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Gus Parker and Alex Mills #2
Dig Your Grave
Detective Alex Mills turns to psychic Gus Parker to help him solve a series of baffling murders perpetrated by a deranged killer who leaves his victims' bodies and taunting clues in the cemeteries of Phoenix, AZ.
A killer is on the loose, leaving fresh bodies among the dead in Phoenix cemeteries, and marking the murders with ghoulish signs that warn of more evil to come. It's a crude camouflage that has Detective Alex Mills stumped. As he has done before, Mills turns to his buddy, the reluctant psychic Gus Parker. His visions, as cryptic and baffling as they sometimes are, mean something.
But just as the investigation heats up, and Mills needs him most, Gus Parker receives ominous threats from a mysterious source. Is this a crazed fan who is trying to get to Gus's love interest, rock-and-roll legend Billie Welch? Or are these threats related to the spree of cemetery killings?
There are nefarious secrets hiding in the shadows of the valley's most well-heeled neighborhoods, and some of the most prominent residents have the most to fear.
413 pages, Paperback
Published October 16, 2018
About the author
Steven Cooper
50 books51 followersSteven Cooper is a freelance writer, producer, and the author of three previous novels. A former television reporter, he has received multiple Emmy awards and nominations, a national Edward R. Murrow Award, and many honors from the Associated Press. He taught writing at Rollins College (Winter Park, FL) from 2007 to 2012. He currently lives in Atlanta.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 11, 2018
I loved and admired Desert Remains and Dig Your Grave delivers all the pleasures, terrors, heart, snark, and fine writing I enjoyed so much in book one while deepening my understanding of Cooper's two fascinating, cool and unusual male protagonists, Alex Mills and Gus Parker.
Dig Your Grave begins with a series clever and bizarre murders-in-cemeteries that Cooper masterfully develops in fresh, gripping, illuminating and scary ways and which ultimately connect to an unsolved, dark crime against a woman in the past and a crime inspired by a woman in the present.
Cooper's male protagonists––impatient, smart, sometime smart-ass police detective Alex Mills and his friend, laid-back psychic Gus Parker--are emotionally real, strikingly vulnerable and always interesting. Their personal problems--Mills's teenage son is having a bumpy journey into manhood while his adored wife is journeying tentatively into midlife––and Gus's efforts to remain who he is in his relationship with a rock star when his psychic gift makes being who he is complicated, painful, and at times, terrifying––are as engaging and as the crimes they solve. Cooper's women are terrific, too--whole, complicated, smart.
Alex Mills has a restless intelligence--he's experienced to the point of world-weariness or burnout at times--but his capacity for empathy never fails.
Cooper's Gus Parker is a psychic but without the cliches you might expect. Like the rest of us and like his friend Alex Mills, Gus feels things--sometimes sees things or hear things––but his gift is like a sharpened, hugely sensitive version of the intuition and empathy we all have--just much more powerful and finely tuned. Gus's gift humanizes him and Cooper is as deft and sharp at describing a murder scene, a southwest landscape, or a desert sky as he is at describing Gus's sometimes almost-impossible-to-describe visions or feelings or hints of feelings and the the ways men feel, mute or express their rage, lust, love and fear.
There's a lot about maleness and the masculine here--how it goes wrong and how it goes right--that makes transforms this police procedural into a contemplation of boundaries and connections, communications and secrets, violations of trust and the ways empathy heals.
What an original and fine book! Eager for book three.
Dig Your Grave begins with a series clever and bizarre murders-in-cemeteries that Cooper masterfully develops in fresh, gripping, illuminating and scary ways and which ultimately connect to an unsolved, dark crime against a woman in the past and a crime inspired by a woman in the present.
Cooper's male protagonists––impatient, smart, sometime smart-ass police detective Alex Mills and his friend, laid-back psychic Gus Parker--are emotionally real, strikingly vulnerable and always interesting. Their personal problems--Mills's teenage son is having a bumpy journey into manhood while his adored wife is journeying tentatively into midlife––and Gus's efforts to remain who he is in his relationship with a rock star when his psychic gift makes being who he is complicated, painful, and at times, terrifying––are as engaging and as the crimes they solve. Cooper's women are terrific, too--whole, complicated, smart.
Alex Mills has a restless intelligence--he's experienced to the point of world-weariness or burnout at times--but his capacity for empathy never fails.
Cooper's Gus Parker is a psychic but without the cliches you might expect. Like the rest of us and like his friend Alex Mills, Gus feels things--sometimes sees things or hear things––but his gift is like a sharpened, hugely sensitive version of the intuition and empathy we all have--just much more powerful and finely tuned. Gus's gift humanizes him and Cooper is as deft and sharp at describing a murder scene, a southwest landscape, or a desert sky as he is at describing Gus's sometimes almost-impossible-to-describe visions or feelings or hints of feelings and the the ways men feel, mute or express their rage, lust, love and fear.
There's a lot about maleness and the masculine here--how it goes wrong and how it goes right--that makes transforms this police procedural into a contemplation of boundaries and connections, communications and secrets, violations of trust and the ways empathy heals.
What an original and fine book! Eager for book three.
January 30, 2019
Wow. The second Alex and Gus was as much a nail biter as the first. I love the fact that Alex completely accepts Gus’s gifts and doesn’t seem to recognize his own. 😊. I really hope there are more books to follow!!!
January 1, 2019
This series feels like a cross between a cozy and a police procedural, and I still haven't decided if that's a weakness or a strength. Alex Mills is a homicide detective, Gus Parker a psychic, and it's definitely a plus that there's a strong bond between the characters, each accepting the other's style of work and understanding of the world. Not a bad way for this mystery fan to spend some time over Christmas break.
January 6, 2019
At first I thought my issues with this book had more to do with the circumstances I was reading it under (in pieces while helping my sister pack up and move apartments) than the book itself. And then I hit the end and I realized that wasn’t true.
There are two plot lines that seem out of place. Mills’ son is caught sleeping with his girlfriend and is then accused of raping her; and the entirety of Gus’ plot line in the book when not connected to the main mystery. The one about Mills’ son comes fairly late in the book and has effectively no bearing on the plot. Billie’s stalker that wants to kill Gus is a secondary plot in the book but was only interesting at the beginning. After that it took time. This book is shockingly slow in places, and the beginning was not interesting for me, although I see where other people would have liked it. In fact I wasn’t really interested until after the second murder, and that too faded. It felt like author was unnecessarily dragging out the very inevitable conclusion.
To make matters worse, we are never introduced to a suspect as such until we learn who it is at the end. This might be realistic, but this is not reality. In a story something needs to happen, and nothing did, which is probably why there were those side plots.
I liked Mills at first but found him unlikeable by the end. Gus was okay but not hugely memorable, and most characters never stood out. Nothing happens for over half the book, and there are too many random scenes showing the main characters’ lives that I simply don’t give a fuck about. The mystery itself is only semi-interesting, given that we have all the information to figure out what these men did 25 years ago but not who would want them dead now. Until the end, when suddenly everything happens. This is partially a pacing issue, partially a sign this was written to be realistic rather than entertaining.
There are two plot lines that seem out of place. Mills’ son is caught sleeping with his girlfriend and is then accused of raping her; and the entirety of Gus’ plot line in the book when not connected to the main mystery. The one about Mills’ son comes fairly late in the book and has effectively no bearing on the plot. Billie’s stalker that wants to kill Gus is a secondary plot in the book but was only interesting at the beginning. After that it took time. This book is shockingly slow in places, and the beginning was not interesting for me, although I see where other people would have liked it. In fact I wasn’t really interested until after the second murder, and that too faded. It felt like author was unnecessarily dragging out the very inevitable conclusion.
To make matters worse, we are never introduced to a suspect as such until we learn who it is at the end. This might be realistic, but this is not reality. In a story something needs to happen, and nothing did, which is probably why there were those side plots.
