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Sookie Stackhouse #4.2 - Dancers in the Dark
Dead of Night
From bestselling author Charlaine Harris and rising star Amanda Stevens come two otherworldly tales sure to haunt readers well after the last page is turned.
Dancers in the Dark
#1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris
Layla Rue Le May is no ordinary dancer—her partner, Sean McClendon, is a three-hundred-year-old redheaded vampire. When Layla Rue acquires a stalker, she's forced to face the music…and wonder if this will finally be her last dance.
The Devil's Footprints
Award-winning author Amanda Stevens
Years after her sister's unsolved murder, Sarah DeLaune is haunted by the mysteries of her past when two mutilated bodies are found near Sarah's New Orleans home, the crime scene desecrated by cloven footprints. Sarah has always believed that her sister was killed by a man named Ashe Cain. But no one else has ever seen Ashe. Until now.
Dancers in the Dark
#1 New York Times bestselling author Charlaine Harris
Layla Rue Le May is no ordinary dancer—her partner, Sean McClendon, is a three-hundred-year-old redheaded vampire. When Layla Rue acquires a stalker, she's forced to face the music…and wonder if this will finally be her last dance.
The Devil's Footprints
Award-winning author Amanda Stevens
Years after her sister's unsolved murder, Sarah DeLaune is haunted by the mysteries of her past when two mutilated bodies are found near Sarah's New Orleans home, the crime scene desecrated by cloven footprints. Sarah has always believed that her sister was killed by a man named Ashe Cain. But no one else has ever seen Ashe. Until now.
464 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
182 people are currently reading
2432 people want to read
About the author
Charlaine Harris
203 books37k followersCharlaine 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 98 reviews
November 3, 2013
I thought this was a truly weird pairing. I enjoyed both stories - I love Charlaine Harris's world of vampires and this was a fun new group, and I love murder mysteries - however, I'm not sure why these two were included in the same volume. The Harris story introduced a group of vampires not associated with the Sookie Stackhouse group and was fun and engaging. The Stevens story was intense and spooky, but ultimately not in the same genre. I wavered between 3 and 4 stars, because the stories were good, but not great. But overall it was a page-turner.
August 29, 2025
This collection was a mixed bag for me. It was engaging enough to keep me turning the pages, but also frustrating in parts.
The first story hooked me quickly with Rue’s dark past and the tension of her abusive ex resurfacing. I liked the gritty setup and the idea of finding safety in unlikely places, but I struggled with her relationship with Sean. On the surface, Sean seems like an improvement compared to Rue’s abusive ex, but his behavior is still controlling, boundary-crossing, and self-centered. The contrast makes their romance look healthier than it really is, but it didn’t sit right with me. Also, some moments felt off. For example, rushing into sex after trauma, or the bizarre sarcophagus scene (major disrespect and just, why?). There were good ideas and some tense moments, but overall the relationship dynamic felt concerning rather than romantic.
The second story had me hooked with its eerie, unsettling atmosphere. The unexplained footprints gave me chills, and the whole small-town, generational-secret vibe kept me turning pages. I loved how the story blurred the line between supernatural and psychological horror. Like I could never tell if Ashe was real or part of Sarah’s unraveling mind. That ambiguity kept me uneasy the entire time.
But wow, it was messy. The family drama was intense (and the dad turned out even worse than I expected), and I often felt as lost as Sarah. So many people withheld the truth from her, and while that added to the atmosphere, it was frustrating. Lukas was a rare bright spot, and his ending hit hard. It left me feeling more confused than satisfied.
Both stories delivered creepy tension and moments that really pulled me in, but they also had elements that made me uncomfortable or annoyed through questionable romance dynamics and overly tangled plotting. I enjoyed parts of the ride, but I can’t say I loved it.
The first story hooked me quickly with Rue’s dark past and the tension of her abusive ex resurfacing. I liked the gritty setup and the idea of finding safety in unlikely places, but I struggled with her relationship with Sean. On the surface, Sean seems like an improvement compared to Rue’s abusive ex, but his behavior is still controlling, boundary-crossing, and self-centered. The contrast makes their romance look healthier than it really is, but it didn’t sit right with me. Also, some moments felt off. For example, rushing into sex after trauma, or the bizarre sarcophagus scene (major disrespect and just, why?). There were good ideas and some tense moments, but overall the relationship dynamic felt concerning rather than romantic.
The second story had me hooked with its eerie, unsettling atmosphere. The unexplained footprints gave me chills, and the whole small-town, generational-secret vibe kept me turning pages. I loved how the story blurred the line between supernatural and psychological horror. Like I could never tell if Ashe was real or part of Sarah’s unraveling mind. That ambiguity kept me uneasy the entire time.
But wow, it was messy. The family drama was intense (and the dad turned out even worse than I expected), and I often felt as lost as Sarah. So many people withheld the truth from her, and while that added to the atmosphere, it was frustrating. Lukas was a rare bright spot, and his ending hit hard. It left me feeling more confused than satisfied.
Both stories delivered creepy tension and moments that really pulled me in, but they also had elements that made me uncomfortable or annoyed through questionable romance dynamics and overly tangled plotting. I enjoyed parts of the ride, but I can’t say I loved it.
December 20, 2018
Anthology
1. Dancers in the Dark by Charlaine Harris. This is the story about the dancers that you see periodically in the Sookie books. How they met, what happened to them. It's a good story. 4 stars.
2. The Devil's Footprints by Amanda Stevens. I've read this author's other books and loved them, especially the The Restorer series which is soooo goood! So I thought I'd try some of her older books. This is a straightforward mystery thriller with no paranormal at all in it and it's almost right up there with the Graveyard Queen series. At the end of the book, I was wishing for an epilogue just so I could see what happens next to Sarah, with or without Sean. 4 stars
1. Dancers in the Dark by Charlaine Harris. This is the story about the dancers that you see periodically in the Sookie books. How they met, what happened to them. It's a good story. 4 stars.
2. The Devil's Footprints by Amanda Stevens. I've read this author's other books and loved them, especially the The Restorer series which is soooo goood! So I thought I'd try some of her older books. This is a straightforward mystery thriller with no paranormal at all in it and it's almost right up there with the Graveyard Queen series. At the end of the book, I was wishing for an epilogue just so I could see what happens next to Sarah, with or without Sean. 4 stars
August 23, 2013
I didn't particularly like or dislike the other stories in this book, but I loved Dancers in the Dark by Charlaine Harris. It's an incredibly beautiful and romantic story with characters I'd really like to meet.
October 27, 2024
Completed 10/27/24 but found the single story I actually read - moving this to 2020 to get out of my years progress.
I only borrowed Dead of Night to read Dancers in the Dark. Despite the fact that I’ve been reading the Sookie Stackhouse books for 5 years or so now (I was definitely late to the party!) I’d never managed to find this one. I did this year though.
We first meet Sean and Layla in the one with the vampire summit in Rhoades, and Sookie comments (mentally) on how rare it is for a vamp couple to be together, as they usually don’t last very long. There, Sean and Layla have been together for roughly 3 years I think, and in this one - so over 3 years before - vamps “came out” roughly 5 years before. That would put vamps as outed for 8 years around the time of the summit, but the entire Sookie series doesn’t even last 2-3 years, and I think that’s pushing it. So there’s one inconsistency. Another is Sean is telling Layla of his life, 270+ years previous in poor Ireland, when he was a valet for a vampire (whose last name was Lovell, and my genealogy does go back to Ireland on one branch, so I’m assuming this is my great x10 or however many grandpa, and I will take no questions on the matter). And how he used to shave dude’s beard. Except we know from Bill Compton that however they are when made vampire, is how they stay. Their hair doesn’t grow, at all. It’s giving “Diana Gabaldon” vibes in the sense that I believe an author should remember their own lore, but perhaps I’ve read Charlaine Harris’s stories more than she has, lol. I don’t imagine many authors sit around rereading their works.
Anyway. Rue (Layla) is on the run and hiding from a past that would see her killed. She’s from a small ass town owned by one rich ass family, and when the son of said family brutalizes her, she gets no justice. So she bails and joins a vamp/human dance company because dancing is something she’s good at and enjoys. This is where she meets Sean. I think I too would swoon over an Irish vampire, so I’m not mad at her all. As they get closer, she won’t tell him what she’s so afraid of, so Sean noses through her personal shit and heads to her home town to find out what the hell happened. In the meantime though, her abuser has been released from the mental hospital he was sent to and is out for blood.
I Stan Sean and Layla. I’m really glad Charlaine Harris gave us a little bit about the two, because I think we only see them 2 times in the main books, and I’ve always felt pulled in by them.
I only borrowed Dead of Night to read Dancers in the Dark. Despite the fact that I’ve been reading the Sookie Stackhouse books for 5 years or so now (I was definitely late to the party!) I’d never managed to find this one. I did this year though.
We first meet Sean and Layla in the one with the vampire summit in Rhoades, and Sookie comments (mentally) on how rare it is for a vamp couple to be together, as they usually don’t last very long. There, Sean and Layla have been together for roughly 3 years I think, and in this one - so over 3 years before - vamps “came out” roughly 5 years before. That would put vamps as outed for 8 years around the time of the summit, but the entire Sookie series doesn’t even last 2-3 years, and I think that’s pushing it. So there’s one inconsistency. Another is Sean is telling Layla of his life, 270+ years previous in poor Ireland, when he was a valet for a vampire (whose last name was Lovell, and my genealogy does go back to Ireland on one branch, so I’m assuming this is my great x10 or however many grandpa, and I will take no questions on the matter). And how he used to shave dude’s beard. Except we know from Bill Compton that however they are when made vampire, is how they stay. Their hair doesn’t grow, at all. It’s giving “Diana Gabaldon” vibes in the sense that I believe an author should remember their own lore, but perhaps I’ve read Charlaine Harris’s stories more than she has, lol. I don’t imagine many authors sit around rereading their works.
Anyway. Rue (Layla) is on the run and hiding from a past that would see her killed. She’s from a small ass town owned by one rich ass family, and when the son of said family brutalizes her, she gets no justice. So she bails and joins a vamp/human dance company because dancing is something she’s good at and enjoys. This is where she meets Sean. I think I too would swoon over an Irish vampire, so I’m not mad at her all. As they get closer, she won’t tell him what she’s so afraid of, so Sean noses through her personal shit and heads to her home town to find out what the hell happened. In the meantime though, her abuser has been released from the mental hospital he was sent to and is out for blood.
I Stan Sean and Layla. I’m really glad Charlaine Harris gave us a little bit about the two, because I think we only see them 2 times in the main books, and I’ve always felt pulled in by them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2014
This book consists of two stories, Dancers in the Dark by Charlaine Harris and The Devil’s Footprints by Amanda Stevens. Dancers in the Dark is very, very short. It’s only about 120 pages long. The majority of the book is The Devil’s Footprints and is an actually book. The two have nothing in common, no central theme tying them together.
Dancers in the Dark:
I picked up the book because of Charlaine Harris’s name. Her name was in huge font, just a shade smaller than the title, but what you notice first about the cover. Unfortunately her part in the book is very small; a short, short story is all it was. Apparently one she published previously. I missed Sookie and all her vampire men, so I thought I would give it a try. The story centers around Rue and dancing vampires. I know, not what I expected. The story could have been longer, with a little more detail. The worst part is what happens to Rue’s cat. Psychopaths and animals do not mix. There was nothing special about the story. I pictured Sean as Alexander Skarsgård(Eric Northman) but with an Irish accent and good manners.
The Devil’s Footprints:
I just couldn’t get into this story. This was not a short story; it was the length of an actual book. The writing was fine, the characters were annoying and I wouldn’t have cared if Sarah died. I know that’s mean but I wanted to hit her over the head with one of those cloven stilts. There were many twists and turns, plus a ton of unnecessary info that made reading it even harder. What was the point of knowing Sarah’s therapist was once a priest and a not very good one? Finding out the identity of the killer was the best part and not because it meant the book was almost over. For some reason the book just dragged on and took forever to read.
Dancers in the Dark:
I picked up the book because of Charlaine Harris’s name. Her name was in huge font, just a shade smaller than the title, but what you notice first about the cover. Unfortunately her part in the book is very small; a short, short story is all it was. Apparently one she published previously. I missed Sookie and all her vampire men, so I thought I would give it a try. The story centers around Rue and dancing vampires. I know, not what I expected. The story could have been longer, with a little more detail. The worst part is what happens to Rue’s cat. Psychopaths and animals do not mix. There was nothing special about the story. I pictured Sean as Alexander Skarsgård(Eric Northman) but with an Irish accent and good manners.
The Devil’s Footprints:
I just couldn’t get into this story. This was not a short story; it was the length of an actual book. The writing was fine, the characters were annoying and I wouldn’t have cared if Sarah died. I know that’s mean but I wanted to hit her over the head with one of those cloven stilts. There were many twists and turns, plus a ton of unnecessary info that made reading it even harder. What was the point of knowing Sarah’s therapist was once a priest and a not very good one? Finding out the identity of the killer was the best part and not because it meant the book was almost over. For some reason the book just dragged on and took forever to read.
January 31, 2021
Forgot dancers in the night and read the devils footprints. That is my advice. 😊
to-read-anthologies
August 20, 2019✔️Charlaine Harris- "Dancers in the Dark" (Sookie Stackhouse Universe)
March 24, 2022
Relectura en parte.
Ya había leído Dancers in the Dark de Charlaine Harris, en su edición en español, pero hasta ahora, no había leído la edición original en inglés ni The Devil's Footprints de Amanda Stevens. Tanto una como la otra son historias cortas que, en mi opinión, merecen cuatro estrellas.
Ambas son historias duras, bastante crudas en sus tramas. Con un toque de misterio, suspense y algo de Romántica. En esto último, se puede decir que la historia de Harris tiene mucho más de novela Romántica que la de Stevens. Dancers in the Dark me enamoró la primera vez que la leí y, luego, cuando los reconocí en la saga de Sookie... Me encantó. Es corta, así que no voy comentarla mucho más pues no quiero hacer spoilers.
