This is book number 2 in this series. We now know that Keira is being hunted after by some organization with a weird symbol. She has really good friends in Zoe, Mason and Adage. She is even beginning to feel at home in Blighty. She has discovered more of her powers and how to help ghosts as well as protect the ghosts from other spirits that have gone feral. Even when she thinks she has found the answer to finding out how to ‘complete’ unfinished business, and things go wrong, she does not stop using her skills. This rag tag group of friends is really growing on this reader and I hope to see more adventures com my way.

The Ravenous Dead by Darcy Coates is a paranormal mystery novel, and the second in the Gravekeeper series.  I wouldn't call it horror.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Poisoned Pen Press, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Background:    (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
Keira knows little about her past, but she has discovered she has a talent.  She can talk to ghosts -- and if she discovers why they are still on this plane, she is determined to help them move on.  She has new friends...Adage who is a clergyman,  Zoe who is a conspiracy  theory nut, and Mason, who is supposed to be studying to become a doctor.  She has recently been hired by Adage to be the new groundskeeper at Blighty Graveyard.


My Synopsis:   (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Keira is finding that being the groundskeeper at Blighty Cemetery is never boring.  Her ability to see the dead and help them to move on is definitely her life's work.

When she encounters a more malevolent spirit who is actually gaining energy by destroying other ghosts, she is determined to put an end to him.   Unfortunately, that may not be as easy as it sounds.  Although she thought the ghosts could not harm her, she may have been wrong

She will have some unexpected help.


My Opinions:   
I am really enjoying this series.  This second book is another fast and entertaining read.  Although the subject matter is a little dark, it felt like a light read.

I continue to love Keira, who often questions her own judgement, and cares deeply for her friends, as well as the ghosts she is trying to help.

The banter between Keira, Zoe, and Mason is wonderful.  I am not a comedy lover, but there are some really great lines in these books.

Anyway, I can't wait for the next one!

This was a fantastic continuation of Kiera's story of being a medium and the adventure she experiences with her friends. I think the story really came into it's own in this book and I enjoyed this one far more than the first instalment. It's not that I disliked the first book, not at all but here, Kiera has really come into her ability to see spirits and I love the idea around how she can help them move on.
My only criticism is I'm learning that Darcy Coates' writing, particularly so far in this series is very formulaic. I enjoy her writing and her stories. It's cozy and familiar, but I'd love to see her shake things up a bit!
Very much looking forward to the 3rd instalment of this series!

What an interesting ghosty tale! Thank you to the publisher for this earc and also sending along a physical copy!

The atmosphere is top notch! The spooky graveyard, the small town, the creepy cabin! All the makings for a good ghost story. I thought Keira as a main character was interesting but I wanted to know more about her! I know there’s 2 other books in the series so I’m sure she’ll have more flushed out as the series unfolds! The friend group in this is great too! I loved how her friends were like “you see ghost cool no questions I’m helping you” and isn’t that what we all need in friends!

I read a couple reviews saying that this could stand on its own. While I somewhat agree I think some plot points (like her knowing nothing about herself) we’re a little confusing to me. I do think in the end it didn’t effect my enjoyment of the story. I had a good time reading this story and am interested in how the series progresses!

{3.5 stars}

Keira is a woman with no past, well that she can remember anyway, she has landed in the town of Blighty and realized she can see ghosts. Like anyone with these unusual skills, she's found a job as the caretaker of a graveyard. There she can help the ghosts find the thing that is keeping them from moving on. When she is suddenly tormented by a dark shade who seems to be consuming other ghosts before they can pass on, she has to figure out just who this is terrorizing her new home town.

I found this one cute. I'm not sure that's what I expected when I started reading but it reminded me in a lot of ways of The Library of the Dead. There is a big baddie and scenes of violence but the overall vibe I got from this was cute. Keira is sweet and caring, maybe a little reckless but surrounded by supportive friends and a resilience driven by the need to help others. There is a mystery about who the big baddie is but I wouldn't call it a mystery with a capital M. Some people have even categorized this one as a thriller, I don't think it's that at all. Maybe the last quarter has some scenes that are page turners but overall this one goes at a steady pace.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this novel. All opinions above are my own.

I didn’t read the first book in this series but the author does a good job of catching the reader up on what was going on. At first I wasn’t overly interested in this book but the more I read the more the danger increased and the more invested I got in the book.

If you like scary reads with many twists and turns I am sure you will enjoy this read.

A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

I didn't realize that this was a second book in the series at first, but someone said it was fine to read it without finishing the first one. Overall, I think the mystery and the ghost story was intriguing and I enjoyed the characters too. I definitely think it would have been better to read the first book to have it set the scene for the mystery and all. There are still some questions that need to be answered when the book was done, but I don't think I'm too invested in it as a whole to continue. Still would recommend to horror and mystery lovers out there.

3.5/5!

I’ve come to really enjoy Darcy Coates’ cozy horror writing style. Her books aren’t filled with gore. They maintain a level of tension and unease, while also giving the reader lighter moments through the cast of secondary characters. It’s these characters along with our main character, Keira, that keeps me invested in where the Gravekeeper series is headed.

The second installment of the series picks up not long after the events of the first book, so I think it’s most beneficial to the reader to go in order with these books. Coates maintains the same level of mystery surrounding Keira and her background, but sprinkles some great hints at the truth throughout the story. This side plot blends well and lends itself to the progression of the main storyline in THE RAVENOUS DEAD. There is more history of the town, exploration of Keira’s abilities, and depth into what makes the ghosts tick in this second book. The first installment, THE WHISPERING DEAD, remains my favorite, as I thought it was easier to connect with that book. I’m excited to see what mysteries book three has in store!

A huge thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for my gifted copy!

Keira has decided to stick around in Blighty and has found employment as the graveyard's new groundkeeper. Pastor Adage can see the value in allowing Keira to work with the unsettled spirits there, helping them to find closure and move on, while she puzzles together the pieces of her past. Keira is surprised to encounter a spirit that is different from all the others - furious, ravenous, devouring the spirits around him so that his power can grow. She must join forces with her friends to uncover the past of this evil spirit and discover a way to release him for good.

This was a great entry to the Gravekeeper series. It was a little darker than the first book, but still not super scary. But absolutely entertaining and enjoyable. I loved the relationships between Keira, her comical sidekick Zoe and aspiring physician Mason and I enjoyed seeing them grow in trust and closeness to one another. Great dialogue and banter. I love how Keira is growing into her own and gaining confidence and believe in herself as she faces off against adversaries, both living and dead. It was a quick, fun read. I'll be looking forward to the next entry in this series!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my gifted copy.

I thought this was an interesting story! I haven't read the first book, and I didn't realize it was part of a series, so I struggled a little at the beginning. I was able to quickly get into the story though, and it was fine. I liked the somewhat scary moments, but also the fun undertones from the main character!

Darcy Coates is one of my favorite cozy horror authors, if there is such a thing! She writes spine tingling suspense but without all the language, love scenes, occult stuff, or gore. The Ravenous Dead really drew me in and I found once I got into the story, it was so hard to put down. I only wish I had read the first book in the series. While the author does a great job bringing the reader up to speed, I felt like I was still missing parts of the story and now want to go back and read the first book. This didn’t prevent me from enjoying it though and it could definitely be read as a standalone.

The story begins with Kiera who lost her memory after escaping from a mysterious group. At this point, no one knows who they are or why they are after Kiera, but a few clues are dropped throughout the story. This is just one small aspect of the book. The main story involves a serial killer and the ghost of an unmarked grave.

Building a life in Blightly as the new graveyard groundskeeper, Kiera has the uncanny ability to help spirits move on to the other side. She encounters a ghost with a missing face and identity and is determined to find out who he is and what happened to him. There’s also a malevolent spirit in the graveyard who doesn’t seem to want to be saved and whose anger and hatred are a constant creepy threat to Kiera. Supported by her two friends, Mason, a physician and potential love interest, and endearingly eccentric Zoe, Kiera finds the strength to investigate the man with the missing identity and the prolific serial killer who might just be the threatening ghost in the graveyard.

