Rating : 4.5 ⭐️
I honestly dislike when Amazon or the author’s publisher goes overboard in its marketing efforts for a story, needlessly I think, to say things like “laugh-out-loud humor” or “among the best female fantasy books”.
Because first I enjoy making my own impressions, especially if the writer is new to me, as Crumley is here, or it is realistically not true. This isn’t the best female fantasy story ever but it’s absolutely terrific in a horror story, PNR, thriller manner.
Crumley brings the reader into the story at the funeral for Tessa Graves’ father. Standing at the gravesite, she’s the last Graves now in the powerful, old family firm of Graves, Graves, and Graves. A man apparently mourned but none but herself.
Turns out with excellent reason.
Step by harrowing step, the author shatters Tessa’s well constructed, calm and orderly life. Her life and her household, when her “crazy aunt” and her “unstable butterfly” grandmother move back into the family mansion she’s inherited, along with the butler who’s been living there for centuries.
But the horror arises when evil is discovered. Not one but two villains (one deeply in the shadows) and the beginnings of the heinous acts they have committed.
There is a series prior to this one, The Immortal Doc Holliday Series , and those characters figure greatly here in this one. And there’s a carryover plot from this series into the Doc Holliday Series in book 17 I believe.
The writing is detailed, emotionally charged and very terrifying/horrifying in the dark physical and mental trauma that the main character is enduring constantly. To say that I was hurting for her and those who cared for her is saying the very minimum.
Incredible storytelling and series. Yes I’ve finished it. Binged it in a day. Highly recommended.
Connected Universe and crossover series:
The Immortal Doc Holliday Series (21 book series)
The House of Graves Series (6 book series)
Ghost Guy Series (2 book series)
The House of Graves Series (6 book series) :
Three Little Graves & the Big Bad Wolf # 1
OVER THE RIVER & THROUGH THE WOOD BOOK 2
FIRE BURN & CAULDRON BUBBLE BOOK 3
A HUNTING, A HUNTING WE WILL GO BOOK 4
AND HE WALKED A CROOKED MILE BOOK 5
HOLIDAY SPECIAL: DECK THE HALLS BOOK 6
Buy link:
Book 1 of 6: The House of Graves Series
Blurb
Working as an investigator for the supernatural elite means living by three simple rules: don’t ruffle feathers, keep the clients (vampires, shifters, witches, etc.) happy, and never give them a reason to want you dead. Simple. Unfortunately, Tessa Graves just can’t seem to follow the rules. And that’s why 300 bloodthirsty wolf shifters are hot on her trail. Adding insult to injury, her newly-retired aunt and feisty grandmother have decided to become her new sidekicks… and roommates… and life coaches whether Tessa likes it or not. Can these three strong-willed women survive each other long enough to avoid being torn to shreds?
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 