Graveminder

Melissa Marr
HarperCollins (2011)
ISBN 9780061826870
Reviewed by Amanda Wesley for Reader Views (7/11)


Melissa Marr is a mastermind of creepy and twisted.  The New York Times bestselling author of the young adult series, “Wicked Lovely” is now trying to spellbind an adult audience with her latest novel “Graveminder.”

Welcome to Claysville. This small town is deeply rooted with its traditions, especially regarding the dead.  Eccentric behavior is expected or overlooked by almost everyone.  None of them seem to have more oddities and rituals than Maylene Barrow.

Rebekkah, Maylene’s granddaughter, left Claysville several years ago after the death of both her father (Jimmy) and sister (Ella) She has been running from the ghosts of her past ever since.  That is, until the day she gets a package in the mail and a phone call telling her to drop everything and come home... Now!

Rebekkah knows without being told - Maylene has died.

Rebekkah doesn’t want to go back and she really doesn't want to carry on Maylene’s traditions, but she finds herself doing it because it's what is to be done.

Byron Montgomery is also no stranger to running away from his crazy hometown. Like every other person born in Claysville, Byron has also come home. No matter how far away or how big (or small) the city he was living in, Claysville will always drawl him back.

Byron is demanding answers about some of the events in town that seem to be brushed under the rug. He is about to get his answers as his father, William, the Undertaker and life-long friend of Maylene, shows him what Claysville’s founders have so carefully protected -- a place that is not Heaven, not Hell -- a land of the dead.  Byron hears one word that makes him ask, “What’s a Graveminder?”  Meanwhile, Rebekkah is reading a letter left to her by Maylene that leaves more questions than answers.

Byron was getting more information than he bargained for in the land of the dead by a man named Charlie or “Mr. D.” aka Death.  “Graveminder: the woman who keeps the dead from going out on rampages; the partner of the Undertaker.  Maylene’s replacement is -- Rebekkah.” Consequently, Byron is now the new Undertaker.

This would explain so many things; the love between William and Maylene, the bond between himself and Rebekkah’s sister, Ella and now Rebekkah.  Byron is now faced with making a deal with the damned or giving up everything he knows and loves. Equally, Rebekkah has to now accept her role in this world because if she doesn’t succeed then the results could mean the end of everyone.  They both are about to be put to the test with trying to return a girl who won’t stay where she belongs.

If you like that little rush you get after being scared or love screaming at scary movies then this book is for you. With the Hungry Dead walking around feeding off of the living, scheming and jealous family members, a world not of our own and one that most of us could never picture, and maybe a little love/hate triangle, this book is an action-packed fantasy thriller.  Marr’s characters seduce you into their little town and all the secrets buried there. The author also painted a picture so vivid of not only one world, but two and through the eyes of several different characters. It was truly mesmerizing to just visit.

“Graveminder” had my hands shaking as I turned each page and I loved every second of it.  Not once did the plot get stale and by the final chapter I had to uncurl my toes and hope that there will be more books like this one in the future.  “Graveminder” is a fun story that takes a trip into the dark side with as many twists as an M. Night Shyamalan movie.

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