Description:

Down through the deathless centuries, the vampires had drunk human blood for sustenance and for sport. They preyed where they willed, for no mortal humans could resist their unclean powers. But now came the ultimate perversion, the unthinkable: someone was conscripting the vampires into the secret services of a foreign power.

No government agency or bureaucrat could control the Undead. The idea was absurd, as Dr. James Asher knew all too well.

Years in His Majesty's service had taught Asher the finer points of espionage. And he knew the secrets of the vampires--a familiarity hard-won in unwilling service to Don Simon Ysidro, oldest and most subtle of the hunters of the London night. What Asher didn't know was why one of England's established vampires would risk everything to travel across the European continent at the behest of a ruthless spymaster.

But he could see the terrifying potential of such an unholy alliance...

From the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

The vampire subculture of 19th-century Europe serves as a vehicle for ruminations on love and honor in Hambly's follow-up to Those Who Hunt the Night. The time is 1908, and biologist Lydia Asher is hot on the trail of her husband, James, a former spy and Oxford don who in turn is shadowing Charles Farren, the vampire Earl of Ernchester, and Farren's mortal traveling companion, the nefarious mercenary Ignace Karolyi. Lydia's pursuit of James parallels a similar trek made by Farren's wife, Anthea, who travels in James's company and is as passionately concerned about Farren's welfare as Lydia is about James's. International adventures take these characters from London to Vienna and ultimately to Constantinople, where they become enmeshed in the byzantine political power struggle that has lured Farren there against his will. Although Hambly invests these vampire and mortal personages with the traditional values being threatened by an evolving modern Europe, her vivid portraits allow them to emerge as memorable personalities distinct from the viewpoints they represent. Believable and sympathetic, pursuer and pursued carry the story over its occasional plot muddles and gothic contrivances to a spectacular finale. Hambly covers no ground that hasn't been explored in the historical vampire sagas of Anne Rice and Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, but once again she uses familiar elements skillfully to tell an engrossing tale. 50,000 first printing; author tour.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

YA?Vampire fans looking for a fast-moving, well-plotted tale need look no further. Soon after his cousin's death, James Asher catches a glimpse of Ignace Karolyi quietly exchanging newspapers with an almost-ordinary looking figure. Years in the secret service make Asher aware of what average citizens might miss?Karolyi is in the company of a vampire, and they are headed for Paris. Asher follows them. When his wife receives the message of his whereabouts, she entreats an acquaintance vampire to assist her in tracking her husband, knowing that his life is in danger. Details of Europe at the turn of the century, including politics, manners of the wealthy, and vampire lore, are woven seamlessly into this tale. Well-developed characters, both mortal and immortal, span the range of human behavior. Some are mainly noble; some are definitely nasty. Good entertainment for teens ready to move on to literate, light adult fiction.?Barbara Hawkins, Oakton High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.