Eight stars
After a whirlwind series about the supernatural, Charlaine Harris uses this piece to collect some of the short stories that have appeared in various publications. Sookie Stackhouse made a name for herself, but she is not the only character worthy of some added stories. Harris focuses the early part of the collection on Dahlia Lynley-Chivers, a gorgeous vampire with an attitude to boot. Harris adds some Sookie stories and keeps things intense for all readers.
Note to review readers: I have added reviews to this short story collection of those pieces I had not read or reviewed before. While the list below is not completely in line with the contents of this book, reviews of other short stories included in these pages can be found under https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6163054090
Tacky:
When Dahlia Lynley Chivers is asked to be a bridesmaid, she discovers the world of the supernatural is quite different than those of the human realm. Weres, vampires, and a slew of others keep things interesting and forces the caterer to be varied. This collection of sometimes enemies will require a delicate balance and Dahlia is there to ensure nothing ruins the bride's special day.
Bacon:
Dahlia had a controversial marriage to a werewolf. When her husband died, Dahlia felt gutted, but also wanted to ensure that his death did not go unresolved. Now, Dahlia reaches out to a witch for some help finding her husband's killer and exacting revenge.
The Britlingens Go to Hell:
In this unique story, the reader can follow paranormal bodyguards Clovache and Batanya as they enter Lucifer's realm on a mission. While they make their way deeper into Hell, encounters with hounds will soon be the least of their concerns.
Dahlia Underground:
Dahlia has never feared making herself known, though she is aware of the need for subtlety. During a freak accident at a vampire hotel that finds many die and Dahlia buried in some rubble, the town seeks to help everyone who survives. Dahlia realises that she must take action to find the culprits and ensure retribution is fast.
Death by Dahlia:
Dahlia Lynley-Chivers is a vampire first and foremost. At a party, she takes the opportunity to feast on one of the other attendees, which leaves her wondering about her place in the larger vampire world. Working with an acquaintance, Dahlia explores this and sheds light (or darkness) for the reader.
The full-length novels were a treat for me to read, as they pushed me out of my comfort zone. Now, I turned to some of the short stories, adding flavour to the series. The narrative flow differs between stories, particularly with different protagonists, allowing strong narrative styles and characters to shine through. Harris keeps things strong and provides the reader with something well worth their time in this final collection.
Kudos, Madam Harris, for a great collection. I may want to read some of your other full-length series down the road.
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