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With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. Sookie suspects otherwise, but her attention is divided when she realizes that her lover, Eric Northman, and his "child" Pam are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, Sookie is drawn into the plot-which is much more complicated than she knows...
There are some problems that Sookie Stackhouse can't ignore; for one, the firebombing that she witnessed at Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Of course, true to form, our favorite telepath also has other dangerous things on her mind; for example, her Significant Other Eric Northman and his "child" Pam seem intent on killing their vampire master. And beyond that, as usual, things quickly become absorbingly complicated. Sometimes it just doesn't pay to have special gifts. A Barnes & Noble Bestseller; now in mass market paperback and NOOK Book. (P.S. Charlaine Harris' Stackhouse novels are the basis of HBO's hit drama True Blood, which begins its fifth season in June.)
— James Killen
Charlaine Harris writes both fantasies and mysteries. She lives in southern Arkansas with her family.
After her early success, Harris released the first installment in a series of lighthearted mysteries starring spunky, small-town Georgia librarian, true crime enthusiast, and amateur sleuth Aurora Teagarden. When Aurora debuted in Real Murders (1990), Publishers Weekly welcomed "a heroine as capable and potentially complex as P. D. James's Cordelia Gray." The book went on to receive an Agatha Award nomination.
Anxious for another challenge, Harris began a second series in 1996. Darker and edgier than the Teagarden novels, these mysteries featured taciturn, 30-something housecleaner Lily Bard, a woman with a complicated past who has moved to the small town of Shakespeare, Arkansas, to find peace and solitude. The first novel, Shakespeare's Landlord, was well-received. BookList raved: "Harris has created an intriguing new character in this solidly plotted story." [Much to the disappointment of her fans, Harris concluded the Lilly Bard sequence in 2001 with Shakespeare's Counselor.]
Although Harris achieved moderate success with these two series (which she laughingly describes as "cozies with teeth"), she would hit the jackpot in 2001 with Dead Until Dark, a sly, spoofy paranormal mystery starring a telepathic Louisiana cocktail waitress named Sookie Stackhouse, who falls in love with a vampire named Bill. The novel, a delightful hybrid of mystery, science fiction, and romance, was an instant hit with critics. ("Harris' Sookie has the potential to attract more readers than Hamilton's Anita Blake," raved the dark fantasy magazine Cemetery Dance.) Readers, too, adored the Southern Vampire Series and have rewarded the author with bestseller after bestseller. (In 2008, the Sookie saga came to HBO in a top-rated television adaptation, True Blood, starring Anna Paquin.)
With 2006's Grave Sight, Harris added yet another fascinating character to her stable -- a young woman named Harper Connelly whose youthful encounter with a lightning bolt has left her with the ability to find corpses and determine how they died. In addition to juggling characters and plots for her popular series, Harris has also contributed short stories and novellas to several anthologies of paranormal fantasy fiction.
"I'm really a boring person. My family (my husband and three children) is the most important thing in my life. I go to bed early, I get up early. I love to go to the movies with my husband. My favorite things about finally making some money as a writer are (a) I can buy as many books as I want, and (b) I can hire a maid. The first job I had was working in an offset darkroom at a very small newspaper. I stood on a concrete floor all day and made minimum wage -- which then was $1.60 an hour. I hated it, and I learned a lot, though not necessarily about working in a darkroom. So being a writer is much better."
I bought the Nook book version of Dead Reckoning and read it pretty much straight through. Though it is another fun installment, I feel like there wasn't enough plot and character development to really warrant this book (or the price). This book occurs around two weeks after the end of the last. Too much felt like a re-hash of previous books; Eric's preoccupied, Jannalynn is vicious, Tara's pregnant, Claude is an ass. Editing was sub-par, things were repeated several times using practically the same words. Dead and Gone had a lot going on, and now the last two books were sort of slow. I understand that Ms. Harris can't have really crazy stuff happening each time, like vampire summits and fairy abductions, and maybe this is just a "set-up" book for the next installment and we'll get a jump forward next time. I certainly hope so, because character development has come to a screeching halt between Dead in the Family and Dead Reckoning.
151 out of 157 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.ScarletSeraphim
Posted May 3, 2011
I've been a devoted fan of the Southern Vampire series since began. I've waited anxiously for each new book and developed a sort of trust in Charlaine Harris; I knew there was going to be a thrilling and fun adventure between the covers. I wish I could say this book was a continuation of long term happy relationship between reader and author, but I can't. I don't know what happened here--but this book was just okay. True there are some brilliant spots, moments of terrific imagination. The twist regarding Eric's maker and the maker's meddling certainly makes the outcome of a happily ever for Sookie and Eric anything but a certainty--It's a big time OMG! revelation. There are always questions as to what will happen next at the end of a Sookie book, however, this is the first time I'm both vexed and frustrated by the ending. The story was story arc was so weak, I felt like my order for a rich descendant dessert had been snatched away leaving me with a hard granola bar, it was a huge let down. I missed the Bon Temp rhythm of everyday life that always hums under the clashes. For me those little background stories tug my mind's eye and make Sookie's world real. Perhaps this was a rush book or a bridge book as in one that begins to lay the foundation for the big finale. Who knows? But at a cost of 14.99 for 274 pages in an e-book I expected more. I'm not ready to throw in the towel, I'll be back for the last installments, disappointed I may be, but I still want to know how the story ends. I'll also be hoping the promise of ebooks being cheaper is a reality and not marketing hype for the publishers.
88 out of 89 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.aruiz1229
Posted May 6, 2011
It seems ms. harris isn't as passionate to the sookie stackhouse series as she had been in the past. If she has grown bored with the series, she should just end it. The book was too short, could have been more developed, and while authors tend to leave books in cliff hangers, this one lacked a resolution. It was definitely not up to par with other books from the series, I was pretty disappointed. Just because a book is popular, doesn't mean the company should be milking it with these expensive prices that only result in resentful customers.
60 out of 61 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 3, 2011
I don't think I've ever been disappointed in a Sookie book, but this one definately made me feel like I wasted my money and time. Yes, we learned about Sookie's past, and there were changes, but overall this book did nothing to really advance the storyline in a positive way. I really hope Charlaine Harris puts more into the next book.
51 out of 52 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 5, 2011
Too many subplots without any apparent connection between them. There isn't a climax, the novel just ends abruptly. I've been a fan for many years, but this is the second novel in a row that was subpar.
45 out of 46 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.theReader278
Posted June 29, 2011
I Also Recommend:
I loved reading this series!They will keep you entertained for hours.
19 out of 19 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 8, 2011
Dear @FANGBANGER, Charlaine Harris as made available the first chapter of DEAD RECKONING through her website. I read it the other day and I find it simply awesome!!!!! We even get to read a bit of ERIC in the first chapter... hehehe
19 out of 28 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.PaleFenix
Posted May 4, 2011
I really felt this book went nowhere. This could have been a short story in regards to content. The story did not progress much and nothing too exciting happened. It was pure character developement with little plot. I really hope the next book returns to the usual wonderful level of writing I have come to expect from Ms. Harris.
10 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 4, 2011
i have all of sookie stackhouse stories and loved them! this book seemed incomplete. it had many possibilities but other than a look at sookie's past..... that's it. what about her crazy relationships with her lovers? alcide again? where did that come from? i felt there was no depth to the story and read the book because i'm a true fan...... maybe the next one will be better......
9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.What I find sad is that people are reviewing a book based on the PRICE, most of them before it was even released, which isn't fair to others who base their reading material off reviews that are supposed to be about the BOOK. Everyone can see what the price is, we don't need reviews on it. If you don't like it, get the book from the library or wait for the price to go down!
With that said, I will say that this is probably one of my favorite Sookie books. A lot of questions are answered and a lot of new questions arise. This won't be the last book. There were times I was laughing out loud and times I about wanted to cry. Can't wait for the net one!
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.VampireGirl0374
Posted January 23, 2011
I recommend this book for anyone who loves vampire stories and mysteries. Charlaine Harris is a very good writer, and when I read her stories, I feel as though I am there. In each book, Sookie goes on an adventure, but not always getting hurt or needing help to stay alive. Mrs. Harris gives lots of details about all the characters even though the story is told through Sookie's eyes and mind. 'Dead in the Family' was not as exciting as the other novels, but it gave us lots of information that we need for the upcoming story. Plus it left us hanging with an important question. I am very excited to get 'Dead Reckoning' in hopes that my question will be answered. This book and the next 2 in her series are destined to be worth the wait.
6 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 9, 2011
I have never been a big reader! I had watched all three seasons of True Blood before I even knew about the novels! But, when I picked the first one up, I couldn't put it down! And so and so forth til I had read every one! They are just awesome! Sometimes I wish my life was as exhilarating and erotic as Sookie's!! I can't wait for the next novel and season!!
6 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.theReader278
Posted July 16, 2011
I Also Recommend:
As a fan of Charlaine Harris, I had to buy this book and it was fantastic. It has a story that keeps you entertained for hours.
5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.hsb10
Posted May 23, 2011
This whole book of 245 pages was just a jumbled waste of time. I have been a fan of Sookie and have read every book and watched all three seasons of TRU BLOOD. After waiting for one year for this book, I am sorry I did. This was like eating cardboard when you wanted chocolate
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 3, 2011
I just finished reading this and am walking away saying "Ms Harris didn't get the book done before her publishing deadline." Without spoiling the book I can't go into details, but will say Sookie hasn't come to any resolutions in this one there are hints but everything seems to hang for her. Eric gets to resolve some issues, and Bill comes to some realizations- but what does poor Sookie get--- nothing. Ms. Harris please take the time, write a longer book and give us some resolutions to some hanging questions next time!
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 18, 2011
Sorry the last book of this Series # 10 was HORRIBLE. Mrs. Harris is just writing to write, the first 9 series where great. But now I think it's time to STOP.. Mostly what she is writing now is ridiculous rubbish, Sookie is becoming a bit annoying and the story has no plot.
4 out of 10 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.JodiJoJJ
Posted May 22, 2011
This book did not justify the price. It is a short book that did not move the story forward- sad.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 12, 2011
Book publishers -- not Barnes & Noble -- set the prices on their books (hardcover, softcover, audio, and digital). Tell the publisher -- in this case Penguin Group USA -- that you object to the ebook price and will not pay it!
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted May 3, 2011
I found this book to not be as good as the first 10 books in this series. I went out and bought the hardcover copy this morning and read it by tonight. I did not want to put it down hoping something in it would peek my interest. I can say I am disapointed in this one.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Are you serious? This book hasn't even come out yet, and you bozos are giving it a poor review? Shut up until it's out! THEN you can give whatever review you want.
3 out of 13 people found this review helpful.
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Overview
With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. Sookie suspects otherwise, but her attention is divided when she realizes that her lover, Eric Northman, and his "child" Pam are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, Sookie is drawn into the plot-which is much more complicated than she knows...