Audio Book Review: Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris

This is an entertaining mystery with paranormal characters.
Midnight Crossroad
By Charlaine Harris
Narrated By: Susan Bennett

Series: Midnight, Texas, Book 1
Duration: 9 h 31 min
Release date: 05-06-14
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Fantasy, Mystery, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.

Summary
FIRST IN A NEW TRILOGY - From Charlaine Harris, the bestselling author who created Sookie Stackhouse and her world of Bon Temps, Louisiana, comes a darker locale-- populated by more strangers than friends. But then, that' s how the locals prefer it. Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It' s a pretty standard dried-up western town. There' s a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There' s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there' s new resident Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he' s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own). Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth...

Review:
Manfred Bernardo is a quiet man who has moved to Midnight, Texas to a house next to the town pawnshop. Manfred thinks he has his own secrets as an online and sometimes live, psychic. But he soon begins to learn he has lots of strange and secretive neighbors. Another renter, who lives below the pawnshop, is only seen at night and a neighbor, Fiji, who lives across the street, sells crystals and spells among other New Age items and is never seen far from her standoffish cat.

There are strangers that come to town seeking his landlord, Bobo…then they are gone. And more strangers come looking for the first two. Then an out-of-town sheriff comes looking for Bobo’s former girlfriend who just walked out a few weeks before. Bobo is heartbroken and shocked that anyone might think that he had anything to do with her disappearance.

Manfred is willing to help investigate when called upon and his neighbors are a bit surprised that he handles each event and reveal with his quiet equanimity. As the community pulls together to protect their own, it is clear that Manfred fits right in.

I enjoyed the low-key characters and the conflicts and mysteries of this story. This is a different style from the author’s southern and more lively Sookie vampire series which I also enjoyed. I was interested in learning more about each character as the story moved on. I plan to pick up the other books in this series. I recommend this book to fans of paranormal characters and quiet mysteries.

Audio Notes: Susan Bennett does a good job with the narration. She provides distinct voices that capture the quirkiness of each character. The narration definitely enhanced my enjoyment of the book.

Source: 8/28/19 August VIP Free selection at Audiobooks.com. This qualifies for 2023TBR, 2023Audiobook, and Time of Day goals.

Audible Book Review: An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris

This is easy listening, but not compelling.

An Easy Death
By: Charlaine Harris
Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky

Series: Gunnie Rose, Book 1
Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 10-02-18
Language: English
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Alternate History, Historical Fantasy
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.0; Narration 4.0.

Publisher's Summary
Number-one New York Times best-seller Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse mysteries, True Blood, Midnight Crossroad) delivers the first thriller in a new trilogy that presents a chilling alternate history of the US where everyone believes in magic - but no one is sure whether they can trust it.
After the assassination of FDR in the 1930s, the US collapses and is picked off by the UK, Canada, Mexico, and Russia. We find ourselves in the Southwestern states, now known as Texoma. It is here that the gunnie Lizbeth Rose tries to piece out a life, running security on runs from Texoma across the border to Mexico, where work and prospects are stronger.
When two Russian magicians come looking for a man named Alex Karkarov, they hire Lizbeth to find him or his family, but there are problems: The man they're looking for is dead, but he has a daughter they now need to find, as an ever-growing set of sorcerers and gunnies do not want them to succeed. It's a good thing Lizbeth is a deadly gunfighter; too bad she hates sorcerers, even the ones on whom she has to learn to rely.
Number-one New York Times best-seller Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse mysteries, True Blood, Midnight Crossroad) returns to fantasy in a taut thriller set in a US where magic is an acknowledged truth, but disreputable.
©2018 Charlaine Harris, Inc. (P)2018 Recorded Books

Review:
Lizbeth Rose’s world is an alternate Southwest US because a flu epidemic contributed to a government collapse. This resulted in America being broken up with territories going to Canada (in the north), Mexico (to the south), Russia (in the west) and UK (in the east). Most ‘native’ Americans are frightened and cautious of Russians magicians known as Grigoris.

Lizbeth is a “gunnie” or bodyguard and guide in a bleak, rough land. She has recently suffered a loss of team members after a surprise attack by bandits. Lizbeth isn’t happy when two Russians appear at her door seeking to hire her skills but the fee they offer would allow her some security. She agrees to help them look for a man named Alex Karkarov or his rumored daughter. They fail to tell her the political importance of their mission that other sorcerers are set on preventing their success. Lisbeth and her two clients are repeatedly attacked and Lisbeth has to rely on some of their skills as they travel. But as the journey brings them to the place where the man was killed, it becomes clear that Lisbeth hasn’t told her clients some important facts,

The story moves along a deadly path to the mission’s conclusion. There is quite a bit of violence by gun and magical attacks. Although the journey makes good action, the plot doesn’t seem to present a clear purpose other than introducing gunnie Lisbeth and her alternate world. Lisbeth is a well-developed character which is more than I can say for the background history that led to this alternate US. I found the story interesting entertainment but not compelling towards further books in the series. Readers who like alternate history, magical elements and a strong heroine may want to check this out.

Audio Note: Eva Kaminsky does a reasonable job and did well with the accents. Her rendition of Lizbeth sounded a little older than the character who is (I think) no older than her early 20s. Still, I am glad I had the book to listen to as it was an easy listen.

Source: 12/16/18 November Credit at Audible. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019Audiobook and #SciFiMonth 2019 goal.

Audible Book Review: Dead Ever After, A Sookie Stackhouse Novel, Book 13, by Charlaine Harris

Entertaining but it seemed time to wrap up this series.

Dead Ever After
A Sookie Stackhouse Novel, Book 13
By: Charlaine Harris
Narrated by: Johanna Parker

Series: Sookie Stackhouse, Book 13
Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins
Unabridged
Release date: 05-07-13
Language: English
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Number-one New York Times best-selling author Charlaine Harris has won numerous awards for her Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire series, which has been adapted into the hit HBO show True Blood. In this 13th and final book, a murder rocks the town of Bon Temps and Sookie is arrested for the crime. After making bail, she sets out to clear her name - but her investigation only leads to more deaths.
©2013 Charlaine Harris, Inc. (P)2013 Recorded Books

Review:
In the last book Sookie used a magical artifact to save Sam’s life. This has a ripple effect as Eric thought she should have used it for him, others wanted the artifact for themselves, and Sam isn’t sure yet how he feels being brought back to life.

An old friend turned enemy returns to Bon Temps and ends up dead after visiting Sookie. Sookie has an alibi but the detective doesn’t seem to want to listen. A collection of Sookie’s friends show up to help bail her from jail and help her investigate several strangers in town. Sookie narrowly escapes several attacks during the investigations and it just isn’t clear if the vampires want her dead, the fairies, the humans or all of the above.

The continuing love seesaw between Sookie and Eric (always intense but ephemeral) and Sookie and Sam (always at arm’s length) finally gets a push which some readers will be like while others will be disappointed. I was fine with the teeter although the ending result was a little weak.

I enjoyed stepping back into Sookie’s world to wrap up the series. Some of the character abilities seemed weaker and others stronger without a good explanation. Still, I liked the murder investigation and the suspense which gave this story some substance. Otherwise I think this concluding episode seemed somewhat anticlimactic. I certainly wouldn’t recommend anyone jumping into the series at the ending, but it had to end somewhere and this is as good a time to wrap as any.

Audio Notes: Johanna Parker does a fine job with the narration. She is the voice of Sookie and manages to convey her quirky personality and also presents the other characters distinctly. The narration enhanced by enjoyment of the series.

Source: Audible 2015 Credit or Sale purchase. This qualifies for 2018 TBR (including Take Control Challenge), Audiobook and Alphabet Challenges.

Audible Book Review: Grave Surprise: Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 2 by Charlaine Harris

This is an engaging mystery and easy listen
Grave Surprise: Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 2
Written by: Charlaine Harris
Narrated by: Alyssa Bresnahan

Length: 8 hrs and 30 mins
Series: Harper Connelly Mysteries, Book 2
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:07-18-07
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Mystery, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
Twenty-something Harper Connelly has a gift. After being struck by lighting as a child, she discovered an eerie ability to locate the deceased.
In Memphis, skeptical Professor Nunley wants her to demonstrate her skill at an ancient cemetery. There, Harper stands atop a grave and says there are two bodies entombed: one centuries old, but the other, a young girl named Tabitha.
Her assertion holds water. Tabitha has been missing for two years - and now the police are suspicious of Harper. So with her loyal stepbrother, Tolliver, Harper begins to amass clues that will solve the case.
©2006 Charlaine Harris Inc; (P)2007 Recorded Books

Review:
Harper Connelly was struck by lightning as a child and survived with a special ‘gift’. She can locate the dead by feel of the ground or burial spot and she can identify the cause of death – natural or unnatural. She might be able to say how a victim died but that doesn’t tell her who perpetrated the murder. Although it isn’t easy, her skills provide a career in which she is aided by her loyal stepbrother Tolliver.

Harper is challenged by a jeering college professor to show her skills to his special class. The professor becomes angry and the class is surprised as Harper successfully identifies one death after another in the old Memphis cemetery. Then Harper is shocked when she stands on a grave that reveals a child she was seeking a year before. Harper had been engaged by the parents to find the missing little girl but with few clues she was unsuccessful.

Harper and Tolliver have to deal with local and FBI authorities who look suspect at them. They also have to meet with the family members who have a range of reactions to the discovery of the body. Harper has to dig through the clues to find out how the child was buried in a different city and why events were manipulated so that she would find the body.

