Last in a series of re-reads for me. I had fond memories of this series, having read it years ago, but on this re-read found the main character, Vicki, increasingly annoying in her one dimensional Mrs Angry personality.

In this, she has progressed onto really mindless anger at times, because in the author's universe vampires cannot tolerate each other's physical presence, as intrusions on their hunting territory after the initial year or so when the 'parent' has taught the 'child' enough to pass as human when necessary and survive. That period having passed, Vicki has remained in Toronto with Mike Celluci now in the same relationship to her that she used to have to Henry, and Henry has moved to Vancover with Tony as his sole regular blood donor and sexual partner. But Henry requests Vicki's help when his nights are plagued by a spirit visitor who lacks hands and who responds to questions either by disappearing if the answer would be positive or by letting loose a physic wave of despair when the answer is negative - killing old people or babies in the vicinity and causing serious upset in anyone else. The body is found in the harbour but still cannot be identified - but the clue it provides is that one of the kidneys has been removed. And the culprits appear to be organ bootleggers operating for profit from a private clinic.

The relationship between Vicki and Henry established in earlier books is gone: the two spend their time snarling at each other or mindlessly launching attacks. Vicki becomes even more unlikeable than she was when alive as a result, although the two do find a balance finally, albeit precarious. Their friendship retreats again to a phone or email based one, which both can tolerate.

One element which was always a bit 'dodgy' was the dependence of the 17 year old Tony, ex street kid, on Henry, and his role as sexual partner back when Vicki was alive and also in such a relationship with Henry. The author does seem to finally realise this with Tony showing signs of wanting to break away and have a normal life, which he achieves by story's end.

One problem in this story is that the only supernatural element if you discount vampires themselves - in Huff's universe corporal beings with weaknesses and limitations - is the ghost (and the host of others that Henry senses) who keeps appearing to him, requesting vengeance in its indirect way. The villians are all normal humans, albeit criminal, violent or borderline sociopathic - rather like in the previous story, but in that, one of the victims was Vicki's own mother. Here, there isn't really much interest in that side of things, and the tension has to be racked up rather artificially by peril to Mike Celluci, and the constant sparring between the two vampires. The best character in the books, and probably in the whole series, is Mike with his superficial grumpiness hiding a noble nature - one that can't tolerate seeing Vicki cross the line into vigilantism. I had become increasingly irritated by Vicki and in this book find both her and Henry rather a pain frankly. Therefore, only a 2 star 'OK' rating and I won't be bothering with volume six which apparently was added at some point. ( )

I love that Vickie manages to over turn everything Henry believes in this story, while Mike realizes that he and Henry do have common ground. ( )

I love how Tanya Huff writes the perfect mix of humor and seriousness it is the best mix of dark and light. No matter what series of hers I read I find myself thoroughly enjoying it. The main character in this is a kick butt heroine and I love her. I was very sad several years ago that the tv series ended so quickly because Vicki is a great character. ( )

Vampire haunted by murder victims. Each morning, they scream... taking a life (basically scaring them to death). Either he finds justice for the wandering spirits, or people continue to die around him, every sunset, forever.

Vampires, spirits, body harvesting... it was all very... routine, I guess. Not exciting. And I think I've had enough of Victory Nelson's childishness. Thankfully, the next book leaves her behind.

An entertaining, nail-biting addition to the Vicki Nelson series. This book (and the series in general) is all about the characters, and not so much about the mystery that requires solving. ( )