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The Dead Travel Fast: A Vampire Slaying Novel

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The line between a hero and a villain is often thinner than we imagine…

Vlad 3 Dracula, prince of Wallachia and defender of Christendom. Count Dracula, who inspired one of the greatest horror tales in history… are both alive in the same extraordinary man… a man who’s past holds the key to defeating a new and bloody evil …

Veronica Belle, an average young woman with aspirations of becoming a horror writer has chosen the pastoral seaside town of Potter’s neck to inspire her… and yet things just don’t seem to be going anywhere… but that’s about to change.

When Vince Drake, young, handsome, charming and successful world-famous vampire author strolls into Veronica’s life, her hopes for excitement quickly begin to spiral into a terrifying waking nightmare…

A bloody vandalism, a grisly ritual murder and a growing string of sicknesses and disappearances begins to pull back the veil on an impossible growing horror… Monsters are real and they thirst for an ancient mystery that promises ultimate power… an inevitable clash between the stalkers of the night and courageous an unlikely slayers… and it all hinges on an unlikely ally who will challenge everything you and Veronica Belle believe about vampires… including the most famous of them all!

Potter’s neck lies at a critical bend in the river of time… and that river surges crimson in this new twist on an enduring legend!

420 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2022

119 people are currently reading
89 people want to read

About the author

Scott W. Cook

50 books42 followers
A full-time author who lives in Florida's sunshine, Scott W. Cook is and has always been a lover of good stories. When he's not hard at work composing new tales, Scott loves the Florida lifestyle - sailing, surfing, kayaking, fishing and if you can throw in a great waterside bar and grill and good tunes, you'll find a happy man!

As a voracious reader, Scott loves an engaging story… and as a voracious writer, his passion is capturing your interest and keeping a satisfied smile on your face!

Scott has a wide variety of writing passions and there’s something for everyone. His Florida private detective series is loaded action, suspense and will put a smile on your face, too. His multiple WWII series take you back to one of the most extraordinary times in history and brings it to life through vibrant scenes and entertaining characters.

And if you, like Scott, have a sweet tooth for horror… then you’ll love his short story collections, his Immortal Dracula series as well as other goodies to tantalize and raise the gooseflesh! And that’s just the beginning.

To learn more visit Scott at his website. Peruse his catalogue and grab a free sample when you join the crew:
www.scottwcook.com

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5 stars
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4 stars
48 (33%)
3 stars
20 (13%)
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2 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for The Raven Scholar.
27 reviews1 follower
May 16, 2023
When I first began reading Scott Cooks, The Immortal Dracula series, I did not imagine I would find myself staying up till almost three in the morning, reading all of the series. The opening chapters of the initial book had a slow build-up with captivating dialogues between the main characters, suspenseful buildup, and descriptive world-building to get the reader acclimated to both the town, and the soon-to-be harrowing situations, the characters would find themselves quickly involved at the end of book 1.

The cliffhangers leading to each book, are enough to lay new roots for the next book, while wrapping up the growing tensions Cook leads readers with his fresh take on both the vampire genre and the usage of Count Dracula and Vlad Tempes.

Without giving away too much of the plot for book one, but also reviewing the series as a whole, the The Immortal Dracula becomes more than simply a tale about vampires, but takes readers, into a different perspective of story-telling especially regarding the story of Dracula.

While many may not binge read in one night, the books, individually and as a series, will have readers determine not to stop at one book but find themselves entranced by the unique perspective Cook has brought to the vampire genre, as well as providing a late night read which is entertaining, and making most both of the usual vampire cliches while creating a fresh look at how vampires are portrayed in literature.

If anything, this is one of the rare times, while the copies I read were via e-books, I found myself determined now to add hardbound copies of this series both for my library, and wagering if it's possible to introduce them to my book club, due to how Cook eloquently covers several genres all in one, and providing those who are history aficionados, not only a horror book which relies less on gore and shock but more in the use of suspense to keep the reader turning each page.

