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Sookie Stackhouse #6.1
One Word Answer
This is an audio version of the short story "One Word Answer" that was originally published in the anthology and was reprinted in It is set between books 5 & 6 of the Sookie Stackhouse series.
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Unabridged, 1 disc, 45 minutes
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Unabridged, 1 disc, 45 minutes
1 pages, Audio CD
First published December 1, 2004
9 people are currently reading
2,634 people want to read
About the author
Charlaine Harris
349books36.6kfollowersCharlaine Harris has been a published writer for over forty years. Her first two books were standalones, followed by a long sabbatical when she was having children. Then she began the Aurora Teagarden book, mysteries featuring a short librarian (eventually adapted for Hallmark movies). The darker Lily Bard books came next, about a house cleaner with a dark past and considerable fighting skills.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
Tired of abiding by the mystery rules, Harris wrote a novel about a telepathic barmaid that took at least two years to sell. When the book was published, it turned into a best seller, and DEAD UNTIL DARK and the subsequent Sookie books were adapted in Alan Ball's "True Blood" series. At the same time, Harris began the Harper Connelly books. Harper can find the bones of the dead and see their last minute.
When those two series wound to a close, the next three books were about a mysterious town in Texas, called Midnight.
A change in publisher and editor led to Harris's novels about a female gunslinger in an alternate America, Lizbeth Rose. The Gunnie Rose books concluded with the sixth novel.
She's thinking about what to write next.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 1, 2021
Very intriguing short story introducing the vampire queen of Louisiana into the series. I'm excited to read about Sookie and Bill's trip to New Orleans that she mentioned.
May 30, 2010
Although it doesn't say it anywhere... you have to read this short story BEFORE you read Definitley Dead in order to understand it. I don't know why Harris didn't just tack this short story onto the end of book 5... kinda dumb to write a seperate short story that explains everything in book 6, without telling the public about it...
March 13, 2016
One Word Answer is a short story in the Sookie Stackhouse series by popular American author, Charlaine Harris. Whilst Sookie is doing some evening yard work with Bubba the Vampire, visitors arrive in a fancy black limo. The passenger brings news of the death of Sookie’s cousin Hadley, and a legacy coming her way. But Sookie is interested in how her cousin met her end, something that, apparently, the vampire limo driver knows more about. Sookie is grateful that her talent for telepathy allows her to keep a poker face when the full story is revealed. Bubba shows some initiative when it matters. Sookie’s enigmatic one word answer may not please all readers, but is guaranteed to bring a smile to most.
May 27, 2017
This short story is found in the compilation titled Bite, which features only one short story written by Charlaine Harris; the remainder of the stories are written by writers such as Laurell K. Hamilton. The story is also featured in A Touch of Dead, a compilation of short stories strictly written by Charlaine Harris, all set in Sookie's universe. The short story serves as a prelude to the novel Definitely Dead, which I actually read before having read this short story, simply because I wasn't aware of it, and it really should be included in Definitely Dead as a prologue because it's crucial to that novel. Not much really happens in this story until the very end (granted, it is not very long at all; only about twenty pages), and it isn't really anything terribly exciting (ultimately entertaining but lacking in comparison to the author's usual material), but it is nice to finally read what sets the stage for Definitely Dead. I just wish that I had had some sort of warning that a short story was written that is set beforehand because I would have been sure to have read it then.
May 6, 2024
Leído por primera vez hace la tira. Releído el 6 de Mayo del 2024
Relato en el que sabemos sobre una pariente de Sookie, cierta herencia y conocemos un personaje peculiar. También sobre política vampira y algunas sorpresas sobre el árbol genealógico de la protagonista. Son detalles que importarán de cara a la novela posterior GL Bis (Sangre fresca)
Relato en el que sabemos sobre una pariente de Sookie, cierta herencia y conocemos un personaje peculiar. También sobre política vampira y algunas sorpresas sobre el árbol genealógico de la protagonista. Son detalles que importarán de cara a la novela posterior GL Bis (Sangre fresca)
April 3, 2012
I liked the ending, but I wish I had known this story existed before I read Definitely Dead. I was SO confused; it was really frustrating!
July 23, 2016
Sookie 5.1
This short is about what happened the night Sookie was informed that her cousin Hadley had died. All of those references in book 6--this is what they're talking about.
This short is about what happened the night Sookie was informed that her cousin Hadley had died. All of those references in book 6--this is what they're talking about.
May 6, 2024
Una historia corta sobre como murió una prima lejana de sookie y como está conoce a la reina de Luisana y tiene un poco de rifirrafe porque no quiere matar al tipo que mato a su prima, interesante pero cortito.
January 1, 2021
A fun introduction to what the queen of Louisiana is like.
November 20, 2015
3-3.5 stars
This was an interesting short which I found for free on the internet. It tells about how Sookie finds out about her cousin's death and that she has a inheritance that she'll have to deal with in book #6 of the series.
This was an interesting short which I found for free on the internet. It tells about how Sookie finds out about her cousin's death and that she has a inheritance that she'll have to deal with in book #6 of the series.
August 10, 2011
So much for Harris not being the best at short fiction. This story rocked.
January 7, 2015
The Demon lawyer of Definitely Dead's role is finally explained - darkly funny little tale that was a laugh from start to finish - but one for fans only!
January 1, 2021
Love the sudden introduction to the Queen of Louisiana and a riveting short story
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2022
I wasn’t expecting that. The Queen planned Waldo’s death. And she wanted Sookie to kill him. Honestly, I remained so shocked after this short story. Not much to say, just that: Hadley, tf u did?
November 23, 2022
A little story with Bubba (I’m a Bubba simp okay???), Bill and two men from the Queen of Louisiana’s court about the murder of Sookie’s cousin Hadley.
Baby girl has a ruthless side to her and I love it.
Baby girl has a ruthless side to her and I love it.
March 27, 2023
I’ve read this many times. This is one of my favorite short stories in the Sookie universe. This is the introduction to Mr. Cataliades, an interesting part demon, and to the vampire queen of Louisiana, Sophie-Anne Leclerq, and the fate of Sookie’s cousin Hadley.
October 18, 2024
Reread ending 10/18/24
I really like this short story/novella bc we meet Mr. Cataliades. He’s a good one, for a half demon fella.
It’s also the first time we meet the queen of Louisiana. Poor Sookie just can’t catch a break.
I really like this short story/novella bc we meet Mr. Cataliades. He’s a good one, for a half demon fella.
It’s also the first time we meet the queen of Louisiana. Poor Sookie just can’t catch a break.
November 30, 2014
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
December 15, 2016
I think it would've been more fun to see this in another POV since it's a short anyway. I was hoping for a bit more intrigue but oh well. I can see how it wouldn't have fit into the 6th book very well, though. It was still jarring to see it referenced and to know I had missed something (though this wasn't much and the book itself explained well enough that I would've been fine not reading this). Still, I liked how Sookie was able to be clever and shocking in a few pages. I liked the ambiguity of the ending: Did she do it on purpose or was she meaning for Waldo to face worse punishment? Probably both.
September 9, 2015
This nicely filled in the gaps that were missing from the sixth book, Definitely Dead. While I appreciate having some back story, I would have liked it better if this novella were eliminated and the story was written in the actual book. I experienced some confusion and felt like much of the story was missing while reading the book, and in fact it was because the important details are in the novella, not the book. Novellas to me are considered "extras" and not "required reads". My advice - read this before book number 6.
February 14, 2011
This was an OK short story in the Sooky Stackhouse series, but I don't really understand why Harris didn't just make this one part of the next novel in the series, as that would have been much more convenient - I downloaded it as a free pdf where all the O's were missing! Quite ann ying, if y u kn w what I mean ;-)
October 22, 2012
This is a good little story that takes only minutes to read. I found out about it from reading reviews for Definitely Dead, which said to read this short story first as it gives you details and is basically a prelude to that book. It was interesting and quick to read and I also recommend reading it during the Sookie Stackhouse series.
November 2, 2014
One of my guilty pleasures when it comes to reading is the Southern Vampire Mystery Series. I absolutely love the World of Sookie Stackhouse. I have read all of the books so I figured it was time to tackle the short stories. This one doesn't disappoint! Definitely a must read for Sookie and True Blood Fans!
March 3, 2017
Read this short story in "Bite" collection of short stories. A nice expansion on Sookie's cousin Hadley's backstory as a child and new vampire, and her final death. Also a good look at Sookie's developing ability to handle vampire politics.
December 3, 2012
Didn't quiet understand if this book was really needed... It was just like one chapter...
November 19, 2018
Boring. Also, this should have been in the appropriate book because I read whichever book it is where Sookie is going to sort out Hadley's estate, and I was so confused.
March 15, 2025
16February2021
Read as part of the collection A Touch of Dead.
Read as part of the collection A Touch of Dead.
November 8, 2021
One Word Answer
Plot: Sookie is paid a visit by Mr. Cataliades that informs her (her) cousin Hadley (who was a vampire) and living in New Orleans died from being staked. Then they start dropping bombshell after bombshell. Hadley worked for the Queen. Hadley and the Queen of Louisiana were lovers. Hadley was staked by the Fellowship of the Sun after she and Waldo (the driver) were in a famous cemetery doing a ritual to speak with Marie Laveau because Hadley thought she may have been related. Sookie really isn’t interested in the inheritance Hadley left for her. She wants to know what happened to Waldo. She finds out that the Queen punished him as well as Hadley. And as in all “favorites�, the Queen was fickle. In today, out tomorrow, and on to the next one. Sookie, Bill, and Mr.Cataliades all figure out at the same time that it was Waldo who killed Hadley because of his jealousy. Waldo jumps up and starts to transform into something even more vicious than his frail, sickly, appearance. Bill and bubba jump up, but Mr. Cataliades smoothly intervenes and slips a sliver necklace around Waldo’s neck. Mr.Cataliades tosses Sookie a wooden stake (that Bill catches) and says the Queen wanted her to do the honor. The Queen already knew because the only thing in the cemetary was Waldo’s scent. Sookie can’t do it although Waldo tries to provoke her. Bill offers. Bubba offers. Sookie wants to send him back to the Queen. He’s scared she’ll do something worse so he needs them to do it because he’s scared to do it himself. Mr.Cataliades and Bill say if Sookie doesn’t do it the Queen will come after her. Still, she tells Bill and Bubba to put him in the trunk. Waldo lunges at Sookie and Bill tackles him and stakes him. The Queen gets out of the limo. She introduces herself and speculates that Sookie had it all planned all along. Before she leaves Sookie asks if Hadley really was related to Marie Laveau and the Queen says she doesn’t know but she’s welcome to continue the research. Bill and Bubba find out that Sookie knew that the Queen was in the limo all along and that Waldo was gonna make a play to kill her. It’s left vague with a one-word answer if it really was Sookie’s plan all along to have Waldo killed.
Rating 6 I was getting ready to have no feelings at all about this short story. Hadley is a character that we’ve heard briefly mentioned in the series. All we know about her is she ran away up until this book. We get a little more about her. She used to be popular until she got into drugs and turned goth. Then we’re hit with a whole slew of information about her at once. I had more feelings about Lafyette’s death than I did Hadley’s. But it got interesting when Waldo was found out. I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING! I feel like I should have tho. Then it did surprise me a little the Queen knew and that she was there. Making me wonder what she would have done had Waldo not tried to attack Sookie. Would she have somehow forced her to kill him? Would she have punished her in some way? So it was more intriguing than I thought it would be.
Plot: Sookie is paid a visit by Mr. Cataliades that informs her (her) cousin Hadley (who was a vampire) and living in New Orleans died from being staked. Then they start dropping bombshell after bombshell. Hadley worked for the Queen. Hadley and the Queen of Louisiana were lovers. Hadley was staked by the Fellowship of the Sun after she and Waldo (the driver) were in a famous cemetery doing a ritual to speak with Marie Laveau because Hadley thought she may have been related. Sookie really isn’t interested in the inheritance Hadley left for her. She wants to know what happened to Waldo. She finds out that the Queen punished him as well as Hadley. And as in all “favorites�, the Queen was fickle. In today, out tomorrow, and on to the next one. Sookie, Bill, and Mr.Cataliades all figure out at the same time that it was Waldo who killed Hadley because of his jealousy. Waldo jumps up and starts to transform into something even more vicious than his frail, sickly, appearance. Bill and bubba jump up, but Mr. Cataliades smoothly intervenes and slips a sliver necklace around Waldo’s neck. Mr.Cataliades tosses Sookie a wooden stake (that Bill catches) and says the Queen wanted her to do the honor. The Queen already knew because the only thing in the cemetary was Waldo’s scent. Sookie can’t do it although Waldo tries to provoke her. Bill offers. Bubba offers. Sookie wants to send him back to the Queen. He’s scared she’ll do something worse so he needs them to do it because he’s scared to do it himself. Mr.Cataliades and Bill say if Sookie doesn’t do it the Queen will come after her. Still, she tells Bill and Bubba to put him in the trunk. Waldo lunges at Sookie and Bill tackles him and stakes him. The Queen gets out of the limo. She introduces herself and speculates that Sookie had it all planned all along. Before she leaves Sookie asks if Hadley really was related to Marie Laveau and the Queen says she doesn’t know but she’s welcome to continue the research. Bill and Bubba find out that Sookie knew that the Queen was in the limo all along and that Waldo was gonna make a play to kill her. It’s left vague with a one-word answer if it really was Sookie’s plan all along to have Waldo killed.
Rating 6 I was getting ready to have no feelings at all about this short story. Hadley is a character that we’ve heard briefly mentioned in the series. All we know about her is she ran away up until this book. We get a little more about her. She used to be popular until she got into drugs and turned goth. Then we’re hit with a whole slew of information about her at once. I had more feelings about Lafyette’s death than I did Hadley’s. But it got interesting when Waldo was found out. I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING! I feel like I should have tho. Then it did surprise me a little the Queen knew and that she was there. Making me wonder what she would have done had Waldo not tried to attack Sookie. Would she have somehow forced her to kill him? Would she have punished her in some way? So it was more intriguing than I thought it would be.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
January 25, 2022One Word Answer is one of the first short stories that Harris wrote to accompany the Southern Vampire Series, about Sookie Stackhouse, included in the short story compliation Bite.
In this particular short story, Sookie finds out the fate of her rarely mentioned cousin Hadley who ran away years ago and who Sookie has had no contact with. I never realized how important these short stories could be until I started book 5 of the series and felt like I had missed a key part to the entire series.
For anyone who has recently started the series, or is interested in doing so, I highly recommend picking up at least this little tidbit before starting book 5 or you may feel at a loss much like I was. While this is the first short I have read, I am going to definitely try and make it a priority in my reading to include these along with the main books.
Eventually I would like to read the entire Bite compilation, but time does not permit me to do so at this time.
In this particular short story, Sookie finds out the fate of her rarely mentioned cousin Hadley who ran away years ago and who Sookie has had no contact with. I never realized how important these short stories could be until I started book 5 of the series and felt like I had missed a key part to the entire series.
For anyone who has recently started the series, or is interested in doing so, I highly recommend picking up at least this little tidbit before starting book 5 or you may feel at a loss much like I was. While this is the first short I have read, I am going to definitely try and make it a priority in my reading to include these along with the main books.
Eventually I would like to read the entire Bite compilation, but time does not permit me to do so at this time.
December 17, 2020
This whole story could have easily been a prologue to Definitely Dead because I had no idea what Sookie was referring to when she was talking about her legacy and I didn't get why the Queen want her to attend the big vampire dinner(?) as her personal guest. I was lost.
This story made it all make sense but I don't think this 57 page story needed to be a completely different book. It was too important to the next book to just leave off like that and I never would have known that I needed to read it if I wasn't reading through the comments of Definitely Dead.
I just gave it two stars because I was annoyed I had to go on a scavenger hunt for the story. 😑
This story made it all make sense but I don't think this 57 page story needed to be a completely different book. It was too important to the next book to just leave off like that and I never would have known that I needed to read it if I wasn't reading through the comments of Definitely Dead.
I just gave it two stars because I was annoyed I had to go on a scavenger hunt for the story. 😑
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