Circus of the Damned by Laurell K Hamilton

The provided texts introduce Anita Blake, a "zombie queen" and "vampire slayer" with a dry wit, as she navigates a supernatural St. Louis. Initially, she is hired by two nervous men, Jeremy Ruebens and Karl Inger, to investigate a series of vampire killings, which she quickly deduces are the work of multiple vampires. As the narrative unfolds, Anita finds herself entangled with powerful supernatural beings, including the Master Vampire Jean-Claude and a dangerous lamia, while also reluctantly taking on a young, inexperienced animator, Larry, as her apprentice. Throughout these events, Anita battles for her life, confronts her complicated relationships with both humans and monsters, and ultimately faces a climactic confrontation at the "Circus of the Damned" where the city's supernatural factions vie for power, forcing her to make difficult and violent choices.