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The Grave Diggers #2
Only the Dead Within
Between mysterious missing persons cases, unsolved murders, and the menacing specter of an eternally blood-thirsty grave digger’s ghost, the town of Gold Creek, Michigan, has a grim reputation, and so does the wealthy, ruthless Gold family, who run the local funeral home and cemetery—and may be behind it all . . .
Six Feet Under meets Succession with a gothic twist in New York Times bestselling author Lisa Childs’ dark, twisty, horror-tinged series for readers of Megan Collins, Samantha Downing, Stacy Willingham, and Rachel Hawkins.
Yet another teen has gone missing from the Gold Memorial Gardens, and Child Protective Services Investigator Claire Underwood isn't giving up until she finds him. For Claire, solving the case is more than business. Years ago, she lost a friend in that cemetery.
Over time, the authorities deemed all the disappeared teens runaways, while local legend blamed the ghost of the murderous grave digger—much to the satisfaction of the Golds, also known as the “Ghouls.” Claire has always suspected the Golds were involved, including in some recent murders among their own. She went to high school with Noah Gold. He was very quiet, and very intense. Like someone with something to hide.
Noah is sick of being cast in the same light as his conniving, money-hungry family. He’s still a bit anti-social, but he’s just as determined as Clare to unearth the truth—and finally bury the legend of the grave digger. With a common goal, he and Claire join forces, but it’s a quest that puts them in mortal danger. Only with the help of the local sheriff—whose own brother vanished years ago—do they have a chance of surviving. Yet, the truth that awaits them is more terrifying than any ghost . . .
Six Feet Under meets Succession with a gothic twist in New York Times bestselling author Lisa Childs’ dark, twisty, horror-tinged series for readers of Megan Collins, Samantha Downing, Stacy Willingham, and Rachel Hawkins.
Yet another teen has gone missing from the Gold Memorial Gardens, and Child Protective Services Investigator Claire Underwood isn't giving up until she finds him. For Claire, solving the case is more than business. Years ago, she lost a friend in that cemetery.
Over time, the authorities deemed all the disappeared teens runaways, while local legend blamed the ghost of the murderous grave digger—much to the satisfaction of the Golds, also known as the “Ghouls.” Claire has always suspected the Golds were involved, including in some recent murders among their own. She went to high school with Noah Gold. He was very quiet, and very intense. Like someone with something to hide.
Noah is sick of being cast in the same light as his conniving, money-hungry family. He’s still a bit anti-social, but he’s just as determined as Clare to unearth the truth—and finally bury the legend of the grave digger. With a common goal, he and Claire join forces, but it’s a quest that puts them in mortal danger. Only with the help of the local sheriff—whose own brother vanished years ago—do they have a chance of surviving. Yet, the truth that awaits them is more terrifying than any ghost . . .
- GenresThriller
305 pages, Paperback
Published July 29, 2025
5 people are currently reading
3976 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Childs
404 books984 followersBorn one dark and stormy Halloween night, Lisa Childs was predestined to write suspense novels. She loves spinning dark and twisty stories that keep readers awake because they’re either too busy turning pages or too scared to sleep. Lisa Childs is the prolific author of more than seventy published novels. In addition to romantic suspense, she also writes women’s fiction, paranormal and contemporary romance.
Lisa loves to hear from readers who can contact her on Facebook or through her website.
Lisa loves to hear from readers who can contact her on Facebook or through her website.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 3, 2025
Lisa Childs returns with a gripping blend of gothic horror, psychological suspense, and small-town secrets in Only the Dead Within, a chilling new installment in her growing legacy of dark, twisty thrillers. Imagine Six Feet Under colliding with Succession, then throw in a ghostly grave digger and a long trail of missing teens—you’ve got the eerie world of Gold Creek, Michigan.
At the heart of the story is Claire Underwood, a Child Protective Services investigator who’s seen enough tragedy to fill a cemetery—quite literally. When another teen goes missing near the infamous Gold Memorial Gardens, Claire is drawn back into a mystery that has haunted her since high school, when she lost a friend under eerily similar circumstances. Everyone else has written the teens off as runaways or victims of an old urban legend. Claire knows better—and she suspects the powerful and sinister Gold family may be behind it.
The Golds, who own the local funeral home and cemetery, are chillingly reminiscent of a gothic dynasty—cold, controlling, and hiding something unspeakable beneath their wealth and respectability. Enter Noah Gold, the brooding black sheep of the family, determined to break free from the “Ghoul” reputation and help Claire expose the truth. As old connections resurface and bodies—both literal and metaphorical—begin piling up, Claire and Noah must navigate family betrayals, supernatural legends, and their own haunted pasts.
