The Dead of Cypress Creek

by T.M. Downing

Are the dead worth fighting for?

Seventeen-year-old Vivian Ports has always lived amongst the dead. As the daughter of a groundskeeper, she’s found comfort living within the iron gates of Cypress Creek Cemetery. After all, the dead can’t hurt you like the living can. But when a grave robber targets Cypress Creek, and an accident leaves her father unable to work, Vivian faces losing the only home she’s ever known.

That’s when Jesse Britten enters her life. When he appears on her doorstep—confused, amnesic, and wearing a Civil War reenactment costume—he quickly becomes Vivian’s solution to saving her home. The handsome, yet perplexing, boy takes over groundskeeping duties for her father, all in exchange for a place to stay. It doesn’t take long, however, for Vivian to see that there is something deeply wrong about Jesse. He knows nothing about modern life, refuses to speak of his past, and carries a bullet scar over his heart that should have killed him. Because Jesse is a Union soldier who died in 1863, then resurrected when his grave was disturbed.

Jesse and Vivian work together to learn the secret behind Jesse’s second chance at life, and a romance blooms that shakes Vivian’s defenses. But as the grave robber continues to stalk the cemetery, and a strange gang begins terrorizing her small town, Vivian realizes something more sinister than stealing from the dead is going on. If she can’t stop the forces closing in around them, not even the dead will be safe.

311 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2025

Reviews

[Nilly Munoz]

Arc read, honest review: I just finished The Dead of Cypress Creek, and I can honestly say it completely blew me away! From the very first page, it had me hooked. The story is full of twists and turns that kept me guessing right up until the end, and every chapter made me want to read “just one more.”
The characters were so easy to connect with — they felt real, relatable, and each brought something special to the story. I loved how the author created this mysterious small-town setting that felt both eerie and inviting at the same time. It’s one of those books that pulls you into its world and doesn’t let go until the very last word.
What really stood out to me was how unique the plot felt. It’s not your typical paranormal romance/mystery — it has heart, emotion, and a few surprises that genuinely caught me off guard. By the end, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Cypress Creek or the people in it.
The Dead of Cypress Creek it’s set apart by its originality. The blend of suspense, heart, and small-town secrets makes for a story that feels fresh and unforgettable. It’s one of those rare reads that stays with you — not just because of the mystery itself, but because of the emotional journey it takes you on. A must-read for fans of character-driven paranormal romance and beautifully written suspense.

Highly, highly recommend this one if you’re looking for something fresh, exciting, and impossible to put down! 📚💫


The Dead of Cypress Creek completely exceeded my expectations — this book was such a ride from start to finish! From the opening pages, the story draws you into its eerie, atmospheric setting and refuses to let go. There’s this haunting small-town vibe that feels almost cinematic, and the deeper you go, the more the mystery unfolds in layers. It’s one of those stories where you think you know what’s coming… until you absolutely don’t.
The plot is full of sharp twists and clever turns that kept me guessing the entire way. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the author threw in something that made me stop and say, “Wait, what just happened?!” in the best way possible. It’s fast-paced but still gives you enough time to get invested in the characters and the world of Cypress Creek — a balance that’s not easy to pull off.
Speaking of characters, they were genuinely one of my favorite parts of the book. Each one felt real and layered, with personalities and flaws that made them believable. I especially loved how likable and relatable they were — I found myself rooting for them and completely wrapped up in their stories. Their relationships and emotions added so much heart to the suspense.
What really makes The Dead of Cypress Creek stand out, though, is how unique the story feels. It’s not your typical paranormal romance— there’s something special about the way it blends mystery, emotion, and atmosphere into one seamless experience. It’s both gripping and deeply engaging, the kind of book that stays with you even after you’ve turned the last page.
If you’re in the mood for something twisty, smart, and refreshingly different, The Dead of Cypress Creek needs to be on your TBR. It’s the kind of story that makes you want to stay up late just to read one more chapter… and then suddenly it’s 2 AM and you’re still not ready for it to end.
A truly exceptional and addictive read that I can’t recommend enough! 💀🌲📚

[Kayla McEwan]

I can not rave about this book enough! IT WAS SO GOOD! I was sucked in from the very beginning. When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about the story. I completely fell in love with every character. TM Downing is such a great writer. You can picture the scenes and feel the emotions of the characters so vividly. I laughed, I cried, I swooned. I was so invested in the story, I couldn't put it down! The plot and story line are so well thought out and constructed. I want to shout at everyone I see to GO READ THIS BOOK!

[Kate]

A cool mystery with pieces of history thrown in that keeps you guessing! It took me a minute to get into it, but I really enjoyed how everything came together. TM Downing knows how to write about emotions and use descriptions to convey real feelings!

[Maddie Warren]

This is such a different idea, and I loved it! It was something new, and fun to read. I thought I had the plot all figured out, but the twist at the end was so good! If you want a quick, fun, read, read this book!

[Nikki]

I cannot say enough good things about TM Downing’s work. I was so invested in this story from beginning to end. This book made me feel a whole spectrum of emotions and I would highly recommend it! I laughed, I cried, I couldn’t put this book down. I loved the growth that Vivian experienced and how everything tied together. I was truly shocked at some points. The way this was written I was able to fully immerse myself into the story!

[Kasey]

A tender love story about grief, family and friendship. The plot was unique and clever! I thought it was beautifully written and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

[Jaclyn Zappulla]

I really enjoyed the book.The characters were very memorable. So many twists that I never expected. I am hoping the is a sequel to this book because the cliffhanger had me with my jaw in the floor

[Jamie]

Love. Love. Love. I was nervous to read this since things involving the undead freak me out but I’m so glad I did! You know a book is good when you say, “what show was I watching the other day? It was great, I want to watch another episode…. OH WAIT! It’s the book I’m reading!”. That’s literally what happened to me. The plot is so unique and I love the characters. I really didn’t want it to end. I don’t re-read many books but I KNOW I’m reading this one again and soon!

[Shanda Pyne]

4.5 stars!! Very intriguing and mysterious- I was hooked as soon as I started reading. I did not correctly guess who the bad guy was and thought it was Adam. Very sly for it to be Cyrus. I loved the growth of Vivian throughout the story and how she learned to understand/cope with grief. There better be a second book because there are so many loose ends - where was Adam throughout the book, why did he bring Cyrus of all the bodies he embalmed back to life, did Adam unbury Jesse’s grave at the end? Adam committed suicide so how did he even bring himself back to life? What was Della’s relationship with Adam and what did she know? For a young adult novel, it is captivating and such a fun read!

[Brinley Carlson]

This was an insanely a fun and entertaining read! I have been in the deepest of deep book ruts (thank you Postpartum) and this book was the only thing carrying me through and pulling me out of it. It’s incredibly creative, I have never read anything like it. Now all I want to do is throw myself into Civil war content. There is such memorable writing. This line particularly touches me “That hope turned to coal. Fuel for my pain.” So hauntingly beautiful. I wanted to scream at the main character for some of her choices, another significant characteristic of good writing! It’s also a good thing I know where the author lives because I will be relentlessly bugging her until we get a second book! 😉 I audibly gasped at the last sentence of the book.

[Angela Davis]

I cannot even begin to describe how much I loved this book!! The vibes, the relationships, the history behind it all, was just so amazing, I fell in love! I felt so connected to the characters, especially as a dark blonde myself with a ginger husband, and I felt all the emotions throughout Jesse and Vivian’s story! Infinite stars in my opinion, I will never forget this book, just like Vivian will never forget Jesse 🥹❤️

[Emily Ferguson]

This book literally sucked me right into the story and kept me guessing what was next. Every time I thought I knew what was coming, I really had no idea. It was beyond captivating and I can’t recommend this book enough. It’s well written and such a great story. It’s not like every other book written but having minor differences. It’s better than every other book due to its unique story. GO READ THIS BOOK!!

[Emmie]

This book pulled me into its world so deeply, it was hard to leave once the pages ran out. The story, the characters and the life of this book has remained with me ever since.

The premise is so fascinating. That alone kept me from putting it down, but the writing in this book is so drinkable. It’s that kind of rare writing that makes you forget you are reading.

I am obsessed.

[Karmyn Ham]

I cannot get enough!! This was a book that I could not put down. The writing style is enticing and enjoyable. I would 10/10 recommend this book to anyone. I loved the concept and it was refreshing to see a new idea out there! Love love love

[Christie Reynolds]

Loved this book!! Such a unique, fun, and intense YA story. The writing was incredible especially considering this is a debut novel! I got teary eyed over the gutting descriptions of grief and I loved the romance so much. Can’t wait for book two!!

[Terra C.]

So good! If Twilight and Sweet Home Alabama had a baby, this would be it! Loved the characters and conversation around how complicated grief can be. I need another book! What comes next?!

[Amanda Burkhardt]

Set against the hunting backdrop of Cypress Creek cemetery, the novel blends Gothic mystery with Hartfield emotional core. Vivian imports is a heron who can’t help but route for prickly protective and deeply shaped by a life spent among the dead her love for her home and her determination to save it give the story it’s beating heart.
What truly stands out is the book’s emotional depth. Themes of grief, belonging, and second chances are woven throughout, giving the supernatural elements a grounded and poignant resonance. Vivian’s journey toward opening herself up to love, to trust, to letting the living back in to her life is as captivating as the mystery itself.

[Elizabeth Bell]

WARNING: Despite the subtitle and categories on Amazon, this is NOT a romance. It is a paranormal mystery with romantic elements. Or maybe not even that. Aren't mystery series supposed to resolve at least one case at the end of the first book? This book ends with not one but TWO cliffhangers. Apparently, it's the start of a yet-to-be-published series, which I did not realize going in, which I was not expecting, and which I did not want. I feel unable to give stars because I am angry about the bait and switch.

Till the non-ending, I was mostly enjoying it. The blurb tells you Jesse is a resurrected Civil War soldier, so that's not a spoiler, but the story itself is told from Vivian's POV and she doesn't realize he's a 19th-century man for a few chapters. I felt Jesse fell into the 21st century far too easily, that his culture shock should have been more apparent and he shouldn't have been able to "pass" for so long. But we're essentially talking about zombies, so I suppose many readers will be fine with that suspension of disbelief as well.

I liked Vivian's relationship with her dad as well as her relationship with Jesse. Rosie was great too. I liked that the climax took place at a Civil War reenactment. I liked that the main setting was a cemetery. The whole concept of resurrecting Civil War soldiers is fascinating and unique. It's addictively readable.

I did not like that the "final" chapter resolves nothing and you're forced to sign up for the author's newsletter to confirm what you suspect from the first cliffhanger: Jesse's immortality continues. I might have forgiven the author for that, but the "Epilogue" only raises more questions, reveals a new villain, and does not reunite Vivian and Jesse. Like I said, not a romance. There's no happy ending, only a To Be Continued. No, I haven't marked spoilers because I feel cheated and perhaps I can prevent other readers from feeling the same. Not the satisfying experience I thought I was getting when I picked this up.

[K Hess]

I was hooked from the very beginning. It felt like I was right there with each character; they are each very relatable. I laughed with them, cried with them, and fell in love with them. Throughly enjoyed every word. Every prediction I had, was totally wrong which kept me engaged and eager to read more and more. Beautifully written!