/Laurell K. Hamiltonshelf | Cerulean Sins

The eleventh Anita Blake yarn finds Anita up to her ears in men and vampire politics. When Anita’s lover, Jean-Claude, the master vampire of St. Louis, receives word that Bella Morte, the originator of his vampire line, will be sending the sadistic Musette as a representative to his lair, he is none too pleased. Musette arrives a month early, and immediately sets her sights on Asher, a scarred vampire whom Bella once took pleasure in tormenting. Anita defies Musette and, by proxy, Bella, by taking Asher to bed, enraging the two vampire women. Meanwhile, a sadistic serial killer plagues St. Louis, and it is clear from the gruesome crime scenes that the murderer is some sort of shape shifter. To say Anita has her hands full is an understatement, and the vampire plot ends up taking precedence over the serial killer hunt, leaving the resolution of the latter feeling somewhat rushed. Nonetheless, Hamilton’s complex, enthralling world is utterly absorbing, and Anita’s many fans will be thrilled to see her back in action (Kristine Huntley).