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
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: 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: 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.
Helpful Score: 1
This was the latest in the Harper Connelly series and really wrapped up a lot of cliffhangers dealt out in the first three books. Harper takes on a case which unknowingly brings her and Tolliver into a much more personal case that they have been searching on for years. Lots of family members make themselves actual characters in this novel instead of just back story. I must say that I felt like this one dragged on for me a bit. There was the intense storyline and surprise the previous held, but it did give me a big twist, which I didn't see coming. I enjoyed this among many of Charlaine Harris', but it wasn't the engrossing story which held my attention in the previous three.
Helpful Score: 1
I love Charlaine Harris, her books are quick easy reads, with characters you can love. Her mysteries are simply laid out, but you still can't guess who it is till the end. Harper and Tolliver's life has never been simple, but they have managed to make a life for themselves...together. In this story, they finally have all the answers to their sisters disappearance and the identity of the little sister they had raised. A few people die along the way, and some actually deserve it. I read this book in one afternoon. If you have read the Sookie Stackhouse or Lilly Bard series, you will love Harper Connelly. Start at the beginning and you won't be disappointed.
www.texasreader-stacy.blogspot.com
www.texasreader-stacy.blogspot.com
Helpful Score: 1
This is the fourth (and surmised last) novel in the Harper Connelly mysteries series. This was a pretty good book and it tied up a lot of the mystery surrounding Harper and Tolliver's family.
In this book Harper and Tolliver are doing a job near the area they were raised in as children. During Harper's reading she unintentionally upsets her client by revealing some unknown information about death of one of the people in the cemetery. She thinks nothing of it until someone shoots Tolliver through the window of their motel. During a visit with Tolliver's brother, Mark, they find out that their dad (Tolliver's dad, Harper's step-dad) just got let out of jail. All of these things start piling on top of each other; someone's out to kill Harper, Tolliver's dad won't leave them alone, there is a spotting of Harper's sister who went missing twelve years earlier, and Harper's most recent client is out to get some answers. Could it all be coincidence? Or is everything that is happening related?
This was a great mystery. I was a bit concerned when the beginning of the book read more like a complex soap opera than anything else. But to Harris's credit there are a lot of entangling relationships to set up at the beginning of the book. Maybe a third way through the book things really start to pick up pace as the mystery grabs hold and Harper is constantly fearing for her life.
I have always liked Tolliver and Harper's characters. They are believable and vulnerable; and yet, they do their best to be good people. I loved how Harris dealt with their evolving relationship. Harris does a good job with all of the characters in this series.
The plot was twisted and somewhat complicated. I enjoyed it. The pace of the book is definitely relentless and griping once you get past the first third. Poor Harper goes through so much over and over again. It was a well put together book, with a good pace, and a good plot.
I also enjoyed how everything was wrapped up. You get answers to most of your questions, there are a couple small unknowns left, but the book sums up everything nicely and leaves the characters in good spots. This has been a fun series to read all around and this book was no exception to that.
In this book Harper and Tolliver are doing a job near the area they were raised in as children. During Harper's reading she unintentionally upsets her client by revealing some unknown information about death of one of the people in the cemetery. She thinks nothing of it until someone shoots Tolliver through the window of their motel. During a visit with Tolliver's brother, Mark, they find out that their dad (Tolliver's dad, Harper's step-dad) just got let out of jail. All of these things start piling on top of each other; someone's out to kill Harper, Tolliver's dad won't leave them alone, there is a spotting of Harper's sister who went missing twelve years earlier, and Harper's most recent client is out to get some answers. Could it all be coincidence? Or is everything that is happening related?
This was a great mystery. I was a bit concerned when the beginning of the book read more like a complex soap opera than anything else. But to Harris's credit there are a lot of entangling relationships to set up at the beginning of the book. Maybe a third way through the book things really start to pick up pace as the mystery grabs hold and Harper is constantly fearing for her life.
I have always liked Tolliver and Harper's characters. They are believable and vulnerable; and yet, they do their best to be good people. I loved how Harris dealt with their evolving relationship. Harris does a good job with all of the characters in this series.
The plot was twisted and somewhat complicated. I enjoyed it. The pace of the book is definitely relentless and griping once you get past the first third. Poor Harper goes through so much over and over again. It was a well put together book, with a good pace, and a good plot.
I also enjoyed how everything was wrapped up. You get answers to most of your questions, there are a couple small unknowns left, but the book sums up everything nicely and leaves the characters in good spots. This has been a fun series to read all around and this book was no exception to that.
Harper Connelly was struck by lightning when she was a teenager. Since then, she has had the ability to find dead people and discern their last minutes. On her way to Texas with her stepbrother Tolliver Lang, Harper makes a quick stop when the Joyce family requests a reading on their grandfather's grave. Telling the Joyce family the circumstances of Mr. Joyce's death opens up a whole can of worms.
Meanwhile, Harper and Tolliver visit their younger sisters and Tolliver's older brother, Mark. They learn that Mark and Tolliver's father, Matthew Lang, is fresh out of prison and wants to reconcile with the family. On returning to their hometown, memories come crashing back. Harper's older sister Cameron disappeared without a trace eight years ago. When an anonymous caller informs the police that they saw someone matching Cameron's description at the local mall, Harper begins asking the questions she didn't ask as a teen.
This is the final book in the Harper Connelly series. Harper and Tolliver tell their family that they are a couple, much to the dismay of their relatives. I think people would accept their relationship more easily if Harper quit calling Tolliver "her brother". It just confuses people since they really are not related.
One of my favorite characters, Manfred Bernardo, is back to help Harper. I wish the author would give him his own book. I loved both of the mysteries in this book. When attempts on Harper & Tolliver's lives are made, the suspense ramped up. I was shocked by a huge twist near the end of the book and totally satisfied with the end of this series. My rating: 5 Stars.
Meanwhile, Harper and Tolliver visit their younger sisters and Tolliver's older brother, Mark. They learn that Mark and Tolliver's father, Matthew Lang, is fresh out of prison and wants to reconcile with the family. On returning to their hometown, memories come crashing back. Harper's older sister Cameron disappeared without a trace eight years ago. When an anonymous caller informs the police that they saw someone matching Cameron's description at the local mall, Harper begins asking the questions she didn't ask as a teen.
This is the final book in the Harper Connelly series. Harper and Tolliver tell their family that they are a couple, much to the dismay of their relatives. I think people would accept their relationship more easily if Harper quit calling Tolliver "her brother". It just confuses people since they really are not related.
One of my favorite characters, Manfred Bernardo, is back to help Harper. I wish the author would give him his own book. I loved both of the mysteries in this book. When attempts on Harper & Tolliver's lives are made, the suspense ramped up. I was shocked by a huge twist near the end of the book and totally satisfied with the end of this series. My rating: 5 Stars.
This was a fourth book in the series in this book you find out what has happened to Harper's long lost abducted sister and so many more family secrets come out all linked around her gift of talking to the dead. We get to see alot more of Manfred (psychic friend) in this book whom I really like and hope that his character continues to be expanded. Not much changes between Harper and Tolliver in this story except in the very last two pages which I thought could have been elaborated on a little bit more, but maybe in book 5! This was a quick read, but not as captivating as the first three. I felt like this book was forced and not much thought put into the story line. Happy Reads!(
I have really enjoyed the continuing story of Harper Connelly and her brother Tolliver. Although, I am sad that this series will most likely end with this book Harper's story has finally come full circle. As always, Charlaine Harris creates likeable and entertaining characters that are always a pleasure to read about. But, as is often the case with her stories the ending seems a bit rushed and wrapped up quickly. This abrupt departure at the end from the pacing she maintains throughout the book always leaves me feeling slightly cheated.
This is the final book in the series, as confirmed by Mrs. Harris on her website. She says "never say never," but she currently doesn't intend to write any more books in this series.
I think it was a weak conclusion to the series. Other people have said it, but there really is too much repitition in this book and in this series overall. We're constantly reminded of their horrible upbringing, the lightning strike and how it gave her this power and weakened her leg, about her relationship with Tolliver, about how their younger sisters wound up with Hank and Iona, etc. On top of that, the conclusion to this book felt convoluted and rushed.
I'm a fan of Harris's work and I enjoyed this series, but I was definitely disappointed with the ending. I think there was just too much going on in this book for its length and then it was all wrapped up quickly and a little too neatly. Personally, I think that out of all of the characters in this series, I think the only one I was left wanting to see more of was Manfred Bernardo. I think it would be awesome if Mrs. Harris did a spin-off series with him as the lead, though probably unlikely. Still, I think he was a great character and I'm glad he had a part to play in this last book
I think it was a weak conclusion to the series. Other people have said it, but there really is too much repitition in this book and in this series overall. We're constantly reminded of their horrible upbringing, the lightning strike and how it gave her this power and weakened her leg, about her relationship with Tolliver, about how their younger sisters wound up with Hank and Iona, etc. On top of that, the conclusion to this book felt convoluted and rushed.
I'm a fan of Harris's work and I enjoyed this series, but I was definitely disappointed with the ending. I think there was just too much going on in this book for its length and then it was all wrapped up quickly and a little too neatly. Personally, I think that out of all of the characters in this series, I think the only one I was left wanting to see more of was Manfred Bernardo. I think it would be awesome if Mrs. Harris did a spin-off series with him as the lead, though probably unlikely. Still, I think he was a great character and I'm glad he had a part to play in this last book
Wonderful series 9 out of 10
I must say, I was rather disappointed in this book. I think Harris is a great writer and have enjoyed all her books so far. When I read the back cover and found out Harper and Tolliver were finally going to learn what happened to Cameron, I got excited. And then I read the book.
Rarely do books depress me, unless that is the subject matter or the intention. I don't believe Harris intended for this book to be so depressing, but it was. Both Harerp and Tolliver come from backgrounds that started out well and then ended up being quite bad. After everything they've lost, finding out what really happened to Cameron made it just that much worse.
I personally wouldn't recommend this book, but if you are a fan of Harris and have liked the series so far, I probably won't deter you from reading it. Just remember, fair warning!
Rarely do books depress me, unless that is the subject matter or the intention. I don't believe Harris intended for this book to be so depressing, but it was. Both Harerp and Tolliver come from backgrounds that started out well and then ended up being quite bad. After everything they've lost, finding out what really happened to Cameron made it just that much worse.
I personally wouldn't recommend this book, but if you are a fan of Harris and have liked the series so far, I probably won't deter you from reading it. Just remember, fair warning!
In Grave Secret, Harper Connelly -- and Charlaine Harris' fans -- receive some long-awaited answers to many of the questions posed in the first three books of the series. Instead of centering around a random, anonymous case facing supernatural corpse-detector Harper, the mystery woven through this book is intimately connected to Harper's own family, and her own tragic unsolved crime.
Grave Secret picks up shortly after the events of An Ice Cold Grave. Harper and her step-brother (now, lover) Tolliver have returned to their hometown to spend some time with their two young sisters, Gracie and Mariella. While they're back in familiar territory, they reconnect with Tolliver's older brother, Mark and less happily, with Tolliver's father Matthew, recently released from prison. While in town, Harper also takes a case for a rich local ranching family to help them determine the cause of death of the family patriarch.
Seemingly unconnected events start to collide when Tolliver is shot in their hotel room, and Harper begins to unravel an almost unbelievable chain of events that circle back to the mystery she's been trying to solve for 8 years -- the disappearance of her sister, Cameron.
I didn't realize this was the last planned book in the Harper Connelly series, although that fact became clear quickly as the book progressed. Harris does a good job of resolving loose ends and giving her heroine some answers, although the process seems a little rushed at times. I think the book might have benefitted from another 100 pages or so to help flesh out some of the plot points, but Harris is a genius at wrapping up convoluted story lines, and she does not disappoint in Grave Secret. Fans will be satisfied with the conclusion, I think.
Frankly, I'm happy to see a resolution to the Harper Connelly series. I enjoyed it, but it paled in comparison to the author's wildly popular Sookie Stackhouse books. If concluding this series gives Harris more time to spend dreaming up adventures for Sookie and the supes in Bon Temps, I'm more than happy to bid Harper a fond farewell.
Grave Secret picks up shortly after the events of An Ice Cold Grave. Harper and her step-brother (now, lover) Tolliver have returned to their hometown to spend some time with their two young sisters, Gracie and Mariella. While they're back in familiar territory, they reconnect with Tolliver's older brother, Mark and less happily, with Tolliver's father Matthew, recently released from prison. While in town, Harper also takes a case for a rich local ranching family to help them determine the cause of death of the family patriarch.
Seemingly unconnected events start to collide when Tolliver is shot in their hotel room, and Harper begins to unravel an almost unbelievable chain of events that circle back to the mystery she's been trying to solve for 8 years -- the disappearance of her sister, Cameron.
I didn't realize this was the last planned book in the Harper Connelly series, although that fact became clear quickly as the book progressed. Harris does a good job of resolving loose ends and giving her heroine some answers, although the process seems a little rushed at times. I think the book might have benefitted from another 100 pages or so to help flesh out some of the plot points, but Harris is a genius at wrapping up convoluted story lines, and she does not disappoint in Grave Secret. Fans will be satisfied with the conclusion, I think.
Frankly, I'm happy to see a resolution to the Harper Connelly series. I enjoyed it, but it paled in comparison to the author's wildly popular Sookie Stackhouse books. If concluding this series gives Harris more time to spend dreaming up adventures for Sookie and the supes in Bon Temps, I'm more than happy to bid Harper a fond farewell.
This fourth Harper Connelly book had some good twists and turns and Ms. Harris kept the f-bombs to a minumum....only two if I remember correctly. I think this installment was the best of them all. But the ending was in such a way that I wonder if this series is finished?? The bad part....I get so tired of Ms. Harris' negitive writing style...so many characters are described in such a negative light. I don't think any one person is written in a good way in any of the Charlaine Harris books I have read. Also, I really don't like Harper. I know, I know, she has good reason to be hard and such, given her nightmare of an upbringing. Her selfishness and seemingly constant lack of compassion for other's was really getting on my nerves.
Fourth in the Harper Connelly series. Harper and Tolliver are back in Texas to determine the cause of death of a wealthy rancher. The trip to the cemetary brings a surprise when Harper stands on the grave of a young woman that was once the rancher's caregiver. This information puts Harper and Tolliver in danger. Harper and Tolliver announce that they are a couple. I found this to be a little unsettling since they have made such a big deal about them being brother and sister. I realize that they are not truly related by blood, but the whole situation made me think "eewww". Lots more information on their childhood and the search continues for Harper's sister, Cameron.
The best book in the series in my opinion. Harper is not nearly as wimpy in this one as I feel she has been in the previous three. It always drove me nuts how dependant she is on Tolliver. While I still feel a bit icky ( couldn't think of a better word ) about their relationship, I've gotten used to it. I'm not sure if this is the last in the series but it sure seems like it. Everything was wrapped up nicely in this one and the ending was a bit of a shocker to me. I literally never suspected and I usually figure things out in mysteries way before the end. Kudos to Charlaine Harris for the surprise ending. I hope I'm not giving anything away to those who have yet to read it. I'm trying to stay vague about details.
The one thing that drove me nuts was that it was set in my city, Garland Texas. It is glaringly obvious that Ms. Harris must have just picked the name from a map because all her descriptions are way off. I like when books set in certain cities give accurate details and make me feel like I know something about those cities when I'm finished reading. This gave no accurate details at all of my hometown.
The one thing that drove me nuts was that it was set in my city, Garland Texas. It is glaringly obvious that Ms. Harris must have just picked the name from a map because all her descriptions are way off. I like when books set in certain cities give accurate details and make me feel like I know something about those cities when I'm finished reading. This gave no accurate details at all of my hometown.
I love this series but was a little disappointed with the characters and the plot. Since this is the the 4th in the series I already expect the characters to act and think in a certain manner and I found that it was almost like the author had run out of ideas for them and just finished them off any way she could.
Quite an enjoyable Harper Connelly book. I am glad that we finally get some closure on the baggage that Harper has had to carry with her. Harper has never been one of my favorite Charlaine Harris characters. She is a little too damaged and needy for my liking, but I did enjoy the way that this book wrapped up a lot of the stuff that Harper has carried with her.
I like the way that Charlaine Harris left us with a possible opening for future books, but a conclusion that we can live with if no more come.
I like the way that Charlaine Harris left us with a possible opening for future books, but a conclusion that we can live with if no more come.
I just loved this series and would be ecstatic if Ms Harris added to it!
Excellent series. I recommend it.
Really enjoyed it!!
Lightning-struck sleuth Harper Connelly and her stepbrother Tolliver take a break from looking for the dead to visit the two little girls they both think of as sisters. But, as always happens when they travel to Texas, memories of their horrible childhood resurface. To make matters worse, Tolliver learns from his older brother that their father is out of jail and trying to reestablish contact with other family members. Tolliver wants no part of the man- but he may not have a choice in the matter.
Soon, family secrets ensnare them both, as Harper finally discovers what happened to her missing sister, Cameron, so many years before.
Soon, family secrets ensnare them both, as Harper finally discovers what happened to her missing sister, Cameron, so many years before.
This is the fourth in Harris's Harper Connelly series. This one has Harper and her step-brother Tolliver developing a romantic attachment, Tolliver's dad is out of prison and wants to see Tolliver and see the girls. Tolliver doesn't want anything to do with him but of course as it is with family things get tangled. And finally after all these years Harper learns what happened to her sister Cameron. For those of you following the series, the answer to that question will shock everyone, it will blindside you as much as it blindsides Harper. As usual, Ms. Harris does not disappoint. Thi may be her best Harper series book yet
You can't get better than Charlaine Harris - and this is one of her best!
The book jacket say: Lightning-struck sleuth Harper Connelly and her stepbrother Tolliver take a break from looking for the dead to visit the two little girls they both think of as sisters. But, as always happens when they travel to Texas, memories of their horrible childhood resurface. To make matters worse, Tolliver learns from his older brother that their father is out of jail and trying to reestablish contact with other family members. Tolliver wants no part of the man- but he may not have a choice in the matter.
Soon, family secrets ensnare them both, as Harper finally discovers what happened to her missing sister, Cameron, so many years before.
And what she finds out will change her world forever.
The book jacket say: Lightning-struck sleuth Harper Connelly and her stepbrother Tolliver take a break from looking for the dead to visit the two little girls they both think of as sisters. But, as always happens when they travel to Texas, memories of their horrible childhood resurface. To make matters worse, Tolliver learns from his older brother that their father is out of jail and trying to reestablish contact with other family members. Tolliver wants no part of the man- but he may not have a choice in the matter.
Soon, family secrets ensnare them both, as Harper finally discovers what happened to her missing sister, Cameron, so many years before.
And what she finds out will change her world forever.
First Harper Connelly book I've read. This was a pretty good story, but from a suspense thriller point of view it was lacking. There was no good build-up, climax, and twists that you normally see in a book of this type. Very flat storytelling. Even the final ârevealâ with regards to the story's overall mystery was a bit underwhelming.
This was a really good book! Although I am not happy that it is the last title in this series, it was a Really Good ending for it. There is a main mystery plot and a secondary mystery about Harper's sister who vanished. Two good mysteries and Harper finally learns what happened to her sister all those years ago. If you've read and enjoyed the first 3 of this series, you would not want to miss this one.
A pretty satisfying ending to the series, though it would be awesome if Ms. Harris ever decided to write another book or 2 about Harper and Tolliver. I can definitely recommend all of them for anyone who likes a good mystery along with a dash of paranormal. I know I'll be rereading the series every so often.
Was good.
