Helpful Score: 3
I was initially interested in this book because, as an amateur genealogist, I am interested in cemeteries. I index for Family Search, a free site loaded with free searches for ancestors. Indexing for that site has given me a higher sense of the importance of information and history of documents, and has heightened my interest in history, including old cemeteries. So when I was offered this book about an old cemetery restorer for review, I was thrilled.
Amelia is a cemetery restoration professional and she can see ghosts. These aren't the warm fuzzy ghosts of some stories where a door is magically opened for them and they step inside after solving the problems they left behind when they died. These are, something goes bump, terrifying ghosts that Amelia, whose father also sees ghosts, has learned that she must ignore or they will draw energy from her. Enter John Devlin, a haunted man that Amelia has chemistry with, but must avoid, and you have the elements of a possible love story. The love story, however, is not central to the story - a murder mystery is central. Someone is leaving dead bodies in the cemetery that Amelia is working to restore.
All of the aforementioned elements make for a highly suspenseful story that sweeps you away from where you are into another world. This isn't one of those amateur sleuth, cozy mysteries - it's a nail-biting, edge of your seat read that kept me up way past my bedtime.
Sometimes we read a story and hate to turn the last page because you don't want to see it come to an end. This was one of those stories. Though this is the first book in a series, it can stand well on its own. For those of us who want to see more of Amelia and the mysteries of her personal life as well as her relationship with John Devlin, there are more books to come and Stevens leaves just enough room at the end of the story to anxiously await book two.
Amelia is a cemetery restoration professional and she can see ghosts. These aren't the warm fuzzy ghosts of some stories where a door is magically opened for them and they step inside after solving the problems they left behind when they died. These are, something goes bump, terrifying ghosts that Amelia, whose father also sees ghosts, has learned that she must ignore or they will draw energy from her. Enter John Devlin, a haunted man that Amelia has chemistry with, but must avoid, and you have the elements of a possible love story. The love story, however, is not central to the story - a murder mystery is central. Someone is leaving dead bodies in the cemetery that Amelia is working to restore.
All of the aforementioned elements make for a highly suspenseful story that sweeps you away from where you are into another world. This isn't one of those amateur sleuth, cozy mysteries - it's a nail-biting, edge of your seat read that kept me up way past my bedtime.
Sometimes we read a story and hate to turn the last page because you don't want to see it come to an end. This was one of those stories. Though this is the first book in a series, it can stand well on its own. For those of us who want to see more of Amelia and the mysteries of her personal life as well as her relationship with John Devlin, there are more books to come and Stevens leaves just enough room at the end of the story to anxiously await book two.
Helpful Score: 1
I read the novella The Abandoned about a month ago (e-book is free at this time on Amazon!) and the world that Amanda Stevens has created caught me and would not let go. I became so obsessed I finally had to drop everything I was reading to pick up The Restorer. This is an interesting, creepy, beautifully written book which I ate up in two days and still feel a little desperate to read more. I love books like that.
Amelia Gray can see ghosts, just like her adopted father. (Something weird there!) He has taught her four rules, all to keep her safe from hungry spirits who want what they no longer have, life. These four rules basically are to act as though you cannot see the ghosts and to stay far away from people who are personally haunted, ghosts hang around certain people and slowly feed off their warmth and vitality until there is nothing left but a shell of a person. Amelia is a cemetery restorer and working on a cemetery in Charleston where a murderer has left a dead body. Enter handsome and alluring John Devlin, a police detective and a man haunted by two ghosts. Amelia is pulled into working with him even though it is breaking one of her Papas rules, because she feels a deep pull towards him Id come here in the pursuit of the forbidden, though I had never done anything remotely reckless in my whole life. But we also find out from a lot of foreshadowing that things will never be the same for her again. Dun dun dun!!
It really is creepy. The setting is gorgeous, gothic and ethereal. Everything is in first person from Amelias POV. There are a bunch of characters whose motivation we dont understand and act like they are hiding something. There is a secret society implicated in a murder from 15 years before and possible connections between the current murderer and symbols on gravestones. There is also a dark evil entity in the woods. And after all that she throws out lines like, I was oblivious to the creak of my garden gate, the howl of my neighbors dog and the eyes that gleamed with madness peering in through my bedroom window as I slept. Gack! Thank goodness it was light out night when I read that!
The murder mystery is good, there is romance and longing and the action heats up, but the best part for me was the trail of breadcrumbs we are given about the people and places in Amelia's life. The detective Devlin and his past, her mother and father, her own abilities, Dr. Shaw, Temple and the settings themselves, both the graveyards and Charleston...these are fascinating people and places whom we don't know a lot about, but Steven's gives us just enough to tantalize so I want to read and know more. Steven's has perfected the art of giving her reader just enough to entice, enthrall and leave you wanting for more without it being too witholding. There are a lot of little mysteries left unknown at the end of The Restorer and I am excited to read The Kingdom to find out what is revealed! I give this book 4.5 stars. It really got under my skin!
Amelia Gray can see ghosts, just like her adopted father. (Something weird there!) He has taught her four rules, all to keep her safe from hungry spirits who want what they no longer have, life. These four rules basically are to act as though you cannot see the ghosts and to stay far away from people who are personally haunted, ghosts hang around certain people and slowly feed off their warmth and vitality until there is nothing left but a shell of a person. Amelia is a cemetery restorer and working on a cemetery in Charleston where a murderer has left a dead body. Enter handsome and alluring John Devlin, a police detective and a man haunted by two ghosts. Amelia is pulled into working with him even though it is breaking one of her Papas rules, because she feels a deep pull towards him Id come here in the pursuit of the forbidden, though I had never done anything remotely reckless in my whole life. But we also find out from a lot of foreshadowing that things will never be the same for her again. Dun dun dun!!
It really is creepy. The setting is gorgeous, gothic and ethereal. Everything is in first person from Amelias POV. There are a bunch of characters whose motivation we dont understand and act like they are hiding something. There is a secret society implicated in a murder from 15 years before and possible connections between the current murderer and symbols on gravestones. There is also a dark evil entity in the woods. And after all that she throws out lines like, I was oblivious to the creak of my garden gate, the howl of my neighbors dog and the eyes that gleamed with madness peering in through my bedroom window as I slept. Gack! Thank goodness it was light out night when I read that!
The murder mystery is good, there is romance and longing and the action heats up, but the best part for me was the trail of breadcrumbs we are given about the people and places in Amelia's life. The detective Devlin and his past, her mother and father, her own abilities, Dr. Shaw, Temple and the settings themselves, both the graveyards and Charleston...these are fascinating people and places whom we don't know a lot about, but Steven's gives us just enough to tantalize so I want to read and know more. Steven's has perfected the art of giving her reader just enough to entice, enthrall and leave you wanting for more without it being too witholding. There are a lot of little mysteries left unknown at the end of The Restorer and I am excited to read The Kingdom to find out what is revealed! I give this book 4.5 stars. It really got under my skin!
Helpful Score: 1
Amelia has been raised by her father to never acknowledge ghosts, whom attach themselves to the living they once knew or anyone who sees them, slowly draining the life and warmth of the living person.
Amelia has lived by the rules her father set and lived a quiet by lonely life, until one night, she meets up with Det. John Devlin whose haunted by his own ghosts, one of the rule her father dilled into head, never get involved with someone who is haunted. Amelia has not real choice in the matter in the beginning when a body of a young woman is found at the cemetery Amelia is restoring.
Amelia is drawn deeper in the case for the clues left by the killer that only she can interpret. This brings into her world a danger shes tried to avoid all her life, a door she may not be able to close. With many behind her, helping her, to seeking justice. Theres also another danger closer to her, and thats Devlin, that Amelia knows she cant let into her life, but feels their lives are tightly drawn together.
I loved this book. I had the second and third one on my wish list for the site but couldn't wait so ordered them from the internet at AbeBooks.com. I like hardcovers and this site had both books in hardcover and was very inexpensive. I was so intrigued about this story line and found that there will be a t.v. series and I found out she has three more to write in this series. Clean language...gotta love that.
Amelia has lived by the rules her father set and lived a quiet by lonely life, until one night, she meets up with Det. John Devlin whose haunted by his own ghosts, one of the rule her father dilled into head, never get involved with someone who is haunted. Amelia has not real choice in the matter in the beginning when a body of a young woman is found at the cemetery Amelia is restoring.
Amelia is drawn deeper in the case for the clues left by the killer that only she can interpret. This brings into her world a danger shes tried to avoid all her life, a door she may not be able to close. With many behind her, helping her, to seeking justice. Theres also another danger closer to her, and thats Devlin, that Amelia knows she cant let into her life, but feels their lives are tightly drawn together.
I loved this book. I had the second and third one on my wish list for the site but couldn't wait so ordered them from the internet at AbeBooks.com. I like hardcovers and this site had both books in hardcover and was very inexpensive. I was so intrigued about this story line and found that there will be a t.v. series and I found out she has three more to write in this series. Clean language...gotta love that.
Helpful Score: 1
Captivating story, it completely hooked me. I have always been a fan of Amanda Stevens, and she does not disappoint with this book. Amelia Gray is a great character with an intriguing story and an even more intriguing ability to see ghosts. Devlin is a great brooding lead character, and his ghosts add a great layer to the story. The Deep South Charleston history was an excellent backdrop for this drama to play out in, it added a great amount of Old World mystery. I don't want to give any spoilers, but I will say that just when I thought I had it figured out, I was thrown for a loop. This murder mystery had so many layers and I was surprised at who the killer really was. Can't wait to read the next in this series, I'm hoping that Devlin and Amelia's story will develop closer. It looks promising. If you can, you should read the e-book abandoned first, its a nice prequel to this series.
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http://www.goodreads.com/whatstacy
Helpful Score: 1
I got an eGalley of this book through netgalley(dot)com. I was drawn to it by the haunting cover and the interesting synopsis. I absolutely loved this book. I loved the beautiful writing style, the engaging mystery, the wonderful characters, and the supernatural overtones to the story. My understanding is that this is the first book in a trilogy: Book 2 will be titled The Kingdom and is scheduled for a Nov 2011 release and book 3 will be titled The Prophet and is scheduled for a May 2012 release. There is also supposed to be a prequel story called "The Abandoned" which I plan on downloading soon.
Amelia restores graveyards for a living and was brought up by her father who was a Graveyard keeper. The only twist is; Amelia can actually see ghosts. Amelia has lived her life by a strict set of rules to prevent the ghosts from taking over her life. All those rules fly out the window during her current graveyard restoration. Amelia is restoring Oak Park Cemetery when a body is found on site; a fresh one. This brings Officer Devlin into Amelia's life. Devlin is mysterious and always accompanied by two mysterious ghosts. As Amelia is asked to act as a consultant for the investigation she is drawn deep into the politics and secrets that surround both the town and the graveyard.
I loved this book. The writing is full of beautiful description and is so lyrical; it was easy to read and created such beautiful imagery. There is a Southern Gothic feel to the story that gives it a unique and endearing flavor.
The characters were also wonderful. Amelia is a pretty down to earth girl, but she has rules she needs to follow and a sense of honor about her work. Devlin is a wonderfully brooding male lead and is shrouded in mystery that really keeps the reader wanting to know more. All of the characters in this book are interesting and well-fleshed out.
The mystery is masterfully woven. Details are slowly revealed and, as the mystery deepens, Amelia finds herself in more and more danger. I love how this plot was put together and how it unfolded. I loved how every clicked together so nicely in the end.
I wasn't sure if reading about a character who restores graveyards would be interesting but it really was. You can tell that Stevens did a lot of research on graveyard restoration and I enjoyed learning about what various symbolism meant on the gravestones and also learning about restoration techniques.
The main story thread is wrapped up neatly but some mysteries are left to be dealt with in the next book. This is my favorite kind of series: I love it when each book has its own story to tell but you also have a greater mystery that spans multiple books.
Overall I absolutely loved this book. I read it straight through, it was very hard to put down. I loved the beautiful descriptions and writing, the heartfelt and mysterious characters, and the masterful way the plot was woven together. I just pretty much loved everything about this book and cannot wait to read the next one in this series.
Amelia restores graveyards for a living and was brought up by her father who was a Graveyard keeper. The only twist is; Amelia can actually see ghosts. Amelia has lived her life by a strict set of rules to prevent the ghosts from taking over her life. All those rules fly out the window during her current graveyard restoration. Amelia is restoring Oak Park Cemetery when a body is found on site; a fresh one. This brings Officer Devlin into Amelia's life. Devlin is mysterious and always accompanied by two mysterious ghosts. As Amelia is asked to act as a consultant for the investigation she is drawn deep into the politics and secrets that surround both the town and the graveyard.
I loved this book. The writing is full of beautiful description and is so lyrical; it was easy to read and created such beautiful imagery. There is a Southern Gothic feel to the story that gives it a unique and endearing flavor.
The characters were also wonderful. Amelia is a pretty down to earth girl, but she has rules she needs to follow and a sense of honor about her work. Devlin is a wonderfully brooding male lead and is shrouded in mystery that really keeps the reader wanting to know more. All of the characters in this book are interesting and well-fleshed out.
The mystery is masterfully woven. Details are slowly revealed and, as the mystery deepens, Amelia finds herself in more and more danger. I love how this plot was put together and how it unfolded. I loved how every clicked together so nicely in the end.
I wasn't sure if reading about a character who restores graveyards would be interesting but it really was. You can tell that Stevens did a lot of research on graveyard restoration and I enjoyed learning about what various symbolism meant on the gravestones and also learning about restoration techniques.
The main story thread is wrapped up neatly but some mysteries are left to be dealt with in the next book. This is my favorite kind of series: I love it when each book has its own story to tell but you also have a greater mystery that spans multiple books.
Overall I absolutely loved this book. I read it straight through, it was very hard to put down. I loved the beautiful descriptions and writing, the heartfelt and mysterious characters, and the masterful way the plot was woven together. I just pretty much loved everything about this book and cannot wait to read the next one in this series.
Amelia Gray is a restorer of graveyards, cleaning them up, mapping them and restoring the headstones to their once fine glory. But, sometimes that's not all she restores. Ghosts sometimes need help too.
This book was so full of twists, turns, surprises and heart stopping suspense that I couldn't put it down.
Don't stop with this one. Pick up the Kingdom and continue with the series. You won't want to miss it.
This book was so full of twists, turns, surprises and heart stopping suspense that I couldn't put it down.
Don't stop with this one. Pick up the Kingdom and continue with the series. You won't want to miss it.
I think most people who pick up this book expect a ghost story. You will not be disappointed. However, I would say that it is more than that. It is also a very good murder mystery story. And while that doesn't make the ghosts of any less importance, it does make the book lean more toward a thriller than a paranormal book for me. This is not a bad thing as I do enjoy thrillers.
The mystery revolves around a murdered victim found in the cemetery Amelia is in charge of restoring. Using her expertise of the grounds she becomes involved with the case and with Devlin, the detective in charge. The killer is also making sure that Amelia is a part of the case by sending clues to her blog. I won't say much more as I will end up giving too much away.
This ghostly murder mystery thriller (say that 5 times fast) gets 4 stars. I really enjoyed the world Amelia lives and love trying to figure out what is what and who is what. ;) The characters were interesting and I suspect that in the next coming stories in this series we will see them develop even further. I hope so. I think it could become more deliciously creepy if that happens. The murder mystery was solved, but not certain parts of her life in which I have curiosities still left to be satisfied. The next book is The Kingdom.
The mystery revolves around a murdered victim found in the cemetery Amelia is in charge of restoring. Using her expertise of the grounds she becomes involved with the case and with Devlin, the detective in charge. The killer is also making sure that Amelia is a part of the case by sending clues to her blog. I won't say much more as I will end up giving too much away.
This ghostly murder mystery thriller (say that 5 times fast) gets 4 stars. I really enjoyed the world Amelia lives and love trying to figure out what is what and who is what. ;) The characters were interesting and I suspect that in the next coming stories in this series we will see them develop even further. I hope so. I think it could become more deliciously creepy if that happens. The murder mystery was solved, but not certain parts of her life in which I have curiosities still left to be satisfied. The next book is The Kingdom.
Wow! what an ending...
Started slow with a backstory of Ameilia and her dad and how they see ghosts but picked up nicely. I loved the attraction between Ameilia and Devlin, and want an explaination of whats going on with them....guess I have to keep reading.
Started slow with a backstory of Ameilia and her dad and how they see ghosts but picked up nicely. I loved the attraction between Ameilia and Devlin, and want an explaination of whats going on with them....guess I have to keep reading.
Amelia Gray's job is restoring old rundown cemeteries to their former glory. It's a quiet job that takes a lot of research and a lot of hard work. But her biggest obstacle is the fact that she can see ghosts. When a murder victim is discovered in the cemetery that she is currently working on, Detective John Devlin asks for her help. Amelia is immediately attracted to John, but a relationship with John is out of the question. Amelia can see ghosts shadowing his every move. Ghosts that he isn't even aware of. Amelia knows she must keep her distance from John and his ghosts or it could spell some major problems for her.
The first book in the Graveyard Queen series is hard to categorize. It's part paranormal romance and part suspense thriller. We have ghosts, dead bodies, and a killer lurking around a cemetery. John Devlin is a dark, brooding hero...a man literally haunted by the past. Amelia knows to keep her distance, but she is drawn to him like no other man. I loved the story, I loved the mystery, and I loved the setting in Charleston, SC. It makes me want to take a vacation and check out the city and its cemeteries. There are a few loose ends at the end of the book, but I'm sure they'll be addressed in future books of this series. My rating: 5 Stars.
The first book in the Graveyard Queen series is hard to categorize. It's part paranormal romance and part suspense thriller. We have ghosts, dead bodies, and a killer lurking around a cemetery. John Devlin is a dark, brooding hero...a man literally haunted by the past. Amelia knows to keep her distance, but she is drawn to him like no other man. I loved the story, I loved the mystery, and I loved the setting in Charleston, SC. It makes me want to take a vacation and check out the city and its cemeteries. There are a few loose ends at the end of the book, but I'm sure they'll be addressed in future books of this series. My rating: 5 Stars.
I read the novella, The Abandoned, and really liked it. This didn't disappoint either! Amelia restores old cemeteries. She can also see ghosts. A body is dumped in a cemetery she is currently working in. This introduces her to detective John Devlin. He is also haunted by 2 ghosts. Amelia gets involved with the investigation.
I was intrigued by this world. In this world, ghosts are parasitic and shouldn't be acknowledged. Amelia was raised to do so. She finds herself breaking these long held rules. She is also drawn to John, and he to her. His ghosts are intriguing. I thought the who-done-it was both interesting, but also a little disappointing and a little anti-climatic.
This definitely is a first in a series book. There is some romance, but not as much as I thought I would get when I started. (Some kissing). Amelia's father has Secrets. I think her mother does too. So, family Secrets. There are MANY unanswered questions (including the Secret Society, and the dark entity she shes- I have questions!). I was glad I read this during the day- creepy!
I was intrigued by this world. In this world, ghosts are parasitic and shouldn't be acknowledged. Amelia was raised to do so. She finds herself breaking these long held rules. She is also drawn to John, and he to her. His ghosts are intriguing. I thought the who-done-it was both interesting, but also a little disappointing and a little anti-climatic.
This definitely is a first in a series book. There is some romance, but not as much as I thought I would get when I started. (Some kissing). Amelia's father has Secrets. I think her mother does too. So, family Secrets. There are MANY unanswered questions (including the Secret Society, and the dark entity she shes- I have questions!). I was glad I read this during the day- creepy!
Michelle R. (mreneerouser) -
Can you say creepy?
Can you say wonderful?
If you love spooky, creepy, darn right oh-my-god-I-just-saw-something-in-the-corner-of-my-room scary type books, this is your book. If you want to be frustrated by a blossoming relationship between two main characters, this is also your book. Let me explain.
I love to be scared. While this book IS scary, it is not the blatant in your face, gory, axe murdering serial killer type of scary.
Instead, it is the hair rising, I cannot see him, but I knew he is behind me type of scary. I loved it. The author is a master at making you feel her descriptions. There are scenes where ghosts touch people and the way the author described the touch, made me think someone was brushing their hand along my neck (and the hubby was nowhere in sight).
Now onto the relationship. There is a "non-relationship" relationship in this book. Amelia, the main character, is seriously lusting after John Devlin. Throughout the book, the reader is unsure how Devlin feels about Amelia but on the contrary, Amelias feelings are pretty darn clear. Too clear! Over and over again, we get Amelias internal dialogue on how she lusts for Devlin but she is unsure of how he feels and how she doesnt want to break the unwritten rules regarding messing with people who are clearly haunted. This internal dialogue goes on and on and becomes tedious at times. I kept wanting Amelia to jump Devlins bones and get on with it. It NEVER happens. Why am I telling you this? Because there is so much good about this book, if you get caught up in the relationship or lack thereof, you will be disappointed in the story. However, if you move on from the relationship, you will enjoy the story.
The story-
It is complex, and full of mystery. I really had to pay attention because there was a lot of story and side story here. However, once you get the logistics down, the story flowed. Oh and the last few chapters seriously stumped me. I did not expect it and frankly, it saved the book from a 3 star rating (I hated how the non-relationship was going throughout the book between Devlin and Amelia).
Overall-
I seriously enjoyed the book. Take out the disappointment regarding Amelias lusting after Devlin and receiving no satisfaction in that department, you then have a very good book.
Can you say wonderful?
If you love spooky, creepy, darn right oh-my-god-I-just-saw-something-in-the-corner-of-my-room scary type books, this is your book. If you want to be frustrated by a blossoming relationship between two main characters, this is also your book. Let me explain.
I love to be scared. While this book IS scary, it is not the blatant in your face, gory, axe murdering serial killer type of scary.
Instead, it is the hair rising, I cannot see him, but I knew he is behind me type of scary. I loved it. The author is a master at making you feel her descriptions. There are scenes where ghosts touch people and the way the author described the touch, made me think someone was brushing their hand along my neck (and the hubby was nowhere in sight).
Now onto the relationship. There is a "non-relationship" relationship in this book. Amelia, the main character, is seriously lusting after John Devlin. Throughout the book, the reader is unsure how Devlin feels about Amelia but on the contrary, Amelias feelings are pretty darn clear. Too clear! Over and over again, we get Amelias internal dialogue on how she lusts for Devlin but she is unsure of how he feels and how she doesnt want to break the unwritten rules regarding messing with people who are clearly haunted. This internal dialogue goes on and on and becomes tedious at times. I kept wanting Amelia to jump Devlins bones and get on with it. It NEVER happens. Why am I telling you this? Because there is so much good about this book, if you get caught up in the relationship or lack thereof, you will be disappointed in the story. However, if you move on from the relationship, you will enjoy the story.
The story-
It is complex, and full of mystery. I really had to pay attention because there was a lot of story and side story here. However, once you get the logistics down, the story flowed. Oh and the last few chapters seriously stumped me. I did not expect it and frankly, it saved the book from a 3 star rating (I hated how the non-relationship was going throughout the book between Devlin and Amelia).
Overall-
I seriously enjoyed the book. Take out the disappointment regarding Amelias lusting after Devlin and receiving no satisfaction in that department, you then have a very good book.
Called the Graveyard Queen, Amelia Grey has been working alongside her father, the local cemetery grounds keeper since she was a child. All grown up, she is now a renowned historian and restorer of cemeteries but being able to care for the hollowed land is not the only thing she can do, both Amelia and her father can see the dead.
"I was twenty-seven years old and Id never had a best friend, never had a real confidant and had never once fallen in love. From the time I was nine years old, the dead that walk among us had isolated me from the living. With that first sighting, my life had been changed forever. Like my father, Id learned to live with my secret, had even come to embrace the solitude, but there were times, like tonight, when I wondered if madness might not also wait for me behind the veil."
There are very strict rules when it comes to having this gift; one is never to make contact. Second, do not let them know that you can see them or they will attach to you and you will never get away. The third is to never get close to a person who has a ghost attached to them." That one is a bit harder for Amelia since she has feelings for John Devlin, a police detective, assigned to investigate the recent body that has turned up in the cemetery after a storm. Of course, it cannot be as simple as a washed up casket; this is definitely a newly deceased person who did not have a proper burial. But of course, that isnt the only body in this story. Just when you think you have all the creepiness tied up Tom Gerrity, an ex-police officer who wants to torment Devlin shows up with some information of his own. Who is the Prophet and why does it set John Devlin off?
What does bother me about this story is that both Amelia and her father have the same ability, but yet Amelia is adopted. It hit me as strange that two people who are unrelated coincidently have the same gift, but now I am wondering if there is more to this story that will be revealed in future installments. Just one more twist in a very interesting tale.
We can learn so much from the dead
The end is quite twisty so be prepared to pay close attention. Things that you think are, arent, things that didnt make sense are left dangling for the next in this planned trilogy, so be prepared to be left questioning and having to draw your own conclusions until next time.
Amanda Stevens definitely has a series to keep any eye out for.
"I was twenty-seven years old and Id never had a best friend, never had a real confidant and had never once fallen in love. From the time I was nine years old, the dead that walk among us had isolated me from the living. With that first sighting, my life had been changed forever. Like my father, Id learned to live with my secret, had even come to embrace the solitude, but there were times, like tonight, when I wondered if madness might not also wait for me behind the veil."
There are very strict rules when it comes to having this gift; one is never to make contact. Second, do not let them know that you can see them or they will attach to you and you will never get away. The third is to never get close to a person who has a ghost attached to them." That one is a bit harder for Amelia since she has feelings for John Devlin, a police detective, assigned to investigate the recent body that has turned up in the cemetery after a storm. Of course, it cannot be as simple as a washed up casket; this is definitely a newly deceased person who did not have a proper burial. But of course, that isnt the only body in this story. Just when you think you have all the creepiness tied up Tom Gerrity, an ex-police officer who wants to torment Devlin shows up with some information of his own. Who is the Prophet and why does it set John Devlin off?
What does bother me about this story is that both Amelia and her father have the same ability, but yet Amelia is adopted. It hit me as strange that two people who are unrelated coincidently have the same gift, but now I am wondering if there is more to this story that will be revealed in future installments. Just one more twist in a very interesting tale.
We can learn so much from the dead
The end is quite twisty so be prepared to pay close attention. Things that you think are, arent, things that didnt make sense are left dangling for the next in this planned trilogy, so be prepared to be left questioning and having to draw your own conclusions until next time.
Amanda Stevens definitely has a series to keep any eye out for.
I am writing this review without reading the other reviews so as to not taint my impression of this book. This is not my normal sought after type of genre. I am not into dark paranormals or Urban fantasy and definitely not into harlequin suspense romance. This book was published by Mira a division of Harlequin, as stated on the book cover. It is listed as a Paranormal Romance. It was the ghost story aspect of the book that drew me to read this book. I do love ghosts in my books.
I think this book defies all the categories we try to shove it into, paranormal romance harlequin. What I found was a solid well written mystery, that border on horrific, and a psychological thriller. It was well done in all areas of mystery, twists turns, character development, keeping me guessing, even the romance was to my liking. I dont like to read too much yearning burning, stuff. I read over 200 pages the first day I picked it up. I gave it 4.5 stars. Maybe it would have gotten more if it hadnt rushed the ending, and then left me find out more in book 2. Which I own so no biggie.
I am really looking forward to more in this series.
I think this book defies all the categories we try to shove it into, paranormal romance harlequin. What I found was a solid well written mystery, that border on horrific, and a psychological thriller. It was well done in all areas of mystery, twists turns, character development, keeping me guessing, even the romance was to my liking. I dont like to read too much yearning burning, stuff. I read over 200 pages the first day I picked it up. I gave it 4.5 stars. Maybe it would have gotten more if it hadnt rushed the ending, and then left me find out more in book 2. Which I own so no biggie.
I am really looking forward to more in this series.
