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!

The fifth book in the series as ghosts and the past are more prominent in Keira’s life. This time, she’s caught in a battle between life and death. Artec is awaiting her next move.

"The Vengeful Dead" by Darcy Coates is an enthralling 5-star read! Keira returns for the conclusion of the “Gravekeeper” series, facing off against Artec one final time—even if it costs her everything.

I requested this book without realizing it was the fifth in the series. Though I hadn’t read the previous installments, the author did a fantastic job summarizing Keira’s past experiences with her friends. While I wouldn’t recommend starting with this book, I still really enjoyed it and plan to go back to the beginning. Coates' vivid descriptions immerse you in Keira’s journey, making it feel as if you’re right there with her.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press, Darcy Coates, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

What a fun time taking a little trip back to Blighty with our favorite ghost problem solving team!

The nice thing about these books is that, although they’re in a series, the author does a nice little wrap up to help you understand/remind you what’s happened in the past books in a light way to help always feel like you’re moving and learning new aspects. At the end of this book, we are again left hanging with an idea of what’s possibly to come in the next book.

This is a pretty fast-paced, page-turning series that keeps your attention the whole time. Finding new stories/backgrounds for ghosts and others in this little town really shows the multi-faceted nature of unraveling the layers to get to know people. Everyone has their own story, but they are woven together in such a way to help other characters evolve.

It’s definitely a unique spin on the ghost story - new ideas and skills for different people create some unlikely friendships. Now to wait for the next installment…

Thank you so much to the author, Darcy Coates, Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the eARC of The Vengeful Dead!

*Thank you Netgalley for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

So excited to read The Vengeful Dead by also sad! It is the big finale of the series. 😥 As much as I was dying to know how the series is going to end, I was bummed it was the final book in the series!

The author does a great job refreshing the reader with what all has happened in the previous books. She does it in such a way as to remind you, but without too much spoiler. 🙂 It is the perfect balance to help keep everyone in the loop.

There are 2 parts to the plot. One part is a ghostly story that takes place in the main characters home of Blighty. The other plot is the main story arch of Keira vs. Artec. Both stories are so good! Lots of foreboding suspense. Powerful ghosts. Scary bad guys. Mighty Keira kicking all the butt! 😀

The story slows down a little bit in the middle of the book. Don’t worry! After the halfway mark, the story kicks it up to full gear! Both stories get plenty of time to have a big show down with the bad guys.

The last few chapters are all wrapping up this cozy ghost horror series. It was nice to see how everything turns out for all the main characters. ❤ It was a great end to this haunting series that has been captivating, mysterious, and lovely. 🙂

The Vengeful Dead is the perfect ending to a beautiful, spooky series. Two big stories within the plot double the tension and dread. The book slows down a little bit around the 50% mark, but both plots have grand finales that see Keira finally reach her full powerful potential! It is pretty amazing! 😀 The ending is so satisfying. I will miss these characters and the world they live in. ❤

When I signed up for this, I was unaware it was part of a series, but I didn’t have a problem starting at this book and following along the storyline.

In this book we follow Kiera, Mason, and Zoe who are hiding following their sneaky infiltration of an Artec company.

With the help of her friends, Kiera is able to bring down the company who is using souls to power their renewable energy.

The writing is amazing and the characters were fun! This was a fun easy read!

Wow wow wow! What an amazing ending to this great series! Darcey is an automatic buy author for me and I just love all of her stories.