Fire Burn & Cauldron Bubble

The House of Graves #3

by M.M. Crumley

If letting the most powerful witch in the world rip her mind apart is the only way to protect her family, then that’s just what Tessa Graves will do. No matter the cost... As the Patron’s noose tightens down around the House of Graves, Tessa finds herself seeking the aid of Thomas Jury, a witch who’s powerful beyond measure and just as dangerous. But even with Jury’s so called 'help', will the Patron’s power prove too much for Tessa to withstand?

Find out the answers to these questions and more! Read the third book in the epic House of Graves series today! You won’t regret it!

Also Click 'Follow' Beside the Author Name So You Don't Miss Release Updates!

Read and Listen to THE HOUSE OF GRAVES Five Book Series
Book 1: THREE LITTLE GRAVES & THE BIG BAD WOLF
Book 2: OVER THE RIVER & THROUGH THE WOODS
Book 3: FIRE BURN & CAULDRON BUBBLE
Book 4: A HUNTING, A HUNTING WE WILL GO
Book 5: AND HE WALKED A CROOKED MILE

And THE IMMORTAL DOC HOLLIDAY On-going Series
Book 1: HIDDEN
Book 2: COUP D'ÉTAT
Book 3: RUTHLESS
Book 4: INSTINCT
Book 5: ROGUES
Book 6: EMPIRE
Book 7: OMENS
Book 8: CHASM
Book 9: FERAL
Book 10: OBLIVION
Book 11: RELENTLESS
Book 12: REQUIEM
Book 13: HELLION
Book 14: SHADOWS
Book 15: INDEBTED
Book 16: FATHOM
& More Coming Soon...

Also read and listen to THE LEGEND OF ANDREW RUFUS Complete Seven Book Series
Book 1: DARK AWAKENING
Book 2: BONE DEEP
Book 3: BLOOD STAINED
Book 4: BURIAL GROUND
Book 5: DEATH SONG
Book 6: FUNERAL MARCH
Book 7: WARPATH

And try my deliciously dark psychological thrillers (Writing as M.M. Boulder)
THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT
MY BETTER HALF
THE LAST DOOR
MY ONE AND ONLY
WE ALL FALL DOWN

lastly, for the Young Reader in Your Life—Available Now!
RUTHIE & THE TROUBLE WITH BEING TEN

FREE GIFT eBook and more @ www.mmcrumley.com

Genres: Urban Fantasy, Magic, Fantasy

319 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2024

About the author

Click 'FOLLOW' Beside the Author Name So You Don't Miss Release Updates From This Amazon #1 Bestselling Author!
(M.M. Boulder is the penname of M.M. Crumley) https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Hi, I'm M.M. Crumley Your Author Extraordinaire (Also Known as M.M. Boulder)

As M.M. Crumley I write Urban Fantasy books full of supernatural action, nail-biting-mystery and; laugh-out-loud humor. Why? Because stories, myths, and legends have always been a huge part of my life... As a child, I liked nothing better than to lose myself in a world where magic and heroes were part of the fabric of existence.

As my pen name M.M. Boulder I write psychological thrillers and murder mysteries that bring the darker impulses we may not feel completely comfortable with into the light. My stories are full of lies and deaths, but there is always justice. A type of justice that's not afraid to get its hands dirty. I write morally ambiguous characters who are pushed to their limits and take matters into their own hands. In my world getting away with murder has never been so much fun!

No matter what I write every one of my characters are real to me. They exist. They are three-dimensional beings who demand that their stories be told. If I were to turn away from them, they would haunt me; and so I don't. Instead I chase after them and write down everything they say!

I have several series to help you scratch your itch for adventure:
THE HOUSE OF GRAVES Series
THE IMMORTAL DOC HOLLIDAY Series
THE LEGEND OF ANDREW RUFUS Series
JANEY FALKE: SAINT KILLER Series (Coming Soon)
Five Deliciously Dark Psychological Thriller Novels
And More...

To learn more or to just make friends come play with me at the sites below. And be sure to click 'Follow' everywhere to stay in touch! You rock!

My website: www.mmcrumley.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoneGhostPub...

Amazon M.M. Crumley: https://www.amazon.com/stores/M.M.-Cr...
Amazon M.M. Boulder: https://www.amazon.com/stores/M.M.-Bo...

Bookbub M.M. Crumley: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/m-m-c...
Bookbub M.M. Boulder: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/m-m-b...

Goodreads M.M. Crumley: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Goodreads M.M. Boulder: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

And get your FREE Doc eBook at mmcrumley. com

Read and Listen to THE IMMORTAL DOC HOLLIDAY On-going Series Titles
Book 1: HIDDEN
Book 2: COUP D'ÉTAT
Book 3: RUTHLESS
Book 4: INSTINCT
Book 5: ROGUES
Book 6: EMPIRE
Book 7: OMENS
Book 8: CHASM
Book 9: FERAL
Book 10: OBLIVION
Book 11: RELENTLESS
Book 12: REQUIEM
Book 13: HELLION
Book 14: SHADOWS
Book 15: INDEBTED
Book 16: FATHOM
& More Coming Soon...

Read and Listen to THE HOUSE OF GRAVES Five Book Series
Book 1: THREE LITTLE GRAVES & THE BIG BAD WOLF
Book 2: OVER THE RIVER & THROUGH THE WOODS
Book 3: FIRE BURN & CAULDRON BUBBLE
Book 4: A HUNTING, A HUNTING WE WILL GO
Book 5: AND HE WALKED A CROOKED MILE

Also read and listen to THE LEGEND OF ANDREW RUFUS Complete Seven Book Series
Book 1: DARK AWAKENING
Book 2: BONE DEEP
Book 3: BLOOD STAINED
Book 4: BURIAL GROUND
Book 5: DEATH SONG
Book 6: FUNERAL MARCH
Book 7: WARPATH

And try my deliciously dark psychological thrillers (Writing as M.M. Boulder)
THE HOUSE THAT JACK BUILT
MY BETTER HALF
THE LAST DOOR
MY ONE AND ONLY
WE ALL FALL DOWN

lastly, for the Young Reader in Your Life—Available Now!
RUTHIE & THE TROUBLE WITH BEING TEN

FREE GIFT eBook and more @ mmcrumley.com

Reviews

[shelly north · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars for the cliffhanger - spoiler in review

Dammit you are better than this. We know the Parton is a threat. You did not have to leave us hanging. Especially since it takes you a year to get the next book out. I have faithfully read every book you have written. But I have and will cut off my nose to spite my face and refuse to read any more of your work. Because you as an author are better than this. The bovine excrement involved in a cliffhanger is not excusable in an author of your standing. Either push up the publication of the next book or leave out the last couple of pages. An acceptable ending would have been walking out of the office. Not leaving her in the patrons clutches. That’s petty.

[Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!! I feel like the last book (the 2nd in the series) was really about setting up this one, especially as the 2nd book kind of ended on a cliffhanger. Thankfully, I had this one ready to go and started right in on it.

In this book, the 3rd in the House of Graves series, author M.M. Crumley really starts to allow the reader to see more of the characters thoughts/feelings, giving us a better understanding of their motivations and loyalties. It's also clear in this book how very damaged Tessa is from all the abuse she suffered at the hands of her father and "The Patron" from the age of 13 on. Glimpses of the torture and brainwashing she endured are glimpsed through her nightmares that seem to be happening more frequently as she fights against the conditioning and magical compulsions that have been layered into her mind. It speaks to how incredibly deep it goes and how difficult her fight to find her true self is going to be, if it's even possible.

The humour of Tessa's grandmother Gisele, romance author extraordinaire, injects humour and lightheartedness into the darkness surrounding Tessa, and I have enjoyed seeing how the bonds between Gisele, Tessa and Ollie are growing stronger (as well as Curtis and Julian).

Books 4 and 5 are not yet out in paperback, so I will have to wait on finding out what happens next, but I'm definitely hooked on this series, and plan to give the author's other works a try, maybe starting with the Doc Holliday series since it overlaps into this one. Highly recommended for urban fantasy lovers who enjoy supernatural mystery and a bit of laughter and romance mixed in.

[TigiOma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tessa, Gisele, Ollie and Curtis Nash – with a little help from Julian LaRoche are still working to right the wrongs of Graves, Graves and Graves Investigative Services. For the most part, they are successful even though Tessa is still fighting The Patron’s control over her mind. Knowing that The Patron is a witch. He's a self-taught witch vs raised in a witch family. Tessa seeks out Thomas Jury, the most powerful witch in Denver. Jury is probably the most powerful witch on earth, so he’ll be able to help her, right? Not exactly.

In the meantime a seemingly simple case reveals a surprise that intertwines with her dealings with The Patron. A powerful talisman has been stolen and if unleashed could destroy the Hidden if used by the wrong person. Her only solution? Steal it back and restore it to its rightful owner.

At the same time, she needs to stay just one step ahead of The Patron who is undoubtably coming for her once he realizes what she’s been up to…or not up to as it were. She’s less worried about her safety and much more worried about her family, Curtis, Julian and her recent clients. What could possibly go wrong?

[Susan1566 · Rating 4 out of 5]

While trying to right the wrongs caused by her family, Tessa is also trying to get free of the compulsions on her. Getting some help from Thomas Jury, (the most powerful witch around) turns out to be an ongoing process.
This book has more of Tessa’s background, shown in her reoccurring nightmares which are becoming more detailed. There is also more of Ollie, Gisele, Curtis and Julien. I find Julien is very good for Tessa, helpful, loving, great at doing things that ease the pain of her compulsions like helping her write her reports.
There is a lot of action, suspense, surprises, and humour. Gisele is amazing – a little old lady who writes and reads her romance books (whether anyone wants to hear them) but she is also a very smart woman who knows what’s going on and how to get more information. Ollie is a badass – best description I can think of for her. Curtis and Julien are nice, calm, great additions to the books.
This book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, I’m glad I have the next book ready to go.
Again, this is a series that I recommend

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

So this is my least favorite of the series so far.
**Possible Spoilers if you haven't read books 1 & 2**

I keep wanting more out of these books. I love the idea of an investigator for the Hidden, but the cases so far are terrible. I'm not talking about taking low paying cases to put some good back in to the world, I think that's great. But give me a case with a little meat. Tessa solves everything within a day or so and half of that is just filler activities.
I still don't like Tessa, she is so smart and such a strong female character, but she is just so careless and awful in the way she treats others. It's really off putting for me.
I'm also disappointed in the way the book ends. A cliffhanger is completely unnecessary.
My love of Curtis and Gisele keeps me going. On to book 4 and fingers crossed it's better.

[Jane Exum · Rating 5 out of 5]

too short and too good

This installment of the great saga came out on Sunday. I have read straight through and several hours later, I finished this book. I enjoyed book 3 more because of the involvement of Thomas jury, but also because of the growth of the main character. As always when I read anything by Ms. Crumley, I laughed. I cried. I wanted much much more how long till book for?

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was unexpectedly impressed with this series. We are told that Tessa, the youngest Graves, is our protagonist; during the first couple of books, I was unconvinced. I suppose this was written to allow for a "growth arc" which screams "coming of age" (yuck) to me....but it wasn't. Rather than the young, strong (theoretically) heroine with a couple of older relative sidekicks/comic relief/moral support characters, what we have here is really a wonderful ensemble cast. Every one adds equally to the story. It is really well-done. At a 5-book story arc, it was just long enough to really come to care about the characters, but not so long as to feel artificially dragged out. I cared enough about the MC that I did not really want to read the last book because it was clear something awful was coming, and I was not going to like it. Thank heavens the author believes in happy endings.

[Pauline Delaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling read

Another enjoyable journey with Tess Ollie and Giselle.
Giselle and her saucy books she writes (nice to see MM Crumley has a naughty side!)
Ollie and her cage fighting and not forgetting Curtis. Jury has a lot more input in this story too. We're getting closer to solving Tesse's compulsion problem. With the help of Jury, it's looking hopefull.

[Dave Sander · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far this is a pretty cool series. Glad there are more books in this universe, though wish Doc was in these a little more. I’m now halfway through the 4th book and am finally starting to warm to Tessa. The main Doc Holliday series is one of the few that I have read where I wished there were 100 books to read. This is a good side mission though! Oh, bring back Andrew!!!!

[Lisa Rupert · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to wait for the next one?..

This author writes with nothing in the way of a great story. I truly had promised myself to read slower, so I wouldn't have to wait so long.
But I can't stop once I begin! She's just awesome!

[Anne Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are so addictive, I can't stop reading them, I love each and every one of theses characters, the story and world building is just compulsive to read about , I'm binging the first 4 then will have to wait for number 5 , I can't cope and wait that long .

[Hugh Honts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Well, I know cliffhangers are legit…but Damn! Great story I love Tessa’s tenacity!

So much character development and really interesting action scenes!

Can’t wait for the next one!

[Alyssa Fujimoto · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this is a must read! This series is amazing and I can’t wait to read what happens next. I absolutely love Tessa, and the humor in this is great between all characters. And Giselles reading are amazing! I get so excited for her books!

[Tazcutie36 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parties and one shows her hidden costume.

I loved this book due to the intrigue, and Gisele's naughty mind. Poor Ollie is always fighting as if her life depends upon it. If only the Patron would reveal himself, maybe the Graves would find some contentment.

[Katherine Mihok · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoying g the series

[Dana Delamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really loving this series! It was fun to see Jury again too. Looking forward to the next one!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb!

Romance, mystery, fighting, friendship, family and magic all rolled into one! What more could you want in a book? Nothing.

[Eileen Gernet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satisfying

Things have come to a head in this book. Having read the book, I am not sure if the outcome is good or bad or both. Can't wait for the next in series.

[Susan E Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book in this series is just as entertaining as the previous one. The characters do not get old and the storyline keeps you guessing . Am loving this series!!

[Archfeld Serethai · Rating 4 out of 5]

decent story interspersed with pages of boredom that I skipped without missing anything.

[Kelly Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series of books. Not what I normally read, however enjoying the read.

[Margery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Tessa, or should I say poor everyone else. Living under a compulsion spell that controls her thoughts and actions has been nearly impossible. To fix it, she decides to go to the most powerful witch and hates she has to go thru Doc Holliday to get to Thomas Jury. Between the pain disobeying the compulsion causes and the fact she is still trying to undo the horrific wrongs to people, let's just say she is testy. With only her Aunt, Grandmother, Butler, her new partner Curtis and Justin, her people tolerance is nil. Still she treads on and with Jury's help she may over come the curse. Only side effect is she now has two witches in her head with compulsion grips. As an investigator on a mission she finds her self in the middle of two opposing powers that be. Will she survive the crush from both sides? You will have to read this page turner and I say enjoy the amusement Curtis offers. In my words..he is a hoot!