For my first book review on the site, it was only fitting that it ended up being a horror novella with clear influences by my favorite author: Stephen King. Remarked as a “Shawshank Redemption with vampires” (mainly in my mind as Salem’s Lot) it is sufficiently coined.
Bloodsucker City by Jim Towns is an easily digestible thrill of a story, with enough bloody bits and creative turns to keep you hooked.
After Lena returns home to find her son brutally killed (yet appearing to be drained of blood) she’s swiftly wrongly arrested for his murder and brought to the terrifying and secluded prison: Steelgate. The building is old, a fortress of secrets and darkness, containing some of the worst female criminals and controlled by a group of eerily mysterious wardens.
Her welcome is anything but warm, mistreated by guards and sneered at by her fellow inmates. The only true kindness comes from her cellmate, Yvonne, a woman who knows the lay of the land and warns of the consequences of the night that remain for Lena to see.
She also finds some kinship with the prison doctor, Doctor Mears, who, much like many here, is terrified of those who rule over her. The prison is haunted by a danger that hangs thick in the air, taunting the trapped souls with the worst kind of punishment.
Some women also exude the power over others, mainly led by Greta who instantly takes a dislike to Lena.
When she is forced to spend time in the hole, she soon discovers that the evil is embedded deep and that within the shadows exists a horrible and menacing faction of bloodsucking vampires. The lore isn’t intimately explored, but it’s clear that this has been a longtime setup, that has provided frequent feedings without garnering attention from the world outside. It also takes place in the 1930s, an intelligent choice as it takes technology and other trickier concepts out of the picture. It also creates an atmosphere that feels desolate, carrying with it a sort of ancient vampiric flair.
Once Lena recognizes what’s going on, she knows that her survival hinges on one thing: escape.
The novella moves at a pace that makes it hard to put down, keeping the action and emotion closely intertwined. It is also a tale screaming for a film adaptation, something I hope occurs. As I was reading there was a visual element that made the gore vivid and the horror sinister.
Amid the occasional typo, the amount of names/characters can feel a little confusing. Mostly, it makes you take a second to reacclimate. It’s a very breezy 134 pages so some characters get less opportunity for growth and understanding. Overall, though, those crucial to the narrative are captured with colorful and unique prose. Our protagonist, Lena, is a woman to root for, strong and relatable despite the fantastic setting.
Towns is a talented storyteller, one who unites numerous horror elements and brings it to fruition with a feminine edge. Speaking of edge, this novella does not hold its punches (or should I say scalpels) and it’s all the better for it. Much of the story lingers in predictable territory but is displayed with flourishes of a darkened intrigue that oozes with creativity. One scene in particular is very bold and wickedly fresh.
Bloodsucker City is a horror novella with bite; it deserves to be devoured. It’s delightfully strange and creepy, with a compelling story by the talented Towns.
Bloodsucker City is currently on sale. More information can be found here.