Title: The Case No One Foretold
Author: L.G. Fabbo-Gonnella
Series: Mark Julian, Vampire P.I., book five
Genre: Mystery, Detective, Gay romance, Paranormal
Length: Novel
Publisher: Ai Press
Synopsis
Two men engage in an altercation in a movie lobby. Later one of the men turns up dead in a New York City alley. But this is no ordinary murder. The deceased is a sex demon and his fellow combatant was the werewolf, Jean-Claude Roué, fiancé of Mark’s shape-shifter secretary. Now the werewolf is accused of his murder and faces a trial by before a supernatural tribunal. If Jean-Claude is convicted for causing this death it will mean his execution. This time however, Mark Julian is away on a personal investigation in Kenya so Tortego, the crafty vampire chief, goes to an unusual source to secure help. Using his powers as head of New York City’s supernatural community he appoints Mark’s human partner, Detective Vincent Pasquale, to be one of the three judges for Jean-Claude’s trial. Now Vinnie must not only fight to clear his friend, Jean-Claude, he must deal with his supernatural co-jurists: the werewolf Viola Lupa and the sex demon Dale Carter. Both of his companion judges are on record as sworn enemies of “any mixed supernatural mating.” Throw in a shifty shape shifter named Andelan Clarke, Ja-ne the original Oracle of Delphi and, a sexy TV newsman from the island of Guernsey who appears to be more interested in bedding Vinnie than nailing a story and it truly becomes “The Case No One Foretold!”
I was lucky enough to be sent the first book in the series, which I read so I know how Mark and Vinnie got together, and I loved that book. I have to say these is very different to what I would normally read, but the author keeps you hooked with the goings on in the books, and I can honestly say I love this series.
In this book, it was Vinnie who took to the main stage, and an awesome job he did too, I really loved how he took things over in the court, and how he handled his fellow judge Dale. Mark was away at the time, but I think to begin with he was wondering what was happening, but then seemed to forget about it all - but I am sure there was something else going on then, especially with the ending in this book.
If you love reading about shape-shifters, vampires, werewolves and any other shifter you can think of, and you love a good mystery then this series is for you. I will be looking out for the future books in this series, just to see if Mark and Vinnie are able to solve the big mystery that is hanging over them, and if they both survive this investigation with their love and lives intact.
Please also see below for the brilliant Guest Post that I was sent to add to the review, it explains the series a lot better than I can :)
Before I begin let me give a tremendous thank you to Gay Media Reviews for asking me to do a guest post. Blogs like this let a writer connect with his readers and potential new ones. I hope, after reading this post, they don’t regret hosting meJ.
I also think introductions are in order before I tackle this subject. My name is L.G. Fabbo-Gonnella. I write the Mark Julian Vampire PI mystery series. So yep, that is a plug just in case anyone reading that line was unsure about it.
My mysteries take place in contemporary New York City. Well, to be fair, they take place in the supernatural world that exists in tandem with this contemporary city. But, from my books title, my hero is a private eye who happens to be a vampire. By the way, would now be a good time to mention he has a shape-shifting sex demon secretary who prefers to dress in the style of the 1940s? She rocks, but I’m prejudiced about her. But she is another possible post topic.
The point of this post is the traps that await me when I sit down to write one of the Julian books. Since my hero is a vampire who died at the dawn of the early Roman Empire it stands to reason he has been alive for quite some time. That fact is a two edged sword when I write the books. On one hand I can weave his recollections of his past lives into each book thus, I hope, making it a richer reading experience.
BUT, and it’s a big one, when I’m writing a “past life” section I know I need to be sure about every fact during that time frame. I’m not just talking about getting the correct dates though, that helps a lot. I mean getting right the critical details of that period. If I write about a costume, a ceremony, a physical description of a building/room even the spelling of an ancient word I need to be pretty darn sure about it. Why? Well first, I feel it’s my responsibility not to be slipshod with my books and thus my readers. The second is fear based: if I mess up someone, e.g. reader, will let me know and fast. I do not want to lose that trust from any of the people who read my books. So I research an era of the past then research it again from another angle.
Most times this process is not a problem. Sometimes, however, it can be difficult especially when historical sources do not agree on what was going on or how things were done etc. In those cases I take my best shot. I go with one side or the other’s interpretations and cross my fingers. Worse is when there is only a vague historical record of that time frame. When that happens I stick to the current historical thoughts about the period.
In the end it’s really all about making the book fun and informative too. I picked my hero, or rather he picked me, so we both make the best of it. I may not write like Tolstoy but I think I write a rattling good yarn. But do not take my word for it. Go buy one of the books in the series and check me, and Mark Julian out. Now about that secretary ....*wink*
“I fail to see how hiring another killer will solve the issue,” the woman sharply stated in annoyance while staring over at the man seated across from her. “I mean the last set of vampire murders hardly solved the problem did it? In fact, that spectacular failure may have potentially cast a rather unwelcome light upon our activities.”
“I have to agree that your hiring another assassin to remove the persons on your new hit list was hardly inventive,” the tall man next to her added as he stared at the same person to whom the woman had just spoken too. “Besides, was killing all those other vampires truly required?” He grumbled. From the tone of his voice it was clear that he too shared the woman’s irritation with the person opposite them.
The slightly built male individual to whom they had addressed their criticisms said nothing for a few seconds. From his facial expression however, it was obvious to them all that he was inwardly seething over their comments. After a minute however, his face lost all outward hint of his internal anger. “I think disposing of those vampires who sat on that commission was unavoidable.” He calmly replied. “They knew too much about our plans, or else they had too many suspicions based upon what they inadvertently discovered in the records.” He gave them a chilling look; grinned at the discomfort it gave to the others in the room then continued speaking.
Buy Links
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B016B0F3ZE/
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B016B0F3ZE/
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B016B0F3ZE/
Amazon DE: http://www.amazon.de/dp/B016B0F3ZE/
Giveaway
Prizes: 2 bundles of books one & two in the Mark Julian, Vampire P.I. series; 3 copies of Book One in the series, The Case of the Choirboy Killer
a Rafflecopter giveawayMore in the Mark Julian, Vampire P.I. Series
While each individual mystery can be read as a stand along, there are storylines that continue from one book to another, so we recommend you use the series in order:
Book One – The Case of the Choirboy killer
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L8H28U4/
Book Two – The Case of the Strega’s Touch
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LU0DNF8/
Book Three – The Case of the Heavenly Host
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PD1LGKY/
Book Four – The Case of the Vampire Hunter
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0113C3UNM/
About the author
L.G.Fabbo-Gonnella is a resident of NYC. He has often said Manhattan is the underlying unspoken character in many of his books. “I guess its a love affair that I have with her,” he once said. “I could live here forever and yet still find magical things about her that I never knew existed.
When not seeking out interesting new locales for his books he can be found dinning with friends and enjoying all the city he adores has to offer.
Though he has not yet met the supernatural denizens of NYC, he does hope too one day. And yes, there is a “letter Lounge” albeit under a different name.
He can be reached at [email protected]
Facebook: https://facebook.com/Mystery-writings-of-LG-Fabbo-Gonnella
Website: http://fabbo-gonnella.blogspot.com