Synopsis: If you think your family relationships are complicated, think again: you haven’t seen anything like the ones in Bon Temps, Louisiana. Sookie Stackhouse is dealing with a whole host of family problems, ranging from her own kin (a non-human fairy and a telepathic second cousin) demanding a place in her life, to her lover Eric’s vampire sire, an ancient being, who arrives with Eric’s ‘brother’ in tow at a most inopportune moment. And Sookie’s tracking down a distant relation of her ailing neighbour (and ex), Vampire Bill Compton. In addition to the multitude of family issues complicating her life, the werewolf pack of Shreveport has asked Sookie for a special favour, and since Sookie is an obliging young woman, she agrees. But this favour for the wolves has dire results for Sookie, who is still recovering from the trauma of her abduction during the Fairy War.

When first I read the title of this latest book I admit I did worry a little. The book is a little stronger than its predecessors, albeit with some convenient ties being created to draw together conclusions for previously key characters.

Bill is very ill and only the blood of his maker can restore him to health – well that and a conveniently created sibling who just happens to look like his wife.  Bless your heart, are we intending a romantic Bill-Judith/wifelookalike to firmly taken him out of Sookie´s life for good but without upseting Bill fanatics? I think so. Please, Alan Ball, if by some very fat chance you do read this – do not conclude Bill´s history in the TV show True Blood in such a manner. If it really comes to it allow him to die for Sookie – sharp emotional shock and plenty of opportunity for Sookie to whine about his death as well.

OK, perhaps this was overly critical, but its just a personal preference.

Dead in the Family leaves open several plot angles for the next book which I look forward to in a slightly more diminished way. For me the books have gone on a little too long and whilst I thirst for knowledge of Sookie´s conclusion it isnt with rapt enthusiasm anymore.

A good read, pleasurable… but didnt exactly rock my boat from beginning to end.

Synopsis: Now it’s the turn of the weres and shifters to follow the lead of the undead and reveal their existence to the ordinary world. Sookie Stackhouse already knows about them, of course – her brother turns into a panther at the full moon, she’s friend to the local Were pack and Sam, her boss at Merlotte’s bar, is a shifter. At first the great Were revelation seems to go well – then the horribly mutilated body of a were-panther is found outside Merlotte’s. Though Sookie never cared that much for the victim, no one deserves such a horrible death, so she agrees to use her telepathic talent to track down the murderer. But what Sookie doesn’t realise is that there is a far greater danger than this killer threatening Bon Temps: a race of unhuman beings, older, more powerful and far more secretive than the vampires or the werewolves is preparing for war . . .

The last few books have been very transitional in the Sookieverse – they are becoming darker for sure, and I get the feeling their are changes in store for Sookie as she grows as a person.

Thoroughly attached to Sookie as I am I find it easy to empathise with her, and as such this book in particular was an emotional roller coaster especially towards the end. That said I did feel the author is perhaps growing a little tired of the characters – it was a slight impression towards the end, a stark sign of desperation as she attempts to change some elements maybe distateful for her. It is as though her feelings for the sookieverse are seeping through to her writing.

I still enjoyed it – being as enjoyable and engaging as the others in the series. If I were to be truly honest, and I realise this is likely to open me up for serious criticism from Harris fans, I still prefer to the path True Blood is taking and I am looking forward to their intended storylines more than the next editions of this series.

Synopsis: The supernatural community in Bon Temps, Louisiana is reeling from two hard blows: the natural disaster of Hurricane Katrina, and the manmade horror of the explosion at the vampire summit in the up-north city of Rhodes. Sookie Stackhouse is safe but dazed, and she’s yearning for things to get back to normal. But that’s just not happening. Too many vampires – some friends, some not – were killed or injured, and her were-tiger boyfriend Quinn is among the missing. It’s clear that things are changing, whether the weres and vamps like it or not. And Sookie, Friend to the Pack, blood-bonded to the leader of the local vampire community, is caught up in those changes. She’s about to find herself facing danger and death and, not for the first time, betrayal by someone she loves. And when the fur has finished flying and the cold blood has stopped flowing, Sookie’s world will be forever altered . . .

Poor Sookie, she never has it easy does she?

I found the beginning amusing, most particularly the first sentence “If this was “The Lord of the Rings” and I had a smart British voice like Cate Blanchett, I could tell you the background of the events of that fall in a really suspenseful way.”

I enjoyed it but I am forced to echo statements read elsewhere – it reads like an “inbetween book”, here it what has occured and here I am preparing for what is still to come. I still feel the last few books have been an authors way of extending a series beyond its natural conclusion and this, for me, is never a good idea. To drag stories out is to weaken them and several of the Sookie Stackhouse novels have been guilty of doing so – this is not to say I have not enjoyed them because I have – I just feel, perhaps, they could have been stronger books had their been fewer of them or had she included some meatier diversions.

Description: Sookie’s beginning to get used to being surrounded by all varieties of undead, changeling, shapeshifting and other supernatural beings – but even she has her limits. She’d really like to take a while to get over being betrayed by Bill, her long-time vampire lover, and get used to her new relationship with the sexy shapeshifter Quinn – but instead, she finds herself attending the long-planned vampire summit, the destination of choice for every undead power player around, as a sort-of human ‘Geiger counter’ for Sophie-Anne Leclerq, vampire queen of Louisiana. But the job is fraught with difficulties. Sophie-Anne’s power base has been severely weakened by Hurricane Katrina, and she’s about to be put on trial during the event for murdering her king. Sookie knows the queen is innocent, but she’s hardly prepared for other shocking murders: it looks like there are some vamps who would like to finish what nature started. With secret alliances and backroom deals the order of the day – and night – Sookie must decide which side she’ll stand with, and quickly, for her choice may mean the difference between survival and all-out catastrophe.

If I were to provide a summary of All Together Dead in Charlaine Harris style I would say it is “Definitely Darker” (all puns intended). Sure, Sookie has never really had it easier, being faced with danger at every step but there is a definitely step up to the mark in this one – and I cannot say it bodes for an easier future for our favourite telepathic waitress.

Although I enjoyed the book I do feel the author is trying to drag out a series of books way beyond their natural conclusion. The Sookieverse could have been far stronger if it had been kept to maybe 6 – 8 books, maybe even less. Its a bit like TV shows or movie franchises which attempt sequel after sequel only to find their fanbase dwindles almost as rapidly as their storylines weaken. Later books are a little stronger and I feel sure she could have found a way to produce fewer but stronger books.

That said I admire Charlaine´s drive and writing style. If I could be half as succesful in my writing career as she has been I would be one happy wee lassy!

Get back to the nitty gritty stuff and stop them vampires yacking about politics Charlaine! We want more sookie nookie.