Sink Your Teeth Into It

Having always been fascinated, horrifyingly so, by the fact that the character we know as Dracula was inspired by a real person, I had to pick this one up. The author has aptly named the book, because although it is directed at her protagonist, it absolutely applies to her. This is a meaty (nothing intended there), solid account of the history of Vlad de Tepes, or "The Impaler", but interwoven with a story of pursuit, mystery and romance. And, of course, tragedy. If I was horrified by the guy before, he's absolutely terrifying to me now. I can't imagine the depth of such cruelty, and I'm sure that's how his legend was born. Or is it a legend? Turns out I know someone who is descended from him. Hmmm . . . I might start carrying garlic.