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

 

Title:  The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires

Author:  Grady Hendrix

Narrated by:  Bahni Turpin

Publisher: Blackstone Publishing

Length: Approximately 13 hours and 49 minutes

Source: Checked out with Hoopla through the Kewaunee Public Library.  Thank-you!

 

What is the last book that surprised you?

Patricia Campbell was formally a nurse, but she has become a stay-at-home mother for her two children while her husband works to further his career as a doctor.  She joins a book club of other mothers in the 80’s that reads and analyzes true crime novels.  In the 1990’s, a mysterious new stranger moves into the neighborhood.  Patricia has suspicions about who he really is, but can she get anyone to believe her?  Or has she been reading too many true crime novels?

My thoughts on this book:

·       This was the Rogue Book Club pick for March, and it was a great different type of read for our group.

·       This book was a wild and entertaining ride.  I loved it!

·       The plot was unique.  I loved how the women had to band together to take care of a menace in their neighborhood.

·       I was infuriated when the husbands would not believe Patricia.  They cared more about making money and their own pleasures rather than what was best for their families.

·       I liked how the novel was written to show how evil descended on the neighborhood and how willing people were to go along with it.

·       Trigger warning - there were elements of horror, gore, and extreme violence in this novel.

·       I see mixed reviews on this book, but I really enjoyed it.

·       I liked how this book was humorous, handled a variety of issues, and also had horror.  It was a good mix.

·       This novel looked at racism and how when children disappear in the black neighborhood, no one cared.  It also looked at sexism.  The men do not believe the women and want to keep them in their homemaker roles.  In the end, it is the women who get the job done.

·       I listened to this novel on audiobook, and it worked well.  It was a book I wanted to keep driving to listen to.

Overall, if you are looking for a unique book experience that combines horror, humor, and societal issues, I highly recommend The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires.  It was a crazy, enjoyable read.