The Gravedigger's Ball

Mike Coletti #2

by Solomon Jones

The next thrilling novel in the all new Colletti series from acclaimed author Solomon Jones



Just weeks after tracking down a killer known as the Angel of Death, Detective Mike Coletti stands at Mary Smithson's grave, mourning the woman whose betrayal nearly cost him his life. He's joined there by Mary's beautiful half-sister, Lenore. Moments later, a gunshot splits the air, placing Coletti on a collision course with the Gravedigger, a killer hell-bent on deciphering the secret of life and death. As bodies drop and tensions mount, clues are plucked from the victims, and one thing is abundantly clear--Lenore is the killer's ultimate target. But to stop the Gravedigger, Coletti and his partners must go beyond protecting Lenore. They must go to the one place where life and death routinely meet. They must go back to the grave.

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2011

About the author

Solomon Jones is an Essence bestselling author whose novels include The Gravedigger’s Ball, The Last Confession, Payback, Cream, Ride Or Die, The Bridge, and Pipe Dream. He has appeared on NPR and CNN Headline News, and is a contributor to short story collections including Philadelphia Noir and Liar Liar. Formerly a professor of creative writing at Temple University, Jones is an award-winning columnist whose work has appeared in Essence, Newsday, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Philadelphia Daily News. Jones, the creator of the Words On The Street Literacy Program, lives in Philadelphia with his wife and children. His next novel, The Dead Man’s Wife, will be published in October 2012 by Minotaur Books, an imprint of Macmillan.

Reviews

[La Tonya Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great crime novel with suspense and exciting dialogue. I enjoyed reading the personal and professional relationships the detectives had with each other and the press. It seemed I could visualize myself in each scene of the book. A complete enjoyable book to read and fantasize over, I especially enjoyed the generation gaps in the book and how the author was able to weave those thoughts together.

We are all looking for a higher power. We are no different than the gravedigger. I hope we all can realize we already possess this higher power within ourselves. The raven truly brought the scary factor inside the story as well as the poet Edgar Allen Poe.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was good. It was written well and I was interested through most of the book. I didn't expect the end to be as sci-fi/paranormal as it was. It was worth reading.

[Tim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this story uninspired. 2 of 10 stars

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tales from the Grave

The novel was an interesting blend of the old and modern ponderings on death framed in a murder mystery. The story is told in a style reminded me of stories written decades earlier, like Dragnet. The setting is modern with cell phones and computers. The allusions are over a century old to the time of Edgar Allen Poe.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is quite logical right up to the surprise ending. I do not want to give away the ending to a potential reader, but the ending is why I gave it four stars instead of five.

[Dessa Hix · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so irritated by a sloppy scene early in the book I didn't bother finishing it. A character is knocked into an open grave then buried alive by a shovel-wielding antagonist. The man in the grave is alive and standing up, so why didn't he just step up on the dirt as it was shoveled in? Who would stand still as dirt piled up around his feet? Too stupid to live, perhaps, but I put the book down and never picked it back up.

[Patricia Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scary and creepy

Makes you wonder if there are really ppl who delve in the after life and in hidden caverns within a cemetery disrespecting the dead. So many secrets among these characters all do to the words in a poem.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a little magical, which I liked. And a lot Philadelphia, which I loved.

[Karol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story. A little bit of fantasy that I didn’t feel they explained.

[Kim G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome read. I did realized I read this book out of order. So i have to get book 1 and 3 of this series.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book sucked

[Kim]

For fans of Mystery, suspense crime & Edgar Allen Poe...
as usual it took a little time to get with the rhythm of reading the story. Always end up starting out slow, reading a few pages etc, However the story picked up for me, one I came across the Edgar Allen Poe mention.
Also a story of two of his is mentioned, one of which is the Gold bug which I started to read while reading this as well... I figured hey while it's being mentioned why not. Maybe it will give some insight to this story in some way. Plus I figure if I didn't read it while reading this book, that I may never get to it.

The story revolves around the theory that "Poe was a seer, and The Raven is the evidence of Poe's ability to see into places that others couldn't. Those people look at the stanzas about opening doors, looking into darkness and dreaming dreams as well as on the name Lenore, who like Poe can see all things." Now is this a theory in our world? I have no idea, I don't read into things that much. Though it would be nice if that part of the book was based on a 'fact' (though cannot be proved) from our world.


read the full review
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[Patti Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast moving mystery that will capture the interest of any mystery lover and especially people who have an interest or knowledge of the history of Edgar Allen Poe and his works. I enjoyed the interaction and depth of the characters. This is an unusual storyline and is best read by folks who have open minds for some things that are not necessarily 'realistic.'

Humorous content: He grinned with appreciation as she bent slightly.
She came back to the counter with a fluid walk and an alluring smile. He smiled back. The she handed him the water and watched as he drank it. "I hope you don't mind me saying this," she said in a velvety smooth voice, "But you are adorable." He began to blush. "You remind me so much of my grandfather." He nearly spit out the water as his fantasy moment shattered in a thousand pieces.

Love and depth: He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to experience what they felt for each other: love. It was stronger than life. It was stronger than death. It was stronger than any mistake they'd made in the past, and it was enough to carry them into the future.

[Jewell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this up on a whim while visiting the local library. Knew the author was a Philadelphia writer and enjoyed identifying the streets and places mentioned in another book I read by him quite a few years back. From that perspective I too enjoyed this story, especially since the main location is based on a historical cemetery here In Philadelphia that I frequently visit. As with the other book that I read I really felt like I was there; being a Philadelphian, I know where many of the streets and places are located and grew up with a person who has the same name as one of the characters in the story.

The overall story line was okay. I thought it would be a who done it, which it was, but what threw me was the supernatural spin placed on the tale. By the time I finished the story I really could not decide if I liked or disliked it.

Another person said read this if you have nothing else to read. I tend to agree. Glad I didn't purchase. Although I will read more by this author his books are quick reads that I can return to the library without having to worry about racking up fines

[John R. Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Gravedigger's Ball" is a sequel to "The Last Confession." While the book can be read on it's own, it contains spoilers that will ruin the suspense of the Last Confession. Set a few weeks after the conclusion of the Last Confession, Coletti and Mann are back and the bodies are piling up quickly. Once again the killer has taken a personal interest in Coletti. The ending is startling but consistent with the direction of the rest of the novel. While the story starts as a somewhat traditional crime novel, it has a distinct Poe-esque flair and edges into the supernatural so should be read with an open mind. Solomon Jones weaves Philadelphia skillfully throughout the novel. I enjoy reading novels where I have been to some of the "fictional" locations since it helps to establish a personal connection to the story and the characters.

[Marla Madison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why I even finished reading this book.

For one thing, the story line is closely tied
to an earlier book, which makes it difficult for someone who hasn't read the entire series.

The premise seemed interesting at first, with murders in a cemetery, and followers of a cult-like
group of devotees to Edgar Allen Poe, complete with an evil raven!
The search for the killer kept me involved, but the ending turned into a rather bizarre paranormal
event that for me, was so incredible that it threw me right out of the story.

The ending was abrupt and weird with nothing resolved.
I only gave it two stars because I did manage to read it to the end.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the exception of the weird ending, I did enjoy this book. Solomon Jones fills his stories with familiar sights and scenes from around my home town, Philadelphia. This book featured (probably) Laurel Hill Cemetary, The Poe House and many other familiar locations. His regular characters, too, seem familiar and likable.

That's 2 down, 1 Colleti story to go and then I'm up-to-date. Write faster, Mr. Jones.

DD@Phila

[Stephanie Stevenson-covington · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a long decent read. You really have to pay attention though. I love poetry and I remember the Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, but the reference to it in this plot just didn't do it for me. The author did fabulous at descibing Philly, particularly Germantown. I have a few more Solomon Jones books, but I'm only going to read when I need a break from my other readings. For me there just wasn't enough excitement and gore.

[Diane S ☔ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out as a quick light read, a mystery without a lot of gore (highly unusual) and it had the added hook of being centered on part of the life of Edgar Allen Poe and the Raven. Than came the ending, which I felt was not only rushed but ludicrous as well. Well I enjoyed most of it, but couldn't overcome that ending.

[Andrea Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Jones and read the first in this series. Once I started it was an easy, interesting read that I enjoyed up to the final scene. I didn't see that coming, which is ok, but I thought it was a strange departure. It left me scratching my head and wanting to ask a few questions. I'm curious to see if this is new territory or if he's just dabbling with the paranormal.

[Michelle Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solomon Jones does an excellent job of spinning a captivating story and quickly drawing the reader into the lives of the characters. This is the Coletti series but you get wrapped up in the lives of the other players as well, including Sandy Jackson and Charlie Mann, who in my mind looks like Dr. Carl Hart.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

After I downloaded the audiobook on the Library's website it says if you like this book you may also like:
"Welfare Wifey"
"Pimp"
"Justify my Thug"
So I'm a little worried about really having any interest in this book.
So we'll see...

[Monica]

Page Three

"As he drew nearer the grave, the dead leaves in the cemetery crunched beneath his feet. He smiled at the way they crackled and split. The sound reminded him of his heart."

oboy. ouch. say no more.

read no further.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it. The story moved quickly. I didn't read the first if the series so the references to it were lost on me. I loved Colletti. He is the embodiment if the seasoned detective. I am going to get the others in the series to catch up.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an excellent book! I loved it! Suspense, intrigue, this book has it all! I enjoyed how the book kept building toward the climatic end, as this genre of books does! I also thought the setting for this story was perfect. Who doesn't love a good cemetary suspense novel???

[Hrn1947 · Rating 2 out of 5]

the sequel to the last confession. Another who dunnit with supernatural leanings. read it if there's nothing else.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting whodunit with an Edgar Allen Poe theme. Whacky supernatural ending that I didn't see coming. Not sure if I bought it, but a good quick read.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good part to after reading The Last Confession. This one as well had me tripping on the ending. Another one where I would have never guessed the ending.

[Dan Fleischaker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get past the first chapter. Too full of cliches, and poor writing overall. Heard an interview with the author, but this really disappointed me.

[Jea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first 270 pages. Exciting, intense, suspenseful. The end, however, was quite a disappointment. Hate books like that.

[Elyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

it was too reliant on the first book in the series. It had an interesting hook/premise with the whole E.A. Poe tie in but it never made me care about what happened and had a contrived ending