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The Love of the Dead
When Beth Willis, who normally speaks for the deceased, is given a message from a dead medium, she steps beyond her world, into the spirit realm.
D.I. Coleridge is a man marking time, until a call from Beth gives him a lead on an elusive killer who takes trophies from his victims. A killer who walks through both worlds, taking lives. A man with powers no mortal can possess. A man, but something else, too.
If Coleridge and Beth are to survive, they must understand him...but some men cannot be fought. Some creatures cannot be bested.
Death calls on all in time. But if Beth and Coleridge are to win, they have no choice but to call on Death themselves.
D.I. Coleridge is a man marking time, until a call from Beth gives him a lead on an elusive killer who takes trophies from his victims. A killer who walks through both worlds, taking lives. A man with powers no mortal can possess. A man, but something else, too.
If Coleridge and Beth are to survive, they must understand him...but some men cannot be fought. Some creatures cannot be bested.
Death calls on all in time. But if Beth and Coleridge are to win, they have no choice but to call on Death themselves.
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2012
15 people are currently reading
185 people want to read
About the author
Craig Saunders
69 books72 followersCraig Saunders is the author of over thirty novels and novellas, including 'Masters of Blood and Bone', 'RAIN' and 'Deadlift'. He writes across many genres, but horror and fantasy (the 'Rythe' tales) are his favourites.
Craig lives in Norfolk, England, with his wife and children, likes nice people and good coffee. Find out more on Amazon, or visit:
www.craigrsaunders.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/craigrsaundersauthor
www.twitter.com/Grumblesprout
A little aside - I don't visit GR often, but I'm always available on Twitter or the FB page. I apologise in advance if it takes a while for me to answer a question here!
Craig lives in Norfolk, England, with his wife and children, likes nice people and good coffee. Find out more on Amazon, or visit:
www.craigrsaunders.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/craigrsaundersauthor
www.twitter.com/Grumblesprout
A little aside - I don't visit GR often, but I'm always available on Twitter or the FB page. I apologise in advance if it takes a while for me to answer a question here!
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 6, 2014
This was my 4th read by the author, all thoroughly enjoyable. This one maybe slightly less so because it just wasn't as much fun as his short stories, but solidly entertaining quick (just over 3 hours) read. It's a mash up of supernatural and detective genres, with a police officer and a medium reluctantly pairing up to investigate a serial killer, who is most certainly not a standard sort of a homicidal maniac. The characters were well developed and engagingly human at their flawed worst and best. Fun read, dark but surprisingly not that depressing, Recommended.
December 4, 2012
Today's Five STAR Author Craig Saunders has done it again! Beth Willis is a medium who speaks for the dead and she is about to run into a killer who has his own way of dealing with psychics. A killer that is part man and part spirit.
Beth lives with her son and is on a collision course with Coleridge, a detective who has seen better days. Both are broken in their own ways and both are incredibly human with flaws, passions and warmth. You cannot help but admire these people. And though they have faults, the way Saunders has written them, they are true to form. With the flow of words and the turn of phrase Saunders breathes life into his characters that is beyond the pale. The gestalt of their relationship left me cheering for them time and time again.
And then there is the story. Each chapter unfolds another mystery. Another well thought out, well drafted part of the tale that takes the reader and sets them on a journey they soon will not forget. So many plot points left me thinking he did not just do that.......
Beth lives with her son and is on a collision course with Coleridge, a detective who has seen better days. Both are broken in their own ways and both are incredibly human with flaws, passions and warmth. You cannot help but admire these people. And though they have faults, the way Saunders has written them, they are true to form. With the flow of words and the turn of phrase Saunders breathes life into his characters that is beyond the pale. The gestalt of their relationship left me cheering for them time and time again.
And then there is the story. Each chapter unfolds another mystery. Another well thought out, well drafted part of the tale that takes the reader and sets them on a journey they soon will not forget. So many plot points left me thinking he did not just do that.......
August 4, 2012
This is a story about a medium who ends up trying to track down a serial killer - who will win?
I enjoyed this book, although initially I wasn't sure it was a horror, as there are cops trying to solve a serial killer case, so in parts it could come across as a thriller, but there were some very gruesome parts, which I enjoyed. There was the odd part I had to re-read, but overall it kept me entertained and I would definitely read more of his books.
I enjoyed this book, although initially I wasn't sure it was a horror, as there are cops trying to solve a serial killer case, so in parts it could come across as a thriller, but there were some very gruesome parts, which I enjoyed. There was the odd part I had to re-read, but overall it kept me entertained and I would definitely read more of his books.
March 11, 2013
Loved this book. Ghosts, mystism, the occult, a serial killer, a tough, haunted psychic and a grubby, but lovable, English policeman. Just wow!
October 3, 2012
This paranormal horror story kept me turning the page. It was a great read.
July 23, 2017
Great Book
Couldn't sleep, didn't want to put this book down. I rarely read a gem like this one. Reminds me of the greats like King, Koontz, Ill be reading more by Saunders. This book is well worth the read.
Couldn't sleep, didn't want to put this book down. I rarely read a gem like this one. Reminds me of the greats like King, Koontz, Ill be reading more by Saunders. This book is well worth the read.
October 27, 2018
What an intriguing book this is, its totally riveting from start to finish , its not an easy subject to write about yet it is done so well, and with great characters, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
And the bonus sample "A strangers grave" is also a good read.
And the bonus sample "A strangers grave" is also a good read.
April 24, 2016
Why has it taken me this long to discover Saunders? I attended his reading at FCON and I quickly entered his name on my "to read" list. I am delighted to have finally found the time to read his work. I wasn't sent this to review, by the way, I downloaded of my own fruition and pleased I did.
Horror, supernatural thriller and crime drama, this cross genre tale is wickedly deceptive as it takes us on a chaotic journey that crosses worlds from the dead to the living.
Beth is a reclusive medium whom speaks to the dead. With a tragic past, she attempts to heal her soul by immersing herself in alcohol. She lives with her teenage son, Miles, in a quirky two-bedroom cottage on the coast of Norfolk.
Beth receives a message from the dead world in which she regularly converses. Beth knows this message is directly related to recent gruesome murders. Norfolk has a serial killer, who targets psychics, and takes trophies from his victims. With possible information that may give the police a lead, she contacts DI Coleridge.
Coleridge is an overweight detective, biding his time after twenty-five years on the force. Suffering with self-esteem issues and depression, a marriage down the pan, he's hardly the most honest detective on the force. However, I felt empathy towards this character - a sign of a good writer. Beth is also not without her own issues; Beth has a tragic back story. If I say too much here it will spoil the plot.
Whilst this book has elements of thriller and crime drama, let's not forget it is horror. The main protagonist is a chillingly evil creature that will fill your veins with fear. With the ability to cross worlds he possesses powers no mortal can have. Saunders delves into a being that was around before humans existed.
My only criticism was the use of American words and dialogue, yet set in England. Such as cell phone.
Saunders has a dazzling gift, effortlessly conjuring the sights and sounds of Norfolk. Characters are able to stand on their own two feet and have their own organic relationships with each other. Good fiction comes from the authors artistry and that Saunders has in abundance.
The story concludes on an uplifting note, but this happy ending is punctured, knowledge I will let you learn for yourselves.
A fiendishly complex novel that you will struggle to put down. I look forward to all the other books in this talented author’s future.
September 15, 2012
Another great release from Craig Saunders and Evil Jester Press!
With The Love of the Dead Craig Saunders delivers a brilliant blending of horror and mystery that sticks its fangs in and holds on until the mind-bending conclusion. With deeply human characterization and precise wording, Saunders weaves a tale of life and death, hurt and sadness, all revolving around a bizarre string of murders that only Beth Willis, a medium balancing on the frayed ends of her tumultuous mind, and Detective Coleridge, an overweight, no nonsense policeman, can hope to stop. But sometimes things aren’t what they appear to be. Some things transcend good and evil, space and time.
Any one who has read Craig Saunders knows that his words flow like blood from a severed jugular. The Love of the Dead is no exception. This book is all horror, though it will entertain any fan of detective mystery stories. Do yourself a favor and get this book. Read it, and then find Craig’s other books and read them.
With The Love of the Dead Craig Saunders delivers a brilliant blending of horror and mystery that sticks its fangs in and holds on until the mind-bending conclusion. With deeply human characterization and precise wording, Saunders weaves a tale of life and death, hurt and sadness, all revolving around a bizarre string of murders that only Beth Willis, a medium balancing on the frayed ends of her tumultuous mind, and Detective Coleridge, an overweight, no nonsense policeman, can hope to stop. But sometimes things aren’t what they appear to be. Some things transcend good and evil, space and time.
Any one who has read Craig Saunders knows that his words flow like blood from a severed jugular. The Love of the Dead is no exception. This book is all horror, though it will entertain any fan of detective mystery stories. Do yourself a favor and get this book. Read it, and then find Craig’s other books and read them.
November 23, 2015
Beth is a medium with talent, a dead eight year old son, and a secret than haunts her more than the spirits that surround her. She also has a liking for cheap scotch, but she functions well, until her friends and colleagues start dying. Beth is not necessarily a likeable character, but as a reader I did feel something for her. I think the guilt she carries on her back makes it impossible to trust her, and she certainly wants to keep a few things secret. Coleridge, on the other hand, is very likeable, and as the policeman in charge of the case, we can’t but help to feel sorry for him. This book isn’t your average murder mystery, or medium solving a mystery. It branches off somewhere towards the end into horror. Well worth a read, especially if you’re not looking for perfect characters with perfect lives, because the characters are refreshingly flawed with human vices.
November 20, 2015
Seriously, I could not put this down! This has so many elements – ghosts, supernatural, murder, broken people – that it captured me from the first word. Add in a fast pace, some serious soul-searching, a terrifying serial killer, surprising twists, and I promise you that you will be as enthralled. Grab a copy right now!!
August 11, 2012
I liked the beginning of the book, felt it was dragging towards the middle, then it got weird at the end -- not what I was expecting. I really wanted to quit reading, but felt that it had to get better...and it really didn't. I would not recommend this book to my friends.
August 30, 2012
Just wasn't impressed with book at all. Didn't want to finish it when I got to the half way mark but chose to push through, would've been alright with not finishing it.
June 12, 2016
Love of the dead
Decent book. A little slow at times. Good characters and nice story line. I enjoyed the book quite a lot.
Decent book. A little slow at times. Good characters and nice story line. I enjoyed the book quite a lot.
January 12, 2013
well., Vigil was an awesome book. This one...not so much.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews