Since the last book, where there was an explosion at the vampire summit - certain characters are no longer in the series. This is a good thing, since I was beginning to get a couple of them confused. Sookie is still trying to find her missing boyfriend Quinn, New Orleans and southern Louisiana is in the process of recovering from Hurricane Katrina, and the werewolves' are causing a horrible mess. 
 This book creates a very interesting interaction for Sookie. For the first time, she meets her great-grandfather Niall, King of the Fairies (at least that is what I think his title is). There is a twisty story as to who in Sookie's past has fairy blood and who had a secret tryst with a fairy, but come on now, what would a Southern Vampire Mystery be without a couple of secrets. 
 Another curious twist was when Sookie meets her "nephew"; really, the Stackhouse family tree is something that I think I need to start writing down. Hunter is going to be a curious side character and I sure do hope that Charlaine Harris has him popping up from time to time. 
 As usual, there are multiple storylines going on and the frustration of what Sookie has to face from day to day is starting to wear on her and you can tell in the voice of the character that this book just might be a changing point for both Sookie and the series.