Renfield, Slave of Dracula by Barbara Hambly

Barbara Hambly has previously written two of my favorite vampire books: Those Who Hunt the Night and Travelling With the Dead. Renfield is not as interesting or compelling as either of those books, but it is well-written and worth reading, especially if you are a fan of Hambly. Barbara Hambly also writes the Benjamin January mystery series (January is a free man of color in old New Orleans) and science fiction. She was married to George Alec Effinger and has edited a couple of collections of his writings.

Renfield is the Bram Stoker's Dracula, but told from the viewpoint of Renfield. Hambly succeeds in making Renfield into a fully rounded character, and in providing a new look at some other familiar characters from the "original" vampire novel. Of particular interest are her characterizations of the inhabitants of the Rushbrook Asylum, Lucy Westenra, and Dracula's three wives.

Closing Time by Jim Fusilli

Closing Time is a mystery, the second in a series. The series protagonist is Terry Orr, who is a writer and aspiring detective. Terry has a motley group of friends and a precocious 12-year-old daughter. His beloved, artist wife was killed in book 1. In this book, Terry is trying to help solve a couple of mysteries. In one case, an elderly cab driver was murdered. In the other, a bomb was set off in an art gallery at an opening. Terry was attending the opening with his daughter, and was friends with he gallery owner, because she had previously represented his wife. Overall, worth reading, but not so compelling that I'll be seeking out other books in the series.