This book is an urban fantasy about Anita Blake, a necromancer and vampire hunter. Blackmailed by the city’s master vampire into investigating a series of unexplained murders where vampires are the victims, she soon finds herself surrounded by enemies.

This book was a touch predictable. I’d guessed the murderer by about halfway in. The ending was a bit of a let down, with the enemies appearing not quite so powerful in the final confrontation as they had been throughout the rest of the book. Even Edward didn’t quite live up to the reputation Anita gave him—he was much more careless than she was and I was left with the overall impression that she was better.

There was also a party sequence in the middle that seemed to have little or no purpose. It also seemed a little too convienient that there was a zombie raising going on within earshot.

Still, I quite enjoyed the action. It somehow managed to capture drama along with grit and a dash of dry sarcasm. The early sequences at the bar and meeting the city’s master vampire for the first time were handled well and gave a real sense of fear. Things also tended to be not completely black and white (though where they were it was a little disappointing). Anita’s fondness for stuffed penguins was a nice touch and I thought religion played quite an interesting roll.

A quick read, all in all, and good for light entertainment, though not quite as solid as might be wished for.