Keira is hired as Blightly's groundskeeper. She has the ability to see and speak to spirits that have not yet left this world to crossover to the next. Keira is struggling to find out the history of one the ghosts she sees. He is not like the others, he is different. She soon discovers through research he was a vicious serial killer, that would kill people from other towns and bury them in his backyard. He does not want to leave this world and now Keira's life may be in danger.

This was my first Darcy Coates novel. I really enjoyed it. It is the second book in the Gravekeeper Series, but it can be read as a standalone. I would not say this is scary, but more of a creepy mystery. The ending left me wanting more, so I am sure the next book in the series will also be fantastic. If you're looking for something creepy and different and you don't mind a ghost story or two, pick up a copy of THE RAVENOUS DEAD. I look forward to continuing this series to see how it all comes together in the end.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be posted to my Instagram Blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

Full disclosure, I have not read book one in this series...but I was able to enjoy it just the same and I plan on reading number one soon because I am pretty sure there will be a book three...please, please, please. I have read other reviewers call this horror lite or a cozy horror and I wholeheartedly agree. This book was very atmospheric and creepy in all the best ways. I wish I had read it earlier during Halloween season as it is perfect for that time of year. I really liked the character Keira and her unique job of helping the departed move on ad I really look forward to learning more about her from the other book(s). I liked all the minor characters as well and wish there were more information about them as I found them delightfully quirky. This is my second book by this author and I loved it much more than the first.

Such a great series! I love that it's creepy but not so scary I want to sleep with the light on.
I'm enjoying all the characters and am hoping we get to see more of Harry as I enjoy his dark, dry personality.
Can't wait to learn more about Keiras past and to learn some of the stories of the other spirits she's helping. There was a twist at the end of this book I didn't see coming. I hope Darcy Coates writes fast as I'm already eager for book 3.

Darcy Coates is a well-known author of several horror novels (mostly in the Gothic style) and nearly every one I have read has been a 5 star read. This book included!

The Ravenous Dead is the second book in her Gravekeeper’s series, but one does not have to have read the first book (The Whispering Dead) to make sense of what is happening in this book as the author does a good job inserting background information when needed for new readers. Although I strongly suggest reading the first book just because it is so incredible!

The Ravenous Dead continues the story of Keira, a woman who stumbled into the town of Blighty after being chased through the forest. She has amnesia and isn’t sure who the men chasing her are or why they are chasing her. Through a series of events, she becomes the new groundskeeper at Blightly Graveyard, living in the cottage with her newly acquired cat, Daisy. She can hear the voices of souls that haven’t passed over and it is her job (granted to her by the Pastor) to help them move on to the Other Side. When she finds an unmarked grave, things get even more mysterious than before and lead her down a dark path of serial killers and vengeful spirits.

I really enjoy this series because it is what I imagine would happen if the Hallmark channel made horror movies. It’s “cozy” while still being scary and creepy, but not really gory or terrifying. I absolutely love it. As I said in my review of The Whispering Dead, I would love to live in Blighty and have Keira’s job. Her friends, Mason and Zoe add a lot of life (no pun intended!) to the story. Mason is a former med student and he is very chivalrous and takes care of Keira. Zoe is a free spirit who is into conspiracy theories and doing the least work possible at her job as a cashier in the local grocery.

This second installment ties up a few loose ends from the first one but still leaves the reader longing for more and obviously the next book! I see this as a great Autumn or even Winter read with its cozy vibes and ghost stories.

The Ravenous Dead is scheduled to be published on March 15, 2022

I was so honored to receive an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you Darcy Coates, Net Galley and Poisoned Pen Press!

Keira is back with a new ghostly case to solve. While Keira is still trying to recover her memories she has sort of settled down in the town of Blighty.. She has new friends, a home, and an adorable kitty who may or may no be magic..

While wandering through the graveyard behind her house, Keira is looking to meet some of her ghostly neighbors.. When she finds the one she thinks needs her help the most, the investigation is on...She is starting to set down roots, making some friends.. I love Zoe and her conspiracy theories,and Mason is a great guy who wants to do whatever he can to help

The story was suitibly creepy, especially when Keira encounters a ghost that is definitely BAD. Turns out the bad ghost is involved with the ghost she is currently trying to help, so it takes Kiera and her friends on a camping trip to a cabin where some horrible things happened.. Thankfully as Kiera tends to walk into situations involving ghosts with out thinking everything through she has her friends to help when she gets into some sticky situations..

I can't wait to see whats going to be happening to Kiera next, and what her next cold case will be..Will she get some of her memories back? or find out at least who the people are that are after her?
I also can't wait to see what new conspiracy theories Zoe will come up with next, and if Zoe and Mason will move beyond friendship... I hope they will.. Also more Daisy!!..

Keira is back in the ravenous dead. This story picks off right after the last story, so I would recommend reading the Whispering dead first. We are treated to reminders from the first book though.

Keira, now works as new groundskeeper, for their graveyard. Her mission, to help those wandering pass over. When they start crying out and she finds an unmarked grave, the mystery deepens taking her down a dark path of serial killers and sinister entities.

Keira continues to learn about the ghosts and her shadowy pursuers are very much still there. I just adore the way that Darcey Coates writes Keira. She has these incredibly lovely attributes but when she is threatened her survivor instincts are so strong, we catch a glimpse of what I feel she used to be. Or made to be. We shall find out.

I think in general Darcey Coates creates loveable characters. Zoe is a hoot and I love that she's so out spoken about her conspiracy theories. She's quirky, honest but kind. She means well. Adage and Mason are also very kind. They give Keira a home and meaning.

The ghost parts did not have her signature spookyness to them but I suppose when you already believe in the existence of ghosts, this makes sense. It's still a good read.

Thank you to poision pen press and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own.

Absolutely fantastic read! I could not put it down. I can not wait for more by author. Highly recommend if you enjoy a good creepy story!!

After reading the first book in this series, I was dying to read the sequel. This was so good! As good if not better than the first in the series. I wholeheartedly recommend this series to anyone who likes a little ghostly creepiness along with their mysteries. The characters are very likable and are not over the top. I'm really hoping Darcy Coates comes out with a third book. I'm buying all of them in physical book form if she does. I loved this book!!

Darcy Coates is a well known author of horror novels and it was an honor to read her ARC early.

The Ravenous Dead is a horror -lite story. Well written, great pace and plotting and filled with atmosphere. But not the ghost story that will keep you up at night. Much like the now very popular cozy mysteries,, this is a ":Cozy Horror" book.

RD is book 2 in a series (The Whispering Dead is Book #1). But you truly can start with this book! In RD we find Keira staying in town to to uncover the histories of ghosts sill in the local graveyard. With her abilities, she hopes to help them find their way to peace. Unfortunately there is a spirit of a serial killer also entombed in the graveyard. He is angry (ravenous) and Keira may have awaked the dead...

If you like cozy in your mysteries this is a great book for you #NetGalley #TheRavenousDead

Three stars from me, which translates to, "I liked it!" Some of my favorite series are those where the books / story within the series can also stand alone, and I do believe The Ravenous Dead ticks that box off for me. Again, Darcy Coates has written a book I have enjoyed immensely. Her style of writing really appeals to me when I don't want to feel bogged down. Coates's writing is as easy to follow as it is captivating. I'm always thrilled to see a new book from Coates. In fact, I wish I had discovered her far sooner because I have quite a TBR list to get caught up with all her works! As always, I will be keeping an eye out for the next one. I am officially a hardcore Coates fan!

I love a good ghost story and Darcy Coates always delivers! I fell in love with Keira’s story reading The Whispering Dead and was so happy to see her journey continue with The Ravenous Dead. I really enjoyed this book! I wasn’t quite ready for it to end but I’m hoping there is a third in the works!

Ghosts and mystery - friends and trust - everything mixes into a haunting mystery with characters you will want to know, and ghosts you hope will find answers! Coates definitely knows how to do the ghost stories to pull you in.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Darcy Coates is one of those authors that can do no wrong in my eyes, and The Ravenous Dead is a good example why. This book is just nonstop action from page one. Its creepy and thrilling and I need part 3 right now!

Thankyou to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and the author, Darcy Coates, for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of The Ravenous Dead in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
Such a good read
Darcy Coates never fails to deliver a spooky, atmospheric read.
3.5 stars.
Worth a read for fans of the genre.

I found this to be an enjoyable read, keeping me on my toes throughout. The storyline was written well and flowed seamlessly. I look forward to reading more by this author!

This is good for people who like their horror gentle – it’s more spooky and emotional than graphic or edgy.

I will note that I don’t really think this works as a standalone. It’s almost more a continuation of book 1 than a book 2 and the recaps of what happened in the first book are clumsy.

That being said, I enjoyed the read. I liked a particularly eerie mystery that was going on and I’m so totally on board with the friendship in this book.

I’ll happily read the next book in the series!

*ARC via Publisher

3.5 rounded up

As is typical for me I had no idea this was a second book in a series, but that did not stop me from enjoying this book at all! We follow Keira as she has accepted the position as groundskeeper in order to continue work helping ghosts move on. A fascinating concept that I really did enjoy. I found even at times I was wanting more about the side characters however. Mason was sweet and caring, sort of the mother of the group providing the “Hey, that’s crazy. How about we don’t do that?” side to things. Zoe was so fun as the quirky, conspiracy nut who in a nutshell is probably one kind of friend you really want or need.
I found in the story however, I almost wanted a bit more about Keira? We had a whole part that played really big into her story and her past, but almost brushed away from it too soon? I appreciate we got closer in the ghost story side of this and I understand it is the second in a series, but it was only a handful of pages for the whole scene and then suddenly we are back to the ghosts? Otherwise, I found it to be a fun paranormal horror novel!
It could easily be read as a stand-alone if you don’t mind missing out on a few things such as how Keira got to Blighty and how she has no memories of her life before finding herself there. I’m definitely going to have to go back and read the first one. I’m also excited to see what will happen next to our trio.

Thank you Netgalley for this copy in exchange for an honest review! #Netgalley #TheRavenousDead

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Darcy Coates for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into The Ravenous Dead. The first book in the series, The Whispering Dead, was a bit horror-lite for my tastes but was still a fun read. This book isn’t much different in tone, but I did find myself enjoying the material a bit more. It'll be interesting to see where Coates takes this story to next, and I'll be requesting it as soon as humanly possible.

I guess the only issue with the story is that there are still a few loose threads continuing from the last book, but one could assume those are there to push the hesitant series readers to read further. I'd also like to see some of the relationships progress a bit more.

I will recommend Darcy Coates to our horror readers always. It's nice that she has varying levels of horror, as this allows more readers to appreciate her work. If one of her books isn't a good fit, id almost bet she has another that would be. It's 3.5-4 stars from me.

I love Darcy Coates. She writes the most atmospheric ghostly books I’ve read! Thank you Poisoned Pen Press via Netgalley for the e-arc.

The Ravenous Dead is the story of Keira, the new groundskeeper at Blightly Graveyard and she can hear the otherworldly cries of the souls that haven’t passed on to the other side. There is an interesting history tied to this graveyard and I enjoyed how Keira worked to unearth it! I had hoped to read more about Keira but the killer’s past took up the space. Also the story wasn’t as atmospheric as I thought it would be. Still gonna read the third book though. I think this would pass as a good standalone book too!

This is the second book in Darcy Coates Gravekeeper series. It was an enjoyable read. Not too scary, but just enough content to give you some chills.

I love the characters in this series. Everyone is enjoyable to read about. I especially enjoy all the moments that Keira is with her friends, Mason and Zoe. Also, Daisy the cat is reason enough to read this series.

The only thing lacking for me was some of the plot didn't make sense. I'm sure when the third book comes out some more loose ends will be tied. I was just hoping that since this was the second book in the series we'd learn more about Keira's past than we did.