The title character is a powerful witch, Merrick Mayfair, a distant or estranged relative of the Mayfair Witches from Rice's Witch novels. Since the death of her guardian grandmother, Merrick has been the ward of David and his organization. One section of Merrick seems like a veritable Anne Rice bibliography, annotated by David, who after all is a scholar. One amusing note is that Lestat and his coven feel they can create autobiographic books and other vampiric art openly, because it will never be believed. Their publicity does cause some hubbub, however.
Media attention attracts younger, uncouth vamps to New Orleans.
Vampire Elders have to kill or drive them away to prevent their excess feeding from attracting undue attention. This is not an action-packed book. I'd say it moves with the speed of congealed blood. The climax is fine, but not surprising. For most of the story, David and Louis energetically promise and proclaim that they won't throw a character into the briar patch.