Review: The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
Also by this author: My Best Friend's Exorcism, Paperbacks from Hell
Published by Quirk Books on April 7, 2020
Genres: Fiction, Horror, Supernatural, Thrillers
Pages: 408
Format: Hardcover
Source: the publisher
Goodreads

Patricia Campbell's role as a stay-at-home mom has evolved over time. Now that her children have gotten older and have their own lives, they don't need her as much anymore.  Instead, a large portion of her time is taking care of her senile mother-in-law.  The one thing she looks forward to is her book club.

They aren't the "traditional" book club, so to speak.  What once started as a stuffy, boring discussion of the "standard" book club choices transitioned into one focused on true-crime. Made up of some of her closer friends, their discussion easily vacillates between neighborhood gossip and the most recent serial killer they've read about.

Everything changes when they meet James Harris. James moves into the neighborhood to take care of his elderly aunt.  Thus far, he's kept to himself, preferring to keep indoors during the day.  Patricia's mother-in-law swears that she knew him as a child, but her senility prevents anyone from really believing in her.

When strange things begin happening in town, and children begin to go missing, Patricia worries that the very man they've welcomed into their homes is just as deadly as they killers they discuss in book club.  Unfortunately, James Harris has won the hearts of those around him.  It's up to Patricia and her book club to rid the their neighborhood of the monster that dwells among them.

Whoah!! I’m a fan of Hendrix’s books (I’ve read every one of them) but this one quickly rose to the top as a favorite.  Toted as Dracula meets Steel Magnolias or Fried Green Tomatoes, it really is the most unique of vampire tales.  Hendrix took his time building up the characters, allowing readers to get a fake sense of security about this southern book club.  Additionally, it pays homage to the 80s and 90s and some of the traditional vampire lore, but quickly takes off to create a truly captivating and genuinely well-developed story-line.

Those  who have read Hendrix before are familiar with his satire; though it’s not as prolific in this title it certainly comes to light several times throughout.  This, too, is perhaps a touch higher on the horror and gore scale (I’m not complain) so perhaps this is why I tend to favor it more than the others.

Hendrix excels and proving what I’ve been saying for years: book clubs kick ass!

All in all, a completely captivating read. Highly, highly recommended!