In this book, the history of the vampires is explained to a small bit, and introduces the clan of the Vampaneze, which will become one of the major focuses of the story.

It is also the final book of the Vampire Blood trilogy and where Darren's loyalty and trust in Mr. Crepsley is put to the test.

He also lets slip that Mr. Crepsley is going to leave the Cirque and finally binds Darren to secrecy regarding all these facts.

After a date and a "kiss" with Debbie, when one night Darren reaches back to the hotel, he and Evra are disturbed by a news report saying that human bodies were found in a basement, drained of blood.

Years of drinking too much blood has warped their appearance, resulting in them now having purple skin and red hair, nails and eyes.

This is a feat that most mad Vampaneze don't usually achieve as they make silly mistakes which become the death of them, but Murlough is more cunning than most.

Mr. Crepsley and Darren discover Evra to be missing when they come out of the abattoir where the man Murlough intending to kill was.

They reach Debbie's home and room where Mr. Crepsley slays Murlough, who is tricked into killing a goat, according to Darren's plan.

Mr. Crepsley reveals that if they do, they will hunt them to the ends of the Earth, and they will not stand a chance against them as they will send dozens to them, and Vampire Generals will not help them (they decide on not telling this to Evra to avoid causing him any worry).