This thoroughly atmospheric tale was such a spooky read! Just thinking about living so close to a graveyard near a forest was enough to scare me. The author does a fantastic job of creating these scenarios that played out like an Alfred Hitchcock or jump scare movie in my mind. I don’t want to say too much to ruin the story, but there are some truly nail-biting situations as well as a few twists.

Loved the characters! They’re an enjoyable blend of personalities that made this book fun to read. I also loved the cat Daisy who added a sweet dimension to the story. The town of Blightly has its own character, filled not only with quirky living people, but also a graveyard full of interesting ghosts who added a small dose of humor to offset the suspense and creepiness.

Highly recommend this book to those who enjoy ghost stories and/or “clean” horror. While there is a small amount of gore and violence, it’s not excessive or gruesome. This book would be a great recommendation for New Adult or older teens who enjoy the genre. I’m excited to read the next book in the series and find out more about the organization after Kiera. I’m also anxious to see if Kiera and Mason’s friendship develops into something more. I received an advanced copy from Poison Press via NetGalley. All opinions are my own and freely given. I was not required to provide a positive review.

Upon requesting this title, I didn't realize it was a book 2. I rushed to grab the first in the series, The Whispering Dead. The Ravenous Dead follows Keira, now graveyard keeper, as she works to bring peace to the ghosts that roam the cemetery. I would describe this book and series in general as a cozy horror/mystery/thriller. The Ravenous Dead starts shortly after the ending of book 1. There is no huge jump in time. In fact, I believe it is only a matter of days. Keira is still missing her memory, which makes everything she experiences about herself a surprise. Her missing memory and the strangers who are chasing her is secondary to the ghost led mystery. For me, the most appealing part of this book and series is Coates whimsical approach to her characters. We have the long coat wearing, compassionate med school drop out, Mason. Next is Zoe, the conspiracy loving town eccentric. Finally, Adage, the loving pastor who only wants to help others regardless if they are living or dead. Together, they help Keira on her journey. The interactions between the characters are organic and fun. I absolutely love them.

Overall it is an easy read that pulls the reader along. I know several of my library patrons that would love this book.

This is the second book in the series and without reading the first, I am confused. Keira is supposed to have been found recently without a memory. But it is unclear what memories are missing and how long ago she was found. She is unknown in the town so it had to have been recently but she has two good friends already and she has a pet. Her memory is gone, but she know about her powers and how to use them and she also says things like "XXX is the most XXX she has ever known." If ever is only a couple of days or weeks, this makes no sense. I am not going to read further till I can get my hands on book 1..

I love a good Darcy Coates book. Going in, you know you're going to get all the classic horror tropes you could want, maybe a little something new and exciting, with plenty of creepy give-you-the-chills moments but no actual nightmare-inducing scenes. I read enough books that give me nightmares. Something a little tamer now and then is welcome.

'The Ravenous Dead' is the second book in Coates's 'Gravekeeper' series. In the first book, we meet Keira, a young woman with amnesia who knows only one thing: she's on the run from someone or something. She is taken in by a man named Adage, the kindly old pastor of the small town of Blighty. She discovers she can see and communicate with ghosts, and the old cemetery right outside her borrowed cottage is full of them.

In this newest offering, Coates gives us the same cast of characters we got to to know in the first book: Keira, our heroine; Adage, the doddering preacher; Mason, the med student and obvious love interest; Zoe, the hyperactive conspiracy theorist/new best friend; and a small town's worth of tertiary supporting cast. The book opens with Keira wandering in the graveyard, trying to get to know its resident ghosts and determine which ones she can help deal with their unfinished business and move on. Of course, it's never that easy. These ghosts can't speak, they nod and gesture and grimace and Keira is left to figure out what they want.

Things get strange(r) when she discovers a ghost with no face attached to a grave with no name. Thus begins the real plot of this book: figure out who this ghost is and help him. But that's not all! Deep in the forest surrounding the graveyard lurks an evil shade, wailing tortuously, devouring the nice ghosts, growing stronger by the minute, and causing Keira all kinds of pain and distress.

Keira, along with the help of Mason and Zoe, with an occasional word of wisdom and fortifying meal provided by old Adage, must figure out the mystery of the faceless ghost AND of the evil shade, a journey which includes multiple trips to the library, a trek through the forest to a murder cabin, and getting local goth-guy Harry to loan them his prized skull. Oh, and in the middle of all this, the shadowy organization that is hunting Keira makes an appearance AND a local townsperson or two strongly emphasizes their belief that Keira has no place in Blighty.

Basically it's a crazy old time.

My one complaint is that sometimes Keira acts... well, really dumb. I lost count of how many times she promised her friends she wouldn't go back out there alone and then turns around and does just that, always getting herself into trouble and always needing said friends to come save her. She's acting like a dumb teenager in an 80's slasher flick and I'm mentally yelling at her: "No! Don't go out there alone!" She's too smart for that. I think.

But, Keira's lapses in judgment aside, I love this book. It's creepy and chilling and oddly fun at the same time, which is a combination that certainly works for me.

ʙᴏᴏᴋ: The Ravenous Dead (Gravekeeper 2)
ᴀᴜᴛʜᴏʀ: Darcy Coates
ᴘᴜʙʟɪᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴅᴀᴛᴇ: March 15, 2022

The Ravenous Dead raises the stakes.

sᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ
Keira is settling in as the new groundkeeper to Blighty’s cemetery. But the dead are becoming more restless.

As Keira seeks to unravel the threads of mystery surrounding her past, a new mystery has popped up in Blighty. An evil that threatens the living and the dead. Sometimes, even in death, the cruelest only want more bloodshed.

ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛs
Despite the gripping mystery, this story has something familiar and comforting in it through Keira’s loyal friends and sweet kitten. Darcy Coates is still the epitome of “cozy horror.” 😍😍

Releases tomorrow! Be sure to snag a copy and hang out in Blighty with me. I’ll be at the café with the coffee 👻☕️

The Ravenous Dead is book #2 in the Gravekeeper series and even though one can read this without reading book #1 as the major events have been mentioned in this, I would strongly suggest reading Book #1 as the little town called Blighty, its pastor named Adage, the loving and friendly residents and the haunted cemetery comes alive in its entirety.

Thankfully I had read Book #1 and knew the premise of the story going in. Keira, the girl with no memory of her origins except her name has shared her talent of seeing ghosts with Adage but no one else is aware of her gift. Darcy Coates has multiple mysteries running in parallel in the Ravenous Dead just like the previous one. For starters, Keira is intent on finding the identity of a John Doe buried in the cemetery but she has to literally grapple with a malevolent and angry spirit intent on consuming the energy of people and ghosts alike thus increasing his strength. Meanwhile, there is also the mystery of her predicament of having no memory and being hunted by persons unknown.

Her friendship with Zoe the quirky and paranoid conspiracy addict is the highlight of the novel. Zoe is a loving character whose story is yet to be explored completely. In fact, Keira’s identity and Mason’s backstory are still kept in the dark. I wished that at least Keira’s story had moved a step further from the first book but the suspense of the ghosts makes the Ravenous Dead quite an interesting read and seeing that Zoe is researching the insignia of the organization targeting Keira, hopefully, this mystery will get revealed in the next one. The romance also is slow step progress as Mason’s care and concern for Keira is evident but nothing much happens to take it further.

This is a mild horror novel, the scary parts are not too terrifying and thus would not make the gore-loving horror fans happy but I am surely in love with this series by Darcy Coates. It was thrilling to see the growth of trust between the three friends and how Mason and Zoe have begun to help Keira in her attempts with ghost hunting. The fog-enshrouded cemetery and woods are quite atmospheric and the author has worked wonders with the elements.

Looking forward to reading the next adventure by Keira and her friends.

Many thanks to Net Galley, Poisoned Pen Press, and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India, Book Bub, Medium.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

We're back in Blighty with Keira, Zoe, Mason, Adage, Daisy, and all the other wacky residents of this small haunted town. Though still unaware of who she was before coming to Blighty, Keira is beginning to find a home in town helping ghosts with their unfinished business so they can move on. However, one night she stumbles on a malicious ghost hell-bent on hurting others even Keira. Can Keira solve the case of the ravenous ghost before it's too late?

I really like the world Coates has created in Blighty. It's such a weird town with even stranger characters roaming about. Zoe is still super bizarre (even more of her fantastical ideas come out in this book). Possible pieces from Keira's past begin to surface. Whatever romance that seemed to have been budding in the first book is replaced by Mason's loyal friendship. Daisy even has some greater moments in this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC. I enjoy this series and all the funky characters therein.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC.

I enjoyed this second book in Coates' Gravekeeper Series much more than I did the first book. Coates expanded the development of the characters and actually got a bit darker with the plot. Keira, Mason and Zoe must tackle a long dead serial killer who is tormenting the other spirits in the cemetary.

Darcy Coates has really impressed me with her ability to describe creepy elements to invoke fear in the reader. Incidents involving humans and ghosts are expertly woven. I lose myself in those sections. Interactions between humans could be developed more. In my opinion the Gravekeeper series should be marketed as a NA (new adult) horror. I think it would appeal to high school to college age readers. The characters of Mason, Zoe and Keira often speak in simplistic terms like a new adult with even a reference to having a "pizza party".

I appreciated the fact that the quirky commentary from the character of Zoe was toned down in this second novel. I found her banter in the first book to be annoying. Here Zoe comes across as being more mature and her friendship with Keira develops into a stronger team of three. (Keira, Zoe and Mason)

Readers who enjoy short, novellas will enjoy this book. It was an easy read and fast paced.

“You know your life has gone off the rails when you start differentiating between normal ghosts and weird ghosts.”

This is unlike the other novels I’ve read by the author. While there are ghosts and a cemetery, there are also good friends and someone tracking down Freida, the star of the book. I really liked the balance between the ongoing series mystery and the stand alone mystery. I liked Freida, her friends Zoe and Mason and Daisy the cat, but I might be a little biased there as one of my cats is also named Daisy and is a little quirky too.

I love horror but am not totally sure I believe in ghosts and I think the author does a great job of having ghosts in a story that I am not rolling my eyes at. I read this one in a day and if I was the type of person who could sit still for many hours, it would have been in just one sitting.

While this is book 2 in the series, it isn’t necessary to have read book 1. Anyone that loves ghost stories, friends and small town vibes should check this one out.

Thank you to the publishers at Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for this ARC of The Ravenous Dead!

The Ravenous Dead is book two in Darcy Coates Gravekeeper series. While I haven’t read the first book, this can be easily be read as a standalone. Coates does a great job of giving us the relevant information needed to understand what happened to Keira in book one.

Keira can see and speak to ghosts. Hired by Adage, the local parishioner, to help ghosts move on, Keira is thankful for the job and the little cottage she now calls home. Keira can’t only speak to ghosts, she’s also lost her memory. While running through the forest from men armed with weapons, she somehow forgot everything about herself.

In the small town of Blighty, which she now calls home, her friends Mason and Zoe are all she really has right now. One morning while out on her stroll through the cemetery, she encounters a ghost with no face and therefore no way to communicate with her. Below him lies an unmarked grave, so naturally Keira sets out to discover his identity so he can be fully laid to rest. But when she stumbles upon a restless spirit one night, a shade, Kiera wonders if maybe she’s in over her head. After all, who can help her when she’s the only one who can see these ghostly figures?

I really enjoyed this story. As someone who loves anything and everything ghostly, this story had me engaged immediately. Darcy is also amazing when it comes to twists, as I didn’t see any of them coming, especially the last one. I loved it, and can’t wait to see what happens in her next installment of this series!

Read this if:
👻 you love ghost stories
🪦 you enjoy fast paced books
🔮 you love mystery mixed with horror
🍁 you like series more than standalones