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Southern Vampire Detective Series #1
Whiskey, Vamps, and Thieves
Meet Scarlett Smith, Southern Vampire Detective…
Well, at least that's what she is today. Not too long ago she was just a regular Southern Belle in love with her soldier, dreaming of a life full of babies and white picket fences.
Then she died.
Now she's a vampire in a shifter's world trying to make sense of her sudden thirst for blood and her strange ability to read the emotions off of others. Especially as it pertains to death—she and death have a strange affinity for one another now, but best not to dwell on that subject too long. She's still totally just a normal girl, except now she solves murders and drinks a little type-O on the side. No big deal, she's certainly nothing special or amazing...right? Except every once in a while she senses something stirring inside of her. Something dark. Something ancient. And something very, very powerful. But for now it's just easier to pretend she's nothing more than a vampire with a badge and a gun who just so happens to have the hots for not one, but two different shifters one of whom is her step-brother.
No one ever said being dead would be easy.
Well, at least that's what she is today. Not too long ago she was just a regular Southern Belle in love with her soldier, dreaming of a life full of babies and white picket fences.
Then she died.
Now she's a vampire in a shifter's world trying to make sense of her sudden thirst for blood and her strange ability to read the emotions off of others. Especially as it pertains to death—she and death have a strange affinity for one another now, but best not to dwell on that subject too long. She's still totally just a normal girl, except now she solves murders and drinks a little type-O on the side. No big deal, she's certainly nothing special or amazing...right? Except every once in a while she senses something stirring inside of her. Something dark. Something ancient. And something very, very powerful. But for now it's just easier to pretend she's nothing more than a vampire with a badge and a gun who just so happens to have the hots for not one, but two different shifters one of whom is her step-brother.
No one ever said being dead would be easy.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2016
422 people are currently reading
644 people want to read
About the author
Selene Charles
23 books281 followersSelene Charles is the pen name of a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author.
She is an avid penguin sweater knitter. She believes that unicorns really do exist and that skittles aren't really candy at all. She enjoys skydiving in the arctic, chatting with her polar bear friends around a warm campfire while sipping on warm cocoa, and she used to work in a travelling carnival which is where she got all these crazy ideas from. Only two of these statements are actually true.
If you'd like to know more about her or her works feel free to write her at selenecharleswrites@gmail.com
She is an avid penguin sweater knitter. She believes that unicorns really do exist and that skittles aren't really candy at all. She enjoys skydiving in the arctic, chatting with her polar bear friends around a warm campfire while sipping on warm cocoa, and she used to work in a travelling carnival which is where she got all these crazy ideas from. Only two of these statements are actually true.
If you'd like to know more about her or her works feel free to write her at selenecharleswrites@gmail.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
September 24, 2016
Okay this is the third time I've read something of this author's and completely missed the fact that this is a spin-off of a spin-off of a series I fell in love with (and have yet to finish, so really that's probably why I'm always so shocked... sigh) but OMG this thing was so intense.
Totally dug it the first few pages, and I too loved the Scottish brogue that a certain were was sporting. I didn't know who to choose throughout this thing, and though the answer seems obvious, at the same time, there's so many possibilities for things to go... differently. To be honest, I was rooting for the other guy, but now- I don't know. I'm so turned around by this. I devoured it halfway through, got a bit irate over the dramatics and redundant drama (ha) but by the near end, it suddenly turned into this epic off load that just left me floating in a sea of wtf's.
Totally recommend you read this. It's definitely dramatic, but I hear weres and vamps are supposed to be high in emotional outbursts and experiences, and there's a love triangle that ISN'T a triangle...? It's suspenseful, with a lot of different branches to choose from. All these different loves of our MC, all from different parts of her life. And I think the best thing yet was the secret that you still don't get to know at the end of the book. That was what enticed me the most, even if I do feel like a total idiot for not being able to guess just yet. But I'm close.
