R.I.P. Readers In Peril Challenge Book 1 Grave Secret

 Here is my First review for The readers In Peril Challenge:      Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris


My rating: 3 of 5 stars


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. Good Reads


This is the fourth and possibly final volume of the series. I was looking forward to this book since an ice cold grave was such an excellent read. At a graveyard in between Texarkana and Dallas Harper is doing a job for Lizzie Joyce, a member of the very rich Joyce family. Pleased with the reception, and the substantial fee the Joyce's are paying her Harper gives them a few "Freebie" readings of surrounding graves. One of these are Mariah Parish, who Harper tells them has died from complications after childbirth. This surprises the Joyce's who were told she died due to a ruptured appendix.

This seemingly innocent exchange sets off a horrifying series of emotional events for Harper. First Tolliver is shot.Harper is on her own and possibly in danger. She has to deal with the additional stress of Tolliver's father and her stepfather being released from prison and demanding to reconnect with his family.


As Harper deals with being on her own and trying to figure out who shot Tolliver, she becomes more enmeshed in the Joyce's lives. More danger and dead bodies abound leading up to a shocking revelation of her lost sister Cameron's murder.
This book started off well for me but midway it seemed to drift before quickly and dramatically tying up all the loose ends of Harper's current mystery, and her family drama.

It was interesting to see Harper and Tolliver continue with their romance and even discuss marriage. Theirs is a strange relationship after living as "Brother" and "Sister " for so long. I don't know if Charlaine initially wanted to end the series with this book, but I don't feel it really does the series the service it deserves. I was happy to see Tolliver and Harper settled but was disappointed with the story overall. Very little suspense or mystery.




View all my reviews