While I’m frantically reading for journal reviews before the holidays, Sandie Herron has stepped up with some audio book reviews. Thank you, Sandie!






















All Together Dead                                                                              

Sookie Stackhouse
Southern Vampire Mystery Book 7
Written by Charlaine Harris
Narrated by Johanna Parker
Unabridged Audiobook
Listening Time:  10
hours, 21 minutes
Publisher:  Recorded
Books (May 18, 2007)
Wedding fever has hit Bon Temps, Louisiana, and Jason
Stackhouse finally gets hitched when were-panther Crystal Norris discovers she is
pregnant again.  Jason asks his sister
Sookie to attend.  Quinn the were-tiger, accompanies
Sookie, enhancing her status.  This
wedding is unique since Sookie must vouch for Jason as his closest living
relative and agree to take the penalty if Jason does wrong.  
Telepath Sookie Stackhouse is dating one of the last were-tigers.
She knows there is more about Quinn that she needs to learn; what makes him the
legend about which other shapeshifters whisper? 
Sookie is also hosting witch Amelia who fled New Orleans after
transforming her boyfriend Bob into a cat, since she would owe a penalty to the
witch community.  However, Amelia needs
help finding the spell to turn the cat back into her boyfriend, but since she
cannot risk contact, Bob’s fate is uncertain.
Sookie must leave Amelia in Louisiana to attend the vampire
summit in Rhodes.  Louisiana vampire Queen
Sophie-Anne has requested that Sookie accompany her and read the minds of any
humans she deals with to detect deceit or malice.  The Queen’s power has declined following
hurricane Katrina and so has her wealth. 
While the Queen and other vampires fled New Orleans, they have yet to return.  Even the human population has offered
assistance, since it will bring tourism back to the city.  Queen Sophie-Anne will seek support in the
rebuilding efforts while at the summit.
Several months ago at a reception celebrating the nuptials
of the Queen of Louisiana and the King of Arkansas, betrayals and hidden
agendas bring about an attempt on the Queen’s life and the murder of the
King.  In the Queen’s defense, her personal
bodyguard killed the King, instigating a brawl among all vampires present.  At the summit, Queen Sophie-Anne will go on
trial for murder if she cannot negotiate a settlement.
The summit is all about power struggles within kingdoms and
among rivals, between vampires and humans. 
Even Sookie becomes embroiled, so when the Queen’s bodyguard demands
that her loyalty be fortified, Sookie and Eric must exchange blood, hence becoming
blood bonded. When Sookie encounters Texan Barry Bellboy, the only other
telepath she knows, they compare experiences and realize that each person has
their own tolerance for what they can live with and what they consider to be
way outside the lines.  This inner
turmoil helps to define each of them. 
The summit is full of mysterious goings on.  Guards from another dimension protect the
King of Kentucky, but no one can discern why. 
Sookie discovers a bomb outside the Queen’s suite, but who placed it
there?  What do the extra suitcases and
caskets hold, since no one claims them? 
Rumors fly about the Church of the Sun.

This seventh entry into the unique world of Sookie
Stackhouse brings many magical creatures together at increasingly complex and
dangerous events.  Very entertaining and
definitely recommended.