We have all heard, possibly ad nauseum, "don't judge a book by its cover". Never was it more true than in the case of this book. Going by the cover, I had some qualms as I opened the novel. However, although the picture there portrays something on the edge of being unportrayable in public, what lies behind it is a collection of tales that are much more like the original Anita Blake stories.

True, there are a couple of disturbing entries, in particular 'The Edge of the Sea' and 'Here Be Dragons'. However, their subject matter is subtly eerie, true horror, not something to do with eroticism. In fact, the only thing that truly is sensual is the easily removable cover. There are two stories that return to the world of Nightseer, but even if, like me you have no idea what that land is like, you can follow the action.

Anita Blake starts and finishes the collection, and she is the Anita who hunts the monsters, not does everything else with them. If you are among those who have despaired of this author after recent books, get this one. It will restore your hopes.