Jack Fleming is one hell of a lucky guy for a dead man. As Elrod's eighth entry in the Chandleresque Vampire Files series opens, Fleming's got some mob money that nobody's missing; his gorgeous girlfriend, Bobbi, headlines a new revue that could lead to stardom; and his partner, the P.I. Charles Escott, has what looks like a simple, profitable case. Miss Sommerfield, a saltine-cracker heiress, wants some papers retrieved from a former boyfriend. Piece of cake, when your partner is a vampire.

But Escott won't let Jack do it the easy way. He seems to court danger. He's also secretive about his past, though it keeps him awake at night. Jack's worried about him but distracted by popular radio personality, Archy Grant, who's offering Bobbi more than just an appearance on his show. Archy's not above using mob connections get Jack out of the way. The heiress's former boyfriend wants the papers back, and he's got a gun. Soon bullets are flying, Escott's in mortal danger and seems to be unraveling, and Jack's out for blood--as soon as he can figure out whose.

The Dark Sleep will give fans new insights into Jack, Bobbi, and Escott, along with plenty of action. If you like your detectives hard-boiled and your vampire heroic, this is the series for you. --Nona Vero

From Publishers Weekly
Times are tough in gangster-run 1937 Chicago, but for Jack Fleming, newsman turned vampire-hardboiled detective, lifeAor rather deathAcouldn't be better. In this latest entry in the Vampire Files (after A Chill in the Blood), vampirism's slight inconveniences (having to drink blood from cows at the stockyards, going comatose at dawn, etc.) are far outweighed by its blessings (invisibility, near immortality and so on). Jack's got a great girlfriendAplatinum blonde singer/dancer bombshell Bobbi Smythe, who's opening in a new revue at the Nightcrawler ClubAprotection from the mob and a tidy nest egg with which he hopes to launch his own nightclub. Jack's human partner, however, dapper Brit and former thespian Charles Escott, isn't faring as well. He's mysteriously troubled and going without sleep, although insomnia doesn't prevent him from taking on a case involving retrieving mysterious papers for a saltine-cracker heiress recently engaged to a European prince. Jack's on the case, too, but work takes second place to supporting Bobbi's bid for stardom. Somehow the plot twists into a dark, dangerous journey into Escott's past and the source of his troubled dreams, and only Jack and Escott's longtime pal Shoe Coldfield can save him. Winning characterizations and enough period detail for flavor enhance a clever and fast-paced detective story. Readers acquainted with the series will be particularly pleased to discover more about Escott's background and his connection to Coldfield. New readers will enjoy this one on its own, and gain a taste for earlier (and future) drafts from the same vein. Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
This is the eighth novel in Elrod's popular "Vampire Files" series (e.g., A Chill in the Blood, LJ 6/15/98) featuring the adventures of the undead detective hero Jack Fleming. As with most of the stories in the series, the setting is 1930s Chicago, when mobster influence was prevalent. Jack narrates the tale in his usual wisecracking way. This time he is helping his friend, private investigator Charles Escott, recover some valuable papers stolen from a wealthy client. The endeavor turns out to be more complex than anticipated. Meanwhile, Jack's girlfriend, Bobbi, a singer, has a chance for a big break in show business. Unfortunately, this brings her into contact with rather shady, dangerous characters, and in such a situation it helps to have a vampire boyfriend. It must be said that Jack is not one of the evil undead, just an average guy who happens to be a vampire.This is an entertaining, nicely paced mystery with lots of period atmosphere. For mystery and fantasy collections.APatricia Altner, Information Seekers, Bowie, MD Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
In this eighth installment in the Vampire Files series, Elrod seems a little unsure of herself. However, flaws in the novel's construction--Elrod alternates awkwardly between two competing plot lines while keeping the pace a tad too lethargic--are not enough to distract most readers from the story's fundamental charm. For this is no ordinary private-eye tale: set in Chicago in the late 1930s, the series features as its central character (and narrator) a former journalist who's now a vampire. He's a rather good-natured bloodsucker, happy with who he is and a far cry from Anne Rice's tragic figures. The cleverness of the premise and Elrod's attention to detail should keep most readers from being too troubled by the novel's shortcomings. A must for the author's devoted fans. David Pitt

From Kirkus Reviews
Another case for vampire gumshoe Jack Fleming on the dangerous streets of 1930s Chicago (A Chill in the Blood, 1998). It seems a fairly trivial matter, recovering important documents from big Scotsman Jason McCallen, who stole them from his ex-lover, wealthy socialite Mary Sommerfeld (she's now engaged to a minor European prince and wishes to avoid embarrassment). Complications ensue, though, as McCallen and his mysterious partner have another agenda. Meanwhile, Jack's girlfriend, stunning nightclub singer Bobbi Smythe, is being schmoozed by big-shot radio singer/comedian Archy Grant and his gangster associate Ike LaCelle, who sends hoods to follow Jack who's following McCallen. The agreeable narrative offers lots of wonderful lines, such as the first: ``Normally I wouldn't be caught deador even undeadin this kind of cafc.'' With its thin plot and limited action, the yarn coasts along on blackish wit and above-average characters. -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Jack Fleming might be dead, but that doesn't mean that all of his problems - personal and professional - are over. Take for instance the situation with his girlfriend Bobbi. Her singing has caught the attention of the famous radio star Archy Grant. He's promised he can open a lot of doors for Bobbi - only Jack's convinced that one of those doors leads to Grant's bedroom. Then there's his current case - retrieving incriminating letters from the ex-lover of a very rich, very foolish young socialite. A simple job - until bullets start flying and Jack's all-too-mortal partner Charles gets in the way. His girl is being romanced by another guy, his partner is being used for target practice - now Jack's really angry. And an angry vampire is not a pretty sight. But who was behind the gun? The ex-lover? Archy Grant's goons? One of Jack's many old enemies? Every question has an answer and Jack can afford to risk his life to find the truth. He's already dead after all. Only this time it's not his life he's risking.

FROM THE CRITICS

Locus

Tricky plot twists, lots of humor, and plenty of tense action make this good fun, as well as especially revealing for fans of the series.

Publishers Weekly

Times are tough in gangster-run 1937 Chicago, but for Jack Fleming, newsman turned vampire-hardboiled detective, life--or rather death--couldn't be better. In this latest entry in the Vampire Files (after A Chill in the Blood), vampirism's slight inconveniences (having to drink blood from cows at the stockyards, going comatose at dawn, etc.) are far outweighed by its blessings (invisibility, near immortality and so on). Jack's got a great girlfriend--platinum blonde singer/dancer bombshell Bobbi Smythe, who's opening in a new revue at the Nightcrawler Club--protection from the mob and a tidy nest egg with which he hopes to launch his own nightclub. Jack's human partner, however, dapper Brit and former thespian Charles Escott, isn't faring as well. He's mysteriously troubled and going without sleep, although insomnia doesn't prevent him from taking on a case involving retrieving mysterious papers for a saltine-cracker heiress recently engaged to a European prince. Jack's on the case, too, but work takes second place to supporting Bobbi's bid for stardom. Somehow the plot twists into a dark, dangerous journey into Escott's past and the source of his troubled dreams, and only Jack and Escott's longtime pal Shoe Coldfield can save him. Winning characterizations and enough period detail for flavor enhance a clever and fast-paced detective story. Readers acquainted with the series will be particularly pleased to discover more about Escott's background and his connection to Coldfield. New readers will enjoy this one on its own, and gain a taste for earlier (and future) drafts from the same vein.

Library Journal

This is the eighth novel in Elrod's popular "Vampire Files" series (e.g., A Chill in the Blood, LJ 6/15/98) featuring the adventures of the undead detective hero Jack Fleming. As with most of the stories in the series, the setting is 1930s Chicago, when mobster influence was prevalent. Jack narrates the tale in his usual wisecracking way. This time he is helping his friend, private investigator Charles Escott, recover some valuable papers stolen from a wealthy client. The endeavor turns out to be more complex than anticipated. Meanwhile, Jack's girlfriend, Bobbi, a singer, has a chance for a big break in show business. Unfortunately, this brings her into contact with rather shady, dangerous characters, and in such a situation it helps to have a vampire boyfriend. It must be said that Jack is not one of the evil undead, just an average guy who happens to be a vampire.This is an entertaining, nicely paced mystery with lots of period atmosphere. For mystery and fantasy collections.--Patricia Altner, Information Seekers, Bowie, MD Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Locus

Tricky plot twists, lots of humor, and plenty of tense action make this good fun, as well as especially revealing for fans of the series.

Don D'Ammassa - Science Fiction Chronicle