Review--Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

It's spring time in Bon Temps, and for telepathic barmaid Sookie Stackhouse, the season will turn out to be one full of secrets revealed--secrets that will bring major changes in her life...

With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. But Sookie suspects otherwise, and she and Sam work together to uncover the culprit--and the twisted motive for the attack.

But her attention is divided. Though she can't "read" vampires, Sookie knows her lover, Eric Northman, and his "child" Pam well--and she realizes that they are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, she is drawn into the plot--which is much more complicated than she knows. 

Caught up once again in the politics of the vampire world, Sookie will learn that she is as much of a pawn as any ordinary human--and that there is a new queen on the board...

Charlaine Harris' Dead Reckoning, the latest in the (now) Sookie Stackhouse series went as expected. I've come not to expect too much from the series anymore. I long for the days when there was a real mystery to solve and lately that hasn't been happening. Although I continue on with it to see how everything's going to end since there's about 2 books left.

Sookie has long left a normal life behind and even when she tries to do normal human things, something gets in the way and that something is usually supernatural. Sookie is still trying to help Eric find a way to kill Victor. And then there's the rift between Pam and Eric over another manner.

The book focuses on trying to kill Victor and the somewhat mystery behind the fire that was set at Merlottes--which did happen right away, so the action starts off with a bang! I feel like we have a good mystery going almost, but then the answer seemingly pops up later when bad news comes to Sookie, so it no longer feels mysterious. Someone is out to kill Sookie.

There's also something stewing in the relationship area with Sookie and Eric with an interesting outcome. Aside from the vampire politics and other iffy going-ons with the Faery, I can't quite see where this series is going. Or if it's really intended to head anywhere. Things continue to change for Sookie and her town of Bon Temps and it rarely seems like change for the better.

There are a few things at the end that are left unresolved, just a small portion to possibly jump-start the next book like we previously saw. While I long for the earlier Southern Vampire mysteries, the Sookie Stackhouse novels are still an interesting enough read. Things continue to be hectic for Sookie and there's still always room for more surprises. For some reason I was really missing Sookie and Bill this time around, and Bill is there throughout the book.

Overall rating 3.5/5 stars--a decent read, although I do miss the earlier style of the novels I remain firm on my choice to see this series to its end.