Dead Ever After

3.5 stars

Dead Ever After is the thirteenth and final full-length novel in the Sookie Stackhouse series by popular American author, Charlaine Harris. Soon after she has used her Cluviel Dor to save her boss's life, and quite unaware of what has been going on behind the scenes of her life, Sookie is called to appear at Fangtasia for a most unpleasant ceremony. And before she has a chance to get her head around the ramifications of that, she and Sam find the body of Merlotte's one-time waitress, Arlene Fowler in the dumpster out back. Because she was strangled with a scarf of Sookie's, Sookie is arrested, despite the dearth of actual evidence.

Sam's behaviour after Sookie is charged with murder is puzzling, but the support from the many Bon Temps locals, and friends further afield, is gratifying, and Sookie soon has a houseful of guests determined to protect their friend and find out just who is behind it all.

This final instalment sees appearances by a crowd of characters: Amelia and Bob, Diantha and Mr Cataliades, and Barry Bellhop all make major contributions, but Alcide and Quinn also do their part. Karin Slaughter (no, not the author) makes an appearance. There's soul selling, jail time, evil charms, a surprise pregnancy, a wedding, some paranormal psychometry, and a bit of (possibly ill-advised) line dancing.

Harris knew that, whichever man Sookie ultimately chose, she couldn't please everyone with the ending, so she pleased herself, and the polarised reviews reflect this. The pace is a bit slow, although, in this final book, Harris does try to tie up loose ends. It certainly is not the best of the series, but fans who have stuck with it will be pleased there is resolution.