Dead Until Dark

Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mystery #1

By: Charlaine Harris

Narrated by: Johanna Parker

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

Vampires have officially "come out of the coffin", and Miss Sookie can't wait for one to come her way.

Anthony Award-winner Charlaine Harris' New York Times and USA Today best-selling Sookie Stackhouse novels entice countless fans with an irresistible mixture of vampire romance, beguiling mystery, and old-fashioned Southern charm.

Listen to more titles in the Sookie Stackhouse series.

©2007 Charlaine Harris (P)2007 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"An author of rare talents." ( Publishers Weekly)

Wonderfully Entertaining!

I found DEAD UNTIL DARK captivatingly funny, sinister, mysterious and with the right amount of sex and violence. After listening to this, the first of many in Charlaine Harris's series, I can't wait to read more.

Harris reminds me of Janet Evanovich but a lot less nutty. This is worth noting since Harris's characters are other worldly and yet have more substance.

I recommend this as a fun read to anyone.

So-So

What did you like best about Dead Until Dark? What did you like least?

The story-line was different, and kept me interested. The characters southern accent really got on my nerves though. And I really didn't like Sooki, to be honest.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

No surprise

What about Johanna Parker’s performance did you like?

She got the essence of a southerner down pat.

Did Dead Until Dark inspire you to do anything?

No.

Any additional comments?

I read the second book in the series, but couldn't go on after that. Sooki's character paired with the southern drawl just grated on my nerves too badly.

Almost a five

The book is fun, the narration awesome, but the thing keeping this from being a five star book is the fact that the audiobook skips. Fortunately, it just skips back a few seconds, so you don't lose anything. But it still breaks up the story every time it happens.

Something different for me..

I won't lie, at first I rolled my eyes as the story began, it seemed so cheesy(I grew up on Ann Rice these are as different as night/day in comparison, which I found refreshing). The narrator takes a bit getting used to(and I'm southern) but once you really start listening, she has a way of pulling you into the story. Though these are a little comical in the believability department, I found I couldn't wait to read the next in the series. I have to give it five stars for originality and entertainment. Looking forward to hearing/reading more from Charlaine Harris.

Watch the TV show

Given the preference between the book at the show, watch the show [HBO's True Blood]. . While the show has diverged from the book, the main story line of the murders that show up in the small town of Louisiana holds mostly true. The book is missing some of the characters i had grown to enjoy in the TV show. I think the TV show provides much more depth.

The book taken as a whole isn't a bad one. I found the story enjoyable (even if i knew who did it.) And fascinated by some of the nuances of the world's construct. The book revolves around Sookie and the people she interacts with. She doesn't quite have the spunk that i like to see in my female characters. She can read minds but has always focused on it as a disability rather than a gift... There is some "adult situations" which i will categorize as cheezy trash. Some of the time it will make you go "hmmmm" other times it will make you go "really? you wrote that?"

The performance was good. She reads with a good southern sounding accent. The only voice i cringed at was Sams. The voice was just a bit gruff from the preconceived notion i had of him.

And yes, while i said to watch the show, it might be worth borrowing from the library for something light hearted. I'll probably pick up the next book more out of curiosity then out of a must read.

Great story!

The story drew me in. The reader enhanced the book. Worth a listen for anyone looking for a dark but humorous story!

Romantic and exciting mystery

I love this series, this is my second time reading it. I love the characters and revisiting them. Enjoy !

The nicest vampire book

This book has the nicest vampire in it of any of the vampire books that I've ever read. It's quirky and .sweet with a good bit of surprises. It's a great read

Fantastic classic series

I love Sookie and her world. Love rereading this series as well. This first installment sets to stage perfectly. Also, kudos to Johanna Parker’s narration.

Amazig Narration

The author's voice and the narrator make this a sweet concoction of southern inflection and authentic writing. The voice (both figurative and literal) is so compelling I could not take my earbuds out unless I had to talk to someone to order coffee. I also didn't realize how faithful the TV series was to the original book until I heard the Audible version and was surprised at how interesting the story became while listening to the delightful voice of Johanna Parker. Although I wish she didn't lower her voice so much to indicate male speakers (I also hate when male narrators raise their voices in a ridiculous attempt to imitate female speakers) she absolutely "nails" Suki. Really! This is a real gem.