There are vampire stories, and then there are vampire experiences. Keith Costelloe’s Vampires in BC belongs firmly to the latter. It does not simply invite you to read. It pulls you straight into its shadows, sits you by the fire, and lets Dr. De’Ath whisper in your ear until you begin to wonder how much of your humanity you would surrender for eternal life. From its unsettling prologue to its closing scenes, the novel is more than horror. It is a tale of transformation, identity, and betrayal that lingers long after the final page.
What makes Vampires in BC stand out is its setting. Instead of ancient castles or distant ruins, Costelloe places his story in the ordinary. Peace Arch Hospital, school bus, a Halloween bonfire in the woods. By weaving the supernatural into such everyday spaces, the horror feels closer, sharper, more personal. A crow perched at the end of a hospital bed unsettles more than a coffin because it could happen to us. These details show Costelloe’s ability to heighten dread without relying on clichés.
The characters deepen that impact. Jude, the narrator, is far from the usual horror protagonist. His voice is vulnerable and conflicted, torn between longing, fear, and a desperate search for identity. His perspective gives the book real emotional weight, and the story feels layered with unspoken truths that reveal themselves slowly as events unfold.
Dr. De’Ath is unforgettable. She is charismatic and terrifying, shifting accents and personas like an actor changing costumes. At times cultured, at times harsh, she keeps readers and characters alike off balance. What makes her special are the small details: the lavender scent she exhales, the theatrical but chilling way she silences rooms, her mix of cruelty and seduction. She is not just a villain; she is a force of will, someone who demands attention on every page.
Beyond its surface horror, the novel also works as a metaphor. Jude’s encounters with the supernatural mirror the confusion and experimentation of adolescence. Vampirism becomes a lens to explore identity, desire, and the cost of belonging. Many vampire novels chase thrills. This one goes further, asking what we trade for power and acceptance.
The prose is vivid and cinematic. Costelloe layers sound, scent, and texture in a way that pulls the reader in: the silkiness of blood, the clang of alarms, the echo of a cane tapping through an empty street. Even the smaller moments are given attention. A teenager demanding his laptop, a nurse soothing a child who claims she can see monsters, the mocking laughter of vampire teens. These details build atmosphere and make the world feel lived in.
The pacing is carefully measured. The prologue sets a gothic tone, and the chapters that follow unfold like episodes in a dark series, each with its own mood and theme. The chapter titles – “Sheer Wet Silkiness,” “Countess Dracula,” “Don’t You Want Me?”, add a playful, camp edge that contrasts with the often brutal events inside. This back-and-forth between humor and horror creates tension that keeps the reader uneasy, and that is exactly what good horror should do.
What makes the book linger is its humanity. Vampires fascinate not only because they frighten but because they tempt. Eternal youth, the ability to change, freedom from rules these are things most people have longed for at some point. But the cost is high, and the story reminds us of what can be lost: friendship, trust, the fragile bonds that keep us human.
For readers tired of repetitive vampire tales, Vampires in BC feels fresh. It respects its gothic roots while bending them into new forms. It is both entertaining and unsettling, pulpy and thoughtful, playful and serious.
Keith Costelloe has given us a vampire novel that deserves attention. It is not just another genre story. It is a book that unsettles, provokes, and makes us reflect on our own shadows. That, more than anything, is why Vampires in BC is worth reading, sharing, and talking about.
BEST SELLER! Buy your copy now on amazon here.
We believe in sharing knowledge with everyone and making a positive change in society through our work and contributions. If you are interested in joining us, please check our ‘About’ page for more information