Grave Intervention: A Novel

by Shira Shiloah

The Past Rarely Stays Buried

Dr. Amir Hadad, a successful radiologist, hears an intruder. Hiding in the dark, the stranger whispers, “I can’t rest.”

Alarmed and unwilling to risk his family’s safety, Amir contacts the police. Only there is no trace of an intruder, no marks of forced entry. If there is a stalker afoot, the police cannot find him.

As the days wear on and Amir continues to hear the same disembodied voice speaking to him, he worries about his sanity. The Irish lilt has escalated from pleas for help to threats unless Amir helps the voice find rest – and revenge.

Inspired by true events set in Naperville, Illinois, Dr. Shira Shiloah takes readers through suspenseful twists and turns in her latest novel. GRAVE INTERVENTION, a paranormal medical suspense, blurs the lines between real and imaginary to expose the hidden side of a historical suburban town.

Genres: Horror, Fiction

281 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 20, 2022

About the author

Dr. Shira Shiloah released her debut, EMERGENCE, an internationally bestselling and award-winning medical thriller, in 2020. Her second thriller, GRAVE INTERVENTION, a paranormal medical suspense, blurs the lines between real and imaginary to expose the hidden side of the historical suburban town, Naperville, Illinois. The audiobook, narrated by BJ Harrison, was chosen as an Editor Pick on Spotify and was a finalist for the 2023 Silver Falchion award.

She creates authentic characters and true-to-life medical scenes based on her unique observations as a physician and novelist. Her work has been featured in Naperville Magazine, KevinMD.com, Mystery and Suspense Magazine, The Memphis Flyer, JewishBoston.com, and The Daily Memphian.

A global literary citizen, Shira lived in Memphis, Brooklyn, Jerusalem, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., before choosing Boston as her hometown. She enjoys traveling the world with her husband and their rescue pup.

“Dr. Shiloah puts people to sleep by day and keeps them awake at night, turning pages.”
–The Memphis Flyer

Reviews

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story was inspired by true events that happened in Naperville, Illinois in the 1850's. It was very clever how the author took an old ghost story about an actual real person, Patrick Doyle, who lived in Naperville, Illinois, and made a story combining fact and fiction. Dr. Amir Hadad is a successful radiologist in Naperville, Illinois. He has a loving wife, Camille, and a young daughter, Sami. When Amir begins to hear the voice of an entity, he dismisses it until it returns with increasing frequency and terror. The police are called, but they can't find any evidence of an intruder. The family gets a dog but are unable to settle the families' growing fears. The voice grows louder and, after lots of careful research, they discover that it is the vengeful ghost of Irish immigrant, Patrick Doyle, who was hanged in 1854 for the murder of another immigrant in the town of Naperville. The very tree he was hung from is located adjacent to the Hadads’ home. Now it’s up to Amir to finally find a way to put Doyle’s spirit to rest. The novel showcases the historical relevance of Irish immigrants and their exodus to the United States. The result is a multicultural tale of intrigue, eternal unrest, and ghostly retribution. The story is based on recorded facts, but is it true? Who knows and who really wants to try to find out? However, if you are a fan of stories of the paranormal and suspenseful thrillers, you will probably like this sinister tale of a family haunted by the spirit of a ghostly historical figure.

[Books nd Bruises · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting this review with the note that I’m leaning slightly more towards 3,5 stars. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy this book, but it also didn’t keep me at the edge of my seat as much as I’d have liked. There were a few unexpected twist that I didn’t see coming wich was fun, and I really liked the characters. I felt like there was unnecessary focus on names of characters at the beginning wich didn’t really stick, and about 150 pages in the story’s pace quickened with so much twists from character jumping to character I got lost. All main characters had a deep background tho wich was nice. I liked the main plotline and development tho wich is why I’m still rating it 3,5. Me not being able to keep up with characters is on me haha. The only other ‘complaint’ I had is that some explanations towards the human body were to obscure. I don’t think it’s a big problem, but it led to a bit of skimming imo.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. My opinion however is entirely my own.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Dr. Amir Hadad starts hearing a strange disembodied voice speak to him, he begins to worry about his sanity. But soon, he discovers that his young daughter has an imaginary friend whom she calls Patrick. When his patients start dying and his staff and family members are threatened, Amir knows he needs to help the voice before it’s too late. But, how do you help a ghost?

I did not expect to enjoy this one so much! At only 222 pages, this is a fairly quick read but the author does a great job developing likable characters with backstories and drama. This story is told from various perspectives - from Amir, to his wife, Camille, and his co-workers.

This is a great book to add to your spooky season TBR list, especially if you want a ghost story that’s not overly scary. My thanks to @shirashiloahmd @rrbooktours for my gifted copy. My thoughts are my own.

[The Page Ladies Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fast read but it has likeable characters with great backstories and plenty of drama. I like how as the story went on the action and the suspense really picked up. There's a nice mix of supernatural and real facts, it makes for an interesting read. For such a short read the author does a wonderful job creating a suspenseful and entertaining read! I'm definitely interested in reading more from the author! Thank you Hfvt and Shira Shiloah for sharing this book with me!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a easy quick read. I enjoyed the spooky vibes it gave. The overall story was interesting, there was just something about the ending that left me with just average feels. I do enjoy the medical thriller aspect since I'm in the medical field, I read this author's first book and loved it! I will definitely keep reading this author's work.

[Betty Ratliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing medical drama that takes you on a page turning journey. The ghostly fingers joining you are surprisingly real...
A smattering of other languages,
medical and police departments used.
A beautifully written book.
Love the twists and turns.

