Vampire Books for Adults
There’s a ton of vampire books currently on the market, but many of them are for Young Adults (even if quite a few ahem older women read them too). If you are tired of all that teeny angst and want a real vampire novels for adults where people act like adults (as opposed to whinny teenagers) here are some recommendations of some vampire series for adults, and some vampire stand alone novels for adults, and even some funny vampire books for adults.
Vampire Series for Adults
The Dresden Files (Jim Butcher)
While these are not strictly “vampire novels” (the main character is a wizard), vampires play important roles throughout the series both as a force of evil and good. These books are wildly entertaining and the series keeps on getting better and better. The series blends, to perfection, hairdboiled detective fiction and supernatural fantasy. These books also made the Top 25 Best Fantasy Books.
Anita Blake Vampire Hunter
For a racy adult vampire series, Anita Blake takes the cake. The novels sort of a cross between mystery and romance, though as this humongous series progresses dwells more in more in the bodice ripper romance category. There is a cult following of women who love this series and for those who are turned on by vampire lovin’, this book is about as racy as you’re going to find in a bookstore.
The Southern Vampire (Sookie Stack) series
These are probably the best vampire romance novels currently on the market. There’s a nice balance between romance and plot in this series. Relationships are more mature than in Twilight and the character’s are more realistic. The True Blood TV show is based on the Sookie Stack novels.
Guardians of the Night
This series is your classic, modern day vampire romance. It’s a good combination between mystery and romance. The consensus is this series is not fantastic, but it’s not that bad either. Worth reading if you are looking for a paranormal detective vampire series. Like all books on this list, these novels have an adult bent to them.
The Dark-Hunter series
These novels are so popular they’ve even spawned a Manga series. Two words to describe this: lots of sex and lots of action with a decent plot thrown in. I prefer these to the Anita Blake series because there’s actually an interesting plot. Overall, The Dark Hunter series are worth reading if you want an atmospheric vampire romance series with a lot of passion. The author also combines greek mythology with the classic vampire myths. Way cool.
Vampire Chronicles (Anne Rice)
This starts with “An Interview with a Vampire.” Rice is the mother of all the modern Twilightesque novels. She’s pretty much pioneered the current generation of urban vampire stories. The first three novels in the Vampire Chronicles are classics and must be read!
Vampire Stand Alone Novels for Adults
Dracula (Bram Stoker)
This is the classic vampire novel, the one that arguably started the whole vampire trend. There have been many imitations over the years, but never has one single books changed pop culture like Bram Stoker’s masterpiece has. This is not necessarily the “best” vampire novel, but it certainly is one that should be read by any true vampire fan.
Fevre Dream (George R.R. Martin)
This is one stellar book on many levels. It's hands down one of the best vampire books ever written and it made our Best Vampire Books list as well as our Top 25 Best Stand Alone Fantasy Books list. Its a novel not so much about vampire but about friendship. The setting too is unique to vampire fiction, taking place on the Mississippi river during the heyday of the great riverboats). Think Mark Twain meets Dracula.
I Am Legend
Richard Matheson’s classic novel about a man who wakes up to find he’s the last human on the planet. The novel’s relentless, chilling, and poses some interesting questions about humanity. The movie starring Will Smith did a good job, but it pales compared to the movie. This is a must-read vampire novel.
Salem’s Lot
If you are tired of all the romance vampire novels around and you are in the mood of something scary, Salem’s Lot is one of the best vampire novels out there. It’s a classic Stephen King novel that does everything right. It’s definitely considered one of King’s best novels.
The Historian
Do you like creepy tunnels , ancient runes, and dark crypts with strange things living in them? If such thoughts put delightful chills down your spine, The Historian is your sort of vampire novel. Take the Da Vince Code, toss a bit of Dracula, add some Steven King, shake it around for a while, and The Historian is born.
This novel takes the historical fiction genre and merges it with the vampire genre. The result is something enjoyable and scary. The Historian has everything you could want in an exciting novel: thrills, suspense, accurate historical fiction, an intelligent plot, and a cast of interesting and well developed characters. So for adults looking for a vampire historical thriller book, The Historian gets my vote.
Funny Vampire Books for Adults
There are a couple recommended "funny" vampire books that you might enjoy if you are in the mood for a good laugh.
The Undead Series
If you are looking for a good laugh and a vampire novel that doesn’t take itself too seriously, the Undead series is a blast of fun. It’s rolling on the floor funny and a great way to cheer yourself up if you need a funny book to do so. Just be prepared to spend a great deal of time laughing out loud when you read this series (not recommended that you read in the library!).
Immortality Bites
A young women is murdered only to find out that she’s a vampire. Except she’s got to learn the ropes by herself. This series is pretty hilarious, seamlessly combining “vampire problems” with “young women problems” including such things like bad double dates, outwitting vampire hunters, and finding true love that doesn’t want to kill you. This is Buffy the Vampire Slayer with a lot more laughs.
Fate White Vampire Blues
As the title suggests, life is not all it's made out to be when your a vampire, especially when you're a white vampire with a 350lbs weight problem.
How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire
With a title like that, how can this NOT be funny. And it is folks, it is. It is.
Other Recomendations
If you are looking for more vampire books, don't forget to check out our other vampire book recommendaitons:
Do you have your own adult vampire novel recommendations? Share your recommendations or opinion by posting a comment below!
I am shocked to see that Gerry Bartlett's Glory St. Claire Series AND the Argeneau Series by Lynsay Sands AND the Thirst series by Christopher Pike.
I'm also very surprised that nothing from Anne Rice made this list. Interview with the Vampire and Vampire Lestat are quite excellent and should be here.
How can Brian Lumley's Necroscope series NOT be on this list...they're the best adult vampire novels i've ever read including Dracula and they still get no love....
I guess you havent read many Vampire books for adults?
The Stake - Richard Laymon
The Traveling Vampire Show - Richard Laymon
The Summoning - Bently Little
They Thirst - Robert McCammon
Midnight Mass - F. Paul Wilson
The Keep - F. Paul Wilson (not exactly a Vampire tale but close enough)
Live Girls - Ray Garton
those are just a few and they are all better than most of the titles you listed with the exception of "Dracula"
Her Love At Stake Series is very interesting to read...there are currently 11 books...the first is listed here, How To Marry A Millionaire Vampire....cant wait for the next one in March 2012 to come out...
Sunshine by Robin McKinley is a really enjoyable vampire novel as well. I'm surprised it isn't on any of the vampire lists.
I'm really surprised you left out the 'Blood Wine' sequence by Freda Warrington - A Taste of Blood Wine, A Dance in Blood Velvet and The Dark Blood of Poppies. Grown-up, passionate vampires in a lush 1920s setting.
Also Carmilla by JS LeFanu. Magical creepy story that helped inspire Dracula.
I would recommend the book Agyar by Steven Brust be added to this list.
It is a vampire book that never mentions vampires. It is written from the PoV of the vampire, and you're reading his journal entries as he writes them on a typewriter, with occasional conversation with a neutral party ghost. The book is intensely creepy, as Agyar is stalking his victims and driving them mad.
I cannot say it is my favorite book, but without a doubt I can say it is one of the best pieces of literature I have read. It is fascinating, and horrifying, and once started, I couldn't stop reading.
I can't find some of them because the authors aren't listed. 
Bloodsucking fiends is another good Vampire series, when it comes to comedy. Christopher Moore, starts a 3 book series.
Wow I'm actually kind of surprised that you don't have Brian Lumley's Necroscope Series on this list. I know the Series fell off in the later books but the first 5 at least are absolutely incredible.
i really enjoyed the necroscope series, it was the first epic (i guess you can call it that) series i read, when i was younger, probably too young for the content