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.