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Josie Jameson #1
Four Tombstones
Halloween.
The night the barrier between the dead and the living is as thin as muslin. Fifteen-year old Josie, haunted by the death of her mother, leads her best friends to an ancient cemetery to rub graves. Convinced she will come away with proof of her mother’s spirit at last, the evening takes an unexpected turn as the teens gravitate four ways into the haunted grounds.
Set against the backdrop of the rainy Pacific Northwest, four graves will be rubbed, touching off a series of events that will rattle their once mundane lives. From the lonely World War II hero to an accused witch, the people buried beneath the tombstones have stories that need an ending. The journey to unravel the mysteries leaves the friends wondering if the graves would’ve been better off left alone.
The night the barrier between the dead and the living is as thin as muslin. Fifteen-year old Josie, haunted by the death of her mother, leads her best friends to an ancient cemetery to rub graves. Convinced she will come away with proof of her mother’s spirit at last, the evening takes an unexpected turn as the teens gravitate four ways into the haunted grounds.
Set against the backdrop of the rainy Pacific Northwest, four graves will be rubbed, touching off a series of events that will rattle their once mundane lives. From the lonely World War II hero to an accused witch, the people buried beneath the tombstones have stories that need an ending. The journey to unravel the mysteries leaves the friends wondering if the graves would’ve been better off left alone.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 26, 2013
5 people are currently reading
1107 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer L. Hotes
9 books44 followersRaised across the river from a nuclear reactor, Jennifer thought two-headed animals at the county fair were normal until she moved to the big city. Jennifer has been looking at the world through a cracked kaleidoscope since she was born and has been writing since her parents pushed her crib against a blank wall.
She would give her last possession for a bowl of gumbo from Disneyland's New Orleans Square and tries to run five days a week.
Fortunate enough to marry her best friend, she and her husband reside in Seattle and the proud parents of two strong, fierce daughters.
She would give her last possession for a bowl of gumbo from Disneyland's New Orleans Square and tries to run five days a week.
Fortunate enough to marry her best friend, she and her husband reside in Seattle and the proud parents of two strong, fierce daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
December 30, 2020
Not really for me at all, like another reviewer here on netgalley I Wasn’t impressed with the cultural appropriation/ racism in Halloween costume the character chooses to wear. It was just the beginning for me of not being impressed with this, the writing didn’t feel right, it felt forced and the descriptions of characters or there sense of self didn’t feel right or natural to me. The relationship I won’t call it a romance because it just felt awkward and uncomfortable, not for me at all.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
December 23, 2013
Four Rubbings (The Stone Witch Series) (Volume 1)
In the first few chapters, we meet four young teens who go to an ancient cemetery on Halloween ... not to be hoodlums or vandalize, but to do headstone rubbings on four graves (1 each).
The book follows the kids as they research 'their' graves learning the stories behind who is buried there (a baby, a war hero, a priest and an accused witch) and they soon discover the spirits have unfinished business and stories that need to be solved before they can rest peacefully.
Overall, Four Rubbings is a book about loss and death, good families with small problems and dysfunctional families with huge problems, and especially the power behind lifetime friendship.
It's about disappointment, nightmares and breaking out of the familiar and comfort zones .... as well as about love and trust and loyalty.
It is mysterious, haunting and sometimes kind of creepy .. but it was always interesting and kept me turning pages wanting to learn more about the kids, their personal issues, and their spirits.
I wanted to see them resolve their own lives as well as the lives of their spirits. In the end, there was satisfying closure for most the characters, however, there was enough of an open ending to lead the way for a sequel (which I am looking forward to reading!)
I wouldn't describe this book as Christian-Fiction, however there is a touch of contemporary Christianity that flows nicely throughout the book, especially with one of the teens and their storyline.
This book definitely has some great spook factor and chilling ghost stories throughout, but not anything that will cause distress.
I would recommend to readers 12-14 and older as I think adults will enjoy this book just as much as the younger audience.
Great read year round, although I do wish I'd read this in October, it's the perfect ghost story book.
**I won this book in a GoodReads first-reads giveaway listed by the author Jennifer Hotes (http://www.booktrope.com) Thank you Goodreads and Jennifer for the opportunity to read and review this spectacularly spooky book!
In the first few chapters, we meet four young teens who go to an ancient cemetery on Halloween ... not to be hoodlums or vandalize, but to do headstone rubbings on four graves (1 each).
The book follows the kids as they research 'their' graves learning the stories behind who is buried there (a baby, a war hero, a priest and an accused witch) and they soon discover the spirits have unfinished business and stories that need to be solved before they can rest peacefully.
Overall, Four Rubbings is a book about loss and death, good families with small problems and dysfunctional families with huge problems, and especially the power behind lifetime friendship.
It's about disappointment, nightmares and breaking out of the familiar and comfort zones .... as well as about love and trust and loyalty.
It is mysterious, haunting and sometimes kind of creepy .. but it was always interesting and kept me turning pages wanting to learn more about the kids, their personal issues, and their spirits.
I wanted to see them resolve their own lives as well as the lives of their spirits. In the end, there was satisfying closure for most the characters, however, there was enough of an open ending to lead the way for a sequel (which I am looking forward to reading!)
I wouldn't describe this book as Christian-Fiction, however there is a touch of contemporary Christianity that flows nicely throughout the book, especially with one of the teens and their storyline.
This book definitely has some great spook factor and chilling ghost stories throughout, but not anything that will cause distress.
