Book 3), Club Dead (Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood

Bill has suddenly disappeared with mysterious directions for Sookie. Eric informs her that Bill has been taken, possibly dead, and--maybe worse--is with another woman, a vampire. Sookie, along with Eric and hunky werewolf (finally!) Alcide, runs off to Mississippi and infiltrates Club Dead to try to rescue Bill and unravel the plot (of which nothing more is heard from for the entirety of the book). There's some cool action, but not enough and with not really any semblance of depth and mystery or twists. Alcide is an intriguing character, but so much more could have been done with him. Instead, his sister spends too much time on Sookie's nails. Most criminally of all, Bill is absent for most of the book and nothing is revealed about his motivations or actions. Sure, these books are fun, light, trashy reads with an interesting premise and characters, perfect for the bathtub (especially when waiting for the next and far superior seasons of True Blood), but there is a sad lack of depth in character, plot, theme, or style. Grade: C

Well, every romance inevitably catches a snag or two. In this, the third installment of Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire series, Sookie discovers to her horror that lover Vampire Bill is not on the secret business trip he told her about, but instead has run off with his ex-lover Lorena, a powerful and beautiful vamp. Sookie has no time to indulge her grief and feelings of betrayal, however, because it also becomes evident that once reunited with Lorena, Bill was kidnaped by some very nasty folk. Sookie joins forces with Eric, the owner of the Fangtasia nightclub, to find and save Bill before it's too late. Apparently single once more, Sookie must grapple with her conflicted feelings for Eric, for her shapeshifter boss Sam, and for Alcide, the werewolf paying off a debt to Eric by assisting in the search for Bill.

In this book, we see Sookie begin to mature past her young adulthood, as she learns that love is not black and white, but many permutations of gray. Once again, Harris masterfully weaves a tale of horror, of humor, and - dare I write it? - humanity and the meaning of love. You'll inhale this one. Enjoy the rush.

I just want to start this review by saying I NEVER liked Bill.

I know I have angered many by this statement. But there it is. I wasn't surprised by his actions at all. Don't worry I won't give anything away. Just that there is SO much more to come.

I liked Alcide's introduction to the series. I also like the evolution of Sookie as she gets more comfortable in her "hero" status.

I enjoy the flow of the plot and appreciate how every book is wrapped up. None of these books really stand on their own, so reading in order is imperative (in my humble opinion).

The who-done-it aspects of these novels can be mildly predictable, but I am more in it for the character development. This is something that gets better with each book, and adds to the addictive nature of this series.

Club Dead (2003) is the third Rural Fantasy in the Southern Vampire series, following Living Dead in Dallas. In the previous volume, the maenad didn't leave any survivors on the deck except Tara. Eric and Bill set fire to the beach house to cover the deaths. Portia took her brother Andy home, Sam took Tara and Eggs back with him, and Eric returned to Shreveport. Then Bill and Sookie also left and Callisto wandered off to who knows where.

In this novel, Bill Compton leaves town after hiding his database files and computer system in Sookie Stackhouse's closet. He tells Sookie that he is going to Seattle, but she knows that he is lying. Then Bubba shows up sitting on her front porch swing.

Bubba says that Eric has sent him to guard her, but doesn't know why. Sookie is on her way to work, but decides that Bubba can't go into the bar area; after all, he is too well known to just sit at a table. Bubba refuses to stay in the car in the back parking lot since he couldn't know when she is threatened. They finally agree that Bubba can sit in the office while Sookie is working.

As Sookie goes into the building to get Sam's permission, a Were gang member grabs her and then Bubba crushes his throat. After a bit of confusion involving Kevin -- a local cop -- Sookie, Sam and Bubba clean up the area and stash the body out of sight. Then Pam shows up later asking about Bubba.

In this story, Sookie learns that Bill has gone to Jackson after being summoned by Lorena, his master. He had called Fangtasia the previous night stating that he was coming back to Bon Temps to take care of some business, but he had never arrived. Eric has learned something about Bill's whereabouts from paid informants, but he can't just go searching for Bill since Mississippi is outside his jurisdiction. Indeed, it is a separate Vampire Kingdom.

Sookie can't read vampire minds, but she can go listen to the human minds in the Mississippi Kingdom. Eric has arranged for a Were named Alcide Herveaux to take her to Jackson and to provide an apartment. Alcide will also escort her in Josephine's, a vampire bar that caters to other supernaturals as well. The Weres, however, call the bar Club Dead.

Sookie is really hurting in this story. Bill has lied to her and then went to another woman. Even if this woman had brought him over, most vampires go their separate ways after the first few decades. Why did Bill go to Mississippi?

This story introduces Debbie Pelt, a shapeshifter who had been dating Alcide, but had recently left him for another shifter. But Debbie doesn't like other women in Alcide's life. She is a vixen in more than one respect.

Sookie also meets Janice Herveaux Phillips -- Alcide's sister -- whom she likes very much. Janice owns a hair salon and insists that Sookie have her hair and nails done properly for Josephine's ambiance. Sookie has never even been in a hair salon before this and really enjoys the experience. She even gets to repeat the experience the next day.

Sookie has problems with the Jackson Weres. The Were who had attacked her in Merlotte's Bar had been from Jackson. Then Jerry Falcon, another member of the same Were gang, accosted her in Josephine's and was forcibly removed. Jerry's body later showed up in Sookie's apartment in Jackson.

Highly recommended for Harris fans and for anyone else who enjoys murder mysteries with vampires, werewolves and other preternatural creatures.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Club Dead is the 3rd book in Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire Series.

Sookie has been feeling neglected lately. Her undead boyfriend, Bill isn't attentive. He is secretive and up to something with a capital U. He won't tell her what he is working on. She is very hurt that he doesn't trust her enough to confide in her. He tells her this, though. That he is working on a secret assignment that no one, not even Eric, knows about. The Queen of Louisiana who is Eric's superior.

Bill warns her that if something happens to him, she must look in the secret hiding place that he built at her house for his computer and discs. He tells her that she is to place herself under Eric's protection. He leaves and poor Sookie is undeniably upset. She can't figure out what is up with Bill.

Suddenly, he disappears. Eric tells her everything. Bill has't gone to Seattle like he told her. Instead, he went to Jackson, Mississippi. Bill was trying to reunite with his ex, the lovely vampire, Lorena. Sookie is beyond crushed. The love of her life was cheating on her!

Should she let him rot or should she go and find him? Even though, she is hurt and furious over his betrayal, she has to help him.

Eric arranges for Sookie to go to Jackson. Since he can't go & protect her himself, he sends in Alcide, a very sexy werewolf who owes Eric a favor.

Alcide & Sookie had some great chemistry together. Eric arrives on the scene in disguise. They get into "Club Dead" to find clues to Bill's disappearance. It is there that she attracts the attention of the Vampire King of Mississippi. She finds out that Bill is indeed with Lorena. One night, chaos erupts at Club Dead. Sookie is attacked, beaten & staked. Once again it is Eric to the rescue and believe me, he stole a little more of my heart. :)

Sookie is a great heroine. Her emotions are believable not forced like some heroine's are. I vote to give Bill the boot. He isn't worthy of Sookie's love & loyalty. Eric is quickly proving to be the favorite here. The chemistry between those two sizzle. If Sookie isn't careful, he is going to steal her heart away.

Great read!

Loving a vampire isn't easy, but for mind-reader Sookie Stackhouse, it has its consolations. Until, that is, her vampire boyfriend Bill takes up with an old sweetheart and is kidnapped by the King of Mississippi. Bill's boss, Eric, asks Sookie to user her mind-reading talents to see if she can locate Bill before his captors kill him and Sookie agrees. She's smarting from Bill's betrayal, but she still cares for him enough that she doesn't want him to suffer.
Along with a werewolf who owes Eric a favor, Sookie leaves Louisianna and heads for Mississippi and Club Dead--a bar where only the supernatural hang out. She can't read a vampire's mind, one of Bill's attractions for her, but she can read their dates. And she soon learns that Bill is still alive, but not for long. She has to rescue him, but first, she has to stay alive long enough to do the job. And with Sookie Stackhouse, staying alive is a constant challenge.
Author Charlaine Harris ups the emotional stakes in CLUB DEAD. Sookie faces betrayal from her boyfriend, the dangerous affections of a werewolf and Eric, heavy-handed 'help' from Bubba (formerly Elvis), and an entire kingdom of vampires who want something from Bill and are willing to risk war to get it. And then there's the crazy guy with a stake and the motorcycle-riding werewolf gangs. With all the adventure, it's still the emotional impact that makes Club Dead work. Sookie is torn between her love for Bill and what her life with the vampires has become. Bill's betrayal only adds to her sense of loss.

This book is when it starts to get VERY different from the TV show. The names of the major characters, and their general identities, are similar, but other than that it's a completely different story. That's actually a very good thing, since I had no idea what was going on or what was going to happen as I read, and it made the excitement much greater. I actually really love the original version. The book makes for a much more solid overall story than season three of True Blood, which had uneven storytelling and moments that didn't fit. Both are great, but I highly recommend reading the books if you haven't done so. I'm loving them so far, and they're promising to get even better now that I'm into unique territory.

Ok, I am thoroughly enjoying this series and I am reading the books back to back so that is probably why some of these trends are screaming at me but honestly, how many times is this Sookie chick going to get her a** handed to her? It's getting a little ridiculous. If she's not fantasizing about or actually having mind-blowing vampire sex, she's fighting for her life because someone or something has driven a stake into her hip, or beat her senseless, or bitten her and viciously drained her of blood. Seriously.
Again, I'll say, I do like this series, but the stories are getting a little tripped up because you have to deal with Sookie's propensity to be the punching bag of the supernatural world.
On a positive note, Club Dead was another fun read. Harris introduces a slew of new characters and expands the series geographic "territory", which naturally shakes things up a bit.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Suggested With: Sympathy pains for this girls unbelievable injuries

I thought the Bill cheating on Sookie thing would bother me, but it didn't. Sookie was kissing Eric in the previous novel, so what goes around comes around. I don't personally like Bill, so the fact that he was hardly present in this book was great!

Bill doesn't return from a mission for the queen of Louisiana, which sends Sookie off to read some minds and see what happened to him. On the way we meet Alcide who Sookie instantly gets along with. That makes a sorta of love square for Sookie with Eric, Bill, and Alcide, but Sookie seems to only have eyes for Bill. It's strange because Sookie and Alcide get along like they've known each other for years, and Eric laughs at all of Sookie's jokes and "gets her" better than anyone. I can only hope Sookie broadens her horizons at some point.

All in all this was probably the best book in the series. It was pretty short, and not too much happened, so it was short sweet and to the point. I can't wait to read more of this series, which just keeps getting better!

This series is quickly becoming very addictive for me. Book 3 is full of trouble for poor Sookie, who finds out that Bill is cheating on her with a previous flame. Now, Sookie has to find Bill, who has been kidnapped. (Golly, don't you totally want to find him now??) I love how not only are there vampires in this book. Here, we are introduced to a sexy werewolf, in charge of keeping Sookie safe on her mission to find and save Bill. Werwolves, vamps, supes(that's the supernatural for ya), oh my! And all all them seem so very real to me, as though they might be lurking in my own town.
As always, I love Sookie, who is an admirable human hero for keeping her head through all this madness. Also, we're introduced to Elvi---oh, dang, I mean, Bubba, who is bent on keeping our Sookie safe no matter what the cost.
Looking forward to book 4!

I bought this book the day it came out and I read it in one day, I couldn't put it down. This is the 3rd book in this series and they keep getting better. The book involves a main character who can read minds and her boyfriend who is a Vet, a Civil War vet, and who is also a Vampire. This book really develops the characters and tells us more about this vampire world. We learn more about vampire heirarchy, like there is a Queen of New Orleans and a King of Mississippi, head vampires. We also meet various shapeshifters and werewovles. You will love the black haired, green eyed, sexy werewolf in this book.
The main character, Sookie Stackhouse's love life gets really interesting and I can't wait to see how her realtionships develop. Especially the fight between her boyfriend, vampire Bill and his boss, an acient Viking vampire, also very sexy. These books are absolutely hysterical and will make you laugh out loud. Yet you will also be caught up in the action and romance.
I give this book 2 thumbs up and I am looking forward to book 4 and hope it's longer, I just finish to fast! :) If you do read this book I do recommend reading the 1st two books first in order to really understand what all is going on, plus you will enjoy the characters more.

This book wasn't as good as the previous two. But that is just my opinion. After being reccomended this series I have always bought all of her books, but this one was pretty boring in parts. Bill isn't very interesting, I'd much rather see Sookie with the sensual Eric.

Speaking of which, that is what perks this book up. Sookie somewhat 'teams' up with him when Bill goes missing. I like Sookie, she's brave, smart and crafty. I think because I'm not a huge fan of Bill is the reason I was 'mey' about this installment. Which is funny becasue he was kidnapped and wasn't even in most of the book. Still, the story didn't capture until the last half.

Despite that, I still enjoy the series. The story telling (of the series) is simple, sometimes dark, sometimes compelling but always funny. I don't think many characters, including the main, are fleshed out, but I love their relationships. For these characters, dwelling in the small town of Hotshot is the only place they could thrive. I'll keep reading until Harris stops writing.

First of all, it is hard not to love a character whose name is Sookie Stackhouse. Sookie. Everytime I say the name I cannot help but smile. Indeed, Sookie is one of the most endearing and delightful characters I have encountered in quite a while. She possesses an admirable strength of spirit and courage (even if she does not want to admit to it) and at the same time a sensitivity and innocence and humor that makes you care for and about her. Sookie may be a cutie on the outside, but she's also one tough cookie on the inside.
I soared through this book and read it in one sitting. It was a wonderful read. Trouble is on the horizon as the book begins. Bill has become increasingly absorbed in his "project" and takes off on a mission out of town while Sookie is left feeling alienated and brushed aside. Those feelings deepen intensely when Eric reveals to Sookie the personal nature of Bill's departure. When Bill goes missing, as in *poof*, Sookie is out to save the day, her man, and get even if she can. You go girl!
I immensely enjoyed the new character of Alcine. What a winner! Eric emerges as a charming, valiant hero, albeit with ulterior motives. Readers can see that his feelings for Sookie are deeping, which makes the interaction between the two characters that much more enticing.
My only problem with the book is that I rather despised Bill by the end of the book. He comes across with very little redeeming value and I hope that he proves his worth in the books to come.
I cannot wait for the next one!

I am a huge romance fan and a huge horror fan. I discovered Charlaine Harris' dead series quite by accident and immediately fell in love. This third book continues where the first two left off. If you have not read her first two novels, be sure to read "Dead Until Dark" first and then "Living Dead in Dallas". I just fell in love with all of her various characters. In this book, she introduces a new love interest in Sookie's life, Alicie, a werewolf. The only problem with this book is that it sort of leaves you hanging, but I guess that means I'll just have to wait for her next novel. To any fans of vampire romance novels - you have to read all three novels. I almost didn't try this book because other reviewers mentioned that this series was lighthearted, and even though it is not deep and dark like many vampire romances, it still has all the supernatural characters and romance and wonderful characters that I love in all of my horror romance novels. This book and the entire series gets 5 stars.

So far the best and the most dramatical book from the series. I am glad that terrible first book did not discouraged me from reading. Club dead brings plenty of action, interesting new characters and huge turnovers.

It is still only a leisure reading, nothing that I would re-read. But I really enjoyed it and I could not stop reading it, so I think it deserves 4 stars.

SPOILERS!
It seems like I am falling for characters. FINALLY, Sookie was able to stand for herself and made some wise decisions which made her look much better in my eyes. And I REALLY liked new character Alcide, he is way better than Bill or any other male characters in this series. I am really looking forward to find out what direction will their relationship develop in next book.

In Club Dead, the third novel in Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire series, Sookie finds herself trying to discover who kidnapped her vampire boyfriend Bill after he disappeared while working on a secret project. Her journey takes her to Jackson, Mississippi, at a supernatural club popularly called Club Dead. Her host is Alcide Herveaux, a handsome werewolf, who in addition to accomodations, provides a good deal of sexual tension during Bill's absence. Bill's Viking vampire boss Eric also lights Sookie's fire (as the series progresses, who isn't Sookie trying to sleep with?!?).

As several other reviews have mentioned, Harris's Southern Vampire books all contain something akin to softcore vampire/human porn of all persuasions, in addition to graphic violence. Sookie loves herself a good time in bed, and Harris certainly doesn't shy away from lurid details.

There were more varied supporting characters in Club Dead, including an extended appearance by Bubba, who is actually The King (yes, Elvis), but whose drug-addled transition to vampire didn't go as planned. Alcide is a likeable introduction to werewolves and fairly well-fleshed-out, as is his psycho on-again, off-again Shifter girlfriend Debbie Pelt.

Sookie spends a good deal of the novel coming to grips with Bill's betrayal of her; he'd gone back to dating/bedding his vampire mistress Lorena, leaving Sookie furious (and sexually frustrated). I would group these books into a Southern Vampire Chick Lit Light classification; you've got hints of Southern English, Civil War references, Southern culture, and supernatural lore (vampires, werewolves, goblins, shifters).

Honestly, the Southern Vampire books are highly formulaic, something along the lines of a) Sookie discovers something ominous at or after work, b) great vampire sex, and c)at least one instance where she is severely beaten or injured to the point of death, but hey, it's my literary equivalent of junk food and I enjoy every guilty (and calorie-free) minute of it. The third book in the series was an improvement over Living Dead in Dallas, and had a much more cohesive plot and backstory. Fans of vampire novels such as Anita Blake will probably enjoy Club Dead.

I didn't like this book as much as the first two. It was repetitive in some parts, sometimes boring, and didn't seem as thoughtfully written. I guess it seems rushed and simple. Read the first 3 chapters or so and you'll understand what I mean. I'm going to move onto the fourth book but I'm not as excited about it :-\ Also I have no interest whatsoever in werewolves (or shape shifters). I don't like how many supernatural characters are being added to the series and I know from the show that she will keep adding more. Ugh.

I also thought the ending of this book was particularly boring. I actually re-read the last 2 chapters to make sure I didn't miss something big, and I didn't.

This is the third Sookie Stackhouse book. Sookie is a telepath whose life has been majorly complicated by her boyfriend, Bill the vampire. In this book, Bill has been acting a bit distant towards her lately. He ends up getting kidnapped, and Sookie finds out he's been cheating on her. Still, Sookie feels obligated to save him and, in spite of the fact that she can't afford to take time off from work, goes off to do just that. Eric (a sexy vampire who keeps trying to get into Sookie's pants), Bubba (aka a vampiric Elvis), and a werewolf are all there to help her out.
I loved this book. It's got just the right touch of humor, not too silly but not too serious. It was nice to see more of both Eric and Bubba some more - Bubba did occaisionally seem more like a tool to solve plot problems, but that didn't make him any less interesting to read about. Eric really shined, and I can't wait to read more about him in later books. The ending was, I think, the best part of the book. It was nice to see that Sookie doesn't fold when it counts. And if that comment makes you curious, I suggest you go out and read the book. It was definitely worth the time, for me.

First of all, don't get me wrong. I love the Sookie Stackhouse series, and I've been reading them one after another after getting hooked by HBO's True Blood. But, Club Dead read to me like an artist or athlete who starts out very strong, then falters. For me, that might be because of the absence of vampires. I'm not really into the shapeshifter thing. Sam's shifter nature was not a bad thing, and added to the characters -- especially as another one of Sookie's protectors. But to tell you the truth, I'm becoming mighty puzzled why every vampire series must include werewolves and were-that and were-this. Does it really add to the plots? Wouldn't the vampires be enough? But we were warned in Living Dead in Dallas that we would need to abide by all sorts of supernatural beings, ala Laurell Hamilton.

The main plot line -- that Bill needed to be found & saved -- is somewhat ponderous as Sookie pals around with yet another protector, Alcide the Were, in her quest to find Bill. Alcide is a likeable enough character -- really, too perfect -- and perhaps that's why the story drags. I was relieved when Eric appeared halfway through the story (Eric, Pam & Chow are also in the beginning of the story, with Bill given about 2 pages), and that's when the story began to cook.

It's instructive with Club Dead that Charlaine Harris was not at the top of her game when she wrote it ... and her editor wasn't paying attention when they read it. Twice, entire thoughts of Sookie are expressed practically in their entirety. When Pam & Chow come to visit, we're told about the capability of vampires to enter a state of suspended animation and that Sookie thinks that's how they rest. When Eric comes to see Sookie in Jackson ... we're told all over again about the suspended animation, and why Sookie thinks vamps do this. Same for vampire photography: on the 2nd page, Sookie sees a vampire's photograph, and therefore realizes that vampires will show up in photos. CH must have forgotten about this, because near the end, this gets explained all over again with Bill. Not paying attention, Charlaine!

Club Dead is not awful, mind you. It's just not up to its predecessors. One has to keep reading, regardless, because it's obvious that Eric is going to play a bigger role in Sookie's life, and Bill ... well, who knows?

Sookie Stackhouse is in a pickle again, but this time her vampire boyfriend Bill can't save her... because she's the one that has to save him.

When Bill is kidnapped only Sookie can listen for clues to his whereabouts. But what she learns about where Bill was when he was kidnapped, and why he stayed away, may be too much for her to handle. Torn between a deep sense of betrayal and a deeper bond of loyalty, Sookie must decide who to help, and how far she's willing to go.

This is the third book in the Southern Vampire Mysteries series and to be honest, I sometimes wonder why I waste my brain-power. Once again the writing is nothing special, bordering on amateurish. Harris has written Sookie as a frequenly annoying and grating narrator. I don't care to know what exact color, pattern, and fabric your pajamas are every single time you put on a pair. Likewise, I don't give a crap about your word-a-day calendar unless that calendar is going to cut someone's head off at the end of the book (it doesn't).

So many times throughout this book I wanted to yell at Sookie. I wanted to say, "Sookie, Bill bit the bejeesus out of your neck. Just because your body feels good nestled against his is no reason to cuddle!" I wanted to tell her that Eric just wants to get into her pants, so though it's nice that he seems all warm and fuzzy toward her now, it's not okay for him to do gross things while she drinks his blood. And Alcide!? Alcide is a hot werewolf, for those who haven't read the book. And in order to listen to the clues for Bill, Sookie has to pretend to be Alcide's girlfriend, and of course things get complicated there. I don't even know what shape I could use to define Sookie's love life, but it's definitely one with many sides. Three books into the series and I really wish she'd get her act together and start thinking with her brain instead of her lady-business.

I'm also really tired of Sookie always being the victim of abuse. This is not to say she doesn't defend herself, because she does, every time. But several times in the last three books she's been completely torn apart and beaten to shreds. Bloodied and bruised and broken to the point of death, I'm really tired of everyone trying to kill her.

In conclusion, I may read the fourth book in the series at some time in the future, but I think it's possible this is one of the rare examples where the screen version is better than the book in my estimation. The acting on TrueBlood is more genuine to me than Sookie's narration in the novel. This is the kind of series I would download on an eReader if I had one, because though it's entertaining, it's not anything that's going to enrich my physical book collection.

Charlaine Harris has once again created an imaginative,fun, entertaining addition to the Sookie Stackhouse series with her novel Club Dead. Sookie remains our chatty, likeable, brave heroine who gets involved in another mystery involving her beloved vampire Bill. This time it's Bill that's missing and her investigations may uncover more than she can handle. This leads to a trip to Mississippi with her escort a Werewolf named Alcide and of course more interactions with Eric the "to hot to handle" Norse vampire and comic relief from Bubba the very famous look a like (or is he) vampire. Harris has a wonderful style with her writing that draws the reader in and makes us feel like we want to be friends with Sookie and even though she is dating vampires her emotions and actions are definetly human. Light hearted, entertaining and humorous..I can't get enough of Sookie and her friends!

I'm new to the series and for someone who is not into this genre... I can't quit reading it. I love this series!
This is book 3 and probably my favorite. There was plenty of action and I just loved Alcide. In this book, Bill (Sookie's vamp boyfriend) has become distant and secretive. He disappears and Eric enlists the help of Alcide(who is a werewolf)and Sookie to find Bill. Sookie hangs out at Alcide's place and starts to get feelings for him. At the same time they are trying to find out who might have Bill. That's when all the fun starts and doesn't end until the last page. As always, I love Sookie's humor, brashness and all over southern politeness. She is really what makes the books as wonderful as they are. Having a bit of supernatural "eye candy" tied in as well doesn't hurt.
If you've read the first two and enjoyed them, I highly recommend this one as well.

It occurs to me that I read a lot of vampire novels. Anne Rice, Laurell K. Hamilton, even Karen Taylor. Now Charlaine Harris. What is it about vampires? Lestat is a compelling character...tragic grandeur, moral ambiguity, the restless soul striving for the light and falling back into evil. At its best, truly great stuff. Anita Blake is the attraction in the Hamilton books. Tough as nails, deadly, doing her best to do good. I used to root for Richard over Jean-Claude, not only because Jean-Claude was an arrogant cuss, but because I personally like the idea of happy ever after, and to me this has always meant a family, kids, the whole American dream schtick. The family options are pretty limited when your significant other is a vampire. Richard, of course, has turned into a jerk, and Jean-Claude seems like a nicer guy than he used to be. Now we have Sookie Stackhouse. Beautiful, spunky, feminine, loyal, an attractive heroine. You can't help rooting for Sookie, but where are these books going? Sookie, though telepathic, does not possess the supernatural abilities of Anita Blake, nor her basically bloodthirsty nature. Sookie is no match for a vampire, except perhaps, at the game of love, which she does not wish to play. Bill doesn't deserve her, not after the way he treats her in Club Dead. Eric is a hunk, but so what? No future with Eric, that's for sure. I vote for Alcide, a nice, nearly normal werewolf. I do like this series, though, and I'm looking forward to the next one.

i only just discovered this was a book series (oh yes, the shame was strong for this book nerd). definitely have been enjoying it better than the tv series, and i very much love the series. pick this one up!

Sookie Stackhouse finds herself in a bind more often than any other fictional character I've yet run across. But she's also one of the more likable characters I've run across.

In Sookie's latest misadventure, Bill Compton is kidnapped, and Eric Northman sends Sookie to help find him. But along the way, she discovers a distinct attraction to Alcide Herveaux, a werewolf assigned to assist Sookie via a called-in favor from Eric.

Her emotions are confused because while she cares deeply for Bill, she discovers he's betrayed her. Who should she trust? Sookie doesn't know but finds herself more and more inclined to accept Eric or Alcide.

As this series moves along, I'm finding I enjoy it more and more. It started out a little slow, but the second book certainly picked up the pace, and the third book was a real page turner.

How am I supposed to wait for the next one? I had eagerly anticiptated this book, and had that 1/2 feeling of dread that it would not live up to the other books in the series. Thank goodness my fears were unfounded, if anything, I think this book surpasses the previous 2. I managed to read this in 2 hours, now I want to go back and read it again!
We are only in Bon Temps for a short time, Sam has a brief spot and so does her brother. Most of it is set in Jackson, Mississippi. They introduce a new were-wolf. I really liked him at 1st, but he did some pretty uncool things. Perfect, because I want Sookie and Eric to hook up. (Actually I don't want them to hook up so much, as I want the great tension to keep going between them.)
Lots of Eric!! Bill only comes in for about 4-5 chapters. I hope Sookie keeps to her guns and dumps him. As ususual it had some hilarious laugh out loud moments. It is starting to remind me of earlier Anita Blakes. (Sookie gets her 1st vampire kill!)
I don't want to ruin it for you, but don't wait buy it now!!!!

This is the third book in the Southern Vampire series. Although you don't need to read the other two to know what is going on, I have to say it is probably not my favorite.
Main character, Sookie Stackhouse is a waitress in a bar with a "disability" - she can read minds. Which instead of making her some sort of comic book hero, is really a problem for her. Ms. Harris writes about the south, with authority, her characters are interesting and funny. She tells a good story.
This is not a heavy duty vampire story dripping with gothic atmosphere (which has it's place). I would highly recommend her two other books, but this one is a little inconistent. For instance, there is a problem with Sookie's boyfriend, Bill (vampire Bill), but what actually causes Bill to act the way he does is not fully explained (either by the character or in the course of the book). As result the reader is dissatisfied with the overlaying plot line.
Unfortunately I have noticed that similar to another (non-supernatural) series Ms Harris writes, she likes to damage her heroine's main romantic relationship. Personally, this type of story detail does not work for me and in the case of Club Dead just doesn't make sense.
The book is still interesting and has Ms. Harris' wonderful brand of humor, so I did enjoy the book, but wouldn't whole heartedly recommend it as I did her first two.

When I first read this book I was very disappointed with Bill's storyline. I was not yet a fan of Eric and was not looking forward to where Charlaine Harris was taking the series. Having read all the books in the series to date, I can now say that this was probably one of my favorites! It was a turning point in the story, but a change for the better. I absolutely adore Eric's character and Sookie has improved as well. The mystery and suspense were intriguing and at the end I was ready to pick up the next book and see what kind of trouble Sookie and Eric could get in to! I love this series, but do recommend you start with the first book, Dead Until Dark. You could read this book first, but it won't make as much sense. This is my favorite adult vampire series and I highly recommend it!

This book was better than the first two in my opinion, then again whenever Alcide and Eric are in the same room it's hard not to enjoy it (both on the show and in the book.) As always Sookie is solving mysteries and is trying to figure out her feelings for Bill. He goes missing and it's her job to find him. It doesn't help that Eric is still trying to get in her pants and now Alcide, on the rebound has a thing for her. The only thing I disliked about this book was Sookie always getting beat on, it is unrelistic to me at least that Sookie, with supernatural protection mind you, would be constantly beat on and hurt in the line of duty. So far this is the only book I would consider buying.

This series is phenomenal. If you can, listen to the audio books in conjunction with the novel - Johanna Parker is amazing, the voices really add a lot to the story. You can't go wrong with this series!!

It had been several months since I read the second Sookie book and I desperately needed something different. I needed a break from these sad heartbreaking books. I just wanted something light-hearted and Fun!! I definitely got what I needed in this book.

Things are most definitely changing for Sookie Stackhouse. Some things in a good way and some in a not so good way. There was great character development in the edition. Sookie is growing into her own skin. I missed Sam and all the Bon Temps gang but I really enjoyed Alcide and of course Eric! I'm still on the team Eric side!! Bill who?

I really loved this book. It was exactly what I needed at the time. Maybe this time I won't wait months before reading the next book.

Review: The third book in the Sookie Stackhouse series, and I'm still into it. This book feeds into every woman's fantasy -- all the men that you meet will undoubtedly fall in love with you, think you're the most beautiful woman on the planet, and find you irresistibly sexy. This, unfortunately, isn't Sookie's biggest problem in Club Dead. Her men -- how many there are, you'll have to read the book to find out -- are the best of her troubles. The worst? She almost dies a few times, her vampire boyfriend is kidnapped, and possibly might not even be her boyfriend any longer, and she makes her first official kill herself. Cool. Exciting stuff. I'll be reading #4 before the week is out, I'm sure. Welcome to Alison's newest guilty pleasure.
[...]

This 3rd installment of Sookie's adventures with vampires and the social and exciting life that she thought she was missing is the most brutal yet. Once again she is badly hurt, this time while trying to find her missing boyfriend, Bill, who is also badly hurt. Only slightly coerced by his boss, Eric, who has his own designs on her, but doesn't get badly hurt. But there's some good news, she does meet another man who just happens to be a werewolf and has his own co-dependency issues with an ex-girlfriend that treats him like dirt but that doesn't stop him from lusting after the girlfriend and Sookie in his heart. Well, maybe not just in his heart.

I really like fantasy literature and I'm enjoying more romance now than I did, just not a steady diet of it. This series started out very promising but, for me, is failing to live up to the beginning premise. Charlaine Harris is a very good writer and her characterizations are keeping me with this series so far. But the formula is starting to show and my interest is starting to drift. I may try another book in this series but am not holding out much hope of a change in trend.

"Club Dead" is the proverbial turning point in the Sookie- Bill relationship, so you can't skip this one. The fourth book, "Dead to the World," opnes up where this one leaves off, so you must read the third book. Sookie travels to Jackson, MS in this installment, so we don't get the backdrop of Bon Temps with all of its characters. Fortunately, Harris pulls if off by introdicing Alcide, a werewolf traveling with Sookie. He's a great character and shows up in the rest of the series. I found it nice to learn about werewolves and am glad Mrs. Harris is gradually introduing the supernatural world.

With the arrival of Alcide, Sookie's life becomes much more complicated. Her love for Bill is tested in more ways than one, and Sookie's decision at the end is predictable yet suprising all the same. She definitely grows up in this book.

Sookie Stackhouse's new adventure is her best yet. Her vampire boyfriend Bill is doing a secret job for the queen vampire of Louisiana. While on the job, he is lured to Jackson, Mississippi by an old flame-a vampire named Lorena. But Lorena betrays him, and Bill is kidnapped. Russell Edgington, the vampire king of Mississippi, is holding him prisoner and torturing him for his secrets. They will do anything to make him talk, including threatening Sookie, and they send a werewolf to get her.
Never one to wait for danger, Sookie takes off to Jackson. Her mission is to find Bill at all costs. She takes up with a werewolf named Alcide that owes Eric-Bill's boss-a favor. Her only clue to finding Bill is a local bar that caters to the supernatural called Club Dead. It's at Club Dead that all Hell breaks loose, and Sookie's already crazy life spins out of control. In her quest to save Bill, she is stalked, attacked, beaten, and staked. She must also face the king, but even worse, she must face Lorena. No matter, she will do what she must to save her man-even if he's technically already dead.
This is the third in Ms. Harris' series about a telepathic barmaid with a vampire boyfriend. And it is the best. This book has more everything: more vampires, more werewolves, more shape-shifters, more supernatural adventure, more mystery, more romance, more eroticism, and more humor. Club Dead has it all. Let's hope there will be a fourth installment in this unique series.

Some readers did not like this entry in the series, but I liked its complexity. While Bill seems to be acting out of character, it is all explained in the end, and Sookie shows a lit of grit that I was wishing she'd shown in earlier books. The Sookie-Bill-Eric triangle is a prime element here, as are the Weres, especially Alcide. Yes, some of the people, like Sam, from the previous books have small roles here, but I had no problem with that. Something about Sookie & Sam doesn't sit well with me anyway.

Harris' writing is becoming tighter, although she still occasionally succumbs to extraneous narration and description. This novel is something of a transition piece, making the reader aware that Sookie is changing, becoming more comfortable with herself and the supernatural world she is privvy to. Not at all formula here.

Sookie suspects she and Bill are through even before he goes off on a 'business trip.' It's an errand for the Queen, he tells her, and important.

Then, she finds out that Bill's back with his ex-lover, Lorena. According to Bill's boss, Eric, Bill's in trouble and he needs Sookie's help.

Sookie travels to Jackson, Miss to visit "Josephine's" aka "Club Dead" the hangout for the local supernaturals. She's guarded by Alcide, a handsome werewolf, who's torn between feelings for Sookie and Debbie his ex.

THis is definitely a fast-paced novel full of characters you can care about. Sookie isn't your gun-toting superheroine. She's just a girl off the street burdened with the ability to read minds. But, she takes care of her people, even if she's mad at them.

Great job, Charlaine Harris!

I liked the True Blood series so I found the books online and ordered a few. I found that I was fascinated by the characters and story lines, even more than the series. I can't stop reading. It is such an interesting way to think about the world, and it makes you want to jump into the book. I think real life seems a little dull at the moment.

I've now bought all the rest of the Stackhouse books and some of Harris' other books which I'll save for when I am mourning the end of the Stackhouse novels. I just bought the Stackhouse books in Spanish, too, so I can brush up on my Spanish. I thought that would be fun after I read the English version through a second time.

I read all the time and I've never enjoyed a book more. I hope Harris will write a few more.

In Club Dead, Sookie Stackhouse's vampire boyfriend Bill is kidnapped during a top-secret mission for the queen of Louisiana (yes, Sookie laughed too). After finding out that Bill hasn't exactly been the most faithful puppy of the bunch, Sookie nevertheless decides to rescue him with the help of Eric, Bill's sexy vampire boss, and Alcide, a werewolf who has an eye for her. Action and romantic thrills abound, although I would hesitate at describing this as a mystery, since it's a haphazard one at best (the story is mostly just about Sookie hunting Bill down, so to speak). The ending is unresolved (in that the mystery of the book is solved but the reader is left to wonder about Sookie's relationships with her men). Sookie is as charming as ever, and I definitely plan to read the next book in the series.

With "Club Dead," Harris has written a book that stays true to her style and characters. Readers can expect to be wholeheartedly entertained by this enthralling read.

Readers will notice the absense of Bill, as the premise of this book surrounds the disappearance of Sookie's vampire boyfriend. Sookie somewhat resentfully looks for Bill, as she learns early on of his recent liasons with an old vampire girlfriend. Her journey takes her to Missippi, accompanied by Alcide, a were, where she visits befriends the King of Mississippi in order to gain entrance onto his compound where it is believed that Bill is being kept.

Alcide is perhaps the most enjoyable new character we are introduced to in this book. He is a strong, confidant, and extremely likeable character. He, like Sookie, is recovering from hearbreak, as his ex-girlfriend (the extremely unlikeable Debbie Pelt) has recently gotten engaged to another man.

One thing I particularly enjoyed about this novel is the relationship between Bill and Sookie, more specifically, the fact that Sookie is hurt but not destroyed by his infidelity. Sookie has a variety of other, in my opinion more suitable, options. Unlike other novels that include a romance, the book does not fall apart upon the separation of the couple that we have grown to enjoy over the past two novels.

Readers of other Harris novels, particular other Southern Vampire novels, will seriously enjoy this addition to the storyline of Sookie and her band of supernatural friends and acquaintances.

Ms. Harris gives us a real shakeup in this, the third book in the series. Lots of suspense, mystery, danger and all the things you love about the world of Sookie Stackhouse. Love the interactions with Eric and Pam. Eric is so deliciously devious and Pam is so . . . . hard to describe but I think she has a real sense of humor. I look forward to their exchanges.

The Southern Vampire Mysteries series by Charlaine Harris moves right along, as evident by how quickly I finished the second book, Living Dead in Dallas. This time, Sookie Stackhouse takes on a small job in Dallas for the the vampires, or more specifically, Eric the sheriff of Area 5. But that's not all. There has also been a murder in her own town which she has to get to the bottom of.

Living Dead in Dallas builds more on the handful of main characters than the previous book. I found myself liking Eric more and more as the book went on. While the first book sets up the town and fictional world Sookie inhabits, the second book makes readers more familiar with Eric, Pam, Sam, and Bill.

The plot, or more specifically, the mystery in the second book engaged me more than the first one, but that may be because I knew about the first one before I read it. I liked that there were actually two story arcs which were both resolved by the time the book ended. While cliffhangers are good to keep readers wanting more, closure is more satisfying.

I loved this book like I did the other 2 in the series. The only problem I have with them is that all were just too short. I am a very fast reader and finished this book in about 1 1/2 hours. Just kind of inhaled it I guess. The main character Sookie goes to Jackson, MS to straighten out some trouble of her boyfriend, Vampire Bill. Bill is not a very good boyfriend in this book and I think either Sookie will drop him and start seeing Eric or someone else that is not a vampire. I liked that Sookie seemed to be a little tougher and meaner in this book. She had quite a few kicka** moments throughout this book. And I loooove The Man from Memphis, aka El.... oops, I mean Bubba!!!!! I hope that wasn't the last of Sookie, Bill, Sam, Eric and yeah, even Pam.

When I started reading the book, I had already read some reviews and knew that Bill and Sookie were facing a tough time. I didn't want to read it, because I thought they shouldn't change in their relationship at all.
Boy was I wrong: Introducing Alcide and more of Eric, it makes for better scenes and also helps Sookie's development and growing up. She seemed sulky at times and stubborn when she couldn't get Bill to do what she wanted - but this book explains more about the nature of the *beast* and how they are trying to fit into the mortal world. I can't wait to read the other books, but if you were hesitant about picking up another Sookie Stackhouse volume after book 2 - give it another go with Club Dead!

I gave this third installment 3 stars because I felt like it could have been more informative about Russell Edgington, who was the vampire king of Mississippi. The fact that Sookie willingly gives him her blood while at Club Dead following the "Fellowship of the Sun" attack involving Steve Newlin and his accomplice was an idiot thing to do on Sookie's part and this being after her relationship with vampires Bill and her many ties with other vampires such as Eric. I felt that she would have known that doing such a thing would have been a no-no for a high-ranking vampire such as the King of Mississippi. That whole scene I found confusing and the fact that Alcide did not show loyalty to her after the attack in Club Dead was annoying, especially for someone who is such a huge fan of the character of Alcide.
I have been enjoying all the Sookie Stackhouse novels, and this one has been one of my least favorites thus far. I am glad, that Alcide's character is mentioned in the following books as well. I think the author did a good job with the romantic tension between the two characters, Sookie and Alcide.

Although the second book was less than spectacular, this one jumps back on track and keeps the series going.
This time Bill and Sookie's relationship is in danger, when Bill apparently left Sookie for an older vampire flame.
I liked the fact that the mystery this time was very connected to the main characters and not others. The novel is well shaped and the introduction of new characters such as the werewolf Alcide and his sister is very refreshing. Sookie's narrative voice is more clever and funny everytime, and the passages with Alcide's sister are joyous fun.
Harris keeps changing the format of her novels, the mysteries, the pacing and everything, which gives every novel a new twist and makes the interesting. I like this because sometimes series like this get boring because the mysteries tend to fall into formula, but Harris is a good writer and you never know what to expect from her.
Although the pacing is always quick, this time the novel develops in two or three days, contrary to the other books in which the novel took more time like weeks. Again this kind of change is welcomed.
The mystery is always good on Harris writing, but this time the love part is quite interesting. The sexual tension between the characters is amusing and thrilling, just as the mystery itself. And the ending is a great payoff. The series continues to develop in this one, a huge step forward.

Another great, engaging book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. My favorite, and by favorite I mean the most horrible, fashion moment for Sookie is when she dresses up to go to the vampire bar and she wears a strapless dress that has sleeves the slip on separately. Ugh. I can't decide if the author wants Sookie to look trashy/WT because she lives in a small southern town or if the author is just plain clueless.

I still love the humor and Vampire Eric but I'm over Vampire Bill at this point. I thought he was a complete ass in this book. I really liked the intro of the Were society and the character of Alcide - he was a sweetie. On to book number four!

Everyone has little bumps and snags in their relationships, and being told your significant other is cheating on you isn't unusual. But what do you do if your boyfriend happens to be a vampire who has been kidnapped and is held in a rival vampire territory? This is just one of the problems facing Sookie Stackhouse, psychic and friend to all kinds of supernatural beings. Sookie isn't moody or heavy like Hamilton's Anita Blake, but she does have her share of darker problems, and this book is the first in the series to really take a close look at those. Fans of Charlaine Harris's light-but-in-no-way-fluffy Southern Vampire Mystery Series will enjoy this deeper look into the life of her engaging heroine, Sookie Stackhouse.

When not snickering at the very literal minded Bubba, I learned quite a bit more about the world of Sookie Stackhouse and her vampires and weres. I'm not going to give a synopsis of the book, as that has been done in other reviews. But I will tell you, that this is a marvelous adventure to add to the group of the Southern Vampire Series that Charlaine Harris has pulled us into. Make sure to read them all in order, though this 3rd in the series is very readable on its own. But by reading them in order you get the whole picture of Sookie's life before and after Bill the Vampire entered her life. All of the books in this series are very hard to put down, once you start reading. Thank you Ms. Harris for some very enjoyable reading time with these books. And like another reader requested, please don't make us wait long before the next installment.

This was an okay read for me. It would've been much better if the author wasn't so fuzzy with the plot and characterization. She never seemed to explain Bill's "defection". Did he leave with the intention of betraying Sookie, or did he just get caught up in the moment, or something else? Did he leave because of the "project" or was it to meet up with his former girlfriend? None of this was clear. I missed Sam, but enjoyed "meeting" Alcide and seeing Sookie's deepening relationship with Eric and her budding friendship with Pam. Bill's actions seemed so out of character for him, however, that it left a bad taste - so much so that I can't give this book more than 3 stars.

What made the experience of listening to Club Dead the most enjoyable?
I like urban fantasy and this fit the bill for me. The one thing I find said is the fact Sookie Stackhouse has to wrestle with who to pick. I don't see why she can't pick more then one to be in love with.

Who was your favorite character and why?
Alcide Herveaux, it was good to see a werewolf in the series. I think he is a stronger then the two vampires. Bill Compton always felt like a whining baby to me. Eric Northman on the other hand is not as whining but he has a much darker side, less ethically strong.

Which scene was your favorite?
The erotic scene between Eric Northman and Sookie Stackhouse.

Any additional comments?
I didn't get in to this series till True Blood had come out. I like both the TV show and the books allot. I feel that after the first TV series the two have gone there separate ways. I think the TV show is still good but would of been better staying true to the books. This book is superior to the TV show.

Club Dead is the first book in the Sookie Stackhouse series that hasn't been portrayed on the TV show True Blood, so it was the first book in the series that I was able to read without any preconceived notions of what it should be. This book is the embodiment of everything I hoped this series would be. More Eric, less Bill, interesting scenes with Bubba and the introduction of Alcide (who I hope to see more of) made Club Dead a fully satisfying read. I could not put this book down and loved every single moment. I cannot imagine how Charlaine Harris could top this book and can barely contain my excitement looking forward to the next in the series.

Club Dead is an great book,an interesting mystery, but I would actually tell people to read this book before reading the first two of the series: Dead Until Dark and Living Dead In Dallas.
The problem is an inconsistency in some of her characters' behavior, especially Bill and Sam. This is, unfortunately, a fault in another one of Ms Harris' mystery series, The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries. It appears, that when a storyline get difficult, Ms.Harris either kills, removes, and/or changes the character's personality abruptly.
This is a good book, I enjoyed it, it was entertaining, and I am glad I bought it. But, the character jumps in a second Harris series were an irritant.

I won't get too much into the plotline for this third entry in the Southern Vampire Series,as it has been well covered by other reviewers. I,too,was disappointed by Bill's low-down behavior, but,hey,as he himself has said many times,he's NOT HUMAN! Club Dead seems to me to be a pivotal book in the series and lays the the groundwork for many more interesting events and revelations to come. I am much more fascinated by Eric and his motivations-would LOVE to know more about his history. I like the direction that Sookie is taking,becoming much more self-reliant and self-respecting. The humor and romance in this series is addictive. Hope there are many more to come-and quickly!

This series has grown on me, book after book, and hats off to Ms. Harris for really shaking things up in the Bill/Sookie romance. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books, but wondered how many more times the author would re-tread the relationship, when BANG! she has Bill do the unthinkable! I do like Bill, but bravo to Ms. Harris for creating such other delectable alternatives for Sookie, namely Eric and Alcine the werewolf. Yum!

The plot was zippy and twisty, though Sookie got pummeled into the dirt one time too many. Not a big fan of the resolution, but boy did I have fun getting there. Running to the store now to get Dead to the World...can't wait!

I am really enjoying this series quite a bit. Bill is missing in this book, supposedly kidnapped, so Sookie heads to Jackson, MS to try and save him. Along the way she discovers things about Bill that make her very angry with him and again questioning her involvement with vampires and the supernatural creatures in general. The topic of shapeshifters and Weres is also greatly expanded upon. This novel has plenty of twists and turns but did not keep me quite as engrossed as Living Dead in Dallas. Nevertheless, it is a great read and I cannot wait to see what else Ms. Harris has in store for Sookie

I've enjoyed Charlaine Harris' series - all of them. I looked forward to this installment in the Southern Vampire series, and was not disappointed.
However, don't underestimate Charlaine. Her books have a cozy appearance, but don't let it fool you! You welcome back many of the previous players, and get introduced to many more new ones.
Eric has a new side to show, and so does Bill. Alcide, a new character, will hopefully be seen in more of the stories.
Bill disappears, and Eric goes to Sookie for help. Sookie, accompanied by Alcide, goes 'undercover' to find Bill in unfamiliar territory. Needless to say, danger and mayhem ensue, with bodies (dead and REALLY dead) dropping (or rising)everywhere.
Kudos, Charlaine!

I enjoyed the first two books as the series are easy reads. Romance and adventure, what more can a person want reading vampire novels! But, the third book was disappointing. While I did not expect Sookie's and Bill's relationship to last forever, there is nothing written during the story line to build up that Bill was summoned or decided to stray (whatever his reasoning is). He just abruptly left early in the third book, which is the turn in the opposite direction from the ending of book 2. Boo. Hiss.
The second thing that annoyed me was how Sookie and Eric and Bubba were able to have major discussions in the enemy's house. Vampires supposedly have super heightened hearing abilities. You don't think that the vampires in the house would be able to hear the discussion that they had? They didn't smell Bill on Sookie? Boo. Hiss again.
I feel the purpose of writing novels is to bring the reader into the fictional world, so I'm big on technicalities. If the technicalities don't make sense, I have a hard time believing it. I do not think that Harris thought out this storyline very well.

Sookie Stackhouse's adventures in northern Louisiana as the telepathic girlfriend of a vampire left me slightly flat in this novel. I like her because she's so very different from Anita Blake and other vampire books: she's small town southern, a barmaid, ***normal***, except when she's not.
But to my taste this novel gives her too many similarities to Anita Blake. Bill, her vampire boyfriend, betrays her, Bill's sexy vampire boss makes a play for her, as does a handsome and wealthy werewolf. Her response to all these men is also similar to Anita's. I like the humor, the sense of place, the surprises of these books. After six or eight of these books I may just get tired of Sookie if she continues her Anita Blake reflection.

This book was way more fun and exciting than book 2. Bill is kidnapped, and Sookie is beside herself with worry. She goes to Eric for help, and is given the werewolf Alcide for help in searching for Bill.
Alcide is yummy, the sort of guy you'd just want to tackle the second you saw him. He's dealing with his own issue in the form of his ex girlfriend Debbie, who is just the worst. Sookie and Alcide are put into the middle of a situation that is far more dangerous than either of them thought.
Such a fun read, and a great addition to the series

If anyone has read my earlier reviews of the first and second installments of this Southern vampire mystery series, you must know how much I enjoyed the books. They were great, fast paced, thrilling reads, but Club Dead is, in truth, disappointing.

Ms. Harris did not live up to the reputation of this series. Club Dead resembled that of an overly dramatic cheesy soap opera. Sookie's love life is in shambles, Bill leaves her for another vampire for an unexplained reason, more men want to get into her pants and her life is in even more danger. Charlaine Harris attempted to fit so much into one book without any clear cohesion that the whole book was an absolute mess.

Just to add to the disappointments, Club Dead is a slow read. The action does not start until late into the book and I found myself sluggishly reading from page to page as if it was a tiresome chore.

This is the third book in Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire series. Sookie's boyfriend, Bill, has been rather odd lately: distant and uncommunicative, and certainly not as affectionate as she needs him to be. And then suddenly he announces that he's going away, he can't - or won't? - tell her why, and that if for some reason he doesn't come back she is to hand over certain documents to Eric, his vampire boss.
Next thing, Eric arrives on Sookie's doorstep and tells her that he's afraid that Eric is dead as the result of a dispute with the king of Louisiana. Which - apart from anything else - tells Sookie that Bill lied to her, as he'd told her that he was going to the west coast. Plus, Eric tells Sookie that the reason Bill left her in the first place was that he'd hooked up again with a former girlfriend, another vampire. And that he'd left instructions with Eric to give Sookie a payoff.
Well, Sookie is, not surprisingly, furious. She goes, at Eric's request, to Louisiana to try to find out what's going on, and is assisted by a rather nice werewolf, to whom she is attracted - well, our Sookie seems to find herself being attracted to a lot of strange men, as we've seen, what with kissing Eric in book 2 and Sam in book 1.
Anyway, Bill, of course, isn't dead. But - and this is one of my problems with the book - he has treated Sookie abominably. In fact, in this book I liked Eric an awful lot more and I found myself wishing that Sookie would dump Bill for Eric. Although I've finally accepted that Harris isn't writing a romance series here, and there was far from enough romance in this book to keep me happy, there were some scenes with Sookie and Eric which were verging on the romantic - and Eric takes far better care of Sookie when she's hurt (and even when she isn't) than Bill does. Bill, it's clear, is simply taking her for granted.
The book is somewhat inconclusive in the end, however, which does indicate that there will be a fourth, at least. However, I will have to read the reviews of the next book before deciding whether to buy it. Club Dead was unevenly-written, shorter than either of its predecessors and contained developments of the characters which I didn't like - and I now no longer like one of the principal characters in the series. So Harris has some work to do if she's going to keep me as a reader.
wmr-uk

Got this since I read the other 2 in the series. I really enjoy the way that these are written compared to other books of the same genre. Some of them are written like we are all in high school and they baby us. I don't need to feel like I'm being told what to do while I read something or spoon fed sorry but that's immature and childish writing.

However, these books are written very well and you get through them pretty fast. I really enjoy that fact! Each one is very different and new. I love bubba in the books, too bad they can't add him to the show.

This was a steamy hot read. Hot vampires, playing dress up, surprising very lady facts about what it's like dealing with an x, a potential new flame, n a bad boy. I love sookie journey which gets passionate sexier and more adventurous with every read.

Sookie's life is a mess. Her vampire boyfriend Bill is missing, his boss expects her to both rescue him and spy on him, various shapeshifters and vampires are after her hide, and her driveway needs re-graveling. She keeps running into supernatural beings who want to take her to bed, and all she wants is a nice quiet life.

Our heroine gets knocked around, violently so, quite a bit in this third installment of Harris's Southern Vampire series, and I'm not entirely pleased with the direction the storyline seems to be taking. So this will probably be the last book of the series I read.

It's enjoyable fluff, but I've finally convinced myself that my vampire phase is over.

I like this book, and they seem to get better as they go along, both technical writing style and freedom of the character to be herself. It's a little gross/sexy, but that is Charlaine's style for these and all of her books (it seems). The Eric plot is getting really good, and it seems a lot of these story lines might make it to the next season of true blood, so it is a must read for some hint of where it might go for t.v. lovers. I know it's not the same, but the show hooked me before the books did. After I read the books, I went crazy and prefer them to the show.

LIKE EVERYONE ELSE THE FIRST TWO WERE GOOD. THIS ONE WAS GOOD ONLY BECAUSE OF THE HUMOR OF ERIC. I LOVED HOW HE WOULD JUST POP IN AND OUT OF BED AND OTHER PLACES. EVERY TIME THERE WAS A KNOCK I JUST KNEW IT WAS ERIC COMMING TO BE IRRATATING AND AMUSING. I LOVE HIM!!! NOW MS. STACKHOUSE ON THE OTHER HAND WAS IRRATATING IN A WHOLE NOTHER WAY. TOO MUCH CRYING AND WHINNY. YO, YOU ASKED TO MEET A VAMPIRE, THEN YOU BECOME HIS GIRLFRIEND, NOW YOU CRYING AND WHINNY BECAUSE HE ACTS LIKE WHAT HE IS. THE MAN IS DEAD, YOU ARE HAVING SEX WITH A DEAD MAN. DEAL WITH IT! YOU ARE NOT MARRIED TO THIS MAN. AND AS YOU PUT IT, SEVERAL TIMES THRU OUT THE BOOK, HE'S NEVER ASKED. HA, THAT WAS FUNNY. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN SHE DID HAVE SOME BACKBONE, BUT STILL, ALL THAT CRYING. I REALLY LIKED THE PART WHEN SHE GOT STAKED. YO THAT PART WAS GREAT! NOT THAT I WANTED HER TO DIE OR ANYTHING IT WAS JUST INTENSE. SOOKIE SHOULD BE A VAMPIRE HERSELF BY NOW WITH ALL THE BLOOD SHE'S TAKEN FROM HER VAMPIRE FRIENDS. SO THIS IS WHY SHE GETS A THREE AND NOT A FIVE STAR RATING. IT WORTH READING, JUST NOT WORTH FIVE STARS. OH AND THE WERE WOLF GUY HE SOUNDED LIKE WE MIGHT BE HEARING MORE STORIES ABOUT HIM. i LIKED HIM AS WELL. BUT, ERIC SHOULD MEET LESTAT.

If you love Romances, Mystery, and Supernatural you have got to read this book!!! Very different from Dead Until Dark; Charlaine Harris has toned down some of the more 'sexual' parts, but still interesting. Charlain has made a truley awesome series, mixing romance, mystery, and supernatural all in one. I read this book all in one night! I love the conflict within the book; Sookie is very devoted to Bill, but when she finds he had planned to leave her all hell had broke loose. Now, she no longer has her strong hold, and she truley finds out how rough life can be with vampires and werewolves. If you have read Dead Until Dark, you will definetly love this book!!! Funny and detailed, this is a definate MUST READ!!!!!!!

Sookie is back in "Club Dead", the third installment in this delightfully fun series. This time, Sookie is on a mission to find her "boyfriend" Bill who has gone missing. The book is full of what ive come to expect from the oh so clever Charlaine Harris thus far...it overflows with action, humor and lots of hot men and fun characters. The main draw for me here though was Eric. Eric, Eric, oooooohhh Eric. I just ADORE him. This whole series has been such a great surprise. My only regret in devouring them so fast is that I am now down to only more book. This is another keeper for sure.

Sookie,Poor Sookie why do u seem to attract all the bad luck in this world, but all the hot guy want you, well Sookie went looking for this trouble this time if she had not gone looking for her on again off again boyfriend Bill she might not have found the trouble this time, But she did after she heard Bill was leaving her for his ex-girlfriend Lorena , but man he met herself a hottie named Alcide and he's a werewolf I think I would drop Bill in a heart beat for the new hottie.

Sookie's in over her head once again. First Bill is acting strange then disappears or is vampirenapped, Eric's being his usually sexy, teasing and sinister self, but does have an idea as to where Bill might be. So once again Sookie sets off into the underworld to mingle with the dead at Club Dead. I enjoyed this book! Sookie is the girl next door in all ways that counts. The author has once again created a story very much worth reading! I hope to see more by Ms. Harris in the near future! Definately worth the read if you enjoyed the first two books or like vampires in general.

Best book yet in the Southern Vampire series. Although I am dissapointed in Bill the vamire, you can not help but admire Sookie's strength and mental fortitude. Poor kid...it's amazing she's survived thorugh book III and hasn't let Eric or Bill bring her over. Already started Dead to the World and ordered all the books, I CAN'T wait to finish the series (although I will really miss these characters when I am done). Remember to keep checking HBO for the new series "True Blood" which will air this fall (hopefully) and is based on the Southern Vampire series.

First:
I'm reading the series with my sister, and we're really enjoying the pacing and creativity; Kudos Harris!

But:
Is anyone else suffering through the descriptions of Sookie's wardrobe? We are led to believe that this coveted buxom young blond wears the following: Tweetie-Bird tees, banana clips, nylon nightgowns (not silk or cotton or lace or velvet or /anything/ better! gasp!), perpetual pony tails, head-to-toe monochromatic outfits, spandex pants, lime green chiffon, fanned top-knots, white socks with black sneakers, etc, etc. I would prefer to imagine the heroine in something sexy and youthful, or quirky and bohemian, or even simple and classic (if you just say "jeans and tee," no further description is required, and it does not date the story). But the idea of a vampire's mistress wearing a cartoon tee-shirt seems rather pathologic. And her friends who are written to appear fashionable are just as bad (or worse)! All-over black & magenta matching combos? Orange body stockings? Vampires wearing khakis and plaid? KHAKIS and PLAID?!! My eyes bleed, and I don't think that's the authors intention.

Please, Harris, open a fashion magazine and describe your characters in what the models are wearing, or keep it (really) simple.

Sookie is searching for Bill, and it's nice to see more of Eric and other characters, and I loved, loved, loved Alcide. The Sookieverse keeps growing and there are multiple twists that make this book better than Living Dead in Dallas. One of my favorites from the series because of characters and settings, although the Bill plot was a bit slow at times.

This one is way different than the tv show. You meet ther were wolves in this novels and many other inetions of the were family.. Ex werelinx, wereowl and others.you meet Debbie, alcede, Lorena. And there's many new twist and turns from the show. It almost feels like ur reading a new sookie universe than what u see on tv. And I think if u enjoy the tv show ull more than likely love the books maybe even prefer the books more

Of course I'm one who doesn't like an unhappy ending, and I couldn't stand Bill's unfaithfulness to Sookie. I thought there love was for real in the first two books, and wanted it to last through the tough test. But, hey, there are still many more books in the series. The third installment of the Sookie Stackhouse series delivers just as much as the first two; its entertaining, romantic ( a little less in this one though), and funny. A whole delightful package these books are and I will recommend this to everyone I know.

Not really liking Bill much these days. What a jerk. I hope it doesn't take Sookie much longer to dump him. To treat her that way then just walk back in with "My Sookie". Ugh. Get a stake.
As for the actual story, I enjoyed it, although I'm wondering how many more ways Sookie can get beat up. I was a little confused when Eric explained how Bill got kidnapped. It seemed like he left something out or maybe I just didn't catch all of it. I loved Alcide and I hope we see more of him.

I love the Sookie Stackhouse series. I mean if you describe the main gist of the series to others who haven't read the book, they might think that it's just another vampire story, but something about the series makes it so entertaining to read.

Harris is undoubtedly a very talented writer. The plot flows and descriptions are easily imagined. The best part is the fact that Harris turns rather dark events into something rather humorous. It's fantastic!

I think that this book was better than the 2nd book. It moved faster and was more exciting. However, I thought the reason for Bill's kidnapping was ridiculous. Couldn't there have been a better reason? Perhaps it was meant to be funny, but I thought it was slightly lame.

Otherwise, I totally recommend this book to people who are looking for something humorous and not a dark and sinister vampire story.

Well, I think I have enjoyed this third book in the series the most so far! More werewolves, plus the added bonus of not much of Vampire Bill present! Though I would still like to be seeing more of Sam.... But Alcide's character is a lot of fun, not to mention the continued development of Eric! So many handsome men in Sookie's exciting life! At this point, I think I am rooting for Sookie and eric to get together... But either way, I am looking forward to seeing what will happen in the fourth novel! What a fun series!

I've become a fan of Harris not, surprisingly, from Dead Until Dark, but from True Blood and the second book in the series. The first book was chalk full of paranormal romance and was just too much. The second book in the series added more flavor to the plotline and made everything all the more interesting. True Blood just made the series really enjoyable. So I was a bit disappointed with Club Dead even though I eagerly read through it all.

Club Dead is a very promising book. It has the same aspects of the first and second book and Sookie, Bill and Eric are enjoyable characters to read about. She writes more about Werewolves and Shape shifters in this one which adds a lot of character to the storyline. We are introduced to another area of the country and their vampires and the supernatural scene, so that made the read enjoyable as well.

What made this fall short and thus not as good as its predecessors is the fact that this feels like a short story that was extended into a novel form. The underlying plot is there and pokes its head out every once in a while. But then you lose it again when Harris wrotes so much fluff and filler words on tangents of Sookie's life that really add nothing to the story and really do nothing, if not detracts from, Sookie as well. There were times where I really didn't care what was going on because absolutely nothing was going on that meant anything. So what if they found a dead Werewolf in their closet? Why spend so many pages explaining every minute detail about how and what they did to dispose of the body, not to mention their trains of thoughts as well, just so that it leads the Werewolves to Sookie's house and a violent yet brief scene between some vampires, a werewolf and some humans? If Lorena is so mean, tough and old then why kill her off in such an uninteresting way?

Nonetheless I enjoyed the actual story when it showed itself, but it was lost behind so many words and filler pages that this will probably go down as one of my least favorite Sookie Stackhouse books. A tentative recommend for fans of the series.

3 stars.

Charlaine Harris has a great sense of humour...eg Elvis is Bubba, a not so bright vampire...that sex drugs and rock and roll lifestyle, oh dear. Enough of a whodunnit sort of plot which keeps the reader interested. Enough is left unsaid that it can lead you to want to read the next book in the series. The business with the queen eg. Also, I would have liked Bill himself to more fully explain and apologise to Sookie for his unfaithfullness...maybe in the next book?

I haven't read the other books in the series, so am not sure if they also contain such as the following: "Somehow, it had never crossed my mind-I guess since I'm an American-that the vampires who had snatched Bill might be resorting to evil means to get him to talk." Uhmm right, gosh golly, rah rah.

Follows in Laurell K Hamilton's steps by writing in the first person (through Sookies eyes), which can get a bit one dimensional, but is well done enough here to give intrigue by not giving away the motives/thoughts of all characters. I'm a big Hamilton fan, and I think her books have more power, but would still recommend this book. A little disappointing with Sookie betrayed and alone at the end (not to mention the non-consenting lone sex scene). A more upbeat ending would perhaps leave readers a bit happier...though probably an enticement to read the next book was the aim? The series has potential.

Sookie is sooo my hero in this book! She survives so much crap from these ignorant men and manages always to get the last word in.

Bill is kidnapped, or is he?, and it's up to Sookie and Eric to save him. Of course the undercover work requires Sookie to be shacking it up with a Were-wolf. Eric still as relentless as ever for his affections for Sookie. Much of this book is an emotional roller coaster. On the edge of my seat, I could not put this one down. Season 3 of the HBO TV series should rock!

So Club Dead isn't really a mystery, it is more action, and that was a welcome rest from the previous two's whodunit feel to them. There was a little bit of a mystery to this one, but not as much. I really enjoyed this book, I read it in two sittings (I took a break to eat.) I am starting to recommend this series to people at my work (I work in a bookstore) and I don't see an end to my love affair with Charlaine Harris in sight. I see her gradually working her way into my top ten favorite authors rather quickly.

Bill is summoned by his maker Lorena who kidnaps and tortures him for access to his Vampire Directory. Eric assigns the werewolf Alcide to help Sookie rescue Bill. She kills Lorena in self-defense, but she feels Bill has been unfaithful, and their sexual relationship comes to an end.

It isn't that I didn't like Charlaine Harris's 'Club Dead', it's just that I expected so much more. The other books in the series have held my interest much more than this book. The problem, for me anyway, was the pacing. Some unimportant scenes seemed to drag on while a few of the climactic scenes were over so quickly that I hardly had the chance to process them. This book will not keep me from reading others in the series, but I have to say that I was disappointed.

I liked the first Laurell Hamilton "Anita Blake" book; it seemed an interesting universe, for which she may owe a great deal to her writing-group, and an interesting lead character----I can ignore a clich\'e or two (my God, in "Foxtrot" comics, the teenage girl's idea of a French romantic lead's name is automatically "Jean Claude", and making him a coupla-centuries-years'-old _French_ vampire---come on, I'd think all right-thinking people had thrown out that moth-ridden rice years ago).

But in quick succession, the plots tended toward the romance novel and the heroine became over-confident and -desirable---every single straight male creature desires her on sight of her petite form, making her an obvious Mary Sue (viz also L.K.H.'s elf-girl books, where it's worse).

(L.H.K.'s denials of this, e.g. on "Hour Twenty-Five", are so funny I nearly lost the sphinctural integrity field.)

Why am I writing about Hamilton here? Simple: I find this book extremely reminiscent of Hamilton, but avoids her excesses. Sookie sound more like an human being, is not the character everyone loves, and does not live a physically luxurious life. O.K., it really sounds like the author was once a fairly-attractive-and-minorly-stacked waitress in the Deep South, who among us has not? That's an exaggeration---I, for one, never had the legs for it, and I can't stand heat or bars---but even so: the more like a normally problematic life the hero[ine] has, the less of a Mary Sue.

Similarly, there's sex here, but it's presented as something pleasant (or very pleasant) that real people (and Other Things) do, not as Mind-blowing Invocations of Universe-Rending Primeval Magicqk, which in my experience only happens only once in every three times at best.

Similarly, vampires can be attractive and seductive, but what I've seen so far doesn't exceed the humanly possible---they seem to operate at the [Adolph Hitler|Jack Kennedy|Charles Manson|Ronald Reagan|Barack Obama] level (note: I am not evaluating character or goodness here, just apparent attractiveness, though of course if you hate a pol's views [as I do Reagan's, Hitler's, and Manson's] it's a lot easier to see their popularity as stemming solely from mindless seduction).

And the evil gone against here is similarly less super-powered---the stakes are high for the heroine, but only bad writing needs to have much more in the balance (e.g., the execrable "James Bond" films, in which always The World is in Danger).

It's been too long since I couldn't put a book down!! What a marvelous imagination Ms Harris has, I've never laughed so loud and long, been so turned on and spooked -all at the same time!! If this appeals, then the Sookie Stackhouse series is for you!! These are the all time BEST ever vampire books written!! The characters are so well defined that they quickly come alive!! Don't miss this series, -they are much MORE in every way than the HBO series!!

I suspect I'm turning into a 'fangbanger!!

The enjoyment factor on the Southern Vampire series is high. The consistency level on this particular novel is remarkably low.
The authoress, in her previous two novels, introduces characters that (I assume) are important to the progress of Sookie's life. In Club Dead, many of them are insignificant. Take Sam (my favourite Collie), for example- she spends two novels creating a grand tension between he and Sookie and then completely NEGATES his value in novel three. He makes more of a cameo appearance than anything else. Furthermore, we're introduced to Alcede (another lycanthrope), who acts as a sort of "red herring" in the romantic sense. We've still got Eric ( an old, lusty vampire) hot for Sookie's pants AND Bill to account for, not to mention the almost non-existent Sam. The threads begin to unravel at the onset of so many viable guys.
Which brings me around to another fine topic; what of Bill? Bill, Sookie's boyfriend and cheating, devious vampire lover (I've never liked Bill). He runs off to complete a secret mission (which is another definite lack of cohesion) and then-BAM-he falls back in love with an old flame-Lorena the Vampire. This is the second of a major incoherence-We're told NOTHING of Bill and Lorena's past. Since we aren't given an opportunity to understand the ties that bind them to one another, we're left in the dark about events that precipitate the motion of the plot. We only see Lorena, very briefly, when she and Sookie have an "encounter". So, to the reader, it seems as if Bill has simply run off (with no depth of complexity or reasoning) with some other chick. It's another loose thread that, sadly, accounts for many character motivations.
I can only hope Harris wraps Sookie's life a little tighter to home with the next novel. The charm is in the South, with familiar peoples, whom we've grown to know by now, and a tighter plot line. I'd love to see her easy, sweet style find its roots again.

I may be wrong but it could be that the idea of a rural vampire series has a problem, The first two books were excellent, but it looks as if Charlaine Harris is having to head to the big city to advance the plot. As this with it's vampire politics and werewolves is Anita Blake territory I think that it would be better if Charlaine Harris could keep to the original concept. I think the Southern vampire series is much better than Ms Hamilton's current rather sleazy efforts and any convergence of plot line is best avoided.

WARNING: contains spoilers

This books opens up soon after the action of Living Dead in Dallas. However, all is not well w/Sookie and Bill. He's been acting distant and soon has to take a sudden business trip.

I won't give anything more away other than to say that the ending of this book was a big disappointment and Harris took the story and the Bill/Sookie relationship in a direction that I did not see coming. This book introduces us to more of the supernatural beings that walk among us and includes a scene involving a car trunk that still gets debated by the fans of the series.

Enjoy

Once again, Charlaine Harris has taken her world to a fresh, new level.
In CLUB DEAD, the always engaging Sookie encounters a reality that she might not be all that willing to face. Faced with secrets, betrayals and new situations, Sookie continues to shine as one of my favorite fictional characters of the last few years.
As a die-hard Eric the Viking fan, I was psyched to see his expanded role, as well as the addition of other important characters and the return of Bubba.
I can't wait for the next book!

Sookie Stackhouse continues to be so likeable, it excuses plot points that have been written to seem irrelevant. Bill, Sookie's vampire boyfriend, is called away on mysterious business. Yet it's only a matter of time before she discovers Bill has actually disappeared, and vampire Eric enlists her to go find him. Where the book was sloppy for me was the introduction of Bill's long lost vampire love who may be involved in the kidnapping. Her appearance is so brief, and what becomes of it is barely dealt with. There are also, at this point, so many men in Sookie's life, you have to wonder why she stays with Bill. But I guess, that's what makes her and the series interesting.

i love the hbo true blood series and started to read the books the series was based on. usually the books are better than the movies or tv shows but not in this case. there were times i had to go back a couple of pages to reread because what i was currently reading didnt make sence. that happened more so towards the end. it seemed like mrs harris was either in a hurry to write the book or bored with it. yet, ive read the first 9 books and since i got that far i will continue the series.

I rate all three books so far in the series a 5. It's rare you find a good story written with a sense of humor and a protagonist who is flawed but you like and respect. These stories have all of the above. There is plenty of action and interaction with more than a touch of romance. Charlaine Harris does an excellent job of balencing all aspects of the story - romance, fantasy, action without falling too heavily into one genre. I love the Anita Blake series as well, but this is much lighter and funnier. And the Blake series has entirely too much dialog that rehashes the "I'm tougher than anyone on the block"- we get the point. No similar complaints here. Can't wait for the fourth in this series!

This was my favorite so far of the "Dead" series. Sookie is growing up, and her life just keeps getting more complicated. She's learning some hard lessons, but she handles them with grace. I had a hard time putting this one down, especially during the action.
I only gave it 4 stars because I reserve 5 for the books I am obsessed about, and this series hasn't quite reached that level. However, just because it might not win any awards, doesn't mean it isn't highly entertaining!

Club Dead is an entincing novel in the Southern Vampire series. Truly Original! Sookie goes down to Jackson to find her vampire boyfriend Bill who has disappeared and she bleieves it was by force. With help from a studly werewolf, Alcide and from the rest of her vampire friends, Sookie is determined to bring Bill home. But there are many obstacles in her way, including Bill's vampire master. Sookie puts everything she has on the line to save Bill, but will it be enough?

Sookie Stackhouse returns again in Charlaine Harris' third installment of the Sookie Stackhouse Vampire Mystery. This time, she goes to Jackson, Mississipi to locate missing boyfriend, vampire Bill Compton.

I have to say, I had mixed feeling for this book because I feel it was too soon for Sookie and Bill to hit such a major bump in their relationship. As people here have written that they didn't understand of Bill leaving Sookie, I quite understood it but I must say that this could've been explored some more. But aside from that, Sookie's own unfaithfulness to Bill is really getting to me >:(

On the other hand, the book is really good if you don't mind the pace Sookie's relationship is currently going. It still has the same suspense that the first two books did, and Sookie still gets battered at one point or another.

I can't wait for the next installment. I think the feeling of being incomplete at the end of the novel is how Charlaine Harris wanted us to react so we're gonna be running down to the shops to see what happens next. :)

You know how you sometimes go to those action movies ("guy flicks") and from the moment you sit back in your seat until the closing credits 90 minutes later, you are assaulted by car chase after car chase, explosion after explosion, and you have no idea where to look first or what's really going on? That is how I felt reading "Club Dead."

I consider myself a fairly intelligent person, but I seriously had no clue where the plot line was -- or if there even was one. Yes, there was a ton of action, but it was enough for three or four books instead of just one. And the motivations about what was going on was never really explained.

A lot happened in this book, but I'm not really sure what it was -- or why it occurred. Too bad, as I really enjoy the characters, and Harris has a great way with words.

Ms Harris has come into her own with this, the third book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. It's got it all, humor, seduction, frightening scenes and a plot, too. Sookie's missing her boyfriend, the vampire, Bill. He's been kidnapped. And it's up to Sookie to get him back. Along the way to the rescue there are several tussles over who's actually going to be Sookie's next boyfriend, if Bill shouldn't make it. Those scenes plus the one with the werewolf in the closet are among the funniest. I don't think you have to be a vampire fan to enjoy this book.

These are fun, quick reads. They're a bit lighter than the show, but I do like Sookie much better on the show than in the books. My big complaint with this book overall was just that I really don't like Bill, and I don't like his relationship with Sookie - and both of those were particularly bad in this book.

This book was ok. It was an easy read, but the story really didn't make much sense. I mean, why the kidnapping and torture of (not saying the name)? There were other means to get that information. It just seemed to go on without rhyme or reason, kind of like this review.

As with other reviewers, I can honestly say this is one of those books that once you start you just can't put it down. Sookie Stackhouse has fast become one of my favourite characters alongside Anita Blake and Stephanie Plum. I certainly recommend that you read the series in order because you can see how she has developed from the emotionally scarred barmaid in 'Dead before dark' to a young woman who has become a lot tougher, mentally and physically by the third novel.
Club Dead starts with Sookie worrying about her relationship with an increasingly remote Bill the Vampire (although I must say to a certain extent Bill has always seemed a bit of a cold fish throughout the series, he maybe dead but it would be nice to see a bit more fire). Working secretly for vampire royalty, Bill disappears which results in Sookie being made aware of his infidelity. Still, no matter how much she is hurting, with Eric's help she decides to go to his rescue accompanied by a sexy werewolf and Bubba (long live the King). As she searches for Bill at Club Dead, a supernatural nightclub, we find that there are other things prowling at night, ghosts and goblins included.
Bill's old flame surprisingly doesn't make much of an impact and some characters that appear you have to wonder if they will be in some future book, as they seemed incidental to this story.
I enjoyed it immensely and I had to read the last couple of pages twice because I liked the way Sookie had the last word. So if there is more to come I hope Ms Harris will allow Sookie to remain strong, let the men do the running around for and after her for a change.

I am a huge fan of this series. I travelled three hours each way to see the author. She is smart and funny and I was happy I made the trip. Of the 12 books, this one is my favorite. Sookie gives and she gets, at last. Sookie's hot vs. Bill's cold finally resolves. There is nothing sexier than the surprise gift of a new gravel driveway. I love Eric.

The onset of this series in my life has been fantastic! In the past month I have read all ten of the Sookie Stackhouse series, and I do not regret one minute of it. All of these books bring intrigue, suspense, and drama into the reader's imagination. I am on the very last few pages of "Dead in the Family", and I am going to cry when it is over. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys a good series.

I've started reading the Sookie Stackhouse books and have found them to be my guilty pleasure. I enjoy the characters and the world they're set in, but there are just too many logic flaws for my continued enjoyment. It started in me in the first book, when Sookie is being stalked by a serial killer. Her friends all know about her predicament, but seem alright with letting her babysit. I've met plenty of stupid people in my life, but non dumb enough to leave their kids with a woman who is admittedly being stalked by a murder. Also, in the third book, she learns that werewolves or shape shifter can only have one werewolf/shifter child when two mate. This means that the werewolf/shifter population is cut in half each generation, and if they have been around for hundreds, or maybe thousands of years, there should be practically none left at all, yet they're everywhere in the story. I enjoy the characters and the plot lines, but there are just too many flaws, unexplained foolish decisions by characters, and general inconsistencies with the fictional world they live in to get through to completely enjoy this series. Where as Ann Rice seriously needs an editor to cut, Harris needs an editor to critique.

Harris also has a vary limited bag of tricks to drive the action forwards. In between times of action or intrigue, there is almost always a sex scene, or description of a rock hard body Sookie wants. The writing is fun, but not crafted well enough to hold the readers attention without this. Some say it's a blend of several genres, but the romance is lacking, the mystery is full of illogic plots and character motivation, which in turn makes it very hard to suspend disbelief for the fantasy. My recommendation for anyone looking to crack into this series is look elsewhere.

Club Dead is the third book in the Southern Vampire series and I have to say it was the most impressive. I originally started reading the series while looking for light vampire reading and for some unknown reason was unable to stop. The first two books had interesting plots and strong characters, but Club Dead topped them all. It's really relieving to find a book with a strong female leading character as opposed to the usually subservient or unintelligent ones. She's a great contrast and really shows her intelligence and independence in this novel, moreso than the others. It would have been a perfect climax to the entire series.

While I am definitely a Sookie fan this was one of my least favorite books. It just seems a bit slow even though it does introduce and further the werewolf subplot. This season of True Blood was also one of my least favorites. If you are a fan Sookie/True Blood in general I would definitely get through this one just to understand what happens in the rest of the series.

I enjoyed this the 3rd book in the Southern Vampire series. Sookie has her feeling hurt by Vampire Bill, the jerk. Still Sookie risks her life to save him. What a friend! Along the way she meets Alcide. I'm hoping for a future between the two. My favorite part of the book is the ending when Sookie kicks two of the men in her life out of her life.
If you're looking for a fun read the Southern Vampire series is for you.

Another page-turning addition to the series. All the enticing plot elements are present, supernatural beings, love and lust. These all get piled together into a mystery that isn't that important. I keep coming back to these books for the Sookie story, that girl is hilarious and she keeps getting into trouble. This is not a book to read for the mystery, but for the romance. Of course the supernatural adds a nice twist.
There are not many fresh elements here, as this is the third book in the series. Several times the writer rehashes old character information, that consecutive readers will be familiar with. Sookie's moral qualms about which vampire to sleep with keep coming up, but there is not likely to be a resolution as that would make the series much less interesting. Overall a fast, enjoyable escape to the South, perfect for anyone a little bored at work.

After being a huge Twilight fan, I found these books to be a great adult diversion. The whole series has me once again engulfed in the mysteries of the underworld. Be open about the way Charlene Harris writes, as she is more from the traditional side of vampire life. But Hooray for Sookie! I really love they way she covers how average life really is and the trial and tribulations of Sookie Stackhouse!

Charlaine Harris did it again! Although a short read, I finished reading it in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. Sookie has really grown in this book and is determined to be a normal human being even with her special (dis)abilities. I like the fact that Bubba, Eric, and even Pam seem to be drawn closer to Sookie's humanity albit uncomfortablly as much she's drawn more dangerously into there world. Sookies love for Bill is severely tested when she finds he's cheating and planning to dumps her to wayside. But every cloud has a silver chain lining when tall, hucky, and mouthwateringly warm bodied Alcide Herveaux is in the picture it will be a real challenge for Sookie to pull Bill out by the fangs from her heart like Alcide is pulling Debbie from his. Well, BV has one to blame but himself for this mess, and now it looks like he'll have to compete for Sookie affections from Alcide in future. I can't wait for the next book to come out and see what new adventures and dangers Sookie will be embroiled in. Plus who will be vying for Sookie's love and telepathic powers now that she's cutting the strings pulling at her from all around if not at times stranlging her. Please hurry Charlaine don't keep us waiting out in the dead cold for to long.

Another wonderful book in the Southern Vampire Mystery series. Sookie Stackhouse is back once again, caught up in the search and rescue of her Vampire lover/boyfriend Bill, a Civil War Vet turned vampire, who has gone missing in Mississippi. More than one mystery unfolds in this short but excellent addition to the series. Ms. Harris brings together all the wonderful characters created in the first 2 books, including Elv.. I mean Bubba, and has expanded into other territory, with new "Supes" (supernatural creatures - mostly Weres) while bringing the reader more definition to their abilities. Big-hearted Sookie is no push over, even when faced with the dilemma of her enigmatic and purportedly cheating boyfriend. Back to make Sookie's life difficult is the amorous and sexy vamp Eric (Bill's boss). A new big and brawny werewolf, Alcide, steps into the action to help Sookie find Bill and keep a werewolf posse out to avenge a missing member of the gang at bay. At the end of this book I let out a BIG cheer for Sookie! I can't wait for the action to pick up in the next book. Please Ms. Harris, don't make us wait too long!

Sookie's vampire friends basically rented her out to another group of vampires to find a vampire that disappeared. Sookie gets to develope her telepathic powers by reading the minds of the human employees of the vampires in Dallas. Sookie's detective work leads her right into the heart of a religous cult that has it in for vampires. She gets captured but to find out how she gets out of it please read the book. I like it and so will you.

First I would like to say that the books in this series are fluff reading. Fun to read and then forget about. They don't have any depth at all. Nothing to ponder. No insight to the human condition. If you are looking for the Dune of vampires, this is not it.

That being said, I am disapointed that Sookie gets all slutty in this novel. If that trend continues, I will stop reading.

After seeing the show True Blood on HBO this past year I just had to know more about Sookie's world. I thought the series started a little slow with Dead Until Dark but DEFINITELY picked up with Living Dead In Dallas. Club Dead blew me away! I LOVED IT! I picked it up four days ago and finished last night. I'm already two chapters into Dead to the world. I love the development of the characters relationships. Especially Sookie and Eric. I have a BIG crush on Eric! haha. GREAT SERIES SO FAR! I look forward to the rest of the series.

I liked this series at first because it was so different from the Anita Blake novels (which I also like). But now Sookie is getting men out the ears when before Bill she had none. She's also getting to be a different kind of tough. My other quibble is that the plot seemed a bit rushed. I kept waiting for the story to get going, but it all seemed cobbled together - it never quite jelled. It wasn't bad, just not as good as 1 and 2. Here's hoping number 4 is a little better.

I have never been a fan of vampires, but with the uber-success of Twilight, I decided to give the bloodsuckers a try. I first heard of Charlaine Harris after watching the first season of TrueBlood on HBO. I did not know that the TV series was actually based on a popular book series by Ms. Harris. Being the avid reader that I am, I decided to read the series. I started with the second book, Dead in Dallas, and have been "sucked" in since! I absolutely loved the third book, Club Dead. It really starts to explore the other supernatural beings (supes) that exist in Miss Sookie Stackhouse's world. If you like Charlaine Harris' writing style and her previous Sookie books, then you will most definitely like this book as well. I recommend this series to anyone that likes mystery, romance with a little twist of supernatural. I am anxiously awaiting the next release in May 2009!

Big fan of the genre & of the True Blood TV Series, but the book was definitely not a let down. Even if you aren't familar with the show or previous titles in this series, the author makes it easy to dive in, while not weighing down the existing fans with excessive recap of previous storyline details.

This book is quick paced & entertaining! I'm hooked!

Sookie Stackhouse's relationship with her vampire lover, Bill, has seen better days. He's been secretive and distant lately but things completely fall apart when she discovers he's been cheating on her! Not only that but he's been kidnaped as well. Sookie considers letting him rot but her conscience (and Eric) urges her to rescue him... then kick his butt. Rescuing vampires isn't really the safest of tasks so Eric gets her some protection in the form of Alcide, a hunky werewolf. The more she gets to know Alcide the more he seems like the perfect guy for her.
I still didn't enjoy this one as much as the first but it was a much better put together book than the second. The best thing about this book is that it proves that the series doesn't depend on Sookie and Bill's relationship to be enjoyable. Some people may not like this turn in the series but I think it was the right decision. Like it or hate it you'll probably be on the edge of your seat waiting for the next one. Lets hope we don't have to wait too long.

The 3rd installment did not disappoint. Another action packed and steamy novel. Sookie goes to Mississippi to find Bill even though he has taken off with his past love Lorena. I love the love square(?)between Sookie, Eric, Bill, and now Alcide. Eric is really funny in this novel and even hotter. I feel bad for Sookie though because really how many times can a girl get beat up before she calls it quits? The reason I titled my review "steamy but sad" is because of Sookie & Bills relationship at the end of this novel. I love Bill's character and I hope to see more of him in the upcoming novels.

This is definitely one of my favorites in the Southern Vampire Series thus far. I really enjoy the quirky twist the author puts on the vampire genre.

In this installment Sookie is off on another adventure; this time to track down her likely ex-boyfriend and once again tangle with a few supes at the same time. We get to meet a few exciting new characters and get to know some of the old ones a little better. The characters are flawed but still likeable and the lines between villains and heroes are once again blurred. Throw out all the old stereotypes in this one. A very entertaining and enjoyable read.

This is not a romance series. It has some romantic elements, but at it's core, this is a mystery series. That fact is proven when Sookie finds out that the vampire of her dreams has been unfaithful and planned on dumping her rather unceremoniously for the other woman. The situation is aggravated by the fact that her beloved Bill was kidnapped before he could follow through with his abandonment.
Does Sookie let her broken heart keep her from finding the two-timing jerk that she loves? Absolutely not. Sookie is her own woman. And she's strong enough to put her feelings aside long enough to do what she thinks is right with Eric and a newly befriended werewolf at her side. What results is a rescue effort fit for Mission Impossible.
Mix in some rebound/sympathy smooching with the wolf and Eric's agressive [physical] overtures, and Sookie has her hands quite full.
So far, this has been a great ride. I can't wait to see what comes next.

I can't tell you how much I looked forward to this book, more than I've looked forward to books in a long time.
However, I was not as happy with this one as I could have been.
Of course, I still enjoyed it, read it in one sitting even. And i absolutly cannot wait for the fourth book (Anyone know when it will be?
But, some things to consider:
Watch out for the AB Factor. The AB Factor is the Anita Blake factor. I used to love the Hamilton series about the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter. However, after about oh, book four, Anita became quickly, EVERY other person's object of lust in the vicinity. Human, nonhuman, straight, gay, bi...whatever. EVERYone wants to *bleep* Anita.
Well, it appears in this book that this same factor is creeping into the Harris series. Please, oh please, Ms Harris...don't make Sookie the object of lust to everyone...please?
I wish the book had kept the men wanting Sookie to either Bill or Eric. Adding in Alcide, and the Weres, and such..well, it was just too much. Part of the charm of Sookie is that I can see her as EVERYwoman.
I loved that she sent both guys out of her house at the end, and I loved too that she acknowledged to herself that since dating Bill, she's been beaten more than any person ought to have to endure. That's a very telling factor of her life. It's gotten out of control.
I did get a tad annoyed that she's constantly being beaten up or threatened in this book....readers barely catch their breath before another attack happens.
I wanted more details too on Bill's infidelity....I'm shocked...what happened?????? What the heck is his deal? For an "old fashioned" vamp, he's definitely changed.
Please, hurry with the next one.....I need some closure...this book left me hanging and I need more :)
K.

the money. The third installment of the southern vampire series lived up to the enjoyment of the first two. The characters are further developing nicely and the humor is getting better. My only complaint is all the beatings Sookie had to endure. Adding Alcide to the romantic mix was wonderful and I have a feeling this is not the last we'll be hearing from him. I was never crazy for Bill since he seems constipated to me, and after his betrayal, well, I don't think I could ever like him now. I hope there is a fourth book because it seems to me that there are more adventures waiting for these wonderful characters.

Love this author. Her characters in this book, as well as the series, are very real and likable. Then she spins the tale and what a tale it is! You can't go wrong with her books, including outside the Sookie Stackhouse series!

I was disappointed that Bill took a turn for the worse in this book..I am an average housewife that likes vampires and a good romance/mystery novel, which the other two books were, but I was really let down by this novel and the decisions made with Bill's character...I hope that Ms. Harris brings Bill back to be the more devoted, loving, and protecting companion of Sookie's that he was in the first two novels...instead of making him the "bad" guy that he was portrayed as in this one...I am still looking forward to the next book..and still highly recommend reading this one as well...

Picked the first three Sookie Stackhouse books up just before christmas, having seen and thoroughly enjoyed the first two seasons of True Blood. With that in mind I decided to read the third book first, and subsequently I don't think I'll be bothering with the others.

The upside of the book is that it's mercifully short. Otherwise it alternates between the inside of Sookie's head, which mostly seems pre-occupied with sex and what to wear, and descriptions of what other people are wearing or what colour curtains they have. Fairly frequently someone gets killed or beaten up.

There are a host of good ideas (Elvis as a vampire anyone?) and promising characters that are crying out to be done justice to on screen, but sadly the writing lacks any flair in dialogue or prose and makes you wonder if it wouldn't be a better idea for the author to subcontract her creations and plots to someone who can deliver them with some panache. This feels more like a sketch, a rough draft of what the book should be, and I only finished it because it didn't take too long to do so.

I wont go into the detail of the books... but the majority of the reviewers have it right on the money... a mix of horror and human... I adore all three of these books and was trilled to find the new one so soon after discovering the first one. I am in LOVE with all the charactors... and am hoping to see more home activity with Sookie... I like the lighteness it offers.. I am a reader of intense psychological thrillers and horror books and this was a wonderful change to the topics I adore most.. vampires and other creatures.
My 14 year adored them, the sex scenes in them are tame... they show some of the taste of blood lust and that seems even tame.. to what I have read.
I reccomend this WHOLE series from Dead Until Dark, to Living Dead in Dallas.. its makes me wish this was going on for real... *grin* who knows perhaps it will be...

This book was around the same as the first for me. The second is still my favorite so far. Sookie is just as endearing in this novel as the previous two. As usual, the book has just the right amount of everything - magic, romance, mystery, gore.

Since I have started this series I haven't been able to put it down. In Club Dead we see alot more from Eric & I'm actually starting to actually root for him. And Bills role is a crazy twist that I didn't see coming but it made it that much more interesting. I absolutly love Sookies country way of thinking & doing things. Club Dead gets 5 stars in my opinion. I can't wait to start the 4th book.

This is the third book about crazy Sookie and this one was great. This installment had alittle Laurell K Hamilton type flair which I thoroughly enjoyed. While waiting for my fix of Anita Blake it is refreshing to be able to supplement with Bill and Sookie. New characters introduced and other possible love interests for Sookie made this book a very fast read. Once I started I just couldn't stop. Hopefully Ms. Harris will continue down this path she has started and give us more adventures.

I bought the Kindle version, and though it might be a formatting problem, there were a lot of grammatical errors. The book isn't the most interesting, and definitely has a lot of long inner dialogue paragraphs, but the story is so good! You just have to kind of push your way through the book sometimes.

This was my favorite book out of the three in this series (the first two being Dead Until Dark and Living Dead in Dallas). The vampire, Eric, is my favorite character and you get to see a lot more of him in this book. Lots of humor mixed in with adventure. Although some of the characters from the first two novels have smaller parts and there are new characters introduced, I like it that she is keeping things new and exciting. I can't wait for the next one in the series to come out!!!

This is not a mystery or even a very good vampire book. It also has some major characterization flaws. I enjoyed the first two books in which we learned about Sookie as she worked her way through some decen plots. This book seems to be about 90% "Gee, how can little ole me attract all tese handsome supernatural creatures, all of whom I do or want to sleep with. The plot is minimal. I still like the writing style, but I need more substance to the style.

I haven't read any of Charlaine Harris's other series but the Southern Vampire Series is fabulous. It always keeps you interested and the characters are never dull. The new Showtime show Trueblood is based loosely on her books. I enjoys the books much more than the show but they both are favorites of mine.

I have now read the first three books in this series based on a friend's recommendation (luckily I was able to check them out of the library for free), and while I think the storylines themselves are rather creative and interesting, the author's conversational writing style is of too low quality. Blame it on all the good writers I've read over the years, but I could not stand to read any more of this person's writing.

Harris' 3rd book in the Southern Vampire series zings along with no time out for resting. This book was highly enjoyable and left me wanting more, which I guess is Harris' goal. The only quibble I have with the book is how easily the big rescue scene came off.

I'll be back to read the rest of the series!

I read the first two books in the series, and I thought Charlaine Harris was the sleeper writer of the year. I liked her well-realized protagonist and her unpretentious good humor. But most of all, I liked the realistic Southern small-town characters and setting. I've been reading science fiction and fantasy for many years, and this sort of thing is what I read it for -- to visit a world enough like ours to seem realistic, but different enough to be endlessly fascinating.
In her first two books, Ms. Harris really delivered that sense of wonder pleasure. However, she doesn't do this in Club Dead. The action has moved to Mississippi, but it might as well be in New Jersey. Granted, Sookie is here, and Bubba is here. But the new characters are cliched and the story is hardly more than perpetual sex and violence. (Not that I have anything against sex and violence, but that's not what I read fantasy for.)
On the other hand, if you're a Laurell Hamilton fan, or you're looking for a sexy, violent book your mother won't object to, you may very well like Club Dead.
But it's a pity. Charlaine, if you're reading this, please try again. You can do so much better.

This book just doesn't appear to have the same level of effort behind its development as the previous two novels. It feels rushed, almost as if it was completed simply to meet a deadline.
Sookie flies into irrational fits of anger that just don't make any sense. There are stake-wielding characters, capable of providing an engaging sub-plot, who appear to have existed only to provide Sookie with a stake for later use.
Blah. This just plain wasn't satisfying.

I loved this book, I have read the first 3 and this one was amazing, way better than 1 and 2. Book 1 was very good but number 2 was fine. This book describes how sookie realizes that being with a vampire is quite difficult but she stands to what she feels and believes. Lots of bad point to bill indeed...

I have to say I really like this series. I was really hoping she would end up with Alcide in the end, but I guess there are still more books for that to possibly happen =) These books are very additive. I can't wait until the series True Blood comes to DVD in May

I am not an avid reader. I really don't have time. However when I picked up the first Sookie Stackhouse book "Dead until Dark", I could not stop reading. I read the whole series in 14 days, there are 11 books. Love this series. Can't wait for the next one.

i loved this book. its my fav in the series. there are some loose ends, but its excellent overall. this book moves faster than some of the others too - which is a +. its a fast/ fun read. and if you read the series, what the author does to eric is just funny.

Again, no super in depth plot that requires a lot of thinking. The writing is easy to read and yet she does a good job to develop the characters. I enjoy these types of books that do not require a lot of thinking and you can just enjoy a nice read.

I love Sookie Stackhouse but expecially in this book as well as book #2 Living Dead in Dallas! Lots of mystery, intrigue and just the right amount of love triangles. Plus love the intro of Alcide & the were's into the mix.

This was probably my least favorite in the series so far. I am NOT an Eric fan, and I could tell from when he first entered the series that he was going to try to break up Bill and Sookie, which made me really dislike him. He's not attractive at all in True Blood; Bill is so much hotter. I loved the relationship between Sookie and Bill, whereas it seems as though Eric is a player and arrogant. I would be very upset if Sookie fell for that.

In this book, as some other reviews mentioned, Sookie was a character that all women could relate to. Commonly, books have main characters that have boys jumping left and right for them, which never seemed practical and unfortunately, makes me slightly jealous. But Sookie is turning into exactly that. Harris is making it very obvious that Sookie is the center of every guys thoughts and wishes, which is really turning me off from liking Sookie.

Secondly, the author made this book Too action-packed. Every chapter had someone getting beat up or some high-risk danger involved. It seemed very unrealistic and made the book boring in a way. I think its very important to have contrast in plot, easy time then action then resolution. Harris' writing also seems to be turning a little childish. In the first book, I felt like she had something to prove, and therefore used complicated sentence structure (many, many comma splices. Are all novelists immune to this?), but now she's getting a little more comfortable and turning Sookie into the character thats been done a hundred times. Please turn Sookie back into that character from the first two books! Go Team Bill!!!

Club Dead takes off right where Living Dead in Dallas left off. Bill has been kidnapped and its up to Sookie to find him with a little help from Eric. Introduces some great new charactures and the story line keeps flowing. Charlaine Harris does not disapoint. You can't help but to fall in love with all the charactures even the ones you are suppose to hate. Also book follows very close to the HBO series. A must read for fang bangers like me who can't get enough of vampires.

While these are all still junk food reading for me I love them even though they aren't really that good. I just can't seem to stop reading them. They are just fun. I am enjoying the characters and just love Pam. She is the best :)

A book you pick up and can't put down only to want more when you're done. An awesome book, awesome series, though I warn all it's highly addicting and it will make you loose sleep to reading time!

another great book .....

I've read the first 8, and they are all wonderful!! This is not my normal topic of interest (no interest in any of the other vampire series), but this one has a great mix of action and romance. Couldn't stop reading!!

Just finished the 3rd book in this series. Read them all over the last month. So, here's my recommendation. Read them all in order. It does help, though not required. Find, a nice quick weekend and enjoy.
There are a whole lot worse ways of spending your time.

Like this series. Like the way Harris writes, and having met her at a signing, like the way she speaks as well. Sookie stories are easy reads - less on horror that Laurell K Hamilton, and much more fun. Witty dialogue, intrigue, and good ole Sookie provide many a reading delight.

I've read the first 5 books, and Club Dead was my favorite. They are all wonderful, but in this book a new character, Alcide, is introduced. The books are very intertwined, but I find them all very entertaining!

I have enjoyed all three books in this series so far, but this is the best. I had to read the first 70 to 80 pages of the first two before I couldn't put them down. This third one, however, was an instant page turner. The male lead has never done much for me, but the author has three other males around that I really like - Alcide, Sam, and Eric.

I actually liked this book, it was very entertaining. It's about Bill disappearing and kidnapped. This book also introduces new characters and, possibly romantic relationship with Sookie, Werewolf, Alside, and introduces vampire Lorena. What I didn't like about this book, was that it leaves questions in the open.

This is the third book in the series... By now you would think that Sookie would have learned her lesson but no. She allows herself to be pulled into situations where she just gets brutalized. It's probably a good thing that Bill has become her ex.. but the way things are going with Eric.. I really just want to smack some sense into that girl.
Also, this book plays on sooo many southern stereotypes. I mean really. It's gotten to the point where it's not even all that funny anymore.

This book in the series deals with Sookie trying to save Bill from the people who captured him. But really, when we find out what Bill did, I don't think Sookie should have saved him. The book leaves us wondering what is going to happen between Sookie and Bill, and since I don't watch True Blood, I have no idea what's going to happen. I am hoping that they break up and don't get back together!

So first off the only reason I'm even wasting my time with these books is because I am totally hooked on the HBO series and I don't want to wait years to find out what happens (even though the show is really nothing like the books)...SPOILER ALERT!!! The smartest thing Sookie has done thus far is when she "rescinded" (took back) the invitation into her house from Bill and Eric, which by the way I have never read a vampire book where that is even possible. I keep hoping one of these books will actually be a good read, but holy cow I'm having a hard time justifying the waste of time!

*No plot spoilers*

DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE AS THE REST OF US AND INVEST YOUR TIME AND LOVE AND MONEY INTO THIS SERIES.

I know this review is supposed to be for Club Dead, which I liked very much. But this series has 13 books and the last 6 are absolute trash. I need to warn you now. Check out the ratings of book 13 if you are skeptical. Im also writing this because I now hate Harris. Its tragic because I truly loved the early books, most especially Club Dead.

If you have any sort of taste at all, with a mind that isn't easily entertained easily entertained you are gauranteed to be disappointed by them and feel let down. Nearly her entire fanbase was pissed. The plots of the books towards the end are feeble and cliched, she even reused a few plot devices from earlier books. There are many many inconsistances. Information from pervious books is dully repeated over and over. Harris herself said she couldnt wait till the books were over. No joke. She selfishly wrote to fufil her contact, not at all careing what her fans felt when they read the mess that was published or about their opinions on how the story ended. Because apparently it was HER story, as she says.

As for the characters. Sookie, the main character, gets bitchy, dull and stupider, completely lacking common sense dispite all she goes through. The way she immaturely runs from problems in her relationships will grate on you towards the end. She is no longer the charming, smart and quirky Sookie of the first few novels. Harris competley mauls her characters personalities, most especially the character who is hands down the best character in the series. If you do read you will know who I mean, his name stars with an E, odds are you will love him. And whatever you do, Do Not get your heart set on a certain suiter for Sookie. For many of the fans, even after the lazy and boring writing, we still read on because we wanted to see the conclusion of who will be Sookie's Happily Ever After. It was a terrible, terrible let down. Most of us wrote heartfelf flame reviews. She ends up with who is possibly the most boring, though always there for her, man in the books. And together they can have a boring normal life. Yay. Dispite the hot chemistry between her and another man, Harris springs this on us

Again: DO NOT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE AND INVEST YOUR TIME AND LOVE AND MONEY INTO THIS SERIES.

Sookie Stackhouse is similar to Stephanie Plum by Janet Evanovich. She gets by with a little skill, a whole lot of luck, and help from her ever-increasing lineup of friends who bail her out of trouble. This series is fun fantasy! If you want to start at the beginning, the first book is Dead Until Dark. Enjoy!

I would give this 4.5 stars if I could. Club Dead is where the Sookie series really takes off. Living Dead in Dallas is really good, but this book got even better. I loved the new characters and new setting. I loved the emotional aspects for Sookie throughout the book, and the development of her relationship with Eric. The plot works well, but it's really all about the characters' interactions with each other and the suspense of Sookie's plight. And what a FANTASTIC ending!

Ms. Sookie is Bill really back with his ex? Does Eric just want your help to find Bill? What about this sexy Alcide? What's a mind-readin' cocktail waitress to do? Have a jelly donut?

Book three in the Southern Vampire Mystery Series does not disappoint and will leave you wanting to read number four...five...six...

Club Dead actually was a very good book. What with Bill doing the nastie with someone else and Sookie having to save him. Well I think she should have blew off a bit more steam with Bill before slaming that door, but hey all in all it was a great read and I really hope I don't have to waite long to see what happens next.

I've read the first 8, and they are all wonderful!! This is not my normal topic of interest (no interest in any of the other vampire series), but this one has a great mix of action and romance. Couldn't stop reading!!

Sookie is highly desirable to the supes of the world, but she is still vulnerable to the human condition...notably, hers. While fending off advances from a Were and a Vamp, she still manages to save Bill, save Bubba and save her sanity even if it means rescinding invitations to those who have nothing to lose but their Sookie. Another fast read that leaves you craving more adventures with Sookie.

Book 3 for Sookie Stackhouse, is even better then the previous ones. In this book she goes searching for Vampire Bill and in the process meets one of my favorite characters yet in the series (and i'm on book 6). Again i would highly recommend this book, its a wonderful read.

I am still reading through the book but I was really surprised with a very obvious mistake regarding the current age of Sookie.
At the beginning of the book we are told that Sookies parents die when she is 7.
Then that her parents died 20 years before the vampires openly declared themselves.
Then that the vampires have declared themselves 2.5 years ago.

That would make our Sookie 20 + 7 + 2.5 = 29.5 years old in this book.
But then Sookie states that she is now 26!

I was enjoying these books but since I read this I am really starting to lose interest. Is it that hard to keep your facts straight especially
regarding the age of your main character? I mean, come on...

This book had such potential considering the first two installments and Ms. Harris went and ruined her own series. This book was ridiculous and I couldn't wait to get out of Sookieville. Bill is a pain, Sookie needs a backbone and Eric, well Eric is just Eric. The first two books were so great, this one should have been a blast to read too. I give up on Sookie just like Ms. Harris did.

I read a lot and recently got into reading myster thriller type of books and some how ended reading the book 2 of charlaine harris sookie stackhouse series. It was a book I enjoyes so much that I have actually already bought several other books and I down reading to book 3 =) Great series

I couldn't wait to get my greedy little hands on this book! The poor folks at Waldenbooks must've wanted to bar me from the store. I'm guessing Charlaine Harris and Laurell K. Hamilton are e-mail buddies or something of the sort. The writing is great, kept me in suspense, and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their quirks. I can't wait for the next book!

I found this much better than the 2nd book - I thought the 2nd book was very slow in spots. This book had no slow parts at all. I think that the book will make for a GREAT 3rd season on True Blood - Can't Wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is just another masterpiece written by Charlene Harris. Huge fan of the entire series and would recommend to anyone. She has excellent writing skills and character building. Cannot wait to read more!

When you read the book's first chapter you'd think that you'll read a spooky book. So if you like eerie readings this could be it. The problem is that CH tried to make antic after jest and that only makes the book boring. If you really like to read a vampire love story, read "Out of the Night" by Robin T. Popp. That book has a really spooky love story.

I love this book and is probably one of my favorite in the entire series. The plot is fresh and interesting. After this book, I gained a new appreciation for Eric, whose character is turned upside down in a fun twist. This book definitely made me want to continue reading the series. And the love scenes are phenomenal.

Inconsistent and formulaic (is Nora Roberts writing as Charlaine Harris now?). The book series started out pretty interestingly albeit with a few continuity errors. Already going downhill, but there is a market for the lowest common denominator-good for "by the pool". Take one look at the author and you'll see why she is living vicariously through a sexy, buxom young blonde. Hope the author isn't enjoying enough success that she fails to listen to her editors.

I have read ALL of The Southern Vampire Chronicles, and have passed them along to family and friends to also enjoy.

I love the way C.H. keeps you interested and carries the reader along for each fun filled episode. I really hope she keeps us on this ride into laughter and adventure for a long time.

What's one of these paranomal romance books without a vampire nightclub with its own peculiar rules of etiquette?

Not to mention slim-hipped pillow pretty boy proprietors or staff that fancy a well buildt young small town for playtime and plaything.

Luckily for her, her main sucker squeeze can hold his own.

3 out of 5

This book in the series left me hurting inside. Sookie went through h*** to be left alone in the end! I can't wait to read the next one. The supernaturals are multi-dimensional and lovable. Full of SPICE!!!

I might like the book...if I could have actually purchased it on Kindle but I was only able to purchase the 1st and 2nd book and not the rest. Which a little annoying to say the least. I have asked why and the store just told me that it's not available in Canada however if that were the case then why did I just purchase the 1st and 2nd book???
Not happy all with this. Why would I want to purchase another series as I am not sure if I can get the remaining books.

Very disappointed in Kindle right now.

I just got done putting this books in my goodwill pile. I watched season 1 and 2 on HBO and decided to read the remaining books. I'm sorry I did. I only read the third book and half of the fourth and had to stop. I have never stopped reading a book mid-way, but I couldn't endure one more sentence.

Maybe I am just a book snob...that is quite possible, but I can't imagine why anyone would dredge through this series. Had I known that these were nothing more than cheesy romance novels hidden behind the cover of supernatural characters, I never would have spent my money on them.

If you have watched the series on HBO, you know that the characters are over the top. From their accents to their over-animated acting, these characters just stink. I was hoping that was just a poor decision made on behalf of the producers of True Blood, but no. The characters in the book are just as exaggerated, and Sookie Stackhouse takes the cake. I'm not sure if the author thought that Sookie was endearing, but I just think she's a joke!

If you want to kill a few cerebral tissues, please, read these books. But, if you'd like to preserve some intelligence and money, pass on these books.