Day Shift (Midnight, Texas, #2)

by Charlaine Harris

Ebook, 2015

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Collection

Publication

Ace, Kindle Edition, 308 pages

Description

"There is no such thing as bad publicity, except in Midnight, Texas, where the residents like to keep to themselves. Even in a town full of secretive people, Olivia Charity is an enigma. She lives with the vampire Lemuel, but no one knows what she does; they only know that she's beautiful and dangerous. Psychic Manfred Bernardo finds out just how dangerous when he goes on a working weekend to Dallas and sees Olivia there with a couple who are both found dead the next day. To make matters worse, one of Manfred's regular and very wealthy clients dies during a reading. Manfred returns from Dallas embroiled in scandal and hounded by the press. He turns to Olivia for help; somehow he knows that the mysterious Olivia can get things back to normal. As normal as things get in Midnight"--… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Jthierer
A solid middle entry to Harris' trilogy about a supernatural town in Texas where most of the residents aren't entirely human. In this entry, Manfred, the town's newest resident and online psychic has to call on the residents of Midnight to help him clear his name after a client dies mysteriously
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and her son accuses him of stealing her jewels. Meanwhile, the Rev takes in a strange new child while vampire Lemuel is away for most of the book looking for a translator for the ancient books discovered in the previous volume.

One of the things I like best about this series (so far) has been the leisurely way Harris allows the characters to reveal themselves to each other and to the reader. While it can occasionally feel frustrating, I mostly like that there's no rush to get to 'answers.' However, this focus on the characters can sometimes lead to a plot that feels somewhat disjointed. Especially in this volume, the main 'mystery' gets solved in a really rushed way that didn't feel of a piece with the rest of the book. I'm still looking forward to the third volume, but more to spend time with these characters than to find out what happens.
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LibraryThing member DanielleMD
This book was wonderful!!! Charlaine Harris has created yet another fascinating small town full of odd and interesting characters, each with their own unique back stories and abilities.
I loved the first book in the series, Midnight Crossroad, but this book was even better. The characters are
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really delved into and a lot is revealed about them. There are even more characters to be delved into. I can definitely see this being a long and successful series.
Day Shift has more than a few intriguing mysteries running throughout it that keep you guessing and turning pages like crazy.
Bonus for fans of the Sookie Stackhouse series: There's not one, but TWO cameos by beloved characters from Bon Temps!
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LibraryThing member musichick52
I have read other Sookie stories by Ms. Harris but not the first one in the Midnight series. That was a definite handicap for the reading of this second installment. There was not enough set-up of background material from the first volume to get me on board with the who's who and what's what. I did
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enjoy the story, nonetheless, but I need to add that the prose is mostly dialogue. This results in a very quick read and an atmosphere of getting the reader into the scenario of the town and the plot line immediately. You have to be able to buy into the fantasy of wereanimals/people, vampires, witches and others with superhuman powers. I felt that the purpose of this book was to introduce us to some new characters for future development. My thanks to the author and Penguin's First to Read program for a complimentary copy.
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LibraryThing member iBeth
I am loving this new series. I always thought Manfred was an excellent character, and here he is joined by lots of other vivid and enjoyable characters, from the ominous Olivia to the hilarious senior citizens. I hope the next book is coming up soon, because not enough questions were answered in
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this book.
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LibraryThing member kmartin802
Things are getting exciting in Midnight, Texas, which is not at all what the residents want. A mysterious company has bought the long-empty hotel and is turning it into a long-term hotel for both people working at a nearby technical company and elderly people waiting for openings in assisted living
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facilities. The first elderly residents are from Las Vegas and were recruited to live there.

Manfred brings unexpected attention to Midnight when one of his clients died in his presence. He is being accused by her paranoid son of stealing her jewelry - jewelry that she told Manfred she hid from her son. Things heat up for him even more when it is learned that his client didn't die of natural causes.

We learn more about Olivia in this book too. Some of the mystery about her is revealed as we learn of her abusive childhood and her current career as a hit woman. She is clearly someone who feels a lot of rage and who doesn't really see other people as real. She is recruited by the Rev to help solve Manfred's problems and get the spotlight off Midnight. Her first thought is to kill the son to end the threat.

Adding to the things bringing unexpected attention to midnight is a young boy who is staying with the Rev. Figi helps keep his fed and clothed as he enters an accelerated growth period. It turns out his is a shapeshifter getting ready to make his first shift - into a Bengal tiger. We learn that the Rev also shifts into a tiger.

