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.

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.

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

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

Some spoilers follow.

I am probably having a different experience coming to this series when so many books are already done. Thus I can move from book 2 to book 3 in a day, and not have to wait a year the way the folks who have been reading the books as they come out do. With that in mind, it seems to me that Harris changed her mind about what book three was going to be. Book 2 ended with Sookie's relationship in fairly good shape and the implication that she was going to have to deal with her increasing superhuman-ness (she was worried about glowing again as the book ended).

To my mind, the change in direction was a good idea. In my review of book 2 (Dallas), I complained that the series was not enough "Urban Fantasy" and too much "Supernatural Romance". You didn't have to worry too much because no matter what, TRUE LOVE would win, and Sookie and Bill would always be together. This book reminds me a little more of Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan books. In those, Rachel fell head-over-heels for a rat and finally ended up leaving him. I'm not saying that Sookie _should_ leave Bill, but he has some heavy duty explaing to do, and I really like Harris's leaving the possibility open. Furthermore, I complained that in book 2, Sookie was very much on a "high horse" about other's moral failings. In this book, she has some "failings" of her own, especially in allowing Eric to get to third base with her.

I would probably rate the first book as five stars for introducing Sookie. I rated the second book at two stars for some plot and character problems. I would probably rate this one as four stars for the change in direction, but plot and setting problems knock it back to three. First, I simply do not buy the vampire organizational setup. They divide authority into regions which map exactly to US states? That just does not make sense, especially since the book drives home how old the vampire setup is by mentioning the Lousiana Purchase. State boundries are pretty recent. Does the vampire king of Virginia still "rule" West Virginia? If not, why not? Second, the mcguffin of Bill's list (confusingly called a "computer program" here as if the words "list" or "database" are unknown to Harris) is just not convincing. How much structure can these vampire kingdoms have if they don't even know who most of the vampires are? Why not wait until Bill was finished with it? If Bill was worried about it endangering him, why not just put it on the internet? He wouldn't make any money, but the cat would be out of the bag and the list would be out there for anyone who wanted it. Third, Harris is introducing too many supernatural species without thinking it out. In this book, there's a goblin, ergo there must be _lots_ of goblins. Same for the shapeshifters. She even raises the possibility (though she doesn't confirm it) that there might be human magic workers (witches). At some point it gets to be too much to keep quiet about. Fourth, there was that bit about her meeting her high-school friend in the vampire bar. What was that all about? It seemed to serve no plot purpose and raised a lot of unanswered questions: a) It seems to re-write the history of the disastrous 'orgy' in book two. In that one, Tara was mind-wiped. Here she seems not to have been. b) What in the world was she doing with a vampire? She should be well shy of the supernatural after the events in book two. c) She's now Sookie's "best friend"? It had been several years since Sookie had much to do with her in book two. d) She & Sookie had 'no idea' their high-school talent show dance was 'sexy'? Come on, Sookie admits to having plenty of sex drive back in book one, even if she never did the deed, and she can read minds. Right, she had no idea.

Anyway, you get the idea. It appears to me that Harris understands that the series can't _stay_ the story of a rural working-class girl dating a vampire. (Realistically, Sookie can't even keep her job through many more absences like this), and I'm glad she's growing the character and really making her think about her life, but she has some rough edges on the plotting world-building that need some more work.

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'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.

The third installment of Charlaine Harris's Southern Vampire series, Club Dead, finds our Sookie facing more danger in her life with the vampires, but this time she's doing it with a broken heart. Bill, her vampire boyfriend, has suddenly taken off, reportedly with his former lover, the vampire Lorena. Bill's boss, Eric, is worried enough about Bill (and a secret project Bill's been working on), that he taps Sookie's expertise in mind-reading to help locate him when it seems that Bill may be actually be really, truly dead, or at least missing.

This episode of Sookie's life among the undead is action-packed, and we are introduced to the handsome werewolf Alcide, who is assigned to assist Sookie in her quest to find the faithless Bill. A new side of Sookie emerges in this book; though her heart is broken, she finds that she is strong enough to pursue the leads to Bill's whereabouts and even take on his erstwhile lover. There is quite a bit of violence in this novel, and things do not get sewn up neatly for Sookie, but she does learn something about herself in the process.

I quite enjoyed this installment. Sookie's rise in self-confidence is stirring, and the introduction of Alcide is quite nice as well. Eric is, as always, funny and sexy; Sookie must decide what her next move will be, and if she has the courage to turn her back on the vampire society altogether. Well written, and good fun! On to the next in the series.

The third and thus far best in the Sookie Series sees our spunky little heroine becoming slightly disillusioned with her vampire boyfriend, Bill. Lately he's seemed more interested in his secret "work" than in her...and to add insult to injury, he is leaving town on a secret "work" mission. Sookie is furious...and even more so when she is informed by Eric and Pam that Bill has become involved with his ex-love Lorena....who also happens to be the vamp who "made" Bill. But Bill has since gone missing...and who better to found out where he is but innocent little mind-reading Sookie? So Eric sends Sookie out to find Bill...undercover as the girlfriend of a Were name Alcide from the town of nearby Hotshot. Eventually it becomes clear that Bill may be in the fight of his undead life....but can Sookie save him before it's too late? Even more importantly, will she succeed in fighting ever-growing feelings for the attentive and attractive Alcide? But more frightening still...how long can she ignore the amorous overtures of the gorgeous Eric, a powerful vampire who also happens to be Bill's boss? Most importantly....how long will she want to?

Another engaging, pageturning installment of our southern vampire series. This one is my favorite thus far...too bad we can only give it 5 stars!!!


DYB

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

Sookie Stackhouse is asked once again by Eric, a vampire leader, to leave her waitress job so that she can use her telepath skills to locate a missing vampire. The problem is the vampire she is supposed to find is her boyfriend, Bill, who she has just learned has betrayed her.

This is an exciting tale with a lot of emotional ups and downs. Poor Sookie seems to get into one difficult situation after another, all to rescue someone she is really angry with. Helping her on her quest is a werewolf named Alcide. He is indebted to the vampires and takes Sookie to the city and Club Dead as payment on that debt. The sparks fly and he soon realizes his task is not a hardship. I really enjoyed Alcide, I hope we see more of him in future stories.

I normally don't enjoy a book where the two main characters are at odds, but that was not this case with this story. Ms. Harris writes a realistic tale about relationships and their complexities, lacing it with fascinating characters, some battles, a few tears and a couple laughs.

Like the previous stories in this series, this book has a lot going for it; I didn't want to put it down. With the first two books I was kicking myself for waiting so long to start reading this series, I had wished that I would have discovered them back when Ms. Harris wrote the first one. Now, having read this one, I am glad I have the entire series at my disposal now, because if I had to wait a year for book 4, I think I'd go a little nutty.

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...

Book is great. Haven't read a Sookie Stackhouse that I haven't enjoyed. Now my kids and coworkers are hooked.

Book is great. Haven't read a Sookie Stackhouse that I haven't enjoyed. Now my kids and coworkers are hooked.

....is a HOOT!!! You gotta love any series that has Elvis as a Vampire named "Bubba"...But shhhhh. He doesn't know he was Elvis. Read the series... and enjoy!!!

These are definitely beach reading - but the books are fast paced and very very funny.

Having read all 6 books in the Southern Vampire series, I feel that this one is the best. The plot is very tight and driven. I also loved the introduction to the werewolf community. This book is a must read b/c it's a major turning point in the relationship of Bill and Sookie. I can't put my finger on it, but this is one of my favorite series.

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.

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.

I enjoyed this book as much as the other one by Charlaine Harris. Her ability to tell a story and draw you in is rare, yet she can do this. I look forward to reading more from this author.

My paperback copy is wearing out. Would love to have this reprinted in hardback.

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!

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.

Sookie Stackhouse is having boy troubles. Aside from the fact that hers is undead. Bill, her vampire boyfriend is being very distant and secretive. He is working on a computer project that he won't share with Sookie. Then, Bill unexpectedly announces he must go on a trip concerning this project and abruptly leaves Sookie without an explanation.

Sookie fears that the distance between her and Bill, physically and emotionally, are leading to big trouble between them, but she soon finds out that big trouble is already there. Bill has been kidnapped and Eric, head of the local vampires, sends Sookie on a roadtrip to Shreveport to see if she can find her man, and his mysterious project.

Charlaine Harris is definitely growing as a writer, which is a good thing. I had sworn off this series at one point because I was so disappointed with the characters and plot. However, in Club Dead, the reader can see how the characters are taking shape, becoming less one dimensional. Her plot execution is much better, as well. And the story is just plain entertaining. If you like Anita Blake but like a little less drama in your story, Charlaine Harris is the way to go.

I would definitely recommend this 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.

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.

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.

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 Stackhouse, the attractive, telepathic barmaid from Bon Temps, LA, makes her third and most delightful appearance so far in "Club Dead." This novel marks a turning point in the relationship between Sookie and her heretofore adoring boyfriend Bill, Civil War veteran and vampire. He's got a cheatin' heart, along with other unfaithful body parts. This is unfortunate because Sookie thought she had found the man of her dreams, at long last. Not only is/was Bill intelligent, kind, considerate, tall, dark and handsome, (if somewhat pallid), but most importantly, Sookie is not able to read his mind. Folks in her backwater northern Louisiana town always treated her as if she had a disability. They made her feel ashamed of her "gift." The major disadvantages to her telepathy had always been her inability to keep the voices at bay, even though she has learned to shield herself somewhat. She had been unable to have a relationship until Bill came into her life. How can you fall in love when you know everything your boyfriend is thinking?

Bill had been ignoring Sookie for some time, seemingly unable to focus on anything but a computer project he was totally immersed in. He told her he was working on a secret assignment for the Queen, (vampire), of Louisiana and would be traveling to Seattle at her request. Sookie knew he was lying to her about something, if not many things. Shortly after Bill left, Eric, owner of Club Fangtasia and vampire boss of Area 5, which encompasses Shreveport and Bon Temps, sends Bubba, (the late, great King of Rock and Roll, thought to be dead for decades by fans worldwide, but really a vampire), to guard her. Since being turned into the undead, Bubba's voice is still golden, but his mind is dim. On Bubba's watch, Sookie is attacked by a biker werewolf at the bar where she works. Then Eric pays her a personal visit to inform her Bill has met with foul play - he has gone missing. Since the secret project concerns the Louisiana vampire community, it is imperative to find him before he can be tortured into giving away information. The charismatic Eric, who has always had the hots for Sookie, happily tells her that Bill has plans to leave and move-in with a former girlfriend, the vicious vampire Lorena - if he is still alive. He also gives her another assignment, which she is obligated to accept.

Alcide Herveaux, a really nice guy who happens to turn into a wolf when the moon is full, will accompany her to Jackson, where she is to investigate Bill's disappearance. The only clue she has is that Mississippi Vampire King Russell Edgington's Club Dead might be a good place to begin her sleuthing.

"Club Dead" has a fast paced plot, filled with humor, suspense, vampire lore and politics, new characters and excitement - not to mention Sookie's depression at being betrayed by Bill. I must say, that for a dumpee, she certainly gets plenty of male attention, although the men aren't human. Author Charlaine Harris also gives more depth to Sookie, Bill and Eric. I really like Alcide as a character and hope to see more of him in future novels. I also enjoy Sookie's downhome attitude. She is proud but not pretentious, feminine but no shrinking violet. She has got great instincts and her sense of humor is downright wicked! This is light, escapist reading at its best.
JANA

Right off the bat, Sookie Stackhouse has a bad feeling about things. First Bill, her vampire boyfriend, is being mysterious, then he disappears. As she soon learns, he was kidnapped, and furthermore, was about to abandon her for an old lover. His betrayal notwithstanding, the local vampire sherriff, Eric, makes her go after Bill, to rescue him before he can be tortured into revealing something that would be harmful to everyone else. He send her to Alcide, a Mississippi werewolf who owes him a favor, to provide her with protection and whatever else she needs. For further backup, she has Bubba, a vampire that all the Southern vampire royals pass between themselves to keep him out of trouble. If Eric seriously wanted Sookie and company to avoid trouble, he was doomed to disappointment. Sookie attracts it in a variety of ways, from ticking off Alcide's ex to finding a body in her closet.

**** The Southern Vampire series is full of good natured humor and very unpretentious supernaturals. Sookie's lovelife is almost as complex as Anita Blake's, but she manages to keep to a higher moral ground while considering her options. If for no other reason than to find out the secret of Bubba, read this book. ****

"Club Dead" is the third installment in the delightful Southern Vampire series. A fast-paced, witty mystery that will keep the pages turning, "Club Dead" details Sookie Stackhouse's, telepathic barmaid, journey from rural Bon Temps, Louisiana to Jackson, Mississippi to find her missing vampire boyfriend, Bill Compton.

In her efforts to find Bill, Sookie is joined by Alcide (a werewolf getting out of a bad relationship), Eric (a vampire and former Viking and who is now Bill's boss), and "Bubba" (a dim-witted Elvis-turned-vampire). Bill was sent to Mississippi on a "secret mission" by the "queen of Louisiana" and has run afoul of the "king of Mississippi". Eric and the other vampires of Louisiana are convinced that Bill is most likely dead, but are obiligated to discover exactly what went wrong. Sookie must travel to a private-vampire bar in the heart of downtown Jackson to discover who has taken Bill prisoner, why, and if he's alive, how to free him.

"Club Dead" has subplots within subplots which are eventually all tied together and resolved, however, less would have been better. The ever-growing number of threads within the complicated tapestry of this book are hard to track at times, especially with the action being fast-paced. Overall, a great read and a welcome addition to the Southern Vampire series, but "Club Dead" promises much more than it can reasonably deliver.

One thing I did enjoy was the accuracy in which Ms. Harris described the city of Jackson. As someone who was born and raised in Mississippi, I found the lengths to which she went to describe the city and surrounding areas quite admirable. For this effort, I must once again tip my hat to Ms. Harris' attention to detail.

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!

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!

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.