I would recommend to readers 12-14 and older as I think adults will enjoy this book just as much as the younger audience.
Great read year round, although I do wish I'd read this in October, it's the perfect ghost story book.
**I won this book in a GoodReads first-reads giveaway listed by the author Jennifer Hotes (http://www.booktrope.com) Thank you Goodreads and Jennifer for the opportunity to read and review this spectacularly spooky book!
January 31, 2014
Jennifer Hotes' Four Rubbings is an exquisitely wrought YA novel full of beauty, intrigue, and adventure that is crafted with love and care.
Throughout the work, her prose is lush and lovely. Her words and the descriptions created from them shine like polished stones, like those that devoted survivors place on top of the headstones of their dearly departed. Also quite beautiful are the characters of the four teen stars of the novel. They are all resourceful, grounded, compassionate, and loving, despite their less than perfect home lives.
While adventurous, these young people are rarely reckless. As a former teacher of YA Lit to children exactly their age, this is an important distinction. At times they often behave better and more responsibly than the adults in this book. But these teen characters don’t come off as too perfect. They show disappointment, frustration, impatience, and even romantic feelings for each other. At fourteen years old, it’s only natural these four friends since childhood might develop little crushes on their friends as they mature, and they do.
This is important because the population that this book is written for wants characters they can relate to a lot more than characters their parents want them to read about.
Overall, Four Rubbings is an absorbing and fulfilling read. As plotted, it begs for a sequel.
Throughout the work, her prose is lush and lovely. Her words and the descriptions created from them shine like polished stones, like those that devoted survivors place on top of the headstones of their dearly departed. Also quite beautiful are the characters of the four teen stars of the novel. They are all resourceful, grounded, compassionate, and loving, despite their less than perfect home lives.
While adventurous, these young people are rarely reckless. As a former teacher of YA Lit to children exactly their age, this is an important distinction. At times they often behave better and more responsibly than the adults in this book. But these teen characters don’t come off as too perfect. They show disappointment, frustration, impatience, and even romantic feelings for each other. At fourteen years old, it’s only natural these four friends since childhood might develop little crushes on their friends as they mature, and they do.
This is important because the population that this book is written for wants characters they can relate to a lot more than characters their parents want them to read about.
Overall, Four Rubbings is an absorbing and fulfilling read. As plotted, it begs for a sequel.
February 3, 2014
I gave this to my 11year old daughter as Christmas gift. This is what she thought.
"I read this after Christmas on break. I couldn't put it down. My friend's mom passed away from cancer last year and so this was pretty sad to be reminded of it. But it's a great story with really good characters. I was really excited to learn this is first book of a series. Because this was eery. Creepy. Interesting. All enjoyable. And the rubbing kit that the author sent as part of the package was really cool. I look forward to trying it when it dries out here. And I want to get the next book too."
"I read this after Christmas on break. I couldn't put it down. My friend's mom passed away from cancer last year and so this was pretty sad to be reminded of it. But it's a great story with really good characters. I was really excited to learn this is first book of a series. Because this was eery. Creepy. Interesting. All enjoyable. And the rubbing kit that the author sent as part of the package was really cool. I look forward to trying it when it dries out here. And I want to get the next book too."
October 20, 2013
What a fun book! As a local to Seattle, it was fun to read about places I have been. And Jennifer does a great job making your heart yearn for the characters and experience their joy and fear right along with them. As we near Halloween and the fall, I highly recommend this for curling up next to the fire while it is blustery outside reading.
February 13, 2014
I've loved YA thrillers since I was a kid - "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark" was one of my first favorite books; Lois Duncan was one of my favorite childhood authors; and I was thrilled to death to receive a personal letter from Betty Ren Wright when I was in third grade or so. (I still have that letter somewhere). As I grew older, I never outgrew my love of scary stories. Although I also read "grown-up" horror stories (Stephen King will always be my #1 favorite author), I still enjoy YA horror as well. "Four Rubbings" by Jennifer Hotes is one of those YA horror books that's scary and entertaining while also being well-written enough for adults to enjoy.
Four Rubbings tells the tale of four teenagers - self-labeled "The Baby Group," as they've been friends since infancy - and what happens when they decide to try to connect with the dead by doing gravestone rubbings on Halloween. The story delves individually into the minds of each of the four teens - Josie, Casey, Blaze, and Seth. Josie, the leader of the group and the one who originally came up with the idea of doing the grave rubbings on Halloween, tragically lost her mother years previously, and sees this activity as a way to try to "reach out" to her mom and try to connect with her. She encourages the other three teens to find a grave that "calls" to them... and they do.
You learn more about each teen's back story as they each get a chance to relate their own experiences of what htheir graveyard adventure through point-of-view shifts between the characters (although Josie, as the leader and primary character, gets the most page-time). And these aren't dumbed-down teenagers. These kids are portrayed as intelligent and well-spoken, with the ability to reflect on the things that are happening and on their personal reactions.
This book delivers the thrills and chills, and the ending will leave you wanting more and hoping that the author will continue Josie and the Baby Group's story soon. I plan to share this book with my own teenagers, who've inherited my love of scary stories. I wouldn't be surprised if they want to go do grave rubbings next Halloween after reading this book!
Four Rubbings tells the tale of four teenagers - self-labeled "The Baby Group," as they've been friends since infancy - and what happens when they decide to try to connect with the dead by doing gravestone rubbings on Halloween. The story delves individually into the minds of each of the four teens - Josie, Casey, Blaze, and Seth. Josie, the leader of the group and the one who originally came up with the idea of doing the grave rubbings on Halloween, tragically lost her mother years previously, and sees this activity as a way to try to "reach out" to her mom and try to connect with her. She encourages the other three teens to find a grave that "calls" to them... and they do.