I liked the thought processes shared for Harper who is a well-developed, engaging character. Her relationship with her stepbrother, already an important element which affects them both, appears to be poised for a change. The skeptics are fully represented and the suspects are lined up as Ms. Harris skillfully lays out the clues to the mystery. This is different than the Sookie Stackhouse series but enjoyable for the mystery and psychic elements. 

This was an easy, fairly quick listen. I would read more in this series. It was very enjoyable and I recommend it to mystery lovers who enjoy a touch of psychic with their clues.

Audio Notes: It took me a little time to get used to the narration by Alyssa Bresnahan. It seemed rather low-key initially but as it proceeded I felt the voices and subdued tone fit the spooky elements of the story. I was glad to have this in audio format for quick reading/listening.

This is from my Audible Library - 2012. This qualifies for my TBR and Audio Challenges and "G" in Alphabet Challenge.

Audible Review: Deadlocked: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel, Book 12 by Charlaine Harris

Sookie faces conflict with friends and mystery with family.

Deadlocked: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel, Book 12

Written by: Charlaine Harris

Narrated by: Johanna Parker

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Series: Sookie Stackhouse, Book 12

Unabridged Audiobook

Release Date:05-01-12

Publisher: Recorded Books

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary

It’s vampire politics as usual around the town of Bon Temps, but never before have they hit so close to Sookie’s heart….

Growing up with telepathic abilities, Sookie Stackhouse realized early on there were things she'd rather not know. And now that she's an adult, she also realizes that some things that she knows about, she'd rather not see—like Eric Northman feeding off another woman. A younger one.

There's a thing or two she'd like to say about that, but she has to keep quiet—Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), is in town. It’s the worst possible time for a human body to show up in Eric's front yard—especially the body of the woman whose blood he just drank.

Now, it's up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl's fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who's set out to make Sookie's world come crashing down.

©2012 Charlaine Harris, Inc. (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

Review:
Sookie and her vampire ‘husband’, Eric, have been having trouble getting together. Sookie has been busy with her work at Merlot’s and with Dermot and Claude, her two faery relatives, who are living with her. Eric has been busy trying to get his bar back on even footing while waiting for his superior to come question the death of another vampire.

Finally Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana, arrives and Sookie has to make a command appearance. Bill and another wolf/guard at Eric’s house warn Sookie to turn around and go home. But she insists on making her appearance to Eric’s king. She isn’t happy to see the ill-behaved vampire guests but then she walks into their bedroom to find Eric feeding off another woman who is sprawled across his lap. The young, taunting woman is sent out while Sookie retreats to the bathroom to get control of her emotions. Shortly thereafter the police arrive to investigate the death of the young woman on the front lawn. It is pretty clear that someone is setting Eric up and driving a wedge between Eric and Sookie. Bill and Sookie set off to investigate.

Sookie has suspicions that Sam’s new girlfriend really doesn’t like her. But Sookie is dealing with other issues at home. Her great-great-grandfather, Neil, has suddenly returned from the mostly sealed faery land and he disappears with Claude. This leaves mild, Great-Uncle Dermot to try to manage the restless crowd of fae and elves at Hooligans bar.

Many of the dangerous elves are being drawn to Sookie and her home. It appears that she has uncovered a unique and coveted fae artifact that her grandmother had hidden in a desk that was in the attic. Sookie is kidnapped and bit by bit the clues indicate that she has an enemy closer than she thinks.

This is book 12 and although it does not have as much violence and action as some of the prior books, I found it interesting. There was mystery and conflict that kept the story moving well.
I am looking forward to reading book 13 to see how this series concludes.

Audio Notes: Johanna Parker is the voice of Sookie for me. She does a wonderful job with the accents and the story to enhance the enjoyment.

This was from my Audible TBR shelf. It counts for my Audio Challenge.

Audible Book Review: Dead Reckoning: Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mystery #11 by Charlaine Harris

I found this to be an entertaining, if interim, story in this series.
Dead Reckoning: Sookie Stackhouse Southern Vampire Mystery #11
Written by: Charlaine Harris
Narrated by: Johanna Parker

Length: 10 hrs and 47 mins
Series: Sookie Stackhouse, Book 11
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:05-03-11
Publisher: Recorded Books
Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. Sookie suspects otherwise, but her attention is divided when she realizes that her lover, Eric Northman, and his "child", Pam, are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, Sookie is drawn into the plot - which is much more complicated than she knows.
Listen to more titles in the Sookie Stackhouse series.
©2011 Charlaine Harris, Inc. (P)2011 Recorded Books, LLC

Review:
Sookie, who can read minds of humans and to some degree the two-natured, has opened her home to her uncle and grandfather, two fae fairies who look about her age. Sookie seems to think that their nearness is increasing the fae qualities in her. While she ponders that Sookie is worrying about the loss of business at Merlot’s as some of the patrons are visiting a recently opened vampire bar. Business was down even before a fire bomb is thrown through the window.

Sookie learns that a two-natured female enemy has escaped from jail seeking revenge against Sookie. Sookie seeks help from her witch friend, Amelia, to re-strengthen protective wards around her home.

Adding to her troubles, Sookie’s boyfriend, vampire sheriff Eric, is struggling with the competition from the new vampire regent who is doing everything he can to encroach on Eric’s territory. Adding insult to injury, the regent has refused his permission for Eric’s ‘child’, Pam, to change a young woman who is dying. It is becoming clear that the two vampire leaders aren’t going to be able to share the area so plots for killing are working both ways. Sookie gets caught up in a plan to take out the regent even as she learns that Eric is keeping secrets that may break her heart.

I had stopped reading this series in 2010 and my recollection is that it had gotten a bit too racy plus the last title seemed a bit fractured. I apparently didn’t review book #10 when I read it. I am glad that I enjoyed revisiting these characters, including Sam, Eric, Bill and even Bubba. There is danger and death, as always seems to surround Sookie, the vampires and the two-natured, but I wasn’t offended by anything.

Although there are still plenty of open questions in the series, I appreciated the tension that remains with Eric’s dilemma at the end of this installment. I am also interested to find out what happens with the fae and the special stone that Sookie has found. So I’ll be getting the next book after April when I allow myself to buy books again – unless I add it on Audible before then.

I recommend reading this series in order for the best enjoyment and I recommend it in audio. Just be prepared for some sex in some of the volumes and violence in most of them. I did try to watch True Blood, the tv series based on the books, when that first came out but I found it too sexual and graphic for my tastes.

Audio Notes: I totally enjoy Johanna Parker as the narrator for this series. She does a great job portraying the Southern Sookie and the other characters. They each have an appropriate distinct voice that helps me to visualize the characters and enjoy the story more than just reading.

This title has been in my Audible library since September, 2012. This qualifies for COYER, TBR Double Dare, Audio Challenges and Alphabet Soup.

GOT BOOKS? Giveaway!!

It's time for Got Books? This is a celebration of all things books event coordinated by There's a Book and Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers. The event is two days only and there are over 100 blogs participating! This will be your opportunity to find some great new book blogs and to enter lots of contests in addition to prizes from the fantastic sponsors of Got Books?

Although it is not required, I hope you become of follower of my blog through Email, Google Friend Connect or Twitter. Enjoy GOT BOOKS and share with friends! After the event ends maybe come back and check out my other giveaways which are at the top of the blog.

There are lots of prizes on over 100 other blogs - Check out GotBooks? or follow at Got Books? Event Twitter


THERE WILL BE A FIRST PLACE WINNER and a SECOND PLACE WINNER for MBS (Martha's Bookshelf). I decided to keep this open WORLDWIDE.
This post started out nicely with all the books showing but then the links went haywire so I came back to add book names. That's why it's late posting. :(

 Contest Ends midnight eastern July 24, 2010! Winners will be announced July 25, 2010.
In my Got Books? announcement I said that I had a prize of a series that I really loved! Here you go:

The Sookie Stackhouse series books 1-7 Collection! If you haven't read these - they are fun and, IMHO, SOOOOO much better than the True Blood TV series.

Now - if the winner has read the Sookie books and doesn't need or want that prize the winner could pick ONE of these three sets instead:

1. The Amish Trilogy by Beverly Lewis 

OR

2. Three Christine Feehan books
Dark Celebration: A Carpathian Reunion (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 14)
Dark Curse (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 16) and
Dark Possession (The Carpathians (Dark) Series, Book 15)

OR 3. The Vampire Academy Trilogy

by Richelle Mead

OR if the winner is not happy with any of the above three sets,
here is an alternate package that includes A, B and C.


A. Pick ANY two books from these twelve: (some of the image links kept disappearing so I have added the titles just in case)
A Black Tie Affair and  Iron Man 2


,

To Surrender To A Rogue (Circle of Sin Trilogy)
and
Desire Me (The Legend Hunters)

The 8th Confession (Women's Murder Club)
and Alex Cross's TRIAL

Barely a Lady and Ravished by a Highlander

Risk No Secrets and Still the One

These two are ARCs (advanced Reader Copies)
Soul Catcher
and The Wild Irish Sea

B. And with the two books the winner will get a book mark:

These Hook bookmarks were made by a friend from church who has also made some jewelry for me to use for future giveaways.

C. And also swag - book marks and a few pens, notepads, buttons, etc.

SECOND PLACE WINNER GETS TO PICK after the First Place Winner picks and Second Place winner can choose from the sets 1 or 2 or 3 OR the alternate package.

TO ENTER, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM

Comments are always welcome too! HAVE FUN AT GOT BOOKS?