Monday, May 9, 2011

A Taste of the Nightlife-Sarah Zettel

A Taste of the Nightlife
Sarah Zettel
Obsidian, Jul 5 2001, $7.99
ISBN: 9780451234070

In a world much different than this one; humans know vampires, weres, witches and warlocks exist. However, the paranormal species do not have the same rights as humans as they must register, but share most all the other liberties. Although vampires can drink human blood, it must be freely given and not sold as a commodity. There exists special clubs and restaurants that cater to the nocturnal creature crowd where vamps can drink and meet friends while mundane food is also served.

One such restaurant is Nightlife, an up and coming in place that serves “Noir Cuisine”. Chef Charlotte Caine and her vampire brother Chet own the place. One evening a drunken warlock Dylan Maddox causes trouble with spells and almost burns down the joint; shortly afterward Dylan is found murdered in Nightlife’s foyer. Charlotte later finds a vial of human blood and fears her brother is involved. She des not turn the vial over to the police. Instead the dead man’s brother Brendan a security expert and Antole the restaurant critic join Chef Charlotte in investigating what happened though that means walking the thin red line of were-vamp politics.

Fantasy author Sarah Zettel provides readers with a delightful riveting urban fantasy amateur sleuth tale. The whodunit is complex while the cast range from quirky to dangerous and to charming (except in Caine's kitchen). The twisting story line is fast-paced while containing plenty of biting action and humorous interludes. Readers will want to stop for a bloody drink and A Taste of the Nightlife if only in their thoughts.

Harriet Klausner

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