cover image Undying

Undying

V. K. Forrest, . . Kensington, $15 (329pp) ISBN 978-0-7582-1717-2

Forrest mates an FBI thriller with an erotic paranormal, producing a hybrid that works better as fang-fantasy satire than urban fantasy. Back for their second outing (after Eternal ), the colorful Kahill vampire clan of Clare Point, Del., have for ages vowed to “rid the human race of its foulest members,” hoping that God will release them from their vampiric curse. The foul member of this installment is the Buried Alive Killer, who's slaughtered more than 10 families and for 14 years has stalked the lone survivor, Macy Smith (from the first family of victims). Using the Internet screen name Teddy, he claims always to be watching her. FBI Special Agent (and vampire) Fia Kahill has been fielding Macy's complaints about Teddy's unwanted attention; after the latest family murder, Fia calls in Macy to meet Fia's helpful vampire pal, Arlan Kahill. As they work to foil Teddy, the love triangle that develops among them is predictable, the suspense limp and the serial killer one of the most cartoonish in recent memory. Still, Forrest excels whenever things get steamy. (Dec.)