Until Book 8 where things kind of went astray - There was a big movement of humans who were banding together against vampires - that vamps were not of God. Meanwhile, Sookie was hired to be a mindreader during a mass convention of all of the vamps. It ended with an explosion and the hotel is destroyed, with Sookie saving Eric and Pam. Sookie and Fred, the bellhop, who is also telepathic, go around trying to hear the thoughts of people to help them out of the rubble...

Some spoilers may be included -

Now - Book 9 - Back in Bon Temps LA, Sookie is back at her job at Merlotte's. The premise of the series is that vampires have 'come out' and accepted by the humans, because the Japanese have invented synthetic blood (hence the name of the cable series) TruBlood and there is no reason for vampires to attack humans.  But the world doesn't know there are other species out there - werewolves, shapeshifters, fairies, etc.

In a big TA-DA moment on TV, these folks, who were to the normal populace just another human, changed on-air, and to their families.

Some didn't handle it well.

For example, Sam, owner of Merlotte's, is a shifter, as is his mother. His step-father beat her up when she changed in front of him. Sam and his siblings go to their mother's side at the hospital, leaving Sookie in charge.

To add to the craziness of handling things at home - Octavia and Amelia are still housemates of Sookie's - and Sookie finds managing a bar entails a lot. As Sookie comes in early to Merlotte's, using the employee entrance, she comes upon a gruesome scene - a person has been killed and crucified in back of Merlotte's - the identity of the victim is shocking, and the victim's death must have been long and vengeful.
So add the police and FBI to the mix.

Eric, the absolutely gorgeous vampire owner of Fangtasia, sends one of his minions to Sookie to come to Fangtasia and give Eric the package that the messenger gives to her. She doesn't look inside as she's busy, but goes to Eric and in front of the new king, gives Eric the package. It further ties Eric and Sookie together, but more importantly, gives Sookie greater protection from other vampire realms.

I must say, the sex scenes in this book are among, no the most sensual of all of the sex scenes in this series. And I personally would like to sign up for the Fangtasia calendar - Eric being Mr. January -

Of course, Bill, a vamp from the Civil War era,  is in the book. The ties that bind Sookie and Bill - he's her first lover, first relationship etc. are great. Turns out he was a nasty spy, but comes back that he didn't mean to do it and he loves her, and Sookie keeps swaying between Bill and Eric.

Sookie's fairy great-grandfather is featured more in this book, and perhaps is the cause of some of the hostilities, and harm to Sookie.

Does this book make a lot of progress in the series?? Aside from the shifters, weres etc 'come out', and the ties between Eric and Sookie are greater, not much has progressed.
Ms. Harris, time to do more than tickle our imaginations - time for more action and not just giving us special appearances by Quinn, 'Bubba', and the others.

We need more substance.

Although, sex scenes like the ones in Book 9, almost make up for the lack of progress...
Ms. Harris, tell us where to get the Fangtasia calendar.

As someone who is writing her first novel, that happens to be about a vampire, it is great to see how differently vampires can be portrayed from author to author.

Time to put the fun back into the series, Ms. Harris.

ellen george

Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris, ISBN 10: 0441017150, Ace Hardcopy, review by ellen george