Monday, July 12, 2010

Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris Review

Title: Grave Secret (Harper Connelly Mysteries Book #4)
Author: Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of the Sookie Stackhouse Novels
Genre: Mystery
Page Count: 306
Book Type: Library Hardcover 
Publisher: Berkley Hardcover
ISBN: 978-0-425-23015-2

From Amazon: Lightning-struck sleuth Harper Connelly and her stepbrother Tolliver take a break from looking for the dead to visit the two little girls they both think of as sisters. But, as always happens when they travel to Texas, memories of their horrible childhood resurface.

To make matters worse, Tolliver learns from his older brother that their father is out of jail and trying to reestablish contact with other family members. Tolliver wants no part of the man- but he may not have a choice in the matter.

Soon, family secrets ensnare them both, as Harper finally discovers what happened to her missing sister, Cameron, so many years before.

And what she finds out will change her world forever.

Review: As promised, I finished Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris this evening.  This was, by far, my favorite in the Harper Connelly series, which is a shame because I own the first three, but only picked this one up as a library book. Sometimes I have a hard time with the characters in this series. I feel that Charlaine Harris doesn't always allow you to get to know the minor characters as well and then when something happens to them, you don't feel quite as bad. Throughout the series, I was always interested in the disappearance of Harper's sister, Cameron. I was excited when right there in the description it says that we will find out what actually happened--which makes me think this is that last in the series? I'm not sure if Charlaine Harris is planning on writing any more. The description does not lie, and we do, in fact, find out what happened to Cameron. If you read my last post, you will know that I was waiting for a bird to carry a skull somewhere due to the cover, but that never happened, which left me a bit disappointed.


Over all, this book is a quick read and I would suggest picking up the series from the library if you like mysteries. I wouldn't tell you to bump it up to the top of your list, though. I regret physically buying the first three, but I did only get them in paperback, so it isn't quite so bad. I would much rather read the Sookie Stackhouse novels. Those are books that I could read over and over again, where I don't think I will be revisiting Harper anytime soon.


My library has started to add little comment cards in the backs of the books, which I think is amazing. Obviously I love sharing my thoughts on books and love reading other people's thoughts (have you seen the blogs I subscribe to?). There was only one comment before mine on this book and it said, "Very Good!!!". I wrote, "My favorite of the series! Still prefer the Sookie Stackhouse books."


Have you read this series? What are your thoughts? Also, do you prefer the Sookie Stackhouse novels over these or vice versa? Does your library put comment cards in their books? Let me know!

4 comments:

  1. Ooh yay I can't wait to read it!! I requested it from my grandmother's library, I love Charlaine Harris!

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  2. Nice post! Okay, I'm the first to admit it...I have NOT read anything by this author as of yet. I know, scary right? Well, the Sookie Stackhouse books are in my TBR pile (teetering under there somewhere) so one day I shall correct that situation. As far as mystery novels, I haven't read too many in this particular genre, but the ones that I have fair pretty well....may not make my immediate read list, but definitely enjoyed the inside peek! Happy reading!

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  3. I love your libraries idea on the comment cards, so cute!

    Charlaine Harris is by far one of my all time favorite authors. Her books are so well written and I'm always surprised/satisfied with the endings. Just wonderful!

    I'm really glad to hear you liked this one! I've read the others in this series, but have been so bogged down I haven't been able to get to this one...Hopefully soon!

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  4. Deirdre, you'll have to let me know what you think!

    GMR, I would definitely suggest reading the Sookie Stackhouse books before the Harper Connelly ones. There is no comparison for which one I prefer, but to each their own. I just like the characters a lot more in the Sookie ones :)

    The1stdaughter, I'm excited to post some of the comments on the library books I am reading next--there are some good ones. I loved reading all of them! What are your thoughts on the Harper/Tolliver situation? Without getting too spoilery, it kind of creeps me out--I know it shouldn't, but it does haha

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Comment away, my friends. I love to chat with you guys. :)