The Spinoza Trilogy

Spinoza #1-3

by J.R. Rain

All three Spinoza vampire mystery novellas together in one volume, including a bonus novella:

THE VAMPIRE WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO
Three years ago, high school student Veronica Fortune witnessed the brutal murder of her parents. Now armed and dangerous, she sets out to hunt down the very thing that destroyed her life. That is, until she disappears. Spinoza is a private investigator who specializes in finding the missing. He's good at what he does. Damn good. But he's also a recovering alcoholic and a royal mess. Hired to find Veronica, Spinoza won't let his personal demons—or demons of any kind—get in the way of finding the truth about the missing girl. Now following a bizarre set of clues that leads him into stranger and stranger territory, Spinoza is about to come face-to-face with something legendary...and something hungry for blood.

THE VAMPIRE WHO PLAYED DEAD
Two years ago, a woman is murdered in cold blood. Now 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. Now hired to find the missing body, Spinoza will follow a set of clues that leads him to the unthinkable, a world of nightmares and dreamscapes. A world inhabited by the living and the dead.

THE VAMPIRE IN THE IRON MASK
Spinoza is a private investigator who specializes in finding the missing. He's good at what he does. Damn good. But he's also a recovering alcoholic and a royal mess. Now determined to redeem his troubled soul, Spinoza won't let his personal demons—or demons of any kind—stop him from finding the missing. In this third and final Spinoza mystery, a worker at a popular medieval dinner theater hires Spinoza to find out the identity of one of his co-workers, a co-worker who's never been seen without an iron mask...and who just might be a real prisoner. Spinoza's new client hints that the man in the iron mask is being held without his consent in the bowels of the dinner theater, a forbidden area for the other employees. When Spinoza attends Medievaland, posing as a guest, he doesn't count on bumping into someone from a previous case, nor can he ever forget what he finds when his investigation takes him past his own life tragedy and brings him face-to-face with the vampire imprisoned in the iron mask. But is the vampire someone he should rescue, or fear?

BONUS: THE VAMPIRE ON THE TRAIN (Short Story)

A vampire on a train. What could possibly go wrong? Spinoza is a private investigator who specializes in finding the missing. He’s good at what he does. Damn good. But he’s also got a secret past that haunts him. In the short story, The Vampire on the Train, Spinoza takes on a different kind of investigation when he’s hired to ride a train with a vampire whose dreams predict the future. Spinoza is in the vampire’s dreams. And so is the train…

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

185 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 29, 2013

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 paranormal listening 🎶🔰

I listened 🎶 to these three will written paranormal fantasy world 🌎 haunting horror vampire adventure thriller novels individually. Each story is different with interesting well developed characters lots of action, misdirection, and violence leading to each unexpected conclusion. I would recommend this series and various authors to readers of paranormal fantasy adventure mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 😀👒☺

[Quenya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure what to say about this one. I will do a quick review and each and then my overall thoughts.

The Vampire with the Dragon Tattoo was a good introduction to Spinoza and his tormented psyche. You got a good sense of what makes him tick not to mention you got to see just much he is willing to help this little old lady find a lost girl. The introduction of the vampire aspect was interesting as Spinoza was never really sure what he saw. I also really liked the ending.

The Vampire who Played Dead felt like exactly what it was a middle story in a trilogy that wasn’t good or bad but for me this one didn’t really push the story forward any. It felt very random especially after listening to the last story in the trilogy.

The Vampire in the Iron Mask was really good and brought the first book full circle. It had plenty of action and gave a full sense of closure to the whole story. The story started with a bang and ended well.

The trilogy was good but I actually wish the stories were longer. I liked the Spinoza character and he fit well into J.R. Rain’s world. I guess my biggest issues is that it felt like the vampire mythology J.R. Rain built in the Samantha Moon stories is very different from this one even though they are in the same reality. Good choice for some quick listens. The narrator has a much deeper voice and I did have to turn it up to catch every thing he was saying.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back when I read these the first book was free. A lot of J.R. Rain's books go on special constantly so if you just wait or look around long enough you can usually find some of them for free. Or at least you used to be able to. I then bought the last two books in a bundle deal which is no longer for sale so I've decided to combine all of my reviews and just post the Spinoza Trilogy in it's entirety along with a link to The Spinoza Trilogy which is probably a much cheaper way to get the series if you're interested. This was a great series and I'd still recommend it to this day.

Original Review for The Vampire With the Dragon Tattoo and The Vampire Who Played Dead (Spinoza For Hire aka Spinoza Trilogy #1-2)

Ahh, what can I say. J.R. Rain knows how to tell a story and I found Spinoza's tales to be top notch and some of his best work, equal to his Vampire for Hire series. Spinoza is a tortured man with a painful past. Now he spends his time as a private investigator who specializes in finding missing people: mainly missing children.

In the first book we find out about Spinoza's past and his alcoholism which led him to where he is now. He's a truly tortured person, is extremely shy which isn't very helpful for social situations yet he pushes himself each day to do what he does best in order to make up for the wrongs he has committed. Spinoza is hired by the guardians of Veronica Fortune who also happens to have a tortured past. One day she showed up at the people who would become her guardians house covered in blood and scared. She never talks much about her past and she disappears for days at a time and they love her so never report her to the authorities for fear she'll leave. She disappeared almost a week ago but more importantly her guardians tell Spinoza that she is a vampire slayer and although he doesn't believe in vampires he doesn't think they're crazy either. The few friends of Veronica all give him the same story and while tracking her down and solving this mystery he runs into things that will forever change how he thinks about the world.

In book two a young teenager hires Spinoza (for two tacos) to help find the remains of his birth mom which disappeared from her casket. His birth mom left him a very sizable inheritance and he needs her corpse to prove he is her son through DNA. Mainly he just wants to find her body so it can be put back to rest where it belongs. The boy's father is no good and abusive, he lives with his aunt and Spinoza must dig deep to find out what happened to the woman's body. Once again he runs into things that go bump in the night and comes face to face with monsters along with his own personal demons.

These stories are great and J.R. Rain is just pure fun to read. Most of his short stories are close to 70 pages, sometimes longer or a bit shorter but this formula works very well for him. Each story is self contained. Mr. Rain never leaves you at the edge of a cliff hanger. All of his stories wrap up nicely yet have an overall story arc through each book. If you haven't read The Vampire in the Iron Mask then I highly suggest doing so. It brings closure to the series and to Spinoza himself. J.R. Rain has quickly become one of my favorite authors and his books are one of my biggest "guilty pleasures" in life. I haven't read everything he's written but I'm working on it and so far I've enjoyed everything I have read, especially The Vampire for Hire series. I hope Veronica an Natassa will make a guest appearance there soon. I also cannot wait for their own series.

Original Review for The Vampire in the Iron Mask (Spinoza for Hire aka The Spinoza Trilogy #3)

And so the Spinoza series comes to a conclusion. Right next to The Vampire for Hire series this one is my favorite. These books were just so much fun to read! J.R. Rain knows how to tell a good story and how to wrap things up nicely while still leaving room for the future in case he ever wants to revisit these characters. This book was excellent and practically brought tears to my eye's.

For the third and final volume in the Spinoza Trilogy, Spinoza is hired to look into a missing person who may be being held against their will at a Medieval Times like place. Every day during their show someone is wheeled out in a Hannibal Lecter type cage and then wheeled back in and down an elevator. The worker who hired Spinoza has never seen this “actor” before. Nobody knows who it is and nobody seems to want to talk about what may or may not be in the basement. So Spinoza does what he does best and along the way he runs into an old friend who he saved his life in the first book. Together they work to unravel the mystery of the person in the Iron Mask and in the process must face a growing evil and all the while one constant question remains. Is the thing in the Iron Mask there for a reason? Is it good or evil? You'll just have to read to find out the answer to those questions.

I love how characters from his other series make guest appearances which happens in most of his books. In each book we get a chance to visit with our other favorite characters such as Jim Knighthorse, Elvis and even a mention of Samantha Moon. It’s these fun little things along with the awesome stories and his great sense of humor which always keeps me coming back for more. I loved every minute of this book and hope to see Veronica and Natassa in their own series or maybe even show up in the Vampire for Hire books.

All in all one of his best series to date!

[Maryalice · Rating 5 out of 5]

3 short stories about a PI that finds people to make up for losing a son to a drunk driver, himself, and ends up helping vampires that kill vampires that kill people.

[Susan Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this trilogy very much. Fast paced and each story kept me guessing. Really liked the characters and the story lines.

[Leah Speller · Rating 3 out of 5]

This trilogy of novellas was in a word....interesting. Each storyline was truly a progression from the first. Because they were novellas I cannot say I felt the character was fleshed out very well it felt more like introductions to them and perhaps and introduction to the main character. At first I even got to the point that the author caused me to not like him very much.

He was hurting but by the third installment I was ready to say "get over it already." But, there was a point to it. I won't say what for that would give too much of the plot line and it is an important one. Perhaps the author could have found another way to bring this about. I never did like being hit over the head or slapped in the face with a plot point. I am pretty quick with these things truly I am. Trust your readers to pick up the points you want to make about a character and what is going on with them.

As for the stories themselves I loved the plots. I loved the darkness of them and how the detective got introduced into a part of life that most believed to be just a goth thing, or a story in a book. I may try more books from this author, I am not closed minded and judge just from a few novellas. He has at least peeked my interest. I just could not give a higher marking.

[Kay Roseberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

Something different for me has led me to read more by this author. I'm fixing to start or rather finish the adventure of the return of King Arthur. J. R. Rain you are a good writer! But you know this don't you. Thank you for sharing your thoughts in books so we can read and learn. Just saying.......

[Christi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Trilogy!

I was intrigued by the titles, then read the Samantha Moon novel featuring Spinoza and had to read the series. Such a tragic loss that changes his life in so many ways! It was gratifying to see Natassa ease his burden at the end of this trilogy. Looking forward to reading more about her and Veronica in the Huntress series.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are fun quick reads. Kept me entertained without drawing the story out... Though, it would not have been bad to add a little more into the stories.

[✿Claire✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm never quite sure if I like J.R.Rain's books or not. The story was good but the execution was a bit childish and there were several spelling mistakes in there as well.

[Bill Casti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light-hearted noir murder mysteries with vampires. Fun reads.

[Sally Hannoush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fun insight of a P.I. who gets mixed up in some paranormal cases.
Three short stories.

[Truitti · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved this series. very touching conclusion. over use of the Lord's name as a curse word however.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

So-so vampire story. Really 3 stories in one.

[Nikki Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it.. Not a bad writer, not a bad story, very entertaining.

[Lyndaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very J R Rain. A lot of tragedy and comedy and detectives who like doughnuts and whatever the hell scones are!

[Robin]

Great books. Good story line

[Ricky Kimsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Supernatural Mysteries

This trilogy stars a private investigator who's cases always seem to involve vampires. This is for those you enjoy supernatural mysteries.

[Kym Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series