Laurell K. Hamilton's legions of eager fans will be pleased to see Cerulean Sins), the eleventh novel in her Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series, which is set on an alternate Earth where magic works and vampires and werewolves are real. When a sinister stranger tries to hire the magically potent Anita Blake to raise the dead, she finds herself embroiled in the search for a vicious, supernatural serial killer, and also in the clandestine international politics of the vampires. And as she becomes more deeply enmeshed in cruel plots and counterplots, her tangled personal life only becomes more demanding, more wrenching, and more erotically fraught.

With ten previous books in the Anita Blake series, Cerulean Sins is not the place to start. Though author Hamilton artfully reveals the backstory in small doses, the numerous returning characters and the complex history will overwhelm most newcomers (and even the most devoted fans may find that the backfilling slows the pace). Also, the characters frequently stand around talking and psychoanalyzing one another, which makes for static stretches unlikely to hold a new reader's attention. Newcomers should start with the first book, Guilty Pleasures. --Cynthia Ward

From Publishers Weekly
Anita Blake is one the more fascinating fictional heroines since Scarlet O'Hara-and a hell of a lot more fun than most. Despite her satin lingerie, short skirts and high heels, she kicks both human and non-human bad-guy butt-hard. Having gained immense supernatural powers and become an important force in the vampiric and lycanthropic communities of St. Louis in the 10 previous books, Anita begins this fantastic dark adventure by raising the dead and ends it by tackling a murderous monster. In between, she wades (literally) into a bloody investigation of a preternatural serial killer and (metaphysically and physically) into dangerous vampire politics. šber-vampiress Belle Morte has sent her dreaded surrogate, Musette, to demand that Anita's paramour, Jean-Claude, Master Vampire of the City, return the vampire Asher to her-a fate worse than a stake through the heart. In order to save Asher, Anita must be both sexually and psychically creative. Anita and the vampires also need head werewolf Richard to help defeat Belle Morte's designs. But can Richard, who recently dumped Anita because she was more "monster" than human, be relied on? Meanwhile, cop Dolph Storr, who's gone violently anti-preternatural, won't let Anita (now a federal marshal) help stop a series of gruesome murders. If this all seems complicated, it's nothing compared to Anita's sex life. There's plenty of the hot stuff, but it's presented with a certain morality and definite hilarity. After unraveling, to the detriment of writing and plot, some character and story line knots in previous bestseller Narcissus in Chains (2001), the author is back on track with the best Blake yet.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
In this Anita Blake vampire book, Blake is being drawn further into the world of the vampires at a time when there is a great conflict between those she loves and their ancestors, who seek to exert more and more control. Cynthia Holloway makes Blake's characters vivid and alive. Her French accent is bit contrived, but it serves its purpose. As with many books in the vampire genre, this book contains explicit sexual scenes. Holloway takes this all in stride, with no undue emphasis or awkwardness. She grabs onto the passion and rides it through the more graphic passages. J.E.M. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
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
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
Laurell K. Hamilton's tough-as-nails vampire executioner and necromancer, Anita Blake, is back with a vengeance in the 11th book of Hamilton's wildly popular series. In Cerulean Sins, the sexy federal marshal is faced with a plethora of problems all at once.

A serial murderer is on the loose around St. Louis, and from the looks of the gruesome crime scenes, it appears to be the work of a rogue werewolf or some kind of insane shape-shifter. Anita's friend Jason is implicated by Dolph Storr, the ill-tempered head of the Regional Preternatural Investigation Team, who appears to be on the verge of a very violent nervous breakdown. While investigating the crime scenes, Anita realizes that two suspicious men are tailing her, and one turns out to be a known international terrorist. The complicated, centuries-long relationship between Jean-Claude and Asher is at a breaking point, and Anita decides to do anything (and I do mean anything) to save not only their relationship with each other but also her relationship with them.

What makes these Anita Blake novels so much fun? Every novel is breakneck-paced, action-packed, and filled with plenty of suspense and unadulterated sensuality. Add to that Hamilton's wicked sense of humor and her adeptness at character building, and this series becomes purely addictive.

Any fan of vampire-related fiction that hasn't already discovered this series should make it a point (no pun intended) to do so as soon as possible. Paul Goat Allen

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Once a sworn enemy of all monsters, Anita is now the human consort of both Master Vampire Jean Claude and leopard shapeshifter Micah. When a centuries-old vampire hits St. Louis, Anita finds herself needing all the dark forces her passion can muster to save the ones she loves.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Anita Blake is one the more fascinating fictional heroines since Scarlet O'Hara-and a hell of a lot more fun than most. Despite her satin lingerie, short skirts and high heels, she kicks both human and non-human bad-guy butt-hard. Having gained immense supernatural powers and become an important force in the vampiric and lycanthropic communities of St. Louis in the 10 previous books, Anita begins this fantastic dark adventure by raising the dead and ends it by tackling a murderous monster. In between, she wades (literally) into a bloody investigation of a preternatural serial killer and (metaphysically and physically) into dangerous vampire politics. ber-vampiress Belle Morte has sent her dreaded surrogate, Musette, to demand that Anita's paramour, Jean-Claude, Master Vampire of the City, return the vampire Asher to her-a fate worse than a stake through the heart. In order to save Asher, Anita must be both sexually and psychically creative. Anita and the vampires also need head werewolf Richard to help defeat Belle Morte's designs. But can Richard, who recently dumped Anita because she was more "monster" than human, be relied on? Meanwhile, cop Dolph Storr, who's gone violently anti-preternatural, won't let Anita (now a federal marshal) help stop a series of gruesome murders. If this all seems complicated, it's nothing compared to Anita's sex life. There's plenty of the hot stuff, but it's presented with a certain morality and definite hilarity. After unraveling, to the detriment of writing and plot, some character and story line knots in previous bestseller Narcissus in Chains (2001), the author is back on track with the best Blake yet. (Apr.) Forecast: Backed by a coast-to-coast author tour, this is sure to hit bestseller lists-hard. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

In her 11th Anita Blake book (after Narcissus in Chains), Hamilton opens with Belle Morte, a truly nasty member of the Vampire Council, who has sent her retinue to the territory of master vampire Jean-Claude. As a psychic powerhouse as well as Jean-Claude's human servant and lover, Anita is desperately needed at his side. Adding to her list of problems is a series of grisly murders that police suspect are of preternatural origin and that requires her expertise as a vampire hunter to solve. Anita is a smart gal who can think fast and shoot even faster, but her weaknesses revolve around the many men in her life. Jean-Claude is not the only guy to share her bed or need her personal attention. Earlier books in the series focused on a mystery rather than Anita's complex private life and were much more interesting. Still, this is from a best-selling author and should be considered for purchase.-Patricia Altner, Information Seekers, Columbia, MD Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews