Grave Secret

Much better than I though it would be.

Usually when I enjoy a book I'd say I couldn't put it down but in this case I simply didn't know where the time had gone. Although at the start of the story it looks like it will mainly be romance there soon develops a very interesting plot with several twists and turns (which you can't always see coming a mile away). Charlaine Harris is brilliant at characterization and you are drawn in as much because of their faults as their good points.

Usually I prefer an English narrator but Alyssa Bresnahan is brilliant, reading in a very natural tone, with an accent that seems to suit the story and voicing the different parts very well.

It is important to know that this book is the last in the series. I hadn't realized this when I bought it in the sale and now the earlier books are spoiled for me, so I would strongly suggest getting those first. The order is: Grave Sight, Grave Surprise, An Ice Cold Grave and Grave Secret. As far as I can see at the time of writing this review, Audible does not stock the first title in this series. I would not be put off buying the other books because of that, even as a stand alone Grave Secret it is a great read and I will probably go back and buy the others at some point too.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Twisting mystery

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

The novel was well delivered, narrated ably by Alyssa Bresnahan. I'd been drawn to the book by its description of the main character's ability to communicate with the dead and I love a good supernatural tale.
Sadly, this ability is restricted to a quick conveyance of their means of demise and not much more, so the plot is mainly about her dysfunctional family's history and the pursuance of truth about a young woman's death.
As a mystery story, it was fine but as I'd been looking for something with a supernatural edge it was disappointing.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The most interesting aspect was the different characters and their interaction.
It was interesting how all of the people who had drink or drug problems had been lawyers or other high flyers. Why couldn't her family be simple "po' white trash"?
The least interesting aspect was her psychic ability: without it there would have been no mystery, but it was simply a hook on which to hang the real story.

What about Alyssa Bresnahan’s performance did you like?

Good characterisation.

If this book were a film would you go see it?

No.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

excellent finish to the series

I have really enjoyed the whole Grave series and found that this one tied up all the loose ends nicely.But it also gave you plenty of twists and turns that you really did not see coming. you do need to read them in order to fully enjoy them. I would definitely recommend them to any Charlaine Harris fans

Well written!

I loved this story. A typical American story, from the heartland. Authentic, bright and very well written. Worth listening, over and over again.

Good

This story is good, but not brilliant. There are long parts were you just wish the author would get on with it and you find yourself only half listening, waiting for something to happen. My real issue with this book however is the narrator. Her voice is horrible, it's got an annoying warble that makes it sound like she's got a cold or is about to burst into tears. I almost stopped listening several times because her voice irritated me so much. Might try the next book and see if the story and narration improve.