The book starts with a brief introduction to the nineteenth century master detective, Edmund Robert Satz who compiled the information within Journal 97. At times, it is hard to determine whether his notes are fact, fiction, or the ramblings of a diluted mind. When his notes are told as a story, his odd philosophy causes the heartfelt, warm characters to swim in an ever-changing undercurrent of subtle humor. The story begins in Wallachia, the birthplace of the vampire legends in the year 1380. Vladoff is a young aristocrat whose family was the target of a brutal vampire attack. The only one to survive, he becomes their prisoner and travels south with the marauding band on a killing spree for almost a year. Yuri lives in the town of Lastari that does not hold any opportunities for such an industrious young man as himself. Along with being physically miserable, he feels mentally stuck and deeply repressed. Hating where he lives, Yuri decides to run away from the only place he has ever known, and heads north to go beyond the reach of a tyrant's control. This unlikely pair are thrown together by their individual circumstances and over time carve out a new life for themselves. Through a series of unplanned events, they are taken on a journey which unveils their emotional depth and dedication to their unique friendship. Over time, Vladoff and Yuri are joined by a small group of people looking to change the life they are forced to endure. Working together in secret, their lives take on a pleasant rhythm and they each are able to find happiness. Just when everything seems perfect, the group is suddenly threatened and they must flee in order to survive. In the end, they find their rightful place in the world, and E.R.Satz's discovery is revealed.
