Man Made Murder: The Blood Road Trilogy, Book 1

In this sinister introduction to the Blood Road Trilogy, Rider gets deep into the gritty life of touring bands in 1978: traveling from town to town, playing for all they’re worth, then getting back on the bus and heading on down the road. One such band is Man Made Murder, and lead singer Dean Thibodeaux personifies the hardcore rocker. But when Dean asks a biker to help him score a little weed one night, he receives a bite to the neck that gradually transforms him into a light-shunning creature with a thirst for blood. Though Dean’s story is well written and menacing, it has many similarities to Rider’s first novel, Suckers, which diminishes the suspense and novelty. But there’s something to be said for playing to one’s strengths, and Rider has a clear talent for combining the persona of the road-warrior musician with a creepy, blood-curdling vampire origin story. Rider’s fans may be a little disappointed, but new readers will enjoy this dark tale and look for more in the series. (Oct.)