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Max Maguire Vampire
Dead Man's Trigger: A Wisecracking Urban Fantasy Vampire Thriller
Previously published as Jade's Blood by Kat Huddleston
Former Special Forces Sniper. High School History Teacher. Vampire. Who Knew Immortality Could Be So Short?
When high school history teacher Max Maguire begins to suspect one of his brightest students is in trouble, he ends up walking down the wrong alley. Suddenly, he's staring down the fangs of a beautiful, powerful, and utterly merciless vampire named Jade.
As Max's life takes a dark turn, he’s forced to learn how to survive in Jade's twisted world. But if Jade thinks her hostage is going to play nice, she really should have read his resume. This former Special Forces sniper might just have to dust off some very lethal muscle memory.
While Max plots exactly how to kill the most dangerous predator on the planet, he discovers there’s another group of vampires that have their own plans for Jade. Before he knows it, Max is caught in the crosshairs of a vampire war that neither side can afford to lose.
And there's one thing neither side knows… Max has a secret of his own.
If you like your urban fantasy with real teeth — think Joe Ledger with fangs, Monster Hunter International gone dark, and The Dresden Files with the door left open. Dead Man’s Trigger delivers action, dark humor, and a real hero worth rooting for.
A NOTE TO READERS: The novel contains mature content intended for readers 18 and older. This is a gritty, fast-paced genre hybrid combining vampires with dark urban fantasy, tactical military thriller action, and sarcastic humor, featuring a wisecracking protagonist at its center. There is explicit sexual material, graphic violence, adult themes, and visceral horror elements. In other words, my vampires don't sparkle.
Former Special Forces Sniper. High School History Teacher. Vampire. Who Knew Immortality Could Be So Short?
When high school history teacher Max Maguire begins to suspect one of his brightest students is in trouble, he ends up walking down the wrong alley. Suddenly, he's staring down the fangs of a beautiful, powerful, and utterly merciless vampire named Jade.
As Max's life takes a dark turn, he’s forced to learn how to survive in Jade's twisted world. But if Jade thinks her hostage is going to play nice, she really should have read his resume. This former Special Forces sniper might just have to dust off some very lethal muscle memory.
While Max plots exactly how to kill the most dangerous predator on the planet, he discovers there’s another group of vampires that have their own plans for Jade. Before he knows it, Max is caught in the crosshairs of a vampire war that neither side can afford to lose.
And there's one thing neither side knows… Max has a secret of his own.
If you like your urban fantasy with real teeth — think Joe Ledger with fangs, Monster Hunter International gone dark, and The Dresden Files with the door left open. Dead Man’s Trigger delivers action, dark humor, and a real hero worth rooting for.
A NOTE TO READERS: The novel contains mature content intended for readers 18 and older. This is a gritty, fast-paced genre hybrid combining vampires with dark urban fantasy, tactical military thriller action, and sarcastic humor, featuring a wisecracking protagonist at its center. There is explicit sexual material, graphic violence, adult themes, and visceral horror elements. In other words, my vampires don't sparkle.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 8, 2026
"Dead Man's Trigger: A Max Maguire Vampire Novel Book 1" offers a dark and enticing glimpse into modern vampire life. Kat Huddleston crafts a compelling plot and an impressive cast of characters, both virtuous and villainous. From the first page to the last, it’s an engaging and unforgettable read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 5, 2026
Be Careful Who You Turn
Max Maguire is the cool history teacher. When a student stops coming to class Max investigates. Because of this Max is turned into a vampie against his will. Max finds he still has a conscience and vows to end his maker and the rest of her "children" . All he has to do is survive.
This was a fun read. I'm looking forward to what happens in book 2.
I received an advanced copy and am leaving a voluntary review.
Max Maguire is the cool history teacher. When a student stops coming to class Max investigates. Because of this Max is turned into a vampie against his will. Max finds he still has a conscience and vows to end his maker and the rest of her "children" . All he has to do is survive.
This was a fun read. I'm looking forward to what happens in book 2.
I received an advanced copy and am leaving a voluntary review.
October 3, 2026
An entertaining urban fantasy read that has history teacher, Max, turned into a vampire by an organisation run by the powerful Jade. It was fun to read as Max, who is determined to kill Jade and her associates, is rescued by a rival group of vampires and slowly learns how to be a vampire. Recruited into this new team, he joins forces in an effort to take out Jade. Fast paced, witty and action packed with an engaging hero in Max and interesting secondary characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 2, 2026
ARC courtesy of Voracious Readers Only and Kat Huddleston
Note: I received an epub copy and had it read aloud via Speechify
This book delivers exactly what the description says. It is vampires that hunger only for human blood; vampires that grieve their pasts and the losses they’ve faced from enduring the consequences of a decision that they were not allowed to make. Among them, there is somehow still good and evil, and the battle between is intense on a supernatural level.
Full disclosure, I’m not a particularly critical reader. If I’m interested in a story, I am not looking for plot holes and things that don’t make sense. This read was enjoyable for me, despite not being something I would normally be drawn into. This is a debut novel and the first of a series, and I would read the next one. The character development was enough to keep me interested and there are unanswered questions I still have, which, while frustrating, is key to making me want to read the next.
There are a couple of small editing errors that I noticed in my copy (sorry for forgetting to mark them!) but they didn’t impact the delivery much or at all.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this novel and would continue reading the series!
Note: I received an epub copy and had it read aloud via Speechify
This book delivers exactly what the description says. It is vampires that hunger only for human blood; vampires that grieve their pasts and the losses they’ve faced from enduring the consequences of a decision that they were not allowed to make. Among them, there is somehow still good and evil, and the battle between is intense on a supernatural level.
Full disclosure, I’m not a particularly critical reader. If I’m interested in a story, I am not looking for plot holes and things that don’t make sense. This read was enjoyable for me, despite not being something I would normally be drawn into. This is a debut novel and the first of a series, and I would read the next one. The character development was enough to keep me interested and there are unanswered questions I still have, which, while frustrating, is key to making me want to read the next.
There are a couple of small editing errors that I noticed in my copy (sorry for forgetting to mark them!) but they didn’t impact the delivery much or at all.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this novel and would continue reading the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I really enjoyed this book. The main character, Max is awesome. He has secrets, he has a darkness he is fighting every day. He is a person I would enjoy sitting down and having a beer with. He does not take himself too seriously. The world building was done very well especially for a first book. Character development as well. But what really stands out is his fight scenes and this authors dispensing of little bits of information about Max's past and what is Chase and Jade; vampires something much more? Though we do find out Max's deep secret Jade and Chase now there is a big one that puts and interesting twist on this war that is about saving the human race or is it about way more. I hope this author write fast because I am very excited about the next book
October 7, 2026
This is one of those ‘not’ high literature books that are usually a guilty pleasure. Not a book that would be chosen for a ‘book of the week’ or ‘book club’ (unless it’s a really ‘my kinda strange’ bookclub). : D
That does not bother me one iota! I read to visit other places and lifestyles I’d very much like to experience in the real world (minus the murder that’s generally central to the story) OR something that isn’t everyday, normal(ish) work-a-day life. And this book fit the 2nd description to the bill!
While it’s a very common supernatural critter (vampire) book it also offered some unexpected surprises and insight into Max’s character that I really enjoyed. Max is a guy I admire. He’s seen and done plenty of bad things (even before being turned) but he wants with every particle of his being to HELP people. Especially young people that haven’t had the easiest upbringing. I admire that.
Jade and Chase’s ultimate reveal opens up a whole new outlook on the consequences of this war between Vampire Queens and I’m looking forward to seeing more of Max and his newly found family in his new state of undeath.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
That does not bother me one iota! I read to visit other places and lifestyles I’d very much like to experience in the real world (minus the murder that’s generally central to the story) OR something that isn’t everyday, normal(ish) work-a-day life. And this book fit the 2nd description to the bill!
While it’s a very common supernatural critter (vampire) book it also offered some unexpected surprises and insight into Max’s character that I really enjoyed. Max is a guy I admire. He’s seen and done plenty of bad things (even before being turned) but he wants with every particle of his being to HELP people. Especially young people that haven’t had the easiest upbringing. I admire that.
Jade and Chase’s ultimate reveal opens up a whole new outlook on the consequences of this war between Vampire Queens and I’m looking forward to seeing more of Max and his newly found family in his new state of undeath.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews