JOINT REVIEW: Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
LIVING DEAD IN DALLAS (Sookie Stackhouse #2)
by Charlaine Harris
PUBLISHER: Gollancz
RELEASE DATE: 2009
FORMAT: Paperback, 279 pages
GENRE: Urban Fantasy
Waiting tables, sweeping floors, reading minds and solving mysteries for the undead. It’s all in a day’s work for Sookie… Cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse is on a streak of real bad luck. First, her co-worker gets murdered and no one seems to care. Then Sookie is attacked – and poisoned – late one night by some weird and apparently mythical beast. She only survives because the local vampires roll up and graciously suck the poison from her veins (like they didn’t enjoy it). But in return the blood-suckers need a favor.
Which is why Sookie ends up in Dallas, using her telepathic skills to search for a missing vampire, on the condition that her undead friends don’t do anything, well, vampiric while she’s there. Easier said than done. All it takes is one delicious blonde and one small mistake for things to turn deadly… (Goodreads)
LAURA
There’s something about Sookie that just makes me smile. The telepathic waitress who is dating the town’s local vampire. She is so genuinely warm and wholesome and the last person at all you would expect to end up with a vampire. But it’s these qualities that make the books so engaging.
I’ve read three of Charlaine Harris’s series and her writing has a unique, quirky style to it. But they’re also funny, laugh-out-loud so at times. The second book is similar to the first in that at the core of it is a supernatural mystery, with Sookie once again playing the unwitting sleuth.
CAROLYN
Although the TV series, True Blood does keep some of the aspects of the book, there are many differences. Therefore, it was easier for me to read LIVING DEAD IN DALLAS without drawing too many comparisons, I tried to keep them separate and read the book on its own merit. Reading it this way is actually much more enjoyable. I do like the TV show, but I’m not sure on some of the castings therefore I would rather imagine the characters, especially Sookie as my imagination intended.
However, as with the first book, Dead Until Dark, I found this a wonderful, easy read. Harris has a great writing style that’s witty and charming and I read this book with relish. I’m with Laura on Sookie, she’s is a fabulous heroine. I love her warmth and wholesomeness, but she’s also quite feisty, which is a definite plus.
LAURA
Sookie’s relationship with the vampires continues to grow, when Sookie is attacked by a Maenad she & Bill have to turn to them for help. But nothing in life ever comes for free and before she knows it she is on her way to Dallas, rented out by Eric to help the vampires there with a missing vampire case. In typical Sookie style, her favour comes with a condition, that the vampires do not kill anyone she helps to bring to justice. As Carolyn says this is part of Sookie’s feistyness that you can’t help but love her for.
The book does dot about quite a bit as there are two stands to the story. We have a murder mystery at the beginning, when Sookie discovers the dead body of one of her co-workers. Then Sookie’s attack and visit to Dallas, followed by her return home when the original murder mystery gets picked up again.
We are introduced to ‘The Fellowship of the Sun’ an obsessive, anti-vampire church who I can only imagine will continue to have significance as this series progresses.
CAROLYN
Sookie’s ‘abilities’ of listening in on people’s thoughts is hired out by Eric to vampires in Dallas. Sookie and Bill, once there find themselves mixed up with The Fellowship of the Sun, a cult of vampire haters. There’s a few twists and turns that keep you wondering, and new characters and supernaturals are introduced.
As with Dead Until Dark, there’s enough intrigue to keep the pages turning and although Sookie isn’t the typical kick-arse urban fantasy heroine, she uses what she has to her benefit, including her sassy southern mouth.
LIVING DEAD IN DALLAS is somewhat darker than the previous book, but it’s still a fairly light read. There’s something about Harris’s writing that makes these books addictive reading without having to go into too much detail.
LAURA
I’m with Carolyn these books definitely make addictive reading. Harris’s writing style cleverly mixes a lightness with the dark undertones you come to expect in urban fantasy.
This book introduces new species and characters. I had a real chuckle at Bubba, the mentally challenged vampire who used to once be a famous rock star. But above them all, I’m fast becoming an Eric fan, *swoon* and I do hope Sookie ditches Bill for him. While I enjoy the romance between Sookie and Bill, I am beginning to find him a little bit boring. Kind of like the equivalent of vampire slippers.
There is a truly superb scene when Eric attends a sex club with Sookie to ‘protect her’ that will make you want to laugh and fan yourself all at the same time.
Fans of the TV series will notice similarities between this book and the second series. But the TV show also diverges quite significantly in parts. But this means it’s very easy to enjoy both. I love the TV show, but so far I love the books even more. Carolyn references the casting of the series earlier and it’s a really interesting point. Paquin and Moyer are not how I imagine Sooke and Bill to be at all, however, I think that Skarsgard is superb as Eric. Or maybe I just have an Eric fixation! 
CAROLYN
Sookie is by far my favourite character, and so she should be being the main character and narrator. She’s sweet, naive at times but endearingly so, but she also has a strength that shines through and makes me smile fondly. I would love to befriend Sookie.
Next in line is Eric. Yummy Eric *sigh* I’m not usually into blonde guys, but I do like the bad boys so I am drawn to him. I know there’s a sensitive side to him too which makes him all the more alluring. Bill is a little stiff for my taste even if he is tall, dark and handsome. There’s just something about Eric’s humour that gets me. I’m hoping that something happens to Bill so my favourite character can get it on with my second favourite character! Sorry, Bill…
VERDICT:
LAURA
As good, if not better than the first book. This series will appeal to fans of both murder mystery and supernatural genres. It’s a quick read, you could easily get through in a day. I love the mix of dark, supernatural mystery, with romance and warm humour.
RATING: 
CAROLYN
A great instalment to the series. I’m crushing on Sookie and Eric and hope things go in the direction I want it too in subsequent books. An easy read with great characters combined with mystery and romance makes LIVING DEAD IN DALLAS a definite win!
RATING:
CHARLAINE HARRIS ONLINE
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BOOKS IN SERIES ORDER:
1. Dead Until Dark
2. Living Dead in Dallas
3. Club Dead
4. Dead to the World
5. Dead as a Doornail
6. Definitely Dead
7. All Together Dead
8. From Dead to Worse
9. Dead and Gone
10. Dead in the Family
11. Dead Reckoning
12. Deadlocked
US COVER
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5 Comments
This series is in my top 10 all-time favorites. I've re-read it so many times I've lost count. Literally! Including the book companions.
I'm a Viking girl all the way also. What can I say about Bill? Really nothing much. He's a total bore and a ass to boot. Although I can tolerate Book Bill much more than TB Bill. *gags* I threw up my arms with regarding the show. And with what has happened lately with Charlaine's comment in the Orlando Sentinel and all of a sudden Alan Ball has left True Blood as a show-runner few days ago there's more to his I'm "exhausted" excuse. I'm not as well with most peeps naive enough to think the two are not related. It's more HBO gave AB the boot. I gotta say it's a little too late now anyway for it to make a difference.
I'm dying for Deadlocked release!!! I agree with you on AP & SM they are soooo NOT Sookie and Bill by a loooong shot. Great post! DeAnna S.
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Hi DeAnna – I'm really enjoying the series so far. I read the Charlaine Harris interview online for the Orlando Sentinel and I can't believe AB would have stepped down because of that? The only thing I can see is that she said she is the creator *which she is* I try and not get hung up on the show any more, comparing it to the books as they are so different in many aspects. I have my own image of what Sookie and the other characters look like
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A ha yes Bill is such a bore lol! Eric all the way
like Carolyn I've started to view the books & series as two different entities. I think I may have to search out that Charlaine Harris interview now!
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Well there is a lot more than that to it. But I've listed my all-time favorite blog and forum that is all about SVM's solely. There's no quote or comment not listed on this blog/forum about SSN's and TB.
Charlaine interview for Sleuthfest
http://www.sookieverseblog.com.....038;t=2325
Anna – The books are about Sookie's "sexual awakening"
http://www.sookieverseblog.com.....038;t=2291
As you can see Anna has not read the books because Alan told her not to. And this is the comment she made. When Charlaine said I don't write Anna Paquin, I write Sookie Stackhouse. That was a read between the lines jab back at Anna.
Take a look around at http://www.sookieverseblog.com
I think ya'll would fit in quite well. I've been following your blog for awhile now and I know ya'll will love this series as much as all of us at SVB do. I hope to see ya'll pop in sometime and give your opinions. Your reviews are always amazing.
DeAnna
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I am team ERIC all the way!!!
I think he is way better than Bill. I am enjoying this series very much and love the mystery spin on them. Makes them more interesting I think. I think besides the main characters my favorite "little" character has to be Arlene. She just is too fun and funny with her views of things and personality. I think Sookie is a GREAT character. She may not be the "norm", but that is what makes her and the books so fantastic!
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