The Swordhand omnibus - Marcus Sedgwick

The prize-winning vampire novel MY SWORDHAND IS SINGING and its companion THE KISS OF DEATH in an omnibus edition.

In the bitter cold of an unrelenting winter, Tomas and his son, Peter, arrive in the inhospitable village of Chust and settle there as woodcutters. When a band of gypsies comes to the village, Peter's drab existence is turned upside down. He is infatuated by the beautiful gypsy princess, Sofia. And, intoxicated by their love of life, he is drawn into their deadly quest. For these travellers are Vampire Slayers and Chust is a community to which the dead return to wreak revenge on the living.

Years on, and Peter is still on the trail of the Shadow Queen. His search leads him to Venice, a city whose beauty disguises many ugly secrets. The Shadow Queen is there, gathering strength, recruiting a new army of the Undead for a final confrontation. Hers is the kiss of death.