A review by nerdynatreads
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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I'm not sure I've ever been so angry while reading a book and yet can't put the damn thing down. This was not what I went in expecting. I was thinking more along the lines of a fast-paced thriller with some horror scenes. I definitely got the horror though, very visceral, cringey, gag-worthy horror, but that wasn't the scariest part. The amount of abuse and gaslighting and dismissal of minorities was the worst. 

Making the mcs all middle-aged SAHM in the nineties was a unique choice that made this book stand out. On the surface, they're all simple, superficial and docile, but I love that they utilize their strengths to bring down this man harming their community. No, they're not going to read him to death, but they certainly know how to cover up a crime. 

The event in the middle caught me so off guard that I nearly screamed at the book in shock and anger, but had to continue to find out where this would go. The breakdown of the book into what the club was reading was also a fun choice! Obviously, loved all the true crime mentions and the fact that this book also highlighted how crimes that take place in lower income areas or areas populated by minorities often go under the radar and are less likely to be investigated with the same rigor as that in more affluent neighborhoods. 

Biggest complaints were why tf were there so many surprise descriptions of naked women? Those shocked me more than the horror scenes. And that our MC could be so dumb and slow at certain points. 
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