Tap, Tap
Review by Deb Atwood, submitted on 4-Sep-1996

_Tap, Tap_ by David Martin
St. Martin's paperback edition Sept. 1996

After several years, decades after they both left the island on which they had first become friends, Peter Tummelier shows up on Roscoe Bird's doorstep. Peter remembers a deal he made with Roscoe long ago, that both would buy a boat and spend the rest of their days sailing in freedom on the ocean. But Roscoe is married now, and doesn't want to be Peter's sailing buddy any longer. And what about Peter's claims? He says he is a vampire, and that he doesn't need Roscoe just as a friend, but as a protector. And then there are the murders... with Roscoe under suspicion, and with only some idea of the true culprit...

I first discovered this book from a review printed in Entertainment Weekly, and have been dying to buy it ever since. And it lived up to expectations.

The book is twisted and it takes some unexpected turns, but it is possible to enjoy trying to follow the plot and predict where it goes. It has psychological thrills and gory chills. The most disorienting part about it was the odd habit of switching perspectives, but once you get used to it, it really helps the story go. I like being able to try and follow the different ways the story is told. Overall, it is an excellent read, and I'd highly recommend it, both as storycraft and story itself.

A few quotes from the novel, which will quite likely illustrate why I love it so much.

"When I was little, six or seven, Richard would stand the two of us in front of a full-length mirror, and we would remain there for the longest time staring at the two who were staring back at us. He wouldn't allow me to say anything or fidget, I had to stand there and just look. And then this one time, Richard asked me something, perhaps the strangest and most life-altering question I've ever been asked. *Which one are you?*"

Imagine, standing there in front of a mirror, staring at yourself, your sibling, and the two reflections... standing there until you are almost in a trance, and then being asked which one of the four beings is truly you. *smile* I just love that image.

And then this next one.

"If someone believes he is a vampire, believes he needs the blood of a living victim to survive, believes he will die without it, and then if he acts upon that belief to the extent of killing people for their blood, and if, for whatever reasons, he thrives on this regimen, then for all practical purposes, he *is* a vampire. Or at least, given the premises I've just outlined, it makes little difference to the victim whether he truly is a vampire or 'merely' believes himself to be one."

Again, I'd recommend grabbing a copy of this book and drinking it down. It'll get you thinking.