--- product_id: 249495716 title: "The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires" price: "€ 3.47" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.hr/products/249495716-the-southern-book-clubs-guide-to-slaying-vampires store_origin: HR region: Croatia --- # The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires **Price:** € 3.47 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires - **How much does it cost?** € 3.47 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.hr](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/249495716-the-southern-book-clubs-guide-to-slaying-vampires) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Fried Green Tomatoes and Steel Magnolias meet Dracula in this Southern-flavored supernatural thriller set in the '90s about a women's book club that must protect its suburban community from a mysterious and handsome stranger who turns out to be a real monster. Patricia Campbell's life has never felt smaller. Her ambitious husband is too busy to give her a goodbye kiss in the morning, her kids have their own lives, her senile mother-in-law needs constant care, and she's always a step behind on thank-you notes and her endless list of chores. The one thing she has to look forward to is her book club, a close-knit group of Charleston women united by their love of true crime and paperback fiction. At these meetings they're as likely to talk about the Manson family as they are marriage, motherhood, and neighborhood gossip. This predictable pattern is upended when Patricia meets James Harris, a handsome stranger who moves into the neighborhood to take care of his elderly aunt and ends up joining the book club. James is sensitive and well-read, and he makes Patricia feel things she hasn't felt in 20 years. But there's something off about him. He doesn't have a bank account, he doesn't like going out during the day, and Patricia's mother-in-law insists that she knew him when she was a girl, an impossibility. When local children go missing, Patricia and the book club members start to suspect James is more of a Bundy than a Beatnik, but no one outside of the book club believes them. Have they read too many true crime books, or have they invited a real monster into their homes? Review: Lightning in a Bottle - Title: The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires Author: Grady Hendrix Genre: Supernatural Thriller Audio: Bahni Turpin Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Whew. Slow breath. This marks the beginning of my journey into the world of Grady Hendrix. He honestly flew under the radar for me, and that is a crime. The story is incredibly complex and yet easy to follow, so my discussion might be a bit longer. No worries, I won’t reveal any significant plot points, which should help keep things from getting too out of hand. Our protagonist, Patricia Campbell, tells this story from a limited third-person point of view. Patty (as her friends call her) is the picture-perfect wife, mother, and Southern lady… or so we think. To be frank, Patty is somewhat dissatisfied with her home life and career choices now that her kids are getting older, having left nursing to be a housewife. I’m not entirely sure if she genuinely wanted to do this, especially since her husband, who is a psychologist, can be pretty manipulative and completely overbearing. I must admit, the men in this book made me so angry that I could practically taste the rage. I had a strong and immediate dislike for almost every single one of them in this book, so consider yourself warned. If themes like misogyny, abuse, and manipulation bother you, then this story may not be for you. Getting back to Patty… As an avid reader, Patty was part of a book club, but the books they chose felt dull and uninspiring. After being selected to lead a book discussion on a novel she hadn’t read (and being totally humiliated when caught), she started her own book club, where they could discuss true crime and serial killer books. I know. I know., I know. I, too, wished to be a member of that book club. But the introduction of the book club is the last semi-normal thing that happens in this book, so buckle up. Now, I will tell you that this book is noticeably manic in all the best ways. I experienced a range of emotions, from tears and laughter to outbursts of anger. The humor had me in stitches. The uncomfortable horror elements were effectively juxtaposed with deeply moving social commentary about economic inequality, racism, gender power dynamics, toxic religious undertones, narcissism, and domestic abuse, making for a powerful and relevant narrative. These themes were expertly integrated into the narrative and never felt overdone. I was so engrossed that I listened at all hours, and last night, for the first time in my reading journey, I wore my headphones to bed and listened to the ending in the dark. The moment it was over, I remained there, contemplating the ending and understanding its purpose. It’s important for me to mention Bahni Turpin as well! This woman’s performance was incredible, as she played a whole cast of characters, drawing me in so completely that I forgot it was a single narrator. For audiobook lovers, this one is a must-listen. It truly was remarkable. Sigh. I honestly believe that Grady Hendrix trapped lightning in a bottle with this story, and I'm left with a book hangover, the kind you savor. I assure you, The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires will become a beloved treasure on your bookshelves. Happy reading, and keep the windows closed and the lights on. Review: an intense commentary on gaslighting, sexism, and racism - “The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampire’s” is a bit of a misnomer. You don’t really get a “guide” and there is just the one “vampire”, and the lore around that particular vampire is unlike any I’m familiar with. But that was part of the fun of this book. Or, not fun, as this was an intense commentary on gaslighting, sexism, and racism in Charleston in the early 90’s. Or as intense of a commentary as a white man can make, but I think the point was infuriatingly well made. And while there is no mystery around the vampire, even if it takes these housewives awhile to see it for themselves, the writing was easy and creepy and managed to make me absolutely rage at all the right places. This book really was a look into just how vital the invisible support system of running a household is, the overlooked emotional labor, and just how overtly that gets taken advantage of, in no small part thanks to the burden of hospitality ingrained in each of these women. This was my first book by this author so I was a bit hesitant at first as horror is hit or miss for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed this satirical horror story. I am a new mom and a big true crime fan so already the ladies in this book resonated with me. These moms, despite being very different from one another, are all easy to like and root for. And it’s also very easy to wish every single one of their husbands would burn in a fire. And that’s before the “villain” shows up. But really, James isn’t just a vampire. He’s a symbol of the socio-economic divide between communities. The fact that no one cared about what he did in the poorer, predominately Black neighborhoods until it started to affect the upper-class white neighborhoods, for example. It would have been nice if Mrs. Greene was more of a main character for that very reason, but as Patricia was the only main character in the entire book club, I’ll try not to get hung up on it too much. This book is satire, and while some people may claim it feels more like the 1950’s instead of the 1990s, I KNOW a lot of places in the South still operate the way Hendrix portrays this community (I lived in a suburb of New Orleans for a few years and can attest to that). Hendrix may be the only male writer I’ve read that really captured the utter rage and frustration of how these women are constantly talked over and how condescending their husbands are to them. I honestly went to bed mad so many times because of it, but that was also the point, so kudos to the author there. However the book is a bit slow in the middle. Which is why I am giving it 4 stars; the pacing was my only real issue. It felt like it took such a long time for the housewives to go up against James in, as Hendrix says, “Dracula vs. my mom” once Patricia knows what she’s up against. When the showdown did happen, it was perfectly gory and unsettling and Patricia and Kitty were so clutch that I was mentally clapping for them the entire time. Even Slick and Grace, who I liked the least, had my sympathy at the end and I wanted nothing more than for them to win. Well, maybe not Grace so much, but I liked how Ms. Greene called her out, too. The ending was a little bittersweet, but it also felt right for the characters and their families, as well. All this to say, not only did I really enjoy this book, but I’m excited to read more by this author in the future! ## Images ![The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81hOYkbNRzL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lightning in a Bottle *by R***Y on October 4, 2025* Title: The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires Author: Grady Hendrix Genre: Supernatural Thriller Audio: Bahni Turpin Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Whew. Slow breath. This marks the beginning of my journey into the world of Grady Hendrix. He honestly flew under the radar for me, and that is a crime. The story is incredibly complex and yet easy to follow, so my discussion might be a bit longer. No worries, I won’t reveal any significant plot points, which should help keep things from getting too out of hand. Our protagonist, Patricia Campbell, tells this story from a limited third-person point of view. Patty (as her friends call her) is the picture-perfect wife, mother, and Southern lady… or so we think. To be frank, Patty is somewhat dissatisfied with her home life and career choices now that her kids are getting older, having left nursing to be a housewife. I’m not entirely sure if she genuinely wanted to do this, especially since her husband, who is a psychologist, can be pretty manipulative and completely overbearing. I must admit, the men in this book made me so angry that I could practically taste the rage. I had a strong and immediate dislike for almost every single one of them in this book, so consider yourself warned. If themes like misogyny, abuse, and manipulation bother you, then this story may not be for you. Getting back to Patty… As an avid reader, Patty was part of a book club, but the books they chose felt dull and uninspiring. After being selected to lead a book discussion on a novel she hadn’t read (and being totally humiliated when caught), she started her own book club, where they could discuss true crime and serial killer books. I know. I know., I know. I, too, wished to be a member of that book club. But the introduction of the book club is the last semi-normal thing that happens in this book, so buckle up. Now, I will tell you that this book is noticeably manic in all the best ways. I experienced a range of emotions, from tears and laughter to outbursts of anger. The humor had me in stitches. The uncomfortable horror elements were effectively juxtaposed with deeply moving social commentary about economic inequality, racism, gender power dynamics, toxic religious undertones, narcissism, and domestic abuse, making for a powerful and relevant narrative. These themes were expertly integrated into the narrative and never felt overdone. I was so engrossed that I listened at all hours, and last night, for the first time in my reading journey, I wore my headphones to bed and listened to the ending in the dark. The moment it was over, I remained there, contemplating the ending and understanding its purpose. It’s important for me to mention Bahni Turpin as well! This woman’s performance was incredible, as she played a whole cast of characters, drawing me in so completely that I forgot it was a single narrator. For audiobook lovers, this one is a must-listen. It truly was remarkable. Sigh. I honestly believe that Grady Hendrix trapped lightning in a bottle with this story, and I'm left with a book hangover, the kind you savor. I assure you, The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires will become a beloved treasure on your bookshelves. Happy reading, and keep the windows closed and the lights on. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ an intense commentary on gaslighting, sexism, and racism *by C***Y on May 18, 2023* “The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampire’s” is a bit of a misnomer. You don’t really get a “guide” and there is just the one “vampire”, and the lore around that particular vampire is unlike any I’m familiar with. But that was part of the fun of this book. Or, not fun, as this was an intense commentary on gaslighting, sexism, and racism in Charleston in the early 90’s. Or as intense of a commentary as a white man can make, but I think the point was infuriatingly well made. And while there is no mystery around the vampire, even if it takes these housewives awhile to see it for themselves, the writing was easy and creepy and managed to make me absolutely rage at all the right places. This book really was a look into just how vital the invisible support system of running a household is, the overlooked emotional labor, and just how overtly that gets taken advantage of, in no small part thanks to the burden of hospitality ingrained in each of these women. This was my first book by this author so I was a bit hesitant at first as horror is hit or miss for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed this satirical horror story. I am a new mom and a big true crime fan so already the ladies in this book resonated with me. These moms, despite being very different from one another, are all easy to like and root for. And it’s also very easy to wish every single one of their husbands would burn in a fire. And that’s before the “villain” shows up. But really, James isn’t just a vampire. He’s a symbol of the socio-economic divide between communities. The fact that no one cared about what he did in the poorer, predominately Black neighborhoods until it started to affect the upper-class white neighborhoods, for example. It would have been nice if Mrs. Greene was more of a main character for that very reason, but as Patricia was the only main character in the entire book club, I’ll try not to get hung up on it too much. This book is satire, and while some people may claim it feels more like the 1950’s instead of the 1990s, I KNOW a lot of places in the South still operate the way Hendrix portrays this community (I lived in a suburb of New Orleans for a few years and can attest to that). Hendrix may be the only male writer I’ve read that really captured the utter rage and frustration of how these women are constantly talked over and how condescending their husbands are to them. I honestly went to bed mad so many times because of it, but that was also the point, so kudos to the author there. However the book is a bit slow in the middle. Which is why I am giving it 4 stars; the pacing was my only real issue. It felt like it took such a long time for the housewives to go up against James in, as Hendrix says, “Dracula vs. my mom” once Patricia knows what she’s up against. When the showdown did happen, it was perfectly gory and unsettling and Patricia and Kitty were so clutch that I was mentally clapping for them the entire time. Even Slick and Grace, who I liked the least, had my sympathy at the end and I wanted nothing more than for them to win. Well, maybe not Grace so much, but I liked how Ms. Greene called her out, too. The ending was a little bittersweet, but it also felt right for the characters and their families, as well. All this to say, not only did I really enjoy this book, but I’m excited to read more by this author in the future! ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A book about motherhood, vampires, friendship, and serial killers *by J***E on April 13, 2021* Though he’s regarded by some as drenched in irony and snark, I’ve never found Grady Hendrix’s forays into horror to be less than great, embracing all sorts of horror tropes with the ease of an expert, all while finding some way to marry the themes of the horror to something larger – the dangers of defining yourself by your work in Horrorstör, for instance, or the way that we grow apart from our friends as filtered through demonic possession in My Best Friend’s Exorcism. And in Hendrix’s hands, The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires turns from a typical vampire novel a la Salem’s Lot (mysterious stranger comes to small town, etc.) into an exploration of motherhood and what it’s like to try to find your way through parenting when you can’t even find time for yourself. That metaphor isn’t quite as tight as usual for Hendrix, which both frees up the book to go in different directions but also makes it a little looser in terms of structure, with some odd beats that never quite feel tied into the novel. (I can’t help but feel there was more to the story of our main character’s son than ended up in the final version of the story, where it simply feels disquieting but also unresolved.) But the result is a pretty fun tale about a group of suburban women who start bonding after they start a book club that’s less pretentious than the “official” one, becoming tight friends and each other’s lifelines when life is hard. And when a young man named James Harris moves in down the street, as good Southern women, they want to reach out, but, well, he’s never that active during the day, and the windows are darkened… Hendrix nicely leans into the dramatic irony brought about by the name of the book, letting the reader be aware of what’s going on well before the main characters, but that doesn’t stop him from taking the idea of vampires into far more unexpected territory, as Harris both plays to the desire for money by the men folk and the willingness of a small town to overlook crimes happening in the Black neighborhoods of the city. Indeed, if there’s another central conceit to the novel beyond the motherhood one, it’s the reframing of the vampire not as the romantic Count Dracula, but as the wandering serial killer, one without ties, human morality, or any connection to the world around him, and in doing so, Hendrix gives us a vampire that’s both true to our ideas of the creature and yet doesn’t remind us of anyone but himself – a hard thing to do in vampire fiction these days. I really enjoyed Book Club a lot; yes, the book isn’t quite as thematically tight as Hendrix’s other works, but it gains from the way that that looseness allows Hendrix to take the plot into ways that examine classism, sexism, racism, parenting, suburbia, and more, all while never forgetting that he’s delivering a horror novel and has to bring the goods on that front. And he definitely does here, with a few knockout sequences that show that there’s more to Hendrix than the unfair labels that have been put on him by some. For my money, Hendrix is four for four, and Book Club is just further proof that he’s not just a lover of pulp horrors, but a solid writer for any horror fan to enjoy. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.hr/products/249495716-the-southern-book-clubs-guide-to-slaying-vampires](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/249495716-the-southern-book-clubs-guide-to-slaying-vampires) --- *Product available on Desertcart Croatia* *Store origin: HR* *Last updated: 2026-07-11*