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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 . . .
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 . . .
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, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2025
21 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
About the author
Lisa Childs
410 books991 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 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 29, 2025
Gravedigger’s Ghost!!
Creepy from the get go. This story is filled with danger and shocking revelations that will keep you guessing to the ending that you’ll never see coming.
Noah Gold is one of the more sane people in this family full of greedy backstabbing weirdos.
Claire is a social worker that has seen to many tragedies in her life. She has been disillusioned by the system she’s works for.
This whole story gives you a vibe of being watched by evil just around every corner. Not much of a romance but the amazing storyline makes up for it.
Grab your favorite beverage and cozy up with the lights on. You’re in for a treat!!
Creepy from the get go. This story is filled with danger and shocking revelations that will keep you guessing to the ending that you’ll never see coming.
Noah Gold is one of the more sane people in this family full of greedy backstabbing weirdos.
Claire is a social worker that has seen to many tragedies in her life. She has been disillusioned by the system she’s works for.
This whole story gives you a vibe of being watched by evil just around every corner. Not much of a romance but the amazing storyline makes up for it.
Grab your favorite beverage and cozy up with the lights on. You’re in for a treat!!
July 5, 2025
ONLY THE DEAD WITHIN by Lisa Childs release date is
July 29 2025
This is the second book in the Grave Digger series.
I definitely feel that you should read the first book before reading this one. THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY this will give you a lot of the backstory and prepare you for the wonderful read of Only the Dead Within.
Claire Underwood used to be a foster child in Gold Creek Michigan. She is a child protective service agent was sent back to Gold Creek Michigan to investigate a teenage boy named Tyler. It is suspected that he is living in an abusive When her investigations leads her to Gold Memorial Gardens she is a bit uncomfortable because this place holds some memories she would rather forget!
Clair teams up with Noah Gold, in this investigation of Tyler and the disappearance of several runaways.
This story will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. Twist turns and suspense with a slight hint of romance.
Definitely hoping that there’s a book 3 as I don’t want the series to end. Hoping that Lisa, Childs and Kensington publication can make that happen.
Thank you too, Lisa Childs for trusting me with this ARC in return for my honest review.
July 29 2025
This is the second book in the Grave Digger series.
I definitely feel that you should read the first book before reading this one. THE HOUSE BY THE CEMETERY this will give you a lot of the backstory and prepare you for the wonderful read of Only the Dead Within.
Claire Underwood used to be a foster child in Gold Creek Michigan. She is a child protective service agent was sent back to Gold Creek Michigan to investigate a teenage boy named Tyler. It is suspected that he is living in an abusive When her investigations leads her to Gold Memorial Gardens she is a bit uncomfortable because this place holds some memories she would rather forget!
Clair teams up with Noah Gold, in this investigation of Tyler and the disappearance of several runaways.
This story will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. Twist turns and suspense with a slight hint of romance.
Definitely hoping that there’s a book 3 as I don’t want the series to end. Hoping that Lisa, Childs and Kensington publication can make that happen.
Thank you too, Lisa Childs for trusting me with this ARC in return for my honest review.
July 29, 2025
The series of the Grave Digger continues with this book that gripped me in its clutches and just would not let go until I reached the satisfactory conclusion. The Gold family runs the local mortuary and the cemetery in the little town of Gold Creek. They are almost like a ruling family there, albeit a very strange and dysfunctional one. All of them are involved in the family business, and many of them have secrets that are dangerous to others. Noah Gold is the new grave digger, preferring to spend his time in the graveyard than with his macabre family members. When Child Protective Services worker Claire Underwood gets caught up in the family drama during one of her investigations, Noah is attracted to her, but mostly he wants to protect her from the unknown danger that seems to revolve around the Gold family. In investigating the disappearance of a teen, Claire unwittingly stirs up a hornets nest and unleashes a deadly battle between good and evil that affects most of the characters in the book. Sheriff Luke Sebastian is still trying to find his missing brother Michael who disappeared over a decade ago when he was supposed to meet River Gold and run away with her. River and her daughter Sarah want closure but what they are seeking is elusive and perhaps dangerous as well. The entire tone of the book is one of mystery and an eerie waiting for the next victim to be killed. A mystery that borders on horror with intense drama and propulsive thrills, this book included nail-biting suspense that was completely engrossing. The characters were realistic and unique, with complicated personalities and realistic flaws. This is a well-crafted and multi-layered story with head-spinning twists and revelations. The secrets and lies abound, adding to the mystery and the high tension that prevails throughout the novel. This is the second book in the series and I think the books need to be read in order so that all of the edginess and intrigue is fully understood. The drama is believable and the author did a masterful job of weaving all of the subplots together neatly at the end. I highly recommend this brilliantly written book that captivated me in the drama and kept me reading and guessing.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.
