Book : The girl in the grave
Author : Helen Phifer
Genre : Mystery & Thriller
Pages : 263
I received this review copy in exchange for an honest review by Netgalley and Bookouture. Thank you Netgalley!!
“I’d rather look an idiot and be wrong than be too afraid to make the call and be right” – Josh Walker
Blurb
Silence falls as the coffin is lifted out of the ground, yesterday’s rain cascading from it like a waterfall. Glancing into what should have been an empty grave, everyone gasps at the sight of blueish-white fingers exposed in the soil below.
When the body of a teenage runaway is found hidden inside someone else’s grave in a small-town cemetery in The Lake District, an urgent call is made to Forensic Pathologist Beth Adams. Still traumatized by a recent attempt on her own life, one look at the beautiful girl’s broken body is enough to bring Beth out of hiding for the first time since her attack. She’s the only one who can help her trusted friend, Detective Josh Walker, crack the most shocking case of his career.
Beth struggles to believe it’s a coincidence that the gravesite was scheduled to be exhumed, exposing the evidence. Does this twisted killer want to be caught ?
Throwing herself into her work Beth discovers traces of material beneath the victim’s fingernails that sets the team on the killer’s trail. But this critical lead comes at a dangerous price, exposing Beth’s whereabouts and dragging her back into her attacker’s line of fire once again.
With Beth’s own life on the line, the investigation is already cracking under the pressure. Then another local girl goes missing.
Can Beth stay alive enough to catch the killer before he claims his next victim ?
Review
The girl in the grave is the first book in the Beth Adams series by the author. It is a spine-chilling psychotic crime thriller which has the power to make the readers have sleepless nights. The book was extremely terrifying and gripping. Since it the first book in the series, it took some time to get into the plot. But after the first few chapters it became unbelievably fast moving. The book has a well plotted storyline supported by strong characters and dialogues. It had a solid plot and that was crystal clear and flawless. The author has simply mastered the plot with her efficient thinking. There was no shortage for twists and turns, every chapter had something unexpected to reveal. It had all the elements that are essential for a thriller to be thrilling. The way the killer had hidden the body of his victim under someone else’s grave was sick and sadistic but at the same time one cannot deny how brilliantly genius it was.
The character development of every character was highly outstanding, the manner in which the author has penned down these characters will make them stay in the reader’s minds forever. Helen Phifer has clearly elaborated the character of Beth Adams, most importantly her work life as a Forensic Pathologist was explained in greater detail. This brought the life of Forensic Pathologist into broad day light. It was quite interesting and also scary at times. Josh Walker is the knight in the shining armor of this book, his sincerity towards his work was commendable and the charismatic aura surrounding him was contagious. The rapport between Josh and Sam Thomas was enjoyable, despite the seriousness of the plot this combo will make the readers laugh and smile.
The multiple perspective narration was superbly executed. Though at a couple of places it was mildly confusing but except that everything was fine. The language was easy and reader friendly. The climax could’ve been a bit more heroic, after all who doesn’t love more action ?
My View
It is a very gripping novel and I totally loved it. It literally scared the shit out of me at many places. My expectation was raising higher and higher with every passing page. It’s completely worth the read. I particularly liked Beth Adam’s house with a lake view, it was beautifully described and the image of her house is still in my mind’s eye.
I would definitely recommend this book to everybody who loves thriller. If you aren’t into thrillers then I suggest you should start with this one. Do read this book and tell me how you feel about it in the comment section below.
My rating for this book is 3 / 5 🌟🌟🌟
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Happy Reading Folks!!
~Meenu
