Anita Blake has been cursed with an interesting life; she and her coterie have been trying so hard to make St. Louis safe from outside influences that they did not think what might happen were the threat to come from within; even worse, they could not predict how to respond to multiple threats from multiple directions.

In this 19th novel of the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, series, fans not only get some answers to multiple plot threads, they also become involved in Anita's maturation process as she finally deals with some of the baggage she's acquired in the other books. A steamy mystery/horror/romance, BULLET transcends genres and is an enjoyable read, but the tapestry of depth behind the work is probably limited for those who have not read the rest of the series. More satisfying than the previously-released very short and narrowly-focused FLIRT, this installment returns to the intricate juggling act of multiple priorities and a large ensemble of primary characters. In particular, fans of Nathaniel and Asher will enjoy some of the lines, situations and dialogue, and people should not worry that Anita's emotional maturity will make her any less willing to compete to prove she is not only "one of the guys," but also the top dog/wolf/cat/whatever the choice becomes.