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The Lazarus Codex #3
Shallow Grave
Dead men tell no tales...Unless you're a necromancer. Then they never shut up.
Life is finally going right for Lazarus Kerrigan, necromancer and Pale Horseman. Business is booming, and no gods have tried to kill him for a whole month. But the past is catching up to him.
There's a serial killer on the loose in New Orleans, one that targets children and leaves behind only bones. When the case develops eerie similarities to his sister's murder, Laz knows the police are in over their heads. They need help, and the dead aren't talking.
Well, except for the ghost of a two-hundred-year-old pirate, and Laz doesn't like what he has to say. If he's right, the creature Laz is chasing is a monster way out of his league. If he's not careful, Laz might just end up in Davey Jones' Locker, or worse...
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2018
114 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 3, 2019
Shallow Grave by E.A. Copen and narrated by Travis Baldree is book three in the Lazarus Codex series. Lazarus encounters powers that are stronger than himself. Something is kidnapping children possibly for their souls. A succubus is trying to kill him. Ghouls are involved somehow! What a mess he has to deal with! He also has a displaced soul wanting his help! This is very action packed and suspenseful! Always a joy to listen to her stories for the characters, plot, humor, wit, and unpredictability.
Travis Baldree does such an excellent job of narration that it makes the book even better! He can make any voice or creature! Excellent! I felt like I was there and needed to hide! Great job!
Travis Baldree does such an excellent job of narration that it makes the book even better! He can make any voice or creature! Excellent! I felt like I was there and needed to hide! Great job!
July 6, 2020
Meh, I don’t really care for the whole situation with Odette. Also, I feel like Lazarus is getting a little too romance focused, although I think it might’ve been a little better at the end.
June 9, 2018
Really enjoyed reading this book. Lazarus, the main character in Shallow Grave, is a necromancer. He is also the pale Horseman and leads a busy life working with the police in New Orleans. His world is filled with ghouls, ghosts, Archons, a succubus and a number of other supernaturals. In Shallow Grave, Lazarus is asked to help the police find a serial kills children and has until the blood moon to find missing children and prevent other deaths. I recommend this story if you enjoy a supernatural adventure I look forward to finding out what happens to Lazarus in book 4.
May 31, 2020
So it's been a while since I last read anything in the Lazarus Kerrigan series and I figured it was time to jump back in. After a first solid outing, the second book left me a little cold comparatively. So how did the third book pan out?
It's okay. I'd say closer to a 3.5 than a 3, if I have to give it a star rating (and apparently I do otherwise my review doesn't count). Overall it's passable popcorn lit that doesn't overstay its welcome. But there are a few things I am going to highlight in no particular for my sexy, attractive audience.
Infodumping and worldbuilding: Maybe I've just been spoiled on other series doing this better, but one thing that's really started to get on my tits has been the prevalence of Urban Fantasy writers stopping the plot to explain how the magic in their world works. The mechanics, the execution, the chemistry of it all. Don't get me wrong, a little goes a long way but in some cases the infodumps drag on and on. They stop the plot dead cold, they don't stick in the mind after they're gone and it stops feeling like the character telling a story and more the writer addressing the reader. Shallow Grave has at least three instances of this happening and every single time, by the end of each I didn't give a rat's arse. Not that I had a rat's arse to give. What? You think those things go for cheap on Amazon?
Bond Villain Stupidity: This one actually ties back in with the previous one a little. Without going too deep into spoilers, the villain of the story turns out to be an Archon (think demigod) inhabiting the body of one of New Orlean's well-known historical figures. Except when the villain is finally revealed and explored, I didn't really care. Turned out the Archon was just another cackling loon with an axe to grind and a war to join. And all of this was told through another - say it with me now - INFODUMP. I'm not kidding, the villain literally pulls the stupid Bond Villain thing out of their rotting butt and tells Lazarus what their grand master plan is. Not only does this make the villain look stupid for telling the main character - who we know will probably survive - all the juicy details, but it also makes Laz look stupid for not figuring this shit out for himself. Seriously writers, think of more creative ways to get the villain's plan out without resorting to this!
Cutting off the branches: On a more positive note, I will say that Copen did something that I am appreciative of and that was getting rid of Beth. Now before you run off to Twitter and throw a public temper tantrum let me explain. One of my biggest criticisms of the previous book was that Beth felt like a superfluous character. She just showed up in Laz's life with no foreshadowing or pretext, her presence in the story overall felt uninspired and minimal and she didn't really add anything to the overall world or myth arc of the series. So to cut her from the story overall felt like a positive.
Settling into a Groove: One of the problems I tend to find with a lot of series in the Urban Fantasy genre is the lack of diversity in characters and I don't mean what you think I mean Karen!! Maybe I've been spoiled on the Kate Daniels series and its vibrant cast of characters, of whom I can even name minor characters as some of my favourites because they all have distinct personalities that buck the trend of typical roles, but here a lot Laz's cast feel just kind of phoned in and generic for the genre. Emma Knight fills the role of Karin Murphy, the beleaguered but tough-as-nails cop who assists Laz once she becomes aware of the masquerade. Moses Moses is the black sidekick who is helpful and getting on in years but steadfast and reliable. Pony Dee is the old mentor, Khaleda is the femme fatale etc. There's nothing inherently wrong with any of the characters but they do feel a little too simple to be memorable.
If this review sounds too overly negative, remember that all the positives I listed about previous books for the most part still carry over and its why I would consider this series to this point, at the very least decent popcorn literature. It's a fun way to pass the time, but I don't think I would come back to this book anytime soon.
It's okay. I'd say closer to a 3.5 than a 3, if I have to give it a star rating (and apparently I do otherwise my review doesn't count). Overall it's passable popcorn lit that doesn't overstay its welcome. But there are a few things I am going to highlight in no particular for my sexy, attractive audience.
Infodumping and worldbuilding: Maybe I've just been spoiled on other series doing this better, but one thing that's really started to get on my tits has been the prevalence of Urban Fantasy writers stopping the plot to explain how the magic in their world works. The mechanics, the execution, the chemistry of it all. Don't get me wrong, a little goes a long way but in some cases the infodumps drag on and on. They stop the plot dead cold, they don't stick in the mind after they're gone and it stops feeling like the character telling a story and more the writer addressing the reader. Shallow Grave has at least three instances of this happening and every single time, by the end of each I didn't give a rat's arse. Not that I had a rat's arse to give. What? You think those things go for cheap on Amazon?
Bond Villain Stupidity: This one actually ties back in with the previous one a little. Without going too deep into spoilers, the villain of the story turns out to be an Archon (think demigod) inhabiting the body of one of New Orlean's well-known historical figures. Except when the villain is finally revealed and explored, I didn't really care. Turned out the Archon was just another cackling loon with an axe to grind and a war to join. And all of this was told through another - say it with me now - INFODUMP. I'm not kidding, the villain literally pulls the stupid Bond Villain thing out of their rotting butt and tells Lazarus what their grand master plan is. Not only does this make the villain look stupid for telling the main character - who we know will probably survive - all the juicy details, but it also makes Laz look stupid for not figuring this shit out for himself. Seriously writers, think of more creative ways to get the villain's plan out without resorting to this!
Cutting off the branches: On a more positive note, I will say that Copen did something that I am appreciative of and that was getting rid of Beth. Now before you run off to Twitter and throw a public temper tantrum let me explain. One of my biggest criticisms of the previous book was that Beth felt like a superfluous character. She just showed up in Laz's life with no foreshadowing or pretext, her presence in the story overall felt uninspired and minimal and she didn't really add anything to the overall world or myth arc of the series. So to cut her from the story overall felt like a positive.
Settling into a Groove: One of the problems I tend to find with a lot of series in the Urban Fantasy genre is the lack of diversity in characters and I don't mean what you think I mean Karen!! Maybe I've been spoiled on the Kate Daniels series and its vibrant cast of characters, of whom I can even name minor characters as some of my favourites because they all have distinct personalities that buck the trend of typical roles, but here a lot Laz's cast feel just kind of phoned in and generic for the genre. Emma Knight fills the role of Karin Murphy, the beleaguered but tough-as-nails cop who assists Laz once she becomes aware of the masquerade. Moses Moses is the black sidekick who is helpful and getting on in years but steadfast and reliable. Pony Dee is the old mentor, Khaleda is the femme fatale etc. There's nothing inherently wrong with any of the characters but they do feel a little too simple to be memorable.
If this review sounds too overly negative, remember that all the positives I listed about previous books for the most part still carry over and its why I would consider this series to this point, at the very least decent popcorn literature. It's a fun way to pass the time, but I don't think I would come back to this book anytime soon.
June 24, 2019
This was another good addition to the series. I loved the character of Morningstar and his smooth, easy-going personality. I’m still a huge fan of the Baron.
While I’d say Travis Baldree is either my #1 or #2 favorite narrator (he’s kind of tied with James Foster from Quincy Harker), I couldn’t help but notice that whenever the word “neanderthal” was mentioned, Mr. Baldree would pronounce it more as “neandertaw.” Not sure why, but yeah.
I also couldn’t help but notice that there was a good amount of repetition/redundancy (similar to book 2). For example, “I opened my eyes and an article caught my eye.” Or “We saw a nurse with jumpy eyes and deep circles under his eyes.” Or “Calada(?) bent over, closed the suitcase, flipping the clasps closed.”
There was also this thing with using the word “anymore” at the end of several different sentences that I didn’t really understand. “The pentagram has a bad reputation anymore.” Does that make sense with “anymore?”
I also also couldn’t help but notice that in book 2, Lazarus ends up saying how he’d never been referred to as adorable, while in book 3 it was cute.
Questions/Comments:
Sorry, but Lazarus driving a smart car and still being a cool character? Yeah, no. lol
I had an issue with the kids at the end of the story. Lazarus encounters three kids; two of them are identified as being ten and twelve. Why did both of them act/behave much younger though? For example, the twelve-year-old girl repeatedly comments about Lazarus’ swearing. Like the first time she was “you just said a swear” in almost a whisper as though she’d never heard someone say one out loud. And the ten-year-old boy ends up “almost” crying (his eyes got watery) when the twelve-year-old threw a pillow at his head. Maybe it was just me…
While I’d say Travis Baldree is either my #1 or #2 favorite narrator (he’s kind of tied with James Foster from Quincy Harker), I couldn’t help but notice that whenever the word “neanderthal” was mentioned, Mr. Baldree would pronounce it more as “neandertaw.” Not sure why, but yeah.
I also couldn’t help but notice that there was a good amount of repetition/redundancy (similar to book 2). For example, “I opened my eyes and an article caught my eye.” Or “We saw a nurse with jumpy eyes and deep circles under his eyes.” Or “Calada(?) bent over, closed the suitcase, flipping the clasps closed.”
There was also this thing with using the word “anymore” at the end of several different sentences that I didn’t really understand. “The pentagram has a bad reputation anymore.” Does that make sense with “anymore?”
I also also couldn’t help but notice that in book 2, Lazarus ends up saying how he’d never been referred to as adorable, while in book 3 it was cute.
Questions/Comments:
Sorry, but Lazarus driving a smart car and still being a cool character? Yeah, no. lol
I had an issue with the kids at the end of the story. Lazarus encounters three kids; two of them are identified as being ten and twelve. Why did both of them act/behave much younger though? For example, the twelve-year-old girl repeatedly comments about Lazarus’ swearing. Like the first time she was “you just said a swear” in almost a whisper as though she’d never heard someone say one out loud. And the ten-year-old boy ends up “almost” crying (his eyes got watery) when the twelve-year-old threw a pillow at his head. Maybe it was just me…
December 13, 2019
Shallow Grave (The Lazarus Codex #3) - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Lazarus 'Laz' Kerrigan is the newly appointed Pale Horseman, Death, (as in the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse in the Bible's Book of Revelations) in addition to having necromantic powers. He now answers to Baron Samedi, the voodoo god of death, who gives him missions - not always welcome.
The Shallow Grave of the title comes from a child murder victim being found buried in one in woodlands, one of several who have been reported missing to police in New Orleans.
Many interesting characters are cleverly developed; they include Khaleda,a succubus and daughter of Lucifer Morningstar, aka the Devil, Nix the Queen of the Shadow Court in Faeland, pirate ghost Jean Lafitte, (who's astonished that Laz can see and hear him,who's seeking his brothers' spirits and asks for Laz's help) and the deadly Archon who's going to use the souls of children he's taken prisoner, for evil purposes.
I can highly recommend this wonderfully riveting series The Lazarus Codex, by E.A. Copen, with its wonderful world-building, amazing characters, plus a believable and suitably interesting plot that will grip you from the first page to the very last sentence. Shallow Grave is a novel you'll want to read again and again, while equally yearning for the next great addition to The Lazarus Codex by the brilliant E.A.Copen.
Get your copy as soon as you can, then read and enjoy it thoroughly, before getting all the rest!
Lazarus 'Laz' Kerrigan is the newly appointed Pale Horseman, Death, (as in the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse in the Bible's Book of Revelations) in addition to having necromantic powers. He now answers to Baron Samedi, the voodoo god of death, who gives him missions - not always welcome.
The Shallow Grave of the title comes from a child murder victim being found buried in one in woodlands, one of several who have been reported missing to police in New Orleans.
Many interesting characters are cleverly developed; they include Khaleda,a succubus and daughter of Lucifer Morningstar, aka the Devil, Nix the Queen of the Shadow Court in Faeland, pirate ghost Jean Lafitte, (who's astonished that Laz can see and hear him,who's seeking his brothers' spirits and asks for Laz's help) and the deadly Archon who's going to use the souls of children he's taken prisoner, for evil purposes.
I can highly recommend this wonderfully riveting series The Lazarus Codex, by E.A. Copen, with its wonderful world-building, amazing characters, plus a believable and suitably interesting plot that will grip you from the first page to the very last sentence. Shallow Grave is a novel you'll want to read again and again, while equally yearning for the next great addition to The Lazarus Codex by the brilliant E.A.Copen.
Get your copy as soon as you can, then read and enjoy it thoroughly, before getting all the rest!
January 4, 2019
Lazarus is now helping to solve a mystery involving missing kids. The missing children have something in common with the death of his sister, Lydia. Emma Knight has asked for his help to find the latest missing child because she knows he can do a tracking spell. Well, the spell works but a whole can of worms has been opened.
Morningstar has appeared to protect his three day use of soul investment. He has assigned to Lazarus a special person. You know there are twists to this story so I will say keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer.
You will learn more about Morningstar, meet an interesting ghost who was a pirate. Help will come from several sources and the story kept my interest.
There is lots going on but I think you will joy the action/ mystery as much as I did and will not spoil it for you. Enjoy as I am looking forward to the next book!
Morningstar has appeared to protect his three day use of soul investment. He has assigned to Lazarus a special person. You know there are twists to this story so I will say keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer.
You will learn more about Morningstar, meet an interesting ghost who was a pirate. Help will come from several sources and the story kept my interest.
There is lots going on but I think you will joy the action/ mystery as much as I did and will not spoil it for you. Enjoy as I am looking forward to the next book!
July 14, 2020
To really appreciate this book, it is necessary to listen to/read the previous two; however, having done so, I can say that as much as I enjoyed the first book, I enjoyed the second book more, and I enjoyed this one even more than that. I binged through it, totally invested & in suspense, with no idea how it would all end. It is also quite amusing - there's a French pirate spirit that really made it fun for me - especially in the audio version.
