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There is evil afoot in the town of Sumter, Alabama… and it’s not the vampire in Josephine Nicolson’s basement.
A man is found stabbed through the heart and the blame is placed on Ronnie Dunn, the brother of Josephine’s maid. Not long after, another man is found with a knife in his head and the most obvious culprit is local sheriff’s deputy, and Josephine’s ex-flame, Bobby Tucker.
Convinced that neither man is guilty of the crime he’s accused of, Josephine enlists the aid of Baron Dragomir Blakso to help find the real murderer. What follows is a dark journey into the occult that just might get them all killed… or signal the end of the world.
A man is found stabbed through the heart and the blame is placed on Ronnie Dunn, the brother of Josephine’s maid. Not long after, another man is found with a knife in his head and the most obvious culprit is local sheriff’s deputy, and Josephine’s ex-flame, Bobby Tucker.
Convinced that neither man is guilty of the crime he’s accused of, Josephine enlists the aid of Baron Dragomir Blakso to help find the real murderer. What follows is a dark journey into the occult that just might get them all killed… or signal the end of the world.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2018
153 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
About the author
A.E. Howe
40 books161 followersA. E. Howe lives and writes on a farm in the wilds of north Florida with his wife, horses and more cats than he can count. He received a degree in English Education from the University of Georgia and is a produced screenwriter and playwright. His first published book was Broken State; the Larry Macklin Mysteries is his first series and he has plans for more. Howe is also the co-host of the "Guns of Hollywood" podcast, part of the Firearms Radio Network. When not writing or podcasting, Howe enjoys riding, competitive shooting and working on the farm.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 13, 2021
2021 bk 306. Second of the series and I felt the mystery was much stronger than the first. I continue to learn tidbits about the south during the depression. The mystery kept me hanging on until the wee hours of the morning.
July 30, 2018
This is book two in this new paranormal murder mystery series and I would recommend reading the books in order. In this installment, bank heiress Josephine Nicolson and her basement-dwelling "long lost relative," Baron Dragomir Blasko, discover that they've developed a taste for investigation. When the owner of the local drugstore is murdered, the last person to see him appears to have been a young deliveryman, who is taken into custody. The young man is the brother of Grace, Josephine's maid. Despite the antagonistic and suspicious relationship between Grace and the Baron, she asks him to help find the true killer. Along the way, Josephine, Blasko and their friends discover that at least some of residents of their tiny Alabama town are dealing with evil forces, the kind that make a detective vampire seem like one of the good guys. Why is Sumpter, Alabama, suddenly so popular with the supernatural?
This book brings more intriguing character development and very authentic-sounding dialogue. Macklin writes terrific relationships, doing a wonderful job of capturing the complex mix of affection and conflict between those who have known each other for years. Occasional slips into contemporary expressions don't significantly detract from the story.
Thank you to the author who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
This book brings more intriguing character development and very authentic-sounding dialogue. Macklin writes terrific relationships, doing a wonderful job of capturing the complex mix of affection and conflict between those who have known each other for years. Occasional slips into contemporary expressions don't significantly detract from the story.
Thank you to the author who provided a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
September 18, 2019
Who doesn't like a Cthululian mystery? In comparison to the first book, this installment of The Baron Blasko Mysteries is darker, delves more into the paranormal, and also opens up for an overarching mystery for the series.
I won't bother with a summary since there are already good ones out there, I will just say a few things:
-I really hate Josephine's self-righteous cousin and hope he ends up being a villain.
-I also hope that Josephine's relationship with the Baron develops. I don't necessarily need a ton of romantic scenes, I'd just like to see them interact with each other more so that there was a clearer bases for their feelings.
-I absolutely love the nods to H.P.Lovecraft and can't wait to figure out what the unifying factor in the paranormal being drawn to the town is.
-As I said in the first book, love the subtle humor.
I won't bother with a summary since there are already good ones out there, I will just say a few things:
-I really hate Josephine's self-righteous cousin and hope he ends up being a villain.
-I also hope that Josephine's relationship with the Baron develops. I don't necessarily need a ton of romantic scenes, I'd just like to see them interact with each other more so that there was a clearer bases for their feelings.
-I absolutely love the nods to H.P.Lovecraft and can't wait to figure out what the unifying factor in the paranormal being drawn to the town is.
-As I said in the first book, love the subtle humor.
July 31, 2018
Here we ago again! AEHoweis going to have to send out seat belts for his readers! Book two brings the great characters from Fangs. That was one. And now he adds some more location perfection, more zany characters. He even had read my mind. Book two was done and in the mail( just a saying, nothing to see, stand back folks) before I even thought of what he should do and where to take this. He's a sharp fella this Howe dude, yes indeed.
So don't waste time, it's a lovely Tuesday evening, at least here in Paris Ontario Canada, and you have time to do yourself a decent! Buy the book, read the book, relax with the book. You deserve it
Bye, I hear the books in the forest calling my name👻
So don't waste time, it's a lovely Tuesday evening, at least here in Paris Ontario Canada, and you have time to do yourself a decent! Buy the book, read the book, relax with the book. You deserve it
Bye, I hear the books in the forest calling my name👻
July 30, 2018
The second book in the Baron Blasko series delves more deeply into the paranormal as Josephine and the Baron investigate a new series of murders that seem to involve those close to Josephine. More humor as the Baron buys a fancy car and learns to drive. Several new characters appear, including one who claims to be Josephine's long lost relative, but is more interested in the books of the occult, and tries to kill the Baron. The style makes for an easy read, and the characters are very understandable. I finished this book with a thirst for more of Josephine and the Baron.
April 21, 2021
I am really enjoying this!
I thought vampire vs modern woman, cool! I thought period piece, picturing the 30s movie woman carving out a new place in the world. (I love the references to thirties culture!) As a northerner I was fascinated by the southern world view, if dismayed by the casual bigotry. I think Howe negotiates the line between how bad it really was and what a modern reader can stomach. But I may have squealed out loud when her cousin arrived,; I hadn't anticipated a Lovecraft connection. So much fun!
I thought vampire vs modern woman, cool! I thought period piece, picturing the 30s movie woman carving out a new place in the world. (I love the references to thirties culture!) As a northerner I was fascinated by the southern world view, if dismayed by the casual bigotry. I think Howe negotiates the line between how bad it really was and what a modern reader can stomach. But I may have squealed out loud when her cousin arrived,; I hadn't anticipated a Lovecraft connection. So much fun!
September 30, 2018
A very good addition to the series.
I like this one better than the first. Once again, Josephine and Blasko are involved with solving a murder, which later becomes more than one murder. There are twists and surprises. The mystery is more complicated than in the first one. Plenty of motives and suspects. I like the humor. There is also an insidious element, which was not in the first one. Howe adds the racism and sexism of that time into the story. This
I like this one better than the first. Once again, Josephine and Blasko are involved with solving a murder, which later becomes more than one murder. There are twists and surprises. The mystery is more complicated than in the first one. Plenty of motives and suspects. I like the humor. There is also an insidious element, which was not in the first one. Howe adds the racism and sexism of that time into the story. This
January 19, 2026
Sometimes I find both Blasko and Josephine a tad irritating, but their characters continue to show growth, so that's a plus. I'm really enjoying the series and plan on continuing. The mystery in this installment was better thought out and the pacing was excellent. It didn't lag and I almost read it in one sitting.
October 11, 2018
Wow
This series is as spell binding as Maclin series! I am definitely hooked.. My only problem is the author can't write fast enough! Once you start either series you can't wait for the next book.
This series is as spell binding as Maclin series! I am definitely hooked.. My only problem is the author can't write fast enough! Once you start either series you can't wait for the next book.
January 12, 2020
Loved it
Sometimes the second book in a new series is not as good. I think this one was better. It was a tighter mystery. More elements of paranormal. It was also more darker. I enjoyed it and can't wait to download the next book.
Sometimes the second book in a new series is not as good. I think this one was better. It was a tighter mystery. More elements of paranormal. It was also more darker. I enjoyed it and can't wait to download the next book.
March 28, 2020
I thought that when I read the 1st book in the series that a vampire living in Southern Alabama was stretching things. But in the 2nd book, we conjure up things from the underworld with chants and incantations to summon even more evil. Suspend your disbelief and read it as another thriller.
April 12, 2022
Such a wild adventure!
Who would think a vampire would be the crux to rescuing a small town from evil men and their plot to bring forth a demon? Loveable characters that come to life, and make you want to keep turning pages, even after bedtime. Must read series!
Who would think a vampire would be the crux to rescuing a small town from evil men and their plot to bring forth a demon? Loveable characters that come to life, and make you want to keep turning pages, even after bedtime. Must read series!
May 15, 2025
It's A big world
Loved reading this second book in series. Main characters remain along with all sorts of supernatural happenings. Highly recommend this book to super naturally inclined.
Loved reading this second book in series. Main characters remain along with all sorts of supernatural happenings. Highly recommend this book to super naturally inclined.
July 8, 2025
The series is set in the early 1930s, and the author does a great job of taking the reader back in time. Knives had me guessing until the end. Already borrowed Claws from Kindle Unlimited.
The Baron bought himself one beautiful car!
The Baron bought himself one beautiful car!
August 26, 2018
I really love this new series. Can't wait till the next one's out!
August 29, 2018
I really like this new series by A.E. Howe. It's a different vampire story. It has it sad, it's glad and a lot of fun and mystery. Like a roller coaster of emotions.
September 25, 2018
Excited about the new series!
I'm a big fan of the new book series featuring The Barron. I'm looking forward to the next novel in this series.
I'm a big fan of the new book series featuring The Barron. I'm looking forward to the next novel in this series.
January 7, 2019
Good book
So nice to read something fun but gruesome for a change I liked the characters and the plots are interesting.
So nice to read something fun but gruesome for a change I liked the characters and the plots are interesting.
November 18, 2019
Interesting and very different, well worth reading
January 5, 2020
Addicting?
Not sure why I'm enjoying this series so much. Must be because the characters are entertaining and the writing style is unique. Want to read more.
Not sure why I'm enjoying this series so much. Must be because the characters are entertaining and the writing style is unique. Want to read more.
January 7, 2020
Other worldly
I like the author. So,I tried this. It kept me interested but, I am not really a fan of the occult.
I like the author. So,I tried this. It kept me interested but, I am not really a fan of the occult.
January 18, 2020
Entertaining
Mystery, murder, paranormal and romance. What more could you ask? I also like the time period of the nineteen twenties.
Mystery, murder, paranormal and romance. What more could you ask? I also like the time period of the nineteen twenties.
January 4, 2024
Although these are standalone stories, it is advisable to read book 1 before embarking on book 2 as the introduction as to how the 2 main characters met etc helps make sense of things. I loved "Fangs" and "Knives" is as good, if not even better. Howe just goes from strength to strength. "Knives" is full of fast paced thrills, nail biting tension and brilliant humour. I enjoy the dialogue and the plot is excellent, a bit darker than the first, but spine chillingly delicious. I like the way that Howe has captured the ambivalence of the relationship between Josephine and the Baron and can really empathise with the up and down feelings that Josephine has about him.
Great read, cannot wait for the next offering. Thank you to A E Howe for an ARC; this is my honest opinion
Great read, cannot wait for the next offering. Thank you to A E Howe for an ARC; this is my honest opinion
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews