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Earthling Halloween Series #1
Blood Red
For years, Halloween has been a time for celebration in picturesque Black Stone Bay, RI. But this year, things will be very different. This year, the town will learn that things that go bump in the night are not always figments off the imagination.
401 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
10 people are currently reading
474 people want to read
About the author
James A. Moore
230 books766 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
James A. Moore was the award winning author of over forty novels, thrillers, dark fantasy and horror alike, including the critically acclaimed Fireworks, Under The Overtree, Blood Red, the Serenity Falls trilogy (featuring his recurring anti-hero, Jonathan Crowley) and his most recent novels, seven Forges, The Blasted Lands, City of Wonders , The Silent Army and the forthcoming The Gates of The Dead (Book Three in the Tides of War Series) and A Hell Within, co-authored with Charles R. Rutledge.
James A. Moore was the award winning author of over forty novels, thrillers, dark fantasy and horror alike, including the critically acclaimed Fireworks, Under The Overtree, Blood Red, the Serenity Falls trilogy (featuring his recurring anti-hero, Jonathan Crowley) and his most recent novels, seven Forges, The Blasted Lands, City of Wonders , The Silent Army and the forthcoming The Gates of The Dead (Book Three in the Tides of War Series) and A Hell Within, co-authored with Charles R. Rutledge.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
March 5, 2021
Sometimes you want a steak. A hunk of meat the size of the plate, juicy, more rare than done, maybe with garlic butter on top and with a side of something you’d never bother cooking at home. A meal you’d drop quite a few dimes on, one you’ll think about for days, weeks after. Other times, you want a drive-through cheeseburger. You paid for it with the coins gathering dust in your car’s center console. You’ll spend more time eating the burger than the guys inside took to cook it. In the moment, that cheeseburger is just as satisfying as the steak, and sometimes the memory of that burger will stick with you longer than the steak that took hours of your life to work for.
Blood Red by James A. Moore is more a drive-through burger than a cloth-napkin establishment steak, but that is not an insult. This is a book that does not aspire to be more than it is, but takes you through its journey with pride. Old school in its inspirations, Blood Red harkens to the vampire fiction of Stephen King, Robert R. McCammon, Richard Laymon, and other greats of the genre. Moore admits in the afterward to not trying to reinvent the trope’s wheel here, but to use the ingredients to make his own playground.
You can read Chris' full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
Blood Red by James A. Moore is more a drive-through burger than a cloth-napkin establishment steak, but that is not an insult. This is a book that does not aspire to be more than it is, but takes you through its journey with pride. Old school in its inspirations, Blood Red harkens to the vampire fiction of Stephen King, Robert R. McCammon, Richard Laymon, and other greats of the genre. Moore admits in the afterward to not trying to reinvent the trope’s wheel here, but to use the ingredients to make his own playground.
You can read Chris' full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
June 28, 2011
No one was more surprised at how good this book was then I was. James A. Moore was on my probation list after receiving back-to-back two-star reviews for his last two books. I almost didn't pick this one up, but I decided to give him one more chance. Needless to say, I was fairly blown away.
Blood Red is a rather large scale story set in a small town, very well written, with characters I really enjoyed learning about. The slow buildup was a gamble, but one that -- for me -- paid off tremendously. Horror author Kealan Patrick Burke said it best with his three work descripion of the book... "Brutal and scary". I was very surprised and delighted at the large number of characters that Mr. Moore kills off. He's obviously not afraid of anything.
I could have done without some of the banter between the detectives, and Ben's incredible computer skills seemed a bit far fetched, but with only a few minor gripes, this book is a big thumbs up. I hope to read a sequel to Blood Red some day. I'm also happy to say that the probation for James A. Moore has now been lifted.
Blood Red is a rather large scale story set in a small town, very well written, with characters I really enjoyed learning about. The slow buildup was a gamble, but one that -- for me -- paid off tremendously. Horror author Kealan Patrick Burke said it best with his three work descripion of the book... "Brutal and scary". I was very surprised and delighted at the large number of characters that Mr. Moore kills off. He's obviously not afraid of anything.
I could have done without some of the banter between the detectives, and Ben's incredible computer skills seemed a bit far fetched, but with only a few minor gripes, this book is a big thumbs up. I hope to read a sequel to Blood Red some day. I'm also happy to say that the probation for James A. Moore has now been lifted.
November 14, 2008
If you are looking for a good, gory vampire book...this is a good one. I read reviews on this author and was told that he is just as a good as Koontz or King. I wouldn't say he is better but he may be just as good. It was well written and I throughly enjoyed it.
June 13, 2021
3.9 Stars!
Scary, family bloodlines, town goes to hell à la Salem's Lot. Several twists on vampire genre, including different types of vampires (depending on the the vampire was turned). Entertaining detective buddy banter.
Coastal college town- Black Stone Bay, Rhode Island. Old money and folks with no money. College girls just want to have fun, so several prostitute themselves out to pay for books, tuition, and burgers. Good cops hunt bad cops, because bad cops cop feels on coeds. (Wait till they meet vampire!) Coeds babysit, turn tricks, shop, die, and dress up for Halloween. Wild Frat parties! Sinful priests and pastors. Excellent characterizations, above average scares, and decent dialog.
My only gripes? One too-good to be true male student. Too stupid to be true police chief. Intelligent detectives with convenient "plot-enabling" blind spots.
Scary, fleshy, eat-your-heart-out vampire novel.
Excellent addition to any horror or vampire collection.
Scary, family bloodlines, town goes to hell à la Salem's Lot. Several twists on vampire genre, including different types of vampires (depending on the the vampire was turned). Entertaining detective buddy banter.
Coastal college town- Black Stone Bay, Rhode Island. Old money and folks with no money. College girls just want to have fun, so several prostitute themselves out to pay for books, tuition, and burgers. Good cops hunt bad cops, because bad cops cop feels on coeds. (Wait till they meet vampire!) Coeds babysit, turn tricks, shop, die, and dress up for Halloween. Wild Frat parties! Sinful priests and pastors. Excellent characterizations, above average scares, and decent dialog.
My only gripes? One too-good to be true male student. Too stupid to be true police chief. Intelligent detectives with convenient "plot-enabling" blind spots.
Scary, fleshy, eat-your-heart-out vampire novel.
Excellent addition to any horror or vampire collection.
October 25, 2015
Creepy and good, but geez... did everyone in the town have to be as horny as 17 year old boys? Less sex references and more scares, please.
January 8, 2016
4.5 stars.
December 5, 2015
Very fun vampire novel from James A. Moore! I love that this one keeps the vampires mean and monstrous. The story really builds to an epic finale with lots of threads open for a sequel (and there is one, Blood Harvest!) Recommended to fans of real vampire horror!
October 20, 2010
It never grabbed me.
November 22, 2015
This book was loaded with plot development and characters, but could have been (should have been) shorter. History blurbs about the city were sprinkled throughout, most of which readers will ignore. I know I did. And, in general, the book was just overly wordy. Disappointing, as the storyline was a good one and did keep me reading to the end.
June 16, 2022
Carefully paced. Good characterization. Solid. All things I love in a good book. Horror is my favorite genre. I am not big on vampire novels though. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Couldn't wait to return to it each night.
August 1, 2009
Started off like it would be a really fun vampire story. Seemed to kind of peter out' as it came to an end. Lots of loose ends, but a very good 'voice' to it.
January 31, 2013
a refreshing take on the vampire myth
July 28, 2011
A good ol' vampire story with the classic massacre and a creepy, resilient villain. Smooth, engaging dialogue, too!
March 24, 2014
Not your average vampire book these days. These vamps are not sexy or cunning and definitely not sparkly. These vamps are what nightmares are made of.
June 30, 2015
New twists on the Vampire genre... Strong characters that are each battling their own personal demons. Entertaining read.
October 13, 2020
Excellent vampire book! Well conceived characters that I really cared about. Moore delivers!
September 27, 2025
I guess some think a good story is endless stuff about various characters lives up to the event.
No, not always. Unless there is some actual point maybe?
Anyway I didn't really care for pimps, drug dealers, college whores, college hackers, bad cops or bratty kids.
or the actual vampire part.
No, not always. Unless there is some actual point maybe?
Anyway I didn't really care for pimps, drug dealers, college whores, college hackers, bad cops or bratty kids.
or the actual vampire part.
March 11, 2023
Good vampire read.
Decent vampire read. Decent paced and had some decent thrilling and intriguing vampire scenes. James A Moore did a decent job at bringing us a unique perspective and twists on vampires and to note always love the banter and dynamic between the chatacters.
Decent vampire read. Decent paced and had some decent thrilling and intriguing vampire scenes. James A Moore did a decent job at bringing us a unique perspective and twists on vampires and to note always love the banter and dynamic between the chatacters.
May 26, 2021
Great vampire novel, best I’ve read in sometime. Entertaining, guy wrenching, and the horror keeps on.
November 28, 2021
One of my all time favorite reads!
November 19, 2022
Fantastic vampire book! (I know one of the main characters was a hired escort but I wish the sex scenes had been much less explicit. Other than that, it was excellent.)
November 16, 2023
Now that is a vampire story
March 21, 2017
Rather eerie vampire story with several parallels to 'Salem's Lot but sill a really good read.
October 18, 2008
Taking a break from "The Year of Mystery" (sort of!) for a good old-fashioned Horror indulgence, in the spirit of Halloween! I'm a sucker for a good vampire tale (no pun intended, ha!), but I am very particular - I want my vampires to be brutal, scary, and evil. So in that regard, "Blood Red" was great. The first half of the book is reminiscent of "Salem's Lot" (the best vampire story ever written), with a building sense of dread... Unfortunately the climax wasn't as fulfilling, and as a result took away from my satisfaction with the book overall.
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June 21, 2009Horror
May 12, 2010
I got this book when browsing Barnes and Noble, looking for something to read. The book reminds me of an early Stephan King, but I enjoyed the story more then I normally enjoy Stephan King.
July 14, 2010
James Moore isn't f*****g around...
Like the Stephen King classic, Salems Lot, Moore takes on a whole town infested with vampires.
Like the Stephen King classic, Salems Lot, Moore takes on a whole town infested with vampires.
April 10, 2011
this is a can't put down til you've read it all , type of book
July 30, 2011
I really enjoyed this Vampire novel, it keeps to many of the popular Vampire stereotypes we've developped but at the same time adds differences that make it unique!
October 18, 2016
couldn't stop reading, now I need the next one
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews