Helpful Score: 4
First Line: "All right," said the straw-haired woman in the denim jacket.
Harper Connelly was struck by lightning at the age of fifteen. She survived... with an extra "gift". She can locate dead bodies and deduce the cause of death. She and her stepbrother, Tolliver, make a living from this gift.
Harper is hired by the wealthy Joyce family to find some answers behind the death of their patriarch, Rich, but they're shocked at what Harper sees. When Harper's life is threatened, she realizes that the death of Rich Joyce may tie into her own family history. To further complicate matters, Tolliver's drug addict father is out of jail and wants a reunion. All this dredges up the pain of Harper's sister's disappearance eight years ago. Will she be able to find all the answers?
Perhaps because it has so much to do with tying up loose ends in her own past, Grave Secret is a rather somber book. Harper and Tolliver had horrible childhoods, and they've worked hard to overcome it all. Having Tolliver's father show up and bring back memories of her sister makes Harper determined to find the answers she's been looking for for over eight years.
Although I am trying to keep this review spoiler free for those who may want to read earlier books in the series, I like how Harris addresses the uneasiness readers may feel at the relationship between Harper and Tolliver by showing how other characters react.
The uneasiness I feel has nothing to do with Harper and Tolliver. It has everything to do with the continuation of the series. In another favorite series of mine written by Harris, once she said what she wanted to say about the main character, the series was finished after only five books. Harris tied up a lot of loose ends in Harper's story, but I'd still love to see a few more books about her. Let's hope Harris has more to say about this very interesting character.
Harper Connelly was struck by lightning at the age of fifteen. She survived... with an extra "gift". She can locate dead bodies and deduce the cause of death. She and her stepbrother, Tolliver, make a living from this gift.
Harper is hired by the wealthy Joyce family to find some answers behind the death of their patriarch, Rich, but they're shocked at what Harper sees. When Harper's life is threatened, she realizes that the death of Rich Joyce may tie into her own family history. To further complicate matters, Tolliver's drug addict father is out of jail and wants a reunion. All this dredges up the pain of Harper's sister's disappearance eight years ago. Will she be able to find all the answers?
Perhaps because it has so much to do with tying up loose ends in her own past, Grave Secret is a rather somber book. Harper and Tolliver had horrible childhoods, and they've worked hard to overcome it all. Having Tolliver's father show up and bring back memories of her sister makes Harper determined to find the answers she's been looking for for over eight years.
Although I am trying to keep this review spoiler free for those who may want to read earlier books in the series, I like how Harris addresses the uneasiness readers may feel at the relationship between Harper and Tolliver by showing how other characters react.
The uneasiness I feel has nothing to do with Harper and Tolliver. It has everything to do with the continuation of the series. In another favorite series of mine written by Harris, once she said what she wanted to say about the main character, the series was finished after only five books. Harris tied up a lot of loose ends in Harper's story, but I'd still love to see a few more books about her. Let's hope Harris has more to say about this very interesting character.
Helpful Score: 3
I truly enjoyed this series and loved Harper and Tolliver. Charlaine does a fantastic job at forcing Harper to not be so dependent on Tolliver and the way their relationship changes is fantastic! My mouth dropped at the end of the story! (Although, start from the begining) I wish and hope she decided to write another one!!!
Helpful Score: 2
Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris
The fourth book in the series answers many unanswered questions in the life of Harper Connelly, and her stepbrother Tolliver. They decide to take a break and visit their half sisters who live with their aunt and uncle, right after one last job.
But as often happens when you return home, bad memories surface. This is compounded when Tolliver finds out his father, Matthew, is out of jail and wanting to reconnect with his children. Mark, Tollivers brother, wants to be there for his dad but Tolliver wants nothing to do with his father.
Tolliver and Harper tell their aunt and uncle about there new relationship and put a strain on the visit. To make matters worse Matthew will not take no for an answer and shows up when Tolliver and Harper are visiting their sisters.
Things heat up when Tolliver gets shot and a police officer who is protecting Harper dies from a gunshot. It seems that the last case is somehow connected to the broken home Harper and Tolliver grew up in.
If you liked any of the first book you will really enjoy the fourth, but if you are new to the series start at the beginning this is not a story line you can jump into and expect to get as much out of it if you dont know the back story.
The fourth book in the series answers many unanswered questions in the life of Harper Connelly, and her stepbrother Tolliver. They decide to take a break and visit their half sisters who live with their aunt and uncle, right after one last job.
But as often happens when you return home, bad memories surface. This is compounded when Tolliver finds out his father, Matthew, is out of jail and wanting to reconnect with his children. Mark, Tollivers brother, wants to be there for his dad but Tolliver wants nothing to do with his father.
Tolliver and Harper tell their aunt and uncle about there new relationship and put a strain on the visit. To make matters worse Matthew will not take no for an answer and shows up when Tolliver and Harper are visiting their sisters.
Things heat up when Tolliver gets shot and a police officer who is protecting Harper dies from a gunshot. It seems that the last case is somehow connected to the broken home Harper and Tolliver grew up in.
If you liked any of the first book you will really enjoy the fourth, but if you are new to the series start at the beginning this is not a story line you can jump into and expect to get as much out of it if you dont know the back story.
Helpful Score: 2
This wasn't my favorite book of the series, but I still enjoyed it. Many questions about Harper's sister are answered, but I felt like the ending was rushed. THings tied up a little too neatly. HOwever, if you have read books 1-3 you won't want to miss out on this one...
Helpful Score: 1
This books follows along with what we have come to know of our dead body seeking/finding duo. The difference here is there is some sex thrown in.
