From Dead to Worse

Starred review from March 17, 2008
Harris outdoes herself in this pivotal eighth Sookie Stackhouse novel (after 2007’s All Together Dead
), packing the story full of romantic tension and supernatural action. Having barely survived a catastrophic vampire hotel explosion, Sookie’s back at work in Bon Temps, La., serving vintage blood and waiting tables at Merlotte’s, a vampire bar. Participating in a friend’s wedding and fending off the advances of her vampire ex-lover, Bill, and her blood-bonded pal, Eric, leaves Sookie chafing over the recent lack of communication from Quinn, her weretiger boyfriend. When a violent Were power struggle erupts as Vegas vampires attempt to take over Louisiana from disgraced queen Sophie-Anne, Sookie dives into the middle of it, determined to help her shape-changing, blood-drinking friends. Harris provides many fun twists, most significantly Sookie’s meeting with her fae great-grandfather, Niall Brigant, which paves the way for a shock ending that will delight longtime fans.

Sookie, lover of a "weretiger" and the undead, is wearily at it again as the vampire community deals with the aftermath of tragedy. Johanna Parker delivers yet another great performance as Sookie Stackhouse, mind-reading muse of the vampires of Louisiana. Parker's voice is well suited to Sookie, not only in tone but in cleverness. Her male voices, however, leave something to be desired. It's not that Parker isn't skilled--she switches deftly and clearly between characters--but her voice doesn't lend itself well to deeper octaves. However, it hardly matters in this great series. Sookie is as fascinating and lovable as ever. L.P. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine