The Killing Dance
Laurell K. Hamilton

The dead obey her. The undead fear her. Anita Blake, animator and vampire hunter, lives a dual life - and a dual love life. She's involved with both a vampire and a werewolf. But when Anita becomes a wanted woman - with a price on her head - she'll be forced to do something she could never have imagined: choose between them.

While still a decent read (and necessary if you're going to read the whole series), this has to be the most disappointing book of the series yet.

While one of the plots - someone is out to kill Anita and is willing to pay a steep price to the assassin that does so and Edward turns down the job to protect her - is intriguing, the main plot involved Anita's relationships with Jean-Claude (the master vampire of the city) and Richard (the alpha werewolf). That part is not needed.

The best part of this book is the assassination plot and by far the most interesting character is Edward (aka Death). However, the romance plot makes this book much more of a romance novel than it does a supernatural thriller. The vampire sex scene also takes this book down a notch. I want to read about Anita trying to avoid the assassin, not about her having sex with a vampire in a bathtub.

If one is looking for a supernaturally erotic novel, then this is the book for you. But, if like me, you like the older Anita Blake novels and their supernatural mystery/suspense style plots then you will be sorely disappointed. Hopefully, these novels get back on track and ditch the romance aspect.

My rating: Three out of four snails.