What do you think?
Rate this book
The Coffin Series #1
The Coffin Maker
Twenty-three-year-old Jesse Burns lives a tranquil life as the coffin maker in the enthusiastically eerie town of Gregor’s Hollow. Here, the By the Pricking of My Crumbs Bakery sells deep-fried candy corn year round, and manmade mist swirls through the streets every afternoon at three-thirty. As for the graveyard bells that chime at midnight, and the Victorian portrait that materializes in the hotel guest rooms? Well, no one can account for those but they still look impressive in the brochure.
Few in the town are admired more than the trustworthy, if reclusive, coffin maker. Praised for his intricate carvings and flamboyant artistry, Jesse creates his masterpieces in the workshop that belonged to his father, the previous coffin maker who vanished nine years ago.
Jesse’s isolated routine is disturbed when Death appears on his doorstep one October evening. Wearing a sharply pressed suit and a condescending smile, Death demands eight coffins by Halloween. Jesse is horrified to learn that the coffins are intended for Death’s next eight victims—all of them citizens of Gregor’s Hollow. In exchange for the eight coffins, Death will tell Jesse what happened to his father.
Despite striking the bargain and starting work on the coffins, Jesse vows to save the Eight. But investigating a mystery is challenging in Gregor’s Hollow, the third most-famous Halloween tourist town in America. Home to horror enthusiasts and gothic fanatics alike, the town boasts a daily carnival of macabre spectacles, complete with ghostly sound effects in the streets, slasher chase scenes in the alleys, and a John Carpenter Orchestra in the park. Distinguishing staged horror theatrics from genuinely suspicious activity is impossible enough on an average day. But with the holiday approaching, the tourist season has just begun, forcing Jesse to conduct his detective work amidst the increased chaos of Hitchcock festivals, Edgar Allan Poe pageants, and monster movie reenactments.
Together with an alluring and untrustworthy stranger, he seeks the answer he needs to thwart Death’s plan.
Few in the town are admired more than the trustworthy, if reclusive, coffin maker. Praised for his intricate carvings and flamboyant artistry, Jesse creates his masterpieces in the workshop that belonged to his father, the previous coffin maker who vanished nine years ago.
Jesse’s isolated routine is disturbed when Death appears on his doorstep one October evening. Wearing a sharply pressed suit and a condescending smile, Death demands eight coffins by Halloween. Jesse is horrified to learn that the coffins are intended for Death’s next eight victims—all of them citizens of Gregor’s Hollow. In exchange for the eight coffins, Death will tell Jesse what happened to his father.
Despite striking the bargain and starting work on the coffins, Jesse vows to save the Eight. But investigating a mystery is challenging in Gregor’s Hollow, the third most-famous Halloween tourist town in America. Home to horror enthusiasts and gothic fanatics alike, the town boasts a daily carnival of macabre spectacles, complete with ghostly sound effects in the streets, slasher chase scenes in the alleys, and a John Carpenter Orchestra in the park. Distinguishing staged horror theatrics from genuinely suspicious activity is impossible enough on an average day. But with the holiday approaching, the tourist season has just begun, forcing Jesse to conduct his detective work amidst the increased chaos of Hitchcock festivals, Edgar Allan Poe pageants, and monster movie reenactments.
Together with an alluring and untrustworthy stranger, he seeks the answer he needs to thwart Death’s plan.
Paperback
First published April 30, 2018
3 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 18, 2018
The Coffin Maker (The Coffin #1) Book ONE of The Coffin by Breeann Allison is a book I requested and the review is voluntary.
This is such a good book! It is about a boy that takes over his father's business when his father just disappears one day. He makes coffins. Not just coffins but such beautiful coffins that people put orders in for their ahead of time so they can see them. Then Death comes by and tells him to make 8 coffins by the end of the month because there will be 8 deaths. Sure enough, people start dying and the mystery is on! Great mystery! Death then tells the boy about his father. Wonderful book!
This is such a good book! It is about a boy that takes over his father's business when his father just disappears one day. He makes coffins. Not just coffins but such beautiful coffins that people put orders in for their ahead of time so they can see them. Then Death comes by and tells him to make 8 coffins by the end of the month because there will be 8 deaths. Sure enough, people start dying and the mystery is on! Great mystery! Death then tells the boy about his father. Wonderful book!
August 9, 2018
Sometimes Netgalley has hidden gems - and this is definitely one. Welcome to Gregor's Hollow, a sleepy little town in the United States that has embraced it's haunted past and now pulls in the tourists with spooky hotels and mysterious attractions. It's all for the tourists of course - or at least it is at first glance, because some legends are real...and Death is in town with a mission.
Yes - as other reviewers are mentioned, you're going to need a high tolerance for quirk. If you've read the Odd Thomas series you'll have a rough idea of the tone of our protagonist - upbeat, irreverent, and quippy in the face of unworldly horrors. But the town is charming, oddly named residents or not, and the atmosphere really worked for me.
And some of the writing was genuinely fantastic - Death waxing lyrical about the Hitchhiker's Guide for example:
Parody understands nothing in this universe is meant to be taken seriously. It is all just a series of accidents, of jokes, of random events, and - in the midst of it all - of insignificant life forms trying so, so very hard to matter in the grand scheme of things - which makes the grand scheme laugh even harder.
There is some genuine horror - particularly if you're not a fan of hearing about nasty things happening to cats, beware, because they do - but it's spiked with humour and it all works out to a damn good read. Surprisingly, this is a first novel, so I'll definitely be keeping Breeann Allison on my radar - if it only gets better from here then we are in for a treat.
Yes - as other reviewers are mentioned, you're going to need a high tolerance for quirk. If you've read the Odd Thomas series you'll have a rough idea of the tone of our protagonist - upbeat, irreverent, and quippy in the face of unworldly horrors. But the town is charming, oddly named residents or not, and the atmosphere really worked for me.
And some of the writing was genuinely fantastic - Death waxing lyrical about the Hitchhiker's Guide for example:
Parody understands nothing in this universe is meant to be taken seriously. It is all just a series of accidents, of jokes, of random events, and - in the midst of it all - of insignificant life forms trying so, so very hard to matter in the grand scheme of things - which makes the grand scheme laugh even harder.
There is some genuine horror - particularly if you're not a fan of hearing about nasty things happening to cats, beware, because they do - but it's spiked with humour and it all works out to a damn good read. Surprisingly, this is a first novel, so I'll definitely be keeping Breeann Allison on my radar - if it only gets better from here then we are in for a treat.
May 1, 2018
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Twenty-three year-old Jesse is the respected coffin maker in the Halloween tourist town of Gregor’s Hollow. He took over the family business after his father disappeared years ago. His routine is disturbed when Death himself pays a visit to Jesse's shop demanding eight coffins in time for Halloween. The coffins are for his next victims, all of which are from the town. Jesse can't turn Death down, especially when in exchange Death will tell him what happened to his father. Although taking Death's deal, Jesse has a different plan. Although he's started on the coffins, he's going to save Death's next victims.
The Coffin Maker by Breeann Allison sounded like it could be right up my alley. While it was good, it just didn't quite work for me. It's described as a mystery/ thriller fantasy, but it's definitely much more of a cozy mystery with a dash of paranormal. Cozies aren't particularly my style. I liked getting to know the town, but I wasn't all that interested in any of the characters. Plus, some of the character names are really odd. I mean, Etsy Glass and Jebediah Jinkles - are you kidding me? Was I supposed to laugh so much every single time I came across them? I think my favorite aspect of the story is Death's introduction, but maybe that's because he reminded me of Death in Supernatural when it comes to food.
Overall, this mystery wasn't bad, it just wasn't for me. It wasn't quite what I was expecting in the long run. It has some intriguing elements, particularly in the world-building when it comes to the town of Gregor's Hollow and the dash of the paranormal. If you like cozy mysteries and perhaps Midnight Texas tv adaptation, you may enjoy this story. My real question: Why isn't this being released at Halloween, rather than on the first of May?
Twenty-three year-old Jesse is the respected coffin maker in the Halloween tourist town of Gregor’s Hollow. He took over the family business after his father disappeared years ago. His routine is disturbed when Death himself pays a visit to Jesse's shop demanding eight coffins in time for Halloween. The coffins are for his next victims, all of which are from the town. Jesse can't turn Death down, especially when in exchange Death will tell him what happened to his father. Although taking Death's deal, Jesse has a different plan. Although he's started on the coffins, he's going to save Death's next victims.
The Coffin Maker by Breeann Allison sounded like it could be right up my alley. While it was good, it just didn't quite work for me. It's described as a mystery/ thriller fantasy, but it's definitely much more of a cozy mystery with a dash of paranormal. Cozies aren't particularly my style. I liked getting to know the town, but I wasn't all that interested in any of the characters. Plus, some of the character names are really odd. I mean, Etsy Glass and Jebediah Jinkles - are you kidding me? Was I supposed to laugh so much every single time I came across them? I think my favorite aspect of the story is Death's introduction, but maybe that's because he reminded me of Death in Supernatural when it comes to food.
Overall, this mystery wasn't bad, it just wasn't for me. It wasn't quite what I was expecting in the long run. It has some intriguing elements, particularly in the world-building when it comes to the town of Gregor's Hollow and the dash of the paranormal. If you like cozy mysteries and perhaps Midnight Texas tv adaptation, you may enjoy this story. My real question: Why isn't this being released at Halloween, rather than on the first of May?
June 7, 2018
So if I could recommend one book I've read so far this year, I'd have to say it would be "The Coffin Maker." I had such a great time reading this book and I think it will forever be on my "hidden gems" list. The book takes place in the small town of Gregor's Hollow and let me tell you, despite all the quirkiness, this is a town I could probably visit and never leave. Gregor's Hollow is obsessed with all things horror. They advertise their haunted locations and even if some areas aren't really haunted, the residents do their part to make sure it appears so. The library houses only horror, mysteries and thrillers, there are people who sneak out and run fog machines at night to add to the ambiance, and all the shops have names from taken from scary plays. They also have a Poe festival each fall around Halloween and show horror movies on a screen in the park and year-round, plus their regular theater shows horror all year round. One of my favorite locations is The Underlook Hotel (nods to The Shining's Overlook). The owner has twin daughters and every evening they have guests, she makes them reenact the twin scene from the book/movie - blood and all.
So Jesse, our main character is 23. Several years ago, his father, the town coffin maker, suddenly left town and Jesse has always wondered what happened to him. After his absence, Jesse took over making the town coffins and is so talented, people request their special-made coffins years before their deaths because each one is a custom piece. One night, Death knocks on Jesse's door and tells him he needs 8 coffins by October 31st - two weeks away. Jesse isn't particularly fond of Death and only agrees to do so because Death promises if he delivers, he will tell him what happened to his father. Jesse vows to stop the deaths of his friends and fellow residents which might be hard because Death will not disclose the victims. In fact, he says he has nothing to do with the deaths, and that a Bringer will be coming to town to take care of that.
"The Coffin Maker" strikes me as a cozy mystery wrapped up in a horror story. I loved the plot, the town and the characters. It was a fun read and several times I caught myself laughing out loud. I think Gregor's Hollow would make an awesome TV series and it could be like Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls, except darker, scarier and bloodier.
If any of this sounds even remotely interesting, then go pick up this book. There is some hints at romance, but no insta-love and no mush, and honestly, I can't really pin down anything that really bothered me. And as much as I loved Jesse as a character, I loved Death even more!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
So Jesse, our main character is 23. Several years ago, his father, the town coffin maker, suddenly left town and Jesse has always wondered what happened to him. After his absence, Jesse took over making the town coffins and is so talented, people request their special-made coffins years before their deaths because each one is a custom piece. One night, Death knocks on Jesse's door and tells him he needs 8 coffins by October 31st - two weeks away. Jesse isn't particularly fond of Death and only agrees to do so because Death promises if he delivers, he will tell him what happened to his father. Jesse vows to stop the deaths of his friends and fellow residents which might be hard because Death will not disclose the victims. In fact, he says he has nothing to do with the deaths, and that a Bringer will be coming to town to take care of that.
"The Coffin Maker" strikes me as a cozy mystery wrapped up in a horror story. I loved the plot, the town and the characters. It was a fun read and several times I caught myself laughing out loud. I think Gregor's Hollow would make an awesome TV series and it could be like Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls, except darker, scarier and bloodier.
If any of this sounds even remotely interesting, then go pick up this book. There is some hints at romance, but no insta-love and no mush, and honestly, I can't really pin down anything that really bothered me. And as much as I loved Jesse as a character, I loved Death even more!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 15, 2018
This book came out of nowhere and managed to secure a place at the top of my favorite book lists and I have never been so happy!
“The Coffin Maker” begins with Jesse, a young man who has locked himself away in his workshop making beautiful custom caskets for anyone looking for something extra special for their final resting place when Death himself shows up to place an order for not one but eight caskets for victims of a tragedy that has yet to take place. With the deadline fast approaching, Jesse begins an investigation to uncover the motives behind something so sinister and does his best to stop the murders before they happen with the help of a strange newcomer named Robin, but are they any match for Death?
This book has everything I never knew I wanted, it’a got a town that comes alive for Halloween, horror movie reenactments at carnivals, the flawless intertwining of the tales of Poe with nursery rhymes whose bright lyrics shadow their dark origins and the personification of Death as the puppet master behind it all. All of these elements work together perfectly to build up the tension in this small town as we along with Jesse and Robin try to uncover what the tragedy will be and who is at risk of becoming a victim before time runs out.
The setting is beautiful the entire idea of a town coming to life for the Halloween tourist season is something I could see myself living in and the lengths this place goes to to sell that experience just adds to the mystery aspect because how does one go about an investigation looking for something or someone suspicious when everyone is playing their part to make the town creepy?
There’s also a lot of characters in this book which could be hard to manage if it’s not done well but thankfully this was written in a way where you really connect with them rather quickly so you can have your suspicions and try to figure it out but when the bodies start dropping you feel the same emotions as the lead characters and the desire to find the solution and stop the killer is at an all time high and they way they went about doing it was something I never could have guessed and it was both amazing and dark and I loved every second of it.
There’s a bit of a cliffhanger at the end and I hope that means we’re getting more books because I will follow these characters wherever they go, I really don’t have anything negative to say about this book and I will definitely be doing a reread around Halloween because I can’t think of a better book to get me in the mood for the season!
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
“The Coffin Maker” begins with Jesse, a young man who has locked himself away in his workshop making beautiful custom caskets for anyone looking for something extra special for their final resting place when Death himself shows up to place an order for not one but eight caskets for victims of a tragedy that has yet to take place. With the deadline fast approaching, Jesse begins an investigation to uncover the motives behind something so sinister and does his best to stop the murders before they happen with the help of a strange newcomer named Robin, but are they any match for Death?
This book has everything I never knew I wanted, it’a got a town that comes alive for Halloween, horror movie reenactments at carnivals, the flawless intertwining of the tales of Poe with nursery rhymes whose bright lyrics shadow their dark origins and the personification of Death as the puppet master behind it all. All of these elements work together perfectly to build up the tension in this small town as we along with Jesse and Robin try to uncover what the tragedy will be and who is at risk of becoming a victim before time runs out.
The setting is beautiful the entire idea of a town coming to life for the Halloween tourist season is something I could see myself living in and the lengths this place goes to to sell that experience just adds to the mystery aspect because how does one go about an investigation looking for something or someone suspicious when everyone is playing their part to make the town creepy?
There’s also a lot of characters in this book which could be hard to manage if it’s not done well but thankfully this was written in a way where you really connect with them rather quickly so you can have your suspicions and try to figure it out but when the bodies start dropping you feel the same emotions as the lead characters and the desire to find the solution and stop the killer is at an all time high and they way they went about doing it was something I never could have guessed and it was both amazing and dark and I loved every second of it.
There’s a bit of a cliffhanger at the end and I hope that means we’re getting more books because I will follow these characters wherever they go, I really don’t have anything negative to say about this book and I will definitely be doing a reread around Halloween because I can’t think of a better book to get me in the mood for the season!
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
May 1, 2018
OMG!!! I absolutely LOVED this book!! It had me hooked from the first paragraph and kept me turning the pages on my kindle at every opportunity I could pick it up to read! I will definitely be on the lookout for more from this author! Her writing was fantastic, characters stood out to me and she set the mood and scene perfectly.
Welcome to Gregor's Hollow. This town makes itself "famous" for the touristy Halloween festivities. With everything from Poe Pageants, Hitchcock festival, monster movies and of course the twins from "The Shining" making their bloody appearance at the local hotel.
With all of that, nothing tops having Death knock on your door and tell you to build 8 coffins by Halloween. Jesse is the local custom coffin maker after his father left town a few years ago and he inherited the task. Jesse is not keen on building 8 coffins for local townsfolk so he strikes a deal with Death and tries to stop the deaths from occurring. But try solving a riddle in a town full of them it seems.
I was given an eARC by the publisher through NetGalley.
Welcome to Gregor's Hollow. This town makes itself "famous" for the touristy Halloween festivities. With everything from Poe Pageants, Hitchcock festival, monster movies and of course the twins from "The Shining" making their bloody appearance at the local hotel.
With all of that, nothing tops having Death knock on your door and tell you to build 8 coffins by Halloween. Jesse is the local custom coffin maker after his father left town a few years ago and he inherited the task. Jesse is not keen on building 8 coffins for local townsfolk so he strikes a deal with Death and tries to stop the deaths from occurring. But try solving a riddle in a town full of them it seems.
I was given an eARC by the publisher through NetGalley.
April 21, 2018
I started the book with a different expectations but ended up quite surprised. The build up , the setting , the characters all are perfectly described and it all adds up to the various twists and false ends we see in the book. The small town with its obsession with horror sound quite fun and it never falters in the narration. The deal with death to make 8 coffins in two weeks in exchange of knowing what happened to your long lost father is neither fair nor easy to keep. And though I was a little bored of the end dragged .. I enjoyed this one.
April 20, 2018
Really was hoping I liked this story. Interesting plot idea and town description. Characters were just boring as was the flow of the happenings. "A copy of this book was provided by Curiosity Quills Press via Netgalley with no requirements for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion." Reading this early the Cover is still coming. I am Curious to see it.
May 25, 2018
Gregor's Hollow is a small, isolated town that lives off its spooky, tourist-gathering monuments and festivals. In reality, nothing supernatural seems to have ever happened in this quiet town. But when Death himself visits Gregor's Hollow, things are about to change.
Jesse is the town's young coffin maker. Admired for his work, he has isolated himself ever since his father vanished five years ago. Never having been an adventurous one, Jesse minds his own business. Until one day, Death steps into his workshop, making him an offer he cannot refuse : eight coffins need to be finished by Halloween, in exchange for the truth of what happened to his father.
But eight coffins mean eight deaths. Eight people in this town are soon going to be dead. The Bringer of Death is coming to Gregor's Hollow, and they are rapidly approaching. Can Jesse do anything to save his small town?
Welcome to a story that blends all the good assets of a brilliant thriller. Supernatural powers are about this small place, and a quiet but intelligent hero will struggle to save his loved ones. The Coffin Maker is a fast-paced, thrilling mystery book, filled with intelligent cliffhangers and suspenseful scenes. This is an exceptionally well-constructed thriller, marked by a completely unexpected ending.
" Sometimes you must simply flick the first domino and watch"
The Coffin Maker will provide you with one of the best personifications of Death in modern literature. Depicted as an extremely intelligent, cool, and incredibly calm entity, Death is one of the best features of the story. The plot is filled with absolutely hilarious dialogue between Death and the Coffin Maker. But, humor aside, the reader soon finds that Death's words hold universally accepted truths that apply in reality.
