Dead Ever After

A Sookie Stackhouse Novel, Book 13

By: Charlaine Harris

Narrated by: Johanna Parker

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Number-one New York Times best-selling author Charlaine Harris has won numerous awards for her Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire series, which has been adapted into the hit HBO show True Blood. In this 13th and final book, a murder rocks the town of Bon Temps and Sookie is arrested for the crime. After making bail, she sets out to clear her name - but her investigation only leads to more deaths.

©2013 Charlaine Harris, Inc. (P)2013 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"The Sookie Stackhouse series seamlessly mixes sensuality, violence, and humor." ( Boulder Weekly)

"Harris’s creation offers a magical and mysterious twist on traditional vampire stories." ( Houston Chronicle)

"What sucked me in? Definitely the books’ oddly charming, often funny mix of the mundane and the absurd. And the chills and thrills in boudoirs and various locales around the South aren’t too bad either." ( The Seattle Times)

Delightful ending!

Sookie finally gets a good chance at lasting happiness. The whole series is well performed and enjoyable. Quite a delightful way to spend a few hours. And the sex scenes are great. ;-)

The End of the series.

Would you listen to Dead Ever After again? Why?

I would listen to this again because in the end, it seems that everyone gets what they really want, or need.

What did you like best about this story?

That the relationship between Sookie and Sam is finally resolved.

What about Johanna Parker’s performance did you like?

Johanna Parker is one of my favorite readers.

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

I did not want to stop listening to this book. However, life and work made me stop my listening several times. I could not wait to get back to the story.

Any additional comments?

Is it really the end. Will there be some short stories that will continue where this book left off for Eric, Pam, Sookie, Sam or Hunter. I hope so.

What others are saying

So I dont get why others didnt like this final installment of the Sookie Stackhouse series. It is different from the others but I Loved it. I get what the author was doing with it being different. My only complaint is Eric. I am a major Eric Northman fan, books and True Blood. I hate in the end those that wanted to take him down a peg was kind of efficient in doing so. Wish things would have ended differently for him and sookie. However, Sookies ending is perfect for her life. Would have also liked a little more action but this is a great book. I miss Sookie and Bon Temps already.

great ending

loved the series. this tied things up nicely. Definitely better than the tv show. I think that is all I have to say about that though

Ugh. I saw it coming, but it still hurt.

What disappointed you about Dead Ever After?

Harris should have ended the series several books ago. The past few books have been progressively worse--increasing inconsistencies with character lines.

What a let down

Would you try another book from Charlaine Harris and/or Johanna Parker?

Johanna Parker did a wonderful job. CH DID NOT

Has Dead Ever After turned you off from other books in this genre?

I will read other books in this genre, but I will not buy another charlaine Harris book again. I feel she let all her fans down in this book.

Which scene was your favorite?

Did not even have a favorite scene in this one.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I was very disappointed after following the books for so many years to be let down with the last book of a series. This is a first for me.

Any additional comments?

I usually don't do book reviews. But this one just hit me wrong!

What a sad excuse for a book

What would have made Dead Ever After better?

Sookie didn't have any real emotions. She was acting clueless the whole time about Sam. Puhhhlease! I'm pissed that Charlaine Harris felt the need to bring in Alcide and Quinn just to mess with our emotions about who she'd end up with! The book was absolutely ridiculous! From the plot line to the use of old characters from past books.

What was most disappointing about Charlaine Harris’s story?

Every little bit of it.

Which scene was your favorite?

I'm a gardener. The scenes where she had so many tomatoes she didn't know what to do with them. That goes to show you how lame the book was.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Dead Ever After?

The scenes with Sam mopping around like a sad puppy.

Any additional comments?

I HATE THIS BOOK!

When a writer is tired of the universe she created

Would you try another book from Charlaine Harris and/or Johanna Parker?

It was by far the worst book of the series. The storyline was so full of cliches and unimaginative that was painful. It would had been better if the author had closed the series on book 12. The best thing about the Sookie Stahouse series was the marriage of the mundane and the fantastical and it was always a pleasure to delve into the lore Charlene Harris was creating. And that is exactly what is missing from the last book: no magic, no fantasy. It's a sloppy romantic knot to a very creative series, from an author that is maybe tired of the universe she created.

Crushed

What disappointed you about Dead Ever After?

I can not express how heart broken I am about the last book in the series. The story line was rushed, pushed and squished together in a most unflattering way. How could she just discount Eric; the strongest personality in the whole series next to Sookie herself? How can she think that letting Eric walk off into the sunset ( figuratively speaking) with not even twenty words in the whole book be a good idea? This story did not even make sense in relation to the previous books. It was as though Harris just wanted to get it all over with. I would not recommend anyone even start this series with an ending like this. Another review suggested Harris did not even write this book; that would be the only explanation. That and if there was a ghost writer, they never read the other books.I haven't been this upset since they switched narrators in the Dresden series.I am left feeling angry,disappointed and utterly crushed. What in the world was she thinking?

Would you ever listen to anything by Charlaine Harris again?

No way; I will never get over her thoughtlessness and what she did to Sookie.

Did Johanna Parker do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

The characters were all there, but somehow I think they were just as frustrated with what Harris was making them do as we the readers were.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No- there is not one redeeming quality. The book should be recalled and Harris should re-write it. I can't help but wonder where were her friends and editor to tell her she was making the biggest mistake of her career?

What a Letdown: I Feel Cheated

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Ms Harris following her normal, action packed writing style.

Would you ever listen to anything by Charlaine Harris again?

I have been with this series since the release of Book 1. I am so disappointed with this ending book ... on many levels .... that I'm not sure I'll read anything else by her.

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Narrator was good. I can't say anything else was good, though. I disliked the lukewarm, need to wrap this up feeling I got while reading.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Waited for it to get better as I read ... it never did .... I am angry and disappointed that I spent so long living in a series to have this 'throw the fans a bone' finish to it. Just get it done, never mind the years and money spent by faithful fans ... they'll just have to suck it up. Yes, I lost much respect for Ms. Harris' writing with this one very poorly written book ... most especially because it was THE END of a series.

Any additional comments?

I have never had a negative review of any book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. Sure, I liked some books more than others. This book is the worst collection of drivel ... because what should have been a shining moment in the ending of the series ... read like a feast without any seasoning. Lots to eat but nothing tasted good so my appetite was long gone well before the end came.