Anno Dracula: The Bloody Red Baron

This is a reissue of Newman’s 1995 sequel to Anno Dracula, in an alternative world where van Hesling has failed to kill Count Dracula. He, in turn, has married Queen Victoria after the death of Prince Albert and vampirism has spread throughout Britain. It is 1918 at the beginning of Anno Dracula: The Bloody Red Baron. Graf von Dracula, having been driven out of Britain by the combined talents of the Diogenes Club, Charles Beauregard and Genevieve Dieudonné, has become commander of chief of the armies of Germany and Austria-Hungary.  Edwin Winthrop is liaising between the intelligence forces, with the Diogenes Club at the heart, and the armed forces, especially the reconnaissance pilots. The Germans are creating undead pilots, and the best of their creations is von Richthofen, the Bloody Red Baron.

This is an entertaining read, written by a fan for fans of popular fiction, particularly mystery and horror. References to real fictionalised historical figures such as the Bloody Red Baron, Mata Hari and Edgar Allan Poe are mixed with fictional characters such as Lord Peter Wimsey, Mycroft Holmes, James Bigglesworth (Biggles) and Mina Harker. The final chapter is extremely affecting, as devastating events of the First World War take their toll on the characters. Recommended for fans of war novels, classic mystery and adventure, history and horror.