The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires: A Novel

By Grady Hendrix

Steel Magnolias meets Dracula in this New York Times best-selling horror novel about a women's book club that must do battle with a mysterious newcomer to their small Southern town.

"This funny and fresh take on a classic tale manages to comment on gender roles, racial disparities, and white privilege all while creeping me all the way out. So good."--Zakiya Dalila Harris, author of The Other Black Girl

Patricia Campbell's life has never felt smaller. Her husband is a workaholic, her teenage kids have their own lives, her senile mother-in-law needs constant care, and she's always a step behind on her endless to-do list. The only thing keeping her sane is her book club, a close-knit group of Charleston women united by their love of true crime. At these meetings they're as likely to talk about the Manson family as they are about their own families.

One evening after book club, Patricia is viciously attacked by an elderly neighbor, bringing the neighbor's handsome nephew, James Harris, into her life. James is well traveled and well read, and he makes Patricia feel things she hasn't felt in years. But when children on the other side of town go missing, their deaths written off by local police, Patricia has reason to believe James Harris is more of a Bundy than a Brad Pitt. The real problem? James is a monster of a different kind--and Patricia has already invited him in.

Little by little, James will insinuate himself into Patricia's life and try to take everything she took for granted--including the book club--but she won't surrender without a fight in this blood-soaked tale of neighborly kindness gone wrong.

  • Steel Magnolias meets Dracula in this darkly funny Southern gothic horror novel
  • Perfect for fans of horror with social commentary, thriller readers, and book clubs
  • Blends true-crime obsession, supernatural mystery, and feminist themes

Join the book club--but don't invite the wrong neighbor inside.

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Published May 25, 2021

404 pages

Average rating: 6.77

2,111 RATINGS

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East Valley Women’s Fiction(and sometimes non-fiction)Club

A book club that meets in local restaurants in the East Valley of Phoenix, AZ

Indialantic Reads

We are a small book club of local friends who meet in person once a month or every other month to discuss our book club pick.

The Coven of Curious Readers

UK-based, Europe timezone friendly women’s book club for lovers of horror, sci-fi, fantasy & literary fiction. Evenings, wine, and lively discussion.

The Inklings Fellowship of West Virginia

Do you love genre fiction and deep discussions?

Community Reviews

What Bookclubbers are saying about this book

✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI

Readers say Grady Hendrix's novel skillfully combines sharp social commentary on Southern women, motherhood, and societal expectations with horror and...

Leigh Between the Lines
Jul 12, 2026
7/10 stars
I went into this expecting a fun Southern vampire story, but I ended up being much more invested in the women than the horror. The first half completely pulled me in. I loved trying to figure out what was really going on and found myself constantly making theories. Patricia's character was the heart of the story for me, and I enjoyed watching her grow throughout the novel. As the book became more action-driven, I found myself less engaged. I was more interested in the relationships and character development than the horror elements, so the second half didn't grab me quite as much as the first. That said, I really appreciated the themes of friendship, finding your voice, and questioning the roles we sometimes settle into. Those aspects stayed with me long after I finished the book. Overall, I'm glad I read it, and I can definitely see why so many people enjoy it. It just wasn't quite the five-star read I hoped it would be.
Gmcginnis123
Apr 01, 2026
10/10 stars
Foolish but fun.
kylie_fitz
May 26, 2025
2/10 stars
When I initially saw this book I was super pumped to read it. I was thinking Desperate Housewives meets True Blood - sounds amazing.

I felt it had potential at the beginning but I kept waiting for it to get “good”, this never happen for me. I was bored and annoyed majority of this long...long book
Denise Lauron
May 19, 2024
8/10 stars
I picked this up as a read for horror book club. Horror isn't really my genre, but I do try it once in a while.

I enjoyed this book, but there were a few minor things that bugged me, and it is possible that I missed the explanation or it is possible that the author and editor missed explaining it. I can't mention it without spoilers, but they dropped my review from 5 stars to 4 stars.

I would recommend this book if someone was into horror. There are a few gross things in it, but it just made me happier that I was reading it instead of watching it. It's worth reading.
Kchill715
Jan 05, 2023
7/10 stars
This book was a super fun read with amazing but gruesome descriptions. Really loved reading from the perspective of these characters.

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