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It’s been four years since a new president ascended to the White House. Zach Barrows has not seen Nathaniel Cade, the President’s Vampire, since being fired from his position as Cade’s handler and sent to a small, cramped office in a government building in Nebraska.

Once he and Cade fought a shadow war against the monsters, spies, and demons that threatened the United States. Now Zach pushes papers and listens to conspiracy theories from people who have no idea how dark the real world can get.

Then Zach is summoned to the Situation Room by President Lester Wyman, who is both the commander-in-chief and a possible traitor.

But he and Cade are bound to follow Wyman’s orders. They are told to find out why a top-secret missile silo has gone offline. If they fail, a nuclear warhead will launch, and the world will die in a hail of fire.

In other words, it’s just another night on the job.

After a long absence, Cade and Zach are back in action together — for what might be the last time.

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 27, 2017

51 people are currently reading
527 people want to read

About the author

Christopher Farnsworth

26 books1,228 followers
Christopher Farnsworth is the author of FLASHMOB (one of Publishers Weekly's Best Books of 2017), KILLFILE, THE ETERNAL WORLD, and the PRESIDENT'S VAMPIRE series. A screenwriter and journalist, he lives in Los Angeles.

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5 stars
262 (43%)
4 stars
230 (37%)
3 stars
89 (14%)
2 stars
23 (3%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
Profile Image for Graeme Rodaughan.
Author 17 books403 followers
January 4, 2018
A solid 4 stars, with a 5 star appendix at the back of the book.

This is a high rating for a novella, I tend to think that Christopher Farnsworth is better with his full sized novels, but this story works as a stand alone and introduces some interesting developments in the Nathaniel Cade character.

At times, I found the story a little, 'by the numbers,' and I was questioning the author's passion for the story, hence the lack of 5 stars. However, what was written is overall, a good, if short, example of what I have come to expect in this series.

Also the title has nothing to do with the story, the deep state is conspicuous in it's absence - a quirk perhaps. (Or, is it really somewhere in there, lurking just beneath the surface, hidden behind everything that you have been indoctrinated to see...)

Recommend this book for anyone who likes conspiracies, secret government operations, supernatural fights, and a unique hero/sidekick pairing.

P.s. The appendix is a brilliant compilation of backstory info about the world of Nathaniel Cade, and includes an excellent vignette.
Profile Image for Myriam.
378 reviews67 followers
July 14, 2018
Just the fact this *exists* is kind of worth five stars to me. I have been biting my nails waiting to see how Cade would deal with the new President after the incredible ending of the last book. So, I was definitely primed to love this even if its not a full book just to find out how it went.

And then it kind of... stepped around all the really interesting issues and did a quick time-jump that doesn't tell us much beyond the obvious. Zach got immediately side-lined and Cade 'hates' every minute working for this President but does it because what else is he gonna do. And it makes sense to treat this as sort of Monster of the Week outing for Cade and his handler. A novella doesn't leave enough room to really delve into the issue and hopefully the story of how they get rid of the nightmare in the White House is reserved for the next proper novel. It's not this novella's fault that this is really the only story I want to read :) The case is appropiately creepy and disgusting and delivered on exactly what I have come to like about this mix of supernatural and real world horror though, so I'm not complaining and happy to see Cade and Zach again at all.

The neat side-stepping of the cliffhanger costs it one star while I patiently wait for Christopher Farnsworth to finally get back to writing the next book.
Profile Image for Yara.
1,217 reviews8 followers
July 1, 2017
Omggg, I LOVED this novella. Cade & Zack are on my all-time fave character duos, so it was great reading a new story in the series. It was perfect! Hopefully this will fuel the publishing house to ask for more Cade books :) Fingers crossed!
Profile Image for Katie Bosek.
8 reviews
June 30, 2017
I was waiting for the next story with one of my favorite vampires for a very long time.

Now Cade is back and it was perfect. I felt like a little kid who got his favorite toy back :D

Fangasm took over me and I've read the story in my job instead of working. And it was worth it.

SPOILER ALERT:

Cade is more mystical and darker which is great.

I have to admit I thought Cade would be also fired from his "job" (Wyman is capable of doing it) and that Cade will get wild and loose control over himself.

Even it didn't happen story was wonderful,

There is only on thing I have to complain about - it was too SHORT! I really hope Chris will write a full book with Cade. I am addicted to Cade :D
Profile Image for Beau Johnson.
Author 13 books124 followers
December 17, 2022
It has been a few years since I have read anything by Christopher Farnsworth. I can't really say why this occurred, as I have always been a fan, but man, I will say this: it is good to be back! The man can flat-out write and pulls you along in the most ingenious of ways. Not the longest of his books, no, but still as great a read as his Nathaniel Cade stories have been in the past and this one I'll admit, I devoured in a single sitting. It means I not only suggest you go forth, seek out, purchase and enjoy, but then go back and buy up all this man's other books and have yourself a time. Seriously, in regards to the President's Vampire series, you can't go wrong.
182 reviews1 follower
November 4, 2017
Cade is back. Zach is back and he's bored. Deep State is a FANTASTIC read one that has been long in coming while Mr. Farnsworth stretches his wings in other new story lines. I know it probably frustrates Mr. Farnsworth, but his best writing comes when he heralds the exploits and challenges of Nathaniel Cade. Dont get me wrong. The other books are good reads too. But The Presidents Vampire will be his legacy.

The only thing wrong with Deep State - too short and no (hang on Chris) Tania!
Profile Image for Diane.
1,140 reviews41 followers
June 5, 2018
Thanks for the closure Mr. Farnsworth. We Cade and Zach fanatics just wanted to see a glimpse of the world where Wyman became president. Feel free to give us more! We can't get enough of The President's Vampire.
Profile Image for Sherry.
Author 14 books190 followers
March 11, 2018
I have been (and always will be) a friend of the vampire Nathaniel Cade. Christopher Farnsworth created a deliciously deadly vampire and made him modern and old in the same breath, gave him impossible odds and immortal abilities but built in flaws, too. Unlike so many vampire stories out there, Nathaniel Cade does an original job, and is a vampire without ugliness, angst, mooning, seduction or romance. He simply is the agent of the President of the United States and he is dangerously lethal and quick.

It's been four years since we've bitten into a Cade book. I've missed him, so you can imagine how fast I was to purchase this one. I confess I was worried when I received my book -- it is thin, with wide margins, large type and very short. I feared I'd been ripped off by one of my favorite authors. After all, this isn't a novel. It's not a novella. It's not even a novelette (well maybe. Barely). It's a long short story.

But hey, it's advertised as book 3.5. So, I paid anyway.

And I am NOT sorry. Want to learn how to be suspenseful every second of a story? This is it. Want to know how to made creepy events fascinatingly rich and diverse? This is the book. Want to see a vampire in action and feel the action? Yup, this is the book.

There is no cliffhanger here. This is a sort of end. Is it THE end? I can't say. I hope not. It's too damn good and too damn short and I want s'more (as one famous vampire by another author once said).

If you are a die-hard fan of the Nathaniel Cade series, then you want this. Do you need to know the series to enjoy this? Yes. Invest. Not only is Christopher Farnsworth an excellent storyteller, but you'll re-read this series again, I promise. (4 stars here because it's too short!)

PS. I read this in two hours.
1,059 reviews
July 19, 2019
How I enjoy Nathaniel Cade! A favorite reading moment:

APPENDIX A: Timeline of Events in American History (Partial)

August 9, 1974
President Richard Nixon Resigns


President Richard Nixon resigns in the wake of the Watergate scandal. Cade's cover is nearly blown when Nixon discusses his existence while being taped. The tapes are hastily erased, leading to the famous "18-and-a-half-minute gap."


Recommend: For an unabashed Nathaniel Cade fan - yes. If that's not you, then no. Don't start with a novella.

Actually the acknowledgement says it all: To everyone who would not let Cade go quietly into the night.

Profile Image for Siera London.
Author 50 books383 followers
June 23, 2024
Wyman needs to go!

I love that Cade and Zach are back together. There's some series threads that haven't been answered, but I enjoy these characters.
Profile Image for Emily Rennie.
Author 2 books23 followers
September 2, 2017
I've waited forever for new Nathaniel Cade content, and while this is only a short story rather than a full novel, it didn't disappoint. I loved how much had changed between Cade and Zach in four years, though in some ways still stayed the same. The two of them are written so well together and I love reading about them so much. I really hope the next full-length book is going to happen sometime soon.
Profile Image for Nick.
964 reviews19 followers
March 20, 2018
This needs to be a full novel not a short story.

It's good that we see what happened after the third novel and Wyman taking over and it's good that it re-united Cade and Zach but it feels rushed and it's over too quickly. The appendix is a good touch for more world background but can't disguise that this series needs to be continued or properly finished at some point.

Still it's a good idea for a story and a fun short read to see how things have changed.
Profile Image for Jason.
161 reviews10 followers
July 8, 2017
Great novella! Cade still thrills!
Profile Image for Luke Courtney.
Author 5 books48 followers
July 2, 2018
While it's not what I was hoping for, a short story with some of my favourite characters is not to be sniffed at; it's been too long since I've had anything new regarding Nathaniel Cade and it was a hugely unexpected surprise to discover this book had been released, so obviously I had to get a copy!

Picked this up and finished it within a day; another great page-turner that hooks you from the get-go and holds onto you all the way! Following on from where Red, White and Blood ended, Zach (who has become persona non grata in the administration of President Lester Wyman, who it is pleasing to see, in a number of joking asides from Zach that are obviously meant as digs at the current president, is as incompetent and moronic in his position as pretty much everyone predicted) is called back to work with Cade when a unexplained disappearance at a covert missile silo has the potential to trigger the end of the world...so business as usual for Cade and Zach!

While slightly disappointing for its short length, Deep State was a great story; it was good to see two of my favourite characters back and how much they've changed since last time, the enemy Cade and Zach have to fight is particularly creepy, certainly for someone like me, it was nice to see a few other familiar faces from the stories make a reappearance which will hopefully bode to their return in a future novel) and a wonderfully detailed appendix covering every aspect of the War on Horror described and hinted at in the novels! The only downside is now only having my appetite whetted, I have to wait who knows how long for another full novel (hopefully not too long, I still desperately want to see Wyman get his comeuppance with Cade's fangs buried in his trachea!)
Profile Image for Ra.
5 reviews
October 15, 2018
Thanks for bringing Cade and Zack back!
Their story is fast paced and mind gripping as usual. Christopher Farnsworth hasn't lost his touch at describing the most visceral scenes and his imagination went to a whole new level.

There are just a few things that stopped me from giving it a five-star-rate. Pls know that, I've been fan of the series and I really love the characters so I'm only writing this down hoping the best for them. Thanks.

Zack seemed more bitter and snappy then before. I totally understand that the four years collecting dust in the middle of nowhere had taken its toll on him, but his venom toward the president is boarding irrational and counterproductive. Besides, in the past novels, he played important parts in crushing all the evil schemes. However, in this book, his action made him more like a burden than an asset. I had thought that his chemical knowledge would have been vital in defeating the mushroom colony, yet he proved to be irrelevant to the advance of the plot and solving (?) of the problem. I hope that Christopher Farnsworth can bring us a Zack who has grown and has become an equal to Cade in his own way.

On the other hand, the president seemed just too stupid...I mean, I didn't expect him to be an evil genius the way Konrad is, but a political animal who managed to sit in the oval office should not seem like a dumb wit (although that's how many people would portray some certain president). Hopefully we can see a cunning selfish bastard standing on moral grey ground rather than a complete moron.

That's just my personal opinion. Still, Farnsworth, thank you very much for bringing back my favorite supernatural duo. Hope that we can see them in a full-length novel very soon.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
101 reviews
June 25, 2025
I’m not feeling it! The book is a novella and it isn’t as good as the three previous books.

⭐️I was truly excited when Vampire Cade brought Dr Johann Konrad back to USA to work for the treacherous slimy douchebag of a murderer, President Lester Wyman. However, there’s nothing about the evil doctor in this book. So why bother to even write about it?

⭐️After four long years, Cade and Zach reunited to work together on a life threatening assignment. Stop the nuclear missile from exploding inside a silo. However, there was barely any interaction between our two heroes. It may just as well be two separate books about them doing their tasks.

⭐️Urgh!!! The monsters were fungus? Hard to believe they were battling over these microorganisms. These fungus were even capable to take over the minds of their victims too? Unbelievable.


I was disappointed with this book. It was a big let down for me when I gave 5 ⭐️ on the three previous Nathaniel Cade’s series books. This one was disjointed and bad writing.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Cynthia Terrones .
193 reviews10 followers
January 12, 2018
THIS BOOK HAS BEEN LONG IN COMING AS I'LL READ ANYTHING WITH CADE & ZACH.

Another awesome book by Christopher Farnsworth to be added to his series "The President's Vampire". I started this series many years ago way before I had a "kindle" so I was very happy when I found another book to one awesome series. I loved the first book "Blood Oath" and I was hooked since then and I truly hope that Mr. Farnsworth has another one or 3 more books planned for this series and this duo as I will read anything he writes with Nathaniel Cade & Zach Barrows as I can't wait to see how they deal with President Lester Wyman. This book deserves more than the 5 star rating allowed and I will definitely recommend this book and the whole series to everyone I know. Please Christopher Farnsworth, more Cade & Zach, the longer the story, the better, is also what I'm hoping for, as the first 3 books I finished in record time. Loved this book, no disappointment here whatsoever!!!!
Profile Image for Michelle.
948 reviews28 followers
September 23, 2018
Farnsworth, you absolute bastard. I have woken up, every SINGLE goddamn day of the last two weeks with that fucking awful Starship song stuck in my head. Cockmuncher! I hated that song when it was on heavy rotation back in the day, and it has NOT gotten better with age. I know what you’re doing. This is some diabolical negative reinforcement thing so we’ll stop with the incessant “But when do we get new Cade?” whining, isn’t it? Ohhhh, you are truly evil. EVIL!!! But...since this was such a good Cade story, and since you even managed to throw some tasty shade at 45, and since I DO love your non-Cade books, I will just keep countering with Brickhouse, by The Commodores. It smothers all annoying ear worms with a smooth layer of funk. Eventually. You asshole. ;-)
Profile Image for Nick Brett.
1,061 reviews68 followers
August 31, 2020
I really enjoyed the author’s “President’s Vampire” series, no lightweight urban fantasy here. I thought the series had, sadly stopped. And then I found this.
Yep, it’s a novella and not a full book but it was great to see the characters back. They’ve moved on too. Cade (our vampire) is still doing the President’s bidding (but not a nice president it has to be said) while his human handler, Zach Barrows has been banished to a non-job to keep him quiet.
But something rather evil has taken over a secret missile silo and it will need the team back together to try and save the world from destruction.
Good characters and a clever idea define these books. Great to see them back.
Profile Image for Laurie.
386 reviews2 followers
November 13, 2017
Great novella that gives us a little glimpse of how Cade is doing since the last book. Once again Cade and his old handler Zach must save the world from impending doom. This time a nuclear silo in Wyoming has been taken over by the latest "strange creature" and is about to release its bombs unless they can put in the correct code or stop it some how. It's great to see the President's Vampire back in action and I really hope another book will come out soon!
Profile Image for Brooke.
2,516 reviews29 followers
July 2, 2018
I was really pleased with this installment of Zach & Cade's adventures. It definitely had a to-do list of things to address from the end of book 3, but this was a new inventive take on the wide swath of monstrous beings that the two have had to face, and was fleshed out significantly better than the other Nathaniel Cade novella. I'm still hoping for another full length novel, most specifically to address the cliffhanger issue from the end of novel 3, but this will suffice for the time being.
Profile Image for Mirany.
220 reviews
July 26, 2018
Entertaining read.

It’s been four years, Cade is more violently efficient and Zach is wasting away. The threat of nuclear war brings them together. The current President is useless and inept, so the two are headed into danger. Sentient fungal hive mind out to wipe out humans before humans can wipe out the world. Cade wins, of course, and Zach seems to be back in the game of vampire wrangling. Looking forward to more adventures!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
698 reviews
July 2, 2019
Adequate

I am feeling a little conflicted about this story. I am a big fan of all the Cade stories, but this one left me feeling slightly unsatisfied. The story was very one dimensional, with very little explanation of what happened to Cade in the time between the ending of the previous book and the start of this one. He is not wearing his cross anymore, he is drinking human blood all of a sudden and acting very strangely.
Profile Image for Caitlan Meyer.
520 reviews2 followers
December 17, 2023
As the author wrote this is definitely for us who couldn’t let Cade go.
It was a nice short novella that gave me a little taste of something more. We knew things would go to shit under the new president after the previous one died. So it was nice to see somewhat of the extent of things. It was like their final hurrah. Honestly would of much rather had a full length novel but I’ll take what I can get.
Profile Image for Mari.
113 reviews19 followers
June 4, 2020
I read these sorts of books to get away from political bickering. I am getting the strong vibe that Farnsworth is a DFL guy. No problem. If he felt like being respectful. But the shifty, snide little digs, like the one about self tanner was just obvious, crude, and it kept me from even slightly enjoying the story. I absolutely hate this sort of crap.
209 reviews
June 17, 2020
Brilliant my dear Watson simply brilliant

I store because this book is an intelligent readers book but it is so intense and so action packed and it's so different from any vampire genre that you'd ever read and believe me I've read them all this is a series and dammed it's excellent
Profile Image for Lisa Guevara.
100 reviews
July 30, 2020
This is really a novella. I miss Bronson Pinchot and his narration (no audiobook on this one). I was happy to read it hoping for more of the Cade/Zach banter and action. It's fine but it's not as satisfying as the earlier books. I'd love it if Farnsworth would continue the awesome vampire/human buddy movie in a few more books.
44 reviews1 follower
March 13, 2021
I loved seeing Cade and Zach again, but felt shortchanged. By the way, when can we kill off Wyman for murdering the president? Can that happen soon? In the next book, maybe? He is insufferable and basically got away with murder. Also, can we PLEASE get another installment? It's been almost a decade since Red, White, and Blood came out. Really would love a full length Cade novel soon!
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