When Malcolm, the head of the Church of Eternal Life, asks Anita and Jean-Claude for help from a force he cannot name, she is surprised and confused. But she is even more confused when she finds a package with her name on it that contains a plain white mask.

Jean-Claude tells her to speak of them is death unless you first receive a mask. White is a warning that you are being watched - red or black could mean death. Receiving a white mask from the Harlequin should be good news, so why are members of their group suddenly dying. The Harlequin, police of the vampires, have come to town and no one is safe.

Anita Blake is about to face the challenge of her life. Into her world-a world already overflowing with power-have come creatures so feared that powerful, centuries-old vampires refuse to mention their names. It is forbidden to speak of The Harlequin unless you've been contacted. And to be contacted by The Harlequin is to be under sentence of death. Long-time rivals for Anita's affections, Jean-Claude, Master Vampire of the City, and Richard, alpha-werewolf, will need to become allies. Shapeshifters Nathaniel and Micah will have to step up their support. And then there's Edward. In this situation, Anita knows that she needs to call the one man who has always been there for her...