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Dracula #8
The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: Seance for a Vampire
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s timeless creation returns in a new series of handsomely designed, long out-of-print detective stories. From the earliest days of Holmes’ career to his astonishing encounters with Martian invaders, the Further Adventures series encapsulates the most varied and thrilling cases of the worlds’ greatest detective.
When two suspect psychics offer Ambrose Altamont and his wife the opportunity to contact their recently deceased daughter, the wealthy British aristocrat wastes no time in hiring Sherlock Holmes to expose their hoax. He arranges for the celebrated detective and Dr. Watson to attend the family's next seance, confident in Holmes' rationalist outlook on the situation. But what starts as cruel mockery becomes deadly reality when young, beautiful Louisa Altamont appears to her parents in the flesh as one of the nosferatu--a vampire! The resulting chaos leaves one of the fraudulent spiritualists dead. Sherlock Holmes missing, and Dr. Watson alone and mystified. With time running out, Watson has no choice but to summon the only one who might be able to help--Holmes' vampire cousin, Prince Dracula. Alternately narrated by Watson and the charismatic Dracula himself, Seance for a Vampire demonstrates that heroes are sometimes found in the most unlikely places. Saberhagen has recast Bram Stoker's paragon of evil into a noble, witty and chillingly powerful character.
When two suspect psychics offer Ambrose Altamont and his wife the opportunity to contact their recently deceased daughter, the wealthy British aristocrat wastes no time in hiring Sherlock Holmes to expose their hoax. He arranges for the celebrated detective and Dr. Watson to attend the family's next seance, confident in Holmes' rationalist outlook on the situation. But what starts as cruel mockery becomes deadly reality when young, beautiful Louisa Altamont appears to her parents in the flesh as one of the nosferatu--a vampire! The resulting chaos leaves one of the fraudulent spiritualists dead. Sherlock Holmes missing, and Dr. Watson alone and mystified. With time running out, Watson has no choice but to summon the only one who might be able to help--Holmes' vampire cousin, Prince Dracula. Alternately narrated by Watson and the charismatic Dracula himself, Seance for a Vampire demonstrates that heroes are sometimes found in the most unlikely places. Saberhagen has recast Bram Stoker's paragon of evil into a noble, witty and chillingly powerful character.
278 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
22 people are currently reading
739 people want to read
About the author
Fred Saberhagen
335 books496 followersFred Saberhagen was an American science fiction and fantasy author most famous for his ''Beserker'' and Dracula stories.
Saberhagen also wrote a series of a series of post-apocalyptic mytho-magical novels beginning with his popular ''Empire of the East'' and continuing through a long series of ''Swords'' and ''Lost Swords'' novels. Saberhagen died of cancer, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Saberhagen was born in and grew up in the area of Chicago, Illinois. Saberhagen served in the [[U.S. Air Force]] during the Korean War while he was in his early twenties. Back in civilian life, Saberhagen worked as an It was while he was working for Motorola (after his military service) that Saberhagen started writing fiction seriously at the age of about 30. "Fortress Ship", his first "Berserker" short shory, was published in 1963. Then, in 1964, Saberhagen saw the publication of his first novel, ''The Golden People''.
From 1967 to 1973, he worked as an editor for the Chemistry articles in the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' as well as writing its article on science fiction. He then quit and took up writing full-time. In 1975, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He married fellow writer Joan Spicci in 1968. They had two sons and a daughter.
Saberhagen also wrote a series of a series of post-apocalyptic mytho-magical novels beginning with his popular ''Empire of the East'' and continuing through a long series of ''Swords'' and ''Lost Swords'' novels. Saberhagen died of cancer, in Albuquerque, New Mexico
Saberhagen was born in and grew up in the area of Chicago, Illinois. Saberhagen served in the [[U.S. Air Force]] during the Korean War while he was in his early twenties. Back in civilian life, Saberhagen worked as an It was while he was working for Motorola (after his military service) that Saberhagen started writing fiction seriously at the age of about 30. "Fortress Ship", his first "Berserker" short shory, was published in 1963. Then, in 1964, Saberhagen saw the publication of his first novel, ''The Golden People''.
From 1967 to 1973, he worked as an editor for the Chemistry articles in the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'' as well as writing its article on science fiction. He then quit and took up writing full-time. In 1975, he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico.
He married fellow writer Joan Spicci in 1968. They had two sons and a daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
July 8, 2015
ZzzZzzZzz...This book was a hot mess. Not only was I lulled damn near to sleep in some places with the lack of an engaging plot, but the story was just all over the place!It took me FOREVER to get through this book. Brutal.
-------SPOILERS BELOW ---- IF YOU THINK THERE IS ANY CHANCE YOU MIGHT ENJOY THIS BOOK (DON'T WORRY, YOU WON'T) DON'T READ ANY FURTHER -------------------
The story begins with a "look-back" on a crime. A pirate is hung for an unspecified crime and before his death, is swindled out of a piece of jewelry. He is hung by the neck until dead...but lives on...as a vampire. In "current" day, he attacks a far-removed descendant of the family that swindled him and turns her into a vampire. He works with two "mediums" to make her family believe that her spirit is returning from the dead. He uses her undead state to attempt to convince her parents to give back the long-lost property. He kidnaps Sherlock Holmes...for no apparent reason and then kills the girl. THEN he kidnaps her sister and takes her to Russia. From there he somehow connects with Rasputin? Who is evidently attempting to save him from his insanity and the pain he experiences in his neck from being hung...I realize this seems to have nothing to do with the main plot...mostly because it DOESNT actually have anything to do with the plot. Rasputin mesmerizes Dracula...for no apparent reason. Sherlock Holmes magically breaks the trance with some trick her learned in Nepal...what? Then Watson kills the pirate vampire in an anti-climactic showdown in a stairway. The famous "Sherlock Holmes debrief" happens in an epilogue and is difficult to follow at best...mostly because none of it was actually present prior to the epilogue anywhere in the actual story.
In all honesty, I should have known I was going to hate this book. While I love mysteries and I love Sherlock Holmes, I hate the amalgam of this new genre which attempts to weave vampires, zombies, etc. into classic works. It just doesn't do it for me. BUT, this book totally failed at all of the above. It isn't consistent with the Sherlock Holmes style, doesn't follow any traditional (or vaguely recognizable) aspects of vampire lore or Dracula and falls way short of a decent mystery...mostly because the mystery is a subplot of a subplot of a subplot and is completely uninteresting.
SO. This is actually the entire book...which happens to drone on forever in a twisting and pointless endeavor to not tell a story. Snoozefest. Next please.
-------SPOILERS BELOW ---- IF YOU THINK THERE IS ANY CHANCE YOU MIGHT ENJOY THIS BOOK (DON'T WORRY, YOU WON'T) DON'T READ ANY FURTHER -------------------
The story begins with a "look-back" on a crime. A pirate is hung for an unspecified crime and before his death, is swindled out of a piece of jewelry. He is hung by the neck until dead...but lives on...as a vampire. In "current" day, he attacks a far-removed descendant of the family that swindled him and turns her into a vampire. He works with two "mediums" to make her family believe that her spirit is returning from the dead. He uses her undead state to attempt to convince her parents to give back the long-lost property. He kidnaps Sherlock Holmes...for no apparent reason and then kills the girl. THEN he kidnaps her sister and takes her to Russia. From there he somehow connects with Rasputin? Who is evidently attempting to save him from his insanity and the pain he experiences in his neck from being hung...I realize this seems to have nothing to do with the main plot...mostly because it DOESNT actually have anything to do with the plot. Rasputin mesmerizes Dracula...for no apparent reason. Sherlock Holmes magically breaks the trance with some trick her learned in Nepal...what? Then Watson kills the pirate vampire in an anti-climactic showdown in a stairway. The famous "Sherlock Holmes debrief" happens in an epilogue and is difficult to follow at best...mostly because none of it was actually present prior to the epilogue anywhere in the actual story.
In all honesty, I should have known I was going to hate this book. While I love mysteries and I love Sherlock Holmes, I hate the amalgam of this new genre which attempts to weave vampires, zombies, etc. into classic works. It just doesn't do it for me. BUT, this book totally failed at all of the above. It isn't consistent with the Sherlock Holmes style, doesn't follow any traditional (or vaguely recognizable) aspects of vampire lore or Dracula and falls way short of a decent mystery...mostly because the mystery is a subplot of a subplot of a subplot and is completely uninteresting.
SO. This is actually the entire book...which happens to drone on forever in a twisting and pointless endeavor to not tell a story. Snoozefest. Next please.
May 2, 2025
Entertaining; a good read for a major fan of Holmes pastiches, but a rather silly read otherwise. Well written technically, but heck – it is a story of Stoker's Dracula of horror story fame working closely with his "cousin" Conan Doyle's Sherlock to battle the world of Victorian/Edwardian crime, so you can't expect TOO much by way of historical fact. But, I had fun with it. If you like Holmesian (or, I guess, Draculian) pastiche, you may get a kick out of this story. I have yet to read the author's earlier, "The Holmes-Dracula File," where they seem to have first met.
November 11, 2014
A fast read. Devoid of such powerful moments of realisations that had characterised the Holmes-Dracula file, this novel tries to carry on by trying to superimpose as many gothic elements as possible onto a pastiche. At places, where events unfurl according to the narrative of the good doctor, this story indeed becomes unputdownable. Alas, while being narrated by Prince Dracula, the story becomes a pastiche of the classic novel Dracula. Nevertheless, it has enough bone & muscle in it to keep the reader engrossed, but the blood may be somewhat thinner compared to its predecessor. Recommended.
March 31, 2025
3.5/5
A fun but messy mystery adventure with an amusingly stuffy Dr. Watson and droll Dracula taking turns narrating this tale.
A fun but messy mystery adventure with an amusingly stuffy Dr. Watson and droll Dracula taking turns narrating this tale.
October 15, 2012
A bit of fun. Dracula and Sherlock Holmes are cousins; Lenin and Rasputin make cameo appearances. Only a little bit of deduction from Holmes, but a lot of narrative from Watson, with the occasional help of Dracula. The last few chapters are much more Stoker than Conan Doyle, but fans of both will enjoy this.
October 3, 2020
One of the best Sherlock books Ive read. Sherlock pitted against vampires and his infamous cousin appears to help him. Was surprised how dark this book was but that's what made it an enjoyable book to read. Highly recommend this read.
April 10, 2024
This is a follow-up story to Saberhangen's The Holmes-Dracula File from 1978. Here, Dr. Watson reluctantly calls on the sanguinary count when Holmes is apparently kidnapped by a vampire. But...I get ahead of myself. Ambrose Altamont has lost his eldest daughter in a tragic boating accident. His wife has gotten mixed up with a couple of spiritualists who claim to be able to put them in touch with their beloved Louisa. Altamont is convinced the two are charlatans and wants Holmes to prove it. His wife has become convinced of the spiritualists' power after the last séance produced what seemed to be their dead daughter. When another séance takes place it seems that Louisa has truly come back from the dead, but before Holmes can investigate, he is snatched up by a powerful man who disappears with him into the wood. What Watson witnesses, convinces him that both Louisa and the kidnapper are vampires and his only hope is to summon Dracula to help rescue Holmes and get to the bottom of the vampires' involvement with the Altamont family. They soon discover that the vampire which kidnapped Holmes holds a long-standing (over a century) grudge against the Altamonts and has used their daughter as a means to avenge himself. Holmes has gotten in the way and must be put out of commission. Will Dracula and Watson be able rescue Holmes and then work together with the detective to put an end to the vampire's hold on the Altamont family?
Life got in the way after I finished reading this and I'm having a bit of trouble gathering my thoughts to put a review together. Saberhagen's second book about the Dracula-Holmes connection is entertaining and I still feel like he got the characters of Holmes and Watson right, but it doesn't quite have the charm of the earlier novel. Dracula isn't quite as appealing and the mystery isn't quite as solid. That's not to say it's a bad book, it's not. It's still quite fun and I enjoyed the alternating narration from Watson and Dracula. Definitely a good choice for those who like a bit of the supernatural mixed with their mysteries. ★★★ for a solid read.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
Life got in the way after I finished reading this and I'm having a bit of trouble gathering my thoughts to put a review together. Saberhagen's second book about the Dracula-Holmes connection is entertaining and I still feel like he got the characters of Holmes and Watson right, but it doesn't quite have the charm of the earlier novel. Dracula isn't quite as appealing and the mystery isn't quite as solid. That's not to say it's a bad book, it's not. It's still quite fun and I enjoyed the alternating narration from Watson and Dracula. Definitely a good choice for those who like a bit of the supernatural mixed with their mysteries. ★★★ for a solid read.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
December 17, 2022
all reviews in one place:
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: Distraught parents become easy pray to charlatan mediums who claim to be able to speak to the dead, including their daughter. Sherlock Holmes and his loyal partner dr. Watson come for a séance too, fully expecting to expose the frauds. Instead, what they witness makes them turn for help even farther down the Holmes family tree. They must reach out to prince Dracula himself…
My Opinion: An unbearably slow story full of completely useless text that wasn’t worth much even as page filler, with ideas that author himself has dropped and likely forgot they were even there. Plot holes so grave I’ve reread some chapters, thinking I missed something, surely, but no, I haven’t. An apparent attempt to imitate Bram Stoker’s Dracula, I could be wrong about this, it just felt that way. So, in total: slow, difficult to follow and/or understand, and additionally made unnecessarily complex. The only true positive of this story is that looking from afar – the idea is pretty good.
night mode reading ;
skaitom nakties rezimu
About the Book: Distraught parents become easy pray to charlatan mediums who claim to be able to speak to the dead, including their daughter. Sherlock Holmes and his loyal partner dr. Watson come for a séance too, fully expecting to expose the frauds. Instead, what they witness makes them turn for help even farther down the Holmes family tree. They must reach out to prince Dracula himself…
My Opinion: An unbearably slow story full of completely useless text that wasn’t worth much even as page filler, with ideas that author himself has dropped and likely forgot they were even there. Plot holes so grave I’ve reread some chapters, thinking I missed something, surely, but no, I haven’t. An apparent attempt to imitate Bram Stoker’s Dracula, I could be wrong about this, it just felt that way. So, in total: slow, difficult to follow and/or understand, and additionally made unnecessarily complex. The only true positive of this story is that looking from afar – the idea is pretty good.
January 6, 2023
Якщо ви не знали, то Шерлок Холмс і Дракула - родичі, принаймні в цьому пастіші. Крім того, присутній російський граф, який став піратом, і його ніяк не приб'ють (технічні труднощі), а давно треба, бо дах йому зірвало зовсім, а зверху вся ця пригодницька краса присипана діамантами та сімейними таємницями (які родичі, така й таємниця). На пореготати прекрасно, а Дракула джентльменистий, не кусає без дозволу прекрасної дами.
May 8, 2019
Hoo boy.
I first read this as a young Sherlock Holmes fan, picking it up from the library when I was twelve, and I only remembered one part from the entire book. Having read it again, I can see why. The book starts strong, but about halfway through it feels like the author got bored writing it and didn't want to do so anymore - we switch from being part of the action to having the action relayed to us by Watson, an extremely classic example of telling instead of showing. Parts of chapters repeat themselves, and I'm not talking that there are things foreshadowed that come up later. I mean that some sentences are repeated, verbatim, and sometimes within a few paragraphs of each other. Dracula resorts to saying "I, Dracula" repeatedly in his narrative, and while I THINK its meant to help us tell Watson's narrative from Dracula's it... did not work for me. Surely there was a better way than to have Dracula repeatedly say "I, Dracula, blah blah blah". The climax of the book is three whole paragraphs, with no tension, and the wrap up is largely repeating the entire beginning of the book. Also, weird elements of sexual violence and objectification towards women that felt completely unnecessary? And out of the blue, given that I read this book as a follow up to "The Holmes-Dracula File" which was a fairly solid pastiche that didn't squick me out. Maybe I missed something by not reading the entire Saberhagen series, but if that's what I missed out on, I'm good, thanks.
There were certainly enjoyable elements to this story - the part that I remembered from childhood is still excellent, and I still enjoy it - but it really felt like the author got tired and started phoning it in, or the editor quit on this book halfway through. It's disappointing, as the core of this story is pretty good and this could have been another solid pastiche. But it isn't, and I can't in good faith recommend it to anyone. Except for, like, the twenty pages that I loved as a kid. Those still rock.
I first read this as a young Sherlock Holmes fan, picking it up from the library when I was twelve, and I only remembered one part from the entire book. Having read it again, I can see why. The book starts strong, but about halfway through it feels like the author got bored writing it and didn't want to do so anymore - we switch from being part of the action to having the action relayed to us by Watson, an extremely classic example of telling instead of showing. Parts of chapters repeat themselves, and I'm not talking that there are things foreshadowed that come up later. I mean that some sentences are repeated, verbatim, and sometimes within a few paragraphs of each other. Dracula resorts to saying "I, Dracula" repeatedly in his narrative, and while I THINK its meant to help us tell Watson's narrative from Dracula's it... did not work for me. Surely there was a better way than to have Dracula repeatedly say "I, Dracula, blah blah blah". The climax of the book is three whole paragraphs, with no tension, and the wrap up is largely repeating the entire beginning of the book. Also, weird elements of sexual violence and objectification towards women that felt completely unnecessary? And out of the blue, given that I read this book as a follow up to "The Holmes-Dracula File" which was a fairly solid pastiche that didn't squick me out. Maybe I missed something by not reading the entire Saberhagen series, but if that's what I missed out on, I'm good, thanks.
There were certainly enjoyable elements to this story - the part that I remembered from childhood is still excellent, and I still enjoy it - but it really felt like the author got tired and started phoning it in, or the editor quit on this book halfway through. It's disappointing, as the core of this story is pretty good and this could have been another solid pastiche. But it isn't, and I can't in good faith recommend it to anyone. Except for, like, the twenty pages that I loved as a kid. Those still rock.
July 11, 2015
This book, along with the first two in the series, was a lot of fun. A great read for fans of both Sherlock Holmes and vampires.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It had earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
December 16, 2012
Fred Saberhagen once again delivers an action packed,darkly humoured tale. Though this edition was marketed as one of "The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes", with their colourful modern covers it is actually the eighth book in Saberhagen's Dracula sequence. Though it never really reaches the heights of the first in that series,"The Dracula Tape", it is still a very good read. The only thing I would say is if you are a traditionalist and prefer the original Sherlock Stories, or the original Dracula, you may be disappointed, as this is alot more fantastical and is a definate departure to the usual Sherlock tales. I would thoroughly recommend this to fans of Supernatural themed detective fiction.
July 21, 2019
Wasn't expecting Dracula (even though it says he shows up in the blurb) but it was nice to have a different view point then Watson during the story. It gave the story a different tone then those with just Watson as the narrator.
There were a few parts were the reader was left without answers but they were small and not really important to this particular tale.
Overall, a good solid read.
There were a few parts were the reader was left without answers but they were small and not really important to this particular tale.
Overall, a good solid read.
June 7, 2016
Another great story of Sherlock Holmes. In this edition we run into vampires and Sherlock's cousin Prince Dracula.
An interesting set of skill sets between the two creates an interesting story.
Not to be missed
An interesting set of skill sets between the two creates an interesting story.
Not to be missed
July 5, 2024
"In Séance for a Vampire", Sherlock Holmes and Count Dracula join together to solve a 120-year-old mystery. As a fan of Sherlock Holmes, and someone who takes a special interest in Sherlock Holmes and Dracula crossovers, Fred Saberhagen’s version was a fun read though his Dracula was stronger than Holmes.
Saberhagen started off strong in his story, but as it went on characterization and composition became less polished. Saberhagen’s Sherlock Holmes and John Watson started off true to Arthur Conan Doyle’s original, but by the end of the book, I found the great detective lacking his usual thoughtful self and the “big reveal” somewhat rushed and expected. John Watson was closer to the original but missing his characteristic war veteran flair. The first part of the book was beautifully written, but the second half feels like it missed a round of editing. During the first half, Saberhagen made clear who was telling the tale between Watson and Dracula, however by the second half it became ambiguous who was talking, and contextual clues were needed to determine the narrator. The story was lacking the mystery component by the end of the book, which made for a lack-luster reveal. Unfortunately, the book starts out being a 4 star and ends as a 2.5 or 3 star read.
Overall, I had a fun time reading this book. Compared to Loren D. Estleman’s "Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula", I found this book to be more serious and less campy. I loved Saberhagen’s Dracula and liked the dynamic between him and Watson. The first and middle part of the book read like a good mystery, all the side characters were well developed, and there were questions to mull over. I do plan on reading The Holmes-Dracula File, as I feel Saberhagen is capable of a great Sherlock Holmes tale, even though this one fell a bit flat.
Saberhagen started off strong in his story, but as it went on characterization and composition became less polished. Saberhagen’s Sherlock Holmes and John Watson started off true to Arthur Conan Doyle’s original, but by the end of the book, I found the great detective lacking his usual thoughtful self and the “big reveal” somewhat rushed and expected. John Watson was closer to the original but missing his characteristic war veteran flair. The first part of the book was beautifully written, but the second half feels like it missed a round of editing. During the first half, Saberhagen made clear who was telling the tale between Watson and Dracula, however by the second half it became ambiguous who was talking, and contextual clues were needed to determine the narrator. The story was lacking the mystery component by the end of the book, which made for a lack-luster reveal. Unfortunately, the book starts out being a 4 star and ends as a 2.5 or 3 star read.
Overall, I had a fun time reading this book. Compared to Loren D. Estleman’s "Sherlock Holmes vs. Dracula", I found this book to be more serious and less campy. I loved Saberhagen’s Dracula and liked the dynamic between him and Watson. The first and middle part of the book read like a good mystery, all the side characters were well developed, and there were questions to mull over. I do plan on reading The Holmes-Dracula File, as I feel Saberhagen is capable of a great Sherlock Holmes tale, even though this one fell a bit flat.
Read
November 18, 2020This book is the eighth in the Dracula series by Saberhagen. For the most part the series is quite enjoyable, though I think when he tried to unite the Dracula and Sherlock Holmes mythic worlds (is the plural of mythos mythi?), he stretched things a little far, and the resulting stories seem a bit diluted. This one is the second in the tales of Holmes and the infamous Count.
In 1765, a group of pirates were hanged by the neck until dead - almost. One of the pirates, Kulakov, had been intimate with a lady vampire before his execution and, having exchanged blood with her, "survived" the experience, though not without a great deal of psychological trauma, which causes him to insanely pursue those who sent him to the noose through the centuries, trying to recover his lost booty.
The story resumes in 1903, when Holmes and Watson are retained by a minor nobleman, Ambrose Altamont, to come and debunk the performance of a couple of spiritualists, Abraham and Sarah Kirkaldy, who have convinced his wife that they have revived the spirit of their recently dead daughter, Louisa. But Louisa is more than a spirit, and as the famous duo continue their investigations, they find that she was abducted and converted by a powerful vampire, and is risen in body as well as spirit.
Well, "set a thief to catch a thief", as they say and when Holmes is injured and carried off by the bloodsucking villain of the piece, Watson must overcome his scruples and contact Vlad Dracula to have any hope of saving him. Their quest leads them from the English countryside to the palaces of St. Petersburg, in the years prior to the Bolshevik takeover, and we even get to see Rasputin in a cameo appearance.
Not Saberhagen's most inspired work ever, but good for a couple evenings' amusement.
In 1765, a group of pirates were hanged by the neck until dead - almost. One of the pirates, Kulakov, had been intimate with a lady vampire before his execution and, having exchanged blood with her, "survived" the experience, though not without a great deal of psychological trauma, which causes him to insanely pursue those who sent him to the noose through the centuries, trying to recover his lost booty.
The story resumes in 1903, when Holmes and Watson are retained by a minor nobleman, Ambrose Altamont, to come and debunk the performance of a couple of spiritualists, Abraham and Sarah Kirkaldy, who have convinced his wife that they have revived the spirit of their recently dead daughter, Louisa. But Louisa is more than a spirit, and as the famous duo continue their investigations, they find that she was abducted and converted by a powerful vampire, and is risen in body as well as spirit.
Well, "set a thief to catch a thief", as they say and when Holmes is injured and carried off by the bloodsucking villain of the piece, Watson must overcome his scruples and contact Vlad Dracula to have any hope of saving him. Their quest leads them from the English countryside to the palaces of St. Petersburg, in the years prior to the Bolshevik takeover, and we even get to see Rasputin in a cameo appearance.
Not Saberhagen's most inspired work ever, but good for a couple evenings' amusement.
June 21, 2024
I really wanted to like this because it's kind of hammy and silly and over the top with the characterisations, but as the story progresses I just found myself getting increasingly bored by the slow pace and then what felt like a sudden ending. I never really got into it sadly.
However, I did realise that because this book takes places in two series, one a Holmes series and one a Dracula series, it's a series crossover sequel of sorts and had to track down the book where Sherlock and Dracula meet for the first time.
Unfortunately, this means I already know about one of the major secrets revealed in The Holmes-Dracula File, which is taking away a certain element of surprise, but so far I seem to be enjoying it more than I did this story.
However, I did realise that because this book takes places in two series, one a Holmes series and one a Dracula series, it's a series crossover sequel of sorts and had to track down the book where Sherlock and Dracula meet for the first time.
Unfortunately, this means I already know about one of the major secrets revealed in The Holmes-Dracula File, which is taking away a certain element of surprise, but so far I seem to be enjoying it more than I did this story.
April 25, 2022
A vampire on a century long mission of revenge forces Sherlock Holmes to request the assistance of his cousin, Prince Drakulya, who is the only being who can possibly save the day.
Saberhagen's novel is fast paced, smoothly running and (strangely) works better when narrated by Watson. It just feels more like a strange Holmesian adventure than a Dracula story. Still, this should be a reasonable way to spend some time if readers are fond of either protagonist.
Saberhagen's novel is fast paced, smoothly running and (strangely) works better when narrated by Watson. It just feels more like a strange Holmesian adventure than a Dracula story. Still, this should be a reasonable way to spend some time if readers are fond of either protagonist.
Read
June 27, 2022When Sherlock Holmes is abducted by a vampire, Watson has to summon his distant cousin, Dracula.
Psychics, con artists, mesmerists, a vampire pirate, love, lust, and more than a little killing. As usual, Saberhagen gives us a bit of everything, in a tale that starts in England and ends in St Petersburg.
Still fun. An enjoyable series that throws almost anything at you. I wouldn't be surprised if aliens showed up, at some point.
Psychics, con artists, mesmerists, a vampire pirate, love, lust, and more than a little killing. As usual, Saberhagen gives us a bit of everything, in a tale that starts in England and ends in St Petersburg.
Still fun. An enjoyable series that throws almost anything at you. I wouldn't be surprised if aliens showed up, at some point.
September 20, 2019
Generally well written and entertaining but something not quite right about the whole thing. I love Sherlock Holmes and love Dracula but somehow the way they are put together in this book and the series, apparently (although this is the only one I’ve read) seems a bit silly. I did enjoy it and raced through it but felt a little bit hollow afterwards.
June 8, 2021
This sure was a book. I’m giving it three stars not because it was a good book, but because it was Extremely entertaining.
I enjoyed it a lot!!
Definitely not incredible in any literary way but it was fun to read, which is honestly more important to me.
I enjoyed it a lot!!
Definitely not incredible in any literary way but it was fun to read, which is honestly more important to me.
June 28, 2025
This author has more writing styles than I have shoes. The two previous books in the series were heavily written, in places overwritten. This one is the exact opposite, underwritten with lots of telling. I love the series, but I cannot love this book.
July 18, 2017
This is a strange, strange book. I love Sherlock Holmes, I love Dracula, but putting them together here just doesn't really work. The writing style was fine, but I just couldn't really get into this.
July 8, 2021
Dracula and Sherlock Holmes, excellent story.
March 25, 2025
Une lecture sympathique si on apprécie les pastiches de Sherlock Holmes... et du coup ceux autour de Dracula ! Ce roman n’est clairement pas un chef d'œuvre mais il a le mérite de divertir.
May 9, 2025
An enjoyable read, but not as good as others in the series. The moving between Dracula's POV and Watson's was a little confusing at times.
January 9, 2026
An interesting pastiche, this novel brings Sherlock and Dracula together not as enemies but as cousins!
July 18, 2013
Sherlock Holmes and Watson return to investigate the case of a girl who has come back from the dead during a séance held at her parents’ home. While, normally, Holmes would look for the scientific explanation of the mystery, he knows better this time, and he and Watson suspect the girl may have been turned into a vampire. Written in the style of Doyle but with a twist, this Sherlockian adventure will take you back to Victorian England with a Stoker-ish twist.
When I first heard about the “Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” project I was very excited. I chose this book as my first introduction to the series because I’m also a Dracula fan and wanted to see how Saberhagen would combine these two legendary characters. The story was a very enjoyable read and Saberhagen is able to take creative license while still staying true to the spirit of Doyle’s original work. I have to admit, however, I was disappointed with the quality of the work. Unlike a Doyle written Holmes adventure, the narration seems a little stiff and Watson’s voice doesn’t feel natural. The portion of the story written from Dracula’s perspective are also a little forced and feel more like someone trying to write like Dracula would rather than the character speaking for himself.
After I got over my initial disappointment with the style and focused just on the story I was able to enjoy myself. The book doesn’t try to take itself too seriously and reading it is just a lot of fun, which is the spirit in which you have to take this book to enjoy it. They mystery is a little intriguing (although a little flat) and the combined elements of a Stoker-like vampire hunt combined with a Sherlock-mystery solving adventure gets you to turn pages. Saberhagen also combines some elements of world history to add a few complications to the plot that helped add some depth at the end.
As with a lot of books that pick up where the original author left off it misses the spark of an original, but still makes for an enjoyable tale.
When I first heard about the “Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” project I was very excited. I chose this book as my first introduction to the series because I’m also a Dracula fan and wanted to see how Saberhagen would combine these two legendary characters. The story was a very enjoyable read and Saberhagen is able to take creative license while still staying true to the spirit of Doyle’s original work. I have to admit, however, I was disappointed with the quality of the work. Unlike a Doyle written Holmes adventure, the narration seems a little stiff and Watson’s voice doesn’t feel natural. The portion of the story written from Dracula’s perspective are also a little forced and feel more like someone trying to write like Dracula would rather than the character speaking for himself.
After I got over my initial disappointment with the style and focused just on the story I was able to enjoy myself. The book doesn’t try to take itself too seriously and reading it is just a lot of fun, which is the spirit in which you have to take this book to enjoy it. They mystery is a little intriguing (although a little flat) and the combined elements of a Stoker-like vampire hunt combined with a Sherlock-mystery solving adventure gets you to turn pages. Saberhagen also combines some elements of world history to add a few complications to the plot that helped add some depth at the end.
As with a lot of books that pick up where the original author left off it misses the spark of an original, but still makes for an enjoyable tale.
August 18, 2010
A huge thanks goes out to Tom at Titan Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book!
The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: Seance for a Vampire was re-released in June of this year. I had never heard of the author or the series before, but when I was contacted to review the book, I decided to give it a try.
