What do you think?
Rate this book
Grim Reaper Mystery #3
Flowers for Her Grave
Casey and Death are on the run…again. This time, Casey needs to make her disappearance permanent. After obtaining new identification and throwing herself off the grid, she travels to Florida to begin a new life as Daisy Gray, fitness instructor for a moneyed, enclosed community.
But even while keeping her head down, it doesn’t take long for Casey to find herself in the middle of trouble. One of the residents is attacked, and Casey is the one to find her, bleeding on the tile floor of the locker room. Despite heroic attempts to save her, she dies, and the community is thrown into turmoil. The cops are at a loss, unable to find anyone who might want the woman dead. Casey, despite Death’s encouragement to “get the hell out of Dodge, or, er, Florida,” feels partially responsible, and won’t let the murderer get away with it. Besides, where else is she going to go? Is she going to abandon this life so soon, and try to forge another?
Casey takes a careful look at the victim’s life. Who could possibly want such a nice, friendly woman dead? Could it be Del, the extremely muscular man from the weight room? Or Michelle, the victim’s best friend, and resident hottie? Or even Maria, the receptionist, whose key card was used to access the locker room so late at night? And what, if anything, do Casey’s predecessors in her new job have to do with it?
Casey must find out. Even with Death on her back.
But even while keeping her head down, it doesn’t take long for Casey to find herself in the middle of trouble. One of the residents is attacked, and Casey is the one to find her, bleeding on the tile floor of the locker room. Despite heroic attempts to save her, she dies, and the community is thrown into turmoil. The cops are at a loss, unable to find anyone who might want the woman dead. Casey, despite Death’s encouragement to “get the hell out of Dodge, or, er, Florida,” feels partially responsible, and won’t let the murderer get away with it. Besides, where else is she going to go? Is she going to abandon this life so soon, and try to forge another?
Casey takes a careful look at the victim’s life. Who could possibly want such a nice, friendly woman dead? Could it be Del, the extremely muscular man from the weight room? Or Michelle, the victim’s best friend, and resident hottie? Or even Maria, the receptionist, whose key card was used to access the locker room so late at night? And what, if anything, do Casey’s predecessors in her new job have to do with it?
Casey must find out. Even with Death on her back.
448 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2011
10 people are currently reading
179 people want to read
About the author
Judy Clemens
15 books79 followersJudy Clemens is the author of LEAVE TOMORROW BEHIND, the newest book in the Anthony and Agatha-nominated Stella Crown mysteries. She also writes the Grim Reaper mysteries, and wrote LOST SONS, which is a stand-alone.
She lives in the beautiful state of Ohio with her family.
She lives in the beautiful state of Ohio with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 11, 2025
Casey is now Daisy and an instructor at a live-in fitness centre in Florida.
Death is, as usual, her constant companion and a pain in her ass.
She still thinks she wants to die but, three books in, you gotta wonder how serious she is.
When she finds one of her co-workers murdered she's on the case immediately.
For a woman on the run she spends a lot of time with the police.
And, as for being on the run, it seems more like avoidance than a case of “I don't wanna go to jail!”
There is still no real attempt to fill in Daisy's back story except in the broadest terms - she could have been a librarian for all I know, or a spy?
“Flowers for Her Grave” is standard stuff and I doubt I'll remember it in a couple of days (I was having a hard time keeping interested in it towards the end).
I'll read the next in the series, but after that …?
2.5 Stars, raised to 3 Stars.
Death is, as usual, her constant companion and a pain in her ass.
She still thinks she wants to die but, three books in, you gotta wonder how serious she is.
When she finds one of her co-workers murdered she's on the case immediately.
For a woman on the run she spends a lot of time with the police.
And, as for being on the run, it seems more like avoidance than a case of “I don't wanna go to jail!”
There is still no real attempt to fill in Daisy's back story except in the broadest terms - she could have been a librarian for all I know, or a spy?
“Flowers for Her Grave” is standard stuff and I doubt I'll remember it in a couple of days (I was having a hard time keeping interested in it towards the end).
I'll read the next in the series, but after that …?
