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Victory Nelson's Blood Investigations #2
Blood Trail
Знаменитая вампирская сага, ставшая основой для популярного телесериала "Узы крови" Веками они спокойно жили вдали от суеты и шума больших городов, мирно сосуществуя с обычными людьми, и никто даже не догадывался об их истинной сущности. Однако тщательно скрываемая тайна стала кому-то известна, и серебряные пули настигают оборотней одного за другим. Найти и уничтожить неведомого врага под силу только Генри Фицрою. Но он вампир и может действовать лишь с наступлением темноты, а потому вынужден обратиться за помощью к единственному человеку, которому безоговорочно доверяет, - частному детективу Вики Нельсон. Сумеют ли они вовремя отыскать источник кровавого следа и спасти хотя бы тех, кто остался?
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
147 people are currently reading
2032 people want to read
About the author
Tanya Huff
150 books2,444 followersTanya Sue Huff is a Canadian fantasy author. Her stories have been published since the late 1980s, including five fantasy series and one science fiction series. One of these, her Blood Books series, featuring detective Vicki Nelson, was adapted for television under the title Blood Ties.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews
October 30, 2017
Huff takes on werewolves, 1992 style. Henry tempts Vicki with a case needing discretion--a possible murder of werewolves. Since they were shot in wolf form while guarding sheep, it could have been a case of mistaken identity, until the most recent victim was hit with a silver bullet. City girl Vicki needs to head out to the country, and Henry goes to provide the night support. Back in the Toronto, Mike Celluci is digging deeper into Henry's past and discovers how little anyone really knows about him.
It's an interesting risk, taking characters out of their developed urban setting, and introducing a new species in only the second book. It turns out to be rather prescient, as a number of writers end up following in the same footsteps (Patricia Briggs Mercy series, Charlaine Harris' Sookie series). Here, the werewolves are known as wer, preferring to stay isolated with their own kind and only leaving established packs for genetic diversity. They made and broke their own mold, however, because these are the only werewolves I've seen who are more like human Labradors then vigilant meat-eating warriors. Their idea of patrols? Peeing on a fence post.
The mystery is straightforward, but keeping them safe is complicated by the wer's intense zen-ness. Vicki wanders around the land, eventually encountering a number of possible suspects. The killer was obvious to me as soon as they were encountered, leading to some frustration with Vicki for being so dumb. It's apparent that sometimes Huff makes the mistake of forgetting Vicki's police officer/investigator skills when it's convenient for plotting. However, at least the telephone does not have as crucial a role. This installment also has developments with Henry and Vicki, so when Mike arrives to share concerns with Vicki, it takes a somewhat predictable turn.
Should you read it? I find myself in a hard place on this series. I think, if one enjoys the genre and enjoys more detailed writing, it might be worth it. I can see this series appealing to Sookie Stackhouse fans. It's a pleasant read, though it stays rather firmly within genre lines, both in terms of mystery and in terms of romantic triangles.
It's an interesting risk, taking characters out of their developed urban setting, and introducing a new species in only the second book. It turns out to be rather prescient, as a number of writers end up following in the same footsteps (Patricia Briggs Mercy series, Charlaine Harris' Sookie series). Here, the werewolves are known as wer, preferring to stay isolated with their own kind and only leaving established packs for genetic diversity. They made and broke their own mold, however, because these are the only werewolves I've seen who are more like human Labradors then vigilant meat-eating warriors. Their idea of patrols? Peeing on a fence post.
The mystery is straightforward, but keeping them safe is complicated by the wer's intense zen-ness. Vicki wanders around the land, eventually encountering a number of possible suspects. The killer was obvious to me as soon as they were encountered, leading to some frustration with Vicki for being so dumb. It's apparent that sometimes Huff makes the mistake of forgetting Vicki's police officer/investigator skills when it's convenient for plotting. However, at least the telephone does not have as crucial a role. This installment also has developments with Henry and Vicki, so when Mike arrives to share concerns with Vicki, it takes a somewhat predictable turn.
Should you read it? I find myself in a hard place on this series. I think, if one enjoys the genre and enjoys more detailed writing, it might be worth it. I can see this series appealing to Sookie Stackhouse fans. It's a pleasant read, though it stays rather firmly within genre lines, both in terms of mystery and in terms of romantic triangles.
April 22, 2023
These books are like potato chips—I can't resist them. I love Vicky Nelson, tough and caring as she is. Once she knows someone, she likes them. Once she likes them, she gets protective. Her physical limitations frustrate her and both of the men in her life know to tread carefully when assisting her.
Henry Fitzroy and Mike Celluci are well matched to compete for Vicky's affections. Fitzroy may have the exotic factor, but Mike has familiarity on his side. As love triangles go, this one is fairly painless. Vicky is never going to be subsumed in any mere man (or vampire). At no point has she mentioned having a need to choose between them, and why should she have to?
So, the first book gave us a vampire (and a demon). This one offered werewolves. I will have to exhibit extreme will power not to request book 3 right away to see what else is in store. I can hardly wait to see Tanya Huff at this summer's conference. I will be attending any session that she's participating in.
Henry Fitzroy and Mike Celluci are well matched to compete for Vicky's affections. Fitzroy may have the exotic factor, but Mike has familiarity on his side. As love triangles go, this one is fairly painless. Vicky is never going to be subsumed in any mere man (or vampire). At no point has she mentioned having a need to choose between them, and why should she have to?
So, the first book gave us a vampire (and a demon). This one offered werewolves. I will have to exhibit extreme will power not to request book 3 right away to see what else is in store. I can hardly wait to see Tanya Huff at this summer's conference. I will be attending any session that she's participating in.
September 17, 2017
I remember watching the TV series that was based on these books and was entertained but not really hooked. Then came the offer to buy the complete set at a discounted price (okay along with not giving away story lines I also cannot resist picking up books at a discounted price) and so I jumped at it.
Now years later I am slowly catching up on those series I have read a single book from and moved on to (read distracted by) something else to read.
I will admit that the series is some years old and I have forgotten a lot about it - but as I read the series although some of it comes back to me I am struck as how richer and more entertaining the books are. I guess when ever you have characters from dissimilar backgrounds and of opposite sex you wonder how long it is before the tension bubbles over in to something else.
And yes the series was full of it -and so are the books but I feel that the books deal with it in a far more mature manner - there is none of this - oh for heavens sake just get on with it I want to get back to the story - moments which to me would provably make me want to find something else to read. No its not that I do not agree with it - just there is a story here and I want to find out what is going on and this is just a distraction.
So the story - well I cannot give spoilers but as you can imagine with the second book in the series it continues to open the world up that Vicki not only didnt know about but also didnt count on. The book is fast paced and entertaining and very much leaves you with the feeling that a door has been opened and who knows what will come through it next.
Now years later I am slowly catching up on those series I have read a single book from and moved on to (read distracted by) something else to read.
I will admit that the series is some years old and I have forgotten a lot about it - but as I read the series although some of it comes back to me I am struck as how richer and more entertaining the books are. I guess when ever you have characters from dissimilar backgrounds and of opposite sex you wonder how long it is before the tension bubbles over in to something else.
And yes the series was full of it -and so are the books but I feel that the books deal with it in a far more mature manner - there is none of this - oh for heavens sake just get on with it I want to get back to the story - moments which to me would provably make me want to find something else to read. No its not that I do not agree with it - just there is a story here and I want to find out what is going on and this is just a distraction.
So the story - well I cannot give spoilers but as you can imagine with the second book in the series it continues to open the world up that Vicki not only didnt know about but also didnt count on. The book is fast paced and entertaining and very much leaves you with the feeling that a door has been opened and who knows what will come through it next.
May 28, 2021
This is the second Vicky Nelson novel, and this time werewolves are the focus. Vicky is a P.I. who has become emotionally and professionally entangled with Henry FitzRoy, a 450 year old vampire. The story is a pretty straight-forward murder mystery/investigation, with plenty of plucky spunk and perky snark from our heroine, along with an interesting romantic triangle and a quirky set of supporting characters. The Vicky Nelson books were instrumental in establishing the urban fantasy genre as we came to know it in succeeding years. It's a fun and engaging read. (Canadian werewolves are usually more polite than their Southern cousins, which seems appropriate.)
October 21, 2023
3 Stars
Not as good as the first book in the series, but still enjoyable.
Not as good as the first book in the series, but still enjoyable.
July 19, 2011
Opening Line:"The three-quarter moon, hanging low in the night sky, turned even tamed and placid farmland into a mysterious landscape of silver light and shadows."
~THE WEREWOLVES OF LONDON (ONTARIO)~
BLOOD TRAIL is the second book in the thoroughly enjoyable Blood (Ties) series. As a fan of the TV show I was thrilled to discover this 5 part series of books and except for the absence of cell phones you won't be able to tell they were written in 1991. Once more I was impressed by author Tanya Huffs writing as she expertly weaves together multiple storylines and POV's creating a fun, action filled paranormal mystery. We even get a little romance this time (although it remains fade-to-black) as ex-cop turned P.I Vicki Nelson again joins forces with 400 year old romance author and vampire Henry Fitzroy. Throw in Vickie's jealous former partner Mike Celluci, a family of sheep farming werewolves and a crazed sniper with religious issues and you've got yourself the makings of a great story.
Vicki is a strong willed and very likable character who lives in the real world with the rest of us however ever since she met Henry and battled a demon in the last book she has also come to accept the world of the paranormal. It doesn't take much for her to accept a family of werewolves as her next case. It seems someone has discovered the Heerken's secret and has been hunting and killing pack members while they attend to their flocks of sheep. Of course they can't go to the police so investigator Vicki Nelson is their only hope. Huff's descriptions of Wer behaviour are well done here to the point that I felt she must have done research on real werewolves as she gives us often hilarious look at their possessiveness issues, politics, pack hierarchy and other social behaviours. All the while the neighbours just assume they're nudists with a lot of big dogs to keep strangers away.
Because of Vicki's night blindness she takes Henry with her to the Ontario farm. This works to her advantage as Henry can patrol nights while she finds clues and tries to discover the sniper's identity during the day. Henry and Vicki continue to have an aura of sexual tension which eventually reaches a breaking point after Henry is injured and forced to feed. Vicki is more than willing to accommodate him and this only gets further complicated when Mike suddenly arrives at the farm. It seems after doing some investigation he's now convinced Henry's s involved in organized crime. There's lots of snappy dialogue as the three fight off the sniper, angry werewolves and each other.
For the most part this was a fast paced and entertaining read with the storyline between Henry, Vicki and Mike continuing to develop throughout. Although I felt the story lagged in the middle it was still a great read that I would recommend to any paranormal junkies. Cheers.
~THE WEREWOLVES OF LONDON (ONTARIO)~
BLOOD TRAIL is the second book in the thoroughly enjoyable Blood (Ties) series. As a fan of the TV show I was thrilled to discover this 5 part series of books and except for the absence of cell phones you won't be able to tell they were written in 1991. Once more I was impressed by author Tanya Huffs writing as she expertly weaves together multiple storylines and POV's creating a fun, action filled paranormal mystery. We even get a little romance this time (although it remains fade-to-black) as ex-cop turned P.I Vicki Nelson again joins forces with 400 year old romance author and vampire Henry Fitzroy. Throw in Vickie's jealous former partner Mike Celluci, a family of sheep farming werewolves and a crazed sniper with religious issues and you've got yourself the makings of a great story.
Vicki is a strong willed and very likable character who lives in the real world with the rest of us however ever since she met Henry and battled a demon in the last book she has also come to accept the world of the paranormal. It doesn't take much for her to accept a family of werewolves as her next case. It seems someone has discovered the Heerken's secret and has been hunting and killing pack members while they attend to their flocks of sheep. Of course they can't go to the police so investigator Vicki Nelson is their only hope. Huff's descriptions of Wer behaviour are well done here to the point that I felt she must have done research on real werewolves as she gives us often hilarious look at their possessiveness issues, politics, pack hierarchy and other social behaviours. All the while the neighbours just assume they're nudists with a lot of big dogs to keep strangers away.
Because of Vicki's night blindness she takes Henry with her to the Ontario farm. This works to her advantage as Henry can patrol nights while she finds clues and tries to discover the sniper's identity during the day. Henry and Vicki continue to have an aura of sexual tension which eventually reaches a breaking point after Henry is injured and forced to feed. Vicki is more than willing to accommodate him and this only gets further complicated when Mike suddenly arrives at the farm. It seems after doing some investigation he's now convinced Henry's s involved in organized crime. There's lots of snappy dialogue as the three fight off the sniper, angry werewolves and each other.
For the most part this was a fast paced and entertaining read with the storyline between Henry, Vicki and Mike continuing to develop throughout. Although I felt the story lagged in the middle it was still a great read that I would recommend to any paranormal junkies. Cheers.
December 2, 2017
This is the second book in the series with Vicki and Henry. I did enjoyed the book and I find that I like the Vampire Henry better than some other vampires in other books. Basically Henry ask Vicki for help with a family of Werewolves that he's friends with who are having family members being killed with silver bullets. The one part of the book that I had difficulties with was which wolf name went with which family member. For example the wolf named Storm was called Peter in his human form. At least I think that was right. I found myself getting the family members confused.
July 31, 2016
The second book in the Vicky Nelson series introduces more supernatural beings — this time werewolves, although the lore isn’t 100% traditional. (For example, werewolves are born, not created; if you aren’t a werewolf, you won’t become one.) It deals again, and more directly, with the problems that occur for supernatural beings living in a human community. The plot itself is reasonably obvious, and the ingredients make the outcome obvious: the way they get there and the characters surrounding them are more important, really.
Ultimately, I find this a comfort read; not too heavy on substance, more representative of real life than you often find (i.e. with Vicky’s disability, Henry’s sexuality, etc), and easy to read. There are some meaty things here — Celluci’s relationship with Vicky, and how that shapes his relationship with Henry; Vicky’s insistence on being independent, her certainty about her own skills and instincts despite her disability; prejudice against people that aren’t like you — and even some questions about justice and how exactly it can be enforced in special situations the law doesn’t cover (e.g. if someone killed a werewolf in their wolf form, so it’s not apparent that it is murder). But it’s treated with a fairly light hand, which keeps it highly readable.
I do wish Celluci would get with the program and grow up, though.
Originally posted here.
Ultimately, I find this a comfort read; not too heavy on substance, more representative of real life than you often find (i.e. with Vicky’s disability, Henry’s sexuality, etc), and easy to read. There are some meaty things here — Celluci’s relationship with Vicky, and how that shapes his relationship with Henry; Vicky’s insistence on being independent, her certainty about her own skills and instincts despite her disability; prejudice against people that aren’t like you — and even some questions about justice and how exactly it can be enforced in special situations the law doesn’t cover (e.g. if someone killed a werewolf in their wolf form, so it’s not apparent that it is murder). But it’s treated with a fairly light hand, which keeps it highly readable.
I do wish Celluci would get with the program and grow up, though.
Originally posted here.
May 14, 2017
I love how Huff handles a triangle. Her weres are awesome.
October 26, 2022
After being introduced to the supernatural world via vampire Henry Fitzroy in the previous book, ex-cop Vicki Nelson is taken out of her comfort zone, the city of Toronto, and travels into the countryside. It seems that some werewolf friends of Henry's need her help: a lone gunman has been murdering members of their pack, and as the weres have been killed in wolf form, getting the gunman charged with murder isn't an option. These murders might have been accepted as a tragic mistake, until one of the wolves is discovered to have been killed by a silver bullet, a deliberate murder.
It was okay; if I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book, I still enjoyed it. The weres are a rather sweet bunch all in all, neither bloodthirsty monsters nor hot shirtless cover models. Although a lot of the pack dynamics are regarded as outdated and incorrect nowadays, they work well with the family in this novel. On the minus side, the identity of the villain was far too obvious from the start.
An enjoyable, fast-moving read. I'll be continuing with this series.
It was okay; if I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book, I still enjoyed it. The weres are a rather sweet bunch all in all, neither bloodthirsty monsters nor hot shirtless cover models. Although a lot of the pack dynamics are regarded as outdated and incorrect nowadays, they work well with the family in this novel. On the minus side, the identity of the villain was far too obvious from the start.
An enjoyable, fast-moving read. I'll be continuing with this series.
October 21, 2017
If you have ever wondered about werewolf culture; this is the book for you. In this outing Vicki and Henry descend into rural Ontario Gothic to help out a rather pleasant if unruly pack/family. This doesn't quite live up to the previous outing; the baddies are a little thinly drawn but it is still fun and you will enjoy the continuing saga.
October 10, 2011
Somewhere in the course of this novel it occurred to me why I became so attached to this series; it all has to do with an old television series--not the one adapted directly from Huff's, which I've never seen. Rather, this reminds me strongly of Forever Knight, a series about a centuries old Vampire, Nick Knight on the Toronto police force. In a way Huff one ups that old series--Henry Fitzroy isn't merely a knight. He's based on a real historical figure, the illegitimate son of Henry VIII of England who died in 1536. But there are even these little flashbacks into Henry's past sprinkled throughout just as on the old show.
In these books though, the vampire is almost more a sidekick than a lead. The focus in these books is a human, Vicky Nelson. She's the one who was once a Toronto police officer and is now a private investigator. She's more Anita Blake than Sookie Stackhouse. Prickly, independent and strong-willed to a fault, she's dealing with retinitis pigmentosa which is slowly stealing away her sight. It's one thing I rather like about the character--that instead of having superpowers like her sisters in urban fantasy, she's all too human and dealing with a handicap.
I like this second book a tad bit more than the first. The first introduced us to a present day vampire. One that is no monster, but doesn't sparkle or turn into a bat either and like traditional vampires has his own handicap--he can't come into the light. Otherwise he has plenty of literary counterparts from Buffy's Angel to Yarbro's St Germane to Nick Knight and Huff's take doesn't stand out. But this volume deals with werewolves, and there I do very much like Huff's take. The Heerkens family are hereditary werewolves living quietly on a sheep farm. And someone evidently knows their secret--because members of their family have been shot down when they're in wolf form--with silver bullets.
The Heerkens are by no means human, but are an imaginative extrapolation of a wolf pack combined with aspects of the ancient legend. Each member of the family is a distinct character, and I agree with the reviewer who called six-year-old Daniel (Shadow) adorable. Here's a bit early on that gives you a flavor of Huff's take:
The sound of claws on linoleum shifted Vicki's attention back into the house but it was only Shadow coming down the stairs and into the kitchen. He sat in front of the refrigerator, had a quick scratch, then changed so he could open the door.
"Ma, there's nothing to eat."
"Don't stand with the fridge door open, Daniel."
He sighed but obediently closed it and Vicki marveled at how universal some things could be...
"If you're hungry why don't you go out to the barn and hunt rats?"
... and how universal some things were not.
So mystery, urban fantasy, the continuing triangle between Vicki, Henry and Vicki's old friend (and conscience) police detective Mike Celluci. It makes for a fun brew.
In these books though, the vampire is almost more a sidekick than a lead. The focus in these books is a human, Vicky Nelson. She's the one who was once a Toronto police officer and is now a private investigator. She's more Anita Blake than Sookie Stackhouse. Prickly, independent and strong-willed to a fault, she's dealing with retinitis pigmentosa which is slowly stealing away her sight. It's one thing I rather like about the character--that instead of having superpowers like her sisters in urban fantasy, she's all too human and dealing with a handicap.
I like this second book a tad bit more than the first. The first introduced us to a present day vampire. One that is no monster, but doesn't sparkle or turn into a bat either and like traditional vampires has his own handicap--he can't come into the light. Otherwise he has plenty of literary counterparts from Buffy's Angel to Yarbro's St Germane to Nick Knight and Huff's take doesn't stand out. But this volume deals with werewolves, and there I do very much like Huff's take. The Heerkens family are hereditary werewolves living quietly on a sheep farm. And someone evidently knows their secret--because members of their family have been shot down when they're in wolf form--with silver bullets.
The Heerkens are by no means human, but are an imaginative extrapolation of a wolf pack combined with aspects of the ancient legend. Each member of the family is a distinct character, and I agree with the reviewer who called six-year-old Daniel (Shadow) adorable. Here's a bit early on that gives you a flavor of Huff's take:
The sound of claws on linoleum shifted Vicki's attention back into the house but it was only Shadow coming down the stairs and into the kitchen. He sat in front of the refrigerator, had a quick scratch, then changed so he could open the door.
"Ma, there's nothing to eat."
"Don't stand with the fridge door open, Daniel."
He sighed but obediently closed it and Vicki marveled at how universal some things could be...
"If you're hungry why don't you go out to the barn and hunt rats?"
... and how universal some things were not.
So mystery, urban fantasy, the continuing triangle between Vicki, Henry and Vicki's old friend (and conscience) police detective Mike Celluci. It makes for a fun brew.
January 23, 2011
Blood Trail has Henry asking Vicki for help, regarding an unusual, often recluse family. It appears they are being picked off one by one.
Mike has a bee in his bonnet regarding Henry & decides to do some investigating into his past. Not that he's jealous or anything (um yeah right..).
Huff certainly knows her craft.Just to add I like that both books are written in the third person, you get in to everyones head, even the antagonist, TH does this really well, adding flashbacks of Henry's previous life. Apparently these books have been made into a television series, I haven't checked that out yet, but I certainly will once I have fininshed the reading the whole series.
Can't say anything more than if you like mystery, murder heavily underlined with the supernatural, give these a go, a guanteed read... (even if it was written 10 years ago has stood the test of time..).
Mike has a bee in his bonnet regarding Henry & decides to do some investigating into his past. Not that he's jealous or anything (um yeah right..).
Huff certainly knows her craft.Just to add I like that both books are written in the third person, you get in to everyones head, even the antagonist, TH does this really well, adding flashbacks of Henry's previous life. Apparently these books have been made into a television series, I haven't checked that out yet, but I certainly will once I have fininshed the reading the whole series.
Can't say anything more than if you like mystery, murder heavily underlined with the supernatural, give these a go, a guanteed read... (even if it was written 10 years ago has stood the test of time..).
October 6, 2018
This was a re-read of volume 2 of a series that I remember enjoying, and I had remembered that this was one of my favourites so it was a disappointment that it fell a bit flat this time around.
Vicki Nelson, ex-cop and now a private eye, is asked by her friend Henry Fitzroy, vampire and illegitimate son of Henry VIII (a historical character, who died at age 17), to save some friends of his from a sniper. The Heerkens family live on a sheep farm outside the town or city of London, Ontario - it was unclear in the book how big the place was. They are wer, which - as a nice twist - are a different species - werewolves are born, not made in this world. The author does a nice job of making them sufficiently inhuman in their focus on the present, inability to back down when their dominance is challenged - they simply have to go and guard the sheep at night making themselves a target - and dislike of crowded human spaces as smelly and noisy. Though it does eventually become irritating that they are too blinkered to take elementary precautions - it is a bit wearing in any book or film/TV show when the peril to characters is dependent upon them being "stupid".
Given Vicki's night blindness caused by her progressive eye disease, Henry drives her there and stays in a sealed room during the day, emerging at night to provide the cover needed when she is unable to operate. Yet he is quite ineffectual, becoming a target himself at one point. Meanwhile, Mike Celluci, Detective and Vicki's friend and partner in more than one sense, investigates Henry's background, becoming convinced he must be involved in organised crime, and eventually turns up to tell her so, but becomes embroiled in the investigation into the two previous deaths of Heerkens family members.
My disappointment with this book is that it seems awfully dragged out and Vicki rather dim frankly - it wasn't too difficult to determine who the initial killer was, although the water was eventually muddied with another villain operating for different motives. But although Vicki obviously does not have the resources she had as a police officer, I kept wondering why Celluci couldn't have checked whether anyone had a military background which would have made this a much shorter book! Also, Henry is very much in a back seat role - he does play a key part in the denoument but is quite a minor character otherwise.
A minor issue I had was that it got rather confusing as to who was who with the adult wer characters, given that every character has two names, one for human form and one for wer form. I could keep the main younger characters straight, but the relationships of the adults were not easy to follow.
The eventual solution relies on very old tech - reading through paper records - although at least the plot did not hinge on whether or not people could get through on landlines as in book 1 - I accept that the books were written in the late 1980s to early 1990s, but I think that aspect would deter younger readers. As with book 1, we do have sections in the viewpoints of the villains, but the second one to join in with the killing spree was not very convincing. The denoument does rely on a character acting stupidly but at least it wasn't one of the protagonists and was acceptable for that particular person.
One minor aspect of the story is a little bit odd - Tony, Vicki's street person eyes and ears, and a boy for whom she has had a mentoring/protective role previously, is revealed to be Henry's regular blood donor, a role which had begun in book 1 when Henry was seriously injured. As such a relationship - as opposed to Henry going out and hunting someone who is not a consenting adult - involves a sexual relationship, it is a bit strange that this has been going on for months while Vicki hesitates about following through on her attraction to Henry and Henry has been waiting for her to make the first move. It isn't the prior relationship between him and Tony that seems to bother her either, but the fact that Henry has been able to get Tony off the streets, something she couldn't do - she is more jealous of that than anything. I found it a bit 'dodgy' that someone, presumably vulnerable, has been brought into such a role, even though he has been fed and clothed well as part of the deal: as a Tudor royal, Henry feels responsible for "his people". This is all dealt with as a minor matter in the story rather than the big relationship dynamic/triangle that might have been expected. And .
So on balance given those issues I can only rate this as a 3-star read.
Vicki Nelson, ex-cop and now a private eye, is asked by her friend Henry Fitzroy, vampire and illegitimate son of Henry VIII (a historical character, who died at age 17), to save some friends of his from a sniper. The Heerkens family live on a sheep farm outside the town or city of London, Ontario - it was unclear in the book how big the place was. They are wer, which - as a nice twist - are a different species - werewolves are born, not made in this world. The author does a nice job of making them sufficiently inhuman in their focus on the present, inability to back down when their dominance is challenged - they simply have to go and guard the sheep at night making themselves a target - and dislike of crowded human spaces as smelly and noisy. Though it does eventually become irritating that they are too blinkered to take elementary precautions - it is a bit wearing in any book or film/TV show when the peril to characters is dependent upon them being "stupid".
Given Vicki's night blindness caused by her progressive eye disease, Henry drives her there and stays in a sealed room during the day, emerging at night to provide the cover needed when she is unable to operate. Yet he is quite ineffectual, becoming a target himself at one point. Meanwhile, Mike Celluci, Detective and Vicki's friend and partner in more than one sense, investigates Henry's background, becoming convinced he must be involved in organised crime, and eventually turns up to tell her so, but becomes embroiled in the investigation into the two previous deaths of Heerkens family members.
My disappointment with this book is that it seems awfully dragged out and Vicki rather dim frankly - it wasn't too difficult to determine who the initial killer was, although the water was eventually muddied with another villain operating for different motives. But although Vicki obviously does not have the resources she had as a police officer, I kept wondering why Celluci couldn't have checked whether anyone had a military background which would have made this a much shorter book! Also, Henry is very much in a back seat role - he does play a key part in the denoument but is quite a minor character otherwise.
A minor issue I had was that it got rather confusing as to who was who with the adult wer characters, given that every character has two names, one for human form and one for wer form. I could keep the main younger characters straight, but the relationships of the adults were not easy to follow.
The eventual solution relies on very old tech - reading through paper records - although at least the plot did not hinge on whether or not people could get through on landlines as in book 1 - I accept that the books were written in the late 1980s to early 1990s, but I think that aspect would deter younger readers. As with book 1, we do have sections in the viewpoints of the villains, but the second one to join in with the killing spree was not very convincing. The denoument does rely on a character acting stupidly but at least it wasn't one of the protagonists and was acceptable for that particular person.
One minor aspect of the story is a little bit odd - Tony, Vicki's street person eyes and ears, and a boy for whom she has had a mentoring/protective role previously, is revealed to be Henry's regular blood donor, a role which had begun in book 1 when Henry was seriously injured. As such a relationship - as opposed to Henry going out and hunting someone who is not a consenting adult - involves a sexual relationship, it is a bit strange that this has been going on for months while Vicki hesitates about following through on her attraction to Henry and Henry has been waiting for her to make the first move. It isn't the prior relationship between him and Tony that seems to bother her either, but the fact that Henry has been able to get Tony off the streets, something she couldn't do - she is more jealous of that than anything. I found it a bit 'dodgy' that someone, presumably vulnerable, has been brought into such a role, even though he has been fed and clothed well as part of the deal: as a Tudor royal, Henry feels responsible for "his people". This is all dealt with as a minor matter in the story rather than the big relationship dynamic/triangle that might have been expected. And .
So on balance given those issues I can only rate this as a 3-star read.
November 7, 2014
I did enjoy this book, to an extent. In this novel Vicki and Herny travel to London, Ontario (I did not know there was a London in Canada!) to investigate a slew of werewolf deaths. The ‘whodunnit’ is intriguing and well-crafted, the werewolf mythology is smart and fresh, and some wonderful secondary characters are introduced…
BUT, there was one minor point I had a big problem with, and that’s what is influencing this entire review.
In ‘Blood Price’ a character called Tony Foster was introduced. He is a nineteen-year-old ‘street kid’ who Vicki knew in her previous life as a cop. She first met Tony when he was 15, and has used him as her eyes and ears on the street, while also trying to look after him. Many times Vicki laments Tony’s situation, especially because he’s been prone to hooking when money is tight and she’s concerned about AIDS. In ‘Blood Price’ Vicki was forced to introduce Tony to Henry… and when ‘Blood Trail’ opens we learn that Henry has gone beyond that initial meeting to become Tony’s lover, landlord and employer - all in exchange for Tony’s blood donations.
Ummm… I wasn’t okay with that.
For one thing: Tony and Henry having a sexual relationship before Vicki and Henry sort of deflated the sexual tension for me. Especially because for the five months between ‘Blood Price’ and ‘Blood Trail’, Henry has been refusing Vicki’s advances – blaming it on the injuries she received at the end of ‘Blood Price’. Henry claims he is waiting for Vicki to recover from her blood loss… yet for five months he’s been (presumably?) having sex and taking blood from Tony?
The other ‘ick’ for me was the fact that Vicki and Tony are friends – but their friendship borders very close to a maternal relationship, at least according to my interpretation. Vicki has been looking out for Tony since he was 15, and Tony has likewise looked up to Vicki as an icon of sorts.
At one point Vicki muses on the fact that Tony has matured since meeting Henry, and that her and Tony’s dynamic feels less child/adult and more adult/adult in recent months. And yet, it’s still a case of (for me) one of Vicki’s friends screwing around with the guy she’s had her eye on. Not cool! True, in ‘Blood Trail’ Vicki and Henry have not had sex yet, so Tony was technically there first… but Tanya Huff set Vicki and Henry up as the main focus of the series.
I was further frustrated by all this Vicki/Henry/Tony stuff because Tanya Huff mentions it in passing, and so casually. There’s a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ scene in which we learn of Henry and Tony’s sex life – and I had to go back and re-read because I was so shell-shocked by it.
I was even less okay with Vicki’s reaction to the news. It was the sort of bomb that once dropped I wanted Vicki to deconstruct and analyse, but she didn’t.
Vicki, remaining true to her character, is less upset about Tony and Henry’s sexual relationship, and more insulted that Henry has done what she couldn’t … get Tony off the streets.
It got to the point where, the Tony/Henry revelation was so fascinating to me, and I felt such indignation on Vicki’s behalf, that I desperately wanted Vicki to address the issue and get properly annoyed with Henry. But she didn’t. And the more the topic was avoided and never again alluded to, the more frustrated I got… to the point where I think I kept reading, purely in the hopes that there would be a huge explosive confrontation… But there wasn’t. Huff does not address the pink elephant/vampire in the book.
Perhaps I could have dealt with my Henry/Tony issues if it became glaringly obvious that any relationship with Tony wouldn’t get in the way of Henry’s feelings for Vicki… except, the opposite happens in ‘Blood Trail’.
I was let down by Henry and Vicki’s first lovemaking. They finally have sex halfway through the book, Huff having masterfully built up tension and attraction – but it’s a very slap-dash coupling that feels almost seedy;
Her fingernails traced intricate patterns along his spine. “You feel great. This feels great.”
“Feels great,” he echoed, “but I’ve got to go.” He said it gently, as he sat up, one hand trailing along the slick length of her body. “The nights are short and if you want me to solve this case for you...”
“For the wer,” she corrected, yawning, too mellow to react to his smart-ass comment. “Sure, go ahead, eat and run.” She snatched her foot back, away from his grab, and watched him dress. “When can we do this again?”
To be fair, it’s not in Vicki’s character to be all gooey and sentimental, not even post-coitus. But Henry is a romance writer, and he’s from a time when there really were knights in shining armour. Sure, four hundred years may have hardened him to the world and being undead would certainly impact his personality… but this scene just felt so mechanical and unemotional.
Nor did it help that in the lead-up to the sex, Henry’s sole motivation was hunger. He needed to feed, and since he can’t feed from werewolves Vicki was meal… he makes no mention of wanting her for her, but only for her blood supply. I know vampires are cold, but that is just ridiculous.
Honestly, I thought Henry and Tony’s post-coitus talk was far more romantic. But if Henry and Vicki are supposed to be the main attraction, (of *this* series) shouldn’t it be the other way around? At this point I am actually wondering why Tony and Henry aren’t the HEA of this series?
With ‘Blood Trail’ I came to understand those modern reviewers who warned people off this series for its lack of smut.
I don’t like smut for smut’s sake (hello Laurell K Hamilton!) but sex scenes can often communicate a deeper attraction between characters than can be interpreted from dialogue, interaction etc. I think this book really would have benefited from some descriptive sex scenes. Because reading it, I thought; ‘Henry only wants Vicki for her blood. Vicki only wants Henry for his body. End of attraction’ – and I’m really not sure if that’s what Huff intended? And if it is… then why do I care about these characters and their relationship?
To be fair, I am only 2 books into this series. Henry is still very much the mysterious vampire – though we do garner a few more bits and pieces of his life (like his time as a spy in WWII). Henry is still developing, and Vicki and Henry’s relationship is still fresh… I’m sure there’s more progress to come.
Furthermore, I think Huff is trying to avoid clichés. Typically vampire characters fall into one of two categories – monster or lover. Writers either go the route of blood-sucking fiends, or neck-sucking Lotharios. I can appreciate that Huff is writing in Henry a vampire who is a bit more grounded in reality. He’s not sentimental – he has numerous lovers and doesn’t really intend to get too close to any of them. But still, when Vicki is already such a hard-nut character, equally allergic to ‘relationships’, it’s too much cold indifference for one coupledom. Especially since this is a series, and as readers we’re supposed to root for Vicki/Henry enough to want to read more of them, see if they get a happy ending etc, etc, etc.
I wasn’t particularly fond of this book, which is a shame after ‘Blood Price’ impressed me so much. The ‘whodunnit’ of ‘Blood Trail’ is brilliant. The werewolf mythology is wonderful and unique, and I enjoyed the introduction of some new secondary characters. But the big pit-fall for me lay in the development (or lack thereof) of Vicki and Henry, both as individuals, and as a couple.
2.5/5
BUT, there was one minor point I had a big problem with, and that’s what is influencing this entire review.
In ‘Blood Price’ a character called Tony Foster was introduced. He is a nineteen-year-old ‘street kid’ who Vicki knew in her previous life as a cop. She first met Tony when he was 15, and has used him as her eyes and ears on the street, while also trying to look after him. Many times Vicki laments Tony’s situation, especially because he’s been prone to hooking when money is tight and she’s concerned about AIDS. In ‘Blood Price’ Vicki was forced to introduce Tony to Henry… and when ‘Blood Trail’ opens we learn that Henry has gone beyond that initial meeting to become Tony’s lover, landlord and employer - all in exchange for Tony’s blood donations.
Ummm… I wasn’t okay with that.
For one thing: Tony and Henry having a sexual relationship before Vicki and Henry sort of deflated the sexual tension for me. Especially because for the five months between ‘Blood Price’ and ‘Blood Trail’, Henry has been refusing Vicki’s advances – blaming it on the injuries she received at the end of ‘Blood Price’. Henry claims he is waiting for Vicki to recover from her blood loss… yet for five months he’s been (presumably?) having sex and taking blood from Tony?
The other ‘ick’ for me was the fact that Vicki and Tony are friends – but their friendship borders very close to a maternal relationship, at least according to my interpretation. Vicki has been looking out for Tony since he was 15, and Tony has likewise looked up to Vicki as an icon of sorts.
At one point Vicki muses on the fact that Tony has matured since meeting Henry, and that her and Tony’s dynamic feels less child/adult and more adult/adult in recent months. And yet, it’s still a case of (for me) one of Vicki’s friends screwing around with the guy she’s had her eye on. Not cool! True, in ‘Blood Trail’ Vicki and Henry have not had sex yet, so Tony was technically there first… but Tanya Huff set Vicki and Henry up as the main focus of the series.
I was further frustrated by all this Vicki/Henry/Tony stuff because Tanya Huff mentions it in passing, and so casually. There’s a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ scene in which we learn of Henry and Tony’s sex life – and I had to go back and re-read because I was so shell-shocked by it.
I was even less okay with Vicki’s reaction to the news. It was the sort of bomb that once dropped I wanted Vicki to deconstruct and analyse, but she didn’t.
Vicki, remaining true to her character, is less upset about Tony and Henry’s sexual relationship, and more insulted that Henry has done what she couldn’t … get Tony off the streets.
It got to the point where, the Tony/Henry revelation was so fascinating to me, and I felt such indignation on Vicki’s behalf, that I desperately wanted Vicki to address the issue and get properly annoyed with Henry. But she didn’t. And the more the topic was avoided and never again alluded to, the more frustrated I got… to the point where I think I kept reading, purely in the hopes that there would be a huge explosive confrontation… But there wasn’t. Huff does not address the pink elephant/vampire in the book.
Perhaps I could have dealt with my Henry/Tony issues if it became glaringly obvious that any relationship with Tony wouldn’t get in the way of Henry’s feelings for Vicki… except, the opposite happens in ‘Blood Trail’.
I was let down by Henry and Vicki’s first lovemaking. They finally have sex halfway through the book, Huff having masterfully built up tension and attraction – but it’s a very slap-dash coupling that feels almost seedy;
Her fingernails traced intricate patterns along his spine. “You feel great. This feels great.”
“Feels great,” he echoed, “but I’ve got to go.” He said it gently, as he sat up, one hand trailing along the slick length of her body. “The nights are short and if you want me to solve this case for you...”
“For the wer,” she corrected, yawning, too mellow to react to his smart-ass comment. “Sure, go ahead, eat and run.” She snatched her foot back, away from his grab, and watched him dress. “When can we do this again?”
To be fair, it’s not in Vicki’s character to be all gooey and sentimental, not even post-coitus. But Henry is a romance writer, and he’s from a time when there really were knights in shining armour. Sure, four hundred years may have hardened him to the world and being undead would certainly impact his personality… but this scene just felt so mechanical and unemotional.
Nor did it help that in the lead-up to the sex, Henry’s sole motivation was hunger. He needed to feed, and since he can’t feed from werewolves Vicki was meal… he makes no mention of wanting her for her, but only for her blood supply. I know vampires are cold, but that is just ridiculous.
Honestly, I thought Henry and Tony’s post-coitus talk was far more romantic. But if Henry and Vicki are supposed to be the main attraction, (of *this* series) shouldn’t it be the other way around? At this point I am actually wondering why Tony and Henry aren’t the HEA of this series?
With ‘Blood Trail’ I came to understand those modern reviewers who warned people off this series for its lack of smut.
I don’t like smut for smut’s sake (hello Laurell K Hamilton!) but sex scenes can often communicate a deeper attraction between characters than can be interpreted from dialogue, interaction etc. I think this book really would have benefited from some descriptive sex scenes. Because reading it, I thought; ‘Henry only wants Vicki for her blood. Vicki only wants Henry for his body. End of attraction’ – and I’m really not sure if that’s what Huff intended? And if it is… then why do I care about these characters and their relationship?
To be fair, I am only 2 books into this series. Henry is still very much the mysterious vampire – though we do garner a few more bits and pieces of his life (like his time as a spy in WWII). Henry is still developing, and Vicki and Henry’s relationship is still fresh… I’m sure there’s more progress to come.
Furthermore, I think Huff is trying to avoid clichés. Typically vampire characters fall into one of two categories – monster or lover. Writers either go the route of blood-sucking fiends, or neck-sucking Lotharios. I can appreciate that Huff is writing in Henry a vampire who is a bit more grounded in reality. He’s not sentimental – he has numerous lovers and doesn’t really intend to get too close to any of them. But still, when Vicki is already such a hard-nut character, equally allergic to ‘relationships’, it’s too much cold indifference for one coupledom. Especially since this is a series, and as readers we’re supposed to root for Vicki/Henry enough to want to read more of them, see if they get a happy ending etc, etc, etc.
I wasn’t particularly fond of this book, which is a shame after ‘Blood Price’ impressed me so much. The ‘whodunnit’ of ‘Blood Trail’ is brilliant. The werewolf mythology is wonderful and unique, and I enjoyed the introduction of some new secondary characters. But the big pit-fall for me lay in the development (or lack thereof) of Vicki and Henry, both as individuals, and as a couple.
2.5/5
July 24, 2020
Blood Trail is the second book in Vicki Nelson series written by Tanya Huff. It centers on private investigator Victoria "Vicky" Nelson, her new, immortal helper, bastard son of Henry VIII, Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Richmond and Somerset, or simply, Henry Fitzroy, and her former lover and colleague Detective Sergeant Mike Cellucci.
Werewolves have been living in peace and tranquility in a small farm in London, Ontario. However, they are being murdered by silver bullets and the perpetrator is difficult to identify because of their excellent marksmanship and careful planning to not leave a scent behind. With nowhere else to turn, the pack turn to Henry Fitzroy and his partner Victoria Nelson to help them.
Blood Trail is written rather well. The pacing of this installment is rather good with plenty of tension. The plot isn’t terribly complex, but it is the secondary characters and subplots that made the installment rather entertaining. Huff’s take on werewolves is rather novel, for the time, which made them quite interesting. Furthermore, the love triangle between the three main protagonists are written quite well, which is explored, but not in depth that it takes away from the main storyline.
All in all, Blood Trail is written rather well and is a good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series, which I plan to continue in the very near future.
Werewolves have been living in peace and tranquility in a small farm in London, Ontario. However, they are being murdered by silver bullets and the perpetrator is difficult to identify because of their excellent marksmanship and careful planning to not leave a scent behind. With nowhere else to turn, the pack turn to Henry Fitzroy and his partner Victoria Nelson to help them.
Blood Trail is written rather well. The pacing of this installment is rather good with plenty of tension. The plot isn’t terribly complex, but it is the secondary characters and subplots that made the installment rather entertaining. Huff’s take on werewolves is rather novel, for the time, which made them quite interesting. Furthermore, the love triangle between the three main protagonists are written quite well, which is explored, but not in depth that it takes away from the main storyline.
All in all, Blood Trail is written rather well and is a good continuation to what would hopefully be a wonderful series, which I plan to continue in the very near future.
October 19, 2021
Temporarily
DNF at 34%
I think I was reading this for the wrong reason. I'm currently doing a readathon which contains the theme 'makebelieve detective: a crime or mystery book'. Anyone looking at what I read can tell that is not something I read so I went with a book with a mystery and a PI. I've wanted to read this for a while but I haven't had the whim to do so instead focusing on borrowed books. Unfortunately, I haven't picked it up in a couple of days now that generally serves as a good indication that my heart isn't in it. So I'll put it down for now with the full intention to come back to it.
On the book itself I bo like the lore that Huff chooses to play with. She makes wer humans who can turn into wolves. The silver is irrelevant to their deaths but they do maintain so kind of pack structure. The idea of having a human name and an animal name (eg Peter/Storm or Rose/Cloud is smart and I think this is the only book I've seen use that consistently. Henry continues to be his brilliant self, Vicki her headstrong but ingenious self. Look what can I say I do like this series I just wish that Blood Ties had been more faithful and allowed us to have the cutie that is Tony.
March 8, 2024
3.5 stars
This novel, #2 in the series, continues the story of Vicki Nelson, a Toronto PI, her friend, a police Detective Michael Celluci, and a vampire romance writer Henry Fitzroy. It also introduces new characters - a family of werewolves. Just like Huff's vampire, her werewolves are out of the common mold. They are not immortal, they are not super-powerful. They are just people who have, besides a human form, an additional furry form. It is not a virus; they are simply born this way, from werewolf parents, like any other race. They live in secret alongside humans, and someone has been killing them. So they hired Vicki to investigate.
I enjoyed reading this story, enjoyed following the characters I liked and respected from the first book in the series. Despite the murders and the fear of the killer, it is a gentler story than many contemporary urban fantasy books. Although the tension thrums from the beginning, Vicki's investigation is proceeding at a logical pace, intertwined with a number of mundane events of everyday life, as pertains to werewolves. Quick, quirky, and satisfying. It was a re-read, of course.
This novel, #2 in the series, continues the story of Vicki Nelson, a Toronto PI, her friend, a police Detective Michael Celluci, and a vampire romance writer Henry Fitzroy. It also introduces new characters - a family of werewolves. Just like Huff's vampire, her werewolves are out of the common mold. They are not immortal, they are not super-powerful. They are just people who have, besides a human form, an additional furry form. It is not a virus; they are simply born this way, from werewolf parents, like any other race. They live in secret alongside humans, and someone has been killing them. So they hired Vicki to investigate.
I enjoyed reading this story, enjoyed following the characters I liked and respected from the first book in the series. Despite the murders and the fear of the killer, it is a gentler story than many contemporary urban fantasy books. Although the tension thrums from the beginning, Vicki's investigation is proceeding at a logical pace, intertwined with a number of mundane events of everyday life, as pertains to werewolves. Quick, quirky, and satisfying. It was a re-read, of course.
January 24, 2018
This is the second in Tanya Huff's 'Blood' series that I am currently re-reading. In this one, our leading lady Vicky Nelson, PI in Toronto, ex cop, is called upon to help a family living in a rural Canadian town with the dubious name of London. (I don't don't you Tanya; Canada has some interesting names, and I am Australian so no judgement from me...)
The difficulty with this case is that the family are being shot at when they are not looking too human and they are unwilling to go to the police. It is kind of difficult to tell the law that they are werewolves and were shot while in canine form, you see.
This was a really enjoyable book, I loved the amount of detail that went into making the wer family real so much from canine behaviour and pack mentality was integrated in the story which was well written and had a effortless feel to it. It seemed to me as though the author really loved and understood dogs and had enjoyed meshing canine and human together to make a fascinating suite of characters.
I would recommend that reading the first in the 'blood' series would enhance one's enjoyment of this novel if you plan on reading it. The characters and situational tensions between them rely heavily on the first novel. It was lovely to not have to read through pages of recapping previous books, like some of them insist on doing, but the reader who has not read the first one will lose a lot.
A very fun, quite well written supernatural fiction.
The difficulty with this case is that the family are being shot at when they are not looking too human and they are unwilling to go to the police. It is kind of difficult to tell the law that they are werewolves and were shot while in canine form, you see.
This was a really enjoyable book, I loved the amount of detail that went into making the wer family real so much from canine behaviour and pack mentality was integrated in the story which was well written and had a effortless feel to it. It seemed to me as though the author really loved and understood dogs and had enjoyed meshing canine and human together to make a fascinating suite of characters.
I would recommend that reading the first in the 'blood' series would enhance one's enjoyment of this novel if you plan on reading it. The characters and situational tensions between them rely heavily on the first novel. It was lovely to not have to read through pages of recapping previous books, like some of them insist on doing, but the reader who has not read the first one will lose a lot.
A very fun, quite well written supernatural fiction.
May 1, 2020
The best of the series probably because the action is mostly contained in a small world. Tanya Huff shines more brightly when she plays with an imagined setting. It push her to defined the world clearly and beautifully instead of assuming that the reader knows it and skipping the steps that make the book believable.
January 28, 2021
This series is good stories, full of characters you'll like to spend time with and very satisfying if you're looking for paranormal mysteries with positive queer characters. Can't wait to read more.
August 12, 2025
hell yeah some good werewolf lore in this one
September 8, 2024
Blood Trail (Vicki Nelson #2) by Tanya Huff was another fun installment of what's been a pretty great series so far. I'm liked this author's take on werewolves. I got a kick out of the historical flashbacks from Henry in this, especially his story about how he met the pack and part of his involvement in WWII. I'm definitely looking forward to book three.
June 23, 2011
Die ehemalige Polizistin Victoria „Vicki“ Nelson arbeitet nun als Privatdetektivin in Toronto und ist dank ihres neuen Bekannten, den Liebesromanschriftsteller Henry Fitzroy – seines Zeichens Vampir und unehelicher Sohn von Henry VIII. – inzwischen an eher ungewöhnliche Fälle gewöhnt. So verwundert es sie nicht allzu sehr, dass sie und Henry von einer Familie von Werwölfen um Hilfe gebeten werden.
Die bei ihren Nachbarn eher als nudistisch veranlagt bekannten Heerkens leben auf einem Hof auf dem Land in der Nähe von Toronto und sind seit dem zweiten Weltkrieg mit Henry bekannt. Vor kurzem wurden zwei Mitglieder der Familie getötet. In ihrer Wolfsgestalt und unter zu Hilfenahme von Silberkugeln!
Vicki und Henry nehmen die Ermittlungen auf. Während es zwischen den beiden immer deutlicher zu Knistern beginnt, und ihnen auch noch Vickis Ex-Kollege und -Geliebter Mike Celluci in die Quere zu kommen droht, stoßen sie auf immer mehr Hinweise. Doch die verwirrenden Spuren lüften nur langsam ihr Geheimnis, und als es endlich sicher ist, bei wem es sich um den Täter handelt, schweben sie bereits alle in tödlicher Gefahr.
„Blutspur“ ist der zweite Teil der Buchreihe „Blood Ties“ um Vicki Nelson aus der Feder von Tanya Huff. Bereits in den 90ern geschrieben, erschien die Reihe 2004 zum ersten Mal in Deutschland (beim Verlag Feder & Schwert), und wurde zum Start der TV-Serie „Blood Ties“ von Egmont Lyx mit entsprechenden Titelbildern neu aufgelegt.
Wieder einmal bin ich sehr begeistert von Huff’s Art zu Schreiben. Fesselnd, spannend, locker, leicht und witzig merkt man dem Werk sein Alter – ignoriert man die Abwesenheit von Mobiltelefonen – absolut nicht an. Es gelingt der Autorin eine Atmosphäre zu schaffen, die den Leser einfach nicht mehr loslässt.
Zum einen ist da die wirklich gute Hintergrundgeschichte. Der Fall ist interessant und spannend, zumindest bis zu dem Punkt, an dem kurz nach der Hälfte des Buches der Täter für den Leser enthüllt wird. Schade, aber trotzdem wird die Geschichte keinesfalls langweilig, es macht immer noch Spaß, Vicki und die Heerkens auf ihrer Suche nach dem Täter zu begleiten. Vor allem ist einfach angenehm ein Werk zu lesen, das vor dem großen Vampir-Hype entstanden ist, und sich vornehmlich auf seine Krimi- und Mysteryelemente konzentriert, und nicht auf eine mögliche Lovestory zwischen Vampir und Mensch.
So knistert es zwar zwischen Henry und Vicki, was aber vor allem auch mit dem Hormonrausch zu tun hat, den beide erleben, wenn Henry Vicki’s Blut trinkt, jedoch werden diese Szenen stets nur angedeutet, und die Details bleiben der Fantasie des Lesers überlassen. Dank Mike entspinnt sich das Ganze zu eine Art Dreiecksbeziehung, denn auch er hat etwas mit Vicki, dass man aber nur schwer in Worte fassen kann. Ein Freundschaft mit Extras, wenn man der Sache denn einen Namen geben möchte.
Die drei Hauptcharaktere sind allesamt auf ihre Art und Weise sympathisch, haben Geschichten zu erzählen, Ecken und Kanten aufzuweisen, und schaffen sich sehr schnell einen Platz im Herzen des Lesers.
Wer gerne Bücher aus dem Mystery-Bereich liest, der sollte definitiv einen Blick auf „Blutspur“ werfen. Das Buch bietet sympathische Charaktere, Spannung und eine ganze Menge wunderbaren, trockenen Humor, der mich mehr als einmal zum Auflachen brachte. Huff ist einfach eine wirklich fantastische Schriftstellerin, deren Werke es wert sind, beachtet zu werden.
Die bei ihren Nachbarn eher als nudistisch veranlagt bekannten Heerkens leben auf einem Hof auf dem Land in der Nähe von Toronto und sind seit dem zweiten Weltkrieg mit Henry bekannt. Vor kurzem wurden zwei Mitglieder der Familie getötet. In ihrer Wolfsgestalt und unter zu Hilfenahme von Silberkugeln!
Vicki und Henry nehmen die Ermittlungen auf. Während es zwischen den beiden immer deutlicher zu Knistern beginnt, und ihnen auch noch Vickis Ex-Kollege und -Geliebter Mike Celluci in die Quere zu kommen droht, stoßen sie auf immer mehr Hinweise. Doch die verwirrenden Spuren lüften nur langsam ihr Geheimnis, und als es endlich sicher ist, bei wem es sich um den Täter handelt, schweben sie bereits alle in tödlicher Gefahr.
„Blutspur“ ist der zweite Teil der Buchreihe „Blood Ties“ um Vicki Nelson aus der Feder von Tanya Huff. Bereits in den 90ern geschrieben, erschien die Reihe 2004 zum ersten Mal in Deutschland (beim Verlag Feder & Schwert), und wurde zum Start der TV-Serie „Blood Ties“ von Egmont Lyx mit entsprechenden Titelbildern neu aufgelegt.
Wieder einmal bin ich sehr begeistert von Huff’s Art zu Schreiben. Fesselnd, spannend, locker, leicht und witzig merkt man dem Werk sein Alter – ignoriert man die Abwesenheit von Mobiltelefonen – absolut nicht an. Es gelingt der Autorin eine Atmosphäre zu schaffen, die den Leser einfach nicht mehr loslässt.
Zum einen ist da die wirklich gute Hintergrundgeschichte. Der Fall ist interessant und spannend, zumindest bis zu dem Punkt, an dem kurz nach der Hälfte des Buches der Täter für den Leser enthüllt wird. Schade, aber trotzdem wird die Geschichte keinesfalls langweilig, es macht immer noch Spaß, Vicki und die Heerkens auf ihrer Suche nach dem Täter zu begleiten. Vor allem ist einfach angenehm ein Werk zu lesen, das vor dem großen Vampir-Hype entstanden ist, und sich vornehmlich auf seine Krimi- und Mysteryelemente konzentriert, und nicht auf eine mögliche Lovestory zwischen Vampir und Mensch.
So knistert es zwar zwischen Henry und Vicki, was aber vor allem auch mit dem Hormonrausch zu tun hat, den beide erleben, wenn Henry Vicki’s Blut trinkt, jedoch werden diese Szenen stets nur angedeutet, und die Details bleiben der Fantasie des Lesers überlassen. Dank Mike entspinnt sich das Ganze zu eine Art Dreiecksbeziehung, denn auch er hat etwas mit Vicki, dass man aber nur schwer in Worte fassen kann. Ein Freundschaft mit Extras, wenn man der Sache denn einen Namen geben möchte.
Die drei Hauptcharaktere sind allesamt auf ihre Art und Weise sympathisch, haben Geschichten zu erzählen, Ecken und Kanten aufzuweisen, und schaffen sich sehr schnell einen Platz im Herzen des Lesers.
Wer gerne Bücher aus dem Mystery-Bereich liest, der sollte definitiv einen Blick auf „Blutspur“ werfen. Das Buch bietet sympathische Charaktere, Spannung und eine ganze Menge wunderbaren, trockenen Humor, der mich mehr als einmal zum Auflachen brachte. Huff ist einfach eine wirklich fantastische Schriftstellerin, deren Werke es wert sind, beachtet zu werden.
October 16, 2020
You'd think I would have learnt from the first book that - as much as I usually love Tanya Huff's writing - this series is just not for me. But I was in a used book store and found books two and three cheap and I just couldn't resist.
I wish I had.
Honestly, this book was kind of awful, compounded because when I started it, I thought I would actually enjoy it. So, I'm not going to get into my problems with the werewolf culture in this story because I have very well developed ideas of good werewolf culture and just because this doesn't fit into what I like doesn't mean it is bad.
However…
Problem #1: Mike Celluci
I saw the show before I ever read the first book. I loved Vicki. I mean, seriously, she's the reason I wanted to read the books. I liked Henry for the most part. While he was a little too sexualized to be my preferred type of vampire, at least he wasn't the brooding woe is me type. I hated Mike Celluci. I mean I loathed and detested him. I had high hopes for this book because, towards the beginning, it looked like he was going to take a backseat. Alas, it not meant to be.
Problem #2: Addendum to #1
All the males in this story are 'dominant.' No, I'm not just talking about the werewolves. That I could live with. The worst offenders are Henry and, you guessed it, Celluci. They each want Vicki. They each have sex with Vicki. They each do not want the other anywhere near Vicki. They are each jealous. They each think, essentially 'she is mine.'
He wanted to touch her, hold her…no…he wanted to catch her up and throw her down and reestablish her claim over her.
This is a nice little lovely thought from Celluci's head. With 100 hundred pages left in this book, I almost stopped reading, but I actually was a little curious how this story would end because…
Problem #3: Mystery? What mystery?
Yes, there is someone shooting the werewolves in their wolf form. However, before we hit the halfway mark, we as readers know who it is because the book explicitly tells us. Vicki still doesn't know because we spent time inside the villain's head. We do not get to solve the mystery with her. We do not get to thrill over each revealed clue. We do not get to slowly piece the bits and pieces together and, eventually, discover if we sleuthed right. Instead, we get to tap our fingers, waiting impatiently for Vicki to catch up with the plot.
Problem #4: Grr! Arg!
It took me 1 and 2/3 books of this series to realize why I didn't like the first one and why I will never actually like this series.
Everyone is so angry all the time.
Seriously, if there's a chance for an argument, they take it with glee. If they can be an ass to someone, they are there for it. (Okay, the second one really describes Celluci and, to a slightly lesser extent, Vicki.) But, I mean, these people are angry all the time, angry at the world and I just…don't know why. I mean, I don't want to read about it. I certainly wouldn't want to be around them. And I can't figure how the two worst offenders ever had the social skills to be cops.
Problem #5: Head-hoping
Honestly, I remembered I had this problem with the first book, but compared to everything else that's wrong with this one, it seems minor. Fair warning, though, the head-hoping never stops.
Final note, because of the nature of these werewolves, the undertones, overtones and mentions of incest is strong with this one.
All in all, I'm done with this series.
I wish I had.
Honestly, this book was kind of awful, compounded because when I started it, I thought I would actually enjoy it. So, I'm not going to get into my problems with the werewolf culture in this story because I have very well developed ideas of good werewolf culture and just because this doesn't fit into what I like doesn't mean it is bad.
However…
Problem #1: Mike Celluci
I saw the show before I ever read the first book. I loved Vicki. I mean, seriously, she's the reason I wanted to read the books. I liked Henry for the most part. While he was a little too sexualized to be my preferred type of vampire, at least he wasn't the brooding woe is me type. I hated Mike Celluci. I mean I loathed and detested him. I had high hopes for this book because, towards the beginning, it looked like he was going to take a backseat. Alas, it not meant to be.
Problem #2: Addendum to #1
All the males in this story are 'dominant.' No, I'm not just talking about the werewolves. That I could live with. The worst offenders are Henry and, you guessed it, Celluci. They each want Vicki. They each have sex with Vicki. They each do not want the other anywhere near Vicki. They are each jealous. They each think, essentially 'she is mine.'
He wanted to touch her, hold her…no…he wanted to catch her up and throw her down and reestablish her claim over her.
This is a nice little lovely thought from Celluci's head. With 100 hundred pages left in this book, I almost stopped reading, but I actually was a little curious how this story would end because…
Problem #3: Mystery? What mystery?
Yes, there is someone shooting the werewolves in their wolf form. However, before we hit the halfway mark, we as readers know who it is because the book explicitly tells us. Vicki still doesn't know because we spent time inside the villain's head. We do not get to solve the mystery with her. We do not get to thrill over each revealed clue. We do not get to slowly piece the bits and pieces together and, eventually, discover if we sleuthed right. Instead, we get to tap our fingers, waiting impatiently for Vicki to catch up with the plot.
Problem #4: Grr! Arg!
It took me 1 and 2/3 books of this series to realize why I didn't like the first one and why I will never actually like this series.
Everyone is so angry all the time.
Seriously, if there's a chance for an argument, they take it with glee. If they can be an ass to someone, they are there for it. (Okay, the second one really describes Celluci and, to a slightly lesser extent, Vicki.) But, I mean, these people are angry all the time, angry at the world and I just…don't know why. I mean, I don't want to read about it. I certainly wouldn't want to be around them. And I can't figure how the two worst offenders ever had the social skills to be cops.
Problem #5: Head-hoping
Honestly, I remembered I had this problem with the first book, but compared to everything else that's wrong with this one, it seems minor. Fair warning, though, the head-hoping never stops.
Final note, because of the nature of these werewolves, the undertones, overtones and mentions of incest is strong with this one.
All in all, I'm done with this series.
January 30, 2019
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92 points/100 (4 ¾ stars/5) [revised from 3 stars].
Vicki Nelson and Henry Fitzroy travel to a family farm to investigate who is killing members of a family. A family of werewolves. They cannot go to the police, because they do not want anyone to know what they are. And, the only real suspects are people close to the family.
I LOVED THIS BOOK OH MY GOD IT WAS ADORABLE.
Seriously, this was so cute. I love this family of werewolves. They aren't human, they've never been human. They don't exactly act human, though they can fake it for a bit. They act like wolves who can be human. It is just so cute. The supernatural creature is not the bad guy in Blood Trail. The supernatural creature is the the cute thing you have to protect. I love it.
Once again, it is more about the people than it is about the story. It is about what a human will do when they find out about the supernatural. It explores the human conditions: religion, brotherhood, friends, and duty. It explores what a family would do to preserve the life of someone they love, while also trying to preserve their way of life. It also shows what someone feels when they have to stand with your family, even if it goes against what you believe in.
Blood Trail also has some of the most "real" characters I've read in some time. It isn't just Vicki and Henry that feel real. No, the entire family of werewolves do, as well as their friends and neighbors. Every single side character feels like they have their own personality, their own backstory. This is for characters we will never see again in the series. The center isn't on the main characters, and the reader is left to fill in the blanks. I love the people in this book the mostest.
Vicki continues to be awesome, and she is starting to explore the limits of her visual disability. Henry and Mike got on my nerves though. Oh my god the male jealousy, more on Mike's side than on Henry's. Henry is mostly okay with sharing, Mike just keeps poking and poking at Vicki's relationship with Henry. It is super stressful, and I feel a bit sorry for Vicki over it all. It must also be said that Vicki slips into the supernatural life incredibly easy, like she is made for this type of life. I do enjoy this. The way she straddles the line between normal and supernatural, Henry and Mike do make for an enjoyable book.
The story itself wasn't anything I haven't seen before. Again, that isn't the fault of the author, just the fact that I have read a lot of this genre and this came first. I enjoyed the writing more, though. It skips around a lot less. There are still multiple perspectives and time periods, but it is much easier to follow and get into. This is just a better book than Blood Price.
Definitely looking forward to seeing again just where this story takes me.
92 points/100 (4 ¾ stars/5) [revised from 3 stars].
Vicki Nelson and Henry Fitzroy travel to a family farm to investigate who is killing members of a family. A family of werewolves. They cannot go to the police, because they do not want anyone to know what they are. And, the only real suspects are people close to the family.
I LOVED THIS BOOK OH MY GOD IT WAS ADORABLE.
Seriously, this was so cute. I love this family of werewolves. They aren't human, they've never been human. They don't exactly act human, though they can fake it for a bit. They act like wolves who can be human. It is just so cute. The supernatural creature is not the bad guy in Blood Trail. The supernatural creature is the the cute thing you have to protect. I love it.
Once again, it is more about the people than it is about the story. It is about what a human will do when they find out about the supernatural. It explores the human conditions: religion, brotherhood, friends, and duty. It explores what a family would do to preserve the life of someone they love, while also trying to preserve their way of life. It also shows what someone feels when they have to stand with your family, even if it goes against what you believe in.
Blood Trail also has some of the most "real" characters I've read in some time. It isn't just Vicki and Henry that feel real. No, the entire family of werewolves do, as well as their friends and neighbors. Every single side character feels like they have their own personality, their own backstory. This is for characters we will never see again in the series. The center isn't on the main characters, and the reader is left to fill in the blanks. I love the people in this book the mostest.
Vicki continues to be awesome, and she is starting to explore the limits of her visual disability. Henry and Mike got on my nerves though. Oh my god the male jealousy, more on Mike's side than on Henry's. Henry is mostly okay with sharing, Mike just keeps poking and poking at Vicki's relationship with Henry. It is super stressful, and I feel a bit sorry for Vicki over it all. It must also be said that Vicki slips into the supernatural life incredibly easy, like she is made for this type of life. I do enjoy this. The way she straddles the line between normal and supernatural, Henry and Mike do make for an enjoyable book.
The story itself wasn't anything I haven't seen before. Again, that isn't the fault of the author, just the fact that I have read a lot of this genre and this came first. I enjoyed the writing more, though. It skips around a lot less. There are still multiple perspectives and time periods, but it is much easier to follow and get into. This is just a better book than Blood Price.
Definitely looking forward to seeing again just where this story takes me.
February 6, 2025
I liked this book better than the previous one. The supporting cast was more present and interesting.
In this story Vicki finds herself heading out from Toronto to rural Canada. Henry is asked to help in uncovering who killed a few of his old friends from a family he has been in contact with since WWII, and he asks Vicki to go with him. Mike gets into the mix too about half-way through, and messes things up a bit.
A fun thing about the story was that it takes place in the high heat of the summer, August. I read it in August, beginning it just as I was waiting for the bus, trying not to faint from the heat.
The detective story was interesting, and the ending reminded me a bit of the kind of stories I saw in Japanese detective dramas. It was slightly bittersweet. Again, about half-way through, we were told who the killer was, and got to see it a bit from their perspective. I'd really prefer it if Tanya Huff hadn't done that, but maybe it was a thing in the 90s. I mostly read historical fiction back then. It did give another perspective though, however briefly.
In the story we do see some progression in Vicki's and Henry's relationship, but not a lot, which is a bit disappointing at times. It's not really the sizzling vampire romance, but I don't mind all that much, since I'm not a fan of romance. In fact, Henry is not present a lot in the story at all, just at some important points. The focus is more on Vicki, and the other family.
As can be expected, it's not an ordinary family. Without trying to spoil it, I'll just say that I enjoyed learning about their way of life, their habits. I also grew to like the whole family, especially the twins. This lead me to care for them, and the situation they were in.
Overall, the story was entertaining, and a quick read. I recommend it to people who like a simple detective story with a supernatural twist. If you like a lot of romance, this is not for you. It can be read in a few days. The only reason it took me so long was that I read another novel at the same time.
Cross-posted at Unapologetic Reviews
In this story Vicki finds herself heading out from Toronto to rural Canada. Henry is asked to help in uncovering who killed a few of his old friends from a family he has been in contact with since WWII, and he asks Vicki to go with him. Mike gets into the mix too about half-way through, and messes things up a bit.
A fun thing about the story was that it takes place in the high heat of the summer, August. I read it in August, beginning it just as I was waiting for the bus, trying not to faint from the heat.
The detective story was interesting, and the ending reminded me a bit of the kind of stories I saw in Japanese detective dramas. It was slightly bittersweet. Again, about half-way through, we were told who the killer was, and got to see it a bit from their perspective. I'd really prefer it if Tanya Huff hadn't done that, but maybe it was a thing in the 90s. I mostly read historical fiction back then. It did give another perspective though, however briefly.
In the story we do see some progression in Vicki's and Henry's relationship, but not a lot, which is a bit disappointing at times. It's not really the sizzling vampire romance, but I don't mind all that much, since I'm not a fan of romance. In fact, Henry is not present a lot in the story at all, just at some important points. The focus is more on Vicki, and the other family.
As can be expected, it's not an ordinary family. Without trying to spoil it, I'll just say that I enjoyed learning about their way of life, their habits. I also grew to like the whole family, especially the twins. This lead me to care for them, and the situation they were in.
Overall, the story was entertaining, and a quick read. I recommend it to people who like a simple detective story with a supernatural twist. If you like a lot of romance, this is not for you. It can be read in a few days. The only reason it took me so long was that I read another novel at the same time.
Cross-posted at Unapologetic Reviews
October 28, 2016
Avis tiré de mon blog :
Un second tome que j'ai bien préféré au premier !
J'ai trouvé que le point fort ce ce tome était vraiment les personnages.
Cette fois ci Vicki est contactée par Henry pour aider des amis à lui qui ont des souci. Les amis en question se retrouvent être des lycanthropes, et c'est sous leur forme de loup qu'ils sont tués la nuit. Vicki va devoir déterminer si on a affaire un un chasseur qui utilise la nuit pour s'amuser ou si la famille est réellement ciblée par quelqu'un qui aurait découvert leur secret.
On apprend donc à connaitre cette famille extraordinaire, leur façon de vivre et leurs liens. Et j'ai directement accroché, ils sont sympathique, très dynamique et vivant. On ne peux que les aimer, malgré leurs façon de vivre différente.
Comme dans le premier tome, le principe est qu'on est dans la tête de pas mal de protagonistes, incluant le coupable, dont l'auteur ne dévoile que des indices. Résultat on se prend à essayer de savoir si tel ou tel personnage correspond pas ou pas à ce qu'on sait de lui, indépendamment de ce que trouve Vicki. La ou ça ne marchait pas trop dans le tome précédent, dans celui ci ça fonctionne vraiment bien !
J'ai bien aimé les quelques flash back notamment la rencontre d'Henry avec la famille en question, et le fait que Cerruti n'arrive qu'a la fin et participe au dénouement mais beaucoup moins à l'enquête.
Bon j'aurais bien aimé que la relation Vicki/Henry se développe un peu plus mais bon, il me faut juste de la patience :P
16/20
Un second tome que j'ai bien préféré au premier !
J'ai trouvé que le point fort ce ce tome était vraiment les personnages.
Cette fois ci Vicki est contactée par Henry pour aider des amis à lui qui ont des souci. Les amis en question se retrouvent être des lycanthropes, et c'est sous leur forme de loup qu'ils sont tués la nuit. Vicki va devoir déterminer si on a affaire un un chasseur qui utilise la nuit pour s'amuser ou si la famille est réellement ciblée par quelqu'un qui aurait découvert leur secret.
On apprend donc à connaitre cette famille extraordinaire, leur façon de vivre et leurs liens. Et j'ai directement accroché, ils sont sympathique, très dynamique et vivant. On ne peux que les aimer, malgré leurs façon de vivre différente.
Comme dans le premier tome, le principe est qu'on est dans la tête de pas mal de protagonistes, incluant le coupable, dont l'auteur ne dévoile que des indices. Résultat on se prend à essayer de savoir si tel ou tel personnage correspond pas ou pas à ce qu'on sait de lui, indépendamment de ce que trouve Vicki. La ou ça ne marchait pas trop dans le tome précédent, dans celui ci ça fonctionne vraiment bien !
J'ai bien aimé les quelques flash back notamment la rencontre d'Henry avec la famille en question, et le fait que Cerruti n'arrive qu'a la fin et participe au dénouement mais beaucoup moins à l'enquête.
Bon j'aurais bien aimé que la relation Vicki/Henry se développe un peu plus mais bon, il me faut juste de la patience :P
16/20
February 3, 2010
This is the second novel from Tanya Huff's Blood Ties series, and it keeps getting better and better (guess it usually works that way!). I'm glad I just watched season 2 of the Blood Ties television series, because this book mirrored one of the episodes within that season (I love comparing the details between the two!). Blood Trail takes Vicky Nelson and Henry Fitzroy to London, Ontario to track down the cold blooded killer murdering family members living on a farm there. However, the family members turn out to be Werewolves, which sets the stage for turmoil in Vicky Nelson's PI career/personal life. Danger and mystery ensue, as the reader, along with Vicky Nelson, try to figure out who the killer is. Her longtime ex-partner in law enforcement, Michael Cellucci, follows her to the farm because of his jealousy of vampire Henry Fitzroy, which is definitely warranted. I love the books because there is more chemistry and emotion/turmoil between Vicky and her two leading men. However, I love the tv series because the actors/actresses are just spectacular, and it's definitely a lot darker than the books. Great read all around!
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