After police accidentally shoot to death an innocent collector of expensive toys, Detectives Goren and Eames discover that the victim might have fallen prey to a conniving vixen who trolls sci-fi and vampire conventions in sexy outfits looking for lonely men who have massed rare and valuable collections desired by cult-like fans. The detectives attend a costume ball for fans of a "crypt club" and find a death-obsessed secret society -- some of whom could be responsible for a real murder.

When the "little black book" of an infamous hedonistic playboy is purchased at auction, the new owner is found murdered and the book stolen -- prompting Detectives Goren and Eames to consider a U.S. Senatorial candidate whose marital indiscretions are documented in the tome and could provide embarrassing fodder for his rivals. The detectives must tweak their theory when the extortionist responsible for the original crimes turns up with two bullet holes in his back.