2.5 Stars, raised to 3 Stars.
August 15, 2017
Such a fun read, kept me guessing for most of the book, though I did wonder at one point (not going to spoil it here), and was right, though that person dropped off my radar afterward (what can I say, I am so bad at guessing who the guilty person is). Love Death! He is such a hoot and adds so much to the story. This book did get a bit more emotional than the other two, and I did have to dry a tear or two. Can't wait to read the next one.
March 27, 2021
Light and a bit silly
Certainly has a twist with death as her sidekick. Don't worry that is not a spoiler. One of those books with a hanging plot point so you will read the next book. I don't plan to read more.
Certainly has a twist with death as her sidekick. Don't worry that is not a spoiler. One of those books with a hanging plot point so you will read the next book. I don't plan to read more.
July 29, 2020
This series doesn’t get fancy. It just provides solid mysteries with the twist of Death as a character.
March 5, 2024
Cat and the Grim Reaper’s continuing adventures with a touch of blackmail
April 3, 2011
I read, I smiled, I laughed, and I truly enjoyed this book. Although this is part of the Grim Reaper series by Judy Clemens, it is the first book in this series that I've read. It is also the first book from a series that I've read that didn't leave me feeling as if I had to read the previous books in order to understand what was happening (although I do feel that I will be reading them just becuse I enjoyed this one so much). It took a little bit of getting used to someone, namely Casey Maldonado, having "death" or a grim reaper as a companion, but L'Ankou is part of what makes this mystery so light-hearted and fun.
Casey is still dealing with the grief of losing her son and husband in a car accident, not to mention severe albeit superficial injuries from a recent fight. She is trained in hapkido, a form of martial arts, as well as being an athletic trainer. We meet her and L'Ankou as they are travelling on a boxcar running away from Kansas. It appears that she previously was running away from Ohio, the scene of her husband and son's death, and from being a murder suspect. Her travels take her to Raceda, Florida where she starts work at an apartment/condo complex as a fitness instructor/athletic trainer. Needless to say that trouble is not far behind. Casey, now known as Daisy, discovers a badly injured woman who subsequently dies. Of course she must investigate and quickly jumps to all the wrong conclusions. What is interesting is the often comedic and quirky changes that L'Ankou makes. When he is around a police officer, he dresses as one with a name tag to fit. He also dresses in a kimono upon learning that Casey/Daisy has been invited to a Japanese restaurant. Most people don't see Casey's companion but a few, those that don't fear death, are capable of seeing him. This makes for interesting exchanges as Casey apparently must speak aloud to respond to L'Ankou and others can't see him and presume she is speaking to them or that she's just crazy.
I think quirky is the correct word to use in describing this book. Ms. Clemens has created characters that are realistic and all-too humans with their faults. L'Ankou, although not human, seems to have just as much to offer as his human companion and it this relationship that makes this book work. Casey needs L'Ankou as much as he seems to need her. She needs the connection to her deceased husband and son and L'Ankou needs to live vicariously through someone that can see him, interact with him and accept him for what he is...death.
Look for this title to be released in early August.
An advanced reader copy of this book was made available through netGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, Inc. I thank them both for this opportunity.
Casey is still dealing with the grief of losing her son and husband in a car accident, not to mention severe albeit superficial injuries from a recent fight. She is trained in hapkido, a form of martial arts, as well as being an athletic trainer. We meet her and L'Ankou as they are travelling on a boxcar running away from Kansas. It appears that she previously was running away from Ohio, the scene of her husband and son's death, and from being a murder suspect. Her travels take her to Raceda, Florida where she starts work at an apartment/condo complex as a fitness instructor/athletic trainer. Needless to say that trouble is not far behind. Casey, now known as Daisy, discovers a badly injured woman who subsequently dies. Of course she must investigate and quickly jumps to all the wrong conclusions. What is interesting is the often comedic and quirky changes that L'Ankou makes. When he is around a police officer, he dresses as one with a name tag to fit. He also dresses in a kimono upon learning that Casey/Daisy has been invited to a Japanese restaurant. Most people don't see Casey's companion but a few, those that don't fear death, are capable of seeing him. This makes for interesting exchanges as Casey apparently must speak aloud to respond to L'Ankou and others can't see him and presume she is speaking to them or that she's just crazy.
I think quirky is the correct word to use in describing this book. Ms. Clemens has created characters that are realistic and all-too humans with their faults. L'Ankou, although not human, seems to have just as much to offer as his human companion and it this relationship that makes this book work. Casey needs L'Ankou as much as he seems to need her. She needs the connection to her deceased husband and son and L'Ankou needs to live vicariously through someone that can see him, interact with him and accept him for what he is...death.
Look for this title to be released in early August.
An advanced reader copy of this book was made available through netGalley and Poisoned Pen Press, Inc. I thank them both for this opportunity.
September 19, 2011
When the Grim Reaper is your only constant companion, life can be strange. That’s how it is for Casey Maldonado, heroine of Judy Clemens’ Grim Reaper series. Death and Casey have been constant companions since Casey’s husband and son were killed in a car accident that Casey managed to survive.
Flowers for Her Grave is the third book in the series. It finds Casey and Death in Florida, on the the run from police and the manufacturer of the car that killed Casey’s family. Explanations about how Death became Casey’s companion are absent, and readers new to the series may want to jump back to an earlier book for the background.
The background may not be all that necessary. All a reader needs to know is that Death hangs around Casey, serving as a combination of a Greek Chorus, Jewish mother and Cat-in-the-hat-esque observer. Death’s real purpose is to give Casey someone to talk to in order to provide exposition for the reader.
The plot centers around a mysterious death at an adult community where Casey, under an alias, finds work as a personal trainer. Casey plays Nancy Drew to solve the crime, all the while hoping the local police don’t discover her true identity and trying not to act on her growing attraction to one of the detectives. Readers can easily keep up with the twists and turns of the murder investigation, spotting red herrings as they appear and vanish.
Clemens tries to make the novel a mix of humor, pulp crime and the paranormal, with a dash of romance and female empowerment thrown in for good measure. As would be expected in the growing genre of supernatural chick lit, Casey doesn’t need a man to help her get things done. She’s a martial arts expert who’s inevitably smarter than those around her, except when the plot calls for her to forget something or overlook an obvious clue in order for the story to advance. The mishmash of genres works against developing affection for Casey. Her backstory is tragic, but the lighthearted tone of the books clashes with the few times Casey is reminded of her losses.
Death’s main character feature is sarcasm, and the other characters are virtually indistinguishable from each other apart from gender, occupation and name.
The end result is a harmless, lightweight novel, the sort you might buy in an airport, only to leave behind unfinished on the plane. Flowers for Her Grave has some entertainment value, but it doesn’t grab a reader’s attention and make you anxious to read the previous books or look forward to the next.
Flowers for Her Grave is the third book in the series. It finds Casey and Death in Florida, on the the run from police and the manufacturer of the car that killed Casey’s family. Explanations about how Death became Casey’s companion are absent, and readers new to the series may want to jump back to an earlier book for the background.
The background may not be all that necessary. All a reader needs to know is that Death hangs around Casey, serving as a combination of a Greek Chorus, Jewish mother and Cat-in-the-hat-esque observer. Death’s real purpose is to give Casey someone to talk to in order to provide exposition for the reader.
The plot centers around a mysterious death at an adult community where Casey, under an alias, finds work as a personal trainer. Casey plays Nancy Drew to solve the crime, all the while hoping the local police don’t discover her true identity and trying not to act on her growing attraction to one of the detectives. Readers can easily keep up with the twists and turns of the murder investigation, spotting red herrings as they appear and vanish.
Clemens tries to make the novel a mix of humor, pulp crime and the paranormal, with a dash of romance and female empowerment thrown in for good measure. As would be expected in the growing genre of supernatural chick lit, Casey doesn’t need a man to help her get things done. She’s a martial arts expert who’s inevitably smarter than those around her, except when the plot calls for her to forget something or overlook an obvious clue in order for the story to advance. The mishmash of genres works against developing affection for Casey. Her backstory is tragic, but the lighthearted tone of the books clashes with the few times Casey is reminded of her losses.
Death’s main character feature is sarcasm, and the other characters are virtually indistinguishable from each other apart from gender, occupation and name.
The end result is a harmless, lightweight novel, the sort you might buy in an airport, only to leave behind unfinished on the plane. Flowers for Her Grave has some entertainment value, but it doesn’t grab a reader’s attention and make you anxious to read the previous books or look forward to the next.
March 27, 2011
In this third book in the Grim Reaper series, Casey Maldonado and her traveling companion Death are still on the run. Few people can actually see Death, but for some reason Death has decided Casey will be an amusing companion to follow and watch.
In the first book, Casey mourned the loss of her husband and child in a car accident caused by a defective vehicle, and the car's manufacturer wanted to keep her quiet 'the hard way'. So Casey fled and Death followed her.
In the second story, Casey was involved in a killing that was clearly self defense, but she is still in fear of the car manufacturer, so she flees again.
In this third book, Casey has changed her identity and found a job as a fitness instructor in a high-end condo complex. Sadly, her quiet life is interrupted by her discovery of a murder victim's body.
This mystery is extremely well constructed and well written. Death has a sense of humor and is always ready to lend a smile to a grim situation (and I suppose if you are Death you see plenty of those).
I enjoyed the story a lot and I do plan on going back to the first two books because this one really made me smile at the same time as it kept me sifting through clues and trying to figure out whodunit.
I received a review copy of this book from Net Galley.
In the first book, Casey mourned the loss of her husband and child in a car accident caused by a defective vehicle, and the car's manufacturer wanted to keep her quiet 'the hard way'. So Casey fled and Death followed her.
In the second story, Casey was involved in a killing that was clearly self defense, but she is still in fear of the car manufacturer, so she flees again.
In this third book, Casey has changed her identity and found a job as a fitness instructor in a high-end condo complex. Sadly, her quiet life is interrupted by her discovery of a murder victim's body.
This mystery is extremely well constructed and well written. Death has a sense of humor and is always ready to lend a smile to a grim situation (and I suppose if you are Death you see plenty of those).
I enjoyed the story a lot and I do plan on going back to the first two books because this one really made me smile at the same time as it kept me sifting through clues and trying to figure out whodunit.
I received a review copy of this book from Net Galley.
June 11, 2012
Still have questions about why Death seems fixated on Casey and seems to be her companion. He hints at his purpose in this book – he is there to ease her way. Ease her way in life; in her grief for her husband and young son? It helps, but it still doesn’t seem to explain why he finds Casey so interesting and why he feels he needs to help her.
I find this a very interesting series. Death is really a character in these books and very humorous. I like that Casey seems less antagonistic toward him in this book. Her earlier antagonism is understandable though – would you like the “person” that took your family away from you to be following you around and intruding into your life?
This book also seems less grim than the first two, I guess because Casey has had two years now to progress through the grieving process. I’m sure it will take her more time – you don’t just bounce back from losing your beloved husband and son. But there are signs that she may be staring to heal a bit in this book.
This is it for now and that disappoints me. I’m not sure when the next in the series is due out. I think I may buy it when it’s available, though. That’s how much this series has capture my attention.
I find this a very interesting series. Death is really a character in these books and very humorous. I like that Casey seems less antagonistic toward him in this book. Her earlier antagonism is understandable though – would you like the “person” that took your family away from you to be following you around and intruding into your life?
This book also seems less grim than the first two, I guess because Casey has had two years now to progress through the grieving process. I’m sure it will take her more time – you don’t just bounce back from losing your beloved husband and son. But there are signs that she may be staring to heal a bit in this book.
This is it for now and that disappoints me. I’m not sure when the next in the series is due out. I think I may buy it when it’s available, though. That’s how much this series has capture my attention.
May 1, 2011
I’m not a fan of the paranormal yet my love of crime and thrillers meant that I was tempted by this. References in publicity material to Lee Child and Jack Reacher also piqued my interest.
Within the first few pages the references to Casey’s back story had grabbed my interest. Casey is on the run following the death of her husband and son in a car accident. Keen to hide her identity she becomes Daisy and takes on the job of fitness instructor in a community for singles and couples.
Here we meet a host of larger than life characters, anyone of them could be responsible for the murder that occurs on Casey’s first day in the job.
What lifted this above the normal cosy crime story was Casey’s companion, Death. Death plays the funny man to Casey’s straight man role. Constant costume changes to suit the situation and inappropriate name badges made Death seem a very appealing character.
Not enough action to satisfy a Jack Reacher fan but enough humour to make me want to read more.
May 8, 2016
I really have been enjoying this series and was disappointed to find out there is only one more book in the series and that nothing new has come out since 2012. Don't know if she winds up the story-line in the next book or just hasn't continued it. Casey/Daisy has had a lot to deal with the past few years and I admire her strength in going on. Although she has asked Death to take her, she is not suicidal, and she continues to care about other people.
August 21, 2011
I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for book 5! It was a good mystery and fun thrown in. Of course what can you expect when traveling with the grim reaper aka Death. I know that sounds weird but it's not all that strange. You get use to him being around and he has a sense of humor - although his fashion sense is something else.
I recommend this book for both fun and the mystery.
I recommend this book for both fun and the mystery.
August 27, 2011
I always enjoy Judy Clemens, especially the Grim Reaper series. However, the plot of this book felt a little forced. All the trademark humor was still there and that is what kept me entertained, but the rest of the book felt like it just didn't hang together nicely.
Oh, that last chapter though...makes me hope she hurries up with the next book!
Oh, that last chapter though...makes me hope she hurries up with the next book!
August 28, 2013
Light mystery with the twist that the main character has Death along for the ride as she travels around and solves mysteries. A fun read, decently written although the secondary characters are rarely fully developed and there is a touch of the stereotype hanging around them. Relaxing beach or front of the fire book.
September 21, 2011
Third book in the series.
Casey still has "death" as her sidekick as she falls into the middle of yet another murder.
Really fast read and "death" is a hoot. I think he does more wardrobe changes then Cher at a concert.
Can't wait for the 4th installment.
Casey still has "death" as her sidekick as she falls into the middle of yet another murder.
Really fast read and "death" is a hoot. I think he does more wardrobe changes then Cher at a concert.
Can't wait for the 4th installment.
March 9, 2013
For some reason I struggled a bit this time to get into the book initially; fortunately that didn't last long and I ended up enjoying this well enough (and it didn't hurt that Death was not as annoying as in the previous book and that there was more of him). Looking forward to the fourth one!
July 14, 2012
This was difficult for me to read - the character has DEATH with her, we read descriptions of what Death is wearing, saying, doing - I just couldn't get into it. The plot was good and interesting story, but it was pretty obvious. Can't recommend this author...
September 26, 2013
3.5 stars. Probably my favorite in this series so far. Loved Death and his costumes. The mystery was good and kept moving at a good pace. I still want Casey to get a real friend or stability. Maybe the next book she will settle down, but still keep solving crimes.
March 6, 2012
This one was not as dark and on the edge as the previous ones. It was still an excellent and convoluted story. Who new it was the easy to get fake I.D. Casey is such a strong person
August 28, 2012
It's good too bad I half half way thru book and realized it was the 3rd book lol just going a Lil backwards lol
September 10, 2012
Ok detective novel with intresting twist which keep reader in hook, but ending is very lame
July 23, 2015
Again, once I started this series I needed to keep going with it. The books are very well written, and it is enjoyable to watch Cassey grow along the way.
December 11, 2014
Solid little mystery, not the fluffy kind.
November 30, 2015
This was an interested book in the series. I enjoyed it very much and was glad it gave more information on Casey background. I like the character of Death.
December 13, 2015
ok. Just ok
May 18, 2016
I really really enjoyed it! I do like Judy's writing and thought process and suspense! Can't wait for the next book!
April 6, 2012
Enjoyed this book. Will look up the other two books she has written.
December 10, 2012
I love this series
February 24, 2015
Interesting - don't think I'll read more of the series, though.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews