Review: Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris

Title: Living Dead in Dallas 

Author:  Charlaine Harris 
Publisher: Ace Books

Publishing Date: March 26th, 2002

Pages: 291
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance/Paranormal Mystery

Series:  Sookie Stackhouse #2
Source:  Audio

 

Cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse is having a streak of bad luck. First, her co-worker is killed, and no one seems to care. Then she comes face-to-face with a beastly creature that gives her a painful and poisonous lashing. Enter the vampires, who graciously suck the poison from her veins (like they didn't enjoy it).
The point is: they saved her life. So when one of the bloodsuckers asks for a favor, she obliges - and soon Sookie's in Dallas, using her telepathic skills to search for a missing vampire. She's supposed to interview certain humans involved, but she makes one condition: the vampires must promise to behave and let the humans go unharmed. But that's easier said than done, and all it takes is one delicious blonde and one small mistake for things to turn deadly...

This is the second book by Charlaine Harris in the Sookie Stackhouse series. I enjoyed this book. Maybe even more than the first. I did see the show before I read this book so I kind of saw some things coming, but of course there were some changes. I think I am going to really enjoy this series. There was a bit more mystery in this one and bit more layers of the characters coming undone. Lots of romance, action, and trouble for Sookie. 

Sookie and Bill are now an official item. The town knows, their friends know, the other vampires know. Everyone knows. Everything is going reat until they aren't. Isn't that the basis for all stories.

Sookie is attacked but some crazy creature lady thing in the woods which poisons her. Vampires are the only ones that could save her and in return ask for a favor which of course leads to danger. There is something suspicious going on and it has to do with a very powerful and old vampire. He is missing and Sookie needs to go undercover to uncover the truth. 

I think this one was a bit better than the first. I really feel I was able to get to know the characters a bit better, a bit deeper in this book. Not just Sookie either. I was able to see a bit more of Erik and his goons, friends, or whatever they are called. 

I wasn't just able to make more of an acquaintance with the characters, the story seemed a little deeper and filled with much more action. It was more complex. I enjoyed the mystery, the new crazies, and the possible paths the books might be taking. 

Sookie was a bit better in this book. Still annoying at times. I do like her as a character. She is tough and brave at times but sometimes she is a bit whiny and over emotional. I would really like to see her make decisions more on fact and not emotion. Of course than we might not have much of a story. 

Erik is more present in this book. I know from the show he does become an important part of the stories... I am just glad to see more of him in this book. I don't know the sort of love triangle thing. I know it's only a small one but really why does everyone have to want Sookie. This I don't get. 

The story was interesting. I liked the time in Dallas, the time with the crazy cult people, and the new problems that arises with the cult. Watching Sookie go undercover was quite interesting. She does need a bit more training. 

All in all,  a lot more action, story, and character development and I loved it. 

I am quite in love with this series!

Charlaine Harris has been a published novelist for over thirty-five years. A native of the Mississippi Delta, she grew up in the middle of a cotton field. Charlaine lives in Texas now, and all of her children and grandchildren are within easy driving distance.