4.5 stars

Dead in the Family is the tenth full-length novel in the Sookie Stackhouse series by popular American author, Charlaine Harris. As Sookie recovers from torture suffered during the fae conflict, she learns of a bequest left her in a fairy will. She also learns the magnitude of her great grandfather’s influence when the FBI call off their enquiry. After reluctantly seeing off her houseguest, Amelia, Sookie is puzzled when her newly-discovered cousin wants to share her house, citing loneliness, but kindness overpowers scepticism, and she agrees.

Sookie consents to look after (and counsel) her telepathic young nephew, Hunter, for an overnight stay. But a were and a vampire tracker alert Sookie to the presence of unknown fairies in the woods out back of her house, as well as a couple of buried corpses. Vampire Bill is still suffering silver poisoning; some less-than-welcome family members come calling on Eric; and Sookie discovers a government spy in their midst. As usual, attempts are made on Sookie’s life; someone tries to frame her for a murder; and she grudgingly takes on the temporary role of shaman for Alcide’s pack.

There’s a bit of vampire politics, a bit of were activism, a protest rally, and some vampire spies. A spell is broken by a kiss and, by the end, there are quite a few deaths. The highlight of this instalment is Hunter’s interaction with Sookie. Jason finally proves he is more than a pretty face, and family turns out to be important for all the main characters in this aptly titled dose of Sookie.