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In Death Do Flowers Grow
Brielle Panya has been hired to rid the infamous Garrick Estate of its ghostly residents. But what begins as a routine job turns life-threatening when she starts to uncover a trail of lies surrounding the estate’s most mysterious spirit: the bloody, screaming woman who appears every night at half-past nine. Never one to quit, Brielle digs her heels in even as the hauntings grow more violent and terrifying. But if she can’t find a way to set all the spirits free, this may be the last job of her life.
158 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 16, 2022
2 people are currently reading
4285 people want to read
About the author
R.D. Pires
7 books110 followersRD Pires has found there's always a story to tell, and so he spends his time writing them down. A writing project is always on his mind, even when there aren't enough hours in a day to work on them.
Author of many genres, he has a special place in his heart for queer fiction. His latest works have been part of The Tides That Reign series with book 1, Design of Darkness out last summer, and book 2, Sparrows Sing of Dying just released!
He lives in California with his husband and their daughter.
Author of many genres, he has a special place in his heart for queer fiction. His latest works have been part of The Tides That Reign series with book 1, Design of Darkness out last summer, and book 2, Sparrows Sing of Dying just released!
He lives in California with his husband and their daughter.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 6, 2022
The PERFECT book to kick off spooky season!
Did I read this in between my sons nap times? Yes. Did I also put on his favorite TV show to keep him distracted so I could finish this book? Yes. Because I was that hooked on it 😂.
One of RD’s greatest strengths is the details he puts into his stories and characters. But I do have to mention that the PACE of this book was *chef’s kiss*.
It didn’t drag anywhere, it kept me guessing and it kept me hooked from the beginning to the end. 🫶🏼
Did I read this in between my sons nap times? Yes. Did I also put on his favorite TV show to keep him distracted so I could finish this book? Yes. Because I was that hooked on it 😂.
One of RD’s greatest strengths is the details he puts into his stories and characters. But I do have to mention that the PACE of this book was *chef’s kiss*.
It didn’t drag anywhere, it kept me guessing and it kept me hooked from the beginning to the end. 🫶🏼
October 31, 2022
A promising but ultimately lacking mystery
I was fortunate enough to win this as a digital giveaway, and was very enthusiastic to read it as I am a big fan of modern gothic, moody mysteries - especially during spooky season.
A ghost hunter is called to an old and isolated bed and breakfast in Maine to lay spirits to rest. While this is a short novella, I ultimately found the character development to be lacking in a way that really detracted from the story. The mystery/mysteries were certainly engaging enough to make me want to read until the end, but I didn’t feel that the characters were fleshed out (no pun intended) enough to have the impact or payoff that the author intended.
I enjoyed the different LGBTQ+ threads throughout the book, and appreciated the levels of representation, but felt that the major one could have seriously benefited from a deeper and more intimate understanding of the characters (both alive, and dead). Because the readers’ relationship with almost everyone was so surface level, it didn’t end up having the emotional payoff it could/should have. It left me wanting. There were also a fair number of loose ends that did not feel sufficiently tied up, but were also not left deliberately open.
Additionally, there were certainly many moments where the author was trying to grapple with notions of life, death, and love, but instead of doing so organically or by using situations or imagery, there ended up being awkward speeches and pronouncements that ended up feeling out of place and conspicuous. The ideas themselves were interesting and worthy of pursuit, but, in my opinion, artistically mishandled.
All in all, it’s not a bad book. I did enjoy myself and read it all the way through, but I would recommend it for people who want a light and quick vaguely spooky ghost mystery, but aren’t looking for anything deeper. If you go in with that expectation, maybe you won’t be left wanting as much as I was. I’d be interested to see what Pires does moving forward, as the fledgling parts of something much better were all there.
I was fortunate enough to win this as a digital giveaway, and was very enthusiastic to read it as I am a big fan of modern gothic, moody mysteries - especially during spooky season.
A ghost hunter is called to an old and isolated bed and breakfast in Maine to lay spirits to rest. While this is a short novella, I ultimately found the character development to be lacking in a way that really detracted from the story. The mystery/mysteries were certainly engaging enough to make me want to read until the end, but I didn’t feel that the characters were fleshed out (no pun intended) enough to have the impact or payoff that the author intended.
I enjoyed the different LGBTQ+ threads throughout the book, and appreciated the levels of representation, but felt that the major one could have seriously benefited from a deeper and more intimate understanding of the characters (both alive, and dead). Because the readers’ relationship with almost everyone was so surface level, it didn’t end up having the emotional payoff it could/should have. It left me wanting. There were also a fair number of loose ends that did not feel sufficiently tied up, but were also not left deliberately open.
Additionally, there were certainly many moments where the author was trying to grapple with notions of life, death, and love, but instead of doing so organically or by using situations or imagery, there ended up being awkward speeches and pronouncements that ended up feeling out of place and conspicuous. The ideas themselves were interesting and worthy of pursuit, but, in my opinion, artistically mishandled.
All in all, it’s not a bad book. I did enjoy myself and read it all the way through, but I would recommend it for people who want a light and quick vaguely spooky ghost mystery, but aren’t looking for anything deeper. If you go in with that expectation, maybe you won’t be left wanting as much as I was. I’d be interested to see what Pires does moving forward, as the fledgling parts of something much better were all there.
October 9, 2022
Disclosure: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Overall, this book was well-written and close to 4 stars. The story kept my attention, and I wanted to know what happened. It was really only a few things that kept it from getting that 4 star review.
1) There was too much going on. For a book of this size, the recently deceased mom, the job, seeing a friend, a twist, etc. all ended up taking away space from another aspect of the book. It really hampered the end of the book and the twist. It felt like the book was trying to close up all of the different aspects of the story rather than just ending naturally.
2) A lack of atmosphere toward the end of the book. I read this after The Haunting of Hill House, and I appreciated getting into another spooky house book. The book started out really strong. I really liked the descriptions of the house and the ghosts. As time went on, that was sacrificed for more of the overly-complicated story.
3) More time should have been spent on the house and happenings in the house. The happenings leading up to the twist were too short, and it felt more of a throwaway or part of a checklist rather than something that was building over time. It would have been more special if she would have experienced things that spooked her and/or didn't add up over time.
Once again though, I did truly enjoy this book. It was worth a read, and I hope others give it a chance.
Overall, this book was well-written and close to 4 stars. The story kept my attention, and I wanted to know what happened. It was really only a few things that kept it from getting that 4 star review.
1) There was too much going on. For a book of this size, the recently deceased mom, the job, seeing a friend, a twist, etc. all ended up taking away space from another aspect of the book. It really hampered the end of the book and the twist. It felt like the book was trying to close up all of the different aspects of the story rather than just ending naturally.
2) A lack of atmosphere toward the end of the book. I read this after The Haunting of Hill House, and I appreciated getting into another spooky house book. The book started out really strong. I really liked the descriptions of the house and the ghosts. As time went on, that was sacrificed for more of the overly-complicated story.
3) More time should have been spent on the house and happenings in the house. The happenings leading up to the twist were too short, and it felt more of a throwaway or part of a checklist rather than something that was building over time. It would have been more special if she would have experienced things that spooked her and/or didn't add up over time.
Once again though, I did truly enjoy this book. It was worth a read, and I hope others give it a chance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2022
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway (score!). I think the story itself was very good and very creative. I thought it was a little disjointed in places (not enough depth or background on some parts) and could have easily been fleshed out to be a longer book. After the first few pages, I was worried it was going to be one of those books where the author can wax poetic about a couch for two pages (overly descriptive) but don't fear - the pace picks up right away. I really enjoyed it over all and I'm glad I read it!
October 13, 2022
This was a good quick read for spooky season. I won a kindle copy of this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
There was a LOT going on packed into just 150-some pages. It was a quick read, but parts of me wishes it was longer so he could really flesh out all of the different elements he has going on throughout.
There was a LOT going on packed into just 150-some pages. It was a quick read, but parts of me wishes it was longer so he could really flesh out all of the different elements he has going on throughout.
November 3, 2022
This was a fun little novel. Very descriptive throughout the whole thing and the ending was great. I did enjoy reading it. So glad I won this copy because of how much fun I had with it. If you like mysteries along with ghost stories this one is a treat, so I recommend it.
December 18, 2022
Another beautiful banger from R.D. Pires. An entertaining and suspenseful plot told through beautiful and thought provoking perspectives about family, death, and the complexities of what it means to be human.
November 28, 2022
I enjoyed this book, but the ending felt a bit rushed.
November 2, 2022
Brielle pulls her Volkswagen up to the edge of the road in front of the Garrick Estate. The estate has definitely seen much better days. Brielle beings her introduction to the old estate. This is her favorite part of every job. Getting know every inch physical and metaphysical. As she wandered throughout the outside of the property, she took in the modicum of clashing half-assed efforts at elegance. While she's still looking over the house Nadine Toren, the current owner arrived to meet with her and tell her about the house. She lived in a house that had belonged to grandparents not far from Garrick Estate. When her grandparents died, she bought Garrick Estate with the intention of turning it into an inn. After buying it, it became apparent that the plan of turning it into an inn wasn't a good idea. After finding out that she had bought the estate, people around town who had lived there for several years began telling her the stories of the estates being haunted by ghosts. To the point that people in town, even the teenagers wouldn't go near the house. Some even tell of hearing loud screams every night. Yet Nadine couldn't tell Brielle anything about the history about the house. The one thing Nadine did know is that she wanted Brielle to lay to rest any spirits that she may find lingering in the house.
As Nadine spends time in the house interacting with the ghosts that dwell with in, she begins to understand the strange and frightening things going on. Most of all she wants to find out the answer to the mystery of the woman who screams at the window every night. And why the white-haired man stays locked in the room upstairs.
I would like to thank RD Pires for giving me a copy of this novella for an honest review.
As Nadine spends time in the house interacting with the ghosts that dwell with in, she begins to understand the strange and frightening things going on. Most of all she wants to find out the answer to the mystery of the woman who screams at the window every night. And why the white-haired man stays locked in the room upstairs.
I would like to thank RD Pires for giving me a copy of this novella for an honest review.
February 6, 2023
Should be longer. I would've loved for the ghost to have more of an ending. I couldn't connect with the main too much && I didn't totally understand the mention of her friend. But I still really enjoyed this. Love the idea of the guy being alive the whole time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews