Dead Ever After: A True Blood Novel (SOOKIE STACKHOUSE) by Harris, Charlaine (May 7, 2013) Formats   Price   Kindle Edition Auto-delivered wirelessly   $12.99         Hardcover . $27.95 $15.29  Publication Date: May 7, 2013 THE FINAL SOOKIE STACKHOUSE NOVEL There are secrets in the town of Bon Temps, ones that threaten those closest to Sookie—and could destroy her heart.... Sookie Stackhouse  finds it easy to turn down the request of former barmaid Arlene when she wants her job back at Merlotte’s. After all, Arlene tried to have Sookie killed. But her relationship with Eric Northman is not so clearcut. He and his vampires are keeping their distance…and a cold silence. And when Sookie learns the reason why, she is devastated. Then a shocking murder rocks Bon Temps, and Sookie is arrested for the crime. But the evidence against Sookie is weak, and she makes bail. Investigating the killing, she’ll learn that what passes for truth in Bon Temps is only a convenient lie. What passes for justice is more spilled blood. And what passes for love is never enough… File Size: 669 KB Print Length: 353 pages Page Numbers Source ISBN: 193700788X Publisher: Ace (May 7, 2013) Sold by: Penguin Publishing Language: English ASIN: B009NY43NY Text-to-Speech: Enabled X-Ray: Enabled Lending: Not Enabled Can I claim to love this last book?  I wouldn’t go that far.  But I did like many aspects of it and was glad I read it and thought a number of things were wrapped up rather nicely. Everyone has an opinion on how they think the series should end, specifically who Sookie ends up with.  So no matter what happens you’re going to have people who are upset.  As the author points out at the beginning, there is no way she can make everyone happy.  But she stuck with what she envisioned for Sookie when the first book became a series.  And, quite frankly, this isn’t a romance series, but a series that included some romance.  The explanations for how and why follow what we’ve experienced with different characters in prior books. While reading this book I couldn’t help but make comparisons to how much Sookie has changed from that first book.  She had a couple of close friends, her grandmother and brother, but I think for the most part she felt alone as most people just couldn’t understand her.  With this last book she’s amazed at how many friends come to bat for her when she’s in trouble and being accused of murder.  We see many of the people who have played an important role somewhere in the series.  She’s also shown maturity in what she wants and what she’ll accept from others. The story moves along at a somewhat slow pace, but interestingly, it’s not just told from Sookie’s first person POV.  Other important things are happening elsewhere that are told in the third person.  The mystery involves finding out who is behind setting up Sookie for murder.  You think you know, but someone surprising is egging others on.  We get mystery, action, emotions, lust and wrap-ups for a number of characters. And the ending?  I liked it.  Again, I’m going back to the comparison to Sookie at the beginning of the series to how she is now.  And an HEA for Sookie?  That will be up to the individual reader.   This review was written by Cathy Thillmany