Harris, Charlaine. Living dead in Dallas.

(A Southern Vampire Novel). Berkley, Ace. 262p. c2002. 0-441-00923-9. $6.50. SA

This is one terrific read. Harris has created a charming and winning character in Sookie Stackhouse--cocktail waitress, telepath, and girlfriend of a vampire. Stackhouse lifes in a different world, one where vampires, werewolves, and assorted other mythical beings actually exist. She is beholden to the local Louisiana nest of vampires and is sent by its head, Eric, to help the nest in Dallas. It seems that one of their vamps has disappeared and they need a telepath to track him and possibly save him. She dutifully follows Bill to Dallas where they stay at an interesting vampire hotel complete with windowless rooms and synthetic blood. In Dallas they discover a fanatical religious cult that is vehemently opposed to vampires and is trying to destroy them or, better yet, get them to destroy themselves. Sookie has to dire headlong into this mystery before she gets to try her hand and her mind at solving the murder of a fellow worker back home.

Harris creates wonderful characters, an inventive plot, and terrific situations. She has a real feel for the world she has created and allows the willing suspension of disbelief to do its job. Her work is reminiscent of Laurel Hamilton and her Anita Blake series but much less dense. It also reminds a reader of Tanya Huff's work and has the same light touch. There is plenty of sexual tension between Sookie and her boyfriend but also between Sookie and Eric, who also wants her for his own. At the same time there is a joy and an innocence about the work that make it very appealing. Joseph R. DeMarco, Libn., St. Joseph's Prep. Sch., Philadelphia, PA