How to Stake a Vampire

Diary of a Reluctant Werewolf #2

by A.D. Starrling

A werewolf's guide to vampire trust your nose, pack extra stakes, and never EVER investigate blood banks without backup.

Dear Diary,

Remember when my biggest problem was werewolf transformation etiquette? Those were simpler times.

Someone is attacking Amberford’s vampire elite and my best friend Ellie just got turned into a bloodsucker while working her shift at Bean Me Up. She’s now dealing with fangs, a newfound taste for Type O-negative, and an inconvenient crush on an aristocratic vampire boyfriend.

Meanwhile, my co-workers and I are trying to track down the homicidal maniac who’s been stealing blood, hoarding genealogical records, and humming Beethoven while he plots to overthrow supernatural society.

Between Alliance politics, emergency staking tutorials, and my dog’s unsolicited detective work, keeping everyone alive has become a full-time job. Especially since I seem to have developed some new abilities that are making the supernatural community very nervous. Including me.

How to Stake a Vampire continues the hilarious urban fantasy adventures of Abby West and her Husky Bo, the wannabe detective. Featuring ancient vampire politics, supernatural workplace shenanigans, a bad guy with questionable taste in hideouts, googly eyes, and enough snark to power a small town.

Genres: Urban Fantasy

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2025

About the author

A.D. Starrling is a bestselling author renowned for her pulse-pounding fusion of urban fantasy, action, adventure, and supernatural suspense. With a passion for history and a gift for intricate plotting, she crafts captivating narratives that transport readers across time and continents. Her Seventeen series, featuring immortal warriors with extraordinary abilities, has garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated global following. Her authentic research and skillful character development keep readers hooked, while her love for action movies infuses her work with electrifying combat sequences and story lines.

When she’s not busy writing, A.D. can be found eating Thai food, being tortured by her back therapists, working part-time as a doctor on a Neonatal Intensive Care unit somewhere in the UK, reading manga, and watching anime. She has occasionally been accused of committing art with a charcoal stick and some drawing paper.

Click FOLLOW to be notified of new releases.

Sign-up to her mailing list for a FREE BOXSET, exclusive giveaways, and special promotional offers:

➤ https://www.adstarrling.com/e0kp

Join her Facebook Reader Group for exclusive sneak peeks at her upcoming books:

➤ https://www.adstarrling.com/thesevent...

Reviews

[Janice Mahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Abby is smart and adaptable. she is independent and working on being part of the pack. The characters are spectacular. They come alive for me. Bo is the perfect mix of sarcasm and innocence. Perfect for a talking Husky!
The story opens with a new committee meeting. We are introduced to players in the supernatural community Abby has found herself in. Abby and her coworkers are charged with investigating thefts from the local blood bank. The plot thickens as we learn more about ancient vampire conspiracies.
The case is so important that people that don't normally do field work join the team.
Hilarity ensures!
Really love this. Ready for the next book!

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: If you’re looking for a book that you can dip in and out of for days, this is not the book for you! Captivated from page 1, I did not want to put this book down and couldn’t go to bed until I had finished reading!

Abby West, reluctant werewolf, is still coming to terms with all that has happened to her and trying to keep control of her inner wolf. She has a capacity for causing mayhem, matched only by her Husky Bo and his smart(?) mouth. The supernatural residents of Amberford are still unsure of what might happen next with Abby, especially if she gets riled up, and having her best friend turned vampire, while someone is also stealing blood, definitely gets Abby riled up!

A mystery that needs to be solved and keeps you guessing as the team investigates, Abby’s increasing power, her developing relationship with Samuel, a loveable talking husky, a superior feline, a supernatural mixed bag of friends, googly eyes(!), lots of snark and laugh out loud moments - this book gives you all you ever (didn’t know) you needed and more. I can’t wait to find out what happens next with Abby, Ellie and the gang.

[David Hoag · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her latest book, How to Stake a Vampire – Diary of a Reluctant Werewolf Book 2, A.D. Starrling continues the adventures of Abigail West, her dog Bo, the town of Amberford, and... its decidedly unique population. While still trying to come to terms with new abilities, new and powerful emotions, and a supernatural world that just keeps getting more surprising by the minute, Abby’s new family, her friends, and the supernatural community are all threatened by a seemingly unstoppable evil. This is another of A.D. Starrling’s books that is hard to put down. As in Book 1 of this series, the surprises, revelations, and laughs continue on every page. Seriously, there were times when I actually laughed out loud. This was another fun read; I loved every minute! I can hardly wait to immerse myself in Book 3 of this series.

[Susan Shoobert · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to stake a vampire is the second book of The reluctant werewolf series. It is cleverly written and takes a well-worn genre and breathes fresh, hilarious life into it. The author balances sharp humour with genuinely engaging storytelling, making the book feel both playful and smart. I found myself grinning at the clever wordplay but also invested in the storyline.

One of my favourite lines was “tap dancing across a lava pit in flip-flops” — it’s such a perfect example of the book’s wit, and I fully intend to use it the first chance I get.

Bo and Pearl are great throughout the book and I’m left wondering where their storyline will lead.

If you enjoy fantasy stories that don’t take themselves too seriously (but still deliver a satisfying, imaginative tale), this is absolutely worth picking up. Highly recommended!

