piercing the darkness undercover with vampires in america today

I follow my own muse, because it leads me on interesting adventures. I've been fortunate to be able to find great joy in what others have written and sometimes to give this to readers. I've loved books since I was 3, and the library was a highlight of my childhood. A rollicking story of blood, sex, violence, and fashion in all their various combinations. In one memorable scene inside an exclusive S/M club, Ramsland concludes an evening of research by treating a female masochist to a good, solid whipping. Ramsland is admirably guileless throughout, throwing herself, body and soul, into situations that would run counter to most people's common sense. With each new foray by Ramsland (previously noted for celebrating Anne Rice in several books) into the unknown, we are treated to fascinating insights into the personalities and motivations of people who might well be the world's most devoted fans of Rice's supernatural melodramas.

What the story might lack in integrity, it more than makes up for in sheer strangeness. The book traces her circuitous route through AOL chat rooms, Paris's underground tunnels, and any number of goth and 'vampyre' clubs, pursuing leads and hunches that seem to materialize from thin air. While that story line ultimately sees less light than the vampires themselves, Ramsland's rambunctious, rambling tales of nightclubbing, international travel, and meticulous wardrobe selection among the creatures of the night provide ample entertainment. Katherine Ramsland sets Piercing the Darkness up as a story about Susan Walsh, a wannabe journalist who mysteriously disappeared while researching 'real' vampires.

Piercing the darkness undercover with vampires in america today