The Nosferatu Conspiracy: The Sleepwalker by Brian James Gage is a supernatural thriller set in St. Petersburg, Russia. The story revolves around the fall of the Romanov dynasty but also includes components of Jack the Ripper and Vlad Dracula. The Nosferatu Conspiracy is an action-packed, suspense-filled book that offers an alternative retelling of Rasputin’s diabolical influence over the final days of the Romanov dynasty. Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin, as history states, was murdered by high-ranking Russian officials on December 16, 1016 (OS), due to his nefarious influence over the royal family. He was poisoned, shot twice, and clubbed into submission, and then finally drowned in the icy Neva River. Is this the real truth, or is there a subsequent truth that follows Rasputin’s ‘death?’ Is history telling us a lie surrounding Rasputin’s involvement with the royal family, his paranormal coup d’etat and his resurrection of ancient vampires that destroyed Saint Petersburg, Russia, in December 1916?

The Nosferatu Conspiracy: The Sleepwalker is a thrilling, chilling tale of intrigue, conspiracy and diabolical events that offer the reader a completely different twist to the fall of the Romanovs in December 1916. Gage’s depiction of the rise of Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin is definitely one to take notice of. He entwines aspects of Jack the Ripper, Vlad Dracula, then traps the Okhrana and the Romanov family in a web of deception that kept this reader glued to the pages. Gage tells a frightening tale that will definitely leave the reader wanting more of his work. From the beginning, the reader is drawn into the lives of Tsar Nicholas II, his wife Alexandra, the Romanov daughters and the very ill Alexei. Then into their lives comes kindly Father Rasputin, who manipulates, schemes and destroys anyone who gets in his way of the ultimate plan. The question we need to ask ourselves is whether or not history has lied to us? What part did Rasputin truly play in the destruction of the Romanov dynasty in 1916? This is an exceptional book. Very well written! I look forward to reading more of Brian James Gage's work.

If your passion is historical fiction mixed with horror, then The Nosferatu Conspiracy by Brian James Gage is definitely the book for you. Taking place in Imperial Russia, we meet Empress Alexandra, wife to the czar and sufferer of a mysterious illness that also plagues her son Alexei. Rasputin, who brings terror and leaves mutilated corpses in his wake, is on his way from Romania back to Russia to bring about an ungodly reign of terror. This is fulfilling what Vlad the Impaler had begun hundreds of years before. Titled 'the sleepwalker killer' in other countries, Rasputin has big plans for the Russian royal family. Meanwhile, Prince Felix Yusupov's happy life with his fiancée Irina is destroyed with the murder of his love. Accused of the horrendous murder, Felix escapes prison and is introduced to the local coroner Rurik, who also happens to be a vampire hunter. The two come together in a race against time as they try to stop Rasputin from fulfilling the prophecy of the Nosferatu.

Brian James Gage certainly has succeeded in writing historical fiction in which I didn’t find myself constantly nitpicking inaccuracies. Being a huge Romanov history lover, it’s really hard to sway me. Yet, the sheer horror and tone of The Nosferatu Conspiracy made me forget all about facts. It’s really well written and is definitely a page-turner. I soon found myself engrossed in this new mythology that was presented. Also, I really like the author's approach to Felix Yusupov in this book. In history, we know him as the man who married Grand Duchess Xenia’s only daughter and who conspired with others to kill Rasputin. He kind of falls away from history afterward and I feel like he’s redeemed in this novel. Overall, I think it is the perfect book for those who love something gory and nightmarish before bed.