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Beautiful Familiar
On a dark and stormy night, Catherine Meadows finds herself stranded on a remote Scottish moor. Spotting a light in the distance, she soon discovers a mysterious castle, but she has no idea that she's about to meet one of the world's last great vampires.
For more than a century, this castle and its occupants have been plagued by tragedy. The vampire has a strange familiar, a servant who seems agitated by Catherine's arrival. All is not as it seems, however, and Catherine soon realizes that she's been drawn into an age-old struggle.
Can she tame Edward Blume, a vampire who fears his time has passed? And can she uncover the terrifying secret that's guarded by Edward's familiar?
For more than a century, this castle and its occupants have been plagued by tragedy. The vampire has a strange familiar, a servant who seems agitated by Catherine's arrival. All is not as it seems, however, and Catherine soon realizes that she's been drawn into an age-old struggle.
Can she tame Edward Blume, a vampire who fears his time has passed? And can she uncover the terrifying secret that's guarded by Edward's familiar?
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 19, 2022
204 people are currently reading
169 people want to read
About the author
Amy Cross
664 books1,684 followersAmy Cross writes novels and short stories in a number of genres, mainly horror, paranormal and fantasy. Books include The Farm, Annie's Room, The Island, Eli's Town and Asylum.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 3, 2025
3.5 stars. Amy Cross takes a very classic vampire plot and puts some very unique, creative spins on it. We are thrust into a first person view of the vampire's servant, Martha, which I thought was a really different concept. Usually it's from the POV of the vampire or the victim, but this was different and well-done. And the ending was something that I didn't expect but it went pretty big. The book is extremely dialogue heavy and feels repetitive at times, dragging certain ideas out much further than needed. There could have probably been a good 30-40 pages cut out and it wouldn't have hurt anything. The premise, the characters, the settings are all very typical lore, so nothing new is introduced in that respect. But, again, Martha is in the spotlight and she does not disappoint. Far from my favorite Amy Cross work, but still an enjoyable read for fans of Bram Stoker's Dracula.
December 8, 2022
3.5⭐'s
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August 8, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (8/8/2018)!💝
February 20, 2018
This was not at all what I expected from the blurb - I was ready for a vampire romance featuring Catherine Medows as the protagonist. What I got was a strange, twisted tale told from the perspective of 'Martha', the vampire's familiar. This is a true Gothic story, with plenty of atmosphere, strange twists and turns, and a focus on obsession rather than love (in the romance genre sense). I thought I was prepared for a big twist at the end of the book, but I got even more than I bargained for! If you like your fiction dark and atmospheric, this is definitely worth a read.
August 15, 2022
This one was hard to get into and make sense of, at least for me.
A woman's car breaks down in a horrific storm and she walks towards a light she sees in the distance. When she arrives, she's at an old castle, and finally a disfigured woman answers the door. The woman is strange, invites her inside, and says the master of the house is home and will meet her tomorrow. The young woman, Catherine, just wants a tow truck and to be on her way, but that doesn't happen.
Martha, the disfigured woman, is a familiar, which means she takes care of her master, the vampire, Edward. Edward is quite handsome, but is very cruel to Martha. She must obey him and protect him from any harm, yet it's clear how unhappy she is. She makes excuses so that Catherine cannot leave or make phone calls. Eventually, Edward does make an appearance and Catherine is charmed by him.
There are lots of weird twists to the story, with somewhat of a love story, but when you realize what is actually happening, it's pretty bizarre.
A woman's car breaks down in a horrific storm and she walks towards a light she sees in the distance. When she arrives, she's at an old castle, and finally a disfigured woman answers the door. The woman is strange, invites her inside, and says the master of the house is home and will meet her tomorrow. The young woman, Catherine, just wants a tow truck and to be on her way, but that doesn't happen.
Martha, the disfigured woman, is a familiar, which means she takes care of her master, the vampire, Edward. Edward is quite handsome, but is very cruel to Martha. She must obey him and protect him from any harm, yet it's clear how unhappy she is. She makes excuses so that Catherine cannot leave or make phone calls. Eventually, Edward does make an appearance and Catherine is charmed by him.
There are lots of weird twists to the story, with somewhat of a love story, but when you realize what is actually happening, it's pretty bizarre.
September 7, 2018
Gothic horror/love story!
This was an exceptionally mature and we'll written book from the Amy Cross stable. I did not guess the ending in advance and was all the more enthralled with the story because of that. A real page turner!
This was an exceptionally mature and we'll written book from the Amy Cross stable. I did not guess the ending in advance and was all the more enthralled with the story because of that. A real page turner!
February 14, 2019
I love Amy Cross but I couldn't get into the story.
March 25, 2018
Almost perfect
Catherine is headed to a town called Oban when her car breaks down in a thunderstorm. She sees a light and starts heading to it hopefully to get some help. Little does she know that she's heading into the most horrifying event of her life. As she steps into the castle the author Amy Cross makes you desend into her spiraling nightmare.
I really wish I could give this book more than five stars because it deserves more! This is a fantastic book. I've read the the majority of Amy's books and by far this is the very best one!
Please take the time to read this and enter into the abiss that will keep you on the wide and winding roller coaster long after you've finished reading!
Catherine is headed to a town called Oban when her car breaks down in a thunderstorm. She sees a light and starts heading to it hopefully to get some help. Little does she know that she's heading into the most horrifying event of her life. As she steps into the castle the author Amy Cross makes you desend into her spiraling nightmare.
I really wish I could give this book more than five stars because it deserves more! This is a fantastic book. I've read the the majority of Amy's books and by far this is the very best one!
Please take the time to read this and enter into the abiss that will keep you on the wide and winding roller coaster long after you've finished reading!
March 15, 2018
This is a sad but cleverly put together mystery about...no spoilers from me.
The characters are fascinating and the first-person narrative gives the story depth and emotional strings that run throughout so that there is no telling how it will end and a realism that makes it believable.
This tale is a mixture of horror, revenge and love, with a great easy to read writing style (not too many typos). Although, it's a pity that an English author with a story set in England chooses to use American phrases, words and spelling.
Enjoyable and engaging and a recommended read.
The characters are fascinating and the first-person narrative gives the story depth and emotional strings that run throughout so that there is no telling how it will end and a realism that makes it believable.
This tale is a mixture of horror, revenge and love, with a great easy to read writing style (not too many typos). Although, it's a pity that an English author with a story set in England chooses to use American phrases, words and spelling.
Enjoyable and engaging and a recommended read.
March 9, 2018
Bad. Boring. DNF. I even read this way longer than I normally do with books I hate. And then I tried skimming ahead through the book to find anything worthwhile. it's not a book for me. It's mind numbingly boring and everyone is unlikeable and stupid and the conversations were insanely awkward and badly paced and IM DONE.
March 31, 2018
Well, this book was a first for me. I think I should read it again. Don't try to figure out the ending because you'll probably be wrong. I loved this book. I'm going to check out the rest of her books.
November 24, 2018
Another fun the genius that is Amy Cross. A beautiful love story between a vampire & his familiar with the brilliant story lines & twists that we've grown to love from Ms Cross. Looking forward to diving into her next novel now.
February 25, 2018
Great read again
March 24, 2018
What?!
This book delivered plot twist after plot twist. I couldn't put it down. Definitely going too read more by Amy Cross.
This book delivered plot twist after plot twist. I couldn't put it down. Definitely going too read more by Amy Cross.
April 4, 2018
Gripping Read
So many good things to say about this book
You never know what is coming next and you will never guess the outcome. Give this book a read you won't regret it
So many good things to say about this book
You never know what is coming next and you will never guess the outcome. Give this book a read you won't regret it
April 24, 2018
Another good read.
Another great book by Amy Cross. It keeps you guessing until the last page.
A moden twist on an old age vampire story.
Another great book by Amy Cross. It keeps you guessing until the last page.
A moden twist on an old age vampire story.
May 21, 2018
It is a great book to read
July 2, 2018
It was okay, not my favorite by this author
July 8, 2018
I loved it! Very interesting twist at the end. If you like plot twists this one is a must.
November 5, 2019
Brilliant😁
Great storyline , wasn't expecting that ending 😊really kept me hooked right up until the end highly recommend this book 😉
Great storyline , wasn't expecting that ending 😊really kept me hooked right up until the end highly recommend this book 😉
August 23, 2022
Every book by Amy Cross is an experience and this was no different. Twists and turns until the last page.
September 12, 2022
Good
Great Read, not really sure if I enjoyed it much? Drags on a bit for me but still a good price
Great Read, not really sure if I enjoyed it much? Drags on a bit for me but still a good price
May 3, 2021
Okay, totally interesting and not something I have really read before. 100% recommend if you are looking for something weird and unexpected. That ending was WOAH.
February 15, 2018
This was a wild ride the entire time. what I loved most about this book was the constant guessing on how it was going to unravel.
I can honestly say I didn't see it coming until the very end when the reveal is made.
A sad romance that has the potential to have a happy ending.
I can honestly say I didn't see it coming until the very end when the reveal is made.
A sad romance that has the potential to have a happy ending.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews