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The dead call to Jude. His heart calls to Angel. Both could be his undoing.Former Homicide Detective Jude Holt’s gift for raising the dead is as dangerous as it is useful. His transfer from the human division to the supernatural means facing darker crimes, impossible cases—and one infuriatingly hot new partner.

Angel Mao has seen plenty of rookies burn out fast. But Jude is stubborn, reckless, quirky, and far too tempting for a human whose magic attracts shadow monsters at every turn. Together, they’re the only ones who can stop a murderer from ripping open the Veil and leaving bodies in their wake.

Jude isn't sure raising the dead can help him solve a murder—or stay alive long enough to try. But survival means trusting his partner with his life, and his heart.

They transferred me to the Supernatural Enforcement Division because I can see dead people. My new partner is a hot shifter whose idea of a welcome gift is a warning snarl. Between his resting murder-face and my sudden ability to attract every sup in the city, our "grumpy/sunshine" dynamic is less "cute romance" and more "impending disaster." Found family? More like found a bunch of cryptids who think I'm a supernatural juice box.

430 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 22, 2025

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About the author

Lissa Kasey

75 books677 followers
Lissa Kasey is Ace/Aro and ENBY. Lissa's storytelling specializes in in-depth characters, detailed world building, sweet and spicy romance, and twisting plots to keep you clinging to the page.

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5 stars
370 (64%)
4 stars
157 (27%)
3 stars
37 (6%)
2 stars
5 (<1%)
1 star
5 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Molly Otto.
1,566 reviews33 followers
November 7, 2025
Well that is one way to kick off a series. Jude is having a month but hey its all for the good in the end, maybe. Jude is a ball of snarky energy, lover of all cats, who just happens to now have powers no one can wrap their head around. After being ousted for being a variant is sent to the the Supernatural Enforcement Division, SED, without his say to be put with a team that don't trust him. Angel having been with SED for years is paired with Jude and doesn't trust the transfer yet is drawn to protect him. They dont have an easy start but its fun to see how it plays out to see Jude learning his new life along with Angel slowly introducing the bad along with all the good.
Overall it was a fun take on the fated mates genre where they may have attraction immediately but that doesnt mean they don't take their time getting to understand each other. Looking forward to see how their bond strengthens over the books. As well as seeing the rest of SED and how they handle the new changes being sent their way.
Profile Image for Laura Schäfer.
647 reviews3 followers
Did Not Finish
November 28, 2025
DNF’d at 60 %

There wasn’t necessarily anything wrong with this book but Jude was the embodiment of all my insecurities and anxiety problems times 10 and I like reading to forget those, not relive them through fictional main characters….

I found his constant self doubt and need of reassurance incredibly annoying which made me feel like shit because I’ve personally struggled with those things too and still does a lot of the time.

It would’ve been fine if he started to have at least a little positive emotional and confidence development but even at the 60 % mark, it only seemed to get worse…

Maybe I should cut him some slack since his whole world really did upend and all the new, scary and creepy shit that started happening to and around him but I’m just not in the right headspace to be in such a stressed and anxious characters pov.

The romance really didn’t do anything for me either. It just felt weird and awkward.

Profile Image for Suburbancowgirl.
278 reviews8 followers
October 25, 2025
What an awesome beginning to a new series! The world building is strong, yet leaves plenty of questions for future books. The characters are flawed and relatable, the action/mystery is engaging, and the smut is on point - enough to be hot and advance the story, but nothing gratuitous.

Urban fantasy at it's finest, with magic, shifters, vampires, fae, gods, and even a few zombies thrown in for fun! Can't wait for the next book in the series!
Profile Image for Fiona Tewson.
89 reviews4 followers
February 27, 2026
I really enjoyed this first book in the Veiled Mystery series. Jude is a detective who can see dead people. He gets moved to the SED, a place he doesn't really want to go, and meets his new partner Angel Mao and the team. He feels an instant attraction to Angel, but doesn't think they can take it very far. However, Angel has different ideas! Angel is a cat shifter, and the team are all made up of supernatural beings, Jude being the only human. They get together and it's great to see how their relationship develops in the book as well as the relationship that Jude has with the rest of the team.

It's the first book I've read by Lissa Kasey, but I'm eager to read more, especially this series.
Profile Image for Lee Hall.
1,319 reviews7 followers
January 8, 2026
Grave Beginnings

This was an epic book! I loved the characters and the veil effecting the real world. It gave a new perspective to the story. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Yuli Atta.
1,045 reviews98 followers
December 28, 2025
This was such a good book. I happened upon it on accident and devoured it so fast. I'm already in live with all the characters and canr believe the sequel isn't out yet
Profile Image for Jessica.
375 reviews18 followers
December 13, 2025
I wasn't sure I was going to like this in the first few pages- too many similes and metaphors right at the get to...but the author stopped and I ended up really loving this. the "fated mate" almost "insta love" was well done, I lile that the asshole characters are still assholes- but that Angel got over himself and apologized. I think this is a great beginning for what seems like will be an interesting storyline.
dual pov
1st P
strict so far but Mc's are vers
no Bu
no sharing
shitty ex
mc beat up by ex
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Teresa Roberts.
8 reviews
February 6, 2026
I hate cliffhangers

Good but cliffhanger warning would have been appreciated- I would have waited for the second book to be released before reading
2 reviews
December 9, 2025
Excellent

This was a good books , fun but build up was slow, but ended ok loved the characters in the book
218 reviews
December 9, 2025
Amazing Beginning!

Wow, fantastic start to a new series. I was hooked from the very beginning. I loved Jude and Angel as a couple. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for meep.
768 reviews16 followers
December 4, 2025
I really liked this book. It was very unique yet it resembled a lot of my favorite stories. I loved all the characters and can’t wait for the next book !
Profile Image for Cynthia M Brow.
1,436 reviews19 followers
November 10, 2025
Grave Beginnings is the first book in the A Beyond the Veil Mystery series. This is a unique take on the paranormal world. It is the story of Jude a former police detective who has just found out he has paranormal abilities and is transferred to supernatural division. Jude's ability is necromancey with a bit more thrown in. His new partner is Angel a shifter and boy is there attraction between them. I couldn't put this book down once I started it. I loved how unique the story was. The world building and character development are so good that it's easy to get pulled into the story. I loved the plot and all the action. I felt like I just wanted to hug Jude and some of the other people in the story. I really can't say enough about how good this book was. I can't wait for the next book in the series. I would definitely recommend this book as a 5 star read.
Profile Image for Demetra Roussakis.
1,583 reviews15 followers
November 15, 2025
This is book 1 in this series and it grabbed me from page one. Jude has been a homicide detective for 12 years when one call to a daycare put him in the hospital and labeled him a variant. After his 2 week stay at the hospital he is told by his captain that he is being transferred to the Supernatural division. What follows is Jude working with his new partner Angel, a felid shifter, whose magics mix very well. As the story continues, we learn that Jude can talk to the dead and is helping his new work place deal with the veil. This book is told in Jude’s point of view and I am loving it. Cannot wait to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Becky A.
2,091 reviews
March 3, 2026
"Grave Beginnings" received FOUR stars.

Didn’t want to put this down! ❤️

The novel gained *stars* for these items:

* gained for: "The book caught my interest in the first five pages."

* gained for: "I thought about the book when I was forced to set it down and re-enter society."

* gained for: "There were no info dumps, poor writing, or copy edit mistakes that jerked me out of the story."

* gained for: "I was sad when the book ended. I wanted more!"

The novel failed to gain stars for this item:

NO STAR gained for: "That's it. I'm hooked on this author. I will automatically try anything she/he/they writes."

Profile Image for Raven and Chris.
3,427 reviews32 followers
November 10, 2025
Oh wow. Color me intrigued. Jude’s story latched onto my imagination and ran with it. This story was so good! I loved Jude and Angel. The world building for this is extremely fascinating and I was hooked from the first chapter. I could not put this book down. Jude’s new team is a pretty awesome found family, even if there are some supreme jerks in the department. I can’t wait to see what happens next with this series. I also adore Ivan and Grandpa.
Profile Image for Valeria Orlando.
391 reviews20 followers
November 1, 2025
I liked it
it reminds me if Michele Notaro's Magi account series
I didn't like that it ended abruptly
and didn't understand the use of a condom during sex and you'll see why when you read it
Profile Image for Charlie.
10 reviews1 follower
November 2, 2025
I loved it! It had everything I like in a book. I can't wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Nicole.
300 reviews
November 3, 2025
Thrilling and Cute

There is just enough angst to keep you reading and there is just enough cute to keep you smiling. Love Jude and Angel.
Profile Image for Choyang.
617 reviews4 followers
February 6, 2026
'Grave Beginnings' (A Beyond the Veil Mystery, #1)
(Kindle) written by Lissa Kasey

(review: Feb.2026)

"Ye gods & little fishes!" This is an amazing, convoluted world-building, character driven tale! Loved it!

I'm sure you-all can read the set-up blurb for yourselves, so I'll try not to be redundant. (grin)

The details that the author has created about this world took a great deal of thought and planning, imagining worlds so vast and intertwined that this first book in this series just cracks a peek into it...and has us readers staggering back in horror & fear, looking for an escape route before we too are gobbled up by the evil that hides in the shadows!

For those of you who have read any of H. P. Lovecraft's tales in the Cthulhu Mythos, et al,
of the ancient powerful otherworldly evil "gods", you may recognize some things about parts of this world that involve the rifts tearing between "The Veil" (amorphous portals to other realms, not human friendly) and our ordinary reality! Not only creepy, but downright deadly, especially when the dead start to possess the living...or kill them and sometimes eat them!

Great simmering attraction between the ex-police detective, Jude, now a member of the "Spook Squad" investigations of paranormal crimes, and the big Leopard-shifter, Angel, ex-military and longtime part of these covert operations, now having to deal with the newbie recruit assigned to his team.

On top of all that, Jude is dealing with care-giving his grandpa, along with a 16-year old younger brother he's never met, who was born after Jude was kicked out of his homophobic parents home when he was caught kissing a boy! His younger brother was just kicked out for the same reasons, and thankfully contacts their grandpa for help.

I loved watching Jude as he discovers previously untapped paranormal talents, especially as he learns to trust his instincts in navigating this aspect of the world that was mostly unknown to him.

And I loved seeing how Angel and Jude warily dance around their attraction to each other! Some of this is pretty funny, but some...not so much, as they are forced into dealing with the undead, while at the same time learning how to rely on each other, and more!

This storyline was so enticing I could barely put it down to even eat or sleep much...(work? what's that? lol)!

Author: well done, you!
(can't wait to read the next books in this series! This one does end on a cliffhanger, but I didn't really mind... anticipation rocks! )

~ ♠︎ ~~~♠︎~~~♠︎~~~♠︎~~~ ♠︎ ~
Trigger warnings: parental abuse, school & workplace harassment & abuse, ex-boyfriend/hookup abuse, police abuse, and attempted murder by humans & other "things".
~~~~~~~~~♠︎~~~♠︎~~~♠︎~~~~~~~~~~~~

What an interesting and compelling storyline; can't wait to read more!

Two thumbs up! 👍👍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for SNik.
730 reviews23 followers
November 17, 2025
First in series (A Beyond the Veil Mystery). Paranormal. Coworkers. Fated mates. Found family. POC representation. Slow burn. Single POV. Mild cliffhanger. Heed content warnings.

Homicide detective Jude has been designated with a variant power, and now that he can see and speak with the dead he has been assigned to the Supernatural Enforcement Division and is totally unprepared. His hot, shifter partner Angel doesn’t seem too happy about Jude’s assignment, but they are immediately thrown deep into an investigation where Jude might have some answers.

An amazing and thrilling start to a new series, this story is full of an interesting world build and intriguing characters, humans, human variants and supernatural beings all forced to live and work together. Usually I’m not a fan of piece-meal information being given throughout a book, but Jude’s fish out of water adventure was so entertaining, he is overwhelmed with family problems, past history trauma, a new job where he is out of his depth, and a potential love interest that is protective and unexpectedly thoroughly committed to Jude. Absolutely invested in Angel and Jude, every interaction between them was compelling and swoony, they both are loyal, intelligent and capable, and I can’t wait to read more about their supernatural investigations.
Profile Image for MyDoRyS.
1,113 reviews4 followers
December 20, 2025
My reviews are my own. If you liked this book, I’m glad you enjoyed it. If not, I respect your opinion.  This is merely my opinion, so let's keep it courteous. My review is honest and voluntary.

Other than the lame "romance" and cheap lines, the main story was a good idea. I just wish they focused more on the investigative side of the story rather than the pathetic sexual exchange between MCs. I just skipped over it since it was SOOOOOOO lousy. I mean, shouldn't you have been worried about finding a killer rather than dryhumping in the office the SECOND day you met, with a co-worker? Are these characters supposed to be in their late 30s through 40s? The dialogue is so awkward and immature.

Also, did this author just discover modern Asia? There is so much Asian-related food, entertainment, and commentary that it feels like someone's first trip to Asia, very touristy and Americanized.

They also spend so much time on food that this book would have made more sense as bakery owners than as police. Anyway, the overall story was interesting, but it was poorly and cheaply developed. I will be dropping this series. Maybe this author is not for me. 
On to my next adventure, Happy Readings!!!
Profile Image for Willow.
52 reviews
January 11, 2026
Fun, funny, edge of my seat. I thought the world building here was excellent. I’m so excited it’s a new series because it opened up so many doors and avenues for the story to continue. Also, as a cat lover myself, there are soooooooo many cats in this story!

I loved Jude because he felt so real and covered up his many vulnerabilities with his standard-issue armor of sarcasm, sass, pop culture references, and eyeliner. Angel is kind of a dick at first but whoah is he also a protective caretaker who just wants his mate to get a solid night of sleep and for his coworkers to stop treating said mate as a supernatural juice box.

Ivan, Grandpa, and Nikki are excellent side characters (and give our MC a *life* outside his job and new relationship, which is sometimes rare in this genre) and the whole team and coworkers in this supernatural police department of sorts is fascinating.

A bit tropey perhaps but unique enough to be worth getting into. Plenty of sexual tension that resolved nicely. When the plot gets moving or there’s an intense action sequence, I’m on the edge of my seat wondering what horror might come next but then we get cake. Can’t wait for the next in series.
Profile Image for Jandee.
914 reviews3 followers
March 24, 2026
This book is fun, intense, intriguing, and utterly epic!

I have the biggest crush on Jude. He's so adorable. He just keeps leveling up. He's a total badass. He's over here worrying about whether or not his little brother has eaten while he's literally dying. It's so sweet how he takes care of him and his grandpa.
And Angel is so hot! I love how devoted he is to Jude, and his possessiveness is yummy. I love them.
I love this story! It's been a long time since I've found a book that's this all consuming. I'm so intrigued by it that I wish I could put the real world on pause and just give all of my attention to consuming this book. I also slowed down at 60% because I'm sad it's closer to ending. 😂
Some of it is dark or gruesome but then there's all these moments of hilarity and I was laughing so much reading this. It kinda balances out. This book is so well written. I'm so excited to start the next book!
Profile Image for Diane.
1 review
January 1, 2026
Grave Beginnings, the first book in Lissa Kasey's new series, is fantastic. From the moment I started reading I was hooked. Lissa's characters and the world(s) they inhabit are so well crafted you want to delve deeper and learn more.

Jude Holt is a young, gifted homicide detective in a world that has been all but destroyed by a tear in the veil between worlds. All sorts of otherworldly creatures are coming through to the human world and Jude is touched and changed by these supernatural forces.

A younger brother he never knew, a beautiful man he is inexplicably drawn to and a powerful gift he never asked for have all altered the course of his life.

I found myself racing through the pages with my heart pounding and every nerve in my body on edge as I followed along with Jude's story. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
Profile Image for Stacy.
47 reviews
November 9, 2025
In a world where everything you are can change in a heartbeat and the Darkness invites you to play, what will you do to survive?
I received this book as an ARC at my own request.
I saw this book several times before I decided to try it, but I am extremely glad that I did! I wasn't sure what I expected when I started it, but I was impressed with the world building and character development Lissa Kasey brought to the table.

If you enjoyed Hell & High Water by Charlie Cochet or The Ties that Bind Us by Michele Notaro, you will love this book.
Profile Image for K-Me.
3,000 reviews
November 21, 2025
I am so happy to have Lissa Kasey back with a new series for my kindle! This was a stunning series starter. Great world building and a plot involving detectives. Jude is a bit all over the place as he is learning his new abilities alongside a hot shifter of a partner, Angel. I really liked the chemistry that is ever building between these two. It is a bit of a cliffy so hang tight! This is Single POV which works well for the start, but I would love if some of the following books branched out to both POV's.
164 reviews
January 16, 2026
4 stars

Jude is transferred to a new paranormal law enforcement division when he suddenly manifests death magic at a crime scene. There he meets Angel, his new partner. The first day on the job they get a case with roots that travel deep. This story has a lot of action and mystery with a slow burn romance. There is a possessive and protective main character, fated mates, the plot is fast paced, and the characters were believable. Overall I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next installment. Spice level: 1
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews