The Vampire Who Played Dead

Spinoza #2

by J.R. Rain

Two years ago, a wealthy woman is murdered in cold blood.

A son she'd given up for adoption returns to claim his inheritance. To verify his claim, a DNA test is ordered.

Except there's one problem.

Her grave is empty.

Spinoza, hired to find the missing body, will follow a set of twisty clues that lead him to the unthinkable... a world inhabited by the living and the dead.

Here be vampires.

Spinoza knows some answers come at a price. He just hopes this doesn't cost him his life.

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Genres: Paranormal, Vampires, Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction, Paranormal Romance

74 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2011

About the author

J.R. Rain is the author of 110 novels and counting. He lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest, where he's hard at work on his next novel... and fighting off sparkly vampires.

Reviews

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining vampire listening 🎶🔰

Another will written vampire paranormal fantasy world 🌎 haunting horror adventure thriller short story by J. R. Rain ☔. PI Spinoza is asked to provide information about a parent information on a woman 🚺 who is missing from her grave. She has left an inheritance to a son that was given up ☝ for adoption. It turns out she is a vampire and has left her grave. I would highly recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of paranormal fantasy mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 😀👒☺

Happy reading and have fun 🌙😀

[Joe Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another J.R. Rain exercise in shameless self promotion with a very slim e'book that has the first six percent dedicated to listing everything he has written (including term papers) and tons of acclaim from authors of note, then the next 67% devoted to a weak sketch of a story with obvious connections between characters (no surprises in this Novella), then the remaining 27% dedicated to samples of books that currently available or coming soon. A total of fifteen books were sampled following the title story and then a final re-listing of current works. Even the dialog between the characters is trite and worn (cops live on donuts! Really?). Nothing comes close to being honest plot development. Maybe if this had been a 99 cent bargain the treatment could be forgiven but, for $2.99 for the Kindle edition from Amazon, the value shows how little J.R. Rain thinks of his readers. Mark this down as written by a huckster rather than a real writer. Do you think I'll waste time on another J.R. Rain title? About what could be expected from someone who is promoting his work, "The Vampire With The Dragon Tatoo" as an original offering!

[Per Gunnar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that I like these small novellas in the Spinoza Trilogy more than I thought I would, or should I say more than I usually like short novellas like this. I don’t think I have ever given such a short book a rating as high as 4 out of 5.

It a simple story, fairly fast paced and quite fun to read. The story is of course one hundred percent predictable. Even though it is short and predictable I like the story and I like the main protagonist. It’s as simple as that.

The only thing that really annoys me is this constant harping about Spinoza’s alcoholism and how his son died because he was too drunk to save him. We got it the first time, stop harping about it. Given how many times this is brought up the book could be even shorter if it was taken out. It’s just a filler and it’s annoying as hell.

Well, I do not really have much more to write. Short book, short review.

[Myra Wray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again I have found a good book in this story. I found it hard to put it down until the end.

[Christopher Armani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the flavor of Spinoza's character and the way the author slowly dishes out pieces of his backstory throughout. Great writing.

[Victoria L. Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the author and this series. The author has an original take on what makes a vampire.

[mary e. peek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 Spinoza

Spinoza book 2 by J.R. Rain was too deep . The evil done was horrible and I'm still not understanding if the children are gone for good.
Did she murder them?

[invisiblemonki · Rating 5 out of 5]

don't remember much except really liking these

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the typical vampire book!!!!! Love Spinoza!!!! Great quick read.

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one and I rate it 4.5 stars.

[Matt Schiariti · Rating 4 out of 5]

JR Rain's Spinoza novels are like Detective 'lite' novels. It's not so much the content which, given Spinoza's tragic past can get pretty heavy, but there aren't a lot of sub plots. He has his outings with his girlfriend Roxi and meets up with Detective Hammer for doughnuts and talking shop but the basic premise is simple: Someone hires him to find someone, he works the case, he solves the case. It's simple and it works. It's a nice departure from having to keep track of many dangling plot threads. The Spinoza series does make mention of Jim Knighthorse, Aaron King and Jim Knighthorse which is fun if you're read any of those novels as it drives home the point that this is all one cohesive universe that Rain has set up.

Once again a case has come to Spinoza. A teenage boy hires him to find his lost mother, the kicker being she's been dead for a year and a half. The body is missing. The boy claims to the the heir to his mother's great fortune but being that she gave him away for adoption he needs DNA evidence to prove his relation so he can claim it. The missing body kinda throws a monkey wrench in the plan and that's where Spinoza comes in.

Obviously it's a Vampire novel (um, it's in the title after all) but it's the way Rain weaves the case and tells the story that makes it entertaining. Even though it's obvious that a vampire's involved (once again, it's in the title--no spoilers here!) it's interesting to see how Spinoza works through the case and once again gets involved in a world he had no idea ever existed.

This is short and I got it as part of the two volume compendium Spinoza For Hire, but it's worth a read for sure. It's quick and fun and in typical JR Rain fashion, it's entertaining as always.

[BookNerdette · Rating 3 out of 5]

(0,o)

That Spinoza is an interesting guy… I like the honesty he has with himself and the true conviction over his son’s death. What can I say… I like him. He is funny in a dry way ;-)

I think the story started out good but then became predictable as the book title gave it away. I hoped for more but received not. bummer.

I think this is my first novella to read with five sample books at the end. Hmm,

I admit since the books are short… if a third one comes out and B&N offer it free I will probably get it. I’m a sucker for a shy, dry guy.

[Shelly♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love J.R. Rain books because he's his own publisher. This gives him the ability to do whatever the heck he wants. He fills his books with wit and humor and interesting characters and different storylines. The Spinoza series are short novellas on a guilt-ridden PI, who tries to solve cases in the midst of overcoming sorrows of personal tragedy. And there is always a vampire. This one is no exception. And, Rain always includes characters from his other books. Kind of a cross over.

This was a nice little read for a Sunday afternoon!

[Bobbye Hudspeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too short. As with most of Rain's books, I wanted more. Since this isn't a subject (vampires)I usually choose to read about, those two sentences are a big compliment to the author. It was actually a compliment to his work that I downloaded it at all. I am a major fan, and have suggested him to all of my friends who, along with me, mourned the passing of Robert B. Parker. When I started reading the Knighthorse series I couldn't help thinking of how much they reminded me of the early Spenser books.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book that I have enjoyed. Even though this was the second book in the Spinoza trilogy I don't feel as though I should have read the first one to make sense of things. I found it to be well written and had some great characters. The plot line might be a little bit fanciful in places but sometimes it is nice to read a book which gives your imagination free rein. I have noticed that this author has a lot of other material so in time I will read more pieces.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always a good read and way to short, I like how rain ties in his characters from his other books, story line was decent but could of had a lot of potential, I hope there is more to come with Spinoza, I like his role, you need to intertwine knighthorse, king and moon in one good epic book, but we'll see about that anyway, good easy read!

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another well done book by Rain. It stays direct and uncomplicated on the plot. I was hoping to see him bring back his vampire from the last book but,it didn't happen. The old characters were still a delight to know more of. love the shortness of the story as well. It isn't too short or long . I can't wait to read the next book!

[Bill Casti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love J.R. Rain. Great meaningless fluff mysteries to carry around, reading as catch can between appointments and errands. Good workingman writing, plots and resolutions. Nothing to complain about here.

[Sheridan Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

He earned a lifetime supply of tacos!

Spinoza is such a softy with kids and scary when it comes to monsters. Such a tortured soul too. The title gave away the mystery, but I enjoyed the reveal any way.
Perfect sized story for an afternoon read.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

J.R. Rain.... if you are reading this, PLEASE make your books longer... or write faster!

[Kirsten Lenius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything that I have read by J. R. Rain has been excellently done and this is no exception.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad read but disappointed that there are only 3 books in the series, I guess the author felt that all the issues were resolved.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic novella in a great Paranormal/Mystery series!!!

[Annie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Crap just crap. Giving it two stars is me being nice. Also I noticed this in the other books, but there are alot of type-os.

I think J.R. Rain should give up in writing.

[Cathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one much more then the first one in this series, but I must say that my favorites by this author are the Samantha Moon series.

I am looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Itsatushy Garland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun fast read love the main character

[MissM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite short - more novella then novel - but fine. Nothing amazing but nothing horrible either. Decent enough.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this one would be classified as a novella. Not that it matters. It was a fun, fast read. For those looking for something to pass a few pleasurable hours, this might be of interest.

[Marnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't very impressed with the first book, but read the second. It still is not much of a page turner for me. Overall, just ok

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read.