"Blends elements from the horror, mystery and romance genres"

On an alternate Earth, vampires came out of the closet when synthetic was made readily available and at least in the United States they receive the same rights as humans. Sookie Stackhouse, a very powerful telepath, has been dating Bill for over a year and is very happy with him, but also has noticed her vampire lover has distanced himself from her. He disappears one day, telling her he is going to Seattle for business. Later she learns from Bill's boss Eric that he was planning to dump her and go back to his vampire lover.

She finds out that the vampire king of Mississippi kidnapped Bill to gain top secret knowledge from him. Sookie goes to Jackson to infiltrate the vampire community there. A werewolf who owes the vampires a favor takes her to the CLUB DEAD where she is badly injured trying to save a vampire about to be staked. She is taken to the King's compound where Bill is held. She attempts a daring rescue knowing if she fails she will be tortured and killed.

Charlaine Harris blends elements from the horror, mystery and romance genres to create a novel that is refreshingly unique. Readers will admire the heroine who goes through a lot of pain, both physical and emotional, to try and save her two-timing boyfriend. She meets a werewolf who she is attracted to but they are both on the rebound so they agree to wait awhile before they begin a new relationship. Readers will not have a minuscule of sympathy towards Bill who brought all his troubles upon himself. CLUB DEAD is a real live treat.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted May 1, 2003

Sookie's boyfriend has been very distant - in another state, distant. Now she's off to Mississippi to mingle with the underworld at Club Dead - a little haunt where the vampire elite go to chill out. But when she finally finds Bill - caught in an act of betrayal - she's not sure whether to save him...or sharpen some stakes.