Death by Blood

by Kerrie Biehl

Shawna Davies, a relentless South Beach narcotics detective, is hell-bent on taking down a sinister drug lord infiltrating the club scene with a lethal designer drug, La Petite Mort. Tormented by an insatiable longing for something more in her existence, she grapples with the maddening absence of a vital piece of her soul. Unsure of how to escape the void in her life, a flicker of hope emerges with his arrival.

Eric Black, a formidable vampire enforcer serving the council of elder vampires who govern the paranormal realm, is assigned to assist Shawna in her treacherous quest. However, Eric faces his own agonizing demons and dreads the prospect of a partner in his shadowy world. As fate intertwines Eric and Shawna's destinies, he must confront the possibility of entrusting her with his darkest secrets while attempting to resist an undeniable, fiery attraction. Unbeknownst to him, Shawna harbors concealed mysteries of her own.

Bound together under dire circumstances, an intense passion ignites between them. But as their entwined worlds unravel further, Eric's cryptic past threatens to obliterate any chance of love. Can they overcome the dangers lurking behind hidden truths, or will their buried secrets ultimately consume them both?

347 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2023

Reviews

[Karen Siddall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seductive and sexy start to this paranormal thriller series!

Detective Shawna Davies of the South Beach Police Department is working undercover on the night shift as part of an interagency task force to find out who is infiltrating the local scene with a deadly new drug called La Petit Mort, which has killed several of its young users rather than deliver the ecstasy promised by its name. Paired with the devastatingly handsome and unattached Detective Eric Black from Miami, and despite their mutual attraction, she is laser-focused on ridding her community of this new danger. Together, they quickly discover the power behind the pills belongs to an ancient predator, and Shawna finds out there’s a whole other society existing side-by-side with the known human one: a society Eric Black is more familiar with than he is ready to reveal.

Death by Blood is the first book in author Kerrie Biehl’s sexy and seductive South Beach Crew series of paranormal thrillers, and it is a great kickoff. Engaging characters, some human, some not, caught up in a compelling set of storylines, had me glued to this book from start to finish. I was so immersed in their world that I was shocked by how much time had passed by when I finally came up for air.

Shawna Davies is an accomplished and decorated narcotics investigator handpicked by her department chief as their liaison on the interagency task force to stop La Petit Mort. She’s a fully imagined character when the story opens, but with hints throughout that something in her backstory drove her to leave her parents and childhood home in Vermont to start over in Florida. She is immediately affected by her hunky new partner from the task force and struggles to maintain her professional distance, but thankfully, not too long, because Eric Black is hot! The pair’s chemistry is unmistakable and results in some very spicy adult scenes.

Eric Black is a centuries-old vampire and an Enforcer for The Elders, the council of ancients that rules the worldwide community of the undead. He, too, struggles with his unprecedented attraction to Shawna, and when trouble (and later opportunity) arises, he succumbs to all his sensual desires. His disappointment with Armand’s decisions and actions was heartfelt, and his sadness radiated off the page. His sworn duty to deal with Armand is heartbreaking, but Armand effectively destroys their past relationship with his words and deeds, and Eric moves forward with what he has to do without sentimental qualms.

The plot progresses quickly, and intriguing twists are introduced that really shake up Shawna’s life and everything she ever believed about herself and her past. However, her past is a bit murky even before a stunning revelation about her origins. While hailing from Vermont, at one point in the story, she mentions offhandedly that she grew up in Oregon. I don’t know if that was a calculated dissembling on the character’s part for some reason or an uncorrected leftover from a previous iteration of the novel. Similarly, Shawna’s cat Twitch, who is literally left to his own devices in Shawna’s home for days at a time, is renamed Tiger midway in the story. Of course, Twitch may have found another home with people who would feed him, and this is a new cat.

While resolving their official mission, a number of questions are left unanswered, though, and hopefully, these will be addressed in future books. Both Shawna and Eric are blessed with a ride-or-die pal: Detective Jessica Houser for her and shapeshifter José Lyro for him. The synopsis for the next book in the series, Death by Fire, indicates it will feature these two very interesting secondary characters.

I recommend DEATH BY BLOOD to readers of paranormal thrillers, especially those who enjoy vampire stories or a Miami-area setting.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through RABT Book Tours and PR.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is a good start to a new series. It definitely has True Blood vibes in the beginning with a heroine who doesn't know she's not human and a mysterious vampire love interest. The introduction of fairies and a panther shifter adds to that feeling. And then, seemingly out of left field, we get...

The Greek Pantheon.

Most notably, Ares.

I won't spoil why the Greek gods get involved, but it does make sense as you read further on.

I had a lot of trouble relating to Shawna. She has severe self-esteem issues (I mean, same), which lead to her being pretty judgy and shallow throughout most of the book. For me, that's a HUGE turnoff, not gonna lie. In the glitz and glamor of Miami, it's easy to write off women as bimbos and vapid, and in a romance, it's even easier to do that to the perceived competition. Also, for this being a spicy romance, Shawna is...kind of a prude? Like, I don't need her to be ready to go at any given moment, but there are times when her sex-negativity--mostly her fear of being "a hussy"--is a bit grating. Until about the middle of the book, I found myself looking far more forward to Eric's chapters.

Once a significant event takes place in Shawna's life, her characterization gets a lot better. She gains more confidence and opens up more emotionally and sexually. There are moments when her petulant teenager side pops up, but otherwise, she's more enjoyable.

Eric, vampire enforcer and beefcake extraordinaire, starts out with a lot of mystery attached. He works for the shadowed cabal of Elders who keep tabs on vampiric activity to avoid exposure to humanity. In fact, no paranormal creature has been revealed to humans. However, Eric's sire Armand is causing a lot of trouble thanks to his connection to a drug that's making its way through Miami's club scene. It's up to Eric to stop his maker however necessary, and that relationship adds a fair bit of tension throughout the story, especially once Shawna comes into Eric's life. Believing her to be human...ish...Eric takes a while to trust her with the secrets of paranormal existence (the reveal does not go well). This means he depends on Shawna's ignorance of paranormal critters and a bit of subterfuge (and honestly? a fair bit of gaslighting). Obviously, revealing one's paranormal heritage to a human isn't something to take lightly. It could have been handled a little better, though.

I am curious about where the series goes next. The end puts Eric and Shawna at odds thanks to their new roles in the paranormal underground, and it has the potential to add a LOT of tension throughout the series' next installment.

Like I said, this is a good start to a new series, and I do recommend giving it a read. I look forward to the next installment.

[Rakhi (New Book Reviewer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m just captivated by the storyline.

Do you like reading Vampire or mythological fantastical novels?

Well, this is one of those books that you just want to keep reading and reading.

Death by Blood is the story of a detective and her partner who is a Vampire. We have all read and fantasized about the Vampires being all charming and handsome, but have you ever read a Vampire head over heels for someone else? Is detective Shawna a human or something else?

The book revolves around a drug problem investigated by detectives Shawna & Eric, but it's more to it than just a new crime lord in the city. How to deal with crime when the criminal is a centuries-old Vampire?

I loved the plot, it has a unique and intriguing storyline with the right amount of spice and drama. I must say while reading I did feel a natural electrical spark between the characters that the author has written in a creative and astonishing way. The storyline is compelling and has a smooth follow. The book has a perfect ending where you are satisfied by how it ended and at the same time you definitely know you will be reading the next book.

Overall a highly captivating vampire love story with a magical twist that will keep you hooked to the book until the end.

[Book Clubs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book completely drew me in. Shawna Davies is a fierce, relatable heroine, and I loved how her detective work was balanced with the paranormal elements. Eric Black isn’t just another vampire trope, he’s layered, conflicted, and his chemistry with Shawna feels real. The tension, mystery, and romance all hit at the right moments. Kerrie Biehl really knows how to make danger and desire collide. Definitely a standout in paranormal romance!

[Martin Barnabas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Death by Blood. The story is a thrilling mix of crime and paranormal romance, and the pacing keeps you hooked from start to finish. Shawna and Eric’s journey is full of emotional depth, and the stakes feel high without being overdone. My only minor note is that I wanted a bit more backstory on the vampire council, but it didn’t take away from how compelling the main plot was. Highly recommend for fans of dark, romantic suspense.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride! The world-building is vivid, and the combination of South Beach crime drama and supernatural intrigue is perfectly executed. I loved how Shawna’s personal struggles and Eric’s mysterious past intertwined, creating a romance that felt earned, not forced. The suspense with La Petite Mort had me on edge, and the twists kept me turning pages. A gripping, passionate read I couldn’t put down.

[Harriet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this book down! The mix of crime, suspense, and paranormal elements is seamless, and the romance between Shawna and Eric is intense and believable. Kerrie Biehl does an excellent job of keeping the stakes high while letting the characters’ emotions shine. Truly a thrilling and passionate read.

[Elsie Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Blood is dark, suspenseful, and surprisingly emotional. Shawna is a strong, complex heroine, and Eric is mysterious yet captivating. I loved the tension and the way the story balances romance and action. My only wish was for a bit more background on the vampire politics, but it didn’t detract from the overall story.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping paranormal romance with real heart. Shawna and Eric’s journey kept me hooked from start to finish, and the dangerous world they navigate is thrilling and well-crafted. The romance is fiery but grounded in emotion, and the suspense surrounding La Petite Mort adds constant tension. Definitely one of the best paranormal reads I’ve had recently.

[Flora Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death by Blood delivers a gripping blend of crime, paranormal intrigue, and emotional depth. Shawna is a fierce, compelling lead, and the club-scene drug investigation adds real intensity. The tension between her and Eric is magnetic, making this story impossible to put down.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book shines in how it balances high-stakes danger with deeply personal struggles. Eric’s inner conflict and Shawna’s sense of something missing create layers that elevate the story beyond a typical paranormal romance. The pacing is sharp, and the stakes feel real from start to finish.

[Sarah Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kerrie Biehl masterfully weaves vampire lore into a modern crime story. The idea of a designer drug threatening both human and paranormal worlds is clever and compelling. The world-building is immersive, and the characters feel vivid and complex.

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely captivating! Shawna’s drive and vulnerability make her a heroine you root for, and Eric’s dark, mysterious nature adds so much tension. The combination of crime, paranormal intrigue, and romance keeps the pages turning. I was hooked from beginning to end.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! The story balances suspense and romance perfectly, and the paranormal elements feel fresh and exciting. Shawna and Eric’s chemistry is believable, and the plot kept me engaged the entire time. Would recommend to anyone who loves dark, thrilling romance.

[Julian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling, passionate read! Kerrie Biehl crafts a story that’s full of danger, mystery, and emotion. Shawna and Eric’s relationship feels real, with just the right amount of tension and passion. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this world.