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Detective Gina Harte #7
Their Silent Graves
Dressed in garish Halloween costumes, two teenage girls run through a patch of dense woodland towards the outskirts of town. But before they can reach the safety of the streets beyond, they make a shocking discovery.
Following a piece of old rope, the girls find a large mound of freshly laid earth, undisturbed in the darkness of the trees. Clawing at the ground beneath them, they make contact with something solid. When they realise what they’ve discovered, the silence is broken by their piercing screams as they stare down at the shallow grave.
Without looking back, they run as fast as they can, failing to spot the person nearby watching their every move…
And when another grave is found just days later, it’s clear a serial killer is praying on the small town. But who is the killer watching now? And when will another grave be filled?
If you like Angela Marsons, Cara Hunter and Clare Mackintosh, you’ll love this heart-racing thriller from bestselling author, Carla Kovach. With gripping suspense and a twist you won’t see coming, Their Silent Graves will have you hooked from page one.
Following a piece of old rope, the girls find a large mound of freshly laid earth, undisturbed in the darkness of the trees. Clawing at the ground beneath them, they make contact with something solid. When they realise what they’ve discovered, the silence is broken by their piercing screams as they stare down at the shallow grave.
Without looking back, they run as fast as they can, failing to spot the person nearby watching their every move…
And when another grave is found just days later, it’s clear a serial killer is praying on the small town. But who is the killer watching now? And when will another grave be filled?
If you like Angela Marsons, Cara Hunter and Clare Mackintosh, you’ll love this heart-racing thriller from bestselling author, Carla Kovach. With gripping suspense and a twist you won’t see coming, Their Silent Graves will have you hooked from page one.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2020
542 people are currently reading
2120 people want to read
About the author
Carla Kovach
33 books1,045 followersCarla Kovach was born in Birmingham, UK and now resides in Redditch, Worcestershire. Author of supernatural drama 'Flame,' psychological thriller 'To Let,' crime thriller 'Whispers Beneath the Pines, and romantic comedy 'Meet Me at Marmaris Castle.' Carla also writes stage and screen plays, some of which have been produced in the Worcestershire area.
Her new novel 'The Next Girl,' is available for preorder now. (Published by Bookouture).
Her new novel 'The Next Girl,' is available for preorder now. (Published by Bookouture).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
September 22, 2020
Two things attracted me to this book before I even read the description! The first was that the publisher was the Bookouture. I’ve read many of their books and they have all been good reads, so I knew that was a plus! The second thing was the beautiful cover! I love butterflies, so any book with a butterfly on the cover stops me. Then, I read the description of the book and knew I had to read it!! I haven’t read any of the other six books in the series, but I will be going back and catching up. This one can be read as a standalone with no problem because there is just enough insight into the previous books to understand the storyline.
Their Silent Graves has a nice Halloween vibe so it is being published at just the right time! The story is about two girls running in the woods on their way to a Halloween party and discover a shallow grave. In another few days, another grave is discovered. It is now up to DI Detective Gina Harte and her team to solve what appears to be the murders of a serial killer!
I love the who-done-it kind of psychological thrillers that keep you turning pages and guessing throughout the book. This one has the added bonus of a shock factor in the end!! You are in for a ride with this one!
I would definitely recommend This book to anyone that enjoys a good mystery/psychological thriller. I know I’ll be going back to Carla Kovach's first book and reading the series in order!
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC of this book in exchange for my review.
#NetGalley #TheirSilentGraves #Bookouture
Their Silent Graves has a nice Halloween vibe so it is being published at just the right time! The story is about two girls running in the woods on their way to a Halloween party and discover a shallow grave. In another few days, another grave is discovered. It is now up to DI Detective Gina Harte and her team to solve what appears to be the murders of a serial killer!
I love the who-done-it kind of psychological thrillers that keep you turning pages and guessing throughout the book. This one has the added bonus of a shock factor in the end!! You are in for a ride with this one!
I would definitely recommend This book to anyone that enjoys a good mystery/psychological thriller. I know I’ll be going back to Carla Kovach's first book and reading the series in order!
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for an ARC of this book in exchange for my review.
#NetGalley #TheirSilentGraves #Bookouture
August 18, 2020
DI Gina Harte catches a case that brings back painful memories of her past with her abusive (now dead) husband, Terry. It’s Halloween and the ghosts and ghoduls are out in force. A man, Alex, is found dead - buried alive in a coffin in the woods. The police have nothing to go on. Meanwhile, we are following a group of friends since high school who are clearly starting to fray at the edges. They are all hiding something in their past. Something terrible. When one of the group, Penny, goes missing they start to panic. Finally Penny’s husband reports her missing to the police.
When Gina realises that the group of friends all knew Alex in high school she is immediately suspicious. They are all lying and hiding things and she is determined to get to the bottom of it. At the same time someone who knows Gina’s background is sending her creepy messages about the case as if she should know what’s going on. Poor Gina’s nerves are almost shot and it is just as well her team has her back. They are a great bunch of characters that help bring these stories to life. This was a very suspenseful and tension filled story that ended on a rather sad note. But it did highlight just how damaging bullying behaviour can be.
When Gina realises that the group of friends all knew Alex in high school she is immediately suspicious. They are all lying and hiding things and she is determined to get to the bottom of it. At the same time someone who knows Gina’s background is sending her creepy messages about the case as if she should know what’s going on. Poor Gina’s nerves are almost shot and it is just as well her team has her back. They are a great bunch of characters that help bring these stories to life. This was a very suspenseful and tension filled story that ended on a rather sad note. But it did highlight just how damaging bullying behaviour can be.
August 31, 2020
Their Silent Graves is book 7 in the Detective Gina Harte series. While it can be read as a stand alone it would be advisable to read the previous books first to fully understand Gina. She is tough, strong woman but everyday she is fighting the demon she of their past and her former husband. Her character never ceases to amaze me with his she manages to get through each day, in a job that is not for the weak. This book is try another tough case, and one where the killer is using her past to get to Gina..
2 young girls decide to take a shortcut, desperate to get to a school Halloween party.... they will wish that they had taken the long way around. They stumble across a coffin, buried in a a shallow grave. Terrified they call the police and Gina and her team are closed to the scene. When they open the coffin they find the body of a man, who appears to have been buried alive. So the investigation begins, first to find out who he is and then who killed him. Gina also starts to receive letters from the killer, referring to Gina’s past.
It is dark and creepy police procedural and a great addition to the series. Always look forward to more from Gina.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read
2 young girls decide to take a shortcut, desperate to get to a school Halloween party.... they will wish that they had taken the long way around. They stumble across a coffin, buried in a a shallow grave. Terrified they call the police and Gina and her team are closed to the scene. When they open the coffin they find the body of a man, who appears to have been buried alive. So the investigation begins, first to find out who he is and then who killed him. Gina also starts to receive letters from the killer, referring to Gina’s past.
It is dark and creepy police procedural and a great addition to the series. Always look forward to more from Gina.
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book to read
August 16, 2020
It may be your worst nightmare come true -- being buried alive! After a couple of gruesome discoveries, it's up to DI Gina Harte to find the perpetrator of these horrific murders.
In The Silent Graves, you are presented with several points of view and different time periods which made for a mysterious, but interesting read. As you read through the novel, you will discover that not all things are what they seem and that your "aha" moment will not happen until the end. So continue to read and good things come to those who wait.
The Silent Graves was my first novel from Carla Kovach; and although I'm not usually fond of detective novels set in the UK, I really enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more from this author. If you are a reader that enjoys murder mysteries, you will find that The Silent Graves fits the bill.
4.5 stars, rounded up. I really liked it.
I received a digital ARC from Bookoutour through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions. This review will cross post to Goodreads, and Twitter. On or after publication, my review will be posted to retail sites such as Amazon and/or Barnes&Noble.
In The Silent Graves, you are presented with several points of view and different time periods which made for a mysterious, but interesting read. As you read through the novel, you will discover that not all things are what they seem and that your "aha" moment will not happen until the end. So continue to read and good things come to those who wait.
The Silent Graves was my first novel from Carla Kovach; and although I'm not usually fond of detective novels set in the UK, I really enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more from this author. If you are a reader that enjoys murder mysteries, you will find that The Silent Graves fits the bill.
4.5 stars, rounded up. I really liked it.
I received a digital ARC from Bookoutour through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions. This review will cross post to Goodreads, and Twitter. On or after publication, my review will be posted to retail sites such as Amazon and/or Barnes&Noble.
September 13, 2020
Their Silent Graves is the seventh book in the consistently riveting DI Gina Harte series, set in the fictional English town of Cleevesford. I read a LOT of crime fiction, and am usually pretty good at guessing whodunnit, but Kovach manages to bamboozle me every time - all while playing by the “rules” - so clever! This one ups the creepiness factor by being set around Halloween and featuring murder by one of the scariest ways to die - being buried alive. As with the previous books, each mystery stands alone, and you get all the backstory you need, but you’ll always get more from a series by reading them in order and this one is no exception.
Two teenage girls taking a short cut to a Halloween party find a body buried in a coffin in the woods, with a piece of string connected to a silent bell. Troubled detective Gina recognises the victim from an earlier altercation, and is shocked to receive a letter from the killer, mentioning a traumatic event in her own past, which she thought nobody knew about. Meanwhile a group of old school friends come together for an annual reminder of the terrible secret that binds and torments them, unaware that they could be next...
While this is mostly told from Gina’s third person point of view, some chapters are in the killer’s voice, and others follow one of the potential victims - or is she? - an alcoholic desperate to keep hold of her young children while her marriage and life are falling apart. I found this a bit confusing at first but once the story gets going it all made sense. I was pleased to see that Gina is making slow progress in her battle to get over her dark past, and maintain a friendship with poor patient Briggs. I’d actually love to read a chapter from his POV to understand what he sees in her, as she’s so prickly, flighty and difficult, with no sense of humour - it can’t be her looks as she’s frequently described as unkempt, badly dressed and looking exhausted all the time. Obviously from a reader’s perspective she’s a brilliant detective who gives her all to her cases, but that’s not usually what a bloke looks for in a lover!
I have commented previously that I would like to see Gina’s team be developed more as characters, and this instalment certainly makes a start in delivering this. A series is all about the recurring support characters, not just the main protagonist, so at least we learn a little more about some of the others. Conversely I was glad that Gina’s obnoxious daughter doesn’t appear. Once more I feared for her poor cat Ebony - and for a cute sausage dog called Lola, but happily nothing bad happens to them. I did have to agree with annoying journalist Lindsey that there does seem to be an awful lot of crazed killers operating out of one small town!
Overall this was a well written, intelligently plotted police procedural with a satisfying reveal and ending, and as ever, a beautiful cover image. 4.5 rounded up for successfully keeping me in the dark (pun intended.) Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review. Their Silent Graves is published on September 17th. (It’s SO nice to be completely up to date with all my review deadlines, so I can actually read some ARCs early, which is after all the point of getting them!)
Two teenage girls taking a short cut to a Halloween party find a body buried in a coffin in the woods, with a piece of string connected to a silent bell. Troubled detective Gina recognises the victim from an earlier altercation, and is shocked to receive a letter from the killer, mentioning a traumatic event in her own past, which she thought nobody knew about. Meanwhile a group of old school friends come together for an annual reminder of the terrible secret that binds and torments them, unaware that they could be next...
While this is mostly told from Gina’s third person point of view, some chapters are in the killer’s voice, and others follow one of the potential victims - or is she? - an alcoholic desperate to keep hold of her young children while her marriage and life are falling apart. I found this a bit confusing at first but once the story gets going it all made sense. I was pleased to see that Gina is making slow progress in her battle to get over her dark past, and maintain a friendship with poor patient Briggs. I’d actually love to read a chapter from his POV to understand what he sees in her, as she’s so prickly, flighty and difficult, with no sense of humour - it can’t be her looks as she’s frequently described as unkempt, badly dressed and looking exhausted all the time. Obviously from a reader’s perspective she’s a brilliant detective who gives her all to her cases, but that’s not usually what a bloke looks for in a lover!
I have commented previously that I would like to see Gina’s team be developed more as characters, and this instalment certainly makes a start in delivering this. A series is all about the recurring support characters, not just the main protagonist, so at least we learn a little more about some of the others. Conversely I was glad that Gina’s obnoxious daughter doesn’t appear. Once more I feared for her poor cat Ebony - and for a cute sausage dog called Lola, but happily nothing bad happens to them. I did have to agree with annoying journalist Lindsey that there does seem to be an awful lot of crazed killers operating out of one small town!
Overall this was a well written, intelligently plotted police procedural with a satisfying reveal and ending, and as ever, a beautiful cover image. 4.5 rounded up for successfully keeping me in the dark (pun intended.) Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review. Their Silent Graves is published on September 17th. (It’s SO nice to be completely up to date with all my review deadlines, so I can actually read some ARCs early, which is after all the point of getting them!)
August 23, 2020
Their Silent Graves by Carla Kovach is another gripping episode in the Detective Gina Harte series. I always look forward to a book from this author. The story never falters and it’s always original. This time with a creepy Halloween vibe.
When two teenage girls are rushing to get to a Halloween party, they decide to take a shortcut through woodland. When they discover a shallow grave with a coffin and a string that leads to a bell. But the bell has no clapper. When they call the police overworked Decretive Gina Harte is called to investigate and to her horror, they find a body. Someone has been buried alive. Then a few days later another body turns up buried alive. Gina knows she has a Serial Killer on her hands. So, there is a race against time before the killer strikes again.
Gina although overworked is in a happy place with her job and her on and off relationship with Briggs but her late husband Terry is not far from her mind. Especially when the killer in her latest case takes a personal interest in Gina sending her letters saying that she knows what she did regarding Terry. Gina must be careful as she also thinks that she is being followed by them
Thank you one again Bookouture and Netgalley for a copy Their Silent graves. Ms Kovach as done it again with another entertaining read. This is the best one yet. From the first page, this has a creepy vibe and had me hooked completely until the last page. Well done. 5 stars from me.
When two teenage girls are rushing to get to a Halloween party, they decide to take a shortcut through woodland. When they discover a shallow grave with a coffin and a string that leads to a bell. But the bell has no clapper. When they call the police overworked Decretive Gina Harte is called to investigate and to her horror, they find a body. Someone has been buried alive. Then a few days later another body turns up buried alive. Gina knows she has a Serial Killer on her hands. So, there is a race against time before the killer strikes again.
Gina although overworked is in a happy place with her job and her on and off relationship with Briggs but her late husband Terry is not far from her mind. Especially when the killer in her latest case takes a personal interest in Gina sending her letters saying that she knows what she did regarding Terry. Gina must be careful as she also thinks that she is being followed by them
Thank you one again Bookouture and Netgalley for a copy Their Silent graves. Ms Kovach as done it again with another entertaining read. This is the best one yet. From the first page, this has a creepy vibe and had me hooked completely until the last page. Well done. 5 stars from me.
February 2, 2021
Their Silent Graves is a book published by bookouture…that meant I was in! if I had a checklist of elements that made an exceptional police procedural read then this book would have been ticked to death. A story that has the reader on the edge of the edge of their seat and considering walking anywhere but through the woods. If you are looking for a novel that will whittle away the hours, then you’ve come to the right place.
Their Silent Graves is the seventh book released in the DI Gina Harte series. It’s the first one that I’ve picked up but didn’t feel that I was missing great chunks of information. It’s set in the fictional town of Cleevesford (which for all intents and purposes, sounds like the most dangerous place on earth!) There’s a new case to investigate and DI Harte hits the ground running with it. Life is quiet until of course, its not. A dead body has been found buried in coffin and it is quickly established that they were buried alive – that is my worst nightmare. The thought of quickly running out of oxygen but also long enough to suffer considerably. The panic and the fear consuming me long before I died (think I had a shiver creep down my spine there.)
DI Harte has had her demons to excise and although she is strong and capable at her job they are still there, ever present in the background. She has seen and fought evil in her personal life and that trauma is set to be unleashed from the box she keeps them tightly locked up in. The killer penned by the media as the “coffin killer” seems to know her and has leaked a letter where she mentions DI Harte to the press. Her private life is no longer, private.
Their Silent Graves is a story where the past is only ever a breath away. The characters involved in this mystery had better lace up those Nikes and get running! It reminded me of the lion hunting the antelope.
Kopach has gone over and above to makes sure the readers buttons are well and truly pushed. I’m a relatively well-read crime fiction reader and can usually guess at the outcome of a case BUT… the author has blindfolded me, span me around multiple times and distracted me with sounds in the distance. I couldn’t guess the outcome and the author got a high five for pulling the wool over my eyes. I loved how she developed the characterisation and dropped multiple bombs. One event was the trigger that allowed the reader to pull back the mask to reveal their true selves.
Their Silent Graves is emotionally intense, a story that will have you turning the pages well into the wee small hours. Exceptionally dark and twisty.
Their Silent Graves is the seventh book released in the DI Gina Harte series. It’s the first one that I’ve picked up but didn’t feel that I was missing great chunks of information. It’s set in the fictional town of Cleevesford (which for all intents and purposes, sounds like the most dangerous place on earth!) There’s a new case to investigate and DI Harte hits the ground running with it. Life is quiet until of course, its not. A dead body has been found buried in coffin and it is quickly established that they were buried alive – that is my worst nightmare. The thought of quickly running out of oxygen but also long enough to suffer considerably. The panic and the fear consuming me long before I died (think I had a shiver creep down my spine there.)
DI Harte has had her demons to excise and although she is strong and capable at her job they are still there, ever present in the background. She has seen and fought evil in her personal life and that trauma is set to be unleashed from the box she keeps them tightly locked up in. The killer penned by the media as the “coffin killer” seems to know her and has leaked a letter where she mentions DI Harte to the press. Her private life is no longer, private.
Their Silent Graves is a story where the past is only ever a breath away. The characters involved in this mystery had better lace up those Nikes and get running! It reminded me of the lion hunting the antelope.
Kopach has gone over and above to makes sure the readers buttons are well and truly pushed. I’m a relatively well-read crime fiction reader and can usually guess at the outcome of a case BUT… the author has blindfolded me, span me around multiple times and distracted me with sounds in the distance. I couldn’t guess the outcome and the author got a high five for pulling the wool over my eyes. I loved how she developed the characterisation and dropped multiple bombs. One event was the trigger that allowed the reader to pull back the mask to reveal their true selves.
Their Silent Graves is emotionally intense, a story that will have you turning the pages well into the wee small hours. Exceptionally dark and twisty.
September 4, 2020
DI Gina Harte has come a long way since her first appearance in "The Next Girl". With every installment in the series, I have gotten to know & love her more & more. Their Silent Graves showcases yet another angle to her personality when the case starts to get too close for comfort for Gina. I love how vulnerably real her character has been kept throughout the series & Their Silent Graves is no different. I absolutely loved the setting of the book - set in Cleevesford during Haloween this book successfully left me feeling creeped out. The cases themselves were twisted & cruel but I somehow ended up sympathizing with the perp in the end. That's a new one for me right there. The plot is twisted & I couldn't guess who the perp was right until the end. The characters were a bit complicated & since there were quite a few I found myself struggling to associate with each of them. As always Gina & her team shone through it all. It was nice to see everyone including Briggs involved in the case.
Up until now, I've seen Gina handle a lot of pain & stress in her personal life. Hopefully, something changes for her because I'd definitely love to see one of my favorite characters move from under that cloud of gloom.
Thank You, NetGalley, Bookouture & Carla Kovach for an arc!
Up until now, I've seen Gina handle a lot of pain & stress in her personal life. Hopefully, something changes for her because I'd definitely love to see one of my favorite characters move from under that cloud of gloom.
Thank You, NetGalley, Bookouture & Carla Kovach for an arc!
March 2, 2022
THEIR SILENT GRAVES is the Seventh crime thriller novel in the Detective Gina Harte Series, by author Carla Kovach. Having enjoyed the previous novels in the series, I move on to book 7. The story is set in Worcestershire England.
Even though this novel worked well as a stand-alone, I would recommend other readers to read the previous books as they will be given background information on the characters in this book. A solid police procedural with engaging characters.
Two teenage girls run through the woods in order to get to a school Halloween party. But it is here that they make a dreadful discovery. On route they stagger across a coffin buried in a shallow grave.
Terrified they run as fast as they can, not seeing a person close by watching their every move. They call the police and Detective Gina Harte and her team are called to the scene.
When they open the coffin they find the body of a man, who appears to have been buried alive. Now the investigation ramps up.
Gina recognizes the victim, and she starts to receive letters from the killer, referring to her past.
Then another grave is found a few days later…a serial killer is on the loose!
The chapters alternate between third person point of view, with some chapters devoted to the killer.
Their Silent Graves is dark and addictive fast-paced creepy police procedural with a great plot and interesting characters. It's well written with a lot of twists, turns and red herrings to send you off in different directions.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Net Galley for my digital copy.
Even though this novel worked well as a stand-alone, I would recommend other readers to read the previous books as they will be given background information on the characters in this book. A solid police procedural with engaging characters.
Two teenage girls run through the woods in order to get to a school Halloween party. But it is here that they make a dreadful discovery. On route they stagger across a coffin buried in a shallow grave.
Terrified they run as fast as they can, not seeing a person close by watching their every move. They call the police and Detective Gina Harte and her team are called to the scene.
When they open the coffin they find the body of a man, who appears to have been buried alive. Now the investigation ramps up.
Gina recognizes the victim, and she starts to receive letters from the killer, referring to her past.
Then another grave is found a few days later…a serial killer is on the loose!
The chapters alternate between third person point of view, with some chapters devoted to the killer.
Their Silent Graves is dark and addictive fast-paced creepy police procedural with a great plot and interesting characters. It's well written with a lot of twists, turns and red herrings to send you off in different directions.
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Net Galley for my digital copy.
September 16, 2020
Their Silent Graves is the seventh instalment in the Detective Inspector (D.I.) Gina Harte series of gripping police procedurals, set in the fictional Midlands town of Cleevesford. Two sixteen-year-old girls are in high spirits as they make their way to a school Hallowe'en party and to save time decide to take a shortcut through a thicket of woodland. This is where they stumble upon a most disturbing scene; a coffin buried in a shallow grave is opened to reveal a decaying corpse. Tied to the burial chamber is a strange length of rope and a bell without its clapper, making it impossible to ring, at the end. It comes across as a sick joke but then they recall local scare stories about an incident which apparently happened 12 years ago; a young woman was buried alive by her so-called friends. The police are called and DI Harte and her team descend upon the location. They discover deeply dug nail marks on the inside of the coffin leaving absolutely no doubt that the woman was very much alive when she was placed into it. The investigation kicks into high gear to properly identify the victim. And then... another grave is found...
This is a compulsive, addictive and fast-paced police procedural with a well-crafted plot and an interesting and engaging cast of characters. It's well written with a plethora of twists, turns and red herrings to throw you off the scent and right from the beginning I was hooked. I feel it is probably better to have read the rest of the series beforehand as Gina’s past and personal life plays such a substantial role in these books that gaining a better understanding would be preferable to just simply jumping in feet first, however, this isn't a strict necessity. The fact that it is primarily told from protagonist Gina’s perspective makes it easy to follow with no unnecessary filler or padding, and the identity of the perpetrator is kept hidden until the big reveal where the tension is ratcheted up ready to uncover the mystery behind the brutal killings. A highly entertaining and absorbing police procedural, which I would certainly recommend. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
This is a compulsive, addictive and fast-paced police procedural with a well-crafted plot and an interesting and engaging cast of characters. It's well written with a plethora of twists, turns and red herrings to throw you off the scent and right from the beginning I was hooked. I feel it is probably better to have read the rest of the series beforehand as Gina’s past and personal life plays such a substantial role in these books that gaining a better understanding would be preferable to just simply jumping in feet first, however, this isn't a strict necessity. The fact that it is primarily told from protagonist Gina’s perspective makes it easy to follow with no unnecessary filler or padding, and the identity of the perpetrator is kept hidden until the big reveal where the tension is ratcheted up ready to uncover the mystery behind the brutal killings. A highly entertaining and absorbing police procedural, which I would certainly recommend. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
September 7, 2020
Two girls excited about being dressed up for Halloween are running through the woods, and discover a shallow grave. Then before long, another similar grave is discovered. Detective Gina Harte easily sees that a serial killer is in action. As always, Gina hits the ground running with this case. However, things take a sharp turn, as the killer has made her the target.
This story is told in an interesting way. By far the story is told in third person point of view as Gina works to solve the murders, but then the killer's voice is in first person. How chilling! Readers begin to see why Gina was targeted. What this did was to raise the tension in this book the deeper I got while reading it. I simply could not put this thrilling book down.
Their Silent Graves is the 7th book in the Detective Gina Harte series. I picked up this series with Her Pretty Bones and have read each book since.. What is happening in this book really goes into the past Gina had and not only helps us to see how troubled she is, but eventually how and why she is tied to the case at hand. Therefore, I think reading the books in order is pivotal to truly appreciate the depth of Gina's angst.
Gina had a horrendous past with her now deceased husband. What happened to him and how her marriage has made her the woman she is really comes through the pages of each book in the series. The fact that this current case has delved into Gina's past to make her life a living hell makes knowing Gina through the pages of this series come full circle.
Carla Kovach has hit it out the park with this newest book in the series. She was able to pull a lot of emotions out of me while I was reading this book, and that included shock, compassion and even grief. Now I cannot wait to see Gina continue to fight her way past her demons and perhaps find a bit of joy in her life. So, I definitely need the next book in this series soonest.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
This story is told in an interesting way. By far the story is told in third person point of view as Gina works to solve the murders, but then the killer's voice is in first person. How chilling! Readers begin to see why Gina was targeted. What this did was to raise the tension in this book the deeper I got while reading it. I simply could not put this thrilling book down.
Their Silent Graves is the 7th book in the Detective Gina Harte series. I picked up this series with Her Pretty Bones and have read each book since.. What is happening in this book really goes into the past Gina had and not only helps us to see how troubled she is, but eventually how and why she is tied to the case at hand. Therefore, I think reading the books in order is pivotal to truly appreciate the depth of Gina's angst.
Gina had a horrendous past with her now deceased husband. What happened to him and how her marriage has made her the woman she is really comes through the pages of each book in the series. The fact that this current case has delved into Gina's past to make her life a living hell makes knowing Gina through the pages of this series come full circle.
Carla Kovach has hit it out the park with this newest book in the series. She was able to pull a lot of emotions out of me while I was reading this book, and that included shock, compassion and even grief. Now I cannot wait to see Gina continue to fight her way past her demons and perhaps find a bit of joy in her life. So, I definitely need the next book in this series soonest.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
August 11, 2020
Desperate to reach the party on time, two teenage girls dressed in garish Halloween costumes run through a patch of dense woodland towards the outskirts of town. But before they can reach the safety of the streets beyond, they make a shocking discovery.
Following a piece of old rope, the girls find a large mound of freshly laid earth, undisturbed in the darkness of the trees. Clawing at the ground beneath them, they find a shallow grave.
Once the police and forensic team arrive they discover that someone was buried alive. When another grave is found just days later, DI Gina Harte and her team realise that a serial killer is preying on their small town. But who is the killer watching now? And when will another grave be filled?
This is my first book in this series and I totally enjoyed it. I was hooked on right from the first page.
It was well written with a very captivating plot. All the characters were good especially DI Gina who goes all out to catch the killer. It had all the twists and thrills right till the end. I had a hard time guessing who was the killer and even then I couldn't get it right.
Overall, a brilliant book filled with twists and an obsession for revenge. Highly Recommended!
Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!
Following a piece of old rope, the girls find a large mound of freshly laid earth, undisturbed in the darkness of the trees. Clawing at the ground beneath them, they find a shallow grave.
Once the police and forensic team arrive they discover that someone was buried alive. When another grave is found just days later, DI Gina Harte and her team realise that a serial killer is preying on their small town. But who is the killer watching now? And when will another grave be filled?
This is my first book in this series and I totally enjoyed it. I was hooked on right from the first page.
It was well written with a very captivating plot. All the characters were good especially DI Gina who goes all out to catch the killer. It had all the twists and thrills right till the end. I had a hard time guessing who was the killer and even then I couldn't get it right.
Overall, a brilliant book filled with twists and an obsession for revenge. Highly Recommended!
Thank You to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC!
August 27, 2020
Another book with a beautiful dedication: “To all who have suffered loss or illness during this year of pandemic.”
The book starts out with 2 very disturbing scenes of the past.
- 24 years ago a coffin-maker watches how his friend locks his wife up in the shed and beats her regularly.
- 12 years ago a young girl who’s new in town is buried alive in a coffin by her new ’friends’.
Now; When 2 16-year-old girls are on their way to a Halloween party and take a shortcut through the woods, they stumble across a bell without a clapper that’s tied to the buried coffin. At first, they think it’s a practical joke but they call the police anyway. A dead man lays inside; there are claw marks on the inside of the lid so it looks as if the victim was buried alive. DI Harte recognises him; it’s a man she told of for being rude to the café owner 2 days earlier. The killer seems to have a connection with her and writes her letters with intimate details about her own abusive past.
Then, there’s Cherie, married to Christian and mother of 2. We don’t know what she’s up to but she’s keeping secrets from her husband. It’s a secret from her past that she shares with some school friends.
Who are those people, what are they hiding, what is all this about? Why do they involve Gina Harte in their game? You know there must be a connection or it wouldn’t be in the book.
While you try to puzzle out who’s who and what is going on, the suspense increases with every chapter (there are a lot of them in this book). It’s frustrating, so many secrets, clues and puzzle pieces and I couldn’t make sense of them. Grrr, I loved it though. It’s definitely one of those books that keep you up half of the night. And when I finally went to bed, I kept milling it over and over before falling asleep.
My first assumption was that there was someone taking revenge on men that behave badly against women. But if so, what is the connection with Gina’s abusive ex? He’s dead, so it can’t be him, and why would he target abusive men.
Although the victims aren’t very likeable, you can’t go around murdering ‘bad’ people. We all know a couple of people without whom the world would be a better place. But if we all go rogue serving vigilante justice, the world would be pure anarchy and chaos. Unfortunately, we’re stuck with laws and systems that aren’t always bringing justice and righteousness where they should. So I would urge our lawmakers (wherever in this world) to update both the police and justice departments into the 21st century.
When the identity of the killer was finally revealed, I was surprised. Despite my multiple theoretical scenario’s, I never saw this coming. The ‘why’ was already clear by then but not the ‘who’.
Most of the story is written from DI Harte’s POV but there are also chapters about Cherie and her friends, and those by the killer who doesn’t reveal his/her identity. It’s very well constructed and it keeps your attention to the last. It’s both police procedural and psychological thriller.
Despite being the 7th book in this series, it’s very easy to read on its own. Of course, there are some references made to the past but I’m not even sure if those are just background information or that they’ve been part of former stories.
I thank Netgalley and Bookouture for the free ARC they provided me with; this is my honest and unbiased review of it.
The book starts out with 2 very disturbing scenes of the past.
- 24 years ago a coffin-maker watches how his friend locks his wife up in the shed and beats her regularly.
- 12 years ago a young girl who’s new in town is buried alive in a coffin by her new ’friends’.
Now; When 2 16-year-old girls are on their way to a Halloween party and take a shortcut through the woods, they stumble across a bell without a clapper that’s tied to the buried coffin. At first, they think it’s a practical joke but they call the police anyway. A dead man lays inside; there are claw marks on the inside of the lid so it looks as if the victim was buried alive. DI Harte recognises him; it’s a man she told of for being rude to the café owner 2 days earlier. The killer seems to have a connection with her and writes her letters with intimate details about her own abusive past.
Then, there’s Cherie, married to Christian and mother of 2. We don’t know what she’s up to but she’s keeping secrets from her husband. It’s a secret from her past that she shares with some school friends.
Who are those people, what are they hiding, what is all this about? Why do they involve Gina Harte in their game? You know there must be a connection or it wouldn’t be in the book.
While you try to puzzle out who’s who and what is going on, the suspense increases with every chapter (there are a lot of them in this book). It’s frustrating, so many secrets, clues and puzzle pieces and I couldn’t make sense of them. Grrr, I loved it though. It’s definitely one of those books that keep you up half of the night. And when I finally went to bed, I kept milling it over and over before falling asleep.
My first assumption was that there was someone taking revenge on men that behave badly against women. But if so, what is the connection with Gina’s abusive ex? He’s dead, so it can’t be him, and why would he target abusive men.
Although the victims aren’t very likeable, you can’t go around murdering ‘bad’ people. We all know a couple of people without whom the world would be a better place. But if we all go rogue serving vigilante justice, the world would be pure anarchy and chaos. Unfortunately, we’re stuck with laws and systems that aren’t always bringing justice and righteousness where they should. So I would urge our lawmakers (wherever in this world) to update both the police and justice departments into the 21st century.
When the identity of the killer was finally revealed, I was surprised. Despite my multiple theoretical scenario’s, I never saw this coming. The ‘why’ was already clear by then but not the ‘who’.
Most of the story is written from DI Harte’s POV but there are also chapters about Cherie and her friends, and those by the killer who doesn’t reveal his/her identity. It’s very well constructed and it keeps your attention to the last. It’s both police procedural and psychological thriller.
Despite being the 7th book in this series, it’s very easy to read on its own. Of course, there are some references made to the past but I’m not even sure if those are just background information or that they’ve been part of former stories.
I thank Netgalley and Bookouture for the free ARC they provided me with; this is my honest and unbiased review of it.
November 13, 2020
Cherie needed to die.
I won't indulge too much into it, but damn. The bitch had to go and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
What happened to Lucy. What happened to Gina. Should not have happened to anyone.
Nuff said.
Now to move back to the review, there were strong ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ vibes from this suspense thriller and I was loving every single moment of it. The anticipation of what was to follow after the first grave was found had me sitting on the edge of my seat. The characters were real and raw, and the triggering topics such as abuse, alcoholism, drug addiction, and (minor) bullying were well touched on. And despite this being the seventh installment of the ‘Detective Gina Harte’ series, it could be considered a standalone as it’s easy to follow and as a reader, you can pretty much get the gist of what’s happening.
With that being said, there were a few things that prevented this from being a 4+ star read, such as the pacing. It was a bit wishy washy for me. The constant fast and slow pacing that vary from scene to scene could have been slightly tweaked to make the read smooth sailing. It seemed with that issue alone, the story at times dragged on and on. Additional to that issue, the predictability of the storyline and whodunit mystery was easy to find out. Despite how much I enjoyed this, I do wish there were more twists and turns to make this a much more enthralling read.
November 10, 2020
Their Silent Graves by Carla Kovach is the 7th in the Detective Gina Harte series.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
DI Gina Harte works homicides. Her team consists of: DS Jacob Driscoll, DC Harry O’Connor and DC Paula Wyre, with a lot of assistance from PC Smith, and now PC Kapoor. Gina is a stubborn lady, and a determined detective. She has had a rough life, which has led to an uneasy relationship with her daughter and grand-daughter. It has also led to a lack of real friends, and an on-again/off-again relationship with her boss, DCI Chris Briggs. It is not common knowledge that her husband was abusive, and no one knows that she helped him fall to his death many years ago.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
It is the Halloween season, and two teenage girls take a short-cut through a wooded area on the way to a party. One of the girl trips, and from there the evening goes downhill. Seeing a bell hanging from the tree above them, they follow the rope down to the ground, where they find a shallow grave, complete with coffin.
Detective Gina Harte and her team must first try to identify the body in this grave, and then try and figure out why someone would want to torture someone by burying them alive.
Meanwhile, Gina is receiving messages from the killer. This killer seems to know Gina, and know her past. The past that Gina has kept secret for so long, the fact that her husband was abusive. It almost feels like Terry is back and taunting her.
My Opinions:
I've really enjoyed this series, but I am getting a little tired of the main female character's past coming back to haunt her, or interfere with her work, etc. I am ready for a strong female character who isn't carrying this big chip on her shoulder. Okay, done ranting.
First, this could probably be read as a stand-alone novel, but I think you will understand Gina better if you start at the beginning.
I really think this is a good series, and although the plot was a little dark, it is Halloween, so it can be expected. The plot, even if a little predictable, and the perpetrator obvious, was still good. Kovach took a look at bullying, and how it can affect a person later in life. It also looked at when bullying is taken to the extreme. That was really interesting.
Anyway, bottom line, it was a good addition to the series and I will continue to follow Gina Harte!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
August 16, 2020
A murderer who kills their victims by burying them alive in a coffin complete with a bell but without a clapper, so there’s hope for the victim but to no avail. How twisted and messed up is that? So up my alley, and I loved it. The funny part is that this book is the seventh in the DI Harte series, and my dumass did not notice it, mostly because I could not (read: did not want to) see past the blurb. Lol. But oml, I loved it, so glad I decided to give it a read. It said on the cover ‘for the fans of Cara Hunter’ and it lived very much up to the expectation.
Very gripping and fast-paced, never a dull moment there. And even though it’s part of a series, it’s a perfect standalone too, I did not feel left out at all. Creepy from the get-go, set at the time of Halloween, the first two chapters gave off kinda Nordic noir vibes, complex and dark, and were good enough to hook me completely. I legit did not want to put it down. I do not usually enjoy reading inner monologues but the emotions were described so well in this one, it was very interesting to read. I really appreciate how enjoyable and it was, without any graphic descriptions despite the nature of the kills and the background story of the DI.
The ending is so satisfying and perfect, and I was not able to guess it at all. Loved it. And like any other series it left me wanting for more. I’ll be waiting for the next book in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley, author, and publishers for the eARC.
Very gripping and fast-paced, never a dull moment there. And even though it’s part of a series, it’s a perfect standalone too, I did not feel left out at all. Creepy from the get-go, set at the time of Halloween, the first two chapters gave off kinda Nordic noir vibes, complex and dark, and were good enough to hook me completely. I legit did not want to put it down. I do not usually enjoy reading inner monologues but the emotions were described so well in this one, it was very interesting to read. I really appreciate how enjoyable and it was, without any graphic descriptions despite the nature of the kills and the background story of the DI.
The ending is so satisfying and perfect, and I was not able to guess it at all. Loved it. And like any other series it left me wanting for more. I’ll be waiting for the next book in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley, author, and publishers for the eARC.
July 23, 2023
Verkleed in opzichtige Halloween kostuums doorkruisen twee tienermeisjes het bos op hun weg naar de buitenwijken van de stad. Maar voor ze de veilige straten bereiken, doen ze een schokkende ontdekking. Midden op het pad vinden ze een oud stuk touw dat verder het duister in leidt, naar een hoop omgewoelde aarde.
De meisjes beginnen te graven en stuiten op iets wat ze niet goed kunnen plaatsen. Maar als ze zich realiseren wat ze hebben ontdekt, wordt de stilte doorbroken door hun ijzingwekkende geschreeuw... De meisjes ontvluchten het bos zo snel als ze kunnen, zonder de persoon te zien die vanuit de schaduw alles gadeslaat.
Wanneer een paar dagen later nog een graf wordt gevonden, is het voor detective Gina Harte duidelijk dat een seriemoordenaar het kleine stadje teistert. Maar op wie heeft de moordenaar het nu voorzien? En wanneer wordt er weer een graf gevuld?
'Zwijg als het graf' is inmiddels al het zevende deel van de serie met Gina Harte in de hoofdrol en deze keer speelt het zich rond Halloween af (gaaf!). Het verhaal begint met een proloog die zich vierentwintig jaar eerder afspeelt. Daarna maak je een sprongetje naar twaalf jaar eerder en uiteindelijk lees je dan vanuit het heden. Ik vroeg mij meteen af wat dit verleden met deze nieuwe zaak te maken had.
In het begin lijkt alles nog redelijk te verlopen tijdens deze Halloween, maar al gauw vinden twee tienermeisjes een kist in het bos en helaas ligt er een overleden persoon in deze kist. Gina Harte wordt samen met haar collega's op deze zaak gezet en het blijkt dat ook het verleden van Gina in dit deel een ontzettend grote rol speelt. Daarom is het misschien wel verstandig dat je de voorgaande delen op volgorde leest.
Er zijn verschillende verhaallijnen. Zo lees je vanuit Gina, maar ook vanuit de dader en vanuit een vriendengroep die in verband staat met de dode persoon in de kist. Wat hebben al deze verschillende personages en gebeurtenissen met elkaar gemeen?
'Zwijg als het graf' las weer ontzettend vlot en de dader zag ik niet aankomen, dus dat was weer genieten!
Ik wil @boekerij heel erg bedanken voor dit recensie-exemplaar!
Beoordeling: 4,0 ⭐
De meisjes beginnen te graven en stuiten op iets wat ze niet goed kunnen plaatsen. Maar als ze zich realiseren wat ze hebben ontdekt, wordt de stilte doorbroken door hun ijzingwekkende geschreeuw... De meisjes ontvluchten het bos zo snel als ze kunnen, zonder de persoon te zien die vanuit de schaduw alles gadeslaat.
Wanneer een paar dagen later nog een graf wordt gevonden, is het voor detective Gina Harte duidelijk dat een seriemoordenaar het kleine stadje teistert. Maar op wie heeft de moordenaar het nu voorzien? En wanneer wordt er weer een graf gevuld?
'Zwijg als het graf' is inmiddels al het zevende deel van de serie met Gina Harte in de hoofdrol en deze keer speelt het zich rond Halloween af (gaaf!). Het verhaal begint met een proloog die zich vierentwintig jaar eerder afspeelt. Daarna maak je een sprongetje naar twaalf jaar eerder en uiteindelijk lees je dan vanuit het heden. Ik vroeg mij meteen af wat dit verleden met deze nieuwe zaak te maken had.
In het begin lijkt alles nog redelijk te verlopen tijdens deze Halloween, maar al gauw vinden twee tienermeisjes een kist in het bos en helaas ligt er een overleden persoon in deze kist. Gina Harte wordt samen met haar collega's op deze zaak gezet en het blijkt dat ook het verleden van Gina in dit deel een ontzettend grote rol speelt. Daarom is het misschien wel verstandig dat je de voorgaande delen op volgorde leest.
Er zijn verschillende verhaallijnen. Zo lees je vanuit Gina, maar ook vanuit de dader en vanuit een vriendengroep die in verband staat met de dode persoon in de kist. Wat hebben al deze verschillende personages en gebeurtenissen met elkaar gemeen?
'Zwijg als het graf' las weer ontzettend vlot en de dader zag ik niet aankomen, dus dat was weer genieten!
Ik wil @boekerij heel erg bedanken voor dit recensie-exemplaar!
Beoordeling: 4,0 ⭐
August 4, 2023
« Zwijg als het graf - Carla Kovach »
🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃
Wat een verhaal opnieuw! ♥️
Het speelt zich af met Halloween, de zaligste periode van het jaar! 👻
Fantastisch geschreven, goed gevonden & zaaaaaalig om te lezen! 🫢
Ik kijk uit naar het vervolg binnenkort! 😍
🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃
Wat een verhaal opnieuw! ♥️
Het speelt zich af met Halloween, de zaligste periode van het jaar! 👻
Fantastisch geschreven, goed gevonden & zaaaaaalig om te lezen! 🫢
Ik kijk uit naar het vervolg binnenkort! 😍
September 29, 2023
Hoewel ik fan ben van deze reeks kon dit deel me echt niet boeien.
Ik heb het dan ook niet uitgelezen, het leek alsoof ik er maar niet doorheen geraakt.
Ik heb het dan ook niet uitgelezen, het leek alsoof ik er maar niet doorheen geraakt.
May 29, 2024
Fun and fast paced book, but I had a tough time getting into it.
There were many characters and in the beginning I didn’t understand at all where this was going to or what/why they were talking about. The ending wrapped up very well tho.
Could have been a 4 star if it wasn’t confusing at the start.
M.J.Arlidge is still superior imo 😋
There were many characters and in the beginning I didn’t understand at all where this was going to or what/why they were talking about. The ending wrapped up very well tho.
Could have been a 4 star if it wasn’t confusing at the start.
M.J.Arlidge is still superior imo 😋
March 13, 2021
Book number 7 I have now finished this series, as I started with book 8
This is one of my favourite out of all the series. When a man Gina had words with in the coffee shop ends up dead, buried alive in a coffin, Gina finds herself questioning the last time she saw him. He was creepy and had unsettled her by starting and disallowing out of sight. The coffin killer brings back memories of Terry locking Gina in their shed for the weekend this seems to be a memory the killer wants Gina yo remember and she dies as clear as day do when she and the press receive letters from the killer clearly calling Gina out, she knows she must solve this case and soon
I love how this book plays on most people's biggest fear being buried alive, what a horrible way to go with only 3 matches for company it's virtually impossible to escape. I honestly think it's so clever using this type of murder. It will freak mist readers out as its something that could happen to any of us. As I've said on previous reviews Kovach's attention to detai is amazing the descriptions of the coffins is amazing making those scenes all the more sinister
I love the characters development with Gina throughout this series. She is still working through ghosts of her past but she's not quite as much of a hot mess as she has been. Plus her and Briggs are just so in love with each other, feel like it's a Ross and Rachel will they won't they! I must say with Gina there is a hilarious chapter with her at a spa it had me laughing out loud.
In this book we follow Sherry's story alongside the investigation. I found her story interesting and I didn't know how that would conclude. I was shocked when her storyline was tied up. She's an ex alcoholic (suppose to be ex anyway) but she hates Halloween. Something in her past makes this time of year quite triggering. Her fragile marriage anyway starts to struggle even more once she releases the person found dead in a coffin was ex school friend.
Would I recommend this book?
DUH ofcourse I would. I actually sad that I have now read all 8 so I will be waiting for book 9 to drop. These books are written so well. I did guess the killer this time however I didn't mind. I think reading so many I have now got into the mind of Kovach!
Easy 5 stars
This is one of my favourite out of all the series. When a man Gina had words with in the coffee shop ends up dead, buried alive in a coffin, Gina finds herself questioning the last time she saw him. He was creepy and had unsettled her by starting and disallowing out of sight. The coffin killer brings back memories of Terry locking Gina in their shed for the weekend this seems to be a memory the killer wants Gina yo remember and she dies as clear as day do when she and the press receive letters from the killer clearly calling Gina out, she knows she must solve this case and soon
I love how this book plays on most people's biggest fear being buried alive, what a horrible way to go with only 3 matches for company it's virtually impossible to escape. I honestly think it's so clever using this type of murder. It will freak mist readers out as its something that could happen to any of us. As I've said on previous reviews Kovach's attention to detai is amazing the descriptions of the coffins is amazing making those scenes all the more sinister
I love the characters development with Gina throughout this series. She is still working through ghosts of her past but she's not quite as much of a hot mess as she has been. Plus her and Briggs are just so in love with each other, feel like it's a Ross and Rachel will they won't they! I must say with Gina there is a hilarious chapter with her at a spa it had me laughing out loud.
In this book we follow Sherry's story alongside the investigation. I found her story interesting and I didn't know how that would conclude. I was shocked when her storyline was tied up. She's an ex alcoholic (suppose to be ex anyway) but she hates Halloween. Something in her past makes this time of year quite triggering. Her fragile marriage anyway starts to struggle even more once she releases the person found dead in a coffin was ex school friend.
Would I recommend this book?
DUH ofcourse I would. I actually sad that I have now read all 8 so I will be waiting for book 9 to drop. These books are written so well. I did guess the killer this time however I didn't mind. I think reading so many I have now got into the mind of Kovach!
Easy 5 stars
September 16, 2020
Another brilliant book from Carla Kovach.
The book begins with the discovery of a shallow grave in the woods. Whilst the body has been buried in a coffin, it looks like the person has been buried alive.
Gina and the team know they’re up against a twisted killer but when another body is found, they have to find the link between the victims.
At the same time, Gina is receiving cryptic letters that refer to her relationship with Terry and is concerned as she thought no-one else knew what he did to her.
The Press soon get hold of the link to Gina and she tries her best not to let it get to her.
Following a near death experience for Gina she discovers a vital clue to the identity of the killer but it’s not an easy arrest to make.
Other people’s true colours are shown and I was pleased to see that this didn’t go unnoticed by Gina and she ensures action is taken.
This is a gripping crime thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
The book begins with the discovery of a shallow grave in the woods. Whilst the body has been buried in a coffin, it looks like the person has been buried alive.
Gina and the team know they’re up against a twisted killer but when another body is found, they have to find the link between the victims.
At the same time, Gina is receiving cryptic letters that refer to her relationship with Terry and is concerned as she thought no-one else knew what he did to her.
The Press soon get hold of the link to Gina and she tries her best not to let it get to her.
Following a near death experience for Gina she discovers a vital clue to the identity of the killer but it’s not an easy arrest to make.
Other people’s true colours are shown and I was pleased to see that this didn’t go unnoticed by Gina and she ensures action is taken.
This is a gripping crime thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
September 10, 2020
You are in for a wild ride with this one!
Disclaimer, I picked this book because I was instantly drawn to the cover. Little did I realise when I requested this book that it was book 7 in a series. I was anxious that I wasn’t going to enjoy it because I hadn’t read any of the others but it didn’t matter at all.
It’s Halloween and two girls dresses in costumes head into the woods and stumble across something horrific. A recently dug shallow grave. When the two realise their screams can be heard for miles. What they fail to see is the person watching them in the shadows.
A few days later another body is found and they start to realise they have a serial killer on their hands. Who is the killing watching now?
I was on the edge of my seat at every twist and turn! Definitely need to read this series someday.
Disclaimer, I picked this book because I was instantly drawn to the cover. Little did I realise when I requested this book that it was book 7 in a series. I was anxious that I wasn’t going to enjoy it because I hadn’t read any of the others but it didn’t matter at all.
It’s Halloween and two girls dresses in costumes head into the woods and stumble across something horrific. A recently dug shallow grave. When the two realise their screams can be heard for miles. What they fail to see is the person watching them in the shadows.
A few days later another body is found and they start to realise they have a serial killer on their hands. Who is the killing watching now?
I was on the edge of my seat at every twist and turn! Definitely need to read this series someday.
August 10, 2025
En toen was er weer een deel uit de Gina Harte serie van Carla Kovach voorbij. Ik zit momenteel weer in een enorme reading slump en eigenlijk het enige wat ik leuk vond om te lezen afgelopen tijd, was Carla Kovach. Helaas moesten er ook wat andere boeken tussendoor, maar hey, ik kon in ieder geval ergens nog een beetje in doorlezen zonder er tegenop te kijken of het voor me uit te schuiven. En nu is hij uit... Ik ben heel erg benieuwd of ik nu opnieuw in een gat ga vallen of toch blijf lezen.
Dit was alweer deel 7 in de serie en inmiddels hoef ik dus niet meer zoveel te delen over de schrijfstijl. Dat het lekker wegleest, pakkend is en de boeken je het gevoel geven door een verhaal te vliegen, is nu wel een keer duidelijk denk ik.
Maar dit verhaal, hert was... anders... Het was aangrijpender en verrassender dan ik dacht. Gina haar persoonlijke verhaallijn wordt in dit boek meegenomen in het verhaal van de dader. Een dader die tevens een slachtoffer van iets verschrikkelijks lijkt te zijn. In stukjes lees je vanuit de dader(s) en slachtoffer(s) wat er gebeurd is, zonder dat er teveel wordt weggegeven.
Ik kan niet teveel weggeven, maar dit verhaal heeft me echt geraakt. De dader is niet alleen dader, maar ook slachtoffer, en daarmee vervagen de grenzen tussen goed en slecht. Daar komt bij dat Gina persoonlijk betrokken raakt bij het verhaal, doordat de dader dingen van haar lijkt te weten die niemand weet. het is alsof Gina de dader al kent, zonder diegene echt te kennen. Dat maakt dit verhaal persoonlijker en heftiger dan de vorige verhalen. Ja, Gina had al een wankele mentale toestand, maar in dit boek krijgt dat een andere wending en het is mooi om te zien hoe Gina alles oppakt en hoe ze leert om de mensen om haar heen nu toch een beetje te vertrouwen.
"Ik kijk. Ik wacht. Ik kom eraan." Het moment dat deze zinnetjes voorbij kwamen, kreeg ik kippenvel. Kippenvel overal. Het gevoel dat deze paar zinnen je geeft is zo beklemmend en beangstigend... Dat in combinatie met Halloween, de verhalen die rondgaan, de doodskist-moorden en de rare perspectieven, maakt dat dit verhaal je bij blijft en je precies het gevoel geven wat Carla Kovach probeert te creëeren met haar verhaal.
Ik ben geraakt. Ik snap zo ontzettend goed hoe het moet zijn om iets verschrikkelijks mee te maken, je hele leven te verliezen, niemand te hebben die ingrijpt of iets doet, en dan daarna te moeten leven alsof er niks is gebeurd. De daders krijgen een gezin, een baan, een toekomst, terwijl jij vanbinnen al gestorven bent. Ik kan zo goed begrijpen dat de dader wraak heeft genomen en eigenlijk alles aan de grote klok heeft gehangen. Eindelijk en stem heeft gebruikt.
De dader kwam voor mij volledig uit het niets. Achteraf had ik het misschien kunnen weten, maar ik was zo aan het puzzelen, dat ik het complete plaatje misschien niet meer zag en dat heeft me dus volledig verrast.
Dit hele verhaal was beter dan de eerste 6 delen bij elkaar. Ik was dol op het eerste deel en elk deel daarna had ook een goed verhaal en zat goed in elkaar, maar vooral vanwege het verhaal van Gina Harte.. En nu was het verhaal van de dader zelf ook heel erg interessant en pakkend. En dat was voor mij nieuw. het voelde alsof alle elementen van een goede thriller in dit boek zaten.
Ik kan ook echt niks anders dat dit boek 5 sterren geven. Ik hoop echt dat de boeken zo goed blijven als dat hij deze keer was, want ik ben opnieuw helemaal fan geworden!
~ Live Your Life Reading
Dit was alweer deel 7 in de serie en inmiddels hoef ik dus niet meer zoveel te delen over de schrijfstijl. Dat het lekker wegleest, pakkend is en de boeken je het gevoel geven door een verhaal te vliegen, is nu wel een keer duidelijk denk ik.
Maar dit verhaal, hert was... anders... Het was aangrijpender en verrassender dan ik dacht. Gina haar persoonlijke verhaallijn wordt in dit boek meegenomen in het verhaal van de dader. Een dader die tevens een slachtoffer van iets verschrikkelijks lijkt te zijn. In stukjes lees je vanuit de dader(s) en slachtoffer(s) wat er gebeurd is, zonder dat er teveel wordt weggegeven.
Ik kan niet teveel weggeven, maar dit verhaal heeft me echt geraakt. De dader is niet alleen dader, maar ook slachtoffer, en daarmee vervagen de grenzen tussen goed en slecht. Daar komt bij dat Gina persoonlijk betrokken raakt bij het verhaal, doordat de dader dingen van haar lijkt te weten die niemand weet. het is alsof Gina de dader al kent, zonder diegene echt te kennen. Dat maakt dit verhaal persoonlijker en heftiger dan de vorige verhalen. Ja, Gina had al een wankele mentale toestand, maar in dit boek krijgt dat een andere wending en het is mooi om te zien hoe Gina alles oppakt en hoe ze leert om de mensen om haar heen nu toch een beetje te vertrouwen.
"Ik kijk. Ik wacht. Ik kom eraan." Het moment dat deze zinnetjes voorbij kwamen, kreeg ik kippenvel. Kippenvel overal. Het gevoel dat deze paar zinnen je geeft is zo beklemmend en beangstigend... Dat in combinatie met Halloween, de verhalen die rondgaan, de doodskist-moorden en de rare perspectieven, maakt dat dit verhaal je bij blijft en je precies het gevoel geven wat Carla Kovach probeert te creëeren met haar verhaal.
Ik ben geraakt. Ik snap zo ontzettend goed hoe het moet zijn om iets verschrikkelijks mee te maken, je hele leven te verliezen, niemand te hebben die ingrijpt of iets doet, en dan daarna te moeten leven alsof er niks is gebeurd. De daders krijgen een gezin, een baan, een toekomst, terwijl jij vanbinnen al gestorven bent. Ik kan zo goed begrijpen dat de dader wraak heeft genomen en eigenlijk alles aan de grote klok heeft gehangen. Eindelijk en stem heeft gebruikt.
De dader kwam voor mij volledig uit het niets. Achteraf had ik het misschien kunnen weten, maar ik was zo aan het puzzelen, dat ik het complete plaatje misschien niet meer zag en dat heeft me dus volledig verrast.
Dit hele verhaal was beter dan de eerste 6 delen bij elkaar. Ik was dol op het eerste deel en elk deel daarna had ook een goed verhaal en zat goed in elkaar, maar vooral vanwege het verhaal van Gina Harte.. En nu was het verhaal van de dader zelf ook heel erg interessant en pakkend. En dat was voor mij nieuw. het voelde alsof alle elementen van een goede thriller in dit boek zaten.
Ik kan ook echt niks anders dat dit boek 5 sterren geven. Ik hoop echt dat de boeken zo goed blijven als dat hij deze keer was, want ik ben opnieuw helemaal fan geworden!
~ Live Your Life Reading
February 18, 2025
Coraz bardziej mam wrażenie, że autorka tak mocno zafiksowała się na przeszłości swojej głównej bohaterki, że zapomniała, że ludzie się zmieniają, bohaterowie rozwijają i wychodzi to wszystko strasznie płytko, a pani detektyw jest jednowymiarowa. Szkoda, bo dobrze wspominam pierwsze tomy, ale póki co jest mega nijako i powtarzalnie, w ogóle nie idziemy do przodu.
September 17, 2023
Het zevende deel rond Gina Harte speelt zich af rond Halloween wanneer twee meisjes op weg naar een feestje een doodskist ontdekken in de omgewoelde aarde.
De dader lijkt bovendien ook veel te weten over het verleden van Gina, dat ze angstvallig geheim probeert te houden. Slechts 1 collega is deels op de hoogte van wat er gebeurd is maar blijkbaar is er nog iemand die van meer weet.
Dit deel heeft heel wat personages. Er is een hele vriendengroep die in beeld komt met vooral Cherie als belangrijkste persoon. Cherie komt heel vreemd over en wat deze mensen met de zaak te maken hebben, blijft lang een mysterie. Er is vooral veel geheimzinnigheid.
Ik vind dit verhaal niet echt zelfstandig te lezen omdat er echt wel ingegaan wordt op het verleden van Gina, waar je in de voorgaande delen al meer over te weten kwam.
Hoewel dit niet mijn favoriete boek uit de serie is, heb ik weer genoten van het verhaal. Het is spannend, het plot en de ontknoping zijn verrassend en tegen de achtergrond van Halloween is het een ideaal boek om te lezen in de herfst.
De dader lijkt bovendien ook veel te weten over het verleden van Gina, dat ze angstvallig geheim probeert te houden. Slechts 1 collega is deels op de hoogte van wat er gebeurd is maar blijkbaar is er nog iemand die van meer weet.
Dit deel heeft heel wat personages. Er is een hele vriendengroep die in beeld komt met vooral Cherie als belangrijkste persoon. Cherie komt heel vreemd over en wat deze mensen met de zaak te maken hebben, blijft lang een mysterie. Er is vooral veel geheimzinnigheid.
Ik vind dit verhaal niet echt zelfstandig te lezen omdat er echt wel ingegaan wordt op het verleden van Gina, waar je in de voorgaande delen al meer over te weten kwam.
Hoewel dit niet mijn favoriete boek uit de serie is, heb ik weer genoten van het verhaal. Het is spannend, het plot en de ontknoping zijn verrassend en tegen de achtergrond van Halloween is het een ideaal boek om te lezen in de herfst.
August 27, 2020
Their Silent Graves by Carla Kovach is the seventh installment of the compelling and addictive series based on Detective Gina Harte. Although we are now deep into the series, this one can easily be read as a standalone. I tend to dip in and out of this series and have not read all seven books, but I have no trouble reacquainting myself with Gina and her team after an extended absence when the opportunity presents itself. Bravo to Ms Kovach for creating such an engaging protagonist in Gina Harte.
While enroute to a Halloween party, two teenage girls discover a shallow grave. A few days later, a second grave is revealed, and Detective Harte and her team realize that a serial killer is at work in their small town. The race is on to unravel the evidence before the next victim is targeted, and it is soon apparent that not all is as it seems.
This is a solidly written and engaging series, and one into which you will easily and happily immerse yourself.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
While enroute to a Halloween party, two teenage girls discover a shallow grave. A few days later, a second grave is revealed, and Detective Harte and her team realize that a serial killer is at work in their small town. The race is on to unravel the evidence before the next victim is targeted, and it is soon apparent that not all is as it seems.
This is a solidly written and engaging series, and one into which you will easily and happily immerse yourself.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this ARC.
September 27, 2020
If you’ve ever found the distant toll of a bell ominously disturbing, you will find the bells in this story bone-chilling. The powerful prologue launches us into everyone’s worst nightmare, that of opening your eyes to realise you are buried alive. Jarring memories for DI Gina Harte that hold a particular horrific pathos, she is forced to recall with palpable clarity details of her abusive past and the events that finally brought it to a close. Letters sent out containing information only one person could know confirm that it has come back to haunt her. She suspects those around her – it has to be someone close, even the one person she’s come to trust. Gina is souring her relationship at a time she will need it most. A serial killer is torturing their victims in the most twisted,terrifying way possible. The team has to find them before they get too close. If the words shallow grave make your heart skip a beat, if you want an excellent crime thriller with taunting psychological twists, then Their Silent Graves is one I would highly recommend.
March 28, 2021
I love a great serial killer book. This was no exception! I have not read any other books in the series so this is book 7. I will have to go back and start from book one later. Around Halloween, two girls find a shallow grave and things get more exciting from there. I liked the character of Detective Gina Harte. This book had me wanting to read more and it was hard to put it down. This book was creepy and kept me in suspense. I loved the ride and would read more books from this author. I am glad I found a new series to enjoy. I am always looking for a new great series to keep my attention before bed. *This book was given to me for free at my request from NetGalley and I provided this voluntary review.*
September 17, 2023
Net als in voorgaande delen van de Gina Harte-serie opent ook Zwijg als het graf met een spannende proloog. Deze speelt zich 24 jaar geleden af. “Ik kan toch niet kijken en niets doen”, staat er op de tiende pagina. Pas aan het einde van het verhaal wordt duidelijk wie dit heeft gezegd.
Bijna een kwart eeuw later is het Halloween in Cleevesford, een klein stadje waar rechercheur Gina Harte woont en werkt. Twee verklede tienermeisjes die op weg naar het Halloweenfeest op school een korte route nemen door het bos, stuiten op een pas gedolven graf. Harte en haar team graven een kist op met iemand die levend begraven is. Het duurt lang voordat ze een spoor vindt.
Zwijg als het graf is het zevende deel in de Gina Harte serie van Carla Kovach, Het verhaal is goed te lezen als standalone, maar het werk tverhelderend als de lezer bekend is met voorgaande delen. Deel acht, Hij ziet jou, verschijnt in oktober. Voor Carla Kovach zich toelegde op het schrijven van thrillers was ze theaterschrijver en actrice.
Vriendengroep die ergens bang voor is
Met een chronologisch verteld verhaal met een paar flashbacks weet Carla Kovach de lezer te boeien. Door de korte hoofstukken die eindigen met een cliffhanger en de steeds wisselende perspectieven neemt Zwijg als het graf de lezer compleet in beslag. Er zijn meerdere verhaallijnen, die van Gina, die van een angstige vriendengroep en die van de dader.
De vriendengroep die een belangrijke rol speelt in Zwijg als het graf is divers. De vrienden wantrouwen elkaar, ze mogen elkaar niet echt. Het verhaal verteld vanuit dader maakt nieuwsgierig naar de motieven. “Ik ga niet meer verbergen of ontkennen wie ik ben en wat ik wil.” De dader speelt een psychologisch spelletje met zijn slachtoffers en daardoor staan Gina en haar team onder grote druk.
Gina’s verleden
De betrokkenheid van riooljournaliste Lyndsey Saunders maakt duidelijk dat Gina’s verleden een grote rol speelt in het verhaal. Dat leidt tot het publiceren van een brief van de dader die Gina paniekaanvallen zorgt. De druk van de media is enorm, maar Gina weet zich door de zure appel heen te bijten en de zwarte bladzijde in haar leven om te slaan. Ze maakt zich een voorstelling van de beleveniswereld van de dader, die zorgvuldig zijn acties voorbereidt.
Kovach heeft een vlotte, beschrijvende stijl en weet de lezer te verrassen en regelmatig op het verkeerde been te zetten. Spanning is er vanaf het begin en deze wordt langzaam opgevoerd naar een climax, die toch nog onverwacht komt. De zinderende ontknoping vol actie is absoluut onverwacht.
Bijna een kwart eeuw later is het Halloween in Cleevesford, een klein stadje waar rechercheur Gina Harte woont en werkt. Twee verklede tienermeisjes die op weg naar het Halloweenfeest op school een korte route nemen door het bos, stuiten op een pas gedolven graf. Harte en haar team graven een kist op met iemand die levend begraven is. Het duurt lang voordat ze een spoor vindt.
Zwijg als het graf is het zevende deel in de Gina Harte serie van Carla Kovach, Het verhaal is goed te lezen als standalone, maar het werk tverhelderend als de lezer bekend is met voorgaande delen. Deel acht, Hij ziet jou, verschijnt in oktober. Voor Carla Kovach zich toelegde op het schrijven van thrillers was ze theaterschrijver en actrice.
Vriendengroep die ergens bang voor is
Met een chronologisch verteld verhaal met een paar flashbacks weet Carla Kovach de lezer te boeien. Door de korte hoofstukken die eindigen met een cliffhanger en de steeds wisselende perspectieven neemt Zwijg als het graf de lezer compleet in beslag. Er zijn meerdere verhaallijnen, die van Gina, die van een angstige vriendengroep en die van de dader.
De vriendengroep die een belangrijke rol speelt in Zwijg als het graf is divers. De vrienden wantrouwen elkaar, ze mogen elkaar niet echt. Het verhaal verteld vanuit dader maakt nieuwsgierig naar de motieven. “Ik ga niet meer verbergen of ontkennen wie ik ben en wat ik wil.” De dader speelt een psychologisch spelletje met zijn slachtoffers en daardoor staan Gina en haar team onder grote druk.
Gina’s verleden
De betrokkenheid van riooljournaliste Lyndsey Saunders maakt duidelijk dat Gina’s verleden een grote rol speelt in het verhaal. Dat leidt tot het publiceren van een brief van de dader die Gina paniekaanvallen zorgt. De druk van de media is enorm, maar Gina weet zich door de zure appel heen te bijten en de zwarte bladzijde in haar leven om te slaan. Ze maakt zich een voorstelling van de beleveniswereld van de dader, die zorgvuldig zijn acties voorbereidt.
Kovach heeft een vlotte, beschrijvende stijl en weet de lezer te verrassen en regelmatig op het verkeerde been te zetten. Spanning is er vanaf het begin en deze wordt langzaam opgevoerd naar een climax, die toch nog onverwacht komt. De zinderende ontknoping vol actie is absoluut onverwacht.
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