This third installment of David Wellington's vampire series resumes mere months after the events in 99 Coffins. Jameson Arkeley, our former hero, has broken the vow he made to Laura Caxton and has now fully embraced his existence as a vampire. Caxton has given up every semblance of a normal life in order to hunt him down. But can she outwit the one who taught her everything?

Let me preface by saying that I adored 99 Coffins. It is one of the best vampire books I have read and I was really excited to read the continuation of it. I even paid to have this book sent from another library.

It was really hard for me to come to terms with Arkeley as the Big Bad. He is perhaps my favorite character of the series and I liked him as the hero. Justinia Malvern plays a greatly reduced role in this episode. She was such a large fixture in the last book and it seems she is wasted here. I also thought that Wellington made Caxton very butch in this one. She's too Rambo for me. She's almost not human. Maybe that's the point. In hunting down the monster, you become one yourself? I'm sure I will pick up the fourth book but my hopes are not as high as they once were for this series. ( )

Vampire Zero is another entertaining chapter in the life of state trooper Laura Caxton. She and Jameson Arkeley continue their relationship, which began and has been sustained by vampire activity. However, those who have read 99 Coffins know that relationship has changed drastically. Wellington's vampires are ruthless creatures, but they are also clever, conniving and able to work together with their “half deads” to carryout their nefarious plans. This book has plenty of bloodthirsty violence, but perhaps places more emphasis on their ability to orchestrate nefarious plans. Readers who liked Wellington's first two books in this series (13 Bullets and 99 Coffins) will want to read this one. I enjoyed it very much. ( )

David Wellington is an extremely talented writer. This is the third book in what I thought was going to be a vampire trilogy, but after reading it I am definitely hoping for another one. I need to know what happens next. If you are a fan of vampires, but aren't looking for romantic, squishy ones, then read these books. You'll be as hooked as I am. ( )

Vampire Zero is the third in a series by David Wellington starring Laura Caxton, a Pennsylvania State Trooper turned vampire hunter. The subtitle to this one is "a gruesome vampire tale" and Wellington's not kidding. As with the other books in this series, these are not romantic vampires or vampires as people with superpowers. Wellington's vampires are evil predators that must be stopped. Fair warning - he manages to keep the body count pretty high in this one.

99 Coffins, the previous book left a couple of loose ends. In Vampire Zero, Wellington pulls on those threads and manages to wrap some things up pretty nicely. Then leaves a few more hanging, so as to keep our interest for a fourth book that I'm now impatiently waiting for. Highly recommended for those who like their vampire stories raw, but start at the beginning with 13 Bullets for the full effect. ( )