Dr Blessing's Rapture, or, The Beast in the Bell Jar

Victorian Vampire Chronicles #2

by Jack Rollins

The chase is on as Dr Blessing pits his wits against a private investigator and an operative sent by a shadowy organization, both intent on uncovering the secret of the bell-jar. Dr Blessing stands at the edge of a new destiny he had not imagined - but who will he take with him? Who will stay true? Who will succumb to new temptations? Who will survive The Beast And The Bell-Jar?

142 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 4, 2012

About the author

+++ Get your FREE, exclusive horror ebooks including 'Tender Morsels' and 'A Haunting at Collingwood House' at https://www.jackrollins.substack.com +++

Jack Rollins was born and raised among the twisting cobbled streets and lanes, ruined forts and rolling moors of rural Northumberland, England in 1980. He is the author of the horror novel The Cabinet of Doctor Blessing, the novella The Séance and a range of short , dark fiction tales. Jack lives in Newcastle, England.

Jack can be found online at:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jackrollinshorror

Reviews

[Lisa Sandberg]

I absolutely loved this book, which continues the story of Dr. Blessing and his "daughter".

Dr. Blessing continues to keep this creature he calls his daughter. She is growing and needing to feed more. People start becoming suspicious, therefore the chase is on. Especially by Charlie and by Mary.

This story was full of action and was very hard to put down. The ending was brilliant, loved it!

I am definitely a fan of Jack Rollins and looking forward to reading more from him.

5 stars for sure!! A must read.

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[Kyle Scott]

Expanding on the themes of Dr Blessing Book 1, Jack Rollins opens up his expertly crafted Gothic world in this action-packed and thrilling second installment. Fast paced, violent, and brimming with memorable characters and heart pounding sequences, the dark tale of Dr Blessing and his 'baby' takes on a whole new scope and sense of splendor. If the first book was a perfect introduction to the shadowy Victorian world in which the good Dr exists, then Dr Blessing's Rapture envelopes the reader in that world - evolving themes, surprising constantly with its winding and ever-deepening plot and upping the stakes to new, chilling heights.
Dr Blessing's ever worsening journey into his own personal hell is an exciting and frightening one, and among the very best of the year.
A must read.

[David]

Continuing Dr Blessing's story - this excellent series set in Victorian England just keeps on getting better. This sequel is bigger both in pages, characters and scope. Excellent.

[Ishani Guha-Shepherd]

4 🌟
This book takes the grim foundations laid in Doctor Blessing's Curse and pushes them into full Gothic chaos. What began in book one as Dr. Blessing’s dangerous obsession with Panacea becomes something far larger and bloodier, with the story expanding beyond quiet dread into violent pursuit and unraveling madness.
Jack Rollins keeps the Hammer Horror atmosphere intact — fog, decay, moral corruption — but the sequel moves at a much faster pace and raises the stakes considerably. Blessing himself remains the highlight: tragic, obsessive, and increasingly impossible to defend. It feels less like a standalone sequel and more like the moment the series truly opens up into something monstrous. Can't wait for book 3!

[Annemarie]

This really is the stuff of nightmares.
George is well and truly in thrall of Panacea and becoming a vampire himself, not just it's protector. As for Mary, what on earth was she thinking? Has she come to the realisation yet that George cannot be saved? Then there is Charles, bitten by one of Doctor Blessing's 'changed' mice. Is he the first victim of the vampire infected rodents that escaped during the hospital fire? It would appear so.

[Paul Fuller]

The second book in the series follows Doctor Blessings story from doctor Blessings Curse.
The atmosphere created in the second book is awesome and everything you want in a horror book,the Victorian setting helps bring the story to life and you really feel it.
The story and characters are all well paced,nothing rushed and you can't help feel the menace that the story brings to life.
All in all very well written story.

[Miranda Kate]

This book takes the story to the next level, after the short novel of the first. Here the character of Dr Blessing is explored as we learn how he is enraptured by his adopted 'daughter' - but in a very sinister way as she isn't human. We find out just how far he is willing to go.

We also understand more about Mary and her role in trying to stop this 'child'. But both Mary and Dr Blessing's plans are interrupted by a third party, Charles Blanton, who is seeking revenge for his master's death, and becomes an unstoppable train.

The story and characters develop and the fast pace continues. I found this even more compelling than the first, and just as brutal. I am already into the final book, A Christmas Blessing, and still just enthralled.

If a different take on vampire in a gothic Victorian setting appeals to you, I can't recommend this series enough.

[Pam Brown]

Book 2 captures the eerie atmosphere of Victorian London while exploring themes of guilt, redemption, and the price of obsession. Vividly written and deeply unsettling, this tale grips readers with its haunting mix of science, faith, and madness—perfect for fans of classic gothic horror with a modern edge. I’m enjoying this story immensely.

[Terry M]

A good follow on to Doctor Blessing's curse. It's fast paced with plenty of action throughout as the needs of his ‘daughter' Panacea escalates. He is beginning to lose control and finds himself hunted and on the run, his only thoughts are to keep her alive whatever the consequences. Can't wait to read the next instalment. Read as an ARC and my review is honest and voluntary.

[Terry]

The story continues of Dr Blessing and his I don’t even know what to call her at this point but Panacea is her name. Mary and the brute Charles are after them but for completely different reasons.
Fast paced and though gruesome at times it’s every right to be. It is the vampire chronicles after all.
Really enjoying these and the pace. Gothic Horror remade

[Lyndsey Gollogly]

A dark twisted gothic vampire read. It was so good and really gave you that Dr Jekyll crossed with Van Heilsing vibes. Such a fun Victorian setting to which wins me over every time. Highly recommended.

[Jennifer]

Second in the series and I can't wait for the next book.

[Lalita R.]

Fast-paced Gothic. Just like the first one, this book is suspenseful and a heck of a page-turner. Highly recommend!

[Bob Cantrell]

A Tale of Evil

This story was a fast reading one. Although I couldn't really cheer on the vampire Hunter in this story neither could I cheer on the bad guys. The supposed good guys have their own problems and the same can be said of the bad guys. What was interesting was how the story set in the Victorian Era had the feel of that era. The characters seemed to me to come alive in the pages of this book. That was why it was hard to really be for one side of the other. Still it was a good story and a different look at the vampire mythos.

[Natasa]

Doctor Blessings's Rapture

Absolutely amazing, I love the story - even the little horrible vampire. Hope he and Mary find common ground. This second book was even better than the first one.

[Rich]

A longer instalment so much more plot and action. Again, this series would be much improved by the input of a professional editor or proofreader. So many spelling mistakes.