Dead Until Dark (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 1) Reviews

• This one grabs you by the throat...

  
  By A2O6N82ASKCSSN on 2001-07-30
  sorry, that was bad! I am a big Charlaine Harris fan and only mildly interested in vampires. But the combination of a an uncontrollably mind-reading heroine, newly legal vampires, a serial killer, a shape-shifter -- how could I resist? I find I don't want to say much at all about the plot, as it's too easy to give away some really exciting twists. It's fair to say that the story postulates vampires as a newly-emerged legal minority (word is they've been victimized by superstition, when really the poor people have been subjected to a terrible virus) with attendant vampire-philics and phobics roiling the waters of cultural change. Vampires can now subsist on artificial blood, so they don't have to be a danger to anyone. Harris has thought through vampire culture and the interaction of that culture with "normal" society to great effect -- the book would be fun to read just for that .

  I have to admit, though, that nothing about the vampires interested me as much as the main character, Sookie. If you think you want to be able to know what other people are thinking, the limitations of Sookie's life will make you think again. She's brave, brilliant and decent and watching her (and her sex life) develop is a true joy.

  Meanwhile, the book is tightly and extravagantly plotted and the psychological effects are fascinating and disturbing, absolutely gripping. Read it over a weekend or on vacation so you won't have to put it down -- you'll just have to know what happens next!

  Harris has set this up to continue as a series, and if she can continue this level of quality, people will be lining up for each new book.
  
  

• A much better than average vampire mystery novel

  
  By A2SW2A3PE5RUQE on 2001-05-22
  Sookie Stackhouse lives in a world like ours - except for one difference, 4 years ago Vampires "came out of the coffin" and are now a legal part of USA society. In this way it's somewhat like the situation in the Anita Blake (author Laurel Hamilton) novels, but in someways I think better written in this book.

  Sookie herself is unusual with a disability that makes dating a virtual impossiblity until a vampire comes to town and she discovers he's her (almost) perfect man. Unfortunatley, at the same time people start getting killed, which most of the locals see as an unlikely co-incidence, and in a small town that can almost be deadly itself.

  The author has written a very readable book here. I'm not sure if it's the start of a series or not - if it's not - then it's still an enjoyable stand alone novel. Her characters are believable and likeable, and I don't remember any slow patches that make your attention wander. In fact, I read this in a day - the sign of a very good book for me.

  For those people who like fiction that covers, vampires, PSI, alternative realities or mystery fiction, this book pretty well covers all those areas. Enjoy:)
  
  

• An enthralling supernatural romance

  
  By AFVQZQ8PW0L on 2001-04-29
  Powerful telepath Sookie Stackhouse lives in Bon Temps, Louisiana. Most local residents consider the beautiful twenty-five year old a bit slow, but Sookie knows that she must keep her mental shields in place to avoid inadvertently reading minds. Sookie has no social life, as she detests the idea of listening to her lover's inner thoughts.

  When Bill the vampire enters the restaurant where Sookie works, she becomes ecstatic because she cannot hear his thoughts. With vampires recently gaining legal status, Sookie hopes to finally have a bit of a love life. The two outcasts hit it off, but someone is killing the females of the town with Bill and Sookie's brother Jason being the only suspects. Sookie knows that the perpetrator has made her the next target.

  Charlaine Harris, author of two wonderful mystery series, joins the ranks of the urban fantasy authors (Hamilton and Huff) writing exhilarating modern day novels. DEAD UNTIL DARK is serio-comic who-done-it with supernatural overtones to spice the tale and keep mystery, horror, and fantasy readers elated with the plot and cast. Ms. Harris' fan base should multiply with what is the beginning of a Southern paranormal mystery series.

  Harriet Klausner
  
  

• A Wonderful Introduction

  
  By A37E6RW5BUX4U0 on 2007-04-05
  This book has been popping up in my recommended for you list, forever. I read some reviews and the plot summary and thought it sounded good; but not good enough to make me want to buy it immediately. I added it to my wish list where it got ignored for a long time. Every once in awhile it would pop back up in my recommendation list and I would think about ordering it soon. Then another reviewer, Tom Knapp/Rambles (.net), recommended it to me, so I finally decided to see what this book was all about. I can't believe I waited so long to read this book, I absolutely loved it.
  
  Sookie Stackhouse looks like a normal, pretty woman. However, she's a beauty with a special gift that allows her to hear other's thoughts. Because of this gift, she is looked upon by others with wonder or as some sort of freak. Sookie works as a waitress in the local bar, for a boss who, for some reason, she has trouble reading his thoughts. She doesn't date, has a Small circle of friends and still lives at home with her Grandma. Then one night she saves the new local vampire from some undesirables and her life changes. Then there are murders happening in this small town; Sookie tries to listen to thoughts to see who the killer is.
  
  The difference between this book and other vampire books I have read is that the vampires are not in hiding. Everyone knows there are vampires and restaurants are even serving synthetic blood to their local vampires. I thought it was a unique approach, it gave the story a lot more character and depth, and it leaves the possibilities endless. In this small town people are fascinated with the vampire, are afraid of them and some people just see them as another type of person. It was exciting to watch the vampires integrate with 'normal' society.
  
  Sookie and her vampire, Bill, turn out to be a charming couple. In a lot of ways he is the stereotypical vampire; he is blood thirsty, really pale, cold and extremely strong. Then the writer creates an atypical side to this vampire, he longs to be part of a town and home and he is surprisingly tender and loving with Sookie, her friends and family.
  
  The supporting characters are just as captivating as Sookie and Bill. One of the more surprising and clever parts of the story is the identity of a vampire bodyguard that is hired by Bill to watch over Sookie. I can't say anymore as I don't want to ruin the surprise, but I laughed and laughed, and I am not quite certain if it isn't true! If this was a brand new book, there would be no doubt that a sequel was coming. The author leaves us looking forward to hearing more about Sookie, Bill and the rest of the crew. I can't think of any part of the story that didn't work or flow for me. It was an enjoyable and entertaining read and I am getting the rest of the books in the series, ASAP.
  
  
  

• Funny first book

  
  By A2FHD8ZZFRIRZ3 on 2004-08-28
  Dead Until Dark is the first book in the Southern Vampire Mysteries, and the main character is Sookie Stackhouse, a waitress. She is a pretty young girl, but she is not happy. She has a disability, and people often think she is both naive and a little dumb. But Sookie is neither. She can read people's minds, and in order to keep people's thoughts out of her head, she has to put up a mental guard every day. This takes so much of her concentration that she often seems slow.
  
  One night, Sookie serves the vampire Bill a glass of red wine, and she is immediately attracted to him, as she cannot read his thoughts at all.
  
  Shortly after Sookie and Bill first meet, a murder happen in their quiet little Louisiana-town Bon Temps, where Bill is trying to mainstream, which is vampire-slang for trying to live among humans again. For reasons not to be revealed here, our heroine and our vampire gets involved in solving this murder, and the story starts to get going. Other vampires start to show up, Bill and Sookie tries to date, and Sookie also, for the first time in her life, has men running around her, finding her pretty and desirable.
  
  Halfway through the story, the characters start to do weird things, and the story get confusing. It is like the author wants to tell too much on too few pages, and it becomes a little hard to follow the storyline, there are a lot of why's and why not's. We learn about Sookie's past, and certain things in her past is unsettling, but absolutely un-neccesary for the story.
  
  But then the story seems to get onto the right track again, and the rest of the book is a funny and exciting read. It is not the best vampire-mystery ever, but it is definitely a series worth reading, and you will want to see the characters again.
  
  
• The Most Fun I've had reading in a LONG Time!
  By A2IVHLR58AGWHA on 2001-08-08
  I ordered "Dead Until Dark" [....] I got my books in today and because of the very well done jacket cover, found myself pulling it from the pile first. The premise sounded very interesting and atypical of vampire fiction.

  I was hooked from the first page and read this book in one sitting. I devoured it (tongue in cheek!)

  The 411: Sookie is this waitress in some small town near N'awlins. In this world, which appears to be in the present tense, or not so distant and not too futuristic time, vampires have "come out of the coffin." They're protected legally, though, still treated by many/most as monsters, predators, fiends. Some of the vampires live up to this rep. There are some characters in this book that will make your skin shiver. Others, like the vampire Bill (I'm still laughing at his name. Even Sookie comments on its incongruousness with the glamour associated with vampirism.) ..like Bill, are merely trying to "mainstream" ....live in a human world, at least, after dark.

  Sookie is a bit different herself. She has major telepathic abilities. She can hear what folks think. This has been a major deterrant for her meeting and maintaining relationships with guys. Till she meets Bill. For some reason, with Bill, she can't hear his thoughts.

  How does she meet Bill? Well, apparently, in this society, there is a black market for vampire blood. Vampires are caught and "drained." Vampire blood is reported to make folks heal miracurously, and/or increase sexual power. Sort of Viagra and the founting of Youth and an All cure rolled into one.

  For some, though, drinking vampire blood makes them crazy.

  However, this was not a focal point of this book. I thought it might be but it just served as an interesting bit of plot. That's the thing I enjoyed about this book. The author took great care in giving us reasons for everything. In a world that is hard to imagine, she made it easier by bringing its reality to terms we could understand/relate to.

  Anyway, Sookie meets Bill by saving his life from two "drainers." When the drainers come to retaliate and nearly kill Sookie, Bill saves her. (Bill..I love it!) Thus begins their relationship. It's rocky, and very disturbing in some points, not easy and certainly questionable. There is also this matter of these murders that keep popping up all over town. Who did it~ is the question on everyone's mind, and Sookie will help...

  There are SOOOOOOOOO many wonderful secondary characters. Sam, for instance, Sookie's boss. And Eric, the oldest vampire that Bill knows, who sends sookie flowers that look like vaginas. I got the feeling that there will be another book in this series, because the stories to tell here.

  There is humor..lots of it. I was laughing out loud. There was violence, so strong I physically cringed. The sensuality level is pretty intense too, as is the awful humanity in this book as well. We all are, in some ways, monsters.

  Anyway, there is so much to say here. I can't say enough great things about this book. I am not someone who reads alot of vampiric fiction, but I drank this one in with relish (and a side of toast!) It's really good stuff.
  
  

• Just When You Think You�ve Heard It All
  By A1M4NJYP0WNL8Q on 2001-07-11
  I'm a jaded vampire addict. I read Elrod, lurk in the Masquerade, slaughter with Anita Blake, and kick butt with Buffy. Even so, I was hardly prepared for the advent of Sookie Stackhouse, a cocktail waitress at Merlotte's Bar in Bon Temps, Louisiana. Snookie is smart, cute, a perfect country girl, and totally dateless. Why? Well, she has a slight disability - she can read minds.

  One night at Merlotte's the small town doldrums are broken when a stranger rolls in. Not just any stranger, but a real vampire! Up from New Orleans and planning to settle down. Now that artificial blood has been invented, being a vampire has become legal. In the past few years many have decided to enter mainstream society. But the best part of all, Sookie discovers, is that she cannot read the stranger's mind.

  When two of the town's more nefarious characters try to waylay Sookie's customer and drain his blood; she comes to the rescue. In short order, Sookie and Bill the vampire (that's right - Bill) become a couple. Sookie helps Bill get his house repaired, introduces Bill to her Gran, and roots for him when he speaks to the Descendants of the Glorious Dead (a Civil War study group).

  All is not perfect though. Bon Temps is shaken by a series of horrific stranglings and the prime suspect is Sookie's brother. Bill is plagued by vampires from his past life (death?) as a bad New Orleans vampire. Not all of his past friends want him to go straight. And even Sookie's eternal optimism finds that dating a vampire can be a bit of a challenge. Sookie and Bill realize that the only way to return Bon Temps to peace and get on with a normal (?) life is to solve the crimes.

