Review: Dead In The Family by: Charlaine Harris

Title: Dead In The Family
Author: Charlaine Harris
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: May 4, 2010
Format: Hardcover ($32.50 CDN)
Age Group: Adult
Other book in the series: Click here for a listing of books 1-10
Book:  Provided by Penguin Group

From the Publisher: 

After enduring torture and the loss of loved ones during the brief but deadly Faery War, Sookie Stackhouse is hurt and she's angry. Just about the only bright spot in her life is the love she thinks she feels for vampire Eric Northman. But he's under scrutiny by the new Vampire King because of their relationship. And as the political implications of the Shifters coming out are beginning to be felt, Sookie's connection to the Shreveport pack draws her into the debate. Worst of all, though the door to Faery has been closed, there are still some Fae on the human side-and one of them is angry at Sookie. Very, very angry...

My Review (almost spoiler free):

When I first came upon a Sookie Stackhouse novel in the bookstore I was put off by the covers.  I try not to judge a book by it's cover but I have never been drawn to "cartoonish" book jackets and so I passed up on this series far to many times.  When I watched the first episode of True Blood on HBO I was immediately hooked and from the very first chapter of the first book I was became a devoted fan of Charlaine Harris and the Sookie Stackhouse series.

I received a copy of the tenth book in the series, Dead In The Family a week before its release date courtesy of Penguin Group Canada.  I am not in the least bit ashamed to admit that when I opened up the thick manila envelope and found the newest Sookie book inside I jumped up and down like a school girl.  From start to finish I devoured this book within the day and although it doesn't measure up to my favorite Sookie book (Dead To The World Book 4) it was a very entertaining read and has temporarily provided me with my Sookie fix.  As always I immensely enjoyed Charlaine Harris's writing style.  I love the flow of her writing and how through the smooth and often humourous inner dialogue and interaction between character, the personalities of Sookie and the gang truly pop off the page and come alive.  I had hoped for a little more steamy "romantic" scenes between Sookie and the delicious Eric Northman but things got a little complicated between Eric and Sookie due to some unexpected guests to the town of Bon Temps. 


I did feel like the plot of this book wasn't as complex as I would have liked.  In this novel the focus wasn't on one particular character or event but rather a little bit on multiple ones.  Throughout the chapters you get exposed to another side of Sookie's Faery cousin Claude who comes to Sookie for help after the death of Claudine.  I particularly enjoyed the development of Sookie's relationship to one of her remaining family members as well as a scene where Sookie comes to the aid of Alicde Herveaux, the Alpha of Shreveport werewolf pack. 

Overall I did enjoy this book but I felt it lacked some of the spunk, pizzazz and drama of the previous Sookie novels.  If your a fan of the Sookie series I am fairly certain that you won't be disappointed as Charlaine Harris just can't write a bad novel but she sets the bar very high for herself and this one just didn't quite meet my expectations. Regardless I am an unshakable and devoted fan of Charlaine Harris and the Sookie Stackhouse series and the long wait until the next book is released stretches before me and all of her devoted fans. 

My Rating: