The Laughing Corpse (Anita Blake Vampire Hunter)
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle .
Learn more
| |||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Frequently Bought Together
Product details
|
More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
An enthralling Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, novel
'The older the zombie, the bigger the death needed to raise it.'
After a few centuries, the only death 'big enough' is a human sacrifice. I know because I'm an animator. My name is Anita Blake. Working for Animators, Inc. is just a job - like selling insurance. But all the money in the world wasn't enough for me to take on the particular job Harold Gaynor was offering. Somebody else did, though - a rogue animator. Now he's not just raising the dead... he's raising Hell. And it's up to me to stop it.
About the Author
Laurell K. Hamilton is the bestselling author of the acclaimed Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, novels. She lives near St Louis with her husband, her daughter, two dogs and an ever-fluctuating number of fish.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
Tags Customers Associate with This Product(What's this?)Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Anita Blake is an Animator. Anita and co. raise the dead to settle will disputes and the like, for a reasonable fee. On the side Anita is a vampire hunter -- she's been nicknamed 'the Executioner' and (obviously) isn't too keen on vampires. The new master of the city is very interested in her, much to Anita's chagrin, and is keen to make her his human servant.
Anita is all set to solve another case while she's on retainer to the police. Someone or something managed to consume a number of victims in one place... nice. Anita being the freak expert is called in to offer her expertise. The scenes are gory (as usual) and there was some great stuff with her and her police friends. There are also a few other plot threads that all converge one another pretty well. This books arc took a while for me to get into, but around halfway through I ended up really enjoying it.
The Laughing Corpse wasn't quite as good as the first book, as it lacked the emotional bitter sweetness that pervaded Guilty Pleasures. Many of the characters introduced in the previous book are back here too, except, disappointingly, Edward although I'm not sure how he would have fitted in here anyway.
Anita continues to be tough minded and sympathetic to those that deserve it. We learn a little more about her powers and the root of what Animators can do -- I thought Dominga wasn't the most interesting of antagonists but she served her purpose well.
Anita is all set to solve another case while she's on retainer to the police. Someone or something managed to consume a number of victims in one place... nice. Anita being the freak expert is called in to offer her expertise. The scenes are gory (as usual) and there was some great stuff with her and her police friends. There are also a few other plot threads that all converge one another pretty well. This books arc took a while for me to get into, but around halfway through I ended up really enjoying it.
The Laughing Corpse wasn't quite as good as the first book, as it lacked the emotional bitter sweetness that pervaded Guilty Pleasures. Many of the characters introduced in the previous book are back here too, except, disappointingly, Edward although I'm not sure how he would have fitted in here anyway.
Anita continues to be tough minded and sympathetic to those that deserve it. We learn a little more about her powers and the root of what Animators can do -- I thought Dominga wasn't the most interesting of antagonists but she served her purpose well.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Once again, Anita's interactions with the monsters of St Louis are tinged with the horrors of the latest crime she's working on; this time, someone or something has ripped apart and eaten many people, including children. Anita suspects it's an out of control zombie, and who better than an animator to help stop it?
There is a bad guy, naturally. One of the most wealthy men in the country wants Anita to raise a 238 year old zombie. She refuses, as it would require sacrificing the "white goat", a euphemism for human sacrifice. The bad guy, surprisingly, does not take this very well, and Anita's problems deepen.
There is even a bad woman, a "voodoo queen" who isn't quite as strict on morals as Anita is. Anita approaches her for advice on the killer zombie problem, but soon realises that she won't get any help from her.
The crime scenes in this book are horrifically gruesome, as you'd expect. Anita herself is physically sickened by them, as are some very experienced cops. They're well written and incredibly detailed, as is the rest of the book.
One wonderfully enjoyable aspect of this book, and of many others in the series, is the notion that life goes on, no matter what horrors Anita has to deal with. While worrying about killer zombies and millionaire bad guys, Anita also has to deal with the fact that she is a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding and has to wear a hideous pink fluffy dress, which reveals all her scars. She, of course, has no problem with the scars being on show, but everyone else does.
Anita's reluctant relationship with Jean Claude is much more of a subplot in this book than it was in Guilty Pleasures. He does appear every so often, to remind Anita that she now carries two of the four marks which make her his human servant, and that she should start behaving like one. She (surprise surprise) refuses.
There is a strong sense that Laurell K. Hamilton knows where she wants this plot to go and is beginning to steer in it this direction. Guilty Pleasures, by contrast, had an exploratory feel to it, as though Hamilton was still getting to know the characters.
This book focuses more on Anita, and we learn about her childhood and her life long affinity with the dead. We learn about the monsters in a very natural way in this book, usually when Anita is explaining them to the police officer Dolph. Even the backstory of Anita's childhood is natural and unobtrusive.
The crime/bad guy plot is particularly strong in this book, which I really enjoyed. The climax is exciting, and dark, and it shows Laurell K. Hamilton's increased understanding of her character. Anita's toughness and strong sense of right and wrong begins to show through her morals and her religious beliefs, and continues to do so throughout the rest of the series.
There is a bad guy, naturally. One of the most wealthy men in the country wants Anita to raise a 238 year old zombie. She refuses, as it would require sacrificing the "white goat", a euphemism for human sacrifice. The bad guy, surprisingly, does not take this very well, and Anita's problems deepen.
There is even a bad woman, a "voodoo queen" who isn't quite as strict on morals as Anita is. Anita approaches her for advice on the killer zombie problem, but soon realises that she won't get any help from her.
The crime scenes in this book are horrifically gruesome, as you'd expect. Anita herself is physically sickened by them, as are some very experienced cops. They're well written and incredibly detailed, as is the rest of the book.
One wonderfully enjoyable aspect of this book, and of many others in the series, is the notion that life goes on, no matter what horrors Anita has to deal with. While worrying about killer zombies and millionaire bad guys, Anita also has to deal with the fact that she is a bridesmaid in a friend's wedding and has to wear a hideous pink fluffy dress, which reveals all her scars. She, of course, has no problem with the scars being on show, but everyone else does.
Anita's reluctant relationship with Jean Claude is much more of a subplot in this book than it was in Guilty Pleasures. He does appear every so often, to remind Anita that she now carries two of the four marks which make her his human servant, and that she should start behaving like one. She (surprise surprise) refuses.
There is a strong sense that Laurell K. Hamilton knows where she wants this plot to go and is beginning to steer in it this direction. Guilty Pleasures, by contrast, had an exploratory feel to it, as though Hamilton was still getting to know the characters.
This book focuses more on Anita, and we learn about her childhood and her life long affinity with the dead. We learn about the monsters in a very natural way in this book, usually when Anita is explaining them to the police officer Dolph. Even the backstory of Anita's childhood is natural and unobtrusive.
The crime/bad guy plot is particularly strong in this book, which I really enjoyed. The climax is exciting, and dark, and it shows Laurell K. Hamilton's increased understanding of her character. Anita's toughness and strong sense of right and wrong begins to show through her morals and her religious beliefs, and continues to do so throughout the rest of the series.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Anita Blake returns in the second instalment of Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series, The Laughing Corpse. After completing the first instalment I could hardly wait to read this one. I had high hopes for the series and I hoped this book would be just as good as the first.
The Laughing Corpse is told from the first person perspective of Anita Blake. Anita is a animator and makes her living raising the dead. She also aids the police with their cases related to all things supernatural. If this wasn't enough, she has gained a reputation with the vampires as 'The Executioner' from killing vampires on the side.
Alike to the predecessor book Guilty Pleasures, Anita's story begins with her and her boss Bert Vaughn meeting with a perspective client. This time the client is Harold Gaynor, a wheelchair bound billionaire. Harold wants to raise a three hundred year old corpse and he wants Anita to be the one to do it and he's willing to pay a million dollars. However, the first rule when raising the dead is; the older the corpse, the bigger the sacrifice needed. In other words, in order to do what the client wanted, Anita would have to perform a human sacrifice. Anita might be dubbed 'The Executioner' but no amount of money would persuade her to kill a human.
It soon grows apparent that someone doesn't share the same morals as Anita does and as a result murderous zombies are being raised. Although this series is called "Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter", vampires take a back seat in this instalment with the focus more upon the nature of zombies. Like the first instalment, this one is action-packed from beginning to end and has a lot of twists along the way. All of this action allows for a fast-paced yet understandable plot which guarantees to keep you hooked up until the last page.
Anita Blake makes an entertaining protagonist. She's tough and humorous, even when her own life is being challenged. However, as I thought after reading the first instalment, I get the impression that there's more to her than has been revealed so far. For me, she seems to have hidden depths and I look forward to finding more about her background as the series progresses.
More characters are introduced and some from the previous book are developed some more too. Anita's reluctant relationship with vampire Jean-Claude continues as well, however it doesn't take centre stage. This is one relationship I am most looking forward to reading more about and I hope I get to do so in future instalment. As she is able to raise the dead and is an experienced vampire executioner, Anita doesn't fall easily for the charms vampires attempt to use on her. Could Jean-Claude become her first weakness?
Overall, I cannot fault this book one bit. I was gripped from start to finish. The great thing about this series so far for me is that although the books are full of action, the plot is suspenseful. The conclusion doesn't become obvious until the end and I believe that is what makes them so compelling to read. A great page turner!
The Laughing Corpse is told from the first person perspective of Anita Blake. Anita is a animator and makes her living raising the dead. She also aids the police with their cases related to all things supernatural. If this wasn't enough, she has gained a reputation with the vampires as 'The Executioner' from killing vampires on the side.
Alike to the predecessor book Guilty Pleasures, Anita's story begins with her and her boss Bert Vaughn meeting with a perspective client. This time the client is Harold Gaynor, a wheelchair bound billionaire. Harold wants to raise a three hundred year old corpse and he wants Anita to be the one to do it and he's willing to pay a million dollars. However, the first rule when raising the dead is; the older the corpse, the bigger the sacrifice needed. In other words, in order to do what the client wanted, Anita would have to perform a human sacrifice. Anita might be dubbed 'The Executioner' but no amount of money would persuade her to kill a human.
It soon grows apparent that someone doesn't share the same morals as Anita does and as a result murderous zombies are being raised. Although this series is called "Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter", vampires take a back seat in this instalment with the focus more upon the nature of zombies. Like the first instalment, this one is action-packed from beginning to end and has a lot of twists along the way. All of this action allows for a fast-paced yet understandable plot which guarantees to keep you hooked up until the last page.
Anita Blake makes an entertaining protagonist. She's tough and humorous, even when her own life is being challenged. However, as I thought after reading the first instalment, I get the impression that there's more to her than has been revealed so far. For me, she seems to have hidden depths and I look forward to finding more about her background as the series progresses.
More characters are introduced and some from the previous book are developed some more too. Anita's reluctant relationship with vampire Jean-Claude continues as well, however it doesn't take centre stage. This is one relationship I am most looking forward to reading more about and I hope I get to do so in future instalment. As she is able to raise the dead and is an experienced vampire executioner, Anita doesn't fall easily for the charms vampires attempt to use on her. Could Jean-Claude become her first weakness?
Overall, I cannot fault this book one bit. I was gripped from start to finish. The great thing about this series so far for me is that although the books are full of action, the plot is suspenseful. The conclusion doesn't become obvious until the end and I believe that is what makes them so compelling to read. A great page turner!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Was this review helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
laughing corpse
I bought this for an xmas pressie for a friend, it was one book that was part of a collection
Published 3 months ago by Di
Anita Blake raises the dead and so much more
Anita Blake wakes the dead, actually she works for a company that pays her to do it. A client might want to say goodbye or find out where the will is or even have the dead person... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Cheryl M-M
Unexpected gem
I wasn't expecting a lot from the book, but the title intrigued me. It proved to be one of those you can't put down. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Welch_rh2
LKH knows how to write a series!
Its tough to write a review on a series you know so well, this book gripped me and made me want to read more, but Anita still had n't found her stride for me yet. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Nat-Nat
Damn, I should have been asleep hours ago...
I prefer the pace and tone of these earlier Anita Blake's. These are where Anita's developing her powers and discovering who she is and who she might become. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Sarah Barnard
"Anita Blake Vampire Hunter" series book 2
Anita Blake is knee deep in blood and guts as she assists the police investigating the vicious murder of a family. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Book Addict
4*** or maybe 5***?
This is the second in the novels ofAnita Blake, animator and vampire hunter-a woman as good at raising the dead as she is at slaying the undead. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Rebecca
The Laughing Corpse
The Laughing Corpse is the second book in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series by Laurell K. Hamilton. Read more
Published on 26 May 2010 by AngelGoneMad
Pretty Zombie-lievable!
OK, I'll admit it, I read this entirely on the strength of reviews here on good old Amazon. My heart generally sinks when I hear the word zombie, as it usually presages something... Read more
Published on 5 May 2010 by Soo Broo
I enjoy all Laurell K Hamilton books.
I enjoy all Laurell K Hamilton books.
Never read a bad book by her yet.
Never read a bad book by her yet.
Published on 21 Jan 2010 by Mr. Aj Rigby
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Books > Fantasy > Contemporary
- Books > Fantasy > Vampires
- Books > Fiction > Contemporary Fiction
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
|
