The Whispering Dead

** This is the first book in the Gravekeeper series** Keira, homeless and fleeing a storm, seeks refuge in an abandoned cottage near a neglected cemetery, where she encounters a restless spirit. As the only one able to perceive the ghost, Keira becomes its target. With the help of newfound allies, she delves into the spirit's troubled past, uncovering secrets of deception, doomed romance, and murder. Racing against time, Keira must unravel the complexities of the past to free the spirit, even if it means sacrificing her own life. Overall rating: 4.8/5 Ratings: 1. **Plot and Storytelling:** 4/5 I found myself captivated by Darcy Coates's storytelling in this book, the first in a series. It skillfully introduces numerous intriguing questions while delivering a satisfying standalone story. Coates deftly crafts unique and engaging characters, seamlessly blending elements of reality with a hint of the supernatural. Despite its classification as horror, the book also elicited moments of laughter from me. 2. **Characterization:** 5/5 The characters in this book are truly memorable. Keira, the protagonist, is particularly fascinating, and I'm eager to delve deeper into her backstory. However, it was the supporting cast—Zoe, Mason, and Adage—that truly won me over. 3. **Writing Style:** 5/5 Darcy Coates's writing style is commendably clear, descriptive, and well-paced, enhancing the overall reading experience. 4. **Originality:** 5/5 This story felt refreshingly unique to me. Unlike many tales centered around individuals with the ability to see ghosts, I didn't feel like I was retreading familiar ground. The series shows promise for exploring new and inventive narrative avenues. 5. **Emotional Impact and Resolution:** 5/5 Rarely does a horror book evoke such a wide range of emotions, but this one managed to do just that. It elicited sadness, frustration, anger, and genuine laughter from me, creating strong emotional connections throughout. The story concludes satisfactorily, addressing key questions while leaving ample room for the series to continue evolving in intriguing ways. I would absolutely buy this book again and I already have the second one in my cart, so I recommend that you do the same. If you enjoyed this book, I recommend Charlaine Harris‘ Harper Connolly series. Harper Connolly can see the moment of someone’s death and like this book, it is also a series that is sometimes eerie but also entertaining.