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Bloodsucker County
Bloodsuckers—fanged and feral creatures who don’t play by the vampire rules—now far outnumber humans. All the major cities have fallen. Life is an ongoing struggle to simply survive.
However, nineteen-year-old Lance Black has spent the past several years living with his mother in Out of Harm’s Way County. The few residents there have stayed alive by not drawing attention to themselves. It’s a lonely existence, but it keeps them from falling prey to the monsters…
…until Lance, walking through the forest, finds a stranger named Bill Tremaine covered in blood. He’s so badly injured that he’ll be lucky to make it through the night.
Yes, bloodsuckers did this to him, but Bill insists he killed his attackers. No more are following him. Everything is fine. It’s all good.
He is, of course, dead wrong. And when the bloodsuckers show up at Lance’s front door, he discovers this menace is far worse than anybody in the county ever realized.
From the Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Demonic and Wolf Hunt, Bloodsucker County is another action-packed, laugh-filled thrill ride!
However, nineteen-year-old Lance Black has spent the past several years living with his mother in Out of Harm’s Way County. The few residents there have stayed alive by not drawing attention to themselves. It’s a lonely existence, but it keeps them from falling prey to the monsters…
…until Lance, walking through the forest, finds a stranger named Bill Tremaine covered in blood. He’s so badly injured that he’ll be lucky to make it through the night.
Yes, bloodsuckers did this to him, but Bill insists he killed his attackers. No more are following him. Everything is fine. It’s all good.
He is, of course, dead wrong. And when the bloodsuckers show up at Lance’s front door, he discovers this menace is far worse than anybody in the county ever realized.
From the Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Demonic and Wolf Hunt, Bloodsucker County is another action-packed, laugh-filled thrill ride!
186 pages, Paperback
Published January 28, 2025
246 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Strand
230 books2,221 followersBram Stoker Award-winning author of a bunch of demented books, including PRESSURE, DWELLER, CLOWNS VS. SPIDERS, AUTUMN BLEEDS INTO WINTER, MY PRETTIES, the official novelization of ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES, and lots of others!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
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April 4, 2025No rating for now, I don't think I was in the right headspace to enjoy this one.
January 3, 2026
4.5 stars. This was an absolute fuckin' blast! I haven't read much of Jeff Strand over the years, but this made me want to pursue his books further. The premise itself sounded a little bland, but after the first few pages, it yanked me right in, keeping my attention from start to finish. Our leads, Bill, Lance, and Connie, just functioned so well together, whether in conflict, standard interactions, or during bloody, action-packed situations. It was all playful enough without being silly, but serious enough to make the reader constantly appreciate the stakes of the story. And you felt everything they went through, whether Lance's coming of age arc or Connie's love for her son and uncertain feelings on Bill. All of it was solid. The author crafted this unique vampire story, which is rare nowadays, that hit all the right notes, finding a perfect flow, pace, and balance for itself. My only minor, and I mean very minor, critiques were that I wanted a little more from the ending and it was a tad difficult keeping track of some of the lesser characters during the many action sequences. However, you all know how rare it is that I give a book anything over 4 stars, so that should speak volumes on how much I loved this story. Read on, you bloodthirsty maniacs!
December 20, 2025
How can I review this without gushing all over it? It's impossible. I LOVED this. So, please, please Mr. Strand, turn this into a series. I've never wanted a story to continue as badly as this one.
This book's main ingredient is high quality sarcasm interspaced with life-threatening situations that give the characters a certain appeal. They gained personality through simple dialogue without relying much on action or description (although we get plenty of that too) and I commend the author for his genius.
I found myself giggling foolishly, the next moment I was holding my breath, then I’m knee deep into gory action. What else can I ask for?
This is a rare gem that instantly pulls you in and never lets go. The story wastes no time, jumping right into the action with an authenticity that's immediately captivating. Lance’s tone is so damn sincere, and his relationship with his mother, Connie, so sweet, it makes you care for them from the very first page. The post-apocalyptic setting plunges us into a powerful sense of isolation, and I genuinely felt for the characters and their difficult lives.
Lance stumbles in the forest upon a dying man, Bill. He wants to save him and with his mother's aid, they bring the man back to their home only to discover days later that he has been followed by bloodsuckers in their town. After Lance is forced by circumstances to kill one of the leaders of the bloodsuckers, he and his mother, Connie, must decide along with the townsfolk what to do with Bill. And that's how they end up on a very dangerous road trip. Evidently Bill is a very charismatic man, but also very sketchy and there are some hints here and there that make you question his intentions and true purpose.
As the story progresses, it sort of becomes a beautiful coming-of-age trial for Lance, a rite of passage into manhood. The way his mother gradually helps him to step into a leadership role is really touching. The plot gets hilariously delicious in the second half, especially during a democratic town meeting that perfectly depicts the book's unique tone.
Gods, how can a book be so natural in its dialogue, so immersive, how can it make me feel so much with so little? I found myself a new favorite writer, I cannot recommend this book enough, I absolutely loved it and it went straight to my favorite list. I need more.
Another aspect that I loved was how organic felt the entire evolution of Bill's relationship with Connie, Lance's mother. I may be silly here but I was rooting for those two, both characters had a palpable chemistry and an obvious spark. And I do hope to see Bill come back (he will come back, right?).
The end is bittersweet, leaves an opening for more, and the dog survived, yay.
This book's main ingredient is high quality sarcasm interspaced with life-threatening situations that give the characters a certain appeal. They gained personality through simple dialogue without relying much on action or description (although we get plenty of that too) and I commend the author for his genius.
I found myself giggling foolishly, the next moment I was holding my breath, then I’m knee deep into gory action. What else can I ask for?
This is a rare gem that instantly pulls you in and never lets go. The story wastes no time, jumping right into the action with an authenticity that's immediately captivating. Lance’s tone is so damn sincere, and his relationship with his mother, Connie, so sweet, it makes you care for them from the very first page. The post-apocalyptic setting plunges us into a powerful sense of isolation, and I genuinely felt for the characters and their difficult lives.
Lance stumbles in the forest upon a dying man, Bill. He wants to save him and with his mother's aid, they bring the man back to their home only to discover days later that he has been followed by bloodsuckers in their town. After Lance is forced by circumstances to kill one of the leaders of the bloodsuckers, he and his mother, Connie, must decide along with the townsfolk what to do with Bill. And that's how they end up on a very dangerous road trip. Evidently Bill is a very charismatic man, but also very sketchy and there are some hints here and there that make you question his intentions and true purpose.
As the story progresses, it sort of becomes a beautiful coming-of-age trial for Lance, a rite of passage into manhood. The way his mother gradually helps him to step into a leadership role is really touching. The plot gets hilariously delicious in the second half, especially during a democratic town meeting that perfectly depicts the book's unique tone.
Gods, how can a book be so natural in its dialogue, so immersive, how can it make me feel so much with so little? I found myself a new favorite writer, I cannot recommend this book enough, I absolutely loved it and it went straight to my favorite list. I need more.
Another aspect that I loved was how organic felt the entire evolution of Bill's relationship with Connie, Lance's mother. I may be silly here but I was rooting for those two, both characters had a palpable chemistry and an obvious spark. And I do hope to see Bill come back (he will come back, right?).
The end is bittersweet, leaves an opening for more, and the dog survived, yay.
February 2, 2025
Couldn't swipe those Kindle pages fast enough. Thanks for another great one, Jeff. Thoughts to follow...
March 20, 2025
One minute I was laughing, then I was on the edge of my seat, and then I was flinching from bloody gore. This was riveting, and I couldn't read it fast enough.
January 11, 2026
"Vampires" is way too good of a term for these creatures. These are no Twilight, supermodels with fangs, or an elegant goth Bela Lugosi-like Count Dracula, not even close. These are some seriously disturbing, wretched beings, hideous, ugly, and they stink too. This small community has stayed safe from them for a number of years, but that is all going straight to hell when a skilled bloodsucker killer arrives; he will guide them into a reign of blood.
A fast-paced read, real page-turner. It seems like a big universe is being built here, with many more sequels or prequels probably on the way. I really enjoy vampire stories, so I’m thrilled to check those out too.
A fast-paced read, real page-turner. It seems like a big universe is being built here, with many more sequels or prequels probably on the way. I really enjoy vampire stories, so I’m thrilled to check those out too.
January 24, 2025
Jeff does it again!
I love his books.
I love his books.
February 5, 2025
Jeff Strand does it again. What a fun blood soaked read. Jeff Strand has an amazing way of writing he makes you laugh one minute and say gross the next.
It's a horror comedy apocalyptic story. Loved it
It's a horror comedy apocalyptic story. Loved it
July 13, 2025
4.5⭐️
February 15, 2025
Vampire books are always so problematic, they never have any representation for all the vegan vampires out there.
April 9, 2025
What did i just read
This book doesn't know what it wants to be. Is it a vampire story? Is it a coming of age tale? Is it a really bad comedy? Is it a gritty post apocalyptic tale about the depths that humanity will sink to? Or is it just a jumbled mess of all of these that ends more abruptly than running into a wall going 100mph? I was genuinely interested to see what this book would do... until I made a third of the way through and was bored out of my mind. How do you make a vampire apocalypse boring? Ask the author. The mystery man Bill is never really explained. Who is he? How did he survive so long? How was he so seriously injured? Don't know. Is there a weapon that can take out the bloodsuckers? Sort of, but it's never explained. For a book that takes 3 hours to finish, there's a lot in it, but there's a ton left out. The ending is more rushed than a line cook at a dinner rush on his own. What a huge confusing mess. Massive letdown
This book doesn't know what it wants to be. Is it a vampire story? Is it a coming of age tale? Is it a really bad comedy? Is it a gritty post apocalyptic tale about the depths that humanity will sink to? Or is it just a jumbled mess of all of these that ends more abruptly than running into a wall going 100mph? I was genuinely interested to see what this book would do... until I made a third of the way through and was bored out of my mind. How do you make a vampire apocalypse boring? Ask the author. The mystery man Bill is never really explained. Who is he? How did he survive so long? How was he so seriously injured? Don't know. Is there a weapon that can take out the bloodsuckers? Sort of, but it's never explained. For a book that takes 3 hours to finish, there's a lot in it, but there's a ton left out. The ending is more rushed than a line cook at a dinner rush on his own. What a huge confusing mess. Massive letdown
June 9, 2025
Take your pick: Man, Bloodsucker, or Hybrid?
Fun, short novel from Strand. The characters and Strand’s sense of humour make this story very enjoyable. The story starts to fall apart by the end, but the first 3/4s were a blast. The hybrid, Gabriel, had a Dr.Evil vibe that made him memorable, and I was surprised that Jeff didn’t make more jokes related to everyone wanting to “Kill Bill”. Worth a read!
Fun, short novel from Strand. The characters and Strand’s sense of humour make this story very enjoyable. The story starts to fall apart by the end, but the first 3/4s were a blast. The hybrid, Gabriel, had a Dr.Evil vibe that made him memorable, and I was surprised that Jeff didn’t make more jokes related to everyone wanting to “Kill Bill”. Worth a read!
April 29, 2025
Jeff Strand’s *Bloodsucker Country* is an uproarious rollercoaster of carnage, chaos, and sheer brilliance! The blood-soaked pages explode with hilarity and horror, blending relentless action with wild, unforgettable twists. Strand delivers absolute insanity, capturing the essence of vampire madness in a way that screams genius. A must read masterpiece of mayhem and mirth!
June 22, 2025
i am a big fan of mixing horror & humor if it’s done correctly and this nailed it for me. this was so fun from start to finish. honestly i’d probably give it more than 5 stars if that was an option 🧛🏻♂️
February 28, 2025
The most delightful apocalypse you’ll ever encounter.
A comedic version of a ghoulish apocalypse, human survivors outnumbered by flesh-feasting blood suckers.
Nineteen year old Lance finds a wounded man in a forest. Bringing the stranger home sets off a series of events that brings an end to Out of Harms Way County.
Light hearted but with plenty of gore, fantastic creatures, and lovable characters committing unfathomable acts of survival.
I read it all in one setting, over a few hours. It is that entertaining.
Can recommend.
A comedic version of a ghoulish apocalypse, human survivors outnumbered by flesh-feasting blood suckers.
Nineteen year old Lance finds a wounded man in a forest. Bringing the stranger home sets off a series of events that brings an end to Out of Harms Way County.
Light hearted but with plenty of gore, fantastic creatures, and lovable characters committing unfathomable acts of survival.
I read it all in one setting, over a few hours. It is that entertaining.
Can recommend.
January 30, 2025
This was a great and bloody take on the vampire story. It was short, so there is no real or detailed origin story, but that doesn't take away from the story. We're following characters who wouldn't have a way to know about that anyway. Connie was absolutely my favorite character, who doesn't love a sarcastic and badass mom?
