The Harlequin by Laurell K. Hamilton

Somewhat on a better track...

Just like many readers who have commented have done, I've stopped buying Ms Hamilton's books and simply borrow from the library.

As has been the case with the past several of LKH's Anita Blake books, the author creates intriguing plots and characters in The Harlequin, as well as brings back some "old" ones, but she doesn't quite follow through what could be a brilliant and exciting book. There's no question that Ms Hamilton has a seemingly neverending fount of fascinating ideas; unfortunately, the execution needs polish, lengthening, and tightening.

One thing I was happy to see was that Anita's ardeur wasn't the bulk of the story; in fact, this particular storyline was tamed down quite a bit. I'm not fazed about sex (I also edit erotic romances), but sex for no reason - sex that doesn't further the plot - is a waste of story space and the reader's time. Fortunately, that wasn't much of an issue here.

The idea of the Harlequin, essentially the police/assassins for vampire society, was a great one. Rather like the Borg, from the Star Trek: Next Generation series: serious bad-ass foes - that is, until the Borg got wimpified. Here, the mystery and suspense of who and what the Harlequin are, and why they're in St Louis starts off well enough and then seems to gradually fade into a whisper.

Richard's storyline continues to be a tiresome one: he makes an effort to fit with Anita's new life, he can't deal, he and Anita go back and forth, and nothing changes... which is the same treadmill to nowhere they've both been on for umpteen books. There's a suggestion that this relationship is reaching some sort of conclusion, but while I can understand many of the reasons for why each behaves the way they do, I just wish they'd just get on with their lives, either together or apart.

Nathaniel turns out to be a bit of surprise initially. He's become bolder in speaking his mind and desires, and Anita is listening. I'm really hoping that he doesn't turn into another version of Richard.

Edward appears; although a little more of his "Ted" life is discussed, we don't really see him in action all that much. And going back to my comments about the Harlequin as badasses but tapering down - Otto is called in, which would seem to tie into the whole "need evil to combat evil" idea, but which was also a let down.

Again, there many great themes and new plotlines , but a flat and fast conclusion. The Harlequin would have done much better to explore more of the ideas and characters rather than cram it all in for an unsatisfying overall read.

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