The Lunatic Cafe by Laurell K. Hamilton (Anita Blake Series #4)

Synopsis:

In Laurell K. Hamilton's New York Times bestselling novels, Vampire Hunter and zombie animator Anita Blake is an expert at sniffing out the bad from the good. But she's about to learn that nothing is ever as it seems-especially in matters of the not-so-human heart...

Dating a werewolf with self-esteem issues is stressing Anita out. Especially when something-or someone-starts taking out the city's shape shifters

Review:

In this book, we are introduced to Marcus and Raina, the leaders of the werewolf pack, and all around sadists.  There is a power struggle in this book between Marcus and Richard. Richard wants to be the leader but he is not willing to kill for the position, so he is unable to attain the Ulfric (Pack leader) position.

Shape shifters are missing and Anita has no clue where they are going, they find a skinned man in the lake, and because he is immortal he is able to at least tell them some clues that ultimately lead to the villain.

I love this book because it gave me a little bit more back story around Marcus and Raina, I had always known Raina was the bogey man to the werewolves, making snuff films and sadistic ways of getting off, literally, but it was interesting to see that Marcus allowed it because he was in love with Raina. Go figure.

It also gave me some more of Richard and Anita,  and while through the series Richard hasn't been my favorite in the running for Anita's heart it was nice to see that sweet honey moon phase of their relationship.

I enjoyed the villain in this story. It was not the usual bad guy this time, it actually required some thinking and stealth since most of the shape shifters weren't out of the closet yet about their curse.

One of the best thing's about Anita is that no matter what fight she gets into, if she gets hit, she has a scar. I have read books where there have been some knock down drag out fights and they both walk away without a scratch, but in Anita's series it is almost like she is proud of her scars because she is a survivor and she is a woman to admire, even if she is not real.

Rating:

4.5 Ravens.