Incredibly, this book is actually halfway decent. The AB books have been like crack (I know they're bad, but I can't help going for that next hit.)

This one has something approaching a plot. (The bad guys are coming to get us, but they're not doing it according to their own bad guy rules. Goddamnit. Also why?) And the sex scenes are relatively few (4-6) and largely necessary to advance the plot.

And it appears we've resolved the Question of Richard, although I've thought that before and been wrong, so who knows.

Anyway, I'm planning to reread this, to see if it could possibly be as not wretched as I thought on first reading.

BLURB
Anita Blake is about to face the challenge of her life. Into her world--a world already overflowing with power--have come creatures so feared that powerful, centuries-old vampires refuse to mention their names. It is forbidden to speak of The Harlequin unless you've been contacted. And to be contacted by The Harlequin is to be under sentence of death.

Long-time rivals for Anita's affections, Jean-Claude, Master Vampire of the City, and Richard, alpha-werewolf, will need to become allies. Shapeshifters Nathaniel and Micah will have to step up their support. And then there's Edward. In this situation, Anita knows that she needs to call the one man who has always been there for her...

Whew - well, finally, we're back to plot, though there is still some porn-y elements, Anita returns to the basics with a bang.
First of all, it's like every cool secondary character she's met pops in again - Peter and Edward and Olaf, the swanmane, the twin vampires, Bella Morte, Doyle and the cops, Marmee Dearest, the council - everybody gets a bit of a go!

less on the whole zombie raising front, which I thought was a pity - I think the first book without a single raising, but so much better than the last three/four offerings - I don't even care!