It's 1899, and Bram Stoker's Dracula is sweeping the nation. So when socialite Tillie Pembroke's older sister Lucy is found dead, bloodless and with two holes on her neck, Tillie's mind automatically turns to vampires. But Tillie's a curious young woman, and she's determined to find a scientific explanation for her sister's death, whether it's a vampire or something else. Complicating her investigations, however, are Tillie's recent fall from a horse (which has her constantly under the influence of opium) and Tillie's mother and grandmother, who are understandably resistant to letting their last remaining heir out of their sight.
This is an intriguing story of New York City at the turn of the century, and includes references to several historical figures and events that readers will find interesting. The mystery itself was OK, I guess, but I particularly enjoyed the Tillie's investigations into the science behind vampires — including meeting with morticians, anatomists, and even a zoologist — as well as the peek into the medicinal habits of the era. It's a fun book, if one can say that about murder and addiction.
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