The action and violence (and sarcasm) keeps up almost the whole time, I never found myself bored reading this.
Another wild ride from Strand!
The action and violence (and sarcasm) keeps up almost the whole time, I never found myself bored reading this.
Another wild ride from Strand!
March 28, 2025
This is a great post-apocalyptical story with nearly unstoppable monsters. It's a big world with a lot of stories, but this book only tells one little tale of survival. A small community of people who've managed to stay hidden from the nightmare of the horrors from without for five years. Horrors they only heard about for a short period of time before civilization fell and left them in the dark.
Jeff Strand is great at weaving humor and wit into his archetype protagonists, which is really needed in this surprisingly grim and hopeless book. I don't know if he plans more books set in this world, but there's certainly room for more doomed tales set in it.
Jeff Strand is great at weaving humor and wit into his archetype protagonists, which is really needed in this surprisingly grim and hopeless book. I don't know if he plans more books set in this world, but there's certainly room for more doomed tales set in it.
December 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I'm not normally into dystopian novels but this book was special. As far as dystopian goes, I'd call Bloodsucker County, "light dystopian". This book is fast-paced, highly readable and has an undercurrent of wry humor running through it. So, no endless vampire zombies constantly popping up for chapter after chapter.
The tale starts with Lance, the 19 year old hero finding a near-death vampire slayer out in the forest near his family home in rural Ohio. The rest of the story involves Lance, his mom, the vampire slayer and the residents of the town fighting for their life against the hoards of bloodsuckers. The only downfall with this book is it's length. It ended way too early. Here's hoping the author will see fit to write a sequel or more.
The tale starts with Lance, the 19 year old hero finding a near-death vampire slayer out in the forest near his family home in rural Ohio. The rest of the story involves Lance, his mom, the vampire slayer and the residents of the town fighting for their life against the hoards of bloodsuckers. The only downfall with this book is it's length. It ended way too early. Here's hoping the author will see fit to write a sequel or more.
June 13, 2025
just bad
June 22, 2025
This book was so much fun! I sat down and read it in one go, and I loved every minute of it. I just absolutely adored all the main characters
August 12, 2025
This book is exactly why I read Jeff Strand. No fluff, no wasted words, excellent dialog, and painted with highlighted quotes to share with friends. An absolute blast!
March 8, 2025
First Read...Won't be the Last!
I had not read this author previously and thoroughly enjoyed every single page! The characters unfolded thoroughly and seamlessly. Like watching a series with beloved characters that you've been personally invested in for some time now. It was an easy read, very well written and thoroughly enjoyable! Now I'd love to see a sequel or perhaps even more! (The next True Blood series?!?)
I had not read this author previously and thoroughly enjoyed every single page! The characters unfolded thoroughly and seamlessly. Like watching a series with beloved characters that you've been personally invested in for some time now. It was an easy read, very well written and thoroughly enjoyable! Now I'd love to see a sequel or perhaps even more! (The next True Blood series?!?)
February 24, 2025
Wow, this was such an awesome novel!
19-year old Lance and his mother Connie have lived in peace for years in a small county called Oohow away from the bloodsucker pandemic that has destroyed any chance of a modern life. That peace shatters when Lance finds an injured man out in the forest named Bill. As he and his mother nurse Bill back to good health, they are set on a collision course with hybrids that control the bloodsuckers that want nothing more than to kill Bill. And anyone who gets in their way is as good as dead.
What really made this book shine for me is the clever balance of horror and humor that comes with Strand's writing. Despite the grim tone of this book, Strand manages to keep things light and sarcastic, which made it hard to put this book down.
Lance is 19, but his maturity has been stunted by the secluded life he lives. Along his journey he has a lot of growth and breaks out of the mama's boy mindset and learns to stand up and fight for himself and others. I also really loved his mom Connie. She's a no-nonsense woman, and she's not afraid to take control of a situation.
The plot totally surprised me. I had thoughts of where the book was going to go, but Strand surprised me at every turn. There's plenty of bloodsucker fighting action with lots of gore and interesting developments. If I had one quip I'd say the ending felt a little bit rushed, but other than that, this was a home run.
If you love vampires, you've got to try this book out!
