Hit List is the newest Laurell K. Hamilton (LKH) Anita Blake novel, that is taking Anita back to her roots; no zombie raising, but back to police procedural that started off the series many books ago.
Book synopsis: A serial killer is hunting the Pacific Northwest, murdering victims in a gruesome and spectacular way. The local police suspect "monsters" are involved, and have called in Anita Blake and Edward, U.S. Marshals who really know their monsters, to catch the killer.
What I liked
For me, the book is a step in the right direction. The story was focused on the crime and not so much on the actual act of sex, though for those who still like LKH but were getting tired of the gratuitous and acrobatic sex scenes, rest assured, there is only one scene.
The other thing, that has been apparent in some of her past novels, was the 24 hour window of time. For some people, a 24 hour period in a novel is not acceptable. Once in a series, could be acceptable but for a while there it seemed the norm. For this story though it is a period of over three days.
One thing I’ve noticed with LKH’s books lately is that her stories are just long scenes of either dialogue strung together or one long scene of a single time period. While some of that was apparent with the dialogue, it is more about the actual story and not all the usual hang-ups, which was still there, but toned down a bit.
One other thing I liked is the whole Olaf dynamic. If you’ve been reading this series you know he is the serial killer who also works with Edward sometimes. Without giving anything away, he will definitely be causing trouble in future books and I am wondering if LKH is feeling sympathetic towards the serial killer? Regardless I can’t wait to see how she will push this part of the story in further development.
Speaking of Edward, it was nice to see him in the story line, looking after and protecting Anita, but also being her partner. Having him in the story line made it fresher somehow as if he needed to be there for Anita to lean on, which she does.
What I didn’t like
Her growing harem is a tad out of control. Ok way out of control. The funny thing is, we know why she collects men and sometimes women in her life, because her sense of doing the right thing, yet when is it ever going to be enough?
She is on a case and somehow, she doesn’t think to bring any of her men with her to ease the arduer, (if you’ve been following the series, will flair at the most inappropriate times) which only makes me think that LKH thought she needed another man in her life. I just couldn’t get past the fact that she is a person who must feed like a vampire yet she does not bring at least one man to snack on. Though it is explained why, her need to not be looked at as a whore, I think at this date and time, her so called ethics is shot. And we’ve seen what happens when her need to feed flairs up, which is why she has a harem full of men.
Another thing that has been missing from quite a bit of her novels is the zombie aspect. I miss that part of the story more so now than ever, because when I first started reading this series that was a very big part of her appeal. Not only did she kill vampires but she also raised zombies.
Now she is at a crime scene, but the investigation is put on the back burner while she and Edward deal with the man in charge who hates Anita and fights them being in charge of the investigation. Seriously while I was happy to her on the ground looking at a dead body, I’d have prefer…well more investigating.
Overall
The story arc has shifted course so much that people have abandoned this series. In the last couple of books, the shift is trying to get back to what made so many people love the series in the first place; Anita Blake as a Hunter of monsters.
It is as if the LKH has written herself into a corner and she can’t get out of it, hence she throws in more men, more sex, and 24 hour days. Enough already.
With Edward being in this book, it got me to thinking, that I would love a book from his point of view. That is probably what is needed. Maybe LKH needs to get back to basics and write Edward’ story, because he is not a nice man and this is where she can get her props back for being a good writer. But that is probably a pipe dream.
There is nothing wrong with sex and eroticism in a book. The problem in regards to the series is that the author seemed to do a bait and switch with the storyline.
For the first 8-9 novels it was about the monsters, their politics, and where Anita fit in the world. Now the overall series has turned into an erotic urban fantasy, leaving behind the monster story line, for sexual conflict and Anita’s aggravating morals towards sex and dating.
But even with that said, I am glad I’ve stuck around with this series. For me the eroticism did not bother me. The lack of monstrous upheaval did. So far LKH is moving towards the monsters again; let’s hope she keeps shifting that way.
I don’t normally grade my book reviews, but this one gets a C+. It is not a bad read, just not where it should be especially as this is book 20, LKH should have pushed the monster hunter/crime scene investigation element more.
What did you think of the book? Are you still a fan? Or have you given up on the author?
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