I really enjoyed the first Shepherd and Gray book and was eager to continue the series. This is more a thriller, not a whodunit, as you know from the get-go who is responsible for the crimes. The content is pretty graphic and the overall atmosphere is bleak and dark, which fits the tone and the setting very well. The "trial" part at the end was a little over the top and made the bad guy come across as less menacing than he was meant to be, but the main characters are very likable and it's very easy to root for them. They have good chemistry and I'm enjoying their friendship and the possibility for something more. I'm already looking forward to book 3. If you love legal thrillers like I do, you can't go wrong with this author, but you should definitely read The Secret Witness first. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the DRC in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars.

3.75/5 stars! I love a good legal thriller, so this premise pulled me in. I was excited to read it and see how this resolved with so much at stake. I found the staged 'courtroom' portions to be a new and exciting angle. The villain actually grew on me in this story which is rare and I appreciated Shephards' character. Where I stumbled a bit was with Gray's actions. She didn't present herself as a Sherrif with a good head on her shoulder and made some irrational decisions. Overall an enjoyable read and would read more by this author.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

4.5 Stars 🌟

I have found that I have really liked the books that I have already read by Mr. Methos. I was pleased when I was awarded the ARC for this book, that I had already read the first book in this series. This book has us following along on a journey with Solomon Shepard, who is a county prosecutor, and the county Sheriff Billie Bray. Billie is the one who got Solomon back out of his self imposed isolation for a case the year before and since then, the two have developed a very close relationship.

Solomon was a brilliant and successful prosecutor before he was attacked and stabbed in the courtroom during a trial. After that, with severe spinal injuries, he developed a type of agoraphobia and became basically home bound. Billie was the one who coaxed him back into going back to work. This fact is not really touched upon in this book, but it is relevant back story to understanding certain issues that Solomon has.

Okay, about the book. One of the cases that Solomon tried 11 years ago sent a very dangerous man to prison. Now, the man was awarded an early release and is out on parole. This man is EXTREMELY violent and very scary (along with being almost 7 feet tall and extremely huge). He is very intelligent and a definite psychopath ....not a good combination.

The book is basically a cat and mouse game as the convict - Alonzo - begins playing mind games with Soloman and is very effective at getting into his head. He has had 11 years to learn the laws in prison and he works the system like a pro. Before you know it, Solomon is the one having to defend his actions and feels like he is on the ropes. He knows it is just a matter of time before Alonzo makes a move.

Without going into spoilers, this book is full of non stop action and suspense. The latter part of the book ramps up the tension and things speed up even more as we get to the climax. This book held my interest from the very beginning and I was anxiously reading, wanting to see what was going to happen. Was it 100% believable? No, not completely. But I sure did enjoy the heck out of it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone.

I had read rave reviews about Victor Methos's legal thrillers, but had not read any of his books. This is my first book by Victor Methos, thanks to Netgalley. The plot is not very original (a convict on parole seeking revenge against the Prosecutor who convicted him) There is no suspense, as we already know who the villain is. However, I liked the courtroom scenes and the author puts together a coherent plot. I am taking away points because the Sheriff Billie Gray stupidly goes alone to the villain's lair.
This is book #2 in the Shephard and Gray series, but can be read as a stand-alone. I might have missed some character nuances, and I do have some questions which might get cleared by reading book #1.

<i>Thanks to Netgalley, the Publishers and the Author for the ARC</i>

This book is 2nd of a series but it can also be read as a stand-alone book. Prosecutor Solomon is being stalked by Alonso who has recently been released from serving 11 years in jail. Tensions build and this author’s way of storytelling sure makes for a good read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review. Looking forward to more books like this in the future. To be released April 2023.

I find that every Victor Methos book gives you the exact chase and thrill that you expect in a thriller/ detective book. This one does not disappoint.
The shock and awe starts in the very first chapter with a gruesome murder and does not let up until the very end.
Thank you for Netgalley for allowing me to review this book for my honest opinion.

A SPIRITED, FAST-PACED READ!

First, I must thank Thomas & Mercer, and Netgalley for the ARC. This book review is unapologetically honest.

THE GRAVE DIGGER is a compelling and action-packed read! The novel hooked me instantly with its short, dramatic chapters. The storyline, the characters, and everything in between was believable and enjoyable.

What I like most about the book is Mr. Methos’s compelling storytelling style and his keeping the reader engaged until the end. Each chapter reveals rousing action and suspense, having your stomach spliced until reaching its final page! I also enjoyed learning the legal aspects of the novel. Simply fantastic!

I am satisfied with how the book ended, especially the ultimate reveal. Mr. Methos’s ink is wickedly good. I like this a lot as a reader!

If you want to get lost in a book and leave reality behind for a while, you must purchase and read THE GRAVE DIGGER!

The Grave Singer is the second book involving prosecutor Solomon Shepard and county Sheriff ‘Billy’ Gray. You do not have to have read the previous book The Secret Witness to enjoy this but I’m sure you will after reading this.
Solomon is now settled and doing well as a county prosecutor and in a happy relationship. That is until a criminal Solomon had convicted some years previously is out on parole. Alfonso Hafeez is a psychopath hell bent on exacting revenge on everyone involved that led to his sentence for the vicious violent crime he committed.
This is a hard hitting crime thriller with some heart pounding and jaw dropping moments. I honestly couldn’t put it down, thrilling, exciting with moments of breath taking violence. This for me this is the authors best novel yet, and even considering how good all his previous have been this is a stunning unbelievably good read.
Brilliantly written, a cast of wonderful characters with amazing depth this is a story that will remain with me for a long time, bring on the next one!
My thanks to netgalley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

Intense and suspenseful!

Victor Methos has created a great mystery that left me waiting for the next vicious action in this fierce thriller. I did not realize The Grave Singer is part of an ongoing series until I read more to learn about this talented author. This book reads easily as a standalone but is sure to be enhanced by reading the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this ARC..

Although this is second in the legal mystery series, I missed the first, something I need to rectify. It didn’t effect the impact of the story. I’ve read many of this author’s books and enjoy his style.
Not as much a courtroom drama as the aftermath of a man convicted of a crime. The setting is in a sandy desert area of Utah. Alonso is just evil, a deranged recent parolee out for revenge and retribution proclaiming his innocence and wrongful imprisonment. This is a dark and violent book with an unsympathetic villain. The prosecutor on Alonso’s case years ago was Attorney Solomon Shepard. Solomon has injuries and scars from a prior incident. His close friend and the tenacious sheriff, Billie, goes to extraordinary measures to protect him. The plot involves a diabolical personality and there are murders, torture, harassment, threats, stalking and kidnapping. Then Alonso is no longer at his registered address and Solomon can’t be found. Billie tracks down Alonso’s estranged family members for leads on his old haunts and his mental state. Gripping character development resulting in thought provoking questions about law enforcement, methods and results. Does the end result truly justify the means used to nudge a witness, get a conviction, imprison a criminal?
If you enjoy a great fictional Police procedurals and crime novels this is an author I highly recommend and will read his next effort.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Victor Methos and Thomas & Mercer for the digital advance reader copy of “The Grave Singer” Shepard & Gray #2. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

I feel like Victor is overlooked as an author. I read my first book by him in 2020 and I absolutely loved it. This book was so good, engaging and had me hooked from the start. It was a real treat that this book was a read now option when I found it!! Looking forward to his next one.

Book Title: The Grave Singer
Author: Victor Methos
Series: Shepard & Gray #2
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: April 25, 2023
My Rating: 3 Stars!

I have only read one Victor Methos and that was "Crimson Lake Road" which was second in the Desert Plains series. I totally enjoyed that page turner!

This story is the second in the ‘Shepard & Gray series and sorry but I didn’t read the first one.
In this story prosecutor Solomon Shepard and Sheriff Billie Gray are once again working together.
Solomon is being stalked by Alonso Hafeez, whom he sent to jail eleven years ago and is now being released.
Yikes Alonso Hafees is such an evil horrible person ~ it was difficult to read some of his activities. I do like Solomon and Billie; I will probably read the next in this series. In the meantime, I need to get some visuals out of head!

Want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granted me the pleasure of reading this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 25, 2023

I was issued this book for my unbiased opinion by NetGalley.

I always enjoy a Victor Methos book, and this one certainly didn't disappoint. Solomon Shepard is an interesting character for sure. Once again he is in a tough spot. With the help of Sheriff Billie Gray, he dives into another adventure. The story is another page turner and well worth the time. Thoroughly enjoyed and looking forward to more!

Book 2 in the series and a great addition! I am wholly invested and can’t wait for book 3. The characters are unique and I love their dynamic. The case was disturbing and full of twists. I read this in a matter of hours, I couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to more from this author!

This one was intense! And I thought I was in a slump – this one pulled me right out of it. It was such a heart thumping engaging read I didn’t want to put it down!

Solomon Shepard teams up with Sheriff Billie Gray to hunt down Utah’s most dangerous criminals. Shepard has spent years away from crime scenes and courtrooms, but one of the criminals he put away has gotten out, and holds a grudge. This criminal, Alfonso, is determined to prove that he did not do the crime he was put away for eleven years. Alfonso will go to great lengths to prove it wasn’t him, and his plans include kidnapping and homicide. As Alfonso gets deeper into his plan, Shepard’s only plan is to play along or die trying. Will Shepard be able to get out? Or will he die in the process?

This one worked! It was written with amazing pace and descriptions. This thriller definitely delivered for me, and I am so excited for that! I didn’t learn that this was book two in a series, until I was finished. I don’t usually go back and read previous books when I do this, but this author did such a fantastic job that I think I will. The action and suspense provided in this thriller were top notch. This will not be my last book by this author. I also especially loved the authors note for this one as well.

If you’re ready to buckle up and go for a riveting ride, then check this one our April 25th of next year. You won’t be disappointed. Huge thank you to the publisher, Thomas & Mercer, and @netgalley for my e-arc in exchange for this honest review.

An excellent tale as two protagonists from a previous thriller are reunited in a fast-paced ride on a journey of revenge. When a con is released on parole, he is bent on getting revenge on all who put him away. His scheme is well planned, and watching it unfold is only part of a very good story.

The Grave Singer reunites prosecutor Solomon Shepard and Sheriff Billie Gray in the second book in this series. Shepard is being stalked by a man he put away in prison, now released after 11 years in jail. Things dramatically escalate, and Solomon is literally on trial for his life. This is a typical cat and mouse game, but with a courtroom scene that’s a bit out of the ordinary. There’s a long buildup to the crux of this story, testing the patience of the reader, but overall it’s an entertaining (if implausible) read, and the somewhat flawed character of prosecutor Shepard is easy to root for, as this series is finding its footing. I received an arc of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I did not read book 1 in this series, which seemed okay while reading this one. A cold-blooded killer is out of prison and set on revenge in Victor Menthos's The Grave Singer.

There was good tension in this story. The story started off strong and kept going. The twists and turns had me tearing through the pages to find out what would happen next.

A good story and solid writing, and a series worth reading.

#TheGraveSinger #NetGalley @AmazonPub

Finally! I've been reading so many books lately that are good but that's it, just good! Finally this book was great! I really enjoyed reading this book! It had high suspense, action, murder, a sadistic killer, and plenty of crazy twists and turns! The storyline was so very interesting! I was definitely glued to my Kindle! I stayed up way to late to finish this book! It was a nail biter! I couldn't wait to see what happened next! I highly recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

3.5 stars --- a fast paced follow up to the "The Silent Witness", this installment features a paroled loan shark who is out for blood.

I really enjoyed the first Shepard and Gray book and while this was a compulsively readable thriller, I didn't feel as though the characters and their unique personalities got to shine as much in this plot line. Several details were left open-ended, and I hope they will be addressed in future books!

Victor Methos is such a talented writer that I would enjoy anything he writes, but this one wasn't my favorite of his works so far.