  It is impossible not to love Sookie, and enjoy many of the other quirky inhabitants of her small Southern town. Bill is not menacing in the traditional sense, and is a perfect gentleman most of the time. But writer Charlaine Harris never lets us quite forget that he is an efficient killer and a cold and deadly opponent. The novel is a pleasure to read and is full of surprises. Hopefully this will be the first in a new series of vampire tales in a Lousiana totally unlike that of Anne Rice. Prepare yourself, the South rises again!
  
  

• An Intriguing Blend of Horror and Mystery!
  By A5X3NXM2LQG84 on 2003-09-26
  Sookie Stackhouse has what she calls a "disability." She's a telepath. Now reading minds sounds like it might be a good thing, but as she points out it sort of gets in the way of relationships, sexual relationships in particularly. It's hard for her to have sex and enjoy it when she knows the man she's with thinks her breasts are too small or maybe he's thinking of someone else. Besides, other people's thoughts bombarding her all day drive her crazy. She works as a waitress in a bar and comes in contact with many people on a daily basis. So for her own sanity, and because she thinks it rude to listen in, she's learn to block out the noise from the minds of others. Then Bill comes into her life. He's the perfect boyfriend because she can't read his thoughts at all. That's because he has a disability of his own. He's dead. He's a vampire. Vampires have recently come out of the closet so to speak and exposed their existence to the world. All of this came about because of the creation of synthetic blood, making it possible for them to exist without preying on unwilling humans. They are the new minority and now wish to coexist with humans. Of course, the vampires-like any minority-have those who hate them. But they also have those who admire and adore them as well. These people are called fang-bangers. Three female fang-bangers suddenly turn up dead, murdered, and the vampires are quickly blamed. Fear fuels the fires of hatred and violence erupts between the humans and the undead. This puts Bill at risk. Also, Sookie fears that she's next on the murderer's list since she has a vampire boyfriend. So, with Bill's help, she uses her "disability" to solve the mystery, and in the process she puts her own life on the line.
  This is an extraordinary and original book; full of charm and wit, capturing small-town America to a T. Harris blends together several genres-horror, mystery, and a bit of Gothic romance-with ease and aplomb. She has a straight forward, just between you and me kind of style that's fun and easy to read. One minute she's making you laugh, the next she's sending chills along your spine, and the next she's got you wondering who done it. This book will entertain and keep you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend it.
  
  
• Living Among Noisy Thinkers
  By A1I2O9Y3X3HXLS on 2006-11-26
  Dead Until Dark (2001) is the first Rural Fantasy novel in the Southern Vampire Mystery series. Sookie Stackhouse is a telepathic waitress at Merlotte's Bar and Grill in Bon Temps, Louisiana. Most of her longterm friends know about her disability, but some bar patrons just think that she is crazy.
  
  Ever since they came out of the coffin (vampire humor) fours year ago, Sookie has been waiting for a vampire to drop by the bar. New Orleans is full of them, but rural northern Louisiana doesn't seem to attract many. One day, the first vampire in Bon Temps comes into the bar and sits down.
  
  In this novel, Sookie does a little dance step from joy before she grabs her pad and heads over to the vampire's table. He is pale, of course, but quite handsome. He asks, in cool, clear tones, for a bottle of synthetic blood, but has to settle for red wine; Sam Merlotte, the bar's owner, had ordered synthetic blood, but hasn't received the shipment.
  
  As she is serving the vampire, Mack Rattray makes one of his usual comments about Crazy Sookie. When Mack and his wife Denise had first come into the bar, Sookie had rudely listened to their thoughts (she had been very bored that night) and she knew more about them than anyone else in town. She hadn't told anyone what she knew, but their thoughts gave her a very low opinion of the pair. Then, too, their behavior hadn't done anything to make her think more highly of them.
  
  When the Rattrays move over to the vampire's table, Sookie comments on their manners to Arlene, another waitress. Arlene hadn't yet caught on to the new guy being a vampire, but Sookie sets her straight. Denise apparently already knew that he was a vamp, for she sat there showing off her neck to the guy.
  
  Then Jason, Sookie's brother, comes into the bar. After hugging her, he checks out the bar to see who's available. He has his eyes on DeeAnne, but she has come in with a trucker. No matter, the other women in the bar made not-so-subtle efforts to attract his attention.
  
  After a while, Sookie looks back at the table with the vampire and the Rattrays and notices an avid expression of Mack's face. She listens to his thoughts for a while and learns that Mack had been in jail for vampire draining. Usually draining is fatal to the vampires and, even if they survive, it takes twenty years to recover (according to what Sookie had heard on Oprah).
  
  When the vamp leaves with the Rat couple, Sookie borrows a chain from Jason's truck and follows them. After some fast and furious action, the Rats leave without their vampire blood. Yet Denise tries to run over Sookie and the vamp on the way out.
  
  A few days later, the vamp comes back to the bar and Sookie arranges to meet him after work so that she can ask him to do a favor. Sookie's Gran is a member of the Descendants of the Glorious Dead and would like Bill the Vampire to give a presentation on life during the Civil War. Bill agrees to meet with her out back, but leaves shortly thereafter.
  
  When Sookie gets off work, she doesn't see Bill's car in the parking lot. Shrugging it off, she heads toward her own car and is surprised when the Rats jump out and attack her. They seem intent on beating her to death. She grabs a leg and tries to bite it, but a kick to her back makes her let go. She hears a dog growling in the background and the Rats start looking around for the animal. Then Sookie hears screaming near by.
  
  After a while, silence surrounds her. Someone speaks to her, but she is only paying attention to her injuries. Then she notices Bill, mouth red with blood, talking to her. She tells him that she is dying. He picks her up and takes her out into the woods, then offers her a drink from his bleeding arm.
  
  She starts to feel better and soon her injured arm feels like it is not broken any more. Bill takes her back to her car. She starts to asks him about the dog, but he has already vanished.
  
  In this story, Sookie starts dating Bill. She is pleased to learn that she can't read Bill's mind; no problems with accidentally reading his thoughts! Also, he lives just down the road, beyond the cemetery, from her grandmother's house, where Sookie also lives.
  
  The Rattrays are very dead. According to the coroner, they died when a tornado overturned their trailer and crushed them. Of course, Sookie knows that vampires are very strong and can quite easily turn over a parked trailer and a small car and even break tree limbs. Besides, there is no other evidence of a tornado at that time and place. However, she doesn't bother telling anyone else her suspicions.
  
  The coroner has other victims. First Maudette Pickens dies from strangulation, but with a vampire bite on her leg. Then Dawn Green dies by strangulation with vampire bites on her body.
  
  About half the customers at Morlotte's believe that Bill is the killer and the other half think that somebody from out of town did the murders. Sookie asks Bill to take her to Fangtasia, the vampire bar in Shreveport, and learns that both women were known there.
  
  This novel has a strong Southern flavor, much like the author's Aurora Teagarden and Lily Bard mysteries. Bon Temps is just another Southern rural town in a time when vampires have gone public. Of course, other preternatural creatures also live in Bon Temps or visit its environs, but they haven't yet announced their presence.
  
  Highly recommended to Harris fans and to anyone else who enjoys tales of Southern lifestyles, preternatural creatures, and telepathic waitresses.
  
  -Arthur W. Jordin
  
  
• A cross between Janet Evanovich and Laurell K. Hamilton.
  By A36DJJ4Q8WSWFM on 2002-05-29
  Charlaine Harris offers up an original and fun vampire novel with 'Dead Until Dark'.
  Sookie Stackhouse, a waitress in a small contemporary Louisiana town, has led her life trying to protect herself from "her disability"-- a telepathic skill so acute she finds it difficult to block out the thoughts of those around her.
  One night when a vampire named Bill enters the bar Sookie is immediately drawn him. He's set apart from people just like she is and she's delighted to discover she can't overhear his thoughts at all. He likewise is surprised he cannot hypnotize her with his power. They find themselves in the awkward position of meeting on almost equal ground. When citizens of the town start showing up murdered, Sookie enlists Bill's help.
  The style of 'Dead Until Dark' really reminds me of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. 'Dead Until Dark' is a first person narrative and takes place in an area where everybody knows each other. Sookie also has a grandma who's a character. Sookie is, well, kind of goofy. Her talent for hiding her telepathy is about as great as Evanovich's Stephanie Plum's skill as a bounty hunter.
  Bill is rather a "thinking" comtemplative vampire, similar to Anne Rice's Louis, except he accepts himself for what he is. He doesn't reveal much of his past which, no doubt, will unwrap in later installments.
  Charlaine Harris portrays the vampire world to be as violent as that portrayed by Laurell K. Hamilton. However, Sookie Stackhouse is no Anita Blake. The novel does slow somewhat in the middle and wraps up rather peremptorily. However, 'Dead Until Dark' is an engaging take on 'life with vampires' and has consistent style. And Sookie is a fun character.
  I look forward to Sookie & Bill developing more as characters in future installments and seeing their relationship grow.
  
  
• Don't Compare Charlaine Harris to Laurell K. Hamilton
  By ATY5S23T8MDCS on 2002-11-13
  I am an avid reader and when I ran out of my usual fare of Sci Fi, fantasy and Laurell K. Hamilton (people can only write so fast, you know), I went looking for something new to read. Out of all the other stuff out there I decided that Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse sounded least boring and bought her two books. One thing I have to say first to anyone who does the same. Charlaine Harris is NOT Laurell K. Hamilton and I don't think she wants to be. Sookie is NOT Anita and I don't think she was intended to be. Once you get that straight in your head, you can sit back and enjoy a fun couple of books. Ms. Harris' characters are developing (so did Ms. Hamilton's as everyone should remember! Reread Guilty Pleasures if you've forgotten) and I hope they will become stronger as time goes on. Book two is already a little better than book one. Except for her "disability" to hear thoughts, Sookie is just your typical young girl waiting tables at a bar - she's no powerhouse cop or "bonded" with a vampire although she is in love with one. And except for tossing in the fact that Sam is a werewolf (where is she going with that? and why bother?), the books are pretty much just slow-paced murder mysteries with vampires in them. Not scary, a little down-homey, a touch funny sometimes, but also just a nice book to read on a rainy weekend. It doesn't disappoint if you don't expect anything except Sookie Stackhouse and HER world. Oh, and lose the cover art - those covers are for children's books, not adult murder mysteries.
  
  
• A Vampire Romance With A Humourous Bite!!
  By A2CIIL55BUQWBG on 2001-07-01
  Dead Until Dark is one book that should not be missed. I LOVED everything about this book. LOVED IT, LOVED IT, LOVED IT!! The heroine, vampire and storyline were superbly written. A definite page-turner here!! I couldn't put it down . . . .

  In the story, vampires are now legally recognized. They can go out in public and mingle with humans without the fear of being persecuted. Sookie Stackhouse lives in Bon Temps, Louisiana. She waitresses at Merlotte's Bar and leads a pretty quite but happy life. Yet, Sookie isn't your ordinary waitress. She has telepathic abilities which enables her to hear the thoughts of other people. This makes it pretty hard for her to have any kind of social life. She almost never has a date despite the fact that she is very pretty with blond hair and blue eyes. Mostly everyone thinks she is crazy.

  For years, she has wanted to meet a vampire. One night, quite unexpectedly, she does . . .

  Bill is a Civil War-era vampire. He is the "man" of her dreams. He is tall, handsome and mysterious. More importantly, she cannot hear his thoughts. She is estatic to find that there is only silence and tranquility when her mind merges to his. For Sookie, this kind of mental relaxation is almost seductive.

  She saves Bill from a nasty encounter and their relationship takes off. Immediately, he realizes that Sookie is different from other humans. He cannot use his vampire power on her. She is indifferent to his power. In all of his centuries he has existed, Bill has never come in contact with a human who could resist his power. He is intrigued.

  Suddenly, one of Sookie's co-workers is killed. Someone in Bon Temps is killing young women and making it look as though it is the work of a vampire. Teeth marks are found on the victim's thighs. Soon Bill and Sookie join forces hoping to find the culprit before the town turns against all vampires.

  Dead Until Dark is a SUPERB vampire romance/mystery. I just loved Sookie. She was pretty, smart, courageous and so very funny. Some of the things she said had me laughing out loud! Bill wasn't your typical bloodsucker running wild in search of "food". Yeah, he could be dangerous but he was more civilized than the other vampires who arrive unexpectedly.

  HIGHLY - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! It is a SUPERB vampire romance with a sweet dose of romance. ENJOY!
  
  

• A waste of money
  By A1PB2D0H43DAUP on 2006-06-05
  Ugh. I don't understand why this series of books is so popular. I won't be reading more of them. The heroine, Sookie, was annoying, and her vampire boyfriend, Bill, boring. One thing a vampire should not be is boring.
  
  Then there was the mystery. What mystery? Lots of people are murdered ... ho hum. The characters barely care, so the reader doesn't either. Sookie even shook off the death of her beloved grandmother within a chapter or so.
  
  Plus, it's awfully convenient for a mystery protagonist to be able to read minds. It makes solving the mystery a bit anticlimactic.
  
  I want my money and my time back.
  
  
• Couldn't handle the premise
  By A2S3XRBD4F0MSS on 2002-12-03
  First let me be clear that I'm giving this book 1 star because I didn't like the subject matter. It has nothing to do with the author's writing. She tells the story from the view of our heroine, Sookie Stackhouse. The writing is witty with lots of humorous insights into Sookie's mind. Sookie is a cocktail waitress who can read people's thoughts and because of that is thought of by most folks as strange or in some cases a little crazy. She becomes the boyfriend of Bill, the vampire. Ms. Harris does a superb job of capturing the feel of a small southern town, and that's precisely why I didn't like the book.
  
  Now I like vampire novels, I've read almost everything that Anne Rice has written, Jeanne Kalogridis writes an entertaining vampire novel, and there's nothing wrong with the original Bram Stoker's "Dracula". But, I like my vampires a little more Gothic or worldly. That's why I couldn't finish this book. It's set in the small town, rural, not particularly sophisticated, nigh on to poor south. No matter how well written the novel is, I just don't want to read about these people. And Ms. Harris does an excellent job of describing that small townness. Sookie is so like the "strange" girl that every small town seems to have. The only difference is that Sookie is rather attractive. In real life, they're usually plain. There's the grandmother who belongs to some club or another that's based on being descended form a member of some group. Reminds me of my husband's aunt who's been trying for at least 20 years to get proof so she can join the Daughters of the American Revolution. Sookie's brother reminds me a little too much of a cousin I have that lives not too far from where this little work of fiction takes place. Heck even the vampire has a feeling of being "small town" with a name of Bill. Could we at least go for William?
  
  My star ratings:
  
  One star - couldn't finish the book
  Two stars - read the book, but did a lot of skipping or scanning. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection or search out other books by the author
  Three stars - enjoyable read. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection. Would judge other books by the author individually.
  Four stars - Liked the book. Would keep the book or would look for others by the same author.
  Five start - One of my all time favorites. Will get a copy in hardback to keep and will actively search out others by the same author.
  
  
  
• I hate this book!
  By AG2IEP1MJQHFS on 2003-08-04
  Where do I even begin to rant about this novel??

  Harris' characters are terribly one dimensional, the plot was vey weak, and the "Southern Charm" in this novel was thick enough to choke a horse. Harris also took a few liberties with her story details that appear to me to be stolen from Laurell K. Hamilton's work.

  I really disliked this novel all the way around. I had trouble just finishing it. I would not recommend this novel to another reader.
  
  

• Not What I Expected
  By A2TFL6ROA7T7BJ on 2004-01-16
  It might have been a mistake to read this book after reading the Anita Blake series. I bought all three Charlaine Harris books and read them all in a row. I was more than a little disappointed. Some people may have found the books amusing....I didn't. I enjoy a good vampire book and found these books silly and well.........boring. Pretty much a waste of time. Sorry.
  
  
• A great Southern Vampire mystery!
  By A1T17LMQABMBN5 on 2004-08-14
  A friend of mine recommended this series. I am glad I gave it a whirl. Dead Until Dark is a vampire mystery set in rural Louisiana and a great introduction to Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire series. Sookie Stackhouse is a young cocktail waitress with a "disability" that's made her self-conscious about dating. The aforementioned disability is that she can hear people's thoughts. But when she meets a sexy vampire named Bill, not only is she excited to have finally met an actual vampire, she also likes the fact that she cannot hear his thoughts. Despite some disturbing habits, associations with various creepy vampires and the fact that he's over a century old, Bill is quite a charming fellow, especially after he tells some poignant stories about his stint as a soldier during the Civil War to Sookie's grandmother. However, strange things begin to happen in the small town of Bon Temps. Several women with a penchant for vampires turn out dead. The fact that the women have vampire marks makes Bill a suspect. After all, he's admitted to having killed people... There are various twists throughout the novel.
  
  Many reviewers have compared this series with Anne Rice's vampire chronicles and Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake novels -- especially the latter one. The only similarities between Hamilton's and Harris's books are the vampires and the whodunit aspects of the stories. Also, in this book the vampires are far more benign, even the scary ones. The story in general is lighter and funnier. In fact, sometimes the author spoofs the vampire genre, making fun of stereotypes in vampire novels (like the fact that Bill has an ordinary name instead of a ridiculously exotic one). The aforementioned aspect of the story reminded me of MaryJanice Davidson's Undead series, only this one is nowhere near as zany. I must say, however, that the potential love triangle between Sookie, Bill and a shape shifter reminded me of Anita Blake. But the novels are essentially different. The sometimes satirical approach makes it great for me. I loved the whole Bubba thing! It made me laugh out loud. I am glad that the author came up with such a funny idea. All in all, comparisons with Laurell K. Hamilton and Anne Rice aside, Charlaine Harris has written a terrific book. The series seems promising, and I'll definitely give the other installments a whirl. Highly recommended...
  
