Guilty Pleasures is a 1993 horror and mystery novel by American writer Laurell K. Hamilton. It is the first book in the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series. Guilty Pleasures introduces the character of Anita Blake, a vampire hunter and necromancer, who works in an alternate universe where magic, vampires, werewolves and other supernatural elements exist. The novel blends elements of supernatural and hardboiled detective fiction. Plot summary In Guilty Pleasures, Anita Blake is blackmailed by Nikolaos, the vampire master of the city, into investigating a series of vampire murders. During the course of this investigation, Anita begins her relationship with Jean-Claude, another master vampire, and receives two of the four marks necessary to make her Jean-Claude's "human servant." Ultimately, Anita identifies the murderer, but by that point has sufficiently antagonized Nikolaos and her underlings that she is forced to confront them. Ultimately, with help from Jean-Claude and Edward, a human associate who specializes in assassinating supernatural targets, Anita kills Nikolaos and many of her followers, making Jean-Claude master of the city. Adaptations On October 20, 2006 a twelve issue comic book adaptation of Guilty Pleasures began, published by Marvel Comics and Dabel Brothers Productions. The set was collected into two volumes starting in 2007, with a complete edition releasing in 2009. Reception The Celebrity Cafe gave the book a positive review, calling it "engaging". Main characters Anita Blake Nikolaos Jean-Claude Edward Phillip References 1993 American novels American erotic novels Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter novels Low fantasy novels Novels set in St. Louis Urban fantasy novels Ace Books books Novels adapted into comics