Jump to ratings and reviews

Sophie Quinn #2

The Bayou Graves

He’s been sinking them for years, but now the coffins of his victims are rising from the bayou… A rotted coffin was pulled from the river, then a second, and a third. Search teams now work around the clock pulling pinewood tombs from the murky waters of the Louisiana delta. And missing women from the last year are at the center of a state-wide manhunt for the man who buried them alive. In the same waterways where she and her sister were taken, former stage magician and hypnotist Sophie Quinn joins forces with the FBI to uncover who is taking these women and if any can still be saved. But in these dark waterways, the ghosts of Sophie’s past are restless—and the man who took everything from her may yet take more.

262 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 14, 2023

Loading...
Loading...

About the author

Georgia Wagner

100 books195 followers
Having worked on projects with New York Times Bestsellers and USA Today bestsellers, Georgia Wagner recently hit #1 bestseller with her newest series. Location and character are two big factors for Georgia, and getting those right allows the story to flow seamlessly onto the page. And flow it does, because Georgia is so prolific a new term is required to describe the rate at which nerve-tingling stories find their way into print.

When not found attached to a laptop, Georgia likes spending time in local arboretums, among the trees and ponds. An avid cultivator of orchids, begonias, and all things floral, Georgia also has a strong penchant for art, paintings, and sculptures. A many-decades-long passion for mystery novels and years of chess tournament experience makes Georgia the perfect person to pen the Artemis Blythe series. That's where it all started, but the drive to craft thrilling mystery tales soon demanded new characters in new locations.

Where will she take us next?

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
786 (61%)
4 stars
366 (28%)
3 stars
103 (8%)
2 stars
10 (<1%)
1 star
3 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
Profile Image for Ellen.
103 reviews46 followers
August 30, 2024
Not bad for a Kindle Unlimited book. Lots of fast-paced action. Plenty of bad guys! Sophie Quinn has to use all of her skill set to stay alive! The characters are fleshed out pretty well, especially Sophie, Agent Greer, Sophie’s magician mentor and the murderer in this story.

Niggles: The author needs some better proofreaders. I caught two typos and a sentence that required a semicolon.
She needs to visit the area more. NOLA, Houma, Lafayette….everyone I knew there uses the term, “ crawfish.”

3.5 stars rounded up for the suspense and fast-paced action.
Profile Image for Claudete Takahashi.
2,861 reviews40 followers
July 19, 2023
Coffins with dead women start to pop up in several places in the river and Sophie is called to help in the investigations together with Agent Greer. Her own bad experience with the River Killer mixes up with the present case exposing her vulnerabilities. The Bayou Graves is fast-paced, well-written, and adds another entertaining read to the series.
53 reviews
June 14, 2026
I found myself even more drawn into The Bayou Graves than I was with the first book. Once again, Sophie Quinn teams up with FBI Agent Jonathan Greer, this time hunting a serial killer who traps young women in coffins and sinks them into the bayou, leaving them to either run out of air or drown if the coffin becomes damaged. The premise is chilling, and the story kept me turning pages to see what would happen next.

One thing I especially enjoyed was the introduction of Ron Gravriel, Sophie’s mentor, who was mentioned in the first book but finally appears in person here. Making him a potential suspect added an extra layer of suspense and kept me guessing. I also appreciated that the story picks up only about a week after the events of the first book, making the series feel continuous and realistic.

The slow-burn relationship between Sophie and Jonathan continues to develop naturally, which I really liked. We are also introduced to Jonathan’s daughter, Kinsley, and I enjoyed seeing the father-daughter dynamic. Their relationship added warmth and depth to a story that otherwise deals with some very dark subject matter. Georgia Wagner does a good job of weaving these personal relationships into the investigation without slowing down the pace.

My only real criticism involves the killer’s backstory. While the author explains that he abused his first wife and began killing after she divorced him, I felt that motivation could have been explored more deeply. I understood the idea that he was using his victims as substitutes for his ex-wife, but the leap from domestic abuse to constructing coffins and burying women alive in the bayou felt extreme. I would have liked more insight into his psychology and a stronger explanation of how he evolved into such a monstrous killer.

Overall, The Bayou Graves is a fast-paced, suspenseful thriller with compelling characters, a creepy premise, and a developing cast that keeps you invested. Despite wanting more depth from the villain’s backstory, I enjoyed the story and found it even stronger than the first book.
Profile Image for Alexandra Montgomery.
32 reviews2 followers
August 31, 2023
1) I cannot even begin to tell you how sad I was to see that book 3 isn't out until January of 2024! I need to know what happens! And to see if there truly is a slow burn romance between Sophie and Greer!

2) This book and the first one read just like an episode of Criminal Minds and I am HOOKED. I love these books and I am so sad to see them come to an end in book 3!

Sophie is such a badass and I love watching Greer slowly warm up to her. Those two are so stinkin cute!

Come on, January! Already put in my preorder!!
90 reviews2 followers
August 24, 2023
Debbi likes to read

Wow I read this book in one day. It was that good. The books always end in a cliffhanger making you want more. Book number three will have to wait until tomorrow as it’s 2:00 AM. Love this Series and these characters.
27 reviews1 follower
September 9, 2023
can’t wait for the next installment

I think Sophie Quinn is the best Georgia Wagner series! I wish she could do a whole series dump so I could binge read the series, but next one not due till the end of the year. Hurry Ms Wagner, murders are happening while we wait! 😉
12 reviews
September 30, 2023
Excellent characters!

I was involved with characters from the beginning. She built her characters, one with unique skills, and they became characters I wanted to know more about. Excellent writer and interesting story!
Profile Image for Sandra  Skipper.
28 reviews
November 26, 2023
Bayou mystery at its best

The description of Louisiana bayou country was realistic. I could smell the water, the alligators, & fish as I read. It kept me heading until the final page and had accurate descriptions of a mentally unstable person down pat.
Profile Image for taffykathiegmail.com.
633 reviews
December 28, 2023
Know who you are with because it will not be for long

A story that takes you to the ugly side of a swamp in the deep south. Women are being murdered for no reason, but having a slender young body with hopes of making it in the big time.
35 reviews
September 5, 2024
Sophie leads the reader down a scary path which ends well.

The story keeps the reader into the book. You won't want to put it down. The characters are very believable. Highly recommend this book.
3 reviews
August 24, 2026
pretty good

Definitely not as good as the first book. The book seemed rushed. It didn’t keep me on the edge of my seat like the first. I feel a little cheated having to buy 3 books that could have been one. But everyone has to eat.
34 reviews
August 3, 2023
Awesome!!!!

These books are amazing!!! The characters the storylines are edge of your seat!!! Could not put this one down either. If you are going to read them plan on it!!!
13 reviews
September 11, 2023
Addictive

I couldn't put it down, just like book 1. A really good read. I would highly recommend it to any murder enthusiasts
31 reviews
October 11, 2023
time

i love to read it is my passion and escape i use kindle because i can read on my tablet or phone so i always have my book with me
82 reviews1 follower
January 6, 2024
Book 2 was great

Sophie and Greer are great partners. I could hardly put this one down. Keep hoping for a little romance between the partners. Oh well maybe next book
131 reviews
June 1, 2024
well written thriller

Georgia Wagner writes a great thriller. Her characters pop with energy and her plots are as twisted as they come. The result is a thoroughly enjoyable read.
6 reviews
August 15, 2024
Gripping.

Excellent plot. Enjoyed this suspenseful novel. The characters kept me involved as they developed along with the plot. Recommend the whole series.
25 reviews
September 8, 2024
Great Thriller

Thoroughly enjoying this Mystery Thriller Series.
Sophie and Jonathan will keep you wondering and hoping till the last page. A completely enjoyable read.
53 reviews1 follower
February 11, 2026
Book 2

Book 2 did not dissapoint. A thrilling read that was written well. Kept my interest and can not wait to read the next book. I think that I am hooked!!
Profile Image for TracyJane.
21 reviews
July 26, 2026
Georgia came back for Interview #2 and proved the first book wasn't beginner's luck. Sophie Quinn gives me the same feeling I had reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden as a kid, just with FBI agents, grown-up stakes, and a lot more bayou.

The mystery kept me guessing, the pacing was steady, and I genuinely wanted to keep turning the pages. That's the biggest compliment I can give an author.

Hiring decision: Promoted from the mailroom to a permanent employee. Book 3 was downloaded before I even finished Book 2, which is about as strong an endorsement as an author can get from me.

Looking forward to clocking Sophie Quinn in for her next shift. 📚🌿
Profile Image for Jane litherland.
4,542 reviews83 followers
July 14, 2023
Sophie Quinn and Agent Jonathan Greer are called in when bodies entombed in coffins turn up dumped in the Bayou river. The pair follow the clues but are fast running out of time as the investigation continues it becomes of personal interest to them both to succeed and to what cost ? One wrong move could be Sophie’s undoing and with Jonathan being the hothead he is can he keep it professional when it counts. One thing is for sure the agents are facing their deadliest threat yet , the stuff of nightmares. When the killer is reported to have taken a singer from a festival and riots occur putting more lives in danger they have a marked detour before they can once again track down the Bayou river killer…. Excellent thriller of a story with great descriptions making for a compelling read, a real immersive rollercoaster ride so hold tight for an awesome Reading experience.
I read an advance copy and my review is my own words and voluntary
Profile Image for Becky .
645 reviews18 followers
July 14, 2023
As always with Wagner's books, this was filled with tense excitement, a lot of action, and good character interaction.
Sophie Quinn, ex magician phenom, and her partner, Jonathan Greer, ex Marine now FBI, as a subcontractor, are called to the Bayou when crude caskets are found, dead women inside. It's a crazy race to find the maniac killer before any more can be dumped or before the alligators get them.
2 reviews
August 28, 2023
Book revew

I have read this twice in a few years. Keeps you guessing and tied to book. Cannot put down. Going on to next one.
1,370 reviews18 followers
July 14, 2023
Beyond exciting. Greer, Sophie, and Kinsley star in a bold, harsh tale of life and death in the Bayou swamps. Unforgettable. Stunning and Highly Recommended.
Profile Image for Angel Ballard.
781 reviews5 followers
July 20, 2023
Intense thriller!
This book is so intense I began having nightmares! Well written and so entirely gripping I struggled to put it down for the night each and every night reading it! Brilliant work!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews