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)

Happy trails, Sookie

I started listening to this series of books after watching the first few episodes on HBO. While I have continued to watch the show, I have more anxiously awaited each new book as I liked how the different characters came and went or developed into main characters. I have to say, I love the book version so much better than the tv series which deviated so far from the books.

I have had 2 listening marathons and with this, the last in the series, I see another one in my future. I'm glad everything was wrapped up and tied together; maybe not a "happily ever after" for everyone but then life's like that. I'll miss Sookie but she's alway there if I need another marathon of listening pleasure!

Wrapped up or cleaned up?

First off I can't say enough about how much I've enjoyed Johanna Parker's narration of this whole series! The writing continues to have a great sense of humor and great characters. After the growing complications of the series it was nice to see many of these wrapped up. In many ways I think the Sookieverse is in a better place for new books than it has been since the first few books, if Charlaine decides to ever write any. I know I'd buy them if she does.

Yes there were some issues with characters and with abilities. With this kind of story I don't think one can really expect too much realism.

Alright conclusion to the series

3 stars

***note, this review will be considered a bit spoilerish because I'm going to say who Sookie ends up with***

This was an alright addition to the series. TBH, I can completely see who some people felt the story was a bit of a letdown considering it was the final book in the series. Things with Eric ended in a rather messed up way that left me expecting something more...even if it was just a big blowout between them. In the action part of the plot, Sookie actually has a couple of different people after her. One group is trying to frame her for murder (with slim evidence) and the other attacks come from someone else that she would never have suspected. Things got a bit confusing, trying to figure out who's doing what and why, but at least everything got concluded in that area. Sookie's love life? Well if you read the previous book you'd probably guess where things were going based off the ending...to Sam. While I like Sam, the ambivalence that's been between Sam and Sookie through the first 12 books just makes their sudden interest in being together not ring true for me. The excuse that the change in their perspectives was wrought by the big magic Sookie unleashed to save Sam in book #12 seemed iffy so I guess I'm just not really feeling their HEA, especially since it didn't come together until the end of the story.

This was a somewhat enjoyable story. I was glad to finish the series but there were some holes or things that didn't make sense for me that left me feeling like this book didn't completely feel like an ending. It did feel a bit like Harris got tired of writing the series and just tried to paste things together so there was a somewhat credible ending for the series. While I liked the beginning of the series, the way the quality seemed to go down as the series got longer makes me hesitate to recommend it.

Glad to have read the series

I totally enjoyed this series. This book series has entertained me for a few years. A lot of fun, sometimes sad, sometimes laugh out loud, always good entertainment. Thanks Charlaine Harris.

hate to see Sookie end

What did you love best about Dead Ever After?

the narrator was great

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

love her she can read anything and suck you in she's fantastic

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

this is not the end!!!!!!!

Any additional comments?

I felt like it was a bit rushed unlike the others and I didn't agree with who she ended up with but i love Sookie and will miss her!

Hmmm...

If you could sum up Dead Ever After in three words, what would they be?

That's The End?

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

I Did

Any additional comments?

I was a bit disappointed in the author. Mrs. Harris once again included things that were contrary to what she has said in the past books...I think she is getting True Blood and the books confused. Considering I hate what they've done with the TV Series that doesn't please me at all! However; overall this book was just as entertaining as the rest of them. It was no better and no worse. It is obvious there will be branch offs from this series. Why not, it has proven to be a money maker!

I was really hoping Sookie was going to be pregnant from the rape/attack of the fairies...I kept waiting for it in the last two books. It only made since to me since everyone else was pregnant and she kept thinking about how her stomach wasn't as flat as it used to be. Alas, I guess it wasn't meant to be! I was pleased that she finally got with the right man (trying not to include any spoilers here...).

This series is most certainly worth the read. I've read and reread all the books. My biggest complaint is that there are so many contradictions. Mrs. Harris says one thing in one book then contradicts what she has said in another. Other than that, it is well written and fun to hear/read!

Now everything is settled

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

Spoiler Alerts --- O.K. - First let say I started this book with some preconceived notions that it would be awful, based on the reviews I had read on Amazon.com - but being a Sookie Stackhouse fan I had to buy the download and I am glad I did. Perhaps listening instead of reading made the difference, but in any event I enjoyed the book.

I read the comments posted on Amazon about the characters not being true to form and I disagree only because it's fiction - the characters can be whatever Charlaine Harris wants them to be. Let me clarify that I am not an obsessed fan; just an avid reader of the books. Books by the way, about people who turn into panthers, wolves, lions and let us not forget the array of vampires, faeries and demon characters - in other words, fiction.

Some reviewers on Amazon said the plot was contrived, but really...which one of these books didn't have weird plots? Somewhere I read this is the last book of the series and I thought it ended well, wrapped up any loose ends and leaves us thinking that Sookie will have a Happy Ever After future - and that suits me just fine. Did I want it to end with her giving her heart to a dead person, growing old without children and being dumped when her body and face got too wrinkly for the ageless Eric? Heck no. It ended in a way that left Sookie "normal" and strong.

I would recommend this book and an enjoyable quick read.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dead Ever After?

The way it ended, wrapping up any loose ends.

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

Equal - she does a great job

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

Yes, but didn't have the time

great narrator

I listened to all of them. Great series. VERY VERY different from the true blood on hbo. But it was very good series

The end?

I will miss my friends! Charlaine Harris and Johanna Parker are quite the team. I've listened to every book and will listen again.

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. ;-)