Unholy Awakening

At the start of Gregorio's stellar fourth historical featuring Prussian magistrate Hanno Stiffeniis (after 2009's A Visible Darkness), Hanno and his wife are struggling to go on after an epidemic in their hometown of Lotingen claims the life of their infant son. When the body of seamstress Angela Enke turns up at the bottom of a well with two circular wounds in her neck, Hanno sets aside his grief to investigate. His efforts to interrogate the enigmatic Emma Rimmele, the victim's employer and a newcomer to the town, are derailed by his attraction to her. Meanwhile, the locals leap to the conclusion that a vampire is responsible for the murder, and that Angela herself will soon rise from her grave to prey on them. Once again, Gregorio (the pen name of Michael G. Jacob and Daniela De Gregorio) conjures up a pervasive atmosphere of fear and menace, while using the plot line to provide insights into the mind and heart of his complicated lead. (Oct.)