Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs (Jane Jameson, #1) Summary & Key Insights

Molly Harper's "Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs" introduces Jane Jameson, a recently-fired librarian with a secret: she's a vampire. Not your sparkly, romantic kind, but a more pragmatic, slightly messy, and frankly, exhausted one. Jane's existence is thrown into chaos when her centuries-old, somewhat irresponsible mentor, Professor Abernathy, vanishes, leaving her with a cryptic message and a mountain of unpaid bills.

The main plot revolves around Jane's desperate attempts to find Abernathy and solve the mystery surrounding his disappearance. This quest leads her down a winding path filled with eccentric vampire society members, shady human dealings, and a surprisingly handsome werewolf named Adam Harrison. Adam, a detective with a penchant for dry wit and a suspiciously keen interest in Jane, becomes her unlikely ally in the investigation.

A significant portion of the plot involves navigating the complexities of the vampire underworld in Cincinnati. Harper portrays this world not as a glamorous, immortal paradise, but as a bureaucratic mess of competing factions, ancient grudges, and ridiculous social hierarchies. Jane's attempts to fit in, while desperately trying to keep her human life afloat, form a significant portion of the humor. She grapples with the responsibilities of her vampiric heritage – procuring blood ethically, paying bills in a world where most banks look askance at centuries-old accounts, and avoiding those pesky stake-wielding vigilantes.

Besides Jane and Adam, several key characters contribute to the story. There's the enigmatic and slightly scary vampire council, a collection of powerful and often unhelpful elders. Then there's the mysterious and possibly dangerous figure behind Abernathy's disappearance, whose motives remain obscure until the climax. Supporting characters, such as Jane's (mostly) understanding roommate and a flamboyant vampire bartender, add further layers of humor and intrigue.

Overarching themes in the novel include the challenges of maintaining a semblance of normalcy while living a supernatural life. Jane's struggles with identity, both as a vampire and as a woman attempting to find her place in the world, are central to the narrative. The novel also explores the complexities of relationships, both romantic and platonic, across species and societal divides. Harper subtly critiques societal expectations, particularly for women, juxtaposing Jane's "nice girl" persona with her often unconventional and assertive actions as a vampire. The humor throughout balances the darker elements of the vampire mythos, creating a lighthearted yet engaging read that establishes a compelling world and sets up a promising series.