Totally dug it the first few pages, and I too loved the Scottish brogue that a certain were was sporting. I didn't know who to choose throughout this thing, and though the answer seems obvious, at the same time, there's so many possibilities for things to go... differently. To be honest, I was rooting for the other guy, but now- I don't know. I'm so turned around by this. I devoured it halfway through, got a bit irate over the dramatics and redundant drama (ha) but by the near end, it suddenly turned into this epic off load that just left me floating in a sea of wtf's.
Totally recommend you read this. It's definitely dramatic, but I hear weres and vamps are supposed to be high in emotional outbursts and experiences, and there's a love triangle that ISN'T a triangle...? It's suspenseful, with a lot of different branches to choose from. All these different loves of our MC, all from different parts of her life. And I think the best thing yet was the secret that you still don't get to know at the end of the book. That was what enticed me the most, even if I do feel like a total idiot for not being able to guess just yet. But I'm close.
June 2, 2017
So many things wrong with this... although at 99% those of us who didn't already know it can learn that this is apparently a second series with some over-lapping characters, which might have alleviated the completely crap world-building and utter lack of explanations in this book. But the bad news is that I don't care enough to back-track and try to figure out the myriad things that are hinted at but never explained.
Much of the reason I don't care is the author's style. Apparently the word "visceral" can be used to try to trick me into thinking that this book was suspenseful rather than angsty, bad-ass and edgy rather than sloppily written. The trick didn't work. Anything that wasn't boring, standard trope was so poorly explained as to be mere nonsense. The female protagonist, Scarlett, flipped between alleged bad-ass vampire and dysfunctional mass of exhaustion and emotion so quickly that I suspect it damaged her brain. It bills itself as a "detective" story, but she didn't detect anything until the very end, when she guessed "everything" by looking into James's eyes, but didn't explain any of it to the reader.
Also, very little whiskey and no thieves. Even the plural use of vampire is wrong. If you're going to try playing on an existing title of something, you should at least be accurate.
Cannot imagine why I would read another in the series or by this author.
Much of the reason I don't care is the author's style. Apparently the word "visceral" can be used to try to trick me into thinking that this book was suspenseful rather than angsty, bad-ass and edgy rather than sloppily written. The trick didn't work. Anything that wasn't boring, standard trope was so poorly explained as to be mere nonsense. The female protagonist, Scarlett, flipped between alleged bad-ass vampire and dysfunctional mass of exhaustion and emotion so quickly that I suspect it damaged her brain. It bills itself as a "detective" story, but she didn't detect anything until the very end, when she guessed "everything" by looking into James's eyes, but didn't explain any of it to the reader.
Also, very little whiskey and no thieves. Even the plural use of vampire is wrong. If you're going to try playing on an existing title of something, you should at least be accurate.
Cannot imagine why I would read another in the series or by this author.
November 28, 2018
Scarlett is a vampire detective living with a pack of werewolves. She's always secretly been in love with her "brother" who doesn't seem to notice her in that way, and she's always been grudgingly accepted among the pack. But, when things start to get crazy in the human world and people start dying she's going to help out and see what's going on. However, her old flame has come back, and her brother is acting strange and out of sorts. Then you add in the crazy alpha, and you have a world of problems. She must find the killer before it all falls apart.
This book started off really interesting, and good. But, then I felt like it shifted some and I didn't like the direction in it went in. I liked the main character, but I hated her back and forth on her feelings, and I hated how a lot of stuff wasn't explained, and the end just frustrated me. But, I know this is a series and more answers will come, I just don't think I want to read more.
It was a nice story to pass the time with, but I don't see myself getting more into the series than that.
This book started off really interesting, and good. But, then I felt like it shifted some and I didn't like the direction in it went in. I liked the main character, but I hated her back and forth on her feelings, and I hated how a lot of stuff wasn't explained, and the end just frustrated me. But, I know this is a series and more answers will come, I just don't think I want to read more.
It was a nice story to pass the time with, but I don't see myself getting more into the series than that.
September 14, 2016
If there ever was a guy that needed to pull his head out of his backside it's this one, Mercer.
Get a grip man, Scarlett's a great girl, Yes she has issues, seems slightly psychotic, whiney and loves you for some unknown reason, Oh yes is also possessed by some sort of insane god, I think. What's not to love??
I don't want to give the story away, but it a great read with a nice twist on the usual vamp/shifter genre and I will definitely be reading the next book. And for once no shortage of hot guys here, after what has seemed lately as a man drought of epic proportions- a sure sign of global warming.
Get a grip man, Scarlett's a great girl, Yes she has issues, seems slightly psychotic, whiney and loves you for some unknown reason, Oh yes is also possessed by some sort of insane god, I think. What's not to love??
I don't want to give the story away, but it a great read with a nice twist on the usual vamp/shifter genre and I will definitely be reading the next book. And for once no shortage of hot guys here, after what has seemed lately as a man drought of epic proportions- a sure sign of global warming.
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March 14, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (3/14/2018)!💝
March 20, 2018
Needs work
The book overall was interesting enough to finish but I felt like it needed work. There could have been more detail to character development other than the filler it felt like. Did she have an editor? Throughout the book were mistakes in parts of overlapping stories that did not make sense as if they were jumbled together and minor details were replaced as if the original subjects or thought were forgotten in her notes. Such as the bogeyman's little girls name is Emma and later she is called Emily. The wolf Mercer, has a "blood coursing through his " dead heart", yet he is a shifter not a vampire, or "Veiler" as she calls them. Girl, he ain't dead! Pandora and Dean discussed the heritage of the mysterious being that calls to Scar yet the information is vague and leaves you blue-balled cause you still don't know the secret. This book is stamped as book one in the series but the authors note at the end States there is a prologue book and other books within the "Night" series that introduce and explain some of the characters in this book. ? What?! So, now I'm sitting here like....well should I have read those first to understand this novel? On a positive note, I give snaps for originality of story line, mystical and supernatural perception, and the appreciation for the no filter mind of the main character. I am sure more will be revealed in books to follow as the story unfolds but as a first book could have been better.
The book overall was interesting enough to finish but I felt like it needed work. There could have been more detail to character development other than the filler it felt like. Did she have an editor? Throughout the book were mistakes in parts of overlapping stories that did not make sense as if they were jumbled together and minor details were replaced as if the original subjects or thought were forgotten in her notes. Such as the bogeyman's little girls name is Emma and later she is called Emily. The wolf Mercer, has a "blood coursing through his " dead heart", yet he is a shifter not a vampire, or "Veiler" as she calls them. Girl, he ain't dead! Pandora and Dean discussed the heritage of the mysterious being that calls to Scar yet the information is vague and leaves you blue-balled cause you still don't know the secret. This book is stamped as book one in the series but the authors note at the end States there is a prologue book and other books within the "Night" series that introduce and explain some of the characters in this book. ? What?! So, now I'm sitting here like....well should I have read those first to understand this novel? On a positive note, I give snaps for originality of story line, mystical and supernatural perception, and the appreciation for the no filter mind of the main character. I am sure more will be revealed in books to follow as the story unfolds but as a first book could have been better.
September 7, 2016
This is one dark and messed-up (in all the best ways!) urban fantasy story! A kick ass heroine that had me in her corner from page one (well, right up until the end but I won't talk about that because I don't want to spoiler and you have to decide for yourself), she gets so much crap dished out by fate, by the powers to be, by her friends and family, that it amazes me how she can handle it. She breaks down but she always always stands up again. I adore her for this. The men in her life? Eye-candy for sure, strong and irresistably sexy but flawed and with lots of scars, inside and out.
The story is (to me at least) way darker than the previous trilogies (we meet some old friends from there and to better understand them you might want to read them first) because it starts dark right out front, getting worse as we read along. I cried more than once, it was a hard read, but beautifully written. There is so much we can't understand right away and which compelled me to read on, so much mystery and drama in the making and you don't know whom to trust, don't know what's going on, only that it won't get better for Scarlett for a long time but indefinitely worse.... and the plot thickens!
The story is (to me at least) way darker than the previous trilogies (we meet some old friends from there and to better understand them you might want to read them first) because it starts dark right out front, getting worse as we read along. I cried more than once, it was a hard read, but beautifully written. There is so much we can't understand right away and which compelled me to read on, so much mystery and drama in the making and you don't know whom to trust, don't know what's going on, only that it won't get better for Scarlett for a long time but indefinitely worse.... and the plot thickens!
September 25, 2016
Omg! This book was so freakishly amazing! I absolutely adored it! The characters were awesome, the story was THE BEST, and I am feigning for me! I cannot wait to read book 2 and am going to be going slightly crazy until I get it! Great book! I highly recommend it!
September 16, 2016
Wow
Just wow . I don't fully understand if another story will follow this one or not . I hope so . This one was great . Don't miss it .
Just wow . I don't fully understand if another story will follow this one or not . I hope so . This one was great . Don't miss it .
December 22, 2016
I picked this book because I just liked the title reminded me of a Cher song and so glad I tried it. I like this writer and this story and look forward to reading more with these characters.
November 15, 2017
I found this book in my “to read” section and I hadn’t paid for it? Therefore not sure if this actually a free read or if this was an advanced copy for a voluntary and honest review. Either way…..... I enjoyed this book.
There are vampires and wolves as well as other paranormal creatures. It was a little repetitive in some places but what I enjoyed the most was that the author was all about the story and not just the love interest.
The story is quite fast paced and is not too predictable, well, you think it is going to be but it has twists here and there. Just when you think you can take a breath something else happens. It really was hard to put down at times.
The character building was great and you really feel the emotions of some of them. I found myself really wanting to know the individual characters more and more. I am still not sure who the “baddies” are or where the story is headed but this is a series so hopefully all will become clear in time.
I don’t recall ever reading any of this authors books before but this was well written and I enjoyed the style. I would like to read the next in the series and I would recommend this. Beware though.….it doesn’t end on a cliff hanger as such but you are left with unanswered questions and you are left wanting more!!
There are vampires and wolves as well as other paranormal creatures. It was a little repetitive in some places but what I enjoyed the most was that the author was all about the story and not just the love interest.
The story is quite fast paced and is not too predictable, well, you think it is going to be but it has twists here and there. Just when you think you can take a breath something else happens. It really was hard to put down at times.
The character building was great and you really feel the emotions of some of them. I found myself really wanting to know the individual characters more and more. I am still not sure who the “baddies” are or where the story is headed but this is a series so hopefully all will become clear in time.
I don’t recall ever reading any of this authors books before but this was well written and I enjoyed the style. I would like to read the next in the series and I would recommend this. Beware though.….it doesn’t end on a cliff hanger as such but you are left with unanswered questions and you are left wanting more!!
May 30, 2017
A good kind of different
Often genre novels are formulated along specific lines. Whiskey, Vamps, and Thieves steps far outside the lines. Dancing in both agony and delight Selene Charles' Scarlett, Mercer, and James take us on a journey exploring someplace new. A journey that deserves to be taken.
I expected an soft core police procedural in an urban fantasy landscape. I did not expect what I found. Personal experiences tell me that there are hard and good truths nested in the lines. This book is a gift. With deft words, the glory and the pain of living and loving in the midst of the mundane are painted between the lines.
It is a book that deserves to be read. Don't expect all your questions to be answered... life never does that and in this the book follows life. Like it, love it or hate it, read it all the way thru.
Often genre novels are formulated along specific lines. Whiskey, Vamps, and Thieves steps far outside the lines. Dancing in both agony and delight Selene Charles' Scarlett, Mercer, and James take us on a journey exploring someplace new. A journey that deserves to be taken.
I expected an soft core police procedural in an urban fantasy landscape. I did not expect what I found. Personal experiences tell me that there are hard and good truths nested in the lines. This book is a gift. With deft words, the glory and the pain of living and loving in the midst of the mundane are painted between the lines.
