Death Masque

Jonathan Barrett, Gentleman Vampire #3

by P.N. Elrod

With the Revolutionary War making itself felt in his Long Island home, Jonathan Barrett and his sister Elizabeth seek refuge on the distant shore of England. However, Jonathan has yet another reason to make the he is still searching for Nora, his lost love and the woman responsible for his recently discovered taste for blood. That search takes Jonathan back to the home of his mother's sister, where he discovers a plot against his family that puts him in danger from the most unlikely of suspects. But his new enemies will soon realize that it is very difficult to kill a Barrett—particularly one that is already dead…

Genres: Vampires, Fantasy, Fiction, Paranormal, Historical Fiction, Urban Fantasy, Horror

285 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Patricia Nead Elrod is an American fantasy writer specializing in novels about vampires. Her work falls into areas of fantasy and (in some cases) mystery or historical fiction, but normally not horror, since her vampires are the heroes. -Wikipedia

Reviews

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book three is sad to read. Jonathan's life is just at a whirlwind. I mean, yes, he did create these issues himself by taking Miss Nora's blood during book one. However, it is her fault in a way due to her leaving him to fight for himself and be like a newborn calf.

So, book three. To read that he can't make his trips across seas anymore and being asleep for the journey: it is sad because he wanted to be there for his sister to make sure her and his butler / valet is safe from everyone else. It goes through the story of how life is in London for the three and their family and the small adventures they have. Unfortunately, towards the end, the lady in charge of the family / clan died. There is reasoning behind the speculation and Jonathan find out on the second to last page that he does have a son.

This book does breach the smut actions. However, it is similar to the first book in being tame and not very telling on the actions. It is similar to book two in the hinting of actions happening, but they do not say specifics.

I do hope book four gives us more insight on things and helps Jonathan come to the complete and full terms of his life - being a vampire and having a son now.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable story in the series.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read in the series, though it's #3 - I was able to catch on pretty quick though, kudos for the Tory perspective on the American Revolution. Less impressed with the abrupt ending which was more suited to a magazine serial than a novel.
This is also another series that has vampires intimately involved with human reproduction. It would be one thing if vampires could get pregnant, but really no animal, carnivore or hemovore messes with their victims reproductive practices. (Well, apart from a few opportunistic microbes.)
Oh well. Vampire fiction evolved in the age of Freud, not Marlin Perkins.

I know the author slightly from our mutual involvement in DFW fandom in the years shortly before this book was originally published. I was actually, pleasantly surprised with the readability as a whole. I can see why it sold realtively well and has stayed in print for well over a decade.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seriously the world wants jonathan dead. Every book this man would have leaped off the mortal coil at least once, usually twice, occasionally even thrice, if not for Nora's "gift".

This book he's back in England, this time with Jericho and Elizabeth, reuniting with his cousin Oliver. There's the now usual Fonteyn family drama. Some lady-drama. Some dueling. Book ending is a twist that you don't really see coming that ties it all nicely together.

[Kathy Davie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this series before the Jack Fleming one; its main character has a run-in with Jack.

P. N. Elrod has a very different take on the vampire; hers are good!?! Interesting look at the Revolutionary War from the Loyalist perspective.

[Kiri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although bordering on simplistic the story and characters are engaging and well-written, and there's a fairly interesting take on an old theme.