I liked Mills at first but found him unlikeable by the end. Gus was okay but not hugely memorable, and most characters never stood out. Nothing happens for over half the book, and there are too many random scenes showing the main characters’ lives that I simply don’t give a fuck about. The mystery itself is only semi-interesting, given that we have all the information to figure out what these men did 25 years ago but not who would want them dead now. Until the end, when suddenly everything happens. This is partially a pacing issue, partially a sign this was written to be realistic rather than entertaining.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2019
Dig Your Grave, set in the Arizona desert, is a well-written, thoughtful mystery novel - and it's fun and enjoyable to read. The setting is perfect and beautifully described.
Alex Mills is relatable as a Detective investigating a series of murders involving three male victims, forced to dig their own graves in cemeteries around the Phoenix area. He's a regular guy with a family life, issues with his teenage son and a loving marriage that is going through changes.
He works with Gus Parker, a radiologist with psychic abilities. I loved Gus! Gus is the heart of this book. He provides the emotional grounding necessary to propel the book forward.
I had two issues with this book. Other than Kelly, Alex's wife, the female characters are unlikeable and one-dimensional. Alex's partner, Powell, is the greatest example of this. I cannot think of one redeeming quality about her.
Gus' love interest, Billie, is another example. There are odd word choices used to describe these women. In one instance, Billie is described as giving a "wicked smile" at a pivotal point in the book. Was this meant to throw us off? Mistrust her? Otherwise, she is a selfish, self-centered, aging rock star who doesn't seem to deserve or return the love and adoration of Gus.
The second issue involves the changes to Alex and Kelly's marriage. Alex is frustrated because his wife seems to be avoiding him and avoiding a sexual relationship (one that apparently has always been healthy and hot). She finally confides in him that she is going through menopause and feels that "her life is over." Alex's response is an almost comical example of "mansplaining," if it wasn't so offensive. He dismisses her feelings entirely. The whole issue is given two paragraphs, and yet the story has been leading up to this moment and her emotional reveal. This may seem like a small thing - it's treated that way - but it stuck out to me like a sore thumb.
In his acknowledgments, the author thanks several women for reading and supporting his work. I wish these women had talked to him about this issue. I know too many women who have gone through this phase and felt a loss of who they were as women, as sexual beings. Alex's response validates those fears.
No spoilers. The lead up to the reveal is excellent. Good tension. We have a sense of what has happened. Then there is the reveal. I'll leave it up to you to decide if it was satisfying. I'm not saying anything!
I would recommend this book, and look forward to picking up his first book involving these characters, Desert Remains.
Thank you to Mr. Cooper for gifting me with a copy of his novel. I was chosen as one of his Twitter followers (you should follow him! @TheStevenCooper). Otherwise, I was not asked to leave a review or paid for this review. Hell, he may not even like it.
Alex Mills is relatable as a Detective investigating a series of murders involving three male victims, forced to dig their own graves in cemeteries around the Phoenix area. He's a regular guy with a family life, issues with his teenage son and a loving marriage that is going through changes.
He works with Gus Parker, a radiologist with psychic abilities. I loved Gus! Gus is the heart of this book. He provides the emotional grounding necessary to propel the book forward.
I had two issues with this book. Other than Kelly, Alex's wife, the female characters are unlikeable and one-dimensional. Alex's partner, Powell, is the greatest example of this. I cannot think of one redeeming quality about her.
Gus' love interest, Billie, is another example. There are odd word choices used to describe these women. In one instance, Billie is described as giving a "wicked smile" at a pivotal point in the book. Was this meant to throw us off? Mistrust her? Otherwise, she is a selfish, self-centered, aging rock star who doesn't seem to deserve or return the love and adoration of Gus.
The second issue involves the changes to Alex and Kelly's marriage. Alex is frustrated because his wife seems to be avoiding him and avoiding a sexual relationship (one that apparently has always been healthy and hot). She finally confides in him that she is going through menopause and feels that "her life is over." Alex's response is an almost comical example of "mansplaining," if it wasn't so offensive. He dismisses her feelings entirely. The whole issue is given two paragraphs, and yet the story has been leading up to this moment and her emotional reveal. This may seem like a small thing - it's treated that way - but it stuck out to me like a sore thumb.
In his acknowledgments, the author thanks several women for reading and supporting his work. I wish these women had talked to him about this issue. I know too many women who have gone through this phase and felt a loss of who they were as women, as sexual beings. Alex's response validates those fears.
No spoilers. The lead up to the reveal is excellent. Good tension. We have a sense of what has happened. Then there is the reveal. I'll leave it up to you to decide if it was satisfying. I'm not saying anything!
I would recommend this book, and look forward to picking up his first book involving these characters, Desert Remains.
Thank you to Mr. Cooper for gifting me with a copy of his novel. I was chosen as one of his Twitter followers (you should follow him! @TheStevenCooper). Otherwise, I was not asked to leave a review or paid for this review. Hell, he may not even like it.
April 11, 2020
This was an interesting plot. It involves several bodies unexpectedly appearing in Phoenix cemeteries, not quite buried, with a 25 year old cold case in Mexico.
Gus has extra sensory abilities which he uses to keep the police on track, but what solves this mystery is persistent police investigation and interviewing witnesses. The police use all the technology they have including drones, GPS and good old fashioned leg work.
We get a glimpse into the world of the uber rich. In this case they die just like regular folk. Their families vary between cold hearted to justice seeking.
We see into the private lives of police and how much information is available to stalkers.
The characters are well developed and delightfully competent at their jobs. The lawyer seeks mediation when an emotional situation hits close to home. The psychic does not always understand his images but uses his intelligence to help his clients. The widow smokes dope in front of the police and withholds information, because she just is a bit out there sometimes.
The killer is well hidden and revenge is served cold.
I borrowed a copy from the public library.
Gus has extra sensory abilities which he uses to keep the police on track, but what solves this mystery is persistent police investigation and interviewing witnesses. The police use all the technology they have including drones, GPS and good old fashioned leg work.
We get a glimpse into the world of the uber rich. In this case they die just like regular folk. Their families vary between cold hearted to justice seeking.
We see into the private lives of police and how much information is available to stalkers.
The characters are well developed and delightfully competent at their jobs. The lawyer seeks mediation when an emotional situation hits close to home. The psychic does not always understand his images but uses his intelligence to help his clients. The widow smokes dope in front of the police and withholds information, because she just is a bit out there sometimes.
The killer is well hidden and revenge is served cold.
I borrowed a copy from the public library.
October 13, 2019
Loved the first book, Desert Remains & didn’t think I could actually love another Alex Mills, Gus Parker mystery as much, but I did! Maybe even more! Dig Your Grave continues to explore the relationships of Alex & Gus, as well as side stories with Gus’s wife & son, which just continue to bring a thoughtful, human side to Alex. Loved that not only was there the main plot of bodies being found in cemeteries in the Phoenix area, but also the subplot involving Gus’s girlfriend, Billie Welch & her stalker that becomes obsessed with Gus. This series continues to delight & I’m looking forward to the latest in the series, Valley of Shadows, just released last month!
December 2, 2021
I liked book #1 so I finally decided to read #2 but this book was a disappointment. I found the writing very wordy and uninteresting. It's one of the those books with an unnatural flow and ones I dread because I have to force myself to read it rather than to flow along naturally.
The second thing I hate is changing POVs because you're set and invested in one POV and then you have to reset your mind when reading the other. In both POVs, nothing much interesting was happening. I felt that I didn't care about either one of the POVs, whether the people or the crime and I was forcing myself to continue so I just dnf'd it.
The second thing I hate is changing POVs because you're set and invested in one POV and then you have to reset your mind when reading the other. In both POVs, nothing much interesting was happening. I felt that I didn't care about either one of the POVs, whether the people or the crime and I was forcing myself to continue so I just dnf'd it.
November 11, 2024
I enjoyed this! Definitely was itching to finish and find out “whodunnit”. As an Arizona native it was cool having the book set in Phoenix. Like other reviews have mentioned, it has a cozy police procedural vibe with Det. Mills and psychic Gus sort of balancing each other out.
I had to do a bit of skimming through certain parts because of boredom/irrelevance to the story. It feels like they were deliberately put there to add realism or pathos to our protags but it just comes off as a little boring and out of place.
I had to do a bit of skimming through certain parts because of boredom/irrelevance to the story. It feels like they were deliberately put there to add realism or pathos to our protags but it just comes off as a little boring and out of place.
August 29, 2021
I read this 3 book series out of order (3, 1, 2) which I don’t recommend, but they are all good enough as stand alone books. There are lots of cop characters that are reasonably developed even within each book and a couple of story lines. Throw in a dog, a couple of psychics, an aging rock star and a teenage son and you have a good mix. Just an entertaining read. I look forward to book 4 (which I don’t think is available yet).
August 13, 2021
Good read- intriguing story- 3 guys murders,no idea why- throw in a stalker of psychic and his r&r gf- and a little side bar of Mill’s son messing with gf and caught by her parents- ends up being revenge by a female on 25 th anniversary of her BFF death at hands of 4 guys- last one to go is congressman- good crime novel,but like others too much psycho bs for me
December 12, 2018
Really like this series
February 2, 2019
Interesting split plot layout seamed together nicely. Nice chemistry from the two main characters, even though they would seem so different.
April 18, 2019
Great read....Gus Parker and detective Alex Mills are a great team...Gus with his “visions” and Alex having faith in them ... looking forward to reading more in this series...
April 20, 2019
O.K. Too long. Small print.
Three stories. The main was kind of strange. Hard to believe.
Three stories. The main was kind of strange. Hard to believe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2019
Some intriguing plotting. But the psychic thing just didn’t hook me.
July 13, 2019
A solid 3.5 stars. I enjoyed the characters very much and will go back and read the first in the series.
December 23, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed this 2nd in a series. Innovative crime novel. I look forward to the 3rd and more.
Did Not Finish
July 24, 2024picked it up on a whim seeing the title but it didn't really keep my attention. and it's too long for me to slog through it, dnf at ~page 70.
September 18, 2025
a book set in phoenix az should be 5 stars but alas i got bored in the 32% mark :(
December 4, 2018
This is turning into one of my new favorite mystery series... This second book focused a lot more on Gus, and he's a fascinating character. I thoroughly enjoy the back-and-forth between the logical Alex and the more free-flowing Gus, and the development of their personalities is a big reason why this series is so engaging. The other is the truly original serial killer presentations that keep being provided. This is complex evil, of the kind that (unfortunately) takes the community/reader/world by the throat and shakes until something pops... It makes for very eerie but compelling reading, especially when managed by a writer like Cooper who manages to keep everyone - even the bad guys - just human enough to be relatably, horribly, real.
Thanks to Seventh Street Books for my review copy. Here's hoping there is much more to come from Parker and Mills - and, of course, Cooper!
Thanks to Seventh Street Books for my review copy. Here's hoping there is much more to come from Parker and Mills - and, of course, Cooper!
April 9, 2020
This is book two in what I hope will be a long term series. The book has interpersonal strife, teen angst, marital issues that are what most couples go through and a double mystery to solve. The book is a page turner and I enjoyed every word and issue that the book presented. Hopefully the series will continue. I enjoy the twists and turns.
October 31, 2018
Steven Cooper hits another one over the fence, with Dig Your Grave. I liked his main characters a lot, in his first mystery, Desert Remains, and I like them even more now. The author is clearly getting better acquainted with his characters and more comfortable writing them. He’s got a real knack for setting his main story believably and squarely within their personal and professional lives, and he’s not afraid to tackle the tough issues that prove challenging to all of us. The storyline is intense (it definitely kept me turning the pages), and the setting is totally realistic––just perfect for these stories and rendered with the kind of artistry that only someone who really knows the culture and the geography of the Southwest could bring. For me, the biggest reason to keep reading titles in a series is because I’m drawn to the characters, and these characters and their lives definitely fill the bill.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews