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someone who has the ability to communicate with the dead through a kind of mental telepathy. The dead of Lumley's universe exist on a plane where they have consciousness but no sight or hearing. Harry's unique abilities enable him to give them a sort of window on the world again. He not only communicates with them but also makes friends with them. Some of the more brilliant, such as mathematician August Mobius, give him access to other dimensions and universes. |
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Harry is a member of a special branch of British intelligence known as E-Branch. Others in this branch have differing types of psychic abilities, but none as extraordinary as Harry's. Harry's main nemesis is his Russian counterpart Boris Dragosani, an evil necromancer, who wrenches secrets from the dead by torturing their corpses, even consuming body parts. |
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So where do vampires come in? It turns out that Dragosani has an ally, a 500-year-old Wallachian warlord and vampire by the name of Thibor Ferenczy. As the series unfolds the role of the vampire becomes more and more prominent. Vampirism spreads not through biting but when the vampire entity implants itself within the human host. Eventually the vampire takes over, destroying most remnants of the host's humanity. |
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The vampires originated in a parallel world. At one point Harry Keogh's son, Harry Jr., is transported to that world, where vampire lords, Wamphyri, wage war with one another when not massacring the local human populace. The place is known as Sunside/Starside. |
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There are several plot complications as vampirism (and other hideous evils) threatens to engulf humanity. Lumley's universe is a dark one no levity found here although the action and writing are fast-paced. This series, begun in 1986, has a definite cold war mentality the Russians are usually on the side of evil. |
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161.. Necroscope. New York: Tor, 1986. Paperback. |
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Series: Necroscope No. 1. |
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Harry communicates with and learns from the dead. This ability and the vast knowledge he has gained makes him a perfect operative for the British E (for ESP)-Branch. Evil is represented by Soviet agent Boris Dragosani, who is under the influence of the vampire Thibor Ferenczy. |
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162.. Vamphyri! New York: Tor, 1988. Paperback. |
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Series: Necroscope No. 2. |
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