Shush…lest she awaken… My name is Amelia Gray, and I’m a cemetery restorer who lives with the dead. An anonymous donor has hired me to restore Woodbine Cemetery, a place where the rich and powerful bury their secrets. Forty years ago, a child disappeared without a trace and now her ghost has awakened, demanding that I find out the truth about her death. Only I know that she was murdered. Only … was murdered. Only I can bring her killer to justice. But the clues that I follow–a haunting melody and an unnamed baby’s grave–lead me to a series of disturbing suspects.
For generations, The Devlins have been members of Charleston’s elite. John Devlin once turned his back on the traditions and expectations that came with his birthright, but now he has seemingly accepted his rightful place. His family’s secrets make him a questionable ally. When my investigation brings me to the gates of his family’s palatial home, I have to wonder if he is about to become my mortal enemy.
more
I discovered author Amanda Stevens when editor J.T. Ellison asked a group of thirteen authors to contribute a southern gothic short story, based on a photograph of a dilapidated house, to the book, Dead Ends. Amanda Steven’s story leaped off the pages for one significant reason: her writing is reminiscent of what I know as British phrasing, that fluid, conversational manner in which Daphne Du Maurier, for example, lulled her readers in her world-class novel, Rebecca. I don’t come across this captivating style of writing often. There’s an intelligent beauty to it, and Amanda Stevens wields it seemingly effortlessly. I looked further into author Amanda Stevens, discovered fifteen novels, and randomly chose The Awakening. I am glad I did.
Set in historic Charleston, South Carolina, The Awakening opens in Woodbine Cemetery, a hidden and forgotten burial ground, of which narrator, Amelia Gray, is commissioned to restore. Already the reader is poised to look over their shoulder. That the narrator speaks in a tone matter of fact prepares them for something unusual, though they immediately accept the premise as a matter of course. It is the fall, the wind rustles tree limbs overhead, the air is chilling, and Amelia Gray is an intuitive who sees the dead.
The Awakening is a mystery wrapped in a ghost story. Amelia discovers an unnamed baby’s grave in Woodbine Cemetery, sees the ghost of a child, and the story takes off in a dynamic suspenseful, surprising, and au courant. Because Amelia Gray is rebounding from her unresolved, broken love affair with dark and handsome John Devlin, a compelling romance tugs at its middle, and elements of the heroine’s journey string us along. This story has everything to keep the reader turning its pages: an eerie setting, a compelling backstory, an intriguing love interest, and, most important to me, a narrator that lets the reader know what she is thinking as events heighten to a hair-raising collide, and hidden elements come to light.
I recommend this expertly paced and crafted book because, to me, it defies genre. It is everything riveting, written in language so uncommonly beautiful I looked forward each night to returning to its burning pages.
Loved it, Love the series, love the world and characters.
Hauntingly told this last tale of Amelia the Graveyard Queen was a bitter sweet treat. I savored each beautifully laid out scene, each twist and turn. There were some serious goose-bump moments and a couple where I may have even turned on a few extra lights while curling up next to my dogs. You know just to stay warm, LOL. It didn’t help that we had a severe storm things blowing against the roof. while an intense scene with wicked things landing on Amelia’s roof. Double scare time, and I loved it. Ms. Stevens rocked out a BOOM BOOM ending that fit well with this reader. I want more, but I appreciate more an author that know when the end has come.
I am not going to tell you what happens. If you have been reading along with this series you should have a lot of unanswered questions. I know I did, and I wanted answers. Oh boy did Ms. Stevens answer them. Sit down and grab some calming tea ladies and gentlemen, you are in for a bumpy ride, please keep to the light. The ending was perfect.
Last in the series, darn! I have enjoyed this entire Graveyard Queen series and this book was no exception.
Amelia Gray is back restoring another cemetery and helping the ghost of a 10 year old girl. She has so many questions and even more when she learns both her mother and aunt have secrets concerning this case!
If you enjoy supernatural, ghosty stores with a cast of interesting characters, you will enjoy this series. This book comes to a predictable conclusion and all storylines are put in order, however, the author has left the story in such a way that she could continue with additional books in the series! My fingers are crossed!
The Graveyard Queen series is wonderful! I could not walk away from this series. The books are very informative about graveyards which I thought was very interesting. A nice creepy spooky scary vibe throughout each book. I loved the character development of Amelia! I only have praise for Amanda Stevens writing style.
This is a true page turner, you won’t want to put it down until the last page. Amelia has a new cemetery to restore, a new mystery to solve and long held secrets to expose. John Devlin is protecting her from the shadows, while keeping
his own secrets. A ghost child is haunting Amelia, wanting her story told, her killer exposed. Amelia will risk her own life to find the answers, even confronting the most powerful and evil people in Charleston.