The vampire Count Saint-Germain undoubtedly founded his creator's fortunes, and Yarbro is now an expert at giving the count's fans what they expect. By no means, however, is she writing the same book again and again. In this one, set in 1912, Saint-Germain is on an ultrasecret diplomatic mission to establish an arms agreement among Russia, England, and Germany. He encounters incredulous politicians, arms dealers, spies, counterspies, and just plain enemies (not all of them human). There is enough intrigue to fill a book half again as long--certainly enough to defeat Saint-Germain, despite his best efforts and the solaces of a young Englishwoman and a Russian countess. However often defeated, Saint-Germain yet slogs grimly on across the pages of history. As long as Yarbro's scholarship and craftsmanship are up to their usual standards, readers will follow.
Submitted by SatinMist
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