bookanonjeff 's review for:

Shadow on Her Grave by B.R. Spangler

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

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Pulse Pounding Harrowing Mystery. This is one of those books that feels like it could be a series finale even through the beginning of the epilogue. Spangler has already shown earlier in this series that he isn't afraid to kill team members off, and that knowledge feeds the tension of oh so many scenes throughout this book. But there *is* a lot of prior series history baked into this book, in more than just the obvious ways, and so for that reason it is better for long time fans of this series rather than those potentially looking to jump in. (For those wanting to jump in, I recommend going back to either the *very* beginning, Book 1 - Where Lost Girls Go, or at minimum where I personally joined the series, with Book 4 - The Crying House. I've loved every book since, and I think many who find books due to my reviews will as well. :D) But for those of us who *have* been around this series for a while... wow. What a ride. Spangler has been known to have some creepy killers throughout this book, but with these he is beginning to cross into Thomas Harris (he of The Silence Of The Lambs fame and creator of Hannibal Lecter) territory, though some might argue that Spangler has been at least at that level for several books now, he just doesn't insist on going *that* far with *every* book the way Harris does. :) So whether you're reading this for the coastal Carolina family vibes (and to be clear, those play nearly as much a role deep in this series as the mysteries of each book do) or whether you're coming for the mystery and in particular because I just called out Harris, know that Spangler does a tremendous job of marrying both together, and indeed, as with Without Remorse by Tom Clancy, it is the familial bonds and the comfort there that makes the sheer utter depravity of our killer here balance so well in this book.

Again, long time fans, you're gonna love this - and have probably already read it by the time I write this review for my spot in the publisher's blog tour the Monday after the book released on Friday. For those just coming in, you're going to be glad this book is already here... and you're going to want the next one in your hand immediately too. Which means Spangler should probably get a jump on writing it. ;)

Very much recommended.