🦇 Vampires

Wisconsin Vamp: A very Wisconsin vampire horror comedy

✍️ Scott Burtness
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$14.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A vampire comedy about a Wisconsin diner cook navigating supernatural rivalry

Scott Burtness writes a story where a mediocre bowler gains power after turning into a vampire. His improved physique draws Lois, causing friction with Dallas. The friends’ rivalry intensifies through bar fights and social events. Herb must hide his bloodlust while dealing with the consequences of his new strength. The book mixes horror elements with everyday American life. It uses specific cultural touchstones to create a unique atmosphere. The conflict arises from personal jealousy rather than external threats. This approach keeps the focus on character dynamics and local community interactions.

Key Themes
vampire comedy bowling rivalry midwestern horror
Literary Context

The story is set in Wisconsin, utilizing specific regional stereotypes such as truck stop diners and bowling alleys. It draws on American midwestern culture to ground the supernatural elements in a familiar setting. The narrative reflects contemporary US small-town life through its focus on local social events and community dynamics.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Charlie Huston · Patricia Briggs · Kendare Blake
🦇
Vampires
🏛 Scott Burtness 📅 2024 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798869069436

📝 Description: Wisconsin Vamp: A very Wisconsin vampire horror comedy

Herbert Knudsen is a truck stop diner cook who becomes a vampire in this horror comedy by Scott Burtness. His undead existence brings unexpected changes to his routine. He gains strength and improves his bowling skills significantly. These physical enhancements attract the attention of Lois, a woman he desires. However, his new condition creates serious complications. He can no longer consume beer, which disrupts his social habits. The situation worsens as bodies begin to accumulate around him. The narrative focuses on the rivalry between Herb and his best friend Dallas. Dallas grows suspicious of the changes in Herb and becomes jealous of his success with Lois. This tension escalates into bar fights and other conflicts that threaten to expose Herb’s secret. The story blends supernatural horror with midwestern cultural elements. It features bake sales, karaoke nights, and local diners as key settings for the action. Burtness uses these familiar American tropes to ground the fantastical premise in a relatable reality. This book suits readers who enjoy dark comedy mixed with genre fiction. It appeals to those interested in stories about ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. The tone is humorous rather than purely terrifying. Readers seeking traditional gothic horror or serious literary fiction may find the comedic approach less engaging. The narrative structure follows Herb’s struggle to manage his dual life while maintaining his relationships. The plot relies on the clash between his undead nature and his desire for a normal existence.

💎 Our verdict on Wisconsin Vamp: A very Wisconsin vampire horror comedy

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Burtness successfully grounds a fantastical premise in relatable reality through familiar American tropes. The narrative excels at blending supernatural horror with midwestern cultural elements, creating a unique atmosphere that feels both strange and homey. By focusing on the rivalry between Herb and Dallas, the story maintains tension through personal jealousy rather than relying on external threats. This approach keeps the focus tightly on character dynamics and local community interactions. The tone remains humorous throughout, making it an accessible entry point for readers seeking light horror comedy. It suits audiences who prefer character-driven plots over complex lore or serious literary fiction.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy dark comedy mixed with genre fiction will find this book particularly engaging. It appeals to those interested in stories about ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances without the weight of traditional gothic horror. The narrative focuses on personal jealousy and rivalry rather than external threats, keeping the attention on character dynamics. Those who appreciate humorous tones over purely terrifying experiences will benefit most from the exploration of a vampire navigating midwestern social events like bake sales and karaoke nights.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Burtness successfully grounds a fantastical premise in relatable reality through familiar American tropes. The narrative excels at blending supernatural horror with midwestern cultural elements, creating a unique atmosphere that feels both strange and homey. By focusing on the rivalry between Herb and Dallas, the story maintains tension through personal jealousy rather than relying on external threats. This approach keeps the focus tightly on character dynamics and local community interactions. The tone remains humorous throughout, making it an accessible entry point for readers seeking light horror comedy. It suits audiences who prefer character-driven plots over complex lore or serious literary fiction.

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