Definitely Dead

By Charlaine Harris

This is the sixth book in Charlaine's vampire series, but the first one I have read.
Sookie is a waitress who can read minds. Her ability has lead her into a life of danger and intrigue involving vampires, were-creatures, fairies, demons, witches and who knows what else.
In this story, Sookie has to go to New Orleans to deal with her dead cousin Hadley's affairs. She also investigates the circumstances that lead to Hadley's death. Hadley, by the way, was a vampire and the homosexual lover of the queen of the vampires of Louisiana. While in New Orleans, Sookie is required to attend a party given by the queen and her new husband, the vampire king of Arkansas. Sookie also has a hunky new boyfriend, a were-tiger named Quinn.
Here is a typical day in the life of Sookie: Meet your cousin's landlady and discover she is a witch. Find a dead body in your cousin's closet. Discover the body is actually not dead but is a newly-created vampire and he is just waking up very, very hungry. Get attacked and bitten by said vampire, who also turns out to be the missing employee of your new boyfriend. Go to the hospital to get bandaged up and find out your old boyfriend, Bill, only seduced you because he was ordered to by the queen of the vampires. Walk home from the hospital, leaving without seeing a doctor, and break in to your dead cousin's apartment because you don't have a key and are too upset to ask for help, and finally, wake up the next morning to find your fairy godmother is lying in your bed with you.
The story reminded me of Laurell K. Hamilton's work. She writes similar stuff. Except Charlaine's story doesn't have the graphic sex or quite as much mayhem as Hamilton's. Also, although I may not be remembering correctly, but I don't think Laurell has fairies or demons in her stories. But other than that, it was really similar.

The problem I had with the story, coming into it so far along in the series, was keeping track of all the characters and their relationship to Sookie. I picked up the book because it was recommended to me as a funny read. I didn't find it funny or even mildly amusing, so that was disappointing. Also, I am not a big fan of vampire fiction. But neither of those things are this novel's fault. Nevertheless, I  didn't really care for this story. I didn't hate it, but I won't be looking to read the first five books in the series.

Review from Publishers Weekly:   https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-441-01400-2.