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)

It Wasn't So Hard To Say Goodbye (spoilers)

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes, if you are a Sookie fan who needs closure. However, I would not recommend this book as an intro to the Sookie-verse. Here is the truth of it all. Charlaine Harris is a phenomenal writer. That is evident in everything else she has written (with the exception of the last three SVM books). I truly believe she had 10 good books in her and allowed her publisher to convince her to extend the Sookie story after True Blood debuted. The series began it's painful decline with Dead in the Family (book 10) and the storyline hasn't gotten any better since. I can compare the experience of reading books 10-12 to that of a maimed horse slowly being put out of its misery. I wanted the series to end and wasn't sure I would read book 13 (OMG 3 books of the most drawn out breakup ever).But like so many Harris fans I needed closure. I was truly hoping that Ms Harris would rally and end with a bang. It is somewhat disheartening that she didn't. However, I am still a fan and I just believe she didn't have anymore to say about Sookie. As Cyndi Lauper sang "Money, money changes everything."

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

There were no surprises in this book. Unlike many of my fellow readers, I believe that Harris always intended for Sookie to end up with Sam. A happily ever after for Eric and Sookie was never in the cards. 1) Throughout the series it was clear that Sookie valued her humanity and her religious upbringing would not allow her to abandon her soul. 2) Eric may have felt some measure of love for Sookie, but his own ambition would always outweigh what he felt for her. His self-serving decision was true to character. What has been a constant throughout the series is the mutual love and respect Sookie and Sam felt for each other. So there were no surprises there.However, it was sort of interesting how many people hated Sookie with such conviction for so little cause. It seemed as if all of her enemies' hatred of her was misdirected. They despised Sookie when they should have been hating on someone else. They all wanted to cage and torture her as if she directly injured them (when she didn't)."I hate her because she stole my last chance" -- When in fact she use an artifact that was gifted to her to save a friend's life . What should have been said here was.."I hate myself for being stupid enough to make a deal with the devil.""I hate her because I was tortured, disfigured and cannot return to fairy" -Well when you betray your monarch and try to take over somebody else's hood-- what do you expect?"I hate her because she chose to save herself and her lover instead of me and my queen" Daah?"I hate her because I am dying, my girl died and my boss hates her too... Btw it is my boss' fault that I am both dying and soulless...but I still passionately hate this women who never said a mean word to me" What the hell??? "I hate her because she is a freak who is in bed with the supernatural world and ........I hate gays, blacks, Jews, Catholics, and just anybody who is different than me. I am just a hater!"Ok. I don't know if you are with me here...but the rationale is more than a bit unbelievable here. I can believe you can dislike someone for an irrational reason. Investing the time and money in such a convoluted scheme is what I didn't believe. What was the least interesting aspect of the book was Harris' departed from the Sookie POV as an attempt to use misdirection, but it wasn't very difficult to figure out who the bad guys were. It was very unlike Harris to leave so many large bread crumbs.I really do want to say that I found something remotely interesting about this story .... but I can't.

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

Johanna Parker is an amazing narrator! Her talent as a voice actor was what kept me on board. I don't think I would have listened pass chapter three had it not been for her. She really is the voice of Sookie.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No. Sadly enough the story is too weak to be made into a movie.

Any additional comments?

I do want to say that even though I believe the ending of the series to be a dud, I am happy that Harris wasn't influences by Alan Ball's True Blood. I am sure the money is good, but I think he has destroyed the spirit of her work in an effort to keep viewer interested. Overall I think she kept to her original vision. I believe that she should have said no to extending the series. Read her other series. You will love them. You will also know what I already know about Ms Harris...she is an awesome mystery writer!

Still good

Personally I did not like the ending and felt like it was rushed and Charlaine was sick of writng these books. Not that I blame her. Not her best in my opinion but I didnt return it.

Not a pot-boiler but a character stew!!

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

Of course! I enjoy the other series Ms. Harris has written! Johanna Parker is an excellent narrator and will always be the "voice of Sookie" to me. But she is much more than just that!

What do you think your next listen will be?

I'm listening to the Will Trent series by Karin Slaughter. How ironic that is the name of the newest vampire Bon Temps!

What about Johanna Parker’s performance did you like?

Johanna is excellent at giving life and individuality to each character she portrays. The listener can distinguish who is talking and acting without needing a lot of "so-and-so said". My favorite is the way Ms. Parker portrays Diantha!!

