This started off well, but then it just piled on the dark backstories and made it too difficult to continue reading.

This was a fascinating look at the past through the eyes of young Hadley as she searches for answers to the murder of a friend, the mystery of her mother's mental illness, and the behavior of her odd hermit uncle who lives in the forest. What she uncovers is a surprise to almost everyone and she must reconcile what she thought she knew about her family with the secrets that are revealed when she confronts the reality of her family history.

I was drawn to the story from the beginning and I liked some of the narration within the book more than other sections. It was nice to see it from different point of views for some of the main characters. The ending was unexpected and I always like a good shock when I'm reading. I wanted to know more about what happened to the characters at the end, but I guess it can be a good thing when a reader is left wanting more!

The Grave Tender is a haunting and beautifully woven southern gothic about a broken family and the love that binds them together. The story starts slow as the story introduces Hadley, her friends, family, and their small town which on the surface seems idyllic. It’s the sort of town where everyone knows each other over generations, but the smiling town hides many secrets.

What I loved most about this book was how it dealt with matters of appearance. It’s easy to point fingers and blame those that look the most guilty, who are the most eccentric. It’s the folly of letting appearances dictate our perception of the people around us. Evil is committed every day by seemingly normal people, and true monsters masquerade under the guise of banality. The book deals with some of the most horrifying situations a person can go through with extreme delicacy. Not everyone has a happy ending, sometimes there are crimes that go unpunished, victims never receive justice, some wounds heal but many more never do. I cried so much while reading this book because of how close to home it hit for me, I was honestly touched.

I can’t say much more about the book because it’s really the sort of story that needs to be experienced without spoilers. I will however note that the content in this book is difficult to stomach. For a survivor of domestic abuse it can be either cathartic or utterly horrifying. I cautiously recommend this book for those ready for a poignant and unflinchingly honest exploration of domestic abuse.

I read this book on vacation which maybe wasn't the best time. It pulled me right in and wouldn't let me go. The disturbing family secrets started to unravel in the second half of the book and it was like a car crash that you can't look away from. It was really well done, but not a fun or uplifting book in any way.

Wow. I love this book. And part of me feels a little strange about that, because it deals with some terrible things... but it's so beautifully written. I found myself going back and rereading some parts just because something was described in such a lovely or poignant way.

Warning: this book deals with several different forms of abuse. If you're very easily shaken by that, this may not be the book for you. However, it's not overly graphic.

Most of the story comes from Hadley, both from when she was a little girl and as an adult with her own children. A few years ago, she's back in her family home after the loss of her husband with her child, grandmother, and father. It all seems to be very sweet and charming, the epitome of happy small town life... but it's not. Hadley has her own problems, having witnessed her ill mother's suicide many years ago. You'd think one family tragedy would be enough, but several generations in this family have been surrounded by pain and secrets. Hadley has no idea about most of it... but she'll learn soon.

This book is best enjoyed by going in relatively blind. I'm being very cautious not to reveal any spoilers. If you can handle some dark subject matter, read it!

I was given an ARC of this novel from Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing. My review is honest and unbiased.

This is a great story. It is very well thought out and the characters are very realistic. There are so many twists and turns I would never have been able to predict the ending. The author has a great command of language for the book is beautifully written. It hooked me from the very first page and kept me anxious to see what was going to happen next. I am definitely going to read more by this author. If you like stories that are very suspenseful you will truly enjoy this one.

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The Grave Tender is a gripping psychological thriller. It really kept me on the edge of my seat. The book is very well written with a plot with many twists and turns to keep me guessing.

The Grave Tender opens on a note of tension that underscores the full plot. Eliza Maxwell's psychological suspense novel explores the dark consequences of family secrets as a young woman comes home to face the past.

Hadley Dixon didn't have an ideal home life; her mother was mentally ill and her uncle was the town freak. This complex story gives insight on Hadley's childhood as she viewed it. Further in the story readers are privy to the reality of her childhood as secrets are uncovered and the truth comes to light. The secrets unearthed change everything she thought about her family including her grandmother and father, the two she loved the most.

The Grave Tender's unique narration and dark themes make this a story best read in one sitting. I couldn't take my eyes off the pages because of how quickly the story escalated. It's so easy to become absorbed in knowing the dark secrets that lie in Hadley's past. They affect so many of the characters in the story that you have to keep reading to see the full scope. The Grave Tender's thought-provoking conclusion will stay with you long after you've finished. This is a story I won't soon forget!
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*

Darkness is rampant in this surprising southern noir book by Eliza Maxwell. Let me say that if abuse is a trigger for you then this is definitely one you should skip. I was drawn in as soon as I read the dedication, “For my mom, who taught me that crazy only counts if it shows.” The story focuses on Hadley Dixon and alternates between her childhood and present day. Hadley’s mother spends most of her time locked in her bedroom, suffering from horrible bouts of depression. Hadley’s father dotes on her and tries his hardest to make the best of their situation. She has a strange reclusive uncle who lives deep in the woods and barely speaks to anyone. Disfigured by a horrible accident when he was young, he prefers the solace of the woods over the gossipy townfolk. The first half of the book is excellent, the suspense mounts page by page and you know something sinister is about to take place but you are not sure what. Then Maxwell pulls the rug right out from underneath you as she hits hard in the second half. It is a hard, ugly read from this point forward. The life Hadley knew and the family she adored is not at all what they seemed and it leaves Hadley reeling in disbelief. Haunting, disturbing, yet beautifully written The Grave Tender is a shocking tale of deception and betrayal and one woman’s attempt to reconcile the truth about her family and the secrets that they keep. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I received a copy of The Grave Tender from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review and I have to tell you it's not at all what I expected. The story is about lies, secrets, and the lengths one man will go to protect the people he loves. It's a powerful debut that's well written, and packs one hell of a punch at its conclusion. Eliza is a decent writer that pulls us along slowly until the secrets of the Dixon family come pouring out. It all starts with one missing child, and then the story picks up and we're thrust into Hadley's nightmare. This is a family who knows tragedy, and at times it almost seemed like it was too much. Could this really happen? In the end, it didn't really matter, what mattered was the story, and what a story it was.

For a debut, it's nice to see an author take risks. A story like this is dark, yet compelling because it's so unexpected. You see Eli as this dark shadowy figure and you come to see the story is really about him, and his love for his family. The secrets of a crazy mother, her grandmother, and even her father Walker. It's not an easy book to read, and the subject matter certainly will no doubt make people uncomfortable. It's not an easy book to categorize, or place in a nice tidy box. Walker pulls no punches and as the novel reaches its conclusion there's a moment where you can't believe what you're reading. This isn't what I expected at all, but that's what makes her such a good writer. These are characters you feel a connection with, you feel for Eli and your heart breaks for Alva. The Grave Tender is a book that pulls you in and holds you captive. It's a short read, but one you should definitely check out.

WOW.

Before I wrote this review, I had to gather myself. Tears were shed..

This book packs a punch. Lots of punches, to the gut.

A dark, suspenseful, psychological novel for sure.

I went into this book without remembering what it was supposed to be about. I must say doing so made it a very enjoyable read. This book definitely won't be for everyone. It deals with murder, molestation, rape, friendship, secrets and redemption.

When Hadley Dixon was just 10 years old, one of her three childhood friends disappeared without a trace. Few people knew what happened to Charles Abbott that fateful day. Those few people were the people closest to Hadley, but she didn't know it yet. The people in the town pointed fingers at the monster who lives in the woods. That monster happened to be Hadley's mysterious, quiet, strange Uncle Eli.

"A mother's need to protect her child is an ancient, living thing that defies rationality. Like Stonehedge or Machu Picchu."

Twenty years later Hadley returns to Texas after becoming a single mother and widow. With her return comes some of the most unexpected deep dark secrets that her family and friends kept from her.

Alternating between past and present, we learn the secrets of the Dixon family. We come to find that not all is what we think, just like the main character Hadley.

I loved this book. I am not the best at writing reviews, I admit. And, this book is hard to review because it is full of layers that peel back every so slowly to give you a seriously good story.

5 solid stars for The Grave Tender!!

***Copy of book provided in exchange for an honest review***

I was completely enraptured by this story from start to finish. There are so many unexpected twists that will have you at the edge of your seat. This story although primarily focuses on Hadley's life each background character plays an integral part in her character development we get to experience their POV's as well which is very uncommon not many authors do that.

Excellent book! Great characters and a brilliant storyline. I would highly recommend this book. This is a wonderful, wonderful book.

This book is a psychological suspense story that did not disappoint in this genre!

Well written story tells of Hadley Dixon as a child in East Texas, the disappearance of a boy that still haunts her & the town, & her return, years later, as a pregnant widowed mother. A single act shatters her world & her family is the talk of the town. Secrets that were kept while Hadley was a child, betrayals, mistrusts,lies,types of things that secrets are made from, Hadley is now digging up & searching through lies, testing family bonds. Uncle Eli is a very interesting character, as also her mother, which the people in her town felt was never really "quite right" As she looks for answers to her questions, her grandfather & father, both avoid answers. She searches deeper & deeper & wonders if bringing her children "back home" along with her unborn child, was the right decision? Does she want to stay & bring her children up in what could be possible danger? What lengths would you go, to save your family as you find out so many lies have been told, secrets kept? What really happened ? What parts did her family have in it all, if any? So many questions to be answered, so much deceit took place, so much searching for answers needs to be done to find the truth!

I'd highly recommend this book to all readers, like myself, that love the psychological suspense or psych/thriller genres, as I I've been looking for new, or at least new to me, authors that write in this genre of books, & the author did a very good job! I'm happy to add her to my list of authors to keep watching for new releases

I received a digital copy from Net Galley & Lake Union Publishing--thank you very much for this enjoyable book to read/review! In return I've written an honest review

I'm easily distracted and find it hard to read a book in one sitting. Not so with this book. I could not put it down. I had to know what had happened to Cooper. I had to know what happened all those years ago.

Hadley is the main character, seen mainly as a young 10 year old girl growing up in the south in the 80's. She lives with her father, grandmother, and mother, the latter of which is troubled though we don't find out why until later in the book. She has her small circle of friends but one day, that is all broken apart as one vanishes and Hadley's reclusive uncle Eli is the prime suspect.

The book also goes back into the past, to Eli and Walker's (Hadley's father) childhood, to her grandmother's, Ava's life with her husband. Its a harrowing tale and its really no surprise to see how it effects both of the boys in different ways.

The author also takes us to the year 2012, bringing her young characters to adulthood. How has the past shaped them? WIll learning the truth help? How many lives will be changed and shattered?

Maxwell weaves a wonderful tale and I highly recommend it to everyone. Be sure you don't make plans!

I received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

A lot of people will say that their families are damaged. This family takes the cake. And then some.

This was a story that kept my attention, but the entire time I was thinking about how normal my upbringing was, and how thankful that made me. The story was well written, and I loved the connections between the characters.

I would definitely read more books from this author!

This was great! I will definitely be recommending and will be looking for more from Eliza Maxwell.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an e-Arc of this title. I should've known Lake Union wouldn't let me down. This new author wrote a story that kept me reading and made me think. Initially, I couldn't see where it was going, then I was troubled by where it did, but it was well done, suspenseful, and the emotions of the characters were realistic. The author must be an avid reader, because she has a way of writing that seems to come from someone with several books under her belt. I highly recommend this one.