Dead Reckoning

Dead Reckoning
By Charlaine Harris
Ace Books, 2011. 325 pgs. Paranormal

In this eleventh installment of the Southern Vampire series, Sookie Stackhouse, telepath, girlfriend of the 1000-year-old vampire, Eric Northman, friend to the Shreveport, L.A. werewolf pack, and relative of the Fae folk has a way of always getting in harm’s way. Early in the book, Sookie survives a fire bombing at the bar she works at, and things get worse from there. Eric Northman and his second-in-command, Pam, are trying to figure out a way to kill off the new Vampire regent, Victor, who is making their lives miserable. Sookie is torn between her desire for a normal, human life and the need to help those she cares about who just happen to be almost all supernatural.

This has been an enjoyable paranormal series. However, like many long series, it is starting to lose its momentum. Also, the entertaining characters (which drew me into the series) have lost some of their charm in the last few books. Readers should also be warned that there are very descriptive sex scenes and some strong language.

AJ