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America's favorite vampire detective is back! Book 17 in the bestselling “Vampire for Hire” series!

Samantha Moon once considered being turned into a vampire as the single greatest upheaval of her life—but she'd been wrong.

Still reeling from the aftereffects of her hunt across the higher dimensions, she hopes for a little calm before the storm to sort out exactly what she's become, and what meaning the events of the sixth dimension have for the world at large.

The dark masters had been dangerous enough when contained, but now...

A zombie in a television show her kids love speaks to her straight out of the screen. Sam initially dismisses it as a trick of the mind, but when she runs into the same woman a few days later, it's quite obvious that the dark masters aren't sitting on their laurels.

Or are they...

Her new friend turns out to be a supernatural the world has never seen before, not for real—a zombie, or at least something similar. The young woman isn't rotting or mindless, but no self-respecting dark master would want such a shell.

Fearing this poor woman is the spearhead of the apocalypse, Sam rushes to find the source of the infection before humanity is doomed.

277 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 18, 2019

952 people are currently reading
269 people want to read

About the author

J.R. Rain

654 books1,727 followers
J.R. Rain is the author of 110 novels and counting. He lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest, where he's hard at work on his next novel... and fighting off sparkly vampires.

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5 stars
549 (57%)
4 stars
282 (29%)
3 stars
108 (11%)
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14 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Chrys Minter.
855 reviews7 followers
May 12, 2021
Whoa

What an intriguing and interesting read. I'm in awe right now. This ride had me reading with one eye open. Like for real. Whoa
Profile Image for Toni.
114 reviews
August 17, 2020
It was OK. So are introduced to some new allies possibly a zombie and a Fey! Are we getting to the end of this maybe?
Profile Image for Kat Lebo.
855 reviews15 followers
August 4, 2019
Dead Moon, Vampire for Hire, #17
by J.R. Rain and Matthew Cox

I was happier with this novel than I have been over the past several novels in the series. So, let's look at what I did and didn't like.

First the didn't likes:

Although the authors say that Samantha is no longer so concerned with death and what will happen after she dies, she spends pretty much the first half of the book thinking/talking about nothing but death, returning to the Origin, how her death might be different than other immortals, etc., etc. puke. I mean, the word "dead" is even in the title. She thinks and talks about it more in this book than she thinks and talks about her children, and anyone who is familiar with this series knows her children are her number 1 concern. Sigh. Say it and move on. Likewise, in the big fight scene, she has her new character friend replay pretty much the entire series through repeating what that character is hearing from the demon she's managed to raise. I did a lot of eye-rolling in this book.

I also found two of three instances of where the proofreading fell short. All were instances of a word left out or out of order, but all should have been easily caught in the proofing process.

So, what did I like:

There was ample humor in this novel, including the obligatory mention of Judge Judy. That always makes me smile. This comparison did, too: His blue turtleneck, black pants, and hair helmet kinda make him look like Spock and Mitt Romney had a son.

The plotting was good, the pacing was excellent. I really liked the new character, Mindy, even though I am usually not a fan of zombies in any form. I liked that, besides Mindy and her maybe less than helpful father, Sam handled this adventure on her own, without help from Kingsley or her son, or Allison (well, except once), or any of the others who often show up to save her bacon.

What would make me like it better? Get over the need to mention the hereafter in every novel. This one sort of succeeded, in that the problem was definitely not divine in nature. Hopefully the future novels will continue to see less prothelytizing and more good old supernatural action (both on the side of good and evil).

So, as far as this reader goes, the series will live to sell another novel.
Profile Image for Theresa.
4,111 reviews15 followers
August 17, 2019
Zombies! That’s a new one for Sam. But, of course, there’s a twist.

Sam is happily adapting to no longer needing to drink blood. She is still a vampire but now requires psychic energy. But now that she can live halfway normal her youthful looks are beginning to be noticed in relation to her teenage children.

Her first case of finding the kidnapped boy is heartwarming, but the people at the women’s shelter should have been the ones to help with the relocation, not Sam.

On the way back from helping the mother and son relocate to Phoenix she runs into the zombie problem.

The story is interesting, but there is way too much internal thinking on Sam’s part. It doesn’t need 2 pages of thought between someone coming in the bedroom door and them saying hello. Especially thinking about something that’s already been mentioned at least a couple of times previously (Most readers have a fairly good memory and don’t need that much back story repetition). Sam needs to control her anxiety and stop overthinking everything

Footnote: 1) It sure makes it easy for the author to come up with new stories for Sam when anything can show up, manifested by a collective consciousness.

2) How do zombies get out of the cement, lead-lined crypts they bury people in nowadays?

Fave scenes: Sam’s take down of Walter, the taco wagon, the roofie guy and washing off hardened demon gook.
Profile Image for LadyBoss.
9 reviews
May 21, 2019
Definite Change

I’ve been a huge fan ever since I read the first Knighthorse novel. I’ve read every single Vampire for Hire installment, and I dearly love Samantha and the gang. However, while certainly not bad by a long shot - this latest didn’t quite hit the mark.

There was definitely a change in the writing in this one. The tone and feel of the main characters, especially Sam, is noticeably different. The dialogue has changed the voice of the main characters just enough to be a bit distracting. And, why so much swearing? I’m not offended, it just doesn’t fit. Another thing that kept knocking me out of the story was the repetition in at least the first third of the book. How many times do we need to be reminded that Sam used to be a vampire and now is not, or that the momvan is old and tired - among other details that kept repeating.

So, I’m not hugely disappointed, the writing is not bad by a long shot and I’m hoping that I’ll get used to the slight differences in writing style.
1,190 reviews8 followers
April 18, 2019
I really enjoy this series, this book was no different. I loved the dialogue between Samantha and the other characters. The zombie story line was great, it was such a different take on it. I really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed the new character Mindy and hope to see more of her. I laughed so hard at the bathroom scene. The Vampire for Hire Series gets better with every book. I could not put down at all. If you like fast paced plot, with intriguing characters and a plenty of sarcasm. This is your series.
I highly recommend this book/ series to everyone, not your typical vampire. That is what I love about it.
The authors know how to hook the readers from the first page to the last. Then you are wanting the next book right then.

I received an ARC copy of this book, I am giving my honest review of the book
Profile Image for Karen.
23 reviews
April 23, 2019
I have been with this series since the beginning. The story just gets better book after book. I love that Sam goes through the same everyday things most of us do. Only her days just have a bit more spice.
I like the new twist in Dead Moon, I anxiously await the next book just like I always do.
For readers looking for a great series, this is the one for you. Whenever anyone asks me for a great book I tell them to start here, well with The Vampire for Hire of course.
Witty writing, Believable characters, A story line you can relate to. This series has it all. Every mom wants to do it all and Sam is no different. She just has to be more creative.
Thank you as always!
Profile Image for Mary Carolyn .
117 reviews1 follower
November 28, 2020
Can't believe a Samantha Moon book earned 3 stars from me. All this was, was going over her past, and endless thoughts, memories, and silly obnoxious banter about and with her kids. And enough with Anthony's "skid marks!" Gross, and hes a teen now, stop it! She just can't be this shallow, after all she has seen. This story was so tedious that I found myself skipping pages constantly, passing all the memories and irrelevant conversation. I will give one more a try, but they are steadily going downhill. Sad because I voraciously binged on the first 15, but now, they are just seemingly cranked out.
359 reviews4 followers
March 7, 2020
It has been GREAT fun reading these 17 books, GREAT FUN!!!!

I didn't think I would or could have such fun reading a seventeen book series, but there you are. 😁 The human mind is a strange and wonderful thing. To be able to construct a world so close to our own reality and yet to be outside our reality is amazing.

In this installment, Sam has to learn about more of herself and her reality. It is good fun and spellbinding. She is bound to do other wild and wonderful things in the next installment. Have fun!
525 reviews5 followers
May 16, 2019
These books just get better and better!

Sam Moon lives as a middle to low income private investigator raising two normal teens. Wrong! She is a supernatural being, as are her kids. But the problems of everyday life exist. Homework, older momvan that needs to be replaced, not enough money, zombies.....ok, not so normal. This series just doesn't stop being entertaining. I can't wait to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Carol.
428 reviews4 followers
June 1, 2019
Dead Moon (Vampire for Hire Book 17)

This was, as usual a really fantastic story. There is ALWAYS lots of action with Samantha Moon. There was bound to be a zombie story with the usual antics of Sam where something is always there for her to figure out and fight the monsters created for her to save the world from disaster.
I will sure be anxious to see what Sony comes up with for the films. I know it will be great because Samantha Moon is a Super Hero of us all.
6,726 reviews5 followers
September 18, 2022
Entertaining fantasy listening 🎶🔰

Another will written fantasy world 🌎 haunting vampire adventure thriller novel by J. R. Rain Vampire for Hire Series book seventeen. Samantha Moon 🌙 is hired to investigate a young 😎 college woman being turned into a Zombie. They go to her home and fight the zombies and demon. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of fantasy novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening. 2022 👒😤😡
17 reviews
May 19, 2019
Another unbelievable adventure.

A thrilling ride from beginning to end, Samantha is on another roller coaster ride of mystery and adventure and learning to cope with the everyday life of her new situation, from locating a kidnapped child to running into a new friend and thwarting another plot to take over the world. A very good read.
John Eric Hyatt
Profile Image for Diane Hassett.
21 reviews2 followers
March 6, 2020
99% Dithering with about 3 pages of story

How did this get published? It’s like the notes to the writer on the character’s mind, 90 pages of reviewing former stories, then bad analogies to television with an ‘Oops, here is three pages of what would be the story.’

It is clear the love between JR Rains and his characters is gone. And now so am I.
Profile Image for Dawn Gee.
2,979 reviews11 followers
October 5, 2020
A new monster

A new type of monster is introduced in this book. However, I really like the girl's personality. I hope we see more of her later. Sam is trying to figure out what brought about the new monster and what this means for humanity. A demon reveals a lot but not sure how much is the truth.
Profile Image for Donna Wicklein.
223 reviews
April 2, 2021
It seems like this series is just meandering and the author is coming up with random storylines that just don't tie together. Usually in a series, you are enticed to read the next book in the series because there is something that was left unresolved or some story arc that hadn't been completed. Just not feeling it and it is getting hard to continue with this series.
Profile Image for Barbara "Cookie" Serfaty Williams.
2,705 reviews5 followers
April 20, 2019
Dead Moon (Vampire for Hire Book 17)

Samantha and family are back. Samantha is now fighting zombies. A young girl goes to a clinic to be a lab ray for $500 but it turn out to be one by dark masters and turn her is to a zombie make. Ok story
Profile Image for Pam Miles.
154 reviews3 followers
June 14, 2019
Samantha Moon 🌙 #17

Another good Vampire for hire book! It looks like #18 will be fun!! I love all the Sam Moon books! If you like this series, I recommend this book! I've enjoyed every one of this series books! Thank you JR Rain!!
Profile Image for Nancy.
1,048 reviews12 followers
June 15, 2019
Zombies, really!

Awesome read fast paced and lots of action love the snarky interaction between Samantha and her daughter and son are great, very entertaining read with lots of twists and humor
39 reviews
August 31, 2019
Whew! Please tell me again theyre not real.

It is amazing to me that someone can write this many books essentially about the same or similar things and still force me to finish it asap to find out what happens. This is one of those. Enjoy!
48 reviews
May 26, 2020
Some sections very repetitive, and a little tiresome. How many times in the 17th novel in a series does the reader need to be reminded her boyfriend is a werewolf, or hear her inner dialogue ramblings?
Profile Image for Bigred6126.
1,384 reviews3 followers
March 26, 2021
Moon

I really like these books. I thinks it's really awesome that they are digging into all things supernatural. Zombies are definitely the bomb. New creatures keep pooping up. Can't wait to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Barbara Marie Warner.
1,591 reviews2 followers
November 4, 2021
Dead Moon (Vampire for Hire Book 17)


As always JR Rain didn’t disappoint—- love Samantha Moon…
Another spectacular Vampire for hire book! It looks like #18 will be fun!! I love ❤️ all the Sam Moon books !!

I recommend this book! I've enjoyed every one of this series books!

Profile Image for Michele Evans.
1,213 reviews9 followers
December 31, 2022
love Samantha Moon!!

Love reading about her journey and transformation from mother of two to single mother vampire to what she is today! In this book there be zombies!!! What will the dark masters think of next!! Loved Mindy too!!
729 reviews4 followers
July 12, 2023
Zombies are not my favorite

Hopefully, this is just world building, I missed the many dimension hopping of the last book in the series. I didn’t enjoy reading a whole book about zombies.
462 reviews4 followers
April 3, 2024
Dead moon

I don't like zombies but still enjoyed the plot I love how all the characters have a place in the family firm like supernatural police , great characters great story a well deserved 5stars
Profile Image for Dreia Wells.
Author 32 books552 followers
April 19, 2019
Just lovely

Haven't laughed that hard reading Samantha Moon in a long time. It was an excellent read and Mindy needs her own series!!
82 reviews
April 23, 2019
Fantastic book!

This a great book is a fantastic series. I love Samantha Moon and her family. I can't wait for the next one. I am hoping Mindy will get her own spin off series!
17 reviews
April 28, 2019
Binge read

I become more and more addicted to Samantha her family and friends with every book I read. I didn't think I could live this series more but then another book is released.
20 reviews
June 8, 2019
Excellent

An nice easy read sam just can not stay out of trouble
Can not wait for the next I installment
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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