Speaking of the audio version, which I listened to via the library, it's excellent & I really hope that Travis returns for the rest of the series - I know the next one is already out on audio as of right now, but I know I'm going to want all the rest on audio too.
Speaking of the audio version, which I listened to via the library, it's excellent & I really hope that Travis returns for the rest of the series - I know the next one is already out on audio as of right now, but I know I'm going to want all the rest on audio too.
May 23, 2019
Man, I didn't think I would be this addicted to the series when I first started it but this entry continues to pile on reasons to keep me hooked. Watching the Pale Horseman continue to grow and develop has been a fun ride and Ms. Copen adds on more and more to the story to keep it fresh. Watching the story tie back to past entries is great and shows the mark of a wonderful storyteller.
As usual, Travis did a wonderful job with the narration and he has quickly cemented himself as a tie for my top favorite narrator. And now, I have to go because I see that book four has been published in audio format. Keep em coming!
As usual, Travis did a wonderful job with the narration and he has quickly cemented himself as a tie for my top favorite narrator. And now, I have to go because I see that book four has been published in audio format. Keep em coming!
February 2, 2022
4.5 stars. I'm a tiny bit torn about this book. On the one hand, it was a fascinating story, but on the other, there is an overarching story here, and this book does almost nothing for it. The action picked up slowly, allowing me to remember this universe, and the major players in it. The plot twists kept me guessing, even if some of them were utterly obvious and telegraphed. The climax left me breathless, but I was rather let down by the resolution. I can't wait to see what happens with the overarching story.
June 17, 2018
I really enjoyed the progression of the story! Very interesting and exciting, with pirates!! I still feel really sorry for Laz, but I’m also still rooting for him. He’s a great character, and I love how he’s grown and evolved (I was going to say matured, but that’s bot quite right- haha)
This is a well written and exciting series that I’m happy to have found.
* I was honoured to have received an ARC of this book.
This is a well written and exciting series that I’m happy to have found.
* I was honoured to have received an ARC of this book.
May 24, 2019
As with the first two books, this was a continuation of the trials and tribulations of Lazarus the Necromancer. It's a fun read as were the others. Copen still needs a good editor. Also as with the others there are a number of grammatical errors but all in all I enjoyed the story. I will probably continue with the series.
June 9, 2018
Again a cracking read. Read it in one day, just could not put it down. As with the other two books in the series this is about magic. With demons, devils, ghouls etc. So right up my street. Very highly recommended must read.
June 15, 2018
Another imaginative, action packed story, where Lazarus battles to save people from dark forces with the help of his two police friends, and some not so trustworthy other allies…And wait till you meet the ghosts and the kids! I really enjoy this series.
July 12, 2019
its a decent series i like his take on death and the gods.... hes a little wishy washy on character on whether hes good or bad or a badass
January 3, 2021
Really enjoying this series. Laz's character gets more and more interesting as the stories progress.
Awesome urban fantasy. Highly recommended.
Awesome urban fantasy. Highly recommended.
August 12, 2021
Another great book about Lazarus and his trials. It seems that no sooner is he out of one scrape he manages to get into another one. I love the writing style and the story set up.
June 24, 2019
Ummmm - Spoilers
Good story with lots of twists, but no real resolution to the women in Lazarus' life. Yes, Beth stood him up, but I am guessing she isn't out of the picture yet. Then the wonderful dinner with Emma, and now he is heading off to Fairie to be there for the birth of his child. Now there is the succubus involved. What a wonderful conundrum. Can't wait to see what happens next.
Good story with lots of twists, but no real resolution to the women in Lazarus' life. Yes, Beth stood him up, but I am guessing she isn't out of the picture yet. Then the wonderful dinner with Emma, and now he is heading off to Fairie to be there for the birth of his child. Now there is the succubus involved. What a wonderful conundrum. Can't wait to see what happens next.
February 8, 2019
Book 3 didn't disappoint. Just as much awesome adventure, great new characters, and new looks at familiar ones. I just can't put these books down! My chores are sorely overdue!
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