The first book of what I like to think of as the third trilogy in this series starts out fast and doesn't slow down the pace at all. I have to admire Mrs. Hamilton for daring to put so much information and so many different plots into one book where there is more than enough action and suspense for two novels. She gives herself a lot of rope to hang herself with but she pulls it off very nicely and makes the transitions from plot to plot easily.
The first storyline involves Anita helping the fire department specifically Captain Pete McKinnon, a friend of Dolph's, with fires that may have been started supernaturally. We are introduced to a new kind of ability in this book. The ability to call fire and do what you wish with it, a pyrokinetic. McKinnon believes a pyrokinetic is behind some of the fires that have been happening in St. Louis. He wants Anita to come on as a consultant before anyone gets hurt. She agrees to and then we jump to our next plot.
It seems that ever since Anita killed Gabriel in THE KILLING DANCE the were-leopards have been fighting amongst themselves since they don't have a leader. Anita steps in to become that leader temporarily to stop the fighting even though she isn't a lycanthrope. She also does it to protect Stephen and his friend, Nathaniel. Since they are both in the hospital and need to be protected 24-7 till they recover Anita uses her power as Richard's lupa to get some of the pack to protect the were-leopards. Even though the pack has been forbidden to protect the were-leopards by Sylvie who is acting as leader of the pack while Richard is out of town working on his masters degree. Anita will deal with Sylvie when she comes to that bridge and is too concerned about Stephen to care about pack politics.
Next, we go to what I believe will be a continuing storyline through the next few books, Anita and Jean-Claude's relationship. If you read THE KILLING DANCE you know that they had sex and Anita decided to be with Jean-Claude over Richard. They are on a date at a fancy restaurant when they are summoned, in so many words, to the Circus where the dreaded vampire council has taken over. The council wants to find out how exactly Mr. Oliver died (think way back to CIRCUS OF THE DAMNED) and they want Jean-Claude to take his place. Jean-Claude knows he is too weak to hold a seat on the council and declines besides he is happy being master of St. Louis. The council won't go away and plays games instead with Jean-Claude, Anita, and the rest of their group. Think of a political convention gone terribly wrong.
Another mini-problem comes with the council, Asher. A vamp who has a score to settle with Jean-Claude. If you read _The Killing Dance_ you know the background of how Jean-Claude and Asher were a menage `a trois with Asher's human servant, Julianna. Well, Asher blames Jean-Claude for Julianna's death so he is out to exact revenge on him by killing Anita.
And, if you think this is hectic just wait when Richard comes to town to "help" Anita and Jean-Claude. The sparks fly in more ways than one. Actually in this novel it is not just Anita and Jean-Claude together it seems everyone has someone. Willie, the guy with killer fashion sense, has a girlfriend named Hannah or as he calls her Angel Fangs. Anita's best bud, Ronnie, is sleeping with Richard's best bud, Louie. And, Sylvie has her significant other a psychologist named Gwen. It must be mating season.
BURNT OFFERINGS is a fast read but pay attention or you might miss something. All and all a great addition to the series that has me desperately awaiting the next one.
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