Naked Graves

by Natalie Townsend and Jessica Hutchinson, Natalie Townsend, Jessica Hutchinson

Humor me for a minute… if you were asked to close your eyes and think of a flower, what comes to mind? Can you see it clearly? Can you smell it? What do you see in the background, and what do you like about it? Is the setting you’re imagining full of positivity and color? Or darkness and despair? Flowers serve many purposes for us ‘I love you,’ ‘I miss you,’ ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to…’ A bouquet of love, yearning, and lust that accompanies us throughout our lives. For Graham, flowers dictate how he interacts with the world, each a vision of beauty followed by a dark secret. Join a disturbed young man through a series of vicious murders as he chronicles his tale through a datebook. From a traumatizing childhood in Kansas, into his troubled years as a young adult in Meerdin, Delaware, death is never far behind.

nakedgraves.com

264 pages, Paperback

First published February 22, 2022

Reviews

[Dana Groulx · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to quit reading, but I managed to chug on through. This book was recommended to me as I love the serial killer genre. I neglected to say that I like police procedurals of that genre. This book had no police presence, it was just a diary written by the killer which jumped around in time. There was zero suspense. It didn’t matter who he killed or didn’t kill as you were never vested in any character. The best part of this book was getting to close it and start something else. Maybe it would appeal to someone who just enjoys narrative.

[Amber Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5
I was really excited about this one. I don't mind journalism style books but I HATE when it jumps all over the place. It was confusing at times with all the flash backs and timelines. Plus the exciting parts were the last 60 pages of the book. It was meh at best.

[Ghost in the Stacks · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited for this one….but it was disappointing. Goes back and forth too much between times lines and was hard to follow.

[Paige Rainford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I believe that this book had a lot of potential.. possible that the style just didn’t appeal to me. The timelines were very mixed which made it difficult to really follow the storyline. The end of the book was the most interesting with a good twist in the epilogue, but I wish it could’ve been earlier in the book to show some growth in the main character.

[Brianna Rood · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really tried so hard to get into this book. I stopped and then started up again but I was so lost and couldn't bring myself to finish :( The timeline was so hard to follow as most of the time it didn't make any sense. There were also quite a few pages I completely skipped over as I didn't need to know all of his quips for each capital of the USA.

I feel so bad as I really wanted to like this book. I ordered it directly from the author via a FaceBook post and she was so kind and signed it as well with a little personal note. Ugh! It kills me giving this a not so good review but I need to be honest :(

I DNF'd it after chapter 9 :(

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd say a 3.5 overall. The first half of the book I read in one sitting, but I just kept waiting for the hook to come into play. After giving up that night and starting again another day, it seemed like a totally different book. Looked like I had stopped at the wrong time, but that really threw me off and I ended up rereading the chapter before. Ending with some great, unexpected twists. I enjoyed the journal layout of this book, being paired with chapters made it an easy flow. I also enjoyed the epiloge tying the entire book together. Looking forward to future books from these authors!

[Morgan Lira · Rating 3 out of 5]

TW: Rape, serial killers, pregnancy loss/infertility, domestic abuse.

This book started out super slow. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the journal logs going back and forth between dates. It confused me sometimes. When I finally figured out the main plot of the book I was in shock! It all of sudden started making sense. I would not read this if you have any of the triggers above. It might mess with you!

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to shelf this book and come back to it. It was different then what I’m used to reading so I’m blame that for my sitting it down for a bit. In my opinion it did pick up towards the end. I felt lost until about 60% in. However I will definitely keep an eye out for another book from these ladies.

[Rachel Goldman · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited to read this book. It seemed to have a good plot. I enjoyed how the book was written as a long journal entry of the main characters life. I did not enjoy how the story jumped all over the place though. It was hard to follow.

I wish the authors luck in writing their next book though. I saw taken in the book but it was just not for me.

[Dorothy Schaefer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like a slow start but really enjoyed the narrative style of this book! There were a lot of twists and turns I wasn't expecting and the 2nd half of the novel definitely moved quicker than the 1st. I'd say a little over halfway things really started to move and that was a plus for me! Would recommend if you're into narrative style novels

[Anna Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love journal style narratives and I read the whole thing in one sitting. I can definitely see it being a very specific taste for this book, but I loved it and I hope others do as well!! The right audience just needs to find it.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really had high hopes for this book. I did not get into it as much as I thought I would. It was hard to keep up with and the dates weren’t in order. With the dates not being in order it confused me.

[Amber Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of twists and turns you will never see coming. It is slow at first leading you into everything but keep reading you will not be disappointed! I promise! These girls worked so hard on this book and how they tied everything together you will not be able to put it down!

[Savannah Kenyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a little difficult with the timelines jumping around. I also was a little confused why it said he and river got married but later it says he died never being married? All around it was a pretty good read. Tons of twists and turns and I loved it

[Katrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Be prepared to be confused! I had to take notes just to keep track of where something would fall into the timeline. Underwhelming overall and left with lots of logic questions due to plot inconsistencies.

[Amanda Krening · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was hard to read. The story jumps around without any indication, the character development was lacking (I thought the main character was female for the first part of the book) and the writing was choppy and unprofessional.

[Katrina Moller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a really hard time getting in to the book. The writing style (journalistic), is not something I'm really in to. I think both writers have great writing skills, it just wasn't for me.

[Kayla Seidl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very unique writing style! Loved the book! It was a quick read and kept me engaged. I can’t decide if the epilogue broke my heart or made it happy😂🥺 it was a little bit of both!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does have a lot of flashbacks with the dates not always going in chronological order, but stay with it, it’s really good and the ending has a good twist!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!!! I loved the writing style because it was nice knowing that I'm not the only one who's train of thought resembles that of the main character.

[Aymee Kallenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was not expecting the twist that comes about halfway through the book.

[Alisa May · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!
This book was exciting and twisted! Told from the perspective of a guy who has a certain way of thinking and ending that was meant for evil.
Loved and hope that everyone else does too

[Shelly Wenzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

There were a few twists throughout the book that shocked me. This was a really good book from first-time authors.

[Casey Westfall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

[Amber McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very strange book. Hops around ALOT, so you have to pay attention to the years written. I’m not sure why I enjoyed this book but it definitely kept my interest!

[Lauren Elden-Cooper · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had a good start then fell off… too many changes in time lines made it hard to follow. Good ending though def read the epilogue!

[Jess Atwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good read - definitely needs to be edited and proofread a little more but overall not bad!

[Samantha Christene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly was so disappointed. It was confusing. There was no rhyme or reason for anything that happened other than DAISIES!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

yikes

[Scarlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The day I realized that my life was a ticking-time bomb.”

Trigger/Content warnings may be considered spoilers about certain themes or plot twists in the story
TW/CW: Death of parents; Murder; Death of a pet; Infidelity; Gore; Suicide (failed and successful); Negative opinions about mental health/mental disorders/neurological disorders; Sexual assault mentioned but not heavily detailed; Death if children, a baby, and an unborn child (not abortion)

Follow Graham’s journey through his life and his disturbed mind. I really liked how the ending all tied everything together and how the ultimate cosmic joke is played. The time skips can make it hard to follow until you realize that's how Graham is remembering it. Starts of slow, but woah is the ending worth it.