A Review of Dead in the Family, Charlaine Harris's Newest Sookie Book

Vampires, werewolves, and fairies, oh my! Sookie Stackhouse has had just about enough of these supernatural people and their drama, but trouble just keeps finding her in Charlaine Harris's newest Southern Vampire Novel, Dead In The Family.

I raced through this book in 24 hours, devouring every minute event in its pages. Then I read it again, because it was over too quickly. It was even better the second time.

Dead In The Family is a solid addition to the Sookie Stackhouse series, but more serious in tone than some of the others. No wonder, considering what happened in the last book. The structure of the book is a little different. It begins with a series of scenes that aren't quite chapters, but are vital to the story. Since the official chapters and the official plot don't start until thirty-seven pages in, this book seems shorter than some of the others, even though it really isn't. Since it seems shorter, the climax feels a little rushed and not entirely motivated. A lot of plot goes on 'offstage,' where Sookie doesn't see it until it's almost too late.

I was pleased that there were more fairies in this book. After Dead And Gone, I thought there would be no more exploration of fae plotlines, since the majority of the creatures left the human world. Not so! I also enjoyed the way Jason has matured. It seems realistic and fascinating.

Charlaine Harris ties up a lot of the loose ends that have been dangling around from previous books, while she sets up some things that are clearly going to become problems for her endearing narrator Sookie in later stories. I heard a rumor that she's signed a contract for at least three more of these novels, and I can't wait to read them. The series is far from losing its zip and zingy freshness.

This is a great addition to the Sookie Stackhouse series, but someone picking up the books for the first time might get completely lost in Dead In The Family. I definitely recommend starting this series from the first book (Dead Until Dark) or else you'll miss an awful lot of backstory and character development.

I also recommend the HBO TV series True Blood, which is based on Sookie's literary adventures. The series is completely different from the books, but really good. I like the character of Bill much better in the TV show.

Dead In The Family is available wherever books are sold. I mean that. I bought mine at Wal-Mart, and their book selection is tiny.