Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

Amber’s Comments: Our most recent display is focused on magical mysteries. To help you get in the mood for Halloween, come by and pick up any of these mysteries with a touch of the magical or paranormal!

Dead Until Dark (check status at GPL) is a mixture of mystery, paranormal and romance. Sookie Stackhouse lives in a small Louisiana town and she has a “disability” – she’s telepathic. Her telepathy has kept her from living a normal life, interfering with everything from her schoolwork (how do you concentrate when you can hear everything all the other kids are thinking?) and her ability to have a relationship (how do you get “intimate” if you can hear everything he’s thinking about you?). So now Sookie is a grown woman, working as a barmaid at Merlotte’s, living with her grandmother and trying her best not to listen in to other’s thoughts.

A few years ago, vampires from all across the world got on TV at the same time and announced that they existed and wanted equal rights. Since this revelation, Sookie has always wanted to meet one. When vampire Bill walks into Merlotte’s, Sookie is excited – not just because of his otherworldliness, but because she can’t read his mind! Silence is golden, and soon Sookie and Bill are an item.

Murders begin to sweep through the town and the police first suspect the new vampire is responsible. Soon, suspicion rests on Sookie’s brother Jason, who is a bit of a womanizer. Sookie is concerned about her own safety and her brother’s reputation, and begins to look into the deaths herself.

Sookie is certainly a kick-butt character. She’s strong, opinionated, and quick-thinking. I really enjoy having such a great female main character. Sookie narrates the book, so you get a lot of insight into the other characters as well because she can read their minds.

It should be noted that this book is an adult read that contains violence and sex. I don’t think it detracts from the story or is too superfluous, but it is certainly not a gentle read.

I have to say that I didn’t really get into the series until I read the second book, Living Dead in Dallas (check status at GPL). By then, I was totally hooked on Sookie’s world and I have enjoyed the rest of the series immensely.

We’d love to hear from you if you’ve been reading the Sookie novels, or any other magical mysteries. Leave us a comment!