The Coffin Maker was an absolute delight to read. It is a book free of any pot holes, filled with humorous and interesting dialogue and unexpected scenes. Furthermore, the author's extremely deep knowledge of Poe's works depicted in parts of this story cannot be overlooked. I strongly recommend this book to all fans of mysteries and thrillers.
Jesse is the town's young coffin maker. Admired for his work, he has isolated himself ever since his father vanished five years ago. Never having been an adventurous one, Jesse minds his own business. Until one day, Death steps into his workshop, making him an offer he cannot refuse : eight coffins need to be finished by Halloween, in exchange for the truth of what happened to his father.
But eight coffins mean eight deaths. Eight people in this town are soon going to be dead. The Bringer of Death is coming to Gregor's Hollow, and they are rapidly approaching. Can Jesse do anything to save his small town?
Welcome to a story that blends all the good assets of a brilliant thriller. Supernatural powers are about this small place, and a quiet but intelligent hero will struggle to save his loved ones. The Coffin Maker is a fast-paced, thrilling mystery book, filled with intelligent cliffhangers and suspenseful scenes. This is an exceptionally well-constructed thriller, marked by a completely unexpected ending.
" Sometimes you must simply flick the first domino and watch"
The Coffin Maker will provide you with one of the best personifications of Death in modern literature. Depicted as an extremely intelligent, cool, and incredibly calm entity, Death is one of the best features of the story. The plot is filled with absolutely hilarious dialogue between Death and the Coffin Maker. But, humor aside, the reader soon finds that Death's words hold universally accepted truths that apply in reality.
The Coffin Maker was an absolute delight to read. It is a book free of any pot holes, filled with humorous and interesting dialogue and unexpected scenes. Furthermore, the author's extremely deep knowledge of Poe's works depicted in parts of this story cannot be overlooked. I strongly recommend this book to all fans of mysteries and thrillers.
May 1, 2018
WOW.
This book is Gilmore Girls meets Stephen King meets Meet Joe Black, and it is everything my Halloween-loving heart could want. The town of Gregor's Hallow is so vividly described. I went to Google to see when I could book my trip to this Halloween tourist town only to learn that it was MADE UP! But it feels so real--Breeann has included details so charming, like the opening night bonfire, the hot chocolate Mulligan stew, the Alfred Hitchcock movie marathon at the old town theater. There's room for sequels here--I want to go into every shop in the town and meet every kooky person who works there!
The story, too, is fantastic. Jesse the coffin maker is visited by Death, who is less grim reaper in a black robe with a sickle and more disgruntled Cumberbatch-ian businessman, and the deal is struck. In exchange for Jesse making eight new coffins (supposedly for eight of the town members who will die in succession by Halloween night), Death will tell Jesse what happened to his long-lost father.
The characters are real, sharp, the dialogue witty, and the book full of trappings that will satisfy both the lover of speculative fiction and cozy mysteries, it is the perfect read for a crisp October night... or a hot July day that has you wanting a bit of autumn goodness.
This book is Gilmore Girls meets Stephen King meets Meet Joe Black, and it is everything my Halloween-loving heart could want. The town of Gregor's Hallow is so vividly described. I went to Google to see when I could book my trip to this Halloween tourist town only to learn that it was MADE UP! But it feels so real--Breeann has included details so charming, like the opening night bonfire, the hot chocolate Mulligan stew, the Alfred Hitchcock movie marathon at the old town theater. There's room for sequels here--I want to go into every shop in the town and meet every kooky person who works there!
The story, too, is fantastic. Jesse the coffin maker is visited by Death, who is less grim reaper in a black robe with a sickle and more disgruntled Cumberbatch-ian businessman, and the deal is struck. In exchange for Jesse making eight new coffins (supposedly for eight of the town members who will die in succession by Halloween night), Death will tell Jesse what happened to his long-lost father.
The characters are real, sharp, the dialogue witty, and the book full of trappings that will satisfy both the lover of speculative fiction and cozy mysteries, it is the perfect read for a crisp October night... or a hot July day that has you wanting a bit of autumn goodness.
August 5, 2018
Gregor's Hollow is vying to be the best Halloween town in America. They put fog in the streets, graveyard bells, fried candy corn and a mysterious portrait in the local hotel to entice the tourist. It's October and the town is gearing up for the big night. Jesse, a recluse and the town's coffin maker is visited by death and told to make 8 coffins for use in the next two weeks. When a strange woman appears in town, Jesse joins with her to fight death's plan. This story is a cozy infused with some paranormal. It is the first book in the new series, The Coffin. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
April 23, 2018
I was hesitant when I started to read this book. The description sounded interesting so I did have some high hopes. Unfortunately the story fell flat as well as the characters . I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley
June 22, 2018
I can't fawn over this book enough. Admittedly, The Coffin Maker was pretty much written for me. Not only do I love all things Halloween and macabre, but I love a dark sense of humor. The Coffin Maker has all of this and more. I want to live in Gregor's Hollow. I wanna spend every October in this small town. I want to be friends with Jesse and Robin ... and the whole gang really. (Honestly, even Death is freaking cool.) Breeann Allison paints an incredibly vivid picture and weaves a thrilling plot that will keep you guessing until the end. I was hooked. I would read anything Allison writes. She made me scream, made me laugh, and has a new big fan!
August 30, 2018
Talk about a hidden gem! I took a gamble on this book because the blurb sounded like something up my alley. Thank the book gods that I was approved!!! Now this book is NOTHING like other YA books – in a very good but quirky way! You have to keep an open mind and take nothing at face value.
This story is about a young man who has taken over his father’s coffin maker business to support the family. When Death comes to call and request 8 coffins by month’s end, the hero is skeptical but dutiful and makes them. Sure, enough people started dropping like flies and chaos ensues!
As previously mentioned, there is a vast volume of quick and darkness lurking between these pages. There are some torture scenes to cats that could cause triggers and are not pleasant to read
This story is about a young man who has taken over his father’s coffin maker business to support the family. When Death comes to call and request 8 coffins by month’s end, the hero is skeptical but dutiful and makes them. Sure, enough people started dropping like flies and chaos ensues!
As previously mentioned, there is a vast volume of quick and darkness lurking between these pages. There are some torture scenes to cats that could cause triggers and are not pleasant to read
May 6, 2018
An Assured, Gorgeous Work
This book has pleasures well beyond those you might expect from just reading its blurbs. The bare bones are simple enough - One day Death arrives in the kitchen of young Jesse, the town coffin maker. He demands that Jesse fashion eight coffins. The coffins are for eight unidentified but currently healthy townspeople and must be ready by October 31. In payment Death will tell Jesse why Jesse's father disappeared five years earlier and what has happened to him.
Now, on one hand this is a straight mystery. Why does Death need eight coffins, who are they for, and how and why will they die? Further, why did Jesse's dad leave and where is he? Can Jesse foil Death's plans? That seems simple enough and you expect there will be an interesting solution. NO SPOILERS, but the way these mysteries are resolved is so unexpected, clever, and elegant you will be floored and delighted.
But as I say, this just scratches the surface of this rewarding book. In addition to the above it is infused with a sly and puckish sense of humor. Death, deadpan and personable, is coy, arch, and both fussy and menacing, and has become one of my favorite Death characters. Jesse lives in Gregor's Hollow, which is an out-of-the-way New England town that has basically re-invented itself as a huge, living haunted theme park and tourist trap. Rather than playing this for mild laughs, the author has elected to make Gregor's Hollow's touristy kitsch an over the top running joke, and this jokey and satirical take actually makes an excellent backdrop for the real, more serious, action. When a mystery woman comes to town and enters Jesse's life there is even an adult touch of romance, with a Goth flair, which works as an unexpected bonus. There's more, but you get the idea. This book just works on many levels.
And, it is remarkably well written. And I don't mean good grammar and tight editing, I mean elegant and creative descriptions, metaphors and similes that make you sit up and pay attention, tasty bits of description and mood setting, and effortless throwaway lines and observations that deserve to be underlined. The tone of the book is restrained, and sometimes ironically dry, and occasionally a bit edgy or vinegary, and yet our hero is always appealing and there is always a gentle undercurrent of good humor, or maybe of good heartedness in a "what fools these mortals be" sort of way.
There is a fair amount of monologuing as things wrap up, and a lot of expository dialogue, but I didn't mind that because it kept the pace up and it made more room for lots of red herrings and entertaining digressions. This is sometimes noted as the first book in a proposed "Coffin" series. I'm not sure what a Book Two would be but it's a testament to how interesting Gregor's Hollow was that I'd be keen to see a second book set there.
So, I thought this would just be a "Wanderin' Jack fools the Devil" sort of book, (which is O.K. in its own right), but instead it just came out of left field as a real, entertaining treat. A nice find.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
This book has pleasures well beyond those you might expect from just reading its blurbs. The bare bones are simple enough - One day Death arrives in the kitchen of young Jesse, the town coffin maker. He demands that Jesse fashion eight coffins. The coffins are for eight unidentified but currently healthy townspeople and must be ready by October 31. In payment Death will tell Jesse why Jesse's father disappeared five years earlier and what has happened to him.
Now, on one hand this is a straight mystery. Why does Death need eight coffins, who are they for, and how and why will they die? Further, why did Jesse's dad leave and where is he? Can Jesse foil Death's plans? That seems simple enough and you expect there will be an interesting solution. NO SPOILERS, but the way these mysteries are resolved is so unexpected, clever, and elegant you will be floored and delighted.
But as I say, this just scratches the surface of this rewarding book. In addition to the above it is infused with a sly and puckish sense of humor. Death, deadpan and personable, is coy, arch, and both fussy and menacing, and has become one of my favorite Death characters. Jesse lives in Gregor's Hollow, which is an out-of-the-way New England town that has basically re-invented itself as a huge, living haunted theme park and tourist trap. Rather than playing this for mild laughs, the author has elected to make Gregor's Hollow's touristy kitsch an over the top running joke, and this jokey and satirical take actually makes an excellent backdrop for the real, more serious, action. When a mystery woman comes to town and enters Jesse's life there is even an adult touch of romance, with a Goth flair, which works as an unexpected bonus. There's more, but you get the idea. This book just works on many levels.
And, it is remarkably well written. And I don't mean good grammar and tight editing, I mean elegant and creative descriptions, metaphors and similes that make you sit up and pay attention, tasty bits of description and mood setting, and effortless throwaway lines and observations that deserve to be underlined. The tone of the book is restrained, and sometimes ironically dry, and occasionally a bit edgy or vinegary, and yet our hero is always appealing and there is always a gentle undercurrent of good humor, or maybe of good heartedness in a "what fools these mortals be" sort of way.
There is a fair amount of monologuing as things wrap up, and a lot of expository dialogue, but I didn't mind that because it kept the pace up and it made more room for lots of red herrings and entertaining digressions. This is sometimes noted as the first book in a proposed "Coffin" series. I'm not sure what a Book Two would be but it's a testament to how interesting Gregor's Hollow was that I'd be keen to see a second book set there.
So, I thought this would just be a "Wanderin' Jack fools the Devil" sort of book, (which is O.K. in its own right), but instead it just came out of left field as a real, entertaining treat. A nice find.
(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
May 21, 2018
I received an ARC from Curiosity Quills in exchange for an honest review.
With three books awaiting my attention before the end of June, I told myself I didn't need another book to review. But curiosity got the better of me, and I scrolled through the email with available ARCs from Curiosity Quills. If the title isn't enough to grab your attention, just the first descriptive paragraph will surely reel you in. Earlier caution out the window, I requested an ARC just a few minutes after receiving the email.
I was NOT disappointed. This book is a can't-put-down, original concept, hilarious, haunting tale. 4.5 stars!
DESCRIPTION
Jesse is a coffin maker who lives in Gregor's Hollow, a small town that lives off of tourism with their Poe Pageants, Hitchcock festival, and "ghostly" visitations. Halloween is their biggest season, and the date is fast approaching. Jesse has taken over the coffin making business from his dad who mysteriously disappeared 9 years ago. When Death shows up at Jesse's door to place an order for 8 coffins, things take a sinister turn. With a promise to tell Jesse what happened to his father, Death makes a deal for 8 coffins for the souls he's in town to collect by Halloween. Knowing that these coffins are for people he's grown up with, Jesse does everything in his power to stop Death from taking his friends.
REVIEW
Jesse is hilarious with his self-deprecating humor and sarcastic wit. We meet the people of Gregor's Hollow through his eyes, and the clever descriptions make is easy to get to know this community. Most compelling, though, is the interplay between Death and Jesse.
The only things I had issue with were a few clearly child-of-the-1980s references. First off, Rainbow Brite isn't a cartoon kids watch anymore. So having one of the kids obsessed with the show isn't realistic. I thought maybe this was set in the 1980s, but then Jesse references BB-8, so that wasn't correct. Jesse also mentions picturing "Melanie Griffith perched nude on something posh and marble." Melanie Griffith is 60 years old--not a 20 year old's fantasy. Additionally, I doubt 20-something Jesse knows the word "milquetoast." I like a rich vocabulary, but this word was completely out of the ballpark!
Beyond these minor gripes, I really enjoyed this book. With a twisty-turny plot mixed with great character development all dropped into a rich setting, I couldn't put this down. The plot is deeply layered, so readers may think they're getting an answer to one mystery only to find two more questions lurking in the shadows. I was fascinated and chilled at the same time as the plot drew to a close. Allison has a wonderful lyrical prose she uses to transition time and place. I found the observations and musings of her characters to be so well done. Such delightful prose was the caramel on the apple! I have already started recommending this book to my friends and am excited to see what's on the horizon for Jesse and Gregor's Hollow.
With three books awaiting my attention before the end of June, I told myself I didn't need another book to review. But curiosity got the better of me, and I scrolled through the email with available ARCs from Curiosity Quills. If the title isn't enough to grab your attention, just the first descriptive paragraph will surely reel you in. Earlier caution out the window, I requested an ARC just a few minutes after receiving the email.
I was NOT disappointed. This book is a can't-put-down, original concept, hilarious, haunting tale. 4.5 stars!
DESCRIPTION
Jesse is a coffin maker who lives in Gregor's Hollow, a small town that lives off of tourism with their Poe Pageants, Hitchcock festival, and "ghostly" visitations. Halloween is their biggest season, and the date is fast approaching. Jesse has taken over the coffin making business from his dad who mysteriously disappeared 9 years ago. When Death shows up at Jesse's door to place an order for 8 coffins, things take a sinister turn. With a promise to tell Jesse what happened to his father, Death makes a deal for 8 coffins for the souls he's in town to collect by Halloween. Knowing that these coffins are for people he's grown up with, Jesse does everything in his power to stop Death from taking his friends.
REVIEW
Jesse is hilarious with his self-deprecating humor and sarcastic wit. We meet the people of Gregor's Hollow through his eyes, and the clever descriptions make is easy to get to know this community. Most compelling, though, is the interplay between Death and Jesse.
The only things I had issue with were a few clearly child-of-the-1980s references. First off, Rainbow Brite isn't a cartoon kids watch anymore. So having one of the kids obsessed with the show isn't realistic. I thought maybe this was set in the 1980s, but then Jesse references BB-8, so that wasn't correct. Jesse also mentions picturing "Melanie Griffith perched nude on something posh and marble." Melanie Griffith is 60 years old--not a 20 year old's fantasy. Additionally, I doubt 20-something Jesse knows the word "milquetoast." I like a rich vocabulary, but this word was completely out of the ballpark!
Beyond these minor gripes, I really enjoyed this book. With a twisty-turny plot mixed with great character development all dropped into a rich setting, I couldn't put this down. The plot is deeply layered, so readers may think they're getting an answer to one mystery only to find two more questions lurking in the shadows. I was fascinated and chilled at the same time as the plot drew to a close. Allison has a wonderful lyrical prose she uses to transition time and place. I found the observations and musings of her characters to be so well done. Such delightful prose was the caramel on the apple! I have already started recommending this book to my friends and am excited to see what's on the horizon for Jesse and Gregor's Hollow.
April 25, 2018
Welcome to Gregor's Hollow, listed the third-most-famous Halloween tourist town in America. Reading this I couldn't help but think of my favorite cartoon. Remember - Crystal Cove, the most haunted town in America, made famous by that lovable Great Dane, Scooby-Doo.
That's where the similarities end. The Coffin Maker is a wonderful introduction to a new series written by Breann Allison. If you love Halloween you will love the Coffin Maker. The town itself plays a big role throughout the novel. It comes to life as Halloween approaches with every kind of creepy, spooky, eerie element you can think of. The town's people go all out and then some to deliver the ultimate Halloween experience.There's even some Edgar Allen Poe!
We meet a host of characters, most of whom are interesting, well thought out, and down right fun. Jessee Burn's is the star of this first book.Nine years ago Jessee's father simply disappeared. Jessee continued his father's legacy of building custom coffins. Intricately detailed, beautifully designed - these coffins are true works of art. Haunted by unanswered questions, Jessee is basically a recluse. That is until Death places a rush order!
Yep, you read that right. . .Death. Sharply dressed, with a wicked smile Death demands Jessee build eight coffins. Jessee strikes a deal with Death -he will build the coffins and in return, Death will answer his questions. But Jessee has more than those answers on his mind. He intends to outsmart death, head-off this horrible tragedy, and save the lives of the eight people for which he agreed to build the coffins.
The tension builds when Jessee meets Robin and she agrees to help him. But what is really going on? Can Death be outsmarted? Tricked? Or Fooled? Allison built a setting that is as perfect for this book as Rembrant is on a museum wall. She then populated the small town of Gregor's Hollow with an array of characters that will have you laughing out loud. This is a fast read that you can devour in a few hours. I enjoyed The Coffin Maker and anxiously await the next installment.
Happy Reading,
RJ
*As soon as cover art is available I will update this review.
**Note: If you don't like reading about the death of animals and it really nags at you - you should skip this one. It's not graphic and gory, but it's there. I love animals. I have four cats and a dog myself. The deaths bothered me, but not the kind-of-bother that sticks in your mind and nags at your heart. Definitely not bad enough to stop reading. However, to share my honest experience with this book I have to mention this.
That's where the similarities end. The Coffin Maker is a wonderful introduction to a new series written by Breann Allison. If you love Halloween you will love the Coffin Maker. The town itself plays a big role throughout the novel. It comes to life as Halloween approaches with every kind of creepy, spooky, eerie element you can think of. The town's people go all out and then some to deliver the ultimate Halloween experience.There's even some Edgar Allen Poe!
We meet a host of characters, most of whom are interesting, well thought out, and down right fun. Jessee Burn's is the star of this first book.Nine years ago Jessee's father simply disappeared. Jessee continued his father's legacy of building custom coffins. Intricately detailed, beautifully designed - these coffins are true works of art. Haunted by unanswered questions, Jessee is basically a recluse. That is until Death places a rush order!
Yep, you read that right. . .Death. Sharply dressed, with a wicked smile Death demands Jessee build eight coffins. Jessee strikes a deal with Death -he will build the coffins and in return, Death will answer his questions. But Jessee has more than those answers on his mind. He intends to outsmart death, head-off this horrible tragedy, and save the lives of the eight people for which he agreed to build the coffins.
The tension builds when Jessee meets Robin and she agrees to help him. But what is really going on? Can Death be outsmarted? Tricked? Or Fooled? Allison built a setting that is as perfect for this book as Rembrant is on a museum wall. She then populated the small town of Gregor's Hollow with an array of characters that will have you laughing out loud. This is a fast read that you can devour in a few hours. I enjoyed The Coffin Maker and anxiously await the next installment.
Happy Reading,
RJ
*As soon as cover art is available I will update this review.
**Note: If you don't like reading about the death of animals and it really nags at you - you should skip this one. It's not graphic and gory, but it's there. I love animals. I have four cats and a dog myself. The deaths bothered me, but not the kind-of-bother that sticks in your mind and nags at your heart. Definitely not bad enough to stop reading. However, to share my honest experience with this book I have to mention this.
July 3, 2018
I knew when Barb was reading this one that I was going to want to try it by how much fun she was having and it really is a fun read. It has lots of nods to a lot of horror related things that horror buffs like myself could enjoy.
Jesse took up making coffins after his father up and left taking with him two coffins. Jesse has no clue what ever happened to him or why he left but they needed coffins and so he took over making them. Everyone loved his designs so much that people started coming in and ordering coffins even if they were not sick or anything.
One day Death visits Jesse asking for him to build 8 coffins. It makes Jesse really made because he is telling him that 8 of his friends will die but not tell him how. Jesse decides that he is going to do his best to try and stop whatever is going to happen to his little town. Gregor's Hallow is getting ready for Halloween a favorite time of year (though they are pretty much always decked out for Halloween) and they like to try and outdo other towns. Jesse has till Halloween to make the coffins and figure out what is going on. Death gave him a clue but when strange things starts to happen it's hard to figure out what is going on and more than one person seems suspicious.
I really like Jesse as he had a lot of spunk. He kind of kept to himself until Death came knocking letting him know that some people he might know is about to die. He finds out he cares alot more about the town and the people in it than he thought as he races to try and figure things out. For the most part I enjoyed all the characters except for the old Doctor. I don't know how many times I wanted to reach in that story and smack him around because he wouldn't listen any to what Jesse was trying to tell him.
I also thought it had a pretty good mystery woven into the story though I figured out who the bad person was before Jesse did.
Jesse took up making coffins after his father up and left taking with him two coffins. Jesse has no clue what ever happened to him or why he left but they needed coffins and so he took over making them. Everyone loved his designs so much that people started coming in and ordering coffins even if they were not sick or anything.
One day Death visits Jesse asking for him to build 8 coffins. It makes Jesse really made because he is telling him that 8 of his friends will die but not tell him how. Jesse decides that he is going to do his best to try and stop whatever is going to happen to his little town. Gregor's Hallow is getting ready for Halloween a favorite time of year (though they are pretty much always decked out for Halloween) and they like to try and outdo other towns. Jesse has till Halloween to make the coffins and figure out what is going on. Death gave him a clue but when strange things starts to happen it's hard to figure out what is going on and more than one person seems suspicious.
I really like Jesse as he had a lot of spunk. He kind of kept to himself until Death came knocking letting him know that some people he might know is about to die. He finds out he cares alot more about the town and the people in it than he thought as he races to try and figure things out. For the most part I enjoyed all the characters except for the old Doctor. I don't know how many times I wanted to reach in that story and smack him around because he wouldn't listen any to what Jesse was trying to tell him.
I also thought it had a pretty good mystery woven into the story though I figured out who the bad person was before Jesse did.
April 20, 2018
I am all about anything spooky or scary so I jumped at the chance to review this book. (I'm wearing Edgar Allan Poe-ka dot socks as I write this. It seems appropriate.) This fun cozy mystery had a unique and intriguing premise and a genuinely surprising plot. I could never have predicted where the story was headed and the outlandish happenings were clever and humourous. While the story requires some suspension of disbelief, if you can relax your hold on reality and just go with the flow you will be rewarded with a laugh out loud funny thrill ride with tons of action.
Vital to any cozy mystery is the cast of eccentric characters and Gregor’s Hollow does not disappoint. Jesse had such a distinct voice and I found him very relatable and hilarious. His deadpan sense of humour made the book for me. The town is full of interesting folk and it's always a bit heartwarming to see a small town pull together and support each other in the face of adversity. I'm a small town girl myself so I can appreciate a place where everyone knows your name and your business, for better or worse. Gregor’s Hollow faces some serious adversity in The Coffin Maker but they face it together.
The story is creepy but there isn’t anything that will keep you up at night. Well, maybe if you’re really wimpy. I should warn that there are a lot of animal deaths but they happen “off camera.” If even the mention of animals being killed disturbs you then give this one a pass. I am a big animal lover and while these deaths definitely disturbed me, this is a cozy mystery not a crime novel and there was nothing too graphic.
I’m thrilled that this is the first book in a series and I'm really looking forward to returning to this spooky, quirky town in the future!
Thank you to Curiosity Quills Press for providing an Electronic Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley for review.
Vital to any cozy mystery is the cast of eccentric characters and Gregor’s Hollow does not disappoint. Jesse had such a distinct voice and I found him very relatable and hilarious. His deadpan sense of humour made the book for me. The town is full of interesting folk and it's always a bit heartwarming to see a small town pull together and support each other in the face of adversity. I'm a small town girl myself so I can appreciate a place where everyone knows your name and your business, for better or worse. Gregor’s Hollow faces some serious adversity in The Coffin Maker but they face it together.
The story is creepy but there isn’t anything that will keep you up at night. Well, maybe if you’re really wimpy. I should warn that there are a lot of animal deaths but they happen “off camera.” If even the mention of animals being killed disturbs you then give this one a pass. I am a big animal lover and while these deaths definitely disturbed me, this is a cozy mystery not a crime novel and there was nothing too graphic.
I’m thrilled that this is the first book in a series and I'm really looking forward to returning to this spooky, quirky town in the future!
Thank you to Curiosity Quills Press for providing an Electronic Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley for review.
May 30, 2018
The Coffin Maker is a mix of mystery and the paranormal idea behind death and the whole cycle of life and what could be controlling it. This book had me hooked with the unique concept of the main character. We venture into the story through the eyes of a coffin maker (which hasn’t been seen in YA). This set a musky tone for me as the plot thickened with Death walking through his door with a rather simple, yet horrifying request.
The blend of the characters created such a vibrant mystery that I continued to piece together until the final few chapters. The ending by the way, finished strong and a bit gory which I found to end satisfactory.
Until the final page, I thought this book had a well-rounded ending, but of course, I realized that this was NOT a stand-alone, so I am intrigued to figure out how the story continues. Where did the body go??
I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars. Even though I felt engaged through the mysteriousness behind Death’s request, there were parts that felt a little stretched out and momentarily confusing. Overall, the ending did a great job in wrapping everything up for me, and it doesn’t end in any sort of cliffhanger.
If you are looking for a more unique mystery to try to puzzle through, this book will need to be on your summer reading pile. Following the main character’s obsession in solving the mystery behind the request drove me to finish to the end.
The blend of the characters created such a vibrant mystery that I continued to piece together until the final few chapters. The ending by the way, finished strong and a bit gory which I found to end satisfactory.
