By Matt Molgaard
Elizabeth Einspanier doesn’t use mysterious prose or write jaw-droppingly detailed paragraphs, but she does tell a very clean, coherent story. Sheepskin is both a period drama and a vampire story, and while both could be read as dull material, Einspanier’s approach is too reader-friendly to ignore. This is a book that is riveting from page one to page two.
We immediately meet Dr. Meadows, a young doctor who has settled in the small town of Redemption and practices medicine there. His life, to be sure, is normal. Until a knock at the door brings him face to face with the barrel of a gun and a wounded Indian. Despite the threats, the good doctor is not about to turn the man away. He bandages his wounds and then finds himself in the middle of a battle that will last for years. The stranger Wolfe Caury is hunting down a savage vampire who, long ago, seduced his wife and turned her into a vampire. Now, this vampire has his sights set on the town of Redemption, with plans to turn the town upside down and create an army of vampires. It falls to Wolfe and Meadows to stop these plans, or this once peaceful place will be left without living people.
Sheepskin is a short novel, but short novels are short for a reason, as there is no need to stretch a novel from 128 pages to 300. Extra material could have been just filler, and it is refreshing that Einspanier decided to omit the filler and only provide what is really needed. I would be willing to pay the suggested retail price for a short novel if the book was engaging. In fact, I would rather pay $15 (which, by the way, is a steal at $6) for 150 pages of great content than 400 pages of dull content. Einspanier understands this, and I adore her for it.
Get ready for something rare: a great vampire story with characters that readers can really care about. Characters that readers can really cheer for. And the villains, on the other hand, succeed in creating a very real sense of discomfort and a tangible threat. The setting and date of the story feel very appropriate, and the atmosphere of small town life is seamless. The structure of the story may be a little simple, but it is the true definition of maximizing minimal.
If you’re looking for a fun, riveting (it took me about 90 minutes to finish the book) story of goofballs, the Old West, and honest characters, Sheep’s Skin is an absolute must-read. It’s a book that will undoubtedly keep me coming back for – at least – one more read.
If you know what’s good for you, order it here. Seriously, it’s a good investment.
score: 4.5/5
