What do you think?
Rate this book
Shepard & Gray #2
The Grave Singer
From the bestselling author of A Killer’s Wife comes an intense tale of revenge as Solomon Shepard falls prey to a vicious ex-con, who claims the prosecutor put him away for a crime he didn’t commit.
After a traumatic injury took him off the job, prosecutor Solomon Shepard is back to work, teaming up with Sheriff Billie Gray to hunt down Utah’s most dangerous criminals. Shepard has spent years away from crime scenes and courtrooms, but one of those criminals still holds a grudge.
Alonso Ash is out of prison after eleven years, and he’s determined to prove that Shepard tried him for a crime he didn’t commit. And he’s got something special planned: kidnapping Shepard and forcing him to revisit Ash’s case in an elaborately staged retrial.
As Ash descends further into delusion, Shepard’s only choice is to play along with the ex-con’s rapidly deteriorating sense of reality. Meanwhile, Sheriff Gray is working herself to the breaking point as she races to find them before Ash’s plans take a deadly turn.
With Ash playing judge and jury, hell-bent on proving his innocence, Shepard will be the only guilty party left to execute.
After a traumatic injury took him off the job, prosecutor Solomon Shepard is back to work, teaming up with Sheriff Billie Gray to hunt down Utah’s most dangerous criminals. Shepard has spent years away from crime scenes and courtrooms, but one of those criminals still holds a grudge.
Alonso Ash is out of prison after eleven years, and he’s determined to prove that Shepard tried him for a crime he didn’t commit. And he’s got something special planned: kidnapping Shepard and forcing him to revisit Ash’s case in an elaborately staged retrial.
As Ash descends further into delusion, Shepard’s only choice is to play along with the ex-con’s rapidly deteriorating sense of reality. Meanwhile, Sheriff Gray is working herself to the breaking point as she races to find them before Ash’s plans take a deadly turn.
With Ash playing judge and jury, hell-bent on proving his innocence, Shepard will be the only guilty party left to execute.
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 25, 2023
1487 people are currently reading
3204 people want to read
About the author
Victor Methos
75 books2,094 followersVictor Methos is the Edgar Award nominated bestselling author of over forty novels. He has been a criminal and civil rights lawyer in the Mountain West, conducting over 100 trials, and produces two books a year with his dog Fraiser by his side.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
July 16, 2023
In this book, we are taken on a journey through a courtroom drama with intermittent flashes into the past, gradually revealing the truth behind the events. Overall, it's an okay listen.
May 11, 2023
Prosecutor Solomon Shepard is back to work, teaming up with Sheriff Billie Gray to look into the grisly killing of a wealthy real estate tycoon. Alonso Hafeez, a vicious and violent criminal whom Solomon helped put away for 11 years, is out of prison and he’s determined to prove that he was tried for a crime he didn’t commit. I'm not sure why Alonso is referred to by the surname Ash in the blurb but I assume his name either got changed to Ash in the published version or to Hafeez after the blurb was written.
This is the second book in this series and in the beginning I thought I was going to like it even more than the first one but there was a bit too much violence towards the end. There's a lot of brutality in the book and a cat goes missing but I've read worse descriptions. I had to wonder how much punishment Solomon could take and still survive. The author's writing is crisp and concise and I didn't find myself zoning out whilst reading. I hear Book 3 is in the works so I'll definitely be watching for it because I feel like there were some loose ends in this book and I'm still hopeful Russell the cat will show up. Romance between Billie and Solomon is hinted at but I'm kinda hopeful it doesn't go anywhere. I thought he was a contemporary of her father's, not that there's anything wrong with a May-December romance; it's just not my thing. The book also contains information on where the title came from but I can't vouch for how authentic the explanation is; still, it was interesting and worked with the plot! I'd give this book 3.5 stars rounded up just because it was a pleasure to read.
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Published: April 25, 2023
This is the second book in this series and in the beginning I thought I was going to like it even more than the first one but there was a bit too much violence towards the end. There's a lot of brutality in the book and a cat goes missing but I've read worse descriptions. I had to wonder how much punishment Solomon could take and still survive. The author's writing is crisp and concise and I didn't find myself zoning out whilst reading. I hear Book 3 is in the works so I'll definitely be watching for it because I feel like there were some loose ends in this book and I'm still hopeful Russell the cat will show up. Romance between Billie and Solomon is hinted at but I'm kinda hopeful it doesn't go anywhere. I thought he was a contemporary of her father's, not that there's anything wrong with a May-December romance; it's just not my thing. The book also contains information on where the title came from but I can't vouch for how authentic the explanation is; still, it was interesting and worked with the plot! I'd give this book 3.5 stars rounded up just because it was a pleasure to read.
My thanks to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for the opportunity to read this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Published: April 25, 2023
April 25, 2023
I actually came across this book first before going back and reading the first installment of the series. I’m weird that way, I have to start a series from the beginning; I hate feeling like I’ve missed something. I blame the day job for that peculiar quirk. However, I truly believe this wouldn’t have been as enjoyable if I hadn’t read the first installment. I don’t think this would make a good standalone because then the reader wouldn’t understand the depth and history of the friendship between Billie and Sol or of Sol’s accomplishment of going back to work as a prosecutor.
The book summary pretty much lays out the primary storyline, so I won’t repeat it here. There are, of course, secondary storylines. One being the investigation of a local murder that Billie and Sol believe Alonso Ash may be connected to. There is another one around an incident where Ash threatened to kill Sol’s girlfriend, Giselle. Actually, he intimated that he would saw off her head. And yet another storyline where Billie is being stalked by her ex-boyfriend, Dax. Suffice it to say that Methos has crammed a lot of stuff into 270pgs.
The conclusion to a couple of the storylines came quick with a scary and tragic ending. While Methos didn’t wrap up all the storylines, he may be saving that for later installments. This was a solid 3star read; not as good as the first (a 4star rating), which is kind of odd since this installment was the one that interested me to even read the first one. Hopefully, the next will be better.
I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
@NetGalley @Thomas&Mercer @GraveSinger
The book summary pretty much lays out the primary storyline, so I won’t repeat it here. There are, of course, secondary storylines. One being the investigation of a local murder that Billie and Sol believe Alonso Ash may be connected to. There is another one around an incident where Ash threatened to kill Sol’s girlfriend, Giselle. Actually, he intimated that he would saw off her head. And yet another storyline where Billie is being stalked by her ex-boyfriend, Dax. Suffice it to say that Methos has crammed a lot of stuff into 270pgs.
The conclusion to a couple of the storylines came quick with a scary and tragic ending. While Methos didn’t wrap up all the storylines, he may be saving that for later installments. This was a solid 3star read; not as good as the first (a 4star rating), which is kind of odd since this installment was the one that interested me to even read the first one. Hopefully, the next will be better.
I want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
@NetGalley @Thomas&Mercer @GraveSinger
May 11, 2023
Big thanks to both Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Grave Singer!
*Expected publication: April 25th 2023*
Whoa! What a wild ride The Grave Singer was. I was biting my nails! The books that Victor Methos writes are quickly becoming some of my favorites.
Alonso Hafeez is out of prison after eleven years, and he’s determined to prove that Shepard tried him for a crime he didn’t commit. And he’s got something special planned: kidnapping Shepard and forcing him to revisit Hafeez’s case in an elaborately staged retrial.
I love the friendship Solomon Shepard and Sheriff Billie Gray share. (Hmm ... might it turn into something more?) What an amazing story arc The Grave Singer has. There were so many twists, and the suspense seemed to never end!
I'm eager to see where the team of Shepard and Gray goes next!
*Expected publication: April 25th 2023*
Whoa! What a wild ride The Grave Singer was. I was biting my nails! The books that Victor Methos writes are quickly becoming some of my favorites.
Alonso Hafeez is out of prison after eleven years, and he’s determined to prove that Shepard tried him for a crime he didn’t commit. And he’s got something special planned: kidnapping Shepard and forcing him to revisit Hafeez’s case in an elaborately staged retrial.
I love the friendship Solomon Shepard and Sheriff Billie Gray share. (Hmm ... might it turn into something more?) What an amazing story arc The Grave Singer has. There were so many twists, and the suspense seemed to never end!
I'm eager to see where the team of Shepard and Gray goes next!
September 5, 2023
Note: I am reviewing both the books in this series together.
Prior to reading these books I had heard of Victor Methos and especially his book 'The Neon Lawyer' which I am interested in reading.