Was Dead Ever After worth the listening time?

Not really. I never thought I'd say that about a book in the Southern Vampire series. It seemed to me like this book was written in haste or as a chore that had to be finished. Perhaps Ms. Harris has lost interest in this fictional world since the characters have been co-opted by the TV show, True Blood.

This story started slow by laying the ground work of many plot threads and by re-visiting old characters and storylines. It never really built up any tension or intensity. And then it just seem to limp on to a conclusion.

This novel seemed more like an episode of "This Is Your Life, Sookie Stackhouse" than any sort of continuation of or conclusion to the Southern Vampire series.

Any additional comments?

Neil Young said that it is better to burn out than fade away. I feel like in 'Dead Ever After', Ms. Harris chose to fade away.

Loved all 13 books!

Absolutely LOVED the entire series (13 books)!! Johanna Parker is a TALENTED narrator that brings Sookie's world to life! Very entertaining plot, writing style & performance! Sad to reach the end but satisfied of the conclusion.

Perfect ending - thank goodness!

This book was the best in the series since book 1. I’m so glad everything was tied up nicely.

One of my very favorite series

Mystery, romance, laughs and great characters. Narration is perfect and really brings those quirky characters to life.

Babbles the Uber fan...

Loved it. What a great journey through the years. I got exactly what I wanted and those who were upset may have missed the foreshadowing.

First off, those who were concerned about who Sookie ends up with have missed the point IMO. I consider this series to be Urban Fantasy. which means the romances are NOT the main focus, but the STORY instead. It could even be considered a paranormal cozy mystery.

Charlaine started out writing mysteries and boy does she know how to spin and twist and delight. I'm equally obsessed with her Lily Bard Series. I'm constantly re-listening to them too. This series is no different except for the paranormals involved.

No spoilers, but Eric is a selfish POS. He's been an a-hole for the past 2 books with the whole Oklahoma thing. I don't understand why anyone would root for him. I'm content in lusting after Alexander Skarsgard who plays the TV Eric.

I can't say anymore without revealing too much. I'm pleased though. It was the perfect plot to wrap up the series and to show how much of an effect simple barmaid Sookie has had on the Supe community. All your favorite characters appear and boy does she need them because enemies are busting out of every corner.

JOHANNA PARKER as always does a fantastic job. All of her characters are instantly recognizable. Her voice is so soothing and sultry.

Sums up with a fan girl scream as I ReStart the audio book again.

Long live Sookie and Thank You Charlaine Harris.

One of the weaker books

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This book added nothing to the series. The previous book, as-is, would have been a much better end to the series. It was poorly written in many places and felt rushed.

What could Charlaine Harris have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Made the book less of a reunion of all past favorite characters. It stretches credulity and weakens them all.

What about Johanna Parker’s performance did you like?

She has a lovely accent, and each character has a very distinctive voice.

Any additional comments?

In many of the books, Sookie is badly beaten or threatened with rape. I generally skip those parts on repeated listenings. This is one of the few books in the series where no one beats the crap out of the protagonist, or tortures her, or nearly rapes her.

I REALLY LIKED IT!!!

What made the experience of listening to Dead Ever After the most enjoyable?

It was like visiting an old friend....I love Sookie and the Bon Temps people!!!!

What other book might you compare Dead Ever After to and why?

you cant compare Sookie

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

I love her...She is my book Sookie!!! :)

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

Yes it was....I thought it was a good story...I dont see why people thought it was bad...was it the best of the series? NO...but it was still really enjoyable!

Any additional comments?

I loved this series from beginning to end..and I loved the HBO show also...I am sad it had to end...but there is always a re-listen option...and a binge watch!!! If you like this series, you will appreciate this book for what it is....I thought it was a decent end...I just wish there was more!!!

NOT disappointed - I loved it!

I just finished listening to Dead Ever After for the second time and loved it more the second time around. Sookie grew up...."I'm Sookie Stackhouse and I belong here." I wanted to cheer out loud for her.

Charlaine, thanks for Sookie's adventures and the fun ride it was watching her character develop into this self-assured woman who knew she could handle whatever life had to throw at her. I know I'll be listening to the whole series every year or two to enjoy it again and again.

Johanna Parker, thanks for some of the best narration ever. You are truly the voice of Sookie and her Bon Temps buddies. I loved listening to every word.