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Available
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Publication
Quirk Books (2020), 408 pages
Description
Fiction. Horror. Literature. Thriller. HTML: Fried Green Tomatoes and Steel Magnolias meet Dracula in this Southern-flavored supernatural thriller set in the '90s about a women's book club that must protect its suburban community from a mysterious and handsome stranger who turns out to be a real monster. Patricia Campbell's life has never felt smaller. Her ambitious husband is too busy to give her a goodbye kiss in the morning, her kids have their own lives, her senile mother-in-law needs constant care, and she's always a step behind on thank-you notes and her endless list of chores. The one thing she has to look forward to is her book club, a close-knit group of Charleston women united by their love of true crime and paperback fiction. At these meetings they're as likely to talk about the Manson family as they are marriage, motherhood, and neighborhood gossip. This predictable pattern is upended when Patricia meets James Harris, a handsome stranger who moves into the neighborhood to take care of his elderly aunt and ends up joining the book club. James is sensitive and well-read, and he makes Patricia feel things she hasn't felt in twenty years. But there's something off about him. He doesn't have a bank account, he doesn't like going out during the day, and Patricia's mother-in-law insists that she knew him when she was a girl�??an impossibility. When local children go missing, Patricia and the book club members start to suspect James is more of a Bundy than a Beatnik�??but no one outside of the book club believes them. Have they read too many true crime books, or have they invited a real monster into their homes… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member sturlington
As someone who grew up in the South during the 1980s and '90s, I recognized the people and places Hendrix writes about in this novel. It's the story of a group of Southern SAHMs who form a book club that mainly reads true crime and then discover a real monster in their midst. This is a big,
I also wish that people who review books as being racist and sexist would back up their claims with evidence from the text. It's a pretty serious charge to level, and I have to wonder if it's a knee-jerk reaction to a book being truthful about the ways things are or were (and this book is truthful about the 1990s South--I lived it). Or is it that the reader didn't give characters a chance to evolve or deepen or for satire to reveal itself? This book throws a lot of shade on how men treat women generally and how housewives in particular are devalued. There is also commentary on how society ignores crimes targeting Black people such as the Atlanta children murders. The time and place the book was set in were sexist and racist (still are, in a lot of ways), not the book itself.
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somewhat over-the-top, sometimes squicky horror book, which makes it a perfect summer read, in my opinion. I highly enjoyed it. And I am fans of the women characters--they are tough, roll up their sleeves and do what they have to do. I want to join their book club.I also wish that people who review books as being racist and sexist would back up their claims with evidence from the text. It's a pretty serious charge to level, and I have to wonder if it's a knee-jerk reaction to a book being truthful about the ways things are or were (and this book is truthful about the 1990s South--I lived it). Or is it that the reader didn't give characters a chance to evolve or deepen or for satire to reveal itself? This book throws a lot of shade on how men treat women generally and how housewives in particular are devalued. There is also commentary on how society ignores crimes targeting Black people such as the Atlanta children murders. The time and place the book was set in were sexist and racist (still are, in a lot of ways), not the book itself.
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LibraryThing member Narshkite
I don't read horror as a general rule, and also don't generally enjoy horror movies. I find they are either boring or genuinely scary, and I do not like being bored and/or scared. I had heard some buzz about two earlier books from Hendrix, Horrorstor and My Best Friend's Exorcism but I had passed
Why then did i pick up this book? Well, every year I do the Book Riot Read Harder challenge, and this year one the prompts required me to read a horror book from an independent publisher. In other words, this book was something to be gotten through. Then I read it, and SURPRISE! I loved it. I could have done with less blood and vermin and dismemberment and decomposition, but I get that I am not the target audience, and that audience wants all of that. Everything else though, was genius. This is a brilliant send up of gender, class and racial divides in South Carolina in the 70s. Certainly things were not that different in Michigan at the same time when I was a small child but some things are pure southern. In Atlanta (where I raised my child) these ladies would be "Buckhead Betties," and Hendrix nails this demo, with love and honesty. I don't want to spoil this, because its surprises are a great strength but Hendrix finds in this story a perfect illustration of how we devalue black lives, how we keep women in their place, how we define and defend our tribes (for good and ill), and how money talks and critical thinking walks. This book is smart and funny and insightful, and hella creepy. Highly recommended!
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on both because, as previously mentioned I don't like being scared. In any event, if there is an RDA for fear I get it every day reading the front page of the New York Times (this is true even when we are not living through a pandemic among the ruins of a destroyed economy and a systematically dismantled medical research system.)Why then did i pick up this book? Well, every year I do the Book Riot Read Harder challenge, and this year one the prompts required me to read a horror book from an independent publisher. In other words, this book was something to be gotten through. Then I read it, and SURPRISE! I loved it. I could have done with less blood and vermin and dismemberment and decomposition, but I get that I am not the target audience, and that audience wants all of that. Everything else though, was genius. This is a brilliant send up of gender, class and racial divides in South Carolina in the 70s. Certainly things were not that different in Michigan at the same time when I was a small child but some things are pure southern. In Atlanta (where I raised my child) these ladies would be "Buckhead Betties," and Hendrix nails this demo, with love and honesty. I don't want to spoil this, because its surprises are a great strength but Hendrix finds in this story a perfect illustration of how we devalue black lives, how we keep women in their place, how we define and defend our tribes (for good and ill), and how money talks and critical thinking walks. This book is smart and funny and insightful, and hella creepy. Highly recommended!
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LibraryThing member MillieHennessy
I loved Horrorstor and My Best Friend’s Exorcism, and Southern Book Club didn’t disappoint. Like Hendrix’s other books I’ve read, it’s gross (like, really, ew), compelling, scary, and exciting. It was a wild ride and I loved it. Grady also includes a forward to give some context about how
Patricia (our main housewife) was frustrating as hell to read about, but that’s what made her so real. She has an incredibly hard time speaking up for herself (I can relate) and constantly goes against her instincts (also, relatable). She’s a character that really falls before she gets back up, in a way that sadly imitates life sometimes. This book reads a bit like a horror movie (but with way more depth than most I’ve seen), in that I was practically shouting at the characters to do the smart thing when instead they’re running headfirst into danger.
But Hendrix also shows how powerless people can be when their loved ones and communities don’t support them. The vampire in this book is more manipulative than any I’ve read about, and much like people in real life, gets away with a lot thanks to his money and social influence. The story also shows how family members can manipulate someone out of love, believing their doing “what’s best” for their loved one.
Here’s a fitting quote: “We want the people we know to be who we think they are, and to say how we know them.”
Overall, it had more emotional depth than I expected. I also think the women were very well-written, considering they were written by a man. This is another book that had me groaning, yelling at characters, saying “ew”, cringing, and rolling my eyes. If this is how you want a book to make you feel, then you might want to pick this up.
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this story came about and I found that helpful.Patricia (our main housewife) was frustrating as hell to read about, but that’s what made her so real. She has an incredibly hard time speaking up for herself (I can relate) and constantly goes against her instincts (also, relatable). She’s a character that really falls before she gets back up, in a way that sadly imitates life sometimes. This book reads a bit like a horror movie (but with way more depth than most I’ve seen), in that I was practically shouting at the characters to do the smart thing when instead they’re running headfirst into danger.
But Hendrix also shows how powerless people can be when their loved ones and communities don’t support them. The vampire in this book is more manipulative than any I’ve read about, and much like people in real life, gets away with a lot thanks to his money and social influence. The story also shows how family members can manipulate someone out of love, believing their doing “what’s best” for their loved one.
Here’s a fitting quote: “We want the people we know to be who we think they are, and to say how we know them.”
Overall, it had more emotional depth than I expected. I also think the women were very well-written, considering they were written by a man. This is another book that had me groaning, yelling at characters, saying “ew”, cringing, and rolling my eyes. If this is how you want a book to make you feel, then you might want to pick this up.
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LibraryThing member Gwendydd
This is a fun and silly book about a Southern suburban housewife who is very suspicious when a new guy comes to town. She reads a lot of true crime and horror novels, and becomes convinced that he's a vampire. She tries to get the other women in her book club to help her do something about it, but
The book is funny, engaging, and fun. There is some gore, and some disturbing scenes with rats and brief descriptions of rape, but this is more campy horror than scary horror.
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it takes a while to convince them.The book is funny, engaging, and fun. There is some gore, and some disturbing scenes with rats and brief descriptions of rape, but this is more campy horror than scary horror.
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LibraryThing member DedDuckie
I borrowed my copy of The Southern Book Club’s Guide To Slaying Vampires, authored by Grady Hendrix, from my local library, for my book buying eyes are bigger than my book wallet at all times, so help my husband. I do intend to own this title one day, it just has to wait on a list a bit first.
I
Hendrix wrote a vampire novel that made fighting a vampire not the *most* difficult thing happening at any given time, or maybe not the *only* difficult thing is more fair, vampires are pretty boss to fight. The author’s note says that My Best Friend’s Exorcism was told from a kids view, this would be from a parents view; same neighborhood, different families, different years. What struck me about this novel most: the stress of regular life does not slow in the least just because a supernatural evil has taken root where you live, you have the audacity to decide to vanquish it, you expect the love and support of your spouse, and just a little benefit of a doubt CARTER, IS THAT TOO MUCH FOR YOU!!….
At this point Grady Hendrix is on my author radar, I know that when he has anything new come out, I will want to read it. His characters could be actual people that you sat across from at the breakfast nook this morning, ran into at the grocery store, even had at your book club. You get swept up in their story, this novel in your hands, it really is bittersweet when the last page is read. I fear not, because if I cherish it on my shelves, with my other loved books, I can revisit anytime I wish. And I wish.
I
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rated this novel 5 stars. Hendrix wrote a vampire novel that made fighting a vampire not the *most* difficult thing happening at any given time, or maybe not the *only* difficult thing is more fair, vampires are pretty boss to fight. The author’s note says that My Best Friend’s Exorcism was told from a kids view, this would be from a parents view; same neighborhood, different families, different years. What struck me about this novel most: the stress of regular life does not slow in the least just because a supernatural evil has taken root where you live, you have the audacity to decide to vanquish it, you expect the love and support of your spouse, and just a little benefit of a doubt CARTER, IS THAT TOO MUCH FOR YOU!!….
At this point Grady Hendrix is on my author radar, I know that when he has anything new come out, I will want to read it. His characters could be actual people that you sat across from at the breakfast nook this morning, ran into at the grocery store, even had at your book club. You get swept up in their story, this novel in your hands, it really is bittersweet when the last page is read. I fear not, because if I cherish it on my shelves, with my other loved books, I can revisit anytime I wish. And I wish.
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LibraryThing member krau0098
Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Story (4/5): This story is set from the mid 80’s to the mid 90’s. It’s about a housewife who suspects her new neighbor is something not quite human. As things
In general I liked this and found it fairly engaging to read. While I don't mind overly graphic horror scenes, I am not a huge fan of rape and humans just generally being really ugly to each other and there's quite a bit in this book. However, I did enjoy the irony throughout and the depiction of life in the late 80's, early 90's.
Characters (4/5): The characters were fine but the majority of them are pretty ugly to each other in this book. They weren’t my favorite but Patricia was pretty well done.
Setting (4/5): I enjoyed the small town setting set in the 80’s to 90’s. It was fun to look back and see how much attitudes and the world in general has changed since then. That’s the time period I grew up in, so it was fun to see it through the author’s eyes.
Writing Style (4/5): The book is generally well written and easy to read. The first part of the story is fun and snappy, but it starts to get too serious and grim in the second half for my tastes. This book also feels a bit long as a whole, but the ending feels kind of rushed. A bit more consistent pacing and editing would have improved this quite a bit. Previous to reading this I had read “Horrorstor” by Hendrix which I really enjoyed because of the ironic gory humor throughout.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I am glad I read this but it's not something I would re-read. I also don't think I will read more of Hendrix's full length books because parts were just a bit too vicious and flat out yuck for me. If you want to read a truly vicious vampire book this is the book for you. If you don’t enjoy humans (and non-humans) being manipulative and vicious to each other I would skip this.
Story (4/5): This story is set from the mid 80’s to the mid 90’s. It’s about a housewife who suspects her new neighbor is something not quite human. As things
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slowly begin to degenerate for her she finds out how dangerous this new neighbor really is. She ends up calling on the assistance of her book club for help. I really enjoyed the beginning of this book, it was darkly humorous and highly entertaining. As the book continues it just gets more and more creepy and flat out sad at points. In general I liked this and found it fairly engaging to read. While I don't mind overly graphic horror scenes, I am not a huge fan of rape and humans just generally being really ugly to each other and there's quite a bit in this book. However, I did enjoy the irony throughout and the depiction of life in the late 80's, early 90's.
Characters (4/5): The characters were fine but the majority of them are pretty ugly to each other in this book. They weren’t my favorite but Patricia was pretty well done.
Setting (4/5): I enjoyed the small town setting set in the 80’s to 90’s. It was fun to look back and see how much attitudes and the world in general has changed since then. That’s the time period I grew up in, so it was fun to see it through the author’s eyes.
Writing Style (4/5): The book is generally well written and easy to read. The first part of the story is fun and snappy, but it starts to get too serious and grim in the second half for my tastes. This book also feels a bit long as a whole, but the ending feels kind of rushed. A bit more consistent pacing and editing would have improved this quite a bit. Previous to reading this I had read “Horrorstor” by Hendrix which I really enjoyed because of the ironic gory humor throughout.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I am glad I read this but it's not something I would re-read. I also don't think I will read more of Hendrix's full length books because parts were just a bit too vicious and flat out yuck for me. If you want to read a truly vicious vampire book this is the book for you. If you don’t enjoy humans (and non-humans) being manipulative and vicious to each other I would skip this.
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LibraryThing member shelleyraec
It was the title of this latest release from Grady Hendrix that caught my eye, and having enjoyed Horrorstör (published in 2014) I was willing to give The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires a chance.
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires is set during the late 1980’s
Thrills are in short supply for these five women, whom Hendrix presents as southern housewife stereotypes with good-ole-boy husbands of one type of another, so when Patricia begins to suspect a new neighbour, James Harris, is not who he seems, the book club members tentatively investigate, but James always seems to be one step ahead, and they have no idea what a monster he really is.
Accurately described as Steel Magnolias meets Dracula, The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires is an ambitious mashup of suspense, social commentary, horror, and satire that presents as ‘women’s fiction’.
At face value, there is so much wrong with this book, from the plethora of sexist stereotypes to the marginalisation of the PoC characters but keep in mind that it’s intentional, and it all makes a strange kind of sense. As the story develops Hendrix subtly highlights, undermines and challenges the status quo, and his female characters slowly exceed expectations.
Schlocky, subversive, clever, and dark I actually think The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires would make a fun cult movie a la The Witches of Eastwick. It’s not a bad read either.
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires is set during the late 1980’s
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to mid 1990’s in an affluent, traditional suburb of Charleston where Patricia Campbell lives with her doctor husband, two children, and ailing mother-in-law. Her only respite from her role as a dutiful ‘southern’ wife, mother, and caregiver is her attendance at the not-really-but-kind-of monthly book club with a small group of local housewives who all defected from the Mt. Pleasant Library Guild. Instead of stuffy classics, Patricia and her friends -Grace, Slick, Kitty and Maryellen- rebel by reading a mix of true crime and popular novels, adding a frisson of excitement to their lives.Thrills are in short supply for these five women, whom Hendrix presents as southern housewife stereotypes with good-ole-boy husbands of one type of another, so when Patricia begins to suspect a new neighbour, James Harris, is not who he seems, the book club members tentatively investigate, but James always seems to be one step ahead, and they have no idea what a monster he really is.
Accurately described as Steel Magnolias meets Dracula, The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires is an ambitious mashup of suspense, social commentary, horror, and satire that presents as ‘women’s fiction’.
At face value, there is so much wrong with this book, from the plethora of sexist stereotypes to the marginalisation of the PoC characters but keep in mind that it’s intentional, and it all makes a strange kind of sense. As the story develops Hendrix subtly highlights, undermines and challenges the status quo, and his female characters slowly exceed expectations.
Schlocky, subversive, clever, and dark I actually think The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires would make a fun cult movie a la The Witches of Eastwick. It’s not a bad read either.
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LibraryThing member jmchshannon
Grady Hendrix is becoming the king of quirky horror novels that both amuse and terrify. Just look at his titles! The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires is his latest novel, delving into the world of vampires, and it does not disappoint.
For one, Mr. Hendrix does not stick to the
Described as Steel Magnolias meets Dracula, you expect strong female characters. What I found surprising was that the story has a surprising amount of anti-sexist, anti-racist elements to it. Half of Patricia's battle against the vampire invading her neighborhood is fighting against the innate racism that existed (still exists) in Charleston in the 1980s. If crimes don't occur in wealthy, white neighborhoods, no one cares.
While tackling that social justice issue, Patricia must also deal with the sexism that is every husband in the novel. Be warned, ladies. The things they say and do are enough to make your blood boil. Patricia and her friends face everything from being told that they do not do anything when they stay at home all day to having to listen to their husbands because "they know what is best for you" to heavily hinted spousal abuse. Whatever they face, though, you know that Mr. Hendrix does not believe in what he wrote but rather created these husbands to show how wrong they are.
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires is not just another vampire book. It is an homage to mothers, particularly stay-at-home mothers, for they are the ones that get shit done. The book is an acknowledgment of everything mothers do for their families, no matter how hidden the actions might be. The story shows his appreciation for the lengths to which mothers will go to protect their loved ones, and it is great. Well-imagined and well-executed, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires is a great read that confirms that mothers, and book clubs, rule.
For one, Mr. Hendrix does not stick to the
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tried-and-true vampiric myth. His vampires are a cross between Dracula and The Strain. However, he does add his own special twist to make things even more complicated for our hapless heroines.Described as Steel Magnolias meets Dracula, you expect strong female characters. What I found surprising was that the story has a surprising amount of anti-sexist, anti-racist elements to it. Half of Patricia's battle against the vampire invading her neighborhood is fighting against the innate racism that existed (still exists) in Charleston in the 1980s. If crimes don't occur in wealthy, white neighborhoods, no one cares.
While tackling that social justice issue, Patricia must also deal with the sexism that is every husband in the novel. Be warned, ladies. The things they say and do are enough to make your blood boil. Patricia and her friends face everything from being told that they do not do anything when they stay at home all day to having to listen to their husbands because "they know what is best for you" to heavily hinted spousal abuse. Whatever they face, though, you know that Mr. Hendrix does not believe in what he wrote but rather created these husbands to show how wrong they are.
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires is not just another vampire book. It is an homage to mothers, particularly stay-at-home mothers, for they are the ones that get shit done. The book is an acknowledgment of everything mothers do for their families, no matter how hidden the actions might be. The story shows his appreciation for the lengths to which mothers will go to protect their loved ones, and it is great. Well-imagined and well-executed, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires is a great read that confirms that mothers, and book clubs, rule.
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LibraryThing member brangwinn
This is a book I picked up because it was recommended by several sources. Vampires aren’t my choice of book subject and I expected to put it down halfway through. Like many preconceived thoughts, it proved to be untrue. I thoroughly enjoyed this book of wacky Charleston housewives who have a true
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crime book club and a neighbor who is a vampire. Funny and scary, this book touches on issues like the socially elite and racism, while taking a group of women who play second fiddle to their husbands and turns them into an almost bad ass group who takes on a vampire to save their children. Show Less
LibraryThing member TooBusyReading
Okay, I admit it, enjoy an occasional vampire book. Grady Hendrix is supposed to be funny as well as entertaining. Well, there were some funny bits in this novel. But it was too gruesome for me, and not enough fun. It felt like it tried to include all the tropes. But most troubling to me was in
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this supposedly light and fun book, a black man was buried alive, and there was animal cruelty. Neither added to the story. And to me, it seemed written like how a man would think a woman would think. Smug, know-it-all husbands, flaky women. I didn't get the entertainment I expected from this one. Show Less
LibraryThing member John_Warner
Imagine that the upper-middle class, perfect suburban neighbor depicted in the television series, Desperate Housewives received a new neighbor, Dracula. Relocate this neighborhood to a Mount Pleasant neighborhood, a large suburban neighbor near the very southern Charleston, S.C., and you have the
Patricia Campbell's life is one that many would envy. She is married to a handsome physician and lives in a spacious home in a nice neighborhood. Although trained as a nurse, she never regrets sacrificing her career to raise two bright adolescent children. However, she is bored with her life. She organizes a book club comprised of a few close-knit friends to discuss her favorite genre: true crime books hoping that this group will energize her life.
When Patricia is viciously mauled by her elderly, obviously delirious, neighbor, she is introduced to her neighbor's, recently arrived nephew, the handsome charismatic James Harris. In the days after, he ingrates himself with Patricia's family as well as her book club friends and their families.
When Patricia discovers him in a van with a child sucking the blood from her thigh, she is dumbfounded but soon comes to the conclusion that he is a drug dealer seducing children into drug abuse. Attempts to convince her friends and their husbands of this fact is not believed. Her husband blames it on an overactive imagination brought on by her book club. However, James Harris is much more than he seems. How will Patricia stop him if all believe that she is overwrought?
I would like to thank Tom, one of the moderators of Goodreads' "On the Southern Literary Trail," for the opportunity to review this book. When I first saw the book cover and read the first pages, I thought this book was going to be a campy read. However, as I got into the book, it quickly transitioned to a true horror book. I haven't been this squeamish in reading a horror book since I read The Exorcist. Reading this book, I oscillated between telling myself "one more page" and putting my book down fearing nightmares.
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setting for this book.Patricia Campbell's life is one that many would envy. She is married to a handsome physician and lives in a spacious home in a nice neighborhood. Although trained as a nurse, she never regrets sacrificing her career to raise two bright adolescent children. However, she is bored with her life. She organizes a book club comprised of a few close-knit friends to discuss her favorite genre: true crime books hoping that this group will energize her life.
When Patricia is viciously mauled by her elderly, obviously delirious, neighbor, she is introduced to her neighbor's, recently arrived nephew, the handsome charismatic James Harris. In the days after, he ingrates himself with Patricia's family as well as her book club friends and their families.
When Patricia discovers him in a van with a child sucking the blood from her thigh, she is dumbfounded but soon comes to the conclusion that he is a drug dealer seducing children into drug abuse. Attempts to convince her friends and their husbands of this fact is not believed. Her husband blames it on an overactive imagination brought on by her book club. However, James Harris is much more than he seems. How will Patricia stop him if all believe that she is overwrought?
I would like to thank Tom, one of the moderators of Goodreads' "On the Southern Literary Trail," for the opportunity to review this book. When I first saw the book cover and read the first pages, I thought this book was going to be a campy read. However, as I got into the book, it quickly transitioned to a true horror book. I haven't been this squeamish in reading a horror book since I read The Exorcist. Reading this book, I oscillated between telling myself "one more page" and putting my book down fearing nightmares.
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LibraryThing member jmoncton
This was a cute light story of a Southern Book Club and a very nasty neighbor. The book is funny and filled with many stereotypes of both a 'typical' Southern housewife and the way that society often takes these women for granted. There are some more serious issues that are also brought up, but
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overall this was a fun page turner. Show Less
LibraryThing member mstrust
Patricia joins a newly formed book club for women, one dedicated to reading the great works of Western literature, but that group doesn't last long as the majority of the members aren't interested in the books so much as getting away from their families for a little while. So a smaller group of
This was one of those trashy true crime books. But clearly Kitty was reading it and you couldn't call someone else's taste in books trashy, even if it was.
"I'm not sure that's my kind of book," Patricia said.
"These two women were best friends and they chopped each other up with axes," Kitty said. "Don't pretend you don't want to know what happened."
"Jude is obscure for a reason," Maryellen growled.
One night after their meeting, Patricia goes to put her trash cans at the curb and discovers an elderly neighbor feasting. Patricia is attacked, the neighbor dies in the hospital, and in an effort to put their lives back to the safe place it was, the people in this Charleston community don't ask themselves enough questions about the neighbor's grandnephew who moved into the neighborhood and ingratiated himself so thoroughly with all the husbands, then took over the women's book club. Only Patricia suspects the newcomer isn't what he seems but when she hears of a rash of children dying in the poor side of town, she begins to connect dots and knows she can't do anything about it on her own.
There's something to freak out everybody here. A vampire, ghost, murder and more. But there's also the lives of Patricia and her friends, which sometimes has a Stepford Wives feel, in that their families disregard these women, and as strong as some of them seem in each other's company, when the husbands are there the women are diminished. Highly recommended because it's so engaging.
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members break off and form a new book club dedicated to reading lurid true crime books. Patricia wasn't interested at first when Kitty and Maryellen invited her.This was one of those trashy true crime books. But clearly Kitty was reading it and you couldn't call someone else's taste in books trashy, even if it was.
"I'm not sure that's my kind of book," Patricia said.
"These two women were best friends and they chopped each other up with axes," Kitty said. "Don't pretend you don't want to know what happened."
"Jude is obscure for a reason," Maryellen growled.
One night after their meeting, Patricia goes to put her trash cans at the curb and discovers an elderly neighbor feasting. Patricia is attacked, the neighbor dies in the hospital, and in an effort to put their lives back to the safe place it was, the people in this Charleston community don't ask themselves enough questions about the neighbor's grandnephew who moved into the neighborhood and ingratiated himself so thoroughly with all the husbands, then took over the women's book club. Only Patricia suspects the newcomer isn't what he seems but when she hears of a rash of children dying in the poor side of town, she begins to connect dots and knows she can't do anything about it on her own.
There's something to freak out everybody here. A vampire, ghost, murder and more. But there's also the lives of Patricia and her friends, which sometimes has a Stepford Wives feel, in that their families disregard these women, and as strong as some of them seem in each other's company, when the husbands are there the women are diminished. Highly recommended because it's so engaging.
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LibraryThing member bookwyrmm
A highly entertaining, campy horror novel.
LibraryThing member Kristelh
I am finished with this book and I guess I am mostly disappointed. I expected to read a "funny" horror but it was mostly flat for me. I liked the start off with the introduction of our protagonist, the neighbor guy, the book club but then there is the horror which involved rats and bugs. It is a
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story of women who are Southern in nature, obviously have a bit of money enough to hire housekeeping and nursing help of people not quite so well off. The women all are a bit taken for granted by their husbands and even abused or demeaned by their husbands. It is also a mystery into who is killing or stealing the children but we know who is doing that. It is a vampire story but it is also a newer, updated version of the vampire that the reader knows from Dracula. So there are rats, bugs, blood, and there is family and mother's fighting for their children. This is my book club read this month so will be updating with comments after. If there is anything to add. Show Less
LibraryThing member jpurdy
Loving this book so far! I can't put it down!
LibraryThing member AdonisGuilfoyle
Another fantastic read for Halloween! (Almost makes me feel guilty for waiting until the price dropped on Amazon to download a copy!) I was expecting another run of the mill vampire novel but this is both less and more than standard horror fare - the basic format is there, including a quote from
In the quaint South Carolina town of Old Village, six women form a book group because they feel their lives need a little extracurricular excitement. They start with 'worthy' titles but soon move onto true crime histories like Helter Skelter and In Cold Blood. Real life then takes a rather dramatic turn for one of the women, Patricia Campbell, when she comes across a crazed old lady eating a dead raccoon in her back yard - and is viciously attacked. Patricia escapes with only part of an earlobe missing but she then discovers that a mysterious stranger has moved into the old lady's house - and that's when her life starts to fall apart. James Harris is a charming, handsome man and Patricia's husband and all the other men take to him instantly, but something is not quite right. He can't stand the sunlight, has no identification and a large holdall of money, Patricia's ailing mother in law claims she recognises him from over eighty years ago, and there have been reports of young children disappearing in the poorer parts of town - but James Harris knows how to play the game and soon Patricia is starting to doubt her own sanity, despite what she witnessed in the woods. There is nothing stronger than a mother protecting her children, however, which Harris eventually learns for himself.
"He thinks we’re what we look like on the outside: nice Southern ladies. Let me tell you something…there’s nothing nice about Southern ladies.”
I loved this story and raced through the pages in two days. Despite the obligatory gore and supernatural horror, which is well written and disturbing at times - the worst scene for me was not an invasion of rats but the threat of a cockroach in the ear! - what kept me engrossed was the strength of the women - sort of like Stephen King does Steel Magnolias (although Grady Hendrix writers women better than King). Yes, they are 'only' housewives, and the thought of bowing and scraping to such obnoxious spouses and offspring is the truly horrifying element of the book for me, but by god, I was 100% Team Patricia throughout! From domestic boredom to spousal gaslighting and actual physical danger, she puts up with a hell of a lot and sometimes cracks, yet remains my favourite type of heroine - sympathetic and stubborn. And the final confrontation was both gruesome and good for a laugh!
Brilliantly written - a vampire story for grown women who love to read: “A reader lives many lives,” James Harris said. “The person who doesn’t read lives but one. But if you’re happy just doing what you’re told and reading what other people think you should read, then don’t let me stop you. I just find it sad.”
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Dracula and a name drop for Salem's Lot, yet the women at the heart of the story make this a great study of traditional gender roles too. What are (some) men, basically, but bloodsuckers who drain women dry while expecting them to clean house and raise children? I was mad at the women when I started reading, for dedicating their lives to ungrateful children and sanctimonious men - the story is set in the 1980s, albeit in the Deep South, yet feels like the 1950s - but slowly, thanks to the attitude of James Harris and the women's husbands, I developed a deep admiration for women like the author's mother, who inspired the book. “Why do you pretend what we do is nothing?" one character asks. And yes, they kick ass!In the quaint South Carolina town of Old Village, six women form a book group because they feel their lives need a little extracurricular excitement. They start with 'worthy' titles but soon move onto true crime histories like Helter Skelter and In Cold Blood. Real life then takes a rather dramatic turn for one of the women, Patricia Campbell, when she comes across a crazed old lady eating a dead raccoon in her back yard - and is viciously attacked. Patricia escapes with only part of an earlobe missing but she then discovers that a mysterious stranger has moved into the old lady's house - and that's when her life starts to fall apart. James Harris is a charming, handsome man and Patricia's husband and all the other men take to him instantly, but something is not quite right. He can't stand the sunlight, has no identification and a large holdall of money, Patricia's ailing mother in law claims she recognises him from over eighty years ago, and there have been reports of young children disappearing in the poorer parts of town - but James Harris knows how to play the game and soon Patricia is starting to doubt her own sanity, despite what she witnessed in the woods. There is nothing stronger than a mother protecting her children, however, which Harris eventually learns for himself.
"He thinks we’re what we look like on the outside: nice Southern ladies. Let me tell you something…there’s nothing nice about Southern ladies.”
I loved this story and raced through the pages in two days. Despite the obligatory gore and supernatural horror, which is well written and disturbing at times - the worst scene for me was not an invasion of rats but the threat of a cockroach in the ear! - what kept me engrossed was the strength of the women - sort of like Stephen King does Steel Magnolias (although Grady Hendrix writers women better than King). Yes, they are 'only' housewives, and the thought of bowing and scraping to such obnoxious spouses and offspring is the truly horrifying element of the book for me, but by god, I was 100% Team Patricia throughout! From domestic boredom to spousal gaslighting and actual physical danger, she puts up with a hell of a lot and sometimes cracks, yet remains my favourite type of heroine - sympathetic and stubborn. And the final confrontation was both gruesome and good for a laugh!
Brilliantly written - a vampire story for grown women who love to read: “A reader lives many lives,” James Harris said. “The person who doesn’t read lives but one. But if you’re happy just doing what you’re told and reading what other people think you should read, then don’t let me stop you. I just find it sad.”
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LibraryThing member LongDogMom
I stayed up way too late to finish this book last night and I have to say, it was worth it. I really loved this book.
It was such a strange mixture of pointing out the sexism and general disrespect that housewives and moms at home often receive, even from their husbands... and yet how incredibly
Too often dismissed as frivolous airheads who laze around all day, the reality of their lives, friendships, marriages, as well as their thoughts on everything and each other .showed they have far more resources and will than one would suspect, especially when they come together to support each other. Don't understand the housewife! .
This book was humourous and horrific, quirky and capitvating. I could not put it down. Loved it!
It was such a strange mixture of pointing out the sexism and general disrespect that housewives and moms at home often receive, even from their husbands... and yet how incredibly
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organized, strong and fierce these women can be when it comes to protecting their children and each other from dangerous horrors. Too often dismissed as frivolous airheads who laze around all day, the reality of their lives, friendships, marriages, as well as their thoughts on everything and each other .showed they have far more resources and will than one would suspect, especially when they come together to support each other. Don't understand the housewife! .
This book was humourous and horrific, quirky and capitvating. I could not put it down. Loved it!
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LibraryThing member Darcia
This book isn’t at all the blend of horror and humor that I expected, and I’m still not sure how I feel about it.
This is a story about class divisions and the allure of money. It’s about gender and racial bias. It’s about the pretense of appearances, and women settling for less because they
Some readers have said this is a story about strong female friendships, and maybe it is, but to me it’s more about the superficial nature of friendship and the fierce determination of mothers.
Our vampire is this story’s stand-in for a sociopathic predator. He feels like an allegory, a cautionary tale about how easily and blindly we invite predators into our lives.
The content here is heavy and noxious, like being wrapped in wet, mildewed blankets.
The writing is excellent, as is the narration.
I’m floundering here because a part of me loved this story and another part of me wishes I could erase the experience from my brain.
This is a story about class divisions and the allure of money. It’s about gender and racial bias. It’s about the pretense of appearances, and women settling for less because they
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don’t think they deserve more.Some readers have said this is a story about strong female friendships, and maybe it is, but to me it’s more about the superficial nature of friendship and the fierce determination of mothers.
Our vampire is this story’s stand-in for a sociopathic predator. He feels like an allegory, a cautionary tale about how easily and blindly we invite predators into our lives.
The content here is heavy and noxious, like being wrapped in wet, mildewed blankets.
The writing is excellent, as is the narration.
I’m floundering here because a part of me loved this story and another part of me wishes I could erase the experience from my brain.
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LibraryThing member Bodagirl
It's a weird mix of "women's friendship" fiction and horror. The title was the ultimate spoiler, so when the vampire tropes/signs (sun sensitivity, animals acting strangely, and having to be invited into a house) begin showing up and the characters don't immediately see what he is, it's
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frustrating. I also couldn't connect to Patricia and none of the other characters are really memorable. Show Less
LibraryThing member NCDonnas
This was a LOT darker than the title would have you believe.
As always, Bahni Turpin's narration was impeccable. She gives each character such a distinct personality with a small-town southern flair that pulls a reader right into the story.
As for the story itself, it started off slow for me. But
As always, Bahni Turpin's narration was impeccable. She gives each character such a distinct personality with a small-town southern flair that pulls a reader right into the story.
As for the story itself, it started off slow for me. But
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I'm glad I stuck with it. There was a little more detail in the gory scenes than I would prefer - the roach scene is a thing of nightmares, I had to remove the headphones at one point. It was unexpectedly dark and held my interest despite a few spots where it dragged a little. Despite the issues with pacing and some cringe-worthy stereotypical misogyny, I'm still rating this a 4 because I ultimately enjoyed it. Show Less
LibraryThing member NCDonnas
This was a LOT darker than the title would have you believe.
As always, Bahni Turpin's narration was impeccable. She gives each character such a distinct personality with a small-town southern flair that pulls a reader right into the story.
As for the story itself, it started off slow for me. But
As always, Bahni Turpin's narration was impeccable. She gives each character such a distinct personality with a small-town southern flair that pulls a reader right into the story.
As for the story itself, it started off slow for me. But
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I'm glad I stuck with it. There was a little more detail in the gory scenes than I would prefer - the roach scene is a thing of nightmares, I had to remove the headphones at one point. It was unexpectedly dark and held my interest despite a few spots where it dragged a little. Despite the issues with pacing and some cringe-worthy stereotypical misogyny, I'm still rating this a 4 because I ultimately enjoyed it. Show Less
LibraryThing member whitreidtan
Nope. Nope. Nope. Someone please remind me that I am a huge coward and no matter how entertaining a book might look, if anyone out there has described it as horror, I should walk right on past. And if I argue with you, remind me of The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires because I read
New to the Old Village part of Charleston in the 1990s, Patricia Campbell is floundering, so overwhelmed with life that she hasn't even managed to read the book club book she's supposed to lead the discussion for. She wouldn't last long in this book club but she doesn't have to as a splinter "not-a-book-club" group breaks off, choosing to read true crime rather than classics, and composed of several women who become friends, quietly stepping up for each other when required. Several years into the not-a-book-club, Patricia is brutally attacked by an elderly neighbor in a terrifically gory scene but her Southern training is so deeply engrained that she still takes a casserole over to the woman's great-nephew to express her condolences at the woman's death and welcomes him into the neighborhood and the not-a-book-club when he decides to stay.
Shortly after handsome great-nephew James Harris' arrival in town, poor, black children start to go missing or die in unlikely ways but the police seem to care not at all, nor do the denizens of the white part of town even hear about the deaths and disappearances. Patricia tries to rally the other mothers in the not-a-book-club with the knowledge of what she accidentally knows, hears, and sees but they only back her until their appallingly chauvinistic husbands step in to set the poor overwrought, little ladies straight. They like James Harris, they like his money, and they like the life he encourages them to lead, not least of which is the pursuit of money to the exclusion of truth. And so they, and their compliant wives gaslight Patricia. Only Mrs. Greene, the African-American woman who cared for Patricia's mother-in-law, believes Patricia and calls out the privilege and racism that allows Old Village to ignore the fear and evil that stalks her community. Despite the relatively little page time, she, more than main character Patricia, is the moral center of the strangely uneven novel.
The portrayal of all of the characters, with the possible exception of the monster, seem just a bit off. The women are spineless until the very end, caricatures of 50s housewives rather than 90s housewives. The men are disgustingly paternalistic to such a degree that they come off as thoroughly despicable people. All of the marriages are horrid and the character's lives are about an inch deep and completely stereotypical. In fact, Hendrix doesn't seem to like his characters much, especially the female characters, mocking them and offering up their uneventful, bored housewife lives as if they were of little to no value. And this attitude is reflected by his one note good ole boy male characters. In the beginning, despite the over the top gory scenes and one truly terrifying scene of an intruder trying to get into the house (this is the one that features in my nightmares, so thanks for that), there is some humor but this quickly peters out as the book moves into the second half. The narrative tension ratchets up until the rug is pulled out from under the reader and the novel settles down into mediocre dullness for a long stretch followed by a whirlwind, highly graphic ending. There are so many issues touched on in the plot, suicide, racism, sexism, classism, alcoholism, spousal abuse, infidelity, elder caretaking, rape, etc. that few of them receive their due. And while a novel with a book club (or not-a-book-club) at its core is quite likely to be about the sisterhood of women, this doesn't quite get there. Nor does it quite succeed as a paean to mother's love for their children either. Yes, this is a satire and therefore over the top, but the overwrought dialogue, the one-dimensional characters, and the unevenness of the plotting and tension miss the mark. Then again, it did successfully give me nightmares so there's something that transcends these flaws too. Mine is a very unpopular opinion as so many others have loved this so if you like horror or aren't nearly as cowardly as I am, I suggest you make up your own mind on this one.
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it and then had the worst night of sleep I've had in a long time, cycling through nightmare to waking fears and back to nightmare. And yes, I recognize I'm a wimp but I have a hard enough time living in my own scaredy-cat head so I should definitely avoid Grady Hendrix's creepy head space in the future.New to the Old Village part of Charleston in the 1990s, Patricia Campbell is floundering, so overwhelmed with life that she hasn't even managed to read the book club book she's supposed to lead the discussion for. She wouldn't last long in this book club but she doesn't have to as a splinter "not-a-book-club" group breaks off, choosing to read true crime rather than classics, and composed of several women who become friends, quietly stepping up for each other when required. Several years into the not-a-book-club, Patricia is brutally attacked by an elderly neighbor in a terrifically gory scene but her Southern training is so deeply engrained that she still takes a casserole over to the woman's great-nephew to express her condolences at the woman's death and welcomes him into the neighborhood and the not-a-book-club when he decides to stay.
Shortly after handsome great-nephew James Harris' arrival in town, poor, black children start to go missing or die in unlikely ways but the police seem to care not at all, nor do the denizens of the white part of town even hear about the deaths and disappearances. Patricia tries to rally the other mothers in the not-a-book-club with the knowledge of what she accidentally knows, hears, and sees but they only back her until their appallingly chauvinistic husbands step in to set the poor overwrought, little ladies straight. They like James Harris, they like his money, and they like the life he encourages them to lead, not least of which is the pursuit of money to the exclusion of truth. And so they, and their compliant wives gaslight Patricia. Only Mrs. Greene, the African-American woman who cared for Patricia's mother-in-law, believes Patricia and calls out the privilege and racism that allows Old Village to ignore the fear and evil that stalks her community. Despite the relatively little page time, she, more than main character Patricia, is the moral center of the strangely uneven novel.
The portrayal of all of the characters, with the possible exception of the monster, seem just a bit off. The women are spineless until the very end, caricatures of 50s housewives rather than 90s housewives. The men are disgustingly paternalistic to such a degree that they come off as thoroughly despicable people. All of the marriages are horrid and the character's lives are about an inch deep and completely stereotypical. In fact, Hendrix doesn't seem to like his characters much, especially the female characters, mocking them and offering up their uneventful, bored housewife lives as if they were of little to no value. And this attitude is reflected by his one note good ole boy male characters. In the beginning, despite the over the top gory scenes and one truly terrifying scene of an intruder trying to get into the house (this is the one that features in my nightmares, so thanks for that), there is some humor but this quickly peters out as the book moves into the second half. The narrative tension ratchets up until the rug is pulled out from under the reader and the novel settles down into mediocre dullness for a long stretch followed by a whirlwind, highly graphic ending. There are so many issues touched on in the plot, suicide, racism, sexism, classism, alcoholism, spousal abuse, infidelity, elder caretaking, rape, etc. that few of them receive their due. And while a novel with a book club (or not-a-book-club) at its core is quite likely to be about the sisterhood of women, this doesn't quite get there. Nor does it quite succeed as a paean to mother's love for their children either. Yes, this is a satire and therefore over the top, but the overwrought dialogue, the one-dimensional characters, and the unevenness of the plotting and tension miss the mark. Then again, it did successfully give me nightmares so there's something that transcends these flaws too. Mine is a very unpopular opinion as so many others have loved this so if you like horror or aren't nearly as cowardly as I am, I suggest you make up your own mind on this one.
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LibraryThing member rivkat
Salem’s Lot meets The Stepford Wives, sort of. A white housewife and her friends begin to think that a new white guy in town is a danger, but sexist gaslighting and white indifference to Black suffering mean that authority is asserted against them instead. I found it really hard to get through
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because through most of the book the protagonist is so isolated—the book club members also disbelieve her, buying into the same racism and sexism as the white men. Multiple times, the protagonist would tell someone that she saw the bad guy harming a child, and the person would respond that she had no evidence of this, because her direct witness testimony did not count as evidence. If this will make you incandescent with rage and/or grief, stay away, but otherwise it is a brisk Stephen King-esque read. There is also a sexual assault whose aftermath is detailed. Show Less
LibraryThing member MontzaleeW
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires
by Grady Hendrix
I had to stop and process this in bits because I wanted to strangle all the men in this book! There is so much going on in this book, so many layers to it.
There is a pleasant neighborhood that has ladies that try to be everything to
A stranger moves in the neighborhood and everything changes. Kids go missing. The husbands all adore him. But our one main gal of the story sees him attacking a little black girl from a poor neighborhood. Nothing is done. Several kids died there. No one believes her.
This book made me so angry at the sexist, racist men! Warning! There is a place in the book where one of the ladies tell how she is raped. I hate stuff like that so I know others might be too. It was important for the story.
There was a lot of tension, suspense, and a menacing feeling in here from all the men not just the stranger! But the resilience and fortitude of these women was awesome! Girl power mostly wins in the end! This was a deep story. Sexist, racism, and women's role in society in general and how we live in a male dominated society. Was this monster a symbol of men sucking the life out of the weaker people? They take and take until you go crazy? Just a thought from a crazy old woman.
by Grady Hendrix
I had to stop and process this in bits because I wanted to strangle all the men in this book! There is so much going on in this book, so many layers to it.
There is a pleasant neighborhood that has ladies that try to be everything to
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everyone. Super mom, super wife, takes care of house, yard, family, elderly in-laws with dementia, and school projects...you name it. The ladies start a Book Club.A stranger moves in the neighborhood and everything changes. Kids go missing. The husbands all adore him. But our one main gal of the story sees him attacking a little black girl from a poor neighborhood. Nothing is done. Several kids died there. No one believes her.
This book made me so angry at the sexist, racist men! Warning! There is a place in the book where one of the ladies tell how she is raped. I hate stuff like that so I know others might be too. It was important for the story.
There was a lot of tension, suspense, and a menacing feeling in here from all the men not just the stranger! But the resilience and fortitude of these women was awesome! Girl power mostly wins in the end! This was a deep story. Sexist, racism, and women's role in society in general and how we live in a male dominated society. Was this monster a symbol of men sucking the life out of the weaker people? They take and take until you go crazy? Just a thought from a crazy old woman.
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Awards
RUSA CODES Reading List (Shortlist — Horror — 2021)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Fiction — 2020)
Lariat Adult Fiction Reading List (Selection — 2022)
New York Public Library Best Books: For Adults (Top Ten — 2020)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2020
Physical description
408 p.; 9.27 inches
ISBN
1683691431 / 9781683691433
Local notes
Patricia Campbell has a busy mother's life in 1990s America. The one thing she has to look forward to is her book club, a close-knit group of Charleston women united by their love of true crime and paperback fiction. But when James Harris, a handsome stranger who moves into the neighborhood ends up joining the book club and local children go missing, Patricia and the book club members start to suspect James is more of a Bundy than a Beatnik but no one outside of the book club believes them. Have they read too many true crime books, or have they invited a real monster into their homes?
Fictional town library stamp under the covers.
Fictional town library stamp under the covers.