It is a book that deserves to be read. Don't expect all your questions to be answered... life never does that and in this the book follows life. Like it, love it or hate it, read it all the way thru.
December 30, 2018
Not a fan of this world.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
April 21, 2018
Twists, Turns, and Travesty! Oh My!
It took me a little bit to get into this book. I didn’t feel a real connection to the characters at first. However, as it goes on it gets more interesting. Without too many spoilers, we have a cast of our heroine, the three (3? Really? I have trouble keeping track of the one I have and keeping him out of trouble!) hot guys who she has some feelings for—but no one can act on those feelings—two skinwalkers causing havoc, a couple of demons, vampires, werewolves, humans, and fae. No hints on who is what, or what the twists are! There are some sad places in the book and a good amount of violence. For someone who is so over the vampire—werewolf thing, I’m glad I read this book. A little gem in the genre.
It took me a little bit to get into this book. I didn’t feel a real connection to the characters at first. However, as it goes on it gets more interesting. Without too many spoilers, we have a cast of our heroine, the three (3? Really? I have trouble keeping track of the one I have and keeping him out of trouble!) hot guys who she has some feelings for—but no one can act on those feelings—two skinwalkers causing havoc, a couple of demons, vampires, werewolves, humans, and fae. No hints on who is what, or what the twists are! There are some sad places in the book and a good amount of violence. For someone who is so over the vampire—werewolf thing, I’m glad I read this book. A little gem in the genre.
October 31, 2018
Trite, predictable, and uninteresting. The main character is vampire detective that spends the opening of the book on a serial killer case and decided to leave her career because of it. Fast forward a few years and the serial is back and she's being called to help. One would expect the rest of the story to center around this case. It doesn't. the nest 70+% of the book is the main character whining about her love life and being indecisive over a past relationship coming back to town. I have nothing about romance in the story, but what went on in this book was insipid and got old REAL quick.
December 31, 2018
Typical of the vampire genre.
This story was enjoyable as amalgam of vampire/werewolf stories with a little get thrown in. It felt too much like random pulls from other series like Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter by Laurel K. Hamilton, Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris, and the Alex Craft series by Kaylana Price. Each of those series are at least 4 books so there is a lot more background information such as whether or not werewolves and vampires came out of hiding or not and in the case of the fey, why their realm gateway is no longer hidden.
This story was enjoyable as amalgam of vampire/werewolf stories with a little get thrown in. It felt too much like random pulls from other series like Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter by Laurel K. Hamilton, Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris, and the Alex Craft series by Kaylana Price. Each of those series are at least 4 books so there is a lot more background information such as whether or not werewolves and vampires came out of hiding or not and in the case of the fey, why their realm gateway is no longer hidden.
May 24, 2017
This series certainly has great potential but I still can't decide how much I enjoyed it. The characters were interesting and complex, yet I don't feel particularly attached to any of them other than Mercer. There are a lot of unanswered questions and I'm sure it will turn into a brilliant overall plot but not being completely on board with the characters doesn't motivate me to read it. I'll give the next book a read and hope for the best.
October 4, 2017
Whiskey, Vamps and Thieves
This is a great start to a series. The characters and world are interesting and enjoyable. There were great twists throughout the book and I really liked the way the characters interacted. The only thing I found frustrating is that in the end, there were more questions than answers. The base story was wrapped up but there was so much that went unexplained. I did really enjoy the story and will continue with the series.
This is a great start to a series. The characters and world are interesting and enjoyable. There were great twists throughout the book and I really liked the way the characters interacted. The only thing I found frustrating is that in the end, there were more questions than answers. The base story was wrapped up but there was so much that went unexplained. I did really enjoy the story and will continue with the series.
December 2, 2017
Never was a fan of love triangles. Added with the lack of explanation for Mercer's undying love for Scarlett and Scarlett's unfounded obsession with Mercer, I don't think I want to continue reading this. I like SLOW burns, where we see the mc's meet for the first time and build from there. This seems like she started in the middle, where they already know each other and there's just alot of angst. Not a fan of this style.
