Bitter Water (Dr Greta Helsing Novella) – Vivian Shaw – 21.07.24
The Helios Syndrome – Vivian Shaw – 23.07.24
So, I bought Bitter Waters, which is a novella companion to the Doctor Greta Helsing series by Vivian Shaw, and when I started reading it, I remember how much I loved reading the other books in this series, and also how much of the intricacies of the plot that my aging Swiss cheese memory has removed from my mind, so, I re-read the first three books before reading this novella, and then bought and read The Helios Syndrome because I was having such a fun Vivian Shaw ride!
Greta Helsing is a modern day descendent of the Van Helsing family, famous from the world of gothic literature as vampire hunters. Times have changed, however, and the majority of vampires and other non-human individuals just want to live peaceful and undisturbed lives and the Van Helsings have dropped the ‘Van’ and the hunting and instead studied medicine as well as anatomy and physiology of vampires, ghouls, mummies, and other ‘mythical’ beings in order to help to keep them healthy.
This is a lovely series with some excitement and peril but lots of nice relationships (some romance) some humour and great characters. I can’t wait for the next instalment.
In the mean time, I read The Helios syndrome, which is either a stand -alone or the beginning of a new series (I would read it if it was!). Again there is magical realism, in this case the main character can use divination with a Chrystal ball as well as talking to dead people. He is hired by people investigating air crashes and has a very exciting adventure guided by a dead pilot and at times by an aeroplane that talks to him in his dreams!
It’s less gentile than The Greta Helsing books, and set in America rather than England, but still very enjoyable.
Sarah Wray Writer 