Book 12, 2019

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I spent my mid-week weekend reading Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris. It's the first in the "Sookie Stackhouse" series, although my book is old enough to be marked as the "Southern Vampire" mystery series. Yes, I've had it that long, and yes, it's taken me this long to read it. I suck. Hah!

Sookie lives in the small, Louisiana town of Bon Temps, working as a waitress in a bar and living with her grandmother. Sookie keeps to herself, because of her odd ability to read minds. Not only does it cause her to have anxiety, but it makes the rest of the townsfolk think she's crazy.

When a vampire comes into the bar, Sookie realizes she can't hear his thoughts at all. She finds it refreshing and relaxing. Bill, the vampire, is equally intrigued with Sookie, especially after she risks her life to save his. They begin to spend more time together, but not everyone approves of their odd romance. The situation becomes dire when young women in town are being murdered, women who were known "fang-bangers". When local law enforcement focuses on Sookie's brother, Jason, she becomes desperate to clear his name.

The story was certainly interesting. I haven't watched a single episode of True Blood, which is based on these books, so I was going into the series blind. I think I anticipated it would be paranormal lite, a la Maryjanice Davidson's series about Betsy, the vampire queen. Boy, was I wrong! This book was tough and gritty and dark, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Favorite line: You won't find a vampire in a Ford Fiesta.

Very good, five stars!