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Loading... A Touch of Dead (Sookie Stackhouse: The Complete Stories) (edition 2009)by Charlaine Harris
2   fyrefly98 | Dec 17, 2009 | 
Why read: Love the series What impressed me: I had expected a Touch of Dead to be companion stories that wouldn't really add anything to the world Harris has created. I was so pleased to find each story brought at least one extra piece of information that hadn't been revealed previously that added to the overall understanding of the Sookieverse. While nothing huge and major happened in any of the stories, they weren't just a rehashing of things fans already knew. These stories could be enjoyed by readers who haven't read the other Sookie Stackhouse books, yet won't disappoint longtime fans either. What disappointed me: Nothing. I was thrilled with this compilation of stories. Recommended: Sookie fans will need to read A Touch of Dead to get the tiny background details that weren't included in the novels. Continue series: Absolutely. Sticking with Sookie until the very end. (  ) TequilaReader | Jan 22, 2012 | A good companion piece to the main series - it's not the 11th book in the series as some websites state - but readers will get the most from it if they've read at least the first 5 or 6 books, as two of the stories fill in gaps in these books. My favourite was "Dracula Night", in which Eric and Fangtasia prepare to celebrate the Count's birthday, with Eric giddy at the possibility that the man himself might show up, and "Gift Wrap", in which Sookie encounters yet another hunk in distress - on Christmas Eve. However there is a bit of twist to this one, but it's a nice story. (  ) madeleinescott | Dec 30, 2011 | A fine,light-reading collection about Sookie Stackhouse and her involvement with supernatural creatures. Charlaine Harris says in her introduction that she had a good time writing these stories and it shows. She is also kind enough to explain where the stories fit in the Southern Vampire chronology. (  ) raizel | Nov 2, 2011 | This included every Sookie Stackhouse story to date up until October of 2009. It makes for a slim volume, since these really are short stories, none longer than about 8,000 words, so all five stories makes altogether the length of a very short novel--more a novella. To quote the introduction, in "the order in which they occur in Sookie's life, the stories are "Fairy Dust" (from Powers of Detection), "Dracula Night" (from Many Bloody Returns,) "One Word Answer" (from Bite) "Lucky" (from Unusual Suspects), and "Gift Wrap" (from Wolfsbane and Mistletoe)." Except for the end of "Gift Wrap" all of them, like the series novels, are told in Sookie's own folksy voice with plenty of wit and humor. I'd say "One Word Answer" and "Gift Wrap" are the weakest, although enjoyable if you're a fan--especially since "One Word Answer" fills in a missing gap between the fifth and sixth book. It tells the story of how Sookie was informed of her cousin Hadley's death and how she first met the half-demon Mr Cataliades and the Vampire Queen of Louisiana, Sophie-Anne Leclerq. "Gift Wrap" is a rather sweet and fluffy Christmas tale about an unusual gift... (Well, unless you find the twist creepy--and I could understand why some do.) "Lucky" and "Fairy Dust" are both short mysteries. "Lucky" features insurance salesman and witch Greg Aubert who boasts an unusual talent. And features as well one of my favorite characters in the series, Sookie's roommate, the witch Amelia Broadway--with a cameo from Bob the cat. "Fairy Dust" deals with the murder of Claude and Claudine's triplet, Claudia. (Yes, all three are fairies.) Even though Sookie uses her telepathic talents in the tale, the solution actually involves a neat bit of deduction on her part, and the story is my second favorite in the book. That leaves "Dracula Night." Harris says in the introduction she couldn't quite make it fit neatly into the Stackhouse canon, but I have to admit I have a huge soft spot for this story. It was my introduction to Sookie, and I found myself completely charmed by it. See, in it there's this vampire legend that on Halloween Night Dracula himself might come to visit, and Eric Northman, Viking vampire, is definitely a fan. Sookie compares his excitement to Charlie Brown awaiting the Great Pumpkin. If I'd rate "One Word" and "Gift Wrap" three stars, and "Fairy Dust" and "Lucky" four, well I'd give "Dracula Night" a firm five for charm. Taken all together though, this seems a rather slight offering for the price. ( ) LisaMariaClark | Oct 13, 2011 | I'm generally not big on short story collections, so I wasn't sure I was going to read this after I got it out from the library by accident. I started reading out of curiosity, and I found the stories light and quick reading. I don't think any of them are must-reads or essential to the series in any way, but they were a good read. (  ) t1bnotown | Oct 2, 2011 | A wonderful collection of five stories about Sookie. I love that the introduction gives you a time frame for all these stories so that you can fit them into your frame of reference around the full novels. Also some of the stories give you more information or introductions to things that happen in the full novels. "Fairy Dust" gives us the situation for the first time Sookie mets Claudine's twin, Claude. "One Word Answer" sets up Definitely Dead and the whole situation about Hadley. Also included is "Dracula Night" a fun story taking place in Fangtasia where we learn a bit more about Eric; "Lucky" were we get to see Sookie and Amelia working together; and "Gift Wrap" where Sookie has an interesting Christmas with her great-grandfather. Overall I would say a fun and essential collection! ( ) LilithMarie | Aug 28, 2011 | It’s a compilation of Sookie Stackhouse short stories. My favourites were “Lucky” and “Gift Wrap” and also “Dracula Night”, which I had already read before. It’s a very cute book and I will certainly read it again, since it really is a simple, fun and fast read. ( ) Eilantha_Le_Fay | Aug 17, 2011 | I liked the short stories but would rather have read a full novel valerieowens | Aug 5, 2011 | Despite their popularity, I have never read any of Charlaine Harris's Sookie Stackhouse novels. However, I have read some of her short stories featuring Sookie and find that they are laced with humor, making for fun reads. A Touch of Dead compiles all 5 shorts (as of 2009) - "Fairy Dust", "Dracula Night", "One Word Answer", "Lucky", and "Gift Wrapped". I have read the last three before, but this was my first time reading the first two. I enjoyed all of them immensely, but "Lucky" was by far my favorite for the excellent story and twists. The one thing you get reading these stories in A Touch of Dead rather than in the anthologies they originally appeared in is run full-page illustrations before each story that are a delight. ( ) bookwyrmm | Jul 24, 2011 | A collection of all the Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood) short stories that were previously released in various anthologies. As such, the quality differs in the variety. Basic rule of thumb is, the story is more interesting the later in the series it was written. ( ) timothyl33 | Jul 9, 2011 | A quick little book of short stories about Sookie Stackhouse. A nice, light read for an afternoon at the beach or cottage, this one is for Southern Vampire Mysteries fans only. ( ) Meggo | Jun 25, 2011 | It took just over an hour to read this Sookie snippets. They don't really add any value to the series but still if you are a fan desperate for a fix this is a snack to tide you over (  ) shelleyraec | May 9, 2011 | I only found out about all the short stories when I was already reading the 6th or 7th book. It would have been nice to know about this before, but the books are very easy to understand without having read the short story's in between. Still it's very nice to have read them now. That is to say, I haven't read all of them yet because I Just finished book 7 and 2 of the short story's are writen after that. Having read nr 7 I can now start reading 'Lucky'. NadineM | Apr 10, 2011 | An anthology of short stories set in and around the events in the Sookie Stackhouse novels.They added more information about some of the characters. ( ) Robertgreaves | Feb 21, 2011 | A Touch Of Dead is a collection of short stories of Sookie Stackhouse. It fills in some of the small gaps that are in the series books. I really should stop getting my hopes up that these will be really good because short stories usually aren't. It was an ok read overall but not a regular reread. ( ) honeydew69862004 | Feb 11, 2011 | After a break from Miss Stackhouse it was a refreshing quick read - a nice addition to the series. ( ) jobeefrog | Jan 23, 2011 | Five short stories featuring Sookie Sackhouse, with a helpful explanation from the author about when each story takes place between the books. This is a nice collection that expands on a few of the more interesting secondary characters. They range from sweet to sexy, with a little bit strange thrown in. Even Bubba is back for a mention or two. This is a good collection for any fan of the Sookie books, but probably a little random for someone who's never encountered them before. ( ) jbrubacher | Dec 4, 2010 | I am a sucker for Sookie Stackhouse! I could not put the book down and went through the series like a mad woman. They are definitely for adult readers who are looking for romance and action! ( ) nhelibrarygirl | Nov 8, 2010 | These are various Sookie stories, some of which I had read before. Enjoyed reading them again. I still like the full length books best. ( ) Cradlow | Oct 14, 2010 | I loved this book of short Sookie stories. I am glad I did what a friend of mine suggested. She said I should wait to read them until after I finished the series or the stories wouldn't make as much sense. I agree and I am glad I waited. This book is a great alternative if you are waiting for book 11 and need a Sookie fix like me. ( )1 schoolnurse | Oct 3, 2010 | Since this book consists of 5 short stories I am going to review them all. Fairy Dust In this one Claudine, the fairy needs Sookie's help. This was an ok short story, Sookie used her power, and the fairies showed their true nature. One Word Answer A man shows up at Sookie's house to give her that which belonged to her cousin. This one explains more about Hadley. I remember reading the book where Sookie went to New Orleans and being a bit confused. SO this one could have been good to read beforehand. Dracula Night Eric is going crazy planning a party because every year Dracula himself attends one, and Eric really wants it to be his. This one was my favourite, and I am not saying that because Eric was in it, ok that played a part. But it was interesting with the whole myth about Dracula, and there was Sookie and Eric interaction. Lucky An insurance agent asks Sookie for help and together with Amelia she plays detective. A little detective work and an ok story. Giftwrap Sookie finds a wounded shifter in the forest, it's Christmas and she is all alone and takes him home. This one had a little heat in it, a tiny bit. But it was a good and surprising story. Overall I found myself enjoying these stories more than the books. Sookie fits really well in a short story, and these were from different times during her life after she met Bill. This one explains some things, and some are just pure amusement. A little treat for Sookie Stackhouse lovers. But, I do feel like you should have read the first 8 books so you really grasp things. Like the fairies, her grandfather and who Amelia is, no to mention the whole were community. In the book it also says when the stories takes place. Final thoughts: I was amused, and it reminded me that I really need book 9. ( ) blodeuedd | Oct 3, 2010 | VERY short collection of short stories. Save your money and get it at the library. ( ) archphoenix | Aug 7, 2010 | I've read all but one of these stories before and none of them were particularly outstanding. Kind of a disappointment. ( ) phyllis2779 | Aug 1, 2010 | Love the series, love knowing what goes on in between books that we miss. Please please please keep em coming! ( ) bookwormteri | Jul 9, 2010 | An excellent introduction to the Sookie Stackhouse novels (all five stories fit in chronologically between various novels in the series) or an extra dollop of Sookie for those devotees who cannot get enough of the series. The stories are short (approximately 5,000 words each) and fun. One of the best in the collection is "Lucky," a story about an insurance agent who is unwittingly running all of his competition out of business because his customers seemingly never have claims. Overall a great quick read! ( ) timeenuf | Jul 7, 2010 | |
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"Fairy Dust" (from Powers of Detection) takes place between Dead to the World and Dead as a Doornail, Sookie learns that fairies Claude and Claudette are actually the two surviving members of triplets, and they want her help in tracking down their sister's killer.
"Dracula Night" (from Many Bloody Returns) also takes place between Dead to the World and Dead as a Doornail. In it, Eric is getting Fangtasia ready for the celebration of Dracula's birth, in hopes that his idol will actually appear. Things, unsurprisingly, do not go exactly to plan, and once again, Sookie's caught in the middle.
"One Word Answer" (from Bite) is the only story in this collection that contains critical information to the plot of the main books, and belongs in sequence right before Definitely Dead. In it, we finally get the scene where Sookie finds out her cousin Hadley is a) a vampire, and b) dead. We meet Mr. Cataliades for the first time, since he's the one who has brought Sookie the news all the way from New Orleans... the news, along with other, even more unpleasant things.
"Lucky" (from Unusual Suspects) takes place between All Together Dead and From Dead to Worse. In it, Sookie and her witch roommate, Amelia, team up to figure out who has been rifling through the files of their local insurance agent.
"Gift Wrap" (from Wolfsbane and Mistletoe) takes place a week or two before the start of Dead and Gone. It's Christmas, and since most of Sookie's friends are out of town, she thinks she'll be spending it alone... until she runs into a most unusual person in the woods near her house.
Review: While these stories were a fun brief distraction, there was nothing here that was nearly as good any of the normal series books. Because they came from anthologies, marketed to people who haven't necessarily read the series books, they're mostly fluffy and disposable, and filled with exposition that's unnecessary for those of us who actually are fans. Because they needed to exist separate from the series, nothing of consequence happens or changes, and I noticed a few times that something Sookie learned in a short story had been forgotten by the next book in the sequence. (The flip side of that coin was that there were a few lines in series books - about the tie she gave her great grandfather for Christmas, for example - that are raised from being throwaway comments to something a little more, because we actually get to see the events take place.)
The one exception to the generally light, fluffy, and take-it-or-leave-it nature of the anthology is the story "One Word Answer." It's probably the darkest story in the book, and it contains some critical information that would have been excellent to have *before* I started in on Definitely Dead. It was my favorite story of the bunch, but I think that's mainly because something actually *happened*. As for the rest of them... eh. Harmless, and a fun diversion, but nothing to get too excited over. 3 out of 5 stars.
Recommendation: If you're handed a copy of this book before you start Dead as a Doornail, I'd definitely recommend reading the stories in the order that they fit into the chronology of the series. Don't read ahead, though, or things will get very confusing, very fast. Otherwise, I'd say before starting Definitely Dead, get this collection out of the library and just read "One Word Answer" so that you're all caught up to speed. (