You learn more about each teen's back story as they each get a chance to relate their own experiences of what htheir graveyard adventure through point-of-view shifts between the characters (although Josie, as the leader and primary character, gets the most page-time). And these aren't dumbed-down teenagers. These kids are portrayed as intelligent and well-spoken, with the ability to reflect on the things that are happening and on their personal reactions.
This book delivers the thrills and chills, and the ending will leave you wanting more and hoping that the author will continue Josie and the Baby Group's story soon. I plan to share this book with my own teenagers, who've inherited my love of scary stories. I wouldn't be surprised if they want to go do grave rubbings next Halloween after reading this book!
January 30, 2014
Four Rubbings is a story about a group of young adults who decide to make rubbings of gravestones one Halloween night. This isn’t a ghost story, however. After they complete the rubbings, they research the people who have died and try to help them to resolve any unfinished business and to find peace.
The story is written by weaving short vignettes of each young adult’s journey together. Josie, Casey, Blaze and Seth each tell their stories from their own point of view. Included are poignant back stories about their families, which include death, love, loss, and longing.
Josie, the individual who came up with the idea to do the rubbings, has more to tell, due in part to the unusual story about her mother’s heart (I won’t divulge more or it would be a spoiler). I felt that her story was only just beginning, as the ending promised that there was much more to come with a sequel.
There is a lot going on in this book, and some may be put off if they have a short attention span. It is not a quick read, nor a book that can skimmed to 'get the gist of it.' Each little story must be read in its entirety to understand its connection to the rest of the story. If you put in the effort, you will be rewarded in the end.
The story is written by weaving short vignettes of each young adult’s journey together. Josie, Casey, Blaze and Seth each tell their stories from their own point of view. Included are poignant back stories about their families, which include death, love, loss, and longing.
Josie, the individual who came up with the idea to do the rubbings, has more to tell, due in part to the unusual story about her mother’s heart (I won’t divulge more or it would be a spoiler). I felt that her story was only just beginning, as the ending promised that there was much more to come with a sequel.
There is a lot going on in this book, and some may be put off if they have a short attention span. It is not a quick read, nor a book that can skimmed to 'get the gist of it.' Each little story must be read in its entirety to understand its connection to the rest of the story. If you put in the effort, you will be rewarded in the end.
March 22, 2014
I enjoyed the first-person narrative style of this book. Although it did take me a few chapters to get used to the narrators changing over. But I was quickly captivated by this story. Indeed changing the narrator really helped me to understand the psyche of the Baby Group and Grace too.
I was fascinated to learn the legend that the Blarney Stone was thought to be a piece of the Stone of Scone. I grew up near to a ruined 16th century castle, not too far from where the Stone of Scone now rests. I was reminded that, as a child, I would often play with friends, in the graveyard by the castle.
I loved the chapter where Seth and his father go kayaking together in the Mercer Slough, set against the backdrop of the 1856 conflict between the Native Americans and settlers.
Without giving too much away from the ending, it definitely leaves you on tenterhooks, looking forward to the next book in the series. Wherever the Stone Witch series goes next, I know I will be going too. If this is YA fiction, I guess I am glad to be Y.
I was fascinated to learn the legend that the Blarney Stone was thought to be a piece of the Stone of Scone. I grew up near to a ruined 16th century castle, not too far from where the Stone of Scone now rests. I was reminded that, as a child, I would often play with friends, in the graveyard by the castle.
I loved the chapter where Seth and his father go kayaking together in the Mercer Slough, set against the backdrop of the 1856 conflict between the Native Americans and settlers.
Without giving too much away from the ending, it definitely leaves you on tenterhooks, looking forward to the next book in the series. Wherever the Stone Witch series goes next, I know I will be going too. If this is YA fiction, I guess I am glad to be Y.
August 4, 2014
I am about 50 pages in and loving this book.
The multi point of view is written in a way that is not only easy to follow, but also clever. I love the concept, but even more than that, I am already feeling these characters. Hotes made me cry big time - already. Runaway Bunny? Seriously? How could I not cry. Wow, Jennifer Hotes, so beautiful. Great stuff. Can't wait to get back to reading this afternoon.
Finished tonight. Wow! What a glorious, emotional read. I should mention that my father died of cancer many years ago, and I still miss him dearly. Perhaps Four Rubbings spoke to me so thoroughly because I understand what it's like to be so desperate to remember one's own parent, taken too soon. I fell easily into the rhythm of this story. The writing is beautifully charged, and the characters are utterly believable. Hotes is not only a poised writer, but a captivating storyteller as well. I am really looking forward to reading more from Jennifer Hotes.
The multi point of view is written in a way that is not only easy to follow, but also clever. I love the concept, but even more than that, I am already feeling these characters. Hotes made me cry big time - already. Runaway Bunny? Seriously? How could I not cry. Wow, Jennifer Hotes, so beautiful. Great stuff. Can't wait to get back to reading this afternoon.
Finished tonight. Wow! What a glorious, emotional read. I should mention that my father died of cancer many years ago, and I still miss him dearly. Perhaps Four Rubbings spoke to me so thoroughly because I understand what it's like to be so desperate to remember one's own parent, taken too soon. I fell easily into the rhythm of this story. The writing is beautifully charged, and the characters are utterly believable. Hotes is not only a poised writer, but a captivating storyteller as well. I am really looking forward to reading more from Jennifer Hotes.
