The Harlequin

An Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter Novel, Book 15

By: Laurell K. Hamilton

Narrated by: Cynthia Holloway

Length: 16 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Into Anita Blake's world - a world already overflowing with power - come creatures so feared that centuries-old vampires refuse to mention their names.

©2007 Laurell K. Hamilton (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Where’s Kimberly Alexis or someone of her caliber?

I almost never write reviews but I felt compelled to write one this time. I have read all of Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake novels and LOVED all but 1 (Jason) and this one (The Harlequin) is one of my favorites.

I was repeatedly warned not to purchase this Audio version because the narrator (Cynthia Holloway) was bad. Several of the reviews has the same warnings but I like to give things a chance and form my own opinions.

BOY I SHOULD HAVE LISTENED! This narrator was BAD!

I try to add the mix good and bad so that the review doesn’t sound like a bashing session but in this case I can’t.

This narrator continually throws me because she can’t say Were (as in werewolf) correctly, (she pronounces it we’re as in we’re heading to the store) she pronounces Adeur wrong ( that she says ahder) her interpretation of Jean Claudes voice is distractingly bad, and she has very little range in her character voices (they all begin to sound the same).

I decided that I was better off reading it again instead of listening to it. I will not purchase anymore audio books that she narrates. I feel that if she’d listen to Kimberly Alexis before she recorded ANYTHING then perhaps she would do a better job. I don’t have much faith in that but it’s a start.

I turned it off after Anita and Nathaniel’s date (not even 1/5 of the way through the book) because I just couldn’t take anymore. It’s really a shame because I was so looking forward to the missing books in the middle coming out in Audio format but now not so much since she’s one of the new narrators.

Please please bring Kimberly Alexis back, or someone more competent.

What a shame,
123 ELM ST.

Not Kimberly Alexis

Very sad the narration is not Kimberly Alexis. Cynthia is just not up to the job. The rhythm and tone just isn't great, not a fan.

where is blood noir?

every time you find a good series audible is lagging and slow and usually missing one out the Middle where is blood noir?
all these books are awesome and great and really worth a listen... if Audible would get the middle damn book it's missing.

Assassin challenge

How great to have these missing audiobooks available again! Thank you, Audible and cohorts!
Note: This series is for mature adults who aren’t twisted into believing sex is evil, or that it’s as meaningless as scratching an itch. But it is part of the human condition. Like all the best parts of being a grown up, it is both a privilege and a responsibility.
The supernatural world’s most elite corps of assassins has come to town and is messing with both the Church of Eternal Life and Jean-Claude’s people. Anita’s powers and second Triumvirate are major game changers. That power increase also starts the jockeying of shifters for their place in the ‘inner circle’; and the first approach of the Council members who are preparing against the Mother of Darkness awakening.
Young Peter comes to town with Edward and Otto to back up Anita.
The end scene with Anita and Otto is one of the most memorable and macabre written by Hamilton. I’m not a fan of horror fiction, but I have to appreciate the humor and horror of that scene;;) I wonder if the Wicked Truth can teach her their beheading technique?
Decent narration. Recommend

Um, Audible, what happened to the audio for Blood Noir?

My life is MADE.

My fave by a LEAGUE! It's basically old home week for all and no newbies are going to take over. Just a teeeeensie taste: Edward goes to church and Richard is finally told to stop with the whining.
Tons of good things happen to great characters as well and that makes my heart fluff! Thank you sooooo mucho for ALL OF IT! #bowslowtoqueenLKH

book good narrator no so much

bring back Kimberly Alexis. she was much better at portraying Anita.

the story was good. more action and less Sex.

love the series hate this garbage narrator

very jarring to her the mispronunciation of Were(animal) said in the form of WE ARE conjunction instead of WARE like it is supposed to be. during "psychic talking" or "phone talking" narrators voice get's very soft and quiet that even at max volume on my device I needed my noise cancelling headphones to hear what was being said. overall garbage from the narrator and I personally feel all books in this series done by her should be REDONE by the narrator that has done more books than this one as she is much better and doesn't mess up words.

Enthralling. Mysterious. Epic.

The narration is good. Helps me slip seamlessly into the story.

This is one of my favorite Anita books for so many reasons. The mystery the harlequin brings to the story enthralls me. I absolutely love whenever we get to see Edward, and in this one we get to see some other of my favorites as well. It’s action and adventure but the passion is also high. I enjoy seeing Anita kick ass.

Favorite, authors, and book series

This Author is one of my favorites books has suspense and mystery and very good adult Content . Second time reading through the series and I still love it.

Good story

Finally more story & plot; the reason I loved the series to begin with. A bit to much winging, but the sex didn’t get in the way of the story this time. Love Edward!