What do you think?
Rate this book
Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #4-6
The Midnight Cafe
Three Anita Blake novels in collector's edition hardback; Lunatic Cafe, Bloody Bones and Killing Dance
825 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
11 people are currently reading
1422 people want to read
About the author
Laurell K. Hamilton
425 books25.8k followersLaurell K. Hamilton is one of the leading writers of paranormal fiction. A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Hamilton writes the popular Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novels and the Meredith Gentry series. She is also the creator of a bestselling comic book series based on her Anita Blake novels and published by Marvel Comics. Hamilton is a full-time writer and lives in the suburbs of St. Louis with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
January 20, 2008
Before Laurel K. Hamilton went all pr()n. *sigh*
What a shame. Because I started out really liking the adventure in the Anita Blake books. Then it just digresses into sexual encounter after sexual encounter.
And the Meredith Gentry series is even more ... decadent, in that way. It's really a shame that her books are now more porn than plot.
What a shame. Because I started out really liking the adventure in the Anita Blake books. Then it just digresses into sexual encounter after sexual encounter.
And the Meredith Gentry series is even more ... decadent, in that way. It's really a shame that her books are now more porn than plot.
January 27, 2012
THE LUNATIC CAFE
Anita Blake, the supernatural "jack of all trades" is experiencing a bit of a slow period with her necromancer business. To keep the money rolling in, she decides to take on a few odd jobs. One of them includes solving a missing persons case assigned by the local werewolf pack alpha, Marcus. There's tension between him and Richard since they are both dominant, which naturally alludes to them likely duking it out to decide on a leader once and for all. All of this werewolf business isn't really conducive to a happy Jean-Claude. The beautiful and dangerous vampire shows his jealous streak as he is after Anita's affections. Her fellow colleague, Edward, wants to do away with BOTH of Anita's love interests which only complicates matters further.
You're in for plenty of action in this one as well as some interesting revelations. Anita is very powerful and we may be seeing very soon in future books just how powerful she is. Jean-Claude isn't attracted to her *only* for her beauty. She is truly special and I look forward to finding out how. But the question is how Anita handles this mentally. Being surrounded by so much death, destruction, hate and greed seems to have taken a toll on our favorite vampire hunter/necromancer. But as I always say, if you can't stand the heat...
You will benefit from having read the prior 3 novels, so I don't really recommend starting here. It would also help by way of you becoming more attached and familiar with the characters and what they stand for. It's another solid installment in the Anita Blake saga, and I'm definitely glad I got into this series years later because it makes picking up the next book much easier than waiting on it for a year.
BLOODY BONES
In the usual Anita Blake fashion, the title of this installment is reflective of a building establishment in the story. This time, it's out of town as we are taken on a road trip with Anita and the gang. In many Urban Fantasy series that's usually the tell tale sign that the readers will be in for some major developments as characters are taken out of their usual element and certain things come to light that will completely change the game. That seemed to be the purpose of this book. Anita is called out to Missouri to raise 300-year-old corpses. She's far from thrilled. It doesn't help matters that there is an evil vampire serial killer on the prowl, meaning Anita will need some help of her own. Cue the forever sexy and dangerous Jean-Claude to come in and help on that front. In the usual fashion, Anita handles her business and saves the day.
This book was very interesting. I'm a total Jean-Claude fangirl so I was THRILLED with his screentime and even more with the interactions between him and Anita. It was also great because I am not a fan of Richard so was happy to conveniently see him out of the picture for this book. This was easily my favorite book to date because it brought in a new atmosphere while still keeping the action and suspense we've been used to in the Anita Blake world. It left me highly anticipating the next book.
THE KILLING DANCE
This is probably my favorite book of the whole series. It cuts out all of the BS and we get to the meat of what everybody wants to see. There is so much focus on Anita, Jean-Claude, and Richard and by book 6 it was needed. Of course, she's got a half-million dollar bounty on her head that she needs to figure out in the process of trying not to get dead. Richard's dealing with his own pack issues; he isn't seeing eye to eye with his co-alpha, Marcus. That climaxes in an unbelievable scene.
Of course, this series isn't just about werewolves. Jean-Claude has been biding his time for when Anita will come to him. This book definitely pulled no punches. We were introduced to fairly disturbing concepts (shapeshifter porn, anyone?) and Anita's in a fight for her life.
Anita finally makes a choice between her two suitors and I was extremely pleased. This book in general is a little more racy than past novels, but there is still a fair amount of action, gore, and suspense that we have come to expect. I highly recommend picking up this book if you've read the others.
*Review also posted to Amazon
Anita Blake, the supernatural "jack of all trades" is experiencing a bit of a slow period with her necromancer business. To keep the money rolling in, she decides to take on a few odd jobs. One of them includes solving a missing persons case assigned by the local werewolf pack alpha, Marcus. There's tension between him and Richard since they are both dominant, which naturally alludes to them likely duking it out to decide on a leader once and for all. All of this werewolf business isn't really conducive to a happy Jean-Claude. The beautiful and dangerous vampire shows his jealous streak as he is after Anita's affections. Her fellow colleague, Edward, wants to do away with BOTH of Anita's love interests which only complicates matters further.
You're in for plenty of action in this one as well as some interesting revelations. Anita is very powerful and we may be seeing very soon in future books just how powerful she is. Jean-Claude isn't attracted to her *only* for her beauty. She is truly special and I look forward to finding out how. But the question is how Anita handles this mentally. Being surrounded by so much death, destruction, hate and greed seems to have taken a toll on our favorite vampire hunter/necromancer. But as I always say, if you can't stand the heat...
You will benefit from having read the prior 3 novels, so I don't really recommend starting here. It would also help by way of you becoming more attached and familiar with the characters and what they stand for. It's another solid installment in the Anita Blake saga, and I'm definitely glad I got into this series years later because it makes picking up the next book much easier than waiting on it for a year.
BLOODY BONES
In the usual Anita Blake fashion, the title of this installment is reflective of a building establishment in the story. This time, it's out of town as we are taken on a road trip with Anita and the gang. In many Urban Fantasy series that's usually the tell tale sign that the readers will be in for some major developments as characters are taken out of their usual element and certain things come to light that will completely change the game. That seemed to be the purpose of this book. Anita is called out to Missouri to raise 300-year-old corpses. She's far from thrilled. It doesn't help matters that there is an evil vampire serial killer on the prowl, meaning Anita will need some help of her own. Cue the forever sexy and dangerous Jean-Claude to come in and help on that front. In the usual fashion, Anita handles her business and saves the day.
This book was very interesting. I'm a total Jean-Claude fangirl so I was THRILLED with his screentime and even more with the interactions between him and Anita. It was also great because I am not a fan of Richard so was happy to conveniently see him out of the picture for this book. This was easily my favorite book to date because it brought in a new atmosphere while still keeping the action and suspense we've been used to in the Anita Blake world. It left me highly anticipating the next book.
THE KILLING DANCE
This is probably my favorite book of the whole series. It cuts out all of the BS and we get to the meat of what everybody wants to see. There is so much focus on Anita, Jean-Claude, and Richard and by book 6 it was needed. Of course, she's got a half-million dollar bounty on her head that she needs to figure out in the process of trying not to get dead. Richard's dealing with his own pack issues; he isn't seeing eye to eye with his co-alpha, Marcus. That climaxes in an unbelievable scene.
Of course, this series isn't just about werewolves. Jean-Claude has been biding his time for when Anita will come to him. This book definitely pulled no punches. We were introduced to fairly disturbing concepts (shapeshifter porn, anyone?) and Anita's in a fight for her life.
Anita finally makes a choice between her two suitors and I was extremely pleased. This book in general is a little more racy than past novels, but there is still a fair amount of action, gore, and suspense that we have come to expect. I highly recommend picking up this book if you've read the others.
*Review also posted to Amazon
February 18, 2021
If you are a Laurell Hamilton fan, and even if you are not, this collection of her books is an excellent read. It is a non-stop thrill and adventure from page to page. The characters are so well-developed and you can't help but love all of them. Plus she has taken the supernatural/paranormal tales of old into a new dimension that is fresh and exciting to read.
April 27, 2008
These are books 4, 5, 6 in the Anita Blake series. Amazing books!
Yeah yeah there's a lot of sex in her books.. *GASP* ... but she remains a very talented author. I love her series.
Yeah yeah there's a lot of sex in her books.. *GASP* ... but she remains a very talented author. I love her series.
July 21, 2015
The Lunatic Cafe
Lycanthropes have gone missing and the head of the local werewolf pack asks Anita to look into it. However, this doesn't sit well with Richard because, first, he doesn't want Anita involved in pack business and, second, he's Marcus's rival to take over the back. Anita being Anita takes the case despite Richard's feelings about it. On top of dealing with the missing people, Jean-Claude decides to finally make a play and leaves Anita with the ultimatum to either give him a fair shot at "wooing" her, or he'll kill Richard.
I still love the early books in this series. The characters are well defined and you grow attached to them. Lunatic Cafe holds a special place in my heart because this is where my favorite character of the series is introduced. We get to learn more about the werewolf pack and more about Richard. And we also get to see Edward, and I love any book where he makes an appearance.
Bloody Bones
An out of town job is asking Anita to raise a ransacked graveyard of corpses over 300 years old. Her boss takes the money even without Anita knowing she can for sure do it. But of course, it has her curious. So she packs some bags, rounds up Larry (her protege of sorts), and heads out. But in true Anita fashion, this job isn't all it's laid out to be and she soon finds herself knee deep not only in a magical war over land but also at the mercy of the local Master of the City.
This book takes us out of the city we know so well and away from the people who are familiar and places us in the middle of nowhere where the focus is strictly on Anita and her powers. And that, I believe, was the point of this book: showcase just how powerful Anita is becoming. We learn so much more about her magic and it pushes the boundaries of just how far she will go to save herself. There's also less focus on the love triangle with Richard solely out of this book and only Jean-Claude to help save the day.
The Killing Dance
And the shit has hit the fan here. In a struggle for power, Richard finally comes to terms with the fact that in order to rule, he will have to kill Marcus. And in admitting that, he also admits his fears of what he'll become. To make matters worse, there's a hit out on Anita. Someone wants her gone and they're willing to pay a lot of money to get it done.
This is the book where all the frustrations come to a head. Everything that has been building since Richard came into the picture pretty much explodes in this installment. Between the hits on Anita and the palpable sexual tension, I didn't want to put this book down.
It's always interesting rereading a series, especially one as big as this one, because I know where most of the characters are going. But I do love seeing them here and seeing the little clues of what's to come. These books aren't perfect and there's a lot of Mary Sue going around, but I still enjoy them and I still love them and that's pretty much all that matters to me :)
Lycanthropes have gone missing and the head of the local werewolf pack asks Anita to look into it. However, this doesn't sit well with Richard because, first, he doesn't want Anita involved in pack business and, second, he's Marcus's rival to take over the back. Anita being Anita takes the case despite Richard's feelings about it. On top of dealing with the missing people, Jean-Claude decides to finally make a play and leaves Anita with the ultimatum to either give him a fair shot at "wooing" her, or he'll kill Richard.
I still love the early books in this series. The characters are well defined and you grow attached to them. Lunatic Cafe holds a special place in my heart because this is where my favorite character of the series is introduced. We get to learn more about the werewolf pack and more about Richard. And we also get to see Edward, and I love any book where he makes an appearance.
Bloody Bones
An out of town job is asking Anita to raise a ransacked graveyard of corpses over 300 years old. Her boss takes the money even without Anita knowing she can for sure do it. But of course, it has her curious. So she packs some bags, rounds up Larry (her protege of sorts), and heads out. But in true Anita fashion, this job isn't all it's laid out to be and she soon finds herself knee deep not only in a magical war over land but also at the mercy of the local Master of the City.
This book takes us out of the city we know so well and away from the people who are familiar and places us in the middle of nowhere where the focus is strictly on Anita and her powers. And that, I believe, was the point of this book: showcase just how powerful Anita is becoming. We learn so much more about her magic and it pushes the boundaries of just how far she will go to save herself. There's also less focus on the love triangle with Richard solely out of this book and only Jean-Claude to help save the day.
The Killing Dance
And the shit has hit the fan here. In a struggle for power, Richard finally comes to terms with the fact that in order to rule, he will have to kill Marcus. And in admitting that, he also admits his fears of what he'll become. To make matters worse, there's a hit out on Anita. Someone wants her gone and they're willing to pay a lot of money to get it done.
This is the book where all the frustrations come to a head. Everything that has been building since Richard came into the picture pretty much explodes in this installment. Between the hits on Anita and the palpable sexual tension, I didn't want to put this book down.
It's always interesting rereading a series, especially one as big as this one, because I know where most of the characters are going. But I do love seeing them here and seeing the little clues of what's to come. These books aren't perfect and there's a lot of Mary Sue going around, but I still enjoy them and I still love them and that's pretty much all that matters to me :)
April 10, 2020
Review on Book#4 Lunatic Cafe https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review on Book#5 Bloody Bones: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review on Book#6 The Killing Dance: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Summary: Anita's Necromancy powers start to show themselves a bit over these three books - her relationships with Richard and Jean Claude start to blossom and dramatically change by the the 3rd.
Anita herself is a jackass, Edward is my favourite character thus far, Richard goes from boyscoot to dinkdom, and Jean Claude gains surprising depth of character.
I always considered these to be well-written books but honestly I think my standards have risen a bit because they come off a tad flat. Lots of attention to detail on clothes, so much detail! SO. MUCH. DETAIL. Author really likes to try to set the scene, but then the scene itself doesn't get all the attention it really needs to shine...
Review on Book#5 Bloody Bones: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review on Book#6 The Killing Dance: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Summary: Anita's Necromancy powers start to show themselves a bit over these three books - her relationships with Richard and Jean Claude start to blossom and dramatically change by the the 3rd.
Anita herself is a jackass, Edward is my favourite character thus far, Richard goes from boyscoot to dinkdom, and Jean Claude gains surprising depth of character.
I always considered these to be well-written books but honestly I think my standards have risen a bit because they come off a tad flat. Lots of attention to detail on clothes, so much detail! SO. MUCH. DETAIL. Author really likes to try to set the scene, but then the scene itself doesn't get all the attention it really needs to shine...
Read
April 12, 2023Okay, not sure how to rate this one. I like the story I'm reading but I don't like the format. The three books in one book is just too heavy and awkward so I've decided to just get The Lunatic Cafe book, just one, and read the stories one book at a time. So far, really enjoying the twists and turns of this story. I recommend it, just not the three books in one.
July 15, 2019
Something's from years ago are timeless and well written. The Laurell K Hamilton Anita Blake books are not. I would have considered the other stories here but considering my track record with her books, I figured it was better to stop and accept my losses.
December 30, 2019
I own this paper copy. Read when first came out
Reread of all on audio 2019
Reread of all on audio 2019
March 17, 2020
Another great book by Laurell Hamilton. Absolutely fantastic characters.
September 20, 2020
Binge read
August 13, 2021
Laurell K. Hamilton has done it again!!! So excited for the rest of the series!!!
October 30, 2022
Amazing storyline and characters
November 2, 2022
Outstanding
March 22, 2008
I loved the first three books of the Anita Blake series, so eagerly dived into the next three. This is a book that contains volumes 4, 5 and 6: The Lunatic Cafe, Bloody Bones, and The Killing Dance.
From what I've read of other reviews of later books in this series and my own experience with book 7 this is kind of where the downward spiral begins for this series but these three volumes are still fairly good books though not up to snuff with the first three. I particularly enjoyed book five - Bloody Bones - which gives a change of scenery (Branson), a pretty good mystery/story, and a closer look at what's behind Jean Claude's pretty face. The other two books are more entrenched in the werewolf world (which I personally don't find as interesting) and in the the rather unbelievable and silly luv triangle and between Richard - Head werewolf, and Jean Claude - Head Vampire over an increasingly arrogant and unlikeable Anita.
We see the beginnings of the author's downfall in these books -less plot, more dialogue and annoying grandstanding by the increasingly unlikeable Anita. The more interesting parts of Anita as well as the characters potential are chucked out the window in favor of portraying the character as all powerful and darn near perfect.
With all those negative comments though I would still recommend this book, though I personally wish I had stopped after book 6.
From what I've read of other reviews of later books in this series and my own experience with book 7 this is kind of where the downward spiral begins for this series but these three volumes are still fairly good books though not up to snuff with the first three. I particularly enjoyed book five - Bloody Bones - which gives a change of scenery (Branson), a pretty good mystery/story, and a closer look at what's behind Jean Claude's pretty face. The other two books are more entrenched in the werewolf world (which I personally don't find as interesting) and in the the rather unbelievable and silly luv triangle and between Richard - Head werewolf, and Jean Claude - Head Vampire over an increasingly arrogant and unlikeable Anita.
We see the beginnings of the author's downfall in these books -less plot, more dialogue and annoying grandstanding by the increasingly unlikeable Anita. The more interesting parts of Anita as well as the characters potential are chucked out the window in favor of portraying the character as all powerful and darn near perfect.
With all those negative comments though I would still recommend this book, though I personally wish I had stopped after book 6.
July 18, 2012
I absolutely adored this book! I was sitting on the edge of my seat with everything that (figuratively) walked through the door. Laurell K. Hamilton has gotten the world of Anita Blake down to a pat. I absolutely loved the twists and the cases that Anita Blake had been brought in to solve. It was all thrilling, especially the captivation of Anita towards one certain vampire and her beloved were. I could not get enough of the book - so much that I finished it in the period of a day.
Sadly, however, I did not get the chance to read the previous books in the series though I believe I'll do some re-reading and I'll be sure to read in order this time.
- Sabryna .
Sadly, however, I did not get the chance to read the previous books in the series though I believe I'll do some re-reading and I'll be sure to read in order this time.
- Sabryna .
September 3, 2009
Finished: August 31, 2009
This is a 3 in 1 book, it contains the following books by Laurell K. Hamilton:
The Lunatic Cafe
Bloody Bones
The Killing Dance
I am going to count each book seperately for the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge on Ravelry.
I am really starting to enjoy the Anita Blake series. I am finally seeing Laurell K. Hamilton's humor. I love the character development.
This is a 3 in 1 book, it contains the following books by Laurell K. Hamilton:
The Lunatic Cafe
Bloody Bones
The Killing Dance
I am going to count each book seperately for the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge on Ravelry.
I am really starting to enjoy the Anita Blake series. I am finally seeing Laurell K. Hamilton's humor. I love the character development.
January 12, 2009
Anita starts to become unlikable in this three books, but she is still flawed and seems to be willing, sometimes, to admit to her mistakes. Hamilton is still writing with plot here and minor characters still have a life.
Read
April 26, 2008Can't wait to start the next. Her story lines are awesome.
May 27, 2008
Great cover art on this omnibus edition!
September 16, 2008
TOp notch stuff. Just a pure page turner. Anita Blake is just one of the guilty pleasures, you just can't not read. (no pun intended)
December 30, 2008
I didn't read the omnibus, but the orginal edition of "The Midnight Cafe" - not sure why I can't find that edition on Goodreads.
March 25, 2009
Gotta love the 3 in one books
July 30, 2010
These last three books were better than the first three! Although I am very disapointed in Anita right now!
August 20, 2009
I have this version of he books since when I found out about the series the first few were not available any other way. Plus nice hardback.
November 14, 2009
Short Stories
April 14, 2010
Books 4,5 and 6 in the Anita Blake series!!
The Lunatic Cafe
Bloody Bones
The Killing Dance
The Lunatic Cafe
Bloody Bones
The Killing Dance
July 5, 2011
A Reminder of why we love Anita Blake when Ms. Hamilton is spot-on. Perfect mix of Paranormal, Mystery, Suspense, and Romance without the obvious smut.
Read
September 24, 2011I loved this book soooooo much i couldn't put it down.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews