THIS BOOK. There was a lot to enjoy about the....darkness of this book. I loved the cover, first, and I enjoyed the story and the characters.

I think the author did a great job building up the atmosphere in this book and writing enough drama and turns into the book to keep me reading.

The House by the Cemetery is a quick, suspenseful read with a great setting—an eerie funeral home on the edge of a cemetery—and an intriguing murder mystery that kept me engaged. The "return to hometown with buried secrets" trope worked well, and while most of the characters were unlikeable, they were entertaining in a messy, exasperating way. However, the shifting perspectives, particularly the vague and awkward attempts to obscure the killer’s identity, pulled me out of the story. And the biggest letdown? The main characters don’t actually solve the mystery—the killer just dramatically reveals themselves. Despite its flaws, the book had a solid ending with a surprising last-minute twist, and I’d be open to reading a sequel if one is in the works. 3 stars.

This book starts off with an intriguing premise, blending elements of suspense and a touch of the supernatural. The eerie setting—a secluded house with a dark past—creates a gripping atmosphere that draws you in. The pacing is steady, building tension as the story unfolds.
The plot felt a bit predictable at times, and some of the twists lack depth, making it hard to fully invest in the characters’ journeys. The writing is good, but it lacks the punch needed to elevate the story beyond its familiar tropes.

Overall, it’s a decent read for fans of light supernatural thrillers, though it falls short of leaving a lasting impression.

This was a fun read. I requested the book based on the cover and title alone, so I pretty much went in blind and it was not what I expected, but in a good way! There was just enough mystery, suspense and family drama that kept the book interesting. I enjoyed the different points of view as it gives a different perspective to the story. I did not guess the ending! Well done!

This book is a suspenseful mystery novel that intertwines family drama, paranormal elements, and a gripping whodunit. Set in Gold Creek, Michigan, the story centers on the Gold family, owners of a funeral home and cemetery. It follows River Gold, who returns to her estranged family after the suspicious death of her father, Gregory Gold. As River delves into the investigation, she uncovers long-buried secrets and confronts a chilling urban legend about a gravedigger's ghost haunting the cemetery.

I highly recommended this book for fans of suspenseful mysteries with a gothic atmosphere. Its blend of family intrigue, paranormal elements, and a compelling plot makes it a noteworthy addition to the genre.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC.

River left home as a pregnant teen but she's back now because of a death in the family. The father of her child disappeared instead of meeting up with her, and his brother the sheriff wants to know where she is. Turns out the death is a murder. The family house is by the cemetery as the family is in the mortuary business.
Even though this plot could have been interesting, the characters were flat and stereotypical. The sheriff had been angry because of River's influence on his brother, but now he likes her because she's beautiful (it says she's beautiful about a million times). The characters aren't smart or sensible and the book ends with another mystery.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

What do you think about cemeteries? Peaceful or scary? I think they are peaceful, but I know that they scare a lot of people.

River Gold has returned to her hometown of Gold Creek Michigan at the death of her father, Gregory Gold. Gregory Gold was an entrepreneur funeral home owner. His original funeral home was in Gold Creek, but he has started a chain of funeral homes across the country that has brought him great wealth. Gregory was also extremely vain and a womanizer. River’s mother, Fiona, is his last and current wife. His first two wives still live in the family compound. When River was a pregnant teen, she escaped from Gold Creek and carved a life out for herself in California with her daughter Sarah, and Grandma, Mabel. She has always wondered what happened to her high school love and Sarah’s father, Michael. Why didn’t he meet her when she was going to leave town? Michael’s brother, Luke, is now the Sheriff and is investing Gregory’s death as a murder. Who murdered Gregory and why?

My thoughts on this novel:
• This was a perfect read for this time of year. It had just the right amount of suspense, spookiness, and romance.

• This was the type of novel where there were many in the family who wanted to kill Gregory for good reason. I did not guess the killer in this one.

• I loved the cover and use of purple.

• I especially liked that there was a family tree at the beginning of the novel. I made use of it often as I got to know the characters.

• There was one mystery I kept wondering about throughout the novel that got a semi-conclusion in the epilogue. I hope there is a book two to flesh out this story more.

• This was a quick read, which I loved in this busy time of year.

• The story was told through multiple narrators including the killer at times. I could have done without the killer’s thoughts.

• I enjoyed the family drama and especially liked River, Luke, and Sarah.

Overall, this was an enjoyable light spooky mystery suspense novel that was perfect for the Halloween season.

Book Source: Review copy from Kensington Books. Thank-you! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

As I was reading this one I was confused that I had heard it was a start to a new series and until the very end it didn’t feel like a start to a new series. There were things I didn’t love about the end, but overall it was an enjoyable mystery. I liked the creepy setting with the entire family staying at this giant home at the cemetery. River Gold ran away as a teenager and hasn’t been home despite her parents’ efforts and bribes since. But her father has been killed and while the family has always accused her of not truly being a Gold biologically due to her mother’s deception she comes home bringing her teen daughter with her. But the drama hasn’t died down with the death of the family’s patriarch and soon it seems clear that someone is killing off members of the Gold family and River and her daughter seem to be in danger. There was also a cool side story about a myth of the gravedigger who still haunts the cemetery and sometimes makes kids disappear. Overall it was a light, quick, fun read.

Great mystery! Strong family that will do anything to be in power. Generations of the Gold family live together and run the mortuary- cemetery. Gregory I is murdered, leaving Gregory II and III. More deaths and town sheriff,Luke tries to find killer. Complete with thriller aspects as there is a graveyard grave digger ghost, mi ssing people and a budding romance.

River Gold never to return to the home she grew up. Her father was the local undertaker and kids were constantly making fun of her. It didn't help that her father ignored how she was treated he didn't do such a great job as a father. Her father has passed and her mother has begged her to come home for the funeral. Going against her gut she decides to please her mother and come home. Things turn bad not long.after she returns it looks like her father was murdered and her mother is being framed. River can't leave and let her mother take the fall for a crime she definitely didn't commit. She thinks the culprit must be one of his first two wives or.someone among their families. It doesn't help that the.local sheriff happens to be.one of her high school enemies. Follow along as she digs through the lies to find the truths that are hidden among them. Will she catch a killer and clear her mothers name?

This was so fun, it gave me Knives Out vibes which is my favorite type of movie/book. Also the setting of the funeral home just amazing. Some parts of the book left me with my mouth just hanging wide open because I didn’t expect what had happened to happen.

A true whodunnit with a large cast of characters so you never know exactly WHO to suspect.

River Gold escaped Gold Creek and her dysfunctional family seventeen years earlier, swearing to never look back. Then Gregory Gold, her father and the patriarch of the Gold Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens dynasty, is found dead. Returning with her daughter to face the relatives who never claimed them, River finds herself trapped in twisted machinations when it is revealed that Gregory died of poisoning, and her mother is blamed. Worse yet, the only person who might be able to help her is the local sheriff — her high school enemy.

Lisa Childs pens another winner with The House by the Cemetery. Mary Higgins Clark’s Moonlight Becomes You meets Nora Roberts’ Montana Sky in this deliciously gothic tale of family, greed, and betrayal.

With a family line as interwoven as a spider web in the corner of a mausoleum, thank goodness for the genealogy chart at the start of the book. Without it, keeping everyone straight would have been a challenge. As is, I reveled in all the twisty ins and outs that provided a plethora of potential culprits and motives that kept me guessing until the end. Like River, I trusted no one.

A fabulously spooky setting, intriguing characters, and a mystery I grappled to untangle, I fell headfirst into this story and did not want to come out. The end left me holding my breath, salivating for the next installment in The Grave Diggers series. While the main mystery is resolved, there are some overarching questions that will continue into future books. The House by the Cemetery is perfect for readers who enjoy gothic mysteries and psychological thrillers without having to deal with gratuitous sex scenes and violence. Though predominantly a mystery, a small romance thread weaves through the story.

The House by the Cemetery
Written by Lisa Child’s
Published by Kensington Publishing
Release Date August 20, 2024


River Gold left home at seventeen and vowed to never go back. There was a reason she wanted nothing to do with Gold Creek or her families gravedigging business. The reason is not for her to say exactly but if things continue, she will bear the cross of all of those who died and have come back. The ghosts have something to say. River has had to come back at her mother’s pleadings for her father’s funeral. Her father, Gregory Gold focused his time on making a good living off the backs of those who are suffering due to the death of loved ones. As an undertaker, he wore many hats but a good loving father may not have been the one thing he did best.
Fiona Gold is arrested for the murder of her husband after the results of his autopsy showed he was poisoned. Fiona is his third wife and clearly is not someone that the police should look at solely as there are several others who have been carrying a grudge and wanted him gone. Unfortunately for River, she must prove her mother’s innocence and in doing so she must work against the sheriff who believes her mother is guilty. The sheriff bullied River in school and was certainly her arch nemesis. But River is determined.
Gregory has amassed a fortune and there are a few people that want to get their hands on that money. His first two wives, their children and a few that may have something to say from the grave. This book is a very well written novel with characters that are well developed and possess a great banter back and forth. You can picture it happening as you are reading it. The protagonist ensures the reader has a great experience with twists and turns. Murder, hate and a wonderfully written whodunnit.


5 stare

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book and in exchange, write an honest and unbiased review.

River Gold left home at age seventeen. River swore she would never return to Gold Creek. Growing up at the Gold Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens was a nightmare. Classmates at school teased her about being a “ghoul.” Her own family denied that she was actually a Gold. Her father, Gregory Gold, never acted like a father to her. He was far more interested in making money. Gregory has died. River has decided that her mother, Fiona’s, pleas that she must come back for his funeral. River knows her mother can’t handle the two former wives and their families. Gregory’s doctor tells the sheriff that Gregory insisted on an autopsy when he died. The mourning period is cut short when it’s revealed that Gregory died of poisoning. Fiona is arrested for his murder. Fiona, his third wife is being framed. There are plenty of other suspects. River is determined to prove her mother’s innocence. River is sure the killer lies among Gregory’s first two and families. But when teenagers start disappearing from the cemetery, the danger hits closer to home. Being involved in the livesand lies of the Golds, she’ll have to use every resource she has to keep herself, and her loved ones safe. But will that be enough?

The story is suspenseful with twists and turns. I became involved with River and her trying to solve the mystery of who killed her father with posion. There is family drams especially when their greed shows regardless of Gregory’s death. Who poisoned Gregory? Who will inherit?

THis was a good , creepy suspense , a lot of characters that had me a bit confused on some pages but overall it was a good storyline . The family was a lot , kept you guessing who was the culprit at each twisty turn , did leave an opening for another book , will watch for it .

Unfortunately, this book was just not for me. The plot idea was interesting, but I felt that there was a lot of missed opportunity to give the story greater depth, and there were a lot of loose ends. There were also too many characters, and it was hard to keep them all straight. Some characters should have been more developed and included much more. The way these characters were included in the story earlier on made it strange that they didn't have more involvement later. Overall, I didn't feel like I really knew most of the characters well enough to care about them, or to understand them, or to feel immersed in their story. There were also a lot of unnecessary repetitions throughout the book that just felt like fillers. The writing felt flat and choppy much of the time for me. It did not flow very well for me, and I was unable to get pulled into the story. This was my first book by this author, and I think her writing style is just not for me. If you know you enjoy this author's writing or if you've never read her books, then maybe you'll enjoy it more than I did, as we all have different tastes!
Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for this opportunity.

Lisa Childs gave us a spooky and suspenseful story, which took place in a family-owned funeral home. The story begins with the demise of the family patriarch, Gregory Gold. The family gathers, all the x-wives and children, and the who-done-it ensues. Oh and then there is the haunted cemetery with a long-dead gravedigger wandering around at night.

I enjoyed the book but it had a few drawbacks that stood out. In the beginning of the book some unnamed character(s) just start showing up in the story, with no explanation or back story. Specifically the police chief's ward. Found this confusing at times and the narrative is also sometimes challenging, and it shifts quickly, and not smoothly, which broke the reading rhythm.

This is a good read, it is enough to draw you in. I do enjoy Lisa Childs’ stories and some of the odd twists and turns she takes along the way. This was a good read. Looking forward to the next one in the series.

The book is so mysterious and atmospheric. If you like a good murder mystery with a gothic twist, read it.

Gregory Gold is found dead. The cause of death is not determined. When River woke up, she saw her mother was crying. They plan the funeral but as Luke investigates the case. The unthinkable keeps happening and tangles River and her mother in a deceptive web of dangers, secrets and mystery. While the secrets unveils one after one as well as the mystery of the local grave digger consumes everyone. When another murder happens, they must find the killer. It’s not as easy and simple as it seems to be. The mystery is twisted, haunting and frightening. The book will keep you on toes as there isn’t just one mystery but there are so many mysteries and secrets, the book will grip you from page one and won’t let you go, until you will figure it out all.

Many Thanks to the Author and Publisher.

This thriller follows a prominent family as they fight over the family company while the local sheriff and prodigal daughter try to figure out who killed the patriarch of the family. As the investigation progresses, possible heirs begin to die and face threats from an unknown party.

The book kept my attention. While there were some slow parts, I really wanted to know who was behind the murders. It wasn't someone I would have guessed, but the reveal was a little anticlimactic.

While the initial crimes are solved, this book ends in a cliffhanger so hopefully this is the beginning of a new series. I want to know who The Gravedigger is!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The House by the Cemetery is book #1 in the The Grave Diggers series by Lisa Childs.

I was drawn to this book because of the setting and couldn’t put it down. This book had me on the edge of my seat. There are a lot of characters but there is a family tree at the beginning of the book. This was a strange family and I don’t blame River for leaving and not wanting to return. I wasn’t sure what characters could be trusted and the twists had me guessing until the end. I look forward to the next book.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.