La historia de Stevens también me ha gustado mucho. Desde el principio me pareció que esta escritora conseguía muy bien la ambientación. Creo que es uno de sus puntos fuertes. En este sentido me recordó mucho a La hora de las brujas de Anne Rice, tengo que aclarar que esta saga de Rice la odié bastante. Cosa que no me pasó con The Devil's Footprints. No puedo comentar mucho sobre la trama porque el giro lo pide: ser críptica con la reseña.
Lo único malo es que adiviné quién era el malo. Pero bueno, suelo adivinarlo casi siempre. En este caso lo hice bastante tarde así que tampoco está tan mal. Me gustó mucho la referencia a la película "El Cuervo" y a todo su universo. Yo también estaba obsesionada con esta peli durante mi adolescencia así que me ha hecho gracia.
Esta historia de Romántica tiene poco, algo, pero no lo suficiente como para destacar. Además, Sean, que se podría decir que es el "interés amoroso" deja bastante que desear como "persona" (ficticia, pero ahí está). Vamos, que es gilipollas perdido, el pobre. Aparte de bastante insensible porque
Aún y con esas, me dejó con las ganas y ya he estado mirando que tiene publicado esta escritora y cómo hacerme con ello...
Tengo la edición de Harlequin Mira del año 2013. En rústica de un tamaño normal, algo más pequeño que las ediciones de este formato que se publican en España. Pero no está mal. Me hubiese gustado que hubiese una edición de tapa dura, pero bueeeeno. Por supuesto, es la edición en su idioma original, inglés.
Ya había leído Dancers in the Dark de Charlaine Harris, en su edición en español, pero hasta ahora, no había leído la edición original en inglés ni The Devil's Footprints de Amanda Stevens. Tanto una como la otra son historias cortas que, en mi opinión, merecen cuatro estrellas.
Ambas son historias duras, bastante crudas en sus tramas. Con un toque de misterio, suspense y algo de Romántica. En esto último, se puede decir que la historia de Harris tiene mucho más de novela Romántica que la de Stevens. Dancers in the Dark me enamoró la primera vez que la leí y, luego, cuando los reconocí en la saga de Sookie... Me encantó. Es corta, así que no voy comentarla mucho más pues no quiero hacer spoilers.
La historia de Stevens también me ha gustado mucho. Desde el principio me pareció que esta escritora conseguía muy bien la ambientación. Creo que es uno de sus puntos fuertes. En este sentido me recordó mucho a La hora de las brujas de Anne Rice, tengo que aclarar que esta saga de Rice la odié bastante. Cosa que no me pasó con The Devil's Footprints. No puedo comentar mucho sobre la trama porque el giro lo pide: ser críptica con la reseña.
Lo único malo es que adiviné quién era el malo. Pero bueno, suelo adivinarlo casi siempre. En este caso lo hice bastante tarde así que tampoco está tan mal. Me gustó mucho la referencia a la película "El Cuervo" y a todo su universo. Yo también estaba obsesionada con esta peli durante mi adolescencia así que me ha hecho gracia.
No os acostumbréis a os GIFs serios que esta es la excepción 🤣
Esta historia de Romántica tiene poco, algo, pero no lo suficiente como para destacar. Además, Sean, que se podría decir que es el "interés amoroso" deja bastante que desear como "persona" (ficticia, pero ahí está). Vamos, que es gilipollas perdido, el pobre. Aparte de bastante insensible porque
Sí, tú, Sean. Es a ti. Porque no existes que si no...
Aún y con esas, me dejó con las ganas y ya he estado mirando que tiene publicado esta escritora y cómo hacerme con ello...
Tengo la edición de Harlequin Mira del año 2013. En rústica de un tamaño normal, algo más pequeño que las ediciones de este formato que se publican en España. Pero no está mal. Me hubiese gustado que hubiese una edición de tapa dura, pero bueeeeno. Por supuesto, es la edición en su idioma original, inglés.
March 26, 2014
Dead of Night contains two different stories from two different authors. It's kinda like the KFC/TacoBell restaurant we have here in town or Subway/Dunkin Donuts I have seen in other places. They're different, but similar. Despite that they are two different stories I think they mesh well and I would love to see more of this from the same authors or different authors. Both stories are definatly 5 stars.
The first story is novella 4.2 written in the Sookie Stackhouse world. The title is Dancers in the Dark and was written by Charlaine Harris. This story concentrates on two dancers. One dancer is a vampire named Sean and the other is a human named Rue. Sean becomes attracted to rue, but Rue has some baggage that stems from a crime that was committed against her years ago and has made her a bit wary. However she soon finds that she to is attracted to Sean, but someone is planning to stop this relationship.
I loved the story and want to read more about Rue and Sean.
The second story is a full out novel written by Amanda Stevens called The Devil's Footprints. The main character, Sarah has some serious baggage and really horrible trust issues. Making a commitment is about as difficult as trying to figure out string theory. because of all this she has learned to hide her feelings and push people out of her life. Sarah's sister was killed 14 years ago and when she moved away from the small rural town in Arkansas she thought she had put it behind her the best that she could. However several murders have occurred near her apartment that seem to have connections to her sister's murder. This one will defiantly keep you guessing for awhile as to who the murderer is and why.
Both are written very well and I highly recommend!
The first story is novella 4.2 written in the Sookie Stackhouse world. The title is Dancers in the Dark and was written by Charlaine Harris. This story concentrates on two dancers. One dancer is a vampire named Sean and the other is a human named Rue. Sean becomes attracted to rue, but Rue has some baggage that stems from a crime that was committed against her years ago and has made her a bit wary. However she soon finds that she to is attracted to Sean, but someone is planning to stop this relationship.
I loved the story and want to read more about Rue and Sean.
The second story is a full out novel written by Amanda Stevens called The Devil's Footprints. The main character, Sarah has some serious baggage and really horrible trust issues. Making a commitment is about as difficult as trying to figure out string theory. because of all this she has learned to hide her feelings and push people out of her life. Sarah's sister was killed 14 years ago and when she moved away from the small rural town in Arkansas she thought she had put it behind her the best that she could. However several murders have occurred near her apartment that seem to have connections to her sister's murder. This one will defiantly keep you guessing for awhile as to who the murderer is and why.
Both are written very well and I highly recommend!
March 23, 2016
3.5 stars for Charlaine Harris' "Dead in the Dark".
This was a great novella set pre-Sookie when vampires don't have quite the power or prestige they will come to have. Rue was a great strong/enduring character and has my respect. The villain was truly villainous. This has strong horrorific elements (some off the page) so be warned. This was quite well done, and reminds me how strong a writer Harris is. I wish she'd do more non-series works like this.
No rating - I skimmed "The Devil's Footprints".
My sister read this before I got to it and warned me I wouldn't like it. And other reviews hinted that it was the type of book I typically avoid. Not wanting to miss out, I skimmed this book and realized that, NO, it definitely was not to my taste! It too has very strong horror elements and a pathetic semi-romance. In what I skimmed I found the heroine to be a spineless doormat who was mostly a placeholder there to have bad things done to her and to nearly everyone who came in contact with her. She never stood up for herself or set any boundaries. And she didn't seem to take any action other than proximity to make things better. I have no respect for women like this. All this was handwaved away by blocked memories, but once they were unblocked, she STILL didn't do anything. I detested her and pretty much everyone else in this book. Glrgh.
(The plot would have been more my type if I hadn't detested the characters so very much.)
Remember, I have weird tastes and reactions. YMMV, as always.
This was a great novella set pre-Sookie when vampires don't have quite the power or prestige they will come to have. Rue was a great strong/enduring character and has my respect. The villain was truly villainous. This has strong horrorific elements (some off the page) so be warned. This was quite well done, and reminds me how strong a writer Harris is. I wish she'd do more non-series works like this.
No rating - I skimmed "The Devil's Footprints".
My sister read this before I got to it and warned me I wouldn't like it. And other reviews hinted that it was the type of book I typically avoid. Not wanting to miss out, I skimmed this book and realized that, NO, it definitely was not to my taste! It too has very strong horror elements and a pathetic semi-romance. In what I skimmed I found the heroine to be a spineless doormat who was mostly a placeholder there to have bad things done to her and to nearly everyone who came in contact with her. She never stood up for herself or set any boundaries. And she didn't seem to take any action other than proximity to make things better. I have no respect for women like this. All this was handwaved away by blocked memories, but once they were unblocked, she STILL didn't do anything. I detested her and pretty much everyone else in this book. Glrgh.
(The plot would have been more my type if I hadn't detested the characters so very much.)
Remember, I have weird tastes and reactions. YMMV, as always.
August 30, 2016
Sookie 4.2
Non-Sookie story about vampire/human dancing partners who become . . . more than partners *winks*
Non-Sookie story about vampire/human dancing partners who become . . . more than partners *winks*
February 18, 2020
The first story Dancers in the Dark was a fast enjoyable read, that takes place during the same time frame a s Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse novels.
Layla Rue Le May wants a job to pay for living expenses and her education. With her dancing background, she applies for and gets a job with a dance trope that is "different". One of the partners in each team happens to be a vampire, and when a dance ends, the human partner is bitten by their partner. Layla's partner, Sean McClendon, is laid back and subdued, until the night the Layla is spooked during a performance. Then Sean is curious as to who/what has frightened his partner so much. His investigation leads to the horrors of Layla's past.
The second story is longer, written by Amanda Stevens, whom I've never read. I had a hard time initially getting involved in this story, but it got more intriguing as I progressed.
Sarah DeLaune has a hard childhood. Disliked by her father and picked on by her older, beloved sister, she is befriended by an older boy named Ashe Cain. Her sister is horrifically murdered and Susan is found wandering, covered in her sister's blood, with no recollection of the events. Shortly thereafter, she is sent off to boarding school and her mother dies.
Fourteen years later, she is haunted by her sister's murder, suffering from night terrors, insomnia, paranoia and continued amnesia. Recently dumped by her cop boyfriend, he never the less involves her in a homicide, due to her knowledge of tattoos and the occult. As bodies pile up, bodies linked to Susan, and as her father lies dying, she revisits her hometown, seeking answers. Answers that just might get her killed.
Layla Rue Le May wants a job to pay for living expenses and her education. With her dancing background, she applies for and gets a job with a dance trope that is "different". One of the partners in each team happens to be a vampire, and when a dance ends, the human partner is bitten by their partner. Layla's partner, Sean McClendon, is laid back and subdued, until the night the Layla is spooked during a performance. Then Sean is curious as to who/what has frightened his partner so much. His investigation leads to the horrors of Layla's past.
The second story is longer, written by Amanda Stevens, whom I've never read. I had a hard time initially getting involved in this story, but it got more intriguing as I progressed.
Sarah DeLaune has a hard childhood. Disliked by her father and picked on by her older, beloved sister, she is befriended by an older boy named Ashe Cain. Her sister is horrifically murdered and Susan is found wandering, covered in her sister's blood, with no recollection of the events. Shortly thereafter, she is sent off to boarding school and her mother dies.
Fourteen years later, she is haunted by her sister's murder, suffering from night terrors, insomnia, paranoia and continued amnesia. Recently dumped by her cop boyfriend, he never the less involves her in a homicide, due to her knowledge of tattoos and the occult. As bodies pile up, bodies linked to Susan, and as her father lies dying, she revisits her hometown, seeking answers. Answers that just might get her killed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2023
Dancers in the Dark: College student on the run from something in her past, takes a job as a dancer with a vampire partner. She and the vampire fall in love. Abusive ex finds her. He tries to kill vampire and she steps in the way. Close to death so the vampire turns her.
The Devil’s Footprint
Woman tattoo artist asked by ex who is a detective to visit crime scene to check out the corpse’s tattoos. She is damaged from her sister’s murder many years ago. Dredges up new info about father’s abuse of her sister who was his favorite. Sarah was probably another man’s child so dad hated her. People around Sarah get hurt when they treated her badly all those years ago. She suspected Ashe Cain — a goth. Years later find he was sheriff’s son behind the makeup and he had been abused by his dad He now has split personality.
Sarah is saved after Lukas (Ashe) kills 4 women and her dad. Psychiatrist and ex help to save the day. Lukas used old myth about cloven hoofs around bodies to throw things off.
The Devil’s Footprint
Woman tattoo artist asked by ex who is a detective to visit crime scene to check out the corpse’s tattoos. She is damaged from her sister’s murder many years ago. Dredges up new info about father’s abuse of her sister who was his favorite. Sarah was probably another man’s child so dad hated her. People around Sarah get hurt when they treated her badly all those years ago. She suspected Ashe Cain — a goth. Years later find he was sheriff’s son behind the makeup and he had been abused by his dad He now has split personality.
Sarah is saved after Lukas (Ashe) kills 4 women and her dad. Psychiatrist and ex help to save the day. Lukas used old myth about cloven hoofs around bodies to throw things off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2019
It gets 3 stars only because of Amanda Stevens. I picked up Dead of Night because I was a fan of Charlaine Harris but, Dancers in the Dark was poorly written and totally unnecessary. The two stories aren’t linked and in hind sight, I wish I’d just skipped to The Devil’s Footprints.
Self destructive Sarah was a likable character from the start. I hoped she wouldn’t be taken back in by Sean who just seemed to like having her on the hook. I didn’t see the plot twist or the ending coming. Even as it started to unravel, I really thought it was going a different way until Michael & Sean came together.
I could have given it 4 stars because it really was a good story, but I feel like it left me with too many stories about Luckas/Jude/Ashe and did Sarah ever talk to her real father.
Self destructive Sarah was a likable character from the start. I hoped she wouldn’t be taken back in by Sean who just seemed to like having her on the hook. I didn’t see the plot twist or the ending coming. Even as it started to unravel, I really thought it was going a different way until Michael & Sean came together.
I could have given it 4 stars because it really was a good story, but I feel like it left me with too many stories about Luckas/Jude/Ashe and did Sarah ever talk to her real father.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2017
This book has two stories in it. The first is "Dancers in the Dark" by Charlaine Harris. I cruised through this story quickly and thoroughly enjoyed it. The second was "The Devil's Footprints" by Amanda Stevens. It was a good, well-written story. I enjoyed it, but for some reason, it took me a long time to finish it. I can say that I was surprised by the ending... the twist was unexpected since everything was pointing a different direction.
May 27, 2020
This was an interesting read for sure. It started out with a beautifully done vampire story by Charlaine Harris. Then the other story was by Amanda Stevens which was mysterious and intense to read especially near the end where you were left on the edge of your seat. Both of the stories in the book were enjoyable to read, but it made no sense as to why they were put in the same volume when they were both different genres with ties of mystery in them.
April 1, 2021
I liked Dancers in the Dark a lot! "I had to die to get justice," she said. There was a moment of silence in the room." -Dancers in the Dark by Charlaine Harris. Chillingly powerful line. I know it's a story, but I feel like it has truth to it. I hope Charlaine Harris wrote that with victims that don't have a chance to see their abusers persecuted. I thought that The Devil's Footprints was drawn out and I don't like scary stuff.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2017
I enjoyed both of the stories in the book but The Devil's Footprints by Amanda Stevens was riveting. The psychological mixed with the supernatural made for a story that was very hard to put down. I highly recommend this read!!!
July 30, 2017
Loved both stories!
It's nothing new that I enjoyed a Charlaine Harris story, but the second story was really unexpectedly good too! I got pulled in and was trying to figure it all out but the ending surprised me! Really good stories!
It's nothing new that I enjoyed a Charlaine Harris story, but the second story was really unexpectedly good too! I got pulled in and was trying to figure it all out but the ending surprised me! Really good stories!
February 2, 2018
I loved these stories. The first one is by Charlaine Harris. It was short but had a great story line.
The second one had me entranced from the first page. It reminded me of Thr3e by Ted Dekker. It was a great read and I highly recommend it
The second one had me entranced from the first page. It reminded me of Thr3e by Ted Dekker. It was a great read and I highly recommend it
May 8, 2017
Fun read, somewhat predictable but entertaining and fast paced.
February 26, 2019
Typical Charlaine Harris story and I found The Devil's Footprints to be just stupid, took me forever to get through it, cause I was so bored.
January 16, 2021
Awesome!
You must absolutely read, well written, gripping, suspenseful and keeps you guessing up to the last few pages when all is revealed.
You must absolutely read, well written, gripping, suspenseful and keeps you guessing up to the last few pages when all is revealed.
June 27, 2022
Super creepy. I don’t read this type of book. It came with the Harris book and I had it 8 years before reading it. The best I can say is that it’s over. I didn’t like it.
March 11, 2024
Both stories were fun reads. I found “the devils footprints” a little trickier to get through because of how many different points of view. Like not every side character needs their story told.
February 17, 2020
Really hated the ending.
December 22, 2013
Dead of Night
Anthology by Charlaine Harris and Amanda Stevens
Dancers in the Dark is a tale from the time of the Sookie Stackhouse era. Vampires have come out and people must interact with them. They treat them as fascinating and tantalizing. But don’t forget that they are scary too.
Rue has secrets to hide and is facing a serious lack of money. Accepting an advertisement for a job, she becomes a dancer for parties. The rich want to see vampires as entertainment. Rue will dance with Sean in order to earn money but she’s not willing to trust her secrets to him, yet.
Mrs. Harris’ tale compliments the Sookie series but in a milder way. The dangerous creatures aren’t the vampires but the humans. She weaves secrets and masks who is really the scary ones. It was a nice albeit a little boring story. Full of comfort and feelings about how it’s the people who are your friends that become your true family.
The Devil’s Footprints is a crime tale and mystery from the first word. The reader get glimpses of past events but those images are distorted. We learn about a death of a young girl and the fact that her sister found her. However, there is much more to the tale and the whole town has secrets. It seems like no one bothered to tell Sarah (the sister of the dead woman) the truth about her family. Her memory loss after the death seems like a good reason but it only serves to make things easy for the people in the town, not messy and not real. Once Sarah begins to demand and search for answers does the mystery deepen.
I really loved the grittiness of the story. Sarah was a likeable characters and Ms. Stevens has me doubting her own sanity at times. Could she be the killer? In fact, everyone is suspect since everyone has secrets. It’s a tale you won’t see until the very end.
Anthology by Charlaine Harris and Amanda Stevens
Dancers in the Dark is a tale from the time of the Sookie Stackhouse era. Vampires have come out and people must interact with them. They treat them as fascinating and tantalizing. But don’t forget that they are scary too.
Rue has secrets to hide and is facing a serious lack of money. Accepting an advertisement for a job, she becomes a dancer for parties. The rich want to see vampires as entertainment. Rue will dance with Sean in order to earn money but she’s not willing to trust her secrets to him, yet.
Mrs. Harris’ tale compliments the Sookie series but in a milder way. The dangerous creatures aren’t the vampires but the humans. She weaves secrets and masks who is really the scary ones. It was a nice albeit a little boring story. Full of comfort and feelings about how it’s the people who are your friends that become your true family.
The Devil’s Footprints is a crime tale and mystery from the first word. The reader get glimpses of past events but those images are distorted. We learn about a death of a young girl and the fact that her sister found her. However, there is much more to the tale and the whole town has secrets. It seems like no one bothered to tell Sarah (the sister of the dead woman) the truth about her family. Her memory loss after the death seems like a good reason but it only serves to make things easy for the people in the town, not messy and not real. Once Sarah begins to demand and search for answers does the mystery deepen.
I really loved the grittiness of the story. Sarah was a likeable characters and Ms. Stevens has me doubting her own sanity at times. Could she be the killer? In fact, everyone is suspect since everyone has secrets. It’s a tale you won’t see until the very end.
January 5, 2014
I did not understand the pairing of these two stories in this book. Having read many of the short story collections featuring Charlaine Harris, I expected to find an underlying them that tied the stories together. Even though the tie between the stories is not apparent, I still quite enjoyed both stories.
The beginnings of the relationship between Rue, or Layla, and Sean in Dancers in the Dark, is a dark tale spun around a woman trying to hide from past. Rue had been assaulted more than once by a member of the family that financed the town where she was born. Her assault was dismissed by more than the townsmen, but by her family as well. The readers follow Rue as she begins dancing for Blue Moon Entertainment and as her past begins to stalk her.
These two characters from the Sookie Stackhouse series have always interested me, as my husband and I enjoy ballroom dancing. I enjoyed reading about how their relationship began.
The Devil's Footprints is a dark tale that forces you to question what is real. Sarah meets Ashe Cain when she is young. Ashe Cain, feeling a deep connection to Sarah, begins to hurt others that hurt Sarah. Ashe's retaliation is usually minor, until the death of Sarah's sister. Sarah believes that Ashe killed her sister Rachel; yet no one has ever seen Ashe. Is Ashe really a suppressed second personality of Sarah or is he the killer of not only Rachel but others connected to Sarah's life?
The Devil's Footprints was well written and the plot never stalled. This book has inspired me to read more works from Amanda Stevens.
The beginnings of the relationship between Rue, or Layla, and Sean in Dancers in the Dark, is a dark tale spun around a woman trying to hide from past. Rue had been assaulted more than once by a member of the family that financed the town where she was born. Her assault was dismissed by more than the townsmen, but by her family as well. The readers follow Rue as she begins dancing for Blue Moon Entertainment and as her past begins to stalk her.
These two characters from the Sookie Stackhouse series have always interested me, as my husband and I enjoy ballroom dancing. I enjoyed reading about how their relationship began.
The Devil's Footprints is a dark tale that forces you to question what is real. Sarah meets Ashe Cain when she is young. Ashe Cain, feeling a deep connection to Sarah, begins to hurt others that hurt Sarah. Ashe's retaliation is usually minor, until the death of Sarah's sister. Sarah believes that Ashe killed her sister Rachel; yet no one has ever seen Ashe. Is Ashe really a suppressed second personality of Sarah or is he the killer of not only Rachel but others connected to Sarah's life?
The Devil's Footprints was well written and the plot never stalled. This book has inspired me to read more works from Amanda Stevens.
February 26, 2014
Dead of Night is made up of novellas by urban fantasy giant Charlaine Harris and romance and thriller author Amanda Stevens. This odd pairing combines an uncharacteristically dull paranormal romance by Harris with a slightly spooky suspense story by Stevens. This strange combination is both disappointing and jarring and not one I would recommend to any paranormal romance or urban fantasy fan.
Harris' story, "Dancers in the Dark," is a predictable, formulaic story about - you guessed it - vampires. Harris combines themes from all of her novels - domestic violence, vampires and lurrrve - in this surprisingly boring story. No matter what your tastes, I would recommend that you skip "Dancers in the Dark." "The Devil's Footprints," Stevens' novella, is a page-turning thriller with spooky notes. As suspense, it wasn't terrible - Stevens builds a good atmosphere, but the resolution is a bit stale.
I still have no idea why these two novellas were combined in Dead of Night. They had nothing to do with each other, in plot, characters, tone or even genre. The transition from Harris's dull paranormal romance to Stevens' trite thriller is jarring and neither story is really very good. This one is not worth reading.
Read this review and more on The Library Lass Book Talk Blog.
Harris' story, "Dancers in the Dark," is a predictable, formulaic story about - you guessed it - vampires. Harris combines themes from all of her novels - domestic violence, vampires and lurrrve - in this surprisingly boring story. No matter what your tastes, I would recommend that you skip "Dancers in the Dark." "The Devil's Footprints," Stevens' novella, is a page-turning thriller with spooky notes. As suspense, it wasn't terrible - Stevens builds a good atmosphere, but the resolution is a bit stale.
I still have no idea why these two novellas were combined in Dead of Night. They had nothing to do with each other, in plot, characters, tone or even genre. The transition from Harris's dull paranormal romance to Stevens' trite thriller is jarring and neither story is really very good. This one is not worth reading.
Read this review and more on The Library Lass Book Talk Blog.
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