Excuse me, Ms. Harris? I think I owe you an apology.
If you follow my blog, you’ll know that on March 13th I post concerns about the direction Charlaine Harris was taking her Southern Vampire (Sookie Stackhouse) series. After reading the first chapter of her upcoming book on her website and read the summary on Amazon.com, I was certain Ms. Harris was about to send her series in a direction that would make me throw book ten across the room and give up.
Book Ten, DEAD IN THE FAMILY, was released on Tuesday. I picked it up that morning after I dropped the girls at school. Then I went home and went on about my morning routine. I cleaned house, did some laundry, checked my e-mail, and ran some errands. At two o’clock I picked up the book and started to read. I read while I waited in the carpool line, and while the meat cooked for spaghetti, and at the pharmacy while I waited for a prescription. Once the girl were asleep, I got comfortable and read some more. At ten-thirty I read the words, “The End”.
Ms. Harris, I owe you an apology and a thank you.
First of all, I was certain I knew after reading the first chapter where this book was going to go. You obviously have a plan for this series that your reader won’t see until the end of the story. I don’t want to give anything away so I won’t comment on the book, except to say it was an excellent read.
And finally, thank you. As a writer you taught me a wonderful lesson about sustaining a series. It’s not enough to have a great location or amazing characters. You have to deliver your readers to a place they never thought you’d go, and then make it exciting enough that they never want to leave.
Oooo thanks for the update. I have read all her Sookie Stackhouse books and will run out and get this new one asap!!
I am reading this right now and am loving it!
Well said, Beth!
Well said AND blasting this post on FB.
Hello there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s really informative. I am going to watch out for it in Brussels. I’ll be grateful if you continue this in future. Lots of people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!