The Restorer by Amanda Stevens Published by MIRA on 4/19/2011
Genres: Adult, Southern Gothic
Pages: 376
Format: eBook
Source: NetGalley
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NEVER ACKNOWLEDGE THE DEAD.
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NEVER STRAY FROM HALLOWED GROUND.
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NEVER GET CLOSE TO THE HAUNTED.
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NEVER, EVER TEMPT FATE.
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My father’s rules.
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I’ve never broken them…until now.
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My name is Amelia Gray. I'm a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I've always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.
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It started with the discovery of a young woman's brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I've been hired to restore. The clues to the killer—and to his other victims—lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I've vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.
Friend: OMG have you read such-and-such by so-and-so?! Me: Is it as good as The Passage/Fever/The Restorer? Friend: Well… Me: Bottom of the TBR pile.
It made me anxious for its characters, envious of the town’s residents, intrigued by the secrecy, frightened by the apparitions and ultimately, wanting to know who the “bad guy” was. Each time I was sure I knew, I found out how incredibly wrong I was. That’s how I judge a spectacular author: make me live your book and I’m going to love you, slobber at your feet and ache for your recognition. Stevens incorporates strong characters (both primary and secondary), smooth plot lines and twists so staggering, they make you dizzy. The first-person narrative (’cause you know how I love my first-person) is exceptionally well written, the plot intriguing and it is entirely a heart-palpitating read. Stevens deftly wraps together all these wonderful components of a novel and just delivers it to our feet with a big ol’ bow. Merry Christmas! I don’t care if it’s April. I can’t wait for the follow-up to this absolutely fantastic book. Amanda Stevens, you rock!
GO READ IT NOW.
About The Author: Amanda Stevens lives in Houston with her husband, Steven, and a black cat named Lola. She is an avid reader, a wannabe taphophile, and a collector of all things Alfred Hitchcock. When she’s not writing, she likes taking road trips to Austin. And to Marfa. And to old cemeteries. To read more on Amanda, click here.
Jennifer @ BookShelfery
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And to believe it was her first first-person novel. She's a dreamweaver, that lady. I love her. Fantastic review!
Loved the review! I felt that way about this book too! I couldn't get enough of it, did you read the prequel (The Abandoned) it's available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Can't wait for book 2 to come out in November. 🙂
I agree completely! It was really a surprising, great book!
Great review!! I see Neri posted that there is a prequel.. will have to check it out now! I will read whatever Amanda Stevens writes!!
I saw the prequel listed on the publisher's site (I think) for free download. It's at the top of my TBR list. I'm sure it's going to be excellent. 🙂
Fantastic review, I totally get what you mean about wanting to throw this book at everyone. I literally expect all my friends to read it. They're all getting it for christmas.
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Jennifer..i cannot believe you mentioned Cronin too..hilarious but so friggin true..i recommend that book and the twelve to everyone, and i have been doing the same thing with the Restorer..i think half of the book club i belong to purchased it to shut me up..but omg once they read it..they sounded just like me!!! Awesome review!
Sounds like me! It becomes an “okay okay I’ll read it sheesh” and then they love it!
I agree with you on that first line. I loved this book too. It was so beautiful and I loved the romance part and the history of the characters.
[…] first read Amanda Stevens’ The Restorer back in 2011, back when I was a blogging baby. I was so excited to read it, because it sounded fantastic, […]