In addition, the attention to interlacing history into the writing, creates within the book, two tales crossing back and forth in time. Without giving away details that would create spoilers meant to surprise the reader, The Immortal Dracula makes for a great stormy weather reading, and hopes there will be a book 4 at some point to continue on the constant surprises, Cook presents in each book. As book one of the series warns the reader, "The line between a hero and a villain is often thinner than we imagine..."
Profile Image for Vakaris the Nosferatu.
997 reviews24 followers
December 30, 2023
all reviews in one place: night mode reading ; skaitom nakties rezimu

About the Book: Veronica moved to seaside town for inspiration, as she is an aspiring horror author to-be. But as things remain stagnant, young woman begins doubting her future vision. Just to end up in the most gruesome eye of the storm, when the peace and calm of the town melts away. One of her favorite horror authors moves here too, and the nightmares begin. People disappear. If they ever reappear – bodies are bloodless. Their blood is then used to send warnings, cryptic messages. And as much as Veronica would love to know by whom all of this is being done, the question whom it is for soon becomes much more pressing, as she no longer feels all that safe…

My Opinion: Very, very slow paced book. But an interesting take on an old myth. Author is very open about the sources for inspiration, characters cheerily discuss media of vampires and even Dracula himself. Protagonists are fairly well developed and where secondary ones are lacking – their stories still serve a purpose. Even if it’s just King-style horror scene setting, where we get to watch these sidelines to understand the scope better, it’s still solid. Amusing story, if terribly slow. Hopefully there will be more.
Profile Image for Greg Wood.
2 reviews
February 5, 2024
I have to admit that 99% of the vampire genre is full of poorly written books, formulaic plots, uninspired characters, and VampRom silliness that seems straight out of high school. Hey, I love a hot Vamp/Breather relationship as much as the next person, but a lot of authors aren't talented enough to avoid crossing the line into porn or misogyny. Only a small percentage of vampire novels reach the heights of, say, Anne Rice's books, Fledgling (Butler), The Historian (Kostova), Let the Right One In (Lindqvist), Empire of the Vampire (Kristoff), or similar "Top 25 Vampire Novels." So, my expectations for this seemingly simple vampire tale were low, in part because of the uninspired title and the cartoon-like cover. Boy, was I happy to be wrong with my initial impression? (Isn't there a saying about "Don't judge a book by..."). The book is well-written, has a plot that mostly keeps you guessing, has some sexual tension but doesn't overdo it, and keeps the reader entertained, and doesn't go too far off from our collective understanding of these immortal beings. I really enjoyed it and I hope you will also.
Profile Image for Agustina Sureda.
606 reviews13 followers
February 22, 2022
Scott Cook is a full-time author who lives in Florida and takes the legend of Dracula to another level. This book, The Dead Travel Fast: A Vampire Slaying Novel, is the first one in a series called The Inmortal Dracula. Starting off with an introduction from Dracula himself, this book is filled with new adventures and characters, and this is how Dracula lets his readers know how he feels about the events that took place in his life. 

As a Dracula fan, I was a bit worried that this was going to be a crazy story, but I was wrong. The characters are compelling, especially Veronica! The lifestyle and mind Cook decided to write for her were quite unique, and I have to highlight the fact that this book is mixed with present events, so it is a bit more "futuristic."

Having Dracula introduce himself and explain his point of view in the story was a plus for me. A story filled with action, mystery, and, of course, love. I can't wait for the next one! A very good book!
Profile Image for S Tyty.
1,282 reviews29 followers
February 25, 2022
This work by author Cook is a tantalizing first book in a series of promising tales of vampires.
It is an interest-evoking kind of tale with the particular thing that a woman has an important role in the story. This is actually something that caught my attention since I have always read stories of vampires with male characters as protagonists. Actually, all the characters here are well-crafted and described.
The storyline is relatable and, in general, the narrative is a wonderfully-descriptive piece of writing and clever details really bring the story to life.
Cook has an amazing way of telling stories that will make readers experience different types of feelings while flipping through the pages that would make them move within a land of both good and evil. This story’s end is just a gem!
Profile Image for CarlitasFox.
1,487 reviews28 followers
February 25, 2022
A fascinating, spooky novel
Just by looking at the cover, I decided to read “The Dead travel fast: a Vampire slaying Novel”. It's the first book in the series called “The Immortal Dracula” which was penned by Scott Cook. I simply loved it.
This spooky story revolves around a young woman who aspires to become a horror writer and resolves to move to the pastoral seaside town of Potter’s neck to set up her story. To her surprise, another famous writer lives there and their lives become connected to bloody and mysterious events in the town. It's terrible! I became fascinated by the author's writing style since he made me feel immersed in this creepy story. It's a page-turning horror novel with complex and well-portrayed characters. It´s a great, compelling tale. Without a doubt, I recommend it and I´ll keep on reading the series.
Profile Image for Aparna Preethi.
Author 1 book56 followers
June 11, 2022
I am a huge fan of vampire and Dracula novels and when I found this novel, I immediately decided to buy it. The story revolves around a girl named Veronica Belle, an aspirational horror writer. In the search for inspiration to write, she cross paths with Vince Drake and her life began to change in unimaginable ways. I found the novel intriguing and fascinating. The author did a great job in presenting the old age Dracula theme in a different light. Thrill and suspense stay along till the end and made reading engaging.

As it’s the first part of the series, I am eager to read the next part and know what happens next. All the fiction lovers will find this spooky vampire novel terrifying yet intriguing.

Profile Image for Margarita Garcia.
1,046 reviews22 followers
June 13, 2024
New vampire story.

''The Dead Travel Fast'' is the second book in the Immortal Dracula series. This novel portrays a modern story of vampires, where the main characters are very well crafted and the story has different twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This story is set in a remote town of Potter's neck where Veronica is trying to look for inspiration for her next book, but what she doesn't know is that being there will change her life and what could be a horror fantasy will become her new reality. This book centers around fears, darkness, and supernatural events that delve into the psychological aspects of fear, and moral dilemmas. I enjoyed reading this first book, and I cannot wait for the second.
Profile Image for Daniel Moreno.
855 reviews16 followers
June 14, 2024
This being the first book in the series, I loved it and I consider it to be an essential pillar to give continuity to the series. This book is not another book where we talk about Dracula as an ancient vampire. Although it retains many of his characteristics, what the author does by modernizing it is simply wonderful. This makes you feel much more engaged with the story since it involves many of the aspects that we experience every day in our lives. The story is intertwined with suspense, thriller and of course the supernatural. If you are a person who enjoys this type of reading, this book should be in your bookshelf. I can't wait to read the next books and know what evolution the story has in each of them.
Profile Image for Liz.
1,402 reviews33 followers
February 25, 2022
The thriller genre has become one of my favorites lately. The suspense generated makes one can't stop reading, and this is exactly what happened to me with "The Dead Travel Fast: A Vampire Slaying Novel".
Author Scott Cook tells us the story of Veronica Belle, an average young woman with aspirations of becoming a horror writer and has chosen the pastoral seaside town of Potter's neck to inspire herself. But Veronica's life is about to change.
I loved author Cook's writing style, the plot was very engaging and the characters are exceptional, readers emphasize with them immediately. I really enjoyed reading this fascinating thriller book!
Profile Image for Alfredo R.
603 reviews8 followers
June 11, 2022
A vampire fiction

Scott Cook is the author of this fiction titled “The Dead Travel Fast”, where he tells the story of an enthusiast writer called Veronica Belle. This fiction author is in the search of inspiration, so life takes her to a town next to the sea. She comes across many characters that are way more than she expected. Belle meets Vince Drake, who is the typical gorgeous and has it all man that turns her life upside down. Her story becomes interesting and dangerous at the same time.

Perhaps the around four hundred pages inside this reader made it a little bit hard for me to follow the story, but I consider this book was good entertainment. I give this reader three stars!
Profile Image for Dani Savante.
804 reviews24 followers
June 11, 2022
The first book in the series “The Immortal Dracula” created by the author Scott Cook, The Dead Travel Fast: A Vampire Slaying Novel represents a milestone in my relationship with books. I love horror novels and even more if they are related to vampires and vampire
slayers, but this book captivated me like no other before. The main characters are two writers who meet in a small city, from that moment their lives and futures change forever. Enthusiasm and hopes turn into horror, murders, rituals and vengeance.
I recommend this novel without any doubt. It is perfect for all horror lovers. I cannot wait to read more from this series.
Profile Image for Marina  Lujan .
938 reviews15 followers
June 14, 2024
From the moment I started reading the first page, I knew I was starting a journey that would stay with me. As someone who loves horror, I must admit The Dead Travel Fast exceeded my expectations. I was completely absorbed by how the author crafted such a suspenseful and mysterious story. Each page carries a gripping atmosphere that keeps you eagerly turning the pages. The characters, each with their unique quirks and hidden secrets, add depth to the story, making every moment a fresh surprise.

Without a doubt, this is an ideal book to read calmly, enjoy a relaxed afternoon, and let yourself be carried away by an original story. It was a literary experience that left me wanting more!
Profile Image for Ivan M.
838 reviews22 followers
June 14, 2024
The Dead Travel Fast is a Vampire thriller, inspired by the legendary tale of Count Dracula. Since I watched Castlevania, I've become obsessed with Vampire novels, so I started reading more about this genre. This book doesn´t fall behind, Cook presents an original and exciting plot, with lovable characters and a sense of mystery that kept me interested until the last pages.

The novel follows the story of Veronica Belle, a writer obsessed with vampires, who will trade fiction for the horrifying truth. Once she gets sucked into this nightmare, she will have to change her role and become the hero needed to fight the night creatures and save the world.
Profile Image for Santiago Flores.
1,049 reviews11 followers
July 7, 2024
Thrilling

The Dead Travel Fast: A Vampire Slaying Novel by Scott Cook is a thrilling blend of horror and adventure. Veronica Belle, a hopeful horror writer, moves to the quiet town of Potter's Neck, seeking inspiration. Her life takes a dark turn when she meets Vince Drake, a famous vampire author. What starts as a chance encounter spirals into a nightmare as a series of grisly events unfold in the town.
This is a gripping tale that reinvents vampire lore and challenges our perceptions of heroes and villains. Fans of dark, twisty mysteries will be hooked.
Profile Image for Miss Cecile .
320 reviews
September 11, 2025
This is a fantastic read.

I really enjoyed this book. It gently unravels the mysteries at first, dropping little clues that something is ary. Then it ramps up and you begin to put the pieces together. I liked the slow but steady passing.

I think the two main characters had great chemistry. Their dialogue together was on point, with gentle teasing. I felt invested in their relationship and wanting them to become a couple.
Profile Image for Tanja Kalinic.
14 reviews1 follower
June 20, 2024
Absolutely loved it. I'm a big vampire fan and read almost anything with that subject. I haven't been this impressed in years.
Profile Image for Bill Edwards.
87 reviews
July 4, 2025
Entertaining

Modern day vampires based on the folk lore and past stories. New background on the original classic. Well thought out looking forward to the next chapter!
Profile Image for Carol.
4 reviews
August 23, 2025
Excellent Read

Great story and very interesting characters. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series. I highly recommend this book.
15 reviews
September 22, 2025
great tale

Great take on the tale of Count Dracula- they did a great job mingling the past and rise of vlad to him in the current world. Looking forward to following this series.
6 reviews
August 25, 2025
Very good book!! Great story and imaginative twist on tale as old as time, Dracula! It definitely is a must read!
125 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2023
I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of the present story with the life and times of Vlad Tepes. It was interesting to see that maybe not everything history has to say about him might be accurate. I also found the classification of the different vampires especially creative. Over all a very clever, engaging book.
Profile Image for Rocio.
345 reviews4 followers
June 13, 2024
"The Dead Travel Fast" by Scott plunged me into the horror genre, venturing into Dracula and vampires, challenging my skeptical mind when it comes to these types of books, although I must admit that Cook's skill left me completely captivated.
What surprised and captivated me the most were the characters that the author created, especially the heroine with her determined and military-like attitude, as well as the enigmatic hero, Mr. Drake. The ability to weave elements of oral tradition, legend, history, and cinema into a cohesive and believable narrative is undoubtedly admirable and showcases his great talent as a writer.
It's a book I recommend because it managed to instill a palpable sense of unease and suspense, keeping me captivated in the story until the end.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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