At a gathering of the city’s oldest and most powerful vampires, high within an ultra-secure skyscraper, a most unusual and terrible crime is perpetrated. An ancient and beautiful vampire named Vanessa is kidnapped from within the midst of the gathering, and the head of security hired to protect those assembled there is found brutally murdered. How such an act could have been committed is a mystery. There is an even bigger mystery concerning the person behind it. Who could possess the skill and cunning to do such a thing? And what is the point of such an act? What could the one responsible hope to gain? Wanting a quick resolution to the mystery—not to mention Vanessa’s safe return to her immortal lover, Johndrow—a private investigator named Donovan DeChance is called upon to get to the heart of the matter. And thus begins Vintage Soul: Volume 1 of the Dechance Chronicles by Bram Stoker Award winning author David Niall Wilson.

Now, Mr. Dechance is not your average, everyday private investigator. Which is only fitting because the city of San Valences, California—where the story takes place—is not your average, everyday California city. No, vampires walk the night-shrouded streets of San Valences, as do practitioners of various magic arts and an assortment of non-human creatures. To solve a mystery such as the one presented to Donovan, he would undoubtedly be greatly aided by a deep understanding of the magic at work within the city and which might be used against him. An understanding which Donovan does, in fact, have as he is a practicing mage himself and a collector of arcane writings.

Things take a sudden and very personal turn as Donovan’s home is invaded by a black bird which makes off with one of his prized books. A book which contains a very powerful spell, as it turns out, one which has never been successfully performed, a spell that would explain the abduction of a vampire as old and powerful as the beautiful Vanessa. What Donovan also learns from this new information is that Vanessa is in grave danger, that there isn’t much time in which she might be rescued. He calls in what aid he can, namely from a woman named Amethyst, his lover and an expert regarding the magical properties of crystals. His efforts are thwarted along the way, however, by a group of rogue vampires who feel that Donovan is not really the man for the job he has been given. But if there is one thing that can be said about our hero, he is persistent, and he’ll be damned if he’s going to let a minor obstacle such as this get in between him and the resolution of the mystery at hand.

Vintage Soul is more dark fantasy than horror, a rollicking ride through the streets of a mythical California city where magic rules the night. Secret alleyways, a cemetery, and an old church are the types of settings visited throughout the book. It’s all suitably atmospheric and by its finale comes together as a well-crafted piece of modern gothic (for lack of a better term), escapist fun. The book leaves you wanting to know more about this Donovan DeChance character. Fortunately, it looks like we’ll have the opportunity in the next installment of the Dechance Chronicles.