The Escort to the Grave - A supernatural mystery thriller with a killer twist!!!
Six years ago, Eddie Venter received a curse. First on the scene of his wife’s fatal car accident, he was unable to save her. Ever since, he is able to witness other people’s last moments alive. It is his punishment, he fears, for letting her die.
Six years ago, Sarah Morrison received a gift. Hiding away in her closet is a locked box, mysteriously delivered from her late mother following the birth of her second daughter, Elinor, with instructions the key will follow when the child is ready.
Weeks before her seventh birthday, Elinor Morrison is kidnapped, and the police are left stumped. Called in to help, what Eddie unravels makes him question everything. Her disappearance is just a small piece of a sinister puzzle, and when the girl is found, carrying an ornate key, questions mount as to where she has been, and what the key could possibly open.
Her mother has the answer, and when the box is unlocked, it reveals more than its contents; it reveals the truth.
Who is the mysterious woman who took her?
Why does Eddie see her in his dreams?
And what really happened to his wife six years ago?
The Escort to the Grave is perfect for supernatural mystery fans and crime thriller readers alike.
First of all I want to thank G.T. Walker for sharing his book with me in exchange for an honest review. I feel absolutely honored you chose me to read your book.
When Walker approached me, I asked if I could give an honest review and he adamantly said he wanted me too. And I am so grateful for that.
The Escort to the Grave is a captivating, raw and honest novel about a man, Eddie, who lost the love of his life in a car accident. Since that moment Eddie is able to feel, see and experience the last moments of people who have passed away. If he goes to a crime scene he feels what they felt, he is able to see their last moments, see what awful things they have done in the past that let up to their deaths. Eddie thinks it is a curse, a punishment for letting Gwen die. Because he presumed that she was death, and saved Jane, the other passenger in the car. While he might have saved Gwen if he gave her CPR first.
In the beginning of the book we meet the Morrison's. First we see a memory of Sarah getting a package from her desceast mother. The note is decidated to her unborn daughter. Sarah wasn't even pregnant when her mother passed away. How could she have send it? It contains a beautiful box, but it needs a key to be opened, and they key wasn't included in the package.
Next up Sarah is going to climb a mountain with her two daughters. But when they want to ascent, their dog refuses to go up and the older daughter stays behind with the dog. Sarah climbs the mountain with her six year old daughter Ellie. At the top they meet two woman. One is older and is talking to Sarah. Ellie is talking to the younger one. Sarah keeps an eye on Ellie. But suddenly the older woman collapses. Sarah tries to save her life, but the woman dies. When she looks up she realizes the other woman and her daughter have disappeared. She gets frantic and the police is called instantly.
The story is told through different people. Eddie Venter is the main character. But we also experience the story through the eyes of several cops. Through the eyes of Sarah and her husband David. We experience the story through sometimes random people. But in the end it all connects.
The story is brilliantly woven together. And I absolutely loved it from start to finish. But at the start I did have trouble connecting with Eddie. He felt very distant and the story didn't seem to flow as well, as the second half of the book. In the beginning I also had a lot of trouble connecting with the 'random' victims throughout the book. But the second I bonded with Eddie I couldn't put this book down. I instantly felt his pain, how raw and confusing it was. I felt his aching, breaking and tormented heart.
I don't want to spoil to much of the story. I want each and every one of you to experience it for yourselves.
But I loved how Enfield approached Eddie. Knowning how much of a curse he is thinking it is. How he wants to find the missing girl Ellie. I loved Sarah whole story line and character arc as well. And Ellie, my God Ellie, she is such a strong little girl!
One of my favorite parts is when Eddie and Sarah tell each other the truth. Where Eddie lays his heart bare. It felt so intimate I felt like I was intruding on a very private moment.
I love how tenacious Lauren Price is. How she wants to stick to the facts. But cannot deny that more is going in.
The transformation of the 'cop/detective' side to the book to the 'supernatural/religious' part of the book is done so brilliantly! I absolutely loved the evolvement and I like I said before I just couldn't stop reading. I needed to know more and more.
The author explains in the book how this story has been in his mind for a very long time. And you can feel it. I could feel his love for the story and the characters. I really think it was well worked out and was written in a utter and addictive way!
I am absolutely desperate to read the sequel! I need more Eddie and Ellie contact!
And small SPOILER ALERT. I absolutely loved the ending. How steadfast Eddie was in believes. He just didn't instantly swing around. He feels it might not be appropriate for Ellie to carry this burden. I loved that. I love how genuine and honest he is. How you could still feel that raw pain radiating from his soul!
Even though I did miss some connecting in the beginning I am gonna give this book 5 bloody brilliant stars!! This was a fantastic read and and I truly recommend this book to EVERYONE! I am a little tight on money. But I will definitely buy this book in paperback when I have the money for it!
I realllly liked this original supernatural mystery by a debut author! It had me hooked from the get-go and I finished it in 2 days. Set in Wales, there's a lot going on, twists and turns, a mystery box, pain, grief, an ancient cult... And I really bonded with and cheered on the less-than-perfect main character, Eddie. I can't wait for more of Eddie and Ellie! Sequel coming soon, I hope! *fingers crossed*
I gave it a 3 even though it was well written and well thought out. Kudos to the Author. I believe he's new and this is his first book I believe. With this said: TRIGGER WARNING for death of children. Its brutal. TRIGGER WARNING of death of animals. Pigs to be exact and that was brutal. TRIGGER WARNING for sex trafficking and then the disposal of....children.
Okay now that's over with, the book although absolutely gross and horrifying, it was well written. The characters were well thought out. I was drawn to the book. No inconsistencies and no spelling errors. It was a brutal plot and storyline but for some odd unknown reason, you become trapped and having to finish the book. I read this in 1 day. I almost dnf. But I held through and finished. Glad I did. 5 star for being so well done but 3 star for the gruesome, gross, tragedy of the death. Ew. Not the first book I read though that was gruesome. I guess it's a thriller suspense. I was hooked.
First of all, I'd like to state that this is a debut novel, in no way does it read like a debut. It's very well written and reads like Gavin has been around for a while!
This book kicks off with a brilliant prologue which leaves you immediately intrigued, immersed and tense with anticipation! And the tension and anticipation continue to build from chapter one and throughout! My second love after horror is the supernatural, and this didn't disappoint! A dark, supernatural, folk horror, along the lines of Adam Nevill and the Charlie Parker series by John Connolly, this grabbed my attention and was reluctant to let it go at any point!
The Morrison family set off on their usual hike with the dog, only the dog isn't too keen on this occasion, and when the youngest daughter, Ellie disappears, we start to find out why.
Detective Constable Lauren Price is sent to the mountain to investigate the disappearance, and also to look into a strange death that occurred at the same time…
We also meet Eddie, and witness his heartbreaking struggle to come to terms with the horrific loss of his wife….and a curse picked up at the same time..
A mysterious woman appears, encouraging people to commit suicide, bad people, that have done very bad things. They are encouraged to kill themselves in the most brutal ways to make amends for their sins. But little do they know, it's really only the beginning….like the ultimate in revenge, and its eternal!
About halfway through, things take a weird, creepy turn, and when a box and a key are reunited, things really take off! Shocking discoveries are unveiled, heartbreaking moments felt, sacrifices made, and some really great twists and turns that all link together perfectly! I liked how nothing was revealed too quickly or easily, all is revealed at a clever and steady pace, unfolding smoothly and satisfyingly, keeping you guessing and the mystery and intrigue at a steady level.
The characters were great, likeable and not so likeable. I felt a real kinship with Eddie, I felt his pain and anguish. Brilliantly clear imagery really brought the horrors home to me. The chilling feelings of dread and fear, the horror elements, of which some were utterly brutal, the great pacing and the fact that I thought I had it all figured out, when I definitely didn't, and that blew me away, made this a truly gripping and deeply engaging read! And what an absolutely fantastic ending!! 🖤
I NEED MORE FROM EDDIE AND ELLIE!!!! 🙏
(I would also like to mention that Gavin covers alcoholism in this story and I think he dealt with it really well. As a sober alcoholic myself, I felt he did it respectfully and knowledgably, and it resonated with me more for that fact! This is just my own observation!)
Amazing composition filled with twists, turns, and surprises! I have to be honest, I almost did not finish this story. I was struggling with some of the transitions and was a little lost at times. However, the storyline hooked me from the beginning and would not let me go. As the climax neared, I could barely put it down...couldn't wait to find out what next! Give it a try, you won't be sorry!
Amazing book. I enjoyed it immensely from start to finish. As someone who loves horror, supernatural, suspense, mysteries and thrillers, this basically ticked pretty much all the boxes in one way or another. The book was incredibly well paced and never felt rushed or too slow at any point. The writing draws you in immediately and as someone who usually reads multiple books at a time, to solely devote all my reading time to one book for almost two weeks is unheard of but I just could not let go of the book until I was done. I have work in 4hrs and yet I’m writing this review! Some books start well but end badly while other books start badly but end well. I was very satisfied with this book in all its parts and frankly I’m astounded this is a debut author. I’ll be getting a hard copy at some point. This book is worth it.
If you like your psychological thrillers with more than a hint of the supernatural to them, then you cant go much wrong with Gavin Walker's (GT Walker) Escort to the Grave.
Set in Wales, in the UK, it is a fantastic backdrop to Celtic rituals, underworld rackets, strange cults, and one man's redemption from wallowing in his own self-pity, to having a purpose.
This is a long book, but it's immersive. The characters are so well fleshed out, and the pacing is pretty spot on. Do yourself a favour and check this out.
Wow! This book had me from page one. It's a supernatural thriller with twists and turns I didn't see coming. It takes place in Wales and between the Druidic lore and Welsh place names it had a magical feel to me.
I consulted the internet quite a few times to look up place names and pronunciation of Welsh names, and that seemed to add to my excitement of this book.
It's got some heavy themes that are at times uncomfortable, but necessary. They help bring the book to life.
I really recommend this and can't believe it's the author's first book! Amazing. And... A sequel is next!
So much to delve into in this story. Just when you think it has run it's course, there is a new little enticing tidbit dropped. The characters were so well written, the setting so perfect and the bits of history and folklore so engrossing. It was a bit longer than most books I have read lately, but worth every page and I couldn't stop until it was done. Bravo Mr Walker, your career is off to a superb start.
WOW!!! This book is a BRILLIANT read; I was completely hooked from chapter one until the end, such depth in the main character Eddie, that I could walk with him through his pain and experiences. The scenes came alive as I read through the chapters; amazing visualisation held together by excellent chapter links. It may hold some unsettling concepts for some, but, I not going to spoil anything by saying more; just read it!!!
Great to read a book by someone I know, who portrays my home town so well, whilst adding a dark twist to the story. Gripping read that I couldn't put down. I look forward to the next one Gavin.
I’m ashamed to say that I had this book on my TBR pile for well over a year before I picked it up. Boy, was I missing out!
Escort to the Grave is an exhilarating blend of mystery thriller and supernatural horror that had me turning the pages well into the early hours.
Eddie Venter is an ex-detective cursed with being able to see people’s last moments before they die. When six-year-old Ellie Morrison goes missing without a trace the police begin to fear the worst and Eddie is called in. But what starts off as a kidnapping soon spirals into something more sinister. Gruesome suicides, stomach-churning murders and an ancient cult soon see Eddie desperately trying to connect the dots and find Ellie before it’s too late.
Well-rounded characters, a killer plot, and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing right until the end, what’s not to love? Gavin knows how to write! Honestly, if you’ve got this on your TBR list bump it up- you won’t be disappointed.
A supernatural mythologic story with a hint of thriller /crime novel, due to involvement of police forces into the story.
I really enjoyed it from the beginning, it kept bringing new things to keep me curious about the development of the events and it had a lot of twists that made me want to dig deeper and deeper.
The supernatural elements were extremely original and refreshing. I have a passion for mythology, regardless the origin and what I've encountered in this story kept me really enthralled and interested and it felt like the author had done a lot of research on the subject.
It doesn't feel like a debut novel, it was a very complex story with many details, shocking discoveries and beautiful scenery.
And the cover is really attractive and pulls you into the story.
Supernatural/ paranormal/mystery This one is a bit longer than my usual reads, but once I got into the story, it didn't feel very long at all. Also, I usually prefer books that could actually happen in real life. I still don't really know the difference between paranormal or supernatural (do they somehow overlap?) , but that's how I'm labeling this story. One of my favorite parts of the story was the mystery of the box, and once they got the key, it felt like such a tease taking so long to learn what was inside for lol .. if slow burn supernatural is your thing, you'd probably enjoy this book
This book is fantastic. It's a supernatural thriller with horror elements. You've got psychics, and detectives, and cults.
Even though the supernatural part of the story is the main over arching plot, the police work takes over the page to page plot. Creating a perfect balance between the supernatural elements and the detective elements.
There are a few trigger warnings, including children, but I didn't find it any worse then something I would see in a SVU episode on TV. (Maybe a tiny touch worse since it's written and not on tv) There's animal deaths, but it only comes up twice and it's a few paragraph skip over if it bothers you. And alcoholism.
Just finished The Escort to the Grave by Gavin Walker. I am partial to the triquetra, and this is a tale delving into the Druids and Celtic history. This story is a great paranormal suspense/horror. It seems Eddie has lost everything with the death of his wife, and he has, at the same time, inherted a terrible curse - the ability to see deaths of people. When almost 7 year old Elinor is kidnapped, the DS brings Eddie into the case. But what he finds is not what anybody was expecting. I don't want to go into any more and give away spoilers. I highly recommend. 💀💀💀💀.5. Run and get this now.
This has something for everyone - paranormal horror meets crime thriller with a great helping of Celtic folklore.
Eddie, devastated by the untimely death of his wife, has developed an ability that he neither wants, nor understands. When a young girl is kidnapped, his ‘gift’ is sought out by his former police colleagues. With betrayal and subterfuge aplenty, can Eddie interpret the true message?
This is a long read, but well worthy of the time investment. It does take a bit of time to get used to the multiple characters, some of which seem peripheral, but prove integral to the story.
This is very well written, and has a solid pace; ramping up significantly in the second half of the book.
A very well-wrought, highly engaging story. Ones heart breaks for Eddie. I have no opinion on the moral dilemmas of the story, only that we hold onto epic ancient myths for a reason, something in us as human returns again & again throughout the ages, to wrongs being offset by justice. So much lost in never-ending wars of those claiming gods are on their side to amass power, yet still almost all of us agree harming of the vulnerable is wrong. So even as evidence appears to support wrongdoing more & more, our hearts hold onto stories of retribution. This was a very well told first novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I have so many feelings about this book. The paranormal storyline was beautiful and was in complete contrast to the crime aspect of the book. The pieces fit so well together and no lose ends were left which is always a sign of a well executed and thought out novel. Each character was so well developed and had me in bed at night wondering what they would be doing right now and missing them (weird I know). I’m definitely going to be thinking about this book for a long time and I’m very glad It was written and that I found it .
When this book was recommended to me, I jumped on it. I love supernatural books.
The characters were great and relatable. They are realistic (even in a supernatural book). They are likable and not so perfect. They have flaws. Eddie’s pain and anguish are so palpable. I truly felt it. The Welsh setting is so beautiful. It’s almost another character. Brilliantly imagery really sold the story. The feelings of fear, the supernatural elements blew me away. This book deeply engaging! The ending is fantastic and concludes this story nicely. But I NEED a sequel
5☆ no doubt Thriller, horror, supernatural , mystery and a little crime solving all wrapped up in one book. I loved the Welsh Druidic lore, the book at times is a little gory.
And the Morrigan walked the lands, harvesting the souls for the other-world. And Arawn called to each sister, 'souls of the Damned belong to me, and will not be pardoned. And so I call you to escort them through purgatory, where they must lay at my feet in death.' Wow this gripped me!
One of the best books I’ve read in a while. So much descriptive language - I could see every scene in my head. The mix of crime thriller & spooky goodness was done so well. I don’t recommend if you don’t care for detailed descriptions of gore, but I don’t mind it and I appreciate how the author worked it into the story. I also enjoyed the lore. One of those books I’ll wish I could read again for the first time.
If you like crime drama and psychological thrillers with a hint of the supernatural, you’re in for a treat with Escort to the Grave. I can’t remember who on Bookstagram recommended this one but THANK YOU. This is easily one of my favourite reads so far this year. I honestly can’t find fault with it (other than the potentially-triggering-for-some content). The pacing, the character development, the unexpected twists and turns were all done beautifully. Hard to believe this was a debut novel. I actually got goosebumps when the book finished and my jaw dropped with the biggest “whodunnit” moment in the book. It definitely left me wanting more. Sequel please? @gtwalkerbooks
Really interesting book which explores death, premonition, evil and all manner of things in between.
Eddie has suffered a great loss and as the book goes on you understand how it all links with really clever side stories that intertwine and build to a fascinating and thought provoking ending.
Absolutely loved this book. It was so different. You truly just absolutely fall in love with the characters and become so invested. It’s completely unique and something so different. I absolutely loved it!