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Grant Wolves #1

Early Grave

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She couldn’t save his life. Can she save his soul?

Joey and Chris have everything werewolves could ask for: a strong pack, good health, money, and centuries stretching ahead of them to live their lives to the fullest. Or do they?

When Chris turns up dead, the whole pack goes on alert. A killer is on the loose, one who knows enough about werewolf biology to be a real threat.

But it’s not just her pack that Joey ends up fighting for. Chris’s spirit lingers, denied his eternal rest by a ruthless fanatic. Can Joey foil the killer’s nefarious scheme and set her best friend’s spirit free? Or will he be trapped between this world and the next forever?

Early Grave introduces a new breed of werewolf in a nail-biting mystery chocked full of surprising twists, complex emotions, and a diverse cast of characters. If you like strong, independent women and convention-defying tales with a generous dose of the supernatural, you’ll love this book.

This book was previously published as A Turn for the Worse. Same great book, new cover & title!

355 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 22, 2017

202 people are currently reading
151 people want to read

About the author

Lori Drake

17 books29 followers

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Community Reviews

5 stars
84 (38%)
4 stars
88 (40%)
3 stars
27 (12%)
2 stars
12 (5%)
1 star
7 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Amy.
605 reviews4 followers
October 5, 2017
Joey's pack mate and dance partner is found dead and it rocks her world. While investigating his murder, she stumbles into a world she never knew existed, and finds things out about Chris she's turned a blind eye to. This was a fun, fast paced, and charming urban fantasy, and read like a breath of fresh air.

Here's what I didn't like: Dean ;)

Here's what I liked: Chris, Joey, Chris as a spirit. All the stupid things they did and how they tied together. I liked Joey's human friends and the consequences to their actions. Can't wait for the next book. Hopefully there'll be pound puppies!
556 reviews12 followers
June 24, 2018
I'm not often blown away by what I read but I think this definitely deserves that moniker. Joey and Chris are wolf shifters as well as ballroom dancers. One night after rehearsal Chris goes out and unexpectedly ends up a ghost, He has something important to tell Joey and discovers that Dean can hear him.

This is just the opening to this story, there is so much drama and suspense while they discover what happened to Chris. So many secrets get unleashed as Joey's friends and family rally around her in support.

What I loved most is the realism and how every emotion gets involved as I laughed and cried with Joey. This author is definitely on my radar and this series is a must read for me as I want to know more about the Grant pack and what is in store for Joey and Chris next. I voluntarily read a complimentary copy and have not been compensated in any way for this opinion.
Profile Image for Monique.
907 reviews1 follower
October 22, 2017
A fantastic read! I really enjoyed reading this book; though to be honest, the beginning wasn't that great for me but the pace certainly picked up momentum about a third of the way through. The protagonist (Joey) was a bit "off putting" initially but towards the middle that changed for me. Good character development and overall a good storyline. What an ending...
Profile Image for Jan.
229 reviews1 follower
May 15, 2023
If I could double the amount of stars I would, but I'm afraid that a meagre five gold stars will have to do.
I got a nice surprise as soon as I started reading this first book in the Grant Wolves series, Dean appeared in his role as spirit finder and stayed as one of the 3 main characters, throughout the book. The last book I read 'Ghost Magnet' was a new one from Lori, where she had written Dean in as being the sole character.
I want to jump straight into reading the rest of the series by Lori, but I will be taking a very short break whilst I read 'The Call of the Wild', then it's back to the Grant Wolves again.
I really can't wait, I find them 'spellbinding. and Lori has certainly got me hooked.
271 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2018
Un livre intéressant, avec des caractères bien définies qui évoluent bien avec l'histoire.
Joey a une personnalité intéressante auquel j'ai pu facilement m'identifier.
Chris est un phénomène dans le domaine. Trouillard dans la vie mais plein de bravoure dans la mort.
Dean est aussi un personnage attachant. Dommage, la fin laisse présager que nous ne le reverrons peut-être plus...
Un livre captivant et très original.
Profile Image for Scarolet Ellis.
7,445 reviews53 followers
December 7, 2018
Early Grave by Lori Drake is a wonderful story to read. This is a wonderful start to a brand new series I fell in love with. I love reading Paranormal stories and this one is no different , I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves parnormals.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
16.6k reviews154 followers
December 25, 2018
She has no need for a pack as she has her best friend but when he is killed she is shattered. She believe it is murder and she must find out before it strikes again. Can she find out? Will the pack be destroyed? See how she gets on

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Heather Gilbert.
1,775 reviews85 followers
April 15, 2019
Different

This was a completely unique tale, mixing witches, ghosts and werewolves with aplomb. It took me s little while to get into it, but once I did, I was eager to try to figure it out.

Pros:
- Unique take.
- Character development.

Cons:
- Final antagonist was underwhelming after build up.
- Some parts are fairly confusing.
60 reviews2 followers
December 22, 2020
Excellent adventure!

So exciting! I loved these characters! I can't wait to read what happens with Joey and Chris. Does Sam and Ben come to the rescue again? Does Joey begin working with her mother rather than against her? Is Dean completely out of the picture? I am eager to read more from this author!
75 reviews3 followers
June 6, 2021
Not the ordinary

Joey is an awesome character, sometimes I loved her and other times she completely frustrated me! I enjoyed this book because it was not the ordinary wolf read. It was not the ordinary romance. It was not the ordinary supernatural. Loved it and will definitely read the next in series!
49 reviews
February 5, 2019
Early grave

This was the first in a series about supernatural characters based on a werewolf family. It was quick moving and the heroine was very strong. Even though they were werewolves, they had strong family ties. I would recommend this book. It was an imaginative story.
Profile Image for Kathy Zuercher Diveley.
1,603 reviews11 followers
June 20, 2019
Joey and Chris

Chris is murdered, and Joey and her family try to find out why and who. Chris was her best friend, adopted brother and professional ball room dancing partner. Werewolves, witches and spirits come into play in this intriguing story !!!
Profile Image for Dew.
762 reviews63 followers
August 26, 2020
4’11

The average height of an adult woman in the United States is 5’4”. Why do so many female authors envision an idealized female character as short to the point that a woman of average height would tower over her like Brunhilda She Beast of the Gulag?
339 reviews2 followers
October 24, 2021
Book 1

FYI-Police do not use "chalk outlines" to stipulate where a body is.

What a terrific start to this series! Werewolves, shape shifting, witches, different planes of being. Super story!

966 reviews11 followers
September 23, 2023
DNF'd at 67%.

I was looking for a good werewolf storyline but this just didnt gel for me. I spent a third of the book pushing myself to read it and finally thought, time to pull the plug.

None of it felt authentic and it was slow moving. 2.75 - 3 stars.
7 reviews1 follower
May 16, 2019
I enjoyed this book. It was an interesting new worldview of werewolves, with engaging characters and an intriguing plot twist/device that made it fun to figure out what was going on. :)
Profile Image for Elizabeth Bracker.
121 reviews2 followers
April 4, 2018
!!!

I would definitely recommend reading this book!! I can't wait to find out what happens next!! Great start to the series
Profile Image for W.H. Lock.
Author 16 books21 followers
July 18, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It was great to read an Urban Fantasy book that involves dancing. I loved the characters and the drama of their relationships.
You should read this. It's good.
Profile Image for Teya Teya.
Author 9 books103 followers
August 11, 2018
Well, shoot! At least I didn't get far into it. . .like the first page and bam and "f" bomb. I really looked forward to this book. Bummer.
Profile Image for Teya Teya.
Author 9 books103 followers
August 24, 2018
Well, shoot! At least I didn't get far into it. . .like the first page and bam and "f" bomb. I really looked forward to this book. Bummer.
562 reviews4 followers
June 25, 2020
An enjoyable read

A great start to a new series. A bit of an emotional roller coaster but with lots of action packed scenes. I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Sn8wflake .
2,391 reviews
December 19, 2020
Wolves

A dancer in love with his partner is murdered. A pack of wolves in mourning. A mystery to be solved.
1,064 reviews2 followers
December 27, 2020
Paranormal

Different type of story, non stop action. A lot of fighting, interesting views on ghosts and abilities other paranormal characters
135 reviews3 followers
October 7, 2023
Great read!

I love the Wolfie's! An Early Grave does not disappoint! I am looking forward to the next book after this.
Profile Image for Blake.
1,307 reviews44 followers
February 17, 2025
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I change my mind on a series, so want to change my scoring by more than 0.50 of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)

1.75*

Some good ideas.

Some of the main plot points just IMHO did not work.


My second try reading this author, first try the book was a 2.75*. I don't think I'll bother with any more of her books.

First time read the author's work?: No

Will you be reading more?: No

Would you recommend?: No


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How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)

All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked

Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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