*** This article contain spoilers. Be advised! ***

This month we’re working on book the sequel to Guilty Pleasures, The Laughing Corpse also known as Anita Blake Vampire Hunter Series written by Laurell K. Hamilton.

With twenty-six books in the storytelling, we could be all over these reviews for a while. Also: loyal followers of Laurell K. Hamilton found out recently that the twenty-seventh book, Serpentine, will be coming out this August!

If you never heard of Anita Blake this is your chance to dive into a wickedly twisted world of monsters versus humans where monsters aren’t necessarily the bad guys and the goodies come in all shapes, sizes and fur patterns.

 

 

In Anita’s world vampires and lycanthropes not only exist, but the world is aware of them. In the United States preternatural creatures are legal citizens. Meaning they can own businesses, hold down jobs and vote.

The Laughing Corpse first hit shelves in 1994 as a sequel to Guilty Pleasures, the story was even turned into a graphic novel is 2008 as part of the Marvel Comics family. Admittedly, I have copies of both and yes, my graphic novels are first prints in mint condition. My nerd side is showing.

And we once again find Anita Blake in the thick of it on the first page.  Anita works for a company called Animators Inc. She raises zombies for a living, and Anita isn’t in it for the money. It’s a just a way to pay the bills.

 

 

So, when Harold Gaynor offers her millions to raise a nearly three-hundred-year-old zombie we all think hell yes! However, to our surprise, Anita refuses. The ritual to raise a zombie that old would require a lot more than a goat or a chicken to sacrifice. Anita Blake admits she’s a lot of things, but not a murderer. Harold Gaynor gets his answer not in the beginning, middle or end of this story.

Enter in the wicked b**** of St. Louis Vaudun Priestess Senora Dominga Salvador. Rumors are spreading through the preternatural people in the city. Everyone who knows Anita Blake isn’t just a pretty little Animator.

 

She’s connected to the “Master Vampire of the City” and Salvador wants some of that power for herself. She’s trapping souls in zombies thus making people suffer long after their deaths. Again, Anita refuses to be a part of that, cause let’s just face it, that’s sadistic!

Now we have Dolph, St. Louis’ biggest, badass and grouchiest cop. He’s in charge of RPIT. The City’s Regional Preternatural Investigation team. They get all the fun jobs.

Anita is on retainer with RPIT and now it looks like zombies are murdering people. Nevertheless, Anita knows zombies better than anyone and she knows zombies don’t kill unless ordered to. So, who’s ordering zombies to kill innocent people in the city, Salvador or maybe Gaynor?

 

 

Can Anita stop it all from happening before the city goes to hell in a hand-basket?

This book is 283 pages of fast paced action, sass and twists you never see coming. It’s not a book you’ll want to put down.  If you didn’t read Guilty Pleasures you’ve got to try The Laughing Corpse.

My rating: 8/10

Artemis