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The Laughing Corpse Book Summary and Study Guide

Detailed plot synopsis reviews of The Laughing Corpse


Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter and Necromancer, finds herself being hired by a local millionaire named Harold Gaynor who was her to raise a 300 year old corpse, for which he will pay her millions for her services and provide the human sacrifice needed to complete the task. , Anita declines, much to her boss Burt's dismay.
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Before she is able to make it home, Anita receives word of a murder by Dolph, the head of the SCU (Supernatural Crimes Unit). The gruesome crime scene is the signature work of a flesh-eating zombie as an entire family is completely torn to pieces minus a missing child. Anita knows of only one other person besides herself that could raise and control a zombie with such power—Dominga Salvador.

Determined to get to the bottom of this bloody affair, Anita meets with Dominga and her friend and mentor Manny Rodriguez, it is during this encounter Anita comes to the realization that Dominga is not only powerful but filled with an evil darkness unlike she has ever felt. Dominga reveals to Anita how she can entrap souls and place them in the bodies of zombies so they can't decay and continue to punish the dead. She offers for Anita to join her in her quest but Anita refuses. Furious, Dominga unleashes a demonic creature and Anita Flees.

Later that night Anita decides to search the cemetery where remains were found of one of the family members and through use of her necromancer powers finds a recently defiled grave. Here she finds a charm bracelet and through her powers is able to unveil that the woman was used as a human sacrifice to raise a zombie. Disturbed but tired, Anita heads home to finally get some sleep. Unfortunately, a good night sleep is the last on the list for Anita as she awakens to find two zombies in her bedroom ready to attack. Anita fights for her life and escapes and meets up with her best friend Ronnie where they are both attacked by a group of thugs who attempt to kidnap them. Anita and Ronnie elude their kidnappers and Anita reveals the thugs were working for none other than Gaynor.

Furious, Anita heads to the red light district teamed with Jean-Claude and learn more of Gaynor's plan who is determined to find a family relic in an attempt for revenge. Anita is forced leave her personal investigation early as she is called to a crime scene fresh enough that it is possible the zombie is hiding in the area. The possessed zombie is found to be on of Dominga's and the police confront her and arrest her with the hopes of the terror to finally come to an end.

However, this is not be, for since when is Anita's life picture perfect? After getting back to her apartment, Anita is kidnapped and taken to Dominga's home where has been released from prison after being bailed out. Gaynor arrives and has hired Dominga to raise the relative since Anita wouldn't. Dominga asks once again to combine powers with Anita but she refuses and manages to kill the guards holding her hostage and tries to escape. She makes it as far as the cemetery where she is confronted by Dominga again who demands she perform the spell and raise the zombie. Anita uses all of her powers to kill Dominga and Gaynor. She then puts all of the zombies back into the earth and finally retreats home for a good night sleep.
Best part of story, including ending: I loved the fight sequences and zombie action. Anita is a truly strong character. My only issue with this story was the violence was brutally graphic.

Best scene in story: The chase sequence at Domina Salvador's where Anita is pursued by an unseen creature. It was a terrifying few pages.

Opinion about the main character: Anita is cynical and therefore does not come from a happy place. It would be nice to see her lighter side.

The review of this Book prepared by Jason Macumber a Level 4 Yellow-Headed Blackbird scholar

Chapter Analysis of The Laughing Corpse

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Plot & Themes

Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence 60%planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives 20%Feelings, relationships, character bio/development 10%Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places 10% Tone of book    -   scarey (primal ax-wielding fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?    -   fantasy story on current Earth Is this an adult or child's book?    -   Adult or Young Adult Book Horror story?    -   Yes Horror plotlets    -   the zombie chased me!

Main Character

Identity:    -   Female Profession/status:    -   police/lawman Age:    -   20's-30's If magical mental powers:    -   clairvoyant Really unusual traits?    -   Extremely cynical or arrogant

Setting

Earth setting:    -   current (early 21st century) Takes place on Earth?    -   Yes

Writing Style

Accounts of torture and death?    -   very explicit references to deaths and torture scientific jargon? (SF only)    -   a moderate amount of scientific explanation How much dialogue?    -   roughly even amounts of descript and dialog

Books with storylines, themes & endings like The Laughing Corpse

Laurell K. Hamilton Books Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).
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