Grave Secret

By: Charlaine Harris

Narrated by: Alyssa Bresnahan

Length: 9 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

Lightning-struck sleuth Harper Connelly and her stepbrother Tolliver take a break from looking for the dead to visit the two little girls they both think of as sisters. But, as always happens when they travel to Texas, memories of their horrible childhood resurface.

To make matters worse, Tolliver learns from his older brother that their father is out of jail and trying to reestablish contact with other family members. Tolliver wants no part of the man- but he may not have a choice in the matter.

Soon, family secrets ensnare them both, as Harper finally discovers what happened to her missing sister, Cameron, so many years before.

And what she finds out will change her world forever.

Crack another case with Harper Connelly

©2009 Charlaine Harris, Inc. (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Satisfactory final conclusion

This is the 4th (and last, [sigh]) Harper Connelly book. Harper is able to find dead bodies as a result of a lightning strike when she was a teenager. She and her "brother" travel from place to place selling their services to people who want more information about their deceased loved ones.

The best part of this series is the developing relationship between Harper and Tolliver. In this book, more family members become involved and the two of them try to figure out what happened to her sister years before. The characters are wonderful, and Bresnahan does a masterful job creating the character of Harper (the book is written in first person).

I'm glad that Harris brought the series to a logical conclusion. She had stated a few months ago that the series was finished after this book, and it leaves the reader satisfied that the lives of the characters have stabilized with the discovery of those "grave secret"s in the title.

It wasn't a typical Harris book, and I'm sure it will be criticized for that, but I enjoyed it very much. It was necessary to bring closure to the series to focus on Harper's personal tragedies, and that made the plot structure slightly more predictable than that of the previous books in the series. However, I REALLY didn't see the climax coming. Harris did a fantastic job of tying loose ends together and having a true conclusion to the series.

13 of 14 people found this review helpful

Really liked it!

I have enjoyed all the Harper Connolly books from Charlaine Harris and this one was no exception. Alyssa Bresnahan did her usual stellar job in bringing Harper to life. Many loose ends from earlier books were tied up and Harper really grew as a character, since Tolliver was somewhat sidelined. I understand that there will be more books in the series, so this one is really an ending and a beginning for Harper and Tolliver. Not to mention that I was completely gobsmacked by the revelations at the end of the book!

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

Too Bad it is Ending

This is evidently the last book in this series. Too bad, I really enjoyed the series and this book. I think that Ms. Harris actually surpasses the Sookie Stackhouse series with her Harper Connelly series.

This book tied up several loose ends - most importantly relaying what happened to Harper's sister. The sister is not an active character in any of the books, but her disappearance was a contributing factor in how Harper turned out as an adult.

It also brought the budding romance between Harper and Tolliver, which I thought was probably too long in coming. I realize this romance upset a lot of readers, because of their relationship. But there really was no blood "relationship" between the two, they acted like very close friends and I had no problem with the relationships progress.

Again, sorry to see this series end. I really enjoyed it.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Bravo! Best in series!

If this is indeed the end to the Harper and Toliver series, I am sad but I say BRAVO! The missing pieces of their life are interwoven gracefully in this story. This is a serious and at times woefully sad story but CH weaves hope at every page. The dialogue between characters is great and the relationship between Toliver and Harper has grown. It seemed more fast paced than the other books. Issues and items you wondered about in the previous three books are answered, especially about Harper's sister Cameron. My favorite in the series. The narrator did a great job and gave a wonderful voice to the characters.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Good & Depressing

This series is difficult to like because the main character's childhood was tragic and it is the center of this fourth book. The first three books provide background but this story solves one tragic mystery of her childhood. I still have to say that I enjoy this series because the main character is so interesting and different. I look forward to the next story and seeing what will happen to her now that her tragic past is set to rest.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Slow Start

I am an avid Harper Connely fan. This book started a bit slow, not to slow that I wasn't able to get into the book, but it didn't quit grab me like the others in the series. As the story progresses it does snowball into Charlaine Harris's normal crescendo of an ending. The ending was great! My expectations for this book were fulfilled, and I am curious as to how the characters are going to evolve in the next book.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Hoping for more

I know this is supposed to be the final book in the series, but I can't help hoping for more. I've really enjoyed this series, and I think this book is the best of the lot.

When I started the series, I promised myself that I wouldn't expect a Sookie-esque series. While some people really just want more Sookie, I enjoyed this series even more than the Sookie books. It's different. It's meant to be different, and I'm glad for it.

More Harper, please!

6 of 7 people found this review helpful

So depressing

I've read several of the Harper Connelly series and I like the characters and the stories.
However they are soooo depressing. The main characters, though in love and building a life together, dwell on their very troubled pasts without relief. The narrator may contribute to this due to her somewhat narrow emotional range. My conclusion is that I love the author and like the story but now I need to get up and do something more cheerful.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Surprisingly good!

This novel about a young woman who gained some extraordinarily abilities after being struck by lightening is not of my genre of choice. But it is an outstanding story with superb narration.

5 of 6 people found this review helpful

Best Harper Conelly Mystery Yet!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Ms. Harris's continuing tale of Harper Conelly the body finder is well developed and entertaining. Her characters are unique and visual. Alyssa Bresnahan does a great job in her narrating and voice characterizations. I love all of Ms. Harris's books and would recommend this to her fans as well as those who love a good mystery.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Since this story had more than one mystery being dealt with it kept you wanting more. You couldn't help but anticipate what may happen yet, if Harper would find the answers she was looking for or would fate intercede and leave you kept in the dark.

What about Alyssa Bresnahan’s performance did you like?

Alyssa always does a great job and with Ms. Harris's clever characters it sometimes can be a challenge keeping them sounding as individual characters. She really handles it well. Her readings are natural and seamless.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Harper first thinks her step father may have killed her sister, and how she had to keep a cool head even when she wanted to tear his throat out.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful