Cover Art for DeadLocked!
November 11, 2011 in Book Spoilers, Deadlocked - Book 12, Sookie Stackhouse, Southern Vampire Mysteries
The cover art for the 12th book, DeadLocked, due out May 1st, has been released!
Looks like Sookie is going to use the Cluviel Dor in next installment of the Southern Vampire Mysteries, but for what? And what exactly is in her hot little hands? A letter.. from Niall perhaps?
Thanks to J-9 for finding the cover, the image courtesy of Wickedscribes.
Let the speculation begin!


There is so much going on here!
My guess is that in her hands is a letter to the Queen of OK that says, “back off my man bitch!”
I’m guessing (and hoping) thats what she uses the CD for.
*SQUEEEE*
I happy just so damn happy to have BOOK NEWS!
The Culviel Dor being open and the letter in Sookie’s hand has me so intrigued. I’m sure it will spark much debate.
The cover does seem to tell a lot about the story, but, I wouldn’t put it past CH to surprise us.
I hope she uses CD to “save” Eric (I guess it can be called saving him, right?).
oooo, Margaux I like your way of thinking. My fingers are crossed for that, too!
Awesome!
Thanks so much for the early find.
SVB RULES!
EXCITED!
OMG, OMG I actually had difficulty breathing when I first saw that LOL.
Looks like the CD is going to take center stage.
Why the wolfs, be gone wolfs.
Love the colors by the way.
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OMG, OMG I actually had difficulty breathing when I first saw that LOL.
Looks like the CD is going to take center stage.
Why the wolfs, be gone wolfs.
No Eric, don’t panic.
Love the colors by the way.
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Yeah, the first thing I noticed was the three wolves. Is that a random number, or are there three for a reason. LOVE that the CD is front and center.
arghhhhh, so anxious!
Me too, Lyta. I’m both nervous and excited. lol
I got too excited and posted twice. Fuck I want this book. Feel free to delete me – I’m having one of my moments
LOL. I’m pretty excited at the moment too.
I’ll fix that.
Me too Evie! I screamed when I saw the post!
LOL my cat was sat on my knee and I just squealed – she has now high-tailed it through the cat-flap. You really do have problems when your cat thinks you are insane.
I screamed and my husband came running in. “Oh sorry honey, it’s just that the new Sookie cover is out.” Then he looks at me like I’m crazy
He’s just jelaous… LOL
*not able to write or speak at the moment*
*having breathing issues*
Oh wow, the CD is on the cover!! Holy wow!
Ah the Cluviel Dor! I just can’t imagine her not using it in regards to her and Eric’s situation. Here’s hoping anyways.
*back to life*
Soooo….no vamps on the cover *trying to not have a panic attack*
But wolves and shifters everybody really give a s*** about but as long as it’s about Sam’s secret agenda im fine
I hope it’s not like book 5 and there’s a plot with vampires too, with Eric i mean lol.
I’m trying to not panic over that either Mony. Eric wasn’t on the cover of DR but they are still together in it even though there is a rift between them.
You’re right, he wasn’t there, so breathe Mony, just breathe lol.
The fact that there’s wolves on the cover is making me more nervous then the fact that there’s no Eric.
I would like to know what Alcide’s gonna do this time!! -.-’
Well, there were no vamps on DR either, and that turned out ok.
That’s actually the first thing I noticed, before I even saw the cluviel dor. Is this the first time there hasn’t been a vampire on the cover?
No, no vampire on Dead Reckoning either. And LDID had Sookie alone sitting on Bill’s coffin.
Something I hadn’t noticed at the time I read LDID but noticed recently when when looking at the old covers, LDID, the book that CH decided she knew the HEA sometime while writing, has a heart in the sky on the cover. I love this book.
hmm, does anyone think that the bats could represent vampires?
Me! At first I didn’t see them for some reason. I had to look twice! Maybe it was because I was so shocked to see the CD. lol
So the vamps and the wolves seem to be surrounding Sookie’s house. Do you guys think it’s possible for Sookie to do a “redo” and start over?
I’m going with “no”, the bats aren’t vampires.
1.) It goes against Charlaine’s mythology.
2.) The last time we saw bats on the cover was the Sookie Stackhouse Companion, which didn’t exactly feature vampires. Luna Garza was in the SCC, who is a Werebat, and from Texas.
3.) Lisa Desimini doesn’t usually do “subtle symbolism” with her cover art but rather blatant representation of a scene with the added stipulation by the publishers that Sookie is floating. Dead in the Family‘s cover with the rose is probably the most blatant use of symbolism, but a giant rose is much different from what appears to be a house, wolves, bats, and Sookie with the Cluviel Dor. It just seems.. so specific.
I’m thinking the bats are shifters / Werebats. .. Or “just bats.” LOL.
Ah yes, good point! I completely forgot about the Companion cover!
[...] thanks to the Sookieverseblog for the heads [...]
Are those wolves or collies? Gah!
They have to be wolves, because there’s more than one, right?
I think they are wolves based on body size and shape, plus the fact that it looks like they are howling and there are three of them. I’m sure some will think ‘collie’ though b/c of Sam…but not me
Wow! Sooo excited! This just made my day!
I wonder if the letter is from Niall or QOK. I’m pretty disappointed that there aren’t any vampires on the cover. Unfortunately, it looks like the weres have a lot to do with this book. Are they watching over Sookie or is she trying to get away from them?
Safe to say that since she is in the middle of the light, she uses it for herself, not someone else.
God, the letter could be ANYTHING! Maybe it’s just Gran’s letter.
I think it has to be Gran’s letter.
Gosh it would be swell if the title of book 12 “Deadlocked” meant Sookie was deadlocked interwined in the Supe world/ Vamp marriage to Eric **smile**
i see CH is using the color Lavendar on this book cover.. the color lavendar was used alot in s3 of TB.. **sigh** i cross my finger’s that Eric becomes King no matter what in this series.. because CH treds to closely to Ann Rice IMO on many accounts.. i’m growing a little annoyed..
I’m liking her outfit on this cover. It’s a bit more modern then the last couple covers with a big green dress.
Not sure if that represents anything but it’s nice to see.
OMG!! This has made my day and perked me up! *bounces* Good Gawd 6 months to go. *sniffle* I’m so excited for book news again.
Squeeeeeee
So so so excited! Love the colors, beautiful. What’s with the wolves and the bats? The CD open and the letter in Sookie’s hand, oohhh :O I wonder if that’s connected? I want the letter to be something related to the queen of Oklahoma but it’s probably from Niall.
I can not wait!!!
First thing I noticed: the CD.
Second thing I noticed: no vampires.
Thanks to both the EL’s fairy godmother and the EL’s housemother, without you two the Sookieverse wouldn’t be nearly as much fun! I’m afraid the purple does not bode well for the Sookster. Is there some sparkle on that cover that I can’t see?
Ah, I was waiting for some book news since usually the teaser chapter shows up at the end of the year.
I must say I admire CH for publishing a book every year *cough* G.R.R. Martin *cough*.
I’m usually terrible at predicting anything from the book from the cover art, but it seems to me the wolves are outside Sookie’s house, watching over her. We’ve seen her need guards before – from the fairies, so maybe that’s it. She’s obviously going to “open” the cluviel dor in DL, which is exciting. I didn’t want that to drag on too long. The letter – my bet is Niall.
I’m not at all worried about the lack of a vampire on the cover. At this point, Sookie’s life is too intertwined with the undead of Louisiana for Eric, etc. not to play a big role in the next two books. Of course, I’m convinced that Eric is the HEA, although I expect some serious angst before all is said and done.
what if the wolves circling the house have come to harm Sookie,
she is in mortal danger with no obvious way to escape,she rushes to get grans letter, i’m sure it says somewhere that three is the key, sees the three wolves, says the magic words I want to escape three times and the cluviel Dor opens up and the green beam of light magically sends her to Eric!
So Sookie is alone (again) with a letter in her hand and a used CD. I would feel a lot better if Eric was in her hand instead of the letter unless this is symbolizing her overturning the content os QOK’s contract. I don’t think her HEA will be determined in this book.
I wish her HEA would be deterimend once and for all in this book so the last book can focus more on her settled into her relationship and solving a mystery. I know that won’t happen though. I just read the Cat/Bones Night Huntress books and it makes me wish that CH would just settle the suitor thing before the last book. I would rather have know for sure that Eric/Sookie will be together and focus on other things in the last book. Again I know that is just wishful thinking.
Well now I can’t concentrate on anything. I have to bust out the books…cuz I’m having an anxiety attack. EEEEEeeeeek!
It’s not a shock we get such an ambiguous cover;) Are the weres a threat or protection? Is the letter to or from someone? Who – QOK, Eric, Niall?
The very best thing about this cover is the fact there is no collie on it!
Eeeeww there’s wolves on the cover! I thought we could be done with the Weres after Sookie kicks Alcide out of her bed and straight out tells him she doesn’t even LIKE him anymore. ugh
Well, still, book news is good news and I’m super excited about the cover! It’s going to be interesting to see what Sookie uses the Cluviel Dor for. I was thinking that would get saved until the last book. Good to see we won’t have to wait!
I think the wolves must have something to do with Sam’s main squeeze…is it Janalynn? With that whole thing in the last book with them finally killing Sandra and then pushing her into the portal mail slot. *sigh* Those stupid Pelts. Anyway…I have a terrible suspicion that the fairies at houligans will end up forcing Sookie to use the CD. The suspense! Waaahhhh!!!!
My first thought was that the letter has to do with Mr. Cataliades. I don’t know what it could be but that’s what I think.
I like Janerica’s thought the the weres on the cover have something to do with Jannalyn.
OK I can’t help it now, I have to break-out the books and start a re-read. I think Eddy is right that three is the key. To use the CD, didn’t Gran or Mr Cal say three was the key? So we have the CD=3. There are three wolves, and three bats clustered in two sets, so that equals three again. Ooh this is so exciting!
I’m so excited the cover is out but still worried about Eric’s future and this doesn’t make it better.
I am so excited to see this! Where is she taking that letter or more importantly to whom. It kind of looks like she is being transported or running to something or someone! That was my first take. It is soooooo long until May.
I think she must be running too, that’s the only thing that would explain the awkard stance and her hair blowing back. Instead of looking back like on DR, she’s running foward – to her future? A future with a Viking or a collie? “Please Mr. Postman” comes to mind…
Isn’t Sookie supposed to get kidnapped in this book?
Yay great to see some book art. looks like the weres are going to be back in the action (darn it I thought they were gone after Alcide was in Sookie’s bed)
wow…great to see the cover, very exciting! Cannot speculate yet – must run and read DR first …hope the letter has something to do with her future with Eric…maybe it’s letter from him…cannot wait to read it
Holy crap, we have a bookcover! I am sneaking this comment in while I am at work. I literally can’t concentrate at the moment. I want this book so bad, I can taste it.
So no vamps on the cover and looks like the cluviel dor actually gets used. I really didn’t think Sookie would use it. And the letter? Who’s it from? What do the wolves/shifters mean? I wanna know now dammit!
Is it May yet????
The three wolves and the bats grouped by three….hmmm? I know I am reading too much into it, but she is wearing a red shirt.
That just makes me think of Eric. Im wondering if those are werebats, what they’re doing at Sook’s? She looks like she is escaping in my opinion…time will tell!
Covertime! Wahoo!
Thanks FGM!
Obviously, Sookie is using the CD to wish her other leg back – duh!!!!!!
It doesn’t bother me that there are no vamps on the cover, I think I might be more worried if there was. I really don’t expect much mention of Eric in the first chapter either. The last book, will probably not have a vamp or a collie on it either, that would be like giving away the answer of the decade too far in advance of the last book.
Since I always say the craziest thing I see in the mist – it looks like on the right side that a very evil face is breathing into someone. I also see a cross on the left side in the mist. The mist in LD’s covers fascinates me. I would love to read her comments some day on what she was thinking with each cover.
LOL at the missing leg – Maybe the missing leg is intentional? Its almost like a jump position
oh god I can’t take 5.5mths more of this….
LOL – Maybe she is going to wish back that QSA never lost her legs!
I still do not like the CD, I still think is a “deux ex machina.” I really do not think she will use to change his story, but here I’m hoping that if it is to use the CD, that is a reason that actually worth, not to avoid something that ultimately would not have much importance for the main story. I’ll be so pissed if she uses the CD to something less important, and all the anticipation has not been for nothing. I did not expect him to use the CD in this book already. I hope she really use the CD to solve a “deadlocked.”
I’m not so worried that she is alone on the cover, as I was for DL.
Let’s hope, I can not speculate only by cover.
Sorry, I meant:
That I’m not so worried she is alone on the cover, how I was for the DR.
Grammar much? Sorry I should have proofread that
Hmm, after I thought about it a moment, it doesn’t really surprise me that it looks like Sookie is using the Cluviel Dor in this book…not once I thought about the name of the book.
Deadlocked…..”A deadlock is a situation where in two or more competing actions are each waiting for the other to finish, and thus neither ever does.” “This situation may be likened to two people who are drawing diagrams, with only one pencil and one ruler between them. If one person takes the pencil and the other takes the ruler, a deadlock occurs when the person with the pencil needs the ruler and the person with the ruler needs the pencil to finish his work with the ruler. Neither request can be satisfied, so a deadlock occurs.” (Wikipedia).
So I’m wondering what kind of deadlock occurs and if it IS what makes Sookie use the Cluviel Dor.
I also think it could be good if she uses the Cluviel Dor in this book. That way whatever the consequences of it, it will give her and Eric plenty of time to dead with it and get on with their HEA in the last book! *softly chanting: Eric and Sookie will have an HEA, Eric and Sookie will have an HEA, Eric and Sookie will have an HEA*
Whatever happens, I’m super excited. about the book news! Even though it also makes me more impatient for May to get here!
Is that a wolf howling??? I have to seen the details bigger. Will be back.
I just want it to be May already!
I have been thinking about this more. I think the book will be about Sookie figuring out how to open the cluviel (hence the title Deadlocked).
To me it looks like she is being sucked in the cluviel, maybe transported to the fae realm?
Alright SVB, I’m dying to hear your take on the cover!
I’m not sure what I think of the cover yet. Some of the vover kind of reminds me of the Dead Until Dark cover that had the house on fire in the background and Sookie in the air. Also, it reminds me a little of the Dead to the World cover with the werewolves on the ground and a little purple in the background. This was a pleasant surprise because I wasn’t expecting to see the cover today. I like Dead Reckoning cover better. I wonder what paper Sookie is holding? I hope it’s not divorce papers.
I still worry about the Cluvial Dor. I really have no clue if it will turn out to be a good thing or a bad thing. I worry that it is a Pandora’s box. IDK