After five books of being a South African vampire, Kali Black has finally achieved her goal of becoming a detective.
But her first day on the job is about to be a mess.
The Story
Kali Black’s demon cat, Fredward is next in line to become King of Hell, whether he likes it or not. For the thirteen days of Carnivalis, demons can walk the earth. Fredward has until then to find another sucker who wants the job.
Meanwhile, the first night of Carnivalis is marked with thirteen dead bodies, displayed and disfigured. The cops want to blow it off as crazies. But Kali thinks it’s more sinister.
Also, Kali’s childhood friend has been enslaved by the vampire powers that be in South Africa.
When the bodies start piling up, Kali thinks it’s all tied together with Fredward, and Kali’s nemesis, “The Doctor.”
While I have enjoyed everything written by Nicholas Woode-Smith, Beyond the Bleak Inferno is his best work to date. The pacing is strong; the plot starts immediately and does not slow down. This is less of a mystery and more of a procedural— as written by Mickey Spillane, but still a procedural. It is a complex knotwork of pieces, but they all fit together neatly.
Beyond the Bleak Inferno feels more dense, with more plot, and more action. Between the murders, Fredward, the Screwtape politics of demons, vampires enslaving other vampires, and blowback from the previous novel.
The final shootout is a fun extravaganza that wraps up multiple plot threads all at once.
And, we even have a final cliff hangar already setting up the next novel.
The Characters
This is very much Fredward’s novel. He gets more background and history, friends, enemies and allies, leading to more development of demonology in this world. The demons are Joss Whedon quirky, but they make up for it by very clearly being evil. Also, Hell is very clearly very Screwtape.
Kali’s development is more focused towards her being part of a police unit. It’s still a work in process. Though taking her to the range was fun, since she doesn’t have breath to control, has perfect vision, and doesn’t feel recoil. Her most irksome quality is her praying to whatever random deity and fictional character pops into her brain, from Gilgamesh to Dracula (specifically Christopher Lee’s version)— but then again, her hippie parents did name her Kali.
“The Doctor” is also slowly developing as a character. Despite being “a vampire hunter,” is he clearly not a hero— he dresses like a Puritan, but is very much a Satanic Solomon Kane.
The World
It’s book five, so the Secret World for South Africa is well-established. There’s even more blowback from the last book. And this was very much a study in demonology as handled for this world.
It’s still nice to have urban fantasy world set in a distinct city, with its own distinct flavor.
It’s not Tolkien, but it’s sufficient.
Politics
If there is any. If there is not, say there isn’t and move on.
Content Warning
This book comes with a content warning to open with. Personally, it looks more like PG-13 to me, but that’s mostly for harsh language and gore.
Who is it for?
For those people who enjoy urban fantasy, but with more procedural elements, and at the speed of Mickey Spillane, you’re going to enjoy this.
Why buy it
It’s a unique vampire procedural mystery with a tightly written plot, great pacing and good action.
Did somebody say FREDward?