Just Finished Reading: Half the Blood of Brooklyn by Charlie Huston (FP: 2007)

Joe Pitt is back in the fold working as an enforcer for The Society. If anything is his niche this is it – which is why he really needs to fuck things up a little. The problem with Joe is that he has an attitude problem. He’s a wise mouth, a jerk and not forgetting an asshole. When he’s told to shut his mouth and behave he does the opposite – no matter what the consequences and no matter how many times he’s been beaten, shot or threatened with various painful deaths. If only he knew when to shut up he’s probably live longer – except for the fact that Joe is already dead, at least sort of. Things are a bit more complicated than that. For want of a better word Joe, and The other members of The Society, is a vampire. Not that he really gives a shit, not about that anyway. It just allows his to smoke with impunity but prevents him from getting drunk which is really annoying. The only thing that he does actually give a shit about is his girlfriend who is dying of AIDS. If only he had the courage to infect her, kill her and save her life – such as it is. In the meantime, while he makes up his mind what to do, he has a diplomatic mission to complete. As power shifts between the various vampire groups The Society need friends and allies across New York. Sent to Staten Island with a high ranking member of the Clan the mission falls apart when they are attacked by another group fighting for territory. Miles from home and with dawn approaching Joe needs to save his Clan contact, get back to home ground and see his girlfriend – though not necessarily in that order. Only one thing is certain: Much blood will flow and Joe intends that very little of it will be his.

This is my 3rd Joe Pitt novel and I have to admit he’s fast becoming one of my favourite fictional characters. He is honestly a scream a minute. He is totally his own man and will do whatever he thinks is right no matter the consequences. He spends his time speaking truth to power and getting slapped down because of it – but he never bends, never breaks and if pushed far enough will smile sweetly as he puts a gun against his enemies head and empties the clip into it (vampires being hard to kill and all that). He’s not a man to be crossed – no matter who is doing the crossing – and when he’s pissed off he will bring your world crashing to the floor even if he has to kill himself (again) in the process. I just LOVE the guy! If you enjoy a good, tightly plotted story and don’t mind blood, profanity and graphic violence and, more importantly, love noir fiction with crackling dialogue, wonderful characters, a richly dark urban environment and a world that rings true despite its fantastic elements this is most certainly the series for you. Start with number 1 and work your way through all 5 in the series. I certainly intend to. Highly recommended.