Historian I am going to use the fact that I was a history major as an excuse for why I picked up this long, epic and original book. After I read the jacket summary and discovered it was about vampires — specifically, the search through historical documents for the tomb of the Dracula, who is suspected to not really be dead inside of it — I have no more excuses.

Yes, it’s fluff. But who doesn’t like to curl up in a soft, wooly, warm and exciting pile of fluff now and then? Only people who have no tiny place in their hearts for the Snuggle fabric softener Bear or the tee-hee of the Pillsbury Doughboy. In other words, those who take themselves far too seriously for their own good.

I admit, I was intrigued from the first by the appearance of a book on the main character’s desk, a mysterious ancient book with a dragon woodcut in the center. Then, there are academic clues and letters from mentor to protege beginning: “To my dear and unfortunate successor…”  There are disappearances and illegitimate children and Budapest — Oh, how the description of Budapest brought back my own memories of that city on the Danube — and the gothic drama was simply too delicious to ignore.

Sometimes in my quest for “literature,” I forget there are wonderful books that just tell a really good story. And no Pam, you don’t need to be ashamed to bring your zombie book to work any more. Your book and mine can sit side by side in the break room, the undead to the undead, and become fast friends.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars – Vacation book club selection