Both these books are part of a new series involving Solomon Shepard, a former prosecutor who suffered a near fatal attack by a psychotic killer whom Solomon was prosecuting and Elizabeth (Billie) Gray, a young detective following in her father's footsteps.
Like in most cases I began the series by reading the second book before moving on to the first one. The first book deals with a copycat killer impersonating The Reaper, a serial killer who was never caught while the second book has a criminal holding years old grudge against Solomon for prosecuting and imprisoning him.
While both books are fast paced without a dull moment, I did find I enjoyed the second book much more than the first one. I found the nemesis of the second book, Alonso Ash, a lot more interesting and scary. His delusion, sense of false victimhood and lack of fear of any consequences made him truly terrifying. I am still not sure why the first book is called 'The Silent Witness' but the title of the second book 'The Grave Singer' makes sense when Alonso references an ancient practice to decide if a person on trial was truly guilty or not.
One thing though: Solomon Shepard is described as someone being not that old (maybe mid to late 30s) who uses the aid of a walking stick as a result of the attack he suffered in the courtroom but I somehow couldn't create a clear picture of him in my head. There were times when I pictured a much older man which was in direct contrast to how he was described.
P.S.: From the short bio, I found Victor Methos's own journey to becoming a lawyer quite interesting as well.
Rating:
The Silent Witness ⭐⭐⭐✨💫
The Grave Singer 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Prior to reading these books I had heard of Victor Methos and especially his book 'The Neon Lawyer' which I am interested in reading.
Both these books are part of a new series involving Solomon Shepard, a former prosecutor who suffered a near fatal attack by a psychotic killer whom Solomon was prosecuting and Elizabeth (Billie) Gray, a young detective following in her father's footsteps.
Like in most cases I began the series by reading the second book before moving on to the first one. The first book deals with a copycat killer impersonating The Reaper, a serial killer who was never caught while the second book has a criminal holding years old grudge against Solomon for prosecuting and imprisoning him.
While both books are fast paced without a dull moment, I did find I enjoyed the second book much more than the first one. I found the nemesis of the second book, Alonso Ash, a lot more interesting and scary. His delusion, sense of false victimhood and lack of fear of any consequences made him truly terrifying. I am still not sure why the first book is called 'The Silent Witness' but the title of the second book 'The Grave Singer' makes sense when Alonso references an ancient practice to decide if a person on trial was truly guilty or not.
One thing though: Solomon Shepard is described as someone being not that old (maybe mid to late 30s) who uses the aid of a walking stick as a result of the attack he suffered in the courtroom but I somehow couldn't create a clear picture of him in my head. There were times when I pictured a much older man which was in direct contrast to how he was described.
P.S.: From the short bio, I found Victor Methos's own journey to becoming a lawyer quite interesting as well.
Rating:
The Silent Witness ⭐⭐⭐✨💫
The Grave Singer 🌟🌟🌟🌟
October 30, 2025
Not much to say about this one. Gripping all the way through as is the case with a Victor Methos book.
What else can I say, he knows his stuff.
4.5/5.
What else can I say, he knows his stuff.
4.5/5.
October 9, 2023
I had read rave reviews about Victor Methos's legal thrillers, but had not read any of his books. This is my first book by Victor Methos, thanks to Netgalley. The plot is not very original (a convict on parole seeking revenge against the Prosecutor who convicted him) There is no suspense, as we already know who the villain is. However, I liked the courtroom scenes and the author puts together a coherent plot. I am taking away points because the Sheriff Billie Gray stupidly goes alone to the villain's lair.
This is book #2 in the Shephard and Gray series, but can be read as a stand-alone. I might have missed some character nuances, and I do have some questions which might get cleared by reading book #1.
Thanks to Netgalley, the Publishers and the Author for the ARC
This is book #2 in the Shephard and Gray series, but can be read as a stand-alone. I might have missed some character nuances, and I do have some questions which might get cleared by reading book #1.
Thanks to Netgalley, the Publishers and the Author for the ARC
August 8, 2023
Victor Methos returns with another chilling thriller that is sure to pique the interest of those who have enjoyed many of his novels before. In a series that matches a strong prosecutor with a local sheriff, the reader is treated to a lovely mix of law and order throughout. Solomon Shepard is facing renewed animosity when a vicious ex-con is released from prison on parole and has a bone to pick with the man who put him away. The stakes could not be higher in this piece, where one wrong step could cost Shepard his life, particularly with a man who knows how to cover his tracks. Methos dazzles and shows that he is at the top of his game in this piece.
Solomon Shepard has a long history of putting criminals away, something that he uses to his advantages around Utah. When Alonso Hafeez, a hardened ex-con, is released from prison on parole, Shepard becomes his first target for revenge. Solomon remembers the case, where he put Hafeez in jail for a brutal attack, with a witness to corroborate the victim’s testimony.
Claiming that he is innocent, Hafeez is ready to prove not only that he is innocent, but that his reputation for revenge is not only an urban legend. Enlisting the assistance of Sheriff Billie Gray, Shepard will have to protect himself and those he loves, while Hafeez flirts with showing that he has a long memory. Shepard is accused of trying to harm Hafeez with his vehicle, something that cannot yet be substantiated, but a judge sees enough to issue a protective order. Now, behind the eight ball, Shepard will have to prove that he is not behind the attack, while trying to find a way to trip Hafeez up and send him back to prison, where he will be away from harming anyone else.
As Sheriff Gray works hard to help her friend and show that Utah law takes this seriously. As Hafeez begins planning his ultimate revenge by re-trying the case, Shepard and Gray will have to be ready for whatever comes their way, while keeping one eye on their backs. No one is safe with Alonso Hafeez still at large, but it will be proving that to those who matter that could be the hardest part of all. A gripping story that keeps the reader in the middle of it all, showing how adept Methos is to the ever-evolving genre.
I discovered the legal thrillers of Victor Methos a number of years ago and have tried to follow him ever since. His attention to detail is found throughout his narratives, as he tries to provide a strong foundation on which to build a stellar story. This tale has three perspectives, which only adds to the impact of the story begin spun. Strong characters, who hold both a gritty and compassionate side, help keep the reader wanting to know more as they following the adventure that develops throughout. I can only hope that there will be more, as Shepard and Gray both have aspects I am wanting to delve into deeper to discover some of their nuances. The plot of the book, while not entirely unique, proves effective and keeps things moving at a quick pace. How will Shepard stay out of harm’s way? Will Gray be able to wrest control of the hardened criminal before it is too late? Will Alonso Hafeez get to show of some of his revenge for past sleights? Things keep the reader involved and on the edge of their seats as they push through this piece and leave them flipping pages to discover key answers.
Kudos, Mr. Methos, for another winning novel. You never cease to amaze me with all you can offer.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
May 9, 2023
The Grave Singer story is almost perfectly summarised in the short blurb on the book's back cover. Not only is the story that simple, but it also suffers from a complete lack of surprises in the development phase, and this development phase is all but the climax of the book. There could have been more and should have been more.
August 29, 2023
The second book in this series did not disappoint. The author knows how to take a reader on a wild ride of twists and turns. I'm not sure how many times the main character can escape death and be able to know his own name, but I'm willing to read the third book in the series to find out. Highly recommend this book if you like good thriller. Nora Wolfenbarger author of The Blackbird Series.
January 9, 2024
4.5 stars. I know I can always count on this author for a riviting read. Pleased to say, add this book to that list. There's no need to guess the whodunit here. The story is already laid out in the description. Still a quick page turner trying to guess what happens next. Solomon Shepard holds most of the story with Sherriff BIllie Gray on the sidelines. Billie has a bit of a dilemma with her ex-boyfriend, Dax. Curious if that's resolved or will rear its head in the next book.
Being the nit picky reader I am, I deducted the half star because I thought the ending a bit of a stretch given the villians condition just before the final act. Still breathed a sigh of relief for all as the story concludes. Another solid entertaining read.
I'm anxiously hoping there's a book 3 coming (and soon) to find out where Solomon and Billie's friendship takes them from here and what dangers they'll encounter next.
Being the nit picky reader I am, I deducted the half star because I thought the ending a bit of a stretch given the villians condition just before the final act. Still breathed a sigh of relief for all as the story concludes. Another solid entertaining read.
I'm anxiously hoping there's a book 3 coming (and soon) to find out where Solomon and Billie's friendship takes them from here and what dangers they'll encounter next.
May 21, 2023
Always enjoy the way this author writes but that’s the only reason I gave this second installment three stars. It’s more like two and a half. For reference and comparison, I gave the first book, The Secret Witness, five stars. Love the characters and the chemistry between Billie and Solomon and was intrigued for the first half of the book, but it took too long for anything to happen and then when it finally did pick up it was too drawn out. The mock trial, the sheriff going to the “scene” on her own, and then the little surprise from Alonso near the end was just too unrealistic and bit over the top. I’ll stick with the series if there’s a third book, but this one just didn’t do it for me.
April 27, 2023
Recently paroled, Alonso Hafeez has waited 11 years for revenge on prosecutor Solomon Shepherd that helped wrongly convict him. Now, Hafeez is determined to prove his innocence. Hafeez kidnaps Shepherd. Then, Hafeez “tries” him for wrongfully convicting him and plans to serve as Shepherd’s judge, jury, and executioner. Shepherd must go along with Hafeez’s trial and hope help arrives. Can Sheriff Gray find Shepherd before it is too late?
I couldn’t put this crime/legal thriller down! From its traumatic beginning to its dramatic and nail-biting ending, The Grace Singer is a wild ride. I was invested throughout. Additionally, how the story looked at stalking from two different perspectives was quite clever.
I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next with Shepherd and Gray!
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions in the voluntary review are my own.
I couldn’t put this crime/legal thriller down! From its traumatic beginning to its dramatic and nail-biting ending, The Grace Singer is a wild ride. I was invested throughout. Additionally, how the story looked at stalking from two different perspectives was quite clever.
I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next with Shepherd and Gray!
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a copy of this book. All opinions in the voluntary review are my own.
February 23, 2023
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the copy of The Grave Singer by Victor Methos. I anxiously await every new book by Methos because I love his writing style and he is great at writing compelling courtroom scenes. The courtroom scene in this book was different but still good, but the book was unexpectedly graphic and brutal. I loved the story but didn’t remember disliking Shepard as much in the first book of the series as I did in this one. Maybe he was a lawyer just being a lawyer, but he didn’t sit right with me. This book felt like a departure from his previous books, but I will still read the next book in the series as well as any other Methos books I find because I have loved the other ones I have read.
August 11, 2023
very average thriller
February 5, 2025
Victor Methos has once again proven himself to be a literary genius with THE GRAVE SINGER! From the moment I picked it up, I was completely captivated and couldn't put it down until I reached the very last page. The plot is a rollercoaster of suspense, keeping me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Methos effortlessly builds tension and delivers unexpected twists. The pacing is spot-on, striking the perfect balance between action-packed sequences and quieter, introspective moments.
One of the standout qualities of Methos' writing is his meticulous attention to detail. Whether describing a crime scene or delving into the inner workings of the legal system, every aspect feels meticulously researched and authentic. The authenticity shines through, enhancing the overall reading experience and lending credibility to the narrative.
The Grave Singer is a gripping and expertly executed thriller that will leave readers hungry for more. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who appreciates masterful storytelling and unforgettable characters. The narrators on the audio version are excellent.
One of the standout qualities of Methos' writing is his meticulous attention to detail. Whether describing a crime scene or delving into the inner workings of the legal system, every aspect feels meticulously researched and authentic. The authenticity shines through, enhancing the overall reading experience and lending credibility to the narrative.
The Grave Singer is a gripping and expertly executed thriller that will leave readers hungry for more. I highly recommend this novel to anyone who appreciates masterful storytelling and unforgettable characters. The narrators on the audio version are excellent.
July 3, 2024
This is the second book in the Shepard Gray series and in my opinion it was very good. Solomon Shepard USA prosecuting attorney and Billie Gray is the Sheriff in Toole County Utah. Billie and Solomon are good friends, and they work very good together, in fact in book one it was Billie who convinced Solomon to get back to being an attorney.
In this book a man, Alfonso, is released from prison after severing 11 years for a horrendous crime that Solomon was the prosecutor. Alfonso is a very evil man, and it’s clear he wants revenge against Solomon. When things get really bad he kidnaps Solomon, and Billie knows she is on limited time to find and save Solomon from what ever torture Alfonso is inflicting on him.
Definitely a lot of fast paced excitement in here.
In this book a man, Alfonso, is released from prison after severing 11 years for a horrendous crime that Solomon was the prosecutor. Alfonso is a very evil man, and it’s clear he wants revenge against Solomon. When things get really bad he kidnaps Solomon, and Billie knows she is on limited time to find and save Solomon from what ever torture Alfonso is inflicting on him.
Definitely a lot of fast paced excitement in here.
May 5, 2023
I found this one to be a bit odd. The bad guy was bad, but maybe didn't due what they put him in prison for. And sadly he used his time in prison to plan what he would do to those that put him there. To say it wasn't pretty would be an understatement. He was calculating in all that he did leading up to the big finale, where he almost had them. It will be interesting where things go from here for the 2 main characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2023
An excellent follow on in this series
Well this did not disappoint, following on from the last book with twists and turns and exploring the lives more of the two main characters. Hope they is a no 3 and it is not long coming! I want to know Russ is safe!
Well this did not disappoint, following on from the last book with twists and turns and exploring the lives more of the two main characters. Hope they is a no 3 and it is not long coming! I want to know Russ is safe!
June 17, 2024
The Shephard & Grey series is another great trilogy that deserves 5 stars. Methos weaves together gripping plots, complex characters, and unexpected twists that kept me hooked from start to finish. The dynamic between both characters is compelling, their partnership adding depth and nuance to the thrilling narratives. The writing is crisp and engaging, making it hard to put the books down. Can't wait to read more.
October 3, 2023
Good book.
Thanks to Goodreads for the kindle copy.
Thanks to Goodreads for the kindle copy.
April 23, 2023
Prosecutor Solomon Shepard put Alonso Hafeez in prison over a decade ago, but he has been released and is now stalking him and looking for retribution. Sheriff Billie Gray is doing her best to keep her friend safe, but Alonso isn’t just violent, he’s smart and patient, having used his considerable time in prison to study the law and formulate a plan. The tension in this book is created by the mind games being played throughout, leading to a deranged conclusion. 3.5 stars
If you enjoy crime fiction and police procedurals, you’ll enjoy this hybrid police-legal thriller series, and I look forward to the next installment.
Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley kindly provided me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you enjoy crime fiction and police procedurals, you’ll enjoy this hybrid police-legal thriller series, and I look forward to the next installment.
Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley kindly provided me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2023
2.5 Could have been a good book
The author has developed a decent plotline but fails to execute it well with characters that behave against basic common sense. His characters are supposed to be smart by virtue of their career achievements. Solomon, A seasoned attorney and brilliant author and Billie, a sheriff. Both of these characters could never hold these jobs if they were stupid. And yet they both behave stupidly. Solomon in particular, while I can chalk up some of his behavior to a level of immaturity, repeatedly acts impulsively and emotionally. His actions have dangerous repercussions not just for him but people he cares about. i find it difficukt to believe Someone that smart, and with a physical disability and limitations, would be unable to see that his behavior would make him and those in his circle targets. And Billie is no better when it comes time to hunt down the bad guy. Why go alone? Why would anyone, especially the sheriff, out her gun down and then roll AWAY from it when she is shot at? That seems counterintuitive when your job is to protect, never mind anyone who has ever watched a movie,tv show, or read a book knows you would never knowing abandon your firearm.
The villain is also sooo smart. He got so smart reading Solomon's book and studying law books. He's now apparently way smarter than Solomon and Billie combined. My problem here is that it's obvious, the author even comes right out and says it, the guy had help. Who? Its never addressed. Perhaps he plans to weave that into the next novel. One can on!y hope he does better.
And is everyone in the criminal justice system, from police to attorneys to judges so easy to get to? Does no one exercise any caution?
But my biggest problem with this book, (SMALL SPOIKER ALERT) one that I choose to overlook in the first novel as perhaps not important, is the lack of physical description of Solomon and Billie. All I know is Billie has pink tipped blonde hair in the first book and Solomon using a cane due to his courtroom attack. They met 8 years prior to the opening of the first novel. She was a young cop and he was already an author and had been a social worker prior to attending law school and becoming such a successful attorney ghat the bad Billie's father (the previous sheriff) used him to consult with because of his unique perspective. How old does that make Billie now? How old is Solomon? What does he look like? I have no reference from the first book and the author does nothing to help you alongside on this one except to imply Billie is attractive. Why does this matter? I could see it coming - Billie suddenly discovers she has feelings for Solomon towards the end often the novel. But how much older than she is he? I thought he was her father's colleague. Suddenly, and I paraphrase, she always found him attractive. Why? What does he even look like? Amd it certainly hurts when in the audio book his voice sounds like a grandpa. I hope the author remedies this in his next book should he continue down this path.
I would have liked to rate this higher. I threw in the extra half star because I was definitely invested in the characters and plotline. I just became so frustrated I had to put it down too frequently to rate it higher. I will read more by this author but I hope he does his characters justice by developing them more and having them behave in a more plausible way in the future.
The author has developed a decent plotline but fails to execute it well with characters that behave against basic common sense. His characters are supposed to be smart by virtue of their career achievements. Solomon, A seasoned attorney and brilliant author and Billie, a sheriff. Both of these characters could never hold these jobs if they were stupid. And yet they both behave stupidly. Solomon in particular, while I can chalk up some of his behavior to a level of immaturity, repeatedly acts impulsively and emotionally. His actions have dangerous repercussions not just for him but people he cares about. i find it difficukt to believe Someone that smart, and with a physical disability and limitations, would be unable to see that his behavior would make him and those in his circle targets. And Billie is no better when it comes time to hunt down the bad guy. Why go alone? Why would anyone, especially the sheriff, out her gun down and then roll AWAY from it when she is shot at? That seems counterintuitive when your job is to protect, never mind anyone who has ever watched a movie,tv show, or read a book knows you would never knowing abandon your firearm.
The villain is also sooo smart. He got so smart reading Solomon's book and studying law books. He's now apparently way smarter than Solomon and Billie combined. My problem here is that it's obvious, the author even comes right out and says it, the guy had help. Who? Its never addressed. Perhaps he plans to weave that into the next novel. One can on!y hope he does better.
And is everyone in the criminal justice system, from police to attorneys to judges so easy to get to? Does no one exercise any caution?
But my biggest problem with this book, (SMALL SPOIKER ALERT) one that I choose to overlook in the first novel as perhaps not important, is the lack of physical description of Solomon and Billie. All I know is Billie has pink tipped blonde hair in the first book and Solomon using a cane due to his courtroom attack. They met 8 years prior to the opening of the first novel. She was a young cop and he was already an author and had been a social worker prior to attending law school and becoming such a successful attorney ghat the bad Billie's father (the previous sheriff) used him to consult with because of his unique perspective. How old does that make Billie now? How old is Solomon? What does he look like? I have no reference from the first book and the author does nothing to help you alongside on this one except to imply Billie is attractive. Why does this matter? I could see it coming - Billie suddenly discovers she has feelings for Solomon towards the end often the novel. But how much older than she is he? I thought he was her father's colleague. Suddenly, and I paraphrase, she always found him attractive. Why? What does he even look like? Amd it certainly hurts when in the audio book his voice sounds like a grandpa. I hope the author remedies this in his next book should he continue down this path.
I would have liked to rate this higher. I threw in the extra half star because I was definitely invested in the characters and plotline. I just became so frustrated I had to put it down too frequently to rate it higher. I will read more by this author but I hope he does his characters justice by developing them more and having them behave in a more plausible way in the future.
April 17, 2023
I’ve read a few of Victor’s books and really enjoyed them all - this one was no exception!
I am really grateful to have been able to read an ARC of this book via NetGalley so thank you for this opportunity!
The grave singer is a quick paced legal thriller in which a recently released convict tries to seek out revenge on people he deems to have wronged him and caused him to be imprisoned. It is a really interesting concept pulled off really well. There are lots of gory fights and kills along the way and it really adds to the thrill of the story!
No spoilers but the ending leaves you with questions and often I don’t like this but it is part of a series so fingers crossed the answers will be explored in a later book!
I am really grateful to have been able to read an ARC of this book via NetGalley so thank you for this opportunity!
The grave singer is a quick paced legal thriller in which a recently released convict tries to seek out revenge on people he deems to have wronged him and caused him to be imprisoned. It is a really interesting concept pulled off really well. There are lots of gory fights and kills along the way and it really adds to the thrill of the story!
No spoilers but the ending leaves you with questions and often I don’t like this but it is part of a series so fingers crossed the answers will be explored in a later book!
December 13, 2022
The Grave Singer reunites prosecutor Solomon Shepard and Sheriff Billie Gray in the second book in this series. Shepard is being stalked by a man he put away in prison, now released after 11 years in jail. Things dramatically escalate, and Solomon is literally on trial for his life. This is a typical cat and mouse game, but with a courtroom scene that’s a bit out of the ordinary. There’s a long buildup to the crux of this story, testing the patience of the reader, but overall it’s an entertaining (if implausible) read, and the somewhat flawed character of prosecutor Shepard is easy to root for, as this series is finding its footing. I received an arc of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 19, 2024
I had given 5 stars to the first book in the series, but not this one. The plot moved along slowly, but what I found lacking in credibility are some of the actions of Billie. I can see the author prescribing her actions to fit an exciting plot narrative, but they made her look stupid.
Spoiler Alert She is the Sheriff of the county, yet she knowingly tolerates her male staff sneering at her behind her back. And when her ex boy friend stalks her, she does practically nothing. Then, near the end she stations her police staff outside Solomon's condo in case he returns, but goes off by herself to this remote, dangerous refinery area without back-up when she had the chance to call for it. And of course when she reaches the destination, there is no mobile reception. But lo and behold, she goes up to the roof and there is reception. Subsequently, the ambulance and her staff arrives quickly at the end, even though it took her over an hour to get there. It was described that she had a holster, yet when she went inside the building and found Solomon, she chose to put her gun down on the floor instead of holstering it. It was predictable ttoo hat Gesell will break up with Solomon in the end but the excuse used was flimsy and inconsistent with her character. Furthermore, some of the comments made, that Wall Street accountants are crooks and medical examiners like to play with the dead are inappropriate. Finally, we still don't know what happened to the cat Russ.
Spoiler Alert She is the Sheriff of the county, yet she knowingly tolerates her male staff sneering at her behind her back. And when her ex boy friend stalks her, she does practically nothing. Then, near the end she stations her police staff outside Solomon's condo in case he returns, but goes off by herself to this remote, dangerous refinery area without back-up when she had the chance to call for it. And of course when she reaches the destination, there is no mobile reception. But lo and behold, she goes up to the roof and there is reception. Subsequently, the ambulance and her staff arrives quickly at the end, even though it took her over an hour to get there. It was described that she had a holster, yet when she went inside the building and found Solomon, she chose to put her gun down on the floor instead of holstering it. It was predictable ttoo hat Gesell will break up with Solomon in the end but the excuse used was flimsy and inconsistent with her character. Furthermore, some of the comments made, that Wall Street accountants are crooks and medical examiners like to play with the dead are inappropriate. Finally, we still don't know what happened to the cat Russ.
June 2, 2023
A story composed of idiot law enforcement professionals with no shred of common sense, stupidly going to dangerous areas by themselves, weak morals, and crazy biases sprinkled everywhere in the story. The voice actors in the audible version were what made this compelling, if it wasn't for them I wouldn't have made it through to the end. Apparently anyone can become a novelist by throwing together confusing narratives, not give proper character development, and just barf up whatever shocking ending to make a story nowadays. Amazing. Stunning. Revolutionary. What even is good story anymore?
December 13, 2022
I did not read book 1 in this series, which seemed okay while reading this one. A cold-blooded killer is out of prison and set on revenge in Victor Menthos's The Grave Singer.
There was good tension in this story. The story started off strong and kept going. The twists and turns had me tearing through the pages to find out what would happen next.
A good story and solid writing, and a series worth reading.
#TheGraveSinger #NetGalley @AmazonPub
There was good tension in this story. The story started off strong and kept going. The twists and turns had me tearing through the pages to find out what would happen next.
A good story and solid writing, and a series worth reading.
#TheGraveSinger #NetGalley @AmazonPub
April 26, 2023
Usually like Victor's books but the premise whereas Solomon a prosecutor was so easily set up to have a restraining order against him, was just not believable. Hopefully book three is better and I haven't given up on him as an author and will definitely give him another try. I do appreciate the joy I optained reading his other books.
June 15, 2023
Who wrote this book? Far from normal quality
I love books by Victor Methos. However, this book felt like it was written by someone else, not captivating, not interesting. Felt like all the characters got dumb overnight.
I love books by Victor Methos. However, this book felt like it was written by someone else, not captivating, not interesting. Felt like all the characters got dumb overnight.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews