Grave Secret – Charlaine Harris
Hachette Gollancz, 2010
320 pages
RRP: AU$22.99
ISBN: 9780575085565

Reviewed by Kate Smith

Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris was not what I expected it to be. Reading the earlier books first to gain an understanding probably would have helped and allowed for a greater impact from the tale.  Having said that, while it took me a little while to get into the story, Harris did smoothly integrated the uninitiated into the main people of her tale without providing a ‘summary’ at the beginning, something which is always disheartening to a reader.

While the first person point of view took a little getting used to, it allowed the reader to gain a better understanding of the central character and this explanation may have helped other readers to overcome issues they may have had with the character’s situation – sensing dead people and being in a sexual relationship with her half-brother.

Grave Secret is the story of a young woman who, after being struck by lightning as a girl, is able to sense the presence of the dead, a skill which she uses to make a living from with the assistance of her half-brother/lover as manager.  Beginning with a job and an explanation of their relationship with younger sisters who are in foster care, Harris takes a little while to bring around to her readers what the primary thrust of the story is.  A murder attempt and the appearance of her step-father all weave themselves into the tale of what happened in the family and to her older sister so many years ago.

Harris constructed the tale well, with information provided as it was required and not before.  For readers who like to try to anticipate what will come next in a plot there will likely be few secrets, however letting yourself be swept along by the plot resulted in an interesting read.  Grave Secret was a very diverting way to spend a few hours, and while I have not felt the need to track down other books about these characters, I would read them if I came across them.