Friday, May 13, 2011

The Restorer by Amanda Stevens

The Restorer (Graveyard Queen)From Goodreads:
My name is Amelia Gray. I'm a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I've always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe. 
It started with the discovery of a young woman's brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I've been hired to restore. The clues to the killer—and to his other victims—lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I've vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.
I think most people who pick up this book expect a ghost story. You will not be disappointed. However, I would say that it is more than that. It is also a very good murder mystery story. And while that doesn't make the ghosts of any less importance, it does make the book lean more toward a thriller than a paranormal book for me. This is not a bad thing as I do enjoy thrillers.

The mystery revolves around a murdered victim found in the cemetery Amelia is in charge of restoring. Using her expertise of the grounds she becomes involved with the case and with Devlin, the detective in charge. The killer is also making sure that Amelia is a part of the case by sending clues to her blog. I won't say much more as I will end up giving too much away. You know what that means... get ready for it... *evil laugh* Ah, I feel much better now. ;)

This ghostly murder mystery thriller (say that 5 times fast) gets 4 stars. I really enjoyed the world Amelia lives and love trying to figure out what is what and who is what. ;) The characters were interesting and I suspect that in the next coming stories in this series we will see them develop even further. I hope so. I think it could become more deliciously creepy if that happens. The murder mystery was solved, but not certain parts of her life in which I have curiosities still left to be satisfied. The next book is The Kingdom.

I was given this eGalley by Mira and NetGalley and no compensation for my review was given.



I couldn't decide which I liked best. They were both equally wonderfully creepy. :)

The Graveyard Queen website

17 comments:

  1. I'm totally freaking excited to read this one!!! xoxo

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  2. You and your evil laugh woman! I love how different this one sounds and how it seems to blend together a bunch of different elements:) Lovely review Melissa!

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  3. Yeah, murder and thriller is what I need right now. Blood, bucketful of it. A good sharp dagger or a Beretta. Nice review! It made me murderous instantly!

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  4. Yep! I loved it and agree with every thing you said :)

    I couldn't even begin to say how creepily good this is....

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  5. Okay, I must get this book! And I love mysteries! Especially if I get a chance to look for clues and unexpected happenings! Thanks for the review!

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  6. Ohh trailers *takes a look* I like them both too :D

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  7. Ooo, I liked this book as well - I have to agree with you that it was deliciously creepy! Looking forward to the next book as well. :)

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  8. @Bookish... I think you will enjoy it!

    @Jenny... *bwa ha ha* Oh yea... it is very good.

    @anachronist... lol Yes, it suits your romantic interests.

    @Felicia... True... so true.

    @Savannah...Yes, it really is a mystery. You will enjoy that.

    @Blodeuedd... They were both good.

    @Mel... Yum. :) I want the next one too!

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  9. Ooooohhhh.... You keep having me run off to NetGalley to grab books! Not that I am complaining! Books= happiness.... ;)

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  10. ghostly murder mystery thriller, ghostly murder mystery thrilsdfadfasfs
    nevermind xD

    thanks for the review!

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  11. Wonderful review! I was surprised by how much I loved this book - it's a perfect mixture of the paranormal and the suspense genres.
    Also, I think I might be a little in love with Devlin :)

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  12. Totally agree, really enjoyed this book and wasn't anything like I'd expected! Can't wait for the next dang book!

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  13. Great review hon!

    So glad you enjoyed this one as well =D

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  14. Really sounds... spooky? lol. Sounds like a great read. Thank you! And so glad you enjoyed it.

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  15. Where the heck have I been?!

    So The Restorer is actually about a restorer? Who would have guessed?

    I'm so looking forward to reading this one now Mel, so thanks for your review. I'm a bit leery about ghost stories because I haven't really found a good one that I like.

    How creepy would it be to get murder mystery clues on your blog? Gah!

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  16. @Avery... run!! ;)

    @Samita... LOL!!

    @Misha... I know! Devlin, I think, is going to be more swoon-worthy in the next books. Well, that's my prediction.

    @Pam... can I haz the next one too? :)

    @Larissa... Thx! It was good!

    @Melissa... Boo! ;D

    @Missie... Where have you been? ;) I think you might like this one. It really is more of a mystery... with ghosts. :) Oh and are you giving me clues to something? *arches eyebrow*

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  17. I can say with full honesty that while reading this, icy tentacles of fear and excitement ran up and down my body. My gut clenched and my heart pounded. The Restorer is one of the most eerie, haunting books I've read in a long time. Every creak of my house settling had me jumping. I left the lights on while reading. Yes, I even looked over my shoulder to make sure no one stood behind me.

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