Sunday, May 22, 2011

Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris

#4 Harper Connelly
Copyright: 2010
Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime
Genre: mystery
Pages: 274
Challenges: Paranormal/Fantasy Romance Challenge, Buy 1 book and read it
Author's Website
My rating: 2/5


Simple Description:
Harper Connelly and her boyfriend/partner Tolliver make a living talking to the dead, thanks to a lightening strike Harper suffered when she was a teenager. This left her with the ability to "hear" the dead and be able to find buried bodies and tell how they died.

Harper and Tolliver work a case for a rich family where Harper gives them more info than they expected.  They then take some time off to visit their younger siblings (Harper and Tolliver are step-siblings).  This visit makes a turn for the worse when they find out Tolliver's father is out of jail.  Then it makes another turn for the worse when Tolliver is shot and then the police man guarding Harper is shot.

Mix into this the fact that Harper and Tolliver are still searching for their missing sister and they are getting closer.

My Thoughts:
Hmm..what to say about this one.  I had actually thought I would stop with the series after book #3.  I just didn't feel the relationship change between Harper and Tolliver. Sure..they aren't blood related but it was still weird.   I decided to give the series another chance and read this one.  While the relationship between the two didn't bother me..I didn't like the book any more than I did the last one.

One of the issues I had is that it seems the author is forcing the relationship between the two.  Sure..it's weird for them still and weird for their family but it's constantly brought up and constantly talked about. That's not needed.  Then the author adds in some sex..nothing graphic, just enough so you know they did something. However it doesn't flow. It totally feels forced and out of place.    After each time I was left going..ok..that seemed really odd and out of place for the story.

As for the rest of the story, I don't know. I just didn't feel it. I wasn't totally in to it.  I did finish it, I did want to know what happened, but I didn't like it enough to plan on continuing with the series (if the author writes more).  I think the series could have promise, but for me the writing needs to really improve before I give it another chance.

I've read several positive reviews of this one though, so don't just take my review.

5 comments:

bermudaonion said...

I read one Sookie book and it didn't do much for me, so I haven't given Harris's work much attention. I don't think this one is for me.

Veggiemomof2 said...

This series is on my TBR list, just haven't started it yet. I've liked 2 of her other series, so we'll see. I actually didn't even read this review cuz I didn't want a spoiler. ;)

Cristina (Rochester Reader) said...

Thanks for such a thoughtful review. I am drawn to Harris' novels for the plots but I don't get on with her style of writing and some of the more gratuitous scenes. Good to know I'm not alone.
I love your background photo by the way!

samantha.1020 said...

I found the relationship between Harper and Tolliver to be "weird" myself. That being said I did enjoy the mystery aspects of the book. I believe that this is the last book in the series though if I am remembering correctly. Nice review!

Unknown said...

Bermudaonion - I think passing it up is a good decision..I don't see this as being something you would enjoy.

VeggieMomof2 - I'm interested to see what you think of this series. And I'm the same way..if it's a book I know I'm going to read..I skip the reviews so I don't know anything about it.

Cristina - You're welcome! And thanks..glad you like the background picture..even though it's not one I took...but I really like it. I think her writing has gone downhill in the Sookie books too..not sure why.

Samantha - Glad I'm not the only one who found it weird. Also glad to know it's the planned final book in the series..then I don't feel bad for not continuing with it. or feel drawn to continue with it even though I'm not crazy about the books.