December 17, 2017
Started out well, but toward the middle became confusing and rather trite (a Scottish shifter?). Also around the midway point, the editing started to go downhill with many missed errors. It was almost as if two people--one penning the first third, another for the final section--wrote the book. With too much left unexplained (and not because of a cliffhanger, just plot twists) I won't be reading the rest of the series.
November 28, 2017
Whiskey,Vamps,and Thieves
This is one very intense book.Who knew vampires were so complicated.And the werewolves in this book were nothing like werewolves in other books.You also have some viscous demons and whatever else was falling from the skies.This book will keep you hooked on it till you are done reading it.
This is one very intense book.Who knew vampires were so complicated.And the werewolves in this book were nothing like werewolves in other books.You also have some viscous demons and whatever else was falling from the skies.This book will keep you hooked on it till you are done reading it.
February 11, 2018
I was looking to find a new series with some depth and surprise. I believe I may have found that in this book. Besides the title and the cover, which drew me in, this evolved into "I need more." very quickly and was happy to find a novelette and two more already out in the series. Yep, already purchased and anxiously awaits my reading...
June 6, 2018
Well, a ride and a half
This was so not what I was expecting. Vampire and werewolf living in a pack situation, unrequited love, forbidden love, betrayal....with action, adventure, monsters, demons and a whole lot more. Couldn't put it down...not a good thing when you have jobs to do!!
This was so not what I was expecting. Vampire and werewolf living in a pack situation, unrequited love, forbidden love, betrayal....with action, adventure, monsters, demons and a whole lot more. Couldn't put it down...not a good thing when you have jobs to do!!
July 18, 2019
I was really excited to start the book, who doesn’t like a little vamp action to the tune of a seriously good Cher song. What I was after were interesting characters with a sassy humour and dry quips. What I got was tween against, soppy or cardboard characters, and a plodding plot.
I don’t think I’ll be picking up for any more books from Selenae Charles
I don’t think I’ll be picking up for any more books from Selenae Charles
August 5, 2017
I have more questions then answers now. Nothing in this book came to any conclusion. Even though it was well written. Pour Scarlett went through hell minute after minute. And she really didn't accomplish anything other than killing the thing. I ended this book feeling frustrated.
December 16, 2017
Wow
intense binding so many people in a tangled web. Finding the ends will bring emotional turmoil and pain.
What Scarlett and Mercer are going through is killing them both slowly.. how will it end?
intense binding so many people in a tangled web. Finding the ends will bring emotional turmoil and pain.
What Scarlett and Mercer are going through is killing them both slowly.. how will it end?
April 29, 2018
Scar
Interesting and unexpected. Lots of thrilling mystery and suspense in this one along with the push and pull of forbidden love. Poor Merc... Definitely ready to see how things shape up in book two.
Interesting and unexpected. Lots of thrilling mystery and suspense in this one along with the push and pull of forbidden love. Poor Merc... Definitely ready to see how things shape up in book two.
October 22, 2018
Loved it
I'm ready to start on the next one. I was happy to see Dean and Pandora in this one. I loved that series, while this one has some cross over characters it has a much different storyline so far💜💜
I'm ready to start on the next one. I was happy to see Dean and Pandora in this one. I loved that series, while this one has some cross over characters it has a much different storyline so far💜💜
January 11, 2019
Very enjoyable
Definitely up there as a favorite of mine. i quickly fell in love w the characters. Some aspects of the story were more obvious than others, though looking back it was rather obvious and just missed.
Definitely up there as a favorite of mine. i quickly fell in love w the characters. Some aspects of the story were more obvious than others, though looking back it was rather obvious and just missed.
May 30, 2017
Great story
Good story. Confusing as to who is what. Feel the unfinished story is a little frustrating. Looking forward to the sequel.
Good story. Confusing as to who is what. Feel the unfinished story is a little frustrating. Looking forward to the sequel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews