A Touch of Dead: The Complete Stories (Sookie Stackhouse / Southern Vampire Series)

by Charlaine Harris, Johanna Parker (Narrated by)

Overview

New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris has re-imagined the supernatural world with her "spunky" (Tampa Tribune) Southern Vampire novels starring telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse. Now, for the first time, here is every Sookie Stackhouse short story ever written- together in one volume. Stories include "Fairy Dust," "One Word Answer," "Dracula Night," "Lucky," and "Giftwrap." For years, Charlaine Harris has delighted fans with her mystery series featuring small-town waitress-turned- paranormal-sleuth Sookie Stackhouse. Now, Ace is pleased to republish her second novel in the series in hardcover. In this book, Sookie is pursued by a very sexy vampire-and a very deadly monster.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440778483
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	10/21/2009
Series:	Southern Vampire Series
Edition description:	Unabridged, 3 CDs, 3 hrs 30 min
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 5.80(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Charlaine Harris writes both fantasy and mystery.

Hometown:

Southern Arkansas

Date of Birth:

November 25, 1951

Place of Birth:

Tunica, Mississippi

Education:

B.A. in English and Communication Arts, Rhodes, 1973

Website:

http://www.charlaineharris.com

Read an Excerpt

INTRODUCTION

The first time I was asked to write a short story about my heroine, Sookie Stackhouse, I wasn't sure I could do it. Sookie's life and history are so complex that I didn't know if I could create a coherent piece of short fiction that would do her justice.

I'm still not sure, but I've enjoyed trying. Some efforts have been more successful than others. It's been hard to fit the stories into Sookie's larger history without leaving seams. Sometimes I succeeded, sometimes not. In this edition, I've tried to smooth out the edges of the story that was the most fun to write, but wouldn't fit in its chronological hole no matter how I pounded ("Dracula Night").

In the order in which they occur in Sookie's life, the stories are:

"Fairy Dust" originally appeared in Powers of Detection. "Fairy Dust" is about the fairy triplets Claude, Claudine, and Claudette. Following the murder of Claudette, the Claude and Claudine seek Sookie's help in determining the guilty party. Claude acquires a valuable asset in this story. The action in "Fairy Dust" takes place after the events in Dead to the World.

In "Dracula Night," Eric invites Sookie to Fangtasia for the celebration of Dracula's birthday, an annual event that makes Eric almost over the top with anticipation, since Dracula is his hero. Unfortunately, the "Dracula" who unveils himself may or may not be the real thing. Eric celebrates "Dracula Night" before the action of Dead as a Doornail.

After Dead as a Doornail, the news of her Cousin Hadley's death reaches Sookie in "One Word Answer." She's informed of Hadley's demise by the half-demon lawyer Mr. Cataliades, who has a loathsome driver and an unexpected passenger in his limo.

"Lucky" is light-hearted story set in Bon Temps in the time period after All Together Dead. Witch Amelia Broadway and Sookie are on the hunt to find out who's sabotaging the town's insurance agents.

On Christmas Eve, Sookie receives a very unexpected visitor in "Gift Wrap." She's been alone and feeling a little sorry for herself, when a wounded werewolf supplies her with a satisfying gift. I'm pleased she has such an interesting holiday before the grim events of Dead And Gone.

I had a good time writing all these stories. Some are totally light-hearted, and some are more serious, but they all shine a light on a little facet of Sookie's life and times that I haven't recorded in the books. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.

Let the good times roll,

Charlaine Harris

Editorial Reviews

Fans of Charlaine Harris novels and HBO's True Blood series will welcome this complete collection of Sookie Stackhouse short stories. A Touch of Dead contains every short story ever written about the telepathic waitress sleuth, including "Dracula Night," "Lucky," "Giftwrap," "Fairy Dust," "Tacky," "One Word Answer," and the title story. All the tales are arranged chronologically within Sookie's life.

Vivid, subtle, and funny in her portrayal of Southern life.

Entertainment Weekly

A light, fun series.

Los Angeles Times

Blending action, romance and comedy, Harris has created a fully functioning world so very close to our own, except, of course, for the vamps and other supernatural creatures.

Toronto Star

It’s easy to understand why these oddly charming books have become so popular.

New Orleans Times-Picayune

An engaging, smart, and sexy heroine.

Denver Post

It’s a bit hard to imagine having vampires and werewolves lurking around every corner, but Harris has a way of making the reader buy it hook, line and sinker.

LA) News-Star (Monroe, LA)

Praise for the Sookie Stackhouse series

“From its back roads to its swampland, Bon Temps feels like a real place.”—Chicago Sun-Times

“Vivid, subtle, and funny in her portrayal of southern life.”—Entertainment Weekly

“Great heroine and great supernatural adventures.”—Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author

From the Publisher