Dead Until Dark
Narrarated by: Johanna Parker
©2001 by Charlaine Harris Schulz
Anthony Award winner Charlaine Harris’ New York Times and USA Today best-selling Sookie Stackhouse novels entice countless fans with an irresistible mixture of vampire romance, beguiling mystery, and old-fashioned Southern charm. Vampires have officially “come out of the coffin,” and Miss Sookie can’t wait for one to come her way.
Wonderfully funny read. The narrator was great and really nailed the accent! I live in East Texas, only 100 miles from Shreveport, and she could of been any number of people I know. I love Sookie because she is such an ordinary person with all the same characteristics and failings we all have. I could easily relate to her. I also love that she faces things in life as they come to her with courage. The fact that she deals on a daily basis with supernatural beings is just a another fact of life that she faces with courage and humor. Can't wait to get to the next book!!
Unfortunately, the opacity of the narrator's phony Southern drawl prevented me from being carried away by the story. I listened for a full three hours, all the while telling myself the irritation would pass. The frustration was made more intense because 'Dead Until Dark' is really an entertaining story, read by someone who has a false idea about what Southerns sound like. Spare the Sling Blade meets Scarlett O'Hara accent and this would have been an enjoyable 9+ hours.
I admit, I was skeptical when I read the description: vampires, Southern romance, murder mystery...this can't possibly be pulled off well. When I listened to the audio sample, I balked even more at the narrator's accent. But, I took a leap of faith (and curiosity) and was well rewarded. Once I settled in to the character's voice, I was swept away by an enjoyable story that blends believable with fantasy, reality with romance. Harris weaves humor, intrigue, danger, and emotion. I'm looking forward to listening to other books in the series.
