The Crimson Woman

At last, the massively anticipated conclusion to Patricia McCarthy’s “Crimson” trilogy has arrived! And make no bones about it, “The Crimson Woman” delivers in providing a thrilling, terrifying and ultimately satisfying conclusion to this groundbreaking series that has redefined the Erotica Vampirica genre.

A quick schooling for those unfamiliar with the first two episodes of the “Crimson” trilogy…the story revolves around the half-vampire, half-human Samuel and his human wife Magdalene who live in the beautiful city of Ottawa, Canada. The semi-normal life they have created for themselves is turned on its head when firstly they discover they are pregnant, and secondly, when Samuel’s father, the one true vampire Sir William Simon Hennessy, arrives on the scene with his own devious intentions.

The Crimson Woman picks up with Sir William seeking to assert his plans for Magdalene and her unborn child in a manner truly in keeping with a character of his magnitude. A distraught Samuel not only has to contend with this, but also with the cover up of multiple gruesome murders that threatens to throw back the veil on his life and the many secrets it contains.

Helping Samuel are the violently charming Coffey brothers, Canadian-Irish lads whose lust for sex and vicious brutality both intrigues and repulses. Also entering the story in Samuel’s aid is Magdalene’s mysterious Aunt Aileen, a woman whose mystical experience of life is only matched by her sharp tongue and thirst for rum.

Patricia McCarthy’s ability to develop absorbing characters right throughout the “Crimson” series has been a real highlight, and in “The Crimson Woman” we find ourselves being pulled even further into the lives and minds of these engrossing individuals. Each character is strong and well defined, with depth and relevance to the raging storyline. I loved the diversity of characters, from the rough and charismatic Coffey brothers to the strong and playful Magdalene right through to the statesman-like persona of Sir William. Patricia McCarthy is a master of conjuring characters that demand your attention.

I found myself unable to put this book down, particularly as the story builds to the exciting conclusion. I loved both “The Crimson Man” and “The Crimson Boy”, but I found “The Crimson Woman” to be less hyperactive and more seductive in the way it lures you into the revelations that will change the lives of the characters, and potentially the world, forever. The pace is still close to full throttle. However, the story plays out with such beautiful flow that at no stage do you feel lost or left behind in the action.

There is inevitability about the ending; a splendid acceptance and realisation that no matter what they may desire, what is to come is impossible to avoid. I loved the way the author has crafted the finale so that the magnitude of the events seem unavoidable, hence acceptable, and that this fact alone means as readers we should sit back and bask in the certainty that things are unfolding as they should. Even though somewhere deep inside of you there may be feelings of “no, this is wrong!” the overwhelming nature of Sir William will mesmerize you into throwing up your hands and allowing yourself to be simply swept along without protest.

McCarthy shows herself to be a writer of substantial talent not just in her story and character development, but also in the effective blending of styles you find within “The Crimson Woman” and the series as a whole. At times, the writing conveys detailed imagery of sheer horror and absolute evil, leaving you cold. The violence is occasionally shocking. Then, in barely a separating paragraph, you find yourself immersed in some of the hottest and most pure erotic writing you are likely to find anywhere. And I want to emphasise that…the sex is HOT! It is easy to focus too much on the brilliant story, but as someone who loves reading erotica, I can honestly say that what Patricia McCarthy serves up is a feast of sexual and sensory decadence the match of any I have come across for pure heat. Round that off with some moments of genuine comedy, suspense, mystery and a HUGE serving of romance, yes romance, and you can see why this series has had readers right around the world salivating for more. It is the perfect storm of blended styles and genres.

Something that appealed to me also was the “edge” of the book, with drug use and in-your-face language on top of the other components making this one not for the feint hearted. The author’s ability to blend supernatural themes with everyday life subjects and alternative lifestyles helps the series translate perfectly into the contemporary world, and we feel a closer connection to the characters and greater immersion in the story as a result. No punches are pulled, so be warned.

Overall, if you love your erotica dished up in a variety of flavours and with a supernatural twist, don’t waste another moment before getting your hands on Patricia McCarthy’s “Crimson” series. While it would be possible to enjoy “The Crimson Woman” as a novel in its own right, in my opinion it works much more effectively when read as the conclusion of a terrific tale as it is intended.

But then again, is it the conclusion? It may be for the time being, but the story leaves open the exciting possibility that we may not have seen the last of these “Crimson” tales, and that the newly crowned “Crimson Woman” may yet have a sting in her tail further down the road…or, as a fan, we can hope for as much anyway!

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Patricia McCarthy is one of the leading names within the supernatural erotica genre, and the thrilling conclusion to her “Crimson” trilogy, The Crimson Woman, will be released shortly. To learn more about this talented author or her work, visit the online home of Patricia K. McCarthy.