Bon Temps

Bon Temps is a fictional city located in Renard Parish in Northwestern Louisiana. It borders the city of Monroe and is a short drive from the city of Shreveport. Bon Temps is the primary setting in The Southern Vampire Mysteries series of novels written by Charlaine Harris. It is also the setting of the HBO television series True Blood, which adapts Harris' books.

Description
Bon Temps is a rural community with a close-knit population where everybody literally knows everybody else. One of the oldest families living in Bon Temps are the Comptons whose family owned a plantation house that still exists today. The only known surviving member of the Compton family is Bill Compton, a vampire who claimed the Compton estate upon the passing of its former owner. Directly across the field from the Compton house is the Stackhouse residence. This farmhouse has been in the family for many generations and was built some time in the mid 1840s. Those seeking more leisurely pursuits usually find their way to Merlotte's Bar and Grill owned by Sam Merlotte. At some point or another, nearly everyone in Bon Temps stops at Bon Temps for a drink or for some food. One of the more prominent community groups in Bon Temps is the Descendents of the Glorious Dead, an organization devoted towards studying the history of Bon Temps as it relates to the American Civil War.

History
In 2008, the quiet community of Bon Temps endured a radical change to their surroundings when Bill Compton came to town. Compton was Bon Temps' first "out-of-the-coffin" vampire and his presence in the town caused both excitement and reservation. When a string of bizarre murders began to take place shortly following Compton's arrival, many naturally assumed that he was responsible. It wasn't long however, before the townsfolk realized that the true serial murderer in their midsts was actually one of their own.

In 2009, a woman calling herself Maryann Forrester came to Bon Temps and was responsible for causing a great deal of commotion. Maryann was actually a supernatural entity known as a Maenad, a witch of great power, who used her abilities to brainwash a large portion of the town's population into her cult.

Points of Interest

 * Compton residence: The Compton residence is an old plantation house dating back prior to the American Civil War. It is located across the field from the Stackhouse residence. It has remained in the Compton family for generations, though has fallen into grave disrepair in recent years. In 2008, Bill Compton, last known surviving member of the Compton family, moved into the house. It is presently occupied by Compton, as well as his vampire protégé, Jessica Hamby.


 * Grabbit Quick: Grabbit Quick was a convenience store and one of the few in Bon Temps that actually sold Tru Blood. Maudette Pickens worked here as a clerk.


 * Sav-a-Bunch: Sav-a-Bunch is a home improvement retail outlet. Tara Thornton worked here for a short time before an unpleasant altercation with a customer prompted her to quit.


 * Merlotte's Bar and Grill: The most popular drinking establishment in Bon Temps, this bar is run by Sam Merlotte who lives in a trailer directly behind the building. He finances his establishment with money stolen from Maryanne Forrester. Staff at Merlotte's includes Sookie Stackhouse, Tara Thornton, Lafayette Reynolds, Arlene Fowler, Dawn Green, Amy Burley, Daphne Landry and Terry Bellefleur.


 * Stachouse residence: This refers to either the small home formerly owned by Michelle and Corbett Stackhouse (now occupied by Jason Stackhouse), or the family farm formerly owned by Adele Stackhouse and now owned by her granddaughter, Sookie.

Characters from

 * Adele Stackhouse
 * Arlene Fowler
 * Andy Bellefleur
 * Bill Compton
 * Bud Dearborne
 * Corbett Stackhouse
 * Dawn Green
 * Denise Rattray
 * Hoyt Fortenberry
 * Jane Bodehouse
 * Jason Stackhouse
 * Lafayette Reynolds
 * Lettie Mae Thornton
 * Lorena
 * Mack Rattray
 * Maudette Pickens
 * Maxine Fortenberry
 * Michelle Stackhouse
 * Tara Thornton
 * Terry Bellefleur

Other characters
Includes those who have lived in, though they were not necessarily born and raised there.


 * Amy Burley
 * Eggs Talley
 * Maryann Forrester
 * Rene Lenier
 * Sam Merlotte