Review: Dark Wine at Dusk and Dark Wine at Death (A Hill Vampire Series, Books #3-4)

A seductive spy. An alpha vampire. A traitor in their midst...

This post focuses on the third and fourth novels in A Hill Vampire series by Jenna Barwin: Dark Wine at Dusk and Dark Wine at Death.

Dark Wine at Dusk is the third novel in the A Hill Vampire series. The series picks up from the events in the previous novel, Dark Wine at Sunrise. When a a rogue vampire group attacks residents of the Hill, Dr. Cerissa Patel must set aside her romantic relationship and focus on her mission.Her lover, vampire Henry Bautista, would do anything to help his beautiful spy capture the conspirators who are determined to enslave mortals. But as Henry’s secret past rears its ugly head, it not only threatens their mission, but risks their love—and their very lives.

The search area widens as does the complexity of the investigation. Cyberattacks and subterfuge are just the tip of the iceberg. Meanwhile, mortal mates are campaigning for equality. Even more so, Cerissa discovers that the Lux have secrets of their own, causing her to doubt things. With the pressure mounting on the Hill, Cerissa and Henry must identify who is targeting the vampire founders for true death. 

Dark Wine at Death is the fourth novel in the series. The leader of the rogue vampires is in jail. Cerissa and Henry can finally live happily ever after--so they thought. A traitor is feeding confidential information to the conspirators. Death strikes a founding member, which is a huge blow to The Hill community. Henry is selected as bait to flush out the mastermind behind the murders. Cerissa dislikes the idea, but she is willing to take the risk. She also wants to stop the conspirators' goal of enslaving mortals. 

But the heartbreaking demons from Henry’s past—demons he must confront before he can tie his life to Cerissa’s forever—threaten to distract him from their mission and, in the process, could cost the life of a loved one… Meanwhile, secrets that some characters want to remain hidden are slowly revealed. Find out who is behind the murders in the conclusion of this spellbinding, thrilling mystery.

Jenna Barwin is a new author in the urban fantasy genre. I have enjoyed how Barin was able to weave a complex, intriguing story that captivated the audience so seamlessly. I love how Cerissa and Henry's relationship evolves, illustrating both the ups (chemistry, teamwork) and the downs (mistrust, doubts). These moments felt often felt intense and realistic, which gradually strengthened their love for each other. The suspense, romance, and mystery among the characters (vampires, mortals, and the Lux) got me hooked, making the reading experience both well-rounded and satisfying. It was a lot of fun to read.

I can't wait to learn what's awaiting Cerissa and Henry in their next investigation. If you like the worlds of Deborah Harkness, Charlaine Harris, or Jeaniene Frost, then you will love this latest installment in the Hill Vampire series. It is best to start from the beginning with Dark Wine at Midnight. Overall, I highly recommend this series.

Stay tuned for the next novel in A Hill Vampire series, Dark Wine at the Circus, which will be released in the spring of 2021.