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Vampire detective Angelo Dubois protects New Orleans from supernatural threats while hiding his true nature from human colleagues.
When a string of ritualistic murders leads him to Sapphira, an ancient vampire with a personal connection to his past, Angelo
must team up with Andrea, a powerful witch, to stop her reign of terror before more innocents die.
Four Reviews for "Badge of Horror"
Review #1 - Sarah K., Paranormal Book Club
★★★★☆
DiBacco delivers a captivating supernatural thriller that had me up well past midnight. The chemistry between vampire detective
Angelo and witch Andrea sizzles from their first meeting, developing organically amid the chaos of ritual murders and ancient
vampire politics. New Orleans comes alive as more than just a setting—it's practically a character itself, with DiBacco
expertly weaving local folklore into the supernatural fabric of the story. While the middle section drags slightly with exposition
about vampire hierarchies, the final confrontation with Sapphira is worth the wait. What truly elevates this novel is Angelo's
internal struggle between his vampire nature and his desire to protect innocents. I'm already eager for the sequel hinted
at in the epilogue!
Review #2 - Michael T., Fantasy Review
★★★★★
As someone who thought vampire detectives had been done to death, I'm thrilled to say "Badge of Horror" breathes new life
into the subgenre. DiBacco creates a richly layered supernatural society operating beneath New Orleans' tourist-friendly veneer,
complete with complex politics and long-standing feuds. The police procedural elements feel authentic, and Angelo's methods
of hiding his vampiric nature while utilizing it to solve crimes are cleverly conceived. The standout element is the relationship
between Angelo and Andrea—their supernatural backgrounds should make them enemies, yet their shared sense of justice
creates a foundation for something deeper. The novel balances action, romance, and worldbuilding masterfully, culminating
in a finale that satisfies while cleverly setting up future installments. This is urban fantasy at its finest.
Review #3 - Jennifer L., College Student
★★★☆☆
"Badge of Horror" shows promise but falls into some familiar paranormal detective tropes. DiBacco's New Orleans setting feels
authentic and atmospheric, and the central mystery—involving ritualistic killings tied to an ancient vampire—creates
genuine tension. However, the romance between Angelo and Andrea develops too quickly to be entirely believable, even with
their supernatural connection. The novel's strongest elements are its crime scenes and Angelo's detective work, which showcase
DiBacco's talent for procedural details. Some secondary characters, particularly Captain Rhemann, deserve more development,
though the epilogue suggests this will come in future books. While not breaking new ground in the paranormal detective genre,
it's an entertaining read for fans of supernatural mysteries set in evocative locations.
Review #4 - Robert J., Horror Fan Allauthor.com
★★★★☆
DiBacco knows how to write genuinely unsettling horror within an urban fantasy framework. The murder scenes are described
with chilling detail without becoming gratuitously graphic, and antagonist Sapphira ranks among the most terrifying vampires
I've encountered in recent fiction—her calculating cruelty and ancient power make her a formidable villain. The novel
occasionally gets sidetracked with romantic elements that lighten the tension, but it always returns to the central horror
narrative with renewed intensity. The climactic supernatural confrontation in the catacombs beneath New Orleans is a masterclass
in suspenseful writing. What prevents this from being a five-star review is an occasionally uneven pace, but DiBacco has established
himself as a voice to watch in supernatural horror. This badge definitely earns its horror credentials.
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