Book Review: Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris

Dead as a Doornail (A Sookie Stackhouse Novel) by Charlaine Harris

A Southern Vampire Mystery #5

Published: April 25th, 2006

Publisher: Ace Books

295 pages (paperback)

Genre: Paranormal romance/mystery

Acquired this book: at the library

Warning: may include spoilers

{Amazon  ||  GoodReads}

Synopsis, taken from dust jacket of book: Small-town cocktail waitress Sookie Stackhouse has had more than her share of experience with the supernatural – but now it’s really hitting close to home. When Sookie sees her brother Jason’s eyes start to change, she knows he’s about to turn into a werepanther for the first time – a transformation he embraces more readily than most shape-shifters she knows. But her concern becomes cold fear when a sniper sets his deadly sights on the local changeling population, and Jason’s new panther brethren suspect he may be the shooter. Now Sookie has until the next full moon to find out who’s behind the attacks – unless the killer decides to find her first…

My thoughts on Dead as a Doornail:

I first started reading the Sookie Stackhouse series a few years ago.  I'll admit, I didn't exactly enjoy them - there were a lot of things that annoyed me, especially when I was in editor mode - but for some reason, I kept reading and managed to get through 4 books before giving it a break.  A long break.  I guess I just like to give certain series a chance, or there's a glimmer of something interesting enough to keep me reading, even when I think I should stop.  Or I'm just a bear for punishment.  Anyway...when True Blood came out, I was curious about it but I don't get HBO.  Everyone and their great uncle Fred seemed to love the show, and I was desperate to watch it, so was surprised and thrilled when I discovered my library got the DVDs when they received new funding.  I loved the show instantly and decided it was time to give the books another shot.

Since it's been a couple of years at least since I read the previous book in the series, Dead to the World, I'd forgotten what happened, but a lot came back to me as I read Dead as a Doornail.  And you know what?  Despite the fact that a few things still kind of bothered me, I actually really enjoyed this book.  I don't know whether it's because I'm able to picture the actors as the characters now, or because I realize that Sookie and Jason are supposed to be that stupid, or what.

I like how the series follows along and touches on things that happened in past books, but doesn't dwell on them.  The rather large cast of quirky characters keep things interesting, and the few new additions add to that interest. 

I only have 2 real complaints, one is technical, and the other has to do with the story itself.  The technical one is that certain parts are too detailed.  I don't need to know what Sookie does in the bathtub or that she needs to drop off books at the library and movies at the rental place.  I remember that being one thing that really bothered me before, but it didn't seem quite as bad this time.  The other thing was how many love interests does Sookie really need?  By my count, there were six in this book.  Yes, six.  It's beginning to seem like she's sexually attracted to every guy she meets, plus of course the old standards, but she can't make up her mind which to be with, or whether to be with any of them.

Overall, I’d recommend this book if you enjoy paranormal romance or mystery. It’s funny, kinda weird, and a quick read. I don’t think I’ll wait a couple years before reading the next book, Definitely Dead. 

*I belong to Amazon Affiliates - anything that you buy from my blog through Amazon gets me a small commission, and as a struggling freelance writer, I can use every cent I can get!  If you're considering buying this book or any other book I review, if you go to Amazon through the links on my blog to buy, I'll be eternally grateful!*