In the bustling underbelly of contemporary St. Louis, a delicate balance of supernatural forces is tested when a powerful new artifact the Danse Macabre, a legendary relic that grants dominion over the dead, resurfaces after centuries of obscurity.

In the midst of rising tensions, Jean-Claude, the charismatic vampire master of the city and Anita's lover, is determined to retrieve the Danse Macabre before it falls into the hands of their enemies, namely the alluring Belle Morte, who wishes to harness its power to manipulate the undead for her vengeful schemes.

As Anita, Jean-Claude, and Richard unite with a diverse cast of their allies—including the seductive Nathaniel Graison, the enigmatic Damian, and the fierce Micah Callahan—they embark on a dangerous quest that leads them through the haunted streets of London.

In London, they discover that the artifact is intertwined with the city's hidden supernatural histories, leading them to confront the malevolent spirit of Wicked Truth, an ancient witch seeking revenge against both the living and the dead.

The story ends on a tantalizing note, leaving the door open for future adventures as darker forces loom on the horizon, promising further entanglements in the intricate tapestry of life, death, and the desire that binds them all.

Robert Folsom of the Kansas City Star wrote a critical review, stating: after 13 erotically charged books, boredom has reared its ugly head for the 14th novel in Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series, "Danse Macabre" (Berkley; $25.95), as eroticism becomes mere description...