🦇 Vampires

Gem

✍️ Craig Jones
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$14.95
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A vampire mob enforcer protects her family from a deadly sire in New York City.

The narrative focuses on Gem, a supernatural assassin navigating the dangerous streets of New York City. She attempts to save a woman from an abusive mobster boyfriend while restructuring the local criminal hierarchy. Her life involves eliminating drug lords and other threats before returning home to her young daughter and nanny. This domestic routine is constantly threatened by the risks inherent in her violent career. The central conflict arises when a former human connection returns as a powerful sire. He demands a specific secret rather than affection, using lethal force to ensure compliance. Jones structures the plot around these competing obligations: professional duty versus parental protection. The story highlights the consequences of underestimating her capabilities and the cost of her hidden identity.

Key Themes
vampire hit woman mob underworld maternal protection
Literary Context

This book sits within the contemporary urban fantasy genre, published by Twb Press in 2013. It draws on New York City crime traditions and vampire mythology. The setting grounds supernatural elements in a realistic criminal environment, appealing to readers of modern gothic fiction.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Charlaine Harris · Ilona Andrews · Jim Butcher
🦇
Vampires
🏛 Twb Press 📅 2013 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781936991648

📝 Description: Gem

Craig Jones presents Gem, a narrative centering on a vampire hit woman operating within the New York City underworld. She seeks to correct past wrongs and protect a beautiful woman from her mobster partner while shifting power dynamics in the criminal landscape. Some observers dismiss her as merely a bloodsucking party girl, yet those who underestimate her face death. Jones details her dual life: eradicating drug lords and eliminating bad guys, then returning to care for her adopted five-year-old daughter and their nanny. These family members remain in constant peril due to the volatility of her profession. The plot intensifies when her human past resurfaces through a handsome and deadly sire. This figure does not seek romance but demands her secret, threatening to kill her to obtain it. The story draws on gothic and supernatural fiction traditions, blending mob crime elements with vampire lore. It examines the tension between criminal loyalty and maternal protection. The narrative structure follows Gem’s efforts to balance these conflicting duties while evading a lethal pursuer. This work suits readers who enjoy urban fantasy mixed with crime thrillers. It may not appeal to those seeking traditional historical horror or purely academic supernatural studies. Jones qualifies as an author within the Twb Press catalog, offering a distinct voice in contemporary genre fiction. The book relies on character-driven conflict rather than extensive world-building exposition.

💎 Our verdict on Gem

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Craig Jones delivers a tense narrative that effectively merges the visceral brutality of mob crime with the timeless fears of vampire lore. The protagonist, Gem, serves as a compelling anchor, navigating a world where underestimation leads to death. The author skillfully juxtaposes her violent professional life with her fragile domestic routine, creating constant tension. This approach refreshes the genre by prioritizing maternal survival over traditional romantic tropes. The pacing remains sharp as Gem faces demands from a deadly sire who values secrets over affection. While it may not satisfy those seeking historical horror, it excels in its contemporary setting. The work is best suited for readers who enjoy urban fantasy with a strong emphasis on character-driven conflict and atmospheric dread.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy the intersection of domestic drama and high-stakes action will find this narrative compelling. The book offers a distinct perspective on the vampire genre by focusing on maternal protection rather than romantic entanglement. It appeals to those who appreciate complex moral landscapes where professional duty conflicts with personal loyalty. The protagonist's struggle to balance her identity as a lethal enforcer with her role as a mother provides emotional depth. Fans of crime thrillers who crave supernatural elements will appreciate the unique blend of mob politics and ancient bloodlines. The story explores the consequences of hidden identities and the cost of survival in a hostile environment.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Craig Jones delivers a tense narrative that effectively merges the visceral brutality of mob crime with the timeless fears of vampire lore. The protagonist, Gem, serves as a compelling anchor, navigating a world where underestimation leads to death. The author skillfully juxtaposes her violent professional life with her fragile domestic routine, creating constant tension. This approach refreshes the genre by prioritizing maternal survival over traditional romantic tropes. The pacing remains sharp as Gem faces demands from a deadly sire who values secrets over affection. While it may not satisfy those seeking historical horror, it excels in its contemporary setting. The work is best suited for readers who enjoy urban fantasy with a strong emphasis on character-driven conflict and atmospheric dread.

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