What I liked best about the book was the setting and description. I love late nineteenth/early twentieth century England, which is the time period which Seance for a Vampire took place in. The author did a very good job of creating a mysterious, slightly sinister setting that served as a backdrop for the entire story.
I enjoyed reading the parts of the book that were written from the point of view of Holmes' good friend and well-known sidekick, Dr. Watson. I thought that the author kept the same characteristics and attitude that readers have come to associate with Dr. Watson over the years.
What I ended up having trouble with were the characters of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes himself. In Seance for a Vampire, both of them seemed...well...out of character to me. What usually seems to be the hardest thing in crossover books is that it is very difficult for a different author to keep in concurrence with characters that were created and developed by another person. While I thought Watson was well done, I didn't find Holmes to be as clever or innovative as he was in the original books, and I thought the Dracula in Seance didn't even remotely resemble the villain present in Stoker's original novel.
Overall, Seance for a Vampire was a good way to pass the time, but it's probably not one that I'll be re-reading. If you like this time period, I'd suggest giving this book a try, but you might want to check and see if the library has it first.
The Further Adventures of Sherlock Holmes: Seance for a Vampire was re-released in June of this year. I had never heard of the author or the series before, but when I was contacted to review the book, I decided to give it a try.
What I liked best about the book was the setting and description. I love late nineteenth/early twentieth century England, which is the time period which Seance for a Vampire took place in. The author did a very good job of creating a mysterious, slightly sinister setting that served as a backdrop for the entire story.
I enjoyed reading the parts of the book that were written from the point of view of Holmes' good friend and well-known sidekick, Dr. Watson. I thought that the author kept the same characteristics and attitude that readers have come to associate with Dr. Watson over the years.
What I ended up having trouble with were the characters of Dracula and Sherlock Holmes himself. In Seance for a Vampire, both of them seemed...well...out of character to me. What usually seems to be the hardest thing in crossover books is that it is very difficult for a different author to keep in concurrence with characters that were created and developed by another person. While I thought Watson was well done, I didn't find Holmes to be as clever or innovative as he was in the original books, and I thought the Dracula in Seance didn't even remotely resemble the villain present in Stoker's original novel.
Overall, Seance for a Vampire was a good way to pass the time, but it's probably not one that I'll be re-reading. If you like this time period, I'd suggest giving this book a try, but you might want to check and see if the library has it first.
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June 18, 2012I've never read any SHERLOCK HOLMES stories before so when SEANCE FOR A VAMPIRE came across my inbox for review I opened up a little bit and took it in. The topic alone (vampires!) drew me in and it was a style I was willing to try out since I wasn't all that familiar with it. Why not, right? It could be something I ended up liking.
While I liked the quirkiness of the plot (kind of hard not to picture Downey Jr. and Law in the Holmes/Watson roles, respectively, since I've seen both movies, weird, I know) and it's particular kitsch and drier sense of humor the voice ultimately was not something I could get involved with. There wasn't anything inherently bad about it. I thought everything I read was really well-written, the humor was great, the scenes were painted wonderfully. But the style of writing, the tone of voice, just isn't for me.
I ended up not finishing SEANCE FOR A VAMPIRE because of that. Again, it wasn't bad, what I read. I just couldn't connect with the story's tone. If you're into stories from that era (I'm looking at you, Austen fans, just without the romance, really, but there are vampires) I can pretty much bet you'll like something like this. I at least liked the characters and have I mentioned the humor? All great.
But stories in this mindset I'll be avoiding from now on. Take this plot and set it in a more modern tongue (but you can keep the humor as is, I like the quirk) and I'd be all over it.
While I liked the quirkiness of the plot (kind of hard not to picture Downey Jr. and Law in the Holmes/Watson roles, respectively, since I've seen both movies, weird, I know) and it's particular kitsch and drier sense of humor the voice ultimately was not something I could get involved with. There wasn't anything inherently bad about it. I thought everything I read was really well-written, the humor was great, the scenes were painted wonderfully. But the style of writing, the tone of voice, just isn't for me.
I ended up not finishing SEANCE FOR A VAMPIRE because of that. Again, it wasn't bad, what I read. I just couldn't connect with the story's tone. If you're into stories from that era (I'm looking at you, Austen fans, just without the romance, really, but there are vampires) I can pretty much bet you'll like something like this. I at least liked the characters and have I mentioned the humor? All great.
But stories in this mindset I'll be avoiding from now on. Take this plot and set it in a more modern tongue (but you can keep the humor as is, I like the quirk) and I'd be all over it.
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