Review: Vampire Detective Midnight Collection One: Books #1-3: A Vampire, Fated Mates, Science Fiction Detective Series by J.C. Andrijeski 5 of 5 stars

Vampire Detective Midnight Collection One: Books #1-3: A Vampire, Fated Mates, Science Fiction Detective Series by J.C. Andrijeski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a great collection of the first three books in the Vampire Detective Midnight series by JC Andrijeski. In it we read about the adventures of Naoko "Nick" Tanaka is a vampire homicide detective recently transferred to the NYPD where he works in the employ of the human police. Individual book reviews follow:

#1 - Vampire Detective Midnight - 5*

Naoko "Nick" Tanaka is a vampire homicide detective recently transferred to the NYPD where he works in the employ of the human police. Described as a "Midnight" he gets his food delivered to the government housing he lives in. His wish is to be left alone and be able to work in peace but after just two weeks it all goes sideways when paintings start to appear on the street predicting murders with great accuracy before they happen. He becomes embroiled in the artist, dead hybrid-humans, a school principal who unsettles him and a conspiracy involving a very prominent and rich New York family. As he gets sucked into it all further will he survive or get re-programmed?

I absolutely loved this brand new series from this author which had a lot of grit, determination, drama, danger and raw emotions from the characters. I can't wait to find out what happens to Nick next and see where the stories take him. You can tell from the way he behaved in this story that he is going to be right there in the thick of anything happening in the future. Well written this was really enjoyable and I think would appeal to those who have enjoyed the Bridge and Sword series as well as new readers to the author.

#2 - Eyes of Ice - 5*

Nick is pulled into the world of underground boxing to help solve a case where they drain vampires for their blood and venom before extracting their hearts and tossing them outside of the safety of the dome. He might still be suspended but that doesn't stop him from getting involved, now he needs to reassure his girlfriend who now believes he has a death wish - especially as he does everything he can to avoid talking to her about whatever it is that is happening between them. Can Nick survive the ring and can he keep his relationship at arm's length?

This was a very dramatic instalment of the series with sections of graphic violence and sexual content in places. In this book we see Nick doing what he does best - going all in trying to find out who is behind the vampire harvesting/killing even if it puts himself in mortal danger. He also sticks true to form and doesn't handle relationships very well which was maddening to the point I could have throttled him at times!! Well written and easy to understand the thoughts and emotions that the characters were experiencing (even if I didn't always agree with them). If I had the chance to give Nick a message through the pages, it would be to stop being a dick and see what he has. Definitely recommended.

#3 - The Prescient - 5*

Vampire detective Nick associates with a few seers currently in his life including one who might come across as antisocial but has a talent for painting things before they happen (even though he only knows to paint it and not what it means). The latest one is of a bomb doing off in downtown New York however by the time Nick sees it, it is too late. With no leads apart from the painting, a murdered human who is the partner of eccentric vampire Straven (star designer and architect) he has little to go on. Soon it is apparent that a robbery gone wrong is not the right conclusion to make as it is something far more sinister with very far-reaching consequences. As part of the investigation, Nick will have to go too close to a life he thought he had left behind and he will see his ex-girlfriend with a new vampire boyfriend in a hip vampire club which sends Nick almost over the edge. Can Nick solve the case, work things out with Wynter and survive all the obstacles thrown at him?

OMG - so many surprises and intrigue for the future. I won't put any spoilers in here, but I'm relieved how some of this story went although there are some worries for the future there too. Keeping my fingers crossed for the characters in the future. I loved the detailed way that elements of the story were slowly peeled back (like layers in an onion) and the relationships that were built for the future between Nick and the humans he works with within the police. I loved what happened between Nick and Wynter (sorry can't say more). Well written and very easy to understand and feel, I'm wondering what is going to happen next in this very detailed world in the mind of the author. I just know it's going to be great.

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