"Why? We just go back the way we came in" - Karen

Editor Russell B. Farr presents a massive collection of thirty three Vampire tales from Downunder covering everything from traditional tales of the nosferatu, through local lore, to modern interpretations that stretch the very concept of what a Vampire is. Thankfully at no stage do we get vampires prancing around in the sunlight sparkling like nancy boys. While I recognised a whole bunch of the Writers included, Baxter, Dowker, Pillar, Nahrung, McBride, and Livings, among others, there were also a fair smattering of Writers I hadn't run across previously. If you have ever wanted to read a comprehensive collection of vampire tales then say hello to this anthology.

Of the thirty three tales contained in the anthology it was refreshing to see four or five of them dealing with the local mythical blood suckers. While it's always a pleasure to touch bases with Count Dracula and the European mythos, it's equally cool to see what horrors await the unwary in this part of the world. Tales of the "little red man" from Koori dreamtime myth cycles offer a particularly nasty variant to the European traditions. There is at least one other creature waiting to surprise the visitor to these fatal shores, get some local culture, we have some nasty denizens waiting.

With the odd exception, 30 Days of Night comes to mind, the vampire has declined in the fear stakes to being pretty much a defanged fashion accessory for teenage emo girls with no life expierence. Editor Russell B. Farr not only give the vampires their fangs again, but sharpens and polishes those fangs in to the bargain. We're talking some pretty blood thirsty creations here in amongst the more urbane vampires after something slight less sticky than blood. Once again I would point out under Farr's stewardship vampires aren't necessary what one would expect on a dark night over at the Frankenstein place.

While the stories do on occasion hit the odd historic element, Ned Kelly gets a guernsey for example, we are excused from tale after tale set in Victorian England and other 18th Century locales. I for one dug the modern settings most of the stories operate in, and was giving a standard ovation when no one decided that their tale of blood lust would be improved upon by being set in a leather and tatt bar. For the most part things are kept contemporary, with the odd historic reference. Which makes a hell of a lot of sense considering Australia is only just over 200 years old.

While I would love to point out some of the stories that had a strong impact on yours truly, we would be here for a month of Sundays as I would pretty much have to mention every story in the collection. There's some very strong writing going on between the covers of Dead Red Heart with some solid ideas being thrown into the mix. About the only story I had problems with was the kick off piece The Tide, which finished slightly too twee for mine and which contained a pretty heavy handy attempt at political propaganda. While I wouldn't like to try and teach Writers how to suck eggs, casting so called asylum seekers as either zombies or vampires isn't going to further a political agenda.

As ever when you get a bunch of Aussie and Kiwi writers together, you end up with a strong line up of solidly written tales that make for easy reading, and unfortunately a number of late nights as you find yourself just reading one more story before turning the lights out. I didn't find the anthology lagging at any stage with the emphasis mainly being on fast pace and action rather than pondering as to the human condition.

As ever Ticonderoga Publications have thrown together an excellent package, the cover is outstanding, that will grace anyone's bookshelf in style. A top flight package that while slightly heavy, what with 500 pages, presents no issues when reading.

Overall I would call Dead Red Heart one of the better anthologies to have been released in 2011. The story line-up is solid and spectacular at some stages, making for some good reading, and certainly a volume you will return to over the coming years. Full recommendation, get your vampire on again as it should be.

Dead Red Heart is available from most genre bookstores, quite a number of mainstream outlets, and of course any online stockist of quality material. If after more details then dial into the official Ticonderoga's official site. While there check out some of the other excellent titles currently available.