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Raking up the Dead #2
The Groundskeeper: The Hoodoo That You Do
Chloe's job just got more complicated. This time, she's leaving the cemetery, but not the undead, to help solve another mystery. Libraries are silent as a grave, aren't they?
40 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 14, 2023
18 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Cedar Sanderson
130 books62 followersAuthor, illustrator, perennially inquisitive. Urban fantasy with pixies, cozy supernatural sleuthing, & sci-fi twists. Books & art at http://cedarwrites.com
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
November 4, 2023
Oh my goodness, what an excellent story. I have eagerly awaited another story in this world since I read the first, Raking Up the Dead, the first story in this series was the first standalone work of Sanderson that I read. Since then I have read stories in anthologies, novella’s and novels. When this one came out a third story was announced for next month. This is an absolutely fantastic story. I love the characters, the world building. The concept and the execution.
I first encountered the works of Cedar in Cracked: An Anthology of Eggsellent Chicken Stories, and after reading her piece there knew I had to track down and read something else from her pen. And to date I have not been disappointed in anything I have read from her. I was intrigued by this series from when I first heard it mentioned. Sanderson states in the first book:
“This book is dedicated to the Junior Mad Scientist, my pastel goth. May you find your happy place, dear heart.”
And in this volume she states:
“For my Pippa, the pastel goth who I am so grateful isn’t a glitter goth after all.”
In Raking Up the Dead, we follow Chloe as she is begins working at the Belleview Cemetery and Memorial Gardens. The job description was for a caretaker and to inquire within. Chloe was up for the job but soon found out that the description was a little nebulous and her responsibilities are constantly growing. She is determined to get the grounds in order. To clear the overgrowth, trim the verge, and clear the paths. What she had not expected was to be providing care for the residents. And her life has become a balancing act between the physical upkeep and the supernatural needs. And some of the residents are very needy.
The description of this volume states:
“Chloe's job just got more complicated. This time, she's leaving the cemetery, but not the undead, to help solve another mystery. Libraries are silent as a grave, aren't they?”
Those who have read the first story will recall she has a friend in the authorized section of the library, Mark. And a two cats that makes appearances from time to time. Esmerelda and Kung a monster black tomcat. While having a discussion with Mr Crour, the administrator of the cemetery and Chloe’s boss the doorbell rings must expectantly. It happens to be a police officer bringing some evidence to Crour for examination. But Miss Della Dear, the Victorian era skeleton turned housekeeper is greatly disturbed by the thing and summons Chloe to deal with it. So soon Chloe is on a new mission doing research, that falls under her ‘other duties’ as grounds keeper.
This story is wonderfully written. The characters both alive and dead ones are great. It is a fun story and yet with a serious edge. I really hope it is the continuation of what will become a long series because I want to know what else happens to Chloe and the residents we have encountered and those we have yet to meet at Belleview Cemetery. Or who are brought in to cross their path. It is a place I hope we can return to in other stories again and again. Another amazing read from Sanderson’s masterful pen. I highly recommend both the stories in The Groundskeeper series!
I first encountered the works of Cedar in Cracked: An Anthology of Eggsellent Chicken Stories, and after reading her piece there knew I had to track down and read something else from her pen. And to date I have not been disappointed in anything I have read from her. I was intrigued by this series from when I first heard it mentioned. Sanderson states in the first book:
“This book is dedicated to the Junior Mad Scientist, my pastel goth. May you find your happy place, dear heart.”
And in this volume she states:
“For my Pippa, the pastel goth who I am so grateful isn’t a glitter goth after all.”
In Raking Up the Dead, we follow Chloe as she is begins working at the Belleview Cemetery and Memorial Gardens. The job description was for a caretaker and to inquire within. Chloe was up for the job but soon found out that the description was a little nebulous and her responsibilities are constantly growing. She is determined to get the grounds in order. To clear the overgrowth, trim the verge, and clear the paths. What she had not expected was to be providing care for the residents. And her life has become a balancing act between the physical upkeep and the supernatural needs. And some of the residents are very needy.
The description of this volume states:
“Chloe's job just got more complicated. This time, she's leaving the cemetery, but not the undead, to help solve another mystery. Libraries are silent as a grave, aren't they?”
Those who have read the first story will recall she has a friend in the authorized section of the library, Mark. And a two cats that makes appearances from time to time. Esmerelda and Kung a monster black tomcat. While having a discussion with Mr Crour, the administrator of the cemetery and Chloe’s boss the doorbell rings must expectantly. It happens to be a police officer bringing some evidence to Crour for examination. But Miss Della Dear, the Victorian era skeleton turned housekeeper is greatly disturbed by the thing and summons Chloe to deal with it. So soon Chloe is on a new mission doing research, that falls under her ‘other duties’ as grounds keeper.
This story is wonderfully written. The characters both alive and dead ones are great. It is a fun story and yet with a serious edge. I really hope it is the continuation of what will become a long series because I want to know what else happens to Chloe and the residents we have encountered and those we have yet to meet at Belleview Cemetery. Or who are brought in to cross their path. It is a place I hope we can return to in other stories again and again. Another amazing read from Sanderson’s masterful pen. I highly recommend both the stories in The Groundskeeper series!
March 22, 2024
Chloe's job as caretaker for the Belleview Cemetery continues to have 'other duties as assigned.' Fortunately, all of her more unusual tasks are aligned with previously undiscovered skill sets.
A prime example: Chloe was never regarded as being on the success track in high school, but now, it seems she has a flair for doing research.
The assistance provided by a library ghost-in-residence, Dr. Mark Long, is certainly helpful, but if she didn't have a desire to seek out the boundaries of her assignments, no help from that quarter would make up for that deficit.
Could it really be that she has simply never had the opportunity to shine? I'm inclined to think that this is the case. It's not so much that she is a late bloomer; she is blooming just fine under some challenging circumstances. In particular, this young lady who never really seemed to engage with her peers has become a favorite of the assorted non-oxygen-dependent residents of the cemetery.
Her boss (the jury is still out on HIS nature) is quick to entrust her with being his agent in carrying out the newest research project, which has to do with a skull dropped off with them by the police.
It's a pretty low-key project; no chains rattle, nor are there any other manifestations of the supernatural. Still, finding a solution is a significantly important task, and Chloe is quick to volunteer her services.
A low-key adventure story, but still a fun read.
A prime example: Chloe was never regarded as being on the success track in high school, but now, it seems she has a flair for doing research.
The assistance provided by a library ghost-in-residence, Dr. Mark Long, is certainly helpful, but if she didn't have a desire to seek out the boundaries of her assignments, no help from that quarter would make up for that deficit.
Could it really be that she has simply never had the opportunity to shine? I'm inclined to think that this is the case. It's not so much that she is a late bloomer; she is blooming just fine under some challenging circumstances. In particular, this young lady who never really seemed to engage with her peers has become a favorite of the assorted non-oxygen-dependent residents of the cemetery.
Her boss (the jury is still out on HIS nature) is quick to entrust her with being his agent in carrying out the newest research project, which has to do with a skull dropped off with them by the police.
It's a pretty low-key project; no chains rattle, nor are there any other manifestations of the supernatural. Still, finding a solution is a significantly important task, and Chloe is quick to volunteer her services.
A low-key adventure story, but still a fun read.
September 17, 2023
I enjoyed this book
Miss Sanderson is a enjoyable writer, and this was an fun slice of life story. The MC is a graveyard keeper, dealing with the supernatural, but everyone she deals with is people, no matter how theoretically uncanny, and it’s the personal interactions that keep this fresh.
Miss Sanderson is a enjoyable writer, and this was an fun slice of life story. The MC is a graveyard keeper, dealing with the supernatural, but everyone she deals with is people, no matter how theoretically uncanny, and it’s the personal interactions that keep this fresh.
September 22, 2023
Fun Read
Nice little short story, it could have easily been made into a longer story. So much detail and amazing world building was packed into the short story. Well crafted.
Nice little short story, it could have easily been made into a longer story. So much detail and amazing world building was packed into the short story. Well crafted.
November 22, 2023
Nice story, something warm and cozy to make you feel good
December 4, 2023
Short but sweet
The series is good fun, so a brief visit with the story world where we learn a bit more about the Keeper's job, and her boss was welcome. More, please!
The series is good fun, so a brief visit with the story world where we learn a bit more about the Keeper's job, and her boss was welcome. More, please!
May 29, 2025
Cozy and interesting, but ended abruptly. I wonder why all these mini-novellas weren't put together into an entire novel?
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews