A Sharpness On The Neck

by Fred Saberhagen

Overview

In 1792, Philip Radcliffe, the bastard son of Benjamin Franklin, comes to France to deliver a letter to Thomas Paine--only to get caught up in a conflict far more horrifying than the Revolution. By foiling a powerful vampire's attempt at fratricide, Radcliffe dooms himself and his descendants to suffer the vampire's eternal vengeance.

In present day, Philip and June Radcliffe are kidnapped on their honeymoon. Their captor, a mysterious Mr. Graves, swears that he aims to protect them. Yet as the thrilling story unfolds, involving Napoleon, the Marquis de Sade, and the Scarlet Pimpernel, as well as Jerry Cruncher and Detective Dupin, the young couple refuses to believe him--a mistake that is certain to cost them their lives.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940014037662
Publisher:	JSS Literary Productions
Publication date:	02/10/2012
Series:	Saberhagen's Dracula , #9
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	349
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Fred Saberhagen is widely published in many areas of speculative fiction. He is best known for his Berserker, Swords, and Dracula series. Less known are the myth based fantasies Books of the Gods. Fred also authored a number of non-series fantasy and science fiction novels and a great number of short stories. For more information on Fred visit his website: www.fredsaberhagen.com

Editorial Reviews

masterfully mixes historical and contemporary characters and settings. In 1790s France, Radcliffe, an illegitimate son of Ben Franklin, befriends Vlad, incurring the enmity of Vlad's brother, Radu … the Dracula version of a family feud has caught up with (Radcliffe’s descendants) … Saberhagen's well-imagined Dracula is almost an old friend to long-term followers of the series. Since this latest entry is well up to the highest standards, nobody is likely to be disappointed.

Roland Green

Saberhagen brilliantly paints a truly loathsome character in Radu, Vlad Dracula's sadistic little brother … (Sharpness) is full of well-researched history, as are the other novels in this series, and a delightful humor.
… This is an enchanting and innovative tale … I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone that loves history, or even vampires. And read the other books in The Dracula Series

A. Customer

There's plenty of crisp historical detail, including appearances by Napoleon and the Marquis de Sade. The series' ironic contrast between Vlad's innocence and the bloodlust of humans continues, with Vlad's aristocratic narrative voice (which alternates with third-person passages) continuing to impress. To be sure, the pace is languorous at times, but when you're spending quality time with someone who has centuries on his undead hands, what's the hurry?

A. Reviewer

As a fan of most fiction related to the French Revolution and as a seeker of the perfect Dracula, I was pleasantly surprised that a book I was drawn to more by the guillotine than the vampires may wind up leading me to my answer. I may be at somewhat of an advantage, already being familiar with the historical references and other literary characters, but I find this to be a highly skilled connection of different worlds of fact and fiction.

Estelle Chauvelin