Image credit: Photo by Mark Tegethoff on Unsplash

As part of Wyrd and Wonder’s #Spooktasticreads I thought today would be a good time to shine the light on some Vampire stories.  I’ve not tried to capture everything here but have gone for a selection of some of my favourites.  Tomorrow I will be reviewing my most recent Vampire novel – Dracul by Dacre Stoker

1. Dracula by Bram Stoker one of the earliest vampire stories.  A classic and a firm favourite.  Told in epistolary style this really is a must read.
2. The True Blood series by Charlaine Harris.  The Sookie Stackhouse books are a great deal of fun.  They’re saucy and have everything from vampires and shapeshifters to fae.  I did kind of tail off a little towards the end but even so a series that’s well worth picking up.
3. I am Legend by Richard Matheson.  This is not a book that you could ever class as fun – watching one man’s slow spiral into loneliness and madness is difficult – but this book is worth the read.  The ending – that is all.
4. Twelve by Jasper Kent.  This is the start of a series about the voordalak (vampires by another name).  Set in Russia during the Napoleonic Wars this is a series that spans time concluding during the final years of the Romanov family.  This is not a tale for the faint of heart.  
5. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice.  This is one of a few books where I actually saw the film first and whilst I can’t deny that Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise and Christian Slater were running around in my head during the read I still thoroughly enjoyed this.
6. The Coldest Girl in Cold Town by Holly Black.  A YA standalone.  Coldtowns are places where vampires, the infected and humans mix together.  Once you’ve entered you can never leave. 
7. Sunshine by Robin McKinley.  Set in an alternative universe where ‘others’ exist Sunshine is the main character who’s own special abilities lead to a partnership with her worst enemy.
8. Fevre Dream by GRRMartin.  Well, George Martin doesn’t do anything by half measures and his vampire novel is no different.  Think the antebellum era, The Mississippi and steam ships – then fill them with dangerous creatures and let the blood flow.
9. Vampire Empire by Clay and Susan Griffith.  Ahh, I loved this series – the two main characters are just so good.  Yes, there is a romance but on this occasion I can safely say I really didn’t mind at all.
10. The Fifth House of the Heart by Ben Tripp – this book has so much going for it.  I had an absolute blast reading it, there are some nasty critters and the central character Sax is a total show stealing, over the top, antique dealing maniac.  The setting ranges from dusty chateau, damp and creepy cave to vampire laboratory and the action is pretty fast and furious.
11. The Complete Double Dead by Chuck Wendig.  Another unflinching book.  The central character, Coburn, is a vampire.  He’s been having something of a long sleep (not self induced) and when he awakens it seems like most of the population (and his food source) have turned full on zombie.   This is a fast paced, blood soaked ride.
12. Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia.  OMG I loved this book and I’ve stolen the following description from Google Books because, well, it’s just spot on ‘combines elements of Latin American mythology with a literary voice that leads readers on an exhilarating and fast-paced journey. Welcome to Mexico City, an oasis in a sea of vampires’.  Yes, read it.
13. Salem’s Lot by Stephen King – what can I say.  Stephen King is just ‘it’ when it comes to writing anything dark, spooky, creepy or down right horrific and Salem’s Lot is as you would expect – brilliant. 

I expect there’s something here for everyone, ranging from fun to downright horror.  This isn’t intended to be an exhaustive list though, I haven’t read everything after all so feel free to share your recommendations with me.