isbnthinkingaboutbooks 's review for:

The Twisted Dead by Darcy Coates

3.5

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Review: 3.5 stars

I have thoroughly enjoyed this gravekeeper series and was excited for this next installment by Darcy Coates.

The storyline starts strong and introduces us to Crispin Manor, where the last living descendant of the family line asks Keira and her friends, Zoe and Mason for help. Something about his home has always felt off, and he wonders if there are ghosts who have yet to pass on. Once Keira looks through the veil and into the ether, what she sees horrified her — every Crispin who has passed is leeching of Dale and his life force. 

As her and her friend search for answer on how to help Dale, this is where I feel the storyline takes a turn. While I enjoyed more backstory into Mason and Keira, it shifts the storyline in a direction that takes the focus away from the potential of exploring deeper into Crispin Manor. 

The second half of this book, feels like it could be its own story. It almost forgets about Crispin Manor all together and opens up to a whole new story and setting, that has a different feeling from the first half. While I enjoyed it and it’s an easy read, the ending felt rushed as it tried to come full circle to bring the two storylines together. This is probably my least favorite of the gravekeeper series to date but, the sprinkles of information and backstory in the second half that were revealed were enough to ensure that if there is a fourth installment I will continue on with the gravekeeper series.

I do look forward to exploring more of the core backstory for Keira in a fourth installment that gives more insight on who and what exactly she got involved in before she came to town with no memories from her past. 

I would recommend this for those who are Darcy Coates fans or into YA gothic horror, ghost stories, paranormal thrillers. Noting, that while this is the third installment of series you don’t need to read the first two to understand book three but would recommend checking out the entire series if you started with this one!

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC, courtesy of NetGalley. Publication date for The Twisted Dead is Feb 7, 2023.