
Member Reviews

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.

"How far will she go to save the damned?
Keira is caught in a deadly battle. Her ability to help ghosts move on from the mortal world has made her a threat to Artec, a powerful corporation intent on trapping the tortured dead for profit. They've been tracking her for years and now, finally, there's nowhere left for her to run.
Artec fears Keira and everything she's capable of. They will stop at nothing to eliminate her - including sending armed men after everyone she holds dear.
Desperate and quickly running out of time, Keira races to hone her abilities as she searches for a way to destroy the twisted organization for good. But at least now she's no longer alone. Her friends have offered to follow wherever she leads, even if that means a direct strike deep into the heart of Artec's central base...and to the certain death waiting for them there."
I mean, if you're not addicted to this series yet you have four previous volumes to catch up on!

This novel delivers a compelling mix of high stakes and strategic pacing, opening with an engaging subplot that sets up the larger narrative. While it's actually the series finale, I still found myself hooked.
The story's structure is particularly well-crafted, gradually revealing the complexities of the Artec situation while steadily ramping up both action and tension. The author demonstrates skilled balance by weaving in moments of humor through Zoe's character, providing necessary breathers between the more intense sequences.
What's notable is how the book manages tension – it's consistently engaging without becoming overwhelming, thanks to thoughtful pacing and character dynamics. The execution is strong enough that it actually drove my interest to the earlier books in the series, rather than leaving me frustrated about missing previous context.
Bottom line: It's an engrossing thriller that effectively balances intensity with readability, making it a solid recommendation for series followers.

The Vengeful Dead is a wonderful opus to the Gravekeeper series! I've been nervously waiting to see how Keira's story will conclude and I was not disappointed. Along with her skeleton "crew" of Mason and Zoe, Keira recruits new and formidable foes to help take down the corporation and man behind the evil that surrounds her. Darcy's writing continues to captivate the reader and ensnare their minds. I was pleased how she entwined the town of Blighty and The Home's secrets with the necessity to end Artec's reign over monopolizing electrical infrastructure of the future. Keira's abilities are the happy accident created by Artec and thusly a necessity to it's end. I would recommend this book and series to any horror/mystery lover and would set aside hours and days as you will be pulled in immediately. Although this book is supposedly the end of the series, I do see one avenue/person that could be further explored. Will this be the end to Keira's story? I can't wait to find out.

What an excellent way to end my fave series! I have loved every minute reading about the adventures of our amazing Blighty characters! Every time I have picked up a book in this series, it has felt like a reunion with old friends! 🥰
While I did feel the book started out a bit slow, I soon found myself on the edge of my seat one minute, laughing the next minute (Harry!!!!), and then crying moments later! Keira shows us just how much of a badass FMC she can be!! This series will always remain dear to my heart! ❤️
Highly recommend this book, but strongly suggest starting the series with the first book, The Whispering Dead! 👏
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Darcy Coates for the opportunity to read the eARC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️ Now I just have to wait for preordered copy to arrive so it can join my Darcy Coates collection!!

Thank you Netgalley for an early arc of The Vengeful Dead. I love Darcy Coates. This book is part of a series of book. Although I didn't read the previous books in the series, I still really enjoyed this one. I would rate this book a 4 stars and I would recommend reading this one.

I can never really get into a Darcy Coates book, no matter how good it sounds. I suppose it just isn't for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5/5)
The Gravekeeper series comes to a thrilling and emotional conclusion in The Vengeful Dead! Keira’s final battle against Artec is here, and the stakes have never been higher. With her loyal friends—Zoe, Mason, and of course, Daisy the cat—by her side, Keira must use everything she’s learned to take down the corporation trapping spirits for their own gain.
What I Loved:
✔️ A Perfectly Balanced Finale – Action, suspense, and emotional depth all come together seamlessly.
✔️ Character Growth – Keira has come so far, and seeing her fully embrace her abilities is so satisfying.
✔️ Creepy & Cozy Vibes – The mix of spooky ghosts and strong friendships makes this a signature Darcy Coates read.
✔️ A Fitting End – While some moments felt too neatly wrapped up, the series conclusion was still satisfying.
What Could Be Stronger:
❌ The Artec storyline felt a bit corporate and less eerie compared to the rest of the series.
❌ The “ghost case of the week” subplot could have been expanded more.
Final Thoughts:
This is a must-read for fans of the series! While I’m sad to say goodbye to Keira and her friends, this book provided the closure I needed. If you love cozy horror, haunted mysteries, and strong character dynamics, The Gravekeeper series is a must.
Trigger Warnings: Paranormal themes, ghostly encounters, mild horror elements.

There’s nothing better than receiving an ARC from a favorite author!! And when it’s also a book from a favorite series—wow, that’s like opening up that one birthday present you’ve been hoping to get!! The fifth installment in Darcy Coates’s Gravekeeper Series, THE VENGEFUL DEAD, was everything I expected and so much more! Darcy Coates never, ever, ever disappoints me! And her newest novel was no exception!
Darcy skillfully reminds the reader where we left off after THE HOLLOW DEAD, giving us a summary of important plot points from the previous books. The novel follows Keira, an incredibly likable, selfless, and courageous protagonist who has survived countless terrifying encounters with Artec and its nefarious activities. And in this most recent installment, the stakes have never been higher.
We are once again thrust into the dangers of Keira’s world, but by her side once again are Zoe and Mason, sweet and endearing Daisy (I’ve never loved a fictional cat so much), as well as other friends we have met along the way—friends who are ever-faithful and unequaled in their loyalty to Keira and her cause. As you read late into the night, coming closer to the final battle of good versus evil and the end of this fantastic series, you find yourself rooting for Keira and her friends with all of your heart!
The tension and suspense Darcy is able to build with her writing—the ability she has to have you as the reader holding your breath, waiting for that jump scare— is unparalleled.
The novel’s pacing is perfect, balancing super intense moments of ghostly encounters with heartfelt interactions that make Keira’s journey all the more compelling and poignant. Knowing this is the last book in the series fills me with so much sadness to be honest, because I’m not ready to say goodbye to this wonderful cast of characters I have truly grown to love.
With THE VENGEFUL DEAD, Darcy Coates once again shines and shows why she’s a master of atmospheric ghost stories and haunted fiction. I cannot recommend this book, nor this series, more!!
I want to extend a huge thank you to NetGalley, Darcy Coates, and Poisoned Pen Press for gifting me the ARC of THE VENGEFUL DEAD! I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!! It was a privilege to be able to read this novel before publication in February.