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West Hollywood Vampires #1
Bite Club!
The bars of West Hollywood, California, have always played host to a fair share of life-sucking monsters, but until now that's been mostly metaphoric. After three prime cuts of gay male beef turn up filleted and drained of blood, Sheriff Clive Anderson, Coroner Becky O'Brien and City Manager Pamela Burman are forced to the realization that something possibly not human has taken up residence in Boys' Town- something with more than the usual taste for male flesh. Fortunately, Becky's college pal Chris Driscoll is something of an expert on serial killers, but when she calls him in for a consult, she is startled to find that he hasn't aged a day in 10 years. When she accidentally stumbles over him napping in his coffin, he lets her in on his little "Yep, I'm a vampire!"He also informs her that the serial killer is a rogue vampire and that she andSheriff Anderson are going to need to think about some unorthodox crime-fighting techniques. Exciting and very, very funny, Bite Club is a rollicking black comedy in which the crime-fighting community and the undead community create an uneasy alliance to stop a monster!
347 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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171 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
February 2, 2018
VERY FUNNY!
I’ll be honest and tell you that I was apprehensive about listening to this audiobook. Why? Well, it’s the first MM book I’ve listened to with a female narrator. Ever. I mean, MM with a female VOICE?! But...being open-minded....I went with it.
At first it took me a while to get used to Kitty Hendrix’s voice speaking for the men of West Hollywood. But then I started thinking, I have no qualms when male narrators take on the female voices in MM novels, why should I care about it being the other way around? Well, I stopped caring and immediately realized what an incredibly talented narrator Kitty Hendrix is.
This book has an ensemble cast of characters, each unique and different. Many had their own POVs in the book, not just the MCs. In fact, it was such an ensemble cast, sometimes it became difficult to pick out the MCs since this is not a romance.
What it is is a delightfully funny book with a sugary snack addicted coroner, a DYI vampire and his OTT twink “Renfield,” an OCD sheriff, a take-no-prisoners octogenarian city manager, a sadistic feral vampire, a bone-crunching ghoul, furniture wrecking werewolves, WeHo bearded cheerleaders, and others.
The crazy characters and the plot had me so distracted that I almost didn’t miss the sexy times so usual in MM. But again, this isn’t a romance. But still! I wanted to see more romance between Chris and Troy (good vamp and his companion).
Becky, one of he MCs is hilarious, although her constant eating got to be a bit much after a while. Troy is absolutely hilarious with his over the top damsel in distress persona. And Pamela, the Republican in WeHo who all the drag queens adore, is an unlikely a heroine as you’ll ever encounter anywhere.
The book could have been shorter, but I had a killer time listening to it. Some plot points were left hanging or abandoned, and it makes me wonder if they get picked up in the next book.
This was my first book by this author and my first listen by this narrator. I think Kitty Hendrix had a lot to with how funny I found this story! I’m definitely picking up the next book in the series.
I’ll be honest and tell you that I was apprehensive about listening to this audiobook. Why? Well, it’s the first MM book I’ve listened to with a female narrator. Ever. I mean, MM with a female VOICE?! But...being open-minded....I went with it.
At first it took me a while to get used to Kitty Hendrix’s voice speaking for the men of West Hollywood. But then I started thinking, I have no qualms when male narrators take on the female voices in MM novels, why should I care about it being the other way around? Well, I stopped caring and immediately realized what an incredibly talented narrator Kitty Hendrix is.
This book has an ensemble cast of characters, each unique and different. Many had their own POVs in the book, not just the MCs. In fact, it was such an ensemble cast, sometimes it became difficult to pick out the MCs since this is not a romance.
What it is is a delightfully funny book with a sugary snack addicted coroner, a DYI vampire and his OTT twink “Renfield,” an OCD sheriff, a take-no-prisoners octogenarian city manager, a sadistic feral vampire, a bone-crunching ghoul, furniture wrecking werewolves, WeHo bearded cheerleaders, and others.
The crazy characters and the plot had me so distracted that I almost didn’t miss the sexy times so usual in MM. But again, this isn’t a romance. But still! I wanted to see more romance between Chris and Troy (good vamp and his companion).
Becky, one of he MCs is hilarious, although her constant eating got to be a bit much after a while. Troy is absolutely hilarious with his over the top damsel in distress persona. And Pamela, the Republican in WeHo who all the drag queens adore, is an unlikely a heroine as you’ll ever encounter anywhere.
The book could have been shorter, but I had a killer time listening to it. Some plot points were left hanging or abandoned, and it makes me wonder if they get picked up in the next book.
This was my first book by this author and my first listen by this narrator. I think Kitty Hendrix had a lot to with how funny I found this story! I’m definitely picking up the next book in the series.
March 17, 2020
It was a nice enough read. I guess this brand of camp just isn't for me. The author's sense of humor and irony can be entertaining though so it wasn't a waste of time.
Tbh the only character that I got to like is Clive, the cool and collected (if slightly OC) captain who can be assertive and physically courageous when the situation calls for it. The vampire Chris also seems like a decent bloke. The others though, with their extreme personalities, veer close to being caricaturish at times.
I just wish there was some subtlety or grandeur behind these vampires. I know Bodner is capable of coming up with gloriously graphic gore so maybe we'd have that in his werewolf book.
I'm rating this 5/10 or 3 stars out of 5.
Tbh the only character that I got to like is Clive, the cool and collected (if slightly OC) captain who can be assertive and physically courageous when the situation calls for it. The vampire Chris also seems like a decent bloke. The others though, with their extreme personalities, veer close to being caricaturish at times.
I just wish there was some subtlety or grandeur behind these vampires. I know Bodner is capable of coming up with gloriously graphic gore so maybe we'd have that in his werewolf book.
I'm rating this 5/10 or 3 stars out of 5.
June 14, 2018
Bite Club
By Hal Bodner
Crossroad Press, 2014 (originally published 2005, written in 1995)
Four stars
“The effect was horrifying, yet comic.”
That about sums up this whole book, which was a pleasant revelation to me. Having written my first gay vampire novel in the late 1980s, getting it published in the late 1990s, I felt a strong empathy for Mr. Bodner and his novel, which was written in the 1990s and first published in 2005.
Set in West Hollywood in a vaguely recent past (the author edited for this digital edition, to make it slightly less dated in terms of technology), “Bite Club” is replete with burlesque characters and a horrifyingly evil villain. Into the famously “gay city” between Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, the author inserts a murderer as chilling as any I’ve ever encountered. The madcap scrabble of the powers-that-be to find the killer (and save the Hallowe’en celebration in their normally low-crime city) is intermixed with visceral descriptions of the killer and his methods. The two very different tones are jarring at times, but Bodner’s writing is consistent, witty, and literate, and he manages to pull the reader through.
I particularly liked Bodner’s take on the vampire—the mix of myth and modern reimagining of this legendary monster. He made some different choices than I did with my characters, and I must say I think he deserves credit for his deft handling of the legend to suit a more rational modern world. I won’t say more, because there is plenty of fun discovery in these pages as the plot and the characters are revealed.
The book has a strong undertone of camp, which makes sense, given that Mr. Bodner, like myself, is of a certain age and thus reflects a gay America that is now more historical than current. To put it in contemporary media terms—this feels like it could be adapted easily to a Netflix series, poised between sitcom and horror movie. I’d watch it, anyway.
I’ve purchased “The Trouble With Hairy,” the sequel to “Bite Club,” which deals with werewolves. If the brief presence of the vulpine race in this book is any indication, it’s going to be strange. Can’t wait.
By Hal Bodner
Crossroad Press, 2014 (originally published 2005, written in 1995)
Four stars
“The effect was horrifying, yet comic.”
That about sums up this whole book, which was a pleasant revelation to me. Having written my first gay vampire novel in the late 1980s, getting it published in the late 1990s, I felt a strong empathy for Mr. Bodner and his novel, which was written in the 1990s and first published in 2005.
Set in West Hollywood in a vaguely recent past (the author edited for this digital edition, to make it slightly less dated in terms of technology), “Bite Club” is replete with burlesque characters and a horrifyingly evil villain. Into the famously “gay city” between Los Angeles and Beverly Hills, the author inserts a murderer as chilling as any I’ve ever encountered. The madcap scrabble of the powers-that-be to find the killer (and save the Hallowe’en celebration in their normally low-crime city) is intermixed with visceral descriptions of the killer and his methods. The two very different tones are jarring at times, but Bodner’s writing is consistent, witty, and literate, and he manages to pull the reader through.
I particularly liked Bodner’s take on the vampire—the mix of myth and modern reimagining of this legendary monster. He made some different choices than I did with my characters, and I must say I think he deserves credit for his deft handling of the legend to suit a more rational modern world. I won’t say more, because there is plenty of fun discovery in these pages as the plot and the characters are revealed.
The book has a strong undertone of camp, which makes sense, given that Mr. Bodner, like myself, is of a certain age and thus reflects a gay America that is now more historical than current. To put it in contemporary media terms—this feels like it could be adapted easily to a Netflix series, poised between sitcom and horror movie. I’d watch it, anyway.
I’ve purchased “The Trouble With Hairy,” the sequel to “Bite Club,” which deals with werewolves. If the brief presence of the vulpine race in this book is any indication, it’s going to be strange. Can’t wait.
July 15, 2019
I believe this book came to my attention a few years back via a recommendation - but I couldn't say who rec'd it to me. I kind of wish I could remember, though, so I could go back to them and just be like, "Really?"
I mean, it wasn't the worst book I ever read, but the humor just didn't work for me. It was far too dependent on a) stereotypes and b) pratfalls (and slapstick comedy is iffy with me even in visual format. In written format it just didn't work for me at all).
I was more annoyed by the stereotypes than anything, especially the female coroner who eats her emotions and is fat and sloppy - to the point where she can't get through an autopsy or a crime scene without pulling out some candy and getting crumbs and jelly and shit all over the place.
She's paired up with a fastidious cop who keeps a spare shirt in his office for her visits, so that he can change after.
I mean, hysterical, right?
Aside from that, the mystery wasn't really a mystery because it tells the reader who the killer is about halfway through. In the beginning they built up the vampire serial killer and told about his victims in erotic detail... and it was actually kind of creepy.
And then that just went by the wayside when he's actually introduced and the whole thing is just that
Ugh.
The one funny line in the whole book that I remember was the one vampire guy telling the coroner lady that he could go outside back in Philadelphia because, 'it's almost always overcast there'.
Well, honey, I love in Philadelphia, and I just happened to be reading this on a hot, humid, bright-as-fuck summer day. Seattle this is not...
Meh.
(I'm giving it 2 stars instead of 1 because it wasn't unbearable. Just tedious.)
I mean, it wasn't the worst book I ever read, but the humor just didn't work for me. It was far too dependent on a) stereotypes and b) pratfalls (and slapstick comedy is iffy with me even in visual format. In written format it just didn't work for me at all).
I was more annoyed by the stereotypes than anything, especially the female coroner who eats her emotions and is fat and sloppy - to the point where she can't get through an autopsy or a crime scene without pulling out some candy and getting crumbs and jelly and shit all over the place.
She's paired up with a fastidious cop who keeps a spare shirt in his office for her visits, so that he can change after.
I mean, hysterical, right?
Aside from that, the mystery wasn't really a mystery because it tells the reader who the killer is about halfway through. In the beginning they built up the vampire serial killer and told about his victims in erotic detail... and it was actually kind of creepy.
And then that just went by the wayside when he's actually introduced and the whole thing is just that
Ugh.
The one funny line in the whole book that I remember was the one vampire guy telling the coroner lady that he could go outside back in Philadelphia because, 'it's almost always overcast there'.
Well, honey, I love in Philadelphia, and I just happened to be reading this on a hot, humid, bright-as-fuck summer day. Seattle this is not...
Meh.
(I'm giving it 2 stars instead of 1 because it wasn't unbearable. Just tedious.)
October 3, 2015
This is a gem of a vampire book set in West Hollywood. Author Hal Bodner excelled pulling several elements together that made this book a delightful read.
First, the writing style was excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed his intelligent and thoughtful word choice that solicited some strong visuals, such as comparing the city's bus benches to concrete tombstones. The dialogue was engaging and tantalizing.
Even though this was decidedly a horror story, Bodner laced a good amount a humor in both his characters, their interaction with each other as well as during action sequences. For instance, I was reminded of the Keystone cops and the importance of timing to bring all the action together, congealing into cohesive scenes, which happened with regularity.
I thought the characters were probably the best aspect of Bite Club book. The author did a fantastic job of building off from stereotypes to create some perfectly flawed characters worth caring about. There are same sex relationships that again, Bodner developed nicely and with care. I thought the relationship between Chris and Troy was part of the highlight of this book. And while his name escapes me, the ghoul was such an enjoyable part of the story, due in large part by the humor and wit that Bodnerr endowed him with.
One other aspect of the story that I enjoyed was the setting of West Hollywood. Since i have passed through the area, I felt a connection, kind of like when I watch a movie that was filmed somewhere where I have lived or visited.
I highly recommend this book for those who are open to reading a horror book that has a LGBT relationship between two of its main characters.
First, the writing style was excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed his intelligent and thoughtful word choice that solicited some strong visuals, such as comparing the city's bus benches to concrete tombstones. The dialogue was engaging and tantalizing.
Even though this was decidedly a horror story, Bodner laced a good amount a humor in both his characters, their interaction with each other as well as during action sequences. For instance, I was reminded of the Keystone cops and the importance of timing to bring all the action together, congealing into cohesive scenes, which happened with regularity.
I thought the characters were probably the best aspect of Bite Club book. The author did a fantastic job of building off from stereotypes to create some perfectly flawed characters worth caring about. There are same sex relationships that again, Bodner developed nicely and with care. I thought the relationship between Chris and Troy was part of the highlight of this book. And while his name escapes me, the ghoul was such an enjoyable part of the story, due in large part by the humor and wit that Bodnerr endowed him with.
One other aspect of the story that I enjoyed was the setting of West Hollywood. Since i have passed through the area, I felt a connection, kind of like when I watch a movie that was filmed somewhere where I have lived or visited.
I highly recommend this book for those who are open to reading a horror book that has a LGBT relationship between two of its main characters.
Read
March 11, 2012In a beyond suspicion time, when M/M romance was still a budding genre mostly for the ebooks market, Hal Bodner wrote Bite Club, and it’s surprising how much it sticks with what we now believe being the common rules of a M/M paranormal vampire romance. Probably the only exception is the character of Becky, the girl best friend of vampire Chris, who should be a main character of her own, so nice she is.
Becky is a coroner in Los Angeles, a little overweight, a little hopelessly in love with her best gay friend Chris, Becky is a strong heroine, very clever and with a big heart. Even if she is obviously in love with Chris, she is not in a sour mood since she cannot achieve her dreams; she is genuine, so much that Troy, Chris’s long-time companion, doesn’t exactly like her, but at least is able to accept that she is part of Chris’s life.
Chris is an ancient vampire, 240 years old, and Troy is Chris’s lover since the 1950s. Chris and Becky met in the ’80, when Becky was in med school and Chris was in one of his “experiments”. Since the first moment Chris made it clear to Becky that he was gay and in love with Troy, so he has never once given a chance to Becky, but still, she cannot avoid to fall in love for the handsome man.
As I said, I like Becky, even if she has no chance to win Chris, Troy, Chris’s husband, is too much of an handful, and so cute, that no one in his good mind would leave him. Monkey, as Chris calls him, is “jumping” like the animal itself, always in motion, coquettish enough to make it clear he is gay, and proud to be, but not to the point of being a farce. Of course he is exaggerating his attitude, but I think it’s also a way to protect himself from the world, those few time Chris is not there to do that.
Chris is a little aloof, but he is obviously in love with his little monkey, and he would do everything to protect him; but he is also a good friend, and when Becky needs him, he doesn’t think twice to come to her help. Chris is probably too good to be true, but he is the friend and the lover everyone would like.
I decided to concentrate on the romance point of the novel, probably since I was surprised to find them and to be so good. But I have to warn the readers, this is also a paranormal horror, and the horror elements are quite bloody (no pun intended).
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1555839037/?...
Becky is a coroner in Los Angeles, a little overweight, a little hopelessly in love with her best gay friend Chris, Becky is a strong heroine, very clever and with a big heart. Even if she is obviously in love with Chris, she is not in a sour mood since she cannot achieve her dreams; she is genuine, so much that Troy, Chris’s long-time companion, doesn’t exactly like her, but at least is able to accept that she is part of Chris’s life.
Chris is an ancient vampire, 240 years old, and Troy is Chris’s lover since the 1950s. Chris and Becky met in the ’80, when Becky was in med school and Chris was in one of his “experiments”. Since the first moment Chris made it clear to Becky that he was gay and in love with Troy, so he has never once given a chance to Becky, but still, she cannot avoid to fall in love for the handsome man.
As I said, I like Becky, even if she has no chance to win Chris, Troy, Chris’s husband, is too much of an handful, and so cute, that no one in his good mind would leave him. Monkey, as Chris calls him, is “jumping” like the animal itself, always in motion, coquettish enough to make it clear he is gay, and proud to be, but not to the point of being a farce. Of course he is exaggerating his attitude, but I think it’s also a way to protect himself from the world, those few time Chris is not there to do that.
Chris is a little aloof, but he is obviously in love with his little monkey, and he would do everything to protect him; but he is also a good friend, and when Becky needs him, he doesn’t think twice to come to her help. Chris is probably too good to be true, but he is the friend and the lover everyone would like.
I decided to concentrate on the romance point of the novel, probably since I was surprised to find them and to be so good. But I have to warn the readers, this is also a paranormal horror, and the horror elements are quite bloody (no pun intended).
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1555839037/?...
December 11, 2017
I don't always consider a book being cheesy as a bad thing. There have been plenty of cheesy stories I've really enjoyed laughing along with. Bite Club is unabashedly cheesy, purposefully camped up and totally over the top, and I mostly enjoyed that about it. I liked the fat, Jewish heroine. I liked that the rest of the cast was diverse. Mechanically the writing is fine and the narration by Kitty, that I listened to, is well done.
However, there is a thin line between having characters play up to and with their stereotypes and writing a stereotype. On several occasions I felt Bodner crossed the line into making fun, whether purposeful or not. I cringed more than once.
But my biggest problem with this book, and if I'm honest it barely made 3 stars because of this, is that Bodner frequently goes off on long, descriptive histories of characters that divert the plot. If a character is being introduced for the sole purpose of dying immediately, I don't need 15 pages of their life story. I certainly don't need that for a dozen or so victims that play no active part in the book, plus all the actual characters. It broke the story up into small chunks between long sections of unneeded exposition, making it feel very jagged.
All in all, I'll call this an all right read, not bad but not too good either.
However, there is a thin line between having characters play up to and with their stereotypes and writing a stereotype. On several occasions I felt Bodner crossed the line into making fun, whether purposeful or not. I cringed more than once.
But my biggest problem with this book, and if I'm honest it barely made 3 stars because of this, is that Bodner frequently goes off on long, descriptive histories of characters that divert the plot. If a character is being introduced for the sole purpose of dying immediately, I don't need 15 pages of their life story. I certainly don't need that for a dozen or so victims that play no active part in the book, plus all the actual characters. It broke the story up into small chunks between long sections of unneeded exposition, making it feel very jagged.
All in all, I'll call this an all right read, not bad but not too good either.
December 19, 2017
When a series of gory murders threaten to destroy the peaceful existence of the liberal inhabitants of West Hollywood (California), a befuddled Becky O'Brien, City Coroner, decides to call for help to his old University friend, Christopher Driscoll, who seemed to know a lot about strange murderers, even back then. But Chris knows much more than what Becky expected, and he soon identifies the murderer as a vampire, because Chris is a bloodsucker himself. With his irrepressible boyfriend Troy as companion, and with the aid of a series of bizarre beings, both human and inhuman, Chris sets to stop the dangerous immortal who threatens them all…
What a great story! I must recognise this audio gem kept me entertained and laughing out loud for most of the more than twelve hours of its duration. The crazy adventures and misadventures of Chris, Troy, Becky, Sheriff Clive, Scotty the ghoul and a long list of very special characters wisely mix terror and humour, thus creating a very enjoyable dark comedy. From this colourful gallery of extravagant characters, my favourite is undoubtedly Troy, aka monkey, a harebrained twink who despite making himself a nuisance most of the time, is fiercely loyal and has a heart of gold… or sort of.
As for Kitty Hendrix’ performance, it was just perfect. Her rendition of the characters, and her ability to provide her narration with different nuances make the experience of listening to this novel an utterly enjoyable one: Her Troy is hilarious, her Chris has a melancholic vibe, her Becky is naive but sharp as nails… She provided every single character with an unmistakable personality with easy. I loved every one of them (even Rex!)
In short, and audible gem I would not doubt to recommend.
What a great story! I must recognise this audio gem kept me entertained and laughing out loud for most of the more than twelve hours of its duration. The crazy adventures and misadventures of Chris, Troy, Becky, Sheriff Clive, Scotty the ghoul and a long list of very special characters wisely mix terror and humour, thus creating a very enjoyable dark comedy. From this colourful gallery of extravagant characters, my favourite is undoubtedly Troy, aka monkey, a harebrained twink who despite making himself a nuisance most of the time, is fiercely loyal and has a heart of gold… or sort of.
As for Kitty Hendrix’ performance, it was just perfect. Her rendition of the characters, and her ability to provide her narration with different nuances make the experience of listening to this novel an utterly enjoyable one: Her Troy is hilarious, her Chris has a melancholic vibe, her Becky is naive but sharp as nails… She provided every single character with an unmistakable personality with easy. I loved every one of them (even Rex!)
In short, and audible gem I would not doubt to recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2011
This has been sitting on my shelf for a loooooong time (I bought it at Lambda Rising 5-7 years ago) and I'm kinda wishing I'd read it back then, as my tastes have changed quite a bit and I suspect I'd have enjoyed it more back then. Then again, maybe not. Bite Club is terribly cheesy and campy, which I actually consider a bonus, but I simply hated the way that vampires were generally portrayed. When I see vampires in a story, I expect even the 'good' ones to be blood-thirsty, psychologically warped, and only vaguely human in outlook and temperament, and the 'bad' ones should be truly twisted. The vampires in this book were little better than Muppets. Even the vampire 'rouge' fell flat; despite his penchant for slow torture, he came across as corny rather than frightening. In addition, a couple of other supernatural denizens of the world are introduced at points, but not much is done with them. A plot tangent that involves werewolves, for example, is never revisited or wrapped up. The author also has a slightly irritating habit of introducing a new character in the middle of an active scene only to leave said scene and spend the next several pages describing the character's background, and he does this even when a character doesn't end up being particularly important in the story (though, to be fair, his character descriptions are interesting and humorous). As brain candy goes, I've had better.
August 12, 2015
Bite Club is a tongue in cheek—well, something in cheek, story of a gay vampire in West Hollywood. It’s campy, full of clichés, and lots of fun. For the straight reader be prepared to experience a world you’ve never been, and probably never will be, a part of. If you’re looking for a serious, vicious vampire story keep looking. If you looking for a light-hearted romp filled with leather clad boys, over the top characters, campy descriptions and offbeat humor you’ll enjoy Bite Club.
October 17, 2009
Will write a better review soon, but have to say this book made me laugh more than any book has in a long time. Troy (don't you dare call him Renefield!) alone makes it worth the read. Think gay, old school monsters traipsing about West Hollywood.
October 15, 2020
It was August 2010 when I first read BITE CLUB, and I loved it! It is now 2020, and I thought it was about time to revisit West Hollywood with the novel that started it all. This time, rather than reading, I listened to the audiobook. Listening in 2020 is significant; listening in October 2020 made it eye-opening.
On the surface, BITE CLUB is still a cozy mystery, yet there is an undercurrent that has new bite today.
One does not usually think of a murder mystery as a fun book, but BITE CLUB will surely change your mind. Hal Bodner has a way with a story that will suck you into the action then deliver a right cross to your funny bone. Oh yes, and get your mind out of the gutter. This is not gay pornography; it is a character driven tale that provides very human insight into alternate lifestyles, including those of some alternate species.
WeHo has a serial killer. The bodies are piling up. The mayor is a straddle-the-fence, please everybody politician. The city manager is the other side of 60, opinionated, foul-mouthed, and with the fashion sense of a blind drag queen. The chief of police works at not pissing off the city manager. The coroner eats junk food with one hand while examining the dead body with the other. Can you see where this is going? What about the bite? That would be telling.
Overall, the narration is pretty good. I was a bit nonplussed by Kitty Hendrix's pronunciation of some simple words… "wanely" for "wanly" - "r-sing" for "arcing" - "esque" for "eschew". There were several others. I also found that her character voices didn't match the voices I've had in my head for the past ten years. She is a pleasant enough reader, but I feel that there are surely others that could have done a better job.
Here is a tale that will keep you listening well into the night to see who is going to come out on top. It's not quite a roller coaster, but you may find yourself biting your nails, then welling up with emotion, and last, but not least, laughing out loud at the antics of this diverse cast of characters.
On the surface, BITE CLUB is still a cozy mystery, yet there is an undercurrent that has new bite today.
One does not usually think of a murder mystery as a fun book, but BITE CLUB will surely change your mind. Hal Bodner has a way with a story that will suck you into the action then deliver a right cross to your funny bone. Oh yes, and get your mind out of the gutter. This is not gay pornography; it is a character driven tale that provides very human insight into alternate lifestyles, including those of some alternate species.
WeHo has a serial killer. The bodies are piling up. The mayor is a straddle-the-fence, please everybody politician. The city manager is the other side of 60, opinionated, foul-mouthed, and with the fashion sense of a blind drag queen. The chief of police works at not pissing off the city manager. The coroner eats junk food with one hand while examining the dead body with the other. Can you see where this is going? What about the bite? That would be telling.
Overall, the narration is pretty good. I was a bit nonplussed by Kitty Hendrix's pronunciation of some simple words… "wanely" for "wanly" - "r-sing" for "arcing" - "esque" for "eschew". There were several others. I also found that her character voices didn't match the voices I've had in my head for the past ten years. She is a pleasant enough reader, but I feel that there are surely others that could have done a better job.
Here is a tale that will keep you listening well into the night to see who is going to come out on top. It's not quite a roller coaster, but you may find yourself biting your nails, then welling up with emotion, and last, but not least, laughing out loud at the antics of this diverse cast of characters.
December 6, 2017
audiobook review:
"Entertaining!"
This was a good fun book to listen to. While the premise of it is all about a serial killer, don't take this one too serious. It is full of fun campy humor and the narrator Kitty Hendrix did a good job relaying that in the narration. There are a few very enjoyable characters, the coroner Becky O'Brien, sheriff Clive Anderson, Chris and Troy are the most memorable. My only complaint is that the story gets pulled away in too many different points of view, which makes the story a bit longer than it needs to be and slows down the pace.
"Entertaining!"
This was a good fun book to listen to. While the premise of it is all about a serial killer, don't take this one too serious. It is full of fun campy humor and the narrator Kitty Hendrix did a good job relaying that in the narration. There are a few very enjoyable characters, the coroner Becky O'Brien, sheriff Clive Anderson, Chris and Troy are the most memorable. My only complaint is that the story gets pulled away in too many different points of view, which makes the story a bit longer than it needs to be and slows down the pace.
May 30, 2023
Если вам 13-14 лет и вы любите гей-фанфики с юмором из «Как я встретил вашу маму», то вам зайдет. В ином случае вы можете смело пропускать эту книгу. Персонажи являются заложниками своих образов и никак не развиваются. Весь юмор строится на их чертах характера по типу девушки патологоанатома, что бесконечно кушает сладости из этого вырастают шутки про то, что она неуклюжая, вечно пачкает все вокруг и ест без остановки. Или коп с ОКР, что пытается поддерживать порядок, но та же девчонка его разрушает.
August 20, 2023
Ghouls, vampires, werewolves... It's Halloween every day in West Hollywood, California. Bodner's page-turner weaves humor and interesting, lovable characters into a plot centering around a grim, otherworldly serial killer attacking WeHo's gay male population. Enter Chris and Troy (hero vampire and renfield, respectively) sweet-addict coroner Becky O'Brien, a feisty city manager, plus a ghoul named Scott who go on the hunt for this cut-throat (pun intended) killer.
Join the club!
Join the club!
January 11, 2018
This is my review of the audiobook:
This was a terrific vampire story with lots of interesting characters. I found it completely original and entertaining. Some parts made me a little ill, then others made me laugh out loud. Both the author and the narrator did a great job here, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to other adult fans of vampires and campy yet dark humor.
This was a terrific vampire story with lots of interesting characters. I found it completely original and entertaining. Some parts made me a little ill, then others made me laugh out loud. Both the author and the narrator did a great job here, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to other adult fans of vampires and campy yet dark humor.
maybe
March 2, 2024Originally written in 1995. Humor is very slapstick/campy. Female fat coroner can't get through an autopsy without eating and spewing crumbs everywhere (read: fat shaming and female incompetence) These are apparently just examples.
July 31, 2024
Honestly, I am not sure what to think of this one. There is a lot going on and so many stereotype characters with no real depth. I think there was supposed to some humor, but by the end of the book I just wanted it to be over.
October 15, 2020
One does not usually think of a murder mystery as a fun book, but BITE CLUB will surely change your mind. Hal Bodner has a way with a story that will suck you into the action then deliver a right cross to your funny bone. Oh yes, and get your mind out of the gutter. This is not gay pornography; it is a character driven tale that provides very human insight into alternate lifestyles, including those of some alternate species.
WeHo has a serial killer. The bodies are piling up. The mayor is a straddle-the-fence, please everybody politician. The city manager is the other side of 60, opinionated, foul-mouthed, and with the fashion sense of a blind drag queen. The chief of police works at not pissing off the city manager. The coroner eats junk food with one hand while examining the dead body with the other. Can you see where this is going? What about the bite? That would be telling.
Here is a tale that will keep you turning the pages to see who is going to come out on top. It's not quite a roller coaster, but you may find yourself biting your nails, then welling up with emotion, and last, but not least, laughing out loud at the antics of this diverse cast of characters.
Read and enjoy!
WeHo has a serial killer. The bodies are piling up. The mayor is a straddle-the-fence, please everybody politician. The city manager is the other side of 60, opinionated, foul-mouthed, and with the fashion sense of a blind drag queen. The chief of police works at not pissing off the city manager. The coroner eats junk food with one hand while examining the dead body with the other. Can you see where this is going? What about the bite? That would be telling.
Here is a tale that will keep you turning the pages to see who is going to come out on top. It's not quite a roller coaster, but you may find yourself biting your nails, then welling up with emotion, and last, but not least, laughing out loud at the antics of this diverse cast of characters.
Read and enjoy!
July 16, 2012
REVIEWED: Bite Club: A West Hollywood Vampire Novel
WRITTEN BY: Hal Bodner
PUBLISHED: June, 2005
Bite Club is a fun-filled murder mystery that traipses across all of West Hollywood from its seediest underground clubs to the chambers of its political offices. Do you like your characters promiscuous and cheeky? Like Supernatural horror? Like a quick-paced plot that intertwines the emotions, history, and actions of a wide array of people and lives? If so, you'll find this novel a delightful romp across a culture that's not afraid to poke fun at itself or at others.
I'm also now looking forward to reading the sequel, "The Trouble With Hairy," which was released earlier this year and is already a major contender for a Bram Stoker Award™!
Five out of Five stars
WRITTEN BY: Hal Bodner
PUBLISHED: June, 2005
Bite Club is a fun-filled murder mystery that traipses across all of West Hollywood from its seediest underground clubs to the chambers of its political offices. Do you like your characters promiscuous and cheeky? Like Supernatural horror? Like a quick-paced plot that intertwines the emotions, history, and actions of a wide array of people and lives? If so, you'll find this novel a delightful romp across a culture that's not afraid to poke fun at itself or at others.
I'm also now looking forward to reading the sequel, "The Trouble With Hairy," which was released earlier this year and is already a major contender for a Bram Stoker Award™!
Five out of Five stars
September 13, 2014
This is a smart, funny book and a great read. Hal Bodner has a clear and clever writing voice. His characters are likable and fresh, the setting is delightful and specific and the high camp humor and satire are tempered nicely with skilled storytelling. The weird and wonderful human characters of West Hollywood are just as magical as the vampires and werewolves. Bodner makes you want to pack your bags and move in the neighborhood for awhile. Fans of camp and horror will definitely like this book. I am looking forward to others in the series.
July 25, 2025
4.5 stars. This was a really good book. My only niggles were that it was a little too long & I wanted more of the romance side between Chris & Troy. I loved the secondary characters from Pam to the German vampire couple. There was a lot of humor in this story, and I don't normally like that but it worked here. I can't wait for the next book to come out in audio!
ARC of the audiobook was rec'd in exchange for an honest review.
ARC of the audiobook was rec'd in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2012
I read this book years ago but it will always stand as one of my favorites. Not because it's a literary classic - but purely for the fact that it's fun. I found it to be quite the page turner and thought the characters were well written. Though the book was camp and "out there" it was filled with fear, sex, humor, romance, mystery and murder... all things that make a great book.
March 23, 2012
Although this novel starts out slow, it doesn't take long to really hit its stride. I found it very engaging, both because of it's humor and because of the storytelling. I would definitely recommend this to anyone with a taste for fun, supernatural stories with a smattering of well-written sex.
March 15, 2024
Bite Club is a fun book filled with quirky characters and off-beat humor. It does take awhile for the plot to really get moving and it drags in spots, hence not a 5 star rating. However, over-all it's worth reading.
April 6, 2016
Very funny, if a murderous vampire story can be funny. The coroner,the Police chief, and City manager are joined by a Vampire and his "Renfield" to solve murders in West Hollywood.
Starts a little slow but I loved it.
Starts a little slow but I loved it.
August 15, 2007
WHy am I embarassed? Ummm... it's a WEST HOLLYWOOD Vampire Novel.
Gay vampires... Don't know why I read it, but I did.
Gay vampires... Don't know why I read it, but I did.
October 17, 2009
This is my least favorite vampire novel I have read. It took me forever to read. It was really hard to get into it.
November 15, 2015
A serialkillervampireslapstickthriller!
Maybe not a perfect book, but it has likeable and funny characters as well as a scary one and is a lot of fun to read!
Maybe not a perfect book, but it has likeable and funny characters as well as a scary one and is a lot of fun to read!
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