Reviews

Gravedigger by Joseph Hansen

trin's review against another edition

3.0

This series is so odd. I haven't enjoyed most of the books on an individual level, but I can't stop reading them. The prose is no-nonsense, almost cold; the endings almost always shockingly abrupt (here particularly so); and the setting is perhaps the most compelling thing -- L.A. and environs in the '70s and '80s.

In this one, a Manson-like serial killer is on the loose, but this character and plotline actually barely figures, more of the novel being taken up by death claims investigator Dave's widowed step-mother's shitty finance, who is trying to sabotage Dave's relationship with his his lover, Cecil, and seduce Dave. (Sure.) Domestic drama with insurance fraud and incidental serial killer. I read it so fast.

laurannie's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

seamuscoon's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I love this series, don’t get me wrong, but it’s really Dave’s batshit habits that make it worthwhile. like there’s a scene in this book where he’s cold so he goes to bed wearing nothing but a sweater. there is so much wrong with him <3

bunnieslikediamonds's review against another edition

4.0

Reading through this series, I'm discovering some patterns. Dave loves seeking trouble without backup, inevitably leading to him getting bruised up. He eats lots of scrambled eggs and gets to make lots of whopee in between interrogating shady characters. He has a high tolerance for stress and a great physique for an old guy (climbing out of hospital windows and what not). Not a bad routine.

avsdhpn's review against another edition

adventurous dark sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

fihman's review against another edition

4.0

Not his best. Riding that Charlie Manson train, I guess...

octothorpetopus's review against another edition

adventurous tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

henrismum's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
#6 in series (I have been committed to this series since April of 2022.) Hansen's works are easy to listen to with a healthy balance of action and personal development to make a good story.
Comparison to others in series: Not as good About the same Better This one had slightly more personal development than most of the other books. It worked out okay.
The narrator was Keith Szarabajka. In the last book, I was getting a little annoyed with some of his voices. That wasn't an issue in this installment.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Gore, Infidelity, Eating disorder, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Cannibalism, Gun violence, Murder, and Vomit

claudia_is_reading's review against another edition

4.0

An insane cult's leader, a missing girl, a disbarred lawyer in need of money who filed a death claim and now can't be found... this is how it begins.

Soon, Dave will find himself immersed in a web of insanity and old secrets. And, of course, danger.

Also, now that he is 21, Cecil is back. I'm not sure about how much of a chance this relationship has. Dave is a workaholic and the difference in age is reaaaaaaaally big. We'll have to wait and see how it goes :P

Edwards is an absolute cad, though and deserves to burn in Hell for the way he was willing to treat Amanda.

And I have a new complain to add to the narration: Cecil's voice. I'm not an ace when it comes to USA accents, but I'm sure that that is not how a Detroit-native sound :/

And I think that Dave acted a little bit... stupid at the end. Let's blame the concussion :P

But issues aside, I really enjoyed the story :D

maya56's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

This is the darkest one yet.