Childs is a master of atmosphere. The setting oozes dread: misty graveyards, shadowy woods, and a funeral home that feels like it’s watching you. The supernatural elements—like the ghost of the grave digger—add an unsettling layer of horror, but the real terror lies in the human capacity for cruelty, cover-ups, and generational trauma. The slow-burn tension and dual narrative between Claire and Noah keep the stakes personal, while the plot races toward a final revelation that is both tragic and jaw-droppingly dark.
Pros:
• Atmospheric and gothic to the bone
• Strong, emotionally driven characters
• Blends horror and thriller with surprising finesse
• Twisty plot with solid pacing and a jaw-dropping climax
Cons:
• Some secondary characters feel underdeveloped
• A few tropes (small-town corruption, dark family secrets) feel familiar, though well-executed
Only the Dead Within is a tense, unsettling ride through the darkest corners of a town that’s been rotting from the inside for decades. Fans of Megan Collins or Rachel Hawkins will devour it, but it’s Lisa Childs’ ability to blend true crime grit with ghost story chills that makes this novel stand out. Whether it’s the ghosts or the Golds, something is definitely haunting Gold Creek—and you won’t be able to look away until the final page.
At the heart of the story is Claire Underwood, a Child Protective Services investigator who’s seen enough tragedy to fill a cemetery—quite literally. When another teen goes missing near the infamous Gold Memorial Gardens, Claire is drawn back into a mystery that has haunted her since high school, when she lost a friend under eerily similar circumstances. Everyone else has written the teens off as runaways or victims of an old urban legend. Claire knows better—and she suspects the powerful and sinister Gold family may be behind it.
The Golds, who own the local funeral home and cemetery, are chillingly reminiscent of a gothic dynasty—cold, controlling, and hiding something unspeakable beneath their wealth and respectability. Enter Noah Gold, the brooding black sheep of the family, determined to break free from the “Ghoul” reputation and help Claire expose the truth. As old connections resurface and bodies—both literal and metaphorical—begin piling up, Claire and Noah must navigate family betrayals, supernatural legends, and their own haunted pasts.
Childs is a master of atmosphere. The setting oozes dread: misty graveyards, shadowy woods, and a funeral home that feels like it’s watching you. The supernatural elements—like the ghost of the grave digger—add an unsettling layer of horror, but the real terror lies in the human capacity for cruelty, cover-ups, and generational trauma. The slow-burn tension and dual narrative between Claire and Noah keep the stakes personal, while the plot races toward a final revelation that is both tragic and jaw-droppingly dark.
Pros:
• Atmospheric and gothic to the bone
• Strong, emotionally driven characters
• Blends horror and thriller with surprising finesse
• Twisty plot with solid pacing and a jaw-dropping climax
Cons:
• Some secondary characters feel underdeveloped
• A few tropes (small-town corruption, dark family secrets) feel familiar, though well-executed
Only the Dead Within is a tense, unsettling ride through the darkest corners of a town that’s been rotting from the inside for decades. Fans of Megan Collins or Rachel Hawkins will devour it, but it’s Lisa Childs’ ability to blend true crime grit with ghost story chills that makes this novel stand out. Whether it’s the ghosts or the Golds, something is definitely haunting Gold Creek—and you won’t be able to look away until the final page.
August 4, 2025
I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway and I try to review all the books I win as a way of saying thank you to the author and Goodreads. But that in no way effects my review of the book, good or bad.
I had never read a book by this author, and this one is the second book in this series but it can be read as a stand-alone. It references back to the first one quite a bit so I would encourage anyone who is interested in reading this one, to start with the first, although its not a must do.
After reading this book, I have a few thoughts I wanted to share. As stated before, I had never read a book by this author so I didnt know what the writing style would be like. Well its very repetitive. Im not sure why the author felt like she needed to keep repeating the same thoughts of the characters over and over but it was really annoying. I found myself actually knowing what was gonna be said or thought before actually reading it. It may have been because there were so many characters it was hard to keep straight who was who and who had done what and how everyone was related, but I dont think so. Im not sure, but it could have defintely been toned down a few notches. The book would have been shorter and actually better without all the wasted words. There are a lot of characters in this book. I appreciated the refreshers about who was who and how they were related though. That was my main complaint of this book, the overall repetitveness.
The twist of who the serial killer was is decent. I have to say, I didnt see that coming. My favorite part of the book was probably the grave digger ghost. This is more of a thriller type book but the grave diggers ghost adds a supernatural element that it so desperately needed. I would have gave 3 stars, but rounded up to 4 because of that. Its the little things!
I had never read a book by this author, and this one is the second book in this series but it can be read as a stand-alone. It references back to the first one quite a bit so I would encourage anyone who is interested in reading this one, to start with the first, although its not a must do.
After reading this book, I have a few thoughts I wanted to share. As stated before, I had never read a book by this author so I didnt know what the writing style would be like. Well its very repetitive. Im not sure why the author felt like she needed to keep repeating the same thoughts of the characters over and over but it was really annoying. I found myself actually knowing what was gonna be said or thought before actually reading it. It may have been because there were so many characters it was hard to keep straight who was who and who had done what and how everyone was related, but I dont think so. Im not sure, but it could have defintely been toned down a few notches. The book would have been shorter and actually better without all the wasted words. There are a lot of characters in this book. I appreciated the refreshers about who was who and how they were related though. That was my main complaint of this book, the overall repetitveness.
The twist of who the serial killer was is decent. I have to say, I didnt see that coming. My favorite part of the book was probably the grave digger ghost. This is more of a thriller type book but the grave diggers ghost adds a supernatural element that it so desperately needed. I would have gave 3 stars, but rounded up to 4 because of that. Its the little things!
June 29, 2025
I got this ARC through NetGalley.
Claire Underwood is a CPS investigator that has returned to her childhood home of Gold Creek, Michigan. A place where she never wanted to return. Yet teenagers keep disappearing from the cemetery. The same cemetery one of Claire’s friends disappeared from as well. Never to be seen again.
The Gold family has been around even longer than Claire’s and they run the local funeral home and the cemetery that holds all the stories yet untold. Noah Gold went to high school with Claire and is familiar with the tales of the local legend the “grave digger”. They never were close enough to be friends but Noah always seemed to know more than he should about the legend.
Together Claire and Noah team up to attempt to find the missing child before it’s too late and he’s just another story to tell. With the help of Luke the local sheriff they rush to get to the bottom of the legend. But will the truth set everyone free, or will it cause more harm than good?
This book had so many twists and turns! With enough mystery and intrigue to keep you guessing and wondering what lurks around the corner. The ending of the book! 😱 I can’t recommend this enough times to other readers that love a good dark who done it.
Claire Underwood is a CPS investigator that has returned to her childhood home of Gold Creek, Michigan. A place where she never wanted to return. Yet teenagers keep disappearing from the cemetery. The same cemetery one of Claire’s friends disappeared from as well. Never to be seen again.
The Gold family has been around even longer than Claire’s and they run the local funeral home and the cemetery that holds all the stories yet untold. Noah Gold went to high school with Claire and is familiar with the tales of the local legend the “grave digger”. They never were close enough to be friends but Noah always seemed to know more than he should about the legend.
Together Claire and Noah team up to attempt to find the missing child before it’s too late and he’s just another story to tell. With the help of Luke the local sheriff they rush to get to the bottom of the legend. But will the truth set everyone free, or will it cause more harm than good?
This book had so many twists and turns! With enough mystery and intrigue to keep you guessing and wondering what lurks around the corner. The ending of the book! 😱 I can’t recommend this enough times to other readers that love a good dark who done it.
August 9, 2025
When a teen vanishes near a haunted cemetery in the eerie town of Gold Creek, Child Protective Services investigator Claire Underwood is drawn into a chilling mystery with deep personal ties. Teaming up with Noah Gold, a grave digger with secrets of his own, Claire must navigate local legends, buried family secrets, and rumors of a ghostly killer. As the past and present collide, Claire discovers that some horrors aren't only supernatural, they're terrifyingly real.
Only The Dead Within is the second book in the Grave Diggers series. While it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the first book to provide some background. This book is full of small town secrets, dark family legacies, and a spooky atmospheric setting. Claire is a strong and relatable main character and her personal connection to Gold Creek adds depth to the mystery. Fans of gothic thrillers will love the spooky graveyard setting and creepy folklore. My main critique is with the pacing. The book starts off strong but definitely loses steam midway through. A couple of the secondary plots felt a little underdeveloped but the ending still satisfies.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Childs, and Kensington Publishing this eArc! Publication date was July 29th 2025.
Only The Dead Within is the second book in the Grave Diggers series. While it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the first book to provide some background. This book is full of small town secrets, dark family legacies, and a spooky atmospheric setting. Claire is a strong and relatable main character and her personal connection to Gold Creek adds depth to the mystery. Fans of gothic thrillers will love the spooky graveyard setting and creepy folklore. My main critique is with the pacing. The book starts off strong but definitely loses steam midway through. A couple of the secondary plots felt a little underdeveloped but the ending still satisfies.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lisa Childs, and Kensington Publishing this eArc! Publication date was July 29th 2025.
July 17, 2025
Loved this book. It surprised me that’s for sure. When CPS Investigator Claire Underwood comes back to Gold Creek she’s not sure she did the right thing. The only thing she does know is that she needs to find a teen that goes missing. He isn’t the latest teen to go missing either. She runs into the Sheriff who she knows from living in Gold Creek a long time ago. When she goes to the Gold Memorial Gardens since there’s information he was seen there last. She also sees Noah Gold. He also plays a part in the child’s life.
Noah Gold is really tired of being being cast as the bad guy because of his last name. He liked Tyler, and he even got a text from him. There was circumstances why he had to fire Tyler. So much loss as happened to his family, and now Claire Underwood is pointing the finger at him. He’s also had his life jeopardized. It’s bizarre that she and his sister River help him.
See what happens so much more to come.
I highly recommend this book and the first one.
The House by the Cemetery.
I hope there’s more to come. Plus the ending was just amazing.
As I said it surprised me a lot. One person and I won’t say who found out who was responsible. Happy Reading!
Noah Gold is really tired of being being cast as the bad guy because of his last name. He liked Tyler, and he even got a text from him. There was circumstances why he had to fire Tyler. So much loss as happened to his family, and now Claire Underwood is pointing the finger at him. He’s also had his life jeopardized. It’s bizarre that she and his sister River help him.
See what happens so much more to come.
I highly recommend this book and the first one.
The House by the Cemetery.
I hope there’s more to come. Plus the ending was just amazing.
As I said it surprised me a lot. One person and I won’t say who found out who was responsible. Happy Reading!
August 13, 2025
Protective Services Investigator Claire Underwood has returned to Gold Creek, Michigan. Her current case involves a young boy who has gone missing from the Gold Memorial Gardens, and he isn’t the first. Claire is determined to find him but meets with resistance along the way. She feels she’s being watched and finds herself in danger numerous times. But who would want to harm her, and why?
Startling secrets are revealed, new friendships develop, and there’s a little ghostly assistance in solving the mysteries of those who went missing years before and were thought to be runaways.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Startling secrets are revealed, new friendships develop, and there’s a little ghostly assistance in solving the mysteries of those who went missing years before and were thought to be runaways.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 12, 2025
1.5*
Very good mistery, with lots of misdirection. Although, the clue to the killer is in the end of the first book.
Some parts of the book were dragging. And some parts were just plain stupid. For example: Claire thinks somebody is dying and goes to get help, and then they're wasting time with silly conversation.
Also, could Luke be any dumber. That man really shouldn't be a cop.
Lots if things left unexplained. Very interested in Wynn and Taylor and rest of the family. Some of them weren't even mentioned. Maybe there'll be anorher book.
Very good mistery, with lots of misdirection. Although, the clue to the killer is in the end of the first book.
Some parts of the book were dragging. And some parts were just plain stupid. For example: Claire thinks somebody is dying and goes to get help, and then they're wasting time with silly conversation.
Also, could Luke be any dumber. That man really shouldn't be a cop.
Lots if things left unexplained. Very interested in Wynn and Taylor and rest of the family. Some of them weren't even mentioned. Maybe there'll be anorher book.
July 23, 2025
CPS worker Clair Underwood comes back to Gold Creek a teen goes missing and she first suspects Noah Gold but then others are missing. Sheriff Luke and River and her daughter Sarah are still trying to find out what happened to Luke's brother Michael when he went missing years ago.
This is the second book in the series and this book was hard to put down and with an unbelievable ending.Lisa Childs is the best.
This is the second book in the series and this book was hard to put down and with an unbelievable ending.Lisa Childs is the best.
September 1, 2025
Not for me. While there were plenty of suspects and some misdirection, for me this mystery failed to captivate my attention or keep me in suspense. The characters were flat, the pacing was slow, and the book was very repetitive. The same points kept getting repeated over and over, sometimes by different characters but often by the same character.
The premise was interesting, so maybe more heavy-handed editing can improve future books?
The premise was interesting, so maybe more heavy-handed editing can improve future books?
August 13, 2025
The eerie setting, a missing child, and the secretive Gold Family make for an entertaining and suspenseful read. Claire and Noah are great characters, but my favorite was the spectral grave digger. This series can be read as standalones, but the first book is worth reading as well. People looking for a spooky fall read, without delving into the realm of terrifying, will enjoy this one.
September 28, 2025
Wow. Did not see that ending coming. I did not know who the killer was until the very end, I was completely shocked by who it was. I hope that this series continues because I feel so attached to all of these characters.
August 16, 2025
this was hard to put down.
September 8, 2025
Really enjoyed this! I did not expect this person to turn out to be the grave digger, quite the surprise.
September 23, 2025
I enjoyed the book, just didn't enjoy the several typos that messed with the flow.
August 15, 2025
Never saw the twists and turns!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews