Title: Dead in the Family
Author: Charlaine Harris
First published May 4, 2010
320 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780441018642 (ISBN10: 0441018645)
Rating: 3.89
Overview
Family matters are taking over Sookie Stackhouse’s life once again. From her fairy cousin demanding her attention to her vampire lover’s sire coming to town with his ‘brother’, Sookie’s plate is full.
To add to the chaos, Sookie finds herself searching for a distant relative of her ex-boyfriend, Vampire Bill. As if that isn’t enough, the werewolf pack of Shreveport needs Sookie’s help which leads to disastrous consequences.
With all these family issues weighing on her, Sookie must navigate through the turmoil while still recovering from the aftermath of the Fairy War. Join Sookie in her latest adventure as she tries to keep her family together and stay alive.
About the Author
Charlaine Harris has been sharing her stories with the world for over 35 years. She grew up in the Mississippi Delta, surrounded by cotton fields, and now resides in Texas where her children and grandchildren live nearby.
Charlaine started out writing ghost stories, but in college, she expanded her writing to include poetry and plays. Her husband’s support allowed her to write full-time, resulting in two published stand-alone books.
After taking a break to have children, Charlaine moved on to writing series, beginning with a mystery series featuring a Georgia librarian named Aurora Teagarden. This series was nominated for an Agatha award.
Charlaine then wrote a darker series set in Shakespeare, Arkansas, featuring a heroine who survived a traumatic attack. When she realized these series weren’t going to be groundbreaking, Charlaine decided to write a story that she had always wanted to tell.
This led to the creation of the popular Sookie Stackhouse series, which blends genres to create an exciting adventure for readers. Additionally, Charlaine wrote the Harper Connelly series concurrently with the Sookie novels.
After the Sookie series ended, Charlaine wrote the “Midnight, Texas” books which were adapted into a television series. The Aurora Teagarden series was also adapted by Hallmark Movie & Mystery.
Charlaine is a member of several professional organizations and an Episcopalian. She currently lives on a cliff overlooking the Brazos River with her two rescue dogs.
Editoral Review
Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris is a thrilling addition to the Sookie Stackhouse series, a collection of supernatural fantasy novels that have sparked a TV adaptation in HBOs True Blood. The novel was first published on May 4, 2010 and has gained a cult following among fans of the genre.
In this latest installment, Harris explores the complex relationships between the human and supernatural worlds. The story picks up from where the previous installment left off, with our protagonist, Sookie Stackhouse, dealing with the aftermath of a werewolf attack.
As she tries to cope with the trauma, she is forced to confront the prejudices and dangers of a world where vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural creatures coexist with humans. Harriss writing style is compelling, with a fast-paced narrative that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end.
Her characters are well-developed, with unique personalities and backstories that add depth to the story. The setting of the story, the small Southern town of Bon Temps, Louisiana, is vividly portrayed, with its quirky inhabitants and supernatural inhabitants alike.
One of the strengths of the book is its exploration of themes that are highly relevant to contemporary society, such as discrimination, acceptance, and diversity. Harris tackles these issues with subtlety and nuance, without sacrificing the thrilling elements of the story.
She shows how prejudice and intolerance can lead to violence and hatred, and how compassion and understanding can bridge the gap between different groups. Overall, Dead in the Family is a highly entertaining and thought-provoking read.
Harris delivers a gripping story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, while also exploring important themes that resonate with our current cultural climate. If youre a fan of supernatural fantasy or looking for a thrilling, well-written novel, this book is highly recommended.
However, the book has a few weaknesses. For one, the plot structure can be predictable at times, and the pacing can feel slow in some parts.
Additionally, some of the characters feel underdeveloped, with their motivations and personalities not fully explored. But despite these flaws, the novel still manages to be a satisfying read.
I would recommend Dead in the Family to fans of supernatural fantasy and anyone looking for a thrilling, fast-paced novel with important themes. The book is a great addition to the Sookie Stackhouse series and will keep you engaged from start to finish.
I would give the book a rating of 8 out of 10, based on its compelling storytelling, well-developed characters, and exploration of relevant themes.