19-year old Lance and his mother Connie have lived in peace for years in a small county called Oohow away from the bloodsucker pandemic that has destroyed any chance of a modern life. That peace shatters when Lance finds an injured man out in the forest named Bill. As he and his mother nurse Bill back to good health, they are set on a collision course with hybrids that control the bloodsuckers that want nothing more than to kill Bill. And anyone who gets in their way is as good as dead.
What really made this book shine for me is the clever balance of horror and humor that comes with Strand's writing. Despite the grim tone of this book, Strand manages to keep things light and sarcastic, which made it hard to put this book down.
Lance is 19, but his maturity has been stunted by the secluded life he lives. Along his journey he has a lot of growth and breaks out of the mama's boy mindset and learns to stand up and fight for himself and others. I also really loved his mom Connie. She's a no-nonsense woman, and she's not afraid to take control of a situation.
The plot totally surprised me. I had thoughts of where the book was going to go, but Strand surprised me at every turn. There's plenty of bloodsucker fighting action with lots of gore and interesting developments. If I had one quip I'd say the ending felt a little bit rushed, but other than that, this was a home run.
If you love vampires, you've got to try this book out!
February 22, 2025
Such a fun book!!
This was probably the best vampire story I've had the pleasure of reading in a long while. My only complaint is that it should be longer, but that in itself really isn't much of a complaint, because I truly did not want this story to end. The vampires were interesting, the characters were all likeable, even the ones intended to not be. And, probably my favorite aspect, the humor. This was truly a humorous book. I would love to see this continue on. 5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was probably the best vampire story I've had the pleasure of reading in a long while. My only complaint is that it should be longer, but that in itself really isn't much of a complaint, because I truly did not want this story to end. The vampires were interesting, the characters were all likeable, even the ones intended to not be. And, probably my favorite aspect, the humor. This was truly a humorous book. I would love to see this continue on. 5/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
May 20, 2025
This was a quick and fun read. The creatures were a creative creation that made me think of what would happen if a vampire and a ghoul had a child. There is plenty of the Strand wit expertly mixed in with the violence and gore, of which there is a satisfying quantity. I found a lot of the characters unlikeable but not in a bad way. They were well written, and I'll admit to cheering on some fatalities. The story is fast paced with a bloody, brutal, and action packed climax. Another great tale from Jeff Strand.
March 1, 2025
Wow... he did it again!!! Jeff if one of my favourite authors, but many of his works lacks balance: great humor, dialogues not always good mixed with action and gory stuff. This novel is pretty exclusion. Dynamic, funny,easy reading work. My number 3 of all of Jeff's books after Wolf Hunt - 1 and Bribg Her Back. Thank you so much, mr. Strand, hope to read the Blodsucker County - 2 at least, as this novel opens and intriguing universe. Brilliant work in my mind, higly recommended :-)
July 8, 2025
i like how the vampires are very scary because there are a lot of them, not because theyre especially hard to kill. its annoying when the monsters are invincible.
also kind of fun small-town law. shows folks getting together after an apocalypse rather than turning on each other, even if they keep making stupid decisions over and over.
this would probably be a 3.5 if they allowed it but what the heck, have a 4
also kind of fun small-town law. shows folks getting together after an apocalypse rather than turning on each other, even if they keep making stupid decisions over and over.
this would probably be a 3.5 if they allowed it but what the heck, have a 4
October 27, 2025
This was hilarious. Just because life is a husk of what it once was, that's no reason to lose your sense of humor. Lance and his Mom are real heroes and have endless gumption and morals in spades. This is short but the characters are well developed and the direness of the situation is clearly communicated. Lots of gore. The bloodsucker birth and bathtub scenes were particularly gross. I'll look for more from Strand to enjoy
January 29, 2025
Dayum, this was a good, fun story. I enjoyed every horrifying moment. I loved the main characters, the tough and cool mom, Lance the good hearted young man, and the smart assedness of Bill in particular brought a bit of joy to the axe weilding, head chopping battles. Humour, horror and humanity made for a story that was hard to put down until it was over.
January 29, 2025
Another top notch Jeff Strand book- filled with his trademark great writing, dark humour, and buckets of gore.
Told from the perspective of a 19 year old young man who happens upon an injured man nearby their isolated community, it reads like a diary of their journey since meeting him. Super read.
Told from the perspective of a 19 year old young man who happens upon an injured man nearby their isolated community, it reads like a diary of their journey since meeting him. Super read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews