Publisher's Blurb:

"Anita Blake is about to face the challenge of her life. Into her world-a world already overflowing with power-have come creatures so feared that powerful, centuries-old vampires refuse to mention their names. It is forbidden to speak of The Harlequin unless you've been contacted. And to be contacted by The Harlequin is to be under sentence of death. Long-time rivals for Anita's affections, Jean-Claude, Master Vampire of the City, and Richard, alpha-werewolf, will need to become allies. Shapeshifters Nathaniel and Micah will have to step up their support. And then there's Edward. In this situation, Anita knows that she needs to call the one man who has always been there for her..."

Publication date:

Hardcover - June 2007(Jove)
Paperback - The Harlequin will be out in paperback 4/28/08.

ISDN:

0-425-21724-8 Hardcover,

Covers and Cover Art:

The above cover was from the 2007 Hardcover publication of the book in North America. The artist is: Craig White. Additional cover designs for North America and the UK will be posted here when they become available.

Synopsis:

Something strange is happening in town. A group of powerful vampires, the Council's goon squad known as The Harlequin is in town and it has all the vampires on tenterhooks. But something is wrong, they are not playing by the rules, and Anita calls in some help, Edward. And he brings backup with him.

For a more detailed plot summary of the book, see here

Primary Characters:

Anita Blake
Jean-Claude
Richard Zeeman
Nathaniel Graison
Micah Callahan
Malcolm

Recurring Characters:

Edward
Olaf
Peter
Remus
Clay
Buzz
Lisandro
Requiem
Byron
Graham
Claudia
Fredo
Sampson
Rafael
Louie
Dr Lillian
Cherry
Wicked
Truth
Donovan Reece
Willie McCoy
Hannah
Avery Seabrook (mentioned)
Joseph
Asher
Haven
Marmee Noir
Peter Parnell
Donna Parnell

New Characters:

Joan, the holy item check girl
Soledad, a weretiger
Jake, a werewolf
Cisco, a wererat

Character Deaths:

Soledad
Remus
Cisco

Important Revelations:

• This book is occurring in December, a couple of weeks before Christmas. It is cold, and there has been a couple inches of snow.
• We learn that reptile-based lycanthropy is even harder to catch than cat-based lycanthropy.
• We learn that there are not too many werelion prides in the US. Besides the one in St. Louis and the one in Chicago, there are 2 more: one on the West coast and the other on the East coast.
• It was interesting to note, that Anita says in TH that zoning bylaws in St. Louis prevent the sale of liquor in a strip club, so the bar at Guilty Pleasures is 'dry' - no alcohol.
• It is stated that the relationship that Anita has developed with both Micah and Nathanial has been going on for seven months.
• Anita says that she first met Edward seven years ago.
• The events in OB occurred a 'year and a half' ago.
• The pregnancy scare was 'last month'.
• Asher wakes seventh among the vampires in Jean-Claude's Kiss. Requiem, London, Elinore, Wicked and Truth all wake before him.

Explanation of the title:

In a departure from the majority of the book titles, The Harlequin of the title of this book are a special group of vampires. They are considered to be the police, spies and assassans of the Council. It is they who are sent out to gather information, or to administer the judgements of the Council and to mete out the punishments. They are not used lightly for minor infractions.

Information on this Page has been Gathered from the Following Sources:

1. The novel, The Harlequin

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