Bloodwork by Melissa Demirel—A Dark and Unexpected Romance

Bloodwork by Melissa Demirel comes out on February 22, but I was lucky to receive an ARC from NetGalley.

The story beckons you into a realm where dark romance meets the macabre, promising a gripping tale of love between a serial killer and a vampire. The initial allure of the cover and the intriguing premise gripped my attention from the start.

The narrative unfolds with Timothy, a loner who enacts his own brand of justice by targeting those he deems unworthy of life. Opposite him is Lynnette, a vampire seeking sustenance and drawn into Timothy’s peculiar invitation. Their relationship hinges on a precarious trust, the kind that holds the threat of mortality.

Bloodwork - Book description from the back cover

Timothy is a serial killer. He's also very lonely. He's a walking contradiction, and his psychological predicament doesn't escape him.

Lynnette is a vampire. She's also a nurse. She, too, is a walking contradiction.

When she unexpectedly answers his desperate call for company, they realize they could be perfect partners in crime, engaging in a few kinds of bloodwork at once, bringing out the worst and the best in each other.

With Timothy, Lynnette starts to feel more like the dangerous bloodsucking demon she was always meant to be, without having to worry about saving lives. With Lynnette, Timothy's loneliness starts to feel like nothing more than a shadow from a distant and depressing dream, and he can savor the presence of someone so inhuman that they're not bound to disappoint him like other people have.

The little deal the two outcasts make with each other should keep them both quite happy and satisfied with life—that is, assuming that Lynnette doesn't decide to make Timothy her dinner and Timothy doesn't decide to murder Lynnette for sport…

And when they are both capable of being predator and prey to each other, that's a hell of an assumption to make.

My review of "Bloodwork"

Envisioning a blend of Pam from Southern Vampire Mysteries and Dexter, I anticipated a captivating journey. However, the narrative primarily unfolds through Timothy’s internal monologue, leaving me craving a more dynamic exploration of his struggles and interactions. At the same time, he’s a shy serial killer and doesn’t really interact much with others, putting the author in a difficult spot.

Bloodwork’s storyline is woven with grisly murders, each described with unsettling detail. Timothy’s moral compass, guided by fleeting interactions, sets the stage for a dark exploration of justice. Lynnette follows his rules, but there's tension between them, showing how their relationship is getting complicated.

Within the chaos of bloodshed, a delicate romance emerges—a fragile beacon amid the darkness. The narrative skillfully tests this connection against the backdrop of shared secrets and conflicting desires, showcasing the intricate dance between love and darkness.

While the writing style wasn't my favorite, I still think Bloodwork is worth checking out if you're looking for something outside the box. Melissa Demirel’s narrative, told from the predator’s perspective, provides a compelling journey into the shadows that lurk within us all.

In a nutshell, Bloodwork is all about the unconventional and captivating. It's a book that immerses you in a deadly dance of darkness and desire.