  
• Unique and Fun
  By A390AJEEUL3SU4 on 2003-04-15
  Although several different people (as well as Amazon.com itself) recommended this book to me, I resisted reading it. It has enough surface similarities to the Anita Blake books (the main character has a unusual psychic gift, solves murders, and is romantically torn between a vampire and a werewolf), that I felt it was probably just a cheap knock-off and not worth my time. Boy, was I wrong! Sookie Stackhouse and Anita Blake are as different as night and day, and "Dead After Dark" was original, entertaining, and a delightful read.

  Sookie is nowhere near as tough as Anita (nor does she wish to be), and as a consequence the books have an entirely different flavor. Instead of the hard-boiled, noir-ish tone of the Anita Blake books, "Dead After Dark" is pure Southern down-home-i-ness. Sookie has grit, determination, humor, and intelligence that she hides behind a mask of shy Southern femininity, but which she cannot hide from the reader -- not with the first-person narration the author uses, anyway. This book was told with a wit, charm, and style that I found irresistable. I highly recommend it.
  
  

• Loved this book!!!!
  By AZC7XJ4OS7A50 on 2002-02-10
  When I first checked it out Dead Until Dark at the library, for some reason, I couldn't get into it. But I gave it another chance and I'm glad I did. It has a mix of romance and suspense. Sookie Stackhouse is a great gal and Bill her vampire lover is the best. The story and characters were very interesting and it all takes place in a small town. Usually lots of vampire stories take place in big urban cities, but not Dead Until Dark. Bon Temps, Louisiana is as small as you can get. lol! I read this book in one day, and am currently rereading it. I just ordered my own copy here off of amazon, so that I can return the copy that I'm reading to the library, before I ruin it. lol! I love vampire fiction, especially contemporary/modern day ones. Read this book and you'll love it. Charlaine Harris is a wonderful writer. I can't wait till April for Living Dead in Dallas--another Sookie story. I hope Bill is in this one. :)
  
  
• Disappointing.
  By A2XKDSIMQN6P23 on 2005-10-11
  I read a lot, most of it this sort of thing, horror, vampires, supernatural mysteries. For anyone who does much reading, this book is troublesome. The dialogue is ridiculous. Its so poorly written that about half way through, i hardly came to a page that i didn't roll my eyes and close the book for a second or more before forcing myself to continue. I kept hoping it would redeem itself, but it didn't. It seems as if it has no form. The only thing giving it any kind of flow is that it happens chronologically. Otherwise, the scenes are oddly placed and you find yourself wondering what in the world one scene has to do with another. The characters were flat and lifeless. The main vampire, Bill, was faceless and invisible to me. I could not see him in my head as i read the story. In fact, none of the characters registered with me. If you are reading a well written book, for instance, something from Stephen King, you can see every detail so much so that i often cannot remember if i have seen a movie version of a S.K. book or if i only read it because the movie is already there in my mind. So... bottom line, stick to the Anita Blake series for fun in vampire land.
  
  
• A vampire novel with fang-in-cheek humor
  By A1JN9Z6DQ9408R on 2001-05-11
  Charlaine Harris writes a remarkably entertaining mystery that shows Louisiana as a hot bed of people with "gifts" of many sorts. Sookie the telepathic cocktail-waitress; her boyfriend Bill the Vampire; and Sookie's boss Sam who has quite a surprise of his own!

  When a young woman turns up strangled, and fang marks shows that she had been fed upon in the not so distant pass, suspicions abound in the tiny town of Bon Temps. And when another victim is found murdered with a similar MO, the long arm of the law starts to rech out towards Sookie's brother who apparently has been having "relations" with both.

  Plot twists abound, and the characterizations are wonderful. A fun read that I can highly recommend.
  
  

• Logic will break your heart
  By A2TUZRDXESVCA2 on 2005-10-31
  I've started reading the Sookie Stackhouse books and have found them to be my guilty pleasure. I enjoy the characters and the world they're set in, but there are just too many logic flaws for my continued enjoyment. It started in me in the first book, when Sookie is being stalked by a serial killer. Her friends all know about her predicament, but seem alright with letting her babysit. I've met plenty of stupid people in my life, but non dumb enough to leave their kids with a woman who is admittedly being stalked by a murder. Also, in the third book, she learns that werewolves or shape shifter can only have one werewolf/shifter child when two mate. This means that the werewolf/shifter population is cut in half each generation, and if they have been around for hundreds, or maybe thousands of years, there should be practically none left at all, yet they're everywhere in the story. I enjoy the characters and the plot lines, but there are just too many flaws, unexplained foolish decisions by characters, and general inconsistencies with the fictional world they live in to get through to completely enjoy this series. Where as Ann Rice seriously needs an editor to cut, Harris needs an editor to critique.
  
  Harris also has a vary limited bag of tricks to drive the action forwards. In between times of action or intrigue, there is almost always a sex scene, or description of a rock hard body Sookie wants. The writing is fun, but not crafted well enough to hold the readers attention without this. Some say it's a blend of several genres, but the romance is lacking, the mystery is full of illogic plots and character motivation, which in turn makes it very hard to suspend disbelief for the fantasy. My recommendation for anyone looking to crack into this series is look elsewhere.
  
  
• Bad and offensive (spoilers)
  By A273IHBNTQFNY3 on 2008-07-19
  I did not enjoy this book.
  Let's see some pros and cons yes?
  
  Cons:
  Vague writing style. Ex: <<..."You don't want to," I said finally trying not to make it a question. "Oh yes I want to," he grabbed my hand and showed me. Suddenly there was a... pg 112>> Grabbed her hand and showed her what? This is just one of several instances where I was going, "WTF is that supposed to mean?" Another example was where Sookie was imagined by Andy B. to be "cavorting" with her brother and the thought drove her to tears. ...? What?
  
  Bill the vampire was boring and reserved. Then most unexpectedly he throws a hissy fit when a bunch of vampires he didn't even like die.
  
  Sookie had more emotion leafing through a bunch of dead girl's applications at work than she had when she found the dead body of her Grandma. She was not easily shaken by the multiple dead bodies she found at all. And here's the offensive bit. Her past with her "funny uncle" was a plot device for Bill to "interfere with her life". She was molested as a child and it had no impact on her character. This history on Sookie was also completely out of the blue. There were no hints she had been sexually abused at all until she has an unlikely conversation with Bill about playing "show you mine if you show me yours". Excuse me...but being well acquainted with sexual abuse victims I was appalled at the way this was handled. It's a traumatic thing to have happen to a person and in this book is was skimmed over and tossed aside when it was no longer convenient to the plot.
  
  Jason's character is also appalling and I found to be unrealistic. His outlandish behaviors are explained in a matter of sentences through bad dialog. On top of that we are expected to go along with his appalling behavior because in the beginning of the book he is described as "selfish". No. There is something seriously wrong with a man when he slaps his sister in the face, makes bondage porn films, denies a criminal act for years, and is ungrateful for Sookie's moral support when being faced with jail time among other things.
  
  Sam was never adequately described. Or at least I don't remember it. All we know (from later in the book) is that he's got ruddy skin and blue eyes. But for the first half of the book I was sure he was an old man. And then much to my surprise he's asking Sookie out.
  
  Pros:
  I liked the Southern atmosphere in the book. It had a distinctness.
  
  The mystery was well planned. I didn't know who had done it until the page it all came together (though that's probably because I was reading this book in the wee hours of the night). I felt appropriately chilled by the villain.
  
  And that's about it.
  
  
• Dead until dark
  By on 2002-07-26
  This is the first book I read of Charlaine's. It was so funny in parts that brought tears to my eyes with names like Sukie Stackhouse and Bill the Vampire with many usual characters that entertained from beginning to end. You love the world of the unusual then this is the book for you. It is sometimes horrible sometimes sexy and humorous. The story was a light, fun read. The characters were interesting and straightforward and the story was so entertaining I couldn't put the book down. I like the mind reading thing and of course the vampires.

  Also recommended: The Price of Immortality by C.M. Whitlock and anything by Anne Rice
  
  

• Don't bother.....
  By A3DN4XF7RS53A on 2001-06-29
  If you like vampire books, like I do, then there is no need to read this book. The plot (or lack there of) is very basic. Someone is killing vampires, and the main character (Sookie) and her boyfriend vampire (Bill) have to find who's doing the killing and why.

  The Main character are very weak.Sookie is someone who can read minds, and falls in love with a vampire b/c she can't read his mind. I found her char to be very limited and annoying.

  Bill the vampire....what a weak vampire. Everything you can expect from a vampire, you won't find in Bill. Not only is he a "good" vampire, but also a very weak one.

  The other thing that bothered me about this book is that the other vampires (even the "bad" ones) were not that bad. They did nothing that violent or "vampiery".

  I read that some of the reviewers compared this book to the likes of Laurall K. Hamilton....not in a long shot. If you haven't read any of Hamilton book, start with Guilty Pleasures, and work your way through that series. You won't be sorry.

  Only but this book if you see it at a used bookstore.

  I expected so much from this book, and it just didn't deliver.
  
  

• Sookie meets her ideal man, sort of....
  By AWIHJDPD4SCJB on 2003-09-03
  What's a southern woman with telepathic abilities to do? It's hard to have some romance when your date is thinking random thoughts about everything but romance. But things begin to change for Sookie Stackhouse when a real live (more or less) vampire walks into her bar, and wonder of wonders, she can't read a single thought from him. He's a local boy, and returning to his roots now that vampires have legal status. Knowing her customers, she gets suspicious when a particularly unsavory couple walk out with Bill the vampire. She follows and ends up rescuing him. He's not exactly thankful for being rescued, but Sookie figures it's as good a way to meet him as any. As Sookie and Bill get closer together, plots thicken as several co-workers of Sookie are murdered. Sookie has to get involved in solving the murders for her own peace of mind, because the clues are pointing to the possibility that Bill, now the vampire boyfriend, is the killer. This is the first book of a new series. But with some new twists. It's set in the South, with all those prejudices and attitudes. There's Bill and the vampire culture to be explored. There are mysteries that need to be solved. They have the feeling of a cozy mystery, but with more violence and action, more of a bite, one might say. The best thing about the book (and its successors) are the characters. They all feel real, with real feelings and weaknesses, and act true to their characteristics. And there's some nice sidebar touches, like when the Descendents of the Glorious Dead ask Bill to talk to them about his experiences in the Civil War. I'll look forward to more adventures of Sookie and Bill.
  
  
• A Kinder Gentler Vampire Love Story
  By A6BBR19SSNS4K on 2004-07-11
  Well, I read this book because of a reviewer who'd supported my positive review of a Laurell K hamilton Story.

  It wasn't as good as promised but entertaining.

  If you've read "Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter" novels this story will seem very familiar in the way it plays out.

  Sookie Stackhouse, virgin telepathic barmaid, falls in love with a boring 150+ year old vamp named Bill, despite his kooky vampire friends who seem to want to kill her constantly and without reason.

  At the same time women in town are being strangled to death with old vampire makrs proving they're "fang bangers"- Vamp lovers.

  Sookie is most likely next and that seems prooved when her grandmother is strangled to death. Her brother is a suspect and things seem to be falling apart as people believe it's either Jason, the brother, or Bill the lover.

  Well, this novel has promise. I have yet to read the following ones but I will and I hope they're better.

  Bill is 2 dimensional, he always disappears whenever any action goes on and he has no emotions whatsoever. Sookie in contrast is hot headed and acts without thought. She's kind of selfish and self involved and every man in town is in love with her. That reminded me of Anita Blake and why on earth must these women in these novels be the subject of such blind adoration from man, vamp, and shapeshifter alike? Give me a break.

  Her grandmother's death is convenient, I think it's because Ms. Harris had no further use for the character, and no one seems to really grieve the woman.

  The writing seems hurried and more often than not the secondary characters in town are more interesting than the main players. However, it's a good premise and shows promise.

  I really found it impossible to like Bill and see no reason to explain why a vampire lover is better thna a human. And his relationship with Sookie is kind of sad, she's very childish and impatient with him and he's a bit of a jerk.

  At least Ms. Harris comes up with a thoroughly more plausible explanation for the heroine's seeming invincibility than Ms. Hamilton does with her heroine, but she makes it hard for us to love Sookie.

  I do reccommend this to anyone who thinks Anita Blake books are getting too silly what with Anita sleeping around so much and denying her lovers freedom. I'd also recommend it if vampire romances in general make you roll your eyes, this one is so much better thought out and interesting than those.

  However, if you're new to the genre start out with Sherrilyn Kenyon and the first few Laurell K hamilton books before trying Ms. Harris. You'll appreciate this book's refreshing viewpoint much more that way.
  
  

• First in Series
  By A3R8DK1TB8OYU6 on 2007-03-23
  The main character is physically and mentally weak (despite being psychic). She cannot fight, defend herself, or take on any physical opponents or obstacles, no combat/fighting stuff. Not too bright (I don't mean this in a bad sense), meaning she is no Sherlock Holmes not even a Watson, not a talented detective, or a person with hunches or sharp intake. Not witty, humorous, sarcastic, feisty, brave, independent, not a lot of supernatural power/skills she is run of the mill. She also thinks flower dresses are sexy. Depending on what you want from your character, if it is any of the above, then not recommended.
  
  The entire book is very small-town oriented, no urban feel, no sense of a city or a big and adventurous place with shadows and mysterious strangers lurking in the allies and streets at night. So there is a lot of: ---Billy-Bob comes to the diner a lot, especially on Wednesdays when we serve the cherry pie with milk form the farm located by John creek. Old Marlene used to live down by the creek but moved on up to the Folk street where the Johnson pharmacy used to be, I remember being little and having candy given to me by that nice Mr. Johnson, what a great fellow was he, and there is loud mouthed Mary-Anne she thinks she is something special but everybody knows two year ago she went up the old Minster road and.........---Yes that whole thing I made up, but there is constantly stuff like that and of that nature. Very concentrated on rural themes and tones, I guess the southern vampire mystery title should have been a hint. And if that is not your cup of tea, not recommended.
  
  The main character is a virgin (nothing wrong with that)but through the book she is always saying stuff like -I'm sorry, was I bad?-, -did you like me, because oh I'll get better-,-are you sure that was alright?-,-is it me?-,-are you sure, it was not bad?-. She also repeatedly says that she is not experienced, but the male character is very experienced and knows everything, assuring her it will be ok because basically he is a walking sex encyclopedia(side note the leading male is not a beefcake,but is boring).The main character is also passive, and asks tentatively and nicely her vampire boyfriend -if maybe, you know just for this night, if you don't mind, just this once, can you not take blood from me, maybe?- when she is feeling physically ill from too much blood loss.
  
  The New York Times stated the author writes "neatly", exactly there is no mess or mayhem, the story is nice, clean, neat, drawn by a ruler. No unexpected twists or turns, not emotional, or passionate, no immense upheavals, everything just calmly moves along.
  
  Some might like what this story offers and others might not, I found it lacking.
  
  
• No way can compare with Tanya Huff or Laurell K. Hamilton
  By on 2002-06-07
  I picked up this book mainly because of the reviews and because she was compared favorably with Tanya Huff's vampire series and Laurell K. Hamilton. No Way! Tanya Huff's was my favorite and I enjoyed Laurell Hamilton's up to the last three books. This book did not have anything in it that caught at my attention enough to keep reading. If you are looking for a good vampire book try the above two authors or Barbara Hambly's two vampire books, or a book called the Vampire and the Cowboy. This book I would rate as boring and just plain dumb.
  
  
• Avid Reader & Reviewer
  By A2VYJQVP5HU06 on 2004-04-26
  Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris is our introduction to Sookie Stackhouse, the Vampire Bill and the colorful town of Bon Temps, Louisiana.

  Sookie, a very blonde, buxom, barmaid is not your average girl in Bon Temps. She has the ability to read other's minds. This ability is not an asset when working in a bar. Image if you could `hear' someone's thoughts, worries, dreams, their most intimate feelings. How is a girl supposed to find a boyfriend in the backwater of Louisiana when she is acutely aware of all his thoughts? Sookie has found a solution - the Vampire Bill. Vampires where `outed' some years ago after the invention of artificial blood. Sookie is unable to read the minds of vampires and finds great comfort in the arms of Bill.

  Sookie begins her adventure with a chance encounter with the Vampire Bill and the `Rat' couple, some local trailer park trash. Things quickly escalate as Sookie faces a series of murders that - surprise, surprise - appear to have been committed by a vampire.

  Dead Until Dark is a hilarious adventure from start to finish. From Sam Merlot, the bartender with secrets of his own, to Jason, Sookie's brother and all around stud-muffin with a fancy pick-up truck, all the characters are colorful and entertaining. While Dead Until Dark is not dark, heavy, horror, it is entertaining and engaging.

  Many have compared the Southern Vampire series to Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series. While both series focus on human/vampire relationship, the similarities are few. Sookie lacks the predatory aspects of Anita Blake. Sookie is also very naïve, while no one would ever consider this of Anita Blake. Anita is very angst driven. In contrast, Sookie is just a nice, hard working girl who happens to have some gifts or disabilities depending on your point of view. Dead Until Dark does share the mystery elements Laurell K. Hamilton focused on in the early Anita Blake novels.

  Charlaine Harris is the other of three more Sookie novels; Living Dead in Dallas, Club Dead, and Dead to the World, to be published May, 2004. She is also the author of two popular mystery series; the Aurora Tegarden series and the Lily Bard Shakespeare series.
  
  

• Living Dead in Dallas (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 2)
• Club Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 3)
• Dead to the World
• Dead as a Doornail (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 5)
• Definitely Dead (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 6)