Diana Malone is in New Orleans to prove to the world that her dead husband was not a crazy man. As a crypto- zoologist, she's attempting to uncover the existence of mythical animals; something her husband spent years trying to do. Now she follows legends and folk tales that take her to the strangest places. So it's in the humid, overgrown waters of the New Orleans' bayous that she finds herself with a burly, well-armed guide. When something creepy and elusive relieves her of her bodyguard, she knows she's in a hot spot of paranormal activity. Diana rents a rundown mansion in the middle of a swamp and sets up camp. Then she begins to track the strange animals that run wild and howl through the night. With the help of a voodoo priestess she befriends, Diana tracks down her bodyguard. Problem is, he's supposed to be dead. Problem is, he's dead. Now she has a whole new set of problems, and this quest to find mythical animals has taken a turn for the worse.

Adam Ruelle lives as elusively as the creatures of the swamp, sleeping by day, working by night. Recently, he rented his family mansion to a beautiful, young woman who insists she's doing research in the bayou. Adam is smitten with Diana and, try as he might, he can't stay away from her. Even if being with her places her in danger.

Diana is fast falling for the ruggedly handsome Adam, but there are things about him that don't add up. And Diana has seen a wolf with eyes that remind her of Adam. Now she wonders if she's sleeping with a werewolf and if one night she'll wake up and be mauled. As Diana begins to unravel Adam's past and learn more about his family, she discovers a horrible secret when he finally confesses who he is and what he'll become.

Ms. Handeland has crafted another dark, twisted story of love in the paranormal arena. Not only do we encounter werewolves, but zombies and other strange creatures of the night. Out of her usual northern Minnesota woods setting, this story has all the flavor of a hot New Orleans night when the jazz is sultry and the day seems a million miles away. A great addition to her Nightcreatures series.