The Last Vampire

by T.M. Wright

Elmo Land was a young man when he first met strange and enigmatic Regina Watson. He'd heard she was crazy, but Elmo was drawn to her even though he knew something wasn't right. Then he noticed the bite marks on her neck. That was the beginning of Elmo's new life--and the beginning of a headlong descent into a dark world of compulsion and desire--and the ever-present need to feed.

Genres: Horror, Vampires, Fiction, Paranormal

275 pages, Paperback

First published May 9, 1991

About the author

Terrance Michael Wright (AKA T. M. Wright) is best known as a writer of horror fiction, speculative fiction, and poetry. He has written over 25 novels, novellas, and short stories over the last 40 years. His first novel, 1978's Strange Seed, was nominated for a World Fantasy Award, and his 2003 novel Cold House was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award. His novels have been translated into many different languages around the world. His works have been reviewed by Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, and many genre magazines.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is strange series of vampiric reminiscences wrapped up in science fiction framework. It's typical of Wright's trademark quiet horror, being very light on blood and gore and violence, but is still a nice chiller in a shadowy way. It opens in 2047, sixty years in the future of the time of writing, and there's been war, but the setting meanders through the memories that are recounted. It's not a straight narrative, but the pieces do fit together to tell an interesting story. Not among my favorites of Wright's work, but I enjoyed it... although I had trouble taking a vampire named Elmo as seriously as the story required.

[Ellington Gunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A remarkable, lyrical, nontraditional horror novel. Not as quiet as his reputation it's actually quite pulpy and vicious in sections. A vampire's memoir nestled in a couple layers. A scifi prologue, an apocalyptic past, beyond it a twentieth century full of murder and hunting and questions. I especially admire the relationship between Elmo and Lemuel, his hillbilly Renfield, his killer accomplice who feels like a very human evil. Just a great, weird book.

[Bandit · Rating 4 out of 5]

T. M. Wright is a master of "quiet" horror. His stories are subtle and strange and really really good.

[Roseann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elmo Land is the last vampire left and decides he needs to write his history before he chooses to die and this is his story. Not quite as entertaining as it could have been as the author makes Elmo a bit repetitve (I guess because he is so old?), but it was an interesting tale, very light on the blood and gore.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

About vampire Elmo Land's life as a vampire. It's mostly separated paragraphs of flashbacks. It was a fast read, but not at all what I expected. I would've enjoyed it a LOT more if it had been written in story form, NOT a bunch of random thoughts, ramblings and flashbacks.

I hate flashback after flashback after flashback.

[Elso · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Last Vampire - Elmo Land's life as a vampire. It's mostly separated paragraphs of flashbacks. It was a fast read, but not at all what I expected. Just a bunch of random thoughts, ramblings and flashbacks.

[Genevieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little, and little-known gem of the genre.

[Debra]

Stephen King recommended author: "T.M. Wright is a rare and blazing talent!"

[Crymsyn Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't mind the style of the book being mostly in first person, but I did not enjoy the ending not really getting it. Oh well.

[Sofie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly the best contemporary vampire novel I have read.