July 26, 2025
ARC via NetGalley.
I really thought the first book was a wild ride of motives and murder, but dang, this one really got me with shock at the end.
The main Gold in this book is Noah, the current caretaker of the Gold Memorial Gardens. When a teen boy he had a connection to shows up dead in the Gardens, a social worker and the local sheriff, who share a past connection in their foster parents, get wrapped up in the investigation. The bodies keep dropping and muddling everything, but it's the social worker Claire's absolute dedication and her own life experiences that get her to keep looking and keep asking questions. She also gets closer to Noah, both of them realizing they can't keep people away and fight feelings forever.
We get some INSANE lore about the Gold family and their connections at the end, and even if this murder is ultimately solved, the notion that the Gold family and their connections are far from safe is very clear. I have no idea where this series is going but I AM SAT.
I really thought the first book was a wild ride of motives and murder, but dang, this one really got me with shock at the end.
The main Gold in this book is Noah, the current caretaker of the Gold Memorial Gardens. When a teen boy he had a connection to shows up dead in the Gardens, a social worker and the local sheriff, who share a past connection in their foster parents, get wrapped up in the investigation. The bodies keep dropping and muddling everything, but it's the social worker Claire's absolute dedication and her own life experiences that get her to keep looking and keep asking questions. She also gets closer to Noah, both of them realizing they can't keep people away and fight feelings forever.
We get some INSANE lore about the Gold family and their connections at the end, and even if this murder is ultimately solved, the notion that the Gold family and their connections are far from safe is very clear. I have no idea where this series is going but I AM SAT.
July 3, 2025
Only the Dead Within continues Lisa Childs' Grave Digger series. This second book in the series is focused on Claire Underwood, a former foster child from Gold Creek, Michigan, who has returned home as a CPS investigator looking to help children who were like herself. Haunted by memories of her past, Claire is tasked with investigating a potential abuse case that puts her right back into the orbit of the eponymous Gold family. Noah Gold is content to be a grave digger, happy with his job as the head of maintenance for the cemetery that his family maintains. Like his predecessor, Lyle, Noah is at peace in nature, and finds comfort in the familiarity of the cemetery. Until one night a teen is found murdered in the cemetery. Suddenly, Noah is a target - but whether it's from a serial killer who has been killing since he was a teen, or one of his own family members who are looking to increase their share of the Gold family business, no one knows. Claire and Noah, with the help of Noah's sister River, and the newly elected sheriff Luke Sebastian must try to uncover the secrets of the cemetery, before someone is successful in keeping them a secret forever.
Readers should definitely read 'The House by the Cemetary' before reading this book. There's a lot of family lore referenced in this novel, as well as events that take place in the first novel that will be confusing for readers who have not read it. While there are hints of romantic interests between the characters, this book firmly falls into the suspense/thriller/mystery category. The twist at the end was unexpected, and definitely left me with the feeling that it doesn't explain everything that has been going on in the Gold household. Readers who enjoy face-paced, danger-filled mystery novels will enjoy Only the Dead Within.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Lisa Childs for an eARC of this novel to review.
Readers should definitely read 'The House by the Cemetary' before reading this book. There's a lot of family lore referenced in this novel, as well as events that take place in the first novel that will be confusing for readers who have not read it. While there are hints of romantic interests between the characters, this book firmly falls into the suspense/thriller/mystery category. The twist at the end was unexpected, and definitely left me with the feeling that it doesn't explain everything that has been going on in the Gold household. Readers who enjoy face-paced, danger-filled mystery novels will enjoy Only the Dead Within.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Publishing, and Lisa Childs for an eARC of this novel to review.
May 22, 2025
First of all, this is apparently apart of a series and isn’t listed as being so. You need to read the first book or you’re going to be horribly confused, because someone references past occurrences from that book every other sentence.
I’m not sure how I feel about this one. The mystery did honestly surprise me, so that was nice. I think I just didn’t jive well with how it’s written. There are way too many POVs and they change multiple times a chapter and it’s hard to tell whose POV it is. It’s jarring and confusing. It’s also just written very juvenile in a lot of ways and the romance was out of left field. It’s a quick read, but I think a big part of that is how under developed the storytelling is.
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️Random notes from my read: CAN BE CONSIDERED SPOILERY⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
* There are entirely too many POVs in this book
* The writing style is making it really difficult to follow what’s happening
* The changing of POVs in the same chapter is awful
* The missing note would be confirmed to be real if you just asked the crew if they saw it too….
* People keep repeating the same info to the same people
* So I guess this is apart of a series, but isn’t listed as such. A lot of stuff is mentioned from another book and it’s confusing
* Not a fan of us getting a POV of the killer. The killer sounds juvenile
* Really disliking the POVs switching so much and it’s hard to tell who is who. There’s no headers for the POVs. You just have to wait for them to think of themselves
* When did Jackson ever see anything?
* This is the most out of nowhere romance I’ve ever read
* No epilogue?
Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC and allowing me to provide my honest review
I’m not sure how I feel about this one. The mystery did honestly surprise me, so that was nice. I think I just didn’t jive well with how it’s written. There are way too many POVs and they change multiple times a chapter and it’s hard to tell whose POV it is. It’s jarring and confusing. It’s also just written very juvenile in a lot of ways and the romance was out of left field. It’s a quick read, but I think a big part of that is how under developed the storytelling is.
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️Random notes from my read: CAN BE CONSIDERED SPOILERY⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
* There are entirely too many POVs in this book
* The writing style is making it really difficult to follow what’s happening
* The changing of POVs in the same chapter is awful
* The missing note would be confirmed to be real if you just asked the crew if they saw it too….
* People keep repeating the same info to the same people
* So I guess this is apart of a series, but isn’t listed as such. A lot of stuff is mentioned from another book and it’s confusing
* Not a fan of us getting a POV of the killer. The killer sounds juvenile
* Really disliking the POVs switching so much and it’s hard to tell who is who. There’s no headers for the POVs. You just have to wait for them to think of themselves
* When did Jackson ever see anything?
* This is the most out of nowhere romance I’ve ever read
* No epilogue?
Many thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an ARC and allowing me to provide my honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2025
This book is supposed to be creepy and it is but just not the way the author may have intended. The whole story line of how the Gold family lived makes me wonder despite their money how they ever survived their teen years. Living in a house with a funeral parlor inside the walls and staying in a cemetery's caretakers cottage did not endear me to the character or Noah. Claire is damaged and I wondered a few times if her decision to try to go home again was wise despite the need for someone in her role.
There was some good mystery surrounding the death of the young man in the cemetery and the target on Noah's back. The Gold family is described in the most unflattering terms making you wonder if they would knock off one of their own for money. There are a few good twists and I do believe reading book one helps to ground you in the story. The problem was for me sometimes the passages between character interaction were long with more telling than experiencing and sometimes that made the book drag. Being unable to connect to the characters made it even rougher for me. It is OK for a character to forge their own path or to be flawed but I'm not sure about creepy. I enjoyed Lisa Childs' Bane Island books so gave this series a chance and it pales by comparison. I would willingly recommend that series but not this one. I would give this book about 50% of the stars I could just because of the author but since 2.5 stars is not an option it will get 3.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Kensingtonand the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.
There was some good mystery surrounding the death of the young man in the cemetery and the target on Noah's back. The Gold family is described in the most unflattering terms making you wonder if they would knock off one of their own for money. There are a few good twists and I do believe reading book one helps to ground you in the story. The problem was for me sometimes the passages between character interaction were long with more telling than experiencing and sometimes that made the book drag. Being unable to connect to the characters made it even rougher for me. It is OK for a character to forge their own path or to be flawed but I'm not sure about creepy. I enjoyed Lisa Childs' Bane Island books so gave this series a chance and it pales by comparison. I would willingly recommend that series but not this one. I would give this book about 50% of the stars I could just because of the author but since 2.5 stars is not an option it will get 3.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing | Kensingtonand the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.
June 8, 2025
O My Gosh!! Lisa just took it a step up!! Only the Dead Within is the second book in The Grave Diggers Book series (The House by the Cemetery is the first) It could be read as a stand alone however I recommend reading the first one due to some reference of the first book in this one.
It starts off with Claire Underwood pulling up to a home getting ready to investigate a report of child endangerment. It has been years since she has been to her hometown and being back is bring back memories she would rather keep them in the dark.
With the local legend of the Grave Digger everyone believes that the local teen has either ran away or is another victim of the legend. Noah Gold never believed that legend however because he knows how the Grave Digger was before he passes away.
While the local sheriff, whose own brother disappeared years before still unsolved He is also wanting answers to what happened.
If you are looking for a page turner that will keep you in suspense wondering what is going to hapen next than this is the book for you!! I could not keep this book down!
I received an ARC however all the thoughts and opinions are solely my own.
This book will be released July 29, 2025
It starts off with Claire Underwood pulling up to a home getting ready to investigate a report of child endangerment. It has been years since she has been to her hometown and being back is bring back memories she would rather keep them in the dark.
With the local legend of the Grave Digger everyone believes that the local teen has either ran away or is another victim of the legend. Noah Gold never believed that legend however because he knows how the Grave Digger was before he passes away.
While the local sheriff, whose own brother disappeared years before still unsolved He is also wanting answers to what happened.
If you are looking for a page turner that will keep you in suspense wondering what is going to hapen next than this is the book for you!! I could not keep this book down!
I received an ARC however all the thoughts and opinions are solely my own.
This book will be released July 29, 2025
July 2, 2025
I was so excited to read the second book in Lisa Child's new series, The Grave Diggers.. Only the Dead Within is even spookier than the first book and the mystery is so well written with twisted red herrings and a diabolical killer.
A troubled teen boy is missing when Claire, a Child Protective agent shows up to interview him. Tyler is not the first teen to go missing in the area of the cemetery. The ghost grave digger is still trolling the graveyard---but is he hindering ot helping the living? There is more going on with the creepy Gold family, too.
An excellent addition to the series, Only The Dead Within has the perfect amount of spooky vibes for anyone enjoying slightly scary reads, with a bonus in the mystery portion. Fast paced enjoyment blended with great characters and budding romance.
Thank you to #KensingtonPublishing #LisaChilds #OnlyTheDeadWithin #NetGalley #TheGravesDiggers for the e-copy that I requested. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I always review books I enjoy for friends and followers to enjoy the book too.
A troubled teen boy is missing when Claire, a Child Protective agent shows up to interview him. Tyler is not the first teen to go missing in the area of the cemetery. The ghost grave digger is still trolling the graveyard---but is he hindering ot helping the living? There is more going on with the creepy Gold family, too.
An excellent addition to the series, Only The Dead Within has the perfect amount of spooky vibes for anyone enjoying slightly scary reads, with a bonus in the mystery portion. Fast paced enjoyment blended with great characters and budding romance.
Thank you to #KensingtonPublishing #LisaChilds #OnlyTheDeadWithin #NetGalley #TheGravesDiggers for the e-copy that I requested. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I always review books I enjoy for friends and followers to enjoy the book too.
May 23, 2025
Thank you Kensington for the ARC via NetGalley
I am going to state that you will want to read The House by the Cemetery before reading this book.
That being said Only the Dead Within picks up where The House by the Cemetery left off. However, Claire is a new character in this book. She is from Gold's Creek though.
She is a social worker now and is trying to help a teenager named Tyler. There are times where the book is slow, and you are like please get to the point. I did like it and give it 4 stars because I was still guessing on who the killer was. Big shock at who it actually is. There is a bit of romance going on with Luke and River, Claire and Noah. Yes the Gold's need lovin' too! I mean not everyone in that family is bad right?
Mystery, suspense with a splash of romance. You will need to read it to see who all lives, who comes close to death and who actually dies. Oh and the kicker....who the killer is.
I am going to state that you will want to read The House by the Cemetery before reading this book.
That being said Only the Dead Within picks up where The House by the Cemetery left off. However, Claire is a new character in this book. She is from Gold's Creek though.
She is a social worker now and is trying to help a teenager named Tyler. There are times where the book is slow, and you are like please get to the point. I did like it and give it 4 stars because I was still guessing on who the killer was. Big shock at who it actually is. There is a bit of romance going on with Luke and River, Claire and Noah. Yes the Gold's need lovin' too! I mean not everyone in that family is bad right?
Mystery, suspense with a splash of romance. You will need to read it to see who all lives, who comes close to death and who actually dies. Oh and the kicker....who the killer is.
July 27, 2025
4 1/2 STARS!
Lisa Childs will have the hair raising on the back of your neck! With the second book in The Grave Diggers series, Childs delivers a suspense filled story with multiple twists and turns that leaves the reader stunned with the final revelation. This can definitely be read as a stand alone book, but to get to the heart of the family I highly recommend going back and reading the first book in the series The House by the Cemetery to get an in depth picture of who and what is happening. This book held my attention easily and brought a satisfying story to life. I'm not sure if there is more planned in the series or not. If there is not, there were many holes left in the plot ... but there is definitely room here for several more books about this quirky fam. Overall, well developed characters, a spooky backdrop and multiple edge of your seat moments to keep you entertained. Highly recommend the series!
Lisa Childs will have the hair raising on the back of your neck! With the second book in The Grave Diggers series, Childs delivers a suspense filled story with multiple twists and turns that leaves the reader stunned with the final revelation. This can definitely be read as a stand alone book, but to get to the heart of the family I highly recommend going back and reading the first book in the series The House by the Cemetery to get an in depth picture of who and what is happening. This book held my attention easily and brought a satisfying story to life. I'm not sure if there is more planned in the series or not. If there is not, there were many holes left in the plot ... but there is definitely room here for several more books about this quirky fam. Overall, well developed characters, a spooky backdrop and multiple edge of your seat moments to keep you entertained. Highly recommend the series!
July 26, 2025
Thank you Lisa Child’s for this ARC for my honest review. Let me say that I did not read the first book and I read it without feeling that I was lost or that I had missed anything from not reading the first book in the series. Claire is a Social Worker sent to the town where she use to live, to help out a teenager, Tyler. During this journey, she comes close death. She is on quite the journey during this investigation of Tyler’s murder. Claire is determined to find out what is going on in this town. Is there a serial killer living among them? Is it someone they know? It’s quite possible this is the case with all the missing teens presumed to be runaways. You will never guess the ending. It is quite the shock. This book is suspenseful with a little romance thrown in the mix. I really did enjoy the story.
September 11, 2025
I really liked the first book in this series but this one I had a harder time getting into. I still liked the characters and how the author continued from where she left off though. The book got better as you got further into it, and I was going back and forth on who the villain was, and I was wrong with all my thoughts! I did like the surprise of who was guilty, but the ending was too neatly wrapped up for my liking. I prefer a few rough edges but I did like ending, it was just predictable. I would definitely read another book in this series and I typically really like Lisa Childs work. Maybe my difficulty getting into this one was me and not the book. Overall, I do recommend the book, I would start with book 1 though so you get the whole back story. You can read this as a stand alone but you obviously get more history starting at the beginning.
June 4, 2025
Only the dead within.
if only the dead within could talk.
secrets that have been buried for years.
so many secrets, so many strange happenings at the gold memorial gardens and home and cemetery.
We have a missing teenager's
we have people that are being hurt.
strange things going bump in the night.
The child protective service investigator claire underwood. Once lived in this town as a child now back. She is doing what she can to help children because she knows what it was like to be mistreated and not cared for.
Things that happen bring back memories for her.. there's a killer on the loose. Will they catch the killer before more bodies Go missing.
Absolutely loved everything about this boo.
i would love to see another addition to this series.
if only the dead within could talk.
secrets that have been buried for years.
so many secrets, so many strange happenings at the gold memorial gardens and home and cemetery.
We have a missing teenager's
we have people that are being hurt.
strange things going bump in the night.
The child protective service investigator claire underwood. Once lived in this town as a child now back. She is doing what she can to help children because she knows what it was like to be mistreated and not cared for.
Things that happen bring back memories for her.. there's a killer on the loose. Will they catch the killer before more bodies Go missing.
Absolutely loved everything about this boo.
i would love to see another addition to this series.
June 12, 2025
Claire Underwood is a child protective services investigator. When a teenage boy goes missing, she is being called to investigate but the town of Gold creek, Michigan is filled with tragedies and unpleasant memories. Years ago, she lost a friend and children have been going missing from the Gold Memorial Gardens. The killer is on loose and he must be found. So with thorough investigation, the comes out in light but it’s so terrifying. Author has created such a suspenseful and atmospheric mystery with intriguing characters and some twists. I will be honest, I didn’t guess the killer. I had one suspect but the revelations at the end proved my theory wrong. Anyway so the book will keep you on the edge and it will keep you guessing till the end. Thanks to the Publisher
July 26, 2025
Claire Underwood is back at Gold Creek, Michigan. She is a social worker and is trying to help out a young man named Tyler who may be suffering from domestic abuse. While doing so, she encounters other missing cases. When Tyler is found dead, Claire begins to fear for her life, for Noah Gold and Luke, the town sheriff. Who is disappearing and killing these people? Is it the Gold family that runs the town and has a dark past? The town ghost Lyle McGinty that haunts the cemetery? Or someone close to everyone who hides their killer instincts well?
A must-read for those who enjoy a good cat and mouse game with too many suspects and zero reliable witnesses.
Thank you, Netgalley and Kensington Publishing, for this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
A must-read for those who enjoy a good cat and mouse game with too many suspects and zero reliable witnesses.
Thank you, Netgalley and Kensington Publishing, for this ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
June 27, 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.
July 12, 2025
Lisa Childs delivers a chilling and captivating read! The narrative is expertly paced, building a relentless tension as the detective delves deeper into a case that refuses to stay buried.
The intricate layers of the mystery are compelling, drawing you into a dark world where past and present collide with devastating consequences. This is a gritty, suspenseful read that will keep you guessing and invested until the very last, shocking revelation.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing for a gifted ARC!
The intricate layers of the mystery are compelling, drawing you into a dark world where past and present collide with devastating consequences. This is a gritty, suspenseful read that will keep you guessing and invested until the very last, shocking revelation.
Thank you to Kensington Publishing for a gifted ARC!
July 13, 2025
Only the Dead Within
Lisa Childs
Carrie Underwood - CPS investigator
Luke Sebastian - Sheriff
Carrie was given the case of a child protection Tyler. The more the dug into his case the sooner they found what they didn't want to find. Noah Gold was the grounds keeper of Gold Memorial Gardens. More people had become involved with trying to find the truth of the missing or dead.
Lisa did a fabulous time with this book. She also was great description and great at getting characters match together. I would recommend this book for other readers.
Lisa Childs
Carrie Underwood - CPS investigator
Luke Sebastian - Sheriff
Carrie was given the case of a child protection Tyler. The more the dug into his case the sooner they found what they didn't want to find. Noah Gold was the grounds keeper of Gold Memorial Gardens. More people had become involved with trying to find the truth of the missing or dead.
Lisa did a fabulous time with this book. She also was great description and great at getting characters match together. I would recommend this book for other readers.
July 13, 2025
Only the Dead Within is book #2 in The Grave Digger series & can easily be read as stand-alone,but I would advise that you read The House by the Cemetery first…it gives you a great perspective of what the Gold family is all about. It didn’t take me long to get caught up in the storyline & at times it was hard to put down! The twists & turns are outstanding & kept me guessing whodunit until the very shocking end! This book releases on 7-29 do yourself a favor & grab a copy.
July 23, 2025
CPS worker Claire Underwood comes back to Gold Creek a teen goes missing and she first suspects Noah Gold 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 her 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.
Lisa Childs is the best.
April 7, 2025
Only the Dead Within by Lisa Childs gave me serious chills! Creepy cemeteries, missing teens, and a ghost story? Yes, please. The whole vibe is spooky small town meets dark family drama, and I was hooked from page one. Perfect if you’re into eerie twists and slow burn suspense. Add this page turner to your TBR!
July 22, 2025
Another amazing book by Lisa. There is a murderer who is killing and trying to kill people. Who is the killer? Everyone thinks it’s a member of the Gold’s, but when you find out who it is you will definitely be shocked. Definitely a must read
July 28, 2025
Much of the book is set in a cemetery with a legend that the grave digger haunts it.
Someone is out there killing people. You don’t know who to trust and there is a twist at the end of the story that caught me completely by surprise. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
Someone is out there killing people. You don’t know who to trust and there is a twist at the end of the story that caught me completely by surprise. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.
November 20, 2025
this one was better! i think the author found her stride and it was much more clearly written than the last.
it was tied up all neat and tidy, i really hope there’s not another book because i feel like this story doesn’t need expanding on.
it was tied up all neat and tidy, i really hope there’s not another book because i feel like this story doesn’t need expanding on.
August 4, 2025
This is book 2 in a series - although it's technically a standalone, I would recommend reading book 1 first!
This is a great thriller with some romantic elements thrown in. The story is focused on the FMC, Claire, who used to be a foster child in Gold Creek, Michigan and has now come back to town as a CPS worker. The town is run by the Gold family, a strange family that also runs the cemetery and mortuary. MMC, gravedigger Noah Gold is attracted to Claire and is brought into her investigation through his past connections and a murder in town.
This is a mystery with twists, turns, and a creepy town and family with plenty of secrets to go around. A very fun read, albeit with a lot going on. Readers that enjoy fast-paced thrillers with mystery and romance will enjoy.
Thanks to the ARC team for an advance copy!
This is a great thriller with some romantic elements thrown in. The story is focused on the FMC, Claire, who used to be a foster child in Gold Creek, Michigan and has now come back to town as a CPS worker. The town is run by the Gold family, a strange family that also runs the cemetery and mortuary. MMC, gravedigger Noah Gold is attracted to Claire and is brought into her investigation through his past connections and a murder in town.
This is a mystery with twists, turns, and a creepy town and family with plenty of secrets to go around. A very fun read, albeit with a lot going on. Readers that enjoy fast-paced thrillers with mystery and romance will enjoy.
Thanks to the ARC team for an advance copy!
October 11, 2025
A good twist that keeps the reader wondering what's next and who did it?
August 14, 2025
Only the Dead Within is the second in The Grave Diggers series but can be read as a stand alone story, however I suggest reading the previous story for a little character background as well as the thrill of the series. Claire Underwood is a Child Protective Services agent assigned to assess a teenage boy named Tyler and possibly remove him from an abusive home but locating him is difficult. When her investigation leads her to the Gold Memorial Gardens, she discovers things she wishes she never saw and memories she wishes she could forget. Noah Gold lives on the property of the family funeral/graveyard/mausoleum with all of his money-hungry, conniving family but keeps to his self while taking care of the maintenance and upkeep of the grounds. When a former employee reaches out by text for help, he searches for him while regretting not helping the kid sooner. He and Claire work together to solve the mysteries surrounding the disappearances of several "runaways" which places both of them in danger on numerous occasions. This story is filled with many twists, turns and frightening moments that will have you on the edge of your seat and keeping the lights on well into the night as you try to discover who is behind all the tragedies that occur. The characters are amazingly written and will draw you into the story right along with them.
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher but all thoughts and feelings are my own.
I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher but all thoughts and feelings are my own.
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