Anita Blake returns in the fourth instalment of the best-selling Anita Blake Vampire Hunter book series written by Laurell K. Hamilton. I strongly advise reading the preceding instalments before this one in order to grasp the concept of the plot lines and the characters that feature. I began reading this book straight after completing book three, Circus of the Damned, and I hoped it would be as brilliant.

Once again, Anita is faced with defeating the bad guys which results in endangering her life and the lives of others. In this book Anita becomes more involved with the local werewolf pack and is given the task of finding out who or what is responsible for their missing pack members.

There is also a lot of focus around Anita's relationship with werewolf Richard Zeeman - who she happens to be dating. Things seem to be going well and it's not long before their relationship takes a new, serious direction. It was interesting to see a new side to Anita than that shown in the preceding instalments. We learn more about her reasons for her usual avoidance of dating and as a result, see her more than just a animator and vampire executioner.

Jean-Claude, who has been a potential love interest from the beginning, shows a more immature side to his character. This didn't make me like his character less as it was entertaining to read how he handles the prospect of never having Anita for his own, despite her being clear on her feelings towards a relationship between the two of them.

Once more, Laurell K. Hamilton delivers a book which combines a fast-pacted entertaining plot line with an element of mystery. As well as this, readers get more of an insight into Anita's personal life, which is just as entertaining as the action parts. I cannot seem to put these series down - I'm already reading the next instalment. I cannot recommend these enough!

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