Quinn Callahan is having a doozy of a midlife crisis.She’s stuck in a dead end job, going nowhere, but she’s been fine with it. She’s 45 and divorced. Her husband left her for her best friend—so cliche! But it was all good—until Quinn, a practicing witch, broke a major rule, and found her boring existence turned upside down. Suddenly, she finds herself thousands miles away from the bustling … bustling metropolis of Seattle and plunked down in the sleepy little hamlet of Ballydehag, Ireland, and proprietress of a charming little bookshop. Surely, there’s no chance for a middle aged witch to get into any trouble here….right? Uh……
“A rollicking good read, with a delightful cast of characters, and some special guest appearances from The Vampire Knitting Club. Nancy Warren delivers a delightful new mystery series.”
You will fall in love with this series about second chances, magical mayhem, and book club unlike any other. From the USA Today Bestselling author of the Vampire Knitting Club series.
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I love Paranormal Women’s Fiction Cozy Mysteries and this is a wonderful series!
Vibrant, cute, and interesting
Audiobook version: 4 stars overall, 4 stars story, 5 stars narration
Nancy Warren brings her usual vibrancy, wit, and humor to this first book in her third paranormal cozy mystery series. Since this series has a 45-year-old witch heroine starting a new life, it can also be squarely classified as paranormal women’s fiction. I love Quinn, the heroine, and it was easy to relate to her. The book was cute and charming, but I personally didn’t love it as much as “The Great Witches Baking Show” Book 1. “Vampire Book Club” is a solid start to a cool new series, but I thought the mystery plot was a little too mundane and the climax could have been a little more exciting. However, I already finished Vampire Book Club’s second book, and it wowed me with 5-star thrills and unpredictability, so I recommend sticking with this series.
The narrator Hollis McCarthy gave a marvelous performance. She is very talented at all of the American, Irish, and English accents. She is perfectly emotive and great at pacing. Her only flaw was a few rare and barely detectible instances of an accent from one character bleeding over to the next person for a few words.
I requested and received a free audiobook copy from the author, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
This is the first book in this series and it starts off well. Things move at a decent clip and the characters are easy to like. Quinn is sent to a small town in Ireland for a mistake she made using her skills. She discovers a body in the bookstore she is to take care of and little idea of what to do. Quinn makes some interesting friend to say the least. I am looking forward to the next book in this series
Love the premise of this series! Vampires discussing books and solving murders in beautiful scenery!
The author transports you to Ireland begging you to join the book club and share in the everyday lives of the characters. Thoroughly enjoyable! Recommending to everyone
I listened to this book on Audible.
Listening to the narrator tell this story was calming and soothing.
After Quinn did something horrible in the witch community she relocates to Ireland. She meets Lachlan, the handsome next door neighbor. While trying to get use to living in a small village in a different country Quinn finds a dead body in the bookshop she manages. She finds herself becoming a sleuth and finding out the village secrets, she never wanted to know.
For me it was easy to start loving the characters and the village. I had hoped that Quinn and Lochlan would have developed a romance, may in a later book. I can’t wait to hear the rest of the series.
I think Nancy Warren is a phenomenal writer, a weaver of a superb story. I highly recommend this audio.
This is a joint review with Bea from Bea’s Book Nook
Plot
Bea: The story was slow and the grand reveal was over the top. I’m worried there may be a romance developing between Quinn and Lachlan. Worried because it’s such an obvious and trite story path to take.
AVR: The murder mystery seems a little contrived and I agree that the reveal was a bit much. It does seem as if the author is leading us toward a Lachlan/Quinn romance. I don’t mind if they date, but I’d like to see some other interest(s) for Quinn. Maybe because I’m not a huge fan of the romance between Rafe & Lucy in the Knitting series. Mostly because Lucy doesn’t seem to be all in either. Actually, Quinn seems a better choice as a romantic interest for a vampire than Lucy because she doesn’t seem to have the same “immortal” hang up that Lucy still does. I guess we’ll see.
Bea: Oh yes, the mystery felt quite contrived but then so did the location of the book club meetings. Lachlan’s home would seem to make more sense, if only from a privacy perspective.
Characters
Bea: I liked seeing Rafe, Agnes, and Sylvia. I loved that this trip to Ireland was referenced in a couple of the book Vampire Knitting Club series. And since I read the most recent Knitting book before I read this one, I met Lachlan in that. It was a nice little preview.
AVR: I haven’t quite warmed up to Quinn like I did immediately with Lucy, but I do like her. And I do like she’s an older character with experiences under her belt. I’m worried this series will flounder because the town is so tiny. I like a lot of great side characters to help move the story along and add depth and richness. And humor. The Knitting series has plenty of those, so maybe we’ll meet more in the Book series. Bonus for adding Rafe, Silvia, and Agnes to create a crossover. Can never hate my favorite characters making an appearance in a connecting series.
Bea: I also like the interconnecting characters and the fact that the appearance of Rafe, Sylvia, and Agnes made sense and wasn’t random. Although, now that I think about it, it might not make sense if you haven’t read the originating series. The tiny town is a concern; it runs the risk of turning into Murder, She Wrote.
World Building
Bea: I’m not sure it can be read apart from the original series; maybe it could. Warren did further the world building and I have learned a lot more about witches now, especially their governance.
AVR: The one thing I like about this over the Knitting series is the witch stuff. I learned more because Quinn takes it seriously. That’s one thing that pisses me off about Lucy. She keeps blowing her witchiness off. Gah!
Bea: I did like learning more about the witch business, and getting a closer look at it. I agree about Lucy; she needs to take it more seriously. Quinn is more serious about it and far more accomplished.
Overall
Bea: It took a while to warm up to Quinn. She’s a good person and a good witch, most of the time. But she rubbed me the wrong way at times. I love that she’s a middle aged character. The older I get, the more I love seeing characters closer to my age.
AVR: The story was a bit slow to get off the ground, but it is the first book and any series needs to start somewhere. Once the groundwork was laid it cruised along at a decent rate. The reveal seemed a bit iffy and I’m not quite sure about where this maybe romance is heading between Quinn and Lachlan, but I’ll reserve judgment for now. I’m looking forward to book 2.
Bea: Agreed, it was slow to get going but it slowly picked up steam. I’m not sure how authentic the depiction is of an Irish village but it’s a charming locale. I was not a fan of the reveal; it was over the top. It was a nod to classic mystery reveals but too contrived for my liking. I concerns about the viability of the series but I like the location despite my concerns and I like book store settings. The humor appeals to me and I’m intrigued by Quinn and the others. I’ll be back for book two.
“I am a divorced, middle-aged witch who is banished to Ireland”. Doesn’t that sound like a fun start to a book? It is!! When Quinn moved to Ireland the first night she’s there, she finds a body in the bookstore she is managing for another banished witch. A mysterious stranger comes into her life. Can she trust him? And, why is she being targeted?
The Vampire Book Club is a cracking new series from this wonderful Author.
Quinn Callahan lived in America when she broke a major Witch rule. Her punishment was complete and sudden relocation to a small Irish town where she found herself living in another witch’s house and running her book shop .. something Quinn knew nothing about. We now know that vampires love reading as much as they like knitting and the mysterious, handsome vampire lives almost on her doorstep. Not everyone is as friendly, the dead body in the bookshop being the first clue. The appearance of some much loved vampire friends from Oxford was a delightful bonus and just added to the story.
There are obviously some similarities with The Vampire Knitting Club but this is definitely a very different series with new, exciting characters and I am looking forward to learning more about Quinn and her new friends. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it to all cosy mystery and paranormal mystery fans. It really is a wonderful read.
I love the way that Nancy Warren intertwines her characters from the Vampire Knitting Club, it makes for a very fun read, while keeping all of her characters in the reader’s sights.
The Vampire Book Club by Nancy Warren
The Vampire Book Club Series Book One
Quinn Callahan had done something she shouldn’t have. For that, she’s banished from Seattle to the little town of Ballydehag, Ireland.
What seems to be a quiet, boring town…even though quite beautiful, it doesn’t take long for that to change. She arrived to a home she’s renting from a previous banished witch. It also came with a bookstore that Quinn would be running while there.
And that is where the story of her first day in the peaceful town all changes. When she walks into the bookstore that night on her way to the pub. A great start to a new series.
https://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/2014/01/nancy-warren-book-list.html
Vampire Book Club by Nancy Warren is the first book in a brand new paranormal cozy mystery series. As always it is beautifully written with colorful characters and a mystery to be solved. Also as always there is a touch of humor to enjoy. This time there are some guest character appearances from a previous series. Not exactly a tie-in series since it takes place in Ireland not England.
The main character, Quinn Calahan is older than some of Ms. Warren’s other main characters. This is very appealing since I haven’t seen the twenties in my own life for many, many year. Quinn has also made a big blunder which is why she has been sent from the US to Ireland. I think many of us can identify with her. Not surely for committing the same gaffe but because we all mess up from time to time. She may be a witch but she seems pretty human.
An interesting beginning to what should be a pleasing new series. Life may seem boring in Quinn’s new little village home but she is sure to living it up wonderfully. She definitely has served to make herself known on her very first night there. Loved the bookstore setting too, even if it did become the scene of a crime early on in the story.
The publisher/author gave me a complimentary ARC of the book which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a quick enjoyable read. The characters are going to suck you right into the book. The title of the book drew me in. Vampires and witches then throw in a murder you have a recipe for a great book. I was intrigued trying to solve the mystery myself. It’s a book where you find yourself easily flipping the pages to see what happens next. Quinn’s in for several surprises and some on her very first day in Ireland.
An excellent new series that will delight and entertain you! Who hasn’t dreamed of living in a small village in the Irish countryside in an adorably quaint cottage and running a fabulous bookstore? I know I have! Toss in a group of voracious reading vampires who hold a midnight bookclub and you are set! Of course it would help if the first day you arrive to check out the bookstore you don’t find a dead body behind the checkout desk! At least you are too new in town to be the murder suspect, but being new in town means that everyone else is suspected! Toss in visitors from the Vampire Knitting series and you not only have the perfect story, but a lovely cross over as well! If you haven’t read the Vampire Knitting series that will not interfere with your enjoyment, but I do have to say that you are missing out on hours of entertainment! This author weaves wonderful characters and brings them to life in a manner that makes you not only enjoy the books, but feel as if you have made new friends. The plot is wonderfully woven to give you nice twists and turns to keep you guessing! I absolutely can’t wait for the next book in this series!
Such a wonderful start to a new series! Quinn Callahan has moved to Ballydehag Ireland, where she will be working at the The Blarney Tome bookshop. Her first night there she discovers a dead body. I loved the storyline, filled with interesting characters, and great adventures. A great cozy mystery with witches and vampires that I loved from start to finish. I can’t wait for the next book!
The Vampire Book Club is the first book in a new series and oh, what a great start this is! If you have read any of the Vampire Knitting Club books, you might pick up on some references. I enjoyed this book set in a small town in Ireland whose main character is a witch and in her middle ages. The story line held me from the start and the descriptions of the cottage, bookshop and town made you feel like you were right there. I loved it and look forward to more books in this series.
The Vampire Book Club by Nancy Warren a five-star A+ of a read. This is the first novel in the Vampire Book club series and it shows as much promise as the other series by this author I have read and enjoyed. This is a great example of the cozy mystery genre, and it had me hooked from start to finish. I enjoyed all of the characters especially Quinn Calahan and Cerridwen, but each character felt well rounded and filled out they all had a purpose, even if they haven’t had their time in the limelight yet you know they will. I am not always a huge fan of this genre but have found that Nancy Warren doesn’t disappoint, she brings the genre to life and keeps you guessing all the way through.
The Vampire Book Club is a paranormal cozy mystery and is the first book in the new series.
I loved this book and cannot wait for the next one in this fabulous new series.
The main character is well developed and interesting – as any witch should be, especially one with a good Irish name like Quinn Calahan. The storyline captured my attention from start to finish with witches, vampires, secrets, murder, mystery, magic, and mayhem. I really enjoyed seeing the characters from the Vampire Knitting Club in this story. This is a wonderful lighthearted book by one of my favourite authors and reading it is a terrific way to spend a couple of hours.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
THE VAMPIRE BOOK CLUB is book 1 in a great new series about witches and vampires. It is not scary nor will it cause nightmares. It is a COZY mystery which means we will follow the adventures of a witch new to Ireland. It is a fun read and any age can read and enjoy. No sex or colorful language.
Quinn is 45, a single American witch living in Seattle. She has broken a big rule and was sent to Ireland as punishment. She is in a very small town, she knows no one or even why she was sent to this small village. She will be living in a cottage by the sea that belongs to another witch. She will be working in a small bookstore that this same witch owns. She is pretty much on her on.
Her first night in Ireland she decides to take her bike (it comes with the cottage) and she rides into town. Just a few minutes from her cottage. As she is riding down the street checking things out. The town has closed for the night and it is still early. she has the key to the bookstore so she decides to pop in and see where she will be working. As she enters the building her witchy-sense kicks in and she knows that something is not right. She is drawn to the counter with the cash register on it. Just as she rounds the corner she sees a man lying on the floor in a pool of blood.
She does what every witch would do….she screams and screams and screams until she looks up and sees a dark figure standing in the doorway. She screams again until he comes into the light and tells her he means no harm, he was on his way home when he heard her scream and he checked to see what was the matter. He introduces himself – Lochlan Balfour. He owns the castle at the top of the hill right above her cottage. Her first night in town and she discovers a body in her bookstore. Things get interesting from this point on. She is not really a suspect but yet she is new and she did find the body and why was she in the shop when it was closed, etc. She answers questions over and over until she is dismissed.
There are a lot of suspects, secrets come from almost every member of the community. Lots of side characters as you meet the village people!! And then there are the vampires. Even Rafe shows up. The head vampire from The Vampire Knitting Club from Oxford. A great start to a new series. I really enjoyed it, found it to be very entertaining and I definitely recommend it.
I was not paid for this review. I am not a writer nor do I know one. I am not kin to this author. I am a reader and this is my opinion, nothing more, nothing less. 5/6/2020
Quinn is a middle-aged witch who has been banned to Ballydehag, Ireland. She’ll live in the Rose Cottage and run The Blarney Tome bookstore which were left by another witch. Quinn is pretty excited but no sooner than she checks out her bookstore than she finds a dead body. What a way to start a new life.
This is a new series and it entwines with the Vampire Knitting Club series. I enjoyed this book and look forward to more about Quinn and Ballydehag.
What an entertaining story. Quinn is just trying to do her penance and instead drops-in on a murder mystery. Oh well, no rest for the punished cause it’s sleuthing time. Sexy vampires add intrigue and guidance. Story really drew me right into the adventure. I felt sorry for Quinn but she’s a brave-heart and I can’t wait to see what else or who else drops into her new small town life. I received a free advanced copy without obligation and am voluntarily reviewing.