The Flesh, the Blood, and the Fire

by S.A. Swiniarski

A novel reopens Elliot Ness's most infamous case, Cleveland's still unsolved Kingsbury Run murders, as a determined police detective continues to follow the bloody trail of victims and finds a cabal of blood-thirsty vampires. Original.

Genres: Horror, Fiction

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1998

About the author

S.A. Swiniarski is a pseudonym of S. Andrew Swann (or perhaps an anti-pseudonym, as S. Andrew Swann is in turn the pseudonym of Steven Swiniarski).

Reviews

[Dirk Grobbelaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taking historical events and weaving a novel around it may not be a new idea, but S.A. Swiniarski (better known in some circles as S.A. Swann) pulls it off with remarkable panache here. At times sweeping, at times introspective, but always atmospheric, The Flesh, The Blood and The Fire has a lot more going for it than against.

There are three notable events the author works with here, namely: (1) the Cleveland torso murders, (2) the Eliot Ness campaign to clean up police corruption and (3) the Second World War. The story takes place over about a decade, starting in the early thirties and concluding in 1944, and has quite a few different aspects. Predominantly though, it is a horror novel about vampires… and redemption… and one man’s obsession with truth.

The Flesh, The Blood and The Fire may be somewhat obscure, but it is a gem of a story. The book is also a nice snapshot of post-prohibition Cleveland. If you’re into real Vampire fiction (as represented by the likes of 'Salem's Lot, Necroscope and They Thirst) this book should definitely be on your watch-list.

The individual book is out of print, but you can pick up the omnibus edition (Blood and Rust: Two Novels of the Cleveland Undead) for a bargain. Go out and get it now!

4.0 – 4.5 stars
Read as part of the annual have-to-read agreement with my wife

[Phil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story by Swiniarski, the author perhaps better known as S. Andrew Swann who penned the Moreau series of science fiction books. Swiniarski really did his homework on this one; the story is set in depression era Cleveland and incorporates several aspects of real history such as the 'Torso Murders' and Eliot Ness's tenure there to reform the police department. If you have not heard of the Torso Murderer, check out this link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clevela...

I have some affinity for this story that goes beyond the actual tale, as both my parents and grandparents lived in Cleveland very near where the main action(s) take place here, and I know a bit about the history of the 'Mistake on the Lake'. What Swiniarski does here is weave history fact with the supernatural, specifically, vampires. Our main protagonist is a cop named Stefan Ryzard who is investigating the torso murders. One day the 'lady of the lake' washed up from Lake Erie; not much of a lady, being just the lower torso and legs (or the legs above the knees), and later, more of her was found. She, like many of the victims (officially 12), were never identified. Ryzard becomes obsessed with the case and acting under the orders of Eliot Ness (yes, the guy who busted Capone) undertake a secret investigation of some very powerful suspects. What they find is beyond belief...

I do not want to go more into the plot here due to spoilers, but Swiniarski does a masterful job depicting Cleveland in this era and truth be told, how many novels are set in Cleveland? The religious theme was a bit much for my taste, but so be it. A fun 'reconceptualization' if you will of strange murders that actually happened that gives the reader a vivid glimpse of the past. 3.5 stars, rounding up!

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good investigative procedural set in Cleveland, mixing historical fact and vampires. I believe it's set in the same world as his earlier novel, Raven. The story begins in 1935 with the then famous torso-murders and Eliot Ness and continues through the Second World War. The protagonist is Stefan Ryzard, a policeman who becomes obsessed with solving the case. The noir-detective aspect is very well blended with the vampire lore. The historical era is convincingly depicted, and Cleveland is quite well described, too. (Now it's known for the rock and roll hall of fame and for the Browns changing quarterbacks more often than normal folks change their socks... but I digress.) Swiniarski was much better known under his pseudonym, S. Andrew Swann, used for his more traditional and prolific output of genre science fiction. (He wrote a couple of good ones as Stephen Krane, too.) This one has a few slow sections, but it's a very good change-of-pace kind of story.

[Emery Demers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The undead are stalking the streets of Cleveland, Ohio in this vampire noir novel by S. A. Swiniarski. For Detective Stefan Ryzard the meanings of evil and carnage are about to be redefined as but the first in a line of bodies appears washed up on a beach in 1935. Over the years and as the case progresses we will fallow Detective Ryzard along as the bodies and the questions begin to pile higher and higher, while the truth of the matter becomes harder and harder to grasp. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is either a "detective story type" of reader or a "vampire story type" of reader, also anyone who would greatly enjoy the mixture of both styles.

[Noel Bellamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly enjoyed this book. I read it during a very difficult time in my life, when I was having a hard time focusing on anything; and somehow I was completely distracted by the story and being scared. I have become very blasé after reading horror for so long, so if something gives me the creeps, I am impressed; and this book definitely did. I also loved the plot idea of taking the real facts of the case and deciding how they could be reimagined to be explained by vampires. Vampires are one of my favorite genres of horror, but I am also extremely picky about vampires. This was one of my favorite vampire novels of all time.

[Robert York · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a bad read overall. I read the author's book "Raven" first and fell in love with the storyline and characters. This story has a more gritty feel to it especially when the main character tracks down his antagonist and culminates in a gruesome ending. I won't give anything away but I do suggest this book if you're for a Mike Hammer/Vampire story to sink your teeth into.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written alternative history about Cleveland, Vampires and Elliott Ness. Odd that the main character disappears on us for a while, with his partner taking over first person. And standard second act problems, with the middle a little too long, nothing really happening, just to get us to the end.

[Aaron Rund · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I’m from Cleveland and I am a sucker for books set in Cleveland. I really enjoyed how the author incorporated local history into this novel. From the Torso murders, Eliot Ness becoming Cleveland’s safety director, and the East Ohio Gas explosion, the author does a good job of using local history as a backdrop to the story.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent story that uses a factual mystery, that being the torso murders in Cleveland that took place back in the 30's, but adds it own unique twist and explanation involving vampires. Easily one of the better vampire novels I've read and I've read more than my share.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sci-fi imagining of the Cleveland Torso murders. I could not put this book down!

[Steven Koch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book....Gangsters, Vampires, and Elliot Ness in Cleveland in the 1930's....mix in so real events and you have a great Vampire Thriller.

[Dorothy · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was OK . Most times books sort of taper off toward the end. I thought the story got a little more interesting the further along I read. Would I recommend the book? No

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

History, vampires, and my hometown? Count me in!