kept me guessing, and the action scenes were fast and exciting.

I enjoyed this story much more than I expected. It is funny, creepy, and full of heart. A great pick if you like vampire stories with a mix of action.

My only small complaint is that Tobias can be a bit repetitive at times.. I will definitely be picking up the next book.
Profile Image for Bobbi Wagner.
5,025 reviews65 followers
October 21, 2025
This is the first book in this series and what a great start it is. I enjoyed this author’s creative story and characters that bring the story to life. This is an engaging story that is a well written paranormal story. Tobias is a young man who is in charge of protecting the city at night. When he is called to investigate a woman who is in danger, he finds himself in a race against time to find the killer. I enjoyed all the characters and what they added to the story’s entertainment value. They are strong, connectable and kept me wanting to know more. I enjoyed watching the growth of the story and the characters. I found this story to be fast paced and hard to put down. A story you don’t want to miss. I enjoyed reading this story and look forward to seeing what is next for this series. I highly recommend this book.
734 reviews9 followers
November 4, 2025
Who doesn't love a good vampire book? Tobias is a vampire hunter and he is darn good at what he does. He is charged with protecting the city of Philadelphia from these undead creatures. After a corporate board member is thrown from an office building and shows signs of being attacked by a vampire, Tobias is called in to investigate. He soon realizes it is much bigger than anticipated and he may be in over his head. A young woman's life is hanging in the balance and there is a very good chance he could be the next victim. Will he find the killer in time? This is the first book I have read by this author and I had fun reading it. Tobias was very likeable, relateable, and had a lot of growth and the story progressed. I am slightly obsessed with paranormal stories whether they be fact or fiction. I look forward to the other books in this series.
Profile Image for Angela.
8,597 reviews123 followers
October 24, 2025
3.5 Stars

Vampire Hunter is the first book in the Tobias Halson: Hunter series by John Evans. It is a urban fantasy/paranormal tale - blending plenty of suspense, action, adventure, and a touch of mystery.
We follow Tobias Halson, a paranormal hunter, as he battles the undead and uncovers sinister secrets lurking in the shadows of his city. From the very first chapter, the book hooks you with its fast-paced plot and vivid world-building
As expected, from Mr. Evans, his storytelling is detailed and descriptive, which sets the scene and mood of the story to a tense and intriguing level. Now I am looking forward to diving into Book #2 – ‘Werewolf Hunter’.
Happy Reading…
1,942 reviews24 followers
October 30, 2025
Vampire Hunter (Tobias Halson: Hunter Book 1) by John Evans. This is a fun Vampire Story perfect for this time of year. Its a paranormal tale about a guy named Tobias who is in charge of protecting the city at night. Tobias is a vampire hunter and he is very busy each night protecting the city's citizen's. Tobias reminds us of the Dracula days with his quick wit and dark characters remind of us old vampires we loved. Tobias is a detective that will not give up until every vampire is found and every citizen is protected. Such a fun and fast vampire story perfect for the month of October. Can't wait to pick up the next book in the series.
3,107 reviews34 followers
October 31, 2025
This book is the first one in a new series and is such a strong way to kick start things. I thought the main character, Tobias, was a really interesting character and I found it really easy to connect with him almost instantly. I didn’t expect to find him so funny and yet there were so many times I found myself completely amused by things he said.
If you are a fan of vampire books then this story is definitely for you. It is a really exciting story, fast paced and interesting from start to finish. I was hooked as soon as I started reading and wanted to see what the author would do with the book. This was a great story that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Profile Image for Ayla Phipps.
397 reviews10 followers
November 2, 2025
More please. This is the first book I have read by this author, and I am already looking forward to book two of this new series to see what Tobias will face next. From the start this book will hook you in with its quick pace and say one liner that honestly made me love this book so much more. Being a very sassy person when needed I love a good one liner that makes you stunned or giggling.
Diving into this world was a great start to November on a cold day in the mountains. Amazing storytelling awaits with details that you can picture in your mind. Now on to book two, Werewolf Hunter, I can’t wait any longer.
76 reviews3 followers
October 28, 2025
Vampires are my thing! I am always on the lookout for a new story to add to my collection and this one is it! I Love this new addition to my vampire book collection. It is an easy and quick read, the story dragging you along right from the start.



I love a bit a sass mixed with the element of fear and danger and with Tobias you get both! I love the vampires being the monsters they are in the old days. Brings back the Dracula or Nosferatu feel and lore. Tobias is great addition to our vampire world and his adventure is one you want to pick up and read. Recommended.
Profile Image for Katie Burgess.
255 reviews
November 1, 2025
Vampire Hunter is an action-packed, darkly thrilling ride that keeps the adrenaline pumping from start to finish. It follows a tough, determined hunter on a mission to take down the creatures of the night, blending intense battles with just the right amount of mystery and heart. Evans does a great job creating a gritty world full of danger, secrets, and unexpected twists, and the pacing never lets up. It’s a sharp, exciting read that delivers all the vampire-hunting action you could want while still giving you characters you actually care about.
2,083 reviews20 followers
November 5, 2025
4 Stars
Vampire Hunter (Tobias Halson: Hunter Book 1) by John Evans


Vampire Hunter is the first book in Tobias Halson: Hunter Series. This is a Paranormal/ Urban Fantasy that I honestly didn’t know what to expect going in. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and the storyline just didn’t flow for me. This is a fairly new author to me and I plan on re-reading later to see if it hits differently. I would recommend reading this book if Paranormal Fantasy is something you like. I normally enjoy reading this type .I do look forward to reading more from this Author.

Profile Image for Kranna.
340 reviews3 followers
July 3, 2025
First I must say this is the first book in a series that I'm looking forward to continuing. If you like vampires that are scary and the Dresden files from Jim butcher you were going to love this book. This is about a detective who is a vampire paranormal Hunter named Tobias Halson. Tobias reminds me a lot of Harry Dresden in his quick wit and style of investigation. It is refreshing to see vampires go back to their roots. Can't wait to continue the series.
355 reviews6 followers
October 21, 2025
"Vampire Hunter (Tobias Halson: Hunter Book 1)" by John Evans is an electrifying start to an action-packed series. Evans crafts a compelling protagonist in Tobias Halson, whose determination and grit shine through each page. The book is a thrilling blend of suspense, dark intrigue, and sharp storytelling that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The vivid world-building and fast-paced narrative make it hard to put down. A must-read for fans of supernatural adventures and vampire lore!
96 reviews8 followers
November 1, 2025
"Vampire Hunter (Tobias Halson: Hunter Book 1)" by John Evans is an electrifying start to an action-packed series. Evans crafts a compelling protagonist in Tobias Halson, whose determination and grit shine through each page. The book is a thrilling blend of suspense, dark intrigue, and sharp storytelling that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The vivid world-building and fast-paced narrative make it hard to put down. A must-read for fans of supernatural adventures and vampire lore!
Author 41 books144 followers
November 3, 2025
This is my first book by this author and I love vampires and vampire hunters and all connected with it. I love Tobias and the way his character grows and adapts, he drew me into this story, wouldn't let me put the book down and left me craving more. That is a sign of a great writer in my book. I can't wait to get the next book and see where Tobias goes next and watch him continue to grow under this writers imagination and care.
Profile Image for Finn Cunningham.
477 reviews9 followers
November 3, 2025
Vampire Hunter is book 1 of the "Tobias Halson: Hunter" series by John Evans. This is a fast paced thriller that will have you binge reading for hours. I have read from this author before but I think this is definitely my favorite book of John's so far, and I absolutely cant wait until the next book release! This is addicting, wholeheartedly, and a definite must read for anyone who loves Vampire/Vampire Hunter stories! Dont hesitate with picking this book up!
265 reviews2 followers
November 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this novel. It was a change to read a novel about vampires where they are not portrayed as the good guys but instead are the villains. The story had so many interesting characters and the plot was so good. I found myself engaged in the story and could not stop reading until I was finished. I highly recommend this author and book for anyone who loves paranormal fiction.
21 reviews
November 5, 2025
The main character, Tobias is a very interesting mixture of sarcastic and humor. I love how they intertwine his story and job stories together in a way that makes you love both. The book describes the characters and scenes in such a way that it makes you feel like you are there. This book is great for anyone who loves paranormal in general.
Profile Image for Shanda.
119 reviews4 followers
December 3, 2025
Tobias Halson is a paranormal hunter that protects Philadelphia with his wit, hilarious one- liners, and tragic past. He takes a case that requires everything he possesses to survive.
I love a good vampire book and this was a pretty good book that reminded me a lot of the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. The humor mixed in well with a bit of gore and destruction. It wad such a good surprise to see that no one was safe. There's still time to catch up before book 2 comes out.
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