Dead as a Doornail

Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mystery # 5

By: Charlaine Harris

Narrated by: Johanna Parker

Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Charlaine Harris has won an Anthony Award for her one-of-a-kind Sookie Stackhouse mystery series. Sookie, a Louisiana cocktail waitress, skilled telepath, and friend to vampires, has a dedicated fan base that grows larger every day.

Because her mind-reading ability tends to spook people, most of Sookie's friends are of the not-exactly-human variety. And now that her brother is about to transform into a were-panther for the first time, the supernatural world is suddenly a family affair. When Sookie realizes a deadly sniper is gunning down the local changelings, her feelings turn to full-blown terror. She needs to stop the assassain before the next full moon...if he doesn't get to her first.

With its delightfully quirky characters and delicious suspense, Dead as a Doornail is a vampire mystery readers will love sinking their fangs into.

Listen to more titles in the Sookie Stackhouse series.

©2005 Charlaine Harris Schulz (P)2005 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Harris does an admirable job of creating a heroine who's not only interesting but completely believable in a world of the strange and the different. Natural and humorous dialogue and a nicely paced plot...make this entry the best yet in the series." (Publishers Weekly)

Johanna Parker Lost Her Edge

If you could sum up Dead as a Doornail in three words, what would they be?

Maybe Johanna Parker was in a rush when she recorded this one?

I am hooked on this series and have listened to all the books several times. Normally, Johanna Parker is AMAZING at voicing these stories. In this book, however, she seemed to just be getting through it. She spoke much faster, didn't have much emotion or inflection, and there were lots of awkward pauses and sounds of her swallowing etc. Usually, she's a great voice actress, but in this book it was just awkward.

Worse, she completely lost Sookie's southern accent and sassy edge! Having Sookie's voice totally change in the 5th book in the series was jarring. Most of the voices were less developed than in other books, but Eric's voice was especially bad as well.

I rated her much lower because it was so disappointing, given how phenomenal she usually is. It bothered me throughout the entire book. It made the whole listen just mediocre, even though I quite like this story.

What three words best describe Johanna Parker’s performance?

Flat. Toneless. Disappointing.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Johanna just didn't hold my attention with this one. I don't know what happened with this one.

A little dead...

I absolutely love True Blood so when I saw that this book was on sale I got it immediately. But I just did not love this book. It was ok with a little suspense, some mystery and very few funny parts... But no romance at all. Sookie has like ten supernatural men courting her and she makes out with at least half of them but no real connection. Bill and Eric are almost absent from the story and Alcide's character is a jerk in this story... This book is nice but it is not nearly as sexy/intense/funny/exciting as True Blood.
The narrator is very good although there were some awkward pauses and in the second part of the book there was a moment were she called Claudine, as Claudia (blooper). The story also dragged a little. There were so many character and so many different unrelated things happening that it was kind of difficult to keep up. This story is a lot more about the ware community that vampire. I think I'll stick to True Blood.

Another Great Story!

What made the experience of listening to Dead as a Doornail the most enjoyable?

I love listening to the characters evolve and grow. I can't get enough of these storylines.

Would you recommend Dead as a Doornail to your friends? Why or why not?

You can't just stop at 4. You have to keep going.

What about Johanna Parker’s performance did you like?

She always does a great job with her voices. I usually can't wait to hear what new character has entered into the picture so I can hear the voice that Johanna is going to do.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I wanted to, but I didn't. I did enjoy it though.

Any additional comments?

The only thing that I don't care for with this series is the "ware panther" storyline. I didn't care for it in the TV show either. Werewolf's are fine though. I am hoping that the next few books do not have the "ware panther" storyline as a large portion of the story.

Good as usual!

Enjoyed yet another book in this series by Charlaine Harris. Moving right along into the 6th book immediately to find out what happens next. :)

I Love Sookie Stackhouse!!!

I waited to write a review until I listened to all 12 books. I loved them all. Sookie is a breath of fresh air small town girl who has had problems in the past with romance because she has the gift of reading minds. Imagine going on a date and hearing everything the guy was thinking... Not good. With vampires out of the closet, she finds she can't read vampire minds. Finally she can have true romance. There is also Mystery, Murder, and Mayhem and more supernatural creatures to be revealed!
I loved all the characters and how the story unfolded through all the books. It was bitter sweet that it had to come to an end. I was going to watch True Blood on HBO until friends told me it wasn't nearly as good as the books and had way too much porn!! I will leave the same review for all twelve books. Sookie just wouldn't be Sookie without Johanna Parker, I loved her voice!

Another good book in the series

This series is soo totally addicting. I am on book 7 since the beginning of the month of November. The narrator is great in this series. I am hooked.

Snipers indeed, this one will surprise you.

Great storyline, loved it. Were Panthers, and other assorted creatures. I couldn't wait to get to the next chapter.

Hilarious and fun

I love a good series because once you find a great main character, which Suki Stackhouse definitely is, a lot of the guesswork is taken out of one's next choice. The narration by Johanna Parker is one of the best I've ever listened to. She captures the point of view, mood and fun of the character perfectly. I also like how the author keeps the storyline moving along, introduces new and interesting characters, and leaves enough 'unknown' to motivate the listener to keep going. I have now listened to 4 from this series and can't wait for my credits to renew to get my next one.

Always excellent

Would you listen to Dead as a Doornail again? Why?

Yes Sookie does not disappoint.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Eric he is so unpredictable

Which scene was your favorite?

Can't pick one

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes to all of the above

Any additional comments?

This series never disappoints

Sookie Stackhouse is the best

I read all the books before Trueblood was even a show. They are my guilty pleasure. I love that there is humor in them and that Sookie is not a helpless idiot. The narrator does a good job. I’ve really enjoyed the audible version.