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 shapeshifters.

Time to jump back in with Anita Blake and all she gets up to. I jumped right into this one after The Circus of the Damned even though I had started another book because I was hoping to feel the good book vibes for Anita again. Luckily the Lunatic Cafe did not disappoint. Although there are points where I again just roll my eyes upwards, hense why 4 gems not 5.

So when we peak back in with Anita she is seriously dating Richard, good ole friendly neighborhood werewolf. But Jean-Claude our vampire has not given up! Oh and guess what? She loves them both, hey where have I heard this before! Although historically Hamilton came before Meyers. Anyways the actual plotting and tense violence that shows up in The Lunatic cafe is riveting, and I found myself very concerned and rather surprised on who the “big bad” killer was this time around. I had pegged someone totally different, which I suppose was the point. I was able to love the action and the crime part of the book while rolling my eyes still at Anita’s love life. I think it is turning into a bit of a guilty pleasure.

This time had all sorts of fun soap turns, from Jean-Claude demanding a date off, to him locking his progeny who loves him in a coffin for trying to kill Anita. To Anita loving both men and not sure she should be with either, to accepting a proposal to maybe having done so and of course laying down the no sex until marriage rule. At one point I am pretty sure I muttered, pick one or go with Edward (the assassin not the sparkly guy), so yes even with my complaints I did really enjoy this one over Circus of the Damned.

My Gemstone Rating: