A Better Grave than This

A Horde of Dead Poets

by Jessica Cranberry

Truly Butcher is on her way back home after another failed relationship. Left with no money, no job, and no friends, she has only her mother for support. But her mother's been acting...strange—violent even. Faced with her mother's declining health and the realization that these behaviors are more than just the "normal aging process", Truly has to unearth ancestral secrets if she wants to save both her mom and herself.

A Better Grave than This is a standalone installment in A Horde of Dead Poets collection featuring seven authors and their stories inspired by famous literary poems. If you find yourself steering toward a dark, mysterious, isolated location, or if family curses haunt you and unreliable narrators keep you in suspense, you won’t want to miss a single volume in this gripping collection.

Perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher, Simone St. James, Stephen King, and Shirley Jackson.

170 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2025

Reviews

[Oralee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica Cranberry is an author to take note of. A Grave Better Than This is a horror story with a complexity not always found in this genre. Well developed characters you can love or hate and a twisted relationship combine with suspense and terror to craft a really good read.
Try it you'll be pleasantly surprised!
I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review

[Cat B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read this was. A very slow moving horror. Slow but never stagnant. We mainly focus on one family. Some in the past and some in the present, but never jumbled, and never leaving the reader feeling disconnected at all. The main protagonist, Truly Butcher, is a very likeable and relatable character. What happens in the story is meted out deliciously and steadily in a way that keeps the reader going, having to know what is going to happen next. This is the first of Jessica Cranberry's stories that I have read and I do believe I have found a new author to enjoy, most definitely.
I received a copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.

[Zarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

a perfect spooky mystery that will have you binging the entire thing in one night.

[C. Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly Butcher is my kind of character. A determined woman who, despite life's cruelty, has an abundance of grit and determination. And boy does she need it. The sinister and creepy elements in this book had me holding my breath at times and I absolutely love the family power that is passed down from generation to generation. I hope there are more books in this story world because that ending...WOW!!!

[Laurie Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally absorbing, a mix of the supernatural and mystery. Love the twists as the history of hate emerges. Nicely laid out with a mix of current and predecessor narrative which explains how the situation developed. A must for any horror fans too.

[Emily Hazelbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely captivating! It masterfully blends suspense with a cozy, familiar charm, making it impossible to put down. The pacing is perfect, quick yet immersive, and every page keeps you hooked. A must-read that’s totally worth your time!

[Nina Howarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this down. I read through in a single sitting and possibly stayed up past my bedtime to do so. Really enjoyed how the characters were written and how relatable they were for me.

[Billie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.