Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collections
Publication
Ace Books (2002), Mass Market Paperback, 291 pages
Description
Living Dead in Dallas is the sequel to Dead Until Dark in the new Southern Vampire series from acclaimed mystery author Charlaine Harris. When a vampire asks Sookie Stackhouse to use her telepathic skills to find another missing vampire, she agrees under one condition: the bloodsuckers must promise to let the humans go unharmed. Easier said than done.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Lman
Now we are done with introductions the story can continue apace and, even if a little less disciplined in the plot-line, Living Dead in Dallas is another thoroughly enjoyable read; the second instalment of the adventures of Sookie Stackhouse further defining and elaborating the intriguing structure
Really, this book is two stories in one: in the main Sookie is ‘contracted’ out, due to past negotiations, by the local vampire leader, Eric, to aid another vampire group, located in Dallas, find a missing member of their nest. As Sookie tries to determine the mystery behind this disappearance by using her unique talents, in lieu of vampires torturing humans to death, she (and the reader) also learns the ‘nesting arrangements’ within a large group of vampires, the intricate arrangements necessary for their travel and accommodation peculiarities, and thus more of the internal workings of this species. And of the existence of fanatical anti-vampire groups, now rapidly emerging amongst intolerant humans - how not - as vampires become more mainstream; and the devastating designs of these groups. Book-ended to this story-line, and almost as a secondary concern, is the murder of Sookie’s co-worker Lafayette; his body, when dumped in local policeman Andy Bellefleur’s car outside the bar, at the beginning of the book, pointing directly to local involvement – in the crime and in tawdry sexual entertainments readily found, under the radar, in most small towns. And the surfacing of another mythical creature, a maenad, literally in their neck of the woods…
The basis for the second book involves the acknowledgement and necessary evolution of this unusual relationship between a telepath and a vampire, in a small southern town, in that it will unlikely remain contained within these environs. And so it goes… Inevitably Sookie, with Bill as magnificent back-up, will be targeted by others – both friend and foe – as power always attracts power. And simply to survive, Sookie must grow to fit her new-found status, or be destroyed. Charlaine Harris masks little in these books so far; choosing to furnish this domain with the requisite dark reality for an uneasy co-existence, by inhabiting it with more than one strange species - shape-changers and mythological creatures shifting into the realm of actuality. But she flavours it cleverly with instances of absolute normality – the jealousy and turmoil in any relationship - allowing these typical human traits to counter the horror of the truth.
To my mind, the author is rendering a genuine, first-rate alternate world here – inhabited by many sorts of wonderful creatures, and filled with sufficient openness and plain pragmatism, in so far as it is not always the supernatural that are the true monsters in the tale. With a touch of spice, and not all things nice, these books have a hint of Anita Blake and hold similarities to Stephanie Plum; and as such are pure reading entertainment. And Sookie is changing, as to be expected…from drinking vampire blood, from exploring her innate powers, from her new-found strength and confidence. Whether it is a change for the better remains to be seen. What fun, I think, to anticipate…
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inherent in her world. Really, this book is two stories in one: in the main Sookie is ‘contracted’ out, due to past negotiations, by the local vampire leader, Eric, to aid another vampire group, located in Dallas, find a missing member of their nest. As Sookie tries to determine the mystery behind this disappearance by using her unique talents, in lieu of vampires torturing humans to death, she (and the reader) also learns the ‘nesting arrangements’ within a large group of vampires, the intricate arrangements necessary for their travel and accommodation peculiarities, and thus more of the internal workings of this species. And of the existence of fanatical anti-vampire groups, now rapidly emerging amongst intolerant humans - how not - as vampires become more mainstream; and the devastating designs of these groups. Book-ended to this story-line, and almost as a secondary concern, is the murder of Sookie’s co-worker Lafayette; his body, when dumped in local policeman Andy Bellefleur’s car outside the bar, at the beginning of the book, pointing directly to local involvement – in the crime and in tawdry sexual entertainments readily found, under the radar, in most small towns. And the surfacing of another mythical creature, a maenad, literally in their neck of the woods…
The basis for the second book involves the acknowledgement and necessary evolution of this unusual relationship between a telepath and a vampire, in a small southern town, in that it will unlikely remain contained within these environs. And so it goes… Inevitably Sookie, with Bill as magnificent back-up, will be targeted by others – both friend and foe – as power always attracts power. And simply to survive, Sookie must grow to fit her new-found status, or be destroyed. Charlaine Harris masks little in these books so far; choosing to furnish this domain with the requisite dark reality for an uneasy co-existence, by inhabiting it with more than one strange species - shape-changers and mythological creatures shifting into the realm of actuality. But she flavours it cleverly with instances of absolute normality – the jealousy and turmoil in any relationship - allowing these typical human traits to counter the horror of the truth.
To my mind, the author is rendering a genuine, first-rate alternate world here – inhabited by many sorts of wonderful creatures, and filled with sufficient openness and plain pragmatism, in so far as it is not always the supernatural that are the true monsters in the tale. With a touch of spice, and not all things nice, these books have a hint of Anita Blake and hold similarities to Stephanie Plum; and as such are pure reading entertainment. And Sookie is changing, as to be expected…from drinking vampire blood, from exploring her innate powers, from her new-found strength and confidence. Whether it is a change for the better remains to be seen. What fun, I think, to anticipate…
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LibraryThing member Whisper1
Simply stated, this was not as good as the first book in the series. The characters of Sookie Stackhouse and Bill the vampire remain true to character. Sookie can read the thoughts of others and Bill needs to sleep in a coffin during the day. I liked the beginning of the book. It was clever,
In Bon Temps Louisiana there is a murder. The very likable cook was murdered and his body found in the car of the local police captain. This murder is unsolved when Sookie takes a plane ride to Texas with Bill's coffin in tow. Here they are mixed up with some very shady moffia like vampires who use her mind reading abilities to track where one of there lead vampires has been kidnapped. Trying to find the perpetrators takes Sookie on a dangerous mission.
Arriving back in Bon Temps, the murder of the cook still has to be solved. Already trying to keep track of the moffia vampires, I grew frustrated at the amount of energy it took to switch gears and plod along with Sookie's adventures when she returned.
All in all, this book was a grave disappointment. I'll take a break. It is way too early in the series for the installments to fall flat and trite.
No stars for this one!
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creative and funny. From there on, it took a steep turn into disjointed jargon, hard to follow characters and two separate plots that didn't seem to weave together at all.In Bon Temps Louisiana there is a murder. The very likable cook was murdered and his body found in the car of the local police captain. This murder is unsolved when Sookie takes a plane ride to Texas with Bill's coffin in tow. Here they are mixed up with some very shady moffia like vampires who use her mind reading abilities to track where one of there lead vampires has been kidnapped. Trying to find the perpetrators takes Sookie on a dangerous mission.
Arriving back in Bon Temps, the murder of the cook still has to be solved. Already trying to keep track of the moffia vampires, I grew frustrated at the amount of energy it took to switch gears and plod along with Sookie's adventures when she returned.
All in all, this book was a grave disappointment. I'll take a break. It is way too early in the series for the installments to fall flat and trite.
No stars for this one!
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LibraryThing member leFroo
Honestly, no matter how bad I think the stories are or how poorly written they are making me gag and no matter how much I'm embarrassed that I read this quasi-romance novelesque genre chick lit with its lack of ingenuity, wit, and general solidness...I can't put them down! I not-so-secretly am
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addicted to this series. It's like I'm a self-hating Sookie Stackhouse fan. The show is way better, in my opinion, but there's so much material in the books that hasn't made it on the screen yet that it's worth the read. Gosh, I'll never forgive myself Show Less
LibraryThing member shanyn
After I finished Sookie Stackhouse #1, I tried to read a library book I had rented out (Murder with Peacocks) because it was recommended to me. The entire time I was wishing I was reading the next Sookie book, so I ended up giving up on the recommendation (sorry Peacock :( ) and reading Living Dead
My biggest shock was the amount of action that made it nearly impossible to stop reading. There was the normal 'big' action scene that many mysteries have, but after that was done there were several others, some even just a few pages from the end. I couldn't believe how much I was sucked in - moreso than the first book times one hundred. And that's hard to do because I really liked the first book, too - perhaps I felt more invested with the characters this time around. I even recommended this series to my fiance after I finished #2. If you haven't given Sookie a try, it's time!
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in Dallas in a very short amount of time.My biggest shock was the amount of action that made it nearly impossible to stop reading. There was the normal 'big' action scene that many mysteries have, but after that was done there were several others, some even just a few pages from the end. I couldn't believe how much I was sucked in - moreso than the first book times one hundred. And that's hard to do because I really liked the first book, too - perhaps I felt more invested with the characters this time around. I even recommended this series to my fiance after I finished #2. If you haven't given Sookie a try, it's time!
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LibraryThing member Sarah_Holroyd
Like the first book in the series, this is what I consider "fluff" reading - it's light and quick to get through (I read it in 3 days, I think, and not long periods of reading any of those days). But sometimes that's the kind of read I want. I like Sookie's character, but I do have problems with
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the physics of Harris's portrayal of vampires, as I did with the 1st book. How can a creature with no blood flow have sex? Think about the mechanics involved for a living human... Show Less
LibraryThing member philae_02
I have to say that I enjoyed the second book much more than the first. It could be that I am a “True Blood” fan, so reading this book was like watching Season 2 over again. But the books are so much better. In the HBO series, the viewer can’t really get into Sookie’s head, but I love her
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point of view on Bill and Eric (who is especially hilarious at the end). The only thing I didn’t like is that the character of Lafayette was killed in the book, whereas he wasn’t in the show, so I’m not sure how that will play out in the remaining books. Show Less
LibraryThing member klarsenmd
In this second book in the Sookie Stackhouse series, we find our heroine involved in more fun adventures. After finding her friend and co-worker dead, Sookie is asked to go to Dallas to help some other vampires hunt down one of there missing brothers. She gets more than she bargains for while
Like most of Charlaine Harris' writing, this is light and entertaining. The characters are a bit shallow, but enjoyable non the less. Another good, fun, quick read.
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there, and after returning home gets herself into more trouble while trying to find her friends killer.Like most of Charlaine Harris' writing, this is light and entertaining. The characters are a bit shallow, but enjoyable non the less. Another good, fun, quick read.
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LibraryThing member booksandwine
All I have to say is Sookie really needs a stylist. Some of those outfits Charlaine Harris describes just scream "ick" to me. Other than that, this was a great read!
LibraryThing member TiffanyAK
This book is when things really start getting quite a bit different from the TV series. Actually, as someone that loves the show, I had a lot of fun reading a different version of the events in season two. It's a good and fast read, perfect for during those little breaks while you're on the bus or
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waiting in line somewhere. The story and characters are fun, and it actually got me a bit hooked after a little while. Show Less
LibraryThing member C.Ibarra
I’m 110% addicted to this series. In the second installment of the Souther Vampire Mysteries, Sookie is on her way to Dallas to help with some vamp drama. Is she in over her head? Of course!
LibraryThing member -Eva-
This installment has a tad less ass-viewings (or other body-parts), which just automatically raises the "quality." The story arc is slightly odd as it begins with plot one, stops to pick up plot two, which is carries to its end, and then picks up plot one again. It's a little awkward, but for a
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sophomoric novel, it's not too grating. The ending with the orgy bit was just plain weird. Show Less
LibraryThing member Zenbabie
Not very literary and the mystery elements are ungainly but the story holds my interest.
LibraryThing member Rhinoa
Sookie and Vampire Bill are back for another supernatural adventure. Driving through the woods late one night Sookie is attacked and poisoned by a new supernatural creature that may be connected to her co-worker being found dead in Andy Bellefleur's car. Meanwhile Vampire Eric has loaned out Sookie
In Dallas the duo find out that one of the Dallas nest has gone missing and Sookie is to question the humans who last saw him. A plot begins to unfold that invovles The Fellowship, a fanatical group against vampires. Sookie also uncovers a traitor in the midst of the Dallas nest as well as getting caught up in an orgy with Eric and a series of humans back in Bon Temps.
This is a great follow up to the first book. I really like Sookie and her matter-of-fact way of thinking. There was some great sexual tension between Sookie and both Sam and Eric for future books to explore. Plus the introduction of another telepath and new ways for Sookie to explore her own gifts in later novels. It ends on a really interesting note about the disadvantages of Sookie ingesting more vampire blood. I can't wait to read book three.
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and her special telepathic gift to a nest in Dallas and Bill is going as her bodyguard. When they arrive someone tries to abduct Sookie and they get away before Bill can catch them.In Dallas the duo find out that one of the Dallas nest has gone missing and Sookie is to question the humans who last saw him. A plot begins to unfold that invovles The Fellowship, a fanatical group against vampires. Sookie also uncovers a traitor in the midst of the Dallas nest as well as getting caught up in an orgy with Eric and a series of humans back in Bon Temps.
This is a great follow up to the first book. I really like Sookie and her matter-of-fact way of thinking. There was some great sexual tension between Sookie and both Sam and Eric for future books to explore. Plus the introduction of another telepath and new ways for Sookie to explore her own gifts in later novels. It ends on a really interesting note about the disadvantages of Sookie ingesting more vampire blood. I can't wait to read book three.
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LibraryThing member mcelhra
Another fun read. This book had some really (intentionally) funny parts. Vampire Eric was hilarious towards the end. Sookie still dresses badly and I still haven't figured out why she likes Bill so much and vice versa, apart from all the doin' it of course. On to book #3!
LibraryThing member SheilaDeeth
I wish I could be a New York Times bestselling author. I know Charlaine Harris is one ‘cause it says so on the cover of her book. And I find myself wondering, was she best-selling before or after they made the TV series? Whatever, she must’ve been pretty popular or why would they have used her
I wish… but when I read the Sookie Sackhouse novels I know I never will be. Charlaine Harris has a wonderful way with words. She creates a truly intriguing and believable character with a distinctive voice, and sticks to them. Then she creates a whole wide world—a strange and crazy world that simply can’t be true, except it’s almost real, and a world that stays so true to itself it can carry not just one book but a whole expanding series.
Reading Living Dead in Dallas, second in the series, I find Sookie’s world really is expanding quite dramatically. There’s geographic expansion as the story moves temporarily to Dallas. There’s mythical expansion as Sookie is attacked by a creature from beyond the pale. There’s emotional expansion as simple (vampire) love becomes complex patience and caring. There’s character expansion as potential bad guys reveal their hidden depths. And there’s humor too, delightful, quirky, very human humor in a more-than-human world.
I wish I could be a New York Times bestselling author, but I can’t complain. As long as Charlaine Harris remains on the lists, publishers and stores will sell cheap copies of her books to keep me reading. And that’s fine by me.
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books.I wish… but when I read the Sookie Sackhouse novels I know I never will be. Charlaine Harris has a wonderful way with words. She creates a truly intriguing and believable character with a distinctive voice, and sticks to them. Then she creates a whole wide world—a strange and crazy world that simply can’t be true, except it’s almost real, and a world that stays so true to itself it can carry not just one book but a whole expanding series.
Reading Living Dead in Dallas, second in the series, I find Sookie’s world really is expanding quite dramatically. There’s geographic expansion as the story moves temporarily to Dallas. There’s mythical expansion as Sookie is attacked by a creature from beyond the pale. There’s emotional expansion as simple (vampire) love becomes complex patience and caring. There’s character expansion as potential bad guys reveal their hidden depths. And there’s humor too, delightful, quirky, very human humor in a more-than-human world.
I wish I could be a New York Times bestselling author, but I can’t complain. As long as Charlaine Harris remains on the lists, publishers and stores will sell cheap copies of her books to keep me reading. And that’s fine by me.
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LibraryThing member TheCrowdedLeaf
Poor Sookie Stackhouse has a slew of issue in book two of the Southern Vampire Mysteries/True Blood/Sookie series. She’s still dating Vampire Bill, who has been begrudgingly accepted in Bon Temps, but that’s about the only good thing going for her. On top of being attacked by a maenad (a boozy
Book two is better than Book one (Dead Until Dark), because the plot is more intense, and the vampires are more attractive. There’s also a new group of shapeshifters introduced (including werewolves!), which is fun and I hope am sure they’ll return in the future. So, if you liked Dead Until Dark, you should definitely continue with the series. I do not feel that these books deserve all the hype they’re getting, if I’m honest with you, but yes, I will continue to read them. Maybe it’s a waste of time, but I like vampires, and I like the television show, and for a quick escapist read, it’ll do.
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hussy who worships Dionysus), she’s shipped off to Dallas to use her “talent” of mind-reading to find out who (or what) has kidnapped a vampire from the Dallas nest. With that puzzle solved she returns to Bon Temps to see if she can find out who killed a man and planted him in Detective Andy Bellefleur’s car one night. She’s quite the busy bee in Living Dead in Dallas. On top of all the sleuthing, it’s also apparent that she’s very addicted to sex, since every man (living or dead) seems to make her libido spin. Goodness, now that I realize everything that was going on in this book I wonder how it’s only 291 pages. Oh yeah, the writing isn’t exactly… Pulitzer worthy? Amongst other things.Book two is better than Book one (Dead Until Dark), because the plot is more intense, and the vampires are more attractive. There’s also a new group of shapeshifters introduced (including werewolves!), which is fun and I hope am sure they’ll return in the future. So, if you liked Dead Until Dark, you should definitely continue with the series. I do not feel that these books deserve all the hype they’re getting, if I’m honest with you, but yes, I will continue to read them. Maybe it’s a waste of time, but I like vampires, and I like the television show, and for a quick escapist read, it’ll do.
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LibraryThing member magst
2nd in series. Basically the same as the first. Mystery/Love story. It's a good read if you are looking for something light and fast.
LibraryThing member wyvernfriend
Not enjoying this series as much as some of her others. Sookie is not having a good time, her co-worker is murdered and no-one seems to care. Also she's been poisoned by another wierd mythical beast and the vampires want her to do some work for them. Her life has got quite complicated and
It's an interesting story and Sookie is an interesting character, somewhat Anita Blake Lite. Her life is getting more complicated and she's becoming a bit pivotal to everything going on. It's not a series I rush out to buy but one that I wouldn't reject.
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involved.It's an interesting story and Sookie is an interesting character, somewhat Anita Blake Lite. Her life is getting more complicated and she's becoming a bit pivotal to everything going on. It's not a series I rush out to buy but one that I wouldn't reject.
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LibraryThing member melissathelibrarian
Book 2 in the Southern Vampire series starts with another bad day for Sookie Stackhouse, cocktail waitress and psychic extraordinaire… one of her coworkers is found murdered in the back of a car, she’s attacked and poisoned by a maenad, and her psychic powers are rented out to vampires-in-need
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in Texas. This outrageous, funny, fast-paced novel promises blood, gore, and the drama you would expect from someone who dates a vampire. Show Less
LibraryThing member Nextian
A bit choppy because there are basically two dissimilar stories packed together as one, but still very funny and enjoyable.
LibraryThing member TheLibraryhag
Sookie is still a great character. I found this story a bit harder to follow. I really like the series. The world Harris creates is very believable.
LibraryThing member bellalibrarian
I am hooked on this series. Sookie finds herself being called by the vampires in Shreveport to use her abilities to assist in finding a kidnapped vampire. Her journey takes her to Dallas where she runs into a whole new kind of friend. This book includes most of the characters that I came to like
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during the first book, as well as the addition of some new and exciting ones. The vampire, Eric takes a larger role in this second book also. Overall, a great read. Show Less
LibraryThing member BlondeBibliophile
Much improved over the first book in the series. Much more interesting. Grammar is marginally better as well. I have very high hopes for the following books.
LibraryThing member miyurose
A pretty good second book, but not quite as good as the first. This one seemed like a lot more action and less about Sookie herself. I definitely enjoyed it, though, and I will be continuing the series, without a doubt!
LibraryThing member rocalisa
Reading this was a continuation of my second attempt to read Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse series. Last time I only made it through the first book, and with the TV series coming on next month, I wanted to give it another try.
I got about halfway through the book and found I just didn't want
So I'm officially giving up on the Sookie books. But I think I'll still give the TV series a go and see what I think of that.
Living Dead in Dallas
Charlaine Harris
Sookie Stackhouse, Book 2
Did Not Finish
I got about halfway through the book and found I just didn't want
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to read any more. I think a lot of it is that I find Sookie's voice simply doesn't work for me and Harris has us so deeply in it (a good thing for a writer to do) that the books don't work for me either.So I'm officially giving up on the Sookie books. But I think I'll still give the TV series a go and see what I think of that.
Living Dead in Dallas
Charlaine Harris
Sookie Stackhouse, Book 2
Did Not Finish
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Subjects
Awards
Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award (Winner — 2002)
P.E.A.R.L. (Nominee — 2002)
Lord Ruthven Award (Fiction — 2003)
Language
Original publication date
2002-03-26
Physical description
291 p.; 6.88 inches
ISBN
0441009239 / 9780441009237
Local notes
When a vampire asks Sookie Stackhouse to use her telepathic skills to find another missing vampire, she agrees under one condition: the bloodsuckers must promise to let the humans go unharmed.
[Sookie Stackhouse Boxed Set: 0441017770]
[Sookie Stackhouse Boxed Set: 0441017770]