February 18, 2014
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really fun book! It's based on four middle-grade teens who set out to rub gravestones on Halloween night. As they set out to learn more about the person under their gravestone, they each go through their own personal discovery and growth. This book was very well written. It was fast paced and kept me engaged in the story and characters. I would recommend this book to any and all who enjoy YA with a splash of paranormal. Great book! Can't wait for the next one in the series!
This was a really fun book! It's based on four middle-grade teens who set out to rub gravestones on Halloween night. As they set out to learn more about the person under their gravestone, they each go through their own personal discovery and growth. This book was very well written. It was fast paced and kept me engaged in the story and characters. I would recommend this book to any and all who enjoy YA with a splash of paranormal. Great book! Can't wait for the next one in the series!
February 16, 2014
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I flippin’ loved Four Rubbings!!! I couldn’t put the book down for one second: No drinks, food, bathroom or stretching breaks! Absolutely nothing could pull me away from it. Once I finished reading it, had to research information regarding rubbing headstones. 394 pages of awesomeness!
If you love paranormal reads, you will love this book!!!
I flippin’ loved Four Rubbings!!! I couldn’t put the book down for one second: No drinks, food, bathroom or stretching breaks! Absolutely nothing could pull me away from it. Once I finished reading it, had to research information regarding rubbing headstones. 394 pages of awesomeness!
If you love paranormal reads, you will love this book!!!
March 5, 2014
Four teens go to a graveyard on Halloween and each one is drawn to a tombstone to rub. As they learn about the dead person, they each solve their own mystery. Great characters. Loved this story.
July 16, 2019
This YA-focused suspenseful novel is spooky, heartwarming, and compelling, and I totally enjoyed it. Josie and her much-younger brother Owen lost their mother six years ago, and to keep memories alive, Josie sets up a tombstone-rubbing evening on Halloween. Her mother doesn't appear, but each of the four friends is inexplicably drawn to a grave, and each becomes involved in the past of that person. Josie finds herself in a spooky older cemetery known as "Ghost Forest," at the grave of a woman stoned for witchcraft--in the 19th century!
The author masterfully blends paranormal elements, grief, and adolescent angst and coming-of-age into a riveting story.
The author masterfully blends paranormal elements, grief, and adolescent angst and coming-of-age into a riveting story.
November 8, 2019
THIS IS SPECTACULAR!😍 BUY THIS BOOK NOW
IF YOU WANT TO GET YOURSELF A GREAT 👍 BOOK, HERE IT IS! 😍 BUY THIS BOOK, IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY! SO DO IT! 😍 YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS!
IF YOU WANT TO GET YOURSELF A GREAT 👍 BOOK, HERE IT IS! 😍 BUY THIS BOOK, IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY! SO DO IT! 😍 YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS!
October 6, 2020
It was like watching a Disney Channel movie -the late era of Disney Channel movies that were that bad.
I almost DNF this book eight times but I forced myself to go through it despite the boredom, interiorised racism within the plot by the author unknowingly putting it in there and the overall forced writing.
I was hoping to get a thrilling-and-fun-ghost-adventures-type-of-reading-for-youngadults but maybe this book will be more suitable for even younger readers as they will overlook most of the things happening inside.
This could may be awesome if the books develop within the series but I think I'm not going to keep reading it.
I almost DNF this book eight times but I forced myself to go through it despite the boredom, interiorised racism within the plot by the author unknowingly putting it in there and the overall forced writing.
I was hoping to get a thrilling-and-fun-ghost-adventures-type-of-reading-for-youngadults but maybe this book will be more suitable for even younger readers as they will overlook most of the things happening inside.
This could may be awesome if the books develop within the series but I think I'm not going to keep reading it.
February 5, 2014
A plodding, spooky story:
I found the novel ‘Four Rubbings’ different to other teenage fiction that I have read. This is a spooky story, (probably best read around Halloween!) and follows the lives of four teenagers who try to find out more about the gravestone they have, quite literally, taken a pencil rubbing from. However, the teenagers have a lot more on their plate than just finding out about the graves and this takes the form of how all of them live in dysfunctional families. As such, I found parts of it quite sad that the teenagers could not find acceptance and had more responsibilities on their shoulders than kids their age should.
The novel switches between all four teenagers so readers are always able to keep up with the mystery that each character is unravelling. At the same time, it was refreshing to read about their different interpretations on events, and, more in the second half of the novel, their changing feelings towards one another. However, at times I did find that Hotes got a little distracted by the family issues that were within each story and this certainly slowed the pace of the story for me.
Each of the lives that the characters investigate are really different. Hotes cleverly makes links to the family life that the teenagers are living with and I found myself always trying to make parallels between the two. I would have liked to read more about Seth and Blaze’s mysteries and I think these take more of a back-seat; Hotes instead brings their family life to the foreground and how this changes over the course of the novel. The truly spooky element lies with Josie, who is still mourning for her mother and the secrets she uncovers about her life, whilst at the same time learning more about her “rubbing”: the grave of a suspected witch. Josie’s actions at trying to find answers make this novel read more like a mystery and I found the climax more chilling than the rest of the story. Indeed, Hotes certainly sets the novel up for a sequel very well and I was keen to know what happens next in the story.
I enjoyed reading this novel and was keen to find out the answers to all of the little mysteries that built up in the story. I was hoping this book would have more pace and excitement, but instead this is more about feelings rather than actions. I think this would probably appeal to teenagers who specifically enjoy reading spooky stories with a good mystery but would recommend it to all as a young adult novel that is a little bit different from the rest.
I found the novel ‘Four Rubbings’ different to other teenage fiction that I have read. This is a spooky story, (probably best read around Halloween!) and follows the lives of four teenagers who try to find out more about the gravestone they have, quite literally, taken a pencil rubbing from. However, the teenagers have a lot more on their plate than just finding out about the graves and this takes the form of how all of them live in dysfunctional families. As such, I found parts of it quite sad that the teenagers could not find acceptance and had more responsibilities on their shoulders than kids their age should.
The novel switches between all four teenagers so readers are always able to keep up with the mystery that each character is unravelling. At the same time, it was refreshing to read about their different interpretations on events, and, more in the second half of the novel, their changing feelings towards one another. However, at times I did find that Hotes got a little distracted by the family issues that were within each story and this certainly slowed the pace of the story for me.
Each of the lives that the characters investigate are really different. Hotes cleverly makes links to the family life that the teenagers are living with and I found myself always trying to make parallels between the two. I would have liked to read more about Seth and Blaze’s mysteries and I think these take more of a back-seat; Hotes instead brings their family life to the foreground and how this changes over the course of the novel. The truly spooky element lies with Josie, who is still mourning for her mother and the secrets she uncovers about her life, whilst at the same time learning more about her “rubbing”: the grave of a suspected witch. Josie’s actions at trying to find answers make this novel read more like a mystery and I found the climax more chilling than the rest of the story. Indeed, Hotes certainly sets the novel up for a sequel very well and I was keen to know what happens next in the story.
I enjoyed reading this novel and was keen to find out the answers to all of the little mysteries that built up in the story. I was hoping this book would have more pace and excitement, but instead this is more about feelings rather than actions. I think this would probably appeal to teenagers who specifically enjoy reading spooky stories with a good mystery but would recommend it to all as a young adult novel that is a little bit different from the rest.
June 27, 2015
Well, the first thing I have to say is that I made the mistake of taking this book along on vacation, thinking it would be a quick, carefree read to while away the hours on the drive to and from our destination (no, I was not the one driving, lol). As it turns out, I spent almost all my spare time on vacation reading this book because I really didn't want to put it down; I wanted to find out what happened next. The plot was really engaging, and it was a decidedly different twist on the typical teen ghost story. I also enjoyed the fact that the ghost story was only a small part of the entire plot. The characters, for the most part, were well-developed and relatable, and I really found myself pulling for them to get their issues resolved.
There were a few minor issues I had with the story:
*The story switched POV's with each chapter. I liked the fact that we got a glimpse of the action from multiple viewpoints, but at times I had trouble keeping straight who was telling a particular chapter. Also, because there were times that we saw the same scenes from multiple viewpoints, things got repetitive at times, and I sometimes got a bit lost as to how much time had passed between chapters.
*One thing that made me scratch my head towards the end of the book was Josie receiving the journal of Bain's daughter Regan. It just seemed unrealistic that an Irish genealogical society would send her an entire original journal as a thank you for solving a family mystery. A copy of it, maybe, but the original?
*Here and there I found some grammar/sentence structure issues that made me have to reread a sentence, but these errors weren't excessive and didn't pull me out of the story.
Overall, this was a brilliant story, and I'm interested in reading the second book in the series.
**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
There were a few minor issues I had with the story:
*The story switched POV's with each chapter. I liked the fact that we got a glimpse of the action from multiple viewpoints, but at times I had trouble keeping straight who was telling a particular chapter. Also, because there were times that we saw the same scenes from multiple viewpoints, things got repetitive at times, and I sometimes got a bit lost as to how much time had passed between chapters.
*One thing that made me scratch my head towards the end of the book was Josie receiving the journal of Bain's daughter Regan. It just seemed unrealistic that an Irish genealogical society would send her an entire original journal as a thank you for solving a family mystery. A copy of it, maybe, but the original?
*Here and there I found some grammar/sentence structure issues that made me have to reread a sentence, but these errors weren't excessive and didn't pull me out of the story.
Overall, this was a brilliant story, and I'm interested in reading the second book in the series.
**I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 29, 2016
Grace, the cemetery caretaker, spots four youths rubbing headstones on Halloween and, thankful that they aren't there to vandalize, she sends a prayer to God. Little does she realize that this prayer will lead each of the teens on a strange journey with the gravesites' occupants. Fourteen-year-old Josie sets out to rub her mother's headstone, but is drawn to that of a witch instead; Casey, who lives in the shadow of her older brother, rubs the headstone of a baby boy whose parents still show him more attention than she has ever received; Blaze, whose mother is an atheist, rubs the headstone of a priest; and Seth, who is having a troubled relationship with his father, rubs the headstone of a dead soldier with no living relatives. As each teen finds out more about the subject of their rubbing, they are forced to come to terms with an important aspect of their own lives. Even Grace will be affected by the events set in motion on Halloween night.
The chapters are told from the alternating points-of-view of Grace, Josie, Casey, Blaze, and Seth, with the cute chapter headings indicating who is narrating each chapter. This book is beautifully written and contains some lovely descriptive passages. There is a lot of detail that is not strictly necessary but that adds an extra dimension to the narrative. I came to know each of these characters very well, and I was invested in their stories. This is a complex tale of friendship, love, family, and history.
A pleasure to read.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com...
The chapters are told from the alternating points-of-view of Grace, Josie, Casey, Blaze, and Seth, with the cute chapter headings indicating who is narrating each chapter. This book is beautifully written and contains some lovely descriptive passages. There is a lot of detail that is not strictly necessary but that adds an extra dimension to the narrative. I came to know each of these characters very well, and I was invested in their stories. This is a complex tale of friendship, love, family, and history.
A pleasure to read.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: http://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com...
March 6, 2015
I am an independent reviewer for PR&ATR. On Halloween night four teens decide instead of going trick or treating they're going to the cemetery to do some rubbings. You know where you put paper on a grave stone and use chalk to rub the stone. Well the four each go separate ways and each have separate problems in their lives.
Josie lost her mother to cancer when she was 8 and is now the "mom" in her family. She planned on rubbing her mom's grave to feel closer to her but is lead to the grave of an unknown "witch" instead.
Blaze has a uber controlling mom who is very outspoken and anti religion. He finds a priest's grave.
Casey feels invisible to her parents because her older brother is a football superstar in college. She finds the grave of a little boy whos parents leave presents on his grave all the time.
Seth's parents are divorce due to his dad cheating so now he hates his dad. He finds a Sargent from WWII who has no family.
They meet Grace, the cemetery keeper, who has secrets of her own.
What follows is a story of discovery, redemption, mystery, love, and enlightenment. I really liked that each teen had problems and in some little was the grave they chose helped them find their way. This is a very well written book and I can't wait to read book 2.
Josie lost her mother to cancer when she was 8 and is now the "mom" in her family. She planned on rubbing her mom's grave to feel closer to her but is lead to the grave of an unknown "witch" instead.
Blaze has a uber controlling mom who is very outspoken and anti religion. He finds a priest's grave.
Casey feels invisible to her parents because her older brother is a football superstar in college. She finds the grave of a little boy whos parents leave presents on his grave all the time.
Seth's parents are divorce due to his dad cheating so now he hates his dad. He finds a Sargent from WWII who has no family.
They meet Grace, the cemetery keeper, who has secrets of her own.
What follows is a story of discovery, redemption, mystery, love, and enlightenment. I really liked that each teen had problems and in some little was the grave they chose helped them find their way. This is a very well written book and I can't wait to read book 2.
October 8, 2015
Jennifer Hotes has written an alluring narrative largely about a young girl dealing with her mother’s untimely death, as well as her father’s melancholy. But this is also the story of four childhood friends with deep connections.
One of my favorite characters (I found myself looking forward to her every appearance), was Grace, the lively caretaker of Lakefront Cemetery, which serves as the backdrop for ensuing spooky adventures and several mysteries. The author evenhandedly intertwines skillful prose with heartfelt characterizations of the four teenagers and their enduring friendships.
If you like eerie graveyards, crows, cats, puzzles, and unexpected plot twists and surprises—you will enjoy Jose Jameson and the Fourth Tombstone.
I plan to buy and read the sequel, Jose Jameson and the Stone Witch, just in time for the Halloween Season!
One of my favorite characters (I found myself looking forward to her every appearance), was Grace, the lively caretaker of Lakefront Cemetery, which serves as the backdrop for ensuing spooky adventures and several mysteries. The author evenhandedly intertwines skillful prose with heartfelt characterizations of the four teenagers and their enduring friendships.
If you like eerie graveyards, crows, cats, puzzles, and unexpected plot twists and surprises—you will enjoy Jose Jameson and the Fourth Tombstone.
I plan to buy and read the sequel, Jose Jameson and the Stone Witch, just in time for the Halloween Season!
July 14, 2019
I loved this book! It wasn't what I was expecting when I got the book, but our captivated me almost from the first page.
A selfish impulse from a teen girl changes the lives of 5 families. This story takes on a journey as 4 teens unravel the mystery of their tombstones and navigate the emotional rollercoaster each of them face in their own lives!
I couldn't put this book down, literally. I wanted to know what happened next with Josie and her best friends. This is a must read for anyone who likes a little mystery, a little ghostly, and little coming of age!
A selfish impulse from a teen girl changes the lives of 5 families. This story takes on a journey as 4 teens unravel the mystery of their tombstones and navigate the emotional rollercoaster each of them face in their own lives!
I couldn't put this book down, literally. I wanted to know what happened next with Josie and her best friends. This is a must read for anyone who likes a little mystery, a little ghostly, and little coming of age!
March 9, 2014
I was lucky to received the e book of Four Rubbings. I really liked the mystery of the story and the characters. I enjoyed how the characters all interacted with each other and how each one had a back story. However, the one thing that bothered me was the fact that the characters were supposed to be 14 years old. They spoke and acted like they were in their twenties.
Other than that, I enjoyed the book.
Other than that, I enjoyed the book.
May 19, 2020
Yiiiikes. The main character, who presents as white, dresses up as Sacagawea for Halloween. The narration makes frequent references to her clothing—"my moccasins," the "cheap suede" of the costume—so the offensive wardrobe choice stays fresh in the reader's mind. I'm DNFing at 6%.
December 2, 2014
A very interesting story with themes that touch every single family out there. I can't say I expected it to be that good, but was pleasantly surprised.
September 5, 2020
Through Net Galley, I was fortunate enough to read #FourTombstones by Jennifer L. Hotes, a paranormal mystery that follows fifteen year old Josie Jameson and her 3 closest friends. Still haunted by the death of her mother 9 years earlier, Josie and her friends go to the cemetery where her mother is buried to “rub graves” on Halloween with the hope that she will be able to communicate with her mother’s spirit.
Friends since birth, the four teenagers, who call themselves The Baby Group, find themselves trying to get to know more about each of the persons buried in the four graves rubbed on Halloween: a suspected witch, well regarded pastor, decorated veteran who died alone and a young child. Along the way, the group deals with death/loss, growing up, evolving friendships and familial relationships.
The first in a series, this entertaining YA novel is the perfect spooky read with Halloween on the horizon. Josie is an appealing main character worthy of being at the center of a series and her friends all have compelling backstories. There are plenty of scares provided by ghosts, witches, black crows and nights in the cemetery and the mystery keeps you guessing right to the end. Josie’s younger brother and a pesky cat that keeps showing up provide some lighter moments.
This fun read moves along quickly and has just the right amount of heart/emotional heft. This one gets five stars.
An e-book copy of Four Tombstones was the only compensation received in exchange for this review. My thanks to Net Galley and Storm Mystery Press for the opportunity to read this book and provide feedback.
Friends since birth, the four teenagers, who call themselves The Baby Group, find themselves trying to get to know more about each of the persons buried in the four graves rubbed on Halloween: a suspected witch, well regarded pastor, decorated veteran who died alone and a young child. Along the way, the group deals with death/loss, growing up, evolving friendships and familial relationships.
The first in a series, this entertaining YA novel is the perfect spooky read with Halloween on the horizon. Josie is an appealing main character worthy of being at the center of a series and her friends all have compelling backstories. There are plenty of scares provided by ghosts, witches, black crows and nights in the cemetery and the mystery keeps you guessing right to the end. Josie’s younger brother and a pesky cat that keeps showing up provide some lighter moments.
This fun read moves along quickly and has just the right amount of heart/emotional heft. This one gets five stars.
An e-book copy of Four Tombstones was the only compensation received in exchange for this review. My thanks to Net Galley and Storm Mystery Press for the opportunity to read this book and provide feedback.
November 24, 2020
I received this book as an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
My template says to start with a brief summary of the book. Well, seeing as how I DNF’d it at about 15%? Less so.
I was turned off by this book for a number of reasons. The first thing that stood out to me was that the main character was dressed as a Native American for Halloween… and carrying a teddy that she referred to as Baby Sacagawea. I’m not Native American, but I would be super uncomfortable if someone dressed up as one of my Maori ancestors (let alone carrying a TEDDY as a substitute for a legitimate person who was named and important) for Halloween! So that was a huge nope from me.
But I persevered… but not for long. The writing is vague, except when it comes to great detail about how the MC is “not like other girls” and about how “It takes SOO much effort to look as naturally beautiful as she does”. I don’t know. I get either men-writing-women vibes, or I'm-looking-in-the-mirror-and-describing-myself. Either way, not my fave type of writing. Also, being as this was 2018, I thought we were moving past all the above awkwardness in YA? Also, I simply couldn’t get on board with the MC. She was annoying and felt that she could do no wrong. Ugh.
The reason I persevered at all was because of the description, and that’s the only reason I’m going to give it two stars. The premise sounded really good, and for all I know, if I could look past the parts I really didn’t like, maybe it would have been a good story. But I couldn’t.
My template says to start with a brief summary of the book. Well, seeing as how I DNF’d it at about 15%? Less so.
I was turned off by this book for a number of reasons. The first thing that stood out to me was that the main character was dressed as a Native American for Halloween… and carrying a teddy that she referred to as Baby Sacagawea. I’m not Native American, but I would be super uncomfortable if someone dressed up as one of my Maori ancestors (let alone carrying a TEDDY as a substitute for a legitimate person who was named and important) for Halloween! So that was a huge nope from me.
But I persevered… but not for long. The writing is vague, except when it comes to great detail about how the MC is “not like other girls” and about how “It takes SOO much effort to look as naturally beautiful as she does”. I don’t know. I get either men-writing-women vibes, or I'm-looking-in-the-mirror-and-describing-myself. Either way, not my fave type of writing. Also, being as this was 2018, I thought we were moving past all the above awkwardness in YA? Also, I simply couldn’t get on board with the MC. She was annoying and felt that she could do no wrong. Ugh.
The reason I persevered at all was because of the description, and that’s the only reason I’m going to give it two stars. The premise sounded really good, and for all I know, if I could look past the parts I really didn’t like, maybe it would have been a good story. But I couldn’t.
September 14, 2020
This book was provided to me by NetGalley in return for a fair review
I’m a huge fan of magic/mystery books, an even greater fan of YA; and Four Tombstones hits all the right buttons in what I look for in a book.
The story of Josie Jameson, a Seattle-area teenager who lost her mother to cancer six years ago, Four Tombstones is a story of love, loss, hope and mystery.
Everything opens with Josie desperately wanting to connect with her mother through dragging her four friends — the Baby Group — to the cemetery where her mother is buried in the guise of having some Halloween night fun to make some grave rubbings. As a result of that fateful night, new connections are made, Josie and her friends each end up getting set on tasks that will both bring them all closer, and, at some points, threaten to break them all apart.
The genuineness in Ms. Hotes’ writing really sells each of the journeys. Each member of the Baby Group faces some sort of harsh reality, and each have to grow a bit more out of childhood to reckon with their dilemmas: both individual and collective.
An air of the mystical permeates most of Josie’s story, and she tackles the unknown with both vigor and trepidation. It was not until I got to the end of this book that I was made aware that there are two others in the series. I very much look forward to reading more about Josie and her friends’ adventures.
I’m a huge fan of magic/mystery books, an even greater fan of YA; and Four Tombstones hits all the right buttons in what I look for in a book.
The story of Josie Jameson, a Seattle-area teenager who lost her mother to cancer six years ago, Four Tombstones is a story of love, loss, hope and mystery.
Everything opens with Josie desperately wanting to connect with her mother through dragging her four friends — the Baby Group — to the cemetery where her mother is buried in the guise of having some Halloween night fun to make some grave rubbings. As a result of that fateful night, new connections are made, Josie and her friends each end up getting set on tasks that will both bring them all closer, and, at some points, threaten to break them all apart.
The genuineness in Ms. Hotes’ writing really sells each of the journeys. Each member of the Baby Group faces some sort of harsh reality, and each have to grow a bit more out of childhood to reckon with their dilemmas: both individual and collective.
An air of the mystical permeates most of Josie’s story, and she tackles the unknown with both vigor and trepidation. It was not until I got to the end of this book that I was made aware that there are two others in the series. I very much look forward to reading more about Josie and her friends’ adventures.
August 24, 2020
I loved the relationships between the four members of the Baby Group. They all have been friends their entire lives which sets up one dynamic but they also have different bonds of friendship and romantic interest within the group. Their interactions were done so well and drew me into the story. I was also impressed by the books depictions of grief particularly the main character that lost her mother at a young age and is still dealing with her grief as a teen. All four characters of the baby group also had complicated and well written family dynamics that played a big part in the story.
The spookier aspects of the story were a bit less intriguing to me. It was interesting to see how the mystery unfurled and learn more about the witches’ grave and the graves from the other rubbings. However at times this moved really slow and overall the pacing just felt off. I also would have liked a more definitive answer to what was going on, the book provided both mystical and more practical explanations for everything and it just felt kind of muddled. The reader can definitely draw their own conclusions about everything but I didn’t feel strongly either way just a little confused. That said overall I still really enjoyed the book and would like to read more about the Baby Group.
The spookier aspects of the story were a bit less intriguing to me. It was interesting to see how the mystery unfurled and learn more about the witches’ grave and the graves from the other rubbings. However at times this moved really slow and overall the pacing just felt off. I also would have liked a more definitive answer to what was going on, the book provided both mystical and more practical explanations for everything and it just felt kind of muddled. The reader can definitely draw their own conclusions about everything but I didn’t feel strongly either way just a little confused. That said overall I still really enjoyed the book and would like to read more about the Baby Group.
December 4, 2020
The book started out interesting enough. I loved them investigating the tombstones, learning more and more about them; the characters were alright; Grace being my favorurite - but somehow I expected the book to become different. I expected ghosts. Actually ghosts to come and interact with them. Not just the "shade" of Joesie's mother.
I feel like this book kept dragging and dragging on what seemed like forever. I couldn't quite get a grasp for the plot because there was way too much prose. This book could've been a good part shorter and properly edited. The crows, for example. I get it, they're mysterious. You have to read about the MC scaring them off about twenty times. (I actually counted at first but after the fifth crow, I was bored and completly lost interest in the crows....)
The book was way too long. I found about three chapters which served literally no purpose and coud've done well being cut.
I am sorry for everyone who liked this book. If you enjoy it, that's great. I had very differnt expectations regarding this book,, so it simply falls flat for me.
I received a free ARC by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I feel like this book kept dragging and dragging on what seemed like forever. I couldn't quite get a grasp for the plot because there was way too much prose. This book could've been a good part shorter and properly edited. The crows, for example. I get it, they're mysterious. You have to read about the MC scaring them off about twenty times. (I actually counted at first but after the fifth crow, I was bored and completly lost interest in the crows....)
The book was way too long. I found about three chapters which served literally no purpose and coud've done well being cut.
I am sorry for everyone who liked this book. If you enjoy it, that's great. I had very differnt expectations regarding this book,, so it simply falls flat for me.
I received a free ARC by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2020
The book started out interesting enough. I loved them investigating the tombstones, learning more and more about them; the characters were alright; Grace being my favorurite - but somehow I expected the book to become different. I expected ghosts. Actually ghosts to come and interact with them. Not just the "shade" of Joesie's mother.
I feel like this book kept dragging and dragging on what seemed like forever. I couldn't quite get a grasp for the plot because there was way too much prose. This book could've been a good part shorter and properly edited. The crows, for example. I get it, they're mysterious. You have to read about the MC scaring them off about twenty times. (I actually counted at first but after the fifth crow, I was bored and completly lost interest in the crows....)
The book was way too long. I found about three chapters which served literally no purpose and coud've done well being cut.
I am sorry for everyone who liked this book. If you enjoy it, that's great. I had very differnt expectations regarding this book,, so it simply falls flat for me.
I received a free ARC by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I feel like this book kept dragging and dragging on what seemed like forever. I couldn't quite get a grasp for the plot because there was way too much prose. This book could've been a good part shorter and properly edited. The crows, for example. I get it, they're mysterious. You have to read about the MC scaring them off about twenty times. (I actually counted at first but after the fifth crow, I was bored and completly lost interest in the crows....)
The book was way too long. I found about three chapters which served literally no purpose and coud've done well being cut.
I am sorry for everyone who liked this book. If you enjoy it, that's great. I had very differnt expectations regarding this book,, so it simply falls flat for me.
I received a free ARC by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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