Anno Dracula is a love letter to fiction of all kinds. From Gothic literature, to comedy films to radio crime programs it shout outs and sends up dozens, if not hundreds of different references to books, movies, radio plays, TV programs and comics.

The story isn't just a pastiche though, it has an engrossing plot and a wonderful exploration of obsession and madness to go alongside the references. So many references. So, so, so many references. Seriously, an unbelievable amount of references. Chronicling the investigation into the Ripper murders in an alternative universe where Dracula defeated Van Helsing, the novel follows spy Charles Bearegard and vampire Genevieve Dieudonne through the tumultuous and nigh on revolutionary times of the period.

The plot is well thought out and features several brilliant twists. It does explain the one thing you'd expect it to keep a secret till the end early on, however that does allow it much more freedom to explore the themes of the novel and also grants the story the second perspective of Jack the Ripper as they justify their murders to them self.

Anno Dracula is a book for older readers as it does feature some scenes of a sexual nature and several scenes of gore and violence, however these are needed for the plot and are never too graphic or detailed, rendering this book (in my opinion) probably suitable for ages fourteen plus.

The book has an atmosphere and feeling of alternative history about it, almost as a Gothic horror version of Robert Harris' Fatherland, echoing the idea of the Nazi's winning the war with another foreign, psychopathic, dictator taking control of England in the form of Dracula. The novel is a delight for those who are aware of the various things which are referenced, but it still stands up even if you don't get them, I think. It features a range of engaging characters and scenes and expands upon Bram Stoker's original novel in the best possible way.

An engaging, fun and thought provoking read which is essential for any fan of Gothic literature.

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