Part of Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, book 12
First published 2005
Anita Blake faces her most challenging case yet when a vampire serial killer begins hunting strippers across St. Louis. The police call her in as their supernatural consultant, but Anita worries her personal life will interfere with the investigation. She serves as consort to Jean-Claude, the powerful Master Vampire who rules the city. This connection creates a serious conflict of interest that could compromise her judgment. Meanwhile, Anita struggles with her own supernatural appetites, fighting to control the primal desires that threaten to consume her. The pressure mounts from all sides as suspicion surrounds her every move. Her dual loyalties to both the living and the undead pull her in opposite directions. For the first time in her career, Anita realizes she cannot handle everything alone. She makes a decision that goes against her independent nature and reaches out for assistance. The case will test not only her professional skills but also her ability to balance the competing demands of her complicated supernatural existence.
Genres: romance, mystery, crime, fantasy, adult-fiction, paranormal
Vibes: dark, emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family, supernatural-abilities
Setting: St. Louis
722 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Berkley
Content warnings: explicit-sexual-content, graphic-violence, murder