Book Review: the Dr. Greta Helsing Trilogy
For the past few weeks, telling my friends and family what I’ve been reading has been a real pleasure. I say, “I’m working through a trilogy about a woman who lives in London and is a doctor” -- I relish the pause -- “for supernatural beings.”
The Dr. Greta Helsing series by Vivian Shaw describes the title character’s antics as a solo practitioner (and human) treating vampires, ghouls, and other creatures commonly found in fantasy books. Shaw’s trilogy takes Greta and her compatriots through London, Paris, and Marseilles to treat the undead. I found the series a joy to read. Here are my thoughts.
The characters are the Dr. Helsing’s series’ crown jewel. The best moments of the book for me were Greta’s interactions with Fastitocalon (a seemingly middle-aged supernatural being of mysterious origin), Ruthven (a stylish vampire), August Cranswell (a human and curator at the British Museum), and Varney (a vampyre -- don’t worry, before I read this series, I didn’t know the difference either). Greta herself is no-nonsense, crazy smart, and vulnerable enough to be relatable, making her an extremely likeable character to follow.
The Dr. Helsing series is an excellent of LGBT representation and mental health awareness in fantasy writing. It’s easy to miss in Strange Practice (the first book), but Dreadful Company (book 2) and Grave Importance (book 3) introduce gay and lesbian characters whose stories include stopping bad guys, having some of the sweetest relationships ever, and being generally bad ass. I’m here for it. In addition, Greta’s medical practice includes treating patients for depression and other mental health concerns. I absolutely loved seeing mental health treatment normalized in a fantasy text.
These books are pure fun. Would I call the Dr. Helsing series high literature? No. The plot has its fair share of holes, and I get that it takes a significant suspension of belief to get on board with a doctor for mummies having an office on Harley Street. But was I throwing on my headphones to listen to the books any chance I got? Absolutely. I loved listening to Shaw’s modern monster story, held together by loveable characters, references to demonic lore, and a fast-paced, engaging plot. I absolutely recommend the Dr. Helsing series to anyone who doesn’t mind their fantasy a little heartwarming and extremely fun.
You can find Strange Practice, Dreadful Company, and Grave Importance here on audible, as well as at some of my favorite independent bookstores: here at the Strand, here at 57th Street Books, and here at Parnassus Books.