There are some crossover characters from the Sookie Stackhouse series that make appearances in this story. Barry Bellboy happens to be the grandson of one of the elderly characters staying at the new hotel. He is terrified of being in Texas because the Texas vampires are still very unhappy with him. And the father of the young tiger shifter is Quinn who was one of Sookie's love interests.

This was an interesting story filled with fascinating characters. There are certainly more stories to explore in Midnight, Texas, and I look forward to reading each of them.
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LibraryThing member mlake
It was great to visit Midnight again. I can't wait to go back.
LibraryThing member Debra_Armbruster
In truth, my rating is closer to 3.5

I enjoyed this book; more than I anticipated and more than I had enjoyed the first in the series, Midnight Crossroad. In Day Shift, Harris focuses in on some of the more intriguing residents of Midnight - Olivia, the Rev, Joe and Chuy - while skipping the
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romance-leads-to-kidnapping-and-torture-only-to-be-saved-by-friends-in-the-nick-of-time formula that irked me in Midnight Crossroad and several books in the Sookie series (although, yeah, I obsessively read them all). The Sookie series "Easter Egg" characters were a welcome addition as well!

I had not been aware that several of the other Midnighters had appeared in other series written by Harris. Maybe Midnight, TX will prove to be the epicenter of some great Charlaine Harris literary mash-up. She certainly has quite a bit to draw from. It could be fun!
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LibraryThing member vampiregirl76
Excellent Read! I loved the first book, so I was eager to jump into this one. Of course Ms. Harris doesn't disappoint. She has created another great group of interesting and diverse characters. In this installment the reader learns more about each of the residents of Midnight. I feel there is a lot
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more to learn about these characters so I can't wait to read the next book. Fans of Charlaine Harris will be happy to know there are a couple familiar faces from the Sookie Stackhouse-verse. Day Shift is an exciting read with a great mystery to piece together.
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LibraryThing member Welsh_eileen2
Just an okay story for me sadly.
Didn't gel with the characters, too much like a Stephen King story.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Orion via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
LibraryThing member nbmars
This is the second in a new paranormal series by the author of the Sookie Stackhouse books (which were adapted for a popular HBO series “True Blood”).

When I started this book, I didn’t realize it was the second in a new series, but I’m happy to say that didn’t interfere at all with my
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ability to pick right up with the story and enjoy it. I was also pleased to see some characters from Harris’s earlier books.

This series is set in the small town of Midnight, Texas (so small it’s pretty much just a couple of streets). Almost everyone who lives there is some kind of paranormal.

The main character, Manfred Bernardo, is “just” a psychic, and in a very deeply funny conceit, all these other paranormals think that someone who says he is a psychic is off the wall and must be “woo-woo.”

As the story begins, Manfred is seeing clients in a nearby larger town, but his first client of the day, Rachel Goldthorpe, dies while he is holding her hands and channeling her dead husband. Not only does this totally freak out Manfred, but Rachel’s son accuses Manfred of murdering her and stealing her jewelry from her purse.

The other residents of Midnight know Manfred couldn’t possibly be guilty, and furthermore, don’t like too much attention directed at their strange little town, so they band together to help him get exonerated. They are also concerned about a new hotel that opened in their town - as if it needed a hotel!

So the small group of “denizens” of Midnight have a number of reasons to meet and compare notes, not only about what is happening in their town, but about each other; there is much they don’t know, but only suspect, as to each other’s particular talent.

Working together, they solve the crime, although there are a number of loose threads that will no doubt be picked up in future books in the series.

Discussion: I saw that Manfred is from Harris's Harper Connelly series, but to be honest, I don’t remember him. So I was a bit disappointed that we didn’t get to “know” him better in this book.

On the whole, however, I really liked the characters - especially Joe and Chuy. I also appreciated the many indications of Harris’s humor, in the way that she makes fun of the genre as much as she clearly loves it and her characters. I feel that this new series has a lot of promise, and will definitely be looking for the next book in the series.
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LibraryThing member thehistorychic
Listened for Fun/Read for Review (Audible/First Read Program)
Overall Rating: 4.00
Story Rating: 4.25
Character Rating: 3.75

Audio Rating: 3.50 (not part of the overall rating)

First Thought when Finished: Day Shift by Charlaine Harris really had 2 good mysteries but left me with some character
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questions.

Overall Thoughts: People ask me if they liked Sookie would they like this series? The answer I give them is always the same: If you liked the mystery part of Sookie then I think you will like this series more. If you were more invested in the romance then I would skip Midnight Texas. Me, I am a fan of Charlaine's ability to write a solid, fun, twisty mystery with just a bit of "Oh my did that just happen" thrown in. Day Shift had 2 mysteries and I liked them both. That being said, I do have character questions left but I am guessing those will be answered in the next (final) book of the series. I really enjoy my time in Midnight!

Audio Thoughts:

Narrated By Susan Bennett / Length: 9 hrs and 52 mins

Susan does a solid job with the narration but her male voices (2 of them) are a little too high pitched for me. I do love the emotion and cadence she brings to the table though. Her pacing is stellar and I will continue with this series on audio.

Part of my Read It, Rate It, File It, DONE! Reviews
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LibraryThing member JalenV
Midnight Crossing didn't thrill me, but the sequel, Day Shift, was more interesting.
LibraryThing member CC123
more things going on in Midnight, Texas and points on toward Dallas. We meet a couple others who have drifted through from Bon Temps, LA.

The mystery of who/what the other citizens of Midnight are is answered.
LibraryThing member phyllis2779
I'm new to this series and I really enjoyed this book, the second in the series. Really interesting characters, complex plot, and a continuation of the world-building in the True Blood books. And it really kept my attention - I tore right through it. I'm going to find and read the first book.
LibraryThing member LeleliaSky
A great follow up to Midnight, TX series. It is a quick and interesting read, with obvious open areas for future books. And, you will find comments about Sookie's world here which I find kind of unnecessary, but that is just my opinion. I love the Sookie series, but I don't feel need to blatantly
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throw it in here. Look forward to the next book!
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LibraryThing member carolyninjoy
Day Shift by Charlaine Harris is a paranormal book that is entertaining. I gave it four stars because it was fast moving, the characters were well developed & it kept my attention.

While it was an entertaining book, it is the second in this series. I would suggest reading Midnight Crossroad first,
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only because there are several situations referenced that are not easily understandable. Otherwise, it is a stand alone book.

I highly recommend Charlaine Harris' books for quick, fun reading.

I would like to thank Penguin Group Berkley/Signet Romance & NetGalley for a complimentary kindle copy. This did not change my opinion for this review.
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LibraryThing member Dianekeenoy
I think this is the second book in the Midnight, Texas series. I enjoyed this one as much as the first. I listened to this on audiobook while on a long car trip and it made the miles just fly by. I'm loving these characters.
LibraryThing member Cats57
Wow, this book, the second book in the Midnight Texas trilogy (according to Ms Harris; web-site) gives us even more action than we had in book one. We have more action, but we also learn so much more about some of our favorite characters. Have you wondered what was up with the Rev? We had a good
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idea what he was, but not what type of what! LOL! Now we know!
I love how we are seeing characters from Sookies world –so now we have seen characters from all of Ms Harris’ series –I love this concept. Who do you think we’ll see in the third of this trilogy?

There is so much going on in Midnight –a company has come in to reopen an old time hotel. They’ve turned it into a longer stay hotel and a sort of, elder care for those not quite ready for assisted living, place –interesting that all of the older people who come to stay, had interesting lives in Reno!

Poor Manfred---well he just about has the poop kicked out of him when a client of his dies as he is holding a sort of séance for her to meet up with her dead husband. So now poor Manfred now looks like a murderer, since she has died under very unusual circumstances…but wait…her son Lewis also is accusing Manfred of a huge theft -Lewis is, how can I say this nicely? A shmuck!

In the first book we learned quite a bit about Fiji and Bobo; in this book we learn a lot about Olivia and the Rev…Lemual is away from town so there is very little about him in this book.

The Rev…what can I say. We finally find out just what he is and we get to do it in such an interesting way. The Rev is child sitting. Yep, that’s right; he is watching after a very unusual youngster who literally grows right in front of your eyes. A youngster whose father had to go off for a job…a father who was once one of Sookies lover’s (though not for very long).

Great writing, great set up for the next novel, some frustration because we get no satisfaction with Fiji and Bobo (will there really be any? At least, to our satisfaction?) And just why the heck are Teacher and Madonna in Midnight. How the heck does everyone live –there really are no customers.

Many questions are asked but not all are answered.

I loved it!
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LibraryThing member dreplogle
This is the second volume in Charlaine Harris' new series about the town of Midnight, TX. It was a satisfying read and provided a little more background about the small town residents, who are distinctly odd. I like how she pulls in her characters from her other series as by-stories; from the Lily
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Bard mystery stories to the Sookie Stackhouse paranormal series, and from her Harper Connelly series. It makes it fun. While there are several side-stories the basic theme is a straight-forward who-dun-it. New resident of Midnight, Manfred Bernardo, psychic, is about to give a reading to one of his best and wealthiest clients, when she drops dead in front of him. Enter her greedy, paranoid son who accuses Manfred of stealing his mother's jewelry from her purse, after doing away with his mother. I didn't see the reveal coming at all. Any Charlaine Harris reader will not be disappointed.
Note: I was given an ARC of this book through the NetGalley Program.
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LibraryThing member dearheart
Midnight, TX is a mostly deserted town with roughly a dozen residents, all of whom have their own secrets that they don’t ask each other about. But we’re slowly learning about them. Most people would just find them weird. While they need the revenue from the few businesses they have, they
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really like to stay low key.

Two things happen that causes the residents concern. The first is that the old hotel, vacant for decades, is being refurbished. And the other involves Manfred when he goes to Dallas to do private readings out of a hotel room and one of his clients dies during the séance and he’s being looked at as a possible murderer and thief.

The overall story moves slowly for a good part of the book, but it is interesting, has some humor and we learn more about the residents that live there. And for those that read the first book, all of the residents are mentioned in the first chapter, so even though a year has passed since reading the first book, you won’t feel lost.

And if you haven’t read the first book, I don’t suggest you start with this one. This is an ensemble cast with the story told from many different characters. And learning about their secrets is part of the draw. This is very unlike the Sookie series.

Fans of the Sookie series, however, are going to be thrilled to see that two characters met in that series make an appearance here.

My only disappointment was that something on the side was wrapped up without us learning how. Perhaps that’ll be part of the back story. But I definitely enjoyed the story, the conclusions reached and learning more about the residents. More is yet to be learned and I liked this book better than the first one.
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LibraryThing member MrsMich02
I would say I did not have a pleasant experience reading the first book in this series. Looking back I think I just really missed Sookie. However, this second book in the series read much better. I'm already a little indignant that the upcoming tv series does not portray the characters as in the
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book from what I've read in the media. I find this book fleshed out the residents of Midnight just enough to make me want to scoop up Night Shift and read their next adventure.
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LibraryThing member Glennis.LeBlanc
The second book in this series follows a few months after the previous one but the upside is the events in the previous book really don’t impact this one so if a reader picks this book up they will not be that lost. There is more overlap with minor characters from her other series in this book
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but they feel like they are passing through and not staying for the series. It does anchor this book firmly into that universe though.
One of the two story mysteries really doesn’t get solved and I wonder if it will come to the forefront in the next book. The other mystery is fairly straightforward but does need to be solved in order to clear Manfred’s name. I enjoyed this one as much as the previous book and I can’t wait to see what happens in the not so sleepy town of Midnight.


Digital review copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley
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LibraryThing member booklover3258
This is the second book in the trilogy. Loved it! So happy they finally brought in two characters from True Blood. The main premise is one of Manfred's clients winds up dying on him and he has to clear his name. Of course there are side stories with the rest of the residents of Midnight such as the
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strangeness of the hotel opening and the arrival of a young boy the Rev is taking in his care. Such a great series and love every character. Looking to finishing it up with the next book and getting into the tv show.
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LibraryThing member dne2004
A great sequel that answered questions that lingered and left more to be answered! I have truly enjoyed this series so far and find the vast differences between the book and the TV series refreshing. The book is so much better and has more things going on than the TV Series! If you like Sookie,
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you'll like this series as well! Plus you get to meet an old character from a Sookie book! The secrets of the people in Midnight are slowly being revealed!
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LibraryThing member kmajort
Boo. While I enjoyed the characters in Midnight, TX, the first book (Midnight Crossroads) left me hopeing the series/trilogy would improve. Didn't. The plot lines were predictble and.... boring? Too bad. Probably won't bother with the next one.

Original publication date

2015-05-05

Rating

½ (270 ratings; 3.9)

Library's rating

Pages

308
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