Seance for a Vampire by Fred Saberhagen is part of his Dracula series and the specific sequel to The Holmes-Dracula File. The setting is six years after the first novel in 1903.
This one begins with the story of an 18th century Russian pirate who is turned into a vampire as part of a scheme to steal his treasure. Centuries later he returns to take revenge on the family he blames for the theft and initiates a rambling plot which becomes a case for Sherlock Holmes and Dr.Watson. Holmes soon enough suspects vampires are involved and that means that an old ally, Count Dracula is called in to help.
To be honest the novel feels a bit longer than the story it tells, and consequently seemed to drag for me with quite a bit of action which ultimately seems to be for naught. The climax is properly exotic and I only wish Saberhagen had saw fit to get to that setting sooner.
The story does offer up a few surprises, but nothing as compelling as the earlier novel did. Sadly I have to say this one was a bit of a disappointment, though properly distracting throughout.
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