Dead in the Family: A True Blood Novel [Hardcover]

First Sentence: "I feel bad that I'm leaving you like this," Amelia said.

The Fae War is over and Sookie is recovering from her injuries. In spite of the door to the Fae World being closed, it seems not all the faeries have left. Her cousin, Claude, has decided to move in with her, she suspects her great-uncle Dermot may still be around and, perhaps, one other. Sookie's vampire lover, Eric, is also still recovering. Although he is pleased when his "maker" appears, Sookie isn't happy particularly with vampire child of Russian nobility who is with him.

As if that's not enough, Sookie tries to help a human child who shares her telepathic abilities, is asked to act as Shaman for the Wares and everyone is concerned about a government bill which would require all Wares and Shifters to register as such.

It is interesting that, while many people didn't like this book, I felt it was one of the better books in the series.

The consistent thread was families, all types of families, and the relationships within them. For that reason, I felt there was more depth to this book than some. At the same time, it is not easy to take vampires, wares, faeries and humans and make the paranormal seem normal, realistic and logical. Harris does it with style, aplomb and humour.

The book deals more with characters and less with edge-of-the-seat action. Most of the gang is here but there is just enough detail provided about each character for new readers. Harris makes you believe in these characters. More than that, she makes you cheer for the "good" characters and when Sookie says she wants one of the "bad" characters to die; so, too, do you.

Harris' descriptions provide such a strong sense of place that when she talks about Sookie sitting on the front porch, you can smell the coffee and hear the birds. Unfortunately, that also works for the less-than-pleasant descriptions as well so it is not a book for the easily queasy. To me, it's that contrast that makes it work.

This wasn't as much of a graphic action or sex plot as some, although certainly enough to satisfy. This was a more introspective book for Sookie with the emotions conveyed being tangible. It also felt a transition book for Ms. Harris--the series growing up, if you will, and relationships developing.

I know Ms. Harris has planned out where the series is going. There is no question but that I shall be going along with her.

DEAD IN THE FAMILY (Para Susp-Sookie Stackhouse-Louisiana-Cont) - VG
Harris, Charlaine - 10th in series
ACE Books, ©2010, US Hardcover - ISBN: 9780441018642

Dead in the Family is the highly anticipated tenth novel in the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. Sookie is once again having to help out the local werewolf pack and deal with unruly vampires. At the same time she is reconnecting with those that she stopped having proper relationships with when she delved deeper into the supernatural world.

In this book we meet Eric's maker, Appius, and his new brother, Alexei. We are introduced to another child of Lorena's, who may or may not be able to help Bill's ongoing silver poisoning. Claude moves in with Sookie and we get to see a different side to him. Hunter returns and the moments with him are very warm and cute.

Alcide once again gets Sookie involved in pack matters and when she is meant to just be on the sidelines. She gets hauled in and is butt deep in weres before she can say `bite me'. The ever growing pack are on edge constantly in this book until it comes to a climax, but the threat is still there. Now they need to decide how to get rid of it.

Bill is in some serious pain and needs help. He has started giving up on everything, life and even his work. Sookie feels real bad for him and wants to help, but she doesn't know how. Eventually Sookie gets an idea and tries her hand at helping him.

Appius is a force to be reckoned with and Sookie doesn't like him one bit. Being around him as well as Eric's new sibling, it sets Sookie at unease. She can feel what Eric is feeling and it doesn't help matters. Eric's brother needs help, but the question is will he take the help provided or bite the hand that feeds him?

Trouble is brewing in Shreveport and soon it's going to become a storm. Eric and Sookie are feeling the strain of Eric's family, Appius and Alexei, being around but with this added stress it soon takes a toll on their time together. Sookie wants the trouble maker dead, but does she get her wish?

My favourite part of this book was the first time, I think, Sookie takes us to Eric's house and they basically lunge for each other as you would if you had not seen one another for a long period of time. The description of Eric's house was amazing and you just know that a man with that much money and power has to have some serious taste and he does. Also I like the moment between Sookie and Pam when she is driving Sookie back to Bon Temps after seeing Eric.

I was very happy to find out that one of my speculations regarding the fairy that wants to do Sookie harm was right. This made my day when I read about who the fairy was and why they wanted to hurt Sookie, I practically punched my fist in the air with glee.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I thought it lacked the action as previous books but I am sure Charlaine is building up to this. Dead in the Family wrapped up some loose ends regarding Sookie and Eric's feeling towards one another, Sookie's relationship with Bill and Alcide and getting her life back on track. Eventually Sookie's life starts to take on a more normal appearance. Well as normal as a mind reader, dating a very powerful vampire that happens to be her husband and being related to fairy's can be.

Disclaimer: I bought this book with my own money. I have not been paid to review this book and everything I have said is of my own honest opinion.

I have just finished Dead in the Family and felt I wanted to write a review as I disagree quite a lot with the other reviews so far. Firstly, what I will agree on is that this novel really isn't for a brand new Sookie fan and probably doesn't have enough action for those new to her stories. What I will say though is that having been a devoted fan since the beginning of the series I finished the last book feeling quite low and dejected (I am aware she is only a character but 9 books in and you get a feel for the girl). All the goodness, charm and easy going qualities that made her the character we all love were being knocked out of her (sometimes literally), one disaster after another and it was taking it's toll. By the end of book 9 I wasn't sure what kind of Sookie we were going to encounter in 'Dead in the Family'.
In this book Sookie finally gets a well deserved break, as do a few other popular characters who have had a tough time throughout the series and although we are seeing an emotionally tougher Sookie, her inner qualities are starting to recover throughout and by the end the scene has been set for a pretty amazing book 11. It's just horrid we shall have to wait another year for it. There is also a nice feeling in the fact that after having had her trust betrayed so many times previously she spends a lot of time here building bridges with the people she loves the most which again makes for quite a refreshing change. There are a lot of little sub-plots but I feel this is a device to keep all our favourite characters involved and I like that some get solved and some will spill over to the next books. All in all, I would definitely recommend to any Sookie fans and I think Charlaine Harris has done another great job. Like I said, Not as adventurous as some of her other efforts but a nice little stop gap between major story lines.