What do you think?
Rate this book
The Withrow Chronicles #2
Tooth & Nail
Book 2 of the side-splitting vampire comedy The Withrow Chronicles.
Withrow Surrett, the most sarcastic vampire for a country mile, makes an annual Appalachian pilgrimage to keep tabs on nocturnal colleagues and his last living friend from mortal days. What should be a quiet week among familiar faces quickly fills with undead rednecks, folk magic, murder, a rookie detective and Withrow's own psychotic cousin who insists on trying to help. Because everybody’s got THAT cousin, even a vampire.
As he chases the phantoms of conspiracy and paranoia across moonlit forests, abandoned factories, shadowy back roads and seedy bars - all the quiet little places humans fear to tread - Withrow also struggles with who he wants to be. Can a monster find a place among family and friends?
Fans of The Black Knight Chronicles, The Tome of Bill, and Fred, the Vampire Accountant will love this series.
Withrow Surrett, the most sarcastic vampire for a country mile, makes an annual Appalachian pilgrimage to keep tabs on nocturnal colleagues and his last living friend from mortal days. What should be a quiet week among familiar faces quickly fills with undead rednecks, folk magic, murder, a rookie detective and Withrow's own psychotic cousin who insists on trying to help. Because everybody’s got THAT cousin, even a vampire.
As he chases the phantoms of conspiracy and paranoia across moonlit forests, abandoned factories, shadowy back roads and seedy bars - all the quiet little places humans fear to tread - Withrow also struggles with who he wants to be. Can a monster find a place among family and friends?
Fans of The Black Knight Chronicles, The Tome of Bill, and Fred, the Vampire Accountant will love this series.
- GenresParanormalHorror
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
5 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Michael G. Williams
30 books86 followersMichael G. Williams writes queer-themed science fiction, urban fantasy, and horror celebrating monsters, macabre humor, and subverted expectations. He’s the author of three series for Falstaff Books: the award-winning vampire/urban fantasy series The Withrow Chronicles; a new urban fantasy series featuring real estate, time travel, and San Francisco’s most beloved historical figures, SERVANT/SOVEREIGN; and the science fiction noir A Fall in Autumn, winner of the 2020 Manly Wade Wellman Award.
Michael is an avid podcaster, activist, and gaymer, and is a brother in St. Anthony Hall and Mu Beta Psi. He lives in Durham, NC, with his husband, a variety of animals, and more and better friends than he probably deserves.
Michael is an avid podcaster, activist, and gaymer, and is a brother in St. Anthony Hall and Mu Beta Psi. He lives in Durham, NC, with his husband, a variety of animals, and more and better friends than he probably deserves.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 16, 2019
A Worthy Sequel
This is the second book in the Withrow Chronicles and I found it better than the first. There is more action, more vampire politics, and more murderous intent than in the first book. It is never slow or boring. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
This is the second book in the Withrow Chronicles and I found it better than the first. There is more action, more vampire politics, and more murderous intent than in the first book. It is never slow or boring. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
November 6, 2013
My, my, what a good night's reading it was finishing this book in one go. Once again Michael G. Williams has made me re-evaluate life, death and everything in between with his stunningly dark and witty depiction of Withrow Surret. I am addicted to this character and sincerely cannot wait for the third instalment next month, I was be buying it up no sooner than it hits the Kindle shelf.
But now back to Tooth & Nail. This book took every entertaining and mysterious element of noir detective tales and wound them expertly into dark fantasy, vampyrism and black comedy with effortless prose and strong narrative voice. The final surprises after the inevitable conclusion were delightful and really satisfying. I found the violence level to be highly visual but also very tolerable, the really disturbing things in Williams's novels are the extent to which this man understands human nature. Tooth & Nail presents a masterful depiction of what it means to be human that initially has you laughing but returns later to haunt your thoughts in a much more meaningful way.
If you have not read Perishables, that precedes this book, then what rock have you been living under? It's free on Smashwords! Grab it now and begin this superb journey into the human mind guided by your not so cuddly host, then hurry on into this book before you become that guy who'd never heard of Michael G. Williams. Ignore my warning at your peril, for by the end of this series, this talented writer's going to be the name on every horror-fan's lips.
But now back to Tooth & Nail. This book took every entertaining and mysterious element of noir detective tales and wound them expertly into dark fantasy, vampyrism and black comedy with effortless prose and strong narrative voice. The final surprises after the inevitable conclusion were delightful and really satisfying. I found the violence level to be highly visual but also very tolerable, the really disturbing things in Williams's novels are the extent to which this man understands human nature. Tooth & Nail presents a masterful depiction of what it means to be human that initially has you laughing but returns later to haunt your thoughts in a much more meaningful way.
If you have not read Perishables, that precedes this book, then what rock have you been living under? It's free on Smashwords! Grab it now and begin this superb journey into the human mind guided by your not so cuddly host, then hurry on into this book before you become that guy who'd never heard of Michael G. Williams. Ignore my warning at your peril, for by the end of this series, this talented writer's going to be the name on every horror-fan's lips.
August 20, 2016
For a number of reasons, these books are exactly the kind of brain candy that I am really enjoying reading right now. The whole Vampire Lord of North Carolina idea is both charmingly hilarious and, frankly, creatively badass. And I particularly enjoy books with conditionally amoral characters like Roderick.
Again I need to offer the caveat that I know this author in real life (though I don't give things good ratings just because I know the author, if I thought this sucked I would just not rate it) , and that I am normally not a reader of vampire novel series (so I have no idea whether these are typical for the genre or not).
Again I need to offer the caveat that I know this author in real life (though I don't give things good ratings just because I know the author, if I thought this sucked I would just not rate it) , and that I am normally not a reader of vampire novel series (so I have no idea whether these are typical for the genre or not).
November 9, 2024
How does one vampire serve as leader? How does he deal with the fact that vampires tend to want to do their own thing?
Well, Withrow is in the position to try and negotiate that line. Read to see how well he does.
Remember, Withrow Surret is a 83 year old vampire brought over in the 1920's and he has problems with modern times However, he is having to deal with it. Will he let others help him?
The thing to remember about Withrow is that he is not the classically handsome vampire or the most cultured. He is simply an "everyman" vampire trying to do the best he can.
Well, Withrow is in the position to try and negotiate that line. Read to see how well he does.
Remember, Withrow Surret is a 83 year old vampire brought over in the 1920's and he has problems with modern times However, he is having to deal with it. Will he let others help him?
The thing to remember about Withrow is that he is not the classically handsome vampire or the most cultured. He is simply an "everyman" vampire trying to do the best he can.
October 17, 2017
Full review here:
http://jamesgenrebooks.blogspot.com/2...
Fun read, and an improvement over the first one.
http://jamesgenrebooks.blogspot.com/2...
Fun read, and an improvement over the first one.
October 6, 2017
I really liked Tooth & Nail, the second book in the Withrow Chronicles.
Why? See I'm not really a fan of vampire fiction. I think it's been done to death. Michael G. Williams' vampire fiction is something different, and that's what I like.
Withrow Surrett is not your average vampire. Not even close. He is not an ancient vampire, dedicated to all things evil. Withrow Surrett is just an overweight guy who bought into the 'live forever' deal. He doesn't really see himself as anything special. In Michael G. Williams' world, you don't get to be gorgeous when you become a vampire, you stay just like you were when you 'died'. So Withrow is a fat vampire.
Being a vampire, he is, of course, something of an apex predator He may be fat. He may be a moderately good painter. But he is also the thing that other supernaturals run away from as fast as they can.
This is the second book. It is not necessary to have read the first book to enjoy this one. Still, the first book shows more of Withrow Surrett at a younger age, closer to when he first became a vampire. And Withrow becoming a more experienced vampire is mostly what these books are about. In the main part of this book, he is Withrow Surrett III, failed writer, and boss of all vampires in North Carolina. (Yes, in this world, even the vampires have layers of management!) He thinks he's just checking in with his 'people' like any good boss. In fairly short order, though, things get more complicated, and we get to see Withrow as the top predator he doesn't really see himself as. This makes for a very good story.
I got this book for free from the publisher, but this review is still my honest opinion of the book.
Why? See I'm not really a fan of vampire fiction. I think it's been done to death. Michael G. Williams' vampire fiction is something different, and that's what I like.
Withrow Surrett is not your average vampire. Not even close. He is not an ancient vampire, dedicated to all things evil. Withrow Surrett is just an overweight guy who bought into the 'live forever' deal. He doesn't really see himself as anything special. In Michael G. Williams' world, you don't get to be gorgeous when you become a vampire, you stay just like you were when you 'died'. So Withrow is a fat vampire.
Being a vampire, he is, of course, something of an apex predator He may be fat. He may be a moderately good painter. But he is also the thing that other supernaturals run away from as fast as they can.
This is the second book. It is not necessary to have read the first book to enjoy this one. Still, the first book shows more of Withrow Surrett at a younger age, closer to when he first became a vampire. And Withrow becoming a more experienced vampire is mostly what these books are about. In the main part of this book, he is Withrow Surrett III, failed writer, and boss of all vampires in North Carolina. (Yes, in this world, even the vampires have layers of management!) He thinks he's just checking in with his 'people' like any good boss. In fairly short order, though, things get more complicated, and we get to see Withrow as the top predator he doesn't really see himself as. This makes for a very good story.
I got this book for free from the publisher, but this review is still my honest opinion of the book.
September 30, 2020
Received from the author when I won the final book in the series.
This book is a full novel. It starts with a flashback to 1951 and Withrow's ten-year class reunion. He's been tasked to check out a crime scene and his friend from high school is the SBI on the case.
Present day-Withrow has taken over as the head vampire in North Carolina and with the help of his cousin Roderick he's checking in on his subjects. Meanwhile he's doing his periodic check on the 1951 crime, only to find his only human friend murdered at the scene. With further investigation he finds his friend's wife and his partner have both died in the last two weeks and his son has disappeared, making it highly suspicious.
To complicate matters a vampire calling himself "The Transylvanian" is not following the vampire rules and is making himself conspicuous. Are the two circumstances related?
And Jennifer McCordy from the prior book, shows up leading a group of people called North Carolina Para-Science.
This book is a full novel. It starts with a flashback to 1951 and Withrow's ten-year class reunion. He's been tasked to check out a crime scene and his friend from high school is the SBI on the case.
Present day-Withrow has taken over as the head vampire in North Carolina and with the help of his cousin Roderick he's checking in on his subjects. Meanwhile he's doing his periodic check on the 1951 crime, only to find his only human friend murdered at the scene. With further investigation he finds his friend's wife and his partner have both died in the last two weeks and his son has disappeared, making it highly suspicious.
To complicate matters a vampire calling himself "The Transylvanian" is not following the vampire rules and is making himself conspicuous. Are the two circumstances related?
And Jennifer McCordy from the prior book, shows up leading a group of people called North Carolina Para-Science.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2021
Enjoyable read, the second in a series about Withrow. This book explains a human connection the main character has with an old high school friend - Clyde. Clyde became law enforcement and retired during his lifetime. He and Withrow continued to meet once a year and Clyde accepted that Withrow never got older, which I found a good representation of the human connection that remained for this vampire. This story branches off from Clyde and a murder from 50 years prior that he had shared information with Withrow on, with a little influence of the vampire kind.
Withdraw attempts to solve the newer murders that seemed to be linked to the past and find the vampire responsible. Roderick, Withrow’s cousin, gets involved as well and then we see some possibilities for what is next in the chronicles of Withrow.
Withdraw attempts to solve the newer murders that seemed to be linked to the past and find the vampire responsible. Roderick, Withrow’s cousin, gets involved as well and then we see some possibilities for what is next in the chronicles of Withrow.
March 3, 2018
Book two of the series has a Detective Noir subgenre and drags poor Withrow even further out of his safe little world into the hills of Transylvania – county, North Carolina (I laughed really, really long when I realized my adopted state had a Transylvania County). During book two Withrow’s insane cousin Roderick comes into his own. You will rarely meet a more compelling, funny, scary as sh*t character. Actions Roderick takes often has me rereading the Chronicles just to figure out which twisty-turn the boy pulled off. He makes Batman’s Joker look sane and safe.
In some ways this is the best book of the series.
In some ways this is the best book of the series.
July 7, 2024
After the death of his last friend before turning, Withrow Surrett, is looking for revenge. Also, as the new ruler of the territory, he is looking to stamp his authority. As the search for his friends killer and a hidden gang, merge he goes on the war path.
August 9, 2018
Withrow
Enjoyable read. Vampire with one final human friend. Finds friend dead and decides to find his killer. What happens when a newer vamp is tired of the status quo?
Enjoyable read. Vampire with one final human friend. Finds friend dead and decides to find his killer. What happens when a newer vamp is tired of the status quo?
September 17, 2017
What I really liked about this book is how we got to see Withrow starting to thaw out a little. The loss of a close friend hits him harder than he could ever have expected. He finds himself trying to solve a cold case that seems to be connected to the unsolved murder as a result.
Personally, I think it can be difficult to capture grief on the page without coming across as too maudlin and without distancing the reader. Having lost someone myself recently, Withrow's attempt to deal with the hole left in his unlife really rang true to me. There was no wailing or gnashing of teeth (well, maybe a little), but more so the distinct knowledge that they just aren't there anymore and they never will be. It completely reshapes your life both consciously and subconsciously, and that's no different in this story.
I probably said this in my review of the first book in the series, but I find Withrow and the characters surrounding him fascinating. If you're an extremely character driven reader, you won't be disappointed. If you're a reader that likes your "good guys" to have an ugly side, this is also a great choice. While Withrow frequently makes the right moral decision, it's not out of the kindness of his heart.
In a world full of the exploits of sexy vampires (no offense, Withrow), this series is a breath of fresh air in that the vampires in the story are genuine monsters.
Personally, I think it can be difficult to capture grief on the page without coming across as too maudlin and without distancing the reader. Having lost someone myself recently, Withrow's attempt to deal with the hole left in his unlife really rang true to me. There was no wailing or gnashing of teeth (well, maybe a little), but more so the distinct knowledge that they just aren't there anymore and they never will be. It completely reshapes your life both consciously and subconsciously, and that's no different in this story.
I probably said this in my review of the first book in the series, but I find Withrow and the characters surrounding him fascinating. If you're an extremely character driven reader, you won't be disappointed. If you're a reader that likes your "good guys" to have an ugly side, this is also a great choice. While Withrow frequently makes the right moral decision, it's not out of the kindness of his heart.
In a world full of the exploits of sexy vampires (no offense, Withrow), this series is a breath of fresh air in that the vampires in the story are genuine monsters.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews