The Fox and the Devil

With this decadently dark gothic romance, White (Lucy Undying) delivers another gripping pseudo-sequel to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Anneke van Helsing is intent on avenging the death of her father, the famed vampire hunter, whom she hero-worshipped despite their distant relationship. She had caught a glimpse of a mysterious, immensely beautiful woman standing over his body and believes her to be his murderer. Now, with the help of three friends, trained detective Anneke strives to track down this woman, following a string of unusual and gruesome deaths across the continent. It’s a pleasure to be immersed in late-19th-century Europe, even as the death and gore piles up, and it’s delicious to witness Anneke and Diavola (the mystery woman’s name, as revealed in the teasing letters she leaves for Anneke) draw ever closer together, pulled as much by lust as hate. Horror and romance lovers alike will find much to enjoy—as long as they have strong stomachs. Agent: Michelle Wolfson, Wolfson Literary. (Mar.)