A brutal murder, a suspect in jail, and an execution planned—but what if the wrong person is about to be killed? When a fellow U.S. Marshal asks Anita Blake to fly to a tiny community in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on an emergency consult, she knows time is running short. When she arrives, there is plenty of proof that a young wereleopard killed his uncle in the most gruesome and bloody way … bloody way possible. As the mounting evidence points to him, a warrant of execution is already under way.
But something seems off about the murder, and Anita has been asked for her expert opinion on the crime scene. Despite escalating pressure from local cops and the family’s cries for justice for their dead patriarch, Anita quickly realizes that the evidence doesn’t quite add up.
Time is against Anita, as the tight-knit community is up in arms and its fear of supernaturals is growing. She races to uncover the truth and determine whether the Marshals have caught the killer or are about to execute an innocent man—all in the name of justice.
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One of my favorite authors and series. . .
This book could have been cut in half. There is so much repetition about the warrants and Anita’s sexual preferences, Olaf’s sexual and killing preferences and more. At least we’re spared actual sex scenes and copious descriptions of everyone’s hair (just one or two brief ones).
Anita and crew do a miserable and incompetent job of investigating. I knew who did it and why from the very beginning and none of them thought to find out who benefited??? They trusted someone to look into something at the crime scene even though the individual had been proved incompetent??? Yes, they are EXECUTIONERS as we are told over and over and over, but surely between the four investigators (Anita, Edward, Olaf and Win) they should have some basic investigative experience. So, the mystery portion of this story was abysmal. Of course, before the very end we had to have 30-40 pages of the characters info. dumping about Anita’s sex life. What a snore.
It seems like Hamilton was trying to take into consideration some of the criticism she’s gotten in the last 10-15 books, but missed the mark big time. If bringing back a couple (a COUPLE) short sex scenes would help her mojo when it comes to writing an interesting story and not repeating details over and over, fine with me. (Just please no more about how Anita prefers fellatio when she starts with a flacid penis so she can fit it all in her mouth….how many times has she written that?!?) another plus is Anita finally (FINALLY) handling her ardeur better.
I will say, if it hadn’t gone on interminably, I enjoyed her exchanges with Olaf where he is trying to connect with her. But, come on, just put a bullet in his brain.
As usual for her books, I didn’t spend a dime, just my time, and got this from the local public library.
Great book! Back to what I loved about Anita from the very beginning!
I believe that Ms Hamilton is trying to give more thought to storyline and reducing the over the top sex focus of so many of her books. This one was going well until around page 350 (of 600) when her troop of “bodyguards” arrive on scene and then it was back to all the teenage angst junk that habitually pops up. Overall the story was ok, but could have been shortened with better adjusted characters, but this is her thing.
Love theses books
Anita Blake is one of those characters that fascinates me. She’s not your typical heroine, she’s basically 5’, dark haired, mixes heritage, a necromancer and known as one of The Four Horsemen (War) in the world of vampire executioners. All of that, and she fell in love with the “monsters”.
This book is a departure from the last several, and I’m sure Hamilton will get flack for it. While there has been considerable white noise over the last several books that the books are all sex, get back to the action, this book is all action, so I’m sure people will complain, authors can’t win.
Not only is this book all about the action, it’s an out of town case, Anita initially goes alone, brings none of her main honeys, and there’s a reason I referenced the Horsemen.
The case in this book is a very polarizing one, and watching how it unfolds is scary. What do you do as a vampire executioner if you get a warrant for execution for someone you think is innocent? There isn’t an appeals process after all, so how do you deal with the evidence when the law is telling you to do something you shouldn’t? Not only that, but the case is not cut and dried, so you’ll be on the edge of your seat.
Anita was great in this book. From the first page it keep you wanting to read it. Anita going to help another fellow U.S. Marshal with a case in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. She finds her self not sure what to think about the case and if she should be there. The other Marshal thinks there is other proof that the were did not do it and he wants her to help show it. There is trouble in the town and the Marshals are in the middle of it. Now would be the time to get the book. I will be getting more from this author.
4.5 Stars
Sucker Punch by Laurell K. Hamilton is the 27th book in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series. And author Laurell K. Hamilton continues to deliver an original, fast-paced, captivating story. It is edgy, twisted, suspenseful and touches on quite a few emotions.
I love Anita. I have from the start. She has changed some. Grown, but author Laurell K. Hamilton stays true to her character. To all of them. I love the dynamic between Anita, Edward and Olaf. It is intense.
In this installment, Anita is called to help a fellow Marshal with a warrant. But things aren’t what they seem. Clues discovered, secrets revealed, plot twists galore make for a perfect cat and mouse game. Time is not Anita’s friend as she tries prove guilt or innocence of the accused, with the help of Olaf, Edward, Jim and others. The secondary plot involving Anita and Olaf is fantastic. It provides some comic relief and morbid fascination.
As with all Anita Blake novels, we have many of our beloved characters of her entourage trying to help her. I love being in this world.
Sucker Punch is intense, gritty, seductive and a little heartbreaking. It is what I expect and have come to love about this serial. Looking forward to the next one.
Guys She is back and My Lord. This book was amazing. I read it in 2 nights and it was dark and not anything like I thought it was going to be.
Anita Blake is at it again butt his time she is sent in to save someone that is condemned to be killed. Yes guys, he is on the hook to help exonerate a shifter and this story just broke me. I honestly had no idea where is was going from the start to the end. Every-time I thought I had it figured out they threw me another loop.
Throw in some fun other Marshall twists and this book is a thrilling read that you wont put down. You get to see a lot of our favorites and Anita makes some big like choices that you know have been on the horizon. Hands down another 6s star in this series.