[Cheryl Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As ever highly entertaining and amusing. Love this series.
So Abigail has a best friend Ellie, who gets herself in to a scrape and a werewolf with whom she is mated and still skirting around whether or not she is going to move in with him, even though she is always sleeping with him anyway. The Amberford community are highly suspicious of her and what she can do. Especially after what happened before. Of course that becomes old hat to what comes next and they find out what she can do. It's great stuff. The meetings are hilarious of the leaders of Amberford, those who are represented are not quite as you might think.
Read it and find out why. The story is great as well and it resolves itself, but leaves enough to be ready for the next book!

I got this an ARC copy and it is all my own opinion.

[Devoted❤️Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bahaha, the googly eyes!! It was almost a game for me while reading to discover where they’d pop up and the scenes did not disappoint. I hope we *snicker* see them again in this series.

Ah Bo, you never disappoint with the silly and sass.

“I don’t like this,” my dog finally stated a tad sullenly. “One of you gets bitten by a werewolf and the other one is now Miss Succula. I thought my life was going to be normal.”
“So did I, but here we are…”

Abby does seem to have an *ahem* nose for trouble, and now, Ellie too. Though I admire how she tackles things head on, authentically and courageously. I’m sure the heavy doses of snark and something…let’s say…stronger help.

So many laughs, a fantastic adventure, and a cast of characters I find myself more in love with each surprise.

[Crafty Trace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in this series, and it doesn’t disappoint. Absolutely brilliant, I don’t want to give any spoilers away, but it was an amazing story and the growth of the characters was great, it was so good I’m running out or superlatives to describe how good it was. Also props to Anjanee for creating a whole new universe with all new rules. I just can’t rave enough about this book, I pretty much read it in one sitting ( bar bathroom breaks lol)
Waiting with baited breath for book 3 Xxx

[Jj · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts where the last one left off. The supernatural world is set in modern times and the characters all have their own personas which identifies them. This book has sass , class and brass and hits all the right notes for the reader. If you want to lose yourself in the supernatural world and switch off, this is the book for you. It has the Scooby gang and a typical vampire villain and keeps you entertained. I can’t wait to see what comes out of Bo’ mouth next

[Leona Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Book “How to Stake a Vampire last Weekend. It was so funny, and I laughed silly on the Chapter Heading Cats. I kept laughing out loud. But I could not figure out how Abby and Ellie powers match together or what powers they had. I kept reading that Chapter and going back to the prior chapter thinking I am missing something at the end of the book. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series to figure out this mystery.

[Kristin Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have the privilege of being an ARC reader for this author, and I'm so thankful for that opportunity. This is the 2nd book in the Diary of a Reluctant Werewolf Series, and it's just as good as the first. The characters are fun and full of snark that leaves you laughing out loud. Abby is smart, determined, and is still adapting to her new world. Bo her lovable husky never disappoints with his commentary. I cannot wait for the next book!!! A.D. Starrling continues to be a top favorite author!

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one day, it was so hard to put down. How to Stake a Vampire kept me laughing with the antics of the characters especially Abby’s husky, Bo. Abby and Bo are still learning about the supernatural world, new family, and Abby’s powers. Can’t wait for the 3th book of this series to come out. This is a great series for anyone who is looking for a fun read.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a lucky beta reader for this series, and this second book is easily as much fun as the first. A cast of misfit characters, a husky with no filter and a vampire determined to take over the world . This is going to be great.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a delightful series, I was happy to read this second book. Abby is such a fun character who rolls with the punches, and she’s on a new case. I love Bo and Pearl, too, especially since I have a cat named Pearl. LOL! Solving this latest case takes Abby and her co-workers on quite the chase, and the identity is a surprise to everyone. This is a fun, well-written, captivating, good time, and I can’t wait to see what everyone is going to get up to next. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Cindy Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you loved the first book in this series like I did, then you are absolutely going to love this next installment: it is brilliant! Also, if you like muffins and sass, you are in the right place. Highly recommend.

[Susan Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

How much fun!! An absolute JOY to read, I laughed until I cried and could NOT put it down. Gotta love the characters and all the twists and turns. Dealing with all the supernatural things that keep getting thrown her way and coming to understand herself, Abby has the best attitude ever!

[Carrie O’Leary · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun and supernatural peril in this second book in the Diary of a Reluctant Werewolf series. I love some of the one-liners, and Bo really makes me laugh out loud at times. I can't wait to see how the story progresses with the next book in the series.

[Alun Humphreys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Latest book in A.D Starrling's new series.

Carries on where the other finished. Great super natural world with lots of likeable characters (especially Bo,) lots of laughs and action.

Great series.

[Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome new series

Fun great read! It took me less than 24 hours to read both books! Love all the Characters! Good storylines. A.D. always does well writing stories that are easy and enjoyable to read! Look forward to the next book!

[Dayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good fun read. Not too dark. I'd like to read more interaction between FMC and her alpha.

[Rosemary Horton · Rating 5 out of 5]

very witty writing

Very funny enjoyed both books can’t wait for more hopefully not to long to wait need a good giggle love the husky

[Cindy Deporter · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the second book our intrepid newly turned Werwolf and her trusty husky continue to “enjoy” her new status. Most of the supernaturals in town think she is a white furred menace and the other think she may just be white fluff. But when her best friend is targeted Abby is wanting to go scorched earth but learns that she needs to get better control of her wolf. Being the Luna and a white wolf has given her power and resources she never had. When a old old vampire decides to “purify” the vampire line and her best friend is caught in the cross fire she steps up with her alpha and goes after a vampire that is stronger faster and crazier than anyone imagined. Meeting her kooky but talented and outrageous co-investigators kept me laughing at their antics. Who knew the investigative. Team had to carry fire extinguishers to put out the fires of one of their team mates. The second book is as fun as the first starts to fill in Abby and Samuel’s new life!