Until the final page, I thought this book had a well-rounded ending, but of course, I realized that this was NOT a stand-alone, so I am intrigued to figure out how the story continues. Where did the body go??
I gave this book 3 out of 5 stars. Even though I felt engaged through the mysteriousness behind Death’s request, there were parts that felt a little stretched out and momentarily confusing. Overall, the ending did a great job in wrapping everything up for me, and it doesn’t end in any sort of cliffhanger.
If you are looking for a more unique mystery to try to puzzle through, this book will need to be on your summer reading pile. Following the main character’s obsession in solving the mystery behind the request drove me to finish to the end.
May 1, 2018
The Coffin Maker by Breeann Allison is alluring. First of all, the title is interesting and found it apt after I finished reading the book. The small town Gregor's Hallow is just like a dream town I would wanna live. It's quiet, away from fuss and Halloween celebrations in this town are just amazing. The way the author connected all the dots is very nice. Jesse Burns who had to take over his father's coffin making business upon his disappearance, Death personified, the Gregorians, Robin, mysterious events at the time of Halloween, plague, Randall/Timothy and last but not the least coffins. The twist in this books is unexpected. I like how the author managed to share her views about universe, balance, life, death and the life in between. Personally, I enjoyed how coffins that carry a corpse are used to save lives. The pace is good and I enjoyed the book. If I didn't have a preplanned travel in between, I wouldn't have put this book down before I finished it in just 2-3 days.
#NetGalley #TheCoffinMaker #kindle #AmazonKindle #BreeannAllison #CuriosityQuillsPress #mystery #Thriller #GoodReads #Chapters #Indigo #LibraryThing #TheClippedNightingale #BookReview
#NetGalley #TheCoffinMaker #kindle #AmazonKindle #BreeannAllison #CuriosityQuillsPress #mystery #Thriller #GoodReads #Chapters #Indigo #LibraryThing #TheClippedNightingale #BookReview
April 30, 2018
To be completely honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. The blurb sounded interesting, and I started reading it not knowing exactly what type of book it is. And, to top it off, I’ve finished it, and I’m still not sure what to classify it as. However, what I can tell you was that it was an extremely unique mystery. The mystery itself wasn’t paranormal in nature, although there were definitely paranormal aspects. One such aspect was a painting that randomly changed rooms in a hotel. I found that really intriguing for some reason. I really can’t say much as I don’t want to spoil anything about this book, but I really did find this book very interesting and not like anything I’d read in a while. One caution I must throw out, though, is that it took me a while to get into this book. Don’t let that throw you off the book. It really pays off in the end. I was really delighted with the coffins at the end. Intrigued by what I mean? Read it to find out. Highly recommend! I was provided a complimentary copy of the e-book which I reviewed voluntarily.
May 8, 2018
This book is a winner for me!
The story contained loads of my favourite elements but the writing style has to be the best thing about this book - we see everything through the eyes of Jesse, the young coffin maker in a weird and quirky town of Gregor's Hollow. Good quirky, not annoying quirky. He's likeable because he's a genuinely good human being but has a tendency to bumble about trying to do the right thing in an impossibly difficult situation. The character development is top notch but the writing style itself is fun and always conjures up the right atmosphere for the scene.
This feels like a cosy mystery read, with the charm of a small town and really charismatic characters but with a supernatural thread running throughout that stops it getting too twee.
I enjoyed the ending of this book, the conclusion of the mystery was satisfying and there's just enough intrigue left over to pick up the series again (I'm so happy to discover it's going to be a series!), I can't wait to get back to the weird Halloween town of New England and get know the locals better.
The story contained loads of my favourite elements but the writing style has to be the best thing about this book - we see everything through the eyes of Jesse, the young coffin maker in a weird and quirky town of Gregor's Hollow. Good quirky, not annoying quirky. He's likeable because he's a genuinely good human being but has a tendency to bumble about trying to do the right thing in an impossibly difficult situation. The character development is top notch but the writing style itself is fun and always conjures up the right atmosphere for the scene.
This feels like a cosy mystery read, with the charm of a small town and really charismatic characters but with a supernatural thread running throughout that stops it getting too twee.
I enjoyed the ending of this book, the conclusion of the mystery was satisfying and there's just enough intrigue left over to pick up the series again (I'm so happy to discover it's going to be a series!), I can't wait to get back to the weird Halloween town of New England and get know the locals better.
April 20, 2018
The title itself caught my interest first. Then the story of a young man living in a small town that thrives on the holiday Halloween, builds coffins like his father who disappeared 5 years ago with two coffins he had just constructed and was never seen again, and right before Halloween, Death drops by and asks him to make 8 coffins and he will tell him what really happened to his Dad.....well I just couldn't resist.
I loved this book and I certainly hope the #1 means there will be more in this series. The characters are lovable, the setting is perfect for a semi-paranormal story line and the action is unstoppable, plus the tongue-in-cheek comedy will have you laughing out loud.
Definitely put this one on your to-read list!
I loved this book and I certainly hope the #1 means there will be more in this series. The characters are lovable, the setting is perfect for a semi-paranormal story line and the action is unstoppable, plus the tongue-in-cheek comedy will have you laughing out loud.
Definitely put this one on your to-read list!
July 29, 2018
Sooooooo good!!! I love that I didn't really know what to expect, and what I got was a book that called to me every minute that I wasn't reading it! There was such great atmosphere, characters, and suspense!! I'll definitely be re-reading this for Halloween!!
January 9, 2025
Sooooooo good!!! I love that I didn't really know what to expect, and what I got was a book that called to me every minute that I wasn't reading it! There was such great atmosphere, characters, and suspense!! I'll definitely be re-reading this for Halloween!!
November 24, 2018
Full review to come!
October 11, 2020
Though a little too packed with allusions, this is a fun story, a quick read that I quite enjoyed.
May 3, 2018
I received a free copy of this for review from NetGalley **
3 stars. This was a fast and enjoyable read. I honestly didn't see the ending coming which doesn't usually happen. I'm curious to keep going with however many books will come after.
3 stars. This was a fast and enjoyable read. I honestly didn't see the ending coming which doesn't usually happen. I'm curious to keep going with however many books will come after.
June 10, 2018
This book is different then I normally read that's why I really liked it. This book follows Jesse who is a coffin maker. He is visited by Death and asked to make 8 coffins. Jesse agrees as long as he can try and prevent the deaths he is making the coffins for. Jesse meets a new people names Robin but she is not at all as she seems. The book takes place over 2 weeks with Jesse trying to prevent the deaths. I truly enjoyed reading about Jesse and the weird Halloween Town he lives in.
I received a free copy of this book via Curiosity Quills Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Curiosity Quills Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews