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The Quarry
Hoping to escape the horrors of World War II, Jeanne Butte and her family take refuge in an ancient Roman quarry on the outskirts of their French village. But the little girl soon finds the quarry, like her family, holds deep, dark secrets. When Jeanne finally emerges from the underground shelter, the four-year-old is found alone among a cluster of Roman ruins just outside her village. With no memory of her time lost below or what became of her parents, the orphaned girl is shipped overseas to live with her aunt. Growing up near Chicago, Jeanne tries to fit in and pursues the classic American dream.
Nearly forty years later, Jeanne finds herself struggling in life. Newly divorced and with a child of her own, lost details from her past begin emerging. Jeanne impulsively returns to the French village of her birth, hoping to find some sense of closure. When she is shown her own tombstone, Jeanne becomes determined to reenter the ancient Roman quarry. When she descends into the chasm for a second time, Jeanne finds something had been expecting her all along.
Though entirely fiction, this disturbing tale pulls from historical fact, ancient pagan beliefs, and French legends. The story weaves timelines together from 1944, 1979, and present day as Jeanne struggles with an ageless horror you can't simply run away from.
Has Jeanne ever not been, or escaped, the quarry?
Nearly forty years later, Jeanne finds herself struggling in life. Newly divorced and with a child of her own, lost details from her past begin emerging. Jeanne impulsively returns to the French village of her birth, hoping to find some sense of closure. When she is shown her own tombstone, Jeanne becomes determined to reenter the ancient Roman quarry. When she descends into the chasm for a second time, Jeanne finds something had been expecting her all along.
Though entirely fiction, this disturbing tale pulls from historical fact, ancient pagan beliefs, and French legends. The story weaves timelines together from 1944, 1979, and present day as Jeanne struggles with an ageless horror you can't simply run away from.
Has Jeanne ever not been, or escaped, the quarry?
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2023
7 people are currently reading
835 people want to read
About the author
D.M. Gritzmacher
7 books75 followersDavid M. Gritzmacher spends much of his time unwinding the knots his twisted narratives bind him in. Plotting out his escape (and next dark tale), while cruising along the backroads near his home in Illinois. Married to his high school sweetheart for more than 35 years and with five grown children, he remains baffled by the state of the world around him. Retreating into his own writing where the dark things that slither, creep, haunt, and betray are not merely the folly of man…
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 8, 2023
Thanks to the author for sending me the second book in the Skulldiggery Series.
DMG has once again written another awesome book, which can either be read after book 1, or as a standalone.
This book also ventures between different timelines from the 14th Century France, 1944 France, 1979 US and France, and present day US and France.
It’s World War Two in 1944 France, and four year old Jeanne Butte is being led to safety, down into a cavernous Roman quarry, with the others from her village. It’s dark and damp, and terrifying for the child, who witnesses a horrific incident, and one which will lure her back, years later, from Chicago, where she has made her home for the last 35 years.
This is a book which is difficult to put down, and which you tend to feel every kind of emotion, while reading...at one point, wiping the odd tear which had escaped from my eye.
This is heartbreaking, terrifying, and heartwarming, and I loved every bit of it...
can’t wait wait for Book 3!!
Highly recommended, and a very easy...
5 twinkling stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
DMG has once again written another awesome book, which can either be read after book 1, or as a standalone.
This book also ventures between different timelines from the 14th Century France, 1944 France, 1979 US and France, and present day US and France.
It’s World War Two in 1944 France, and four year old Jeanne Butte is being led to safety, down into a cavernous Roman quarry, with the others from her village. It’s dark and damp, and terrifying for the child, who witnesses a horrific incident, and one which will lure her back, years later, from Chicago, where she has made her home for the last 35 years.
This is a book which is difficult to put down, and which you tend to feel every kind of emotion, while reading...at one point, wiping the odd tear which had escaped from my eye.
This is heartbreaking, terrifying, and heartwarming, and I loved every bit of it...
can’t wait wait for Book 3!!
Highly recommended, and a very easy...
5 twinkling stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 5, 2023
First I'd like to thank DM for sending me a copy of this book. Right from the start, the looking at the cover, it reminded me of the movie The Descent so I'm a bit creeped out already. I love the historical background of this story. Makes the tension and the drama of the story feel more believable to the reader. I cannot imagine what it would be like to live basically unground, fearing for my life as a war was taking place above ground.
Overall it was a great book, very eerie parts, well chosen wording that helped me visualize people and places Jeanne was seeing, and now I'm even more afraid of caves and the darkness haha.
Overall it was a great book, very eerie parts, well chosen wording that helped me visualize people and places Jeanne was seeing, and now I'm even more afraid of caves and the darkness haha.
July 21, 2023
This is the second book of the Skulldiggery series (you can read them in order or not, your choice!)
I’ll admit, historical fiction, even if it’s horror isn’t a sub genre I actively seek out, I’m pretty neutral about it but I have to say….this book SURPRISED ME!!!! (The author has full permission to eternally say “I told you so!!!”)
This one’s a page turner if you ask me , or in my case, a screen booper (kindle) and the writing is fab! I mostly went in blind and I’m glad I did because it was more fun that way and it kept me engaged in the story. There’s plenty of twists and turns, moments that made my ANGRY, then ANXIOUS. I even felt a little claustrophobic. As a splatterpunk/extreme horror gal, I was delighted to see a bit of gore and some other stuff sprinkled into the story!!!
AND THERE’S A WOOF WOOF, so how can you loose?!
(SWEET CHRIST this is the longest review I’ve ever written! )
TL;DR apparently I enjoy historical fiction of the horror persuasion (check triggers if you need too)
I’ll admit, historical fiction, even if it’s horror isn’t a sub genre I actively seek out, I’m pretty neutral about it but I have to say….this book SURPRISED ME!!!! (The author has full permission to eternally say “I told you so!!!”)
This one’s a page turner if you ask me , or in my case, a screen booper (kindle) and the writing is fab! I mostly went in blind and I’m glad I did because it was more fun that way and it kept me engaged in the story. There’s plenty of twists and turns, moments that made my ANGRY, then ANXIOUS. I even felt a little claustrophobic. As a splatterpunk/extreme horror gal, I was delighted to see a bit of gore and some other stuff sprinkled into the story!!!
AND THERE’S A WOOF WOOF, so how can you loose?!
(SWEET CHRIST this is the longest review I’ve ever written! )
TL;DR apparently I enjoy historical fiction of the horror persuasion (check triggers if you need too)
May 23, 2023
A Horror Bookworm Recommendation
The Quarry by DM Gritzmacher
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
As Germany wages war against France, a four year old girl is hidden away with other village refugees inside an underground quarry. However, the labyrinth of tunnels and shafts not only hold salvation within its rocks and soil but also an ancient kind of evil. Years later with suppressed nightmares, Jeanne heads back to her home land of France for solace and unanswered questions. What she finds will unfold the past and horrifically collide with her future.
DM Gritzmacher’s novel, The Quarry, is an extraordinarily disturbing story emanating from a dark subterranean maze. These tense thrills and grisly acts of violence are his doorway to Hell. It begins on page one and continues through a barrage of war-torn evil that roams the underground catacombs. From old wives tales to a very real unimaginable evil, Gritzmacher combines gods, monsters and myths to achieve an advance level of scariness.
Gritzmacher approaches horror in several ways. There’s the instant blindside jump scare that leaves you thinking…”did that just happen?” Then there’s the heinous slow burn moments that causes a feeling of anxiety leaving you thinking…”is this really happening?” These dark and terrible images of extreme disturbances speaks volumes. This author causes the reader’s mind to carry the burden of memories long forgotten. Not since Daniel Volpe’s Left To You has a book left such an impression on me.
Diving into this piece of dark fiction, I didn’t know what to expect, I was immediately submersed into the plot and how the author laid out the pieces of his perturbed puzzle. I might add that The Quarry is book two of the Skulldiggery series, but also can be read as a stand alone. It ranks as a must read Horror Bookworm Recommendation. Don’t miss out on this one my friends.
The Quarry by DM Gritzmacher
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
As Germany wages war against France, a four year old girl is hidden away with other village refugees inside an underground quarry. However, the labyrinth of tunnels and shafts not only hold salvation within its rocks and soil but also an ancient kind of evil. Years later with suppressed nightmares, Jeanne heads back to her home land of France for solace and unanswered questions. What she finds will unfold the past and horrifically collide with her future.
DM Gritzmacher’s novel, The Quarry, is an extraordinarily disturbing story emanating from a dark subterranean maze. These tense thrills and grisly acts of violence are his doorway to Hell. It begins on page one and continues through a barrage of war-torn evil that roams the underground catacombs. From old wives tales to a very real unimaginable evil, Gritzmacher combines gods, monsters and myths to achieve an advance level of scariness.
Gritzmacher approaches horror in several ways. There’s the instant blindside jump scare that leaves you thinking…”did that just happen?” Then there’s the heinous slow burn moments that causes a feeling of anxiety leaving you thinking…”is this really happening?” These dark and terrible images of extreme disturbances speaks volumes. This author causes the reader’s mind to carry the burden of memories long forgotten. Not since Daniel Volpe’s Left To You has a book left such an impression on me.
Diving into this piece of dark fiction, I didn’t know what to expect, I was immediately submersed into the plot and how the author laid out the pieces of his perturbed puzzle. I might add that The Quarry is book two of the Skulldiggery series, but also can be read as a stand alone. It ranks as a must read Horror Bookworm Recommendation. Don’t miss out on this one my friends.
April 20, 2023
First of all, I wanna thank DM Gritzmacher for sending me a copy of this. 👏🏻👏🏻
Secondly, here comes the review.
This book was farrr darker than I truly expected. And, I’m not disappointed at all. It was excellent.
It was well-written, and the pacing was perfect, in my opinion. I got completely lost in the book. Normally it takes me months to finish any type of ebook, but it didn’t with this one. I finished in record time. (I actually held off on finishing just because I didn’t want this book to end 🫣).
I loved how dark, somewhat psychological this book was. He had an excellent way of making everything come together perfectly with shifting timelines.
I also would like to note, I no longer want to explore in any kind of caves… like… ever 🤪
While this is technically book 2 in the Skulldiggery series, it also works as a standalone (although, I’m getting book 1 as soon as I’m able because, hello, I need more).
Secondly, here comes the review.
This book was farrr darker than I truly expected. And, I’m not disappointed at all. It was excellent.
It was well-written, and the pacing was perfect, in my opinion. I got completely lost in the book. Normally it takes me months to finish any type of ebook, but it didn’t with this one. I finished in record time. (I actually held off on finishing just because I didn’t want this book to end 🫣).
I loved how dark, somewhat psychological this book was. He had an excellent way of making everything come together perfectly with shifting timelines.
I also would like to note, I no longer want to explore in any kind of caves… like… ever 🤪
While this is technically book 2 in the Skulldiggery series, it also works as a standalone (although, I’m getting book 1 as soon as I’m able because, hello, I need more).
April 20, 2023
This book is historical fiction horror at its best. This book is very atmospheric. It's dark and brutal. And now I have another reason to add to my list of why I will never ever go into a cave. Fuck that!!!!! This book kept me guessing and I didn't expect what happened to happen and I like when that happens. This is book two in the skulldiggery series but can be read as a standalone. And now I have a new favorite word....skulldiggery.
This book is about Jeanne. When she was four, her family and village sought refuge in an ancient Roman quarry while her village was being bombed during WWII. But the Quarry holds dark secrets. 40 years later, Jeanne is drawn back to her old village to find answers about her past. She's drawn back to the quarry. It holds her and her family secrets and it feels like it's calling her home.
This book is about Jeanne. When she was four, her family and village sought refuge in an ancient Roman quarry while her village was being bombed during WWII. But the Quarry holds dark secrets. 40 years later, Jeanne is drawn back to her old village to find answers about her past. She's drawn back to the quarry. It holds her and her family secrets and it feels like it's calling her home.
September 1, 2023
I won an ebook copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway.
This review contains spoilers.
TWs listed below.
I wasn't going to do a written review of this book due to how present the author is in the comments of their reviews, so I'll start off by saying this: My reviews are for readers. My reviews are not meant to be read or commented on by the author of the book. My reviews are to inform fellow readers, not meant to be feedback for the author or to start a conversation with the author.
Now that that's out of the way, here are some TWs for the contents of the book and things I'll be talking about in this review:
SA, CSA, child abuse, necrophilia, domestic violence, Nazis, suicide
I would also like to note that there are no TW for this book and there's nothing in the book description that would make you think this type of content is in the book. Which is one of the reasons why I'm writing this review to warn others.
Will be putting everything from this point on under spoiler tag due more to the graphic content than for the spoilers.
What happens to the child and how it's written is disgusting and unnecessary. I felt like I was switching between reading torture porn and CP and was very close to DNFing. The only reason I didn't DNF was so I could write this review and not have anyone claim I did not read it/read enough of it to have a valid opinion on it. I wish I could give this negative stars. 100% do not recommend.
This review contains spoilers.
TWs listed below.
I wasn't going to do a written review of this book due to how present the author is in the comments of their reviews, so I'll start off by saying this: My reviews are for readers. My reviews are not meant to be read or commented on by the author of the book. My reviews are to inform fellow readers, not meant to be feedback for the author or to start a conversation with the author.
Now that that's out of the way, here are some TWs for the contents of the book and things I'll be talking about in this review:
SA, CSA, child abuse, necrophilia, domestic violence, Nazis, suicide
I would also like to note that there are no TW for this book and there's nothing in the book description that would make you think this type of content is in the book. Which is one of the reasons why I'm writing this review to warn others.
Will be putting everything from this point on under spoiler tag due more to the graphic content than for the spoilers.
What happens to the child and how it's written is disgusting and unnecessary. I felt like I was switching between reading torture porn and CP and was very close to DNFing. The only reason I didn't DNF was so I could write this review and not have anyone claim I did not read it/read enough of it to have a valid opinion on it. I wish I could give this negative stars. 100% do not recommend.
April 16, 2023
The Quarry is the second book in the Skulldiggery series by DM Gritzmacher. Even though it is part of a series what’s nice is that it can also be read as a stand alone book.
Mixing historical facts, pagan beliefs and French legends this is an extremely well thought out, detailed story.
This book deals with some heavy subjects. So be aware going into it if you have any triggers (I won’t list them here because frankly, that isn’t my responsibility).
There were definitely a few times reading where I full on cringed at what was going on, and I’m an advent horror reader. Not to mention the constant sense of dread that’s instilled by reading about being underground in a quarry. Cave systems are actually terrifying.
Hello, new phobia.
Mixing historical facts, pagan beliefs and French legends this is an extremely well thought out, detailed story.
This book deals with some heavy subjects. So be aware going into it if you have any triggers (I won’t list them here because frankly, that isn’t my responsibility).
There were definitely a few times reading where I full on cringed at what was going on, and I’m an advent horror reader. Not to mention the constant sense of dread that’s instilled by reading about being underground in a quarry. Cave systems are actually terrifying.
Hello, new phobia.
September 13, 2025
Character work is phenomenal and I loved the claustrophobic feel of the Quarry scenes! Excited for book 3!
June 17, 2025
I’m not sure what I was expecting when I started The Quarry, but I found out quickly that I liked what I was reading. The story hooked me fairly quickly and kept me engaged with the characters. The story spans from the 1940s to present day.
“A dispiriting fog began to roll in, and a wet mist blanketed the gathered men in its damp embrace.”
Jeanne has repressed memories of her childhood in Vieux, Italy. When she was 4, WWII came to her town and her family fled to an underground quarry in hopes of being safe from the carnage and destruction above ground. That’s all Jeanne remembers, now an adult living in Chicago, Illinois. It is the year 1979 and Jeanne decides she wants to go back to Italy and try to piece together what happened during her time in the quarry. After entering the quarry, as an adult now, her memories unfold.
When I was reading about Jeanne’s story of her time spent in the quarry, I realized it was like a deep-dive (pun intended) into her mind. Jeanne had to go deep into the darkness of her mind, as well as the darkness of the quarry, to find answers. I felt like I was dreaming with her when the memories started coming back, as she lay in the quarry's darkness, reliving the trauma and fear.
Gritzmacher did a fabulous job of making a personal connection between Jeanne and the reader. We learn her life’s story and she quickly becomes a close friend or family member.
This is a good, solid occult horror story. No plot holes and the writing is fantastic. It tugs on all sorts of emotions: fear, sadness, anxiousness, and hopefulness. The Quarry is book two of a series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. I plan to grab book one, The Relict, as soon as possible.
“A dispiriting fog began to roll in, and a wet mist blanketed the gathered men in its damp embrace.”
Jeanne has repressed memories of her childhood in Vieux, Italy. When she was 4, WWII came to her town and her family fled to an underground quarry in hopes of being safe from the carnage and destruction above ground. That’s all Jeanne remembers, now an adult living in Chicago, Illinois. It is the year 1979 and Jeanne decides she wants to go back to Italy and try to piece together what happened during her time in the quarry. After entering the quarry, as an adult now, her memories unfold.
When I was reading about Jeanne’s story of her time spent in the quarry, I realized it was like a deep-dive (pun intended) into her mind. Jeanne had to go deep into the darkness of her mind, as well as the darkness of the quarry, to find answers. I felt like I was dreaming with her when the memories started coming back, as she lay in the quarry's darkness, reliving the trauma and fear.
Gritzmacher did a fabulous job of making a personal connection between Jeanne and the reader. We learn her life’s story and she quickly becomes a close friend or family member.
This is a good, solid occult horror story. No plot holes and the writing is fantastic. It tugs on all sorts of emotions: fear, sadness, anxiousness, and hopefulness. The Quarry is book two of a series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. I plan to grab book one, The Relict, as soon as possible.
April 25, 2023
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this ebook in advance!
I was hooked from the very first chapter as this story is extremely dark but just grabs you up refusing to put you back on solid ground.
My quick summary -->>
Jeanne, 4 years old, flees with her family during World War II as the ground shakes. With the townspeople, they seek safety in an underground quarry... The depths of which are far more brutal than she could have ever imagined.
40 years later, Jeanne's past is resurfacing, and she seeks answers by going to the very place her darkness seaps from...
"This is no home, and there is no comfort to be found here. For anyone... ♡
Read of you like...
Horror-Suspense ✔️
Hidden Evil ✔️
Claustrophobia ✔️
Crushing imagery ✔️
Unreliable narrators ✔️
READS AS A STANDALONE!!
--> Don't forget to check triggers ⚠️
I was hooked from the very first chapter as this story is extremely dark but just grabs you up refusing to put you back on solid ground.
My quick summary -->>
Jeanne, 4 years old, flees with her family during World War II as the ground shakes. With the townspeople, they seek safety in an underground quarry... The depths of which are far more brutal than she could have ever imagined.
40 years later, Jeanne's past is resurfacing, and she seeks answers by going to the very place her darkness seaps from...
"This is no home, and there is no comfort to be found here. For anyone... ♡
Read of you like...
Horror-Suspense ✔️
Hidden Evil ✔️
Claustrophobia ✔️
Crushing imagery ✔️
Unreliable narrators ✔️
READS AS A STANDALONE!!
--> Don't forget to check triggers ⚠️
May 22, 2023
Jeanne was 4 when D-Day hit and her family hid out in a quarry with the rest of her village. But within the quarry dark things take place all for Jeanne to witness.
Years later Jeanne decides to go back to France and back to the quarry to gain some closure. But what happens is the flooding of memories she gains. None of them being pleasant.
We get to see exactly what Jeanne went through in the quarry and why she is the way she is as an adult. But things do not go according to plan.
Sanders her son returns to the quarry as well years later and some crazy things are uncovered. The twists I did see coming. But I’m a bloodhound when it comes to those. I enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading more by DMG.
This book has violence, rape and necrophilia. So if any of that triggers you, this may not be the book for you.
Years later Jeanne decides to go back to France and back to the quarry to gain some closure. But what happens is the flooding of memories she gains. None of them being pleasant.
We get to see exactly what Jeanne went through in the quarry and why she is the way she is as an adult. But things do not go according to plan.
Sanders her son returns to the quarry as well years later and some crazy things are uncovered. The twists I did see coming. But I’m a bloodhound when it comes to those. I enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading more by DMG.
This book has violence, rape and necrophilia. So if any of that triggers you, this may not be the book for you.
April 3, 2023
I loved the history aspect of it. It was out of my comfort zone but helped me discover this whole sub-genre I didn’t know I needed. I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I sat on the edge of my seat, I paced around as I read…it was an adventure. I felt so bad for 4-year-old Jeanne and can’t even imagine her journey. I don’t think I’ve ever rooted so hard for a character. This book was sad, f**ked up, scary but also funny and oddly satisfying at times. You’ll know what I mean when you read it.
April 24, 2023
If you like history and horror, then this book is right up your alley! The Quarry is a perfect blend of historical WW2 era France and a story with an ancient evil. The plot was so well crafted but easy to follow. It was dark, gruesome and definitely leaves me never wanting to go spelunking in some old caves. I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and am looking forward to going back to read book 1 of the Skulldiggery series. These can be read in succession or as standalone novels.
May 14, 2023
All I can say is WOW! This book is absolutely amazing. Another home run for D.M. Gritzmacher. I was taken on a journey into the depths of the quarry. This book will terrorize you and bring you back to hope for the character. I enjoyed reading the connection between The Quarry and The Relict. I can say this book is a bit darker than The Relict but considering the subject of it it was necessary. Carve out a day or two of your time. You will not want to put this one down.
May 8, 2023
A dark historical horror tale, full of twists and turns. While I found the beginning a little disjointed, once the horror starts, I couldn't stop reading.
I'll be going back and reading the 1st in the series for sure
Thanks to the author for sending me a copy
I'll be going back and reading the 1st in the series for sure
Thanks to the author for sending me a copy
March 30, 2023
Dark and terrifying. I loved every minute of the book and felt so many emotions while reading. Can't wait to read more of this series!
July 27, 2023
Nazis.
Yeah, now I’ve got your attention. Did you know the Nazis didn’t just terrorize Germany? They also took over French towns, rounded up French people, and slaughtered them as well.
The French people in these small farming towns had nothing to do with what was going on in the bigger cities and had grown used to seeing German soldiers patrolling their streets. Some had made escape plans, but not all. See: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war...
Jeanne (the MC) has hidden with her town in the local Roman quarry when the soldiers come. This is where she witnesses and lives through horrors. The worst kind - those perpetrated by other humans.
“The Quarry” follows a typical narrative structure in the first two-thirds of the book and then changes in the final third.
On Jeanne’s journey, we have the typical exposition, rising action, climax, and falling action. All of these follow the life of Jeanne. What happens in the final third is somewhat different. The denouement is much longer than most and is told from the perspective of Jeanne’s son in the future.
Her son, Stander, whom we have already met in the first book, explains the leftover unanswered questions from the first part of the book and then goes on his own little adventure.
I found this rearrangement of the narrative refreshing. It keeps you on your toes. Just when you think you know how the story is going to go, and how it will end – it doesn’t. Though you may know some details about the life of Stander’s mother from passing comments in book one, it was still surprising.
In a way, you get a novel and a novella all in one! The plots do also fall together effectively, so you will not get lost as a reader. Though this book references to book one, and I would recommend reading book one (“The Relict”) first, this can absolutely be read as a stand-alone or out of order.
As with the first book, Gritzmacher is no less a terrific writer. He knows how to turn a phrase to take a regular sentence into something beautiful: “The emptiness was heavy and thick with a quality of motion that seemed to stalk him.” He goes above and beyond regular descriptors into what could be poetry sometimes.
My only complaint with the book is the ending. Which I do not want to spoil it, so I will say the deus ex machina was a bit much. Sometimes you can get away with a little bit of that, but this time it was pretty conspicuous.
Would I still recommend this book? Absolutely. The writing is fresh and the ideas are compelling.
Yeah, now I’ve got your attention. Did you know the Nazis didn’t just terrorize Germany? They also took over French towns, rounded up French people, and slaughtered them as well.
The French people in these small farming towns had nothing to do with what was going on in the bigger cities and had grown used to seeing German soldiers patrolling their streets. Some had made escape plans, but not all. See: https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war...
Jeanne (the MC) has hidden with her town in the local Roman quarry when the soldiers come. This is where she witnesses and lives through horrors. The worst kind - those perpetrated by other humans.
“The Quarry” follows a typical narrative structure in the first two-thirds of the book and then changes in the final third.
On Jeanne’s journey, we have the typical exposition, rising action, climax, and falling action. All of these follow the life of Jeanne. What happens in the final third is somewhat different. The denouement is much longer than most and is told from the perspective of Jeanne’s son in the future.
Her son, Stander, whom we have already met in the first book, explains the leftover unanswered questions from the first part of the book and then goes on his own little adventure.
I found this rearrangement of the narrative refreshing. It keeps you on your toes. Just when you think you know how the story is going to go, and how it will end – it doesn’t. Though you may know some details about the life of Stander’s mother from passing comments in book one, it was still surprising.
In a way, you get a novel and a novella all in one! The plots do also fall together effectively, so you will not get lost as a reader. Though this book references to book one, and I would recommend reading book one (“The Relict”) first, this can absolutely be read as a stand-alone or out of order.
As with the first book, Gritzmacher is no less a terrific writer. He knows how to turn a phrase to take a regular sentence into something beautiful: “The emptiness was heavy and thick with a quality of motion that seemed to stalk him.” He goes above and beyond regular descriptors into what could be poetry sometimes.
My only complaint with the book is the ending. Which I do not want to spoil it, so I will say the deus ex machina was a bit much. Sometimes you can get away with a little bit of that, but this time it was pretty conspicuous.
Would I still recommend this book? Absolutely. The writing is fresh and the ideas are compelling.
April 18, 2023
I'm not sure if anything good happens in deep, dark holes, and D.M. Gritzmacher's The Quarry embraces this darkness. Jeanne has repressed memories of her childhood, in which her family escaped WWII horrors by taking refuge in a quarry. Now a newly divorced adult, Jeanne journeys back to this quarry to find a sense of closure.
D.M. Gritzmacher seamlessly weaves family drama and shifting timelines, and this novel is far darker than I had anticipated (lots of trigger warnings here). The pacing is excellent, and the layering of history, horror, psychological drama, and family drama works very well. I did get bogged down a bit in some of the writing (editor in training problem), but my copy may not have been a final product.
This reads very well as a standalone, but I am sure the first book in the series is as equally horrifying!
Thank you to the author for a copy in exchange for a review.
D.M. Gritzmacher seamlessly weaves family drama and shifting timelines, and this novel is far darker than I had anticipated (lots of trigger warnings here). The pacing is excellent, and the layering of history, horror, psychological drama, and family drama works very well. I did get bogged down a bit in some of the writing (editor in training problem), but my copy may not have been a final product.
This reads very well as a standalone, but I am sure the first book in the series is as equally horrifying!
Thank you to the author for a copy in exchange for a review.
May 24, 2023
This is book 2 in the Skulldiggery series by DM Gritzmacher. The book can be read before or after book 1 in the series. The Quarry is definitely darker than The Relict. the author warned me it would be, so I was prepared going into it. Even then, I did skip a few pages that I just couldn't bring myself to read, and I don't think I missed any crucial details to the over all plot of the series.
The story follows the MC from book one's mom as she tries to uncover her own family history. It adds depth to the discoveries made in book one, and leaves you wondering how it will all end up being connected going forward!
If you like horror books, definitely give this one a read! And look out for book 3 coming in Fall of 2023!
The story follows the MC from book one's mom as she tries to uncover her own family history. It adds depth to the discoveries made in book one, and leaves you wondering how it will all end up being connected going forward!
If you like horror books, definitely give this one a read! And look out for book 3 coming in Fall of 2023!
March 8, 2025
A fantastic sequel to The Relic. The second in the Skulldiggery Series. Jeanne Butte and her family hide deep underground in an old Roman quarry, along with many from her village during WWll. Forty years on, Jeanne suffers from memory problems and elusive nightmares surrounding her formative years. Compelled to return to her hometown, a tiny village in France. Jeanne seeks to find out information about her family and then ventures into the Quarry, where a ancient evil awaits her return. A gripping read, but difficult to read in parts owing to the characters young age. Highly Recommend.
May 16, 2024
Haunted by her past, Jeanne has returned to her hometown after a lifetime of wondering about her past. Finding herself trapped again in a horrible hell, will she be forever lost or find out the truth? This book was absolutely thrilling and a page-turner. I love a good story with an archeological twist... and this one did not disappoint. I've said it before Gritzmacher writes an absolute thrilling story. I'm looking forward to book 3 in this series.
September 19, 2023
I don't know what to say. I liked this book up to a certain point and looked forward to finishing it, but necrophilia in detail and attempted child r**e? I found it overly unnecessary to describe these in the detail that he did. I couldn't finish.
June 21, 2023
*I’m not going to give you the ‘what this book is about’ blurb – you can read that elsewhere.
1. This book gave me ‘Left to You’ vibes, which, if you’ve been around long enough, you know, is my favorite book of all time. So, similar-ish vibes, except set in a series of underground tunnels and caves (an old quarry – imagine that!).
2. I thought Jeanne was an extremely relatable character, especially for anyone who has unresolved childhood trauma. I, weirdly, really liked seeing how it affected her parenting – generational trauma, y’all. Gritzmacher didn’t just write a cold, somewhat unfeeling woman, though. No, he showed an entire other side of her through her relationship with her ex-husband and his relationship with their son, to create a well-rounded character profile that really shows things aren’t always what they seem and how understanding a person for who they are really can contextualize a relationship. I loved this so much; it showed true compassion and a very human reality.
3. I’ve not read the 1st book in the Skulldiggery series (The Relic), and you don’t have to in order to read The Quarry; it’s pretty stand-alone. There were a few references to ‘The Relic’, especially toward the end of the book, that piqued my interest in book 1. It’s also left open at the end for more Skulldiggery fun to come!
4. There were plenty of reveals throughout the story. Some I guessed, some I didn’t, but I love when an author drops breadcrumbs kind of leading you there, but also allowing your mind to run with the possibilities.
5. I wouldn’t categorize this as either extreme or splatter – just good old-fashioned horror. Some terrible things happen, especially one character in particular who is just freaking awful. All I have to say about that is dogs for the win!!
1. This book gave me ‘Left to You’ vibes, which, if you’ve been around long enough, you know, is my favorite book of all time. So, similar-ish vibes, except set in a series of underground tunnels and caves (an old quarry – imagine that!).
2. I thought Jeanne was an extremely relatable character, especially for anyone who has unresolved childhood trauma. I, weirdly, really liked seeing how it affected her parenting – generational trauma, y’all. Gritzmacher didn’t just write a cold, somewhat unfeeling woman, though. No, he showed an entire other side of her through her relationship with her ex-husband and his relationship with their son, to create a well-rounded character profile that really shows things aren’t always what they seem and how understanding a person for who they are really can contextualize a relationship. I loved this so much; it showed true compassion and a very human reality.
3. I’ve not read the 1st book in the Skulldiggery series (The Relic), and you don’t have to in order to read The Quarry; it’s pretty stand-alone. There were a few references to ‘The Relic’, especially toward the end of the book, that piqued my interest in book 1. It’s also left open at the end for more Skulldiggery fun to come!
4. There were plenty of reveals throughout the story. Some I guessed, some I didn’t, but I love when an author drops breadcrumbs kind of leading you there, but also allowing your mind to run with the possibilities.
5. I wouldn’t categorize this as either extreme or splatter – just good old-fashioned horror. Some terrible things happen, especially one character in particular who is just freaking awful. All I have to say about that is dogs for the win!!
April 26, 2023
If you want blood, You’ve got it!
More savage gore! Curvier twists! More menacing villain!
Chapter 1 starts out smoldering and before you realize what is happening, you’re in a level 10 inferno! Just when you think you have hit the peak, here comes 8 more dips, twists, and turns!
The Quarry, while is book 2 in the Skulldiggery series, can perfectly be read as a standalone. It takes you on a wild ride into just a pinch of the backstory of Stander from The Relict. Who better to start with than his mother! Told through the eyes and mind of Jeanne, you are transplanted back into the 1940s in France with 4yr old Jeanne rushing with her mother and father to seek shelter in an underground quarry from approaching doom as their village is being annihilated by bombs and explosions from the impending war.
You are then brought to 35+ years later and Jeanne, now divorced, a mother, and on her own in Illinois, with a push from her therapist and ex hubs decides, “hey yea! I should go back to France and check out the quarry!” Fast forward. On her adventure into the quarry with 2 others, you are taken on such a disturbing, gore filled, crazily intense ride that just gets more sublime with each chapter! Told through her current day, and flashbacks, you learn all the gruesome accounts of what happened to 4 year old Jeanne in the quarry all those years ago. Seriously. Go read it! It’s dark, it’s jagged, it has you saying wtf in more ways than 1!!!
**Also, may have also dropped a tear or 2 at the end..**
No other book could have a “severed dick to the face” automatically make it a top of the book shelf legend. The twisted brain of DM is absolutely freaking epic!
More savage gore! Curvier twists! More menacing villain!
Chapter 1 starts out smoldering and before you realize what is happening, you’re in a level 10 inferno! Just when you think you have hit the peak, here comes 8 more dips, twists, and turns!
The Quarry, while is book 2 in the Skulldiggery series, can perfectly be read as a standalone. It takes you on a wild ride into just a pinch of the backstory of Stander from The Relict. Who better to start with than his mother! Told through the eyes and mind of Jeanne, you are transplanted back into the 1940s in France with 4yr old Jeanne rushing with her mother and father to seek shelter in an underground quarry from approaching doom as their village is being annihilated by bombs and explosions from the impending war.
You are then brought to 35+ years later and Jeanne, now divorced, a mother, and on her own in Illinois, with a push from her therapist and ex hubs decides, “hey yea! I should go back to France and check out the quarry!” Fast forward. On her adventure into the quarry with 2 others, you are taken on such a disturbing, gore filled, crazily intense ride that just gets more sublime with each chapter! Told through her current day, and flashbacks, you learn all the gruesome accounts of what happened to 4 year old Jeanne in the quarry all those years ago. Seriously. Go read it! It’s dark, it’s jagged, it has you saying wtf in more ways than 1!!!
**Also, may have also dropped a tear or 2 at the end..**
No other book could have a “severed dick to the face” automatically make it a top of the book shelf legend. The twisted brain of DM is absolutely freaking epic!
October 7, 2023
This is the second book in the series and I highly recommend reading the first book before you dive into this one, as the two tie into each other.
This follows Jeanne, a French immigrant to America. She came over as a child after escaping a war torn France, in the wake of world war 2. She travels back to find clues of what happened to her parents. The trauma of what happened to her as a child caused her to block parts of her memory and she goes back to France to find the truth. Arriving in France, she soon finds the help she needs, that leads her to the quarry. The quarry is an ancient Roman relic. It was carved out by the Romans and is surrounded by mystery and legends passed down in time, of creatures that once inhabited its caverns. It eventually became a safe haven for families fleeing the nazi invasion of the local towns.
The quarry hides more than just ancient artifacts and remnants from the war. It holds the answers Jeanne is looking for, along with the traumatic memories of what happened to her and her family. The stories from ancient legends hold a deeper meaning for Jeanne as she ventures into the dark depths of the quarry.
This book is absolutely amazing, heart wrenching and is very emotional at times. It was very well written and holds your attention the entire time.
Please make sure you read the trigger warnings, as this is not for everyone. There are certain scenes that will be depicting some sensitive subjects that happened during ww2 and may not be for everyone. Do not blame the author for reading something you were warned about.
This follows Jeanne, a French immigrant to America. She came over as a child after escaping a war torn France, in the wake of world war 2. She travels back to find clues of what happened to her parents. The trauma of what happened to her as a child caused her to block parts of her memory and she goes back to France to find the truth. Arriving in France, she soon finds the help she needs, that leads her to the quarry. The quarry is an ancient Roman relic. It was carved out by the Romans and is surrounded by mystery and legends passed down in time, of creatures that once inhabited its caverns. It eventually became a safe haven for families fleeing the nazi invasion of the local towns.
The quarry hides more than just ancient artifacts and remnants from the war. It holds the answers Jeanne is looking for, along with the traumatic memories of what happened to her and her family. The stories from ancient legends hold a deeper meaning for Jeanne as she ventures into the dark depths of the quarry.
This book is absolutely amazing, heart wrenching and is very emotional at times. It was very well written and holds your attention the entire time.
Please make sure you read the trigger warnings, as this is not for everyone. There are certain scenes that will be depicting some sensitive subjects that happened during ww2 and may not be for everyone. Do not blame the author for reading something you were warned about.
May 16, 2023
I should preface this by saying that I did not read Skulldiggery Book 1, but Book 2: The Quarry is mostly a standalone story until the book's final third. What we do get in reference to the first book isn't enough to stop The Quarry's momentum. If anything, it adds some intrigue to check out The Relict as well. D.M. Gritzmacher's writing is excellent, crafting a story that spans multiple time periods from the 1940s to the present day.
The bulk of the story centers around a young girl, Jeanne, as she and her family escape to an ancient quarry in her French village during World War 2. However, this quarry has a violent, evil history that Jeanne will soon experience firsthand. And that's all I'm saying.
I didn't expect some of the reveals, but I can't say I was blown away by them. However, the book's final act does hint at potential bigger, scarier things to come. That being said, the brutality in the book is very much based in the real world and is likely to make some readers uncomfortable. Just like the titular quarry, this book is dark.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5. Fear Nerd says, "Check it out!"
Special thanks to D.M. Gritzmacher for sending me an electronic copy of his book in exchange for this review.
The bulk of the story centers around a young girl, Jeanne, as she and her family escape to an ancient quarry in her French village during World War 2. However, this quarry has a violent, evil history that Jeanne will soon experience firsthand. And that's all I'm saying.
I didn't expect some of the reveals, but I can't say I was blown away by them. However, the book's final act does hint at potential bigger, scarier things to come. That being said, the brutality in the book is very much based in the real world and is likely to make some readers uncomfortable. Just like the titular quarry, this book is dark.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5. Fear Nerd says, "Check it out!"
Special thanks to D.M. Gritzmacher for sending me an electronic copy of his book in exchange for this review.
November 16, 2023
A mysterious quarry in France that was created by the Romans later turned into a hideout for local villagers during WWII. It is a place of unspeakable evil, fear, and foreboding. It also holds the key to one woman's past and memories she must relive in order to heal.
I went into this book blind, and was not disappointed. I thought for sure it would be a mostly supernatural tale of some sort, and while it does have elements of that in it, I would consider this a historical fiction horror story. The horrors that are entailed in this book are often the ones that mankind inflicts on each other. Granted, the characters in this book were, at times, being influenced by the supernatural, but actual history shows that humans are capable of committing these monstrosities on their own.
Pay attention to the content warnings listed for this book (R*pe, S*xual Assault - both carried out and attempted, Suicide, etc). A large portion of it takes place in flashbacks to WWII and recalls the horrible acts a Nazi officers committed to both the living and the dead.
I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical fiction/horror fiction, fans of ancient religions, and fans of the supernatural/supernatural entities.
I went into this book blind, and was not disappointed. I thought for sure it would be a mostly supernatural tale of some sort, and while it does have elements of that in it, I would consider this a historical fiction horror story. The horrors that are entailed in this book are often the ones that mankind inflicts on each other. Granted, the characters in this book were, at times, being influenced by the supernatural, but actual history shows that humans are capable of committing these monstrosities on their own.
Pay attention to the content warnings listed for this book (R*pe, S*xual Assault - both carried out and attempted, Suicide, etc). A large portion of it takes place in flashbacks to WWII and recalls the horrible acts a Nazi officers committed to both the living and the dead.
I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in historical fiction/horror fiction, fans of ancient religions, and fans of the supernatural/supernatural entities.
April 25, 2023
This book ended up being something a whole lot different than what I expected, and I mean that in a good way.
Spread out over three different time periods, The Quarry is a really well executed tale of horror, where humans are the true monsters.
The opening, which is set in France during WWII, is tense and gripping. The middle section of the story takes a hard left turn that is brutal and very hard to read at times, but the author handles the dark content in a way that softens the blow. There are several triggering scenes at play in here, making for an absolute gut punch.
The final part of the story answered some questions, while leaving a few more left open for the next book in the series. I will absolutely be reading that one, while also going back to read the first in the series.
Spread out over three different time periods, The Quarry is a really well executed tale of horror, where humans are the true monsters.
The opening, which is set in France during WWII, is tense and gripping. The middle section of the story takes a hard left turn that is brutal and very hard to read at times, but the author handles the dark content in a way that softens the blow. There are several triggering scenes at play in here, making for an absolute gut punch.
The final part of the story answered some questions, while leaving a few more left open for the next book in the series. I will absolutely be reading that one, while also going back to read the first in the series.
August 29, 2023
An insane and mind boggling story that is guaranteed to shock and amaze the reader. This is the continuation of the story that began in The Relict, and it is even more exciting than its predecessor. We return to the story with Stander as some of his family's backstory is revealed. An ancient quarry, a small town in France, Nazis, ancient Roman ruins. These all play a part in this historic/ modern day horror story. This is edge of your seat reading, so be sure to plan a good stretch of time as you won't want to put it down. Book 3 in the Skulldiggery Series, The Lingering, can't come soon enough!!
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