So this one is a /ride/.

Firstly, the book is exactly what it says on the tin. A group of middle aged women, all part of the same bookclub, need to slay their local vampire. The vampire related horror is a bit campy at times but still suspenseful, which is the perfect balance for me.

The true horror in the novel is the horror of being spoken over by domineering husbands, avoidant grandchildren, and white employers who perceive your children as disposable. I really appreciated how claustrophobic (and genuinely horrifying) these scenes of not being believed/taken seriously were. The feeling of "I see this person for the evil they are, why won't you believe me!? Doesn't my pain matter!?" escalated as the book went on.

I'll definitely be reading more Grady Hendrix. A fair warning that, on top of the vampire lore/gore and palpable gaslighting, there are scenes of violence against women and children. All that said, I would recommend this widely if you're interested in modern horror, unlikely heroes, and a quick, gripping read.