Charlaine Harris, the author of all the Sookie Stackhouse mysteries on which True Blood is based, has just posted the first chapter from her new Sookie book, Dead in the Family, at her web site.
Go here to read the chapter.
43 Responses to “Chapter 1 of Dead in the Family is online!”
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The link is correct, but “Grave Secret” is not a Sookie Stackhouse book. It’s from the same author,but it’s book 4 from her Harper Connelly Mysteries.
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Lynnpd Reply:
December 21st, 2009 at 15:54
Thanks, NicoleRene, I fixed it.
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Woohoo Sookie finally admits she loves Eric, only took how many books? lol
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bamafever Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:21
But the wait was so worth it. They have had time to develop a relationship, not just have that first time jump into it type of one.
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Lori Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:31
True it’s nice that the relationship with Eric is different to the rest of her love interests.
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I’ll be waiting for the book to come out. I want to read it all, and not just a teaser first chapter.
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I read the first chapter. I will read the book. I just want to know about Bill.
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I enjoy the books, but I have to admit I too overwhelmingly first want to know what’s happening to Bill and then the rest of the tale can follow.
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I love the books! I can’t wait to read the rest of it!
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It isn’t the first chapter. It’s a prologue, taking us from the end of DAG to where DITF is going to start.
It’s intriguing. Even though Sookie tells Amelia she loves Eric, there’s no joy or enthusiasm in her statement. Sookie is in a bad place. She still has a lot of healing to do. I’m not at all sure she knows her own mind (or heart) at this point.
I am anxious to find out about Bill, too.
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Tina Reply:
December 21st, 2009 at 22:26
But presumably, she *did* know her own mind and heart at the end of DAG when she said she loved Bill again.
You know, just *after* she was tortured?
The playing field is even again. Let’s see where things go from here.
The level of reaching and rationalisation that is going on now is just getting ridiculous. It’s like logic is no longer a fundamental requirement of a good argument.
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wkw Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:03
I don’t recall mentioning the end of DAG or anything Sookie said then in my post to which you are commenting so I really don’t understand your problem with what I said.
Since you brought it up though, yes, at the end of DAG after HE saved her from the torture, and almost died doing it, Sookie did realize that she loved Bill. What that means we don’t know. Just like we don’t know what this ‘declaration’ of love for Eric means, or the fact that Alcide reappears later in DITF. The WHOLE book will tell the WHOLE story.
So, logically, we are all going to have to wait until May to find out. Or longer, since CH has made it clear Sookie’s love life will not be settled in this book.
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Challie Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:33
“I’m not at all sure she knows her own mind (or heart) at this point.”
My guess would be this statement (as to why Tina mentioned DAG). If Sookie doesn’t know her own mind or heart 3 months after her torture, then she surely did not know it immediately after her torture. Sookie was able to look past all the bad and realize she loved Bill in that moment of time just like she realized that she does love Eric. I think it shows growth for Sookie. Kudos to her!!
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Rowena Reply:
December 21st, 2009 at 23:29
Thanks for clarifying about the prologue. I’m still waiting for the book itself. Like so many others, my chief concern is Bill.
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thenbuffystakedbill Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:28
Why doesn’t she know her own mind. Sookie is smart and she said she finally said it out loud. Sounds to me she put some thought into it. She loves Eric and wants to live. She also states if anyone can get her back in the saddle so to speak it’s Eric.
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She admits that she loves Eric. But, I do sense trouble in Sookie/Eric paradise. She’s not enjoying sex with Eric anymore and she wants to end the blood bond. It sounds like she may love him but is ready to step away and go it on her own for a while.
I must say that after what Bill did in the last book and him being left on his death bed, so to speak. I had better find out what happened to Bill and I hope the CH doesn’t throw him under the bus, once again. He has been absent or in the background way too long. I want Bill in this one.
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I was so disappointed that Sookie was still sleeping with Eric, especially after all Bill went through to save her. What he did for her in the last book surely proves that he is worthy of her. I hope C.H. wasn’t just teasing us with the hint that Sookie and Bill will eventually get back together; if tht happens I don’t think I will want to continue reading the remaining novels in the series.
I hope that the fact that Sookie seems to resent the intrusion of the blood bond and would consider finding out how to break it means that she will soon send Eric packing. Like many, I liked Eric’s sexy, badboy character when first introduced, but he began to seriously wear on me after he manipulated her into the blood bood. To me he is like the handsome, egotistitcal and arrogant, but very, very dangerous, high school football hero who will do anything to get what he wants without regard for anyone else. I think he needs to go.
I
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billsluvr Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 1:17
You are so right. We left off with Bill dying, because he saved her life. I thought, for sure, she would pick up from there and let us see Sookie trying to help him recover. She does owe him that. But no, apparently, she has been, unhappily, banging Eric.
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ak Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 12:25
If I remember correctly, Eric was also in the room…protecting Sookie and killing the “bad” fae…He also saved Sookie’s life..(as Bill tried to do as well)_
Very selective memories I notice….
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wkw Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 19:54
I think they were speaking of when Bill was there to save her from the two fae. Where was Eric then? We don’t know.
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challie Reply:
December 24th, 2009 at 8:07
One could ask ‘where was bill the many times Eric saved Sookie’, but this isn’t a competition. We don’t know where Eric was, but he obviously had a good reason. He’s still in a relationship involving with Sookie. She’s not one to enter a relationship without thinking about it, and I would be extremely surprised if they haven’t discussed where he was in those 2 months. Both vampires (and Quinn) have risked their life for Sookie, and she’s a lucky girl.
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rosesarebloodred Reply:
January 22nd, 2010 at 21:39
the bottom line is that bill betrayed sookie in a way she cannot go back. it is not about forgiveness, it is about the betrayal of trust. you can love someone and in many ways want to be with them but know that the damage done to the relationship permeates all else.
Also, Eric comes off as the bad boy but how many times has he been there for Sookie as a friend when Bill was not. (e.g. he paid for driveway to be repaved while Bill while was playing Daddy Long Legs to his descendents.) And as for when he stepped in for Andre which created the blood bond, he knew he would have to pay a big price to Andre for challenging him. Maybe I missed something, but I thought I Eric couldn’t be there for Sookie with Niall because you had to be with Niall to track her through the land of the fey. So you really think there was time for Niall and Bill to wait for Eric to meet up with them before they started searching?
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IMHO, after the last book Sookie should be taking a break from the supe world. Hard to believe that she could get back into the saddle with what she’s gone through. I would like to have a more Eric/Bill centric book with Sookie dissappearing for a bit (some much needed me time). It’s getting very hard to believe that Sookie can keep coming back for more(vamp or no vamp blood).
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I was very underwhelmed by the chapter. Hope it’s not the tone for the whole book. (note I am an Eric fan) And I really didn’t get the “I’m having sex with Eric, but I don’t like it” “I want to break the blood bond and get rid of Eric” “I love Eric”. You can’t have it both ways now, he rocks your world or he doesn’t. Think we’ll find out why Eric wasn’t there and Bill was?
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wkw Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:07
Nothing is rocking Sookie’s world right now, wecamp. She’s suffering from PTSD, if anyone ever was. She’s depressed. It isn’t until she’s working out with JB and Tara talks to her about being “Aunt Sookie” that she realizes she even wants to live. I’m not surprised she isn’t having ‘happy moments’ during sex. As the wanting to get rid of the blood bond..well, I love my husband dearly, but I am glad i can’t feel his emotions or his life constantly buzzing in my head. And he isn’t as strong a personality as Eric. LOL. I don’t think one (her love for him) has anything to do with the other (wanting to get rid of the BB).
