In the conclusion to the Necroscope series, Jake Cutter, the new Necroscope, and the men and women of E-Branch battle a bloodthirsty Wamphryi trio intent on converting Earth into a vampire hunting ground, while searching for renegade communists threatening to ignite a nuclear holocaust. Reprint.

Reviews

This new bottle can't disguise the aging wine of Lumley's Necroscope series or the increasingly stale bouquet of its last few installments. Set in a world where the vampire villains are resurrected as regularly as the cinematic Frankenstein's monster, and where the psychic hero is forever channeling the thoughts of dead characters from previous episodes, this expansive 13th novel is distinguished mostly by its sense of d‚j… vu. The story picks up right after events in Necroscope: Defilers (2000) with the revelation that vampires Nephran Malinari, the Lady Vavara and Lord Szwart are still at large, despite the efforts of Ben Trask's E-Branch operatives to wipe them out in Greece. The ESPionage agents chase the elusive vampires through Turkey, trying to prevent them from seeding the world with spores of virulent vampire fungi. Jake Cutter, neophyte Necroscope (someone who can converse with the dead), remains mostly on the periphery, still wrestling with a personal vampire taint that makes him resemble more and more the similarly infected first Necroscope, Harry Keogh. Once again troubles at Russia's interdimensional Perchorsk Gate, which opens to the vampire universe, add to the mess. Lumley still excels at depicting heroes larger than life and horrors worse than death, but his rehash of earlier intrigues and plot twists bogs the tale down. The exciting pyrotechnic finale appears to bring resolution to some long-running subplots, but also calls attention to how often this novel coasts when it could explode. (June 5) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.

NECROSCOPE: AVENGERS

"Lumley still excels at depicting heroes larger than life and horrors worse than death. The exciting pyrotechnic finale appears to bring final resolution to some long-running subplots."--"Publishers Weekly"

"A complicated but well-written story, sort of a vampire adventure for the Tom Clancy set. The plot is interesting and features plenty of political and military intrigue."--"Fangoria"

NECROSCOPE: DEFILERS

"The genuinely evil Wamphyri, Lumley's original portrayal of paranormal powers, his dry wit, and a long, thundering climax assure that the hefty book will handsomely reward readers."--"Booklist"

NECROSCOPE: INVADERS

"The amazingly prolific Lumley kicks off a new branch of his Necroscope series now that the original Necroscope (or vampire killer), Harry Keogh, is dead. The new novel stands alone. Necroscope fans will find themselves reading as fast as Lumley can type, and new readers may apply as well with this inaugural Jake Cutter entry."--"Kirkus Reviews"

Jake Cutter, the newest member of E-Branch, tackles the latest development of the secret war against a trio of extra-dimensional Wamphyri as he tracks down the source of a deadly plague that transforms its sleeping victims into inhuman monsters. Lumley's conclusion to a trilogy that includes Necroscope: Invaders and Necroscope: Defilers features scenes of graphic horror, fast-paced action, and political intrigue. A good addition to most horror collections. Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.