I question the use of the word "nymphos" in the title because it has relatively little to do with the plot.

The Nymphos of Rocky Flats, Mario Acevedo's first novel, is a pretty good vampire yarn with a few exceptional highlights. The beginning, for instance, places protagonist Felix Gomez, still mortal, doing his bit for Operation Iraqi Freedom. But when the mission goes wrong and Iraqi civilians are killed, Felix is overcome with guilt -- easy prey for a vampire who happens by.

Back home, Felix works as a private investigator, retaining his mobility in daylight with a cocktail of sunscreens and cosmetics. He's called to Rocky Flats, Colorado, to investigate an outbreak of nymphomania at a federal Department of Energy facility -- hence the title.

But the nymphomania, along with the handful of of nymphomaniacs we meet, are really extraneous to the story. Much more interesting is the vampire society Acevedo has created, as well as the small army of vampire hunters that invades the greater Denver area with crosses, stakes and silver pellets in their shotguns. The dryad is pretty cool, too.

I'm afraid the "nymphos" in the title, coupled with the leering face on the cover, may harm more than help Acevedo's sales. That's too bad, because Rocky Flats -- which had to be declassified by the Department of Energy before its release -- is a pretty good first novel and a solid addition to modern vampire lore.