At least it was a quick read. Yeah. I'm a sucker for gothic horror and mix that with some gaslight detective shenanigans and I'm there. This came suggested over social media after I posted my review of [b:Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula|1963165|Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula|Loren D. Estleman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1340751070l/1963165._SY75_.jpg|1966254]. However, to be honest, I definitely liked that one better than this one. Not to say that I disliked this one, I definitely liked it but it kind of put Dracula more forward than the detective and presented a familial connection between them that I thought was unnecessary and kind of stupid. Although, I liked the twins born of vampire love affairs with human women idea where one is a savage monster in-waiting and the other fully human, poor J.Harker.
I would rather have had holmes facing off with the count rather than Dracula be primarily and somewhat personally involved in the plot which eventually brings together the great detective and the ancient fiend as awkward allies. I didn't buy that part of it at all. The plot to ransom London or unleash plague rats into its sewers was cheesy goodness but seemed to me that maybe a higher-caliber villain (not sure about Moriarty though) rather than a character from Bram Stoker's Dracula would have been more fitting. The plot also involves (however briefly) a monster plague-carrying rat from abroad with a penchant for human flesh. That one is gold mind you and should have had some more to do with the story than it did. I have to tell you, that I was supremely disappointed that a book involving Dracula and a plague-rat plot did not feature a swarm of hideous rats overwhelming some poor clod and munching them down to a bloody skeleton. Ah, what could have been?
Overall, it wasn't bad, I did like it but as to checking out the rest of this 'series' of books, probably not though I do have [b:The Dracula Tape|930315|The Dracula Tape (Dracula, #1)|Fred Saberhagen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1567905107l/930315._SY75_.jpg|70163] in my to-read stack, so there's that. Would I suggest it? Well, if you've already read Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula and are looking for something similar then - yes. Otherwise, I would steer you to that book before this one. ( )

Both Dracula and Sherlock Holmes are after the same dastardly villains, but for different reasons. Dracula is on a path of brutal vengeance, leaving bodies the police believe are the result of an insanity-strengthened killer, while Holmes is working for the Crown in a case of blackmail that threatens the lives of all who live in London.

The two are destined to crash together.

Fun, adventure, mystery, and a handful of familiar characters, to those who know the original Holmes and Dracula stories. ( )

Count Dracula and Sherlock Holmes meet over a case where a deadly plague is about to be released in London.

I enjoyed this book. I like how the narrator is always present and is not the same person throughout the book. I loved how Dracula was setting the record straight as well as how he references Bram Stoker's telling of his story. I enjoyed the suspense of the story and never realized who the villain was until the end of the story. I liked the world building of this Dracula and Holmes world. Both characters were well developed and thought out.

I look forward to getting the rest of the series. Very entertaining. ( )

An old man who has been knocked unconscious comes to in a room where he is bound with metal restraints to a hospital gurney. He doesn't know who he is or where he is. What his captors don't know is that this is no ordinary elderly man; in fact this isn't a man at all. Later, down by the docks, a woman is found dead, drained of blood. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson just happen to be in the neighborhood working on a case when they are approached by Lieutenant Lestrade. Sherlock examines the crime scene and discovers more peculiarities than just the sanguinated body. One clue is a dressing gown used in hospital wards with bullet holes. The Great Detective tells Lestrade to have divers search the water around the pier where the body was found. They find an oil cloth bag with closed metal restraints. Can the captive old man be related the bloodless corpse?

This is the second novel in "The Dracula Sequence" written by Fred Saberhagen. If you are a fan of Sherlockiana, as I am, and you have read or know Bram Stockers "Dracula", then you can read this book as a stand alone story.

Saberhagen characterizes Dracula as a man of honor who only kills when he or someone he is sworn to protect is threatened. He normally does not feed on people, but on vermin. When he bites a woman it is a sexual encounter to him and he does not kill the woman. The characterization of Holmes and Watson is pitch perfect. Holmes is frantic and intelligent. Watson is loyal and courageous. The best thing is that Watson is not described as a bumbling fool.

This book caught me by surprise. The description of the opening scene sets the pass for the entire novel. The chapters jump from Dracula's point of view to Watson's and back. This was an entertaining well written story that will not disappoint Dracula or Sherlock Holmes fans. ( )

Nice book, but I'd rather not have the POV changes. (At least there were only 2 narrators.) ( )