[Janis Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and gripping ghost story set in Naperville. I’ve lived in Naperville for the last 19 years, so it was very fun to read this book and recognize all the locations that were discussed. The author keeps your interest throughout the whole book and makes you sleep a little less easy!

[Briana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grave Intervention is an edge of your seat thriller, with a mix of real life history and supernatural elements. Dr. Amir Hadad is worried when he suddenly starts hearing a menacing voice, especially when violent things start happening around him. The ghost is restless and angry but maybe by discovering what he wants, Amir can help the ghost find peace.

The book had a steady buildup at the beginning, introducing the characters and a few ghostly encounters. And then things really start rolling and the action picks up, and I couldn't put the book down. I had to know how everything would be resolved. And what's really interesting is the book is based on real events. It's a morbid, slightly fascinating, and definitely tragic tale which really does make you sympathize with the ghost.

The book had a good cast of characters. It follows Amir and his family for the most part, but there are a lot of interesting side characters. Seeing how they all came to be a part of this ghostly mystery was cool. This was a quick read but really good.

[Melissa R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book artfully creates a blend of cultures and the paranormal to keep the reader on the edge throughout the book - I could not put it down. It definitely make me challenge my belief - “I don’t believe in ghosts and don’t want to be proven wrong!”

I can’t wait for her next book! Don’t hesitate to read her first - Emergence! Sets of both books will be on my holiday giving list!

[_booknerd.4ever_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit this was a slow start for me. I thought about stopping several times. I am so glad I stuck with this book. It was worth it. I couldn’t put it down once I made it through the first few chapters. The plot was great! I loved real facts intertwined with fiction. It made for a great read! I loved the characters. They were easily relatable. What I didn’t care for was some of the discussion about IVF as if it’s unethical/wrong. Despite that, I was glad it made Camille realize what she has. I felt for Camille. Lots of twist and turns with paranormal activity. I was glad the author threw in Patrick’s story at the end. We get to see what really happened and why. I was glad Amir was able to see it as a call for help. I will be adding this one to my Kine library!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book.

[Elizabeth O'Guin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I got halfway through I couldn’t stop!! It was a very captivating and interesting read. The book ended with a fitting, though saddening chapter, as well as chilling historical notes about the true events the book is based on. It was like if the TV show Supernatural had to use accurate legal and medical practices when dealing with ghosts, lol.
I would say my only reason for a 4 rather than 5 star review is the dialogue, as it was often a little stiff and unnatural.. lacking color, I guess? However, that very plainness with which things are described and the lack of detail in the dialogue is probably what moved the story along so quickly and helped me to read it successfully. There were never any moments of over-detailed dialogue or description of the medical/scientific practices I had genuinely no idea about. So all in all, really a wonderful read, even for those not typically into medical thrillers.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written around a true historical event in Illinois, the book is enjoyable, looking from a fictional modern community’s point of view. The story starts from page one and doesn’t slow down throughout, gaining a bit of pace two-thirds of the way through thus explaining the title of the book. The book is not what I expected, believing the sole victim would be Dr Hadad: the story is essentially a community forced to work together in order to lay an angry soul to rest.

Questions arise such as why now? The unrest soul haunts the residents of Naperville for over a hundred years, and the moment Dr Hadad is targeted, everyone’s lives turn upside down. This leads to the second question, of all those affected by the unrest soul, why is Dr Hadad the only person to take action?


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.

[Carla Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me wondering what was coming next! Great read!

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

To all my Naperville friends...this is one you want to read! After living in Naperville for 27 years I had so much fun reliving the area through all of the landmarks, and places in town I have known and loved! The author wove them in seamlessly. But you don't have to be from Naperville to enjoy this ghost story. The characters were very likable and well developed for a short novel of only 263 pages. It kept my interest from page one and never let up. I especially liked how Shiloah shared what she knew about the back story of the ghost when he was alive. I could see this being made into a movie. I will look forward to reading Shira Shiloah's first novel Emergence which has received great reviews as well.

[Shira Shiloah]

I am so excited for you to read my second novel, GRAVE INTERVENTION! This book was so much fun to research and write. It is inspired by true events of gruesome and gory behavior that occurred in Naperville, Illinois, in 1853.
Set in the modern day, we follow the Hadad family as they uncover the truth of Naperville’s founders’ treatment of a notorious Irishman.
My favorite trade review came from Kirkus:

“Shiloah has a distinct talent for crafting crisp characterization…A multifaceted tale of intrigue, eternal unrest, and ghostly retribution.” –KIRKUS REVIEWS

Thank you for giving my books a chance,
Lots of hugs,
Shira

[carri hutchens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first 4 chapters the first night. I swore I was hearing things and showered with the door open. After that, I read the book at every opportunity I had because I NEEDED to know what was going on. Was the main character crazy? Did he have a life threatening medical condition? The way the main character interacts with his family and co-workers shows a strong bond of support while he tries to figure out what is going on. In true suspenseful fashion, the writer ties the past to the present in a way that leaves you saying "WOW, I did not see that one coming". It is a must read!

[Susan Krutzler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting book about a true event set in Naperville, Illinois. Being from Arlington Heights Illinois it reaches home. I thought the characters were very good but could have been developed so much more and that would’ve made the book terrific. Sadly, the characters kind of fell flat, but the book was still good, and the story was very interesting. But there was not a whole lot of excitement for a story that should have had a bit of a thrill being a ghost story. In fact, it was a bit depressing.

[Halifax · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook.

[Catherine Mustread · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to a preview— the first chapter — of this book a “paranormal medical suspense” on Classic Tales podcast.

[Ana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just could not get into it. Calling it—DNF. Maybe just not my genre, although I like spooky, thriller, mystery, urban fantasy, etc.