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wecamp Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 8:12
Well you’ve helped me see it in a different light. As I read the next beek I may need your insight! Thanks
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wkw Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:35
No problem! ;-)
You know, getting rid of the BB might actually be GOOD for Sookie and Eric. Who knows?
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bamafever Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:17
she is having happy moments she states just not as many as the Viking
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Lori Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 12:45
I think we will find out where Eric was wkw, those lines he said were too ambiguious not to be answered ‘you’re killing me’ and ‘Clancy lives on in Bill’, Pam…’like you live on in Sookie’. I mean he defended her at the hospital and fought the fairies to he wasn’t afraid, something must have kept him from her so he sent Bill and Clancy.
I find it interesting that Sookie only agreed for Amelia to ask Octavia about breaking the bond, she didn’t suggest it herself. I’m hoping Octavia/Amelia will help her understand the bond better.
I’m also glad that it sounds like Eric is considering Sookie’s feelings, asking if she’s sure she even wants to have sex. Sounds like Sookie is trying hard to get back to who she was before the attack.
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Not enjoying sex w/ Eric? Has the world started revolving in the opposite direction?
Tina said:
“The level of reaching and rationalization that is going on now is just getting ridiculous. It’s like logic is no longer a fundamental requirement of a good argument.”
I couldn’t agree MORE w/ you. It’s not even worth it anymore. If people want to think the world is flat..no argument will EVER change their mind.
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wkw Reply:
December 22nd, 2009 at 17:17
For gosh sakes! I would imagine Sookie wouldn’t be enjoying sex with ANYONE. Haven’t you ever been so full of depression or grief or anger, or any combination of those that you could barely function much less enjoy sex? If not, you’re lucky. Sookie is trying. But she’s not enjoying it. Eric might try just holding her one night and see if that helps.
As for this: *“The level of reaching and rationalization that is going on now is just getting ridiculous. It’s like logic is no longer a fundamental requirement of a good argument.”* It seems to me that for some people the definition of ‘logic’ means agreeing with them. There will always be different opinions and all of us need to remember that opinions are just that and everyone has a right to their own without being ridiculed for it.
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I’ve never was a big fan of Sookie…the way she treats our men sometimes. Make up your damn mind girl!
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i do like how this chapter start though….she’s not enjoying sex w/ Eric @ the moment due to the recovery; and still not thrill about the blood bond but somewhat think she loves Eric. The confusion/struggle of this relationship is still there, and from what I see CH is building their relationship up for the rest of the chapters. I mean where’s the fun to see they’re all lovey dovey from chapter 1? I say there will be a strong love scene when Sookie finally fully recovered aka having her own “happy moment” w/ Eric. And of course we’re looking forward to hear what Eric have to say about the “you’re killing me” comment from book #9.
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I feel the “thorns” on the cover of the book kind of tell the story…I would really feel cheated if Sookie came out of this whole ordeal unscathed…this was kind of like the final straw..how much more can she take, and maybe “no more” is the answer..I could feel her pain and withdrawal..”no one came to save me”, and she really felt she could die..that is not something you just “get over”..and maybe its time to take a break.
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wkw Reply:
December 23rd, 2009 at 9:57
I agree. Sookie needs a break from all the supes. She should take a vacation. Alone.
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rosesarebloodred Reply:
January 22nd, 2010 at 22:00
well, first of all i like the way you think so I am not disagreeing with you but we need to remember that Sookie is quite magical. that is her karma is you will. whereever she goes her personal gravitational pull will attract whatever magic is in the area to her. just like creative people always attract creative people, or spiritual people always attract spiritual people. birds of a feather flock together. so unless she can land on an isolated island, the supes will bump into Sookie whereever she goes.
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Well said everyone. I just really wish that Bill would get back in the picture… I miss him… :(
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I like Eric better than Bill, I always thought that the blood bond might have been deceiving at first but became a way for Eric to protect her. He can feel her right? Eric’s manners are obviously different to Bill’s, a Viking warhero to a southern gentlemen, of course one might seem better over the other. I think Eric loves Sookie, and yes Bill does too. In the show I like Eric better than Bill. I think she is sick and tired of all the crap she has gone through and plus she got tortured, that would kill any one’s sex drive. who knows, maybe Alcide will sweep her off again?
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rosesarebloodred Reply:
January 22nd, 2010 at 22:04
oh I hope not. he really irritated me how he ignored Sookie after his father was killed and turned to someone else even though she risked her life to be there and did not want to be there to start off with. I know she has observed it seems like he has matured but to treat her as he did just days after professing to love her and wanting her to move in. Unreliable!! Eric may be many things but he has always been up front about who is and in admist all these game players Sookie encounters that is something of great value.
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I’m really excited for the new book to come out. I can’t wait. Just a few thoughts on the prologue…
I’m sorry to see Amelia go; I liked that little witch. She had some good lines.
Does anyone else have a hard time fitting Tara and JB into a plausible relationship? I do. I guess tv Tara is just such a strong character, and I really like her, that I prefer that version of her over any other, even the book version, and I have a hard time differentiating between the two. She just seems too smart and too jaded to be with someone so dim.
I was surprised she thought Claude was going to kill her. Interesting twist. I don’t think he will but I also don’t think the faes are through just yet.
I agree with what some of you said above; the relationship between Sookie and Eric seems off-kilter, a bit odd. I think Sookie senses something is shifting in her, in her relationship with him. And I think, for those above who said they couldn’t believe she was even having sex with him at all, I think she’s just trying to get things back to normal. And however odd, he’s her normal for the time being. He’s familiar. And making any big decisions, like shutting Eric out, is just too much to handle right now. But, I’m reading between the lines that she’s becoming a bit claustrophobic with him in her mind all the time, and change is coming in that area, I think. Especially since she mentioned cutting the BB. But, I doubt Eric will be okay with her cutting the BB, and maintaining the relationship. With their current status quo, how could they even keep that up? I think its BB or no BB and no relationship. period.
Onto Bill. I do think he still loves her. I think he loved her all along and he showed just how much by risking his life for her at the end of the last book. He just tended to show it in the way a conniving scorned lover would: he dated someone else, threw it in her face, and tormented and confused her with his random and mysterious interactions with her. It’s like high school. But, he’s undead and they don’t evolve very well. She never really knew where Bill stood. Sometimes you hurt the ones you love the most, I guess.
At this point, from what we’ve been given so far, it’s hard for me to see her with any one of them in the future- Bill, Eric, Alcide, Quinn. She’s just been so wounded by the supe world, though they’re all positively delicious. Which is kind of sad, because her future, with her mind, she’ll always be one foot in the human world, and one foot in the supe world, whether she wants to be or not. And where does that leave her? She’s an injured outsider amongst outsiders.
All in all, these characters are so intriguing and they always keep me guessing, keep me turning the pages. I can’t wait for more book and more comments. I like reading what the rest of you have to say!
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rosesarebloodred Reply:
January 22nd, 2010 at 22:12
I did not have problems with Tara and JB because Tara has been through so much and has become strong because of it she choose having a bit more responsibility in the relationship but a relationship which was safe and good. JB may not be much of a thinker, but he has a good heart and that is what Tara needs/wants. Sometimes less is more.
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Has anyone else read the subtext in the relationship between Sookie and Sam. He meets all of her criteria. He is not “human,” he’s dependable, he’s always there for her yet does not try to control her. She will pull a Dorothy and discover that what she’s looking for has always been right there.
Unless…”Clancy lives on in Bill.” “As Sookie lives on in you.”…is this a precursor to an accidental Vampire being created by too much blood exchange?
Can’t wait until DITF!
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or, could it be like when some people have a organ transplant they start to have feelings, likes, dislikes of the donors?
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