Vampire hunter Anita Blake is no stranger to killing monsters. Itβs part of her job as a Preternatural U.S. Marshal, after all. But even her experience isnβt enough to stop something that is bent on destroying everythingβand everyoneβshe loves. Β Anita Blake is engaged to Jean-Claude, the new vampire king of America. Humans think sheβs gone over to the side of the monsters. The vampires fear that their new king has fallen under the spell of the most powerful necromancer in a thousand years. Β In the midst of wedding preparationsβincluding getting Edward, aka U.S. Marshal Ted Forrester, fitted as best manβAnita gets a call that the local police need her expertise at a brutal murder scene linked to a nationwide slaughter of vampires and humans, dubbed the Sunshine Murders. Β But there is more than just a murderer to catch: an ancient evil has arrived in St. Louis to challenge Jean-Claude for his crown, his life, Anita, and all they hold dear. Even with Jean-Claudeβs new powers as king and Anitaβs necromancy, it isnβt enough; they must embrace their triumvirate or allow primeval darkness to spread across the country, possessing first the vampires and then the humans. Evil will triumph unless Jean-Claude and Anita can prove that love conquers all.