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Underwood and Flinch #1
Resurrection
The first volume of the award-winning Underwood and Flinch Chronicles.
All David Flinch ever wanted was a normal life. But when you're a member of the Flinch family, normal has never been easy.
For hundreds of years, the eldest male Flinch has been servant and guardian to the vampire, Lord Underwood. While the Flinches have changed through the generations, Underwood has remained eternal. David had hoped to be spared the horror of serving his family's lord and master, but when he is summoned to the Flinch home in Spain by his dying older brother, he knows his luck has run out. After fifty years of slumber, Underwood is to be resurrected from the grave in a ritual of human sacrifice, and David, by right of succession, is to be his resurrector. But there is another Flinch, one who craves the role of guardian to the vampire: David’s sister, Lydia. It’s a job she means to have, even if it means making David’s the first blood shed in this new age of Underwood and Flinch.
Winner of the Polidori Award for Best Vampire Novel 2010 and 2011.
Finalist in the 2010 Parsec Awards and Winner in 2012.
All David Flinch ever wanted was a normal life. But when you're a member of the Flinch family, normal has never been easy.
For hundreds of years, the eldest male Flinch has been servant and guardian to the vampire, Lord Underwood. While the Flinches have changed through the generations, Underwood has remained eternal. David had hoped to be spared the horror of serving his family's lord and master, but when he is summoned to the Flinch home in Spain by his dying older brother, he knows his luck has run out. After fifty years of slumber, Underwood is to be resurrected from the grave in a ritual of human sacrifice, and David, by right of succession, is to be his resurrector. But there is another Flinch, one who craves the role of guardian to the vampire: David’s sister, Lydia. It’s a job she means to have, even if it means making David’s the first blood shed in this new age of Underwood and Flinch.
Winner of the Polidori Award for Best Vampire Novel 2010 and 2011.
Finalist in the 2010 Parsec Awards and Winner in 2012.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2013
16 people are currently reading
229 people want to read
About the author
Mike Bennett
20 books201 followersMike Bennett is the five-time Parsec Award-winning author/podcaster of the Underwood and Flinch saga, Hall of Mirrors, and One Among the Sleepless. He lives in Wexford, Ireland.
Amazon profile (http://www.amazon.com/Mike-Bennett/e/...) and Smashwords profile (https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...)
Amazon profile (http://www.amazon.com/Mike-Bennett/e/...) and Smashwords profile (https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...)
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 31, 2018
I only picked this up as I needed an "U" for a challenge.
Pleasant surprise, enjoyable, witty tale about a legendary vampire, Lord Underwood and the family Flinch his human servants and protectors through the ages. Enter one David Flinch who definitely does not want to live up to his family legacy. Finding out what happened next kept me amused to the end of the book. I was a bit puzzled about a parallel storyline about some small time English crooks who run into trouble with the Russian mafia, but hoping it will tie into the sequel.
3.5 stars
Pleasant surprise, enjoyable, witty tale about a legendary vampire, Lord Underwood and the family Flinch his human servants and protectors through the ages. Enter one David Flinch who definitely does not want to live up to his family legacy. Finding out what happened next kept me amused to the end of the book. I was a bit puzzled about a parallel storyline about some small time English crooks who run into trouble with the Russian mafia, but hoping it will tie into the sequel.
3.5 stars
July 22, 2013
I love this book. Mike Bennett is a great author and his characters have great depth and you can feel their feelings. Mike's Underwood is a unique approach to a vampire. Flinch is a reluctant caretaker as he is thrown into servitude by birth and fate. First appalled then Flinch realizes he can make a difference or a least try to make a difference. Together they go through adventures that are sometimes funny and sometimes sad but always exciting. Must read.
July 22, 2013
Absolutely awesome read!!!
A vampire novel like no other.
Mike Bennett does a great job of making the characters feel so real.
A real page turner that will keep you glued to it for hours.
A vampire novel like no other.
Mike Bennett does a great job of making the characters feel so real.
A real page turner that will keep you glued to it for hours.
October 21, 2019
Oh wow! I have never heard a story like this 😯 I have listened to this as an audiobook and will listen to the next in the series straight away. Will recomend to anyone and everyone!
March 25, 2020
For me, I'd give it 2.5 if possible though I chose to round down to a 2 rather than up as it was far too long. Not all of the character set up was needed. My only assumption is that the entire book is a scene-setter for the series.
Its more of a Dracula book than a Twilight, which is one of its more redeeming factors but overall it was slow and the action only picked up and the two different threads of the story connected at 80%. I liked it enough to keep going and when I hit 80% I thought finally.
But it was a weak ending in my point of view too much of a set up for the stories to come, rather than a stand-alone piece of fiction.
Its more of a Dracula book than a Twilight, which is one of its more redeeming factors but overall it was slow and the action only picked up and the two different threads of the story connected at 80%. I liked it enough to keep going and when I hit 80% I thought finally.
But it was a weak ending in my point of view too much of a set up for the stories to come, rather than a stand-alone piece of fiction.
June 14, 2020
Listened to the audiobook as read by the author, really enjoyed it. Found his voice for Lydia a bit off-putting but amusing, just sounded a bit camp! Underwood was a great character.
March 21, 2023
I have many thoughts
August 23, 2013
David Flinch is a recovering alcoholic that has made a decent life for himself. He is a an english teacher and has a nice girlfriend named Lisa. David's family has a dark history which he wants to escape but you just can't walk away from the family business. When David gets a letter stating that his older brother John is dying of cancer, he has no choice but to go to Spain and take his rightful position as servant and guardian to the vampire, Lord Underwood.
David doesn't want to be the guardian but he swears to his dying brother that he will do it, much to the disappointment of his sister Lydia who wants the position herself. Now that David is guardian he vows to stop Underwood from killing and turn him into a kinder gentler vampire. But how do you stop a vampire from killing and how will he stop Lydia from taking his job and using Underwood for her own plans?
Underwood and Flinch Resurrection by Mike Bennett is an excellent horror novel that shows that books about vampires never get old. I was hooked on the story right from the beginning when you get to see the relationship between Underwood and Arthur Flinch who is David's father. They are a team and work well together. I loved the part when Arthur and Lord Underwood have a conversation on the meaning of life right before Underwood goes into a casket for a 50 year hibernation. Mike Bennett did a good job of creating multi-dimensional characters and creating a vampire that you can't help to root for.
Flash forward to the present and you have David who is the opposite of his father, he looks at the family business of taking care of a vampire as evil and wants no part of it. You see when he is introduced, he has trouble with relationships and doesn't trust people. He wants to make a difference in the world but his past is dictating his future and his life is not his own.
There seems to be a theme in Resurrection of how everyone is a shade of gray. Lydia and Lord Underwood both look at themselves as evil but both of them show several times how they have a conscience. Lydia feels guilt when someone close to her dies even though she says it was for the greater good. Underwood kills two people and then apologizes for it saying he had to do it and David threatens to kill his neighbors at one point but he still wants to stop Underwood from killing. All of the characters in this book are fascinating and not what they first appear to be.
What I liked most about Underwood and Flinch Resurrection is how it blends comedy with horror. Leading up to the resurrection scene, the exchange between the three people who are reviving Underwood was funny along with Underwood's worshipers who try to get a closer look at the resurrection. I also liked how all the followers run off when they discover that Underwood may not be the savior that they thought he was. Underwood And Flinch Resurrection is an excellent vampire tale that has everything you could want in a horror novel. I'm looking forward to what Mike Bennett has in store for us in his the second Underwood and Flinch novel called Bonded In Blood.
David doesn't want to be the guardian but he swears to his dying brother that he will do it, much to the disappointment of his sister Lydia who wants the position herself. Now that David is guardian he vows to stop Underwood from killing and turn him into a kinder gentler vampire. But how do you stop a vampire from killing and how will he stop Lydia from taking his job and using Underwood for her own plans?
Underwood and Flinch Resurrection by Mike Bennett is an excellent horror novel that shows that books about vampires never get old. I was hooked on the story right from the beginning when you get to see the relationship between Underwood and Arthur Flinch who is David's father. They are a team and work well together. I loved the part when Arthur and Lord Underwood have a conversation on the meaning of life right before Underwood goes into a casket for a 50 year hibernation. Mike Bennett did a good job of creating multi-dimensional characters and creating a vampire that you can't help to root for.
Flash forward to the present and you have David who is the opposite of his father, he looks at the family business of taking care of a vampire as evil and wants no part of it. You see when he is introduced, he has trouble with relationships and doesn't trust people. He wants to make a difference in the world but his past is dictating his future and his life is not his own.
There seems to be a theme in Resurrection of how everyone is a shade of gray. Lydia and Lord Underwood both look at themselves as evil but both of them show several times how they have a conscience. Lydia feels guilt when someone close to her dies even though she says it was for the greater good. Underwood kills two people and then apologizes for it saying he had to do it and David threatens to kill his neighbors at one point but he still wants to stop Underwood from killing. All of the characters in this book are fascinating and not what they first appear to be.
What I liked most about Underwood and Flinch Resurrection is how it blends comedy with horror. Leading up to the resurrection scene, the exchange between the three people who are reviving Underwood was funny along with Underwood's worshipers who try to get a closer look at the resurrection. I also liked how all the followers run off when they discover that Underwood may not be the savior that they thought he was. Underwood And Flinch Resurrection is an excellent vampire tale that has everything you could want in a horror novel. I'm looking forward to what Mike Bennett has in store for us in his the second Underwood and Flinch novel called Bonded In Blood.
July 22, 2013
I found Mike a few years ago when Underwood and Flinch was half way through and I am glad I did. Mike does justice to the vampire legend. In an age of Twilight and Vampire Diaries he takes us back old school. It is filled with action and every time he put out a new episode, you were on the edge of your seat the whole time. Never have I listened to someone read to me and I'm on edge trying to figure out what is going to happen next. I'm usually pretty good about guessing how the story will end based on certain clues but Mike has that style where you do not know what's going to happen next. This is only the first half and believe me, you have to read the second half. It just keeps getting better.
July 23, 2013
Mike's humour and horror come out in this story in spades.
I must admit being a supporter of this on indiegogo I own this as one personalised ebook rather than two separate books so this review is for both books so far in the chronicles.
Not another vampire story I can hear people groan but Lord Underwood isn't sparkly and all those superior put-downs for the Twigglet books, and this story has pirates too so what could be better.
In all seriousness this is a great read and a new old take on the vampire tale which kept me gripped from start to end. The Spanish location and the "origins" tale are worth the pound or so alone.
Until the moon rises again these first two chronicles will have to suffice.
I must admit being a supporter of this on indiegogo I own this as one personalised ebook rather than two separate books so this review is for both books so far in the chronicles.
Not another vampire story I can hear people groan but Lord Underwood isn't sparkly and all those superior put-downs for the Twigglet books, and this story has pirates too so what could be better.
In all seriousness this is a great read and a new old take on the vampire tale which kept me gripped from start to end. The Spanish location and the "origins" tale are worth the pound or so alone.
Until the moon rises again these first two chronicles will have to suffice.
November 22, 2014
I found this to be an interesting tale, but couldn't see the point of the apparent side story of the ex-pats and the Russians - I can only assume that it will be continued (and possibly concluded) in book 2, but I couldn't see the point of it in book 1, other than to bulk it out a little - I felt it added nothing to the story, which was already complicated enough with the relationship between Underwood and Flinch anyway. I felt it was a good enough story to have carried the book on its own, and found the "Russian mob" angle detracted a lot from the interaction between Underwood and David.
July 22, 2013
Do you like vampire of the good old vintage, and not sparkly, obtuse high-school drama blabber, but style and eloquence? Well look no further, the Underwood and Flinch chronicles are what you should read.
I could go on about the plot, characters, amusing wordplay and twists, but I shan't. I'll leave all this up to you to discover, so rather than reading this, get the book and read that instead. It's that good. No, really, it is.
I could go on about the plot, characters, amusing wordplay and twists, but I shan't. I'll leave all this up to you to discover, so rather than reading this, get the book and read that instead. It's that good. No, really, it is.
July 23, 2013
Great read, superior vampire fiction, this totally rocks. I enjoyed every page of this book. It has everything you want in a vampire novel - death, terror, fear, black humour and a PROPER vampire with nothing sparkly and nothing to appeal to pre-pubescent girls (unless they are into horror, of course!). Can't wait to start on the second book in the series - Bonded in Blood - on the way home on the train this evening.
February 19, 2014
FANTASTIC !! I listened to the podcast novel. Excellent character development, plot lines and twists, incredible voice talent from the author! I highly recommend this vampire novel to everyone. Believable, exciting, with great story arcs and pacing. This is the kind of book that had me staying up all night to finish the last 6 chapters. A MUST READ / LISTEN! I cannot wait for him to complete the next in the series!
May 27, 2015
Different take on Vamps
I very much enjoyed the start of this story with the Flinch clan having to take care of Underwood from generation to generation. The thing that really bothered me though was this second side story that seemed to have nothing to do with the main story and was never even properly resolved. Maybe I missed something.
I very much enjoyed the start of this story with the Flinch clan having to take care of Underwood from generation to generation. The thing that really bothered me though was this second side story that seemed to have nothing to do with the main story and was never even properly resolved. Maybe I missed something.
August 13, 2018
Loved it.
first came across Mike's work through his podcasts. (He's well worth a listen).After reading is books in ebook form my opinion hasn't changed. Stands out among the Vampire novels. About to start part 2 now and hoping for a part 3 in the future.
first came across Mike's work through his podcasts. (He's well worth a listen).After reading is books in ebook form my opinion hasn't changed. Stands out among the Vampire novels. About to start part 2 now and hoping for a part 3 in the future.
August 1, 2013
I could get into all the detailed reasons this is an example of great story telling and an attribute to the vampire genre, but it speaks for its self. If you are a fan of a mostly classic, but more witty and charming blood-thirsty creature of the night, you owe it to your self to give it a read.
November 11, 2016
A modern and interesting twist on the vampire genre. But clunky writing and an uneven storyline steal the story’s pleasure. Also, the author’s decision to put brakes on the narrative in order to turn this into a series damaged this first instalment.
July 22, 2013
A unique vampire story which adds humor and class to the genre
January 8, 2025
This was a little slow to start, but it's a very good vampire story with a sympathetic hero and characters that seem real.
July 23, 2013
A brilliantly written story, Mike really paints a great picture of people and places.
Thanks for a great series :)
Thanks for a great series :)
Read
June 10, 2014Anyone who has had the pleasure of hearing Mike's podcasts knows he's unique flare for description and dialogue. The podcast to page conversion of U&F just drives the point home even more.
November 6, 2014
Great read
Amusing and quite funny. A family cursed but no one thinks so but the youngest son. Welcome to Flinch nightmare that will never end!
Amusing and quite funny. A family cursed but no one thinks so but the youngest son. Welcome to Flinch nightmare that will never end!
April 16, 2015
Fun little vampire tale, with a bit of tongue-in-cheek attitude. Interesting setup, and promises more in the next books of the series.
Want to read
February 9, 2016putting this on hold. I have other books that I am eager to read. This has been a good book thus far. I just have other reads I want to read more.
Want to read
July 21, 2016Currently free at Smashwords. Available in a variety of formats, all DRM-free. 7/21/16
July 23, 2013
I love this series so much that I would like to see a movie version.
October 7, 2013
I love Underwood. (^^) He is very attractive.
August 19, 2015
A far more interesting vampire tale than is commonly available right now!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews