In Darcy Coates's The Vengeful Dead, the protagonist is pulled into a terrifying and tense trip populated by deadly and restless spirits. While navigating a world plagued by vengeful ghosts, they have to face their personal anxieties and unearth sinister secrets that are connected to the supernatural forces at work. By combining themes of bravery and resiliency with a haunting atmosphere and escalating suspense, Coates creates a novel that keeps readers on edge.

Darcy Coates's The Vengeful Dead is a chilling story that skillfully combines tension, mood, and terror. As the protagonist delves further into a realm of restless spirits, each more dangerous than the last, the narrative follows them. The ominous atmosphere that Coates expertly crafts keeps readers on edge, making The author's skill at creating tension with small, unsettling tidbits that raise the stakes as the mystery develops is one of the book's most notable aspects. The characters are well-developed, giving the supernatural aspects emotional depth and rendering their hardships interesting and realistic. Because of the fast yet well-balanced pacing, there are times of extreme terror intercut with times of introspection and planning.

The way Coates incorporates themes of bravery and resiliency throughout the narrative, highlighting the protagonist's development as they confront not only vengeful ghosts but also their own anxieties, is what I found most captivating. The plot twists are pleasant and occasionally unexpected, but they stay rooted in the lore Coates creates, making for a seamless and engrossing read.

I have read many of Darcy Coates books and have really enjoyed them, so when I saw this one available, I snagged it. I was a little surprised how the book jumped right into the story, but was enjoying it. About 20% in is when I figured it was part of a series. But I was into it and enjoying it already so I decided to keep reading it. This was another great ready by Coates! I really liked the characters and was hooked throughout the story. Having not read the first books, there were a few things that I didn't quite follow right off, but still really liked it as a standalone read.

What an incredible ending to this series I have adored so much. This series has been a bright spot in reading for me over the last year. If you are reading reviews for the fifth book, hopefully you are up to date. But just in case, I will not be including plot spoilers. But I must say how much I love this series, these characters, and this story. It is and will always be so close to my heart. Keira and the gang feel like home to me and seeing this series end is bittersweet because I just want to spend more time in the world, but the ending was perfect. Darcy is my favorite author, but she has somehow outdone herself with this one. I cannot recommend this series enough. I will cherish it always. <3

Happy Publication Day to The Vengeful Dead by @darcybooks 🐈‍⬛

The Vengeful Dead is the fifth (and final??) installment in the Gravekeeper series, one of my absolute favorite series to read and recommend!! On top of that, Darcy Coates is an autobuy author for me, so I was thrilled to get an advanced copy to read and review.

I don’t want to include too many plot points because I want you to read the whole thing for yourself, but I will tell you that this installment is just as great as the previous four and the ending is very satisfying.

Are you looking for:
-A mystery/series that is the perfect balance of cozy and spooky, with a side of Jason Bourne skills?
-Ghosts, especially those looking for revenge?
-Found family and a cast of quirky side characters?
-Take downs of corporate bad guys?
-A badass protagonist and her equally badass black cat?

If any of these sound intriguing to you, Kiera and her story might be exactly what you’re looking for.

A huge thank you to @netgalley and @poisonedpenpress for the advanced copy 🖤

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Darcy Coates for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Vengeful Dead coming out February 18, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I love this author! She writes a lot of fun, creepy books. I loved the writing. Ghost stories are one of my favorite genres. Keira is a very likable and strong character. There were a ton of twists in this book. I thought there was a lot of action and suspense. I love the ending. I am hoping there are more books in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys ghost stories!

I'm so sad this series is over! I've grown to love these characters so much and didn't want to say goodbye. This book started out slow but then it really took off. I would not be upset if Coates decided to write a spinoff about Zoe. She became my favorite character by the end of the story.

The Vengeful Dead by Darcy Coates is book 5 in the Grave Keeper series. This should be read as a series to fully understand the plot points and characters, plus it's a great series so why not read it? Keira can see ghosts. She not only can see them but she wants to help them as well. Artec is a powerful corporation that traps ghosts and uses the energy as batteries pretty much. As a threat to their business Artec will stop at nothing to hunt down Keira and her friends. As Keira tries to hone her skills by exploring different sigils and runes, her friends Zoe and Maison try to come up with a plan to take the evil energy corporation down.
From the first page I was pulled right in. As this is the fifth book in the series there are references to things that happened in previous books so I do recommend starting with book one. Overall this is an intense, engrossing, and entertaining novel that is satisfying as it brings the series to an end. The storyline was solid, the main character and supporting characters added so much to the plot, and the pace of the novel was just right. Definitely eagerly awaiting my next read from Darcy Coates.
Thank you to NetGalley, Darcy Coates, and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC. Expected publication date is February 18th 2025.

A great conclusion to the series! I recommend Darcy Coates to everyone, especially those who are looking to be introduced to the genre of horror.

Darcy Coates is always getting a 5 star rating from me. I devour every single one of her books she’s an amazing author with the what I think are the best story lines. This series especially is extremely bingeable and I will read whatever she puts on paper!

I'll start off with saying you must read the other books in the series for this one to make any sense. And to get the character dynamics - which are the best part of the series. . I guess I didn't realize this was the final book of the series. I love this series sooooo much but for some reason this one didn't really hit as much. It read much more YA, and the added romance component was incredibly cheesy and felt forced. I didn't connect with the Artec part of the story at all. Probably because it took away from the ghost hunting. Obviously the storyline needed to be wrapped up and the bad guys needed to be taken down, but that made the book lose a little bit of the charm the others had.

Great found family. Great side characters. Easy read and light on the spooky. I still think it would be a fun tv series. This book was much longer than the others and it was noticeable. I'd consider them a comfort read and good for all readers.

I didn't realize this was part of a series when I asked for this book. I had just come to really enjoy books by Darcy Coates. I had listened to the first two in this series. I based my not-so-good opinion, based off the audioversion. I will not do that again. I did skip the 3rd and 4th books in the series, to be able to finish this book on time. I physically read this book, and it was so good. It was action-packed. It was descriptive in a way that kept you wanting to keep reading. By the end, I was on the edge of my seat. I will absolutely be going back to physically read the other 4 books now. I will also be prepared to change the reviews I'd already written for the first two books. Definitely recommend if you like paranormal thrillers.

I have been waiting for the last book in this series for so long! I thought it was only a 3 book series but that was 2 years ago! This book was not my favorite of the series, but I love these characters so deeply and the conclusion was satisfying! Darcy Coates can do no wrong, highly recommend checking out this (now completed!) series.

Release: Feb 17, 2025
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press

Rating: 4.25 ★

The Vengeful Dead by Darcy Coates follows a protagonist who is drawn into a chilling and suspenseful journey filled with restless and dangerous spirits. As they navigate a world haunted by vengeful ghosts, they must confront their own fears while uncovering dark secrets that tie into the supernatural forces at play. With vivid imagery and mounting tension, Coates delivers a story that keeps readers on edge, blending eerie atmosphere with themes of resilience and courage.

The Vengeful Dead by Darcy Coates is a haunting tale that masterfully blends suspense, atmosphere, and chills. The story follows the protagonist as they delve deeper into a world of restless spirits, each more menacing than the last. Coates skillfully creates a foreboding ambiance that keeps readers on edge, making it nearly impossible to put the book down.

One of the standout features of this novel is the author’s ability to build tension with subtle, eerie details that heighten the stakes as the mystery unfolds. The characters are well-developed, adding emotional depth to the supernatural elements and making their struggles relatable and engaging. The pacing is quick yet balanced, allowing moments of intense fright to be contrasted with periods of reflection and strategy.

What I found particularly compelling is how Coates weaves themes of courage and resilience into the story, showcasing the protagonist’s growth as they face not just vengeful ghosts but their own fears. While the plot twists are satisfying and sometimes surprising, they remain grounded within the lore Coates establishes, ensuring a cohesive and immersive experience.

Overall, The Vengeful Dead is a must-read for fans of ghost stories and horror fiction. Its gripping narrative and vivid, spooky imagery make it perfect for those looking for a tale that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished it.

Favorite Quote:
"ghosts don't haunt us because they have unfinished business; they haunt us because we do"

Wow! This was such a great way to end the series!!! This is the 5th book in the Gravekeeper series. If you haven’t read the first 4 books I suggest you do that first!

Keira and her friends Zoe and Mason must face off against Artec which is a company that harvests ghosts/spirits energy for profit. Artec has been trying to hunt down Keira for years since she poses a threat to their company.

The main plot does involve Keira’s attempt to stop Artec but she also gets hired to do a job which involves ghosts. She tries to communicate with them to try to find out why they are still roaming around. What Keira uncovers happened to them is sad.

What I love about the book is the honest friendship between the three. They are loyal, helpful and honest with each other. I’m definitely going to miss the trio!
I strongly recommend this book and the entire series! Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press. All opinions are my own.

Nothing in the world makes me happier than getting approved for the ARC of book 5 in the Grave Keeper series! I stand by it when I say I will read anything written by Darcy! She knows how to suck you in and spin a tail that is thrilling in just satisfying to the soul!

Keira’s ability is to help ghosts move on from the mortal world. This has made her a threat to the Artec corporation. . She’s been targeted by the hired killers of the Artec corporation, which uses dead people to generate cheap electricity. Keira and her friends had recently destroyed one of Artec’s plants and untethered the ghosts who’d been chained up in horrible pain which causes them to make more electricity. Living in the town of Blighty, her cottage is hidden in the cemetery. She depends on the support of friends Mason and Zoe in her endeavors. Artec’s getting closer to finding her. A visitor who makes her apprehensive turns out to be a local woman who wants Keira to check her home for ghosts. The place is ghost-free. In the neglected garden of the house next door she finds ghosts who need her to help in uncovering their killer. Keira, Zoe, and Mason’s plans to destroy Artec are aided by Mikhail, an Artec employee who fears for his life because Schaeffer, the ruthless head of the company, is killing off disloyal people, just as he’d killed Keira’s parents. When Mikhail reveals Artec’s new base, a decrepit shopping mall that hides offices buried deep underground, Keira, her friends, and the black cat, Daisy that lives within her resolve to attack. The result is a horrifying life-and-death battle. Who will win?

The author has written a novel of ghosts and paranormal horror. I enjoyed the touch of humor and romance in the novel. This novel has made me a fan of Darcy Coates. Her writing is excellent.

Is there any author more enjoyable to read than Darcy Coates? I love this series. I love the setting and the characters. I want to hang out with Zoe and Harry.
The ending was just what the book needed.
I am so glad I got to read this. Thank you!

I absolutely adore Harvey Coates and I was so excited to read this book and it did not disappoint at all! Read it in one go and she still manages to scare me with every book! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book.

In the fifth installment of the Grave Keeper series, by Darcy Coates, we continue following Keira, and her friend Zoe, and her now boyfriend, Mason, as Keira continues the fight against a cruel, unethical energy company. Don't forget, Daisy, the cat, is always along for the ride as well. More of the workers from Artec are discovering the truth behind the company and wish to see it fall as much as Keira and her friends. Keira discovers how to generate more powers by using sigils, and trial and error. Along with this main story of this series of us against them, there is an internal story to this novel where Keira helps some ghost victims at a place called The Home. At its heart, this is a paranormal suspense novel with a satisfying ending to the series.

As always, a five out of five read, and I highly recommend if you enjoy the "cozy horror" genre. Darcy Coates is an exceptional, if not THE example of the genre.

This book was the perfect ending for the Gravekeeper series. Definitely 5 stars for this book, as well as the entire series. Darcy Coates never misses the mark!