Deeper Than the Grave

Tai Randolph Mysteries #4

by Tina Whittle

It's taken almost a year, but Tai Randolph has her new life together. She's running a semi-successful Atlanta gun shop catering to Civil War re-enactors. Her lover, the sexy-if-security-obsessed Trey Seaver, is sorting out his challenges. There's not a single corpse on her horizon, and her previously haphazard existence is finally stable, secure... and unsurprising. Then a tornado blows by a Kennesaw Mountain cemetery, scattering the skeletal remains of a Confederate hero. Assisting the bones recovery effort is a job her late Uncle Dexter would have relished, as does Tai. Does she hit the jackpot on discovering a jumble of bones in the underbrush? No. The bones reveal a more recent murder, with her deceased uncle leading the suspect list. As Tai struggles to clear Dexter's name - and save the business he left her - she uncovers deadly secrets were also buried in the red Georgia clay. And realizes there's a live murderer on the loose, a clever killer who has tried to conceal the crimes of the present in the stories of the past. As she risks her own life to unravel two mysteries - one from a previous century, one literally at her doorstep - Tai rediscovers her dangerous taste for murder and mayhem.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller

294 pages, Hardcover

First published November 4, 2014

About the author

Tina Whittle’s Tai Randolph/Trey Seaver series — featuring intrepid gunshop owner Tai and her corporate security agent partner Trey — has garnered starred reviews in Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and Library Journal. Published by Poisoned Pen Press, this Atlanta-based series debuted with The Dangerous Edge of Things, followed by Darker Than Any Shadow (2012), Blood, Ash and Bone (2013), Deeper Than the Grave (2015), and Reckoning and Ruin (2017). The sixth book in the series — Necessary Ends — was released in April 2018.

A Derringer finalist and two-time nominee for Georgia Author of the Year, Whittle has published her short fiction in The Savannah Literary Journal, Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine, and Gulf Stream, which selected her story “Lost Causes and Other Reasons to Live” as the 2004 winner of their Mystery Fiction contest. When not writing or reading, she enjoys boxing, sushi, tarot reading, and spending time with her family (one husband, one daughter, and one neurotic Maltese).

Reviews

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great series, good writing, great characters, well plotted and character growth for both Trey and Tye. This one goes back to the bones of the civil war, racial relations often hidden to “preserve the purity of a line 🙄” and the length people go to keep long hidden secrets buried in the grave.

[Monette Michaels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another stellar entry to the Tai Randolph series. The mystery is an intricate puzzle that weaves past murders to a present day death. This book like the third delves deeply into the remnants of the old South and takes a sharp look at race relations and family ties.

But what stands out for me is the growth in the intimate relationship between Tai and Trey. Both are still dealing with issues from their pasts: Tai's are more emotional and deal with family and her deep mistrust of opening herself to love, and Trey's are a result of his horrific car accident that took away his life as he knew it.

When we met these characters in book one, they were both stuck in a looping mire of their pasts. But with each book, Trey, with Tai's help, has adapted and loosened up the rigid rituals that he needed in order to survive the loss of his sense of self and his job as a SWAT team member. Tai has benefited from partnering with Trey. She can trust Trey since he is open, honest, and incapable of lying to her in action or words. They complement one another -- need one another, and never more so than in this current mystery in which they become involved (I don't want to go into more details for fear of spoilers - it really is a great murder mystery).

Ms. Whittle is a master of sense of time and place. Her lean narrative is evocative, juxtaposing the South of the past with the modern day South. Especially in this book and book three, the tentacles of the past still have their grasp on today's inhabitants of Whittle's Georgia. Her voice is one of hope for today's South, but flavored with a big dash of cynicism. The author realizes the oft-stated principle -- we are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past.

I do recommend reading the series in order since the relationship between Tai and Trey is as much a part of this series as the unique mystery they solve in each book. I love these two and look forward to the next installment, not just for the mysteries which are always well done, but for the love story between two complex and somewhat damaged people who grow stronger because they've found one another. Whittle's books are on my re-read often list - because they lure me in with well-written prose, challenge me with intricate plotting, and are emotionally satisfying.

Review was done on an advanced review copy provided by the publisher. I will buy the book in both e-book and print because I have all the others in both formats. I love these books. You should, too.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tai gets swept into a complicated situation when she is called in by a friend of her uncle's to try to find some bones a civil war hero after a tornado destroys his fancy mausoleum. Tai's search has her recovering much more recent bones. The bones belong to Lucius Dufrene and the last person to see him alive might have been her late Uncle Dexter. Tai has to get involved to clear her uncle's name.

Tai's investigation has her looking at the black market in civil war memorabilia, a drug traficking ring, and some of the best families of the Old South. While she is doing this, she is also worried because Trey is nearing the anniversary of the accident that caused his traumatic brain injury. Previous years have had him shutting down and retreating to his apartment for the day. Tai doesn't know what she can do to help him.

Both Tai and Trey are damaged people who have build nice solid brick walls to protect themselves. However, being in a relationship means that they both have to break down their walls. This isn't an easy or pain-free project for either of them.

I enjoyed the mystery and really enjoyed watching Tai and Trey's relationship develop. Fans on non-standard detectives will find much to enjoy in this series.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tri Randolph is working on getting gun shop ready to open when she receives a phone call that tornado has destroyed the grave site of Confederate solider. Tri and Trey head out to the area to help with the recovery of the bones. Tri finds the skull and call 911 and the coroner takes procession of the skull much to the dismay of the Amberdecker family. Trey is working on security issues at the gun store as there have been false alarms. One of the gun shop neighbors is causing problems. Tri needs to learn about the skull to clear Uncle Dexter's name or she might lose the gun shop. This is a first for me but I have added the eariler books to my TBR list.

Full Disclosure: I RECEIVED a free copy from Poison Pen Press through Netgalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for the opportunity to read and review this book. The opinions are my own.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tai Randolph is the owner of a gun shop in Atlanta that specializes in Civil War re-enactment relics along with run-of-the-mill firearms and ammo. Formerly owned by her Uncle Dexter, Tai has organized the inventory and has settled in, making the business profitable in the process.

Her boyfriend, Trey Seaver, has beefed up security for the shop. As a corporate security agent, and former FBI agent, he is obsessed with keeping Tai safe. She finds his security measures equally aggravating and endearing, but thinks he has crossed the line due to problems he has had in the past, including an accident, that has left him with a brain injury.

Tai admits the security is good to have around the shop as there have been several times her system has detected attempted breaches. She suspects the neighboring business owner, who is trying to run the gun shop out of business by any means possible, going as far as not allowing video surveillance in the alley because it is “her property”.

A storm is brewing, both figuratively and literally for Tai. A tornado rips through the area, causing untold damage to Kennesaw Mountain Cemetery, the final resting place for Braxton Amberdecker. The Civil War hero’s grave is damaged and his bones are missing. Tai and Trey are called upon to help locate them. When a skull is found by Tai, the search is called off, but the police are not happy. These remains cannot be those of Amberdecker, because a NASCAR belt buckle accompanies the bones.

The police suspect Tai, who starts digging for the truth with Trey’s reluctant help. When her dead Uncle Dexter if pulled into the investigation, she really heats up her search for the true killer, putting herself in more danger than she has bargained for.

Deeper Than The Grave is Whittle’s fourth book in the Tai Randolph Mystery series. I love the plot twists and energy that made me read “just one more chapter” every time I tried to put this book down. Tai is like a crazy friend you love to spend time with and Trey is vulnerable, edgy, and unpredictable all bundled into a gorgeous package. The two main characters interact beautifully together.

This is the first book I have read in the series. It worked as a stand-alone novel for me, but I hesitate to jump in with both feet saying it will work for everyone. Some questions remain unanswered as to what happened in the past with Trey’s accident as well as Tai and Trey’s relationship. This may bother some readers, but did not especially bother me. It is a solid, interesting story that leaves me wanting to know more, so I’ll go back and read the first two novels in this series to fill in the gaps. I looked at it as meeting someone new that was reluctant to share all of his or her past all at once, but as they became more comfortable, I learned more.

The other really great thing about this book is the last few pages of Author’s Notes. Whittle shares her Pinterest name (tinawh) where you can see her boards about the Civil War, Tai and Trey, Deeper Than the Grave Research and much more. If you are on Pinterest, I highly recommend searching her out to add another layer of interest to reading her books.

Copyright © 2014 Laura Hartman
DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy that I can keep for consideration in preparing to write this content. I was not expected to return this item after my review.

[Mahala Church · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tina Whittle has a gift for writing tense scenes and troubled characters. Tai Randolph, the young protagonist, and her love interest, Trey Seaver, an ex-FBI agent, who suffers from PTSD after a critical head injury add an undercurrent to the story that effectively builds tension throughout the book. Tai has inherited her uncle’s Atlanta gun shop and worked hard to get it back on its feet, no thanks to her neighboring shop owner, who throws one obstacle after another at Tai to force her to move on. Trey installs security systems, which don’t always live up to their hype. The gun shop caters to Civil War enactors, a unique group of people who add an extra dimension of history to this well-written story.
When a Civil War hero’s ancient grave is tossed by a tornado that sets down in North Georgia, more than skeletal remains are sent flying. Plot twists reign in this mystery/thriller as Trey approaches the annual anniversary that usually sends him spiraling into chaos, the gun shop is almost destroyed, the rich, a prominent Southern family fights the investigation, a little grave complicates things, and a young, unexpected visitor keeps you on your toes. Whittle is a pro at revving up the tension and pacing it just right to keep the readers attention. It certainly kept mine engaged.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those of you who have grown tired of the Nina Wilde and Eddie Chases series, this one is for you. This is the first Tai Raddolph book I have read. I can assure you I just added the others to my Kindle. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. So many things connected me with what was going on. I grew up in the area covered by this book. I lived right near Kennesaw Mountain and spend a lot of time at Stone Mountain and points in between. It's always interesting to get to connect on that level with a book. The background really comes alive as you meld in all the things you remember with the picture the author is painting. The characters are perfectly flawed and display the Southern attitude without stereotypes. Very few authors can get this right, and Tina Whittle is one of them that can. Action keeps the pages turning and the mystery is just enough out of reach that it kept me guessing almost to the end. The backstory was filled in just enough so you aren't lost in the history of the characters but not so much that it seems like you are reading another book all over again. One of my new favorites in the action genre. Move over Andy McDermott, you've been replaced.

[Zita H. K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an interesting mystery crime novel with the flavor of the South. The main characters Tai and Trey are the perfect couple, they complement each other both in life and in the investigation of crime. Deeper Than the Grave is the fourth book in Tai Randolph Mysteries, but can be read as the first, although I think that the series will follow the development of the relationship between Tai and Trey, so it would be a good idea to read the previous books. At a time when Tai thinks her life is finally calm, then tornado reveal bones of Confederate soldier and consequently the current murder. And in this murder the prime suspect is Dexter – uncle of Tai, who was the previous owner of the gun shop, which now Tai manages. Crime plot is very sophisticated, the whole time the readers feel like they actually chasing a killer on the pages of the book, and mainly, it ideally incorporated both past and present of the South.
I would highly recommend this book to any reader who likes a good mystery novel with interesting heroes and a little bit of history.

---I recieved my copy via Netgalley in exchange for honest review.---

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tai Randolph is determined to make a go of her uncle’s Atlanta gun shop, which caters to the Civil War Reenactor crowd. One of the added perks of the north Georgia location is the relative proximity of her boyfriend, security expert Trey Seaver. Though both Tai and Trey suffer from PTSD, Tai’s worries don’t stop her from trying to figure out what happened to Private Braxton Amberdecker’s missing bones. After a tornado blew through the area, the Civil War soldier’s coffin was shattered revealing another’s bones where his should have been.

The current crop of Amberdeckers suspect Tai’s late uncle, among others, as having something to do with the desecration and grave robbing. Tai redoubles her efforts to clear her uncle’s good name. Trey and Tai team up for the case as they grapple their way around the “L” word.

Tina Whittle is a Wordslinger Extraordinaire. Every page of Deeper Than The Grave is a rich tapestry of words to savor. Trust me, you’ll want to read this one slow and enjoy all the imagery. Who else would think to describe a sky as having the ponderous weight of a mudslide? I totally get her writing style, and I’m ready for Book Five in this compelling series.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tai Randolph is making a go at running a gun and ammo shop she inherited from her late uncle, geared toward Civil War reenactors in Georgia. When a twister hits the Atlanta area and levels Kennesaw Cemetary, Tai and her boyfriend Trey Seaver are enlisted to find the missing bones of a Confederate soldier. Tai finds bones, all right, but not from the Civil War era! With these more recent remains Tai finds herself embroiled in another murder mystery, setting to prove her late uncle wasn't involved. Another fun installment as Tai's relationship with Trey (an ex-cop who survived a terrible accident) evolves. This mystery is the fourth installment with Tai and Trey, an intricately interwoven story highlighting the Civil War with the modern-day South. To get the complete low-down on the story of Tai and Trey, I do recommend starting at the beginning of the series with "The Dangerous Edge of Things."

[Genie McFate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the agony of waiting for a new book from the public library! At least, I was number one on the waitlist :).

It’s wonderful when a book you’ve been waiting for meets and exceeds your expectations. Tina Whittle’s Deeper than the Grave, is another great addition to her series featuring Tai Randolph, a gun shop owner, and Trey Seaver, corporate security agent.

A tornado comes through town, tearing up the land, and revealing the dead secrets of the past and present. Relic hunters and artifact preservationists, Civil War reenactors and the protectors of an Old Southern family’s past clash. Tai and Trey dig into the mystery while also dealing with the psychological fallout from their previous adventure in Blood, Ash, and Bone.

Whittle ends her story with a visit from a mysterious stranger, setting the stage for another great adventure in book five.

Oh, the agony of having to wait a whole year to find out what happens next!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character of the book, Tai Randolph is preparing to open a gun shop catering to Civil War enactors in Atlanta. A tornado comes through the town and destroys The Kennesaw Mountain cemetery. As it does so, it scatters the bones of a Civil War hero. While trying to help find all the bones, Tai comes upon a skull which turns out to be that of a recent murder victim. Her uncle becomes a suspect for this murder and Tai decides to help prove him innocent. Really enjoyed this read. The author has a great writing style and the book is filled with fun characters. Certainly makes me want to read the previous three books of the series.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tai Randolph owns a gun shop, but she comes to the aid of a friend of her late uncle when a tornado strikes near the Kennesaw Mountain battlefield. Among other damage, the tornado wrecked the tomb of a Confederate soldier, whose descendents still own the land. But Tai finds a newer skeleton on the property. Despite the wishes of her boyfriend Trey, she feels she must investigate, as her uncle is a suspect in the killing. The Atlanta tourist bureau might not like this one--in addition to a tornado, it features an ice-and-snow storm.

[Kay Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently one of a series, there is a lot of referencing events in former books which gets annoying. The main character sells guns and confederate flags, not exactly my area of interest, but she is well developed. The boyfriend is reduced to a series of tics and tensing of muscles while dress in Armani and driving a Ferrari. The mystery is silly and the characters not compelling enough for another try.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would have enjoyed this mystery anyway, but the use of the January 2014 polar vortex event when I myself was struggling through Atlanta made it especially interesting, as did the part played by Civil War reenactors, as my son has done that.

[A. Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love, love, love Tai and Tre. The only reason I didn't give it five stars, was that darn mystery kept getting in the way of their story. ;)

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always, a good read. This is the latest in this series about a female gunshop owner, but way out of the 'cozy' mystery genre.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Deeper than the Grave", fourth in the Tai Randolph series, is the best so far.
As Tai and Trey search for Confederate remains missing from a mausoleum after a storm they discover bones, just not the ones they were looking for.
The bones are more recent and other evidence found with them seems to point the finger at Tai's late uncle, Dexter, former owner of her gun shop.
Meanwhile the anniversary of Trey's accident is fast approaching and everyone is concerned that he may go off the rails. Tai comes up with an idea to take his mind off it - Trey should try to seduce her - but it may be beyond his limited social skills.
There's a lot happening in the book - the laundry detergent, in particular, was a nice touch (and one I had never come across before).
The ending is solid and memorable and the final lines provide an intriguing hook for the next book in the series.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

These two have adult probs.

[Tom Stadler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good yarn with interesting blend of historical reference to complicate the plot.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeper Than the Grave is the fourth book in the Tai Randolph Mystery series by author Tina Whittle. Once again, we are back in Atlanta at the gun shop Tai inherited from her Uncle Dexter. Tai's boyfriend Trey Seaver is back as well. They are both fascinating people and make the Tai Randolph series stand out from others. Their relationship evolves and progresses with each novel in the series.

Amidst dealing with false alarms at the gun shop, a tornado rips through the area. The tornado churns through the Kennesaw Mountain cemetery exposing bones from the past. But some bones aren't from as far back as the grave marker states. The bones in the grave of Civil War
Private Braxton Amberdecker are not his but from a more recent time. And the evidence points to Uncle Dexter. Can Tai figure out who the real murderer is before she possibly could lose her shop?

Deeper Than the Grave is filled with twists and turns. The South of the past is intertwined with the modern South. Very interesting read. Always a pleasure to read a well written murder mystery.

Deeper Than the Grave can be read as a stand alone novel however I recommend reading the first three books so that you can fully understand the relationship between Tai and Trey. Already looking forward to Tina Whittle's next book.

You can view Tina's Pinterest board here: https://www.pinterest.com/tinawh/deep...

[Mahala Church · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tina Whittle has a gift for writing tense scenes and troubled characters. Tai Randolph, the young protagonist, and her love interest, Trey Seaver, an ex-FBI agent, who suffers from PTSD after a critical head injury add an undercurrent to the story that effectively builds tension throughout the book. Tai has inherited her uncle’s Atlanta gun shop and worked hard to get it back on its feet, no thanks to her neighboring shop owner, who throws one obstacle after another at Tai to force her to move on. Trey installs security systems, which don’t always live up to their hype. The gun shop caters to Civil War enactors, a unique group of people who add an extra dimension of history to this well-written story.

When a Civil War hero’s ancient grave is tossed by a tornado that sets down in North Georgia, more than skeletal remains are sent flying. Plot twists reign in this mystery/thriller as Trey approaches the annual anniversary that usually sends him spiraling into chaos, the gun shop is almost destroyed, the rich, a prominent Southern family fights the investigation, a little grave complicates things, and a young, unexpected visitor keeps you on your toes. Whittle is a pro at revving up the tension and pacing it just right to keep the readers attention. It certainly kept mine engaged.

[Terry Odell · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Favorite So Far

Tina Whittle continues her Tai Randolph/Trey Seaver series with another winner. She deftly weaves in history along with her mystery. This is the kind of book I love to re-read—the first time for the developing relationship between Tai and Trey, and another time for the mystery. Tai understands that Trey's brain isn't wired the same way it was before his accident, but her love for him makes it worth the effort. Trey needs to be in control of his life, and as the series progresses, he's discovering that it's not always possible, and watching him deal with fitting 'real life' into his neatly ordered system adds layers of depth to the book.
As always, Whittle's prose is rich and fits Tai's personality perfectly. As for the mystery—as expected, Tai is trying to avoid involvement. She's had enough of being a suspect, but when a tornado unearths skeletal remains, and her uncle is on the suspect list, she can't say no to doing some investigating. Wittle blends two murders--one past and one present without a hint of authorial contrivance.

[Genie McFate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, the agony of waiting for a new book from the public library! At least, I was number one on the waitlist :).

It’s wonderful when a book you’ve been waiting for meets and exceeds your expectations. Tina Whittle’s Deeper than the Grave, is another great addition to her series featuring Tai Randolph, a gun shop owner, and Trey Seaver, corporate security agent.

A tornado comes through town, tearing up the land, and revealing the dead secrets of the past and present. Relic hunters and artifact preservationists, Civil War reenactors and the protectors of an Old Southern family’s past clash. Tai and Trey dig into the mystery while also dealing with the psychological fallout from their previous adventure in Blood, Ash, and Bone.

Whittle ends her story with a visit from a mysterious stranger, setting the stage for another great adventure in book five.

Oh, the agony of having to wait a whole year to find out what happens next!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tai has inherited her Uncle Dexter's gun shop. Due to a tornado, the grave of Pvt. Braxton Amberdecker have scattered his bones all over the cemetery. But the cursory examination of the bones are someone else's -- the bones are Lucius Dufrene who is a convicted thief that worked for Uncle Dexter. With some digging makes Tai and her boyfriend Trey, they believe that the reason Lucius's bones in Braxton's grave has as much to do with Braxton as with Lucius. How will Tai discover the connection between the two corpses or will she?

Whittle writes an intriguing mystery. She does an excellent job intertwining Civil War relics with modern day re-enactors. It is filled with twists and turns. It is a mystery that can stand alone. I say this as I haven't read her three earlier novels.

Disclaimer: I received this book free from the author/publisher. I was not obliged to write a favourable review, or even any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Gay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tai Randolph has the gun shop in Atlanta, formerly owned by her Uncle Dexter, and also sells items to Civil War re-enactors. Her boyfriend, Trey Seaver, is a security consultant who keeps adding more equipment to her already-secure shop and home above it.
The story concerns a skeleton found after a tornado on the grounds of Kennesaw Mountain cemetery, of a civil war hero--supposedly. The bones turn out to be of a more recent victim which poses the question of who the bones belong to, why were they in the wrong coffin—and where are the old bones? Unfortunately, her Uncle Dexter, even though deceased himself, is a suspect in the murder. Someone wants the old bones back. When Tai discovers a backpack belonging to the murdered man, she finds more bones. Someone wants those, too. Fascinating story. Poisoned Pen Press.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free through goodreads first reads.
Tai Randolph is a very well built character, the author made a good research about the civil war to write this, and the various plot twists of this story made it very entertaining.
It was an interesting mistery, i guess i have to find the previous books of this series.
it was a book out of my schemes, and i liked it.

[Jack Goodstein · Rating 3 out of 5]

The problem with reading the 4th in a series without having read the others is that you either get a lot of information about continuing characters that you really don't understand. It is almost as if the author is trying her best to get you to go back to the earlier books.

In this case you get a complicated story about Civil War relics and family reputation.

[Charlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great combination of mystery and history told with interesting characters. Tai is starting a new life running the gun shop her uncle left her as she deals with the retired professional sniper mental problems and the near by shop owner who wants her out of the strip mall. It was a slow start but certain is griping as it goes along.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always afraid the next book in this series will disappoint, but not so far. I just love these characters, and the mysteries are well-crafted too. Perfect suspense.