"fun vampire mystery"

After living on the streets for many years, Tony Foster was taken into the home of Henry Fitzroy, bastard son of Henry VII and a four hundred and fifty year old vampire. Tony is twenty-four years old now, lives in his own apartment and remains close with his beloved mentor Henry although they are not quite as intimate. Tony works as a production assistant for "Darkest Night" a television show about a vampire detective.

Although Tony appreciates the irony of the current situation, he's becoming worried about strange happenings on the set. Shadows seem to be moving independently of people's bodies and some are even lurking in hidden corners. Tony is determined to find out what is happening and he figures the best person to ask is Arra, the special effects person who seems to know more than she is saying. She finally confesses to Tony that she is a wizard from another world who traveled in a portal to Earth because the Shadowlord conquered her world. He is searching for her now and once he destroys her, he intends to conquer Earth using his shadow minions. Henry and Tony intend to stop him if they can and try to convince Arra to join the battle.

Readers familiar with Private Detective Vicki Nelson and Henry Fitzroy the vampire books know that Tony is a minor but important character in those tales. They will love his coming out party in SMOKE AND SHADOWS. The hero is all grown up and very mature for his age, eager to save his world although he is scared to death. Henry is still a good friend who takes a back seat to his protégée in this enthralling book.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted March 1, 2004

Summary

Acclaimed fantasy author Tanya Huff returns to entertaining fantasy territory with this first novel in a new trilogy- featuring a popular character from her acclaimed Blood series. Tony, a former street kid-turned-producer, is behind a new TV series about a vampire detective. But what is real and what is fantasy? The answers are to be found in a wizard who's come to Earth from another dangerous dimension...and he's been followed.