Pale Death

Lee Nez #3

by David Thurlo, Aimée Thurlo

A string of mysterious, gruesome deaths in the Shiprock area has attracted the attention of FBI agent Diane Lopez, who is stunned to learn that one of the victims was a childhood friend. To Diane, the killer is unmistakably a vampire—but the only vampire she knows of is Lee Nez, a State Police officer who prefers his blood chilled in the refrigerator, not hot from someone’s neck.
Supernatural explanations for the deaths abound—some believe they are the work of the "goatsucker" spirit, others that the killer is an extraterrestrial. Lee Nez, assigned to the case at Diane’s request, privately agrees with her that there’s a vampire on the loose, but announces that they are looking for a serial killer.
Lee and Diane discover that the victims all worked for a secret government lab that was studying a captured vampire, Stewart Tanner. Half-insane from being experimented on, Tanner broke free and took revenge on the doctors and technicians who had been torturing him.
Desperate to remain free, Tanner threatens to continue killing federal employees unless the US government agrees to leave him alone. In a violent confrontation, Tanner discovers that Lee is a vampire. Believing Lee is colluding with the government, Tanner vows to kill him.
Complicating matters, forensic specialist Dr. Victor Wayne, who began the case as a skeptic—believing Tanner had a rare blood disorder—has begun to believe in vampires. And has turned his attention on Lee . . . .
Trying to turn Dr. Wayne back into a skeptic while protecting federal workers, tracking down Tanner, and staying alive—or at least undead—taxes all of Lee Nez’s abilities, natural and supernatural.

Genres: Mystery, Vampires, Native American, Fiction, Fantasy, Paranormal Mystery, Paranormal

256 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

David Thurlo, is co-author of the Ella Clah series, the Lee Nez series of Navajo vampire mysteries, and the Sister Agatha novels. His other works, co-written with his wife Aimée, include Plant Them Deep, a novel featuring Rose Destea, the mother of Ella Clah, and The Spirit Line, a young adult novel.
David was raised on the Navajo Reservation and taught school there until his recent retirement. He left Shiprock briefly to complete his education at the University of New Mexico.He lives in Corrales, New Mexico, and often makes appearances at area bookstores.

David and Aimée Thurlo were married for forty-three years. Aimée, born in Havana, Cuba, died in February 2014.

The Thurlos' novels, translated into many different languages, are available around the world.

Reviews

[Coralee Hicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lee Nez was the third protagonist created by Aimee and David Thurlo prior to Aimee's death.
Lee is a half vampire, saved from a full vampiric fate by a Navajo shaman. The Thurlo's created a non traditional theory of vampirism suggesting a blood born virus causes the transformation. In addition, people retain their personalities. A law officer, Lee, can continue to be a law focused justice seeker.
Six decades after his transformation he now works for the New Mexico State Police. He is often partnered with Diane Lopez, an FBI agent. Diane knows his secret. By book 3 they have moved to a lovely slow paced romance.

This novel moves away from the Navajo world. Here the focus is on vampires and evil scientists.
What happens if an unscrupulous scientist discovers that vampires exist? Nothing good, as Victor Wayne, a bad guy from bk 2, has captured and is 'studying' Stewart Tanner. Tortured into insanity, Stewart escapes going on a major killing spree. It is up to Lee and Diane to stop him without exposing Lee's secret.

The novel is a full on chase procedural through the Four Corners region of New Mexico. The descriptions appear so authentic, the reader feels like they could travel to Farmington and drive the same streets as Lee and Diane. This was written in 2005, but does not feel dated. A good solid
rainy day read.

Recommended

[JJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would have guessed it was possible to make an incredibly boring story about a half-vampire, half Navajo cop romantically entangled with an FBI agent chasing down another vampire but whew this was snoozer. It was like 45 min TV episode stretched out to 2.5 hours. No secondary plotlines, no interesting side characters, just endless, boring pursuit of someone on the run. There weren't even interesting clues. Indeed, except some mild super strength, and some sun sensitivity there wasn't really anything even vampire-y about this book. Just boring, so very boring.

[Teri-K · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a fan of creepy or gruesome books, but lately I've been in the mood for some low-key thrillers and I grabbed a few pbs at the library. This one was a hit. If you're looking for non-stop vampire action you'l be disappointed; this is much more a police story involving a couple of super-strong people. No blood sucking, no sex, just a nicely done tale of cat-and-mouse that hit the spot for me. I'd happily read more in this series.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy these books.

[Lynette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Better than the last one but not by much

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A vampire series that is different than most. Featuring a half vampire Navajo cop this is the third book in the series. The main character, Lee Nez, is a Navajo that is only half vampire. In his world there are vampires, also known as nightwalkers, shape shifters, and other creatures from Native American legends. Some are good, some are very bad. While the Lee Nez books don't have any of that beloved, or one and only romance stuff, they do have plenty of mystery, action, and adventure.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, although not as much as the first two. This one didn't have as much of the Native American folk lore in it. The story also kept repeating itself. They chase the bad guy, he gets away, they chase him again. I still liked it though and will read the next one. Hopefully the next one in the series will be more like the first two.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems to part of the vampire bandwagon but it was written longer ago than I first thought. Perhaps Lee is better developed in the earlier books. It was well enough written that I did want to finish it.

[Charlie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started this expecting a take-off from the Ella Clah series. When is discovered the vampire connection, I read a little more but just couldn't accept the premise. Thirty pages were enough. Not for me!

[Leilablair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Series about a Navajo vampire hero who has to fight bad vampires and skinwalkers. Very entertaining light reading.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 2 out of 5]

not so into these as their other two series

[Jon Mamaril · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good plot - good pacing - but the longer I read the more I think that I'm reading into an episode of a typical vampire TV series.

[Karen Desmond · Rating 4 out of 5]

4

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not big on vampire stories but I like Lee Nez. A different take on the whole genre.

[Thea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this 3rd novel of Lee Nez.