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)

Enjoyed the book more than the True Blood

I felt this book was more enjoyable than the TV adaptation, which is too edgy and explicit for my tastes.

The narration is well done, even if Bill doesn't sound quite as sultry as maybe he should :P

Cute, funny, better than I expected

What did you love best about Dead Until Dark?

This was my first vampire novel -- I started "The Vampire Lestat" but never finished it -- and I was quite surprised to find I was looking forward to listening to it each day. It was engaging, not compelling.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

I thought I'd find the vampire deaths ghoulish, but they just seemed peripheral, probably because the whole idea of vampires is so unreal. I guess what I liked best was the playful tone of the book, and the strong, irreverent Sookie. She was a hoot!

What does Johanna Parker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The narration fit well with the overall comic tone of the book.

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

Not really. I spaced it over a few days. It wasn't compelling, just a bit of comic, fun relief to enjoy while cooking or knitting in front of the fire on a wintry evening.

Any additional comments?

I'm probably not going to become an ardent fan of vampire novels, but I might try another sometime, especially if it's offered as a daily deal. I think the "fun" vampire novels could grow on me.

Dead Until Dark: Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampir

Where does Dead Until Dark rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Charlaine Harris is one of my favorite writers & I have read several of her series. This story was the being of the Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire books & is the reason there are as many readers following these books. This book is in the top 1/4 of the many I have from audibile.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dead Until Dark?

Sookies' Gran sending Sookie & vampire Bill out of the house so they can get to know each other better really sticks out in my mind.

Which scene was your favorite?

I don't really have a favorite scene. I enjoyed the entire book.

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

I listened to this at work over a two day period. Since I had already read the book I was not afraid I was going to miss something

Any additional comments?

This book is a fine read (listen) for any adult.... Not a teen or kid book

Quirky Fun!

What a great read. I loved the modern Southern belle's take on being different and accepting difference.
The wry and quirky humor caught me off guard numerous times, and I found myself busting a chuckle.
This fun book deserves the full five stars!

funny

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes it was funny suspenseful and scary all in one

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

shocked

Have you listened to any of Johanna Parker’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

first time

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

no

Any additional comments?

the book is o k but not one of my favorites to silly

Who Doesn't Like This Book?

Great mystery thriller with sci-fi and romance, what more could you want? If you are reading these reviews it's just for entertainment because you know you have already decided to read it and it has probably been on your list for a few years. WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? ENJOY!!!

Excellent use of my credit

Would you listen to Dead Until Dark again? Why?

Yes, I would. It was a great book. Well written and well narrated. I enjoyed the story and the reading complimented the story well.

What other book might you compare Dead Until Dark to and why?

I don't think that I can compare it to any other book I've read. It's not my normal sort of book.

What about Johanna Parker’s performance did you like?

She had a lot of expression in her voice and really enhanced the book with it.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Super, supernatural.

Loved!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Not for the younger crowd, but I would for anyone interested in the supernatural field.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes!! I knew who the killer was (I've seen the show and couldn't believe it then.) BUT listening to the book and the details of everything just kept me more interested and more in toon of the flow of events.

What about Johanna Parker’s performance did you like?

I thought she did an awesome job! I loved that she made every character different (voice wise) but she also had the perfect voice for Sookie.

Too much time spent on sex.

Would you listen to Dead Until Dark again? Why?

No, I would not read this book again. This is a one time read book.

Would you be willing to try another book from Charlaine Harris? Why or why not?

I like the characters, the plot and in the outcomes of her books. Her sex scenes, leave nothing to your imagination, it just way too much.

What about Johanna Parker’s performance did you like?

What is there not to like about Johanna Parker's? Her performance makes the book. She is why I decided to continue with the series .

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Wanting to know who and why the the murder was committed. I love all the characters they are so interesting.

Any additional comments?

Now that I am on the 4th book and there is a lot less graphic sex scenes. I am enjoying the books more.

Not typical

First let me say....I am at a loss. There is nothing "wrong" with this book, it's just odd. I do not watch the True Blood TV show, so I am not biased there, but I do read a lot of vampire books. I guess the glaring oddity of this book is that it isn't intense.

There is a "bad guy", there are murders to be solved, and there are scary vampires...but everything is super relaxed. I have lived in NJ and I currently live in GA, so I understand that there is just a different pace in the south but I guess I just kept waiting for the intense part to begin and well it just didn't, which may actually be a nice change of pace for some folks.

Sookie Stackhouse is a waitress who the small town considers odd, and well she is, she can read minds but of course it isn't polite to just SAY that so she hides it and just considers it a disability. She has typical daydreams of small town life becoming exciting but it just doesn't....so people live on day to day where the biggest gossip is who hasn't cleaned their drapes in a month. That is until a vampire comes to town...is his name Raphael...or Blade...or something else cool...nope...just Bill. Sookie can't read Bill's thoughts so of course she is fascinated by him and this is the story of how they met and where they go from here are in the next books I guess.

There is something interesting about this book though...I can't put my finger on it. I mean there are over 10 of them so SOMETHING must be interesting...anyway, I downloaded book 2, guess we will find out if the fascination grows or not. For now...I have no recommendation one way or the other on if it's worth a credit...let's see what I think of book 2.