Death Watch

The Waiting Mortuary #3

by L.V. Pires

It's been a long time since Jack Skilton wrote an article for The Westport Press, but when rumors of a sinister presence lurking inside the waiting mortuary begin to spread, he's sent to Kessler's Funeral Home to investigate a possible haunting and what he discovers will definitely make front-page news if only he can live long enough to write about it. Find out what happens in Book 3 of The Waiting Mortuary series by L.V. Pires.

Genres: Horror

230 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 20, 2020

About the author

With several books in the top 100 U.S. Horror Fiction and Horror Classics categories, award-winning novelist and short-story writer, L.V. Pires is the author of terrifying tales that are sure to keep readers up late into the night. Mystery and suspense climax into total terror in this author's latest releases, including THE WAITING MORTUARY, VIGIL BLACK, and DEATH WATCH.

For more information about this author or to join the mailing list, go to www.lisavpires.com

Reviews

[Barb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A creepy tale of an abandoned mortuary with a bad reputation, which unfortunately is less horrific than the truth. A newspaper reporter with a faltering career is offered the chance to write a story about the haunting finds himself in over his head when he finds a dying man in the house.

The reporter also finds himself attracted to the current owner of the mortuary, a young woman who refuses to allow the property to be torn down until she resolves her issues with her dead father.

The story is compelling, however, I found the supposedly hardened reporter to be a bit soft when it came to uncovering the truth. He spent way too much time obsessing over his drug addict son who had been through five unsuccessful rehabs. He also let his feelings for the owner of the mortuary taint his judgment. His bad decisions cost him dearly.

Overall, this was a good story that could have used a bit more work to make it great.

[Nick Paiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great new book from L.V. Pires. Jack Skilton wants his life to go back to normal but that means he needs to go back to work and forget searching for his son, but that's hard to do for a guy who can't stop asking questions and looking where he shouldn't. I loved the fast-pacing of this story. It never lost my attention. I felt like the main character getting pulled deeper and deeper into the maze of this messed up part of town, the mystery about the funeral home, and the deception of everyone around me. It ended with a real bang! I hope there's another book in the series.

[Join the Penguin Resistance! · Rating 4 out of 5]

DEATH WATCH is Book 3 in the WAITING MORTUARY SERIES. Quite possibly, the series increases in gore and shock value as it continues. A seasoned but troubled newspaper reporter (print) is assigned a story on the infamous local funeral home, which has boasted at least two serial killers and a torture chamber. This indefatigable reporter will uncover far more shocks than only past history, and will suffer unbearably for the discoveries.

[Lori Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received as an audio review copy from Story Origin, this is an honest review. Exceptionally narrated by Chris Brantley, Death Watch is the third book of the Waiting Mortuary series and this ship smart, darkly intense and poignant story readers have come to expect from this author. For local journalist Jack Skilton, has struggled to keep his son Braxton out of the clutches of deadly drugs that could claim his life at any turn; and at the same time salvage his career at the Westport Press. Now Jack finds himself tracking down what's the truth behind rumors of something dark haunting the former Kessler Funeral Home that's become a den for drugs and the homeless with not where else to go. It's at the waiting mortuary that gets to know Alfred's daughter Cassandra, who is seeking finding peace coming on the heels her father's death. And within the ruined building they both are forced to face a harrowing creature that is leaving its own mark upon its victims and it's only just the beginning as this city seems to attract the darkest of souls like never before and shatters both Jack and Cassandra lives once the dust settles.

Highly recommended.

[Rebel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received Death Watch: A Supernatural Horror Novel (The Waiting Mortuary Book 3) to read in exchange for an honest review. This book was fast paced, and definitely kept me reading. Highly recommend if you're in the mood for a good scary book! The story is compelling, however, I found the alledgedly hardened reporter to be soft when it comes to uncovering the truth. He spends way too much time obsessing over his drug addict son who had been through five unsuccessful rehabs. He also let his feelings for the owner of the mortuary taint his judgment which cost him dearly. The story is intriguing but it's slow than picks up speed and just when you think something explosive or exciting is about to happen it slows down. I would recommend the book because I think once the author can get into a decent rhythm the series can be very good. I am looking forward to starting at the beginning of the series and hopefully I can see the story better formed.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like this book as much as the previous ones. We're coming from a 'fight against a psycho killer' (book 1) over a 'psychotic murder' (book 2) to a 'paranormal Kafkaesque' book 3.
As the previous book was toying with the main character's perception of reality, I couldn't take anything that happened to the main character in book 3 for real. Especially Cassandra and his son Brax felt very unreal. The whole psychic ward was totally surreal and of course the paranormal things happening in the waiting mortuary added to it. I enjoy paranormal stories but most are slowly building up, the ghostly things slowly seeping into normality, but here it was nearly the other way round.
So if you haven't read the previous books-- and you totally don't have to as this is perfect as stand alone-- then you might enjoy this book more than I.
3.7 stars

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the narration of Chris Brantley

Reporter Jack Skilton needs to go back to work and forget searching for his son, but he still needs ask questions and keep looking. Jack is assigned to investigate alleged paranormal events in the Waiting Mortuary. When he is doing a recon of the property, he meets with Cassandra. Whose father used to own the property. Cassandra is fighting to keep the mortuary going. The surrounding homes are being knocked down and empty. The two of the turn to a psychic, to see the the mortuary is haunted or is something or someone is behind the events going on. We have murders, some bad police and lots of twist and turns that will keep you guessing.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt the main character, Jack, was too obsessed with his drug addict son and the owner (daughter of previous owner. The pacing of the story would speed up and then slow down. I was a little disappointed to discover the "monster" in the mortuary wasn't as bad as the human criminal behind so many deaths. Yes there were ghosts in the mortuary and probably a demon, but that seemed only a small part of the story. So much focused on Jack and the human killer. There were some good parts of the book (ringing of the bell) and people with no hearts. All in all in wasn't a bad read, just not what I expected.

I received a copy of this book from StoryOrigin and this is my honest review.

[eiei · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found myself both engaged and a bit frustrated. The character arcs reached satisfying depths, giving a real sense of completion to their journeys. The atmospheric worldbuilding continued to impress, maintaining its eerie allure. However, the plot’s pacing was inconsistent, with some parts lingering too long while others felt rushed. A few twists lacked the surprise I was hoping for. Despite these, it was still a solid read, tying up the series with a fitting, if not entirely exceptional, ending.

[Natasha Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my god! Terrifying.
I feel like I've just emerged from the waiting mortuary. So much excitement in this one. I like the twists that kept me guessing the whole time. The story just drops you into a mystery and from there it builds. I've read the other books in this series. They're all unique and interesting, but this might be my favorite. The images of Jack and the psych ward will definitely stay with me for a long time.

[Janice E. Ryberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death Watch is the perfect name for this conclusion: 4.8 stars

There is no doubt that this trilogy defines horror without any doubt! Each of the stories ties into the previous one, so you never really forget the victims; they all create a horrible nightmare that keep growing.
Usually, horror stories end before there is any sense of justice or revenge. Trust me you will feel revenge and pity. Don't miss this!

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a new author to me, and I was drawn to the book due to the blurb and the book did not disappoint. It’s a very well-written plot with lots of gore and horror with some twists and turns. I was drawn into the story from the get-go and it’s a page-turner.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Letsreadagoodbook · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a creepy awesome read! Jake! Has a lot going on! A missing son he looking for a dying career what else can happen!?! Throw in a CREEPY OLD FUNERAL HOME!! Do you believe in the supernatural! Jack surely didn't before all this i bet he does now!!

This good was awesome from being to the end!! from the demon, to the ghost to the serial killer Cop! just so much happening on every page!!

[Heather Bane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had my attention from the very start until the end. A well written storyline that I had a hard time putting down. If you like creepy stories then I recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicky Peplow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off great and really like this authors writing but unfortunately with this book it was hard to connect with the characters and actually feel like I was actually with them throughout the story. I may try reading in again after read the first two books but we'll see.

[Carlynne Toomey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding thriller! The narration was excellent and the story was great! This is a stand alone in the series and I haven't read the other books - yet. After listening to this, I'm going to rush out and get the rest of the series! Excellent all around and highly recommended!

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another outstanding story that will have you gripped. With the Narrator’s voice, we feel every fear that Jack has. Will he survive the night, who knows.